HEADLINES
Iron Beam to UAE counter Iran drones
IDF isolates Hezbollah in Bint Jbeil
Orly Ades resigns as Elections Committee chief

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 Regional Impacts, Israel rushes its Iron Beam laser defense system to the UAE to counter Iranian drone threat. Israel has sent its advanced air defense systems, including the Iron Beam laser and Spectro detection technology, to the United Arab Emirates, in a move aimed at countering Iranian missile and drone attacks, with intelligence sharing also reported. Separately, testimonies from former Syrian air force pilots, released in videos, indicate that bombing targets and designated areas were issued from the air force command in coordination with the defense minister and with direct intervention from the former president, and that aerial operations evolved from helicopter deployments in the early years to fighter jets beginning in 2013. On Gaza, Israel’s foreign ministry said the IDF has blocked attempts to breach the lawful naval blockade and the arrival of vessels from the provocative flotilla, with all participants taken off the vessels arriving unharmed.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, IDF commandos isolated Hezbollah in Bint Jbeil, turning a supply route into a sniper death trap. Egoz commanders describe covert raids, sniper ambushes and drone strikes that left Hezbollah terrorists in the southern Lebanese town unable to respond, with one officer noting they did not hear tanks or jets during the night assault.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Elections Committee head Orly Ades steps down after 16 years, half a year before Knesset elections. Ades announced her resignation after 16 years leading the Central Elections Committee, delivering the notice to Deputy Supreme Court President Noam Sohlberg, who said he regretted she would not stay until after the upcoming elections. Ades has served as director general since 2010 and oversaw seven election campaigns, including five consecutive campaigns from 2019 to 2022, in a period described by Sohlberg as marked by professionalism and a commitment to fairness and the integrity of the electoral process.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Graham Platner becomes presumptive Dem. nominee as opponent Janet Mills drops out of race. Platner, an oyster farmer and political newcomer, has effectively clinched the Democratic nomination for the US Senate in Maine after Mills suspended her campaign; concerns about Platner’s past Nazi tattoo and anti-Israel rhetoric have prompted pushback from Jewish groups, while Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said he would support Platner’s bid to defeat Republican incumbent Susan Collins, a move Schumer had pursued after Mills withdrew due to fundraising shortfalls. A separate Italy story notes heightened tension after Milan’s Liberation Day march, where Jewish participants were faced with hostility and the Jewish Brigade was escorted out, fueling a national debate over memory, symbolism and the boundaries of critique, with a Rome shooting prompting police to arrest a 21-year-old man as part of the broader antisemitism discussion.

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/skpgxlzrze
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-894799
https://t.me/JewishNews24/53692
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/r1tn4uz011x
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-894800
https://www.jpost.com/us-elections/article-894802
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-894801

HEADLINES
Trump doubles down on Iran Gulf blockade
Liberation Day clashes spark Italy antisemitism debate
LA hate crime probe after synagogue attack

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 US Policy Concerning Israel, Trump signals no retreat as Iran feels squeeze of US blockade. US President Donald Trump has directed his staff to provide him with several daily updates on two issues: the readiness and condition of American forces around Iran, with an emphasis on blocking the Gulf, and the economic situation inside Iran. This posture suggests the United States views the current stalemate with Iran as likely to persist while pressure is maintained.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, A general aversion to anything Jewish reported in Italy after Milan clash and Rome shooting, Jewish man arrested for allegedly firing pellet gun at left-wing activists in Rome, and Attack on Jewish man outside Los Angeles synagogue investigated as hate crime, the day’s events underscore a pattern of incidents across Europe and the United States. In Milan, during Liberation Day celebrations on April 25, Jewish participants in the Jewish Brigade contingent faced escalating hostility from other demonstrators; police intervened and the group was escorted from the march as insults and threats escalated, fueling a national debate over inclusion in Italy’s memory of the resistance and where criticism of Israel ends and hostility to Jews begins. Days later in Rome, Italian police arrested 21-year-old Eitan Bondi on charges including attempted homicide in connection with a pellet-gun attack during a Liberation Day parade, targeting two members of the National Association for Italian Partisans; the victims were not seriously injured, Bondi’s claimed affiliation with the Jewish Brigade drew condemnation from leaders connected to the legacy of that unit, and officials stressed there is no justification for violence. In Los Angeles, a Jewish man was assaulted behind Adas Torah, an Orthodox synagogue in the Pico-Robertson neighborhood; police described the incident as a hate crime under investigation after the victim said he was followed by a man in a car, who attacked him with a window-breaker while firing off a remark that included “free Palestine,” with no arrests reported as of Thursday morning.

