HEADLINES
Hezbollah FPV Drone Hits Iron Dome Battery
Trump Xi Talks Center Iran Pressure
Abe Foxman Dies ADL Leader

The time is now 6:01 PM 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, Hezbollah released footage on Sunday night of one FPV drone striking an Iron Dome battery on the northern border. There was no public comment from the IDF, but unofficially, IDF sources could not dispute the video’s authenticity, and the visuals spoke for themselves. The incident highlights the IDF’s ongoing challenge in countering FPV drones, which use special cables and manual operation to outwit the military’s jamming and tracking systems. The IDF has improved against conventional drones since 2024, but FPV aircraft, which gained prominence in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, have tested the defense. In mid-March, former IDF air defense chief Brigadier General (Reserve) Ran Kochav warned that the IDF was not adequately protecting Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and other defenses. Senior IDF officials told The Jerusalem Post during a recent visit to southern Lebanon that several new pilot programs are being developed to better identify and shoot down FPVs, though officials say real-time countermeasures are still catching up.

In the US Policy Concerning Israel, Trump’s visit to China will focus on Iran issue, demand more pressure on Tehran, US officials say. Senior American officials said President Trump will place the Iran issue at the center of his meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping during his upcoming trip to Beijing, which is set to begin this Wednesday. The discussions come amid efforts to reach a new agreement with Tehran and growing concern in Washington over continued Chinese support for the Iranian regime. Officials said Trump has previously spoken with Xi about Iran, Russia, and Beijing’s economic and technological ties with both regimes, including the flow of goods, components, and possibly weapons exports. The Iran issue is expected to be a central topic at the summit, alongside trade, artificial intelligence, Taiwan, and technological tensions, with Trump believed to demand that China apply additional pressure on Tehran. Trump warns Iran will "be laughing no longer," condemning years of what he calls Iran’s provocations. In a Truth Social post, he said Iran has been "playing games and laughing at the US for 47 years," and that "they will be laughing no longer," referencing alleged past actions including roadside bombs, suppression of protests, and a crackdown described as wiping out 42,000 innocent unarmed protestors. Netanyahu is expected to speak with Trump within the hour, according to a source cited by The Jerusalem Post. The White House has yet to respond to Iran’s published statements. On diplomacy, Reuters, citing a Pakistani official, reported that Pakistani mediators have now received Iran’s response to the US proposal centered on a potential memorandum of understanding between the two countries.

In the US Policy Concerning Israel, Pakistani mediators have now received Iran’s response to the US proposal, centered on a potential memorandum of understanding between the two countries. The report, via Reuters, notes that the response has been transmitted through Pakistani channels as part of ongoing mediation aimed at shaping a possible framework between Washington and Tehran. The development comes as other lines of discussion around Iran continue to move, including Washington’s push for a new accord and concerns about Beijing’s role in regional dynamics.

In the Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, NYC anti-Israel activists plan Monday protest against Israel real estate event. New York City-based anti-Israel groups, led by PAL-Awda NY/NJ, said on Instagram on Friday that they are organizing a rally against a Great Israeli Real Estate event in Flatbush, with the exact location not yet disclosed. The organizers cite the event as promoting settlements in the occupied West Bank and accuse the organizers of advertising illegal settlements in areas such as Gush Etzion, Kfar Eldad, and Karnei Shomron, asserting this violates international law. They argue attendance is restricted to Jews with specific political orientations, alleging violations of housing and anti-discrimination laws. The event’s website includes a field to fill out, suggesting further organization for potential participants.

In the Uplifting News, Remembering a true leader and spokesman for American Jewry: Abe Foxman - comment. Abe Foxman, a longtime leader of the Anti-Defamation League, died at age 86. Born in 1940 in Baranovichi (now Belarus), he survived the Holocaust after being raised by a Polish Catholic nanny, and he came to the United States in 1950. He studied at the Yeshiva of Flatbush, the City College of New York, and NYU School of Law. Foxman joined the ADL in 1965 and led the organization as national director from 1987 to 2015, authoring four books on antisemitism and shaping its approach to civil rights and advocacy. He will be buried in New York, leaving a lasting impact on how American Jewry engages with anti-Semitism and civil rights issues.

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-895734
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-895738
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-895731
https://t.me/DefenderDome/20672
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-895736
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-895733
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-895733