Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-06-18 at 08:02

HEADLINES
Gulf wary funding Iran's 300 billion reconstruction
Secret Hamas Records Reveal October 7 Deception
Bennett Forms AI Advisory to Boost Israel

The time is now 8:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Regional Impacts, Gulf states hesitate to fund $300 billion reconstruction for Iran, with concerns that the terms could empower Tehran to destabilize the region. Gulf states are seen as likely reluctant to contribute to the minimum $300 billion promised for Iran’s reconstruction in the Memorandum of Understanding after months of unprovoked attacks. President Donald Trump denied reports of the fund and said neither the United States nor Gulf partners would be expected to provide the endowment, though Vice President JD Vance had previously told CBS that Iran could receive a $300 billion reconstruction fund backed by Gulf states if it complies with the agreement. The MoU calls for the United States and regional partners to develop a definitive plan with at least $300 billion for Iran’s reconstruction and economic development, with the implementation mechanism to be finalized within 60 days and all required licenses, waivers, and permissions for relevant financial transactions to be granted by the United States. Such a commitment would be difficult for Gulf states to accept, according to Bahraini analyst Dr. Ahmed Alkhuzaie, who cautions about the regional balance and implications.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Secret Hamas records show a covert deception plan behind October 7, exclusive. New secret Hamas internal documents have been provided by IDF intelligence to a national research institute and released in a report, with six documents in total and three covered in this article. The documents illustrate Hamas’s progression from 2022 to 2023 in an effort to deceive Israel into complacency to enable a surprise attack by the IDF on October 7, 2023. The earliest document, dated September 13, 2022, is titled Building a Strategic Deception Plan Which Will Be the Basis for a Surprise Attack by Hamas on Israel. Section 5 of that document stresses the need to formulate a multi-disciplinary strategic deception plan spanning diplomacy, military, economic, and public relations, to advance ongoing hostage negotiations and related exchange issues as part of a broader strategy.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Bennett forms AI advisory committee to boost Israel’s national tech policy ahead of elections and tensions with EU leadership. Former prime minister Naftali Bennett has established an advisory committee on artificial intelligence to develop a long-term national policy, aiming to boost Israel’s technological edge and position the country as a global and regional leader in AI. The committee will develop policy recommendations for the government in areas including innovation, education, regulation, and security, and it is intended to promote the use of AI technologies for the public and the economy. It will also examine opportunities and challenges posed by AI for the economy, society, and security, with the aim of strengthening Israel’s advantage in this field. Bennett’s Together Party remains in opposition and merged with Yesh Atid in April, with elections set no later than October 27. Separately in domestic politics, Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar has cut ties with EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas after remarks comparing Israel to the racist South African apartheid regime. Sa’ar says he will sever all contact until she retracts the remarks, while Kallas responds that the EU remains committed to Israel and to a two-state solution and is open to continuing dialogue in a constructive spirit. The EU reaffirmed its commitment to a constructive relationship with Israel, and Kallas stressed continued engagement on the basis of shared interests and the two-state framework.

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/middle-east/article-899829
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-899814
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-899832
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-899817