Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-03 at 19:01

HEADLINES
France UK Oman Pact to Secure Hormuz
Russia Plans Provocation Against Poland NATO Pressure
Netanyahu Trump to Meet Soon in US

The time is now 7:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Regional Impacts, France and the United Kingdom have reached an agreement with Oman to work together to restore safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz, with a joint statement from French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer saying the effort will ensure that Oman’s sovereign waters are safe for navigation. Officials say they are prepared to deploy the broader Multinational Military Mission to support freedom of navigation through the waterway, underscoring the Strait’s status as a vital artery for the global economy. The leaders reaffirm their commitment to regional stability and to cooperating with partner states to uphold freedom of navigation and international law. Starmer met on Thursday with Oman’s Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik Al to discuss efforts in the Strait of Hormuz.

In Regional Impacts, the United States has warned Poland that Russia may be preparing a military provocation against the country, according to sources close to Poland’s leadership cited by Onet. The Telegraph, citing Onet, reports the plan could involve missile or drone attacks on infrastructure and a ground invasion from Kaliningrad or Belarus, with the aim of pressing NATO allies to suspend aid to Ukraine. The report notes that Poland’s ambassadors and defense ministry sources acknowledged such a risk, and that a misattribution at an border crossing could be used as a pretext. The Telegraph report adds that Russia may doubt Poland would engage without first negotiating, according to the sources.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, At 250, Israel needs an angry America to rediscover its way - opinion discusses the United States at its 250th anniversary, noting a paradox in a powerful democracy that is also deeply dissatisfied with itself. The piece argues that while America remains an indispensable power—dominating global markets, science, finance, and the military—public pessimism about the political future and polarization are influencing how Israel is viewed and supported. It emphasizes that not everyone is part of the polarization, but the deeper political dysfunction is influencing the country’s posture toward its strategic ally.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Netanyahu, Trump spoke on Friday, agree to meet 'soon' in the US, with Netanyahu congratulating Trump on the 250th anniversary of US independence and describing the United States as “a guarantor of global freedom.” The two leaders reportedly agreed to meet soon in the United States. They last met on February 11, 2026, and later that month the United States and Israel carried out an attack on Iran. The February meeting focused on potential responses if Iran’s negotiations fail to yield an agreement, and Netanyahu requested that any attack also target Iran’s ballistic missile stockpile. The possibility of another joint action has not been ruled out. Trump called the meeting positive and highlighted the strength of the bilateral relationship, adding that pursuing negotiations with Iran remains a priority.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, America at 250: Fighting antisemitism begins with reclaiming America's Jewish story - opinion contends that as the United States marks its semiquincentennial, antisemitism is resurging across campuses, streets, and online, presenting both a security and moral challenge. The piece cites rising hate crimes in New York City, noting that antisemitic incidents were up sharply in May and that Jews were the targets of a majority of those offenses, despite Jews constituting a small portion of the city’s population. It highlights the visible security measures at synagogues and the pressures on Jewish students to conceal their identity, urging a reckoning with memory and the telling of America’s Jewish contribution to the nation’s founding.

In Uplifting News, The Mossad man in Nairobi who made Operation Entebbe possible profiles Mossad station chief Eli Engel, describing how his Nairobi home became a secret command post, how Kenyan contacts secured fuel and medical access, and how his family was forced to flee under false names. The piece situates this personal history within the larger story of a daring rescue that reshaped perceptions of Israel’s courage and international cooperation.

In Uplifting News, July 3, 1976: 50 years ago in Entebbe, Israel proved no distance is too great - opinion reflects on the hijacking of an Air France flight en route from Tel Aviv to Paris and the Israeli response known as Operation Jonathan. It notes that hostages were divided by nationality and faith, with Israeli and Jewish passengers facing the greatest danger, and it recalls the world’s initial indifference as the crisis unfolded, framing the operation as a turning point that altered the perception of Israel and its ability to respond decisively to threats.

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/international/article-901368
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-901359
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-900933
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-901357
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-901110
https://www.ynetnews.com/magazine/article/hy4h113bmgl
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-901235