HEADLINES
Iran crackdown death toll disputed sparks fear
Iran mine bluff sparks Hormuz tensions
Netanyahu testimony canceled amid late defense request

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

In Iranian Retaliation, Iranians are fearful that the sacrifices they made in demonstrating against the regime will be erased if a deal with Tehran is reached, two Iranians told The Jerusalem Post over the past week. The people of Iran are in a very bad psychological state and have little hope for the future, wrote Z., an older Iranian professional. The report notes that speaking to Israelis is a criminal offense in Iran, and the regime has frequently used allegations of Mossad ties to justify crackdowns. After masses of protesters were killed earlier and thousands more arbitrarily arrested or disappeared, the regime acknowledged fewer than 4,000 deaths and blamed most of them on foreign-backed rioters, while human rights groups and anonymous officials speaking to Western media have estimated the toll much higher, closer to 30,000.

In Regional Impacts, Iran’s Hormuz mine threat may have begun as a bluff, former Navy chief says. Major General (Reserve) Eliezer Marom told 103FM that Iran’s claim of mining the Strait of Hormuz may reflect a bluff that escalated, since no mines have been publicly observed and Iran later alleged American attacks on vessels linked to the plan. He suggested Iran may have decided not to reveal the bluff and instead placed a few mines. Marom noted that mine-laying in water is a dangerous tactic, warning that an explosion of a tanker could unleash catastrophic fuel spills. He added that Iran’s demand for a ceasefire to include Lebanon, and its lack of response to US strikes, could signal a willingness to continue negotiations. He also emphasized the frightening image of a massive ship exploding with fuel spreading across the sea.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, former Yesh Atid MK and INSS senior research fellow Ofer Shelah warned that Israel’s relationship with the United States has been deteriorating for a very long time. He analyzed the diplomatic track between Washington and Tehran, the political pressure on President Trump, Israel’s posture in Lebanon, and new INSS findings on Israeli public attitudes toward the war. He cautioned that any agreement missing concrete and enforceable terms on Iran’s nuclear program would be a failure for both Israel and the United States. There is no such thing as eliminating the Iranian nuclear project without an Iranian decision, he said, adding that time has favored Iran. He noted that the diplomatic picture around Iran remains unclear, but the central issue remains Iran’s enriched uranium and nuclear program, with predictions that the region could see a very long ceasefire.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s testimony in his criminal trial was canceled after his defense clarified a last-minute request not to appear. Netanyahu had been set to testify for two hours on Wednesday morning, following an earlier agreement to shorten the hearing. Moments before the session began, his attorneys asked to cancel the testimony entirely, saying Netanyahu had been occupied until late Tuesday with diplomatic and security matters and had an early schedule on Wednesday. Netanyahu’s attorney, Noa Milstein, said that if needed, Netanyahu’s chief of staff could appear before the Tel Aviv District Court or another location the judges ordered to explain the matter in greater detail. The prosecution said it could not take a position because the reasons behind the request had not been provided.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, German police arrested a Syrian citizen on Wednesday, Khalaf A., suspected of aiding and abetting attempted murder and grievous bodily harm in an attack on a tourist at the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin last year, prosecutors said. The arrest follows the March sentencing of a Syrian refugee, Wassim Al M., to 13 years in prison for attempted murder. The court found Al M. to be a radical Islamist with antisemitic views who stabbed a Spanish tourist in the memorial in February 2025, leaving the victim with life-threatening injuries. Prosecutors said Khalaf A. had spent the afternoon before the attack with Al M. and encouraged him to proceed with his plan.

Three Israeli citizens suffered a violent attack in Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus. Israel’s ambassador to Cyprus, Oren Anolik, said he was deeply shocked by antisemitic violence directed at Israeli citizens in Nicosia, noting that such acts have no place in Cyprus. He thanked the Cyprus Police for swift arrests and urged leaders across the country to condemn such incidents. The incident comes amid a reported rise in antisemitic violence in the region, and authorities said investigations are ongoing.

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-897472
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-897442
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-897466
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-897469
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-897479
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-897461

HEADLINES
IRGC says war unlikely, ready to respond
Hormuz mines bluff signals renewed talks
Dissident Dong Guangping escapes to South Korea

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

In Iranian Retaliation, the Islamic Republic’s Revolutionary Guard Corps says the probability of war breaking out is low, while insisting that its forces are ready to respond if needed.

