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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-07 at 06:02
Published 1 week, 3 days ago
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HEADLINES
Damascus blasts hit Macron hotel, 18 injured
Hamas Gaza govt move deception, experts say
Netanyahu blocks Noam Sohlberg led inquiry
The time is now 6:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
In Regional Impacts, blasts were heard in Damascus on Tuesday after explosive devices detonated near the hotel where French President Emmanuel Macron was staying, security sources said. The explosions are believed to have been caused by an explosive device planted on a vehicle near Macron's hotel. Damascus's state news agency reported 18 people injured, including four police officers. The first blast struck soon after Macron's motorcade left for the presidential palace, and footage showed flames and smoke rising from a trash can; a second blast occurred a few meters away next to an ambulance that had arrived at the scene. Emergency crews fought the blaze as flames and thick smoke rose in a busy area between the tourism ministry and the national museum, across from the Four Seasons where Macron had been meeting civil society groups. Macron's office later confirmed he was unharmed and did not hear the explosions as his visit continued.
In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Hamas's move to dissolve its Gaza government is described by experts as a deception aimed at preserving its weapons. Dr. Moshe Elad, a Palestinian affairs expert, told 103FM that the announcement is “pulling the wool over everyone's eyes” and that there is nothing real here, especially for Hamas, as the group seeks to surrender governance while keeping its main asset: weapons. He argued that giving up governance while preserving arms allows Hamas to rule without a credible substitute and that any replacement body touted by supporters may struggle to gain traction. Separately, IDF Northern Command officials expressed doubt that the Lebanese Armed Forces will carry out the framework signed with Israel and Beirut to clear Hezbollah infrastructure, citing a sizable Shiite segment within the LAF that could sympathize with Hezbollah. Until the LAF launches a pilot program and sets a date, the IDF plans to maintain positions in southern Lebanon. The process envisions the LAF removing explosives, collecting weapons and military equipment, and destroying Hezbollah and Iranian work sites built over two decades.
In Israeli Domestic Politics, analysis argues that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected a compromise involving Noam Sohlberg in designing a state inquiry into the October 7 disaster, not over clashes with activist judges, but to steer the inquiry away from findings that could be unfavorable to his government. The Knesset on Monday night approved a first reading of a politicized probe, while a proposed arrangement would have seen High Court Deputy President Noam Sohlberg lead the inquiry instead of High Court President Isaac Amit. Supporters of the alternative say it could have produced a more balanced truth-and-healing process, but opponents say Netanyahu’s stance reflects a desire to manage the outcome.
In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, vandals damaged photos of three women murdered on October 7, 2023 at a hitchhiking spot near Yokne’am Junction. The pictures of Shani Gabay, Adi Landman, and Rotem Levi were displayed with other victims’ photos, and none of the other images were damaged. The Yokne’am municipality condemned the act as serious and unacceptable, pledged to continue commemorations, and said it would cooperate with law enforcement to find those responsible. Family members spoke of their pain at the losses. In a separate report, Jackson Hinkle, identified as a prominent American anti-Semite on the social network X, attended funeral rites associated with Khamenei and used the platform to call for death to the United States, to Jews, and to Israel. He was described as born in California and now living in Russia.
Damascus blasts hit Macron hotel, 18 injured
Hamas Gaza govt move deception, experts say
Netanyahu blocks Noam Sohlberg led inquiry
The time is now 6:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
In Regional Impacts, blasts were heard in Damascus on Tuesday after explosive devices detonated near the hotel where French President Emmanuel Macron was staying, security sources said. The explosions are believed to have been caused by an explosive device planted on a vehicle near Macron's hotel. Damascus's state news agency reported 18 people injured, including four police officers. The first blast struck soon after Macron's motorcade left for the presidential palace, and footage showed flames and smoke rising from a trash can; a second blast occurred a few meters away next to an ambulance that had arrived at the scene. Emergency crews fought the blaze as flames and thick smoke rose in a busy area between the tourism ministry and the national museum, across from the Four Seasons where Macron had been meeting civil society groups. Macron's office later confirmed he was unharmed and did not hear the explosions as his visit continued.
In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Hamas's move to dissolve its Gaza government is described by experts as a deception aimed at preserving its weapons. Dr. Moshe Elad, a Palestinian affairs expert, told 103FM that the announcement is “pulling the wool over everyone's eyes” and that there is nothing real here, especially for Hamas, as the group seeks to surrender governance while keeping its main asset: weapons. He argued that giving up governance while preserving arms allows Hamas to rule without a credible substitute and that any replacement body touted by supporters may struggle to gain traction. Separately, IDF Northern Command officials expressed doubt that the Lebanese Armed Forces will carry out the framework signed with Israel and Beirut to clear Hezbollah infrastructure, citing a sizable Shiite segment within the LAF that could sympathize with Hezbollah. Until the LAF launches a pilot program and sets a date, the IDF plans to maintain positions in southern Lebanon. The process envisions the LAF removing explosives, collecting weapons and military equipment, and destroying Hezbollah and Iranian work sites built over two decades.
In Israeli Domestic Politics, analysis argues that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected a compromise involving Noam Sohlberg in designing a state inquiry into the October 7 disaster, not over clashes with activist judges, but to steer the inquiry away from findings that could be unfavorable to his government. The Knesset on Monday night approved a first reading of a politicized probe, while a proposed arrangement would have seen High Court Deputy President Noam Sohlberg lead the inquiry instead of High Court President Isaac Amit. Supporters of the alternative say it could have produced a more balanced truth-and-healing process, but opponents say Netanyahu’s stance reflects a desire to manage the outcome.
In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, vandals damaged photos of three women murdered on October 7, 2023 at a hitchhiking spot near Yokne’am Junction. The pictures of Shani Gabay, Adi Landman, and Rotem Levi were displayed with other victims’ photos, and none of the other images were damaged. The Yokne’am municipality condemned the act as serious and unacceptable, pledged to continue commemorations, and said it would cooperate with law enforcement to find those responsible. Family members spoke of their pain at the losses. In a separate report, Jackson Hinkle, identified as a prominent American anti-Semite on the social network X, attended funeral rites associated with Khamenei and used the platform to call for death to the United States, to Jews, and to Israel. He was described as born in California and now living in Russia.