Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-23 at 12:01

HEADLINES
- US Iran Near 60-Day Ceasefire, Hormuz Reopens
- Netanyahu Sidelined by Trump in Iran Talks
- Iraqi IRGC Plots to Kill Ivanka Trump

The time is now 12:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Regional Impacts, developments in the Middle East are shaping security and diplomacy, with potential steps on a ceasefire extension and Hormuz reopening, Syria seeking closer Western ties, and a security incident involving Israeli civilians in the West Bank. The United States and Iran are close to agreeing to a 60-day extension of the current ceasefire, with terms that would include the gradual reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a key issue after past closures and blockades. President Donald Trump told Axios there is a 50/50 chance the United States signs a deal or resumes the war, with sources saying he could decide as soon as Sunday after briefings with the security cabinet. The report notes that Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir left Tehran after talks with Iranian officials. Separately, Syria is pursuing closer ties with Western powers, having participated in a military exercise in Turkey and being invited to the G7 summit in Paris next month as a guest nation, to be represented by President Ahmed al-Sharaa; an invitation was hand-delivered to Syria’s president through Finance Minister Yisr Barnieh as Syria seeks inclusion in international organizations and to bolster stability and investment, including cooperation with the World Health Organization. In Nablus, 23 deaf and mute Israeli civilians were rescued after entering the Palestinian city in six vehicles for a meal invitation from a local resident who is also deaf and mute; a Nablus resident alerted security forces, who intervened, escorted them to a local police station, and handed them over to Civil Administration officers for processing, with all individuals reportedly removed safely and transferred to the Judea and Samaria District Police for further inquiry.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Netanyahu sidelined by Trump, has little control over Iran decisions - report. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is said to be sidelined by President Donald Trump in talks with Iran, with two unnamed Israeli defense officials telling the New York Times that Israel is almost entirely out of the loop and relying on other diplomatic and intelligence channels to gauge developments. The report follows an Axios piece describing a tense dynamic after a phone call about a letter of intent to end the war and launch a month-long negotiation, with growing disagreement between Trump and Netanyahu over how to proceed. In the same frame, Trump says he’s “50/50” on whether to pursue an Iran deal or renewed war as the United States reviews the latest offer, with mediators saying a Pakistan-backed draft could be decided within 48 hours, extending the ceasefire by 60 days, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, easing the blockade, and setting up later talks on Iran’s nuclear program.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, If Israel wants mass aliyah, it must end its bureaucratic gatekeeping - opinion. Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar! Party, has called for moving two million Olim to Israel by 2048, aiming to cut bureaucracy and expand incentives for new immigrants and returning residents. He notes that the Law of Return previously allowed anyone with Jewish ancestry to qualify, but the Interior Ministry has become harder to satisfy, in part after changes associated with the Shas Party, which has made religious qualifications a factor in citizenship eligibility. He argues that reducing red tape and broadening pathways is essential to encourage mass aliyah. Ben-Gvir banned from France, French FM Barrot says, demanding sanctions against far-right minister. France has barred National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir from entering the country, with Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot citing concerns over his conduct regarding flotilla participants in Gaza, while urging EU sanctions against him. Barrot also noted France cannot tolerate threats or intimidation of French nationals by public officials, and he called on other EU members to follow France’s lead, with Italy having taken a similar step last week.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Iraqi IRGC operative behind attacks on Jewish targets plotted to kill Ivanka Trump — report. The New York Post identifies Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi, a 32-year-old Kataeb Hezbollah militia commander and IRGC operative held by the US Justice Department, as someone who pledged to assassinate Ivanka Trump in retaliation for the 2020 killing of Qasem Soleimani. Citing a former Iraqi defense official, the report says al-Saadi told multiple people after Soleimani’s death that “we need to kill Ivanka” and had discussed a plan to target Ivanka’s Florida residence, following earlier social media mentions and a satellite image shared in connection with the threat.

In Uplifting News, Gabrielle Soffer: Using her English for the good of others in Israel. Seven years after arriving alone in Israel, Gabrielle Soffer now inspires Israeli high school students through English and literature, earning a certificate of appreciation on Teacher’s Day at ORT Motzkin high school. She arrived in Tel Aviv in 2019, studied Hebrew at an ulpan program, met her husband, and credits support from the community and dedication to helping others as she settled into life in Israel. A night in Jaffa's new Bazaar Hotel, where there is no need to haggle - review. The Bazaar Hotel in Jaffa, part of Fattal’s Colors collection, occupies a Bauhaus-era building on Jerusalem Street and offers 104 rooms and a 24-hour lobby. The property has weathered two war-related shutdowns but reopened with its own character and amenities, reflecting the district’s mix of history and modern hospitality as guests experience a neighborhood stay in a historic setting.

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-897053
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-897052
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-897049
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-897047
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hjz2ihv1xzg
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-896978
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-897048
https://www.timesofisrael.com/iraqi-irgc-operative-behind-attacks-on-jewish-targets-plotted-to-kill-ivanka-trump-report/
https://www.jpost.com/aliyah/article-896790
https://www.jpost.com/travel/article-897051