Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-06-28 at 05:01

HEADLINES
Netanyahu signals hesder yeshivas, fuels leadership concerns
Court weighs ballot secrecy, Rabello repeat vote
Terminal 1 reopens for domestic flights

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 Israeli Domestic Politics, a weekend Lebanon deal was framed as the lesser evil, a step toward diplomacy after a costly standoff near the north. The agreement with the Lebanese government is unlikely to bring lasting peace, but it was seen as preferable to a bloody stagnation and a heavy price paid by the IDF and northern residents. Yet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu complicated the moment with a Saturday press conference, marketing the deal to calm right-wing critics and delivering a monologue that observers described as extremely troubling. He signaled messages from ultra-Orthodox hesder yeshivas, a claim that has sparked questions about his fitness to lead. Separately, the High Court of Justice pressed Knesset representatives on ballot secrecy as it weighs whether to annul the election of Michael Rabello, Netanyahu’s longtime lawyer, following allegations of a breach of secrecy. The court asked how a ballot can remain meaningfully secret if lawmakers document their votes behind a curtain, as a panel weighing a possible repeat vote for state comptroller considers the implications of the June 3 decision and the subsequent spectrum of challenges to the process.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, a Jewish California lawmaker faced harassment by anti-Israel activists in San Francisco. State Sen. Scott Wiener, noted for his sharp criticism of Israeli policy, was confronted inside a bar where activists demanded he say “Free Palestine” and directed their remarks at him amid ongoing tensions over Israel’s war in Gaza. Wiener has publicly stated that Israel committed genocide in Gaza, a stance he reaffirmed in January 2026, even as he has sought to distance himself from the Israeli government’s conduct. The confrontations highlight the fever pitch of anti-Israel sentiment that public Jewish figures have faced in recent events.

In Israeli Economy and Business, Ben-Gurion Airport’s Terminal 1 reopened to domestic flights on Sunday, with international service slated to resume from Terminal 1 starting July 1 in time for the school holiday travel rush. Terminal 1 was closed in March after the Iran war, with all traffic moved to Terminal 3. The reopening accompanies moves to relieve capacity constraints caused by the presence of US Air Force refueling aircraft at the airport; those aircraft will be relocated to Israel Air Force bases, prompting IAF aircraft to shift bases as well to free space for the refueling mission. National Security Council Director Shmuel Ben-Ezra is overseeing the relocation, and IAA Director General Sharon Kedmi noted that Ben-Gurion had been operating at about one-third capacity prior to the changes.

In Uplifting News, a wounded soldier in Gaza rebuilt his life and married his first love under fire. Shaked Shilyan, seriously wounded in a tank attack, found strength to move forward and, despite ongoing wartime restrictions and missile fire, and with his partner Ori beside him, they wed, underscoring a moment of hope amid collision of conflict and resilience.

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-900674
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-900680
https://worldisraelnews.com/jewish-california-lawmaker-harassed-by-anti-israel-mob/
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-900668
https://www.ynetnews.com/magazine/article/h1zdq4rfmg