Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-06 at 18:02

HEADLINES
Belgorod Power Plant Hit, Widespread Outages
Netanyahu Pushes US Israel Unity on Iran
Sa'ar Condemns Turkish Genocide Rhetoric

The time is now 6:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Regional Impacts, Power outages are being reported across the Belgorod Oblast of Western Russia this evening, as several explosions have occurred and large fires burn at the Belgorod Thermal Power Station, following multiple missile strikes from Ukrainian M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS).

In US Policy Concerning Israel, A Washington Free Beacon poll conducted June 5-9 found GOP primary voters favored candidates who support a strong US-Israel relationship by a 57% margin and those who explicitly denounce antisemitism by a 52% margin, with the economy and immigration cited as top concerns by voters. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s two interviews on Fox News in less than 48 hours are seen as part of a diplomatic effort to influence Washington as Trump and Erdogan prepare to meet at the NATO Summit in Ankara, presenting a coordinated front with Washington on Iran policy. In the first interview, Netanyahu sought to calm any sense of a rift with Trump, stressing that the two “agree on 99% of issues” and presenting a united front on Iran, a move arranged with Trump’s attention in mind. Axios reports that Netanyahu pressed President Trump in a phone call to rein in President Erdogan.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Israel’s Shin Bet will receive a dedicated budget of half a billion shekels to address Arab crime, with funds sourced from the 550 Plan and the total for Shin Bet and police totaling 567 million shekels; the money will be allocated through reallocations from Resolution 550 and is slated for Cabinet approval at the upcoming meeting. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir hailed the decision, calling it tremendous news for citizens and noting that Shin Bet chief David Zini has mobilized for the cause, while May Golan oversees the allocation. Separately, analysts suggest a growing demand for a new right-wing party as voters on the Right seek an alternative to the current coalition and the Likud list, with concerns about boycotts cited as a factor in calls for unity around a broader Zionist government. The Knesset voted 59-45 to split a controversial bill aimed at eroding the power of the attorney general, a move described in coverage from The Times of Israel. In another development, the Knesset passed in the first reading a politically appointed Oct. 7 probe into Hamas’s massacre, with a 59-0 vote, signaling the government’s control over the panel that would investigate its own conduct, with the measure now moving back to the Constitution Committee.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar condemned Turkey’s foreign minister for what he called a “clear call for genocide” against the Jewish people after a CNN Türk interview in which the Turkish official described Jews as a burden humanity can no longer bear. Sa’ar spoke on the matter in Jerusalem during a meeting with Rwanda’s foreign minister, and the two issued a joint statement in which Sa’ar warned that dehumanization is a dangerous first step toward genocide.

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/DefenderDome/21967
https://www.jpost.com/american-politics/article-901638
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-901644
https://t.me/newssil/206042
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-901654
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-901554
https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-july-7-2026/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/knesset-passes-controversial-politically-appointed-oct-7-probe-in-1st-reading/
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-901640