Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-26 at 10:01

HEADLINES
- Iran Halt Attacks If US Pause Ends
- Tanker Explodes in Hormuz After Mine Collision
- Iran Hezbollah Strike Could Paralyze Israel Energy

The time is now 10:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Iranian Retaliation, Iran will halt its own attacks as long as the United States maintains its pause on strikes, a senior Iranian source told Reuters. The source said Iran’s position remains ‘attack for attack’: if the attacks stop, Iran will also halt its operations, a message already conveyed to the United States, as Washington paused after 13 nights of escalating air strikes. There is more skepticism than optimism about the pause, with the source saying the halt is tactical rather than genuine. The US ambassador to the United Nations told Fox News that President Donald Trump is giving Iran talks some space, though he did not offer further detail as a weekend lull in fighting was observed. A separate brief in the same topic notes Iran threatens Britain and Gulf States, while UN Secretary-General Guterres presses on Syrian sovereignty.

In Regional Impacts, an oil tanker exploded in the Strait of Hormuz after colliding with a naval mine, IRGC-linked Tasnim news agency reported. Tasnim said the tanker struck the mine after leaving the route Iran designated in the strait. There was no immediate official statement from Iranian authorities regarding the incident. Iran and mediator Oman have made some progress on navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, though it remains unclear whether Iran will accept the proposal currently on the table. One source said Oman has proposed establishing a regional consortium to oversee maritime security, search-and-rescue operations, and other forms of regional cooperation, with participation and payments to be voluntary, while Iran has opposed mandatory payments.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, a new Alma Research and Education Center assessment warns that a joint Iran-Hezbollah strike could paralyze Israel’s energy lifelines. The center warns of a coordinated attack on Haifa Bay, including strikes against civilian shipping near the natural harbor or gas rigs in the Mediterranean, using ballistic missiles, drones, cruise missiles, anti-ship munitions, explosive boats, and potentially underwater threats and commando capabilities. Israel’s energy and water needs depend heavily on offshore rigs and desalination facilities along the Mediterranean coast, with more than 70% of electricity produced from natural gas from offshore rigs and a large share of the water supply coming from desalination. Hezbollah is described as still capable of disrupting these assets even with diminished capabilities, underscoring the need for resilience against multi-domain threats.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, the High Court of Justice rejected on Sunday a petition to recognize Alon Shamriz as a fallen IDF soldier, ruling that the law left it unable to grant the request despite what the judges described as his extraordinary courage in escaping Hamas captivity. Justices unanimously upheld the military’s decision not to recognize Shamriz as having been on active service when he was killed, dismissing the petition filed by his parents, Avi and Dikla Shamriz. Shamriz was abducted from his home during the Hamas-led October 7 massacre, escaped after about 70 days, and was later shot and killed by IDF soldiers in Gaza City’s Shejaia neighborhood on December 15, 2023 after approaching the forces with a white flag. He and two other hostages were subsequently recognized as civilian victims of terrorism.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, two separate antisemitic assaults have been reported in Britain. Greater Manchester Police said two people were arrested after a BB gun was fired at members of the Jewish community in Manchester, leaving three people with minor injuries. The incident follows an earlier assault in London. Police say they are strengthening security for Jewish communities while investigations proceed. Campaign Against Antisemitism welcomed the arrests and called for continued work to address extremism and Jew-hatred at its source, noting that increased policing alone is not a complete solution.

In Israeli Economy and Business, a study by the Institute for National Security Studies finds Western funding from the European Union and the World Bank has kept the Palestinian Authority from collapse as Israeli tax transfers fell, with Arab-state aid contributing only a small share. The PA has faced long-running financial strain since Israel began withholding tax revenues in July 2018 to offset pay-for-slay payments, with the 2023 war deepening hardship through job losses and reduced economic activity in the West Bank. The INSS concludes the PA would have run a structural deficit since 2018 without foreign funding, underscoring reliance on Western aid to avoid financial collapse.

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-903696
https://www.jpost.com/podcast/jpost-headlines/article-903686
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-903687
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-903689
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-903693
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-903679
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-903688