Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-10 at 13:02

HEADLINES
Absent Mojtaba Khamenei Signals Power Shift
Germany To Withdraw Troops From Erbil Base
Trump Seeks New Iran Talks Ceasefire Over

The time is now 1:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Iranian Retaliation, the absence of Iran's supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei from the funeral ceremonies for Ali Khamenei has raised questions about his health and fears of assassination, and it signals he may perform a different function as number one compared with his father. The balance of power between the office of the supreme leader and the IRGC has shifted, observers say. Mojtaba Khamenei has been described as a weaker leader than his father, with notes that Ali Khamenei took years to consolidate authority after being named in 1989. The funeral for Ali Khamenei culminated in Mashhad with the participation of prominent figures such as the speaker of parliament, the chief justice, and Ali Khamenei's eldest son Mostafa, but there was no confirmed appearance by Mojtaba, who has communicated only through written statements since the airstrike that killed him on February 28. While unverified claims circulated online and images were scrutinized for any sign of his presence, the absence has focused attention on questions about his health and the evolution of power within the leadership.

In Regional Impacts, Germany will withdraw troops from the Erbil base in northern Iraq and close the field camp there by the end of September, Spiegel reported, citing a briefing to a parliamentary defense committee. There are about 30 German soldiers stationed at the camp near Erbil's airport. Germany has been reducing its Middle East presence amid security risks tied to the Iran war. A defense ministry spokesperson said the footprint is being reduced, with vital support services, such as assistance to the Peshmerga, to be maintained and a team of military advisers to remain at the German embassy. German troops have long operated in Erbil as part of the international coalition against ISIS, providing training, advice, and support to Kurdish Peshmerga forces.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, President Donald Trump said he had agreed to pursue further talks with Iran even as he reiterated that the ceasefire with Iran is over. There have been no direct US-Iran talks since last month, though Iranian media reported a Qatar delegation was in Tehran this week after renewed exchanges of strikes. It has been just over three weeks since Washington and Tehran signed an agreement aimed at turning the ceasefire into a lasting peace, yet the fighting persisted on Thursday. Trump posted on Truth Social that Iran had asked to continue talks and that the United States had agreed, but that the ceasefire is over. Earlier in the week at a NATO summit, Trump declared the ceasefire over and called Iranian officials “scum” and “sick people.” The United States and Iranian delegations have held one round of direct talks since the signing of their deal.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Channel 14 commentator Yaakov Bardugo disclosed that he asked Shin Bet Chief David Zini to investigate leaks within the agency, despite Bardugo not being a journalist but a media personality. He described meeting Zini at the Shin Bet headquarters, with another person present; i24 reported that the other person was a Shin Bet official connected to Channel 14’s staff. In response, the Yashar party, led by Gadi Eisenkot, issued a strongly worded statement demanding an explanation: why Zini discussed this matter with someone who has declared he is not a journalist, who has a clear political agenda, who is a close associate and loyal advocate of the prime minister, and who came with the goal of persuading him to launch an investigation against a media outlet in Israel. The statement emphasized that if a political figure or someone close to the government can influence decisions concerning security powers, it is a grave incident and the public deserves an explanation.

In Uplifting News, Israeli philanthropies are expanding educational centers for injured children in Ukraine. The Center for Jewish Impact, SASA Setton, the Foreign Ministry, and the Israeli Embassy in Ukraine announced the creation of educational centers in pediatric hospitals in Chernivtsi and Bila Tserkva, enabling injured children to continue learning, creating, and receiving emotional support during hospital stays. A similar center already operates in Odesa, with plans to extend the initiative to additional parts of Ukraine. The centers will offer classrooms, technology and robotics facilities, a library, games, and spaces for art and other creative activities, and they will be designed around the educational, emotional, and medical needs of hospitalized children, with local staff receiving professional training and ongoing guidance. The plan also includes a center at Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon.

Thank you for tuning in to this Israel Today: Ongoing War Report update.
I'm Noa Levi. Stay safe and informed.
Keep in mind that this AI-generated report may contain occasional inaccuracies, so consult multiple sources for a comprehensive view. Find the code and more details in the podcast description.

SOURCES
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/07/mojtaba-khamenei-absence-signals-shifting-role-iran-leader
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-902128
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/07/trumps-says-agreed-more-iran-talks-insists-truce-over
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-902129
https://www.timesofisrael.com/8-indicted-for-us-white-house-cage-fight-plot-last-month-targeting-trump-netanyahu/
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-902127