LiveLive Updates July 13, 2026Share to FacebookShare to XArticle printing is available to subscribers onlyPrint in a simple, ad-free formatSubscribeComments: Zen reading is available to subscribers onlyAd-free and in a comfortable reading formatSubscribeJuly 13, 2026UpdatesHaaretz exposé: Inside the Mossad plot to install Israel's arch-enemy Ahamadinijad as Iran's leaderThe plane lands, and a team of Mossad agents disembarks without delay. The agents switch on their phones and struggle to believe what they are seeing: hundreds killed in the Gaza border area, an unknown number of Israeli hostages and an entire area overrun by Hamas on October 7, 2023.They are stunned but quickly recover. Nothing will deter them from their mission – to bring Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iran's former president and one of Israel's greatest enemies, on board in the service of the Mossad.Former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, 2024. Credit: Vahid Salemi/APFormer Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, 2024. Credit: Vahid Salemi/APIn fact, this inconceivable relationship had begun taking shape a year earlier, as the Mossad accumulated intelligence pointing to surprising shifts in Ahmadinejad's views. The Holocaust denier who saw Israel as a satanic entity spreading disease had come a long way since leaving office in 2013, gradually becoming one of the most prominent critics of the ayatollahs' regime.Read the full articleU.K. bans Iran’s Revolutionary Guards after seven attacks linked to Jewish and Israeli targetsBritain has designated Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization, Sky News reported Monday, making it a criminal offense to belong to the group, attend its meetings or display its logo in public.Members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) attend an exercise in southern Iran, in this handout image obtained on February. Credit: IRGC/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout via REUTERS Members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) attend an exercise in southern Iran, in this handout image obtained on February. Credit: IRGC/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout via REUTERS The U.K. government said the designation comes after the IRGC publicly claimed responsibility for seven attacks at locations in Britain linked to Jewish and Israeli communities.The IRGC, which was already subject to British sanctions, is an elite military force loyal to Iran's supreme leader and was established after the 1979 Islamic Revolution.The U.K. government said the IRGC, along with the Islamic Movement of Companions of the Right and Russia's GRU Volunteer Corps, will become the first organizations designated under new state threats powers targeting foreign proxies.It's all in the date: How October 7 is already haunting Israel's next electionIsrael's election date became official this week, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu finalized the legally mandated voting day – October 27 – with his government set to become the first in four decades to complete a full term. The announcement immediately struck many Israelis as ominously reminiscent of the October 7 attack.A poster circulating on social media highlights 7.10 in red within Israel's election date. Credit: XA poster circulating on social media highlights 7.10 in red within Israel's election date. Credit: XUnlike in the United States, Israel writes dates with the day before the month, meaning the election date will appear as 27.10.26. Within hours of Sunday's announcement, social media was filled with images of the date, with the digits 7.10 highlighted in red.Gadi Eisenkot, the centrist former IDF chief who has emerged as Netanyahu's main rival and risen steadily in the polls in recent weeks, was the first party leader to draw a direct connection between the election and Hamas' deadly October 7, 2023 attack.Read the full articleYemen defense ministry says armed forces targeted Sanaa international airport to prevent Iranian plane from landingYemen's ‌defense ministry ‌said on Monday that ⁠its armed ⁠forces had targeted the runway at Sanaa International Airport to ‌prevent an ‌Iranian plane from landing.Smoke rises after reports of an airstrike hitting near the Sanaa International Airport, as seen from Sanaa, Yemen, Monday. Credit: Khaled Abdullah/REUTERSSmoke rises after reports of an airstrike hitting near the Sanaa International Airport, as seen from Sanaa, Yemen, Monday. Credit: Khaled Abdullah/REUTERSYemen's capital Sanaa is under the control of the Iran-aligned Houthi ⁠group, while the internationally recognised government, ‌which has ⁠the ‌backing of Saudi Arabia and other ⁠Gulf states, operates out of Aden in ‌southern Yemen.EU launches €884 million 'Team Gaza' initiative with over 12 countriesThe European Commission announced Monday the launch of the "Team Gaza Initiative," bringing together €883.6 million (about 3.06 billion shekels) in financial contributions to support Gaza. The initiative includes the governments of Spain, Denmark, the United Kingdom, Germany, Norway, Finland, Italy, the Netherlands, France, Japan, Switzerland, Sweden and Belgium, alongside the European Commission, the European Investment Bank and the World Bank. Australia and Canada have also expressed interest in joining, the commission said. