Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-21 at 23:01

HEADLINES
Eleventh Day of Iran Strikes Escalates Spending
Yashar Leads Knesset Poll Eisenkot Favorite
Britain Names Miliband Foreign Secretary Israel Policy

The time is now 11:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Military Role, the US military says it has completed its 11th consecutive day of strikes on Iran, with CENTCOM targeting Iranian military operation centers, maritime capabilities, aircraft hangars, drone storage facilities, and military logistics infrastructure to degrade Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has attacked more than 30 commercial vessels transiting the strait, endangering mariners and challenging freedom of navigation. Since the start of May, CENTCOM forces have supported the passage of roughly 900 commercial ships carrying about 450 million barrels of crude oil. In a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth argued that the war has cost about $37.5 billion to date and urged approval of an additional $1.5 trillion in defense funding, including a $67 billion supplemental for the Iran campaign, saying that not funding at that level would pose the greatest threat to the nation as it pays service members, replenishes equipment, and sustains a force capable of deterring aggression. His remarks were interrupted by protesters shouting calls to end the war. Separately, Sergeant Angel S. Rampersad, 28, of New York, who had been missing after Friday’s attack on a base in Jordan, is now listed as Duty Status–Whereabouts Unknown and is believed to be deceased. CENTCOM also noted that the latest strikes have ended, marking an 11th day of operations aimed at further degrading Iran’s ability to threaten shipping through the Hormuz Strait.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, a Channel 12 poll shows Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar! party as the largest faction in the Knesset if elections were held today, with 24 seats, while Eisenkot remains the preferred prime minister over Benjamin Netanyahu. The poll also indicates the entry of new parties has shifted bloc dynamics to some degree, with most opposition voters signaling a preference for a government that could rely on outside support from an Arab party if they fail to reach a majority, while coalition voters express satisfaction with the current agreements involving the ultra-Orthodox parties and want them in the next government. The distribution of blocs reportedly remains unchanged from prior readings. Additionally, Mamdani acknowledged he does not have the authority to arrest Netanyahu during the prime minister’s planned visit to New York for the UN General Assembly, after the mayor of the city had publicly declared an intention to arrest the premier; in a recorded message, the mayor called Netanyahu “a war criminal,” reflecting the heated political rhetoric surrounding the visit.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, the College Democrats’ Jewish caucus endorsed a demand for an apology from the College Democrats of America for hosting far-left commentator Hasan Piker at its national convention, saying his past statements pose a direct threat to Jewish safety and inclusion and criticizing the organization for blocking protest walkouts citing security concerns. The caucus highlighted past remarks by Piker that targeted Jews and criticized Israel, framing the pairing of Piker with sanctioned programming as normalization of rhetoric they say endangers Jewish students. In Britain, Ed Miliband has been named Britain's foreign secretary, a position described as the country’s highest-ranking Jewish official. Miliband has emphasized his Jewish refugee family background and his commitment to fighting antisemitism, while also taking critical stances on Israel that have raised concerns among some Jewish groups. His appointment comes as Britain weighs questions on Israel policy, including potential moves on West Bank settlement imports, and faces ongoing challenges related to antisemitic incidents and Jewish community concerns.

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/american-politics/article-903250
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-903245
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hknekstvzl
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/07/us-military-says-it-has-ended-its-latest-strikes-iran
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-903241
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/s18gic6emx
https://www.timesofisrael.com/college-democrats-jewish-caucus-demands-apology-for-groups-hosting-of-hasan-piker/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/britains-new-jewish-fm-has-a-long-history-of-support-for-and-disagreement-with-uk-jews/