Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-06-26 at 20:01

HEADLINES
F-35B Jets Operate Aboard USS Tripoli
Lebanon US Israel Framework Targets Hezbollah
AfD Nazi Salute Sparks Antisemitism Debate

The time is now 8:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Military Role, F-35B Lightning II jets assigned to the “Green Knights” of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 (VMFA-121) carried out flight operations aboard the America-class amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA-7) in the Arabian Sea on June 13, 2026.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun praised the signing of a trilateral agreement between the United States, Lebanon, and Israel in Washington as the first step on the path to restoring Lebanon's sovereignty. The framework aims to disarm and dismantle Hezbollah and to enable the Israeli Defense Forces to withdraw from Lebanon once Hezbollah’s threat is removed. Aoun thanked President Donald Trump and American officials for hosting the talks and for supporting Lebanon’s delegation, saying the move marks the beginning of a road to freedom and dignity for the Lebanese people who sacrificed, endured, and confronted harsh conditions. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said the framework requires a full Israeli withdrawal from all Lebanese territory and obligates Lebanon to extend state authority over the country.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago is among Catholic voices expressing support for the Jewish people amid rising antisemitism, highlighting a range of faith-based and interfaith initiatives such as the Black Christian Leadership Council on Israel Relations planning a trip for 500 leading Black pastors to Israel, the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, Eagles’ Wings, and the Israel Allies Foundation, with Jewish Federations of North America and other groups joining in support against antisemitism; the Southern Baptist Convention’s condemnation of antisemitism is noted, along with optimism about the Hindu-Jewish Coalition of America and a Muslim group marching in the Israel Day Parade alongside local Latter-day Saints communities collaborating with Jewish counterparts on security. A photo surfaced of Germany’s far-right AfD leader Martin Reichardt appearing to display a Nazi salute at a 2020 New York gathering; Reichardt says it was not a Hitler salute but part of a humorous knighting ceremony, while attendees dispute the characterization as a salute. The AfD is forecast to surge in September’s regional elections amid these controversies. Paul Goldenberg, deputy director of the Rutgers University Miller Center on Policing, recalls sounding alarms about threats to Jewish communities for decades and has worked across the United States and Europe, including recent travels through Sweden, Germany, Poland, and Canada; he recently returned from Belfast, where he was on the ground during anti-immigration riots, reflecting on past experiences and the ongoing need for proactive security measures to keep communities safe.

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://t.me/DefenderDome/21779
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-900623
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-900396
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-900626
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-900489