Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-22 at 01:02

HEADLINES
Iran warns US strike widens regional war
US seeks trillions to sustain Iran war
Saudi UAE post unity amid Yemen rift

The time is now 1:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Iranian Retaliation, Iran's top joint military command warned that any US strike on its nuclear facilities would be considered an expansion of the war across the region, according to Iranian state television. The warning signals Tehran views such action as a broad escalation and frames any strike as a regional threat, underscoring ongoing tensions between Tehran and Washington.

In US Military Role, lawmakers and military officials are weighing a sweeping funding request tied to the Iran conflict. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing that the war has cost about 37.5 billion dollars to date and that as much as 1.5 trillion dollars more would be needed to deter and defend the United States. He described it as a generational investment in peace through strength and urged about 67 billion dollars in supplemental funding to pay service members, replenish equipment and munitions, and sustain operations, as protests briefly interrupted his testimony.

In Regional Impacts, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates appear to project unity on social media after months of friction. Senior officials posted messages on X/Twitter at 7 p.m. Riyadh time affirming close historical ties and a shared destiny, emphasizing that media should reflect those bonds and avoid undermining them. The posts come as long-standing disagreements over oil quotas and geopolitics linger, including a rift over Yemen that once saw Saudi action described as targeting a shipment in the conflict.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani acknowledged he lacks authority to arrest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over an ICC warrant, reversing days of discussion about enforcing the arrest during Netanyahu’s expected UN General Assembly visit. He continued to accuse Netanyahu of war crimes, drawing a sharp rebuke from Israel’s UN ambassador, who urged Mamdani to focus on his duties in New York. Separately, US policy moves regarding Saudi nuclear cooperation are advancing, with reports that a 123 Agreement would allow US firms to help develop Saudi Arabia’s civil nuclear program but would omit key safeguards. The arrangement would not require the gold standard prohibiting enrichment or the Additional Protocol, and some accounts say it could permit enrichment on Saudi soil and would be submitted to Congress within days, sometimes described as lacking Israel normalization in the process, prompting concerns about a regional proliferation dynamic.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, authorities reported a seizure of 8,600 eggs allegedly smuggled from the West Bank without proper oversight or sanitary controls, with a 41-year-old Jerusalem resident arrested at the scene and the vehicle and cargo moved for processing as the investigation continues. An opinion piece reflects on lessons from a former hostage, recounting a survivor’s experience and stressing the enduring importance of those stories in the ongoing arc of the conflict, including criticism directed at Hamas and reflections on accountability. Meanwhile, Israel’s 2026 election outlook shows Prime Minister Netanyahu turning on Haredi allies after a draft deal backfired, as he seeks to shore up support among moderate right-wing voters ahead of the vote.

In Uplifting News, Israeli students earned 13 medals across the international science Olympiads, including five golds, in physics, biology, and chemistry competitions held around the world in July. The physics team in Colombia won five medals, led by Ruth Kozlovsky with gold and four silver recipients, while biology and chemistry efforts from Israeli teams added to the country’s tally, underscoring strong science education and a track record of high achievement. The participants trained at the Jusidman Science Center for Youth at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev under directors Oleg Krichevsky and Pavel Radzivilovsky, with university leadership highlighting the accomplishment as a testament to Israeli science education.

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
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https://worldisraelnews.com/mamdani-backs-down-admits-he-cant-arrest-netanyahu/
https://worldisraelnews.com/trump-to-advance-saudi-nuclear-deal-without-key-safeguards/
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/h16sxnaeze
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-903247
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/crime-in-israel/article-903252
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-903232
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https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-903251