Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-08 at 11:02

HEADLINES
- Israel-Iran Skirmishes Persist; War Not Imminent
- Macron: Iran Strikes Violated MoU; Talks Continue
- Trump: Iran Strike Tonight; 28 Boats Knocked

The time is now 11:02 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, Israeli officials say they do not expect a full-scale war for now, even after Trump warned the ceasefire is effectively over and signaled new strikes on Iran. Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Katz canceled a planned military ceremony, underscoring that economic pressure remains the main lever against Tehran.

In Iranian Retaliation, French President Emmanuel Macron said Iranian strikes on US bases in the Gulf violated the Memorandum of Understanding with the United States, and he said ceasefire talks within the 60-day framework would continue even after Trump said the interim agreement to end the war with Iran was over. Analysts say the Hormuz confrontation centers on Iran’s nuclear program: two rounds of strikes in 2025 and 2026 pushed Iran’s program back from a rapid path to a weapon toward a longer timeline, but a stockpile of hundreds of kilograms of 60 percent enriched uranium remains a focal point as Iran uses Hormuz leverage to seek concessions in any post-war settlement.

In US Military Role, Trump told reporters at the NATO summit in Ankara that he would probably hit Iran tonight, warning that “we’re going to hit them hard tonight” and that the regime has been “killing soldiers, killing people for 47 years,” giving the United States a score to settle. He suggested actions could proceed without a deal and hinted at reinstating the blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, adding that US forces had knocked out 28 boats the previous night and would likely strike more tonight. A separate item in this block notes a post claiming the ceasefire is over.

In Regional Impacts, analysts say Iran holds significant advantages in its Gulf attacks and that stopping the threats entirely will be extremely difficult. The cycle of tit-for-tat strikes persists even with a ceasefire and a memorandum of understanding, as Iran can strike at a time and place of its choosing. The Gulf’s geography—nearly 990 kilometers of waterway feeding into the Strait of Hormuz, which is 40 to 100 kilometers wide, with around 30 substantial islands controlled by Iran—gives Tehran latitude to shape the tempo of the confrontation. Overnight, CENTCOM said it struck 80 targets in response to Iranian attacks on three commercial vessels, a move NATO officials, including Secretary General Mark Rutte, framed as absolutely necessary, though the fate of the MoU remains in question.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Tzohar Food Supervision’s newly issued kashrut license cannot be relied upon at this stage due to flaws in how it was granted, the state told the High Court, while the Chief Rabbinate must review Tzohar’s request without delay. Tzohar argues the 2021 kashrut reform should open Israel’s market to licensed private bodies and that routine internal Rabbinate disputes should not block service to businesses and consumers. Separately, an opinion piece urges Israel to reject permanent US military bases on its soil, arguing sovereignty and security must guide decisions about any relocation of American bases, and noting broader shifts in regional defense dynamics and the lessons of recent conflicts.

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.ynetnews.com/article/sjeckjnmze
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-901878
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-901877
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-901872
https://t.me/hnaftali/23814
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-901857
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-901860
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-901881
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-901738