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

HEADLINES
Iran crosses red line, US could strike
Three children among Gaza City strike victims
Hamas eyes Syria foothold amid realignments

The time is now 6:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Military Role, a report says Iran has crossed the United States' red line and that American casualties could prompt President Trump to launch a broad military action.

In Regional Impacts, Israeli strikes in Gaza City killed at least ten Palestinians, including three children, hospital officials said. A strike on an apartment in the Nasr neighborhood killed five people—two adults and three children aged between 8 and 18—with the family’s only surviving member being a child who was not inside the home at the time. Six others were wounded, including four children. Another strike in the Zeitoun neighborhood killed four and left a fifth person critically wounded. The Israeli military said it targeted a Hamas operative and was reviewing the results. Health officials reported at least one additional death.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Hamas is pursuing a military foothold in Syria, seeking to establish a presence by building ties with Syria’s post-Assad interim government led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa. The report says Hamas aims to operate a base in Syria as part of broader regional realignments, alongside Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and has approached Damascus about establishing a foothold, following Israeli airstrikes in Syria. Hamas issued official statements amid these developments.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, the United Arab Emirates called on Iran and the United States to return to the negotiating table.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, a new N12 poll found 49% would back the anti-Netanyahu bloc, 36% would back Netanyahu’s bloc, 12% were undecided, and 3% supported neither. The piece also details emigration figures: in 2022, 37,800 left Israel with 22,300 returning (net loss of 15,500); in 2023, 59,400 left with 29,600 returning (net loss of 29,800); in 2024, 82,800 left with 24,200 returning (net loss of 58,600). Combined, about 180,000 people left over 2022–2024, yielding a cumulative net population loss of 103,900 after accounting for returns.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, the column notes that New York hosts the largest annual gathering of accused war criminals, with Zohran Mamdani suggesting that Netanyahu “belongs in the Hague” and that the city’s law department is discussing arresting him when he arrives for the UN General Assembly. The piece questions the consistency of applying international criminal law to visiting heads of state, pointing out Raisi’s 2023 UN address and noting that similar calls were not raised then, urging the public to consider the full list of would-be targets.

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://t.me/newssil/206954
https://www.timesofisrael.com/10-said-killed-including-three-children-in-israeli-strikes-in-northern-gaza/
https://worldisraelnews.com/report-hamas-pursuing-military-foothold-in-syria/
https://t.me/newssil/206955
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-902881
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-902882