In Regional Impacts, an Israeli former Navy commander offered a theory that Iran may have begun laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz after claiming they had done so, describing the move as a bluff that was followed by a partial deployment. He warned that placing mines is an aging tactic owing to the danger of large-scale fuel spills, and he suggested that Iran’s approach could signal a willingness to continue negotiations despite American strikes.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, the funeral of Mohammad Odeh, a Hamas military wing commander, was held tonight alongside members of his family. There were no visible Hamas symbols or flags at the procession, and Hamas has not officially acknowledged his death. A single public comment has been issued in response.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, former Yesh Atid MK and INSS senior research fellow Ofer Shelah warned that Israel’s relationship with the United States has worsened over a long period, and he cautioned that any agreement on Iran’s nuclear program must include concrete, enforceable terms or risk failure for both sides. He added that time has favored Iran. Separately, Sen. Chris Van Hollen wrote in The New York Times urging a shift in Democratic approach, calling for conditions on military aid to Israel and for recognizing a Palestinian state even in the absence of a negotiated peace, signaling growing debate within the party about Israel policy.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, a preliminary vote approved a bill intended to bypass the High Court and subsidize day care for ultra-Orthodox families. A Likud member of parliament, Iluz, voted against his colleagues. Following the measure, the ultra-Orthodox community is not expected to back today’s planned national inquiry committee.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, three Israeli citizens were attacked in Nicosia; Israel’s ambassador to Cyprus said he was deeply shocked by the antisemitic violence directed at people for their visibly Jewish appearance, with two victims taken to the local criminal investigation department and suspects quickly detained. In London, a fire broke out at Golders Green’s largest kosher supermarket, producing a significant amount of smoke; about 100 firefighters worked to contain the blaze, with no injuries reported and the cause under investigation.

In Uplifting News, Chinese dissident Dong Guangping, 68, escaped to South Korea by inflatable boat after more than 30 hours at sea in his fourth bid to reunite with his family, as rights groups urged Seoul not to send him back to China.

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/newssil/202405
https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/76874
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-897442
https://t.me/abualiexpress/123170
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-897466
https://worldisraelnews.com/sen-chris-van-hollen-calls-for-recognition-of-state-of-palestine-in-new-york-times-essay/
https://t.me/newssil/202406
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-897461
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-897444
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/ryje3evgml

HEADLINES
TOPGUN Vet Praises Israel and US Strikes
China Urges Ceasefire as Talks Inch Forward
IDF Kills Hamas Leader Mohammed Odeh

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

In Operation Lion's Roar, Former TOPGUN instructor Dave Berke, a former Marine fighter pilot, says even the world’s most advanced fighter jets face danger and praises Israeli and US air operations during recent strikes on Iran. He opens up about combat pressure, leadership under fire and why military professionalism matters most.

In Regional Impacts, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi said he hopes the parties in the Iran conflict stay committed to pursuing a ceasefire and continue to meet each other halfway, noting that progress takes time and that every step forward reduces civilian casualties. Wang spoke at the United Nations in New York after chairing a meeting of the Security Council. Iran said the United States had violated the ceasefire after what it described as defensive strikes in southern Iran, while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said negotiating a deal to halt the conflict could take a few days. Reports also touched on the possibility Iran could transfer its 60% enriched uranium to China.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, The IDF struck Hamas's latest leader in Gaza on Tuesday, Mohammed Odeh, who had been appointed about a week earlier to replace Ezzedine al-Haddad. The PM's Office said the strike was carried out at the direction of Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz, and Odeh had served as Hamas's intelligence chief during the October 7 attacks. Observers suggest such moves highlight Hamas leadership vulnerabilities while Israel also pursues Hezbollah on another front, raising questions about what is being achieved on two fronts.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Israel should have let the flotilla enter Gaza, an opinion piece argues; it says the move would serve as a sociological test and references Vittorio Arrigoni, an Italian activist who was abducted and killed in Gaza, to illustrate the stakes. The column frames the flotilla as a test and discusses Arrigoni's murder.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, a series of incidents are reported. In London, around Golders Green, a fire broke out at the area’s largest kosher supermarket; about 100 firefighters battled a three-story building, producing a significant amount of smoke; the cause is under investigation and no injuries have been reported. In Brooklyn, the Park Slope Food Coop voted to boycott Israeli products, with 67% in favor, 31% against, and 2% abstaining; about 6,772 votes were cast from roughly 7,000 of the coop’s 16,000 members, and two Israeli products will be removed. In Texas, Sheriff’s deputy Johnny Garcia won the Democratic nomination in the 35th Congressional District, defeating Maureen Galindo, whose antisemitic rhetoric drew national condemnation; Galindo had proposed to turn a local immigrant detention center into a prison for Zionists and asserted that Zionist billionaires run the world. In London, another kosher shop fire was reported as arson, with a Hebrew-language report noting the blaze appears to be arson.

