Gut Vuch & Shavuah Tov tov to all, may this be a week of Besuros Tovos!

The IDF announced that it carried out two separate airstrikes in Gaza, eliminating two senior terrorist operatives it said were actively involved in attacks against Israeli forces and civilians.

According to the IDF, Imam Khamis Akasha Abu Brikh, an Islamic Jihad sniper, was killed in a strike in central Gaza after participating in recent sniper attacks targeting Israeli troops. In a separate operation in northern Gaza, the military said it eliminated **Muhammad Taysir Ahmad Ubeid**, a commander in Hamas’ Operations Headquarters who allegedly helped direct attacks against both Israeli civilians and IDF personnel throughout the war. The IDF said both men posed an ongoing threat to forces operating in the Gaza Strip.

Meanwhile, multiple reports indicate the Trump administration has informed Israel that it plans to deploy dozens of additional U.S. aerial refueling aircraft to the region as President Trump weighs expanding military operations against Iran. While no final decision has reportedly been made, officials say options under consideration include strikes on Iranian military infrastructure, additional attacks on nuclear facilities, and the heavily fortified Pickaxe Mountain site.

Israeli broadcaster i24 News reported that about 10 refueling aircraft could arrive within the next 24 hours, joining other U.S. tankers already operating in the Middle East. The aircraft are expected to be stationed at Israeli military bases rather than Ben Gurion Airport to minimize disruptions to civilian flights. The Wall Street Journal also reported that the U.S. is repositioning F-16 fighter jets from Germany and F-35 stealth aircraft from the United Kingdom to strengthen its military presence in the region.

Iran is also reported to have launched missile and drone attacks targeting military installations and infrastructure across Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Iraq. Reports said Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan was struck, while Kuwait reported damage to energy facilities, a desalination plant, and oil-sector infrastructure. Bahrain activated air raid sirens, and missiles and drones were also reported over Erbil in Iraq’s Kurdistan region. Qatar condemned reported attacks on civilian infrastructure, saying strikes on electricity and water facilities “cross all red lines.”

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that **two American service members were killed** on July 17 while defending against Iranian missile and drone attacks in Jordan. **One service member remains missing**, while four others were treated for injuries and later released from medical care. CENTCOM said the identities of the fallen would not be released until their families had been notified. The New York Times also reported that several U.S. military helicopters were damaged during the attack.

Following reports of the American casualties, Reuters reported that President Trump ordered preparations for a significant military response. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth honored the fallen by stating, “Godspeed, heroes. Their sacrifice only stiffens our resolve.” CBS and NPR, citing U.S. officials, reported that expanded U.S. military operations could begin within hours, although no official announcement has been made.

The Wall Street Journal also reported that U.S. officials believe Iran has begun using faster, maneuverable ballistic missiles that are more difficult to intercept, raising concerns about the effectiveness of current air defense systems. Officials further expressed concern that Iran’s improving targeting capabilities may be receiving outside technical assistance, although no public evidence has been presented confirming that assessment.

Separately, Iranian state-affiliated media reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) fired on a Thai-flagged vessel in the Strait of Hormuz after claiming it ignored warnings while transiting the strategic waterway. Iranian officials also warned that additional U.S. attacks on Iranian infrastructure could trigger broader retaliation against American forces and regional allies, with state-affiliated media quoting senior officials who threatened attacks on U.S. military bases if the conflict continues to escalate.

Today at 6 p.m. ET, U.S. forces began launching new airstrikes against Iran at the Commander in Chief’s direction. The strikes are designed to further degrade Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and swiftly punish Islamic Revolutionary Guard…

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 18, 2026

Footage of the Iranian ballistic missile strike on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan last night.

At least two missiles hit the base, killing two American service members. pic.twitter.com/8tOm6yyXwe

— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) July 18, 2026

BREAKING: US MILITARY IS BOMBING IRAN at President Trump's direction, to "SWIFTLY PUNISH" Iran following the death of 2 US servicemembers — CENTCOM

PRAY FOR THE TROOPS TONIGHT

"The strikes are designed to further degrade Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping in… pic.twitter.com/1cmOgFMAd2

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) July 18, 2026

I am heartbroken and overwhelmed with gratitude to the soldiers and their families who sacrificed to protect America from the threat of an Iranian nuclear weapon.

We must avenge them.

May the gates of hell open to the evil in Iran.

Bombs away. https://t.co/suStI4Gd4q

— Congressman Randy Fine (@RepFine) July 19, 2026

The State Department has issued a new worldwide caution urging Americans to reconsider travel to the Middle East as tensions continue to escalate.

The warning comes after two U.S. service members were killed, four were wounded and one remains missing following an Iranian missile… pic.twitter.com/8dkrn8DNxs

— Fox News (@FoxNews) July 18, 2026