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

HEADLINES
Push for $1.5T Defense Budget
Trump Offers Direct Flights to Lebanon
NYC Mayor Can't Enforce Netanyahu ICC Warrant

The time is now 2:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Military Role, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told the Senate Appropriations Committee that the war with Iran has cost the United States about 37.5 billion dollars so far, and he argued that Congress should approve a 1.5 trillion dollar defense budget to adequately defend the country. He said, “Not funding this department at 1.5 trillion, I believe, is the greatest threat that our nation faces,” as protesters interrupted the hearing with chants calling to end the war. Capitol Police removed the demonstrators after a call for security from Senator Susan Collins. Hegseth also said the military would need an additional 67 billion dollars in supplemental funding for the Iran conflict, arguing that deterrence and preparation are essential to peace and that a force of that magnitude would deter any challenge. He warned that without these funds, critical shortfalls could disrupt pay for service members, rapid replenishment of equipment and munitions, and sustaining vital operations.

In Regional Impacts, senior Saudi and United Arab Emirates officials posted messages affirming close historical ties and wise leadership, with each side praising a relationship built on shared history and destiny. The posts, released on X/Twitter at 7 p.m. Riyadh time, emphasized that the media should reflect those aspects of the relationship and avoid undermining them. The two Gulf powers have long diverged on issues from oil quotas to geopolitics, and tensions over Yemen have surfaced in recent months, including disagreements over support for opposing sides. The posts underscore a desire to present unity, even as underlying differences remain.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, a report describes a moment of unusually warm interaction between President Donald Trump and Lebanon’s president, with Lebanon’s leader telling Trump he is “a great president” and Trump replying that he knows how to win him over and can obtain what he seeks. The piece notes that, at the end of the meeting, Trump tweeted that he would authorize direct flights for American airlines to Lebanon as a gift to the Lebanese president for the visit. It also states that Trump indicated a willingness to talk with Hezbollah if Lebanon’s president desires such a dialogue, signaling a potential shift in how diplomatic channels might be engaged in the region.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said his administration does not have the authority to execute the International Criminal Court arrest warrant against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he were to visit New York City. In a video statement, Mamdani reiterated accusations that Netanyahu is responsible for a genocide against the Palestinian people and for the blocking of humanitarian aid to Gaza, claiming that Netanyahu is responsible for the deaths of more than 73,000 people and the maiming of tens of thousands of children, and for violations of a Gaza ceasefire. Separately, border police near Jerusalem seized 8,600 eggs allegedly smuggled into Israel from the West Bank without proper oversight or sanitary controls, arresting a 41-year-old Jerusalem resident at the scene while other suspects fled. The eggs and vehicle were taken for processing, and authorities noted that egg smuggling remains a persistent challenge as authorities seek to curb illicit cross-border movement and protect public health.

In Uplifting News, Israeli students earned 13 medals, including five golds, at global Science Olympiads held in July, competing in physics, biology, and chemistry against more than 90 countries. The Israeli team collected five medals at the International Physics Olympiad in Colombia, including a gold for Ruth Kozlovsky and silvers for Noam Fleissig, Ahaya Kellner, Eitan Rotman, and Elad Agmon. The students trained at the Jusidman Science Center for Youth at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, with the university’s president praising the high caliber of science education in Israel. Israel’s success continued at the International Biology Olympiad in Lithuania, where the team earned additional medals. In parallel, an editorial recounts lessons from a former hostage, highlighting the enduring impact of stories from October 7 and the resilience of those who survived captivity, including Rimon Buchshtab-Kirscht and her husband, who were abducted by Hamas; she was released in 2023, while her husband died in captivity. The piece emphasizes the importance of sharing these memories as part of the living history of the conflict.

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.jpost.com/american-politics/article-903250
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-903254
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/07/analysis-houthi-red-sea-threat-would-challenge-stretched-us-military
https://t.me/abualiexpress/127018
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-903253
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/crime-in-israel/article-903252
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-903251
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-903232