Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-12 at 08:02

HEADLINES
Iraq to sign oil deals in Washington
Scarlet Lady barred by Turkey and Egypt
Maya Vishniak killer gets 25 years

The time is now 8:02 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Regional Impacts, Iraq's prime minister will visit Washington on Monday to deepen strategic ties with the United States.
Oil and gas deals are expected to be signed as part of a broader push for economic, trade and investment cooperation.
Iraq has been seeking to balance its ties with Iran and the United States as military escalation between the rivals continues.
The agreements will include memorandums of understanding in the oil and gas sector as Iraq prepares to bring in various US companies that will provide momentum to increase oil production capacity, according to government spokesperson Haider al-Aboudi.
The planned oil and gas deals would also seek to create alternative export outlets to reduce Iraq's exposure to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iraq, like other Gulf oil producers, has suffered a drop in oil revenue due to the effective closure of the vital shipping route during the US-Iran war.
Al-Aboudi said strengthening Iraq's armed forces would also be among the issues discussed in Washington.
Separately, a regional note saw a cruise ship dispute in the area as Turkey blocked the Scarlet Lady from docking at Kuşadası and later Egypt denied entry to Alexandria over what authorities described as misaligned moral values.
The Scarlet Lady, carrying about 2,000 passengers on a route from Athens to Venice, was rerouted after the Turkish move to Alexandria, Egypt, where it was again refused entry.
“It's pretty stunning, to be honest. I mean, and the reasoning behind it is that it's a gay group,” said Rich Campbell, the CEO of Atlantis Events, describing the decision.
The ship was unable to call at its planned ports, underscoring regional frictions that can affect travel and commerce.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Maya Vishniak's killer was sentenced to 25 years in prison after a plea deal.
The Tel Aviv District Court handed Amit Almog a 25-year term for the murder of his girlfriend, Maya Vishniak, in a case that has gripped the country since 2020.
The court also imposed suspended prison terms and ordered about 258,000 shekels in compensation to Vishniak's family to be divided among her parents and three siblings.
The sentence largely followed the prosecution's position under the plea agreement reached late last year, in which prosecutors sought 26 years while the defense argued for a lighter sentence.
Almog admitted to murder with intent and withdrew long-standing claims that he killed Vishniak while insane or under diminished criminal responsibility, with the court saying the murder gravely violated the sanctity of life and the trust in their romantic relationship.
The agreement gave limited weight to his mental condition and cannabis use at the time, but did not reduce criminal responsibility for intentionally causing her death.

In Israeli Economy and Business, 'A Daring Enterprise': Pragmatism, principles, and peace through prosperity - review.
The review argues the idea that American capital guided by American values can create peace through prosperity remains vital.
It describes how the US government brought a venture capital initiative into being, how it was developed, and how it has achieved real success.
Three authors are listed on the cover: James A. Harmon, Cornelius Queen, and Mark Warren, with Harmon presenting the story as a personal journey after receiving a call from Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in the wake of Egypt's 2011 revolution.
The narrative emphasizes the role of soft power and cross-border cooperation in reshaping regional prospects.

In Uplifting News, In the wake of October 7, doing good matters more than ever - opinion.
The piece argues good builds on life experiences to guide thoughts and actions according to signposts.
The author reflects on the four-letter word Good, noting its vagueness and how its meaning can shift with experience.
The essay suggests that acts of goodness help people cope with adrenaline, frustration, despair or exuberance and reinforce the importance of doing good in challenging times.

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.jpost.com/middle-east/article-902225
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-902192
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-902227
https://www.jpost.com/business-and-innovation/article-901961
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-901880