Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-20 at 12:02

HEADLINES
Iran weighs costs as US strikes persist
Kuwait power and water hit by Iran
US to deploy more F16s and F35s

The time is now 12:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Iranian Retaliation - Title: Conflict continues as Iran weighs costs of future US strikes, returning to negotiations - analysis, analysts say Tehran signals it could reopen talks while the familiar good cop, bad cop pattern persists, with the IRGC viewed as the hard line and the government as the potential interlocutor.

The United States has conducted strikes in Iran for nine days, including attacks on bridges and tunnels near the port city of Bandar Abbas, as part of a broader campaign tied to Iranian attacks on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The aims of both sides remain not wholly aligned and not entirely clear, with Iran seeking to preserve its regional reach and the ability to strike across thousands of miles, and the United States aiming to keep Hormuz open for shipping. A prior Memorandum of Understanding had envisioned progress toward a deal, but Iranian attacks on shipping continued, culminating in July 6 and 7 incidents that helped trigger the latest round of strikes. The larger takeaway is the continuing cycle of escalation and signaling, even as Tehran hints at talks.

Over the weekend, Iranian attacks caused significant damage to Kuwait’s infrastructure, including a power generation plant, a water desalination plant, and several residential areas, at a time of extreme heat. Dr. Courtney Freer, an Emory University expert, noted that impacts on electricity and water could have major consequences for civilian life in Kuwait, where temperatures reached 41 C and forecasts for summer could exceed 50 C. She emphasized that such attacks heighten civilian hardship during peak demand periods. While Freer also cautioned that these actions are unlikely to compel Gulf states to enter the conflict, the damage underscores the broader regional toll of the current confrontation.

In US Military Role, US planning to send additional F-16, F-35 fighter jets to Middle East - report, the move would involve relocating fighters and additional aerial refueling aircraft from bases in Europe, according to a CNN report citing a US official. The development is described as ongoing, with details still to emerge.

In Regional Impacts, The alarm sirens are sounding once again in Bahrain warning of an incoming Iranian drone and/or missile attack.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Bennett meets 30 women's orgs. leaders, pledges policy overhaul for women ahead of elections, the former prime minister meeting with leaders to help shape the Together Party’s policy on women, which he said would be led by MK Meirav Cohen and Liran Avisar Ben Horin. He criticized the current government’s policies toward women, saying the past four years have been years of darkness and chaos, and he noted that his government included more female ministers and directors-general than any previous government. He argued that the current government tells women: “No, you can’t,” and he pledged to act firmly and professionally, using state tools to combat violence against women.

In Uplifting News, Beyond the OU symbol: Orthodox Union strengthens Jewish identity after Oct. 7 - interview, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Rabbi Josh Joseph says the OU’s story goes well beyond its well-known kashrus program, which covers about 1.5 million products worldwide. The OU, founded in 1898, added kashrus in 1916 and remains a nonprofit whose funding supports a wide range of programs, including NCSY, Yachad, JLIC, and a Daf Yomi initiative learning the Talmud daily by more than 10,000 people. The Teach Coalition and other initiatives extend the OU’s reach beyond its symbol on kosher products, with the organization acknowledging shifts in its advocacy and relationships since October 7.

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-903100
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-903098
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-903093
https://t.me/DefenderDome/22330
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-903017
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-903092