Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-22 at 05:02

HEADLINES
Mushroom Cloud Reported Near Eilat Amid Clashes
Iran Missiles Hit Jordan Aqaba Smoke Rises
IISS Reports 144 Drone Breaches Across Europe

The time is now 5:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, a report describes a mushroom cloud near Eilat.

In Regional Impacts, smoke was seen rising from the Aqaba area in Jordan after Iran launched missiles at Jordan. The IDF said no Iron Dome interceptors were launched, and no debris from Jordan's interception fell within Israeli territory. Jordanian state media reported that six Iranian missiles were intercepted; the smoke reportedly resulted from debris. No injuries have been reported. After the launches, an Arkia flight from Ben-Gurion Airport to Ramon Airport was forced to delay its landing and circle in the air until authorities could verify that there was no debris on the runway. This is a developing story. Foreign drones and unmanned aerial vehicles breached European airspace 144 times between August 2024 and February 2026, according to a report by the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London. The breaches have resulted in the violation of the air sovereignty of 12 countries, repeatedly forcing the closure of major airports, disrupting military activity, and flying over sensitive installations, including nuclear sites and Germany's first Arrow-3 battery. The report estimated that the overwhelming majority of the incidents involved Russian platforms launched from ships. Their mission was to expose response times, radar frequencies, and interception procedures used by Europe's air defense network. Another objective was to map critical infrastructure, including nuclear facilities, key strategic sites, and logistical hubs supporting Ukraine, such as bases where Ukrainian troops train on Patriot air defense systems and Abrams tanks. Several European countries have already acquired Israeli-made air defense systems. Germany has deployed the Arrow-3 system, while Slovakia and, according to foreign reports, Cyprus have acquired the Barak-8. From Gaza, UN data indicate nearly 9,300 chickenpox cases across more than 130 medical facilities in a two-week period, with more than half in Khan Yunis. Overcrowded camps, waste buildup, shortages of clean water, and damaged sewage infrastructure are hindering prevention. In camps where families live in tents or temporary structures, isolating sick children is often not possible. Chickenpox spreads through airborne droplets and direct contact.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Israel digs crocodile moats around prison wing holding Oct. 7 Hamas terrorists. Authorities allocated 21 million shekels ($6.3 million) for the pilot despite unanimous wildlife authority opposition and warnings that the plan may require primary legislation.

In Israeli Economy and Business, Israel is on track to record a year in public deals, with about 30 IPOs expected by year-end and roughly $4.1 billion raised in the first half of 2026. The Transactions Report by Grant Thornton Israel shows 325 deals between public and private offerings, totaling $32 billion in the first half, making 2026 the third-best year in the last decade. Tech dominates the market, with AI-centered companies accounting for a significant share and American investors providing strong support. Elbit Systems of America has been awarded contracts by US Customs and Border Protection worth more than $370 million, with deliveries and installations due by May 2029. The company did not disclose the scope of the contracts. Elbit has previous involvement in border surveillance as part of the Smart Border project in the United States. Bezalel Machlis, president and CEO, said the awards strengthen real-time situational awareness for customers.

In Uplifting News, scientists and conservationists are working to save the northern spotted owl in the western United States by removing barred owls from its habitat. The strategy, described in Science, has involved killing thousands of barred owls over about five years, a step viewed by supporters as necessary for the owl’s recovery, though it has drawn ethical debate from opponents.

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/newssil/207247
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-903278
https://www.jpost.com/international/internationalrussia-ukraine-war/article-903260
https://www.jpost.com/health-and-wellness/article-903259
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hkxskbcnzx
https://www.jpost.com/business-and-innovation/tech-and-start-ups/article-902473
https://www.jpost.com/defense-and-tech/article-903263
https://www.jpost.com/science/article-902857