HEADLINESIRGC drills raise Hormuz closure riskTurkey to Dispatch Troops for Gaza StabilizationBennett Refuses to Boycott Right-Wing PartnersThe time is now 1:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.In the conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy says it is prepared to shut the Strait of Hormuz if ordered by the country’s senior leadership, as large-scale drills unfold in the Persian Gulf and routines of 24-hour intelligence coverage over the waterway are emphasized. Rear Adm. Alireza Tangsiri, overseeing the exercises, said the decision to close the strait lies with senior officials and that the IRGC would carry out the order when given. The drills, described by Iranian media as an annual exercise focused on defensive and offensive scenarios around key Iranian-held islands, included what the commander called strong defense and invasion drills and reinforced the islands’ role as impregnable fortresses and national pride, with the Strait of Hormuz highlighted as a strategic focus. The Strait was temporarily closed during the drills. Separately, a report notes that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei participated in Ramadan-era events, wearing a ring inscribed with a Qur’anic verse and reflecting on faith as a shield against external pressure, a motif the piece ties to broader tensions with regional and global actors, including the US Navy. In broader regional analysis, observers describe a rising but informal Sunni convergence aimed at countering Iran, stabilizing energy markets, and projecting Sunni influence, though it is not a formal alliance. Iran has also rejected a comprehensive settlement proposal that would place restrictions on its ballistic-missile program and its network of regional proxy groups, a response reported by The Wall Street Journal. And, in political commentary from abroad, former US president Donald Trump suggested that a determination on war or peace with Iran would become clear in about 10 days.In the Disputed Territories (Gaza, Judea and Samaria, East Jerusalem), Turkey announced it will contribute troops to Gaza’s International Stabilization Force, joining Indonesia, Morocco, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, and Albania, with Indonesia signaling more than 8,000 troops and Kazakhstan pledging medical units; other contributions include training police from Egypt and Jordan, while regional partners and the United States mobilize substantial financial support, including the UAE’s pledge of about $1.2 billion and Saudi Arabia and Kuwait’s pledges of $1 billion each, alongside a $10 billion commitment from the United States. The stabilization effort follows a broader push to stabilize Gaza under international auspices as part of Board of Peace discussions in Washington. In the West Bank, the Israeli military says stability is maintained heading into Ramadan 2026, with a high operational tempo designed to deter and rapidly respond to violence, including a deployment of about 21 battalions backed by commando units and additional companies; planners emphasize shifting quickly from routine activity to targeted raids and arrests to prevent isolated incidents from sparking wider unrest, focusing friction points around major crossings and religiously sensitive sites such as Rachel’s Crossing, Kalandiya, and the area around the Cave of the Patriarchs. In Gaza, a paratrooper was laid to rest after a fatal friendly-fire incident, with commanders and family reflecting on the service and personal impact.In Israeli Domestic Politics, former prime minister Naftali Bennett said he would not boycott Itamar Ben-Gvir or Bezalel Smotrich, according to leaked recordings, describing Ben-Gvir as “unserious” and Smotrich as “very combative,” a disclosure fueling speculation about post-election government formations and the potential for pressure on political partners. The recordings were described as leaked and not released voluntarily by Bennett’s office. Separately, a discussion on the haredi draft issue explores how the debate over ultra-Orthodox military service intersects with women’s status in Israeli society, highlighting incidents such as attacks on female soldiers in Bnei Brak and featuring perspectives from Tal Hochman of the Israel Women’s Network and Rabbi Natan Slifkin; the discussion centers on integration pressures, potential policy adjustments, and the balance between religious observance and national service as the country navigates its internal divisions during a period of heightened security concerns.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.SOURCEShttps://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-887237https://t.me/...
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