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.israelhayom.com/2026/05/01/trump-signals-no-retreat-as-iran-feels-squeeze-of-us-blockade/
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-894801
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-894794
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-894792

HEADLINES
Israel Supplies UAE Spectro Amid Iranian Attacks
IDF Fails FPV Drone Threat 18 Months
CEC Chief Orly Ades Steps Down

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 Regional Impacts, there are reports of a heavy movement of combat aircraft in the north of Iraq, signaling heightened activity in the region. At the same time, Israel quietly and urgently supplied the United Arab Emirates with a compact drone-detection system called Spectro to strengthen the UAE’s early-warning capabilities during a recent wave of Iranian missile and drone attacks. The transfer accompanied the deployment of Israel’s Iron Beam laser air-defense system and included early-warning sensors capable of detecting drones roughly 20 kilometers away, Iron Dome batteries, and Israeli personnel on the ground, along with real-time intelligence sharing.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, former US president Donald Trump commented on Iran, saying that Iran has “already been defeated,” but that he hopes to win by a larger margin.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, the head of the Central Elections Committee, Orly Ades, announced she will step down after 16 years in office, delivering her resignation to Deputy Supreme Court President Noam Sohlberg; Sohlberg noted that she did not accept his request to remain until after the upcoming elections, and the development is being tracked. Separately, former Welfare Ministry official Inbar Yehezkeli joined the Yashar! party list to lead its national rehabilitation plan, aiming to address post-trauma victims and mental-health needs in the wake of the October 7 attacks and ongoing war, with plans for a comprehensive treatment system, accessible care, and resilience-building. Additionally, a security official said the IDF failed to address the explosive drone threat for the past 18 months, with FPV drone attacks beginning in 2024 and no effective solution yet; troops in Lebanon are paying the price, and reserve soldiers are improvising countermeasures, drawing on methods inspired by the war in Ukraine.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, a Jewish man in Rome, Eitan Bondi, 21, was arrested on charges of attempted homicide after allegedly firing a pellet gun at participants in a Liberation Day parade, an act condemned by Italian Jewish leaders; Bondi said he is affiliated with the Jewish Brigade, though authorities did not confirm links. In Los Angeles, a Jewish man was attacked behind Adas Torah, an Orthodox synagogue in Pico-Robertson, in an incident being investigated as a hate crime; the victim described being followed by a man in a car before an assault in which a window-breaker was used and the assailant allegedly shouted “free Palestine,” with no arrests as of Thursday morning. In the United Kingdom, two Green Party candidates were arrested on suspicion of stirring up racial hatred after posting antisemitic content online; one shared imagery of a Hamas operative with the slogan “resistance is freedom,” and other posts included antisemitic messages and comparisons that referenced Israel and broader conspiratorial themes.

In Uplifting News, Rachel Goldberg-Polin’s memoir about her son Hersh, who was kidnapped by Hamas terrorists from the Nova Music Festival on October 7, 2023 and killed after 330 days in Gaza, has topped the New York Times bestseller list less than a week after publication. Goldberg-Polin, who moved to Jerusalem with her family, became a prominent advocate for hostages, meeting with President Biden and Pope Francis and speaking at the United Nations in Geneva and at the 2024 Democratic National Convention; Time Magazine named her one of its 100 most influential people in 2024. Finally, five ancient artifacts have been returned to Greece by a Chicago-area family, the Gray family. The returns include two black-figure Attic vessels dating to the sixth century BCE (an amphora and an olpe), a bronze mirror from the Late Archaic–Classical period, a headless marble statue of the god Hermes from the first century BCE to first century CE, and a fragment from a second-century CE relief of the goddess Athena. The Greek Culture Ministry noted the family’s decision to return the pieces as a significant act, with the minister praising their generosity, responsibility, and justice in restoring cultural heritage to Greece.

