Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-20 at 15:03

HEADLINES
- US demands Mojtaba Khamenei proof of life
- IDF kills two PIJ terrorists Hayman remembered
- London protesters demand tougher Israel stance

The time is now 3:02 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Military Role, Tehran's regime fears its own people more than American bombs, a premise the article argues should shape American strategy and push toward a faster path to victory without ground troops, by five targeted steps beginning with demanding public proof of life of Mojtaba Khamenei, whose public statements since February 28 have appeared only in written form rather than on camera, a pattern the piece interprets as a sign of limited public appearances by the regime’s leader. The analysis cautions that strikes on military targets and infrastructure and sustained economic pressure matter but are unlikely by themselves to topple the regime, since destroyed power plants and refineries may fuel anger only slowly and the regime can adapt and blame outsiders. Separately, the White House said the Qatar-donated Air Force One will undergo upgrades for about a month in the fall; during that period, the President will fly on the old aircraft, and the new plane will be used after the upgrades are completed, with the claim that the aircraft is perfectly safe for travel, according to White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, the IDF said it killed two Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists in separate strikes directed by Shin Bet in Gaza, including Taher Ahmad Salem Abd al-Wahed, who infiltrated the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023 and commanded the abduction of Inbar Hayman’s remains after she was killed, and Salah Subhi Salah Qatrawi, who was killed after planning attacks against IDF soldiers near Gaza Humanitarian Foundation aid distribution centers; Hayman, known through graffiti as "Pink" and "Raven," was 27 when her death was confirmed and had served as a commander in the Caracal Battalion, becoming a symbolic figure in the aftermath of her captivity and the Gaza conflict.

Israeli Domestic Politics, thousands of pro-Palestine protesters in London urged new Prime Minister Andy Burnham to take a tougher stance on Israel, organized by the Palestine Coalition for the National March for Palestine ahead of Burnham’s arrival at Downing Street, with the Palestine Solidarity Campaign calling for wide-ranging sanctions including a full arms embargo, an end to military cooperation and diplomatic support, and a total ban on trade that aids what it calls Israel’s violations of international law; demonstrators displayed Palestinian and Iranian regime flags, carried slogans such as Hands Off Iran and Stop the Genocide, and chanted statements including "Zionists are not welcome here" and accusations of genocide. Separately, Yoaz Hendel criticized Itamar Ben-Gvir, saying Otzma Yehudit has become a source of Jewish weakness and arguing the next government should exclude ultra-Orthodox and Arab parties, while warning that governance in Israel could deteriorate if Ben-Gvir’s approach continues. In a broader political frame, former discussions around Prime Minister Netanyahu included a claim from Donald Trump that Netanyahu would not be arrested while visiting the United States, arguing Netanyahu’s alignment against Iran and denouncing those who would pursue arrest; Trump asserted that those who led Iran into its current spiral deserve arrest, and he claimed to have directed defense and military leadership to heed his statements, as casualties among US service members attributed to Iranian actions have been reported. A separate report notes that the IDF’s rollout of probes into alleged Gaza war crimes has been delayed again, with the cause unclear and potentially linked to external pressure on the IDF’s legal division; cases cited include incidents involving World Central Kitchen and the International Red Crescent, and delays have drawn attention from the Justice and Foreign Ministries.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, online forms urging people to report the presence of Israeli citizens and Italian Jews in tourist areas were removed after intervention by Italy’s General Pasquale Angelosanto, the National Coordinator for the Fight Against Antisemitism, with the organization Mosaico condemning the forms as resembling a return to 1930s practices of hunting Jews; the Google form described Zionist tourism and urged reporting on locations where Jewish or Israeli visitors were seen, prompting condemnation from Italian Jewish leaders and a commitment to remove the form.

In Uplifting News, Judit Polgar, the Hungarian chess legend, said she will not accept the nomination for president, explaining that she does not feel sufficient strength to unite a divided nation, despite being asked by Prime Minister Peter Magyar to assume a largely ceremonial role as part of his plan to reform the presidency and constitution; Polgar expressed gratitude for the offer but declined, noting her documented status as a prominent figure in chess and the broader political changes underway following Magyar’s April election victory and a constitutional amendment.

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/opinion/article-902932
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-903109
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-903102
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-903110
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-903099
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-903105
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-903104
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-903112
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-903111