Episode Details

HEADLINES
Iran retaliates; five blasts near Bandar Abbas
Israel diverts Arab development funds to security
EU weighs ban on trade with settlements

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 Iranian Retaliation, five blasts were heard near Bandar Abbas after a third consecutive night of US strikes on Iranian military targets, and Oman’s foreign minister says talks are underway to secure freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, the government is expected on Tuesday to discuss diverting some NIS 568 million from the five-year plan for developing Israel’s Arab society to fund Shin Bet activity and the work of the police and other enforcement bodies against organized crime. Ahead of the discussion, the Mossawa Center for the Rights of Arab Citizens appealed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara, warning that the move could prompt legal action if approved. If approved, the shift would signal a reordering of priorities from economic development for Arab society toward enforcement and security against criminal networks. Also, Gotliv called for the dismissal of IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir over a warning letter about a severe shortage of 17,000 soldiers, arguing the chief should be the top soldier and not a policymaker. Meanwhile, former adviser Avi Bushinsky said Netanyahu aims to prevent the opposition from reaching 61 seats to avert unseating him, seeking a political tie that could yield another election. An opinion piece contends that Netanyahu would avoid responsibility after disasters, citing past denials over accountability. Defense Minister Israel Katz has submitted a presidential pardon request on behalf of Elor Azaria to erase his criminal record, detailing Azaria’s manslaughter conviction stemming from the Hebron incident. In the Knesset, a coalition bill would push a total freeze on arrests of Haredi draft dodgers, suspending enforcement despite the army’s warning of a severe troop shortage.

In Israeli Economy and Business, the European Union could be leaning toward banning trade with Israeli settlements in Judea and Samaria, with foreign ministers weighing tactics at a Brussels meeting. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the option with the most support was banning trade with illegal settlements, though no decisions have been made and the path forward remains uncertain. Ambassadors have been tasked to advance the work, and an extraordinary meeting could be convened to discuss next steps.

In Uplifting News, Gibraltar International Airport will be renamed Joshua Hassan Gibraltar International Airport to honor Sir Joshua Hassan, the territory’s first mayor and first chief minister and a longtime figure in the Jewish community. The government called Hassan a foundational leader whose service shaped modern Gibraltar, and current Chief Minister Fabian Picardo praised him as a towering figure. Hassan’s daughter, Fleur Hassan-Nahoum, described her father as one of the most prominent Jewish public servants in the modern Commonwealth and said the renaming serves as a lasting tribute to his contributions to Gibraltar and its people.

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.ynetnews.com/article/hjjd11fxvmx
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-902449

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