Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-23 at 07:02

HEADLINES
Ramat Gan Opens Shelters Amid Iran Threat
US Deploys Carriers Across Middle East
Record First Time Voters Shape Israel Election

The time is now 7:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, Ramat Gan opened all its public bomb shelters after a municipal assessment found that the risk of Iranian missile fire over the weekend had increased and was no longer negligible, Mayor Carmel Shama-Hacohen said on Facebook on Thursday. He wrote that the city decided to open all the shelters and stressed the move was a municipal precaution not prompted by a new national alert, with no Home Front Command warning in place. He urged residential building committees to ready communal shelters and reassured residents that Israel is prepared to respond if Iran launches another round, adding that there is no reason to panic.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, the rhetoric surrounding Iran’s threats drew comment from regional analysts. Bahraini analyst Ahmed Alkhuzaie called Tehran’s warning that “no infrastructure will be safe” a dangerous escalation in rhetoric, coming after a week of Iranian attacks on civilian infrastructure in Kuwait and Bahrain. He noted that Iran tied Gulf oil exports to its own ability to sell crude, and that the broader threat has included damage to infrastructure and claims of targeting global data and utilities, underscoring the broader regional tension.

In US Military Role, Washington has massed forces across the Middle East, deploying two aircraft carriers, fighter squadrons, bombers, surveillance aircraft, special forces and additional medical teams, as Senator Rubio said Tehran is losing launchers, radar systems and billions of dollars while refusing a credible deal.

In Regional Impacts, a Jerusalem man in his 20s was indicted in the Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court for allegedly threatening foreign journalists and damaging their vehicles during an incident north of Ramallah earlier this month. Prosecutors said he used his car to block CNN and an Italian news organization’s vehicles, threatened journalists with a club and a rock, and attempted to slash a tire; he allegedly received a knife from another person and struck a windshield. Four suspects were arrested; the indicted man was remanded in custody, while the other three were released under restrictive conditions. The journalists reportedly included CNN Jerusalem correspondent Jeremy Diamond.

Also in Regional Impacts, a 51-year-old Israeli man was seriously wounded in a West Bank stabbing near the Elon Moreh settlement, with two Palestinian attackers killed by Israeli forces at the scene as the victim attempted to extinguish a fire set by Beit Furik residents. Magen David Adom treated the victim and transported him to hospital. Police cordoned Beit Furik as the IDF said it was aware of the situation and its forces were responding. The IDF later said it had received a report of a stabbing in the Alon Moreh area and that details were under investigation. A separate breaking report noted the incident as a suspected terror stabbing in the West Bank/Judea and Samaria, with one 51-year-old man seriously injured and two Palestinian suspects stopped.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the price for Iran’s recent escalation in violence will increase every night until Tehran leadership “comes to their senses,” speaking on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum. He suggested Iran may seek another deal, but indicated those in charge could change or cancel agreements, arguing that any deal with Iran has repeatedly faltered. Rubio also referenced comments about President Donald Trump’s likely approach, saying Trump would take a “head for an eye” stance, and asserted that under Trump, Iran would not be allowed to develop or possess a nuclear weapon.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, a Nazareth man, 29-year-old Muhammad Awad, was indicted for allegedly seeking Hamas help to attack National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. The charges include two counts of contact with a foreign agent, obtaining instructions for a terrorist act, unlawful possession of ammunition and obstruction of justice. Prosecutors say Awad repeatedly sought Hamas contact and researched missiles and explosive mechanisms, including plans to use a drone or guided missile, with authorities noting he had been drawing from Hamas materials since 2025 and had emailed a Hamas Telegram channel address. Hamas did not respond; Awad has been in custody since June 28.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, the government told the High Court that October 7 inquiry legislation could not be completed before election recess due to Knesset scheduling constraints, despite passing its first reading. The government said it would revive the proposal after the October 27 election and asked the court to dismiss petitions seeking a state commission. In the same session, the Knesset advanced other controversial laws, including measures affecting yeshiva student enforcement, Basic Law: Torah Study, and powers of the attorney-general, along with expansions of gender-segregated academic programs at advanced levels.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli urged the immediate closure of the Turkish Consulate in Jerusalem after a strategic study accused Ankara of pursuing influence in Jerusalem through civil networks and Hamas ties, arguing this represents a broader effort to expand Turkish influence in the city and across the region.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Israel looks toward a record-breaking election season with over half a million first-time voters, as 595,000 Israelis aged 18 to 22 are expected to cast ballots for the first time. That group would account for about 8.7% of all eligible voters in the upcoming election for the 26th Knesset, the largest such wave since the state’s founding. The eligible voter pool is projected to reach about 6.8 million, up roughly 9.4% from the 2022 election, with Jerusalem anticipated to see the largest rise, followed by Tel Aviv-Jaffa and Bnei Brak.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, a roundup notes that the Houthis threaten a second chokehold on shipping routes, with Hormuz remaining a contentious chokepoint in the broader regional confrontation.

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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