HEADLINES
- US Signals Readiness to Restart Iran War
- Ben Gvir Flotilla Video Triggers Backlash
- Healing Ink Tattoos Empower Gaza Survivors

The time is now 4:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Military Role, the United States has signaled it is ready to restart attacks on Iran if a deal cannot be reached. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told attendees at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore that Washington remains prepared to act should negotiations stall, assuring that “our ability to recommence if necessary... we are more than capable.” He noted that US stockpiles are “more than suited for that, both there and around the globe,” and that Washington is in a “very good place.” Hegseth emphasized that the United States has not turned its back on the Asia-Pacific region even as it engages with Iran, adding that the country can pursue multiple aims at once and is “super-charging our defense industrial base” to build two, three, or four times the munitions soon to fund operations worldwide. He also described President Donald Trump as “patient” and intent on securing a “great deal” that ensures Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon. On Friday, Trump indicated he would meet in a secure White House room to make a “final determination” on a proposal to end the Iran war.

In Regional Impacts, a Cyprus wartime getaway couldn’t provide an escape from Israel, an opinion piece notes. The author recounts planning a four-night stay at the Secret Forest, an Israeli-run kosher resort, only to feel unsettled as the war with Iran escalated. The piece describes the practical burdens of packing—merging everyday travel needs with medications and contingency items—and explains how conflict fears forced travelers to double or triple up on essentials. The author recalls how the US and Israel’s attacks on Iran and Iran’s response altered the sense of safety, turning what should have been a brief break into a decision about whether to travel at all.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Ben Gvir drew fire from fellow right-wingers for his flotilla video, a move many viewed as political theater. The footage shows the far-right national security minister taunting activists near the Gaza-bound flotilla, drawing criticism from foreign governments, human rights NGOs, and the Knesset opposition. Even within his own coalition, some allies distanced themselves and criticized the impact on Israel’s international image. With elections approaching, observers see the act as a way for Gvir to signal he is different from his allies on the right, willing to challenge Israel’s enemies regardless of the reputational cost.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, why Jewish tourists no longer feel safe being visibly Jewish in London is examined in an opinion piece. The author frames concerns about intensified security warnings for Jews and Israelis traveling to England, balancing the desire to travel with worries about safety. The piece includes a note from London Luton Airport detailing procedures that require headwear removal and scanning to prevent concealed items, underscoring how security protocols intersect with everyday travel. The personal reflection centers on whether to bring grandchildren to London amid these heightened precautions and the broader question of safety for visibly Jewish travelers.

In Uplifting News, former Gaza hostage and October 7 survivors received therapeutic Healing Ink tattoos. The program, run by Art Over Hate, aims to help survivors reclaim agency through tattooing, described by CEO Craig Dershowitz as a reclamation of their body, mind, and life story. Ben Gida, owner of the tattoo studio hosting the event, says tattoos can transform pain into meaning, turning scars into art that carries identity and empowerment. Among participants is Itamar Gilead, who fought off a Hamas attacker, and others who bear both physical and psychological scars from the massacre, now finding a path toward personal healing through these tattoos.

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/iran-news/article-897780
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-897510
https://www.timesofisrael.com/ben-gvir-drew-fire-from-fellow-right-wingers-for-his-flotilla-video-was-that-the-point/
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-897513
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-897777