Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-04 at 09:02

HEADLINES
Iran claims Hormuz frigate strike CENTCOM denies
Lebanon's survival hinges on deal with Israel
Netanyahu trial hearing canceled amid security briefing

The time is now 9:02 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Iranian Retaliation, a US official told The Jerusalem Post that Iran's navy did not hit a United States Navy ship near the Strait of Hormuz. CENTCOM said two US-flagged ships transited the Strait on Monday and that US forces are supporting Project Freedom and enforcing the naval blockade on Iranian ports. The denial follows a report from IRGC-aligned Fars News Agency claiming two missiles hit a US naval frigate near the port of Jask, forcing it to turn back. Tehran has prepared other scenarios it will activate if necessary, according to Tasnim News Agency, citing an unnamed source. Iran has repeatedly claimed to have struck several US naval ships in the region, including the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, though CENTCOM said the missiles launched did not come close.

In US Military Role, a Hebrew-language report describes extraordinary developments in the Strait of Hormuz and cites claims that the United States announced it had broken the blockade. The piece also references supposed airborne fuel stations headed for Israel under heavy fog, and describes what it calls Hezbollah’s deadly trap in southern Lebanon, as well as a High Court decision on a Bazan power plant with a temporary three-year exemption.

In Regional Impacts, the opinion argues that Lebanon’s survival may hinge on a deal with Israel. It notes that President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam are pursuing negotiations not out of desire but because they understand the alternative — the end of Lebanon as a unified state. The piece describes Lebanon as navigating structural realities, including militia influence and sectarian division, and frames leadership decisions as attempts to avoid another cycle of regional conflict that could fracture the country’s unity.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Sharon Sharabi, brother of former Hamas hostage Eli Sharabi, announced he is joining Avigdor Liberman’s Yisrael Beytenu ahead of the elections. He praised Liberman as a true right-wing leader and noted Liberman’s warnings about the October 7 massacre and calls for Hamas’s elimination. Eli’s captivity lasted 491 days, his brother Yossi was murdered in Hamas captivity, and Eli’s wife and two daughters were killed on October 7; Sharabi has been active in the campaign to secure hostages’ release. Separately, Netanyahu’s testimony in his criminal trial was canceled overnight after defense cited a security schedule, marking another interruption in the evidentiary phase of Case 1000, Case 2000, and Case 4000. The court said the hearing would not take place following the update, after Netanyahu attended a cabinet meeting and a late security briefing.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited Berlin’s Chabad Lubavitch community with officials, including the President of the Bundestag, to show solidarity amid rising antisemitism. He met with Rabbi Yehuda Teichtal and toured educational institutions and the central synagogue, where Merz pledged Germany’s commitment to protecting Jewish life and security.

In Uplifting News, Morocco’s parliament has received Petition 321183 asking that Moroccan nationality be granted to all children and grandchildren of Moroccan Jews who previously Renounced it, with signatures being gathered by the National Gateway for Citizen Participation. The petition argues that Moroccan Jews and their descendants have long been part of the nation. In Israel, reports note the passing of a celebrated composer associated with Zohar Argov, described as mysterious and previously living in Ein Gedi. In Beit She’an and Tel Aviv, artist Nitai Halaf introduced “The Great Salon,” and a related note highlights his ongoing work as part of a creative resurgence.

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-895064
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1317304
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-895027
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-895076
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-895061
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-895068
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-895072
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1317297
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1317294
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1317293