Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-26 at 02:01

HEADLINES
Interceptor shortage pauses Iran strike plan
Gulf states back direct action against Iran
West Bank mosque set ablaze in retaliation

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

In US Military Role, the US military is reportedly running low on air defense interceptors, a shortage that has influenced President Trump’s decision not to launch a major strike against Iran as he planned. Officials say the depletion of interceptor missiles has become a focal point in White House discussions, especially after three US soldiers were killed in Jordan when an Iranian missile breached American air defenses. General Dan Caine has said that a return to full-scale war with Iran would be doable but would sharply reduce the number of missiles available to US Central Command in the Middle East. White House communications director Steven Cheung said Trump has been consistent in preferring a diplomatic solution but retains all options if Iran continues terrorist activity in the Strait of Hormuz or against allies. An anonymous senior official suggested that returning to major operations would not drive Iran back toward negotiations, while other officials offered different views.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Do the Houthis have the capacity to wage a multi-front war? Continued Houthi pressure could compel Saudi Arabia to provide full backing to Yemeni government forces for a decisive ground offensive toward Sanaa, with direct US support.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Now is time for Israel, US to support Gulf states in confronting Iran - editorial. Gulf states are increasingly confronting Iran directly, and Israel and the United States should help turn that willingness into a formal regional defense alliance. The Wall Street Journal reported Bahrain and Kuwait secretly sent fighter jets earlier this month to strike Iranian drone and missile facilities; the United Arab Emirates reportedly supplied intelligence and defensive air cover. Kuwait denied taking part; Bahrain has stayed silent. The report describes a Middle East that would have been hard to imagine a few years ago. Gulf states that once waited for Washington to answer every Iranian provocation now appear willing to hit Iran themselves. Saudi Arabia is also back in direct conflict with Iran-backed Houthis. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree announced “an maritime embargo against the criminal Saudi enemy,” invoking what he called “an eye for an eye.” Mahdi al-Mashat, head of the Houthis’ Supreme Political Council, threatened further attacks. The Saudi-led coalition said it would respond “firmly.” Missiles, aircraft, intelligence, and air defenses are being used by Arab governments that have concluded Iran poses a direct threat to them.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, IDF prepares to demolish homes of terrorists who carried out West Bank shooting attack. IDF forces mapped the homes of both the terrorist who carried out the shooting and the one who stole the weapon in Tel on Saturday, in preparation for sealing and demolition. The two attackers had conducted a shooting attack on Friday, killing 27-year-old Major Yuval Ezra and 32-year-old Chief Sergeant First Class (Reserve) Benayahu Melet. The IDF said a group of Israeli civilians had illegally crossed into Palestinian Authority-controlled territory while hiking in the area; Palestinians confronted the group and began throwing rocks before one of the attackers opened fire. The Palestinian Authority Health Ministry reported at least four Palestinians killed and four wounded, including three in critical condition. A local Fatah leader, Essam Saifi, told Reuters that about 25 to 30 Israeli settlers initially entered the area, while other accounts offered a different perspective.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, 'Revenge for Benayahu': West Bank mosque set on fire in apparent response to shooting attack. A mosque in the West Bank village of Kusra was set on fire on Saturday night in what is suspected to be a nationalist crime in response to Friday’s deadly attack. The words "Revenge for Benayahu," one of the victims killed in Friday's attack, were spray-painted on the entrance wall alongside a Star of David. This is a developing story.

In Israeli Economy and Business, Israel Railways resumes train service between Tel Aviv and Lod after electrical failure. Israel Railways said service between Tel Aviv and Lod was gradually returning to normal after a localized fault in the railway’s electrification network, with crews working to restore normal service as quickly as possible and passengers still impacted urged to consider alternative means. Last week, Israel Railways noted a fire in the Be'er Ya'acov area had temporarily halted service between Lod, Rehovot and Ashkelon, as well as between Lod and Rishon Lezion HaRishonim, causing delays and service changes affecting multiple lines. Greece has approved a $4 billion deal to procure a multi-layered defense array system from Israel. The system, branded Achilles Shield, will be ready and fully operational within 35 months, starting from today, said Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias. Israeli radars and missiles from Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries will form the core of the anti-ballistic missiles, anti-aircraft, and anti-drone array.

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/23991
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-903628
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hka2s11mszl
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-903614
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-903631
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-903635
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-903634
https://t.me/ILtoday/19626