Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-17 at 12:01

HEADLINES
Puerto Madero Chiapas Earthquake Triggers Tsunami Warning
Nine Komala Killed in Sulaymaniyah Attack
House Divided Over Israel Aid Policy

The time is now 12:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Regional Impacts, a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck near Puerto Madero in Chiapas, Mexico, a shallow quake that shook buildings in Guatemala and El Salvador and prompted a tsunami warning. Separately, Kuwait and Pakistan are in early talks to broaden a defense pact, seeking to expand cooperation to include forces, fighter jets, unmanned aerial vehicles and air defense systems; Pakistan has asked for energy sector cooperation and investments, while the discussions remain at an early stage and include options such as a fuel storage facility in Kuwait to bolster energy security. Kuwait's Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy said an Iranian attack damaged one of the country's power and water desalination plants, causing a fire and damage to multiple electricity generation units; emergency response teams quickly contained the blaze and activated contingency plans to maintain grid stability as repairs and assessments continue.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, at least nine members of the Iranian-Kurdish opposition group Komala were killed in an Iranian attack on Sulaymaniyah in Iraqi Kurdistan.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, more than 100 House Democrats voted this week to cut military aid to Israel, signaling a widening party divide that could shape the midterms and the future of one of Washington's most durable foreign policy alliances. The measure, offered by conservative Kentucky congressman Thomas Massie, was defeated, with nearly all Republicans and 98 Democrats opposing it, while 103 Democrats backed ending the aid and 10 voted present. The split drew commentary from veteran political strategist Mike Fahey, who said the vote shows the party undergoing a generational and ideological realignment. The leadership landscape was also reflected in the voting; House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries opposed the amendment, while Deputy Speaker Katherine Clark voted for it, as did former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, highlighting internal disagreements about policy toward Israel.

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.ynetnews.com/article/syxqutvnmg
https://www.israelhayom.com/2026/07/17/kuwait-pakistan-expanded-defense-pact-iran-strikes/
https://t.me/selena_updates/67293
https://t.me/selena_updates/67292
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/07/democrats-israel-split-widens-ahead-us-midterms