Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-21 at 07:02

HEADLINES
US strikes Iran as Gulf violence escalates
Iran warns Turkey, Azerbaijan over attack routes
Nazareth man arrested over Ben-Gvir plot

The time is now 7:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Iranian Retaliation, US forces conducted strikes on targets in southern Iran overnight after President Trump warned Tehran would pay dearly for American deaths, while Iran launched attacks on US sites in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan and a tanker was hit in the Strait of Hormuz. The exchanges followed a day in which Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis said they would impose a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, potentially widening the conflict and raising risks to global energy flows. Despite the escalation, signs that Tehran and Washington may seek diplomacy kept oil prices in check. US Central Command said it had completed its latest strikes on Iran, hitting military command centers, maritime capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and air defense systems. Explosions were reported around Shiraz in the south, with Konarak and Chabahar on the southern coast also attacked, and Iran responded with renewed strikes across the Gulf.

In Regional Impacts, Iranian officials warned Azerbaijan and Turkey against facilitating US and Israeli attack routes, saying they were not targets but that attacks from their territory would be met with retaliation. Senior military advisor Yahya Rahim Safavi said there must be no attacks launched from Turkish or Azerbaijani soil; otherwise Iran would target those states. The talks came after an unspecified drone-related incident described as a provocation, with Safavi noting an internal investigation. He added that Turkey informed Tehran Incirlik Air Base near Adana would not be used in attacks on Iran, while Azerbaijan said there are no US or Israeli bases within its territory. An air alert was also reported in Bahrain.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, the Lebanese army entered an area vacated by the Israeli military as President Joseph Aoun prepared to meet with Donald Trump to present a plan aimed at disarming Hezbollah and securing a broader Israeli withdrawal.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, a Nazareth man was arrested for planning to attack Itamar Ben-Gvir and for recruiting operatives for Hamas, with the Shin Bet and Israel Police saying the 29-year-old suspect contacted Hamas to join and obtain resources for terrorist activity and to harm the National Security Minister; prosecutors indicated a forthcoming indictment. The Association for Civil Rights in Israel called for action to halt measures that could prevent Israeli citizens abroad from returning to vote, stressing that the right to vote and the right to enter the country must be protected. Ultra-Orthodox leaders warned draft dodgers over 18 who have missed their orders to avoid airports and border crossings to evade arrest, while those traveling abroad should ensure they can fly without impediment; the guidance comes as protests involving the Gur Hassidic community were underway, with large-scale demonstrations planned. Separately, Itamar Ben-Gvir’s office confirmed remarks over a failed assassination attempt, asserting that such threats will not deter his push on security policies, including prison reforms, demolition of illegal structures, and measures tied to terrorism and national security, and reports noted an individual linked to the case had previously worked as a security guard at the Afulla central bus station.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, the Hind Rajab Foundation filed an urgent criminal complaint with Belgium’s federal prosecutor against an IDF veteran who attended Tomorrowland and remained in Belgium, alleging involvement in war crimes and calling for measures to ensure the suspect remains available to Belgian authorities as the festival proceeds into its second weekend.

In Uplifting News, a United Nations assessment shows global hunger declined for a third consecutive year in 2025, with about 645 million people or 7.8% of the world’s population experiencing hunger, down from 2024. Gains were most notable in Asia, especially India, and in Latin America and the Caribbean, while Africa still accounted for the largest undernourished population at 309 million. Projections suggest hunger could continue to fall by 2030, though climate shocks and trade disruptions threaten progress, according to FAO economist Máximo Torero.

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.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/07/iranian-forces-target-bahrain-and-kuwait-after-us-hits-irans-south
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-903174
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https://www.ynetnews.com/article/r16pit3nfx
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-903182
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-903178
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-903171
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-903171
https://t.me/newssil/207168
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https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-903162
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/07/global-hunger-declines-across-continents-climate-trade-risks-loom-un-says