Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-26 at 08:01

HEADLINES
Ukraine strikes Caspian ship bound for Iran
Guterres says Golan Heights belong to Syria
Rafah Gaza reconstruction pilot with ISTF

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 Regional Impacts, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine conducted long-range strikes in the Caspian Sea, including vessels used in military cargo shipments involving Iran, and Kyiv confirmed a ship struck in the Caspian carried drone and missile components bound for Iran. Ukrainian ambassador to Israel Yevgen Korniychuk said this was not the first time Ukraine had hit such military targets and that it expects to do so again, stressing that these shipments are legitimate military targets. Iran claimed the attacked vessel carried civilian goods and accused Kyiv of widening the war. Separately, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, during a Damascus visit, reiterated that the Golan Heights are Syrian territory and urged respect for Syria’s sovereignty, signaling a call for restraint and international action to curb Israeli involvement in Syria. The UN chief’s trip underscored long-standing disputes over border and sovereignty in the region. In the West Bank, the UN Human Rights Office urged the Palestinian Authority to end arbitrary detention, torture, and other ill-treatment of Palestinians, including journalists and political activists, noting that some detainees are held under a law the Palestinian Supreme Constitutional Court ruled unconstitutional. Dozens have been held despite court orders for release, with reports of detainees, including children, facing torture and ill-treatment. In the Strait of Hormuz talks, Iran and Oman said there is some progress on navigation arrangements, with Oman proposing a regional consortium to oversee maritime security, search-and-rescue, and other regional cooperation, funded on a voluntary basis. Iran has pushed back on the idea of mandatory payments, emphasizing respect for each coastal state’s sovereign rights, while discussions focus on safe shipping and operational mechanisms for traffic through Hormuz.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Sharaa: Syria seeking security agreement with Israel, but won’t give up on Golan Heights - report, Syria says it is pursuing a security framework with Israel with international help and hopes it could open a path to broader peace while preserving Syria’s claim to the Golan Heights. UN Secretary-General Guterres reiterated that the Golan Heights are part of Syria during his Damascus visit and warned that violations of sovereignty must cease, adding that Lebanon’s crisis must be addressed with the Lebanese state’s authority in mind. Sharaa also said Syria does not intend to intervene militarily in Lebanon and is exploring ways to help stabilize the situation there. In a separate note, Zelensky accused Russia of assisting the Iranian regime after Ukraine attacked an Iranian ship in the Caspian and said he would share intelligence on Russia’s new support to Iran. He claimed that since early July there has been active Russian satellite surveillance of Gulf states and US facilities, with imagery feeding into Iranian operations, including strikes on air bases in the region, underscoring the growing intelligence and security links among Moscow, Tehran, and their partners.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, the United States and Iran have submitted responses to a Pakistan- and Qatar-mediated proposal to resume talks between Washington and Tehran, a development noted as part of a broader shift after a period of rapid US strikes on Iran and then a pause. President Donald Trump had authorized strike plans during the stretch but later said the smarter path was diplomacy, telling reporters that talks with Iran are ongoing and that the two sides are “talking to them.” The situation remains fluid as new communications go forward toward a possible resumption of negotiations. In a separate development, Harvard-educated jurist Alan Dershowitz warned New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani he could face arrest if he tries to obstruct Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s expected visit to New York for the United Nations General Assembly, a warning tied to the UN Headquarters Agreement and federal authority over transit of officials to the UN site.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, the Security Cabinet will discuss the Board of Peace’s pilot plan to begin Gaza reconstruction and humanitarian work outside Hamas control, with Rafah as the initial site for temporary housing structures and strict screening to keep potential Hamas affiliates out. If approved, the plan would mark the first area managed by the Palestinian technocratic government with support from the multinational International Stabilization Force, with a goal to commence the pilot in coming weeks. A senior Israeli officer warned of a “tense” period in the West Bank, noting an increase in terrorism linked to semi-military cells and lone attackers since Operation Rising Lion, with Iranian influence from Gaza and Turkey fueling weapons smuggling and funding. Separately, reports describe intensified IDF counterterror operations in the West Bank, including arrests, raids, and troop deployments, amid concerns of copycat attacks and security gaps as Palestinian groups seek to expand activity.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Berlin saw Islamist-related activity tied to the Berlin Pride Parade, with police noting arrests around a left-wing demonstration on Christopher Street Day as protesters shouted prohibited slogans, including calls associated with Palestinian solidarity. Police reported nine arrests connected to the march, and investigators are pursuing proceedings on a range of offenses tied to the demonstrations and potential hate speech.

In Israeli Economy and Business, Cellcom announced HBO Max will be added to its TV+ offering as part of an expanded package. New subscribers can receive HBO Max’s Standard plan for NIS 99 per month for the first three months, with existing TV+ customers able to add the plan for a three-month introductory period at no extra charge. HBO Max’s catalog includes major HBO series such as House of the Dragon, The Last of Us, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, and The Pitt, along with Warner Bros. Discovery films, classic hits like Friends and The Big Bang Theory, and content from the Harry Potter, DC, and Warner Bros. brands. Upcoming releases include the Big Bang Theory spin-off Stuart Fails to Save the Universe and DC Studios’ Lanterns, with Cellcom executives highlighting the continued expansion of its TV+ service.

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.

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