Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-04-05 at 06:01

HEADLINES
Israel strikes Iranian chemical and missile hubs
CIA rescue US dispatches JASSM-ER missiles
Damascus UAE embassy attack sparks Gulf outrage

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 Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, over the past 24 hours, Israeli fighter jets struck more than 120 air-defense and missile targets in central and western Iran, the military said on Sunday morning. The operation is framed as targeting Iranian chemical and missile infrastructure, reflecting a broad campaign described by Israel as continuing to pressure Tehran from air and air-defense networks.

In US Military Role, US officials say a CIA-led deception campaign helped rescue a downed airman who had been stranded in Iran’s mountains after an F-15 was shot down by Iranian forces. A second airman remained missing for about 36 hours before a US special forces team recovered him, with the CIA effort designed to mislead Iranian search efforts about the location and movement of the rescue operation. Separately, reporting notes the United States is preparing to commit nearly its entire stock of stealthy JASSM-ER long-range cruise missiles to the Iran campaign, with missiles drawn from stockpiles shifted from other theaters and deployed from bombers and strike aircraft. The broader operation has saw substantial use of long-range munitions, though recent incidents—including losses of combat aircraft and damage to rescue helicopters—underscore persistent risks in the theater. Additionally, a Fox News report states that Israel was involved in the rescue and shared relevant intelligence with US authorities.

In Regional Impacts, Syria condemns the attack on the UAE Embassy in Damascus, with Gulf states voicing outrage over the protests and condemning what they view as a breach of international law. Syria has signaled an interest in restoring ties with the UAE, while emphasizing that the demonstrations do not reflect the Syrian people or their values. Statements from regional officials stressed that the US-UAE partnership remains crucial for security concerns across the Middle East, even as the protest activity drew various interpretations in international media.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, there are reports of rockets fired along the frontline in the south, with clashes described in areas including Bar’am, Yaron, and surrounding regions. At the same time, a US special-forces operation is described as rescuing the navigator under fire as launches were directed toward northern Israel’s Galilee region and Safed. The Israeli military also conducted strikes in Beirut in what officials describe as ongoing retaliation or pressure operations connected to the broader regional context.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, former Sephardi Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef denounced the High Court’s ruling restricting Passover prayers at the Western Wall, calling the judges "heretics" and "Shabbat desecrators" and urging divine condemnation of the judiciary. The ruling limits attendance at the Western Wall Plaza during Passover and directs the priestly blessing to be performed inside the Western Wall Tunnels rather than the plaza, while permissions for protests against ongoing security operations allow up to about 600 participants.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, a pro-Hamas EU member of parliament is set to stand trial in the European Parliament for glorifying terrorism and was found in possession of illegal drugs, highlighting a continued focus on anti-Israel sentiment within some international forums.

In Uplifting News, the Miracle in Sinaia revisits 1965 when a group of Israeli amateurs broke through the Soviet chess dominance at the XII FIDE World Student Team Championship in Sinaia, Romania, a moment regarded as a powerful symbol of Israeli resilience during the Cold War era.

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://worldisraelnews.com/israeli-jets-strike-iranian-chemical-and-missile-infrastructure/
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-892079
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-892077
https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/74470
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-892072
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1305330
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-892057
https://worldisraelnews.com/pro-hamas-eu-mp-arrested-for-glorifying-terrorism/
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/sports/article-892089