Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-04 at 01:01

HEADLINES
- Iran mass funeral fuels vow of revenge
- Turkey launches spaceport and missiles in Somalia
- Israel won’t leave Lebanon until Hezbollah dismantled

The time is now 1:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Iranian Retaliation, millions are expected to attend nearly weeklong ceremonies across Iran and Iraq as the regime casts its slain supreme leader as a Shiite martyr and presents his coffin in a mass funeral show of defiance. The authorities project unity after months of turmoil and vow revenge against Israel and the United States.

In Regional Impacts, Turkey is developing a space and ballistic missile launch site in central Somalia, combining a satellite launch base for the Turkish space program with a testing site for long-range ballistic missiles, according to Le Monde. Officially announced in December 2025 as a technological partnership between Somalia and Turkey, the spaceport on the outskirts of Warsheikh, about 70 kilometers north of Mogadishu, began construction in mid-October 2025. The facility is designed to accommodate missiles with a range of up to 2,000 kilometers, placing Israel outside of reach while Somaliland, militarily supported by Israel, is within the projected range. This project marks the culmination of Erdogan’s 15-year effort to turn Somalia into a forward operating base and widen Turkey’s ballistic capabilities.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Israeli Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter said Israel’s framework for Lebanon depends on conditions on the ground, not a fixed timetable for withdrawal. He said Israel would not leave the security zone in southern Lebanon until the Lebanese army has full control over the area south of the Litani River and Hezbollah no longer has an armed presence there. The focus of the agreement, Leiter said, is the dismantling of Hezbollah, not Israel’s withdrawal. Leiter also addressed Israel’s internal political debate, noting that public comments by government figures could affect Jerusalem’s standing in Washington.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump agreed to meet soon in the United States after a phone call during which Netanyahu congratulated Trump on the 250th anniversary of America’s founding and emphasized the strong bond between the nations. The two leaders spoke amid ongoing tensions over Washington’s negotiations with Iran, which Israel fears could yield a deal detrimental to its security, and amid reports that Trump has considered returning to confrontation with Iran. The discussions come as the United States and Iran signed a memorandum to extend a ceasefire, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and initiate 60 days of negotiations on a final nuclear deal, a framework in which Israel was not a party to the agreement and the pause in direct confrontation with Iran continues.

In Uplifting News, the Jerusalem Film Festival returns for its 43rd edition, running July 9-19 at the Jerusalem Cinematheque and the Lev Smadar theater. The festival will host more than 25 international guests, led by Ukrainian director Sergei Loznitsa, who will be the guest of honor and serve as president of the Israeli Competition jury. The event, founded to showcase international cinema and promote Israeli filmmaking, highlights both global and local talents with Israeli premieres alongside Cannes and Sundance selections.

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.ynetnews.com/article/rjwxcw8xfe
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-901355
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-901372
https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahus-office-says-he-spoke-with-trump-agreed-to-meet-soon/
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/article-901272