Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-15 at 13:02

HEADLINES
Haifa resident dies in Iranian missile strike
Iranian calls for seizing US base hostages
Israel controls seventy percent of Gaza

The time is now 1:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, Michael Katz, 82, a longtime resident of Haifa and former employee of Israel's Rafael defense firm, died on Wednesday from injuries sustained in an Iranian ballistic missile strike on his apartment building in early April during Operation Roaring Lion. His wife Nina was wounded in the same attack, which also killed four members of the Gershovitz family in the building. Katz is survived by his wife Nina, sons Itamar and Yoav, and six grandchildren.

In Iranian Retaliation, Former foreign minister Manouchehr Mottaki said that Iran should launch a ground war, infiltrate and seize a US military base in the Middle East, and take thousands of US service members hostage in Iran during an interview broadcast on Iranian state media on Wednesday. He said that Iran should kidnap hundreds or thousands of US soldiers in retaliation for the US strikes and threats to invade Iran's Kharg Island and other major oil facilities in southern Iran. He also described the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding talks between the US and Iran as a deception plan and urged vengeance domestically and internationally following the strikes.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, the IDF is racing to finish destroying Hezbollah terror infrastructure in 52 southern Lebanese villages in the coming weeks as the US presses for a broader withdrawal. In Bint Jbail, IDF officials discussed the current balance after what they described as a major Hezbollah center of gravity defeat and reviewed the state of play amid ongoing discussions with the US about a partial withdrawal. On Tuesday, President Trump told Netanyahu that he wanted Israel to withdraw from Lebanon and Syria, and talks have focused on pilot zones for partial withdrawals, initially including Tibnin and Ali Taher Ridge, with the possibility of adding a third area. Separately, Lebanon and Israel concluded US-brokered talks in Rome, agreeing to two pilot zones to test Lebanese sovereignty under conditions verified by the US. The plan under a June framework envisions the disarmament of Hezbollah, the deployment of Lebanese troops, and a phased Israeli withdrawal, with ongoing discussions to remove contraband weapons and respect private property; UNIFIL and UNTSO were not part of the verification model, according to a US official.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez urged Clavicular to use his platform to highlight the plight of Palestinians as debate continues over the influencer’s visit to Tel Aviv. She told TMZ that Clavicular should inform followers about the displacement of Palestinians, noting the controversy among pro-Israel voices about his presence and past actions. Clavicular, whose real name is Braden Peters, has been a focal point for discussion among supporters and critics of Israel.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Israel now controls up to 70% of Gaza, Security Cabinet told amid expanded IDF offensive. Senior Israeli military officials said the IDF now controls between 67% and 70% of the Gaza Strip, prompting Netanyahu to request a detailed deployment map. The push comes after Hamas refused to disarm under the terms of a Trump-era framework, leading to an expansion of operations beyond the Yellow Line. Netanyahu has previously signaled a drive to reach 70% control of Gaza. Separately, Sofer announced he will not run in the next Knesset, reflecting on the personal toll of the war and describing the heavy pressures facing Israeli leadership as the country contends with ongoing security challenges.

In Uplifting News, Psychic Uri Geller vows to help England win World Cup, calls on millions to 'neutralize' Messi. Geller told The Jerusalem Post that, as a British citizen with a long history of supporting England, he will use his psychic powers to bolster England’s bid against Argentina, aiming to harness the energy of millions of fans to aid the team and counter the influence of Lionel Messi. He noted past feats and expressed confidence in England’s chances, aligning his efforts with the belief that collective will can influence the match.

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/JewishNews24/57202
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-902607
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-902615
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-902625
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-902622
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-902628
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-902623
https://www.jpost.com/omg/article-902617