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/200556
https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/75755
https://t.me/newssil/200555
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-894800
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-894783
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/sjcajrwazg
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-894794
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-894792
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-894784
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/article-894791
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-894495

HEADLINES
Iran Near Oil Storage Crunch Amid Blockade
Gaza Flotilla Blocked; Greece Receives Participants
Yehezkeli Joins Yashar to Lead Rehabilitation Plan

The time is now 4:02 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Regional Impacts, Iran could run out of storage capacity for the oil it is producing within 15 to 60 days due to the blockade of its ports. With the blockade in place, Iranian oil tankers have remained at port, and exports that previously accounted for about 85% of the country’s total trade have largely halted. Iran has been forced to store oil onshore and in floating storage aboard Very Large Crude Carriers, as it seeks to manage production while shipments are blocked. Very Large Crude Carriers typically carry about two million barrels of crude oil. A US official described the blockade as “working to perfection,” saying there is no economic trade into or out of Iran. If storage capacity is exhausted, Tehran could face significant economic damage that may take a long time to repair. Separately, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said that Israel, through the IDF, has blocked attempts to breach the lawful naval blockade on Gaza and the arrival of vessels from the provocative flotilla, including last night. All participants taken from the flotilla were removed unharmed, and in coordination with the Greek government those displaced will be disembarked on a Greek beach in the coming hours. The Greek government has expressed willingness to receive the participants, and Israel urged anyone seeking humanitarian aid for Gaza to do so through the BOP. Israel will not allow a breach of the blockade.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Israel’s elite Alpinist Unit continues to operate against Hezbollah. The Alpinists are trained in cold-weather and mountain warfare, with operations focused in northern Israel.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, former Welfare and Social Affairs Ministry official Inbar Yehezkeli joined the Yashar! party list ahead of the upcoming elections and will lead its national rehabilitation plan to address post-trauma victims in the country. The plan aims to establish a comprehensive mental-health treatment system with optimal and accessible care, build resilience, and implement preventive and community-based care to restore individuals affected by the war to full functioning. Yehezkeli, a Jerusalem resident and mother of two who has held a range of roles in government ministries and social organizations, is part of a broader opposition effort seeking to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in elections expected no later than October.

Also in Israeli politics, anonymous notices circulated in ultra-Orthodox communities calling pilgrims heading to Meron to equip themselves with pepper spray and electric-shock devices at designated distribution points to be opened in Jerusalem, Beit Shemesh, and Bnei Brak. The notices indicate the equipment would be used against police in what supporters describe as “police violence,” and authorities urged that the incident be treated seriously.

Beersheba doctor Muhammad Azaam, a Soroka Medical Center physician, has been charged with membership in the Islamic State, or ISIS, after prosecutors said he began consuming ISIS-related content in 2014 and swore allegiance in 2023. Authorities say he gathered materials related to the preparation of poisons and explosives. While investigators found no evidence of direct contact with ISIS leadership, the court described the case as fitting the “inspiration model,” in which individuals act independently. Azaam, originally from Nazareth, is a Beersheba resident who was arrested in 2024; investigators examined his mobile phone contents as part of the case.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, two Green Party candidates in the United Kingdom were arrested on suspicion of stirring up racial hatred after posting antisemitic content online. Candidate Saiqa Ali circulated posts including a photo of a Hamas operative with the slogan “resistance is freedom,” and other material that referenced antisemitic tropes. Another candidate, Sabine Mairey, posted material including an image of a man with a sign suggesting that ramming a synagogue is “revenge,” and additional antisemitic content.

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-894776
https://t.me/selena_updates/63007
https://t.me/hnaftali/22881
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-894783
https://t.me/newssil/200551
https://worldisraelnews.com/beersheba-doctor-charged-with-pledging-to-isis-making-poisons-and-explosives/
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-894784

HEADLINES
US Sends 6,500 Tons to Israel
Iran Oil Blockade Drains Storage
IDF Soldier Killed in Lebanon Drone Strike

The time is now 3:02 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Military Role, The United States recently shipped 6,500 tons of munitions and materiel to Israel within 24 hours, according to the Defense Ministry. Two large sea vessels docked at the ports of Ashdod and Haifa carrying thousands of air and ground munitions, military trucks, Joint Light Tactical Vehicles and other equipment. The operation was led by the Defense Ministry’s Defense Procurement Directorate in coordination with its International Shipping Division, its mission to the United States, and the IDF Planning Directorate. The equipment was loaded onto hundreds of trucks from the Logistics and Assets Department and the IDF Technological and Logistics Directorate, and then transferred to IDF bases across the country. The Port of Ashdod operation was overseen by Defense Ministry Director-General Major-General (Reserve) Amir Baram. The air and sea bridge remains the central tool for building readiness as the security situation continues to develop.

