Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-23 at 22:02

HEADLINES
IDF declares full readiness for Iran clash
US strikes on Iran continue Tehran retaliates
Oil tops $100 as tensions flare

The time is now 10:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, the Israeli military says it is in a state of full readiness for a return to combat with Iran, with both offensive and defensive capabilities on standby. Lieutenant Colonel Ella Waweya, the IDF Arabic-language spokesperson, told N12 in an interview that “The IDF is in a state of full readiness and preparedness; both offensive and defensive.” She added, “We do not wait for missiles to fall or for the enemy to knock on our door before getting ready,” and that “October 7th taught the most important lesson: policies of containment, waiting for the first strike, or relying on passive deterrence are no longer acceptable.” Defence Minister Israel Katz, meanwhile, warned that any attack on Israel would draw a devastating response and noted that a high-level security consultation attended by leaders responsible for offensive capabilities, air defenses, military intelligence, and civilian preparedness discussed options. Katz did not disclose details, but the message was clear: preparations are under way for every possibility.

In Iranian Retaliation, Kuwait activated air defenses as Iran targeted a US airbase; sirens sounded in Kuwait as air defense systems intercepted what Kuwait described as hostile Iranian drone threats. The Al-Salem airbase, used by Kuwait and US forces, was reported to have been targeted by drones and missiles, with Iran’s Tasnim News Agency saying Patriot air-defense systems at the base were activated. Earlier, Kuwait said the Abdali border crossing with Iraq was hit by drones. Separately, Iran’s state-run Mehr News Agency reported that air defenses had been activated to counter hostile targets to the east of Tehran.

In US Military Role, US forces completed the 13th night of strikes on Iran, with CENTCOM saying the attacks targeted Iranian military command centers, drone storage facilities, communication networks, coastal surveillance sites, and maritime capabilities to diminish threats to civilian mariners and commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. CENTCOM added that the Strait remains open for transit and that commercial shipping continues to move with US support. Iranian air defenses were activated in Tehran in response to what Nour News described as a hostile threat. Earlier, explosions were reported near Mesen on Qeshm and south of the Larak and Hengam islands. A Wall Street Journal report, based on satellite imagery, showed Iran rebuilding significant infrastructure damaged in recent strikes, including an access road to a missile base near Kangavar and reconstruction at Bandar Anzali port tied to the IRGC.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, oil prices settled above $100 a barrel as Houthi attacks intensified Middle East supply risks. Brent crude finished at $100.69 a barrel, up 7%, with US WTI closing at $92.19, the highest close since early June. Analysts cited the growing risk of a broader ground war and disrupted tanker traffic through key chokepoints as factors lifting prices. Bob Yawger, director of energy futures at Mizuho, warned that crude could push toward multiyear highs if tensions persist. The Houthis opened a new front by striking two Saudi oil tankers in the Bab el-Mandeb, raising fears about further disruptions to regional supply routes.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, authorities are investigating a double stabbing on Manhattan’s Upper West Side outside an Orthodox synagogue, where witnesses said the suspect shouted “Allahu Akbar.” The NYPD says mental health factors are being considered and investigators are evaluating the incident as a possible hate crime; Mayor Zohran Mamdani said both victims—one Asian and one Jewish—are in stable condition. Separately, reporting examines how antisemitic influencers have turned hate into a multimillion-dollar industry by denying the Oct. 7 atrocities and accusing Israel of genocide, leveraging large online followings to spread messages. In a separate legal development, the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission dropped a subpoena seeking names and contact information for Jewish faculty and students at the University of Pennsylvania as part of a broader antisemitism probe; Penn says no personal data has been disclosed and the agency could still pursue action, continuing the investigation into campus antisemitism.

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-903525
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-903528
https://t.me/DefenderDome/22419
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-903526
https://www.timesofisrael.com/satellite-images-show-iran-rapidly-rebuilding-sites-hit-by-us-and-israeli-strikes/
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-903523
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-903527
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/byiulvlbgg
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-903524