Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-14 at 13:02

HEADLINES
Iran Escalation Threatens Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb
Kish Explosion Hits Water Facility; Kuwait Intercepts
Sharren Haskel Resigns Over Draft Evasion Bill

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 US Military Role, a US projectile reportedly exploded near a water and electricity facility on Iran's Kish Island, state media reported, with additional explosions heard on Qeshm Island according to IRGC-linked Fars News Agency; the cause is not yet known. Separately, Kuwait's Armed Forces announced they were combatting hostile aerial targets, described as missile and drone threats, within their airspace. This is a developing story.

In Regional Impacts, escalation in the Strait of Hormuz is drawing expert scrutiny that Iran may press its stance. INSS Iran expert Ben Sabti said the regime’s very survival keeps its leadership in a combative mood, with core power structures continuing to function despite domestic hardship. He argued that the US should accelerate military strikes and target additional senior Iranian officials to press for a resolution, and noted remarks from some Iranian lawmakers about a nuclear deterrent to safeguard Hormuz. He described the leadership as ready to press the confrontation, with Tehran’s resolve persisting as long as key Revolutionary Guard figures remain in place.

Trump wants to impose fees for Strait of Hormuz transit, a proposal that would levy a 20 percent charge on cargo using Hormuz after a ceasefire breakdown, prompting debate over legality. US officials have previously said no country has the right to charge for international waterways, and the policy dispute sits against a backdrop of Iran's previous closure of the strait during escalations.

A flight bound for Dubai was rerouted due to ongoing missile launches from Iran, with the route shifting to pass through Saudi airspace; the traveler expressed relief after landing safely.

Kuwait’s air defenses have been cited as intercepting hostile attacks within Kuwaiti airspace, reflecting broader spillover of regional tensions.

There are references to Iranian drones in Cuba and to comments by President Trump that actions would be dealt with “in short order,” underscoring the global reach of the conflict.

Smoke was observed rising in Kuwait, filmed from the Iraqi border, following an Iranian missile attack on Kuwait, illustrating the cascading risk to the region.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, After Strait of Hormuz, Iran turns to Bab el-Mandeb as a new pressure point. Iran is signaling it could use its Yemeni proxy Houthis to shut the Bab el-Mandeb gateway to the Red Sea, opening a new front against Washington and threatening two of the world’s most vital energy arteries beyond the Gulf. As US strikes deepen inside Iran and Houthi attacks escalate in tandem, analysts say Tehran is widening the conflict and seeking to increase pressure on Washington by extending the threat to global trade and energy supplies beyond the Gulf. Iran has already demonstrated the power of its most valuable strategic asset by disrupting traffic through Hormuz. Now it appears ready to open a second pressure point at Bab el-Mandeb, the narrow waterway linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden through which Saudi oil exports and a substantial share of global shipping pass. A senior Yemeni official warned that the Houthis are prepared to close Bab el-Mandeb if Saudi Arabia continues to attack Yemen, a move that could send oil prices soaring to $200 a barrel.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel of New Hope resigned from the government after the Knesset passed legislation freezing arrests of haredi draft evaders, saying she could no longer support a government she believes harms the country’s security during wartime. Haskel, who had opposed the bill, warned that laws encouraging draft evasion would threaten frontline resilience and indicated she would consider resignation if such laws passed. Historian and podcaster Gadi Taub describes his journey from the Labor establishment to the Israeli Right, explaining why he still backs Netanyahu and how his perspective has changed over time. The Knesset Security Cabinet and Prime Minister Netanyahu approved a budget of 1.3 million NIS to establish 34 new West Bank settlements, bringing the total under the current government to 103; the plan designates settlements across Samaria, Binyamin, Hebron, the Jordan Valley, Gush Etzion, and Megilot, with Smotrich stressing that construction will proceed on the ground. The IDF removed a soldier from her role after a livestream with controversial influencer Clavicular, sidelining Shira Braun from the international communications unit and giving her a suspended jail sentence for appearing with the influencer during his visit to Israel.

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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