Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-06-16 at 11:01

HEADLINES
Apache helicopter tied to Hormuz oil shuttles
Hezbollah ties Iran deal to Israeli withdrawal
Switzerland to host MoU ending Iran-Israel conflict

The time is now 11:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Military Role, the United States military has overseen scores of secretive ship-to-ship oil transfers to keep Gulf energy exports flowing, using aerial and water drones as well as helicopters to guide convoys to awaiting tankers. The operation on the edge of the Strait of Hormuz employs a shuttling technique long used by Iran to skirt sanctions. Two specific locations where the oil transfers take place were identified by 11 people familiar with the operation — one off the coast of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates and the other off Oman’s port of Sohar. It started in early May, and at least 92 ships have been involved in the transfers, according to shipping data and satellite imagery. As recently as June 11, 17 pairs of ships could be seen carrying out simultaneous oil transfers at the two sites, according to satellite imagery. An Apache helicopter downed by Iran on June 9, sparking retaliatory bombings by the US, was involved in the mission, according to multiple sources including a former US official with knowledge of the attack. Satellite imagery showed six pairs of tanker ships clustered in a small area near the sites.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Hezbollah has said that Iran promised a nuclear deal would include the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanon, stressing that there would be no nuclear agreement between Iran and the United States unless Israel withdraws from Lebanon, with the withdrawal described as a result of, not a precondition for, ongoing talks after a memorandum of understanding between Tehran and Washington was signed. Separately, President Donald Trump has expressed frustration with Israel’s prolonged conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon, arguing that Israel has been fighting in Lebanon for too long and warning that the civilian toll and lack of a decisive victory after nearly 1,000 days should prompt reconsideration of strategy.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Israelis expressed dismay after confirmation that the United States and Iran had completed talks on a memorandum of understanding to end the conflict, noting that the MoU is set to be officially signed in Switzerland on Friday and some observers saw a growing rift between Washington and Jerusalem as a result of the agreement.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, State Comptroller Matanyahu Englman warned that local authorities are falling short on basic systems that shape daily life, from traffic cameras to social workers handling wartime caseloads to buildings that were identified as dangerous years ago. He said municipalities and government ministries often know what needs fixing but have not completed the work, and he called for clearer limits on enforcement cameras, capped social workers’ caseloads, a national urban renewal plan, faster business licensing reform, local climate plans, cyber monitoring, and renewed supervision of Pal-Kal buildings.

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-899598
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-899597
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-899599
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-899591
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-899567