Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-21 at 00:02

HEADLINES
US Troop Deaths 17 as Strikes Intensify
Ben-Gurion Faces 30 Daily Flight Cancellations
Houthis Impose Maritime Embargo on Saudi Arabia

The time is now 12:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Military Role, the US military said late on Monday it finished its latest round of strikes on Iran, saying it hit Iranian military command centers, missile and drone launch sites, maritime capabilities and air defense systems. The latest round lasted about five hours and marked ten consecutive nights of American strikes on Iran, according to the US Central Command. Washington said it is attempting to degrade Iran's ability to continue attacking commercial vessels flowing through the Strait of Hormuz. The broader conflict has included US-Israeli strikes on Iran and Iranian responses, with reports that the war has raised oil prices and shaken global markets. US troop deaths in the war rose to 17 over the weekend, and on Monday President Trump vowed revenge against Iran after the weekend deaths for US troops, with indications that he has threatened to expand the conflict in the days ahead.

In Regional Impacts, the escalation could force Ben-Gurion Airport to cancel 30 flights a day from August 1 if seven more American refueling planes are added to Ben-Gurion’s total, bringing the number to 40, leaving about 5,000 passengers without flights each day. An emergency meeting at Ben-Gurion was held by the transportation minister and airport officials who warned the arrangement could strain the system during a peak travel period. Elsewhere, Ilan Ramon Airport is hosting 28 American planes, with more than 10 additional refueling aircraft stationed at Israeli Air Force bases. Iranian state media aired footage they claimed showed a vessel attacked last night in the southern route of the Strait of Hormuz, off the coast of Oman. Tehran also said missiles targeted US assets near Erbil and Sulaymaniyah and that Iraqi Kurdish groups faced pressure as regional tensions rise, with Iraq seeking to curb militia power.

In The Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, the Houthis announced the immediate imposition of a maritime embargo on Saudi Arabia, saying the move is in response to the Saudi-led blockade and recent attacks under an "eye for an eye" policy. The group warned that any further Saudi escalation would be met with a "comprehensive and decisive" response, while calling for nationwide mobilization and urging supporters to prepare for all possible scenarios.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, the United States warned Americans to reconsider travel to the Middle East, cautioning that Iran and its proxies could target US interests worldwide and that flight disruptions and rapidly changing security conditions should be expected. The warning came as CENTCOM launched a tenth consecutive night of strikes on Iran, targeting military command centers, missile and drone launch sites, maritime capabilities and air defenses. The US State Department announced operations started today in three pilot zones in southern Lebanon, in Froun, Srifa and Zawtar Al-Gharbiya, under the US-mediated Israel-Lebanon Framework Agreement, with only Zawtar Al-Gharbiya under IDF control. A post from the US Embassy in Jerusalem touted a major step forward for US-Israel trade. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s office quoted Senator Rubio saying, "You can't have an MOU that's alive if they're violating the terms... The US always remains open to a diplomatic solution. We've tried multiple times with Iran and we'll continue to try... but their behavior is what we're responding to — and their behavior is they're launching missiles and drones against ships."

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Argentinian Jews marked 32 years since the AMIA bombing with a World Cup-inspired campaign, as leaders pressed for faster trials of Iranian and Hezbollah suspects. The community has adopted a chant evoking the country’s World Cup motto, "Today we cannot lose," to call for accountability for the 1994 attack that killed 85 people in Buenos Aires. Osvaldo Armoza, president of AMIA, said the process toward a trial in absentia has moved slowly and urged lawmakers to advance the legal framework. Senator Patricia Bullrich joined Jewish leaders in pushing for a swifter path to justice, as the community seeks accountability for those believed to be behind the bombing.

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.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/07/us-military-completes-its-latest-strikes-iran-marking-10th-successive-night
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-903124
https://t.me/JewishNews24/57442
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rkzqau3vmg
https://t.me/JewishNews24/57438
https://worldisraelnews.com/us-warns-americans-to-reconsider-middle-east-travel-as-iran-war-widens/
https://t.me/JewishNews24/57440
https://t.me/JewishNews24/57441
https://t.me/JewishNews24/57443
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-903127