HEADLINES
IRGC says war unlikely, ready to respond
Hormuz mines bluff signals renewed talks
Dissident Dong Guangping escapes to South Korea

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

In Iranian Retaliation, the Islamic Republic’s Revolutionary Guard Corps says the probability of war breaking out is low, while insisting that its forces are ready to respond if needed.

In Regional Impacts, an Israeli former Navy commander offered a theory that Iran may have begun laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz after claiming they had done so, describing the move as a bluff that was followed by a partial deployment. He warned that placing mines is an aging tactic owing to the danger of large-scale fuel spills, and he suggested that Iran’s approach could signal a willingness to continue negotiations despite American strikes.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, the funeral of Mohammad Odeh, a Hamas military wing commander, was held tonight alongside members of his family. There were no visible Hamas symbols or flags at the procession, and Hamas has not officially acknowledged his death. A single public comment has been issued in response.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, former Yesh Atid MK and INSS senior research fellow Ofer Shelah warned that Israel’s relationship with the United States has worsened over a long period, and he cautioned that any agreement on Iran’s nuclear program must include concrete, enforceable terms or risk failure for both sides. He added that time has favored Iran. Separately, Sen. Chris Van Hollen wrote in The New York Times urging a shift in Democratic approach, calling for conditions on military aid to Israel and for recognizing a Palestinian state even in the absence of a negotiated peace, signaling growing debate within the party about Israel policy.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, a preliminary vote approved a bill intended to bypass the High Court and subsidize day care for ultra-Orthodox families. A Likud member of parliament, Iluz, voted against his colleagues. Following the measure, the ultra-Orthodox community is not expected to back today’s planned national inquiry committee.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, three Israeli citizens were attacked in Nicosia; Israel’s ambassador to Cyprus said he was deeply shocked by the antisemitic violence directed at people for their visibly Jewish appearance, with two victims taken to the local criminal investigation department and suspects quickly detained. In London, a fire broke out at Golders Green’s largest kosher supermarket, producing a significant amount of smoke; about 100 firefighters worked to contain the blaze, with no injuries reported and the cause under investigation.

In Uplifting News, Chinese dissident Dong Guangping, 68, escaped to South Korea by inflatable boat after more than 30 hours at sea in his fourth bid to reunite with his family, as rights groups urged Seoul not to send him back to China.

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.

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