Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-06-25 at 05:02

HEADLINES
Africa Dress Rehearsal Fueled Trump's Iran Exit
Senate Rejects Limit on Iran War Powers
Israel Strikes Hezbollah, Iran Sign Removal Ordered

The time is now 5:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Operation Lion's Roar, former Mossad chief Yossi Cohen has revealed that Africa was the geographic area where spies conducted the dress rehearsal for the raid on Iran's secret nuclear archives in January 2018. The operation, as described, helped spur then-President Donald Trump to pull out of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal in spring 2018, a development many observers link to later confrontations with Iran and to a new agreement that was reportedly signed on June 17 after a sequence of events tied to the earlier raid. The account references the 2023 book Target Tehran and Cohen’s 2025 book The Sword of Freedom for added detail, including the significance placed on where the dress rehearsal took place.

In Regional Impacts, Chief Sergeant First Class (Reserve) Basil Sweid, 32, from Peki’in, died during an operational activity in southern Lebanon when a vehicle overturned near Rab al-Thalathine around 10:50 p.m. on Wednesday; another soldier was moderately wounded. Sweid served as a driver in the 75th Battalion of the 7th Armored Brigade and, when not in service, worked on Rambam Medical Center’s administrative management staff. Rambam’s CEO Dr. Michal Mekel described his death as a very sad day for the Rambam family, and Rambam’s Nissim Haim spoke of his dedication, diligence, and cheerful willingness to help as part of the Rambam community.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, the Lebanese interior minister said that within two days all signs reading “Thanks to Iran” along the road near Beirut’s airport would be removed, and he appointed those responsible to carry out the task. Separately, an unmanned aerial vehicle of the Israeli Air Force reportedly struck two Hezbollah militants who posed a threat to Israeli forces in a border village.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, the Senate rejected a measure aiming to limit President Donald Trump’s war powers in Iran, a day after the chamber passed a separate resolution calling for the removal of US forces from Iran. The Kaine-proposed measure failed 50-47-1, though GOP Senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski voted in favor on the earlier measure. Rand Paul and Bill Cassidy both voted to limit Trump’s power on the original motion but changed their votes the next day, with Paul voting present and Cassidy voting against the proposition. The administration has asserted that the United States is no longer involved in attacks on Iran since the MoU and ceasefire, while Kaine’s motion would have mandated the removal of US armed forces from hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic that have not been authorized by Congress.

In Israeli Economy and Business, Switzerland is moving to strengthen its long-range air defense by resuming payments for the Patriot system and launching negotiations with Israeli, French, and South Korean manufacturers for an additional system. Swiss officials noted that the United States has shifted Patriot deliveries toward Ukraine, creating delays and cost pressures. The decision comes amid a deteriorating security environment and concerns about long-distance aerial threats. Switzerland had ordered Patriot missiles from Raytheon and Lockheed Martin in 2022, with a delivery window projected for 2026-2028, but the Ukraine war has pushed the timeline back by at least five years. Bern stressed that the country cannot delay defense enhancements and clarified that the new system would not be Israel’s Arrow defense system.

In Uplifting News, Israel says it is preparing to send an aid delegation to Venezuela after earthquakes near Caracas. The Foreign Ministry announced that it is conducting a situation assessment with the relevant authorities in Israel and is examining options for assistance, following a magnitude 7.2 earthquake about 160 kilometers west of Caracas and a subsequent 7.5 tremor, with USGS predicting thousands of deaths in the worst scenario. President Trump said the United States stands ready to help, and Israel indicated readiness to move quickly if requested. Separately, Damascus synagogue tours have highlighted renewed interest in Syria’s Jewish history and diaspora ties. An American Rabbi David Saperstein led a delegation that toured historic sites in Damascus, including Jobar Synagogue, Al-Franj Synagogue, and the city’s Jewish cemetery, meeting religious and civic leaders and hearing presentations on the history of Jewish life in Syria. The visit comes as some Jews of Syrian origin abroad begin returning to the country for short visits and property inquiries, and as efforts continue to preserve Jewish sites amid a complex history.

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
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https://www.jpost.com/american-politics/article-900445
https://www.jpost.com/defense-and-tech/article-900470
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-900484
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-900457