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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-03 at 15:02
Published 2 weeks, 3 days ago
Description
HEADLINES
- US-Israel Pursue Iran Strike Option
- Houthis Threaten Saudi Amid Yemen Tensions
- Edelstein Leaves Likud for New Path
The time is now 3:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
In US Military Role, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with US President Donald Trump on Friday and congratulated him on the 250th anniversary of US independence. Netanyahu told Trump that the United States is “a guarantor of global freedom” and that Israel values the close relationship between the two countries, the Prime Minister’s Office said. Additionally, the two leaders agreed to meet soon in the United States. Netanyahu and Trump last met on February 11, 2026. Later that month, the United States and Israel jointly attacked Iran. Their February meeting focused primarily on how the United States and Israel would respond if negotiations with Tehran failed to produce an agreement. Netanyahu requested that any attack also target Iran’s ballistic missile stockpile. The possibility of another joint US-Israeli attack has not been ruled out. Trump described the meeting as positive and touted the relationship between the US and Israel, saying, “It was a very good meeting, and the tremendous relationship between our two countries continues.” He added that pursuing negotiations with Iran remains his priority, while signaling that military action could again be considered.
In Regional Impacts, Egypt is set to open a new centralized defense-ministry complex in the New Administrative Capital, 22,000 acres, eight octagonal military structures, and a closed cyber network.
In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis have threatened Saudi Arabia, accusing Riyadh of sending fighter jets to stop an Iranian civilian plane from landing in Sanaa and warning that continued aggression would trigger attacks on airports and vital interests on land and at sea. Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree warned of strikes on Saudi airports and “vital interests” if the Saudi–American blockade on Yemen continues, after an incident over Sana’a airspace. Iran is reported to be helping the Houthis break the siege.
In US Policy Concerning Israel, the US Ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, has appointed Ellie Cohanim as Senior Policy Advisor at the US Mission to the United Nations this week, according to a press statement released by the mission on Tuesday. Born in Tehran, Cohanim's family fled the country following the 1979 Islamic Revolution and rebuilt their lives in New York. “Ellie’s story is the American story. Her family’s story has shaped her lifelong commitment to freedom, human dignity, and American leadership,” the statement said. Cohanim's diplomatic work is extensive, serving as deputy special envoy to monitor and combat antisemitism during the first Trump administration and playing an instrumental role on the Abraham Accords’ “Warm Peace” team, facilitating partnerships with Arab nations. Waltz added that she has since dedicated her career to serving the United States by defending freedom, supporting persecuted communities, and speaking out against antisemitism. He described her appointment as reflecting the kind of conviction and courage needed at the United Nations. Cohanim has been a longtime anti-regime advocate, and has also used her platforms to spread awareness about the global rise in antisemitism.
In Israeli Domestic Politics, Senior Likud renegade Yuli Edelstein announced he is leaving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party to forge “a new political path.” “I don’t intend to run in the Likud primaries. I’ll set off on a new political path,” Edelstein said in a snippet Channel 12 published Friday from an interview that will air in full Saturday night. The Likud party primaries are scheduled for August 4, ahead of the national election that is set to take place by October 27.
- US-Israel Pursue Iran Strike Option
- Houthis Threaten Saudi Amid Yemen Tensions
- Edelstein Leaves Likud for New Path
The time is now 3:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
In US Military Role, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with US President Donald Trump on Friday and congratulated him on the 250th anniversary of US independence. Netanyahu told Trump that the United States is “a guarantor of global freedom” and that Israel values the close relationship between the two countries, the Prime Minister’s Office said. Additionally, the two leaders agreed to meet soon in the United States. Netanyahu and Trump last met on February 11, 2026. Later that month, the United States and Israel jointly attacked Iran. Their February meeting focused primarily on how the United States and Israel would respond if negotiations with Tehran failed to produce an agreement. Netanyahu requested that any attack also target Iran’s ballistic missile stockpile. The possibility of another joint US-Israeli attack has not been ruled out. Trump described the meeting as positive and touted the relationship between the US and Israel, saying, “It was a very good meeting, and the tremendous relationship between our two countries continues.” He added that pursuing negotiations with Iran remains his priority, while signaling that military action could again be considered.
In Regional Impacts, Egypt is set to open a new centralized defense-ministry complex in the New Administrative Capital, 22,000 acres, eight octagonal military structures, and a closed cyber network.
In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis have threatened Saudi Arabia, accusing Riyadh of sending fighter jets to stop an Iranian civilian plane from landing in Sanaa and warning that continued aggression would trigger attacks on airports and vital interests on land and at sea. Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree warned of strikes on Saudi airports and “vital interests” if the Saudi–American blockade on Yemen continues, after an incident over Sana’a airspace. Iran is reported to be helping the Houthis break the siege.
In US Policy Concerning Israel, the US Ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, has appointed Ellie Cohanim as Senior Policy Advisor at the US Mission to the United Nations this week, according to a press statement released by the mission on Tuesday. Born in Tehran, Cohanim's family fled the country following the 1979 Islamic Revolution and rebuilt their lives in New York. “Ellie’s story is the American story. Her family’s story has shaped her lifelong commitment to freedom, human dignity, and American leadership,” the statement said. Cohanim's diplomatic work is extensive, serving as deputy special envoy to monitor and combat antisemitism during the first Trump administration and playing an instrumental role on the Abraham Accords’ “Warm Peace” team, facilitating partnerships with Arab nations. Waltz added that she has since dedicated her career to serving the United States by defending freedom, supporting persecuted communities, and speaking out against antisemitism. He described her appointment as reflecting the kind of conviction and courage needed at the United Nations. Cohanim has been a longtime anti-regime advocate, and has also used her platforms to spread awareness about the global rise in antisemitism.
In Israeli Domestic Politics, Senior Likud renegade Yuli Edelstein announced he is leaving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party to forge “a new political path.” “I don’t intend to run in the Likud primaries. I’ll set off on a new political path,” Edelstein said in a snippet Channel 12 published Friday from an interview that will air in full Saturday night. The Likud party primaries are scheduled for August 4, ahead of the national election that is set to take place by October 27.