Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-05 at 23:02

HEADLINES
CS Anthem Exits Hormuz Under Project Freedom
Trump Pauses Hormuz Mission for Iran Peace
Gas Jumps 31 Cents Amid Iran War

The time is now 11:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Military Role, US forces are helping to restore commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, with US Navy guided-missile destroyers operating in the Gulf under a directive called "Project Freedom." The CS Anthem chemical tanker exited the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, its operator said on Tuesday, becoming the second US-flagged vessel known to complete the transit while protected by the military. Maersk said on Monday that the Alliance Fairfax, a US-flagged vehicle carrier operated by its Farrell Lines subsidiary, had exited the Gulf via the Strait. Crowley-Stena Marine Solutions, which operates the CS Anthem, said in a statement that the Crowley-managed vessel has safely completed its transit through the Strait. Three other US-flagged ships that have been stuck in the region after the US and Israeli war with Iran began on February 28 remain in the Gulf, according to three sources. One of those is the product tanker Stena Imperative, which was struck by two unknown projectiles in the port of Bahrain in early March, causing a fire on board; it is now in dry dock in the Gulf. CENTCOM said US Navy guided-missile destroyers are operating in the Gulf under Project Freedom, and NBC News, citing two unidentified US officials, reported additional details about the operation.

In Regional Impacts, the price of a gallon of regular gasoline climbed 31 cents in the past week, spiking to an average of $4.48 per gallon Tuesday, according to AAA, hitting drivers after rising 50% since the war with Iran began. The main reason drivers are paying more at the pump is the global energy crisis caused by the Iran war. Australia also said that 13 members of Australian families in Syria linked to Islamic State plan to travel home, but will receive no government assistance. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said there were "very serious limits" on what authorities could do to prevent Australian citizens re-entering the country, and that the government is not assisting these individuals. He added that any returnee suspected of criminal activity would "face the full force of the law without exception," though he did not specify potential charges. Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett said some returning Australians could be arrested as authorities have contingency plans in place since 2014 to manage individuals linked to extremist groups.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, President Donald Trump announced that US operations to guide ships through the Strait of Hormuz will be paused because there is progress on a peace deal with Iran. Project Freedom will be temporarily paused to assess whether a final agreement can be finalized, while the US blockade in Hormuz remains active. Requests from Pakistan and other countries also influenced the decision to pause, according to Trump. The US military had earlier stated it destroyed six Iranian small boats and intercepted missiles and drones as part of Project Freedom. Iranian officials warned that the project would violate the ongoing US-Iran ceasefire, signaling possible tensions as pauses are considered.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, the NYPD has secured an almost three-block perimeter around Park East Synagogue where an Israeli real estate event is being held, with pro-Palestinian protesters gathered on surrounding streets on Lexington and 3rd Ave. The University of Michigan has issued a formal apology after a history professor lauded pro-Palestinian student protesters in a commencement speech over the weekend, a development that has triggered widespread recriminations, with pro-Israel advocates urging funding cuts and others accusing university officials of bowing to political and donor pressure. In Woolwich Crown Court, four Palestine Action activists were convicted of breaking into an Israeli defense factory in the U.K. and smashing equipment with sledgehammers and crowbars; jurors found Charlotte Head, Samuel Corner, Leona Kamio and Fatema Rajwani guilty of criminal damage and they face sentencing on June 12. Nikki Haley weighed in, saying what happened at the University of Michigan is bigger than one speaker and deserves more than an apology, noting the university’s large Jewish student body and stating that the administration knew the speaker’s record and still gave him the mic, leaving those students isolated and targeted.

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-895238
https://t.me/JewishNews24/53942
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/05/australia-says-islamic-state-linked-citizens-syria-camp-plan-return-home
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-895240
https://t.me/JewishNews24/53944
https://t.me/JewishNews24/53945
https://t.me/JewishNews24/53946
https://t.me/JewishNews24/53947