Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-03 at 17:01

HEADLINES
Netanyahu Trump plan Iran stockpile strike
Tehran-born Cohanim to shape US UN policy
New York braces for Netanyahu UN visit

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

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with US President Donald Trump on Friday and congratulated him on the 250th anniversary of US independence, saying the United States is “a guarantor of global freedom” and that Israel values the close relationship between the two countries. The two leaders agreed to meet soon in the United States. Netanyahu and Trump last met on February 11, 2026; that meeting focused on how the United States and Israel would respond if negotiations with Tehran failed to produce an agreement, with Netanyahu urging that any attack also target Iran’s ballistic missile stockpile and with the possibility of another joint US-Israeli strike not ruled out. Trump described the meeting as positive and said the tremendous relationship between the two countries continues, while signaling that pursuing negotiations with Iran remains his priority and that military force could again be used if diplomacy falters. Separately, US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz announced the appointment of Ellie Cohanim as Senior Policy Advisor at the US Mission to the United Nations. Born in Tehran, Cohanim and her family fled Iran after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, and she has been described as embodying the American story. Her career includes serving as deputy special envoy to monitor and combat antisemitism during the first Trump administration and playing an instrumental role on the Abraham Accords’ Warm Peace team. Waltz said Cohanim’s appointment reflects the conviction and leadership needed at the United Nations, and she has long been an anti-regime advocate who has spoken out against antisemitism.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Netanyahu’s New York visit becomes Mamdani’s “huge headache.” The prime minister is expected to attend the United Nations General Assembly in September, which would place pressure on New York’s anti-Israel mayor as he confronts the limits of his pledge to arrest him, while Israeli and US security teams search for a hotel after a previous security lapse.

In Uplifting News, July 3, 1976 marks the 50th anniversary of Operation Jonathan, the Entebbe raid, a moment described as a turning point in how Israel responds to terrorism and how opponents perceive its resolve. In Tokyo, Japan marks the United States’ 250th Independence Day with a single official reaction. In football, Ange Postecoglou has joined Al Nassr as head coach on a two-year deal, reuniting with Cristiano Ronaldo. The club announced the appointment on social media, calling it official and a new chapter, and wishing success to him and his staff; Postecoglou previously guided Tottenham to a Europa League triumph in 2025 and has coached across Australia, Japan, and Scotland, including a spell with Celtic.

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/israel-news/article-901357
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-901351
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/b1k63qsxfe
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-901235
https://t.me/abualiexpress/125905
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/07/postecoglou-links-ronaldo-al-nassr