Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-06-24 at 07:02

HEADLINES
- Israel closes in on Hezbollah tunnels
- Iran frames MoU with US as defeat
- Netanyahu ends bribery trial testimony

The time is now 7:02 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Regional Impacts, regional countries should determine the Middle East's political and security order, rejecting external involvement and calling for expanded intra-regional cooperation. “No one's security should depend on the insecurity of others,” Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said at a meeting in Baku, Azerbaijan, at the Parliamentary Union of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation gathering, as Iran and the United States seek to conclude a lasting peace agreement. He described the war as more than a military confrontation, calling it an organized effort to change the region’s strategic balance and impose its will on a free nation, and said the gathering would offer a chance to explain developments after the conflict. Separately, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said work is underway on a legal framework to speed up the disbandment of the PKK militant group and that it would be placed on parliament’s agenda without delay, adding that Ankara is determined to successfully conclude the peace process and end its more than 40-year insurgency. Iran also framed the recent Memorandum of Understanding as an admission of America’s defeat.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Israeli forces have sealed tunnel entrances and directed troops to operate in small units amid fears that underground infrastructure could be used for ambush or abduction attempts, as dozens of Hezbollah militants trapped in Tebnit remain in an underground complex and are being maneuvered toward surrender or exit options under pressure. Israeli officials described a high-stakes effort to neutralize Hezbollah’s underground network, with mediators relaying messages to secure a safe exit for those inside and a warning that surrender or be killed would be the choice inside the tunnels. Hezbollah's leader, Naim Qassem, said Israel has no choice but to withdraw from Lebanon in full and vowed cooperation with the Lebanese Army, insisting Lebanon’s internal affairs must not be interfered with and that the political authority rests with the Resistance. He connected Tehran’s push for a ceasefire in Lebanon to Iran’s broader Memorandum of Understanding with the United States, and he reiterated that patience had been part of Hezbollah’s long‑term strategy. In negotiations opened in Washington, Israel presented four demands: the Lebanese Army would take control of the Ali al-Taher Ridge, Hezbollah would be expelled from the area and its infrastructure dismantled under American supervision, and the IDF would withdraw from Tebnine and Zawtar once those steps are complete; Israel would also receive the remains of Ron Arad in exchange for Hezbollah prisoners, maintain a security zone with no Lebanese access, and establish direct military coordination with the Lebanese Army bypassing UNIFIL, with US-supervised training for Lebanese forces to ensure no Hezbollah links.

In the US Policy Concerning Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to call a Security Cabinet meeting on Syria in relation to Lebanon as Washington has floated possibilities for Syrian involvement in the Hezbollah task; Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa denied seeking military intervention, saying he preferred economic channels and arguing that Syria would support a Lebanese state while pursuing its own security path. Sharaa’s remarks included a pointed line about who should handle Hezbollah’s fate, and he reiterated Syria’s willingness to back Lebanon’s institutions. Separately, Mike Evans urged that White House pressure on Iran is a midterm-driven tactic and suggested President Trump will not yield to Iran, while stating that rival candidate Vance has little chance of winning the presidency.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Netanyahu finishes his testimony after 98 hearing days on bribery, fraud, and breach of trust charges, moving between the courthouse, security briefings, and the Knesset as the prosecution completed cross-examination; the defense’s limited re‑examination sought to address perceived inconsistencies, and the judge acknowledged the defense’s arguments about questioning limits as the case proceeded toward final phases.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, the British Medical Association has moved to investigate the NHS’s use of the IHRA antisemitism definition, saying it may chill free speech and professional expression among healthcare workers. The BMA’s annual representative meeting passed a motion expressing grave concerns about adopting the IHRA framework without proper consultation or risk assessment and called for an examination of its impact on NHS staff, ahead of broader debates inside the NHS on Israel-related issues.

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-900353
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/06/erdogan-says-legal-framework-speed-militant-pkks-disbandment-underway
https://t.me/ILtoday/19396
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-900355
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-900368
https://t.me/newssil/205159
https://t.me/selena_updates/66161
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-900335
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/bjbmvzkfme
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-900364
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-900374