Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-03 at 14:02

HEADLINES
Houthis threaten Saudi airports amid blockade
Netanyahu Trump to meet amid Iran tensions
Ellie Cohanim named senior UN policy advisor

The time is now 2:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree warned of strikes on Saudi airports and "vital interests" if the Saudi–American blockade on Yemen continues, after an incident over Sana'a airspace. Iran is reported to be helping the Houthis break the siege.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Netanyahu, Trump agree to meet in US amid Iran deal tensions. The Prime Minister’s Office said Netanyahu congratulated Trump ahead of America’s 250th Independence Day, while denying a New York Times report that Israel planned to assassinate senior Iranian negotiators during talks. In an accompanying op-ed, Mike Huckabee argues that faith and freedom bind America and Israel as the United States marks its 250th year. In a separate update, the Prime Minister’s Office said Netanyahu spoke with President Trump and congratulated him on the 250th Independence Day; he stated that the United States is a guarantor of global freedom and that Israel values the close ties, with plans to meet soon in the United States.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Iran-born Ellie Cohanim joins US UN Mission as senior policy advisor. The US Ambassador to the United Nations appointed Cohanim as Senior Policy Advisor at the US Mission to the United Nations this week. Born in Tehran, Cohanim’s family fled Iran after the 1979 Islamic Revolution and rebuilt their lives in New York. The statement described her story as part of the American experience, and noted her previous roles, including deputy special envoy to monitor and combat antisemitism during the first Trump administration and work on the Abraham Accords’ Warm Peace team. Her appointment is described as reflecting the conviction and courage needed at the United Nations, and she has long advocated against regimes that persecute people and spoken out about the global rise in antisemitism.

In Uplifting News, Former hostages return to Entebbe, confronting memory, trauma and history. Survivors of Operation Entebbe marked the 50th anniversary with a gathering at the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation in Jaffa, reflecting on the raid that rescued more than 100 hostages while confronting the memory of a later era of hostage crises. About two dozen of those rescued and their relatives attended, with remarks honoring Sorin Hershcu, the Israeli paratrooper wounded in the 1976 raid. Venezuela praises Israeli aid after 17-year diplomatic freeze. Interim President Delcy Rodríguez thanked Israel for sending disaster experts after devastating earthquakes, and Venezuela’s chief rabbi said the mission could mark a first step toward restoring ties with Jerusalem. Israel and Morocco are getting closer. Major General Dado Bar Kalifa, head of the IDF Manpower Directorate, has returned to Israel after roughly two weeks away, having visited Morocco as head of an IDF delegation.

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/international/article-901351
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-901356
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/h16cvdhqgg
https://t.me/hnaftali/23728