Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-17 at 13:02

HEADLINES
US destroys Iranian surveillance tower in Syria
US seeks more Israeli refueling aircraft
Funeral drone strike kills Gaza mourners

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 US forces destroy Iranian surveillance tower, no troops killed, captured in Syria, CENTCOM says, CENTCOM reported that US forces destroyed a surveillance tower along Iran's Gulf of Oman coastline as part of a broader action against the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a strike CENTCOM described as directly degrading the IRGC's ability to coordinate attacks on innocent civilian crew members. The tower sat within a surveillance network used for decades to track and target commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. CENTCOM also said no US troops in the region have recently been killed or captured in connection with these operations. Separately, Washington is pressing ahead with additional support for Israel, with reports that the US has asked Israel to host dozens of additional refueling aircraft to support potential operations against Iran as President Trump weighs expanded strikes on Iranian infrastructure, nuclear facilities and an underground site, even as officials warn the deployment could worsen congestion at Ben Gurion Airport.

In ⚠️ graphic footage ⚠️ At least 10 terrorists were killed and 19 injured in an Israeli drone strike targeting mourners attending the funeral of Taher al-Wahed, a Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist who had been killed hours earlier in a separate Israeli strike in Nuseirat, central Gaza. About 20 were killed and more than 40 injured in various areas of the Gaza Strip since this morning. Finally!!!! - attacks on terrorists' funerals.

In The double agent, Hamas commander's mistake and the tunnel: how Israel brought Hadar Goldin home, For nearly nine years, a secret intelligence team tracked ambulance footage, tunnel graffiti and Hamas communications to locate the IDF officer’s body and bring him back from Gaza after more than 11 years.

In According to Axios, citing both US and Israeli official, the US has asked Israel to receive ‘dozens’ of additional refueling aircraft to Ben Gurion Airport in preparation for a potential significantly expanded strike campaign on Iran. However, some Israeli decision-makers have advised against such a move, as the airport has suffered from congestion added by the 30-odd refueling aircraft already at the airport. In addition to this, it is understood that Iran may directly strike Israel should an expanded campaign utilize even more US resources based in Israel, a move that would almost certainly prompt Israel to retaliate with widespread direct strikes on Iran.

In Tax Authority will immediately stop war damage claims until Bnei Brak mayor condemns mob attacks, Tax Authority Director Shay Aharonovich said in a letter that enforcement staff were violently attacked by hundreds while carrying out enforcement activities in the city, and he instructed the Compensation Fund to immediately suspend handling of claims for damage caused during operations Rising Lion and Lion’s Roar until the municipality publicly condemns the attacks through haredi media outlets. Mayor Hanoch Zeibert was identified as the city’s leadership. The Tax Authority subsequently announced it would also freeze war compensation claims in Bnei Brak until the city’s leadership publicly condemns the assaults.

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/iran-news/article-902845
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/bjtwocd4mx
https://t.me/selena_updates/67300
https://www.ynetnews.com/magazine/article/ry7ecppvfx
https://t.me/DefenderDome/22236
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-902843
https://www.timesofisrael.com/tax-authority-freezes-war-compensation-claims-in-bnei-brak-after-attacks-on-staff/