HEADLINES
Hezbollah loses a third of its fighters
IRGC missile attack hits Kuwait
US tankers cripple Ben-Gurion capacity

The time is now 2:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Iranian Retaliation, the IRGC released footage showing its missile attack on Kuwait in response to the US strikes on the outskirts of Bandar Abbas airport in southern Iran.

In US Military Role, Ben-Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv is operating at about one-third of capacity due to the presence of US refueling aircraft, with roughly 70 percent of activity limited by space and resources taken up by American military operations. Dozens of US tanker planes are based there, and authorities warn that as many as 3 million passengers could face cancellations this summer. The Israel Airports Authority has reported losses of about 700 million shekels in the past two months and cautions that the financial hit could rise if the situation continues.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, the IDF says Hezbollah has lost roughly one-third of its forces since 2023. Specifically, 2,500 Hezbollah fighters have been killed since March, bringing total fatalities to about 7,000–8,000 since October 8, 2023, amid ongoing drone and border incidents. Officials note that estimates vary, with some figures placing Hezbollah’s total fighters higher, and about 10,000 fighters wounded, including large numbers in the September 17–18, 2024 period when covert operations were reported. The IDF emphasizes the impact on northern Lebanon security, including actions against Hezbollah leadership and drone capabilities, and references a noted Mossad operation tied to those developments.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington will seek to shut Iranian airlines out of landing spots, refueling, and ticket sales as part of an economic campaign against the Islamic Republic. He described the Iranian economy and currency as being in free fall, and warned that the United States will not tolerate tolling arrangements in the Strait of Hormuz, branding the Persian Gulf Strait Authority a “joke” and saying sanctions will target entities involved in tolling. Separately, analysts note President Trump has pressed Gulf states to join the Abraham Accords, warning that leaving them out could undermine broader regional peace and suggesting that forcing deals may backfire. An opinion piece argues that a proposed agreement to end the war could provide sanctions relief to Tehran, potentially sustaining the regime, while a separate analysis highlights that Trump’s warnings about Gulf waters have strained US-Oman ties and unsettled regional diplomacy.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel controls 60 percent of the Gaza Strip and that his directive would extend to 70 percent. He spoke at a Jordan Valley conference one day after the IDF struck two senior Hamas commanders in Gaza, reportedly while they were meeting in the same apartment after emerging from tunnels. The IDF also conducted broad operations across Tyre, Nabatieh, the Bekaa Valley, and southern Lebanon, with officials noting that forces had crossed the Litani River during these actions.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Seed + Mill co-founder Rachel Simons says she is absolutely heartbroken after a Brooklyn cooperative voted to boycott all Israeli products, reflecting the backlash faced by Israeli-made sesame products and the cultural connections to tahini and sesame. Separately, the British Museum postponed its Jewish Culture Month event on Ancient Israel and Judah after learning that registered attendees intended to disrupt the program, with organizers citing security concerns and deciding to reschedule the talk by Dr. Paul Collins to protect participants and staff.

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://t.me/JewishNews24/54933
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-897685
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-897682
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-897676
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-897684
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-897458
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-897680
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-897673
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-897686
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-897681