Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-18 at 14:01

HEADLINES
- Two US troops killed in Iranian strikes
- Milei meets former hostage Horn at AMIA
- Igor Levit concert funds hate-crime victims

The time is now 2:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Iranian Retaliation, CENTCOM reported that two US service members were killed in action, one is missing in action, and four were injured Friday in Jordan during Iranian strikes. The four wounded were evacuated to Jordanian hospitals and have since been discharged, and other personnel evaluated for minor injuries have returned to duty. CENTCOM said it will withhold the identities of those killed until 24 hours after their next of kin have been identified. This is a developing story. Separately, Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei criticized the US memorandum and Trump’s signature as worthless, saying that repeated violations by the United States prove that the signature is unreliable as hostilities continue. He warned that the United States should expect consequences as Washington and Tehran exchange strikes after a ceasefire collapsed, a development that has raised fears of a return to all-out war.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Argentinian President Javier Milei met former hostage Iair Horn at a memorial marking 32 years since the AMIA bombing in Buenos Aires. Israeli Ambassador to Argentina Eyal Sela informed Milei of Horn’s presence at the Friday ceremony, and then arranged a brief exchange between the two before the event began. Horn is an Israeli citizen with Argentine nationality who was abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz to Gaza with his younger brother Eitan on October 7; Iair Horn was held for 498 days before being released, while Eitan remained in captivity for 737 days. The ceremony marked the anniversary of the 1994 suicide bombing that killed 85 and injured 300 at AMIA, and began with a siren at 9:53 a.m. in a remembrance gesture. The event occurred as Milei continues to condemn the IRGC.

In Uplifting News, Igor Levit will perform a solo recital in Tel Aviv on July 23, his first full recital in Israel since the war began. The performance at the Charles Bronfman Auditorium is part of a landmark solidarity effort, with 100% of ticket proceeds donated to organizations supporting victims of hate crimes and strengthening local Jewish life. Levit has been outspoken in expressing solidarity with Israel and in combating antisemitism, including launching campaigns Against Silence and Against antisemitism at the Berliner Ensemble. Chani Kaplan’s path from Sydney to Jerusalem highlights how patience, resilience, and openness can turn aliyah into an opportunity. Born and raised in Sydney, she recalls a childhood shaped by Chabad education, periodic visits to Israel, and fears reflected in lockdown drills and security precautions. She speaks of relatives who survived the Holocaust and of her grandparents’ experiences, and notes that after considering moves to the United States or London, she chose to move to Israel, where she is finding her place.

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/article-902880
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-902879
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/07/irans-supreme-leader-says-us-breaches-show-trumps-signature-worthless
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-902877
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-902877
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/article-902836
https://www.jpost.com/aliyah/article-902746