News Digest — 7/30/26
US CENTCOM Completes Strikes On Iran After Explosions Heard Across Country’s South
US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that they had completed strikes on Iran after explosions were heard in the south of the country on Thursday morning (30th).
Several locations in southern Iran were targeted by US forces, with explosions heard in the cities of Bushehr, Abu Musa, Kish Island, Ahwaz, and Qeshn Island, Iranian state media Press TV reported.
CENTCOM said that US forces “successfully completed a heavy wave of strike against Iran in response to yesterday’s attempted missile attacks on US forces.
CENTCOM assets struck dozens of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps targets in Iran, including military command centers, missile and drone facilities, coastal surveillance and defense sites, and maritime capabilities.
The strikes aimed to further diminish threats posed by Iran and its proxies to American forces, commercial shipping, and neighboring Gulf countries.
The Deputy Governor of the Hormozgan province in southern Iran said that the US was attacking areas surrounding Qeshm Island, with Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency reporting that three explosions were heard on the island. The news agency also reported explosions in the city of Kazerun in southern Iran.
“The strikes were carried out in response to yesterday’s attempted Iranian attacks on US forces based in the Middle East,” CENTCOM said in a post on X/Twitter.
The strikes follow Iranian attacks on US bases in the Middle East on Wednesday morning (29th).
Jordanian air defenses shot down five missiles launched from Iran, a state news agency reported.
Hours earlier Iran launched multiple ballistic missiles towards US military bases across the Middle East CENTCOM confirmed in a post on X. ”IRGC forces launched multiple ballistic missiles from Iran in an attempted surprise attack on the US forces based in the Middle East,” the post explained.
The IRGC “fired ballistic missiles at US air bases and US military Central Command center in Jordan,” Iran’s Revolutionary Guards told Iranian state media on Wednesday (29th).
Israel Will Respond To Hezbollah’s Striking Of IDF Bulldozer By Drone, Source Tells ‘Post’
Israel will respond to the striking of an IDF bulldozer overnight Wednesday (29th) by a Hezbollah drone, an Israeli source familiar with the matter told The Jerusalem Post on Wednesday afternoon (29th).
The source added that talks were being held as to the nature of the response.
Earlier in the day, the IDF Northern Command confirmed the overnight strike, which took place in the area of the Ali Teher Ridge, the IDF said, calling it a “blatant violation” of the ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah.
The site is located at the edge of Israel’s security zone, a highland with a 600-meter elevation in Nabatiya, north of the Litani River.
About a month ago, the IDF said it killed armed Hezbollah operatives there in two separate incidents, after the fighters approached its position in the Ridge.
In southern Lebanon IDF troops located over the past few days weapons belonging to Hezbollah, including Kalashnikov rifles, RPGs, explosives, grenades, and others, the military announced on Wednesday (29th),
The same process took place at a few locations in the security belt area that troops are operating in.
The IDF said that in an incident in the area of Ras el-Bayada, located about 10 kilometers north of Rosh Hanikra, troops shot towards a subject “that approached the forces in a threatening manner,” after the suspect continued to get closer despite calls to stop. The announcement did not give further clarifications.
In Haddatha in the Nabatiya area, troops destroyed an underground route that served as a Hezbollah command center, the IDF announced. It was 55 meters long, contained three rooms, and was about 300 meters away from a UNIFIL building.
The military added that nearby troops located an underground tunnel shaft that held dozens of weapons.
‘Jewish Historic Mission:’ IDF Chief’s Message To Haredi Commanders
IDF Chief of Staff LTG Eyal Zamir met on Wednesday (29th) with troops from the “Jonathan” Battalion of the Hasmonean Brigade at the northern border, emphasizing the need to strengthen the military and expand the enlistment of the haredi community.
“We are in a decisive period and continue to fight on multiple fronts simultaneously,” Zamir said. “We have a strong military whose mission is to protect the State of Israel and its residents.”
Referring to the October 7 massacre, he said, “One of the lessons we learned from the October 7 massacre is that the IDF must now expand, and become stronger. We must increase our reinforcement and build more battalions and brigades capable of operating, defeating the enemy, and defending the State of Israel.” Zamir said the Hasmonean Brigade was established as part of efforts to strengthen the IDF and expressed confidence in its future.
“One of the frameworks we established to strengthen the IDF is the Hasmonean Brigade, and I have no doubt that it will become one of the leading brigades in the IDF,” he said. Referring to the Jonathan Battalion, he added, “This battalion is like Nachshon Ben Amminadav, who was the first to step into the Red Sea before it parted and paved the way for the entire people. That is how you will be remembered in the history of our nation.”
Addressing the soldiers, Zamir said, “Our goal is to enable you to serve in the IDF while maintaining your way of life. My commanders and I are committed to this and are giving it considerable thought. Your integration into the IDF is vital to the security of the State of Israel and the entire people of Israel.”
He also stressed the importance of honoring commitments made to the troops while preserving their religious lifestyle.
“It is important to me that you preserve your faith and way of life while fulfilling the commandment of defending the State of Israel,” he said. “I am aware of the challenges, but this is a national, Jewish, and historic mission. It is a great mitzvah.”
Zamir noted that he also met with commanders of the 55th Reserve Brigade, saying they had reported for reserve duty for the third consecutive year and had served for hundreds of days.
