Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-04 at 14:01

HEADLINES
Erdogan forges bold security pact with Pakistan
Trump says Netanyahu knows who the boss
Haifa shooting marks Arab community 150th murder

The time is now 2:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Regional Impacts, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the current government of Israel must not be allowed to spread the smell of gunpowder and blood in our region again during a Saturday meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Istanbul. He added that with the Islamabad Agreement between Washington and Tehran, the world breathed a sigh of relief, and that any solution that does not rely on the countries of the region will not be sustainable, and no solution can last if it is outside the will of the countries of the region and without their contribution. Erdogan announced a new cooperation plan with Turkey in energy, transport, critical minerals, information technology, and defense sectors, while pursuing a bilateral trade target of $5 billion. Officials from both countries attended a business forum in Istanbul. Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said Turkish firms want to contribute to projects in Pakistan and share Turkey’s energy-sector expertise as Pakistan undergoes a transformation of its electricity sector.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, US President Donald Trump told Axios on Saturday that he has a good relationship with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but that Netanyahu knows who the boss is. We get along very good, Netanyahu knows who the boss is, Trump said in a phone interview with Axios. The report notes that the leaders are discussing a possible White House visit, with Netanyahu aiming to visit the White House soon. An Israeli official said the meeting could take place as soon as a week after the next NATO meeting, scheduled for July 7 and 8 in Turkey. On Friday, Netanyahu called Trump to congratulate him on the 250th anniversary of the United States’ independence, and said the United States is a guarantor of global freedom and that Israel values the close relationship; the Prime Minister’s Office said they agreed to meet soon in the United States. The two leaders last met on February 11, 2026, and their February meeting focused on coordination around Iran; later that month, the United States and Israel jointly attacked Iran.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, a 17-year-old Arab resident, Wiaam Faisal, was killed in Haifa, marking the 150th murder in Israel’s Arab community in 2026, with 18-year-old Jonathan Khouri also dying and a third young man hospitalized in serious condition. The shooting occurred near a neighborhood snack bar opposite the shore in Ein Hayam, where medical teams described three men found unconscious with severe gunshot wounds; one victim had no pulse and could not be revived. Ambulance crews on the scene aided the others before evacuation to hospital. Through the previous year’s July, 128 people were murdered in the Arab sector up to that point.

In Israeli Economy and Business, Elbit Systems plans to hire 2,000 new employees worldwide by the end of the year, bringing total hires to 4,000 in 2026 after 2,000 were hired in the first half of the year. CEO Bezalel Machlis said the expansion comes as countries shift their war strategies, with longer conflicts and greater use of munitions requiring a different level of industrial readiness. The company is advancing a major expansion of local production capabilities, including at its Ramat Beka site, to increase munitions production rates and reduce dependence on foreign suppliers. On the international front, Machlis noted very strong demand for Israeli products and growing opportunities in Europe, with many countries seeking to bolster defense and production independence.

In Uplifting News, The Drisco at 160: Inside Tel Aviv’s restored hidden gem of old-world hospitality is celebrated as Tel Aviv’s Drisco Hotel marks 160 years of operation, offering restored historic charm, comfortable rooms, and acclaimed dining at George & John in a part of Jaffa’s American-German Colony, where old-world ambiance meets modern refinement. The piece paints the hotel’s atmosphere—ceiling fans, vintage tunes, and a sense of stepping back a century—while highlighting its place in the colony’s history and its role as a hospitality landmark. In a separate uplifting note, Egyptian head coach Hossam Hassan celebrated his team’s World Cup win over Australia by unfurling a Palestinian flag.

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/international/article-901385
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-901391
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/crime-in-israel/article-901389
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-901384
https://www.jpost.com/travel/article-901386
https://t.me/ILtoday/19476