Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-06-16 at 08:03

HEADLINES
- Qatar Iran grid near Ras Laffan hit
- Trump envisions Syria fighting Hezbollah in Lebanon
- Israel not briefed on US Iran deal

The time is now 8:02 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Regional Impacts, Iran will connect its electrical grid with Qatar in the near future, according to Tehran's energy minister. Energy Minister Abbas Aliabadi said the connection will begin soon, with studies in the final stage and the implementation phase starting. Iran is also studying links to other Gulf Cooperation Council states. This follows a Washington Post report that Qatar offered Iran a secret deal before operations Roaring Lion and Epic Fury began on February 28, in exchange for Iran not striking Qatar's energy infrastructure. The report cited officials saying Qatar aimed to protect Ras Laffan’s gas complex, which was hit by an Iranian missile attack in March, causing significant damage and prompting estimates of about $20 billion in lost annual revenue. QatarEnergy CEO Saad Sherida al-Kaabi was cited as saying the strikes caused that level of lost revenue.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Trump on Lebanon: 'If Israel can't do the job without killing everyone, Syria should do it.' In a bilateral meeting with the Emir of Qatar, President Donald Trump said he sees the Lebanon war as a minor one and envisioned Syria taking on Hezbollah in partnership with the United States if Israel under Netanyahu cannot be reined in. He warned that Israel’s fighting Hezbollah has led to great casualties and suggested Syria could handle the task, praising Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa as capable and aligned with American interests. He added that Israel should avoid demolishing apartment buildings in pursuit of Hezbollah.

Also in the same topic, Senior Shi'ite cleric Jaafarite Mufti Ahmad Qabalan argued that Iran’s supposed victory in forming a deal with the United States should lead Lebanon to change its government and form a strong partnership with Hezbollah and the Amal Movement. Iranian media reported terms including immediate and later releases of frozen assets and the easing of Israeli retaliatory pressures, as well as the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, though Israeli experts contacted by The Jerusalem Post described the reports as an unrealistic wish list. Qabalan urged that the current government be changed calmly within national balances, and that President Aoun withdraw from direct negotiations with Israel.

In the US Policy Concerning Israel, Netanyahu says Israel was not briefed on US-Iran deal, Trump weighs $300 billion Iran fund. The Jerusalem Post’s must-listen roundup notes that Netanyahu said Israel was not briefed on the US-Iran deal, while Trump weighs a proposed $300 billion fund for Iran. Separately, US could have brought down Tehran, but chose not to, Miki Zohar claimed. Culture and Sports Minister Zohar told Army Radio that the United States decided against sending troops into Iranian territory to topple the regime, arguing that if that had been the aim, the regime would have fallen. He praised Israel’s conduct of the war as close to perfect and said the campaign set Iran back by decades. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir remarked that Trump’s agreement does not bind Israel and that Israel must retain freedom of action, including insisting on Hezbollah’s dismantling. He also said Israel should not remain silent in the face of threats toward Israeli territory, and Finance Minister Binyamin Netanyahu was not quoted beyond the coverage in the briefing.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, High Court has no legal basis to overturn State Comptroller election, Rabello argues. State Comptroller-elect Michael Rabello told the High Court of Justice that there is no legal basis to cancel the Knesset vote in which he was elected, rejecting claims of political dependence, conflicts of interest, or ballot documentation behind closed doors. Rabello, Netanyahu’s personal attorney, was elected on June 3 after a three-way contest with Yosef Elron and a second ballot that resulted in Rabello’s 61-57 win. Petitions had sought to overturn the election over procedural questions, but Rabello argued there is no legal disqualification that would invalidate the results. The case centers on the secret-vote requirement and the legitimacy of the final vote.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Holocaust survivors, Sen. Rick Scott condemn Kanye West’s Florida concerts. Senator Scott joined Holocaust survivors, Jewish leaders, and Florida officials in condemning Kanye West, who now goes by Ye, for antisemitic behavior tied to his Florida concerts scheduled for late June. The Tampa Jewish community and the Florida chapter of the National Organization for Women have pressured authorities over taxpayer funding for the events. West’s appearances have drawn protests, and the Florida Holocaust Museum offered free admission during the concert weekend as organizers faced criticism. Scott issued a public letter urging the Tampa Sports Authority to reassess funding for the events, highlighting the impact of antisemitic rhetoric and past actions.

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/iran-news/article-899566
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-899575
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-899563
https://www.jpost.com/podcast/jpost-headlines/article-899579
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-899569
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-899582
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-899572