Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-15 at 14:02

HEADLINES
Gaza at 70% IDF control
IDF targets Hezbollah in 52 Lebanese villages
Sharren Haskel launches Israel First party

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 Regional Impacts, Israeli officials say the IDF now controls between 67% and 70% of the Gaza Strip, a figure disclosed to the Security Cabinet. Senior military officers briefed the cabinet on Tuesday, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asked for a detailed map of current deployments. The hostage-release framework had envisaged the IDF remaining in roughly 53% of Gaza along the Yellow Line, but officials say operations in recent months have extended beyond that line as Hamas refused to disarm and the threat from the group remains. Netanyahu has said the aim is to prevent rearmament and attacks, with commanders targeted in the process. Weeks ago, Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz directed the IDF to move to 70% control of the Gaza Strip; at a Jordan Valley event at the end of May, Netanyahu said the goal was to reach 70% control, even as audience members pressed for 100%.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, the IDF is racing to finish eliminating Hezbollah terror infrastructure in 52 southern Lebanese villages in the coming weeks, according to Israeli sources. During The Jerusalem Post’s visit to Bint Jbail, IDF officials discussed with the Post and other outlets how they defeated Hezbollah and the current state of play. On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump told Prime Minister Netanyahu that he wanted Israel to withdraw from both Lebanon and Syria. For the last several weeks, Israel, the United States, and Lebanon have been negotiating over where a pilot program of small partial withdrawals will take place, handing over a specific area to the Lebanese Armed Forces. Originally two areas under discussion were Tibnin and Ali Taher Ridge, but there could be evolution in the areas, including the addition of a third area. On July 5, the Post spoke with the Givati Brigade’s Weapons Commander Lieutenant-Colonel “I,” who described to the Post the current state of operations in the area.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, violence by extremist Israelis against Palestinians in the West Bank has declined by about 25% since March, following intensified enforcement, arrests, and administrative restrictions; when counting only attacks that injured Palestinians or endangered lives, the drop is about 25%, and for all acts of violence the decrease is about 11%. Central Command chief Major-General Avi Bluth has signed 23 administrative restriction orders in recent weeks, including bans from entering the West Bank and, in some cases, house arrest for periods up to six months. Shin Bet chief David Zini has accepted Prime Minister Netanyahu’s request to grant Sara Netanyahu lifelong security protection, with a recommendation to be reviewed by the Ministerial Committee for Shin Bet Affairs; while N12 reports the final decision on whether it is lifelong or for five years remains to be determined, the expectation is that the request will be granted, and protection would extend to Yair and Avner Netanyahu as well. Former deputy foreign minister Sharren Haskel announced the launch of a new right-wing party, Israel First, saying the old political order has placed sectoral interests over frontline security and promising a home for voters who feel politically homeless. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar named MK Michel Buskila as the new deputy foreign minister after Haskel’s resignation, with the appointment contingent on government approval and taking effect if and when approved. Transportation Ministry officials, led by Minister Miri Regev, are weighing limits on election flights to deter what they view as potential anti-Netanyahu voting, a discussion spurred by concerns that many incoming voters would support opposition parties; the Jerusalem Post approached for comment. Separately, up to 50,000 flight tickets may be canceled in July following an American decision to freeze the evacuation of its refuelers stationed at Ben-Gurion Airport, the Israel Airports Authority warned.

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/israel-news/article-902628
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-902615
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-902632
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-902637
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-902631
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-902627
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-902629