Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-05 at 22:02

HEADLINES
Yemen condemns Iran flight to Tehran funeral
West Bank braces for Oct 7 raids
UNRWA reforms lag as donors resume funding

The time is now 10:02 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Regional Impacts, Yemen condemns Iran for operating a direct flight from Sanaa International Airport to transport Houthi militants to Ali Khamenei's funeral in Tehran. Yemeni President Rashad al-Alimi called the flight a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the Republic of Yemen and a blatant challenge to international law. The flight, which occurred on Friday, prompted an emergency meeting of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, which described the move as a serious escalation and a sign of the Houthis’ subordination to the Iranian regime. The council said it would take all necessary political, diplomatic, legal, and security measures in response, arguing that allowing international flights without the government’s approval sets a dangerous precedent, bypasses legitimate institutions, and widens Yemen’s political divisions.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, West Bank on edge as IDF warns seam line gaps could enable Oct. 7 style terrorist raids. Amid the IDF’s ongoing strain in Gaza and Lebanon, senior officials warn that a breached seam zone and hundreds of drones could turn the area into the next major front. Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir warned that he is not prepared to manage risks in the heart of the country as the force reinforces along the seam zone and on main routes. The seam zone, the area between the Green Line and Israel’s separation barrier stretching from Gilboa to Arad, has seen fences torn and terrain left exposed as authorities prepare for a potential escalation. With 1,000 days since the October 7 attacks, commanders in the West Bank Division are training in planning rooms and in the field under Brigadier General Kobi Heller to respond to evolving threats.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Shin Bet chief said to defend removal of Oct. 7 memorial: ‘Enough time has passed’. The head of Israel’s internal security service faced criticism from relatives of slain workers after stating that an October 7 memorial at the agency’s headquarters was removed because “enough time has passed since the attack.” A relative described the remark as painful and inappropriate given the losses suffered, noting the personal impact of the massacre on families who remain in mourning. The remarks drew renewed attention as bereaved families reflect on the agency’s handling of memorials tied to the 2023 Hamas attack.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, UNRWA failed to implement UN recommended reforms related to violent speech, antisemitism. An IMPACT-se analysis published on Thursday finds that UNRWA did not meaningfully carry out many of the Colonna Report’s recommendations, including those addressing hate speech and neutrality. The Colonna Report, ordered in 2024, urged UNRWA to stop using material that breaches neutrality and to implement 49 additional recommendations. Donor nations had frozen funding pending reform, with donations resuming only upon progress. The analysis covers UNRWA’s progress from April 2024 to May 2026 and concludes that substantial reforms remain unfulfilled.

In Israeli Economy and Business, Government approves 27 million shekel plan to encourage West Bank hotel construction. The plan aims to remove planning barriers and provide grants for building, converting, and expanding hotels in the West Bank, with Tourism Minister Haim Katz stating it would help realize the area’s enormous tourism potential.

In Uplifting News, Herzog attends wedding of former Gaza hostages Sapir Cohen, Sasha Troufanov. President Isaac Herzog and First Lady Michal attended the wedding under the chuppah, blessing the couple as they began their new life together. The pair were abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz during the October 7 attacks; Cohen was held for 55 days and Troufanov for 498 days, with Troufanov released as part of a ceasefire-hostage deal in February 2025. The couple’s reunion was described as a moment of relief and shared joy for their families and the nation.

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/article-901527
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-901528
https://www.timesofisrael.com/shin-bet-chief-said-to-defend-removal-of-oct-7-memorial-enough-time-has-passed/
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-901521
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/skyzt3wmml
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-901525