Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-19 at 06:02

HEADLINES
Iran expands into Iraqi Kurdistan amid tensions
US widens strikes on Iran eight nights
IDF uncovers massive Iranian tunnel network

The time is now 6:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Iranian Retaliation, Iran has expanded the conflict to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq in recent days, following attacks on Gulf shipping on July 6-7 and a wave of US bombing that stretched over eight days. The fighting has touched Kurdish territory with strikes on Iranian opposition groups such as PAK and Komala, all as the Iraqi prime minister concluded a visit to the United States. In the Kurdistan Region, household gas prices have surged after the Khor Mor gas field in Sulaimani province suspended production amid security threats tied to ongoing US-Iran tensions and recent drone attacks; LPG at fuel stations has risen to about 800 dinars per liter. Iran’s broader campaign has included deadly attacks abroad, including a missile strike in Jordan that killed two American service members, part of a pattern Iran has used before to widen its regional confrontation.

In US Military Role, US warplanes struck near the southern Iranian city of Shadagan as CENTCOM said it completed an eighth consecutive night of strikes against Iran, targeting coastal surveillance and air defenses and the Revolutionary Guard targets that launched attacks on US personnel in Jordan on July 17. The exchanges come as the conflict has grown more acute, with Iran reportedly assaulting US bases in Kuwait and Bahrain after the night of American strikes in Iran, and Kuwaiti air defenses intercepting missiles and drones while Bahrain reported sirens and heightened security. The latest escalation also includes Iranian ballistic missiles and drones tied to attacks that killed two US service members at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in eastern Jordan, with a fourth service member listed as missing. CENTCOM communications note the aim of these operations is to degrade Iran’s ability to threaten shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and to punish IRGC forces responsible for attacks on American personnel.

In Regional Impacts, sirens again sounded in Kuwait and Bahrain as Iran renewed attacks on Gulf states following the weekend’s US-Iran strikes, with authorities urging civilians to follow security guidance and to seek shelter as defenses intercepted missiles and drones. CENTCOM stated the broader campaign seeks to degrade Iran’s ability to threaten regional commerce and to punish IRGC forces behind attacks on US troops in Jordan. Separately, Jordanian authorities evacuated Aqaba’s airport and port due to a specific threat, a development reported in relation to regional security concerns.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Israel’s IDF S-2 special engineering platoon has shifted from disposing of explosives to locating, mapping, and destroying tunnels as part of operations in the Gaza Strip and southern Lebanon. The commander described the discovery and destruction of a large Iranian-built tunnel—three meters high and about three and a half meters wide—and the intense process that follows each find, including removing massive blast doors and dismantling the network that supports militants and drones. The unit characterizes these tunnels as a substantial Iranian construction, and the work is part of a broader underground warfare effort that has grown more complex since October of last year.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced the expansion of Highway 465 inside the West Bank, doubling the route’s capacity to connect the east and west settlements of the Mateh Binyamin Regional Council. The project aims to enhance safety, security, and quality of life for residents, and to connect Neve Tzuf and Ateret, with Mes’ol gaining access as well. The initiative, carried out by the Finance Ministry in coordination with the Defense and Transport Ministries and the Mateh Binyamin Regional Council, is framed as strengthening the Israeli presence in the West Bank and consolidating regional development.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, police are probing a price-tag incident in the Palestinian village of A-Tuwani near Hebron, where a vehicle was set on fire, buildings were graffitied, and the door of a prayer building was damaged. Some reports also referenced a mosque fire in the area. Authorities say they are coordinating with security agencies to locate suspects and assess any link to the weekend fire at Gilad Farm, with investigations ongoing into a possible connection. Earlier reporting indicated the Gilad Farm fire may have been started by a cigarette butt, a detail being weighed as part of the broader inquiry.

In Israeli Economy and Business, Israeli founders increasingly face Europe as a significant growth avenue even as the United States remains a common destination. Eran Westman of Planven VC argues that European opportunities persist for companies willing to enter early and tailor locally, noting that Israeli firms typically generate 30-40% of revenue from Europe in time. He also cites major exits like Seraphic Security and Nozomi Networks to illustrate Europe’s role in expansion, while acknowledging challenges and the broader context of geopolitics affecting deals, with customers often separating procurement decisions from political considerations.

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-902917
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-902943
https://www.israelhayom.com/2026/07/19/us-iran-escalation-appears-inevitable/
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-902936
https://t.me/newssil/206982
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-902909
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-902929
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-902925
https://www.jpost.com/podcast/article-902941