Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-06-24 at 05:02

HEADLINES
Iran Divisions Risk Undermining US Deal
Trump Plan to Oust Hezbollah Shocks Israel
First Palestinian Muslim Woman Wins NY Senate

The time is now 5:02 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In 'Pragmatists' vs 'hardliners': Is Iran split over US deal?, analysts say factional divisions and opposition to talks with the United States exist within the Iranian hierarchy, but such splits will not suffice on their own to derail the negotiating process. After five weeks of war paused by an April ceasefire and ended by an accord this month, US Vice President JD Vance and Iran's top negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf held talks in Switzerland mediated by Qatar and Pakistan to begin a process in pursuit of a final agreement. Iran remains aware of the leverage it can exert over the global economy through the Strait of Hormuz, while Washington signals new military options if talks fail. Although there are criticisms of the talks inside Tehran, analysts say the factions opposed to concessions currently lack the institutional power to block the talks or shape their outcome.

In US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says the first major test of the Golden Dome for America missile defense system was a complete success, marking an early milestone for the ambitious homeland defense project. The secretary described the test as a milestone for a program intended to bolster national defenses and signal progress on a long-term effort to harden the homeland defense framework.

In Airlines should still avoid airspace over Iran after framework deal, EU agency warns, the European Union's aviation safety agency extended its conflict-zone advisory until July 1, urging operators to avoid airspace over Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon and to exercise caution across the region. Short-term violations around the Strait of Hormuz remain possible, and the advisory notes the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah could raise the risk to Lebanon’s airspace. Operators are advised to monitor conditions in Bahrain, Kuwait, Israel, Jordan, Qatar, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia. US President Donald Trump claimed Iranian airspace is safe for US aircraft in a speech ahead of the midterm elections in Macungie, Pennsylvania, as the advisory emphasized vigilance in the region.

In Netanyahu, cabinet to discuss Trump's plan for Syria to remove Hezbollah from Lebanon - report, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to convene a Security Cabinet meeting on Wednesday regarding Syria in connection with Lebanon, following Trump’s suggestion that responsibility for Hezbollah could shift to the Syrian regime of Ahmad al-Sharaa. Sharaa denied seeking military intervention in Lebanon, saying he preferred economic channels and that Syria could back Lebanon’s state institutions while exploring joint security arrangements. Separately, Sharaa indicated Syria could handle Hezbollah if needed, signaling a potential security path that shapes regional calculus. In southern Lebanon, Lieutenant S., a former professional ballet dancer who joined the IDF, was injured when a drone strike hit her vehicle, leaving shrapnel injuries and long-term medical complications. Gaza sources also reported that Adam Abu Hudayd, a activist with the Islamic Jihad's military wing, was killed yesterday in an Israeli strike in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip.

In Israel became divisive issue which lost some endorsees primary races, Jewish Democrats say, the Jewish Democratic Council of America says two endorsed candidates in New York's Democratic primaries were defeated over their views on Israel. Dan Goldman and Adriano Espaillat lost in New York's 10th and 13th Districts, respectively; Goldman described Israel as not the most important issue in the district, while Lander presents as a liberal Zionist and had previously left the Democratic Socialists of America after the Hamas attacks. Kawas, a Palestinian-American who ran on a platform of democratic socialism, won the New York State Senate primary in Queens and aims to shift funding away from Israel, launching the Not On Our Dime campaign to curb support for Israeli actions by New York-based organizations.

In Palestinian-American wins New York State Senate primary race, aims to stop funding to Israel, Aber Kawas—the first Palestinian Muslim woman elected in New York state—won the Queens Democratic primary for the State Senate. Endorsed by Mamdani, Kawas emphasizes immigration and affordability issues and helped launch the Not On Our Dime campaign, which seeks to stop New York-based organizations from funding Israel. The campaign describes its goal as ending subsidies for what it calls Israel’s settlement expansion and state violence in Gaza, framing the movement around broader fiscal and human-rights concerns.

In Haredi activists set to protest at key travel infrastructure nationwide, denounce IDF draft, Israel Police are preparing for demonstrations across the country after calls from groups within the haredi community. Vehicle convoys are planned to depart from at least 19 locations at 4:00 p.m. to protest the mandatory draft and the arrests of draft evaders. Organization involvement includes Agudat Yisrael, with additional groups within United Torah Judaism expected to join on major roads and highways across the country, including routes through Jerusalem and other centers, signaling broad participation and potential traffic disruptions.

In Hundreds of female IDF officers to Zamir: ‘Exclusion of women threatens national security’, hundreds of female officers told senior army officials that external religious pressure undermines military discipline and operational effectiveness, while Chief of Staff Zamir emphasized that the army needs every combat soldier, male and female, to meet its operational needs and security requirements.

In Bondi Beach attack hero Ahmed al Ahmed pleads not guilty to assaulting father, the man hailed for disarming a gunman during last year’s mass terror attack at Sydney’s Bondi Beach appeared in court and denied charges of common assault and domestic stalking or intimidation. The next court hearing is scheduled for August 12, and his legal team stressed the importance of preserving the presumption of innocence while recognizing his public role as a hero for stopping the attack.

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.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/06/pragmatists-vs-hardliners-iran-split-over-us-deal
https://t.me/selena_updates/66151
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-900345
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-900335
https://www.ynetnews.com/magazine/article/s1n95gyffl
https://t.me/abualiexpress/125282
https://www.jpost.com/american-politics/article-900338
https://www.jpost.com/american-politics/article-900334
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-900333
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hj0mhwfmme
https://www.timesofisrael.com/bondi-beach-attack-hero-ahmed-al-ahmed-pleads-not-guilty-to-assaulting-father/