Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-16 at 04:01

HEADLINES
US strikes Chebar port in Iran tonight
Ben-Gurion refueling dispute escalates with US
Airwayz Tenna fuse for OVERWATCH airspace control

The time is now 4:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Operation Lion's Roar, Defense Minister Israel Katz spoke overnight with US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, confirming in a statement on Thursday. Hegseth briefed Katz on US military operations in Iran, and the two agreed to continue cooperation between the countries in response to any possible developments. Katz briefed Hegseth on Israel's operations against terrorist groups in Syria, Gaza, and Lebanon. He also emphasized Israel's determination to remain in security zones in Syria, Gaza, and Lebanon to protect Israel's borders and nearby communities from "threats posed by jihadist forces," citing this as a central lesson from the events of October 7. “We have never asked the US to act in our place along our borders. We are committed to protecting the residents of Israel from every threat, and that is what we intend to do,” Katz said.

In US Military Role, American strikes tonight targeted the Chebar port in Iran.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, the dispute over American refueling aircraft parked at Ben-Gurion Airport has escalated from the military to the diplomatic arena. The Transportation Ministry said a solution was found to relocate the US assets to other sites, but American sources say alternative solutions do not meet the needs of the US military. Defense Minister Katz and Prime Minister Netanyahu are expected to address the issue directly. The demand for US use of the airport stems from the need to prepare for regional worst-case scenarios, including potential attacks on bases in the Persian Gulf, and the US is reportedly seeking to remain at the airport or increase its presence ahead of emergencies involving Tehran. The matter has been referred to senior political leadership. Separately, the US Treasury on Wednesday imposed sanctions on a network of individuals and organizations accused of procuring weapons for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, in violation of renewed UN restrictions. The OFAC list identified seven entities tied to attempts to purchase and transfer weapons to Iran, underscoring a broader effort to disrupt networks that fund Iran's weapons programs.

In Israeli Economy and Business, Airwayz and Tenna Systems have fused Tenna's real-time spectrum-intelligence capabilities into OVERWATCH, Airwayz's command-and-control and airspace-governance platform. The integration, already deployed through Israel's National Drone Initiative, adds data layers in the field. Airwayz CEO Eyal Zor described OVERWATCH as enabling control of airspace by understanding which aircraft fly where and where to broadcast, likening it to a control tower. He noted the lower, chaotic airspace around drones—hundreds to thousands of feet—highlights the value of structured airspace management. OVERWATCH is positioned as the brain to coordinate lower-airspace control, including planning, picture creation, and end-to-end management, and is used by military, law enforcement, and critical-infrastructure entities.

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/israel-news/defense-news/article-902665
https://t.me/newssil/206804
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-902673
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-902657
https://www.jpost.com/podcast/article-902672
https://www.israelhayom.com/2026/07/16/former-mossad-auditor-appointed-to-key-central-elections-committee-post/
https://www.jpost.com/defense-and-tech/article-902670