Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-08 at 17:02

HEADLINES
- US strikes Iran targeting Bushehr base
- Syria route IMEC corridor bypasses Israel
- US to delist Syria in 45 days

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 US Military Role, the United States is conducting a new round of strikes in Iran, following President Trump’s assertion that the memorandum with Tehran is over. Explosions were reported in Iran’s southern cities of Bandar Abbas, Sirik, Konarak, and Chabahar as air defenses were activated, according to Iranian officials. US Central Command stated that the operations are intended to degrade Iran’s ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and to hold Iran accountable for aggression against commercial shipping. Iranian state media reported power cuts in parts of Chabahar, while Nour News claimed the Iranian armed forces are preparing to strike US bases in the region. The United States also notified Israeli officials ahead of the attack. Subsequent updates from CENTCOM indicated renewed strikes that broadened the scope of the action, including a base operated by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Bushehr. This remains a developing situation with new details continuing to emerge.

In Regional Impacts, Saudi Arabia is examining a significant shift in the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor by routing the project through Syria, thereby sidestepping Israel. The change comes amid the Gaza war and shifting momentum toward Israeli–Saudi normalization, prompting Riyadh to rethink the corridor’s path. The IMEC project envisions a network of railways, ports, and shipping lanes connecting India to Europe via the Gulf and Eastern Mediterranean, with Israel traditionally envisioned as a key logistical link. The reevaluation signals potential realignments in regional trade routes and political alignments as regional dynamics continue to unfold.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, the United States announced its plan to delist Syria as a state sponsor of terrorism, effective in 45 days unless lawmakers block the move, a measure presented as a step to open Syria to investment and rebuild its economy. Secretary of State Marco Rubio framed the move as a historic step welcoming the Syrian people to a new chapter, while acknowledging concerns from Israel about the broader regional dynamics. At the same time, reporting indicates the United States informed Israel it plans to launch strong strikes against Iran tonight as explosions were reported in Iran, underscoring the high-stakes, interconnected security environment in the region.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, a Channel 13 poll shows Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar Party edging ahead of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud for the first time in recent polling, reflecting shifting political currents in Israel. Within coalition politics, MK Moshe Gafni pressed Netanyahu to advance the Basic Law: Torah Study bill unchanged, arguing that changes could affect benefits for Torah students and reservists, even as legal advisers warned against the current wording. In New York, Joint List leader MK Ayman Odeh is set to meet with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to press for international attention to Israel’s Arab crime wave, with Odeh stressing the need for global engagement and security for all citizens. Separately, Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs announced a Shin Bet allocation as part of the ongoing security and anti-crime efforts.

In Uplifting News, researchers share a remarkable scene off Australia where an octopus wraps its arms around a shark and then releases it, a moment scientists believe may reflect parasite removal rather than predation, offering a rare glimpse of unusual cooperation in the sea. In a separate note of remembrance, the IDF has located the grave of Private Yaakov Zarian, missing since the 1948 war, found in a mass grave at Kiryat Anavim alongside seven other fallen soldiers, marking a long-awaited closure after 15 years of investigation.

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
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