Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-26 at 04:01

HEADLINES
Iran unveils cheap mobile Kheibar Shekan missiles
Houthis escalate, strike Abha as fronts widen
Israel extends home front emergency to August

The time is now 4:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Regional Impacts, Iran and Oman have made some progress in talks over navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, with Oman proposing a regional consortium to oversee maritime security, search-and-rescue operations, and other forms of regional cooperation. Participation and payments would be voluntary, according to one source, while Iran has pressed for mandatory payments to ensure transit. Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said several rounds of talks between deputy foreign ministers in Tehran focused on common principles and operational mechanisms for managing safe shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz while respecting the sovereign rights of both coastal states, and the talks were productive with progress made. Separately, Iran has been developing Kheibar Shekan missiles described as cheap, mobile, and accurate with a range of at least 1,400 kilometers, capable of being kept fueled and loaded quickly onto trucks for launching, which could help it evade air defenses. Some missiles have managed to penetrate defenses as Iran employs varied flight paths and maneuvers to complicate tracking. In another development, the Abdali border crossing between Kuwait and Iraq reopened after a drone attack caused material damage but no casualties; the crossing is a key route for passenger and commercial traffic, though it was not clear who launched the drones.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, analysts question whether the Houthis’ capabilities and regional alliances can sustain a prolonged conflict on multiple fronts as tensions rise with renewed fighting between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia. The scene in Sana’a included a large demonstration organized by Ansar Allah, with participants expressing hardship and anger over salaries and the blockade. The Houthis have also announced attacks using ballistic missiles and drones targeting Abha International Airport in southern Saudi Arabia, signaling ongoing escalation and the potential for multi-front strain on regional rivals.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, the Defense Ministry has requested extending the nationwide declaration of a home front emergency until August 11, subject to approval by the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. The current declaration expires on the coming Tuesday, and officials say any further extension would be reassessed in light of the security situation, noting continued uncertainty on both the Iran and Lebanon fronts and the persistent risk of missile fire toward the region. Separately, Yesh Atid MK Ron Katz announced his resignation from the Knesset after 15 years of public service, saying it is time to begin a new chapter in his life.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Italy’s Jewish community reports a widening threat amid Milan’s Liberation Day commemorations, with participants carrying Israeli and Jewish Brigade flags surrounded by demonstrators who shouted insults and forced them to withdraw under police escort. One woman described being called a murderer, and a man wrapped in an Israeli flag sat in the street and refused to move. Dalia Gubbay, vice president of the Jewish Community of Milan, said the incident left her shaken and emotional, affirming that Milan is her city.

In Israeli Economy and Business, Plantopia, an Israeli startup developing a plant-based protein platform, has completed a $9 million financing round led by Schreiber Foods and joined by Siddhi Capital, Yotvata, Arkin Capital, and Fresh Start, bringing total funding to over $16 million. The new funds will push the company toward industrial production at a plant under construction on Kibbutz Sdot Yam. Plantopia’s technology aims to produce milk proteins identical to dairy in a plant-based system, including complete casein, and is positioned as a green alternative in the protein supply chain.

In Uplifting News, former Gaza hostages Keith and Aviva Siegel celebrated a pregnancy announcement from their daughter Shir Siegel, marking a hopeful moment after their harrowing captivity. Shir presented the news in a social media video in which a pregnancy test was revealed in a gift, signaling the couple’s sixth grandchild. The Siegels were taken from Gaza on October 7, with Aviva released after 50 days and Keith remaining in captivity for 484 days; they have since become outspoken advocates for others affected by the conflict.

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/article-903647
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-903643
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-903645
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-903644
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-903642
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-903641
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-903640
https://www.jpost.com/business-and-innovation/article-903636
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/07/main-land-crossing-between-kuwait-and-iraq-reopens-iraqs-state-news-agency-says