Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-10 at 23:02

HEADLINES
Syria arrests ISIS leader al-Dagher
US removes Syria from State Sponsors list
Smotrich pushes billion-shekel West Bank roads

The time is now 11:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Regional Impacts, Syria arrests senior ISIS leader, exposes criminal financing network. Syrian authorities announced Wednesday that they dismantled Islamic State cells operating in southern Syria and arrested senior ISIS figure Firas al-Dagher, who officials say held several high-ranking positions within the organization, including serving as the group's "Governor of Lebanon and Palestine" and later as a personal aide to ISIS's caliph. The operation, carried out by Syria's Interior Ministry and the General Intelligence Service, marks one of Damascus's most significant counterterrorism announcements since the country’s political transition. Investigations indicate al-Dagher rose through the ISIS command structure. The ministry said the investigation found that the cell financed its activities through assassinations and armed robberies targeting gold merchants in Daraa province, with the stolen gold later sold to generate funds. The operation also led to the arrest of several ISIS operatives responsible for assassinations and financing in southern Syria.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Washington officially began the process of removing Syria from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list after President Donald Trump notified Congress of his decision to rescind the designation, a move that could mark a major shift in relations with Damascus and pave the way for greater American investment. The notification reportedly included a commitment to remove obstacles preventing Syria’s reconstruction, and the United States says American companies are ready to invest in the country. Under United States law, Congress has a 45-day review period before the designation can take effect. In a formal letter to Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, President Trump said Washington intends to remove the obstacles hindering reconstruction. The move marks one of the most significant shifts in United States policy toward Syria in decades and follows steps to ease restrictions and broaden engagement with Syria’s new government. Separately, the United States Treasury announced new sanctions on individuals and groups linked to Iran, including Ali Ansari, described as an alleged financier to the Iranian Supreme Leader and other senior officials. Ansari is accused of institutionalizing large-scale embezzlement within Iran’s government, diverting public health funds to benefit Iranian elites, and moving regime funds into holdings in the United Arab Emirates, Europe, and other countries. The sanctions also target Iranian shadow exchange houses that move billions of dollars through shell companies, with three exchange houses, seven individuals, and two front companies based in Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates named. The measures require any United States-based involvement in these entities to be reported to the Treasury.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Israel’s government is set to approve a budget over one billion shekels for road construction to and between West Bank settlements, according to a Finance Ministry release. The plan, led by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, will cover new roads and improvements to existing ones and includes four settlements that were previously evacuated. The budget, planned in coordination with the Settlement Administration, will be split between the Defense Ministry and the Transportation Ministry. Smotrich said the plan involves establishing critical security components and aims to ensure safe and regulated movement in the new settlements, describing it as part of a broader effort to fortify security and settlement presence in Judea and Samaria. A separate AP report notes that a poll finds Mamdani with higher favorability among United States Jews than Netanyahu, with the New York mayor telling Jewish residents to feel safe and cherished even as his positions on Israel face criticism.

In Uplifting News, a “once-in-a-generation” expedition led by the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution has set sail to survey two historic polar vessels. The mission targets Quest, a schooner-rigged steamship captained by Sir Ernest Shackleton, and Terra Nova, Scott’s whaling and expedition vessel. Shackleton’s ship dates to the early 1900s, as does Terra Nova, which served in Scott’s expedition and later saw varied uses. Terra Nova’s later history includes a 1943 incident in which pumps failed, rescue ships arrived to save the crew, and the vessel was sunk by gunfire that same day. The effort aims to gather fresh data on these iconic vessels and preserve their legacy for future study.

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-902145
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-902149
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-902146
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-902148
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hjz00iqknmx
https://www.jpost.com/history/article-902121