HEADLINES
Trump extends Iran ceasefire; no end date
Wings of Dawn brings 240 Bnei Menashe
South Lebanon soldier topples Jesus statue; jailed

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 US Policy Concerning Israel, President Donald Trump extended the ceasefire with Iran this week without setting an end date, a move the report says reframes the current phase as economic attrition aimed at shaping Iran’s choices. Six weeks of emphasis on military force by the United States and Israel to degrade Iran’s military infrastructure and nuclear capabilities is described as largely achieved, but the piece notes that military action alone has rarely yielded durable political outcomes. The pause in bombing does not signal de-escalation; it marks a shift in strategy, with a tightened blockade and intensified economic pressure intended to keep up pressure on Tehran, even as support for the war effort in the United States has declined.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, authorities report an incident in which a soldier in southern Lebanon used a metallic sledgehammer to topple a Jesus statue and posted the moment online; the event drew international rebuke. The IDF court-martialed the soldier and the photographer, sending them to military prison and removing them from future combat service. The episode is presented as part of a broader concern about fundamentalism, described in the piece as a syndrome that threatens tolerance and coexistence. Separately, Israel launched Operation Wings of Dawn to complete aliyah for the Bnei Menashe community from India. The first flight carried 240 new immigrants to Ben-Gurion Airport as part of a government-backed effort led by the Aliyah and Integration Ministry and JAFI. About 600 immigrants are expected in three waves this year, with roughly 1,200 more anticipated by the end of 2026 and a projected relocation total of about 6,000 by 2030. Many newcomers will settle in absorption centers in Nof HaGalil, reuniting with relatives who have already immigrated, with Prime Minister Netanyahu leading the effort approved in November.

In Uplifting News, the report lists Shabbat candle lighting times and end times for Israel and the United States across multiple locales, with examples such as candles around 7:27 p.m. and Shabbat ends around 8:30 p.m., and other locales showing lighting around 7:30 p.m. with end times near 8:25 p.m. and additional entries like 7:14 p.m.–8:12 p.m., 6:34 p.m.–7:53 p.m., 6:58 p.m.–7:55 p.m., 6:46 p.m.–7:56 p.m., 6:57 p.m.–7:54 p.m., and 6:54 p.m.–7:50 p.m. The listings reflect areas with varying times for observance. The second uplifting item highlights Parashat Acharei Mot-Kedoshim, noting that the days between Pesach and Shavuot are a time for reflection and inner preparation as the Torah is presented, with Rabbi Akiva’s teaching that loving one’s neighbor as oneself is a central principle. The Jerusalem Talmud emphasizes this as a fundamental command, while the period also recalls the historical lesson of Rabbi Akiva’s students, who were lost for failing to treat others with respect.

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-894011
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-894019
https://www.jpost.com/aliyah/article-894059
https://www.jpost.com/judaism/article-894062
https://www.jpost.com/judaism/torah-portion/article-893837