Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-26 at 02:01

HEADLINES
US Strikes Iranian Launchers in Hormuz
Iran Uranium Handover Demanded or Destroyed
Hezbollah Drones Plague North, Israeli Toll Rises

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

In US Military Role, US forces attacked Iranian missile launchers and mine-laying ships in the Strait of Hormuz overnight. President Trump said Iran will hand over its enriched uranium, or facilitate its destruction in place, verified by the IAEA.

In the conflict with Iran and its regional proxies, an editorial argues Israel must end the dangerous illusion of deterrence on the northern border, noting that eleven Israeli soldiers have been killed in Lebanon since the April 8 ceasefire, while Hezbollah drones continue to strike Israeli communities such as Metula and education in the North remains disrupted. The piece says the situation is not manageable and calls for substantial steps, including possible strikes on Beirut, with IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant-General Eyal Zamir reportedly telling the security cabinet on Monday that escalation must be addressed. Separately, students in Israel's northern border region are learning from home after the IDF imposed stricter regulations in response to escalating Hezbollah drone attacks, and Israeli forces are expanding operations in Lebanon to curb and eliminate the Hezbollah threat.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Shin Bet head David Zini reportedly met in the United Arab Emirates with former Fatah official Mohammed Dahlan, who has lived in exile in Abu Dhabi since 2011 after Mahmoud Abbas claimed he murdered Yasser Arafat; the Shin Bet did not comment on the schedule, and reporting notes broader security coordination between Israel and the UAE during the war, with Washington Post/WSJ coverage cited in briefing material. The same topic reports that six Israeli citizens were arrested after a network smuggling weapons and drugs from the Egyptian and Jordanian borders into Israel, with police stating dozens of pistols, dozens of M16 rifles, three machine guns, thousands of rounds, and large quantities of drugs were moved between 2024 and 2026; indictments have been filed. The topic also notes that Israeli forces published a confiscation order for 109 dunams of land, including the area around the Tomb of the Prophet Samuel near northern Jerusalem. Additionally, reporting indicates that the Mossad chief visited the UAE during the war to coordinate on security matters.

In Uplifting News, today marks the Day of Arafah, observed by Muslims the day before Eid al-Adha. It is described in Islamic tradition as one of the holiest days, when the doors of heaven are opened and fasting is recommended, with pilgrims performing the Hajj gathering near the Kaaba in Mecca. The article notes, historically, that Arafah has been cited as a day favored by some militants seeking to draw near to God, a point offered in context of cultural and religious reflection on the day.

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/ILtoday/19155
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-897283
https://t.me/ILtoday/19156
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-897301
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-897298
https://t.me/abualiexpress/123060
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/bywjaizemg
https://t.me/abualiexpress/123062