In Regional Impacts, Iran could run out of storage capacity for the oil it is producing within 15 to 60 days due to the blockade on Iranian ports, with oil tankers not leaving port since the blockade began and previously accounting for roughly 85% of the country’s exports. Oil storage is now onshore and floating aboard vessels, including Very Large Crude Carriers, as officials warn the blockade is pressuring Iran’s economy. Western intelligence sources cited a roughly 45-day gap between minimum and needed storage, underscoring potential long-term economic damage. Elsewhere, Tehran is returning to a semblance of daily life under a ceasefire after weeks of US-Israeli airstrikes, with gyms and cafes reopening in Tehran. Yet many Iranians face financial strain as rents and food remain hard to cover, inflation runs high, the rial has hit record lows, and wages have not kept pace, leaving widespread hardship even as some sectors appear to normalize.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Sergeant Liem Ben-Hamo, 19, from Herzliya, was killed in southern Lebanon when a drone struck an armored military vehicle near the northern community of Shomera, with another soldier wounded and evacuated in moderate condition. Ben-Hamo served in the 13th Battalion of the Golani Brigade; his funeral was scheduled for Friday at 11 a.m. at the Herzliya Cemetery. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered condolences, as did Defense Minister Israel Katz, with others recalling his service and sacrifice. Earlier on Thursday, Hezbollah launched two explosive drones toward an Israeli security force member. In a separate action, the Israel Defense Forces destroyed a Hezbollah bunker in southern Lebanon using 24 tons of explosives.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Morgan Ortagus is described as one of the most prominent figures in American foreign policy in recent years, having stood at the center of major Middle East diplomacy — from efforts to advance the Abraham Accords during the first Trump administration to a more recent role described as deputy to the administration’s diplomatic leadership.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Younes Hamami Lalehzar, a leader of Iran's Jewish community, pledged allegiance to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei at a rally in Tehran’s Enqelab Square, saying that the community supports the election and leadership of Khamenei’s circle and hopes for success and prosperity for Iran. Iran’s Jewish population remains the largest in the Middle East outside Israel and has often voiced criticism of Israeli policy. In the UK, authorities identified a suspect, Essa Suleiman, 45, in a stabbing attack in Golders Green and raised the national terror threat level to severe, with Suleiman arrested on suspicion of attempted murder; he was born in Somalia and brought to the UK illegally as a child and had previously been referred to the Prevent program in 2020. The attack is part of a string of antisemitic incidents in London over the past month. In Odesa, Russian strikes severely damaged the Chabad Ohr Avner school and the Mishpacha Ukraine orphanage; the school was rendered unusable and the orphanage sustained damage, but there were no casualties. Jewish community leaders said students were relocated to another school and that, with global support, the affected institutions could resume operation within months. Separately, the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre upgraded the threat level to severe after the Golders Green attack.

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/defense-news/article-894754
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-894776
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/04/routine-returns-iranians-struggle-afford-daily-life
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-894753
https://t.me/hnaftali/22880
https://www.israelhayom.com/2026/04/30/the-remarkable-journey-of-trumps-most-powerful-diplomat/
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-894766
https://worldisraelnews.com/suspect-named-in-golders-green-stabbing-as-uk-terror-threat-level-raised-to-severe/
https://www.jpost.com/international/internationalrussia-ukraine-war/article-894758
https://t.me/JewishNews24/53682

HEADLINES
US Ships 6500 Tons Munitions to Israel
Lebanon Split Thwarts Saudi Mediation Talks
Israel Destroys Hezbollah Bunker With 24 Tons

The time is now 2:02 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Military Role, the United States moved a substantial consignment to Israel in a 24-hour window, shipping 6,500 tons of munitions and materiel aboard two large sea vessels and multiple cargo aircraft. The cargo ships docked at Ashdod and Haifa, carrying thousands of air and ground munitions, military trucks, Joint Light Tactical Vehicles and additional equipment. The items were loaded onto hundreds of trucks from the Defense Ministry’s Logistics and Assets Department and the IDF Technological and Logistics Directorate, then transferred to IDF bases across the country. The operation at the Port of Ashdod was overseen by Defense Ministry Director-General Major-General (Reserve) Amir Baram, and the Defense Ministry said the air and sea bridge remains the central tool for building readiness as the security situation develops.

