Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-06 at 14:01

HEADLINES
Iran weaponizes civilians, Morad says
Trump: deal or finish job with Iran
Bank of Israel trims rate to 3.5%

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 Iranian Retaliation, Adv. Uri Morad said that Iran targeted civilian populations as a matter of military strategy during the round of conflict stretching from late February through early April this year. He described the targeting as systematic and directed by the senior commanders of the IRGC, saying it was a tactic of war, not an accident. Morad helped publish a report titled Indiscriminate fire: The legal case against Iran’s 2026 missile campaign, of which he was a lead author. The campaign, he said, relied on exhausting Israel’s air defenses, and while Israel's air defense system is highly advanced, it is not perfect.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, President Donald Trump spoke in the Oval Office about ongoing negotiations with Iran, saying, "We're going to make a deal, or we're going to finish the job," and noting the blockade had been loosened because a deal may be possible. He warned that if no deal is reached, the United States could "knock down their bridges in one hour" and "knock out their electricity and power-generating plants," arguing that the energy grid could be targeted in a short period. He said oil is at a level lower than before the talks and asserted that there will be no nuclear weapon, adding that concessions have been gained but would need to be held.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, the government approved a proposal to streamline licensing and integration for psychologists making aliyah, aiming to broaden recognition of foreign academic degrees, professional training, and clinical experience while maintaining Israel’s licensing standards. The Health Ministry will establish new guidelines for registration and professional committees to better account for variations in psychology training programs and certifications from other countries. To accredit additional specializations held by immigrant psychologists, committees will ensure certifications attained abroad meet legal and professional standards equivalent to those upheld in Israel, enabling faster integration into the healthcare system without compromising patient safety. Separately, the clash with the Second Authority Council is described as serious but not a constitutional crisis. The cabinet said it would not recognize actions by the outgoing council amid a dispute over regulatory authority between the government-appointed council and the High Court-validated outgoing council. The High Court froze the new council’s activity while it considers challenges, and the dispute touches on possible outcomes such as the pending sale of Reshet 13 to the Merit Spread Foundation, backed by tech entrepreneurs including Wiz co-founder Assaf Rappaport.

In Israeli Economy and Business, the Bank of Israel trimmed borrowing costs to 3.5%, the lowest level since November 2022, marking the third rate cut this year as borrowing costs for households and businesses eased. Governor Amir Yaron cited factors including a memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran that helped lower energy prices and moderate global geopolitical tension, while noting that uncertainty remains and tensions in the north continue to influence economic activity. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich pressed for steeper cuts to lighten the financial burden on households and businesses and to weaken the shekel to aid exporters.

In Uplifting News, Trump intervention prompts FIFA to reverse the World Cup red-card ban for US striker Folarin Balogun. President Trump said he asked FIFA chief Gianni Infantino to review a red-card decision, arguing the call by the referee was unfair, and that FIFA’s move to suspend the card was a “really brilliant decision.” The episode has drawn an angry response from Belgium, which faces the United States in a forthcoming match, and the reversal keeps Balogun available for the next stage of the tournament.

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/middle-east/article-901643
https://www.jpost.com/american-politics/article-901646
https://www.jpost.com/aliyah/article-901637
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-901630
https://www.timesofisrael.com/central-bank-trims-borrowing-costs-to-2022-low-sees-room-for-further-rate-cuts/
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-901639