Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-22 at 23:02

HEADLINES
- US expands forces as Iran escalation looms
- Israel grapples unity amid bereavement and elections
- Britain withdraws Iran embassy staff amid turmoil

The time is now 11:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Military Role, the United States is expanding its available forces in the Middle East as President Trump weighs broader attacks on Iran, a move officials say would provide him with more options for potential escalation. Fighter jets have been positioned across the region and bomber aircraft are on high alert, as Washington considers intensified action against Tehran. Israeli officials quoted in the reporting say Trump is preparing to significantly escalate the American campaign against Iran, with assessments that targeting Iranian infrastructure and senior regime figures could prompt Tehran to retaliate directly against Israel. Trump has previously threatened to strike bridges and power plants in Iran in response to attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz. In a related development, a Saudi-owned vessel in the Red Sea was hit, causing a fire, though crew members are reported safe as authorities secure the ship and environment. Meanwhile, the House advanced its fiscal 2027 National Defense Authorization Act, passing by a narrow margin; the bill would authorize about $1.15 trillion in military spending and includes provisions for hundreds of millions of dollars for US-Israel joint projects, with votes largely along party lines.

In Regional Impacts, top diplomats from Asia, Europe and North America gathered at the ASEAN Regional Forum in Manila, where ministers were expected to press for a peaceful settlement after renewed hostilities in the Middle East. Attendees include US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Russia's Sergei Lavrov, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, and top officials from China, Australia, India, Japan, Britain and others, with the war in Iran and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz likely to dominate the plenary discussions given its impact on oil markets and inflation. China’s Hua Chunying opened remarks, noting a new period of turbulence and transformation as the Middle East situation evolves. Separately, Britain's Foreign Office withdrew embassy staff from Iran, citing an unpredictable security situation after strikes and retaliatory attacks across the region; the move comes amid concerns over further attacks and escalation, with the FCDO having removed Israel from its no-travel list in June.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Israel’s election campaign is unfolding against a backdrop of mourning and tension, with calls for humility and unity in contrast to sharp political fighting. An editorial portrays the opening moments of the campaign as using a bereaved father’s grief for political ends and questions the messaging around unity, including implications of forming a government with an Arab party. Israelis will vote on October 27, the first election since the Hamas massacre of October 7, 2023, and a debate over unity versus division has been central to the discourse. Police in Jerusalem arrested two suspects suspected of planning a terror attack, caught in Shuafat, with illegal weapons seized in A-Ram, including pistols, ammunition, a hunting rifle, two Palestinian flags, a police vest, an M5 scope, and an FN pistol; three suspects in their 20s were taken into custody, with two detained through Sunday and the third released under conditions.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, French DJ Barbara Butch remains defiant after pro-Palestinian protesters disrupted a Grenoble concert, drawing support from Jewish activists who demonstrated outside the office of the far-left party whose official called for the performance to be canceled. The incident led to a city-level complaint and statements from Grenoble’s mayor about unacceptable actions, even as the artist receives backing from those who view the protests as a political statement rather than a peaceful expression. Separately, a former Obama State Department official and Bernie Sanders campaign aide accuses the senator of promoting the most antisemitic candidates in a generation, saying this approach harms ties with Israel and causes pain and distress to American Jews by elevating candidates hostile to Israel and undermining trust within the Democratic Party.

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-903381
https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-july-23-2026/
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/07/top-diplomats-gather-security-forum-southeast-asia
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-903379
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-903366
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/crime-in-israel/article-903380
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-903382
https://worldisraelnews.com/bernie-sanders-promoting-most-antisemitic-candidates-in-a-generation-says-former-campaign-official/