Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-26 at 09:01

HEADLINES
- BRRRRT Act keeps A-10s flying through 2033
- Iran-Hezbollah strike could paralyze Israel energy lifelines
- Tanker explodes after mine hit in Hormuz

The time is now 9:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Iranian Retaliation, The Jerusalem Post’s must-listen news roundup, hosted by Shifra Jacobs, highlights the top stories and directs listeners to jpost.com for more news, analysis, and updates. The segment notes Iran’s threats toward Britain and Gulf states, and it references a push by Guterres on Syrian sovereignty as part of the day’s coverage.

In US Military Role, a bipartisan BRRRRT Act aims to keep the US Air Force’s A-10 Thunderbolt II flying through 2033, underscoring the belief that the A-10 provides close air support and combat search-and-rescue capabilities that newer aircraft have not fully replaced. The bill, introduced by Representative Abe Hamadeh and co-led by Representative Don Davis with several cosponsors, would seek to preserve a sizable A-10 fleet—an idea supported by Lieutenant Colonel Joel Bier, a retired A-10 instructor, who argues that keeping at least a portion of the fleet is important as the Air Force weighs replacement options. The debate continues over whether newer platforms can fill the A-10’s niche missions without gaps.

In Regional Impacts, an oil tanker exploded in the Strait of Hormuz after colliding with a naval mine, according to IRGC-linked Tasnim news agency, which reported the tanker struck the mine after departing an Iran-designated route. There was no immediate official statement from Iranian authorities, and the incident is described as developing. Separately, the US and Iran have submitted their responses to a proposal by Qatar and Pakistan to resume talks, per regional outlets. The report notes a period with no US strikes in nearly two weeks and cites Axios reporting that President Trump had approved strike plans but opted not to authorize new attacks, saying the smarter approach is to pursue an agreement with Iran while continuing discussions.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, a new Alma Research and Education Center assessment warns that a joint Iran-Hezbollah strike could paralyze Israel’s energy lifelines. The analysis cautions that Israel’s reliance on offshore gas rigs, desalination plants, and coastal ports makes it vulnerable to a coordinated, multi-domain assault using missiles, drones, cruise missiles, anti-ship munitions, explosive boats, and potentially underwater threats and commando capabilities. With more than 70% of Israel’s electricity produced from offshore natural gas and over half of the water supply coming from desalination, the center argues that Hezbollah, even in a diminished state, could disrupt essential assets, and the threat warrants serious preparation.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, two separate antisemitic incidents are under investigation in the United Kingdom. Greater Manchester Police said two people have been arrested in connection with a BB gun being fired at members of the Jewish community in Manchester, causing minor injuries, while three weeks earlier a father and son were assaulted in London. Campaign Against Antisemitism thanked police for arrests and emphasized that while enhanced policing is important, it is not a substitute for addressing anti-Jewish hatred at its source, including the broader conflict that can inflame incidents abroad.

In Uplifting News, the European Union and World Bank funding has helped avert an economic collapse for the Palestinian Authority as Israeli tax transfers fell, with Arab states contributing only a small share. The INSS study notes that the PA’s financial crisis has persisted since 2018, worsened by the 2023 war and resulting job losses, with Western aid playing a crucial role in keeping the PA solvent even as civil services and salaries faced cuts. Without foreign assistance, the study asserts, the PA would have faced a structural deficit for years.

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/podcast/jpost-headlines/article-903686
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-903676
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-903687
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-903672
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-903689
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-903679
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-903688