Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-25 at 08:01

HEADLINES
Ceasefire holds as US strikes pause
Ukrainian strikes hit Russian warship in Caspian
Sebastia named World Heritage amid land seizures

The time is now 8:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Military Role, Iran reported no strikes overnight into Saturday, marking a lull after nearly two weeks of US nighttime attacks, though tensions remain high over the Strait of Hormuz and cross-border exchanges between Saudi Arabia and the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. Iranian Health Ministry spokesperson Hossein Kermanpour said Iran had a peaceful night, and the US Central Command did not provide comment or announce new strikes, breaking from the pattern of the previous 13 nights. Sirens sounded in Yanbu and Jizan in Saudi Arabia early Saturday due to a potential danger later lifted, with officials noting the alerts were tied to missile fire from Yemen. Bahrain also reported missile alerts with no casualties. The broader picture remains a fragile ceasefire that has slowed major operations in the conflict that began with American and Israeli actions against Iran.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Zelensky said Ukrainian forces conducted long-range strikes in the Caspian Sea, hitting a Russian warship and vessels used for transporting Iran-linked military cargo, a claim posted on X without further detail. The account follows recent remarks about possible Russian involvement in arms transfers to Iran, and US intelligence reports of Iranian drone attacks on Gulf facilities that have raised questions about Russian assistance. Reuters has reported that CIA facilities were struck in March, though details were not provided. Meanwhile, Yemen tensions surge as Houthis and Saudi-backed forces reinforce front lines, with Riyadh signaling patience wearing thin, and a Greek Patriot crew intercepting missiles fired at Yanbu, underscoring the spillover of regional conflict.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, an opinion piece recounts a Tisha B’Av ascent to the Temple Mount, describing a moment to pray at the site and reflecting on history, with the writer noting improved access for Jewish visitors since 2022 and wrestling with questions of religious law about ascent. The piece suggests that Jewish prayer on the Temple Mount can expand without provoking conflict, while acknowledging diplomatic sensitivities and personal questions about worthiness. Palestinians hope UNESCO designation of Sebastia as a World Heritage site will curb Israeli efforts to extend control at the ancient village, while Israel calls the move political. Sebastia sits in the northern West Bank with archaeological layers from the 9th century BCE onward; UNESCO added Sebastia to the World Heritage List and to the List of World Heritage in Danger, even as Palestinian residents face land confiscations tied to plans to seize about 1,800 dunams for development.

In Uplifting News, a writer details a trip to Israel’s hockey scene, describing discovery of the country’s growing hockey league and the experience of meeting key figures such as Isaac Levy, captain of the Jerusalem Capitals, and Maverick Cortes of Hockey Club Tel Aviv. The piece paints a welcoming, diverse hockey community in Israel and notes the author’s emerging enthusiasm for the sport.

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.timesofisrael.com/us-iran-appear-to-halt-strikes-after-13-days-of-mutual-attacks/
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-903598
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/h1009obzhfg
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-903426
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/07/palestinians-hope-unesco-designation-halts-israeli-push-west-bank-site
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/sports/article-903489