Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-12 at 18:02

HEADLINES
Warnings ignored before Kuwait attack, six dead
Strait of Hormuz under renewed U.S. strikes
Kuwait oil platform attacked, one worker injured

The time is now 6:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Iranian Retaliation, survivors of Iran's March attack on a US base in Kuwait say leadership ignored warnings that the Port Shuaiba facility may be targeted, a claim tied to a drone strike that killed six American service members on March 1. The investigation, based on interviews with 17 people including survivors and witnesses, notes that Brigadier General Clint Barnes left the base after the strike while others under his command remained. Soldiers described feelings of guilt and betrayal, and some said the medical system failed wounded personnel. The Army declined to address the complaints directly but defended the unit’s leadership and decision-making, even as officials familiar with the intelligence cited in the report indicated the warning signs were known. Separately, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps released footage it says shows missile strikes against US positions across the region.

In US Military Role, US Central Command announced renewed strikes against Iran in the early hours, aimed at degrading Iran’s ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial ships freely transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Explosions were reported in the Iranian cities of Sirik, Bandar Abbas, Qeshm, and Jask, with state media framing the events as developing. Axios, citing a senior official, said the US conducted a wave of strikes in the last hour against Iranian missile and air defense systems as well as small boats around the Strait of Hormuz. At the direction of the Commander-in-Chief, President Donald J. Trump, CENTCOM also said forces began additional strikes to continue degrading Iran’s ability to threaten shipping, while separate reports described heavy airstrikes in Minab, Qeshm, Jask and Bushehr in southern Iran.

In Regional Impacts, the Kuwaiti Armed Forces reported that three northern land border centers and an offshore Kuwait oil company drilling platform were attacked, injuring one drilling worker.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Ambassador Yechiel Leiter said the IDF will remain in Lebanon unless Hezbollah is removed from pilot zones in the country’s south. He stressed that withdrawal hinges on the Lebanese Armed Forces being receptive to the plan and that Hezbollah has no business in Lebanon. Leiter noted he is leading negotiations on Israel's behalf with Lebanon and said Israel and Lebanon share the objective of removing Hezbollah, with the withdrawal decision tied to Hezbollah’s dismantling and the broader framework of the trilateral accord.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Axios reports that late Senator Lindsey Graham sought to secure Israel-Saudi normalization by November as a prize for the Iran war, arguing the deal could emerge if the war is brought under control and diplomacy falters. The plan, which Graham viewed as the “big prize” of the conflict, would require two-thirds congressional support and a willing next Israeli government, with a window he suggested around October to November tied to Israel’s elections. Separately, Graham’s public stance for Israel was noted before his death, when he told The Jerusalem Post, “I’ll stand with Israel until the day I die. It is our greatest ally.”

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Israel has officially set its next national election for October 27. Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, spiritual leader of the ultra-Orthodox Shas Party, criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday, saying he won’t repent, while appearing to back rival Gadi Eisenkot and signaling that Shas could consider joining a government led by Eisenkot after the elections.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Alan Dershowitz attacked Jews who voted for Zohran Mamdani, labeling them “idiots” and suggesting Mamdani should be mayor of Tehran, remarks delivered during an appearance with Rudy Giuliani. Dershowitz drew a provocative comparison to historical votes for Hitler, prompting discussion of the rhetoric surrounding New York politics.

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
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https://t.me/JewishNews24/57037
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