Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-20 at 16:02

HEADLINES
Iranian Retaliation Escalates as Jordan Intercepts Missiles
Hamas Names Khalil al-Hayya Political Chief
IDF Kills PIJ Terrorist From Nova

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

In Iranian Retaliation, Jordan intercepted three more Iranian missiles after days of attacks targeting US forces in the kingdom; President Trump has ordered military leaders to exact a heavy price for every American death as strikes and maritime attacks widened across the region.

In US Military Role, the opinion argues that if America wants a faster, more decisive path to victory, it must stop focusing only on what Iran can lose and focus on what the regime fears most. The piece contends the regime in Tehran fears its own people more than American bombs, a dynamic it says has guided Iranian strategy. It outlines five steps to end the conflict more quickly without a single American boot on the ground, starting with demanding public proof of life of Mojtaba Khamenei, noting that statements attributed to him have often been written rather than delivered in person.

In Regional Impacts, the IDF says it killed two Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists in separate strikes in the Gaza Strip. One of them, Taher Ahmad Salem Abd al-Wahed, infiltrated the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023, and commanded the abduction of Inbar Hayman’s remains after she was killed by terrorists. The other, Salah Subhi Salah Qatrawi, was killed after planning attacks against IDF soldiers near Gaza Humanitarian Foundation aid distribution centers. Hayman, 27, had been known to Israeli authorities and had served as a commander in the Caracal Battalion, a detail confirmed by the military following the release of her body.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, analysis notes that Khalil al-Hayya has been named head of Hamas’s political bureau, effectively replacing Yahya Sinwar and operating largely from abroad in Doha, Qatar. This arrangement allows Hamas to claim governance while maintaining power behind the scenes, with Hayya expected to play a crucial role going forward. Born in 1960 in Gaza, he is part of Hamas’s original generation. The topic also includes reports that Iran is transferring forces to the Iraqi border, a move cited in the accompanying briefing.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, President Trump asserted that Netanyahu will not be arrested while visiting the United States, tying Netanyahu’s mission to confronting Iran. He referenced remarks by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani about Netanyahu and said for every US soldier killed, Iran will pay many times over. Trump said he has directed Defense Secretary and the Joint Chiefs to enforce his stated position, as talks about the issue continue in Washington.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, hundreds of haredi demonstrators gathered outside Military Prison 10 in Beit Lid over the arrest of a draft dodger, with the Gur Hassidic group and the Gur Rebbe in attendance and thousands expected to arrive. The arrested man had earlier gone to a draft office to arrange exemption before being sentenced to 20 days in prison. Separately, Yoaz Hendel attacked Itamar Ben-Gvir, saying the Otzma Yehudit party has become a weakness for the Jewish state and arguing the next government should exclude ultra-Orthodox and Arab parties to restore governance.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Italian authorities removed online forms that urged people to report the presence of Israeli citizens and Italian Jews in tourist areas after intervention by General Pasquale Angelosanto. The forms described Zionist tourism and mapping of Israeli or Jewish presence, and were condemned by the Milan Jewish community leader as reminiscent of darker times before being taken down.

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/hkabvxhnmg
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-902932
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-903102
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-903114
https://t.me/newssil/207130
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-903105
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-903115
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-903099
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-903112