Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-21 at 03:02

HEADLINES
IRGC claims Bahrain Amazon data center hit
Ben-Gurion stays open under drone threat
ASEAN warns Hormuz risk amid US-Iran clash

The time is now 3:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Iranian Retaliation, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has claimed strikes across the region, including Amazon infrastructure in Bahrain and United States military sites in Jordan. The IRGC says cruise missiles destroyed Amazon's central data infrastructure in Bahrain and that a missile defense radar system and a United States Air Force F-15 fighter jet were destroyed in Jordan. It also claimed hits on drone maintenance facilities at Bahrain's Sakhir Air Base and vessel preparation sheds at Salman port, as well as Camp Arifjan in Kuwait. The group described the strikes as part of a broader effort to clear regional radars and defense systems and to pave the way for more missile and drone attacks.

In Regional Impacts, Israeli authorities have completed a package of directives to keep Ben-Gurion Airport operating even under the threat of missiles and drones. A new command and control system coordinates threat monitoring, air traffic management, and the operations of all air defense systems, instructing pilots to stay on the ground or circling as security assessments dictate, with the aim of preventing the shutdown of Israel's main air transportation hub. The system relies on the proven operational experience of pilots from Israeli civilian airlines, and the plan remains under ongoing assessment. Separately, ASEAN foreign ministers will issue a statement amid grave concern about the evolving US-Iran conflict as tensions threaten energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz and global inflation. They gathered in Manila to discuss the crisis and its broader regional significance, including maritime security and economic stability.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun will meet United States President Donald Trump at the White House to present a plan on disarming Hezbollah and securing Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon. Aoun, who commanded Lebanon's US-backed army before being elected president, is the first Lebanese head of state in nearly 20 years to visit the White House for a face-to-face meeting with Trump. He arrived in Washington and has spoken with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, arguing that Israel should begin withdrawing from southern Lebanon in line with a June 26 agreement brokered by the United States. The visit comes as Israeli troops remain in parts of southern Lebanon, Hezbollah continues to reject direct talks with the Lebanese government, and regional tensions underscore the need for a pathway to stability.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Rabbi Dov Lando, head of the Degel Hatorah faction, said his remarks attacking the religious Zionist community were misinterpreted, insisting the comments were made in private and reflect longstanding rabbinic positions. He urged caution in engaging with people who differ in their way of life and said it is essential to avoid arguments that could inflame tensions over religious practice. He had earlier questioned whether soldiers sent in the name of the country’s honor who kill people could be justified, calling the act murder, and he attributed the controversy to distortion and misunderstanding of his remarks.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, an anonymous online questionnaire described as a mapping of Zionist tourism in Italy has drawn outrage and calls for prosecutors to investigate those responsible. The form asked people to report Israeli and Jewish visitors, businesses, properties, and events connected to Israelis or "Zionists," including hotels, resorts, real estate transactions, and organizations, and described a plan to document tourism and property activity in various locales. Italian media outlets reported the instrument’s introduction, prompting criticism that it constitutes antisemitic profiling and a threat to Jewish individuals and communities in Italy.

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-903144
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-903143
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-903135
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/07/lebanons-aoun-meet-trump-white-house-hoping-generate-pressure-israel-0
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-903148
https://worldisraelnews.com/antisemitic-jew-mapping-project-sparks-uproar-in-italy/