In Regional Impacts, Lebanon’s internal splits over talks with Israel have triped Saudi mediation efforts, with Lebanese officials reporting a growing rift that complicates attempts to forge a united position ahead of historic negotiations with Israel.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, a drone strike near the northern community of Shomera wounded 12 IDF soldiers and killed Sergeant Liem Ben-Hamo, 19, of Herzliya, a member of the Golani Brigade. Ben-Hamo’s funeral is planned for Friday, with condolences offered by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz, among others. Earlier on Thursday, Hezbollah launched two explosive drones toward IDF personnel. Separately, the IDF said it eliminated a Hamas operative who had been operating under the cover of a paramedic; Ibrahim Abu Tzakar led attacks against IDF troops and had planned an imminent terror attack, with steps taken to minimize civilian risk including precise munitions and aerial surveillance. The war and ceasefire framework in Gaza, brokered by the United States, remains in effect as operations continue to remove immediate threats. In a separate strike, the IDF said it destroyed a Hezbollah bunker in southern Lebanon using 24 tons of explosives.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Morgan Ortagus is highlighted as one of the most prominent figures in American foreign policy of the last years, having been central to advancing the Abraham Accords during the first Trump administration and later serving in a high-level deputy role in US diplomacy in the region.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, the Israeli and international view is marked by two reports. In Odesa, the Chabad Ohr Avner school sustained a direct hit in Russian strikes, and a Mishpacha Ukraine orphanage was damaged by nearby explosions; no injuries were reported, but authorities shuttered the school and relocated students while caregivers guided children to shelter and repairs were planned with global community support. In Germany, the Jewish Students’ Union of Germany president says antisemitism is widespread on university campuses, recounting incidents near the Bundestag and subsequent social-media visibility, including threats of legal action over a video recounting the encounter.

In Israeli Economy and Business, Technion announces a new prize for transformative aerospace innovation, the Max and Desiree Blankfeld Endowed Prize for Transformative Innovation in Aerospace. The prize will be administered by the Stephen B. Klein Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, open to nominations in the summer of 2026, with the first award scheduled for June 2027. The prize will alternate annually between recognizing a senior researcher and supporting a promising emerging scholar for extended research residency at the Technion. Separately, Tel Aviv District Court reportedly approved a settlement requiring Apple Inc. to pay 10 million shekels to eligible Israeli iPhone users, with potential payouts up to 1,890 shekels per device; the settlement marks the Israeli conclusion of a global dispute over battery performance management that began in 2017.

In Uplifting News, FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated that Iran will participate in the World Cup and will play in the United States.

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/defense-news/article-894754
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/04/lebanons-internal-splits-over-talks-israel-trip-saudi-mediation-efforts
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-894753
https://worldisraelnews.com/idf-hamas-terrorist-posing-as-paramedic-killed-in-targeted-airstrike/
https://t.me/newssil/200539
https://t.me/hnaftali/22880
https://www.israelhayom.com/2026/04/30/the-remarkable-journey-of-trumps-most-powerful-diplomat/
https://www.jpost.com/international/internationalrussia-ukraine-war/article-894758
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-894751
https://t.me/JewishNews24/53682
https://www.jpost.com/defense-and-tech/article-894729
https://t.me/JewishNews24/53681
https://t.me/newssil/200540

HEADLINES
- USS Higgins crippled by massive engineering fire
- Israel uncovers Hezbollah tunnel stoking fears
- Netanyahu lauds navy flotilla interception

