Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-23 at 05:01

HEADLINES
- B-1B Returns to Action Over Iran
- Record 595,000 First-Time Voters in Israel
- Greece Approves Achilles Shield Israel Deal

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 US Military Role, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the price Iran pays will rise every night until Tehran’s leadership comes to their senses, telling reporters on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum that Iran is seeking another deal after the previous agreement collapsed but is not yet prepared to reengage. He connected President Trump’s approach to a “head for an eye” stance, referencing Iranian rhetoric about an eye-for-an-eye strategy. Separately, reports say the B-1B Lancer heavy bomber has returned to action over Iran, the first use since the ceasefire took effect in early April. The aircraft reportedly flew from bases in Britain, with accounts indicating strategic bombers had recently departed from bases in the region. The B-1B is a long-range, multirole bomber capable of carrying large conventional payloads—up to about 75,000 pounds—and is designed to strike anywhere in the Middle East without intermediate landings. Known in the Air Force as the Bone, the bomber embodies a capability that officials say signals a shift to heavier US strikes in the area.

In Regional Impacts, a fire broke out at a farm along Route Abraham near the community of Alon Morah in Samaria. Firefighters at the scene report a wide blaze and difficulties reaching all affected areas from the ground. After an on-site assessment and weather analysis, authorities ordered the deployment of two firefighting aircraft from the Elad squadron to the scene.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, a record 595,000 Israelis aged 18 to 22 are expected to vote for the first time in the election for the 26th Knesset, making up about 8.7% of all eligible voters—the largest such wave since the founding of the state. The electorate is projected to total around 6.8 million, a roughly 9.4% increase from the 2022 election, with Jerusalem expected to register the largest rise in first-time voters, about 60,000, followed by Tel Aviv-Jaffa (roughly 20,000) and Bnei Brak (about 19,000). The municipality of Ramat Gan announced the opening of its bomb shelters as part of ongoing civil preparedness measures. Israel’s current political climate is marked by heightened tensions, including warnings about election integrity from President Herzog, criticism over AI-generated political ads, and internal coalition frictions as parties navigate the campaign period. Separately, prosecutors say Nazareth resident Mohammed Awad planned a missile and drone attack on national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, citing anger over a friend’s death and spending years researching ballistic missiles and explosive mechanisms online.

In Israeli Economy and Business, Greece’s security council KYSEA is expected to give final approval for the purchase of Israel’s Achilles Shield multi-layer air defense system, worth up to €3.5 billion, along with several drone types. The deal forms part of Greece’s broader plan to modernize its armed forces, estimated at about €28 billion in defense spending by 2036, including up to 40 US-made F-35 fighters and naval acquisitions from France and Italy. Israeli defense technology company Jeen Technologies is expanding its defense footprint with its Jeen Defense unit securing orders totaling about NIS 8.6 million from a single strategic defense customer, including a recent order worth NIS 4.3 million. The framework agreement between Jeen and this customer could reach up to NIS 45 million over the next two years, reflecting growing demand for sovereign AI-enabled defense solutions.

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-903404
https://www.israelhayom.com/2026/07/23/b-1-bombers-return-to-iran-signaling-shift-to-heavier-us-strikes/
https://t.me/newssil/207335
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-903394
https://t.me/newssil/207336
https://www.jpost.com/podcast/article-903317
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/s1k4lhysgl
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-903399
https://www.jpost.com/defense-and-tech/article-903395