Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-06-18 at 18:02

HEADLINES
- Israel vows Lebanon ceasefire if Hezbollah honors
- Iran invites UN watchdog for IAEA inspections
- Kahan scholarships fund four Israeli tennis stars

The time is now 6:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Israel reaffirmed its commitment to the Lebanon ceasefire and said the arrangement will endure if Hezbollah honors it. Yehiel Laiter, Israel’s ambassador to the United States who leads talks with Lebanon, stated that Israel remains bound by the ceasefire and that the agreement would be preserved so long as Hezbollah does not breach it. The same topic also notes developments around Gaza, where the Board of Peace says Hamas no longer has the power to veto progress on plans it backs, including tracks on security and the economy. The board reported progress, and the International Stabilization Force is anticipated to deploy to Gaza. Kosovo’s ambassador to Israel, Ines Demiri, visited the Life Support Area Endurance on the Gazan border, described by the Board as a vital waypoint for ISF refit while supporting restoration and humanitarian efforts.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Iran will invite the United Nations watchdog to inspect its enriched material sites and would allow the IAEA to bring US inspectors to Tehran, a detail disclosed by US envoy Steve Witkoff. The invitation would accompany a side letter between Tehran and the IAEA, and the broader memorandum signed this week outlines a general path toward addressing Iran’s nuclear activities with no specific commitments beyond a 60-day window. The memorandum stipulates that Iran’s enriched nuclear material will not be removed from the country but diluted inside Iran under IAEA supervision and it also sets limits on US forces in the region. Separately, a post by Israel’s ambassador to the United States labeled the agreement a huge mistake, arguing that Israel was not asked to participate and urging Israel to put its own interests first rather than the administration’s needs.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, a close ally of Trump, Tucker Carlson, contends that Israel did not defend itself in this war and that the United States spent billions protecting Israel while Israel used the conflict to start a new war with Lebanon. The piece also notes that even Trump, Netanyahu’s closest partner, has criticized him. Another Trump ally, journalist Piers Morgan, weighs in that the damage Netanyahu faces is fueled in part by the support he has received from Ben-Gvir and Smotrich.

In Uplifting News, a master musician: Michael Tilson Thomas’s compositional legacy reflects a life spent at the center of American music. Tilson Thomas was celebrated as a conductor, pianist, and educator whose passing in April prompted a closer look at a body of work that embraces his American identity and Jewish heritage. He pushed boundaries by blending modernism with elements from gamelan, jazz, and rock, maintaining artistic integrity while expanding the sonic possibilities of the American canon. He is recognized as a descendant of Aaron Copland and Leonard Bernstein, and his openness helped broaden the scope of American music.

Kahan scholarships help Israeli tennis champions dream big marks a decade of support from the Anna and Michael Kahan Scholarship Program. The Israel Tennis & Education Centers awarded NIS 200,000 to four leading players: Maayan Laron, Amit Vales, Bar Shporen, and Re’em Elkayam. The scholarships enable international competition, equipment purchases, and access to mental coaching, fitness training, and other professional services, reinforcing the program’s role as one of Israeli tennis’ most meaningful scholarship initiatives as it enters its tenth year.

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://t.me/newssil/204661
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-899888
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-899900
https://t.me/hnaftali/23537
https://t.me/newssil/204662
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-899901
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/sports/article-899899