Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-09 at 04:01

HEADLINES
Ceasefire falters as US-Iran war drags on
Iran-linked HAYI responsible for London stabbings
Israel strikes 85 Hezbollah sites in Lebanon

The time is now 4:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Military Role, the US and Iran remain far from ending their war as a month-long ceasefire holds only tenuously, with renewed clashes in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. A US intelligence assessment concluded Tehran could withstand a naval blockade for months, a finding that complicates any quick end to hostilities. Washington has been awaiting Tehran's reply to a US proposal that would formally end the war before discussions on more contentious issues, including Iran's nuclear program. Speaking in Rome on Friday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States expected a response that day, though an Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson said Tehran was weighing its reply. Sporadic clashes continued on Friday between Iranian forces and US vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, Iran's Fars News Agency reported; the Tasnim News Agency later cited an Iranian military source saying the situation had calmed but that more clashes were possible.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, the emerging dynamics include a new terror threat associated with Iranian influence. Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya, also known as HAYI, claimed responsibility for the stabbings of two Jewish men in London’s Golders Green on April 29 and has attacked Jewish and Iranian opposition targets across Europe in recent weeks. The group is described as a front for elements operating on behalf of the Iranian regime, with evidence suggesting ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, though full operational details have not been made public. Analysts have termed this pattern “gig economy” terrorism, illustrating how a state might hire or mobilize individuals to carry out attacks without a formal organization. In a separate development, the Israeli military said it struck more than 85 Hezbollah sites in the past 24 hours in southern Lebanon in response to rocket fire toward IDF forces. The strikes hit weapon storage facilities, launchers, and production sites, including an underground site in the Beqaa Valley used for weapon production. Hezbollah operatives involved in advancing attacks against IDF soldiers were also targeted. The Israeli military said two soldiers were moderately wounded and another severely wounded in two earlier incidents involving explosive drones launched by Hezbollah, while there were no reported injuries in the latest round.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Israeli officials remain cautious about the prospects for a deal with Iran. They report substantial gaps between Washington and Tehran, not only in what Tehran might offer to reach an agreement but also in how much President Trump is prepared to concede to achieve a diplomatic resolution. The sense of progress is seen as driven by pressure rather than breakthrough, with concerns about the Iranian economy and domestic American politics influencing views ahead of the midterm elections. Prime Minister Netanyahu maintains frequent contact with the White House, and President Trump has said there is a very good chance of reaching an agreement, even suggesting that Iran's enriched uranium stockpile could be transferred as part of a potential deal.

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.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/05/us-iran-no-closer-ending-war-gulf-clashes-flare
https://www.jpost.com/international/islamic-terrorism/article-895521
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-895604
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-895606