Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-06-24 at 09:20

HEADLINES
No tolls through Hormuz Iran says
Iran to raise Gaza war in talks
Lebanese army to take over vacated lands

The time is now 9:20 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Regional Impacts, Trump says Iran has told US no tolls being sought at Strait of Hormuz. Trump said Iran informed the United States that no tolls, insurance costs, or other charges are being sought or received by Iran on ships traveling through the Strait of Hormuz. The claim comes as negotiators in Switzerland concluded a first round of talks and pursue a broader framework deal signed last week, with both sides offering conflicting accounts about money, control of the strait, and Israel’s parallel war in Lebanon. Trump warned that if the information is false, negotiations would end immediately. Meanwhile, ships have begun sailing through the Strait under a UN shipping agency scheme designed to evacuate vessels trapped there by the conflict, a spokesperson said, a development authorities say could help keep sea lanes open for hundreds of ships.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Iran FM Abbas Araghchi says Gaza war to be raised in US talks, reaffirms Hamas support - report. Iran’s foreign minister told senior Hamas official Basem Naim that Iran stands with Hamas and will raise the issue of the occupiers’ aggression against Gaza with Washington, according to Tasnim News Agency. Araghchi said the Iranian negotiating team will raise the Gaza issue with the United States as part of ongoing talks. Naim praised Iran’s steadfast support for Palestinians and thanked Tehran for its consistent and firm position regarding the Palestinian cause. Press TV reported that Araghchi also thanked Hamas for supporting the IRGC and reaffirmed Iran’s support for an international political movement in support of the Palestinian people. The Islamic Republic stressed that the recent memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran stresses cessation of aggression on all fronts. On June 17, Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed an MoU, beginning a 60-day process.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, US-backed plan in Washington proposes Lebanese army takeover of Israeli-vacated lands - analysis. A new round of Israel-Lebanon talks began in Washington on June 23, with discussions framed by Washington’s push for a real ceasefire with Hezbollah and a potential role for the Lebanese Armed Forces to administer areas Israel withdraws from as a pilot project. Iran is seen as trying to salvage its Hezbollah proxy and has tied the Lebanon conflict to the Switzerland talks. The United States has pressed Israel to adhere to a real ceasefire, noting that past arrangements were not fully implemented. There is cautious talk that Lebanon could be pressured to ensure its army can take over the areas vacated by Israel’s withdrawals, but so far the effort remains in the discussion stage. The United States has discussed vetting certain Lebanese units to improve them, but the plan has not moved beyond discussions. Context includes the Lebanese Army’s failure to disarm Hezbollah in 2025.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Israel lacks plan for gas, mortgages, public spending, government probe finds. State Comptroller Matanyahu Englman warned that Israel has not properly prepared for several economic risks, including gas supply, housing mortgages, and the oversight of government spending. In a package of 12 economic audits, Englman found ministries and regulators had announced reforms or taken steps but had not completed the practical work needed to implement them. The most serious finding concerns natural gas, which provides about 70% of Israel’s electricity. Israel currently produces gas from three offshore fields, and nearly half of 2024 gas was exported to Egypt and Jordan; policymakers have not finalized how much gas to reserve for Israeli needs in the coming decades. A committee recommended reserving 440 billion cubic meters of gas for the future. An opinion piece argues that Israel cannot be a proxy, warning that if strategic direction is dictated by Washington and deterrence is bargained away to serve another’s ends, Israel must answer to its own security priorities. Separately, reports say former justice minister Ayelet Shaked and former speaker Yuli Edelstein have been approached about forming a new political framework to appeal to dissatisfied right-wing and modern Orthodox voters ahead of the next election, with Shaked signaling that voters will have to wait for clarity. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also spoke of building an independent armaments network to end US aid dependency, saying Israel should manufacture more of its own weapons and strengthen its autonomy with broader national defense capabilities.

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/american-politics/article-900385
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-900362
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-900378
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-900381
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-900128
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-900371
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-900352