Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-18 at 07:01

HEADLINES
IRGC Strikes US Bases Kuwait Fire Injuries
US Refueling Aircraft Based in Israel
Kibbutz Deganya Evolves From Collectives to Industry

The time is now 7:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Iranian Retaliation, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed responsibility for numerous attacks on US military sites in Kuwait, Jordan, and Bahrain on Saturday morning, according to Iranian state media outlets. Sirens sounded early Saturday in Kuwait as drones targeted US ammunition stores and communication assets at Ali Al Salem Air Base, along with other installations, according to Kuwaiti Army forces. Following these attacks, a fire broke out at a power generation and water desalination plant in Kuwait, with the Electricity, Water, and Renewable Energy Ministry saying several power generation units were shut down and that containment and repairs were underway. Kuwait Fire Force later reported that firefighters and workers sustained injuries while responding to fires caused by the attacks. In a subsequent claim of responsibility for the Kuwait attack, the IRGC warned that countries hosting US forces should expect corresponding responses if their territory is used to attack Iran, as reported by Tasnim news agency.

In US Military Role, Washington is reinforcing its aerial deployment in Israel amid escalating attacks on Iran, but additional refueling aircraft will be based at Israeli Air Force bases at military facilities rather than Ben Gurion Airport to avoid disrupting civilian aviation.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, former Shin Bet official and coordinator for hostages and missing persons Yaron Blum criticized the recommendation to provide extended security for the Netanyahu family. Sara Netanyahu had requested a security detail for the rest of her life and was granted protection until the end of her husband Benjamin Netanyahu's life. Blum argued that such lifetime protection is delusional and not reflective of reality, noting that security extensions for a prime minister's family are rare exceptions. The ministerial committee that approved the decision includes Netanyahu, Yariv Levin, Israel Katz, Itamar Ben Gvir, and Yoav Kisch. Blum also criticized Shin Bet head David Zini for endorsing the lifetime protection and questioned what much of the committee would understand about security.

In Uplifting News, after a century Israel's kibbutzim remain adaptive, moving beyond agriculture to include industry and private income while preserving community life, and grappling with the scars of October 7. Kibbutz Deganya, founded in 1910 by a dozen immigrants on the shores of the Kinneret, established the model of collective income, shared labor, and self-sufficiency that helped popularize the kibbutz. Today there are roughly 259 secular kibbutzim and 24 religious kibbutzim, reflecting their ongoing evolution and resilience.

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-902687
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-902869
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-902870
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/syabgadnfl