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

In US Military Role, the USS Higgins (DDG-76), a US Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer forward deployed to INDOPACOM, suffered a major main-space engineering fire earlier this week knocking out electricity as well as propulsion and leaving the destroyer “dead in the water.” Details on how the fire started and the exact location of the Higgins in the Pacific are not publicly known, with no injuries to Sailors onboard reported as of Wednesday. The Higgins was last ported in Singapore in February and was observed last year in the South China Sea near the Philippines, according to maritime tracking data.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Sergeant Liem Ben-Hamo, 19, from Herzliya and a member of the Golani Brigade, was killed in southern Lebanon when an armored vehicle was struck by a drone, with another soldier wounded and evacuated in moderate condition as drone incursions prompted sirens in northern Israel. Earlier in the day, Hezbollah launched two explosive drones toward troops near the village of Qantara; one drone was intercepted and the other struck near the forces. IDF forces also announced the dismantling of an underground Hezbollah tunnel over 140 meters in length in the Ras Biyada area, describing living quarters, operational shafts, and weapons located inside; the tunnel had recently been used to advance attack plans and more than 24 tons of explosives were used to dismantle it. Separately, a rocket launched from Lebanon toward northern Israel struck an open area, with no sirens sounding in nearby towns.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the navy, saying he directed them to prevent a flotilla supporting Hamas from reaching Gaza’s shores. He added that the mission was completed fully with no ships or Hamas supporters reaching Israeli waters and that those involved were turned back to their countries of origin, while hinting that Gaza would continue to be viewed on YouTube. In another development, officials indicated that the Home Front Command is expected to tighten its guidelines along the frontline, with schools anticipated to move to capsule arrangements.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Ron Dekel, president of the Jewish Students’ Union of Germany, told The Jerusalem Post that antisemitism is widespread on German university campuses, noting that reporting can be stronger in larger cities where there are more Jewish students. He cited incidents near the Bundestag and at a synagogue, including a viral video that drew widespread attention before Instagram removed it.

In Uplifting News, Technion will establish the Max and Desiree Blankfeld Endowed Prize for Transformative Innovation in Aerospace to recognize groundbreaking contributions and foster international collaboration. Nominations will open in summer 2026, with the first award planned for June 2027, and the prize will alternate between honoring a senior researcher and supporting an outstanding emerging scholar with an extended research residency at the Technion, administered by the Stephen B. Klein Faculty of Aerospace Engineering. The prize is funded by philanthropists Max and Desiree Blankfeld. Separately, Netflix announced a remake of the Israeli series Lovesick, with Claire Danes in the lead role; the project will be written and executive-produced by Sarah Treem and will involve Keshet and Keshet Studios, continuing the collaboration that has brought Israeli series to a global audience.

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/20582
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-894753
https://t.me/selena_updates/62994
https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/75747
https://t.me/selena_updates/62989
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-894732
https://t.me/newssil/200534
https://t.me/newssil/200533
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-894751
https://www.jpost.com/defense-and-tech/article-894729
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/article-894741

HEADLINES
US Iran War Costs Near Forty Billion
IDF Soldier Killed in Hezbollah Drone Attack
IDF Major Indicted for Gaza Border Smuggling

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 US Military Role, the cost of the Iran war to the United States may run close to 40-50 billion dollars when including rebuilding damaged military installations and replacing destroyed assets, according to recent reporting. That figure contrasts with a 25 billion dollar estimate given to lawmakers by a Pentagon official, who said most of that amount has been spent on munitions and that there is no final tally yet for damage to overseas installations. Officials have noted the determination depends on how rebuilding is approached. In the early days of the conflict, at least nine US sites were significantly damaged across Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, the UAE, and Qatar, and Iranian strikes have damaged and destroyed equipment across the region, including a radar system for a THAAD battery in Jordan and other similar facilities in the UAE, with an Iranian strike on a Saudi base also reported. The overall price tag remains uncertain as decisions on rebuilding are made.

