Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-06-17 at 11:03

HEADLINES
US F-35 readiness declines as costs soar
Hormuz strait reopens after four months
Five IDF soldiers wounded in Hezbollah strike

The time is now 11:02 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Military Role, the US Government Accountability Office has found that the American fleet of F-35 stealth fighters shows reduced readiness and mission-capable rates due to ongoing maintenance issues, despite billions spent to fix them. Israeli sources say Israel’s F-35s have remained more combat-ready than the American assessment indicates, though none would provide specific numbers; one source suggested Israeli maintenance standards may be higher. Israel has had to fly the aircraft more often in recent years. The Lockheed Martin-built F-35 remains the Pentagon’s costliest weapons system, with acquisition and sustainment costs projected to top two trillion dollars.

In Regional Impacts, the vital Strait of Hormuz shipping lane is expected to re-open on Friday after nearly four months, following a US-Iran agreement to end the Middle East war. AFP explains how the reopening could work and why a return to normal is likely to take time. Once formal approval is given to re-open, stranded ships could theoretically begin to move through the strait almost immediately. Crews that have been idle for months will likely have kept up regular onboard drills and maintained the ships’ machinery and equipment, though some vessels may require underwater hull cleaning to remove barnacles and marine growth. The strait normally handles about 20 percent of the world’s crude oil, and roughly 500 ships and 20,000 seafarers have been stranded. Operators are expected to proceed cautiously.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Five IDF soldiers wounded in Hezbollah drone strike in Lebanon. Five IDF soldiers were wounded, including one seriously, when an explosive Hezbollah drone struck their location near a tank belonging to the Givati Brigade in southern Lebanon around 6 in the morning, the IDF said. The explosion caused shrapnel injuries to four soldiers, who were evacuated to a hospital; minutes later, another explosive drone struck the evacuation vehicle, injuring an additional soldier. The first four soldiers were moved for further medical treatment, and the fifth was evacuated by helicopter. Their families were notified. This is a developing story. Hezbollah MP claims delegations to Turkey promised to “support the resistance” in Lebanon. Ankara has hosted Hezbollah delegations and reassured the group of its continued presence in Lebanon, according to Hezbollah politician Ali Fayyad speaking to Al-Mayadeen. The remarks came a week after US President Donald Trump told the Qatari emir that Syria should take over the job of removing the Hezbollah threat, asserting that Israel might be better off letting Syria handle it. The report notes Turkey’s engagement includes facilitating money transfers for Hezbollah, and that Damascus has no plans to act against the group. Turkey’s relationship with Western allies remains complex, with think tanks noting Ankara’s ongoing leverage and Hezbollah activity.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, IDF women's tank unit program to start in November, Zamir announces. IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant-General Eyal Zamir said the pilot program to test women serving in tank units will begin in November. He cautioned that, at most, it could lead to a single company of tanks crewed by women, a small portion of the multiple brigades of tanks. Soldiers must meet the general physical standards for the unit, and Zamir noted past pilots in other areas sometimes faced higher injury rates, which this program aims to avoid. The program is described as a pilot, with unclear prospects for permanent integration. Separately, on June 11, 25 hesder yeshivas said they would ban their Orthodox religious Zionist male students from joining the tank corps in protest of the pilot program. Ben-Gvir appoints bereaved family members as official inspectors under terrorist death penalty law. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has named six bereaved-family members from the Choosing Life Forum as official inspectors under the Death Penalty for Terrorists Law, a move he says will oversee the conditions of terrorists sentenced to death and give inspectors supervisory powers over how the law is implemented. He described the appointment as recognizing the pain of terror victims and ensuring deterrence. Knesset approves MK Tally Gotliv’s immunity in Shin Bet officer identity exposure case. The Knesset plenum voted 62 in favor and 48 against to grant Likud MK Tally Gotliv immunity, blocking prosecution over allegations of disclosing a Shin Bet officer’s identity. Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara argued the disclosure created a security risk during wartime, while Gotliv contended the actions were warranted; the vote sparked debate over precedent and accountability.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Raisin industry heir Bruce Lion charged in antisemitic harassment case in LA. Bruce Lion, heir to a prominent raisin family, was charged with three felony counts for making threats against his Jewish neighbor and bias-motivated offenses. He was arrested over the weekend and is held in Los Angeles County jail on a $50,000 bond, awaiting arraignment. His neighbor, Rabbi Zushe Cunin, said Lion has targeted him since March, including antisemitic remarks in front of children. The charges include one count of using threats or force because of beliefs and two counts of threatening to commit a crime with intent to terrorize.

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-899714
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/06/what-happens-when-strait-hormuz-re-opens
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-899721
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-899712
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-899710
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-899695
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-899707
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-899704