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.ynetnews.com/article/b1qsg7vgge
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-897416
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-897420
https://worldisraelnews.com/israel-should-have-let-the-flotilla-enter-gaza-opinion/
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-897444
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-897435
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-897422
https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/76870
https://t.me/newssil/202396

HEADLINES
Khamenei Warns Israel Doomed US Power Fading
Israel Strikes Hamas Leader Odeh in Gaza
Golders Green Kosher Supermarket Fire Under Investigation

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

In Iranian Retaliation, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei used his annual Hajj message to issue threats against the United States and Israel. He said recent fighting with the US and Israel has changed the balance of power in the Middle East, dooming Israel’s existence and signaling the end of American power in the region. He asserted that the hands of time will not turn backwards, that the nations of the region will no longer shield American bases, and that the United States will not have a safe haven there as it loses its former status. He reiterated Tehran's long-standing call for Israel's destruction.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, the Israeli military said it struck Mohammed Odeh in Gaza, the latest leader of Hamas's military wing, installed about a week earlier to replace Ezzedine al-Haddad. The strike was announced by the Prime Minister's Office and described Odeh as a senior Hamas commander who helped plan the October 7 attacks when he headed Hamas's intelligence staff. The attack is presented as part of Israel's effort to curb Hamas leadership ahead of broader contests with Hezbollah, though questions remain about what such strikes mean for strategy on the ground. Separately, a Lebanese Shiite-aligned channel reported an Israeli Army jeep was spotted near the La Vita restaurant about 3 kilometers south of Nabatieh, about 30 kilometers north of the border with Israel, suggesting potential new Israeli movement in southern Lebanon. If accurate, the report would mark renewed Israeli activity in a border area not seen in decades.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, coalition talks indicate the bill to dissolve the Knesset will be presented to the plenum next Monday for its first reading, with the date window to be written between 8 September and 27 October.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, a fire broke out at Golders Green’s largest kosher supermarket, with around 100 firefighters responding to a three-story building that also contains apartments above the store; the blaze produced a significant amount of smoke and residents were urged to keep windows and doors closed while the cause remained unknown and no injuries were reported. Separately, the Brooklyn Park Slope Food Coop voted to boycott Israeli products, with 67% of 6,772 votes in favor, 31% against, and 2% abstaining; nearly 7,000 of 16,000 members participated, and the boycott will remove Israeli products from shelves after a long-running dispute intensified since the Gaza war began. In Texas, runoff results in the 35th Congressional District saw Sheriff’s deputy Johnny Garcia win the Democratic nomination over Maureen Galindo, whose antisemitic rhetoric drew national condemnation; Galindo had pledged to turn a local immigrant detention center into “a prison for Zionists” and claimed that “Zionist billionaires run the world,” drawing scrutiny from national Democrats and Jewish organizations, with others distancing themselves from her candidacy. In London, a kosher shop fire was reported as arson, described as a kosher shop in the city being set ablaze, with authorities noting intent behind the blaze.

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://worldisraelnews.com/khamenei-predicts-israels-demise-end-of-us-safe-haven-in-mideast/
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-897420
https://t.me/abualiexpress/123162
https://t.me/newssil/202394
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-897444
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-897435
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-897422
https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/76870
https://t.me/newssil/202396

HEADLINES
- Iran May Transfer 60% Uranium to China
- Israel Kills Hamas Wing Chief Odeh
- Park Slope Coop Approves Israeli Boycott

