Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-17 at 21:01

HEADLINES
Civilians Cross Into Syria IDF Repatriates
ICC Rejects Israeli Claims on Hezbollah Killing
Watermelon Symbol Fuels German Antisemitism Surge

The time is now 9:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Regional Impacts, ten Israeli civilians crossed the Israel-Syria border into Syria. IDF soldiers operating at the location returned the civilians to Israeli territory and apprehended them. The apprehended civilians have been transferred to the Israel Police. The IDF strongly condemns this incident and emphasizes its severity, which constitutes a criminal offense that endangers civilians and IDF soldiers.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Elizabeth Tzorukov reportedly killed a senior Hezbollah Iraqi while she was in captivity. The International Criminal Court in The Hague has rejected the Israeli report as inaccurate and potentially misleading. Tomer says regarding the explosion: we are conducting a number of such experiments. After Trump’s confrontation with the Iranians, Mojtaba reportedly laid out the demands to the US president.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Germany’s BfV warns that antisemitic codes, from financial conspiracy terms to anti-Israel symbols, can spread extremism while going undetected. The BfV identifies the image of a watermelon slice as one of the symbols used by secular pro-Palestinian antisemitism and extremism. Secular pro-Palestinian extremism in Germany is very heterogeneous, comprising various organizations, individuals, and networks, and is united by hostility toward Israel and a refusal to recognize its right to exist. These groups act as a link between left-wing and Islamist actors, and sometimes with right-wing extremists, with a pronounced hatred of Israel and antisemitism serving as the primary unifying elements. The main reference for antisemitic agitation is the existence of the State of Israel, usually equated with the Jews.

In Uplifting News, thousands gathered on the National Mall for “Rededicate 250: A National Jubilee of Prayer, Praise & Thanksgiving.” The day-long, faith-focused rally transformed the space into a venue for prayer and national reflection, framed as a historic rededication of the country as One Nation under God. The event was organized by Freedom 250, a public-private partnership backed by the White House to mark the United States’ 250th anniversary, and drew high-profile support from top US officials. In video messages and live appearances, Republican leadership stressed the role of faith in governance, with President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance driving the initiative, which had been announced earlier in the year. While the tone was predominantly evangelical Protestant, the program included broad faith leadership and notable Jewish representation. Separately, Christian nationalism was celebrated at a daylong prayer rally on Washington DC’s National Mall, featuring a conservative Christian lineup that argued the United States was founded as a Christian nation; Orthodox Jewish Rabbi Meir Soloveichik was the only non-Christian religious leader on the program.

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/JewishNews24/54490
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1322638
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-896498
https://www.jpost.com/christianworld/christianity-news/article-896500
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/syyx7cpjfe