Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-20 at 14:02

HEADLINES
Iran US strikes intensify as talks hinted
Kuwait hit as heat fuels blackouts
Israel debuts ELLYON at Farnborough

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 Conflict continues as Iran weighs costs of future US strikes, returning to negotiations - analysis, observers note that Iran may hint it is willing to return to talks and continue the familiar good cop, bad cop dynamic, with the IRGC taking the hard line and the government signaling openness. The United States has carried out strikes in Iran for nine days, including attacks on bridges and tunnels near the port city of Bandar Abbas, in a campaign tied to Iran’s attacks on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The competing aims are clear but not identical: Iran seeks to preserve its ability to threaten across a wide Gulf front, while the United States aims to keep Hormuz open for shipping. An earlier Memorandum of Understanding had been seen as a path toward a deal, but Iranian attacks on ships continued, culminating in several assaults on July 6 and 7 that prompted the latest round of strikes, now continuing for days.

In Regional Impacts, the region remains unsettled as civilian suffering mounts in the wake of Iran’s actions. Iranian attacks over the weekend damaged Kuwait’s power generation plant, a water desalination plant, and several residential areas, intensifying hardships during the hottest time of year. Experts caution that damage to electricity infrastructure could drive blackouts as temperatures in Kuwait reach the high 40s Celsius, with some forecasts for days above 50 degrees, threatening daily life and essential services. Separately, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has publicly challenged the geopolitical status of Jerusalem, telling the Turkish parliament that “Jerusalem is our city.” Analysts warn that Erdoğan’s stance signals broader ambitions to renew Turkish influence in the region, including control of maritime spaces and strategic positions, as part of a wider “Neo-Ottoman” agenda that could reshape regional dynamics.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Israeli forces said they killed two Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists in separate strikes in the Gaza Strip. One of them, Taher Ahmad Salem Abd al-Wahed, infiltrated the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023, and directed the abduction of a Haifa resident whose remains were later recovered; the other, Salah Subhi Salah Qatrawi, was killed after planning attacks on IDF soldiers around Hamas-related aid distribution sites. The slain operatives were linked to ongoing threats against Israeli forces and civilians, while the recent action comes amid a broader campaign against PIJ activity in Gaza and the border region.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, President Trump asserted that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not be arrested during a visit to the United States. Trump framed Netanyahu as a key ally in confronting Iran and criticized those who would seek arrests for others, arguing that Iran bears responsibility for violence in the region. Trump also defended his stance by saying he has directed military and government leaders to carry out his policies, while noting that several American service members have been killed in the broader confrontation with Iran.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Yoaz Hendel launched a pointed critique of Ben-Gvir, calling Otzma Yehudit a “Jewish weakness” and arguing that governance has deteriorated under Ben-Gvir’s approach. Hendel said the next government should exclude ultra-Orthodox and Arab parties and warned that the state could fracture into Arab autonomies in the Negev and Galilee if governance does not improve. In a separate development, the rollout of IDF inquiries into alleged Gaza war crimes faced delays again, with officials indicating the cause remains unclear and suggesting possible external pressure influencing the timing of public disclosures, a factor drawing scrutiny from observers and allied ministries.

In Israeli Economy and Business, Israeli companies showcased defense innovations at the Farnborough International Airshow as budgets for security and defense rise worldwide. Israel Aerospace Industries unveiled ELLYON, a next-generation multi-role aircraft designed to operate from stand-off distances of hundreds of kilometers, capable of integrating electronic attack capabilities with SIGINT and ISTAR functions. The platform also features long-range SAR/GMTI radar, electro-optical sensors, and satellite communications, creating a unified system for intelligence gathering and battlefield awareness. IAI executives described ELLYON as significantly shortening the intelligence cycle and expanding operational freedom in contested environments, underscoring Israel’s role as a major supplier of advanced aerospace and defense technologies.

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
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https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-903102
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-903105
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-903099
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-903104
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/synmdasnzx
https://www.jpost.com/defense-and-tech/article-903103