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

HEADLINES
Iran's centrifuges in tunnels of Pickaxe Mountain
CENTCOM's eleventh night targets Iran shipping
Lebanese army deploys to Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh

The time is now 9:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, intelligence suggests Iran has moved thousands of uranium-enrichment centrifuges into tunnels deep inside Pickaxe Mountain, creating the most heavily fortified nuclear facility it has ever constructed. Israel also reportedly assesses that Tehran transferred part of its stockpile of highly enriched uranium to the site for further work, possibly to weapons-grade levels. The facility is buried more than 100 meters beneath solid rock, with its deepest chambers potentially beyond the reach of the MOP bunker-buster. President Trump has said Pickaxe Mountain will be destroyed very soon, signaling heightened pressure over Iran’s program. Officials caution that any action could carry broader regional risks.

In US Military Role, CENTCOM said late Tuesday it began its 11th consecutive night of strikes on Iran, designed to degrade its ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The attacks targeted Iranian military operation centers, maritime capabilities, aircraft hangars, drone storage facilities, and military logistics infrastructure. CENTCOM announced the strikes concluded at 8:15 p.m. EST. Explosions were heard in parts of Iran’s Bushehr County, and Tehran’s air defenses were activated as the exchanges continued.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, the Lebanese army says its troops have begun deploying in the southern Lebanese town of Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh after Israeli forces withdrew from the area.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, a Channel 12 poll shows Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar! emerging as the largest faction with 24 seats if elections were held today, with Eisenkot the preferred prime minister over Benjamin Netanyahu. The survey notes that the entry of new parties has shifted blocs to some degree, and most opposition voters would back a government that relies on outside support from an Arab party if their bloc cannot reach a majority. Coalition voters expressed satisfaction with the agreements between Netanyahu and the ultra-Orthodox parties and want their participation in the next government. The poll found that the overall distribution of seats between blocs remained unchanged.

In Uplifting News, Batya Ezri, the ‘time traveler’ of Jerusalem, is featured in this week’s Peoples of Israel. Her Batya Vintage House on Shlomzion HaMalka Street is described as a living room of memories, where visitors browse antiques, share stories, and feel the warmth of generations past. The shop is bright, welcoming, and filled with conversation, inviting people to pause and reflect on what objects carry from one life to another.

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://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/78375
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-903245
https://t.me/DefenderDome/22383
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rkndbwa4ml
https://t.me/JewishNews24/57495
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-903241
https://www.timesofisrael.com/batya-ezri-the-time-traveler-of-jerusalem/