Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-13 at 15:01

HEADLINES
Sinwar note hints Israel nuclear option
UAE to bypass Hormuz with Fujairah port
Knesset approves Torah study Basic Law

The time is now 3:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Regional Impacts, a leaked document attributed to Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar suggests he believed Israel might use a nuclear weapon in response to the October 7 invasion, a claim analysts say highlights a calculated risk tolerance rooted in Hamas’s apocalyptic aims. Observers note that the letter challenges traditional Cold War logic about mutual destruction by presenting an ideology that places Israel’s destruction above self-preservation, underscoring what some describe as a fanaticism that defies conventional deterrence. The handwritten note was released by the Amit Terrorism and Intelligence Research Institute, illustrating Sinwar’s belief inIsrael’s destruction as a central objective.

Separately, the United Arab Emirates plans to build a new port and container terminal on the Gulf of Oman at Fujairah to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, led by DP World and aimed at reducing dependence on Dubai’s Jebel Ali hub. The project would expand infrastructure at Fujairah and nearby Dibba and Khor Fakkan, positioning the UAE as a major export hub in a corridor disrupted by regional tensions. The initiative comes as naval moves and attacks in the region have complicated transit through the strait, and it aligns with discussions that a bypass for Hormuz could be strategically advantageous, a course reportedly even floated by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the war’s outset.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Saudi Arabia said its air defenses intercepted ballistic missiles fired toward the south by Yemen’s Houthi movement after the Houthis accused Riyadh of strikes on an airport they control, signaling a potential flare in an already tense truce period. Saudi authorities described neutralizing the threat, while Houthi spokespeople warned of consequences and pledged retaliation. The Yemeni government, which is backed by Riyadh, alleged that Sana’a International Airport’s runway had been targeted in the strikes, a claim that underscores the ongoing dispute over who is responsible for recent hostilities in the region. No casualties or damage were reported in the official account of the interception.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, the government is trying to accelerate talks on a future memorandum of understanding for security aid as the current Congress nears its end. Israeli officials are expected in Washington this week to push for a renewal, but the pace remains uncertain, raising doubts about whether a deal can be approved before a new Congress convenes in January. The MoU has long governed US military assistance to Israel and is typically renewed every ten years; projections of a more challenging environment in a likely Democrat-controlled House and possibly Senate have intensified concerns about spelling out terms for future support, including potential hurdles in approving controversial weapons sales that have surfaced in earlier votes.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, the Knesset approved a contentious haredi-backed bill to enshrine Torah study as a fundamental value in the Basic Law, a move critics say could encourage draft evasion and alter the status of yeshiva students who do not serve in the army. The passage follows weeks of coalition tensions and threats from haredi leaders to disrupt the legislative agenda as they pressed for rapid advancement of a series of related measures. Meanwhile, the date for Israel’s next elections was set for October 27, with the Knesset House Committee confirming the timeline that will see the Knesset disperse on July 17, prompting a wave of travel planning as many Israelis abroad must return to vote given limited absentee options. Opposition leader Yair Lapid urged that the next Knesset be one of repair, pledging to repeal parts of the coalition’s agenda and to establish a state commission to examine government failures during the October 7 Hamas attacks.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Maine’s political contest watched as replacement candidate Shenna Bellows aligned with the late Graham Platner’s stance, asserting that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. Platner's withdrawal from the Senate race followed sexual assault allegations, and his successor echoed the claim in a bid to appeal to voters, reflecting ongoing contention over Israel policy in US politics. Across Europe, the United Kingdom government said a proxy Iran-backed group, the Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right, known as IMCR, carried out arson and vandalism attacks on Jewish sites in Britain and has designated Iran’s Revolutionary Guard as a national security threat. The IMCR has claimed responsibility for several attacks in London, including fires at synagogues and a Persian-language media outlet; the crackdown carries penalties including life imprisonment for those who commit sabotage once the legislation is in place.

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-902398
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-902388
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-902397
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-902396
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-902405
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-902402
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-902400
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-902404
https://worldisraelnews.com/uk-says-an-iran-backed-group-was-behind-attacks-on-jewish-community-and-bans-revolutionary-guard/