In the the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Sergeant Liem Ben-Hamo, 19, from Herzliya, was killed in southern Lebanon, and another soldier was wounded and evacuated for medical treatment. Ben-Hamo served in the 13th Battalion of the Golani Brigade. Separately, twelve IDF soldiers were wounded when a drone struck an armored vehicle near the northern community of Shomera, prompting drone incursion sirens across northern Israel. Two soldiers were moderately wounded and ten sustained light injuries after a Hezbollah explosive drone attack ignited a fire and reportedly triggered secondary explosions of ammunition inside the vehicle. This is a developing story.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, an IDF major was indicted in military court on Wednesday for allegedly using his position near the Gaza border to smuggle a truckload of unauthorized goods into Gaza, bypass military checks, and bring an Israeli citizen into Gaza to complete the transfer. The officer, whose identifying details are barred from publication, faces charges including aiding the enemy, taking a bribe, aggravated smuggling, attempted aggravated smuggling, fraud, breach of trust, obstruction of justice, and conduct unbecoming. He has been in custody since January 26, following a joint investigation by security and law enforcement agencies. Prosecutors say the officer was a career major and deputy battalion commander who filled the sector commander role near Kerem Shalom after the battalion commander was wounded in July 2025, a position that enabled the plan. The indictment notes a Palestinian resident of Hebron planned in December 2025 to smuggle a truck into Gaza carrying mobile phones and other items.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Ron Dekel, president of the Jewish Students’ Union of Germany, told The Jerusalem Post that antisemitism is widespread across German universities, with reporting of incidents more visible in larger cities where more Jews live. Dekel recounted two antisemitic incidents near the Bundestag, including a car following him and playing Palestinian music, and later another encounter where a woman warned him to take down a video he posted about the incidents; the video went viral before Instagram took it down. He described a climate in which antisemitism is a common concern for students.

In Israeli Economy and Business, Technion will award a new prize for contributions in aerospace engineering called the Max and Desiree Blankfeld Endowed Prize for Transformative Innovation in Aerospace. Nominations will open in the summer of 2026, and the first prize will be awarded in June 2027. Funded by Max and Desiree Blankfeld and administered by the Stephen B. Klein Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, the prize will alternate between two tracks every other year: honoring a senior researcher whose work has significantly shaped the field, and supporting an outstanding emerging scholar with an extended research residency at the Technion. Technion president Uri Sivan emphasized the department’s ongoing role in strengthening Israel’s security and advancing its tech​.

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-894732
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-894753
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/crime-in-israel/article-894730
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-894751
https://www.jpost.com/defense-and-tech/article-894729

HEADLINES
Iran war bill sparks US cost clash
IDF razes Hezbollah posts Mount Dov
IDF major indicted over Gaza smuggling

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

In US Military Role, the cost of the Iran war to the United States may be close to 40 to 50 billion dollars when including the costs of rebuilding damaged US military installations and replacing destroyed assets, CNN reported. That figure clashes with a Pentagon official, Jules “Jay” Hurst, who testified before the House Armed Services Committee that the cost figure was about 25 billion, adding that most of that amount has been spent on munitions and that the secretary of defense declined to say whether the figure includes damage to US bases. The Pentagon had said last week that it did not have a final cost for the damage to overseas installations and would decide on rebuilding depending on plans. In the first 48 hours of the war, at least nine US military sites were significantly damaged across Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. Iranian strikes have damaged and destroyed costly equipment across the region, including the radar system for a THAAD missile battery in Jordan and buildings with similar systems at two locations in the UAE. An Iranian strike on a Saudi Arabia air base was also reported.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, FOOTAGE shows the Israeli Defense Forces demolishing several Hezbollah combat positions on the Lebanese side of Mount Dov during a recent raid. The operation was led by the elite Alpinist Unit and the Yahalom Combat Engineering Unit. The military says the forces located and destroyed several Hezbollah combat positions, including rocket-launching posts.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, an IDF major was indicted in military court on Wednesday for allegedly using his position near the Gaza border to smuggle a truckload of unauthorized goods into Gaza, bypassing military checks, and bringing an Israeli citizen into Gaza to complete the transfer. The officer, whose identifying details are barred from publication, was charged with aiding the enemy, taking a bribe, aggravated smuggling, attempted aggravated smuggling, fraud, breach of trust, obstruction of justice, and conduct unbecoming. He has been in custody since January 26, according to the indictment, which was filed after a joint investigation by Shin Bet, Israel Police’s Southern District Central Unit, the Military Police, and customs investigators. The officer was a career major and deputy battalion commander; after the battalion commander was wounded in July 2025, the officer filled his place as sector commander near Kerem Shalom. The indictment says a Palestinian resident of Hebron planned in December 2025 to smuggle a truck into Gaza carrying mobile phones and other items to complete the transfer.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, The Australian Hellenic Choir denied that antisemitism influenced the cancellation of the Bondi Beach Massacre victims benefit concert, saying the decision was due to conflicts with other events. The June 28 Concert for Hope and Unity, a collaboration with the Sydney Jewish Choral Society, was canceled, but the choir management committee stressed that antisemitism had no place in the organization and that such a claim was inaccurate.

