Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-19 at 07:02

HEADLINES
Pollard urges unilateral Israeli Iran strike
Kurdistan gas prices double amid Iranian attack
US hits Iran near Shadagan

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 Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, Israeli commentator Jonathan Pollard argues that the Jewish state must adopt an “Israel First” doctrine and launch its own independent campaign against Iran rather than waiting to be hit first or acting only after the United States asks. The piece, a special to World Israel News, notes that Israeli intelligence sources say Israel would enter the current US-Iran confrontation only if it was hit first or at Washington’s request. Pollard opposes those conditions and proposes a third option: a surprise Israeli entry that would be conducted without seeking American permission.

In Iranian Retaliation, Iran has broadened its regional operation to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq as part of a wider escalation amid US-Iran tensions. The crisis began with Iranian attacks on Gulf shipping on July 6-7, followed by eight days of US bombing. Iran has attacked across the region, including a missile strike that killed two Americans in Jordan and attacks on the Kurdistan Region, targeting Iranian opposition groups PAK and Komala. The conflict has driven higher energy costs in the Kurdistan Region, with household gas prices doubling after the Khor Mor gas field was suspended due to security threats tied to the tensions and drone attacks; LPG at fuel stations rose to about 800 dinars per liter.

In US Military Role, US warplanes conducted strikes near Shadagan in southern Iran, as CENTCOM said it completed its eighth consecutive night of strikes against Iran. The operations targeted coastal surveillance and air-defense facilities and IRGC units that launched attacks against US service members in Jordan. Explosions were reported in Bandar Abbas and Qeshm Island, and Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization condemned a strike on the site of the Darkhovin nuclear power plant under construction in Khuzestan, calling it a violation of international law. Construction of the Darkhovin plant began in 2022.

In Regional Impacts, sirens sounded in Kuwait and Bahrain as Tehran renewed attacks on Gulf states. Kuwait activated its air defenses against what authorities called “sinful Iranian aggression” and urged civilians to follow security guidelines, while Bahrain’s Interior Ministry said sirens were activated and residents should seek shelter. The CENTCOM statement noted that the strikes aim to degrade Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and to punish IRGC forces who attacked US service members in Jordan. The eighth night of US-Iran strikes followed the deaths of two US service members in Jordan and injuries to others. UNESCO is set to declare Beaufort Castle a heritage site in danger after the IDF retook the Crusader fortress in southern Lebanon, alongside Sebastia in the West Bank and other locations threatened by war and climate change. In Jordan, the US Embassy urged Americans to avoid airports and seaports in southern Jordan due to a “credible threat” as tensions rise after Iranian attacks and the deaths of two US soldiers.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, an IDF unit shares the process of dismantling Hezbollah’s “crazy, Iranian” terror tunnels in Lebanon. The IDF’s S-2 special engineering platoon has shifted from disposing of explosives to locating, mapping, and destroying strategic tunnels in the Gaza Strip and southern Lebanon. Platoon commander Lieutenant Colonel D described removing massive blast doors, bringing in dozens of trucks carrying explosives, and the challenge of destroying tunnels built by the Iranians. He recalled a moment of discovery as a “eureka moment” and said the operation must continue, with tunnels described as Iranian-built and a continuing focus on their destruction.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, a Wall Street Journal investigation reveals details of Israel’s influence campaign to improve its image among US voters, including AI-generated texts, conservative media buys and influencer outreach, even approaching actor Chris Pratt and basketball star Steph Curry. After his UN General Assembly speech, Prime Minister Netanyahu met with pro-Israel influencers and spoke with them about public diplomacy and the impact of social networks on the discourse for and against Israel.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Smotrich announces expansion of West Bank’s Highway 465, pushing for a new level of "safety, security." Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said the project will double the road’s capacity inside the West Bank, linking the east and west settlements of the Mateh Binyamin Regional Council. He said the expansion will connect Neve Tzuf and Ateret, with Mes’ol gaining access as well. Carried out by the Finance Ministry in cooperation with the Defense Ministry, the Transport Ministry, and the Mateh Binyamin Regional Council, officials say the aim is to deepen settlement presence and strengthen Israel’s grip on the territories.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, police are probing a reported price-tag attack on the Palestinian village of A-Tuwani near Hebron. Suspects set a vehicle on fire, graffiti was sprayed on buildings, and the door of a prayer building was damaged; YNet reported that a mosque may have been set on fire. Investigators are coordinating with security agencies to locate suspects and assess a possible connection to the Gilad Farm fire, with investigators also examining whether the Gilad Farm blaze began from a cigarette butt.

In Israeli Economy and Business, the market for Israeli startups continues to draw American interest, but Europe offers major opportunities for companies willing to enter early and think locally. Industry observer Eran Westman notes that Israeli companies eventually derive a substantial share of revenue from Europe; geopolitics and procurement practices shape expansion, and individual deals can be blocked while customers separate political opinion from purchasing decisions. Westman points to Planven’s exits, including Seraphic Security and Nozomi Networks.

In Uplifting News, “Shalom from Christchurch New Zealand!”

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
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