Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-28 at 00:01

HEADLINES
Netanyahu cites Iran nuclear buildup Pickaxe Mountain
Oman Iran push for temporary Hormuz reopening
Rome hosts trilateral Israel-Lebanon talks August 4-6

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 Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, Netanyahu is expected to present intelligence that Iran is secretly rebuilding its nuclear program at the Pickaxe Mountain site and is misleading negotiators about its willingness to reach a diplomatic agreement.

In Regional Impacts, Oman and Iran have accelerated talks to restart shipping through the Strait of Hormuz as a short-term fix amid a slowdown in fighting between Washington and Tehran, with the talks not aimed at a full end to the conflict. Oman is keeping Washington informed, though the United States is not directly part of the talks, and the agreement would allow ships to pass safely through the waterway while negotiators remain divided on issues such as transit fees. The pause in striking last Friday and a delegation from Oman to Tehran have kept discussions moving, as mediators hope a temporary reopening could cool tensions and pave the way for more comprehensive talks.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, the next round of Israel-Lebanon talks is planned for August 4-6 in Rome, focusing on implementing the trilateral framework, resolving border issues, and expanding pilot areas in southern Lebanon. Lebanese troops will verify that areas have been cleared of Hezbollah and weapons as part of building state authority and trust for the next steps. The pilots are viewed as a real opportunity to advance on the ground and inform the model’s rollout toward a broader peace and security agreement, with momentum noted after recent meetings between Lebanese and US leaders.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Trump said there are a few differences with Netanyahu on Iran, but the relationship remains close. He also indicated he has not discussed with Saudi Arabia whether they will sign on to the Abraham Accords.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, a new N12 poll shows Yashar! ahead of Likud with 23 seats to 22 if elections were held today, with Naftali Bennett’s block at 14 seats and Yair Golan’s Democrats at 10; other parties range from nine to five seats, and Bezalel Smotrich’s Religious Zionist Party sits at four, while Blue and White and Balad fall short of the threshold. The piece on Menachem Begin’s democratic vision argues the former prime minister would be troubled by internal Likud battles as the party weighs primaries and leadership, noting that democracy depends on tolerance for disagreement and that some in the party accuse the PMO of seeking appointments over elections. A New York City mayoral remark about Netanyahu focuses on avoiding a back-and-forth over calls to arrest the Israeli prime minister the next time he visits the city.

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://t.me/JewishNews24/57782
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-903850
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-903849
https://t.me/JewishNews24/57783
https://t.me/JewishNews24/57767
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-903851
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-903837
https://t.me/JewishNews24/57774