HEADLINES
Israel and Greece push Great Sea Interconnector
IRGC ships sail Hormuz after Tehran nod
NY Times defamation suit over Kristof op-ed

The time is now 9:02 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Regional Impacts, Greece-Israel relations are flourishing, Israel's Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel told The Jerusalem Post after a three-day diplomatic and economic mission to Athens. The visit aimed to deepen the strategic partnership with Greece, with a primary focus on infrastructure projects, energy, regional connectivity, and security. Haskel served as a keynote speaker at the Maritime Med conference and the East Med Energy Transition Summit, and she held high-level meetings with Greek officials, including Deputy Foreign Minister Alexandra Papadopoulou, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Economic Diplomacy Harry Theoharis, and Alternate Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Konstantinos Kyranakis. Haskel emphasized Israel’s commitment to advancing large-scale regional infrastructure, notably the Great Sea Interconnector, a subsea electricity cable linking Israel, Cyprus, and Greece to mainland Europe.

Separately, the IRGC Navy reports that about 30 ships have crossed the Strait of Hormuz since last night with Tehran's approval, a development watched closely by regional observers.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, a column argues that five reasons the US-China meetings matter for the Middle East deserve attention. The piece notes that President Trump’s historic visit to China signals potential shifts in global alignments and that both sides appear to seek accommodations to avoid conflict. It highlights China’s growing regional role, including its maritime presence and involvement in talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia, as well as Beijing’s cautious approach to volatile zones such as Syria. Taken together, the analysis suggests the talks could influence security, energy, and diplomatic dynamics in the Middle East.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Israel announced it will take legal action against The New York Times over Nicholas Kristof’s column alleging sexual abuse of Palestinians in Israeli prisons, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar directing officials to prepare a defamation lawsuit, calling the claims one of the most hideous and distorted lies published against the State of Israel. Separately, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir entered Jerusalem’s Old City and ascended the Temple Mount ahead of the Jerusalem Day flag march, declaring the site “in our hands” and signaling sovereignty “restored,” as clashes between activists and residents and police occurred in the run-up to the event. In a courtroom setting, Netanyahu testified that his medical condition remains proper and excellent, denying claims of pancreatic cancer, detailing regular exercises and tests, and noting a past history of prostate issues including an eight-millimeter early-stage cancerous growth detected toward the end of 2025, with further testimony to follow.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, a Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Ministry report examines Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor—the organization cited by Nicholas Kristof in The New York Times op-ed—as being led by a Hamas member who is subject to an administrative detention order in Israel. Israel’s foreign ministry condemned the op-ed as among the worst blood libels in modern press, while the Diaspora Ministry’s report details the group’s origins and Swiss registration, noting its operations from Geneva.

In Israeli Economy and Business, The New York Times defended its op-ed on Palestinian abuse as Israel’s military readies a new F-35 upgrade, a development noted alongside ongoing coverage of regional security concerns. Finland hosted a two-day Finnish-Israeli Defense Industry Seminar in Helsinki, led by the Israel Defense Ministry’s International Defense Cooperation Directorate, with 32 Israeli defense companies taking part. The delegation showcased capabilities across air defense, unmanned systems, counter-UAS, border protection, autonomous platforms, advanced munitions, C2 and communications, electro-optical solutions, and cyber intelligence, and included seven new defense tech startups under the Mafat for Startups program, guided by SIBAT Director Brigadier-General (Reserve) Yair Kulas.

In Uplifting News, Nasreen Kadri and her partner David Ziton are entering a new, serious stage following Kadri’s engagement after a divorce. The piece centers on their milestone while also noting a slate of other regional topics and stories touched on in passing.

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
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https://www.jpost.com/podcast/jpost-headlines/article-896227
https://www.jpost.com/defense-and-tech/article-896225
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-896223
https://www.jpost.com/defense-and-tech/article-896222
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-896220
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-896211
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1321455
https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/76298