Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-27 at 01:02

HEADLINES
Netanyahu warns Iran: attack means forceful response
Iran says Ukraine attacked Caspian vessel
Toronto probes antisemitic bakery attacks

The time is now 1:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Fox News that if Iran attacks Israel—directly or through its proxies, including with ballistic missiles, UAVs, or drones—it would be a “terrible mistake,” and Israel’s response would be “very, very forceful.” Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Ukraine attacked an Iranian commercial vessel in the Caspian Sea at Israel’s behest, killing one sailor and wounding another, describing the strike as an attempt to draw Europe into Israel’s war and warning it cannot go unanswered; he said he raised the issue in calls with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

In Iranian Retaliation, a senior Iranian source told Reuters that Iran will halt attacks as long as the US maintains its current pause in military operations. Prime Minister Netanyahu also weighed in on what it will take to end the conflict, stating that the regime must either be toppled or weakened enough to abandon its nuclear program and change course, and that he fully supports President Trump’s approach; with or without a deal, Iran’s nuclear program must come to an end.

In US Military Role, discussions about a broader operation touched on stockpile levels. During the exchange, Welker asked whether America is backing away from a larger military attack because stockpiles have been depleted; Mike Waltz suggested stockpiles were depleted during Biden’s tenure, while Welker pressed about acknowledgment. Waltz replied that he would not acknowledge depletion and called the leakers or those spreading the notion “nonsense.”

In Regional Impacts, Israeli President Isaac Herzog reportedly spoke by phone with Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. The Bahraini News Agency said the two discussed regional developments, bilateral relations, the Abraham Accords, and ways to bring security, stability and prosperity to the region.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Prime Minister Netanyahu said President Trump was absolutely right in stating that Saudi Arabia would get a civilian nuclear program in exchange for normalization of relations with Israel, stressing civilian rather than military aims. Separately, discussions on the Saudi nuclear deal continue, with Waltz noting that the tenets of the deal are in place but talks with the Saudis about normalizing with Israel are ongoing; the deal was signed by Secretary Wright and the Saudi energy minister but must be implemented, with the President placing an important condition on it.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, an editorial argues that Israel must confront terror and settler violence with equal resolve as West Bank violence intensifies. The piece notes Palestinian attacks that killed two Israelis and wounded others, along with a price-tag attack in which a mosque was set on fire, and reports of an Israeli stabbing incident and further clashes after Israeli civilians entered Palestinian Authority territory. Ahead of Netanyahu’s meeting, 600 former security officials pressed President Trump for a firm and unequivocal message to Netanyahu about settler violence, warning it could threaten Israel and regional stability. In preparation for the October elections, the Central Elections Committee and the Employment Service announced a joint effort to hire thousands of election personnel, with a focus on representing all segments of the population, including people with disabilities, those displaced by the wars, and those injured in the conflicts.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Toronto police are investigating two overnight incidents at separate locations of the same Jewish-owned bakery chain, one location struck by gunfire and the other sustaining damage to a window; investigators are assessing whether the incidents are connected and are seeking information from the public. A second report says Toronto police are investigating two overnight attacks on locations of the Jewish-owned Kiva’s Bagel Bar, including gunfire and a broken window, with authorities noting no injuries and saying the incidents are believed to be connected. Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow condemned the attacks, and the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs called them deeply concerning. Israel’s Foreign Minister said he is following with concern the antisemitic incidents in Toronto and urged the Canadian government to confront the wave of antisemitic violence.

In Israeli Economy and Business, AI-driven layoffs sweep Israeli tech as companies trim staff to fund an accelerated shift to AI. Monday.com, Wix, and Fiverr are among those cutting thousands of jobs as they pivot from traditional software to AI-based platforms and services. The trend mirrors a global shakeup, with tens of thousands of tech workers worldwide affected in the first half of 2026, though some firms have begun rehiring after reassessing AI capabilities.

In Uplifting News, Ashley L. Jackson, the daughter of the late civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson, has revealed she converted to Judaism after a yearslong spiritual journey, completing her conversion on June 12 with her father’s support, as shared in a personal essay in The Washington Post.

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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