Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-06-07 at 13:01

HEADLINES
- Iran: U.S. bases, Israeli assets legitimate targets
- Mossad Deputy Ousted as Threat Goes Critical
- Nigeria rescues 360 Boko Haram captives

The time is now 1:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Iranian Retaliation, Iran's top negotiator warns that US bases and Israeli assets in the Middle East have become legitimate targets following the US naval blockade of Iran and Washington's green light for Israel to escalate attacks in Lebanon. Parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf posted the remark on X, saying that by blocking Lebanon and violating agreements, the United States and Israel showed they respond only to power. The comments come after Israeli attacks on the southern suburbs of Beirut, a Hezbollah stronghold.

In US Military Role, the Pentagon raises Israel espionage threat to 'critical' as Mossad chief ousts deputy. The article, drawn from a Jerusalem Post roundup, centers on a headline claiming the Pentagon raised the Israel espionage threat to 'critical' as the Mossad chief ousted a deputy. No further details are provided in the text.

In Regional Impacts, Netanyahu also says Israel controls more than 60% of the Gaza Strip and will soon control 70%, adding that Israel is fighting terrorism on all fronts and is clinching Hamas from all sides. He said the IDF has eliminated senior Hamas commanders and is targeting armament. In Lebanon, he said Israeli forces killed 350 terrorists in the past week and captured Beaufort Ridge, uncovered an underground infrastructure, and are eradicating terror villages near the border. He added that in Judea and Samaria, security forces thwart hundreds of terror attacks a year.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Israel says 1,000 Hezbollah terrorists killed, one-fifth of Lebanon under IDF control. Officials brief ministers on the Lebanon front, saying Hezbollah is fleeing, IDF holds strategic ground and is building a new line of posts in southern Lebanon.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, US sources dismiss Pentagon leak alleging Israeli spying as anti-Iran war pushback. The Jerusalem Post notes that there have always been America First forces within the US, and even within the Pentagon, who opposed American intervention in Iran and are angry at Israel for its role in starting the war. The White House has denied or downplayed the report; Israel denied; the CIA had not responded, and Israeli and Mossad officials have denied spying since the mid-1980s, with intelligence-sharing relationships continuing to be described as ongoing.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Tomer Moskowitz, head of the Tzur Hadassah local council and a close friend of Justice Noam Sohlberg, described the protest outside the judge's house as a pogrom, saying that life could have been in danger and noting that more than 60 suspects were detained after the riot and property was damaged. Separately, the High Court ruled that Justice Minister Yariv Levin must cooperate with Chief Justice Isaac Amit on matters requiring joint action, including appointing presidents and vice presidents to various courts, appointing associate judges, a registrar to the High Court, and judges or retired judges for parole committees. Levin said he agrees with the ruling; Attorney Amit Bachar and MK Efrat Rayten criticized his conduct as harming the judicial system.

In Israeli Economy and Business, the Bank of Israel bought about $801 million in foreign currency in May to counter irregular trading amid a sharp appreciation of the shekel. End-May foreign exchange reserves reached a record $238.681 billion, up about $2.95 billion from April. The operations were described as ad hoc and not targeting a specific rate, with the shekel briefly at around 2.80 per dollar before easing to roughly 2.94. Brokers indicated possible additional intervention, though the Bank declined to comment beyond its monthly disclosure.

In Uplifting News, Nigerian forces rescue hundreds of abductees held by Boko Haram. Nigeria's security forces freed 360 men, women, and children from a mountain hideout in Borno state after an intelligence-led operation. The captives were held by Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'awati wal-Jihad, the main Boko Haram faction; two children died due to exhaustion and the harsh environment. The government has long battled insecurity across the region.

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.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/06/irans-top-negotiator-threatens-us-targets-over-lebanon-escalation
https://www.jpost.com/podcast/jpost-headlines/article-898625
https://worldisraelnews.com/israel-expanding-territorial-control-in-gaza-to-70-netanyahu-says/
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rjlrpg7wfl
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-898647
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-898606
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-898628
https://worldisraelnews.com/bank-of-israel-buys-801-million-in-foreign-exchange-amid-shekel-volatility/
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-898617