Three soldiers fall in the north over the past week
Israeli defense exports surpass $19 billion
Iran
Iran fired several missile barrages at northern Israel on Monday, marking the first direct attack since the April ceasefire. Millions of Israelis were woken by sirens and forced to scramble to shelters. No major injuries or damage were reported.
The attack followed an Israeli airstrike earlier that day in Beirut’s Dahieh suburb targeting Hezbollah infrastructure, which in turn was in response to major rocket fire on northern Israel from Lebanon.
The IDF also intercepted drones launched toward northern Israel and additional UAVs fired from Yemen by Iran-backed Houthi forces.
In response, Israel hit targets inside Iran and continued operations in Lebanon, saying the strikes included attacks on Iranian defense systems and military infrastructure that were aimed at degrading capabilities rebuilt since earlier fighting.
Later in the day, both Iran and Israel agreed to hold further fire.
Earlier, President Donald Trump had reportedly pressed Israel not to retaliate after the first Iranian missile barrage, citing ongoing negotiations with Tehran that he described as close to a breakthrough. He later publicly demanded that both sides “immediately stop shooting,” amid concerns that continued exchanges would derail diplomatic efforts. Nonetheless, Israel insisted that all operations were coordinated with the US.
Israel reiterated that it would defend itself “as much as needed,” while Iranian messaging continued to link any future escalation to Israeli activity in Lebanon and broader regional dynamics.
The escalation widened further after a US military helicopter was reportedly downed near the Strait of Hormuz, with Washington blaming Iran for the incident. In response, the US launched on Tuesday what it described as “self-defense strikes” targeting Iranian sites near the strait, while President Trump warned that Iran would “have to pay the price” for the attack. In response, Iran claimed to have launched strikes on 21 targets at US bases in the region, including sites in Bahrain and Jordan, while Kuwait’s army reported intercepting a separate attack
Last night, US attacks continued as its military struck multiple Iranian military targets, including air defense systems, radar sites, and communications infrastructure. Explosions were reported in several locations, including areas near the Strait of Hormuz and in and around Tehran. Iran retaliated within hours by launching missiles and drones toward US-linked targets across the region, including bases in Jordan, Bahrain, and Kuwait, triggering air defense responses and air raid alerts; most incoming projectiles were intercepted, and there were no immediate confirmed casualties.
Vice President JD Vance said Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu had made mistakes in his handling of relations with Washington during the Iran war but described him as a “good partner.” He emphasized that while the US and Israel are close allies, their interests do not always align and the US would prioritize its own interests when they diverge, including on a potential Iran deal that may be viewed unfavorably by Israel.
Earlier today, President Trump said the United States would be “hitting Iran…VERY HARD TONIGHT,” warning of further imminent military action. He added that the US could move to take control of Iran’s energy infrastructure, writing: “At some point in the not too distant future, we will be taking Kharg Island, and other oil infrastructure points, and assume total control of their oil and gas markets, much like we have with Venezuela.”
A new Israel Democracy Institute poll found a sharp decline in Israeli confidence that US President Donald Trump prioritizes Israel’s security, with only 44% of Israelis saying it is a central concern, down from 60% in March. Among Jewish Israelis, the figure fell more steeply to 41%.The survey also showed skepticism toward a potential US-Iran deal, with only a small minority believing it would meet Israel’s security needs or significantly weaken Iran.
Hezbollah
Three IDF soldiers have fallen in the last week.
On June 4, IDF Capt. Eitan Shmuel Lemberg, 21, from Mishmar HaShiv’a, an officer in the 7th Armored Brigade’s 75th Battalion was killed in southern Lebanon, when a Hezbollah anti‑tank missile struck an IDF tank.
On June 6, IDF Capt. Shahar Gamla, 23, from Natur, a deputy company commander in the Egoz Unit was critically wounded by a Hezbollah drone strike in southern Lebanon.
Also on June 6, IDF Sgt. Ohad Yaari, 21, from Rehovot, a soldier in the Givati Brigade’s Shaked Battalion was killed in southern Lebanon during operational activity.
An IDF soldier was moderately injured by an explosive drone launched by Hezbollah in southern Lebanon earlier today. The servicewoman, who serves in the Artillery Corps, was taken to a hospital for treatment, and her family was notified.
The escalation in the north unfolded despite intensive US-led diplomatic efforts. The ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon was conditioned on Hezbollah’s halting attacks and withdrawing from southern Lebanon, but Hezbollah has said that fighting would continue as long as Israeli operations persisted.
Clashes also continued on the ground, including deeper incursions by IDF forces. Israeli officials indicated thatmilitary operations would continue and that forces would remain in parts of southern Lebanon as a buffer zone, while Hezbollah maintained its position that “resistance” would continue.
