Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-06-18 at 23:02

HEADLINES
CENTCOM lifts Iran maritime blockade signaling restraint
Israel intercepts rockets aimed at IDF Lebanon
US designates Hezbollah-linked Lebanese officials on SDN

The time is now 11:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Military Role, CENTCOM announced it has lifted the blockade on all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports and coastal areas, and all US military blockade enforcement efforts have ceased.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, the Israeli Air Force intercepted several rockets fired toward IDF soldiers operating in southern Lebanon, with additional rockets landing adjacent to the soldiers. No injuries were reported, and no sirens were sounded in accordance with protocol.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, the United States issued sanctions on two Hezbollah-aligned Lebanese officials, Sleiman Antoine Frangie and Mahmoud Qamati, adding them to the OFAC Specially Designated Nationals list under Executive Order 13224. Frangie leads Lebanon’s Marada Movement and has been linked to Hezbollah, while Qamati is a longtime Hezbollah member who in early 2026 urged the Lebanese government’s overthrow. American individuals and businesses are prohibited from dealing with SDN-listed figures or entities. The White House said Vice President JD Vance’s trip to Switzerland for talks with Iran was postponed due to logistical difficulties, with reports that Iran delayed its delegation while Washington defended the tentative agreement. Republicans criticized Trump’s interim Iran agreement as details emerged, calling the framework pact ill-advised, while Democrats also voiced concerns as the White House circulated the MoU text to Congress. Trump asserted there is no 300 billion dollar payment to Iran by the US, calling the claim fake news. Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir pushed back against Vance’s criticism of Washington’s Iran deal, telling The New York Times that Iran should be confronted as the Allies confronted Nazi Germany; Vice President Vance defended the deal, saying military force alone cannot solve every security challenge. A reporter asked if Cuba could be next; Vance replied that questions about Cuba should be directed to Marco. The White House later confirmed that Vance would not depart Washington as planned for technical talks in Switzerland, citing logistics involving the Iranian delegation, a development set against Israel’s refusal to withdraw from large areas in southern Lebanon and the challenges to the MoU. An old remark resurfaced attributing to Donald Trump that Iran has never won a war, but never lost a negotiation, prompting further debate about the deal’s reception.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, the Israeli government has filed a civil lawsuit seeking approximately 2 million shekels from three living members of the terrorist cell responsible for the 1984 abduction and killing of IDF soldier Moshe Tamam, as well as from the estate of its deceased leader; the suit was filed by the Defense Ministry through the State Attorney’s Office. New York assemblyman Alex Bores, running to succeed Representative Jerry Nadler, is described as uniting pro-Israel moderates and the progressive left, leveraging endorsements from diverse circles as he centers AI regulation in his campaign. Likud legal adviser Avi Halevy announced his immediate resignation in a letter to Prime Minister Netanyahu, effective June 19, 2026, thanking Netanyahu for the trust placed in him and noting his years of service amid a broader wave of resignations among political appointees.

In Uplifting News, More than two and a half years after losing both of his parents in the Oct. 7 Nova music festival massacre, Eliav Abdush celebrated his bar mitzvah on Thursday surrounded by family, friends and supporters. Eliav is the eldest son of Gal and Naji Abdush, who were killed during the Hamas-led attack; the couple left their children with grandparents before heading to the event and never returned home.

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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