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks at EU headquarters in Brussels, Monday. Credit: Marius Burgelman/AP European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks at EU headquarters in Brussels, Monday. Credit: Marius Burgelman/AP The announcement came as EU Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Šuica briefed participating countries on agreements reached with Israeli authorities during a recent visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories to advance two major projects in Gaza focusing on waste and water management.The EU and several member states announced an additional €41.7 million (about 144 million shekels) in funding for the Palestinian Authority through the PEGASE mechanism, which supports the authority's salaries and essential services. The new pledges, made by Spain, Denmark, Cyprus, Ireland, Greece, Portugal, Italy, the Netherlands, France, Switzerland and Belgium, come on top of the €310 million (about 1.07 billion shekels) the European Commission has already committed through PEGASE for 2026 and 2027.The commission did not immediately provide further details on how the Team Gaza Initiative funding will be allocated.Widening gap: U.S. neglecting Iran nuclear issue to focus on Hormuz, Israeli officials sayIsraeli defense officials have expressed growing concern in private conversations over the nature of the current U.S.-Iran escalation, particularly as it relates to Israel's strategic priorities.The latest escalation between the U.S. and Iran is focused on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ensuring freedom of navigation through it. Defense officials said Washington does not appear to be showing the same level of determination when it comes to Iran's nuclear program – an issue they consider far more critical.Israeli aircraft en route to Iran in March. Defense officials question the effectiveness of further strikes. Credit: IDF Spokesperson's UnitIsraeli aircraft en route to Iran in March. Defense officials question the effectiveness of further strikes. Credit: IDF Spokesperson's UnitTheir concerns are amplified by reports that Iran has begun taking the necessary steps to repair several nuclear facilities damaged in previous strikes.Read the full articleRECAP: Iran says U.S. strike in central Iran killed one, wounded sevenHere are Monday's updates:■ One person was killed and seven wounded in a U.S. strike on a military base in the central Iranian city of Nain, according to Iranian officials. Earlier Monday, Iran reported one dead and four wounded in a U.S. strike on a water pumping station in Mahshahr.■ Iran's Mehr news agency reported explosions around the southern port city of Bandar Abbas and on Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz.■ Sirens sounded for a third time in Bahrain following another Iranian missile barrage.■ Kuwait's military said its air defenses intercepted "hostile aerial targets" after Iran claimed it struck U.S. military infrastructure in the Gulf state. Jordan's military said it intercepted four missiles that entered its airspace from Iran.■ Iran's Foreign Ministry said it is seeking a joint mechanism with Oman to manage the Strait of Hormuz, but accused the United States of preventing an agreement by pressuring Muscat. Tehran said it will not fulfill its commitments under its memorandum of understanding with the United States unless Washington upholds its own obligations.■ The Washington Post reported that survivors of the deadly Iranian drone strike on a U.S. base in Kuwait accused commanders of ignoring intelligence warnings about the site's vulnerability and failing to protect troops during the attack.■ EU foreign ministers are discussing possible restrictions on imports from Israeli settlements in the West Bank, including higher tariffs, import licensing requirements and a partial or full ban. No decision is expected Monday, but the discussions mark a significant step toward potential EU trade measures targeting settlement products.In the NewsKnesset Advances Bill Curbing Attorney General's PowersInside the Mossad Plot to Install Ahamadinijad as Iran's LeaderIt's All in the Date: How October 7 Is Already Haunting Israel's Next ElectionIsraeli Municipal Inspector Tells Resident to Remove Sign Urging People to VoteSources: Netanyahu to Call Numerous Witnesses to Delay State Probe's FindingsRemembering and rebuilding two years laterICYMIThe Original Tradwives of Ancient RomeThe 'Special Relationship' Is Gone, and Israel Isn't Ready for What's ComingMade in Kurdistan, Smuggled via Jordan: The Mysterious Firearms Flooding IsraelEgypt Lost the World Cup. But Was the Referee Really Jewish?Inside the German pro-Israel Lobby's Campaign to Defund UNRWARo Khanna, U.S. Lawmaker & Israel Critic, Says West Bank Settlers 'Detained' Him