Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-06 at 11:01

HEADLINES
- Hormuz traffic favors northern route amid tensions
- Netanyahu warns against F-35s to Turkey
- Bank cuts rate to 3.5%; shekel steadies

The time is now 11:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In A review of commercial shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz over the past 24 hours, visible via http://MarineTraffic.com , shows the vast majority of vessels continue to transit via the Iranian (northern) traffic separation scheme, with only a small number opting for the US-supported southern corridor through Omani waters. AIS use is not mandatory, so the number of vessels that transited is likely higher.

In Netanyahu warns US should not sell F-35s to Turkish regime 'infected by Muslim Brotherhood', Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that giving Ankara F-35s or fighter jet engines would “upset the power balance in the Middle East.” He described Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as a leader who poses serious regional threats, cited Turkey’s actions in Cyprus and toward Greece, and pointed to Ankara’s support for Hamas and Iran as factors weighing on US decisions. Ahead of NATO summit, Netanyahu told Fox News that Ankara should not receive advanced stealth jets or engines, warning such a move would upset the Middle East balance and threaten Israel’s air superiority. A Hebrew report of his remarks echoed the same caution, with Netanyahu saying he does not think Turkey should receive F-35s.

In Bill allowing gender-segregated academic programs advances in Knesset committee, the bill would allow higher education institutions to offer separate study tracks for women and men at the discretion of elected representatives and academic institutions. The measure passed its second and third readings in the Knesset Education, Culture and Sports Committee and will soon be presented to the plenum for final approval. The bill, written by MK Limor Son Har-Melech of Otzma Yehudit, frames the move as restoring freedom of choice in academia and a means to accommodate those who wish to study in gender-segregated settings, arguing it overturns a Supreme Court ruling prohibiting such programs.

In Bank of Israel lowers interest rate to 3.5% in response to strong shekel, halt in war with Iran, the bank’s Monetary Committee reduced the policy rate to 3.50% from 3.75%, marking the second cut after the 0.25% decrease in May. The decision follows inflation stabilizing near target and a strong shekel, though exporters had urged a deeper cut. The bank cited the Memorandum of Understanding between the United States and Iran as a key factor behind the move, along with lower energy prices and easing geopolitical tensions. Officials noted the risk premium remained similar to before October 2023, and described the broader context as one of measured adjustment amid ongoing uncertainty about Iran. In March, the rate had been held at 4%.

In Beyond the headlines: Shalom for Charlotte - opinion, the writer reflects on how a Monsey, New York, family faced the tragic death of eight-year-old Charlotte Herzberg when a car struck her near home. The driver, a close family friend, accepted responsibility, and the family described the loss as a test that could become a catalyst for unity and peace within the community. The piece portrays a resolve to channel grief into positive action and reconciliation.

In Reporter's notebook: Life blooms again as visitors return to Israel's northern border, the Tel Qedesh ruins sit on a high plain in the Upper Galilee near the Lebanon border. An ancient site dating to the era of Canaan and the early Israelite kingdom, Qedesh features a large, partially preserved wall and surrounding columns. The site recalls a history that includes Phoenician ties to Tyre and a nearby Shi’ite village abandoned in 1948. The border area has endured more than 1,000 days of conflict with Hezbollah since October 7, 2023, but today the border is quiet and visitors are returning to the northern edge of Israel, where the ruins stand as a reminder of the region’s long, layered past.

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://t.me/DefenderDome/21961
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-901613
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/b1rizefxgg
https://t.me/newssil/206010
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-901624
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-901628
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-901622
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-901621