Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-02 at 19:01

HEADLINES
1000 Days of War Iran Still Target
Syrian Buffer Zone Stays Unsettled Risk Grows
Tech Costs 8.2 Percent Higher Than US

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 Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir marked 1,000 days since October 7 at Thursday’s General Staff situational assessment, saying it is the longest war in Israel’s history and began with a grave failure and the worst tragedy in the history of the State of Israel. He added that Iran continues to be the primary focus of our preparedness, that Israel is in an interim period across all theaters, and that all arenas remain active at varying levels of intensity, with defining developments underway. Defense Minister Israel Katz said that Israel had changed the face of the Middle East after October 7, noting that Israelis emerged from the catastrophe into a war against Hamas, paying a heavy price but emerging from the pain as a more united people and a stronger, more determined state. Katz also stated that Israel eliminated Iran's leader Khamenei and most of the Iranian leadership, severely damaged its strategic capabilities, and that the IDF must be prepared to carry out an independent Israeli strike on Iran whenever necessary to remove any threat.

In Regional Impacts, Reporter’s Notebook notes that the threat along the Syrian buffer zone remains far from over for Israel. For now, there appears to be little appetite to withdraw from the buffer zone, largely due to lingering questions over whether Syria’s new president is truly capable of controlling the country. The buffer zone story near Quneitra, established after the 1973 war to separate the Syrian and Israeli militaries, has evolved since December 2024 when Ahmed al-Julani – now known as Ahmed al-Sharaa – rose to power. Commanders recalled that during Assad’s rule, they faced Syrian Army soldiers along with other guests who once served on the Israeli side; when Assad’s regime collapsed, uncertainty over who would take control of the buffer zone grew. One commander recalled Hezbollah operatives at a Syrian outpost and ordering a tank shell to be fired at their position, underscoring how intelligence collected by the Syrian military could reach broader actors. With the regime’s collapse, the question of who will govern the buffer zone remains unsettled.

In Israeli Economy and Business, a new study from the Israel Growth Forum finds Israeli tech developers are now 8.2 percent more expensive than their US counterparts, raising concerns that local talent and innovation could lose their edge as the strong shekel pushes costs higher. The rapid appreciation of the shekel last month reached a 33-year high against the dollar, with the currency up about 20 percent year over year and trading around three shekels to the dollar. Because firms earn most revenue in dollars but pay salaries in shekels, hiring and expansion costs have risen, prompting worries about competitiveness and possible relocation of activity. The study represents public and private Israeli tech firms, including Wix and Monday.com, in a broader warning about talent costs in a shifting currency environment.

In Uplifting News, the Israel Museum’s Youth Wing presents Shoe Stories, a summer-season exhibit that opened June 30. The show takes visitors through two floors of footwear-related artifacts, from ancient sandals discovered in the Judean Desert to 19th-century Bukharan wedding slippers and modern Sabra slides, with a dedicated area for kids to try on shoes. A ceiling-high vitrine features high heels designed by Kobi Levi, known for whimsical pieces such as banana-heel shoes, chewing-gum booties, flamingo stilettos, and optical illusion boots. The exhibit, drawing on the museum’s collections alongside special loans, offers a broad look at footwear across history and culture, including rare pieces from various eras.

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/defense-news/article-901288
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-901284
https://www.timesofisrael.com/strong-shekel-makes-israeli-tech-workers-pricier-than-their-us-counterparts-study-shows/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-museum-gets-its-kicks-with-kid-friendly-shoe-show/