HEADLINES
US airlift into Middle East maintains momentum
Hezbollah uses ambulances to smuggle weapons
Metula protests over ceasefire extension

The time is now 9:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Military Role, the USAF airbridge to the Middle East continued at full steam this evening, with a number of C-17s hopping over through Europe.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Hezbollah has been caught using ambulances and medical teams as cover to transport weapons and terrorists.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, The United States will not renew Iranian and Russian oil waivers, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told The Associated Press. The waivers were originally issued to ease the strain on global energy markets caused by the Russia-Ukraine war and the US-Iran war. The report noted that the Russia waiver was issued in March 2026 and extended on April 18, and the Iranian waiver was issued soon after the US blockade of Iran took effect. Bessent said there would likely be no further extension, and noted concerns that not renewing the waivers could affect vulnerable and poor countries, which he said had asked for help.

Iran says no meeting planned with US in Pakistan as Witkoff, Kushner head to Islamabad talks. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said Tehran’s views would be conveyed to Pakistan, not US officials, after the White House announced talks with Iranian representatives.

The US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced a new round of sanctions Friday targeting the Iranian Oil Trade and Shadow Fleet, levying sanctions against the China-based Hengli Petrochemical (Dalian) Refinery Co., Ltd., along with 19 tankers and several crypto wallets used by the Central Bank of Iran.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Many residents of Metula raised American flags as a protest symbol amid anger over the extension of Israel’s ceasefire with Lebanon. On Thursday night, US President Donald Trump announced a three-week extension to the ceasefire, catching border communities by surprise. Metula’s council head David Azulai said the government has surrendered too much autonomy and military leverage to the United States, describing the policy as a return to restraint that existed before October 7. Shlomi Regional Council head Yossi Ne’eman said residents understand the ceasefire is temporary and hope it can bring stability, but they do not see it as a lasting solution.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, 'Fighting the Hate': Melanie Phillips’s guide to confronting anti-Israel narratives - review. The review portrays Phillips as defending Israel and the Jewish people against a wide range of accusations in the Western world, noting her media appearances and writings and describing how her guide offers arguments to counter anti-Israel and antisemitic charges such as claims of apartheid, genocide, or colonialism.

In Uplifting News, A message from Israel’s ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter: This week's Torah portion commands us to love our neighbors — and that is exactly what the talks with the State of Lebanon are about. Peace is within reach, but we have to make sure that our security is not compromised. Shabbat Shalom.

Thank you for tuning in to this Israel Today: Ongoing War Report update.
I'm Noa Levi. Stay safe and informed.
Keep in mind that this AI-generated report may contain occasional inaccuracies, so consult multiple sources for a comprehensive view. Find the code and more details in the podcast description.

SOURCES
https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/75504
https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/75505
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-894090
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/ry2ys00ypwx
https://t.me/DefenderDome/20477
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-894088
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-893833
https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/75503

HEADLINES
Israel Links Lebanon Talks to Neighborly Love
Syria Foils Hezbollah Plots Breaks With Assad
US Sanctions Iran Oil Trade Hengli Refinery

The time is now 8:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Israel's ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, says this week's Torah portion commands us to love our neighbors and that this aligns with talks with the State of Lebanon about peace, while insisting that security must not be compromised. Shabbat Shalom. Syria has accused Hezbollah-linked cells of plotting attacks inside Syria and across its borders, signaling a break from the Assad-era alliance. Damascus says security operations centered in and around Damascus have led to arrests and the seizure of weapons and explosives, and it says plots involving rocket launches, drones, and assassination attempts were foiled, with some of the cells receiving training abroad.

