Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-22 at 11:02

HEADLINES
- Trump vows Iran retaliation for any attack
- Red Sea tankers reroute amid Houthi threat
- Katz attacks IDF chief over extremism

The time is now 11:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Military Role, the United States will bomb and destroy one bridge or power plant in retaliation for every time Iran fires on a ship in the Strait of Hormuz, including targets located next to or in the capital city of Tehran, President Donald Trump said in a Truth Social post. He specified that this response would occur from this point forward for any Iranian attack, whether the trigger came from a missile, rocket, drone, or any other device. The remarks came as he was en route to Dover Air Force Base, Maryland, to receive the bodies of four US soldiers killed by Iran while stationed in Jordan. Trump emphasized that Iran must not have nuclear weapons and stated, “They will not have nuclear weapons,” adding that the United States would pay its respects to the fallen.

In Regional Impacts, there will be no flight cancellations at Ben-Gurion Airport, Airports Authority Chairman Yiftach Ron-Tal said, insisting that there is no intention to close Israel’s airspace even in the current sensitive security climate. He told KAN News that the skies will remain open and that daily passenger numbers have already risen to about 90,000, all coordinated with the security establishment. IAA CEO Sharon Kedmi warned that if another US Air Force refueling aircraft enters Ben-Gurion, flights could be canceled, and the public should be prepared for potential delays. The discussion followed an emergency meeting at Ben-Gurion led by Transportation Minister Miri Regev. Separately, Iran’s Gulf islands remained a focal point in the Hormuz era, with Tasnim reporting that a US missile struck the Iranian island of Larak on Wednesday in the latest strike targeting islands in and around the Strait of Hormuz, underscoring the ongoing strategic tension in the region.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, four tankers altered course in the Red Sea on Wednesday, with two signaling the Suez Canal as their new destination after Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement warned ships to avoid Saudi ports. The Houthis declared a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia earlier in the week, raising the prospect of a broader front in the conflict and threatening global energy supplies and trade routes beyond the Gulf. Ship-tracking data cited by Clarksons indicated several tankers loaded in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia, shifting toward the Suez Canal or waiting for further instruction. The European Union’s Aspides naval force also advised vessels that could be linked to Israel, the United States, or Saudi Arabia to avoid voyages through the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden until the threat eases.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Defense Minister Israel Katz has publicly attacked IDF Central Command Chief Major General Avi Bluth and pushed for tighter restrictions on his ability to curb Jewish extremism, signaling continued friction within security policy as violence in the West Bank has intensified. Katz’s criticism follows months of tension, including his move in January 2025 to curb administrative detention. Bluth’s focus has been on Palestinian security threats and, at times, on supporting settlement-related activity through domestic legal channels, but Katz’s actions have limited those powers and intensified a broader political clash over how to respond to Jewish extremism. Separately, the government informed the High Court it cannot complete legislation establishing an October 7 investigation committee due to scheduling constraints, saying the measure would be addressed after the elections. In Jerusalem, police and Border Guard officials completed public safety preparations ahead of Tisha B’av, deploying overt and covert units focused on the Old City, the Western Wall, and other holy sites, and coordinating traffic and security for the Women for Israel’s Future march along a set route with street closures timed around prayers. Finally, after weeks of negotiations, the Finance Ministry, the Education Ministry, and the Secondary School Teachers’ Union reached an agreement to shift to a five-day school week, cancel the June 8 pay docking decree, extend bonuses for science teachers to physics teachers, provide annual grants for classes with integrated special education students, and increase annual early retirements from 320 to 350 due to burnout concerns.

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/middle-east/iran-news/article-903322
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-903324
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/07/irans-gulf-islands-targets-latest-fight-over-hormuz
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-903336
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-903340
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-903339
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-903294
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-903315