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

In Regional Impacts, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi said he hoped the parties involved in the Iran conflict would stay committed to pursuing a ceasefire and continue to meet each other halfway. He spoke at the United Nations in New York after chairing a Security Council meeting. Iran said the United States had violated the ceasefire after US defensive strikes in southern Iran, while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said negotiating a deal to halt the fighting could take a few days. Wang added that every step forward in the negotiation brings more hope for peace and that ending the conflict sooner means fewer civilian casualties. He noted that it takes more than one cold day to freeze three feet of ice, underscoring that long-standing issues cannot be resolved overnight. Iran may consider transferring its 60% enriched uranium to China.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Israel said it struck Hamas's newly appointed military wing commander Mohammed Odeh in Gaza, a move ordered by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz, according to the Prime Minister's Office. Odeh, who headed Hamas's intelligence staff during the October 7 attack, was named to replace Ezzedine al-Haddad about a week earlier. The strike underscores Israel's effort to crush Hamas on one front while confronting Hezbollah in Lebanon, as the two-front contest shapes discussions of strategic goals. Footage from the scene has surfaced.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, exiled Gaza security chief Mohammed Dahlan has met with multiple Shin Bet officials and defense sector leaders in recent years to discuss solutions to the situation in Gaza. Dahlan, who has lived in Abu Dhabi since 2011 after Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas accused him of involvement in Yasser Arafat’s death, has been described by one source as “the most powerful man in the Gaza Strip” because of his fundraising. Shin Bet did not comment on the chief’s schedule. Earlier this month, Mossad chief David Barnea visited the UAE at least twice during Operation Roaring Lion to coordinate on the war. Israel’s Civil Administration issued an expropriation order for the Nabi Samuel tomb north of Jerusalem, removing control from the Islamic Waqf and placing the site under direct Israeli authority for development and preservation. The order covers roughly 110 dunams near Nabi Samuel, a site revered across faiths, and includes access roads, agricultural land, a spring, archaeological remains, and the surrounding mosque compound.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Brooklyn Park Slope Food Coop voted two-thirds in favor of a boycott of Israeli products. Of the 6,772 votes cast at a lengthy meeting, 67% supported the boycott, 31% opposed, and 2% abstained, with nearly 7,000 of the coop’s 16,000 members participating. Israeli products will be removed from shelves as the long-running debate within the Park Slope community continues to play out in the wake of the Gaza war. In Texas, a Democratic runoff for the 35th Congressional District drew national attention as Maureen Galindo, a housing activist who had argued that “Zionist billionaires run the world” and proposed turning a local immigrant detention center “into a prison for Zionists,” was defeated by Johnny Garcia after scrutiny of her antisemitic rhetoric.

In Uplifting News, 442 new families joined Israel’s foster care system over the past year, bringing the total to 3,560 children in foster care, with 905 disabled people currently cared for by the system. The Labor and Social Affairs Ministry has expanded financial and training support for foster families and is promoting pending legislation to remove age restrictions for foster parents ahead of World Foster Day on May 31. Minister of Social Welfare and Social Security Haim Katz called foster families evidence of mutual responsibility and social resilience, while Senior Deputy Director Eti Kissos emphasized the importance of foster families.

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/international/article-897416
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-897420
https://t.me/hnaftali/23126
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-897414
https://worldisraelnews.com/israel-removes-prophets-tomb-from-islamic-waqf-control/
https://t.me/newssil/202386
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-897435
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-897422
https://worldisraelnews.com/allah-damn-them-to-hell-ny-politician-to-pro-israel-muslims/
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-897412

HEADLINES
- Hamas military wing chief Mohammed Odeh killed
- Iran may ship 60% uranium to China
- Exiled Dahlan meets Shin Bet in UAE

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

In Regional Impacts, China says it hopes Iran war parties can meet each other halfway. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told reporters at the United Nations in New York after chairing a Security Council meeting that the parties involved in the Iran conflict should stay committed to pursuing a ceasefire and continue to meet halfway so that peace can return to the Middle East as early as possible. He cautioned that long-standing issues cannot be resolved overnight, but every step forward in the negotiation brings more hope for peace and reduces civilian casualties. Iran has said the United States violated the ceasefire after US defensive strikes in southern Iran, while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said negotiating a deal to halt the conflict could take a few days. There have been reports that Iran may consider transferring its 60% enriched uranium to China. Separately, Israel’s military announced the death of Mohammed Odeh, the head of Hamas’s military wing and its intelligence chief, saying Odeh oversaw the planning and coordination of attacks and raids by Hamas militants during the October 7 massacre.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Israel’s campaign has returned to a two-front dynamic as the IDF struck Hamas’s latest leader in Gaza, following the killing of another Hamas leader a week earlier, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz vowed to crush Hezbollah. The move underscores the difficult balance Israel seeks between eliminating senior Hamas leadership and sustaining pressure on allied groups across the region. The security operation identified Mohammed Odeh as the new leader of Hamas’s military wing and the head of its intelligence, and described him as a key architect of the October 7 massacre who helped direct and coordinate attacks against Israeli targets.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, exiled Gaza security chief and former Fatah official Mohammed Dahlan met with multiple Shin Bet officials in recent years to discuss solutions for Gaza, according to a KAN News report. Dahlan has lived in Abu Dhabi since 2011 after a Palestinian Authority claim that he was involved in Yasser Arafat’s death, and one source described him as “the most powerful man in the Gaza Strip” because of his fundraising reach. The report said Dahlan met Shin Bet chief David Zini during a visit to the United Arab Emirates, and it noted that Mossad chief David Barnea visited the UAE in March and April during Operation Roaring Lion to coordinate on the war, with Zini also visiting the UAE as security issues were coordinated.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, a Texas congressional primary drew national attention after a candidate who called for jailing and castrating Zionists lost the race. Maureen Galindo captured 37% of the vote in Texas’s 35th Congressional District, losing to Johnny Garcia after her posts about Zionists triggered a backlash and became a test for how the party handles antisemitism allegations in its ranks. Garcia won the Democratic nomination with about 63% of the vote, while Galindo’s remarks suggesting turning an ICE detention site into “a prison for American Zionists and former ICE officers for human trafficking” and proposing a “castration processing center” for pedophiles were cited as turning points in the controversy. Belgium’s debate over ritual circumcision was also highlighted, with an editorial arguing that prosecuting mohels would effectively place Jews as second-class citizens, noting antisemitic incidents rose by 80% in 2025 and that Belgium remains one of the few EU countries without a dedicated national action plan to combat antisemitism.

