HEADLINES
Hamas Rejects Verified Disarmament Gaza Ceasefire Fails
Katz Reverses Gaza Border Security Funding Cuts
IDF Veterans Win with PTSD Rehab Program

The time is now 6:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, the Board of Peace told the United Nations Security Council that the Gaza ceasefire remains stalled because Hamas refuses verified decommissioning and relinquishing coercive control, urging member states to press Hamas and other armed factions in Gaza to disarm and submit to a supervised decommissioning process under the roadmap endorsed by the Board. The board’s briefing quotes its finding that “the principal obstacle to full implementation remains Hamas’ refusal to accept verified decommissioning, relinquish coercive control, and permit a genuine civilian transition in Gaza,” a position Hamas has rejected as aligned with Israeli aims. Hazem Qassem, Hamas’s spokesperson, accused the statement of reflecting an Israeli stance and serving to justify further escalation. The briefing also notes ongoing debate among critics of the Board, which was launched by the United States, over Mladenov’s assessment and proposed roadmap. Separately, Mohammed Odeh, newly named Hamas military chief after the killing of his predecessor, Izz al-Din al-Haddad, is reported to have been killed in an Israeli strike, according to initial reports. Odeh had served as Hamas’s intelligence chief during the October 7 events. In a related development, Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Katz said there is a strong possibility the IDF carried out an operation targeting Hamas’s new military leader Mohammed Ouda; officials described the assessment of success as rapid but not final, noting that if confirmed, Ouda would join a long list of Hamas leaders targeted since October 7, 2023. The reporting also reiterates that since the October 2025 ceasefire, Hamas has agreed to partial disarmament in exchange for Israeli concessions, including rebuilding access and territory, but Israel has insisted on disarmament first before broad concessions are made.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Defense Minister Israel Katz reversed a decision to freeze funding for several security components in Gaza border communities after widespread backlash from local authorities and security officials. The reversal followed reports that the Home Front Command, citing budget constraints, would halt funding for security vehicle maintenance, fuel, and perimeter fence lighting, with only basic maintenance remaining possible under the current budget. A police officer described the situation, lamenting that “we are stopping everything — vehicles, fuel, lighting, and gates.” The cuts came as the government approved the distribution of billions of shekels in coalition funds, a move that local leaders warned would seriously undermine frontline safety.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, at the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast, global JPB director Albert Veksler spoke with urgency about the rising tide of antisemitism, the mobilization of Christian support, and why Israel can no longer rely on defense alone. Veksler highlighted Iran and the broader question of Iran’s future, including the prospects for Reza Pahlavi, while stressing that the concern extends beyond any single figure to the Iranian people. He described how prayer and politics are increasingly intertwined in this moment, noting the strain of antisemitism becoming normalized and attacks on Jews being seen as understandable by some. Veksler underscored that the struggle involves both spiritual and political dimensions, and he framed the discussion as a call to active moral courage amid risk.

In Uplifting News, the Israel Basketball Association, in partnership with the Zahal Disabled Veterans Organization and the Center for Jewish Impact, launched a “Back in the Game” program aimed at supporting IDF veterans with PTSD through sport and community rehabilitation. Four teams have been formed across Ashdod, Netanya, the Upper Galilee, and Samaria, offering weekly practices, professional coaching, and ongoing psychological support. Former national team player Raviv Limonad leads the project, with Israel Basketball Association coaches collaborating with psychologists and other professionals. The launch included a tournament, in which the Samaria team claimed first place. Separately, GenZion has been invited to Argentina this summer to teach at a Bible college for a week, with the group’s leadership expressing humility and gratitude for supporters whose gifts have enabled the ministry. The message invites ongoing prayer and financial provision to continue their work, noting that the invitation reflects their commitment to teaching Israel from a biblical perspective.

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.jpost.com/middle-east/article-897395
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hyih4w7ezx
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-897388
https://www.timesofisrael.com/katz-said-to-reverse-security-funding-cuts-for-gaza-border-communities-after-backlash/
https://www.jpost.com/christianworld/article-897393
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/sports/article-897391
https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/76862