Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-12 at 14:02

HEADLINES
Iran fires three missiles at Kuwait base
US ramps up air activity in Gulf
Beaufort Castle tense as Hezbollah looms

The time is now 2:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Iranian Retaliation, Iran fired three ballistic missiles at a US military base in Kuwait, according to the IRGC-affiliated Tasnim News Agency. Explosions were heard in the area and smoke was seen in the border region between Kuwait and Iraq. Smoke was also observed rising from a Kuwaiti port, reported by Walla earlier on Sunday. This is a developing story.

In US Military Role, the report describes a surge in American air activity in the Persian Gulf region and suggests a potential wave of attacks in the near term. An E-3G AWACS airborne warning and control aircraft and KC-135R refueling aircraft departed from Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia. KC-135R sorties also took off from Al Udeid in Qatar, from Al Dhafra in the United Arab Emirates, and from Tel Aviv. A P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft launched from Isa Air Base in Bahrain and is operating in the area.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Reporter’s Notebook notes that IDF forces at Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon are preparing for Hezbollah’s next move. Beaufort Castle sits on high ground near the Litani River, offering views toward Metula and Nabatiya. The castle’s history includes changing hands through the centuries, with a notable 1982 battle in Operation Peace for Galilee in which the Golani Brigade fought to take the castle and a commander was killed. After Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanon in 2000, the castle came under Hezbollah, and in May 2026, during the IDF 36th Division’s ground maneuver toward Nabatiya, the Golani Brigade again captured the castle, its banners now flying from its highest point.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, the coverage centers on how US support for Israel has been shaped by key figures and strategic concerns. One opinion recounts the climate in December 2014 during Israel’s Gaza confrontation and the broader debate over the Iran nuclear deal, praising Lindsey Graham for his steadfast friendship, moral clarity, and willingness to stand with Israel when it mattered. Separately, Israeli defense officials warn that if the United States sells F-35 fighters to Turkey, Ankara could potentially work around the limits imposed on the aircraft, a concern not uniformly shared by Gulf buyers who paused their pursuit due to restrictions. Netanyahu has framed Turkish concerns within a broader regional balance of power. A commentary item attributes a shifting dynamic in US politics to Lindsey Graham’s passing, noting historically strong bipartisan support for Israel in Congress is changing as public opinion evolves, with some Americans expressing views that Israel has committed genocide.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Shin Bet Chief Zini’s first meeting with Opposition leader Yair Lapid is reported, taking place amid allegations of excessive loyalty to Netanyahu and potential influence on elections. Zini took office in October 2025, and his background is primarily in the IDF rather than the Shin Bet. He says the meeting covered the agency’s operations, and Lapid received an update on threats across different fronts, with questions remaining about the purpose and timing of the encounter. Separately, Netanyahu said there is a vigilante element in the West Bank but characterized it as coming from about 150 juvenile delinquents who are not representative of the settler community, insisting that Israel is a democracy of law and that those who break the law are brought to justice. He referenced an incident in which US Congressman Ro Khanna and his group were detained by settlers during a visit, noting that Khanna’s group was surrounded by settlers with M4 rifles, and that Khanna did not meet Israeli officials during the visit.

In Uplifting News, US President Donald Trump has ordered that all American flags be lowered to half-mast until 6 PM on Saturday in honor of Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham.

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-902266
https://t.me/abualiexpress/126410
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-902260
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-902272
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-902268
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-902264
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-902278
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-902265
https://t.me/selena_updates/67043