Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-16 at 10:02

HEADLINES
Iran Declares Existential War, Israel-US United
Houthis threaten Red Sea gateway, energy risk
Morocco signs Gaza ISF pact milestone

The time is now 10:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, Iran claims 'existential war' as Israel and US maintain military cooperation. The Jerusalem Post's must-listen news roundup highlights these top stories, noting Iran's existential-war claim alongside continued security cooperation between Israel and the United States.

In Regional Impacts, residents of the Shati camp in northwestern Gaza City set on fire posters of late US Senator Lindsey Graham during a demonstration yesterday.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Iran tells Houthis to close Red Sea gateway if US hits power network, sources say. A source close to the Houthis said the group had completed preparations to attack shipping by deploying missiles and drones near Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the gateway to the Red Sea, and the message has been conveyed to Iran's Houthi allies as they await orders to begin. The move raises the risk to global energy supplies amid ongoing tensions over power infrastructure.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Why Morocco's commitment is a major milestone for the US peace plan in Gaza - analysis. The US-backed Board of Peace notes Morocco formally signed its Participating Country Agreement with the International Stabilization Force, a step seen as central to advancing the plan in Gaza. Hamas controls about 30-40 percent of the enclave, with around 2 million civilians trapped. The commitment follows new ISF members from Kosovo and underscores the need for reconstruction and security arrangements to give civilians an alternative to Hamas rule, all within a framework shaped by past ceasefires and ongoing diplomatic challenges.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Palestinian ex-prisoners allege sexual, physical, and medical abuse in Israeli prisons - report. The Wall Street Journal cites a dozen released prisoners, including several convicted of terrorism offenses, alleging beatings, hunger, and in some cases sexual assault; Israel Prison Service denies the claims as false and recycled. The testimony describes daily violence and notes a power outage at Lavi prison on the day Hamas attacked. Highway 4 was closed in both directions due to a haredi protest near Bnei Brak, with a second protest planned outside Military Prison 10 in Beit Lid. German flotilla activist Anna Liedtke accuses guards of rape at Givon Prison after a Gaza flotilla interception; the Prison Service denies the allegation and the complaint has been filed with the Attorney-General’s Office, with the investigation status not disclosed. The government also approved renaming Route 443 as The Levites Way to honor the late foreign minister David Levy; the route links Jerusalem with central Israel and signage will be updated.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, British retailer M&S launches investigation after anti-Israel stickers placed on potato packages. A customer found a 1.5-kilogram bag of Maris Piper potatoes marked as from Israel bearing a sticker in Palestinian colors reading “Boycott Israeli Apartheid,” linked to Palestine Solidarity Campaign. UK Lawyers for Israel has urged a formal inquiry and warned the move could raise legal concerns about trade interference; the company has told staff to be vigilant against similar acts.

In Israeli Economy and Business, Israel shifts toward ‘Defense-Tech Nation’ as start-ups surge to $3b. in funding. Defense-tech start-ups working with the Defense Ministry raised nearly $3 billion in the first six months of 2026, three times the $1 billion raised in all of 2025. Defense-tech and dual-use firms account for almost 30% of the $8.4 billion in private investment in Israel’s hi-tech sector, with roughly 800 start-ups directly pursuing procurement orders for the Ministry. Industry officials say the shift emphasizes modular, interoperable components designed to fit with prime contractors, signaling a move from a pure cyber focus to broader defense technology capacity.

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/podcast/jpost-headlines/article-902725
https://t.me/selena_updates/67207
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-902734
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-902747
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-902735
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-902742
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-902739
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-902722
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-902715
https://www.jpost.com/defense-and-tech/article-902741