Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-06-12 at 04:02

HEADLINES
IDF hits 310 Hezbollah targets, 80 killed
Carmel white lily project damaged by missiles
Trump cancels Iran strikes after Gulf pressure

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, missile interception fragments fell on the Seeds from Zion nursery’s white lily preservation plot during the night as part of the Iranian attack on Israel, damaging a rare project carried out over more than two decades. The effort began in 2004 during the Carmel tunnel excavations, when white lily bulbs uncovered in the area were moved to the Simantov family with approval from the Nature and Parks Authority to safeguard the native plant. Using tissue cultures, the project has produced thousands of new bulbs, with some returned to the Carmel’s wild habitat and others kept at the nursery for propagation and conservation. Zion Simantov noted that the operation started with only a few dozen bulbs and has grown to tens of thousands, making the nursery one of the few places in the country holding the original Carmel white lily, not a commercial variety, but the real native plant returning to its home in the Carmel.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, the IDF’s weekly review described operations across three arenas as troops moved to remove threats to Israeli civilians. In the Northern Command, the Israeli Air Force, under troop direction, struck roughly 310 Hezbollah targets and eliminated about 80 terrorists in southern Lebanon, while ground forces worked along the forward defense line to dismantle terrorist infrastructure and protect troops in the area. In the Southern Command, efforts to locate and dismantle underground routes continued, particularly around Khan Yunis, with more than 20 terrorists eliminated, including three senior terrorists in Islamic Jihad and the head of Hamas’s funds transfer network and his deputy. In Judea and Samaria, the Central Command reported dozens of counterterrorism operations resulting in the apprehension of more than 50 wanted criminals for incitement, terrorism, and weapons offenses, among other charges.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Gulf and South Asian leaders pressed President Donald Trump to halt planned strikes on Iran after his post signaling a cancellation, with Qatar’s Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the UAE’s President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Pakistani defense chief Asim Munir urging a deal that could pave the way for broader talks. A Trump administration official told Politico those leaders influence Tehran, and their assurance helped prompt Trump to back away from the attack, while the president wrote on Truth Social that he had canceled the strikes and that discussions had been approved by all parties. Separately, Prime Minister Netanyahu said Trump urged him to curb Israel’s response to Iranian attacks, with Israel able to strike Iran on its own but preferring to maintain the US partnership, according to the Israeli premier.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, public opinion in the latest poll showed Likud slipping amid Iran-related tensions and a contentious legislative push, with the party down to 22 seats while the coalition bloc held 50 seats and the Zionist opposition bloc remained at 60 seats; Arab parties held about 10 seats, and the Together party led by Naftali Bennett stood at 21 with Yashar! led by Gadi Eisenkot at 20, signaling a three-way contest for the largest party. The report also highlighted the coalition’s push to pass a law equating Torah students with IDF service members, a factor shaping the electoral landscape ahead of elections.

In Uplifting News, Tel Aviv prepares for the Pride Parade with roads being closed and security measures stepped up ahead of the event, scheduled to begin around 11 a.m. on a route from Shalag Street near Gordon Beach along the promenade to Charles Clore Park. The operation involves more than 1,000 officers, undercover and Border Police personnel, and volunteers, with special units including air and maritime support deployed. Authorities warned that two-wheeled vehicles, weapons, glass bottles, alcohol, and animals (other than guide dogs on duty) would be prohibited, and several roads, including Rokach Boulevard westbound, have been closed in advance of the parade. In Beilinson Hospital, Israel conducted its first intrauterine surgery to remove a placental tumor threatening a 25-week pregnancy, led by Dr. Yuval Gielchinsky and Dr. Kinneret Tenenbaum. The team performed emergency in-utero intervention after monitoring a tumor that disrupted fetal blood circulation, noting that while delivery could be a solution later in pregnancy, at 25 weeks the procedure offered the best chance for the unborn child. Separately, Haifa’s coast saw the rescue of Halil, a loggerhead sea turtle entangled in fishing line, with lifeguards and scientists lifting the animal to the National Sea Turtle Center for treatment, underscoring ongoing concerns about marine pollution and ghost nets along Israel’s shores.

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/israel-news/article-899202
https://t.me/selena_updates/65559
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-899204
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rkib11qt11zx
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-899199
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-899195
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-899203
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-898792
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-899196