In the US Policy Concerning Israel, the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control announced a new round of sanctions Friday targeting the Iranian Oil Trade and Shadow Fleet, levying sanctions against the China-based independent teapot refinery Hengli Petrochemical (Dalian) Refinery Co., Ltd., along with 19 tankers and a number of crypto wallets utilized by the Central Bank of Iran.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, The judge, the nudity and the strangest beauty contest Israeli theater ever brought before a court. In 1973, actress Lily Avidan sued after being fired from a hit Israeli stage comedy, claiming her replacement damaged her reputation; the theater offered the judge an extraordinary way to settle the dispute: watch both women perform nude.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Leo Terrell’s civil rights roots fuel his fight against antisemitism. A longtime civil rights veteran, Terrell—senior counsel to the assistant attorney general for the Civil Rights Division of the US Department of Justice—says fighting antisemitism is personal to him, and he leads a federal task force targeting threats to the Jewish community. He recalls growing up in Los Angeles in a multicultural environment, with Jewish professionals in his life, and says those experiences helped shape his commitment to equal rights.

Thank you for tuning in to this Israel Today: Ongoing War Report update.
I'm Noa Levi. Stay safe and informed.
Keep in mind that this AI-generated report may contain occasional inaccuracies, so consult multiple sources for a comprehensive view. Find the code and more details in the podcast description.

SOURCES
https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/75503
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-894086
https://t.me/DefenderDome/20477
https://www.ynetnews.com/magazine/article/sk9hmukaze
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-893820

HEADLINES
Syria Foils Hezbollah Linked Attacks Seizes Weapons
Syria Breaks With Hezbollah Amid Rift
Terrell's Civil Rights Past Drives Antisemitism Fight

The time is now 7:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Syrian authorities have accused Hezbollah-linked cells of plotting attacks inside Syria and across its borders, signaling a break with the group that helped prop up Bashar Assad during the civil war. The authorities say security operations concentrated in Damascus and its surroundings have led to arrests and the seizure of weapons and explosive materials. They claim plots involving rocket launches, drones, and assassination attempts were foiled, and that some cells received training abroad.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Leo Terrell's civil rights roots fuel his fight against antisemitism. The senior counsel to the assistant attorney general for the Civil Rights Division says combating antisemitism is personal to him. He describes his upbringing as a child of the 1960s inspired by the civil rights movement and grateful to parents from Mississippi who raised him in a Baptist home that welcomed people of all faiths and ethnicities. He notes his family included Jewish doctors and lawyers and recalls, "We had an open door. We didn’t see color or religion, we just saw friends." Growing up in a predominantly Black neighborhood in Los Angeles, he says the schools were initially segregated but became integrated, exposing him to a multicultural environment. He attended Gardena Senior High School, which he called "the United Nations, a combination of every ethnic group," and he acknowledges facing racism but remained committed to equality.

Thank you for tuning in to this Israel Today: Ongoing War Report update.
I'm Noa Levi. Stay safe and informed.
Keep in mind that this AI-generated report may contain occasional inaccuracies, so consult multiple sources for a comprehensive view. Find the code and more details in the podcast description.

SOURCES
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-894086
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-893820

HEADLINES
Syria accuses Hezbollah cells of border plots
Eliana Israeli soldier's wife endures 400 days
Terrell leads DOJ task force against antisemitism