Prime Minister Netanyahu issued a direct message to the Lebanese public, stating that Israel was fighting Hezbollah, not Lebanon, and accused the group of serving Iran and using Lebanese territory for attacks against Israel. He said Hezbollah had significantly weakened and claimed that Israel had killed nearly 10,000 operatives while continuing operations in southern Lebanon. Netanyahu argued that Hezbollah was the main obstacle to peace, called on Lebanese civilians to reject its influence, and stated that Israel sought a future of peace and cooperation between the two countries once the group was dismantled.
President Isaac Herzog, speaking during a visit to northern Israel, also addressed the Lebanese leadership and public. He called for peace while urging that Lebanon remain free from Iranian and Hezbollah influence. He said Israel sought normal relations and expressed a desire to visit Beirut in the future; he stressed that progress depended on Lebanon’s asserting its sovereignty and preventing attacks from its territory. Herzog added that Hezbollah had violated past UN resolutions and ceasefire agreements, and said Israel would continue to defend itself in the absence of a security arrangement.
Elections in Israel
Political pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu intensified after US President Trump publicly questioned his political future yesterday, describing it as an “open question” and raising the possibility of his resignation. Recent polling showed more than 60% of Israelis opposed Netanyahu’s running again in the next elections, while his Likud party released a statement predicting that he would run and win.
Activity within the Israeli opposition accelerated, with ongoing efforts to consolidate blocs ahead of elections that must occur before October 27, and renewed questions about former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s political viability. Former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot emerged as a frontrunner in recent polling.
Arab parties Hadash-Ta’al and Balad announced they would run on a joint electoral slate in upcoming elections, but without the Islamist Ra’am party. The alliance aimed to consolidate support among Arab voters after previous fragmentation, while Ra’am opted to run independently following disagreements over political strategy and participation in governing coalitions.
A coordinated terror attack in Israel’s central Sharon region on June 7 left one security person dead and at least five wounded, from multiple scenes including a drive-by shooting near Kochav Yair and additional incidents in Tzur Yitzhak and Tzur Natan, near Kfar Sava. Israeli security forces launched a large-scale manhunt, arresting one suspect while searching for a second; both perpetrators were identified as Arab citizens of Israel, and residents in the area were instructed to remain in shelters during the operation.
The Israel Ministry of Defense led a 15-company delegation to the ILA Berlin 2026 aerospace and defense exhibition. Participation came amid record Israeli defense exports that surpassed $19 billion in 2025, including an expanded Arrow 3 deal with Germany. The delegation presented a range of operationally proven technologies across aerospace and space systems, air defense, unmanned platforms, radar and electronic warfare, AI-enabled command and control, and homeland security. The exhibition was used to advance defense cooperation with Germany and expand partnerships with European countries. Participating companies included Elbit Systems, Israel Aerospace Industries, Rafael, and 12 additional Israeli firms.
The Knesset passed a preliminary reading of a Basic Law bill declaring Torah study a foundational value of the state. This was pushed by the haredi parties as part of the fight over military exemptions for yeshiva students. The measure sparked a coalition split, with four coalition lawmakers voting against it; opposition figures said it amounted to an attempt to further entrench draft evasion.
Haredi protests escalated sharply this week following the arrests of draft evaders, with demonstrations spreading to Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and areas near prisons and detention sites. The most serious incident came outside the home of Supreme Court Deputy President Noam Sohlberg, where dozens were arrested after a violent riot that police said had been organized in advance and was intended to harm the judge. Demonstrators were also expected to block major highways in central Israel later today, in protest over the transfer of approximately 17 draft evaders to IDF custody. Organizers described the move as a “red line.” Police prepared for significant disruptions in the Tel Aviv area, including increased deployments.
The government announced a major education initiative under which all middle schools in Israel would move to AI-powered personalized English learning starting in the 2026–27 school year. The program expanded a pilot already run in dozens of schools; it was presented as part of a broader push to integrate artificial intelligence into the education system at national scale.
The Knesset passed legislation granting the justice minister significant control over the Department for Internal Police Investigations, which probes alleged criminal misconduct by police officers, in a 43–39 vote. The law removed the unit from the State Attorney’s Office, restructuring it as an “independent” body within the Justice Ministry, with the minister gaining influence over appointments, including the director through a committee he largely controls, and the creation of a new politically appointed role to oversee disputes. Critics, including the attorney general and opposition figures, warned the changes could politicize investigations and undermine the independence of law enforcement. They claim the law is another move by the government to weaken the judicial branch of government, in favor of elected officials.
