Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-23 at 20:02

HEADLINES
Israel Readies for Iran Return to Combat
Trump Promises Massive Iran Attack
Oil Surges Past $100 as Houthis Strike

The time is now 8:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, the Israeli military says it is in a state of full readiness for a return to combat with Iran, with the IDF’s Arabic-language spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Ella Waweya telling a Thursday night interview that the force is prepared on both offense and defense and that Israel “does not wait for missiles to fall or for the enemy to knock on our door before getting ready,” a stance echoed by Defense Minister Israel Katz who warned that any Iranian attack would be met with a crushing response after a high-level security gathering. In the same vein, Likud lawmaker Moshe Saada suggested that an attack on Iran could come soon, saying during a Channel 14 interview that “we all know that we are approaching an attack on Iran, perhaps even as early as this weekend,” remarks that were framed by Channel 14 as a slip but followed similar cautions voiced in recent days and drew a sharp reaction from Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office. As Jerusalem weighs multiple futures, officials are examining scenarios from an Iranian surprise strike and possible joint US-Israeli action to an outcome that could keep Israel outside the fighting, while global tensions rise with warnings from Washington about the potential for further escalation.

In Iranian Retaliation, The New York Times reports that Iran has rejected a ceasefire proposal brought to Tehran by Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi on President Trump’s behalf, a development that underscores growing impatience and resilience on Tehran’s side as tensions persist, according to the report.

In US Military Role, US forces began the 13th night of strikes against Iran, CENTCOM announced, with attacks described as aimed at holding Iran accountable and diminishing threats from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to commercial shipping. Iranian authorities reported explosions near Qeshm, Larak, and Hengam in the Strait of Hormuz and in Ahvaz and Bandar Abbas, while Iranian media claimed an American Tomahawk was intercepted over Kahnuj. Separately, US officials told The New York Times that the Department of War had lowered the official count of American servicemembers killed in the Iran War from 18 to 14, removing four servicemembers who died in the most recent hostilities after President Trump declared a ceasefire. Also on the clock, CENTCOM confirmed the 13th consecutive night of strikes began at 6:45 p.m. ET. In a separate interview with Axios, President Trump said he was considering a massive attack on Iran, pledging that “We are all set for it,” a stance that reflects the ongoing tit-for-tat campaign.

In Regional Impacts, video circulated online showing an unidentified object, possibly a surveillance drone or another aircraft, in flames over Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz. President Trump later said that any future damages to ships, cargo, or related maritime assets caused by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz would be compensated using frozen Iranian funds. Amid broader regional disruptions, reports from Crimea note that pay phones are being reintroduced as Ukrainian and Russian authorities contend with disrupted mobile networks, highlighting how infrastructure strain continues to ripple beyond the immediate conflict.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, oil prices climbed above $100 a barrel for the first time since May as Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis opened a new front by striking Saudi vessels in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, intensifying Middle East supply risks and pushing Brent futures to about $100.69 and US crude near $92, with analysts cautioned that ongoing tanker disruptions could push prices higher as traders price in further conflict along key chokepoints.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, CBS News quoted anonymous US officials describing tension inside the Trump administration over the rate at which advanced air-defense interceptors and long-range missiles are being consumed in the Middle East, a pattern that could squeeze stocks and jeopardize readiness against other potential adversaries, including China, as the administration weighs competing demands.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, opposition lawmakers warned against any Transportation Ministry restrictions that would hinder Israelis’ return home ahead of elections, a move they say could suppress voter participation and must be examined by the High Court of Justice. The letter urged officials to prepare for a surge in demand and to maintain freedom of movement, noting that the government should be able to handle flight demand without restricting citizens’ ability to vote.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, a Manhattan incident underscored ongoing concerns as two men were stabbed outside an Orthodox synagogue on the Upper West Side; witnesses said the suspect shouted “Allahu Akbar,” and police identified the attacker as 51-year-old Raul Morales, with investigators evaluating whether the assault constitutes a hate crime and noting the impact on a Jewish community already wary on a day of remembrance. Separately, the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission abandoned efforts to compel the University of Pennsylvania to turn over names and contact information for Jewish faculty and students in a broader antisemitism probe, a move the agency said does not end its investigation of Penn and could lead to further legal action. In another update, a separate report described a man stabbing a Jewish man with a screwdriver in New York City while shouting the same slogan, with officials noting a second victim in the incident and officials raising concerns about antisemitic motivation on a day marked by heightened tensions in the city.

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-903525
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https://www.timesofisrael.com/attacker-shouting-allahu-akbar-stabs-jewish-man-with-a-screwdriver-in-nyc/