Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-02 at 05:01

HEADLINES
- US Restores Iraq dollar transfers
- Netanyahu bribery charge stands after judges signal
- Entebbe rescue anniversary shapes Almog humility

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 US Policy Concerning Israel, the transfer of US dollars to Iraq has resumed after a suspension intended to pressure the country to distance itself from Iran. Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s spokesperson Haider al-Aboudi said the dollar shipments have resumed and that the problem has been resolved. The prime minister and financial advisor Mudhar Muhammad Salih confirmed the resumption, while an anonymous Iraqi official noted that the Trump administration’s suspension of funding and cooperation with Iraq’s security services remained in effect. The United States had initially halted transfers in April, including withholding earnings from Iraqi oil sales. A Kurdish official attributed the measures to a response to the smuggling of American currency by Iran-backed Iraqi militias. The State Department did not respond. Al-Zaidi has been leading an anti-corruption crackdown in recent days, with forces detaining Iraqi politicians and officials across the political spectrum.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, prosecutors are not dropping Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bribery charge despite judges’ recommendation. The case has unfolded over a decade of investigations, indictments, elections, governments, protest movements, wars, and institutional battles. During a hearing focused on expanding the number of weekly trial days, the judges overseeing the case said their June 2023 position regarding the bribery charge in Case 4000 remained unchanged after Netanyahu’s testimony and cross-examination. The three-judge Jerusalem District Court panel had told the parties at the time that it saw difficulties in establishing the bribery offense and suggested that the prosecution consider withdrawing the charge. That was a rare and direct signal from the judges. Separately, Arad residents have launched a protest campaign against what they describe as a “takeover of the city by Gur Hassidim,” with a rally planned for Thursday as tensions rise. Organizers say the Gur community is attempting to gain control of the city, prompting concern for Arad’s character. Tensions have escalated in recent weeks, including clashes in which Gur Hassidim were filmed attempting to abduct teenagers; a Gur member was filmed holding a knife during the incident. Additional clashes occurred during protests over the arrests of yeshiva students accused of evading military service. Four Arad residents were arrested, none from the Gur community; one of those arrested was a mother of five. The arrests spurred demonstrations outside the police station, and witnesses say violence began on the part of the Gur Hassidim.

In Uplifting News, Life story that goes beyond Entebbe: 'I swore near his burnt tank to never leave a soldier behind', Doron Almog revisits war, family, loss, and the profound lessons his son Eran taught him about humanity, dignity, and shared responsibility. Engraved outside the entrance to the Military Command Boarding School in Haifa is the exhortation to “walk humbly,” a motto intended to guide future officers. Doron Almog, now 75, has carried that ethos through a storied career and into his role as chairman of The Jewish Agency. In a recent interview, he spoke about the values that have guided him, the journeys he has taken, and the milestones of a life shaped by service, family, and enduring commitments. The timing coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Entebbe rescue, when 105 Jewish and Israeli hostages were freed after being hijacked to Uganda, a moment Almog helped shape as commander of the Paratroopers Reconnaissance Unit.

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/article-901194
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-901193
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-901182
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-901191