Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-15 at 01:02

HEADLINES
US strikes Iran near Hormuz Iran fires
Strait of Hormuz blockade reshapes shipping
Jeffries opposes cutting Israel aid

The time is now 1:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Military Role, the US Central Command said it conducted a seven-hour wave of precision strikes against dozens of Iranian targets near the Strait of Hormuz and along Iran's coastline. CENTCOM said US aircraft, drones, and naval vessels targeted missile and drone sites, naval assets, and coastal defense systems to further reduce Tehran's ability to threaten commercial shipping and civilian crews. Iran responded with missile fire toward Gulf states. President Trump warned that next week he would strike power plants and bridges if Tehran does not come to the negotiating table.

In Regional Impacts, nine of the 11 vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday sailed via the Iranian route, according to ship-tracking data, as a naval blockade took effect on Wednesday. The data show a mix of vessel types entering and leaving the strait, including three empty oil tankers, one Aframax, and two VLCCs entering, and a VLCC carrying about 2 million barrels of crude, a refined-products tanker, and two LPG carriers exiting with Iranian exports. A laden methanol tanker and a dry bulk carrier with iron ore also moved out of the Gulf on Tuesday. There were no visible entries or exits for tankers loading oil and gas from other Gulf producers on Tuesday. Footage also emerged of an Iranian drone slamming into a warehouse in Kuwait, with a second fire already burning.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Representative Hakeem Jeffries said he would vote against Kentucky Republican Thomas Massie’s amendment to cut military aid to Israel, but wrote that American policy in the Middle East must change and that the amendment is overly broad and would restrict the ability to confront Hamas, Hezbollah, and other groups. The letter indicates a shift in sentiment among Democratic voters and politicians. The backdrop remains that Prime Minister Netanyahu has signaled a desire to begin winding down US military aid to Israel over the last two years of the Trump administration, aiming to move the relationship from aid to partnership, even as lawmakers debate the pace and scope of any changes.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, the chief of staff’s public warning against a proposed seven-month freeze on arrests of haredi draft dodgers is presented as an exceptional intrusion by a serving military leader into policy debate. Lieutenant-General Eyal Zamir argued that the legislation would make it harder for the IDF to fulfill its missions, warning it would create a disincentive to serve and worsen a longstanding manpower shortage the army says it faces, including a need for thousands of new soldiers.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, CookNSolo, the restaurant group co-founded by Israeli-American chef Michael Solomonov, announced it would close six locations, with owner Steve Cook attributing the closures to inflation, declining lunch traffic, and market saturation in fast-casual dining. Pro-Palestinian activists argue the closures reflect the impact of an ongoing boycott, while Cook maintains other market forces are to blame. Separately, a profile titled Even Israel-Hater Jacob Berger’s Family Cannot Stand Him portrays the influencer as openly critical of Israel and notes strains within his family, highlighting the broader conversation around Israel and public rhetoric.

In Uplifting News, President Trump met with five Holocaust survivors in the Oval Office today.

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://t.me/newssil/206689
https://t.me/JewishNews24/57194
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-902543
https://t.me/JewishNews24/57189
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-902541
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-902509
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-902542
https://www.israellycool.com/2026/07/15/even-israel-hater-jacob-bergers-family-cannot-stand-him/
https://t.me/JewishNews24/57180