Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-06-22 at 17:02

HEADLINESDC Talks Target Hezbollah Disarmament and NormalizationIDF Kills Hamas Nukhba Operative Abu HasnaUS Israel Ties Tested by Iran TalksThe time is now 5:02 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, Israel and Lebanon are set to meet in Washington on Tuesday for another round of talks focused on Hezbollah disarmament in southern Lebanon and the prospect of normalization between the two countries. Over three days, the discussions will run along two parallel tracks. Israel’s Ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, will concentrate on political and diplomatic issues, while Brigadier-General Amichai Levin, head of the IDF Planning Directorate’s Strategic Division, will lead separate meetings on military matters. The Lebanese delegation will be led by Lebanon’s Ambassador to the United States, Nada Hamadeh Maawad, together with former Lebanese ambassador to Washington Simon Karam. A central focus is a proposed pilot program under which the Lebanese Armed Forces would begin deploying to selected areas in southern Lebanon and dismantling Hezbollah’s military infrastructure there, with Lebanon seeking to determine the initial deployment location. In the same period, the IDF and Shin Bet said they killed Sabai Zaher Abd al-Hamid Abu Hasna, a Nukhba terrorist who took part in holding Omer Shem Tov in Hamas captivity after October 7, 2023; he had entered Israel during the October 7 attacks and had planted explosive devices. The strike also killed Ahmed Samir Muhammad Washah, described as a Hamas sniper operative who also served as a photojournalist for Al Jazeera. A separate northern Gaza strike killed three other armed Hamas militants who were “attempting to advance attacks against IDF troops,” and earlier in the day two other prominent Hamas figures were killed in separate strikes: Ahmad Munir Khalil Zaza, the engineering officer of Hamas West Jabalia Battalion involved in weapons production and booby-trapped buildings, among others.In the US Policy Concerning Israel, Trump allies defended him to Israelis anxious over a US interim deal with Iran and White House criticism that together appeared to signal fissures in Israel’s long-standing alliance with Washington. The US-Israeli relationship has been rocky at times as disputes over how to end the broader conflict and how an emerging memoranda with Iran could shape Israel’s own security calculations have grown more visible. Mike Huckabee, the US ambassador to Israel, said there was an enormous level of anxiety about the relationship. Israelis worry that a US agreement with Iran could empower Tehran and limit Israel’s ability to respond to threats from Iran-backed groups, including Hezbollah. A Hebrew-language report quoted Trump saying that if Iran breaches the agreement he will do what he must do. Separately, a video circulating online carried the title Trump’s Deal With Iran Is Worse Than Obama’s. The broader debate underscores enduring questions about the depth and direction of the US-Israel alliance amid renewed talks with Tehran.In Israeli Domestic Politics, Beit Shemesh protesters blocked roads and damaged property as police sought to restore order, with demonstrators setting dumpsters on fire and damaging fences, and rocks and projectiles being hurled at officers; police described the incident as serious violence and said they would use all means to disperse the rioters and restore life to normal. A short time later, a joint statement by Prime Minister, the Minister of Defense, and the Chief of Staff, along with the Commander of the Northern Command, announced that the IDF would continue to act decisively to thwart threats against soldiers and civilians, destroy terrorist infrastructure, and maintain the security zone in southern Lebanon, stressing that the safety of Israel’s citizens and IDF personnel remains the top priority. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir warned against any “weak ceasefire” deal in Lebanon amid ongoing US-Iran talks, insisting that Israel must reject any agreement that does not deliver a decisive victory and underscoring that the security of Israel’s civilians comes first.In Uplifting News, Montreal-born MK Illouz reflects on the shooting in Montreal’s Jewish community, saying the Montreal she knew is gone and warning signs are everywhere. She recalls a city that once prided itself on coexistence and democratic values, noting that the current atmosphere has chilled the sense of safety she once associated with home. Law enforcement investigations continue, and while investigators may determine the incident is not strictly nationalist, there is a widespread sense that the community’s instinctive reaction points to deeper concerns about civic climate and anti-Semitism. Illouz closes by emphasizing Israel’s ongoing stance of openness and solidarity with Jewish communities seeking safety.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/article-900186https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-900172https://www.jpost.com/international/article-900185https://t.me/newssil/205038https://t.me/hnaftali/23575https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-900188https://t.me/newssil/205042https://t.me/selena_updates/66092https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-900183https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-900192