Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-06-24 at 15:01

HEADLINES
Netanyahu risks political suicide over Lebanon pullout
Dozens of Hezbollah operatives trapped in Tibnit
Netanyahu trial wraps testimony amid draft protests

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, Israeli officials say a full withdrawal from the areas held by the IDF in southern Lebanon would be political suicide for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is under heavy electoral pressure after presenting the hold on the security zone as a strategic achievement. They warn that Washington and Tehran may intensify pressure, but Netanyahu cannot afford to appear to yield. They note a pattern: when he concedes on one front, he hardens on another. While a complete pullout is unlikely, officials say limited tactical steps, local adjustments, or changes in deployment could occur.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Israeli security officials say dozens of Hezbollah operatives remain trapped inside an underground complex in Tibnit in southern Lebanon near Nabatieh, with the IDF surrounding the site and demanding their unconditional surrender. The forces are on heightened alert for potential kidnapping attempts by Hezbollah’s Radwan Force. The complex was located through intelligence from the Military Intelligence Directorate and Northern Command, and exits have been sealed to prevent escapes. Mediators have asked that the trapped fighters be allowed to leave unharmed, but Israeli officials have rejected those requests.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has completed his testimony in his criminal trial after 98 hearing days since December 2024. The prosecution’s cross-examination ran from June 3, 2025, to June 16, 2025, totaling 59 hearing days, and the remaining defense witnesses will now take the stage. After the evidence phase, the parties will submit summaries before a three-judge Jerusalem District Court panel issues a verdict. The indictment covers three cases: Case 1000 over gifts from Arnon Milchan; Case 2000 over recorded conversations with Arnon Mozes; and Case 4000, the Bezeq-Walla affair involving bribery and related fraud. The central issue remains Netanyahu’s credibility as the trial moves toward a verdict. Separately, as thousands took to the streets to protest the haredi draft, opposition leaders warned the government must not serve the interests of ultra-Orthodox party leaders. Yair Lapid urged a new fair social contract and blocking funds that enable draft evasion, while former IDF chief Gadi Eisenkot argued that the next government must act in the national interest, not the interests of Deri, Gafni, and Goldknopf. Former prime minister Naftali Bennett criticized the protesters while stuck in traffic on the way to celebrate his daughter’s pre-school completion, underscoring ongoing domestic tensions over military service and societal equity.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Mamdani-backed primary sweep further cements anti-Zionist politics in New York City. At victory parties for the far-left Democratic Socialists of America, crowds chanted “Free Palestine” and targeted the pro-Israel lobby, signaling a continuing shift within the city’s political dynamics. Zohran Mamdani asserted that his upset victory last year marked the start of a broader movement, and the latest results—DSA candidates Claire Valdez and Darializa Chevalier winning primaries against established rivals, along with Brad Lander’s victory over a centrist incumbent—signal the anti-Zionist current gaining momentum and sending a message to Democratic Party leadership.

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/politics-and-diplomacy/article-900422
https://worldisraelnews.com/idf-traps-hezbollah-terrorists-in-lebanon-tunnel-after-kidnapping-alert/
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-900425
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-900421
https://www.timesofisrael.com/mamdani-backed-primary-sweep-further-cements-anti-zionist-politics-in-nyc/