Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-16 at 07:01

HEADLINES
US Widens Strikes Toward Tehran, Escalation Risk
Houthis Draft Plan to Close Bab al-Mandeb
Netanyahu Delays US Trip Over Refueling Dispute

The time is now 7:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Military Role, the United States intensified its strikes on Iran, extending targets north toward the Tehran area as Tehran pledged to resist until the end. Washington says its forces hit Iranian command centers, air defense sites, missile and drone capabilities, and coastal surveillance facilities, with additional strikes reported in areas around the capital including Semnan and a string of provinces such as Hamedan, Hormozgan, Khuzestan, Lorestan, Markazi, and Sistan and Baluchistan, as well as Bandar Abbas. Iran has warned of renewed attacks on US allies and danger to the Strait of Hormuz, while Iranian officials say the strikes have caused dozens of casualties and hundreds of injuries. The latest action marks a widening phase of the conflict that diplomats warn could escalate regional tensions and threaten broader war.

In Regional Impacts, the IDF located a dead body tied to a stretcher in the security buffer zone in southern Lebanon, near a minefield, and the body was handed to the police for further investigation as the incident remains under review and described as a developing story.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, The Telegraph reports that Yemen’s Houthis are drafting contingency plans to close the Bab al-Mandeb Strait in coordination with Iran if Tehran escalates the conflict. The report also says the Houthis are expanding ties with Somalia’s al-Shabaab, potentially transferring Iranian drone technology to influence both sides of the Bab al-Mandeb, mirroring Iran’s strategy around the Strait of Hormuz. Bab al-Mandeb carries about 10–12% of global maritime trade and has never been closed at the same time as Hormuz; disruption of both chokepoints could cause major shipping delays and higher costs. The piece comes amid rising regional tensions, including renewed attacks near Hormuz, ongoing US strikes on Iranian targets, and intensified Saudi-Houthi hostilities following recent strikes on Sana’a Airport.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has postponed his planned trip to the United States after the funeral of former senator Lindsey Graham was delayed to the end of the month, meaning he will not depart for Washington this weekend as previously announced and will remain in the US through the coming days; the trip would have marked his first official visit to Washington since the war with Iran, following a phone call congratulating President Trump on the 250th anniversary of US independence in which both leaders agreed to meet soon. Separately, the crisis over American refueling aircraft parked at Ben-Gurion Airport continued to surface, with the Transportation Ministry saying a solution was found to relocate the assets, but American sources say alternative arrangements still do not meet US needs; the US military is seeking to maintain a stronger presence at the airport to support potential emergency scenarios involving Tehran, a matter that defense and political leaders are expected to address directly.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Shas leader Aryeh Deri criticized IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant-General Eyal Zamir, saying he has no business entering politics and calling his involvement a dangerous precedent that has damaged the army, a stance echoed by former prime minister Naftali Bennett who said such attacks on the military chief could only occur in a particular government era. Separately, the Knesset approved gender-segregated graduate programs despite warnings from women’s rights advocates; the law allows approved institutions to offer voluntary, gender-separated master’s and doctoral classes, while medical school deans warn it could undermine training and public health, though supporters say it will remove barriers for Haredi women.

In Uplifting News, Peru has seen more than 500 newborns named after Norwegian football star Erling Haaland following his World Cup run, with RENIEC data showing 486 babies named Haaland and 91 given his full name, Erling Haaland; the surge reflects Haaland’s global popularity after he scored seven World Cup goals and drew fans with his larger-than-life persona.

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.timesofisrael.com/us-expands-strikes-into-tehran-area-as-iran-threatens-to-resist-until-the-end/
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-902683
https://t.me/DefenderDome/22208
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-902681
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-902673
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-902705
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/sjkdl11i4fx
https://www.jpost.com/omg/article-902583