In Uplifting News, the National Library of Israel has acquired a copy of the United Kingdom’s oldest kosher cookbook, The Jewish Manual: Practical Information in Jewish and Modern Cookery (With a Collection of Valuable Recipes & Hints Relating to the Toilette), published in 1846. The work was originally issued anonymously by “A Lady,” with scholars later attributing it to Lady Judith Montefiore, wife of Sir Moses Montefiore. The cookbook, which blends recipes, self-care tips, and housekeeping guidance, reflects travels to Israel under Ottoman rule and ties to a recognizable upper-class milieu. Separately, Israel reports hundreds of families joining the foster care system as government support expands. A total of 3,560 children are in foster care, and 905 disabled people—children and adults—are cared for through the system. Over the past year, 442 new foster families joined, as the Labor and Social Affairs Ministry broadened financial and training support and pursued pending legislation to remove age restrictions for foster parents, with the minister of social welfare praising the growth and the senior deputy director emphasizing the value of foster families.

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/international/article-897416
https://t.me/abualiexpress/123155
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-897420
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-897414
https://t.me/newssil/202386
https://worldisraelnews.com/candidate-who-called-to-jail-castrate-zionists-loses-congressional-primary/
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-897392
https://www.jpost.com/food-recipes/article-897386
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-897412

HEADLINES
US F-22 Refuels Over Middle East
Dahlan Meets Shin Bet Amid Gaza Tensions
Elbit Wins 1.4B Defense Contract Backlog Soars

The time is now 1:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Military Role, Photos published today by US Central Command show an F-22 Raptor with the US Air Force’s 1st Fighter Wing, based out of Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, performing an aerial-refueling over an undisclosed location in the Middle East, alongside a KC-135T Stratotanker assigned to the 171st Air Refueling Wing of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Sirens sounded less than a minute after a Lebanese-launched rocket exploded in an open area in the Galilee region, with authorities reporting that the new warning system gives residents only seconds to prepare near the border and that nearby schools remained closed.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Exiled Gaza security chief Mohammed Dahlan has met with multiple Shin Bet officials and figures in the defense sector in recent years to discuss the situation in Gaza. Dahlan, living in Abu Dhabi since 2011 after a claim he was involved in Yasser Arafat’s murder, has been described by one source to KAN News as “the most powerful man in the Gaza Strip” due to his fundraising. He was reported earlier this month to have met Shin Bet chief David Zini during a visit to the United Arab Emirates, and the Shin Bet said it does not comment on the chief’s schedule. The Wall Street Journal earlier this month reported that Mossad chief David Barnea visited the UAE at least twice in March and April during Operation Roaring Lion to coordinate on the war, and KAN News noted Zini’s UAE visit and said the two countries were coordinating on security issues during the conflict.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, A Belgium editorial argues that proceeding with prosecutions of two mohels for ritual circumcision would effectively render Jews second-class citizens, noting Belgium’s 800-year Jewish presence and about 30,000 Jews today, and that circumcision is a central commandment in Judaism. The piece cites antisemitic incidents rising 80% in 2025 and Belgium’s status as one of the EU countries without a dedicated national action plan to combat antisemitism. Separately, a Texas Democrat who promoted anti-Jewish and Israel-related conspiracy theories, Maureen Galindo, lost her primary runoff but won more than 5,700 votes, capturing over 40% of the tally, while her opponent Johnny Garcia was projected to win with about 59% of the vote as of Tuesday night with two-thirds of ballots counted.

