Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-05 at 08:02

HEADLINES
- Iran escalates UAE strikes, shipping threats
- Hezbollah drones escalate border clash with Israel
- Ginzburg leaves Blue and White before elections

The time is now 8:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Iranian Retaliation, a month of a shaky ceasefire has allowed Tehran to marshal resources and test new tactics, signaling growing confidence as the ceasefire wears on. Tehran has previously pressed limited actions on other fronts, including Kurdish opposition groups in the Kurdistan Region of northern Iraq. In the latest moves, Iran’s attacks on the United Arab Emirates and threats to shipping show added self-assurance. The UAE reported intercepting numerous missiles and drones on Monday, and a key oil port in the UAE was attacked. CNN reported that the UAE used an Israeli air defense system in this round of attacks. Pakistan’s prime minister condemned the missile and drone strikes on civilian infrastructure in the UAE and urged that the ceasefire be upheld to allow dialogue toward enduring peace and stability in the region.

In Regional Impacts, tensions around the Strait of Hormuz are rising, with reporting noting remarks attributed to Israel’s Finance Minister Smotrich in a must-listen roundup. In a separate development, the European Union plans a 6 million euro program to support Palestinian victims of settler violence in the West Bank, coordinating with the Palestinian Authority and local and international NGOs. The program aims to document attacks and provide protective equipment and a protective presence for communities facing violence, with funding around 6 million euros. The EU’s initiative follows a rise in settler attacks reported by the IDF, cited as a 27% increase in 2025. Tehran has asserted dominance over Hormuz and is eyeing the next target, calling Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline the main alternative; experts warn Iran is expanding threats to Gulf energy infrastructure. The Arab world, including Lebanon and the Palestinian Authority, condemned Iran’s unprovoked attacks yesterday on the United Arab Emirates. A note recalls a past warning from the UAE Foreign Minister to Europe nearly a decade ago.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, the IDF said two Hezbollah militants were killed by a drone in southern Lebanon as they attempted to flee near IDF troops; they were armed and on a motorcycle when identified. Earlier, Hezbollah had launched an anti-tank missile near IDF soldiers, with no injuries, and mortar shells were fired at troops in two separate incidents, also with no injuries; the IDF issued evacuation warnings to the towns of Jabshit and Sarafina in southern Lebanon to keep civilians away from Hezbollah infrastructure. Separately, Hezbollah’s deployment of fiber‑optic drones has prompted Israeli defense firms to respond; Smart Shooter, known for its computer‑vision‑based fire‑control systems, has supplied technology to the IDF for use against such drones, as the arms landscape near the border grows more complex.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, MK Eitan Ginzburg announced he will leave the Blue and White party to seek another political framework ahead of the elections, becoming the second lawmaker to exit Blue and White this week as the party grapples with poll results. Ginzburg said Blue and White could no longer effect change and that there was no other option but to move forward; Benny Gantz had set a noon deadline for declaring his political future, and the party said a conversation was held as part of the transition.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, a fire broke out at a former London synagogue in what police are treating as arson; minor damage to gates was reported, with no injuries. Investigators are reviewing security camera footage, and Counter Terrorism Policing will assist with the inquiry, as local residents expect increased police presence while inquiries continue. In Canada, CSIS released its annual public report noting that seven priority cases involved violent threats partly motivated by the Gaza war, underscoring rising concern about religiously motivated violence. CSIS warned that the threat of domestic lone-actor attacks has increased since the Israel-Hamas conflict, with ISIS operations and radicalization contributing to the risk; antisemitism manifested mainly through vandalism, propaganda, and bomb threats, and while most incidents did not threaten national security, they reflect a broader climate of hostility.

In Israeli Economy and Business, a new IBM poll finds that almost half of operational decisions could be made by AI in 2030. The survey of 2,000 global CEOs shows 76% have appointed a chief AI officer and 64% are comfortable making decisions based on AI-generated insights. The study indicates that 48% of operational decisions could be autonomous, primarily in areas with clear rules and procedures. IBM’s Gary Cohen urged organizations to adopt an AI-first operating model, noting that 83% of CEOs believe AI success depends on effective human collaboration alongside technology.

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
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https://www.jpost.com/business-and-innovation/article-895191