Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-17 at 20:02

HEADLINES
US MQ-9 Reaper Shot Down Over Yemen
Drones Escalate Gulf Attacks, Baraka Generator Hit
Israel Strikes Lebanon, Islamic Jihad Leaders Killed

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

In Iranian Retaliation, Earlier tonight, a US Air Force MQ-9 Reaper carrying several AGM-114R9X Hellfire missiles, commonly known as the Flying Ginsu, was shot down by Iranian-backed forces over Houthi-controlled Western Yemen, with wreckage identified in photos and videos as an MQ-9. Since late 2023, more than 40 MQ-9 Reapers have been lost to Iran or Iranian proxy groups, including at least 24 downed over Iran and 15 to 18 downed by the Houthis in Yemen.

In Regional Impacts, Saudi Arabia shot down three drones that entered its airspace from Iraq, and Riyadh warned that it reserves the right to respond at the appropriate time and place. In the United Arab Emirates, authorities say two drones were shot down, while a third drone struck an external generator outside the Baraka nuclear power plant near Al-Dafra; officials emphasized there was no damage to reactors and no radiological risk. Officials stressed that further actions could follow as circumstances warrant.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Lebanese authorities and state media report that Israeli strikes killed seven people on Sunday in Lebanon, including Islamic Jihad commander Wael Abdel Halim and his 17-year-old daughter Rama, with the health ministry noting additional casualties and injuries in other towns as strikes continued despite a fragile ceasefire. Separately, reports say a targeted Israeli airstrike in Baalbek killed Wael Abd al-Khalim, the leader of Islamic Jihad, along with his daughter Rama, underscoring the high casualties linked to the ongoing exchanges. Other accounts from the region describe fatalities near Baalbek and artillery strikes in southern Lebanon, with evacuation warnings issued for several communities as tensions remain high.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Germany’s federal domestic intelligence service, the BfV, warns that antisemitic codes and symbols can appear in secular pro-Palestinian extremism guides. A new BfV page highlights that these groups span left-wing, Islamist, and even some right-wing actors, unified by hostility to Israel and by antisemitic rhetoric that often centers on denying Israel’s right to exist. The agency notes that these actors may employ coded language and symbols to spread antisemitic agitation while connecting different extremist currents.

In Uplifting News, Thousands gathered on the National Mall for Rededicate 250, a national prayer event organized in support of the country’s upcoming 250th anniversary, featuring a broad faith-based program and leadership from political figures who highlighted the role of faith in national life. Separately, four crew members ejected safely after two US EA-18G Growler jets collided mid-air during an Idaho air show at Mountain Home Air Force Base; responders secured the scene and an investigation is underway, marking the latest incident at the Gunfighters Air Show in decades.

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://t.me/DefenderDome/20783
https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/76452
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1322634
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1322638
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/05/lebanon-says-israeli-strikes-kill-7-hezbollah-condemns-talks
https://t.me/selena_updates/63982
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1322633
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-896498
https://www.jpost.com/christianworld/christianity-news/article-896500
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-896494