Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-13 at 00:02

HEADLINES
Bushehr missiles strike Bahrain amid Hormuz tensions
Graham dies Israel loses hawkish ally
EU weighs West Bank settlement tariffs

The time is now 12:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Regional Impacts, US-Iran war fears grow as fighting escalates around the Strait of Hormuz, with US strikes on Iran intensifying after an Iranian attack on a container ship in the Strait of Hormuz left one crew member missing; Iran retaliated with missile strikes across the region as tensions over the waterway threaten a ceasefire. In the last few minutes, at least six short-range ballistic missiles were launched from the Bushehr Province in Southern Iran to Bahrain.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, the death of Senator Lindsey Graham this weekend deprives Israel of one of its most reliable and forthright allies in Washington. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Graham understood that the security of Israel and America are inseparable, calling him a great friend and a patriot. President Isaac Herzog described him as a beacon of moral clarity and a leader of the US-Israel partnership. Graham's record spanned decades and included legislation, military assistance, and repeated visits to support Israel, even when it was politically uncomfortable. He never shed his traditional Republican foreign policy views, including outspoken support for Ukraine during the Russian invasion. He was a leading voice pushing the White House to more fully embrace Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and take a harder line against Iran. After the US and Israel attacked Iran in February, Graham remained hawkish, defending the action and countering critics who argued that "America First" meant avoiding such conflicts. He wrote online that those who say Iran is stronger now are mistaken, noting the Iranian economy is struggling. His admiration for Trump extended beyond Iran; after winning the South Carolina Republican primary, he joked about the president's status, saying the big guy, God, comes first, with Trump not far behind.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, the West Bank settlement of Givat Ze'ev has been officially declared an Israeli city. Givat Ze'ev, five kilometers northwest of Jerusalem, was founded in 1977 within the Mateh Binyamin Regional Council and now hosts nearly 35,000 residents. The status upgrade from local council to city was formalized with the signature of IDF Central Command Chief Avi Bluth, and officials say the change aligns the settlement with planned development, scaling, and residential services. Mayor Yossi Asraf called it a historic moment and said becoming a city is a growth engine while preserving the warm, rural, and community atmosphere.

In Israeli Economy and Business, the European Union weighs trade ban, steep tariffs on Israeli West Bank settlement goods. EU foreign ministers will explore whether there is enough support for new measures to curb trade with Israeli settlements in the West Bank, based on a confidential paper from the European Commission that outlines three options: an import licensing system, prohibitive tariffs, or a ban. The EU has long struggled to take decisive action because of divisions among its 27 member countries, but pressure from member governments to act has grown due to violence by settlers and frustration with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. In May, the EU imposed sanctions on four entities and three individuals over what it described as serious and systematic human rights abuses in the West Bank. In a July 2024 ICJ advisory opinion, the court claimed that Israeli settlements in the West Bank were illegal and that states should take steps to prevent them.

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.ynetnews.com/article/rkphea11emx
https://t.me/DefenderDome/22136
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-902285
https://t.me/JewishNews24/57053
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-902290
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-902293