Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-17 at 23:01

HEADLINES
Over 50,000 Troops Engaged as Strikes Persist
Bahrain Braces as Iranian Attacks Loom
Haifa Antisemitism Conference Draws Global Scholars

The time is now 11:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Military Role, the United States has completed its seventh consecutive night of strikes against Iran, with CENTCOM saying targets included surveillance sites, military logistics infrastructure, underground weapons storage, and maritime capabilities. CENTCOM also says it is enforcing a naval blockade against Iranian ports, and officials note that more than 50,000 American service members are operating across the Middle East and remain vigilant, lethal, and ready.

In Regional Impacts, Sirens are sounding across Bahrain as another wave of Iranian missiles and/or drones are inbound.

In Uplifting News, I have just returned from Haifa, where I delivered the closing address at a conference on antisemitism that had been planned for years but postponed because of the war. The gathering drew scholars from 20 countries, with about 500 participants and 220 speakers, and notable attendees included Deborah Lipstadt, Dina Porat, and Cochav Elkayam-Levy. The conference, organized by the Comper Center for the Study of Antisemitism and Racism at the University of Haifa in partnership with the London Centre for the Study of Contemporary Antisemitism and Gratz College, was the largest annual academic gathering devoted to antisemitism. The speaker stressed that while hatred has surged since October 7, the battle is far from lost.

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.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-july-18-2026/
https://t.me/DefenderDome/22248
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-902674