Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-12 at 13:02

HEADLINES
Iran strikes US base in Kuwait
Beaufort Castle captured by Golani Brigade
Israel to hold elections Oct 27

The time is now 1:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Iranian Retaliation, Iran fired three ballistic missiles at a US military base in Kuwait, with explosions heard nearby and smoke seen in the border region between Kuwait and Iraq. Smoke was also observed rising from a Kuwaiti port earlier in the day. The Iranian side has also highlighted drone capabilities, with the acting defense minister Brigadier-General Majid Ebn al-Reza saying drone production capacity had tripled during the war, and that defense investment had increased drone production threefold. He argued that drones helped identify the enemy’s weak points and degraded radar and air-defense systems, including THAAD batteries.

In Regional Impacts, reports from Be’i Kishim and Bandar Abbas describe explosions in the area, according to a Telegram channel cited in the report.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Beaufort Castle sits on vital high ground near the Litani River in southern Lebanon, offering views toward Israeli border communities and Nabatiya. The report notes the castle’s long, turbulent history and states that, as part of the IDF 36th Division’s ground maneuver toward Nabatiya, the Golani Brigade captured the castle on May 31, 2026. A recent visit to the site is described in the reporter’s notebook, illustrating the strategic perch and its current banners.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Israeli defense officials warn that if the United States sells F-35 aircraft to Turkey, Ankara could work around the limits imposed on the jet’s use, given Turkey’s military technology expertise. The discussion reflects Israeli concern over shifts in regional balance. Separately, analysis of Lindsey Graham’s passing suggests bipartisan support for Israel in US politics has been challenged by evolving public opinion, with a sizable portion of Americans saying Israel has committed genocide.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there is a “vigilante effort” in the West Bank, but 150 juvenile delinquents do not represent the settler community, which he described as largely law-abiding. He stressed that Israel is a democracy of law and that those who break the law will be held to account, noting that Ro Khanna’s March visit involved a group detained by settlers with US-made rifles, whom Khanna did not meet during his trip. Separately, the Knesset House Committee announced that the general elections will be held on October 27, marking the first time since 1988 that elections would occur after a full four-year term. Legal advisers explained there was no plan to shorten the term, and that the date was set by law.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Stockholm hosted a pro-Palestine protest featuring a mock Auschwitz gate labeled with “Gaza” to criticize Israel and call for the release of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, a Palestinian pediatrician detained by Israeli authorities. Amnesty International has described him as arbitrarily detained, while Israel maintains a different characterization. The demonstration also depicted Gazan mothers and babies alongside a blood-covered Netanyahu figure and called for the protection of healthcare workers in conflict zones. In Paris, about 300 people were evacuated from a Sarcelles neighborhood after investigators found a vehicle containing a long military-grade weapon near the Great Synagogue of Sarcelles; authorities opened a judicial investigation, but no motive has been established and no suspects have been identified.

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-902266
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-902262
https://t.me/newssil/206444
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-902260
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-902268
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-902264
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-902265
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-902258
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-902263
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-902259