In Israeli Economy and Business, Elbit Systems Ltd. announced a roughly $1.4 billion defense contract from an unnamed European nation to supply a comprehensive multi-domain package over five years, including autonomous unmanned vehicles, ground-based electronic warfare solutions, precision-guided artillery, and advanced reconnaissance systems, all networked with electro-optical designation and reconnaissance systems via Elbit’s software-defined radios. The Haifa-based company also reported first-quarter 2026 revenue of $2.19 billion, up 15.5% year over year, with backlog surpassing $30 billion for the first time. Management said production capacity is being expanded and will incorporate automation, robotics, and artificial intelligence to speed order execution while preserving margins, as the company scales to meet the record backlog.

In Uplifting News, the National Library of Israel has acquired a copy of The Jewish Manual: Practical Information in Jewish and Modern Cookery (1846), the earliest Jewish cookbook and housekeeping guide published in England. The volume, originally published anonymously by “A Lady,” is attributed by some scholars to Lady Judith Montefiore, wife of Sir Moses Montefiore, and will join the library’s collection of historical and modern Jewish and Israeli cookbooks. In Israel, the Welfare Ministry reports 442 new foster families joined the system in the past year, bringing the total to 3,560 children in foster care and 905 disabled people who rely on the system; officials say expanded financial and training support, along with pending legislation to remove age restrictions for foster parents, reflects a national effort to provide stable homes. Separately, Cairo opened a new monorail this month, a $4.5 billion project that slices above the city with an eastern 56-kilometer line from Nasr City to the New Administrative Capital and a western 43-kilometer line under construction toward 6th of October City; government officials say the system will ease congestion, reduce fuel use, and attract investment, though critics say it will serve only a fraction of Greater Cairo’s 26 million residents.

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/DefenderDome/20952
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/ry2dsyvlme
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-897414
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-897392
https://www.timesofisrael.com/antisemitic-congress-candidate-loses-texas-primary-but-gets-40-of-vote/
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-897409
https://www.jpost.com/food-recipes/article-897386
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-897412
https://worldisraelnews.com/hundreds-join-mission-to-give-vulnerable-children-a-safe-home/
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/05/cairos-new-monorail-glides-above-city-struggling-below

HEADLINES
US F-22 Refuels Over Middle East
Lebanon Rocket Triggers Galilee Early Warning
Belgium Prosecutes Two Mohels Amid Jewish Condemnation

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

In US Military Role, photos published today by US Central Command show an F-22 Raptor with the US Air Force’s 1st Fighter Wing, based at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, performing an aerial refueling over an undisclosed location in the Middle East, alongside a KC-135T Stratotanker assigned to the 171st Air Refueling Wing of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, the first early warning was issued in Galilee after a rocket launch from Lebanon, with the rocket exploding in an open area; sirens were heard in the Kiryat Shmona area less than a minute later, and the region’s new warning system affords residents only seconds to prepare near the border as nearby schools remain closed.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Belgium moves to prosecute two mohels for illegal circumcisions under a law requiring licensed medical professionals, a move Jewish leaders call antisemitic and akin to making Jews second-class citizens; European Jewish leaders and diplomats have decried the prosecution as infringing on religious freedom, while reports note antisemitic incidents in Belgium rose in 2025 and that the country lacks a national action plan to combat antisemitism; in Australia, witnesses testifying before the Bondi Commission report online harassment and intimidation, with the commission’s head warning that such behavior could be prosecuted and police have been alerted as hearings continue after the Sydney Hanukkah attack left 15 dead; in Europe, 45 communal and religious Jewish leaders issued an open letter condemning Antwerp prosecutors’ move to charge two mohels, saying it is antisemitic in nature and echoes pre-World War II measures against Jewish practice; in Brooklyn, the Park Slope Food Coop voted to stop carrying Israeli-made products after a divisive online meeting attended by thousands, with organizers moving the vote online to address tensions among members; in the United States, the Department of Justice filed a second lawsuit against UCLA over an antisemitic campus environment, alleging the school failed to intervene during pro-Palestinian encampment activity and noting the university’s own initiative to combat antisemitism.

