Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-14 at 10:02

HEADLINES
Mossad Plot to Install Ahmadinejad Exposed
Netanyahu Hezbollah missiles down to seven percent
First woman IAF brigadier-general Washington attaché

The time is now 10:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, reports regarding a Mossad plan to recruit and prepare Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to take over Iran have prompted questions about whether the operation would succeed or fail. The New York Times published the details, later confirmed by former Military Intelligence chief Tamir Hayman to PBS, and The Jerusalem Post cited Western sources backing the wider outline. Ahmadinejad is described as being under house arrest, and with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps still in control of the country, observers say the project did not reach its stated objectives. Some accounts suggest the exposure may reflect Western efforts to curb potential Israeli adventurism in Iran, leaving the broader confrontation between Tehran and Jerusalem unresolved.

In US Military Role, a delegation from the Israeli Navy led by deputy chief R.-Adm. Guy Levy travelled to the United States to participate in events marking 250 years of American independence. The visitors, along with the Israel Navy Attaché in Washington and other officers, held meetings with senior US Navy leaders including Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao and Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Daryl Caudle, as well as officials at the Naval Academy. The discussions extended to naval officials from other countries and focused on building and advancing operational dialogue and strengthening professional partnerships between the two navies to support maritime security.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Hezbollah now possesses only about seven to eight percent of the missiles it held at the start of the war, a point he raised during remarks at the Negev Conference in Dimona. He warned Iran against attacks on Israel and discussed the ongoing rehabilitation of Gaza border communities, as well as developments in Dimona, emphasizing that quiet cannot be counted on and that consequences would be severe if provoked. Separately, Iraq’s new prime minister, Ali al-Zaidi, arrived in Washington to bolster US ties amid tensions linked to Iranian-backed militias operating in Iraq. The visit comes as Iraq seeks to manage militias and the withdrawal of US forces, with reporting noting that Tehran’s influence in the region has spurred militias to act in the wake of strikes on Iran earlier this year. Zaidi is expected to remain in the capital for several days as part of a broader effort to align on security, diplomacy, and the fight against shared threats.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, an obituary reflects on Senator Lindsey Graham as someone who deeply influenced US-Israel relations and who was regarded as a steadfast friend across more than two decades. The piece recounts Graham’s early life, service in the Air Force, and the personal responsibility he assumed to support his sister, highlighting a life shaped by adversity and service. It notes the author’s long association with him and recounts a public figure who maintained strong ties to Israel and to broader security discussions, offering a personal perspective on his impact and legacy.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, the Knesset plenum continued a contentious debate over a bill to temporarily freeze arrests of haredi draft evaders ahead of its final readings. Legal warnings that the bill is unbalanced have added to pressure from bereaved families and IDF veterans amid ongoing manpower shortages. IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant-General Eyal Zamir has spoken out against the measure, warning that implementing the law could undermine recruitment and erode the sense of equal obligation to serve. The proposed halt would last from the law’s publication date through November 30, with broader implications for national security and the credibility of the IDF as the nation’s army.

In Israeli Economy and Business, the Czech Republic is negotiating with Israeli defense firms to purchase air defense systems, with discussions focused on the Spyder, Arrow, and other systems. Czech Foreign Minister Petr Mikanka, speaking alongside Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, said Prague views Israeli air defense technologies as among the best, describing them as technologically advanced. The talks are described as developing, reflecting interest in strengthening defensive capabilities and regional security partnerships.

In Uplifting News, the Israel Defense Forces announced the promotion of the first woman to brigadier-general in the Israeli Air Force, appointing her as the force’s Washington attaché. Colonel G., whose full identity remains classified, has commanded the Uvda air base since May 2024 and previously became the first woman to command an air force squadron in 2019. Her promotion places her among a small cadre of higher-ranking officers and marks a historic milestone, with her next post serving as the air attaché in Washington to oversee close cooperation between the two nations’ air forces.

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/iran-news/article-902495
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-902455
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/benjamin-netanyahu/article-902497
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-902494
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-902483
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-902492
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-902490
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-902500