Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-03 at 12:02

HEADLINES
Jordan targets Syria near Sweida, sends warning
IDF video shows Hezbollah fighters eliminated
Israel expands air force with 100 F-35s

The time is now 12:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Regional Impacts, Jordan has carried out airstrikes in Syria near Sweida for at least the third time in a year, targeting weapons and drug storage sites in the southern Druze-majority governorate of Sweida. The strikes are framed as a redline and a message that Jordan will act to protect its border, a signal that could reach drug smugglers, the Druze authorities in Sweida, and potentially Israel, which has backed the Druze. Damascus and Amman reportedly do not want the drug smuggling to continue. Syrian state television did report the strikes, though Jordan and Syrian media generally offered limited coverage.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, a video circulating shows Hezbollah terrorists being eliminated by the IDF.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, the Ashkelon Magistrate’s Court extended by two days the detention of two foreign activists arrested after the Israeli Navy intercepted a Gaza flotilla in international waters last week. Brazilian activist Thiago Ávila and Saif Abu Keshek, a Spanish national, will remain in detention until Tuesday after the state requested a four-day extension for further questioning. The two were among the activists aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla, which set sail from Barcelona on April 12 in an attempt to break Israel’s naval blockade on Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid to the Strip. Israeli forces intercepted the vessels late Wednesday near Greece. Most activists aboard the flotilla were transferred to the Greek island of Crete, while Abu Keshek is suspected of affiliation with a terrorist organization and Ávila is suspected of illegal activity. During Sunday’s hearing, Israeli authorities sought to extend the pair’s detention.

In Israeli Economy and Business, Israel’s rapid expansion of its air force amidst the current multi-front war is transforming the nation into a major military power. The move includes additional F-35 purchases, making Israel a global leader in the use of fifth-generation aircraft. Israel will have 100 F-35s in four squadrons, placing it among the largest per-capita users of the aircraft. Lockheed Martin data through the end of January 2026 show 20 countries using the F-35, including the United States with about 2,000, the United Kingdom with 138, Australia with 100, Canada with 88, Italy with 115, Japan with 142, and South Korea with 60. Israel’s planned fleet places it as a major user given its size and population, a reflection of its experience in the recent multi-front conflict.

In Uplifting News, Bank Hapoalim will open 54 museums, parks, heritage sites, and other attractions across Israel free of charge over three weekends in May, under the Poalim Israeli initiative. The sites will be open on May 8-9, May 15-16, and May 29-30, excluding the Shavuot holiday weekend, with advance registration required for entry to all sites, activities, and attractions. The program emphasizes sites in northern and southern Israel and is a revised version of the long-running Poalim for Culture, Beauty and Nature in Israel project, held for 20 years during Passover. Many participating sites will extend their Friday opening hours to accommodate families. Separately, the Israel Antiquities Authority announced a study titled Sealed and Sent: A Long-Term Follow-Up Study of Bullae from Jerusalem and Its Implications for Understanding the City’s Administration. The research, supported by a personal ISF grant for 2025, will be led by Dr. Joe Uziel and Dr. Yiftah Shalev and colleagues from academic institutions. The study aims to examine bullae from Jerusalem to understand the city’s administrative systems from the First Temple period through the end of the Second Temple period, focusing on the inner side of the bullae to determine what they had been attached to.

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/article-894950
https://t.me/hnaftali/22916
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-894978
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-894982
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/article-894983
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-894849