In Israeli Economy and Business, Elbit Systems Ltd. announced a roughly 1.4 billion dollar defense contract from an unnamed European nation to deliver a multi-domain modernization package over five years, including autonomous unmanned vehicles, ground-based electronic warfare, precision-guided artillery, and advanced reconnaissance systems linked with electro-optical designating and reconnaissance capabilities via software-defined radios; the company’s first-quarter 2026 results show revenue of 2.19 billion, up 15.5%, lifting the backlog above 30 billion dollars as production capacity is being expanded and plans are set to increase automation, robotics, and artificial intelligence in manufacturing to speed order execution.

In Uplifting News, Israel’s Welfare Ministry reports that 442 new foster families joined the system over the past year, bringing the total to 3,560 children in foster care, with an average age of 6.17 years, and 905 disabled people currently supported by the system; authorities note expanded financial assistance and training for foster families and are advancing legislation to remove age restrictions for foster parents ahead of World Foster Day on May 31, a development described by officials as a sign of mutual responsibility and social resilience.

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/DefenderDome/20952
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/ry2dsyvlme
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-897392
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-897410
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-897408
https://t.me/JewishNews24/54863
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-897407
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-897409
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-897412
https://worldisraelnews.com/hundreds-join-mission-to-give-vulnerable-children-a-safe-home/

HEADLINES
US strikes narco vessel; narco-terrorist killed
Gaza Eid hardship amid price crisis
Northern Israel braces for Hezbollah fire

The time is now 11:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Military Role, US Southern Command announced that earlier today, May 26, at the direction of General Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force-Southern Spear carried out a strike against an alleged narco-trafficking vessel operating in the Eastern Pacific. Intelligence indicated the vessel was traveling along a known narco-trafficking route, with one suspected narco-terrorist killed and two others survived, all believed to have been members of a designated terrorist organization. Following the strike, search-and-rescue assets were notified and launched by the US Coast Guard.

In Regional Impacts, Eid celebrations in Gaza are clouded by hardship as new clothes, sacrificial sheep and Eid biscuits are unaffordable or unavailable. Nadia Abu Shamala, a Gaza resident, said she goes to the market only to look around because she cannot afford anything and prices leave her heartbroken. Despite a US-brokered ceasefire that began in October 2025, Israeli air strikes remain common and about 80 percent of Gaza’s buildings were damaged in the war, with most of the population relying on aid for basic needs. Israel controls entry points and allows aid trucks through in limited numbers, contributing to still-high prices and shortages, according to NGOs on the ground.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, schools remain shut across parts of the north as residents accuse officials of normalizing a dangerous routine, with Kiryat Shmona weighing protests and Nahariya hospital preparing for further escalation. Residents of Shomera, Kiryat Shmona and Ma’alot-Tarshiha say daily life under Hezbollah fire has become unbearable, and they are demanding stronger security, economic aid, and a concrete plan for the northern frontier.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is aiming to appoint his hardline aide Caroline Glick to serve as Israel’s next consul general in New York, replacing Ofir Akunis. Glick, a US-born former conservative pundit and long-time adviser to Netanyahu, would lead engagement with US Jewry but faces backlash from Reform Jews and some Israeli officials due to past criticisms of Reform and Conservative movements. Her alliance with the current coalition and potential tenure beyond the fall depend on the outcome of the upcoming election. Separately, Israeli police say there are no grounds to reopen the Mishchakei Hevra case into the singer Eyal Golan, with Major-General Balat expected to inform the State Attorney that there is no need for further investigative action; investigators say no new evidence would change the case and it remains closed for now.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Australian Jews testifying before the Bondi Commission report online harassment and intimidation, with Virginia Bell, head of the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, warning that such conduct could lead to prosecution and that police have been alerted in at least one case. The commission is monitoring and archiving online posts as it continues hearings into the December Hanukkah attack in Sydney that left 15 people dead. In the United States, the Department of Justice filed its second lawsuit this year against UCLA, accusing the university of tolerating a hostile antisemitic environment for Jewish and Israeli students in the wake of the October 7, 2023 massacre. Brought under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, the suit seeks policy reforms and could pursue penalties, including the potential loss of federal funding; it follows an earlier suit over antisemitic harassment of Jewish and Israeli faculty and staff, expanding the focus to students and campus climate.

