Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-23 at 14:01

HEADLINES
US Iran near 60-day ceasefire, Hormuz reopening
Israeli soldier felled by drone near Lebanon
US tightens Israeli green-card path

The time is now 2:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Regional Impacts, The United States and Iran are nearing a 60-day extension of the current ceasefire, with terms that would include a gradual reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a matter both sides have pressed after closures and blockades of the waterway. A Financial Times report on Saturday cites that framework would address most issues raised during negotiations and set out a staged path for restoring traffic through Hormuz. President Donald Trump told Axios there is a “50/50 chance” the United States signs a deal with Iran or resumes the war, and in remarks to CBS he said negotiations are “getting a lot closer” to finalizing an agreement without providing framework details. The report notes that the Pakistan Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, left Tehran after talks with Iranian officials as part of broader regional discussions. We will continue to monitor developments.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, an Israeli military statement confirms Staff Sergeant Noam Hamburger, 23, of Atlit, a technology and maintenance soldier in Battalion 9 of the 401st Armored Brigade, was killed by an explosive drone near the Lebanese border. The army said another soldier was severely wounded and a non-commissioned officer was lightly wounded; the wounded were evacuated to hospital and families notified. This remains a developing story. A separate report notes an IDF soldier was killed by a Hezbollah-connected drone near the Lebanon border, underscoring ongoing cross-border hostilities in the region.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, new US rules tightening green-card procedures could require many Israelis seeking permanent residence to leave the United States and complete the process at the embassy in Israel, creating legal risks for those who overstayed visas and potentially long separations for families and workers.

In Uplifting News, Gabrielle Soffer is using her English for the good of others in Israel. Seven years after arriving alone in Israel, she now inspires Israeli high school students through English and literature. She recently received a certificate of appreciation on Teacher’s Day at ORT Motzkin high school. Soffer arrived in Tel Aviv in 2019 with degrees in visual arts and psychology from Hunter College, and she began a Hebrew ulpan at Tel Aviv University to improve her language skills, sharing housing with women from Russia, Brazil and Hungary. She soon met Asaf Cohen, who would become her husband and father of their two boys, and she credits his support as she invested in her teaching journey and now helps students through language and literature.

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/israel-news/article-897059
https://t.me/abualiexpress/122883
https://t.me/abualiexpress/122882
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/bknobpkxzg
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hkjpjvyxgl
https://www.jpost.com/aliyah/article-896790