Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-06-24 at 16:01

HEADLINES
IDF Controls 70% Gaza Unprecedented Demolitions Planned
Mamdani Backed Wins Redefine Democratic Israel Policy
Netanyahu Trial Closes In On Verdict

The time is now 4:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Regional Impacts, Raed Abu Al-Qian, a civilian contractor with the IDF, was killed by a building collapse in the Gaza Strip. The Hura resident had been working on engineering projects in Gaza on behalf of the Defense Ministry, and his family has been notified. Separately, an IDF soldier was injured moderately earlier today in an operational accident in southern Lebanon; the soldier was evacuated to a hospital and his family was informed. Defense officials have said the IDF has achieved operational control over about 70 percent of the Gaza Strip, with that area potentially expanding in coming months as Hamas is described as dragging its feet, entrenching itself in the field, recruiting operatives, and preparing for war with Israel. The Southern Command conducts daily assessments across the Gaza Strip, combining IDF and Shin Bet intelligence to coordinate responses to emerging threats. Reports also indicate Israeli companies have begun negotiations for large-scale demolition of Gaza's structures, described as unprecedented in scope, as part of broader reconstruction discussions.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, the NY primaries showcased the party’s leftward shift, with Mamdani-backed candidates recording decisive wins, including over pro-Israel incumbents, prompting questions about the future of the Democratic Party’s relationship with Israel. Observers note that while some pro-Israel victors may try to carry the mantle for the liberal Jewish vote, establishment figures are recalibrating their approach as new political dynamics emerge within the Jewish community. Separately, President Trump told Fox News that US inspectors will join the IAEA in inspecting Iranian nuclear sites, saying there is no rush to access the material because it is buried underground in the wake of Operation Midnight Hammer, and that “they’ve agreed to it, they’ve agreed to the inspectors.”

In Israeli Domestic Politics, the breaking point: How haredi draft evasion laws are tearing Israel apart, an opinion piece argues that the current leadership’s stance risks divided society and weak national resilience in wartime. The author contends that unity is essential, argues that disagreement is natural and debate is vital, and calls for elected officials to translate disagreement into respectful dialogue. The piece specifically urges MK Yisrael Eichler and MK Gilad Kariv to sit down and discuss matters of religion to find common ground, and expresses hope that MK Yitzhak Pindrus and Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana can find shared ways of life, while urging Minister Yitzhak Goldknopf to engage on these issues with the author. As Netanyahu’s credibility sits at the center of his criminal case, another analysis notes that after 98 days on the witness stand since December 2024, the trial moves forward with remaining defense witnesses, and the three-judge Jerusalem District Court panel will later render a verdict on cases involving gifts from Milchan, conversations with Mozes, and the Bezeq-Walla affair, with cross-examination focusing on the scope of the allegations and defenses.

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/israel-news/defense-news/article-900432
https://t.me/newssil/205213
https://www.jpost.com/american-politics/article-900430
https://t.me/JewishNews24/56215
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-900426
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-900425