Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-12 at 16:02

HEADLINES
- Iran Leadership Split Shapes US Israel Strikes
- IDF Strikes Gaza as Hamas Attacks Loom
- Lebanon Hezbollah Pilot Zones Prompt IDF Stance

The time is now 4:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Military Role, the IDF coordinated with the US military on several possible scenarios as tensions with Iran rise, including one in which Washington intensifies its response and Israel joins the strikes, a senior security official said on Sunday. The official noted that frictions within Iran’s leadership are delaying negotiations and complicating any framework with the United States. Iran’s leadership is described as split between a pragmatic camp, led by President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, seen as rational and seeking an agreement, and a "fanatical and religious" camp led by Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and IRGC Commander Ahmad Vahidi, viewed as patient chess players who may push for a tougher line. The senior official added that they assess President Trump does not want a return to fighting before the midterm elections in November. Israel’s defense establishment reportedly views the same set of pressures and options as Washington weighs its next moves amid the broader conflict.

In Regional Impacts, the IDF announced multiple strikes in the northern Gaza Strip after Hamas fighters planned attacks on Israeli soldiers, including strikes at a Hamas weapons production site that violated a ceasefire. The military said the militants were attempting to rehabilitate Hamas’s military capabilities and to target Israeli soldiers and civilians. On Saturday, the IDF also killed two Hamas operatives in separate strikes in the same area following attempted attacks near the Yellow Line. In a separate development, a member of Ro Khanna’s West Bank entourage recounted that settlers surrounded his group with rifles, blocking their exit until police arrived; the Israeli account characterized the incident as a grave failure on the Israeli side and described tensions over the visit.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Ambassador Yechiel Leiter said the IDF would stay in Lebanon unless Hezbollah relinquishes pilot zones in the south, stressing that Hezbollah has no business in Lebanon. He said withdrawal would proceed if the Lebanese Armed Forces accept the pilot zones, and that if Hezbollah remains, Israel and the United States will persist in the current campaign. Leiter described himself as leading negotiations on Israel’s behalf with Lebanon and reiterated a goal of removing Hezbollah for security and sovereignty, while noting the framework depends on Lebanon’s security forces’ receptiveness. He also framed Washington’s stance as consistent with the broader campaign and suggested Israel would join American efforts if asked.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Axios reported that former Senator Lindsey Graham pressed to secure Israel-Saudi normalization by the end of the year as a prize of the Iran war. The account said Graham believed a deal could be possible between October and November if the Iran conflict is brought under control, and that achieving normalization would require two-thirds Congressional support and a receptive next Israeli government. Graham also reportedly urged a robust option to reopen the Strait of Hormuz if diplomacy faltered, reflecting a belief that hard leverage could be needed to shape a regional settlement.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Shin Bet Chief David Zini held his first meeting with Opposition leader Yair Lapid since taking the post. The meeting occurred amid questions about Zini’s loyalty to Prime Minister Netanyahu and whether the appointment signals bipartisanship. Zini updated Lapid on Shin Bet operations and threats on multiple fronts, and it remained unclear whether the gathering was a staged bid to dampen criticism or a scheduled, long-planned engagement. The development is being watched as a test of the balance between security leadership and political dynamics.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Alan Dershowitz sparked controversy by saying Zohran Mamdani should be the mayor of Tehran and describing Jews who voted for Mamdani as "idiots," using a widely criticized comparison to Adolf Hitler. Dershowitz’s language drew sharp pushback from many, highlighting persisting tensions over political discourse within and about the Jewish community. In a separate piece, a columnist argues that the online world’s influence should not be mistaken for integrity, contending that some Israeli creators welcomed a controversial online figure whose history includes antisemitic and extremist associations, urging a broader reflection on accountability within advocacy and media circles.

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/israel-news/article-902283
https://t.me/newssil/206472
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-902271
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-902275
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-902286
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-902282
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-902278
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-902232
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-902253