Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-06-24 at 01:02

HEADLINES
Lebanon deconfliction pact excludes Israel, critics warn
Mamdani wins three primaries, reshapes NYC politics
Australia court bars antisemitic video evidence

The time is now 1:01 AM 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, mediators in Switzerland announced a new deconfliction mechanism for Lebanon. A joint statement from Qatar and Pakistan said the arrangement would create a deconfliction channel and would constrain Israeli military action to responding to imminent threats rather than broader threats, marking a shift from the November 2024 framework that included Israel, Lebanon, the United States, France, and the United Nations. The new oversight body would include the United States, Iran, Lebanon, Qatar, and Pakistan, but not Israel, a configuration that drew criticism from observers who say it affords Tehran a say in decisions affecting Israel. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi praised the mechanism as a major deconfliction step. Separately, Israeli officials have urged Lebanon to take concrete action against Hezbollah before any withdrawal, describing a step‑by‑step process that would include checks of tunnels in the Ali al-Taher area, while Israeli envoy Yechiel Leiter warned that Washington talks could become a train wreck if Hezbollah disarmament slips from the agenda.

In the US Policy Concerning Israel, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani scored three major primary wins, boosting a Democratic socialist faction within the Democratic Party and, analysts say, reflecting a shift that is partly linked to the Biden administration’s backing of Israel’s war in Gaza after October 7. The victories included Brad Lander defeating Dan Goldman for a congressional seat, Claire Valdez defeating Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso for an open seat, and Darializa Avila Chevalier narrowly defeating Adriano Espaillat, the chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. These results, alongside other contests in the region, signal a growing influence for Mamdani’s coalition. A separate Jewish People Policy Institute poll found that a majority of Israelis view the US‑Iran deal negatively, with 55% expressing concern and 23% viewing it as beneficial. Among Jewish Israelis, major party groups showed a tendency toward unfavorable assessments of the deal, while Arab Israelis were more positive, with about 61% seeing it favorably. The survey also measured trust in Prime Minister Netanyahu and in US President Trump. Mamdani’s backing of progressive candidates continued to reshape New York politics, as allies defeated establishment Democrats in several races, including pro-Israel Representative Dan Goldman, signaling a warning sign for traditional Israel supporters. In another development, two far-left candidates backed by Mamdani—Claire Valdez and Darializa Chevalier—won New York City congressional primaries, indicating the movement’s growing reach even as the political landscape around Israel remains contentious.

In the Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, a situation in Australia drew attention after two nurses were filmed boasting they would kill Jewish patients. A court ruled the video cannot be used as evidence because it was filmed without the subjects’ consent, raising questions about how threats based on ethnicity are addressed in the justice system.

In the Uplifting News, at Herodium in the Judean Desert, the palace-fortress of King Herod came back to life for the International Conference on Israeli Heritage and Antiquities in Judea and Samaria. The historic site hosted performances, music, and discussions around Jewish history, with attendees including Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu and US Ambassador Mike Huckabee. Huckabee quoted, “Your heritage is also our heritage,” as Eliyahu emphasized that the event sends a message that history is not being rewritten but rediscovered, stone by stone.

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/opinion/article-900300
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rjg2ccdggx
https://www.jpost.com/american-politics/article-900331
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-900327
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hkjyr000zgg
https://www.timesofisrael.com/2-far-left-anti-israel-candidates-win-nyc-primaries-in-stunning-sweep-for-mamdani/
https://t.me/hnaftali/23591
https://worldisraelnews.com/2000-years-later-king-herods-palace-comes-back-to-life/