Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-06-16 at 12:02

HEADLINES
Canceled Iran strike would dwarf Genesis flight
US secret oil transfers shuttle Gulf ships
US withholds MoU details from Israel

The time is now 12:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, journalist Mendy Rizel reveals that the strike flight over Iran that was canceled last week would have been the Air Force’s largest in its history, even bigger than the Genesis flight that opened Operation Shagat HaAri.

In US Military Role, the United States military has overseen scores of secretive ship-to-ship oil transfers to keep Gulf energy exports flowing, employing aerial and water drones as well as helicopters to guide convoys to awaiting tankers. The operation at the edge of the Strait of Hormuz uses a shuttling technique long used by Iran to skirt sanctions. Two locations have been identified for the transfers—off the coast of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates and off Oman’s Sohar. The program began in early May and has involved at least 92 ships, according to shipping data and satellite imagery reviewed by Reuters. As recently as June 11, 17 pairs of ships were seen carrying out simultaneous oil transfers at the two sites, according to satellite imagery reviewed by Reuters. An Apache helicopter downed by Iran on June 9, sparking retaliatory bombings by the United States, was involved in the mission, according to four sources, including a former US official. Satellite imagery counted six pairs of tanker ships clustered together in a small area off the coast.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, US President Donald Trump expresses frustration with Israel’s prolonged Hezbollah campaign in Lebanon, noting the conflict has dragged on for 981 days without a decisive outcome. “Israel is fighting Hezbollah too long, and too many people are being killed,” he said, adding that “you don’t have to knock down an apartment house every time you’re looking for somebody,” given civilian casualties in densely populated areas.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, the United States denied Israel’s request to view the newly agreed Memorandum of Understanding before the signing ceremony, which is expected to be held in Switzerland later this week. A source confirmed the denial to The Jerusalem Post, and President Trump had earlier said he would read the deal word for word, though he did not specify when. The details, reportedly including 14 clauses such as the withdrawal of the Israeli Defense Forces from southern Lebanon, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and the release of about $24 billion in sanctioned funds, have not been published. Israelis expressed dismay that the MoU could widen gaps with the United States, with one observer saying, “we are in this mess a lot longer.” Separately, Trump announced he would soon release the text of the Iran deal, asserting that Hormuz would remain toll-free beyond the 60-day negotiation period and repeating that Iran will not obtain a nuclear weapon. He argued that a strong American presidency is needed to keep Hormuz open and dismissed comparisons to the 2015 JCPOA, saying this agreement would be a wall against a nuclear weapon.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Jewish American startup founders Gabe and Aiden Einhorn faced hate from a job applicant who wrote, “Not interested in working for a Jew. Thanks.” The incident quickly drew attention, with Cornell University releasing a statement on June 9 saying it takes all reports of discrimination and hate speech seriously and would conduct a thorough review under university policy. The applicant, identified as Aiden Franco, commented on Einhorn’s post and doubled down on his words rather than offering an apology.

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/newssil/204296
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-899598
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-899599
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-899606
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-899591
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-899593
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-899601