Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-06-26 at 06:01

HEADLINES
- Iranian strike wounds Ness Ziona dog
- UN inspectors gain access to Iranian sites
- Hezbollah chief demands Israel exit Lebanon defeated

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

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, Chetz the dog from Ness Ziona, severely wounded in an Iranian missile strike during Operation Rising Lion, has spent the past year recovering with his family by his side. In June 2025, an Iranian missile struck the Levi family’s next-door neighbors, and Chetz was found in the yard with shrapnel in his body and four broken limbs. The team at the University Veterinary Hospital Beit Dagan in Rishon Lezion performed half a dozen operations, including opening his stomach to remove shrapnel and repair his injuries. “At first, I'd have given him a low chance of survival, but the more I got to know him, I saw he wanted to live and fight,” the lead veterinarian, Dr. Talia Adler, said. Ness Ziona supported the medical effort, and the vets sometimes brought Chetz home at night to oversee his care. His recovery continues with his family by his side.

In Regional Impacts, the interim US-Iran peace accord grants UN inspectors access to Iran's nuclear sites, the IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said on Friday, after Tehran indicated that key sites would remain off-limits until a final deal is reached and sanctions lifted. The memorandum sets about 60 days of talks to resolve thornier issues, including those related to Iran's nuclear program. Iran's deputy foreign minister Kazem Gharibabadi said there were no plans to grant access yet. Grossi stressed that inspections are required to comply with the agreement and that a strong verification system must be in place. Initial exchanges with Iranian officials have occurred, and the first visit would aim to confirm whether IAEA seals on previously inspected material remain intact and whether any material has been diverted.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Hezbollah chief says Israel must leave Lebanon ‘humiliated and defeated.’ Naim Qassem used his Ashura speech to reject normalization, praise Iran, and warn Lebanon’s government against confronting the Tehran-backed group amid tense US-led talks.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Vance, Rubio split on Iran war, Israel in Lebanon, as White House denies divergence. The analysis notes that while the administration has tried to present a united front, Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have offered contrasting views on Israel. Vance criticized Israeli critics of the preliminary US-Iran deal, suggesting that Israeli bombings of civilian infrastructure in Beirut could undermine peace efforts. Rubio, who traveled through the Gulf, defended Israel's military campaign in Lebanon as a justified response to Hezbollah attacks. The split offers a glimpse of where the Republican Party's foreign policy stance may head.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, You wanted ceasefire: Zamir strikes back as ministers complain about IDF restrictions in Lebanon. At a cabinet meeting, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir objected to a ceasefire, saying he did not want one for this reason. He argued that if Hezbollah arms itself, it should be dismantled, and he pressed for the ceasefire to collapse. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that soldiers respond to every immediate threat, and Defense Minister Israel Katz agreed, though others warned of risks to soldiers. Meanwhile, the IDF's Southern Command is preparing for violent demonstrations along the Gaza Strip's Yellow Line on Friday, as Fatah activists spread a campaign criticizing Hamas, the conditions in Gaza, and delays in the second phase of the rebuilding plan. Arabic-language social media pages linked to Fatah have urged protests against Hamas and even criticized the US envoy to the peace process, Nikolai Maladinov, as part of a broader push.

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/omg/article-900386
https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-iran-deal-grants-un-inspectors-access-to-nuclear-sites-iaea-chief-says/
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-900601
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/sk0rq3ifmx
https://www.jpost.com/american-politics/article-900609
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-900606
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-900603