Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-04 at 17:04

HEADLINES
- US Delivers 80 Engines to Turkey F-35
- Egypt Debuts Octagon HQ, Expands Regional Role
- HRF Claims Ben-Gvir Canceled UN Summit

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 Regional Impacts, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is set to host NATO leaders in Ankara next week. Washington has announced the shipment of 80 engines to Ankara, worth more than $700 million, for Turkey’s homegrown fighter jet, and the United States is positively considering allowing Turkey back into the F-35 program after its 2019 expulsion over the Russian S-400 defense system purchase. The European Union is pursuing a series of major economic and energy contracts with Turkey, including roles in overland energy networks that could bypass the Arabian Gulf, Russia, and Israel. The article notes Erdogan’s close alignment with Russia, China, and Iran, his government’s positions on the conflict in northern Cyprus and northern Syria, and its stance toward Israel. Egypt unveiled its new Octagon Strategic Command Headquarters as part of a broader regional push to showcase growing influence, with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi saying Egypt is “committed to peace for those who want peace.” The piece frames Egypt as returning to a position of regional power, alongside other Gulf and regional powers, and notes that Egypt is a US partner, with Sisi in power since 2013 and a broad regional military buildup. A separate item marks that 1000 days have passed since the October 7 massacre and highlights the atrocities attributed to Hamas on that day.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, HRF asserts that Ben-Gvir canceled a UN police chiefs conference in New York due to legal complaints, though his office has not confirmed the cause of the reported cancellation. The organization says it has pressed US authorities to prosecute Ben-Gvir and has appealed to New York Attorney-General Letitia James to open an investigation. Ben-Gvir was expected to attend the UN Chiefs of Police Summit in New York this week, and the HRF’s actions include calls to pursue accountability. Separately, small parties could decide Israel’s election if they survive the electoral threshold, with Yuli Edelstein’s discussions with Ayelet Shaked, Gilad Erdan, and Yoaz Hendel as part of a broader scramble among right-wing and centrist splinters aiming to avoid wasted votes ahead of 2026.

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-901226
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-901392
https://t.me/selena_updates/66614
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-901393
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/r1nqhjwqgx