Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-20 at 06:01

HEADLINES
Iranian analyst: US plans invasion of Iran
Lebanese army to verify Hezbollah-free zones
Hamas raids Gaza aid points, threatens civilians

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, an Iranian academic widely regarded as a close ally of the regime’s leadership said Tehran would welcome a US ground invasion and believes such a campaign would end in defeat for American forces. Professor Mohammad Marandi of the University of Tehran, who often appears on English-language programs defending Tehran’s policies, told Glenn Diesen’s YouTube program that Washington has contingency plans for a ground invasion of Iran, though he stopped short of saying it was imminent. “The Americans are planning an invasion. I’m not saying it will necessarily happen. I’m not saying it will necessarily happen in the next few days. But they have plans for an invasion,” he said.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Lebanese Armed Forces will enter two designated areas in southern Lebanon to verify they are Hezbollah-free, as part of a pilot program designed to test Beirut’s sovereignty under US supervision. The plan follows last week’s Rome talks between Israeli and Lebanese delegations, with officials saying the two zones were agreed upon and that disarming Hezbollah remains a shared objective. Separately, Hamas has attacked food distribution points in Gaza, hijacked aid, and threatened civilians while seeking compensation for ammunition used, with one estimate cited of about 24,500 shekels in payments. Reports also allege Hamas has smuggled various goods inside trucks belonging to aid organizations or commercial fleets to raise funds. A Hebrew-language post reported that Al-Jalaa Street in western Gaza City was hit shortly after with two drone missiles in what was described as a response to ongoing coverage.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said mediators continue to push for peace and that the United States has no excuse to violate the Memorandum of Understanding. He emphasized that diplomacy and defense play complementary roles in Iran’s approach, describing them as indispensable in protecting Iran’s national interests. Baghaei also denied claims that the MoU is ambiguous, noting that the text is short.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, the Attorney-General’s Office told the High Court that the framework intended to safeguard police independence from ministerial influence remains insufficient, signaling significant gaps in limiting political interference by Ben-Gvir in police matters, investigations, and appointments. Ben-Gvir responded to Baharav-Miara by saying, “Gali, I couldn’t care less about you,” and criticized the ongoing process. Separately, Major-General Dado Bar Kalifa, head of the IDF Personnel Directorate, warned that extending mandatory service to 32 months will not solve Israel’s manpower crisis and called for expanding the pool of draftees and passing a comprehensive conscription law, noting Israel has been at war for about three years and praising service members’ dedication.

In Uplifting News, a report from the World Cup notes that Spain’s Marc Cucurella, a member of the national team, reportedly took the trophy home in a large trash bag, a lighthearted detail highlighted in coverage of the tournament.

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://worldisraelnews.com/iran-taunts-the-us-were-waiting-for-your-ground-invasion/
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-903033
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-903025
https://t.me/abualiexpress/126897
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-903043
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-903032
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-903027
https://t.me/abualiexpress/126896