Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-03 at 11:01

HEADLINES
Houthis Set 18:00 Statement Amid Escalating War
Israel Prepares Temporary Trials for Oct 7
Edelstein Quits Likud Amid Draft Clash

The time is now 11:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, an important statement from the Houthis' spokesperson is scheduled for 18:00.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, as America marks its 250th year, Mike Huckabee argues that the bond between the United States and Israel rests on shared values that have deep roots in both nations. He notes that the Declaration of Independence asserts all people are endowed with rights by the Creator and that these ideals reflect a convergence of American founding principles with Jewish heritage. He references remarks associated with Donald Trump about the significance of a parchment and signatures and emphasizes that America’s founding beliefs are linked to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, shaping a durable partnership with Israel.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Israel is bracing for the October 7 trials as prosecutors build a temporary justice system to handle a large case involving hundreds of defendants across many sites. A special law has been enacted, more than a billion shekels has been approved, and a military tribunal is being prepared at Atarot in northern Jerusalem. The effort faces questions about how to manage vast evidence, a large witness pool, and classified materials while maintaining fairness for victims and families; initial trials are not expected to begin before 2028. Separately, veteran Likud figure Yuli Edelstein has quit the party after a clash with Prime Minister Netanyahu over a Haredi draft exemption bill, saying he will not run in the upcoming primaries and is pursuing a new political path. Police also arrested two suspects after an assault on Tel Aviv Deputy Mayor Chen Arieli and affiliated activists, with authorities stating the attackers beat, spat on, and verbally assaulted them, and Arieli criticized the government for divisive rhetoric.

In Uplifting News, the NSN cycling team, formerly Israel-Premier Tech, opened the Tour de France in Barcelona under a new banner after protests in 2025 tied to Israel’s war in Gaza. The team has a new ownership arrangement with Never Say Never and is registered with a Swiss license, operating mainly from Girona and Barcelonà, with heightened security previously in place during the Tour. In disaster relief, day six of rescue efforts in Venezuela continues as the Magen mission works alongside Mal-Salvadoran teams and local forces at disaster zones. And in tech circles, Elon Musk has a new personal assistant.

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/newssil/205853
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-901219
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-901283
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/sks24hsxfx
https://t.me/newssil/205850
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/crime-in-israel/article-901340
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-901344
https://t.me/newssil/205854
https://t.me/newssil/205852