“We must expand the circle of those who serve in order to balance the scope of service and ease the burden on them,” he said.
Highlighting recruitment trends, Zamir said, “We are seeing an increase in the enlistment of the haredi community into the IDF, both in combat roles and combat support roles. We must continue to replicate the Jonathan Battalion and develop the Hasmonean Brigade into a full combat brigade.”
“We will continue moving toward one shared goal,” he concluded. “I am proud of you and have full confidence in you.”
German Chancellor Rejects Broad EU Sanctions Against Israel
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz reaffirmed Tuesday (28th) that Berlin will not support broad sanctions targeting the Jewish State, even as he noted reservations regarding Israeli government policies in Judea and Samaria.
Speaking in Dublin at a joint press appearance alongside Irish Prime Minister Michael Martin, the German leader outlined his position on European measures against Israel.
“We are observing the Israeli government’s activities in the West Bank settlements with concern,” Merz stated.
“I have expressed this on several occasions to Prime Minister Netanyahu, including in personal conversations. But we do not believe that general sanctions against Israel are the right approach,” he explained.
The Chancellor reiterated his firm refusal to back punitive economic measures, pointing to the moral obligation stemming from Germany’s Nazi history as a key factor guiding Berlin’s foreign policy.
“I always advocate among European heads of state and government that Germany bears a special responsibility toward the State of Israel in this regard. And for that reason, we cannot and will not join sanctions regimes against Israel in general. And that is certainly how things will remain for the time being,” Merz emphasized.
Earlier this month, Germany reiterated its resistance to proposals within the European Union to institute a trade embargo against products originating from Israeli communities in Judea and Samaria.
Reports in the German press suggest that Berlin is increasingly at odds with other EU capitals due to its refusal to endorse commercial restrictions on Israeli goods produced over the Green Line. In June, a coalition of at least 20 EU member nations called on the European commission to clarify possible diplomatic and economic steps in response to ongoing construction in Judea and Samaria.
While Merz announced an arms embargo on Israel last year, which he subsequently lifted, he has been supportive of Israel and rejected accusations that its counterterrorism actions in Gaza amounted to genocide.
Earlier this month, Germany strongly condemned statements by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan describing Israel as a “burden.”
Israeli Submarine On Missions Near Enemy Shores – Yoav Keren
Lt.-Col. R., 34, commands the INS Dolphin submarine. After the Iran War began on Feb. 28, he says, “It was a very intense period. There was a great deal of uncertainty and missions changed at sea based on ongoing situation assessments.”
“We have seven operational theaters, and in every theater that includes a maritime arena, submarines can operate – whether on attack missions, defense missions or intelligence-gathering missions. That applies to nearby theaters and distant ones, at every range you can imagine.”
“It is a large platform that can be anywhere, and the enemy never knows where it is…A submarine can operate covertly and remain opposite the coast for 24hours or more. That way you can see when their guard changes, what observation posts they have, whether they are lit, what equipment they are operating and where they are operating it. You can identify a vehicle arriving at a house, a motorcycle, even a single person.”
“When you’re in a submarine, everything is fine. We’re there, we’re not in a hurry to go anywhere and no one can see us. That is an extraordinary advantage a submarine has that no other platform does.” (Ynet News)
Washington Holocaust Museum Takes Mamdani To Task For Gaza Genocide Claims
The chairman of the United States Holocaust Memorial Council has invited New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani to tour the US Holocaust Memorial Museum after the mayor repeatedly accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza.
Jeffrey Miller, who leads the museum’s governing board, said he would personally arrange the Washington, D.C., visit and accompany Mamdani through the museum.
“My invitation is sincere. Come to the museum. Learn what genocide actually means,” Miller wrote in a social media post.
Miller said elected officials have a responsibility to consider how their language affects the public, arguing that rhetoric portraying Israel as uniquely malevolent can contribute to hostility toward Jews.
The invitation came after the UJA-Federation of New York expressed concern over the stabbing of two men on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. One of the victims was Jewish, and authorities were investigating that portion of the attack as a possible hate crime.
Miller said the incident reinforced his concern about inflammatory rhetoric directed at Israel and the Jewish community.
He later told Fox News that he wanted Mamdani to confront the Holocaust’s “systematic attempts to annihilate an entire people.” Miller said the Mayor could also visit Rwanda or speak with survivors of other recognized genocides.
Mamdani had not publicly responded to the invitation as of Wednesday (29th).
The dispute follows Mamdani’s renewed attacks on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom he recently described as “a war criminal, the architect of horrific genocide against the Palestinian people.”
The mayor also reiterated his support for the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrant against Netanyahu, although he acknowledged that his administration lacks the legal authority to execute it.
Neither the US or Israel is a member of the ICC. The Trump administration has rejected the court’s jurisdiction over Israeli officials and said Netanyahu would not be arrested if he traveled to the United States.
The latest dispute is not Mamdani’s first confrontation with the Holocaust Museum.
During his 2025 mayoral campaign, Mamdani resisted calls to condemn the slogan “Globalize the Intifada.” He noted that the museum had used the Arabic word “infitada,” meaning uprising, in Arabic-language material about the 1043 Warsaw Ghetto Uprising.
The museum rejected that comparison, calling the use of the Jewish resistance against the Nazis to defend the modern slogan “outrageous and especially offensive to survivors.”
