Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-06-02 at 08:01

HEADLINES
- Iran hidden arms factories remain operational
- Israel defense sales hit record $19B
- Beaufort Castle seized as Lebanon fights

The time is now 8:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Iranian Retaliation, Iran's military industries are operating and completely hidden, Brigadier General Mohammad Jafar Asadi, a senior Iranian military commander, said on June 2. He noted that sites producing military equipment are "completely hidden from the enemy's view," signaling to the US and Israel that Iran remains capable of production. Asadi, who serves in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and is deputy commander and deputy inspector of Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, said Tehran has not yet revealed all of its winning cards and possesses other cards and capabilities to confront any threat. He added that while the recent war caused some damage and losses, it did not affect Iran's ability to continue military production and support its armed forces.

In Regional Impacts, following the Iran war, Israel is expected to have even larger influence in the region among Arab states, despite a mix of trends. Top Israeli defense sources say the region shows contradictory dynamics: some Arab states appear inclined to draw closer to Israel for security against Iran and for what Israel can project, while others remain wary of Iran or of Israel emerging as a regional dominator. These mixed trends could translate into expanding the Abraham Accords beyond the UAE to Saudi Arabia, or could lead to distancing Israel from broader normalization efforts. The full balance will become clear when the current Iran war ends and the dust settles. The sources also pointed to broader shifts, including the UAE's exit from OPEC, signaling changes in the regional landscape. Israel's defense sales have reached a record high of USD 19 billion.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Yemeni Houthis warn Israel they will not allow Hezbollah to be isolated as Lebanon’s fighting escalates. The Houthis say they could join the war against Israel if the conflict expands into Lebanon, coordinating with Hezbollah and other members of Iran’s regional alliance as Israeli forces press deeper into southern Lebanon. Sources close to Houthi leadership told Al-Akhbar that contacts are continuing among the Houthis, Hezbollah, and other groups in the Axis of Resistance, and they warned that any Israeli escalation would be met with a unified response. They also claimed broad popular willingness to fight alongside Lebanon’s resistance. The warning comes as Israel expands its ground campaign in southern Lebanon, including the seizure of Beaufort Castle, a 900-year-old fortress overlooking the Litani River.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Israeli lawmaker Dr. Akram Hasson is leading a new Knesset caucus aimed at promoting eventual peace and normalization between Israel and Lebanon. He chairs the Caucus for Peace Between Israel and Lebanon, which Hasson says was born from years of seeing Lebanon held by Hezbollah. The caucus seeks diplomatic, economic, and civilian cooperation, support for northern Israeli communities, and a broader regional framework against Hezbollah. Hasson argues that Lebanon has been damaged by Hezbollah’s control, and the caucus is designed to keep open the possibility of peace and normalization, modest in form but ambitious in scope.

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-898099
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-898095
https://worldisraelnews.com/houthis-warn-of-possible-attacks-on-israel-to-aid-hezbollah/
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-898104