Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-23 at 14:02

HEADLINES
Israel Opens Shelters as Iran Clashes Escalate
Trump Near Deciding on Massive Iran Attack
Corn Ship Bombing Kills 10 in Odesa

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

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, Israel has opened shelters, with officials stressing this is not a drill. The report notes the move amid rising tensions with Iran and allied groups, but details beyond the shelter orders are not provided in the material.

In US Military Role, President Donald Trump says he is close to deciding on a massive attack on Iran, bigger than ever before, and that the United States is ready for it. He told Axios that Israel would join within two minutes if asked, but there would be consequences to its joining; he also said the United States does not need any help. He described his relationship with Prime Minister Netanyahu as very good. He said Iran wants to negotiate but has not felt enough pain yet. Two regional sources corroborated that Iran's leadership is not being helpful in negotiations and had not accepted the latest proposal.

In Regional Impacts, Ukrainian officials say shipowners have halted arrivals at Black Sea ports as Russia intensifies strikes on logistics and port infrastructure in the Odesa region; Zelensky warned Moscow could escalate to block the grain export corridor. A missile strike on a ship carrying corn killed 10 people, mostly foreigners. Zelensky said that yesterday not a single ship entered the port, and that ships have been targeted widely and may be stepped up. Ukraine's agriculture minister Taras Vysotskyi said Ukraine has not imposed restrictions on shipments. The suspension reflects a deteriorating port logistics and export capacity. Separately, Britain said its armed forces are ready to defend the country after Iran warned about allowing US bombers to fly from UK bases, with a government spokesperson noting a layered air and missile defense and cooperation with NATO.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir of Otzma Yehudit visited the Temple Mount on Tisha B’Av with Jewish worshipers, saying that Jews praying there feel they are the rightful owners of the site. He was accompanied by Development of the Negev and Galilee Minister Yitzhak Wasserlauf, also from Otzma Yehudit. He spoke of witnessing progress on the Temple Mount while images showed him with a prayer book, and noted the long-standing status quo that allows security oversight by Israel while the Jordanian-backed Waqf administers the site. Non-Muslims may visit during limited hours but are not allowed to pray there. Ben-Gvir asserted that Jews are praying and feel they are rightful owners in more places than before.

In Uplifting News, the IDF has helped tens of thousands of Venezuelans return to homes in buildings partially damaged by the June 24 earthquake after Israeli experts certified the structures as safe. The Venezuela delegation leader, IDF Brigadier General (ret.) Yossi Pinto, told The Jerusalem Post that Israeli-Venezuelan teams mapped thousands of structures and identified hundreds as safe to reoccupy, with others to be demolished or rebuilt. The system shows which structures can be used, which must be demolished, how demolition would proceed, and the timeline for reconstruction. The system was presented to Venezuela on July 17, and the work was carried out by a team of about 35 professionals. The ceremony was attended by Acting President Delcy Rodriguez.

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/hnaftali/23975
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-903482
https://www.jpost.com/international/internationalrussia-ukraine-war/article-903470
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/07/uk-says-armed-forces-ready-defend-country-after-iran-warning-over-us-bombers
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-903472
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-903484