Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-06-21 at 19:01

HEADLINESUS Iran pact eyes Hormuz reopeningIDF kills two terrorists near Karmei TzurIsrael keeps Lebanon security zone warns HezbollahThe time is now 7:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.In Regional Impacts, the IDF killed two terrorists who threw Molotov cocktails near Karmei Tzur in the West Bank during a targeted counterterrorism operation Sunday night. Soldiers spotted several terrorists burning tires and tossing Molotov cocktails toward the community, and opened fire, killing two and injuring a third. IDF forces then scanned the area for additional threats as firefighters worked to extinguish fires resulting from the Molotovs and burning tires. No IDF casualties were reported. This remains a developing story.In Regional Impacts, an interim memorandum between the United States and Iran aimed at ending hostilities and reopening the Strait of Hormuz has shifted attention away from a European-led maritime mission, though key questions remain about safe passage and durability of any reopened corridor. Presented amid discussions at the G7 summit in Évian as a framework to end hostilities, the arrangement appeared to reduce the immediate need for a European-led operation, but it does not settle how safe passage would be secured over time or accepted by commercial operators, insurers, Gulf states, and European governments. European leaders had floated roles such as mine clearance, escort operations, and support for restoring freedom of navigation. Hormuz remains a global chokepoint, with disruption potentially affecting oil prices, shipping costs, insurance rates, and inflation.In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, a senior Israeli official said the IDF will not withdraw from southern Lebanon or make concessions ahead of negotiations in Washington, with the official stressing that there are no concessions and no withdrawals and that the IDF remains deployed along the Blue Line in positions deemed optimal for protecting forces. This stance comes amid Lebanese reports that the United States had notified Lebanon of a planned withdrawal as a goodwill gesture before Israel-Lebanon negotiations.In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, the IDF announced that security guidelines near Lebanon will be restored to a level of full activity on Monday at 6:00 a.m., with the Confrontation Line communities Safsufa, Meron, Or HaGanuz, Bar Yochai, Yesud HaMa’ala, Kisra-Sumei, Beit Jann, and Sde Eliezer moving to full activity. The move comes against the backdrop of a long-standing conflict with Hezbollah and ongoing rocket and drone threats to border communities. A ceasefire in Lebanon is included in the US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding signed last week by both parties, but fighting was reported in southern Lebanon after the ceasefire, a development that could threaten the MOU’s stability. Hezbollah’s secretary-general has said Israel must leave Lebanon, insisting there will be no safe zone for IDF soldiers. In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel will keep the security zone in Lebanon as long as is necessary to protect the Israeli people, while noting that Iran will never obtain nuclear weapons under his leadership; officials signaled there is no planned withdrawal from southern Lebanon amid ongoing regional tensions.In Uplifting News, the Israel National Basketball Team began its training camp for the final two games of the first round of 2027 World Cup qualifying against Germany and Croatia. The Blue and White are already through to the next round with a 2-2 record in Group E, which also includes Cyprus. Israel will host Germany in Latvia due to the security situation in the Holy Land and then travel to Osijek to play Croatia. Head coach Ariel Beit Halachmi will be missing a number of players, as NBA All-Star Deni Avdija was not released by the Portland Trail Blazers, and Ben Saraf, who just finished his rookie season with the Brooklyn Nets, will also be unavailable, along with several other injured teammates. The squad was being trimmed from about 15 players to 14 for the two qualifiers, with camp beginning at Hadar Yosef in Tel Aviv.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/israel-news/defense-news/article-900088https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-900081https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-900086https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-900083https://www.ynetnews.com/article/sjrkppsffghttps://www.jpost.com/israel-news/sports/article-900085