The time is now 6:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Syrian authorities have accused Hezbollah-linked cells of plotting attacks inside Syria and across its borders, marking a striking turn in the relationship between Damascus and a group that helped prop up Bashar al-Assad during the civil war. The accusations, issued in successive security statements, describe arrests and seizures of weapons and explosives in Damascus and its surroundings, and say that plots involving rocket launches, drones, and assassination attempts have been foiled. Officials say some of the cells received training abroad, highlighting ongoing tensions as Damascus, now in control after Assad’s fall, seeks to reassert sovereignty and curb foreign-backed armed networks. The statements invite broader questions about the future of ties with a former key ally that helped sustain the regime before its collapse and the president’s departure to Moscow on December 8, 2024.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, the first piece in a series titled “HER” profiles Eliana, a wife of an Israeli soldier. She describes managing a household, a career, and three young children while her husband X has been deployed intermittently since Hamas’s invasion in 2023, a stretch that has kept him away for more than 400 days. The wars have fundamentally changed how she sees herself and her capabilities, and she has drawn on inner strength and community to keep things together. Even as she stays hopeful, she speaks of anxiety that comes with long separations; she recalls a moment in 2023 when she learned a message about his status, and the family later saw him return home unharmed.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Leo Terrell’s civil rights roots fuel his fight against antisemitism. Terrell is senior counsel to the assistant attorney general for the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice and leads a federal task force targeting threats to the Jewish community. He describes his background as a “child of the sixties,” growing up in a multicultural environment in Los Angeles where his parents’ home welcomed people of all faiths, and where Jewish professionals were part of his extended circle. He says his schools were integrated and he experienced racism, experiences that helped shape his lifelong commitment to equal rights and to combating prejudice, including antisemitism.

In Uplifting News, two notes of beauty from the sky and the land. A passenger aboard a flight shared a beautiful view of Lake Tahoe right before a bumpy landing, a reminder of the region’s striking scenery. Later, another traveler described flying over the Sierra Nevada range as extraordinarily beautiful, underscoring the simple, uplifting moments that accompany travel.

Thank you for tuning in to this Israel Today: Ongoing War Report update.
I'm Noa Levi. Stay safe and informed.
Keep in mind that this AI-generated report may contain occasional inaccuracies, so consult multiple sources for a comprehensive view. Find the code and more details in the podcast description.

SOURCES
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-894086
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-894021
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-893820
https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/75501
https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/75500

HEADLINES
Iran War Justified as Self-Defense by US
Nesiah Karadi Dies After Iranian Strike
War Aims to Block Turkey Weapon Access

The time is now 5:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Military Role, the State Department’s top lawyer argues that President Trump’s war with Iran was launched in self-defense and to defend an ally, framed as a continuation of an ongoing conflict rather than the start of a new war. State Department Legal Adviser Reed Rubinstein issued the stance days before a May 1 deadline for Congress to authorize the campaign under the 1973 War Powers Act or move to end it. The initial strikes on February 28 targeted Iran’s leadership and missiles program, with Trump stating aims to destroy missiles, erase Iran’s navy, and prevent a nuclear weapon, while urging Iranians to overthrow their government; legal experts have questioned whether the actions comply with the UN Charter. Separately, footage from Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv shows several US KC-46 Pegasus and KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft on the ground.

In Regional Impacts, a former Navy commander says the war is not about Iran now but to prevent Turkey from obtaining the weapon, reflecting wider regional concerns about how the conflict could shift balance and access to power in the area.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, an 11-year-old, Nesiah Karadi, died after more than three weeks in intensive care following an Iranian missile strike in Bnei Brak on Passover eve. Her death raises Israel’s fatalities since the start of Operation Roaring Lion to 28. Nesiah was a student at the Chorev school in Ramat Gan; her parents spoke of her adherence to safety guidelines and described her as a diligent child who always moved to protected spaces during sirens, and her funeral is expected Saturday evening.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, two teenagers were arrested in relation to a threat that shuttered Congregation Beth Israel in Houston. Angelina Han Hicks, 18, of Lexington, North Carolina, was arrested at her home and charged with conspiring to attack the synagogue, held on a $10 million bond. A 16-year-old boy in Houston was also arrested in connection with a threat directed at Jewish institutions in the area. It was unclear whether the arrests are connected; a judge ordered Hicks not to communicate with unnamed co-conspirators. Congregation Beth Israel and the Shlenker School closed following the threats, and authorities said there is no other known credible threat at this time.

In Uplifting News, female IDF soldiers in Lebanon say they are defying skepticism and know their worth, emphasizing that their experiences in Gaza and Syria have proven their value in combat roles despite initial doubts from commanders. And on a lighter note, we’re reminded: On our way to Reno, Nevada.

