Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-18 at 08:01

HEADLINES
IRGC Attacks US Bases Escalation Looms
US Tankers Stationed at Israeli Bases
Brent Surges to 88 on Iran Tensions

The time is now 8:01 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 communications assets at Ali Al Salem Air Base, along with other installations, according to a statement from Kuwaiti Army forces. Following these attacks, a fire reportedly broke out at a power generation and water desalination plant in Kuwait, as stated by the Electricity, Water, and Renewable Energy Ministry. The ministry added that several power generation units were shut down and that efforts were ongoing to contain the fire and carry out repairs. The Kuwait Fire Force later reported that firefighters and workers sustained injuries while responding to fires caused by the Iranian attacks. In its subsequent statement claiming responsibility for the Kuwait attack, the IRGC warned that countries hosting United States forces should expect corresponding responses if their territory is used for attacks on Iran, as reported by Tasnim News Agency.

In US Military Role, the United States tanker aircraft will be stationed at Israeli Air Force bases as Washington reinforces its aerial deployment in Israel amid escalating attacks on Iran, with the arrangement designed to avoid disrupting civilian aviation by basing the extra refueling aircraft at military facilities rather than Ben Gurion Airport.

In Regional Impacts, tensions with Iran have driven Brent crude up to 88 dollars per barrel.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, former Shin Bet official Yaron Blum criticized the recommendation to provide lifetime security for Sara Netanyahu as delusional, saying such extensions are not grounded in reality. He noted the ministerial committee that approved the measure included Benjamin Netanyahu and ministers Yariv Levin, Israel Katz, Itamar Ben Gvir, and Yoav Kisch, and he questioned Shin Bet leadership for supporting the move. Separately, the New York City mayor said he has not abandoned plans to detain the Israeli prime minister during the United Nations General Assembly, but will act only within his legal authority and is reviewing the matter with the Law Department.

In Uplifting News, experts are turning to artificial intelligence, brain stimulation, and new drugs to curb Israel’s rising smoking problem, which has grown in recent years from about one in five adults to about one in four. The report notes that since October 7 an estimated 2,500 Israelis have been killed by terrorists and more than 22,000 have been wounded, while tobacco-related causes have claimed about 12,000 Israeli lives since 2023, including 900 non-smokers exposed to secondhand smoke. Hundreds of thousands have developed debilitating diseases linked to smoking, including COPD, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and cancer, with factors such as war-related stress, intensified promotion by tobacco companies, insufficient enforcement, and misperceptions among younger people about the meaning of smoking contributing to the trend.

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/middle-east/iran-news/article-902870
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/syabgadnfl
https://t.me/abualiexpress/126766
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-902869
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/h1pe6au4zl
https://www.jpost.com/health-and-wellness/article-902750