Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-09 at 13:01

HEADLINES
UK-France Plan Multinational Shield for Hormuz
Reservists Wounded as Drones Hit Lebanon Border
Gaza Flotilla Activists Headed for Deportation

The time is now 1:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Regional Impacts, Britain said on Saturday it was deploying its warship HMS Dragon to the Middle East in preparation for a potential multinational effort to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz once conditions allow. HMS Dragon, an air defense destroyer, was sent to the Eastern Mediterranean in March, shortly after the start of the Iran war, to help defend Cyprus. Its relocation to the Middle East follows France's deployment of its carrier strike group to the southern Red Sea, as the two countries work together on a defensive plan to restore confidence in the trade route. The pre-positioning of HMS Dragon is part of prudent planning that will ensure that the UK is ready, as part of a multinational coalition jointly led by the UK and France, to secure the Strait, when conditions allow. The plan would require coordination with Iran, and about a dozen countries have indicated a willingness to participate.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, three IDF reservists were wounded by explosive drones near the Lebanon border, with Lebanon reporting seven dead in related strikes beyond the yellow line. Fighting continues ahead of a third round of Israel-Lebanon talks, and the reservists were described as seriously and moderately injured by drones inside Israeli territory.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Gaza flotilla activists Thiago Avila and Saif Abu Keshek are expected to be released from Shikma detention facility on Saturday and handed over to immigration authorities for deportation. Shin Bet informed the Adalah legal center of the expected release, and the Adalah team will monitor developments to ensure that the release and deportation take place. Adalah says the pair have been held for more than a week since their capture in the early hours of Thursday, with reports they were kept in isolation and subjected to harsh conditions despite their clearly civilian mission. The activists have been on hunger strike, with Abu Keshek intensifying his protest and reportedly refusing to drink water on the evening of May 5. A lawyer for Adalah said the activists were detained from a vessel flying the Italian flag and were therefore subject to Italian jurisdiction.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, attacks on synagogues and Jewish-owned businesses are increasing not only in Britain but across the free world, according to the piece. The author recalls visiting London to see Arthur Miller’s Broken Glass, a play about the rise of antisemitism in 1930s Germany and the impact on a Jewish community. The essay includes a personal memory of the author’s late husband, John, who was a child during the era of antisemitic laws and witnessed the persecution that culminated in Kristallnacht, drawing a warning about the persistence of Jew-hatred today.

In Israeli Economy and Business, Gazans report the smuggling of 11,000 cartons of cigarettes into the Gaza Strip, an operation valued at tens of millions of shekels on the local market. The shipment is believed to have entered through Egypt and is expected to generate significant profits for Hamas.

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-895614
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/b1lbqa3rwx
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-895613
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-895324
https://t.me/selena_updates/63479