Thank you for tuning in to this Israel Today: Ongoing War Report update.
I'm Noa Levi. Stay safe and informed.
Keep in mind that this AI-generated report may contain occasional inaccuracies, so consult multiple sources for a comprehensive view. Find the code and more details in the podcast description.

SOURCES
https://www.jpost.com/american-politics/article-894082
https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/75498
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1313574
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-894081
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-894080
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/ryllmlta11x
https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/75495

HEADLINES
Iranian missile strike kills 11-year-old Nesiah Karadi
Lavrov, UAE urge rapid Mideast talks
Teens arrested over Houston Beth Israel threats

The time is now 4:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Iranian Retaliation, Nesiah Karadi, 11, died Friday after more than three weeks in intensive care following injuries from an Iranian missile strike in Bnei Brak on Passover eve. She was evacuated in critical condition and underwent surgery, but rescue efforts were unsuccessful. With her death, the Israeli toll since the start of Operation Roaring Lion rose to 28. Karadi was a student at the Chorev school in Ramat Gan. Her parents said they named her Nesiah as a blessing, and that she was the most diligent child in following the Home Front Command's safety guidelines, consistently running to protected spaces during sirens. They recalled that she was asleep when the siren sounded in Bnei Brak, and that rescue efforts were not successful.

In Regional Impacts, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed called for resumption of talks to secure a rapid, sustainable resolution to the Middle East crisis. In a telephone call, the ministers expressed a shared view on the need to resume negotiations promptly to reach agreements on a long-term resolution that takes into account the legitimate interests of all regional countries.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, two teenagers were arrested this week in connection with threats targeting Congregation Beth Israel in Houston. Angelina Han Hicks, 18, of Lexington, North Carolina, was arrested at her home Wednesday and charged with conspiring with two others to commit an attack on Congregation Beth Israel, the oldest Jewish house of worship in Texas. She is being held on a $10 million bond. In Houston, a 16-year-old boy was also arrested in relation to a threat directed toward Jewish institutions in the area. It was unclear whether the second arrest connects to Hicks, but a judge ordered Hicks prevented from communicating with unnamed co-conspirators. Congregation Beth Israel and the Shlenker School on the campus closed after the threats. The alleged conspiracy described as aiming to kill Jews.

In Uplifting News, Her life on the home front: How war is reshaping life for Israel’s wives and mothers, the first piece in the HER series, follows Eliana, a wife whose husband has served in the Israeli military, with deployments since Hamas’s 2023 invasion. She has spent more than three and a half years keeping up a household, a career, and three young children, while he serves intermittently. Her story highlights the resilience and daily adjustments that come with wartime life for families. The piece notes that after learning of his ongoing status, Eliana has drawn strength from community support as she manages this prolonged period of separation. Also in Uplifting News, a controversial fence blocking views of the Statue of Liberty from Battery Park has been removed, restoring sightlines for visitors.

Thank you for tuning in to this Israel Today: Ongoing War Report update.
I'm Noa Levi. Stay safe and informed.
Keep in mind that this AI-generated report may contain occasional inaccuracies, so consult multiple sources for a comprehensive view. Find the code and more details in the podcast description.

SOURCES
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-894081
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/04/russian-uae-foreign-ministers-seek-resumption-talks-achieve-middle-east-agreement
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-894080
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-894021
https://t.me/JewishNews24/53313

HEADLINES
Hezbollah drones target Israeli forces in Lebanon
US Iran push talks in Islamabad weekend
DOJ indicts SPLC for fraud charges

