Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-16 at 06:02

HEADLINES
Houthi Iran plan to close Bab al-Mandeb
US presses to keep refueling at Ben-Gurion
Netanyahu delays US trip amid election push

The time is now 6:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, IDF forces operating in the security buffer in southern Lebanon located a dead body tied to a stretcher on Thursday. The body was found adjacent to a minefield, and it was passed to the police for further investigation. This is a developing story. The Telegraph, citing sources in Yemen, reports that the Houthis are preparing contingency plans to close the Bab al-Mandeb Strait in coordination with Iran if Tehran decides to escalate the conflict further. The Houthis are expanding ties with Somalia's al-Shabaab, including the alleged transfer of Iranian drone technology, with the goal of exerting influence over both sides of the strategic waterway. The Telegraph says the move would mirror Iran's strategy in the Strait of Hormuz, potentially allowing Tehran to threaten two of the world's most important maritime chokepoints simultaneously. Bab al-Mandeb carries roughly 10–12% of global maritime trade and has never been closed at the same time as the Strait of Hormuz. If both waterways were disrupted simultaneously, shipping would face major delays and significantly higher costs. The reporting comes as regional tensions continue to rise, with US strikes against Iranian targets, renewed attacks in and around the Strait of Hormuz, and Saudi-Houthi hostilities intensifying following recent strikes on Sana'a Airport.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, US officials say the crisis over American refueling aircraft parked at Ben-Gurion Airport remains unresolved after the Transportation Ministry said a solution had been found to relocate the assets, while American military sources say alternative options do not meet their needs. The dispute has moved from a logistical issue to the diplomatic arena, with Defense Minister Israel Katz and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expected to address the matter directly. The American request to use the airport stems from a need to prepare for regional worst-case scenarios, including an attack on bases in the Persian Gulf, which would require Israeli logistical support. Despite earlier efforts to reduce the footprint, the US military is now seeking to remain at the facility and even to increase its presence for emergency scenarios involving Tehran, with decisions on next steps being referred to senior political leadership. A US citizen detained by Iran since December 2024 has been released, a move announced by President Donald Trump, who described it as a goodwill gesture and said the individual was safely outside the country. The individual, identified as Dena Karari by human rights attorney Jared Genser, had been reported by The New York Times in 2025 as an Iranian-American held on espionage charges, with passports confiscated. Iran has not publicly confirmed the release. Trump hailed the development as a gesture of goodwill in a broader context that has included US strikes aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz and warnings that further action could target Iran's power plants and energy infrastructure; US officials indicated such strikes were meant to pressure Tehran.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has postponed his planned trip to the United States after former senator Lindsey Graham’s funeral was delayed to the end of the month. Netanyahu had been scheduled to fly to Washington to attend Graham’s funeral and to meet with US President Donald Trump, with his itinerary still to be finalized. The trip would have marked Netanyahu’s first official visit to Washington since the war with Iran. With the October 27 election approaching, Netanyahu’s Likud party is pushing to pass key laws before the Knesset recess, including a Basic Law on Torah study and a temporary freeze on arresting draft evaders, amid concerns over military manpower and the rising profile of former IDF chief Gadi Eisenkot within the political landscape. Separately, the Knesset approved gender-segregated graduate programs, allowing approved institutions to offer voluntary gender-separated master’s and doctoral classes; medical school deans warn this could undermine training and public health, while supporters say it would remove barriers for Haredi women.

In Uplifting News, more than 500 Peruvian babies have been named after Norway’s World Cup star Erling Haaland following his standout performance on the international stage. Data from Peru’s National Registry of Identification and Civil Status show 486 newborns named “Haaland” and 91 given his full name, “Erling Haaland,” in the weeks since the World Cup began. Haaland’s rise to internet fame and his dominant World Cup showing—scoring seven goals, near the top of the tournament—have captivated fans, with social media celebrating his Viking-like presence and impact on Peru’s cultural moment.

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/defense-news/article-902683
https://t.me/DefenderDome/22208
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-902673
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-902671
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/07/trump-hails-release-us-citizen-held-iran-goodwill-gesture
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-902681
https://www.jpost.com/podcast/article-902672
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/sjkdl11i4fx
https://www.jpost.com/omg/article-902583