Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-19 at 08:02

HEADLINES
US strikes southern Iran amid Hormuz tensions
Ben Gvir vows to fire AG pre-election
Israel loses chance for 12 Apache helicopters

The time is now 8:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Military Role, US strikes hit southern Iran as IRGC reports Strait of Hormuz vessel 'accidents' amid tensions. Overnight, US warplanes struck near Shadagan in southern Iran, with Iran’s state media noting attacks near Sirik and near Shadegan on the border with Iraq. Tasnim also reported a strike near Shadegan, and Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization condemned an attack on the Darkhovin nuclear site, calling it a violation of international law. CENTCOM said it had completed its eighth consecutive night of strikes against Iran, targeting coastal surveillance and air defense facilities as well as the IRGC forces that attacked US service members in Jordan on Friday. Explosions were reported by Iranian state media in Bandar Abbas and on Qeshm Island, with several locations on Qeshm reportedly struck. Mehr News Agency said there were no casualties or damage to infrastructure reported.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Trump wants Israel out of Lebanon and Syria. But Israelis have heard this promise before: withdraw, trust the guarantees, and hope someone else restrains Iran’s proxies. After Oct. 7, that formula is dead. Israel does not need another diplomatic theory. It needs secure borders, disarmed enemies, and proof on the ground. A withdrawal that leaves Hezbollah and Iran-backed militias intact is not peace. It is preparation for the next war.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Budget games: How Israel lost chance to purchase 12 Apache helicopters despite US support. Despite pressure from IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and flexibility from the US Defense Department, Israel missed its chance to reserve 12 advanced Apache attack helicopters as production moved forward. The IDF was to submit a detailed Letter of Request to the US Department of Defense based on an approved Finance Ministry budget authorizing a reservation of the helicopters while production continued. Delays extended the original production date twice before the deadline passed, and while budget sources were being sought, time ran out due to what officials described as budget games. The move would have marked the first stage of a broader deal involving about 30 Apache helicopters to help deter future ground invasions at Israel’s borders.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Municipality is not 'modesty patrol': Bnei Brak councilman slams sidewalk gender segregation. Council member Yaki Vider criticized the decision to separate men and women on sidewalks around wedding halls, arguing that municipal leaders should focus on basic services rather than policing public behavior. Vider, who heads the Likud faction on the city council, also condemned the Interior Ministry’s suspension of assistance for residents affected during Operation Lion’s Roar until the municipality condemned an attack on city inspectors, calling the move unacceptable collective punishment and stressing that the central concern should be service delivery on crowded streets near wedding venues.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, 'Start packing': Ben Gvir vows to fire A-G as she restricts government power ahead of election. Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara told Government Secretary Yossi Fuchs that ministers must exercise restraint and consult the ministry’s legal adviser before non-routine decisions during the election period, after the Knesset dissolved ahead of the October 27 election. While the measure signals an outgoing-government framework, Baharav-Miara explained that it does not impose a blanket freeze on government activity; rather, it emphasizes balancing ongoing governance with the restraint required before an election as the government’s role shifts in scope during the transition.

In Israeli Economy and Business, Chocolate De Luxe brings handmade kosher luxury to Netanya - restaurant review. Esther Arbov, 57, an ultra-Orthodox mother of seven, left a long career in education to open Chocolate De Luxe, a boutique offering handmade pralines, desserts, and luxury gift packages. Located near Independence Square in Netanya, the sleek shop presents Dubai chocolate, Ferrero Rocher–style confections, and a cheesecake topped with Lotus biscuit spread, with Arbov personally greeting customers as she shares her journey from educator to chocolatier and entrepreneur.

In Israeli Economy and Business, Chef Aviv Moshe returns to Tel Aviv with kosher Italian restaurant Bella - restaurant review. Chef Aviv Moshe, a prominent figure in Israeli dining, is back in Tel Aviv leading Bella, a kosher dairy restaurant serving classic Italian dishes made with fish rather than meat, and framed as a nuova osteria. Bella Mia anchors a new culinary complex on Einstein Street, with plans for a rooftop food court and additional eateries, including a Japanese izakaya and a fish bistro, as the project aims to redefine kosher Italian dining in the city.

In Israeli Economy and Business, Whether you like it or not: The market Israeli startups keep leaving on the table. Eran Westman of Planven VC argues that Israeli founders often default to the American market, but Europe offers major opportunities for early entrants who tailor locally. Westman notes that Israeli tech is widely regarded as a cyber powerhouse, and European customers, once secured, rarely switch vendors. Planven’s exits include Seraphic Security, sold for close to half a billion dollars, and Nozomi Networks, acquired by Schneider Electric for about a billion, illustrating Europe’s potential as a long-term growth path for Israeli innovations.

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/iran-news/article-902943
https://t.me/ILtoday/19582
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-902927
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-902937
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-902948
https://www.jpost.com/food-recipes/article-902736
https://www.jpost.com/food-recipes/article-902719
https://www.jpost.com/podcast/article-902941