The time is now 3:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, the Israeli Defense Forces report that Hezbollah launched explosive drones toward Israeli forces in southern Lebanon. Separately, seven Hamas militants were eliminated in Gaza in an IDF air strike.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, White House officials say Special Envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will meet Iranian negotiators in Islamabad this weekend in an effort to move negotiations forward. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is planned to travel to Islamabad, Muscat and Moscow for consultations with the United States, with Pakistani mediators anticipating another round of talks. Vice President JD Vance would be on standby should the discussions trend positively.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, a prominent columnist, Ben Kaspi, argues that an ugly truth has emerged about Netanyahu’s government, describing a long and varied list of alleged sins.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, the Department of Justice has indicted the Southern Poverty Law Center on multiple counts of wire fraud, false statements to banks and money laundering, alleging it funneled $3 million to leaders and organizers of white supremacist groups to profit from their existence. The SPLC denies the charges, calling it political persecution, while DOJ prosecutors say the SPLC is “manufacturing racism to justify its existence.”

Thank you for tuning in to this Israel Today: Ongoing War Report update.
I'm Noa Levi. Stay safe and informed.
Keep in mind that this AI-generated report may contain occasional inaccuracies, so consult multiple sources for a comprehensive view. Find the code and more details in the podcast description.

SOURCES
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1313554
https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/75494
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-894077
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1313553
https://t.me/JewishNews24/53309
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1313552
https://www.jpost.com/american-politics/article-894079

HEADLINES
Iran's response due at Pakistan summit
IDF kills six Hezbollah in Bint Jbeil
DOJ indicts SPLC for fraud and laundering

The time is now 2:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Iranian Retaliation, Iran will deliver its response to the United States during the upcoming summit in Pakistan, according to a report in the New York Times.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, the IDF released new footage of an encounter in Bint Jbeil in which soldiers from the Paratroopers Brigade eliminated six armed Hezbollah terrorists in an exchange of fire earlier today.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, the White House says special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will travel to Islamabad, Pakistan, on Saturday to hold talks with Iranian negotiators mediated by Pakistan, and the administration says there has been some progress from the Iranian side in recent days, with Vice President JD Vance on standby to join if the talks move forward.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, one opinion piece argues that after Independence Day Israel faces its biggest test: unity, noting rising internal divisions and an Alternative Independence Ceremony as a rallying point for a commission of inquiry into the war, while also saying protests and debate can be strengths when kept within bounds. A second piece reflects on Independence Day as a time of danger and loss, suggesting a wake-up call in the form of a second siren at the start of the holiday and recalling that last year’s celebrations were muted by wildfires.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, the Department of Justice has indicted the Southern Poverty Law Center on six counts of wire fraud, four counts of false statements to federally insured banks, and conspiracy to commit money laundering, alleged to have steered donor funds to leaders of white supremacist and neo-Nazi groups to profit from their existence; the SPLC rejects the charges as political persecution. Separately, Ireland has decided to skip the Eurovision broadcast featuring Israel, even as the Irish public has given Israel 10 points in the last two years.

Thank you for tuning in to this Israel Today: Ongoing War Report update.
I'm Noa Levi. Stay safe and informed.
Keep in mind that this AI-generated report may contain occasional inaccuracies, so consult multiple sources for a comprehensive view. Find the code and more details in the podcast description.

SOURCES
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1313531
https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/75490
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-894077
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/04/witkoff-and-kushner-headed-pakistan-iran-talks-white-house-says
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-893930
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-893962
https://www.jpost.com/american-politics/article-894079
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1313537

HEADLINES
Iran Mines Hormuz as US Enforces Blockade
Syria Arrests Tadamon Massacre Suspect Amjad Yousef
IDF Neutralizes Six Hezbollah in Bint Jbeil

The time is now 1:03 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Military Role, Iran continuing to lay mines in Strait of Hormuz, US official says. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has dropped more mines in the Strait of Hormuz this week, and US officials and sources say the operation is being tracked as it unfolds. Experts estimate the number of mines under 100, though a US official declined to confirm a precise count. President Donald Trump ordered the Navy to “shoot and kill any boat, small boats though they may be, that is putting mines in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz,” adding that mine sweepers are clearing the channel and calling for the effort to be tripled. The broader operation, Economic Fury, has involved intercepting and seizing ships attempting to break the blockade or provide support to the IRGC, a campaign Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced at a Pentagon briefing in May, which began with a full blockade of Iranian ports. General Dan Caine said the United States is enforcing the blockade of the Strait, and the operation continues.

