Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-15 at 17:02

HEADLINES
US Israel strike wave hits Iran
Israel builds Syria buffer after Oct 7
Dead Sea Scrolls calendar solved by TAU

The time is now 5:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Military Role, the United States launched a new wave of strikes on Iran on Wednesday evening, targeting Iranian military capabilities used to threaten vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, CENTCOM said. CENTCOM labeled it the second wave of the day, while Israel conducted a separate strike earlier in the morning, making it the third strike in that span. Explosions were reported on Kharg Island, and Kuwait’s Defense Ministry said its forces intercepted four cruise missiles and 21 drones coming from Iran, saying the attacks damaged facilities but produced no casualties. Sirens were heard in Bahrain after the strikes were announced. President Donald Trump told a Fox News interview that Iran “wants to meet” and that Washington would decide whether to pursue such talks. Officials described the latest bombings as targeting Iranian air defense systems, coastal radar, missile and drone sites, as well as small boats and other maritime assets, a mix viewed as part of shaping options for potential further actions by the administration.

In Regional Impacts, Israel’s security posture is being described through lessons drawn from the October 7 attacks. Israeli officials have been portrayed as prioritizing action before threats metastasize and preventing hostile forces from encamping along the border. Following a restructuring after December 2024, the Israeli Defense Forces moved quickly into Syria, destroying air bases, vehicles, missiles, chemical‑weapons depots, and other targets belonging to the Assad regime, and carving out a buffer zone in southern Syria to keep hostile elements from threatening communities on the Golan Heights. Washington views such buffer zones, along with those in Gaza and southern Lebanon, as issues needing resolution. In a related note, a phone call last week between President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu reportedly included a push for Israel to begin withdrawing from parts of southern Syria.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Vice President JD Vance pushed back on the idea that Israel is driving US policy on Iran. Speaking with Joe Rogan, Vance defended a stance aligned with President Trump’s objectives and said US interests come first, while acknowledging that discussions have circulated about Israeli influence. He also cited a Time magazine report about a discreet campaign funded by elements within the Israeli government aiming to push US audiences toward denouncing a ceasefire, insisting he would resist efforts that derail negotiations and remain focused on US goals.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, MK Dan Illouz announced he will not seek reelection with Likud, saying the party has been hijacked and that he cannot ask voters to back it as it stands. He cited leadership choices surrounding the October 7 massacre, legislation benefiting haredi draft dodgers, and the rising cost of living as reasons for his departure, calling the party’s approach a “disgrace” and accusing it of avoiding responsibility for security faults that preceded the Hamas attack.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, a provocative opinion piece argues that silence protects predators, not communities, and that Judaism never demanded such silence. The author centers on American influencer Clavicular, real name Braden Peters, who has faced accusations and controversy in recent years, including a connection to a past incident in a Miami nightclub and a lawsuit alleging the rape of a minor, while also being criticized for promoting content that exploits women.

In Uplifting News, Tel Aviv University researchers may have solved a long‑standing question about the Dead Sea Scrolls. Eshbal Ratzon of TAU proposes that Qumran’s 364‑day calendar was actually used in the sect’s early years, a claim supported by the emphasis on calendars and astronomy in nearly 20 scrolls found at Qumran. The study, published in Tarbiz Quarterly, suggests that the calendar may have been central to the community’s desert isolation, with the Book of Jubilees attacking the lunar calendar as part of the broader debate.

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/iran-news/article-902647
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-902646
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-902644
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-902645
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-902643
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-902648
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-902571