Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-05 at 07:01

HEADLINES
Iran Plans Hormuz Fees Not Tolls
Sinwar Eyed Multi-Front Invasion With Hezbollah
Govt Defies Supreme Court Over Second Authority

The time is now 7:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Regional Impacts, Iran plans to charge service fees in the Strait of Hormuz, officials announced this weekend, saying that as a country where the Hormuz is part of its territorial waters, they will definitely charge service fees, while denying that such charges are tolls. The move comes as Tehran’s ambassador to China, Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli, described new arrangements in collaboration with Muscat for the waterway during the World Peace Forum in Beijing, arguing the regime would levy fees rather than tolls. Officials noted that under UNCLOS, Iran and Oman cannot suspend, impede, or charge tolls for vessels passing through the Strait, a legal nuance that could shape how the plan is viewed internationally. Separately, Oman agreed to work with France and the United Kingdom to help secure navigation through its sovereign waters in the Strait of Hormuz, in a July 3 joint statement by French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Starmer described the strait as a vital artery for the global economy and said both countries were prepared to support a wider multinational mission for freedom of navigation. Iran pushed back the following day, warning that Hormuz is not a military parade ground for extra-regional powers and saying security in the waterway should be handled by coastal states, not outside military forces.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, a Hamas terrorist held Ilana Gritzewsky for 10 days after she was abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz, and she told The Jerusalem Post that the captor spoke of marriage and children and subjected her to sexual abuse, describing her experience publicly weeks after she had previously spoken about the abuse at the UN Human Rights Council. She said she felt a responsibility to share her story to empower others who suffered in silence, given the many voices silenced since October 7, 2023. Separately, captured Hamas documents analyzed by Israeli researchers indicate that Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar viewed October 7 as part of a broader plan for a multi-front invasion of Israel, with potential incursions from Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria. The material describes Sinwar’s discussions with Hezbollah leadership about wider-war scenarios and the involvement of the Iranian-backed axis, including multiple plans that envisaged varying levels of participation from Hezbollah and other actors, with Jordan repeatedly appearing as a possible front.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, the government unanimously approved a proposal by Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi and Justice Minister Yariv Levin declaring that it will not recognize decisions by the Second Authority Council if the body does not meet the legal threshold set by law. This development follows previous moves surrounding the governance of public broadcasting. Palestinian officials criticized the Trump Board of Peace’s decision to end UNRWA’s involvement in the “new Gaza,” calling the move politically motivated and arguing that UNRWA’s mandate is rooted in international law and cannot be revoked unilaterally; they noted ongoing contacts aimed at preserving UNRWA’s role. An opinion piece titled Like Moses, Israel needs leaders who understand different perspectives argues that Moses faced a leadership test in balancing divergent views and that a worthy successor should be appointed to ensure a smooth transition and avoid a leadership crisis. A Hebrew-language item reported that the government decided not to respect a Supreme Court ruling regarding the Second Authority, signaling continued tensions over the structure and authority of public broadcasting in Israel.

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/middle-east/iran-news/article-901450
https://t.me/selena_updates/66631
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-901441
https://worldisraelnews.com/october-7-architect-planned-much-larger-and-deadlier-invasion-of-israel/
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-901461
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-901451
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-901154
https://t.me/newssil/205909