Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-12 at 21:02

HEADLINES
Investigation Finds Leadership Ignored Kuwait Warnings
CENTCOM Strikes Deter Iran Shipping Attacks
UK Allocates 250 Million to Jewish Security

The time is now 9:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Iranian Retaliation, survivors of Iran's March attack on US base in Kuwait claim leadership ignored warnings, a Washington Post investigation finds that at Port Shuaiba soldiers and witnesses say intelligence warnings that the base was a probable Iranian target were ignored before a drone strike killed six US service members on March 1. The investigation draws on accounts from 17 people, including survivors and other firsthand witnesses. Brigadier General Clint Barnes left the base after the strike, while soldiers under his command remained. Soldiers described a sense of guilt and betrayal, with many saying they "didn't do enough to help those who died." Wounded service members also said the military medical system failed them, the report notes. The Army declined to address the soldiers' complaints directly but broadly defended the unit's leadership and its decision-making.

In US Military Role, US Central Command forces began launching more strikes at 5 p.m. Eastern Time today to degrade Iran’s ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial ships freely transiting the Strait of Hormuz. CENTCOM said US aircraft had shot down an Iranian cruise missile and a one-way attack drone, and Iran fired at a commercial ship in the Strait of Hormuz within the past hour. Over recent hours, the strikes targeted missile and drone sites, ammunition storage facilities, communications, and coastal surveillance locations, described as part of an effort to deter further attacks on shipping. Video footage circulating shows ground-based missiles, possibly ATACMS from M142 HIMARS, launched from Kuwait toward Iran, according to the reports.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Givat Ze’ev has been officially declared a city, elevating its status from local council to municipality to align with planned development and services. The settlement sits about five kilometers northwest of Jerusalem and is home to roughly 35,000 residents, with one of the country’s highest growth rates. Mayor Yossi Asraf called it “a historic moment” and said becoming a city is a major growth engine and good news for residents. Separately, President Isaac Herzog hosted a ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of Operation Entebbe at the president’s residence, alongside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir. Herzog framed Entebbe as a moral declaration and emphasized Israel’s responsibility to protect its citizens, while Zamir said the country would move with resolve and a sense of historic responsibility in confronting current threats from Iran.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Britain pledges over £250 million to protect Jewish communities over the next three years, funding more than 500 additional officers across England and Wales to bolster security at Jewish neighborhoods, schools, synagogues, and community centers. The package includes about 300 additional officers in London and around 80 in Greater Manchester, plus £43 million for other areas with significant Jewish populations. The plan follows a string of antisemitic incidents, including the torching of four Jewish community ambulances in March and a recent stabbing in north London that prompted a rise in the terrorism threat level to severe. Outgoing Prime Minister says tackling antisemitism has been central to leadership and that the rise in antisemitism tests the country’s values.

In Israeli Economy and Business, EU ministers will debate curbing trade with Israeli settlements, exploring options based on a confidential European Commission paper. The options include an import licensing system, prohibitive tariffs, or a ban. The European Union remains divided on Middle East policy, with pressure to act on settlements intensifying amid violence by Israeli settlers and criticism of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government. In May, the EU already imposed sanctions on four entities and three individuals over alleged serious and systematic human rights abuses in the West Bank, and the International Court of Justice issued a 2024 advisory opinion on Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories.

In Uplifting News, Staff Sergeant Ella Ram carries forward a family legacy of service. She was 10 months old when her father, Elad Ram, was killed in the Second Lebanon War. Today, she serves as a Home Front Command rescue combat soldier, following in his footsteps and believing he would be proud of her.

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/international/article-902277
https://t.me/JewishNews24/57049
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-902288
https://t.me/DefenderDome/22129
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-902290
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-902287
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-902292
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/07/eu-ministers-debate-curbing-trade-israeli-settlements
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/s1qltswvge