Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-06-13 at 15:01

HEADLINES
Iranian drone nearly kills US Apache pilots
Qatar offered Iran secret gas halt deal
Trump says Iran deal opens Hormuz

The time is now 3:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Military Role, officials say an Iranian drone nearly killed US Apache pilots near Hormuz. The helicopter was struck and crashed into the water after the blast; the pilots jumped from the cockpit, dodged the rotor blades, and waited about two hours for rescue.

In Regional Impacts, a report describes Qatar offering Iran a secret deal before the Islamic Republic’s war with the United States and Israel, in which Qatar proposed halting gas production in return for assurances that Iran would refrain from striking Qatar’s energy infrastructure, including the Ras Laffan complex. The aim, described by officials, was to shield Ras Laffan and influence global energy prices to press the US and Israel to end the war. An official described the report as an example of how hedging works behind the scenes with Gulf states and their communications with Iran. The Ras Laffan plant was reportedly damaged by an Iranian missile attack in March. The offer to stop gas production was described as a measure intended to achieve objectives without strikes.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, an opinion piece argues that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is not defending Iran but exporting the Islamic revolution. It contends the IRGC is the regime, operating as an anti-national occupying force, with the Constitution defining the military’s mission as advancing jihad to spread God’s law globally, and noting the text does not require the Supreme Leader to be an Iranian citizen. The piece asserts Tehran has treated Iran as a captured prize of war to bankroll a global insurgency.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Amal announced the deaths of three members in southern Lebanon—Muhammad Ibrahim Tarad, Ali Badi Hussein, and Salah Ali Masri—killed by Israel while fighting alongside Hezbollah terrorists.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, President Donald Trump said a deal with Iran is set to be signed on Sunday and that the Strait of Hormuz would open immediately after the signing. He described the agreement as distinct from the JCPOA, claiming no money would exchange hands and portraying it as a safeguard against a nuclear weapon, with the force of a wall stopping any nuclear development.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, public backlash over a proposed law to define Torah study as national service equivalent to serving in the IDF prompted revision of the measure, illustrating the broader debate over how Israel defines service, sacrifice, and equality. Another opinion piece argues that Israel’s debate over strategy and goals is trapped by hollow slogans, urging a frank, collective discussion about policy versus strategy rather than empty rhetoric. Haifa resident Amir Maron was arrested on suspicion of incitement to violence against the LGBTQ community after a social media comment about Pride events; the Haifa Magistrate’s Court released him, finding reasonable suspicion of a crime but no justification for continued custody. A government bill to establish a parliamentary or governmental investigative committee is set to reach its first reading this week.

In Israeli Economy and Business, Bigger Picture, an Israeli startup, is using artificial intelligence to transform cinemas into more than a place to watch movies by creating digital profiles of clients and offering services tailored to previous purchases, aiming to foster social experiences and improve margins for cinemas.

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.ynetnews.com/article/bjcrkqjzmg
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-899263
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-899120
https://t.me/selena_updates/65638
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-899262
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-899086
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-899097
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/crime-in-israel/article-899256
https://t.me/newssil/204034
https://www.jpost.com/business-and-innovation/tech-and-start-ups/article-899079