In Regional Impacts, Main suspect in Syria's Tadamon massacre arrested, ministry says. Syria’s Interior Ministry said Amjad Yousef, a former member of military intelligence under Bashar Assad, has been arrested in the Al-Ghab Plain area of Hama province, western Syria, where he had been in hiding since Assad’s overthrow at the end of 2024. US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack welcomed the arrest, calling it an important step toward accountability for atrocities during the war. Yousef, 40, was thrust into the spotlight after videos published in 2022 reportedly showed him forcing blindfolded civilians to run toward a pit before being shot. In Gaza, journalists report at least four people killed in two attacks in the past hour, with earlier reports indicating three killed in an attack on a Hamas police vehicle in Khan Younis, and another report noting one person killed and three wounded in a separate strike on the Al-Tanani family home in northern Gaza City. Separately, a UNIFIL soldier from Indonesia, who was critically wounded by Hezbollah fire in Adchit al-Qasir at the end of March, died today from his wounds.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, IDF: New footage from the encounter of the IDF soldiers with six armed Hezbollah terrorists in Bint Jbeil Earlier today, IDF soldiers of the Paratroopers Brigade eliminated six armed Hezbollah terrorists in an exchange of fire. The militants were identified after soldiers noticed hot meals in a room of the building, prompting a targeted move to neutralize them. A UNIFIL soldier from the Indonesian contingent, who was critically wounded by Hezbollah fire in Adchit al-Qasir, died today from his wounds. A Hebrew-language report notes ongoing Hezbollah activity in southern Lebanon and broader regional messaging from Iran.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Report: Trump sends Witkoff, Kushner to Pakistan for talks with Iran foreign minister. CNN reports Trump envoys will travel to Islamabad for talks with Iran’s foreign minister, with Vance on standby if progress is made, as Hegseth argues Iran must give up nuclear weapons. NOW: Secretary of War Pete Hegseth says the US is tightening pressure on Iran and that the blockade will last as long as it takes, the clock not on their side.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, After Independence Day, Israel faces its biggest test: Unity - opinion. An alternative Independence Day ceremony and rising internal divisions highlight a troubling reality: unity in Israel seems tied to crisis rather than peace. Independence Day: Israel’s sirens signal danger, loss - and a wake-up call. The author reflects on the holiday’s rituals and recent events that have tempered celebration, suggesting a more subdued memory of the day in recent years.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Israel Foreign Minister: I welcome the great state of Missouri's adoption of the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism - an important step in the global fight against antisemitism. Thank you to Governor Mike Kehoe, and to Representative George Hruza and Senator Curtis Trent for advancing this essential initiative. The IHRA definition is a vital tool in confronting antisemitism, including the delegitimization of the State of Israel. The Trump administration has launched a civil rights investigation into the New York City Department of Education over allegations that an outside pro-Palestinian educators group may have promoted antisemitic content impacting Jewish students, with the Education Department set to review materials and programming tied to NYC Educators for Palestine.

Thank you for tuning in to this Israel Today: Ongoing War Report update.
I'm Noa Levi. Stay safe and informed.
Keep in mind that this AI-generated report may contain occasional inaccuracies, so consult multiple sources for a comprehensive view. Find the code and more details in the podcast description.

