Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-06-09 at 08:02

HEADLINES
Satellite Evidence Points to Ramat David Strike
IDF Strikes Hamas Naval Police HQ Casualties
First World WWOX Gene Therapy Patient Israel

The time is now 8:02 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, satellite imagery published by Soar Atlas early Tuesday on X may indicate that Ramat David Air Base in the North may have been struck during the recent escalation in conflict with Iran. Comparing satellite footage from Monday to footage from June 5, it is possible to see what appears to be the impact of a strike at a hangar at the base, which is near Migdal Ha'emek in northern Israel. It is not clear from the imagery what the extent of the damage would be or what would have been damaged. The IDF did not respond to The Jerusalem Post's inquiry for clarification about the issue, nor did it respond to Yediot Aharonot, which first reported Soar Atlas's X post. Last month, there was also imagery published of what appeared to be two strikes impacting Ramat David during Operation Roaring Lion. Ramat David normally houses five air force F-16 and drone squadrons. Despite the hits on the base and on other air force bases over the last three years of war, the air force has said it has not lost a single fighter jet to date.

In Regional Impacts, France has quietly resumed a military presence in Chad, about a year after being expelled from the country, with a small contingent of French officers returning to N'Djamena to reestablish defense cooperation amid growing regional security threats. The renewed contacts reportedly began following Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby's visit to Paris in late January and continued during discussions on the sidelines of a France–Africa summit. The rapprochement comes as Chad faces mounting pressure from jihadist groups including ISWAP and Boko Haram around the Lake Chad basin, instability along its border with Sudan, renewed activity by the rebel group FACT, and security concerns in the country's north involving armed factions and cross-border actors linked to Libya. While French personnel have returned, reports indicate the move currently involves a limited advisory mission rather than a large-scale military redeployment.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, the IDF struck Hamas's naval police headquarters in Khan Yunis on Sunday, the military confirmed on Tuesday. The facility was used to advance and execute attacks against IDF troops and the State of Israel, and is involved in planning, directing, and executing terrorist activities, the statement said. The headquarters was reportedly being utilized to rebuild Hamas's military capabilities under the cover of the ongoing ceasefire. The terrorist group is exploiting civilian facilities as well as military infrastructure to smuggle weapons, the military said. Several terrorists were reportedly killed in the strike, including a commander in Hamas's military wing. The IDF also targeted three Hamas weapons storage facilities in southern Gaza last week. Local residents were given advanced warning prior to the strikes, which led to the identification of Hamas terrorists attempting to transfer weapons from the site. Separately, Israel conducted strikes on the southern coastal city of Tyre.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, more than a hundred current or former UNRWA staff were referred to the US State Department for suspension or disbarment from the UN agency for participating in the October 7, 2023 massacre and or their affiliation with Hamas’s military wing, the USAID Office of Inspector General confirmed last week. UNRWA school principals, teachers, security personnel, attendants, psychosocial counselors, and medical professionals were among those referred. Some of the 101 individuals had already been referred by USAID OIG, with additional information uncovered since the initial action. Two deputy school principals at an UNRWA institution were referred for serving in senior positions in Hamas’s Izzadin al-Qassem Brigade, including one said to have served as deputy company commander in the Ain Jalut 5th Infantry Battalion and another as a squad leader for the 2nd Infantry Battalion of the Khan Yunis Brigade. Another deputy principal was said to have served as platoon commander in Hamas’s Nuseriat battalion and had communications responsibilities during the 2023 massacre, while a teacher who also worked as a... remains unconfirmed in the filing.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Yashar Party leader Gadi Eisenkot challenged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to a public debate ahead of the upcoming elections after a Likud video claimed he would be unable to form a government without Arab parties. Eisenkot called on Netanyahu to “set a date and a place” for a public discussion, saying, “A true leader speaks with the public.” The exchange adds to a wider debate among opposition figures about forming a coalition, as parties in the bloc seek to replace Netanyahu.

In Uplifting News, an eight-month-old infant with a rare but devastating genetic epilepsy became the first patient in the world to receive an experimental gene replacement therapy designed to restore the function of the WWOX gene directly in the brain. The treatment, administered at Schneider Children’s Medical Center of Israel in Petah Tikva, marks a significant milestone in precision genetic therapies for ultra-rare neurological disorders. The breakthrough was led by Prof. Rami Aqeilan of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, with the family requesting anonymity and no photos. The ultra-orphan condition has only 60 to 90 genetically confirmed cases identified worldwide, highlighting the potential impact of this approach and the long-term work ahead in translating such therapies from research to broader clinical use.

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/israel-news/defense-news/article-898862
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https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-898818
https://t.me/hnaftali/23420
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