Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-24 at 19:02

HEADLINES
Iran Mojtaba Khamenei seeks nuclear warhead
US ready to escalate strikes on Iran
France evacuates Cap Ferret as wildfires rage

The time is now 7:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, US intelligence assesses that Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei seeks a nuclear warhead capable of being mounted on a long-range missile, while Tehran moves ground forces to protect a fortified nuclear site amid fears of an Israeli commando raid.

In US Military Role, President Donald Trump said the United States is "locked and loaded" to increase strikes on Iran, though he has not yet made a final decision, adding that "we’ll see what comes of it" as discussions continue. Separately, CENTCOM said US forces have disabled a second vessel attempting to breach the naval blockade of Iran: the motor tanker Lavine made multiple attempts, and after warnings were not heeded, its engine room was struck, rendering it inoperable. CENTCOM did not disclose where the incident occurred and said a formal update would follow.

In Regional Impacts, the Saudi-led coalition said airstrikes targeted Houthi military sites in the Yemeni port city of Hodeidah, linked to attacks on Saudi shipping. The strikes were reported to hit facilities belonging to the state telecommunications corporation in Hodeidah, with Kamaran Island also targeted; Reuters could not immediately verify the reports. Separately, Europe faced alarming wildfires with nearly 200,000 people fleeing as authorities evacuated the Cap Ferret peninsula and surrounding districts in France amid winds and 37°C heat, while Spain declared its first national wildfire emergency, displacing about 60,000 people and one man was arrested. Video footage circulated showing the impact of an Iranian short-range ballistic missile near the US Navy’s 5th Fleet headquarters in Manama, Bahrain.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, The New York Times reports that President Donald J. Trump switched from the Qatar-donated Boeing 747-8 to the legacy Air Force One during the NATO summit after the Secret Service received a credible threat that Iranian proxy forces were targeting the president and any aircraft he traveled on. The Qatar-donated 747-8 is serving as the VC-25B "Bridge" aircraft, a temporary transport until the next-generation fleet arrives. The threat was not specific to the aircraft itself but has renewed scrutiny over its defensive capabilities, as it lacks some of the advanced defensive systems carried by the current VC-25A and future VC-25B fleets. President Trump acknowledged earlier this week that the jet has limitations when asked about antimissile defenses and said upgrades are planned.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Trump convened top US officials to weigh escalating strikes on Iran, as reports said he is growing skeptical of diplomacy and believes military force may be the option; He has also expressed frustration with Netanyahu, according to a US official.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, an opinion piece questions whether Netanyahu could step down quietly like Hungary’s Orbán, noting that such a scenario seems unlikely in Israel and drawing a parallel to Hungary’s political fate while reflecting on potential shifts in leadership.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Charles Kushner, the US Ambassador to France, said he is leaving New York for Florida due to what he calls antisemitism from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and his wife Rama Duwaji, citing examples such as Mamdani’s refusal to participate in the Israel Day Parade, calls to arrest Prime Minister Netanyahu on war crimes charges, support for protesters he says celebrated the Hamas attack, and statements by Mamdani’s wife praising the events of October 7.

In uplifting News, Isaiah reminds us in the haftarah for Shabbat Nachamu that human power is an illusion, noting that the nations are like a drop from a bucket and all are as nothing before the Creator, a message that places earthly might in a humbling perspective.

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.ynetnews.com/article/b1gibhzsml
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-903579
https://t.me/DefenderDome/22427
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-903581
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hyp2nw11sgg
https://t.me/DefenderDome/22426
https://t.me/DefenderDome/22428
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rjxd2nwhzl
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-903290
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-903580
https://www.jpost.com/judaism/torah-portion/article-903453