Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-06-18 at 15:02

HEADLINES
Israel to counter Hezbollah drones within weeks
US sanctions Frangieh, Qomati and Hezbollah firms
Bennett pushes constitution and Oct 7 inquiry

The time is now 3:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Regional Impacts, a flood of memes on social media has emerged in the wake of the drone attack on Moscow's refineries.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Israel Aerospace Industries chief Boaz Levy said Israel expects to find a solution to Hezbollah’s explosive drones in a matter of weeks, not months, with the response organized in stages of detection, identification, and destruction. He noted several ideas have already been implemented, some of which work, including methods to destroy attacking drones using kinetic and electronic means, and he said the effort is led by MAFAT in the Defense Ministry. Levy also criticized France for barring Israel from the Eurosatory weapons exhibition, arguing that embargoes have accompanied Israel since the 1960s and recalling how past restrictions helped spur the development of Israel’s aerospace capabilities. Separately, the US Treasury announced sanctions on former Lebanese MP Suleiman Frangieh and on Mahmoud Qomati, deputy head of Hezbollah’s Political Council, along with five companies tied to Hezbollah-linked financial and commercial networks: Al Ahed Trading and Investment in Syria, HEAL Administrative Services in Iraq, Globe International SPC in Oman, Globe Technology Providers in Lebanon, and TYKE SAL in Lebanon.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, former president Donald Trump said he would most likely endorse Netanyahu in the next Israeli election but wants to see who else is running, telling KAN News that he likes Bibi but needs to assess other candidates and that he has a good relationship with Netanyahu while urging him to be more rational. The remarks followed recent criticisms of Netanyahu over Lebanon, including a “little dispute” Trump described. Separately, US Vice President JD Vance said the United States would not remove sanctions on Iran if Tehran were still funding a terrorist organization.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, former prime minister Naftali Bennett outlined his vision for Israel’s future, advocating a constitution “in the spirit of the Declaration of Independence” and detailing priorities to address cost of living, education, crime, housing costs, international standing, and security, while proposing the establishment of a state commission of inquiry into the October 7 Hamas massacre. In a separate development, the High Court of Justice ordered the state to justify why it can hold Gaza detainees for weeks before bringing them before a judge under wartime amendments, giving the state until July 19 to respond and citing the Incarceration of Unlawful Combatants Law. Another report noted that Jerusalem’s light rail service between the central bus station and Mount Herzl was partially suspended as ultra-Orthodox protesters demonstrated near Prison 10 over a draft-dodging arrest. In related political news, Yoaz Hendel said the Reservists Party is in sensitive talks about a merger and could join an alliance ahead of elections, with discussions potentially linking to Blue and White or Chili Tropper; the party currently does not pass the electoral threshold on its own, and a merger would affect the value of votes cast for it.

In Uplifting News, massive crowds filled lower Manhattan ahead of today’s Parade of Champions as Knicks fans gathered to celebrate.

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
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https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-899883
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-899877
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-899880
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-899873
https://t.me/JewishNews24/55955