HEADLINES
M/T EUREKA Hijacked Off Yemen Coast
Germany Expands Forces Amid US Drawdown
Lebanon Toll Rises to 2,618 Dead

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 Regional Impacts, Yemen's coast guard said on Saturday that the M/T EUREKA oil tanker was hijacked off the coast of Shabwa province by unidentified armed men who boarded the vessel, seized control, and steered it towards the Gulf of Aden in the direction of Somali waters. The coast guard added that the tanker’s location had been identified and efforts were underway to track it, take necessary measures to recover it, and ensure the safety of its crew. This is a developing story. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said the withdrawal should spur Europeans to strengthen their own defenses, adding, "Germany is on the right track" by expanding its armed forces. The withdrawal would affect a current US presence of almost 40,000 soldiers stationed in Germany, as the Pentagon announced a drawdown of 5,000 troops. According to the US Defense Manpower Data Center, 36,436 active service members were stationed in Germany as of December last year. Pistorius added, "We Europeans must take on more responsibility for our own security." The Lebanese Health Ministry reported that 2,618 people have been killed and 8,094 wounded in Lebanon since the start of the current round of fighting.

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

SOURCES
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-894877
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-894876
https://t.me/abualiexpress/121530