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/DefenderDome/20949
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/05/no-feasts-no-joy-gazans-mark-dark-eid
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/syhgut7xgg
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hytrkaxgml
https://www.timesofisrael.com/pm-seeks-to-tap-hardline-aide-critical-of-progressive-jews-to-serve-as-ny-consul-general/
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/crime-in-israel/article-897402
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-897410
https://www.timesofisrael.com/trump-administration-files-fresh-suit-against-ucla-over-antisemitic-hostile-work-environment/
https://t.me/JewishNews24/54852

HEADLINES
US strikes narco-trafficking vessel in Eastern Pacific
Northern Israel under Hezbollah fire, red alerts
DOJ files second UCLA antisemitism lawsuit

The time is now 10:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Military Role, US Southern Command announced that earlier today, May 26, at the direction of General Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force-Southern Spear carried out a strike against an alleged narco-trafficking vessel operating in the Eastern Pacific. Intelligence indicated the vessel was transiting along a known narco-trafficking route, with one suspected narco-terrorist killed in the strike while two others survived, all believed to have been members of a Designated Terrorist Organization (DTO). Following the strike, search-and-rescue assets were notified and launched by the US Coast Guard.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, life for residents of Shomera, Kiryat Shmona and Ma’alot-Tarshiha under Hezbollah fire has become unbearable, with people demanding security, economic aid and a real plan for the northern frontier. Red alert sirens sounded in Northern Israel.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, police say there are no grounds to reopen the Mishchakei Hevra para-sexual crimes investigation into Eyal Golan. The investigation team told Major-General Boaz Balat that there is no justification for further investigative steps, with no new evidence to alter the evidentiary basis of the case and no legal or factual basis to reopen proceedings; a final decision is expected soon. Separately, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is considering Caroline Glick as Israel’s next consul general in New York, replacing Ofir Akunis; no final decision has been made. Glick is described as Netanyahu’s preferred candidate, though she has a history of criticism toward Reform and Conservative Judaism, and the New York post is among the most sensitive diplomatic assignments.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, the United States Department of Justice has filed its second lawsuit this year against UCLA, accusing the school of allowing a hostile antisemitic environment for Jewish and Israeli students in the wake of the October 7, 2023 massacre. Brought under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, the complaint alleges deliberate indifference to harassment, protest encampment blockades, exclusionary demands and antisemitic chants. The DOJ is seeking policy reforms and could pursue penalties, including the potential loss of federal funding. Israel also condemned Ukraine after President Volodymyr Zelensky gave full state honors to Andriy Melnyk, a Ukrainian nationalist leader who led a faction of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists that collaborated with Nazi Germany. Zelensky called Melnyk and his wife “iconic Ukrainians,” while the organization’s history includes antisemitic rhetoric and involvement in persecution of Jews; the ceremony intensified the debate over Ukraine’s World War II-era commemorations.

In Israeli Economy and Business, the Energy Ministry will present a National Strategic Plan for Renewable Energy to the president and climate forum on Wednesday. Public comment is open until June 18. The plan targets 26 gigawatts of installed renewable energy by 2035, with most of it solar. To date, 8 gigawatts are installed and 4 gigawatts are under construction. Last year, renewables accounted for about 16% of electricity, well short of the 20% target for 2025 and leaving Israel near the bottom of OECD rankings for renewable production. The 2030 goal is 30%. The plan notes the grid has limited capacity and the Israel Electric Corporation has secured a 40-billion-shekel loan to fund grid expansion through 2030. Full implementation would enable the grid to accommodate enough additional power to meet the 30% target.

In Uplifting News, Israel shared statistics on its Muslim population for Eid al-Adha, noting a growth rate of 1.8% and that Muslims account for nearly 19% of the population, with Jerusalem as a major center. More than three-quarters of Israel’s roughly 409,000 Muslim students are eligible for the Bagrut diploma, and nearly 50,000 are enrolled in higher education. Female Muslim students outnumber their male counterparts by more than two-to-one in enrollment for their first university degree, a fact highlighted as encouraging progress. The report also notes Muslim labor-force participation at a little over 50%, with males outperforming females by more than 50%. In other uplifting news, Kroger announced that prices are being slashed to provide consumers with relief and to remain competitive with other major retailers.

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/DefenderDome/20949
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hytrkaxgml
https://t.me/StandWithUsBreakingNews/8188
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/crime-in-israel/article-897402
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-897403
https://t.me/JewishNews24/54852
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-897400
https://www.timesofisrael.com/energy-ministry-presents-strategic-roadmap-for-renewable-energy-by-2035/
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-897405
https://t.me/JewishNews24/54851