HEADLINES
Haifa refineries hit as Iran escalates
US suspends UNRWA staff over Hamas ties
Tropper quits Blue and White party

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 Regional Impacts, Israelis are watching the broader war against Iran beyond the battlefield, with reports that Israel has struck key Iranian fuel and gas facilities and Iran has repeatedly targeted Israel’s refineries in Haifa. Analysts describe this as the emergence of a new and escalating pattern, in which energy infrastructure becomes a central target in modern warfare. Such strikes carry risks that extend far beyond immediate military gains, because energy systems are both critical and vulnerable and intimately tied to civilian life, raising the stakes of any retaliation in kind. At the same time, the Strait of Hormuz is being framed as a separate, continent-spanning energy crisis, with a longstanding pattern in which Tehran uses terrorism, proxies, and leverage over global shipping to press its demands. Decades of limited international responses and deterrence failures, from the Tanker War era onward, have contributed to a perception that sanctions and forceful action have often come up short, a dynamic that could threaten regional stability and global supply chains if it continues.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, USAID announced evidence that four more current or former UNRWA staff members participated in the October 7 attacks or had Hamas affiliations, bringing the total identified to 21 individuals who have been suspended or disbarred. The newly identified individuals include UNRWA-employed teachers and a social worker, with referrals going to the State Department for potential suspension or disbarment from participation in US-funded aid programs. The record also notes the 10-year, government-wide debarment of Hafez Mousa Mohammed Mousa, a UNRWA school principal and operative with Hamas’s East Jabaliya Battalion. While USAID did not name those still under investigation, the actions reflect ongoing scrutiny of UNRWA staff in relation to the October 7 events and related affiliations.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, MK Chili Tropper announced he will leave the Blue and White party to pursue a different political path, saying he can no longer realize his worldview within the party. He said he will meet with various politicians in the coming weeks to determine his next steps and potentially join a new political framework ahead of the elections. Prime Minister and Blue and White leader Benny Gantz called it a painful day, noting Tropper’s long involvement in building the party and his role in decisions along the way. Blue and White issued a statement appreciating Tropper’s collaboration and expressing hope that both he and the party will continue to contribute to the country in their own ways. Gantz has signaled he would not object to teaming up with Prime Minister Netanyahu if circumstances align. A Hebrew-language report reiterates Tropper’s departure from Blue and White, underscoring the unsettled nature of the political landscape as parties reassess leadership and alliances.

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/opinion/article-894736
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-894739
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-894935
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-894934
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1316798
https://t.me/newssil/200671
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-894930
https://www.jpost.com/defense-and-tech/article-894916