A resident doctor in the UK's National Health Service, Dr. Rahmeh Aladwan, a 31-year-old British-Palestinian trainee in trauma and orthopedic surgery, appeared at the Old Bailey Criminal Court facing six charges: four counts of supporting Hamas and two counts of inciting racial hatred through demonstrations and written material. Aladwan refused to admit or deny the charges, speaking only to confirm her identity. Her trial timing was not specified in the filing. The charges stem from statements including “I do not condemn Hamas. I do not condemn October 7th,” and “I condemn the existence of Israel,” with additional posts calling for broader political stances.

Peruvian President José María Balcázar drew international condemnation after claiming that Jews were partly responsible for pushing Germany into war, arguing that Jews “controlled all the banks, all the commerce, and practiced usury.” The remarks were made during a ceremony in Lima, and the Israeli and German embassies released a joint statement condemning the claim that Jews controlled German commerce.

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-894732
https://t.me/JewishNews24/53646
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/crime-in-israel/article-894730
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-894740
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-894360
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-894727

HEADLINES
Hezbollah drone wounds 12 IDF soldiers
PA pays terrorists despite Taylor Force Act
Bennett-Lapid form Together to oust Netanyahu

The time is now 10:01 AM 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, twelve IDF soldiers were wounded on Thursday after a Hezbollah explosive drone struck an armored vehicle near the northern community of Shomera, igniting a fire and triggering secondary explosions of ammunition inside, according to the Israeli military. Two soldiers were moderately wounded and ten others sustained light injuries. Earlier, the IDF said it launched an interceptor toward a suspicious aerial target over southern Lebanon, but provided no further details. The day followed a string of Hezbollah attacks, including the launch of explosive drones toward IDF troops south of the Forward Defense Line on Wednesday, with no injuries reported in those cases. In response, IDF troops from the 146th Division, in coordination with the Israel Air Force, killed five Hezbollah terrorists operating near Israeli troops in southern Lebanon, the military said, and it began striking Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon earlier Thursday.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, the Palestinian Authority has continued payments to terrorists and their families despite promises to end the pay-for-slay programs. Under the Taylor Force Act, Washington cannot provide economic aid to Ramallah until those payments end and its statements of public support for terrorism are halted, the State Department told Congress last month. A total of $156 million was paid, a portion of the $214 million the PA pledged to distribute to families, including $126 million going directly to Palestinian terrorists, including those released from Israeli custody, and $30 million to the families of terrorists who died. The State Department said the PA continues to provide a system of compensation in support of terrorism through new mechanisms and under a different name. Payments continued despite Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas legislating changes to the West Bank welfare system last year, shifting payments to a needs-based model.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, a new alliance between former prime ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid will not dissolve Yesh Atid, and it has drawn a positive response from party members and the public. Bennett and Lapid plan to run in the upcoming elections on a single ticket named Together, with Bennett at the head, a move aimed at uniting the opposition bloc and boosting its chances of unseating Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by October. Merav Ben-Ari, an Yesh Atid member of Knesset and opposition coordinator, called the merger “an amazing thing,” saying it demonstrates Lapid’s leadership and how he can set aside ego for the good of the country.

In Uplifting News, Italian author Erri De Luca will take part in the International Writers Festival in Jerusalem, set for May 25-28 and held with the support of the Jerusalem Foundation. The festival will bring prize-winning writers from around the world together with leading Israeli authors, poets, journalists, and artists. De Luca, born in Naples and known as a novelist and poet, will appear in a program called “From Naples to Jerusalem” and will speak with Prof. Uri S. Cohen about the literary and cultural climate in contemporary Italy, his body of work, and a new Hebrew book slated for publication. De Luca is described as not only a formative novelist and poet but also a social activist and translator of biblical Hebrew who renders the Bible in a distinctive way. The festival also features international guests Nell Zink, Joseph Finder, Eva Illouz, Dara Horn, Steve J. Zipperstein, Benjamin Resnick, and Marcelo Birmajer.

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-894709
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-894700
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-894717
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-894722