Israel News for 6-15-2026
News Update
President Trump announced a ceasefire deal with Iran, which apparently the Iranians have confirmed, that will immediately open the Strait of Hormuz and lift the U.S. naval blockade. The final deal will be signed on Friday in Switzerland, after which they have 60 days to start talks on dealing with Iran’s nuclear program. The ceasefire also applies to Lebanon. The Tel Aviv stock exchange dropped over a percent on the news. Investors apparently don’t think the deal is that good for Israel.
While the details of the agreement remain unclear, as is whether Iran will actually sign and abide by it, Defense Minister Katz wrote today: “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and I are leading a clear policy stating that the IDF will remain in the security zones in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza without a time limit, in order to protect the border and Israeli communities from jihadist elements. The area will be cleared of local residents, and all terror infrastructure, above and below ground, including homes in contact-line villages that served as terror outposts, will be destroyed.” So no withdrawal of IDF forces. He added, “Prime Minister Netanyahu made this clear to U.S. President Trump and other senior American officials, and I also made it clear yesterday to U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.”
According to Minister of Transport Miri Regev, if the 72 U.S. military refueling planes that are parked at Ben Gurion airport and taking up more than have the parking spots are not moved within the next 48 hours, over 2.4 million airline tickets sold for the summer and holidays season will have to be cancelled, resulting in billions of dollars in losses for airlines, the tourism industry and the economy. For more, click here.
