Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-10 at 22:02

HEADLINES
- ISIS Cells Dismantled Senior Leader Arrested
- US Moves to Remove Syria From Terrorism
- US Sanctions Iran Financiers Shadow Exchange Networks

The time is now 10:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Regional Impacts, Syrian authorities say they dismantled ISIS cells in southern Syria and arrested senior figure Firas al-Dagher, who officials say held several high-ranking positions, including serving as the group's Governor of Lebanon and Palestine and later as a personal aide to the Caliph. The operation, carried out by Syria's Interior Ministry and the General Intelligence Service, followed raids across southern Syria and resulted in the arrest of several ISIS operatives responsible for assassinations and financing. The investigation found that the cell financed its activities through assassinations and armed robberies targeting gold merchants in Daraa province, with the stolen gold subsequently sold to generate funds. Satellite imagery and assessments also indicate Iran is repairing sites damaged by US and Israeli strikes, including Parchin and Pickaxe Mountain, with imagery captured in June and July; imagery of Isfahan, Fordow, and Natanz did not show restoration. At Parchin, temporary coverings over impact holes were replaced with mesh coverings and concrete mixing trucks were visible, suggesting preparation to seal the holes. At Pickaxe Mountain, construction vehicles moving in and out may indicate activity at an underground site and could be viewed as a potential breach of a recently signed MoU requiring status quo. Separately, commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed to a trickle, with five merchant vessels completing the transit in the past 24 hours, all via the Iranian northern route. One vessel, Jin Zeng 5, initially appeared to route through the US-established safe route through Omani waters but altered course to complete transit through the Iranian channel, and AIS-disabled vessels may not appear in publicly available tracking data.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, the United States officially began the process of removing Syria from its list of State Sponsors of Terrorism after President Trump notified Congress of his decision to rescind the designation. The move could mark a major turning point in relations and pave the way for greater American investment and economic engagement in Syria, with Congress given a 45-day review period before the decision can take effect. In a formal letter to Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, President Trump said Washington intends to remove the obstacles preventing Syria’s reconstruction and that American companies are now ready to invest. The designation has shaped bilateral ties for decades and its removal follows a series of steps easing restrictions and expanding engagement with Syria’s new government. Separately, the US Treasury announced new sanctions on Iran-linked individuals and groups following attacks in the Strait of Hormuz. Ali Ansari is named as an alleged financier to Iran’s Supreme Leader and other senior officials, accused of institutionalizing large-scale embezzlement and moving funds, with holdings in the UAE, Europe, and other non-sanctioned nations. Iranian shadow exchange houses, which use shell companies to move billions for sanctioned banks, were also targeted, along with three exchange houses, seven individuals, and two front companies based in Hong Kong and the UAE. The sanctions require any US-based involvement in the sanctioned entities to be reported to the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, the Israeli government is set to approve a budget of more than 1 billion shekels for road construction to and between West Bank settlements. The plan centers on new settlements already approved by the cabinet, including four that had been evacuated, with the budget to be allocated between the Defense Ministry and the Transportation Ministry. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said the plan includes establishing “critical security components” to ensure safe and regulated movement in the new settlements, describing the decision as historic for enabling dozens of settlements at strategic points in Judea and Samaria. The initiative comes as part of a broader effort to fortify security for the state, with officials citing more than 100 settlements and 160 farms as part of the security framework.

In Uplifting News, a once-in-a-generation expedition led by the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution has set sail to survey ships tied to two of the most important Antarctic explorers. The targets are Quest, the schooner-rigged steamship captained by Sir Ernest Shackleton, and Terra Nova, Captain Robert Falcon Scott’s whaler and polar expedition vessel. Shackleton’s Shackleton–Rowett era and Scott’s Terra Nova expedition spanned the early 20th century, and Terra Nova later faced a blackout of service before being sunk after a mid-century period of use and service changes. The current survey aims to shed light on the histories of these vessels and their roles in the era of polar exploration.

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-902145
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-902143
https://t.me/DefenderDome/22088
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-902149
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-902146
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-902148
https://www.jpost.com/history/article-902121