HEADLINES
IDF kills Balout as Hezbollah losses mount
US CTS 2026 targets five Islamist groups
Bennett and Lapid form unity alliance

The time is now 8:02 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, the Israeli Defense Forces say it has continued strikes against Hezbollah after the May 6 killing of Radwan commander Ahmed Ali Balout. The IDF reports Balout was eliminated in a precision operation and notes that in recent weeks it has taken out 220 Hezbollah terrorists and commanders, including Muhammad Ali Bazi, the head of Hezbollah’s intelligence department in its Nasr Unit, and a Hezbollah air defense observation officer who was killed. The tempo of these operations has accelerated since a ceasefire in Lebanon in early April, with ongoing efforts to dismantle Hezbollah’s infrastructure. Analysts weigh whether these losses will produce a lasting weakening or simply prompt Hezbollah to replace those it has lost, a pattern observed in past rounds when key Hezbollah commanders have been removed. In related action, the Israeli air force reportedly struck a vehicle in the Balat area of southern Lebanon. Separately, footage released by the IDF shows a Hezbollah rocket operator who launched rockets at IDF soldiers concealed a launcher inside a civilian structure in the Jouaiya area; the IDF struck the structure and eliminated the operative, with secondary explosions indicating weapons inside. In another incident, Hezbollah fired several rockets toward IDF soldiers in southern Lebanon, with the rockets landing near the troops before the IDF struck the launcher within minutes. The overarching question remains whether these operations will erode Hezbollah’s capabilities in a meaningful way or whether the group will adapt to losses and persist.

In the US Policy Concerning Israel, the newly released United States Counterterrorism Strategy 2026 places destruction of Islamist terror groups as a primary objective. The CTS categorizes terrorists into three types and identifies jihadist groups, especially those backed by state actors, as a continuing threat to the United States. One of its top priorities is the targeting and destruction of the five Islamist groups with the intent and capability to attack the United States: al Qaeda, al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, ISIS, ISIS-Khorasan, and the Muslim Brotherhood. The CTS states that all modern jihadist groups can trace their roots back to the Muslim Brotherhood, and it describes the MB as the root of modern Islamist terrorism predicated on recreating a Caliphate and harming non-Muslims. The CTS also lists another major priority, though the article does not spell out all details in this summary.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Israel’s political landscape is shifting as former prime minister Naftali Bennett and Opposition Leader Yair Lapid announced a joint political alliance ahead of the next elections, reigniting debate over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s long-standing dominance. The partnership is framed as unity-driven and presented as an alternative to the current coalition, with both leaders stressing cooperation after years of political deadlock, battles over judicial reform, and the aftermath of the October 7 attacks. The merger is being weighed for its strategic calculations, with Lapid’s Yesh Atid polling and Bennett’s position as a potential challenger shaping the conversation. Commentators suggest Israelis may crave broad partnerships more than ideological clashes as they assess how the alliance could reshape the electoral landscape.

In Uplifting News, Israel’s Noam Bettan dazzled in a second Eurovision rehearsal as security services, including the FBI, prepared for heightened security ahead of the event. Austrian police said they were planning a week of tightened security before and during the contest. Bettan will represent Israel with the song “Michelle,” performing in the first semifinal on May 12 and tenth on the stage, with a central diamond motif that rotates and unfolds into a floral opening, followed by a catwalk and ensemble of dancers. Former Jerusalem chief rabbi Aryeh Stern died at 81, drawing tributes from religious and civic leaders who praised his unity-building and commitment to Jewish law. In Los Angeles, Dr. Miriam Adelson was honored by the Israeli-American Council with its Defender of Am Yisrael lifetime achievement award for her support of Israel, the Jewish people, and efforts to secure the return of hostages after Hamas’s attacks. In Sweida, Syria, a content creator, Nervanah Kawther, shared a post seeking Israeli aid as threats from jihadists loom, telling Israelis that studying Hebrew helps build a bridge to peace and connection with the Jewish people.

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
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https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/article-895454
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-895453
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-895449
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/r1s3rycaze