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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-07-02 at 14:04
HEADLINES
1. Israel Declares Hamas’s End Amid Gaza Bloodshed
2. Iran Mulls Mining Strait of Hormuz, Threatening Oil Supply
3. Gulf Allies Intercept Iranian Drones Amid Regional Tensions
The time is now 10:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
At ten in the morning, this is the latest update on the ongoing situation in the Middle East. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel’s unwavering stance against Hamas, declaring that the terror group’s existence is over and emphasizing that there will be no return to a state of Hamas-controlled territory. Meanwhile, Israel continues its efforts to dismantle Hamas, with recent military actions including the first time in memory that no communities along the Gaza border are under closed military zones, signaling a shift in operational strategy.
In the broader regional context, the influence of Iran remains a key concern. Iran’s recent military activities include considering the mining of the Strait of Hormuz following Israeli airstrikes on Iranian targets, raising fears of potential disruption to global energy supplies. US intelligence reports confirm that Tehran loaded naval mines onto vessels, although they have not yet been deployed, underscoring Iran’s readiness to escalate tensions in the strategic waterway. The Strait, vital for about twenty percent of global oil shipments, remains a flashpoint amid fears of a possible Iranian move to block it, especially in light of recent US strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Iran’s nuclear program has also sustained heavy damage. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi acknowledged that the recent US military strike on the Fordow nuclear site inflicted “serious and heavy” damage. Despite Iran’s claims of resilience and capacity to repair, US and Israeli officials warn that Iran’s nuclear ambitions are progressing, with concerns that Tehran is close to acquiring nuclear weapons capabilities. Iran has signaled it will not return to negotiations unless US military actions cease, complicating efforts to de-escalate.
Meanwhile, in Gaza, the situation remains dire. Palestinian health authorities report over 139 deaths and nearly 490 injuries in the past 24 hours, with total casualties since the start of hostilities reaching over 57,000 killed and approximately 134,500 wounded. Hamas officials express willingness to negotiate, insisting they are “serious” about reaching an agreement, but continue to demand a permanent end to hostilities as a condition for any ceasefire. The international community remains divided, with some reports indicating that Hamas refuses a proposed sixty-day ceasefire advocated by the Trump administration, demanding instead an end to the conflict that guarantees a permanent ceasefire and the lifting of blockades.
Israel faces a critical crossroads in Gaza. Military sources suggest two primary options: pursue a comprehensive hostage rescue operation with negotiated terms, or escalate to a full military campaign aimed at dismantling Hamas entirely. Israeli officials are closely aligned with US strategies, which emphasize the importance of eliminating Hamas’s leadership and military capabilities while protecting hostages. The internal debate continues over whether to seek a negotiated settlement that preserves Hamas’s infrastructure or to pursue decisive military action to prevent future threats.
In parallel, regional dynamics are shifting. Saudi Arabia’s covert interception of Iranian drones illustrates a broader regional effort to counter Iranian aggression. Gulf cooperation, including Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Jordan, has increased in intercepting and neutralizing Iranian UAVs, signaling a potential realignment of regional security alliances. Despite this, Saudi Arabia has officially condemned Israel’s military actions, maintaining a cautious stance on using its airspac
Published on 5 days, 21 hours ago