SOURCES
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-894073
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-894074
https://t.me/abualiexpress/121051
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1313524
https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/75490
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1313523
https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/75489
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rkxgxgkt11g
https://t.me/JewishNews24/53301
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-893930
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-893962
https://t.me/JewishNews24/53299
https://t.me/JewishNews24/53300

HEADLINES
Iran mines Hormuz, U.S. tightens blockade
Lebanon drags Israel deeper into conflict
IDF neutralizes six Hezbollah near Bint Jbeil

The time is now 12:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Regional Impacts, Iran continuing to lay mines in Strait of Hormuz, US official says. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has placed additional mines in the Strait of Hormuz this week, according to Axios citing a US official and another knowledgeable source. Experts estimate the total number is fewer than 100, but a US official declined to provide a precise figure. President Donald Trump has said the Navy should “shoot and kill any boat, small boats though they may be, that is putting mines in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz,” and he noted that mine sweepers are clearing the channel and that activity should be intensified. The operation, described by the administration as Economic Fury, has involved intercepting and seizing ships tied to efforts to break the blockade or support the IRGC. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the operation at a Pentagon briefing earlier in May, and General Dan Caine said the United States is enforcing a blockade of the Strait.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Inside the vortex: Why Israel keeps getting dragged into the Lebanese mud. Lebanon has long been a pivotal and persistent factor for Israel’s security, with the region shaping events for decades and memories of past conflicts lingering in service memories and national discourse. The piece reflects on how Lebanon has repeatedly drawn Israel into military and political entanglements, a dynamic that remains part of the security calculus as regional tensions persist. The commentary also notes how memory and leadership history influence current perspectives on regional risk and threat assessment.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, IDF: New footage from the encounter of the IDF soldiers with six armed Hezbollah terrorists in Bint Jbeil Earlier today, IDF soldiers of the Paratroopers Brigade, under the 98th Division, identified and eliminated six armed Hezbollah terrorists who operated from a military structure in the area of Bint Jbeil. The firefight led to the neutralization of the terrorists, with no IDF injuries reported. Additional details described an exchange of fire and a subsequent strike on the structure used by the militants.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, בינת ג'בייל: שישה מחבלים חוסלו ע"י כוחות צה"ל. Six Hezbollah operatives were killed in the Bint Jbeil area of southern Lebanon as Israeli forces targeted a militant structure following identification and engagement operations. The incident aligns with ongoing exchanges along the border region as tensions with Hezbollah remain high. Reports also note Iran’s messaging to the region amid these dynamics, with broader regional implications for security and deterrence.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Earlier today, IDF soldiers of the Paratroopers Brigade under the command of the 98th Division identified and eliminated six armed Hezbollah terrorists who operated in Bint Jbeil, south of the Forward Defense Line in southern Lebanon. Following the identification, an exchange of fire began, during which two terrorists were killed. The soldiers then struck the structure from which the terrorists operated, and four additional terrorists were eliminated in the strike. No IDF injuries were reported. This sequence reinforces the persistently active threat along the border and the Israeli response to Hezbollah’s operations.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, A reminder: In the previous ceasefire with Hezbollah - approved on November 26, 2024, and taking effect on November 27 - the Biden administration demanded an Israeli withdrawal to just five points in southern Lebanon. The current ceasefire, announced on April 17, 2026, under the Trump administration, allows Israel to remain wherever it is and to begin direct talks with Lebanon on a peace deal. Peace through strength.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Following an evacuation warning issued earlier today, the Israeli Army struck terrorist infrastructure - Hezbollah military buildings - in the village of Deir Aames, located north of the Front Defense Line in southern Lebanon, from which rockets were fired last night toward Israel. The IDF also struck other terrorist targets across southern Lebanon in Taybe, Bint Jbeil, Yater and additional locations.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Trump is sending Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Pakistan for talks with Iran’s foreign minister this weekend. JD Vance won’t attend for now since Iran’s parliament speaker isn’t going, but he’s on standby if talks advance.

Thank you for tuning in to this Israel Today: Ongoing War Report update.
I'm Noa Levi. Stay safe and informed.
Keep in mind that this AI-generated report may contain occasional inaccuracies, so consult multiple sources for a comprehensive view. Find the code and more details in the podcast description.

SOURCES
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