Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-31 at 21:01

HEADLINES
Israel Seizes Beaufort Ridge, Beirut strikes press
Beit Shemesh clash over draft dodger arrest
UN adds Israel to sexual violence blacklist

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 the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, the Israeli military says it has taken control of the Beaufort Ridge outpost and the Wadi al-Saluki area north of the Litani River in southern Lebanon. Senior Israeli officials have pressed senior US officials to allow the IDF to expand strikes in Beirut, hoping for a favorable response as negotiations between Washington and Tehran stall and as Israel-Lebanon diplomacy remains at a standstill. European responses frame the crisis with cautions: Britain's Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper on Sunday urged Israel to halt its Lebanon operations, saying the escalation has killed and displaced civilians and undermined diplomacy, while Germany’s Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul called on all sides to cease hostilities and warned that further escalation could trigger new waves of displacement in Lebanon. The military update confirms the Beaufort Ridge and Wadi al-Saluki operations as part of a broader Israeli push into southern Lebanon, with the IAF, artillery, and armor continuing operations in the area.

In the Israeli Domestic Politics section, Beit Shemesh saw a confrontation outside a police station after the arrest of an alleged draft dodger, with dozens of ultra-Orthodox protesters clashing with security forces. Police dispersed the crowd using batons and stun grenades, and reports described rioters attempting to breach the station and setting nearby vegetation on fire; officers and Border Police were deployed, with authorities signaling ongoing planning for mass arrests of draft dodgers in coordination with the military police. Separately, a group of Israeli worshippers visited Joseph’s Tomb in Nablus for a daytime prayer service, the first civilian daylight visit since Israeli forces withdrew from the site more than 25 years ago. The visit was coordinated with Israeli security officials and included local settlement leaders and lawmakers who have advocated expanding Jewish access to the shrine.

Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate includes findings on how Europe speaks about Israel. A JPPI study found that negative official statements regarding Israel by European Union institutions rose by nearly 60% since the October 7 Hamas attacks. Analyzing more than 24,000 European External Action Service statements from 2017 to 2026, researchers narrowed to 3,584 Israel-related items, with 38% negative, 49% neutral, and 13% positive. After October 7, negative Israel-related statements rose from 29% to about 46%, while neutral and positive statements declined. Among the countries evaluated, Iran was the only one with more negative statements than Israel, a reflection of security concerns rather than humanitarian or legal issues.

Also in Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, the United Nations’ sexual violence blacklist now includes Israel alongside Hamas, with other entries including Russia’s forces in Ukraine, the Houthis’ Al-Zainabiyat unit, and Congo, highlighting ongoing concerns about sexual violence in conflict zones and the ongoing political debates surrounding accountability and attribution.

In Uplifting News, the Satmar Rebbe, Rabbi Aaron Teitelbaum, visited the new Matzilei Eish Fire Rescue headquarters in Kiryas Joel late last night to affix mezuzahs at the facility, which will house the organization’s new emergency apparatus and rescue units. He offered blessings for the volunteers’ safety and continued success serving the community around the clock. In New York, the Israel Day parade drew more than 50,000 marchers, with top city and state leaders in attendance while Mayor Zohran Mamdani boycotted the event. Governor Kathy Hochul, Senator Chuck Schumer, and other officials spoke at the gathering, underscoring a show of solidarity that accompanied the procession up Fifth Avenue.

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/israel-news/article-897929
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-897931
https://t.me/JewishNews24/55079
https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-june-01-2026/
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1327717
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-897932
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hj6z8hclml
https://t.me/JewishNews24/55077
https://www.timesofisrael.com/ny-leaders-join-over-50000-marchers-at-israel-day-parade-boycotted-by-mamdani/