HEADLINES
West Bank settlers burn home, IDF delays
Iran-guided Hezbollah tunnels crushed near Qantara
US Israel talks to wind down aid

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, IDF stood by as extremist Jewish rioters burned a Palestinian home in the West Bank and beat an elderly man in the village of Jalud. Army Radio reported that 12 settlers participated and that soldiers arrived after the rioters, then stood by their vehicles for about five minutes before taking action against the group. Eyewitnesses said one soldier warned the rioters to leave or be arrested, allowing most to escape; other witnesses claimed the rioters rammed an IDF vehicle, blocked Border Police routes, and allegedly threatened to murder a unit commander. The IDF did not deny the allegations, explaining that only one of the twelve rioters was arrested because security forces were outnumbered and the aim was to disperse the confrontation and extinguish the fire.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Turkey has approached the United States and Lebanon with a proposal to help broker an arrangement involving Hezbollah, according to sources familiar with the matter. The Lebanese government reportedly expressed hesitancy about expanding Turkish influence, and the US has not yet offered a clear response. The move reflects Turkey’s broader effort to expand its diplomatic role in the region, including past attempts to involve Turkish troops in various Middle East security efforts. In Lebanon, the IDF said it destroyed two Hezbollah tunnels in the southern town of Qantara, extending about two kilometers in total. The tunnels were located roughly 10 kilometers from Israel, reached depths of about 25 meters, and contained weapons, living quarters, water tanks and equipment to support prolonged stays. One tunnel was recently used by operatives from Hezbollah’s Radwan Force. The military said the tunnels were built with direct guidance from Iran and funded by Iran as part of Hezbollah’s plan to threaten the Galilee.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, fateful talks over the future transformation of US-Israel military relations, which will frame the partnership for a decade or more, are due to start in May. The discussions are expected to shift away from merely maintaining or increasing military aid toward a process that will wind down direct US military aid in exchange for funds tied to a joint defense partnership. The talks are expected to last about four months and could conclude before Israel’s October elections and the US midterm elections, with the winding-down period projected to span about ten years under a standard Memorandum of Understanding. Officials cautioned that developments related to Iran and Hezbollah could affect the schedule.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, President Isaac Herzog’s legal team invited Netanyahu’s defense and the prosecution to begin preliminary discussions on a possible plea bargain in the long-running criminal trial. Herzog’s legal adviser wrote to both sides, inviting them to meet at the President’s Residence to see whether talks could be opened “with an open heart and sincere, good intention.” Both sides were given a deadline to reply, and the adviser noted that agreeing to participate would not constitute acceptance of the other side’s legal positions. Netanyahu resumed cross-examination this week after a two-month hiatus tied to Iran’s war. Separately, Blue and White leader Benny Gantz criticized the Bennett-Lapid Together Party, warning it could harm efforts to replace the government ahead of the elections. He released a campaign video calling for a bloc representing all of Israel and argued Bennett and Lapid were focused on internal leadership battles rather than uniting the country. He said only Blue and White can guarantee that there will not be a return to a government led by the current coalition. In another development, Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara is reportedly preparing to press criminal charges against Israel Prison Service Commissioner Kobi Yaakobi in the so-called Ben-Gvir associates affair, with the investigation cited for public-integrity offenses including fraud and obstruction of investigative proceedings. Yaakobi, who formerly served as Ben-Gvir’s security secretary, is accused of sharing confidential information with a West Bank police officer regarding a covert investigation, potentially compromising it. An indictment had not yet been filed. Ultra-Orthodox draft protesters broke into the yard of Brigadier-General Yuval Yamin, head of the military police, prompting broad condemnations as Highway 4 was blocked in both directions and clashes with police were reported. Israel’s leadership condemned the acts, urging swift action to bring those involved to justice; protesters in Bnei Brak also set a dumpster on fire and threw rocks at security forces.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, a 22-year-old US Army soldier stationed at Fort Polk has been charged with making violent antisemitic threats after allegedly posting on Discord that he planned to attack a synagogue. He faces up to five years in federal prison for transmitting a threat in interstate commerce. The threats were flagged through an FBI tip line, leading to his arrest on April 23. US Attorney Zachary Keller described threats against synagogues and Jewish Americans as threats to religious freedom, while FBI officials highlighted the case as part of ongoing efforts to prevent violent hate-crime attacks before they occur.

In Israeli Economy and Business, the United Arab Emirates said on April 28 that it will leave OPEC, with the decision taking effect May 1. The move, announced via the state-run WAM agency and reported by Arab News, is described as reflecting the UAE’s long-term strategic and economic vision and its shift toward increased domestic energy production while maintaining a responsible, forward-looking role in global energy markets. Analysts note the potential implications for energy markets and OPEC dynamics as the UAE recalibrates its role on the energy stage.

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/crime-in-israel/article-894496
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https://www.jpost.com/defense-and-tech/article-894509
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-894508
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-894503
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-894499
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/crime-in-israel/article-894492
https://worldisraelnews.com/us-soldier-charged-over-threat-to-kill-every-jew-in-synagogue/
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-894502