Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-06-19 at 19:01

HEADLINES
US Hosts Lebanon-Israel Talks to Disarm Hezbollah
Rubio to UAE Kuwait Bahrain GCC summit
Jewish MMA fighter trains defense against antisemitism

The time is now 7:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, the State Department announced that the next round of Lebanese-Israeli talks will be held June 23-25 in Washington, following a call between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. Rubio reiterated the need to disarm Hezbollah and affirmed US support for Lebanon’s efforts to build a fully sovereign state at peace with its neighbors. Israel’s ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, said Israel remains fully committed to an immediate ceasefire and rejected Hezbollah’s claims that Israel had breached the ceasefire as bold lies. Leiter added that Israel is in a security zone in southern Lebanon to destroy terrorist infrastructure and ensure Israeli security, saying the people of Lebanon deserve a future free from Hezbollah’s grip and that real peace between Lebanon and Israel remains possible.

In the US Policy Concerning Israel, Reuters reported that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is planning a trip to the Middle East next week, with expected visits to Kuwait, the UAE and Bahrain, and a planned GCC foreign ministers’ summit in Bahrain. The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for confirmation. Separately, Congresswoman Claudia Tenney urged EU leaders to reject draft measures targeting businesses and organizations operating in Judea and Samaria, including US companies, arguing that Israel is defending its citizens from terrorism and that the EU should stand with a democratic ally rather than isolate it or reward terrorists.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Israeli mixed martial arts fighter Natan Levy says his current goal is to teach Jews to defend themselves against antisemitism not with databases or legislation but through martial arts. He plans seminars for Jewish communities and programs with the Israeli and American militaries, with a focus on self-defense for communities. He notes American Jews are a small share of the population but experience a disproportionately high level of hate-motivated crimes, and he has faced antisemitism and death threats online. He also describes the sport as having elements that complicate perceptions, but he refuses to see himself as a victim and emphasizes empowering others.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani stepped to the stage at a Bernie Sanders rally in Brooklyn and labeled AIPAC as “monsters” for spending millions in dark money to influence pro-Israel candidates in the November midterms. He urged support for progressive candidates Brad Lander, Claire Valdez and Darializa Avila Chevalier, and criticized Prime Minister Netanyahu’s handling of the Gaza war, arguing that AIPAC’s influence is part of the problem.

In Uplifting News, Ben & Jerry’s Israel has rolled out a flavor called Milk and Honey, described as its most Israeli flavor yet. The pint nods to the Land of Israel with ingredients sourced from local communities: milk and cream from Kibbutz Alumim, honey from Kibbutz Yad Mordechai, and chocolate Stars of David shaped pieces made by hand at the Korint factory in Beersheba, part of the Shkulo Tov social enterprise. The flavor is presented as a symbol of hope and recovery following the Hamas-led attacks and the subsequent conflict, reflecting the region’s ongoing recovery and resilience.

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/article-899944
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/06/rubio-plans-middle-east-trip-next-week-axios-reports
https://t.me/JewishNews24/56030
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-899894
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-899945
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-899951