Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-09-05 at 02:02

HEADLINES
- Iran eyes escalation at Strait of Hormuz
- Pentagon polygraphs Joint Staff over munitions leaks
- IAI completes first Airbus cargo conversion flight

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 Iranian leadership considers escalation as US officials fear military, cyberattacks - report, intelligence assessments indicate Iran is weighing a significant escalation as it grows more confident in its ability to strike targets in the Middle East and in cyberspace. The leadership appears reluctant to end the war, and officials warn Iran could widen its attacks beyond the current pace. In recent weeks Iran has resumed strikes against US targets in the region while the United States has resumed strikes inside Iran. Officials warn Iran could broaden its operations, including against ships in the Strait of Hormuz, and pursue cyberattacks on critical US infrastructure. Reports indicate Iran-linked hackers were behind cyberattacks on more than 100 water systems across the United States in July; while no water system was degraded to unsafe levels, disruptions forced manual overrides and precautionary boil-water advisories.

In Pentagon gives polygraphs to Joint Staff officials in attempt to find munitions info leak, roughly 50 members of the Joint Staff have been subjected to polygraph tests in a probe into leaks to journalists about the shrinking US munitions stockpile amid the Iran war. Investigators sought to determine whether classified information about munitions stockpiles, including long-range missiles and Patriot interceptors, was disclosed to the press in August. A Pentagon spokesperson said the department does not comment on internal personnel matters but emphasized that leaks of classified information are taken seriously and investigated. President Donald Trump has threatened long-term jail sentences for those found responsible for releasing information about the munitions stockpiles.

In White House reviews candidates to replace Hegseth deputy Feinberg, sources say, the White House has reviewed candidates to replace Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg, signaling possible leadership changes at the Pentagon amid unusually high staff turnover. The discussions reportedly included conversations with senior lawmakers in the Senate about whether the administration’s picks would have enough support to be confirmed, and no decision had been made by late August. White House spokespeople have sought to downplay the reports, saying anonymous sources do not reflect official plans. Separate reporting indicates the administration is looking to replace Feinberg, and the coverage notes that Hegseth had previously blamed Iran war munitions shortages on Feinberg.

In White House looking to replace Hegseth deputy Steve Feinberg, sources say, Trump administration denies the report; Hegseth was previously said to have blamed Iran war munitions shortages on Feinberg, making his dismissal the latest Pentagon shake-up. The post White House looking to replace Hegseth deputy Steve Feinberg, sources say appeared first on The Times of Israel.

In Israel Aerospace Industries' first cargo-converted Airbus aircraft completes first flight, Israel Aerospace Industries completed the first flight of an Airbus A330-200 converted into a cargo aircraft, marking a milestone in the company’s expansion into Airbus conversions. The flight, taking off from and landing at Ben-Gurion Airport, was part of the aircraft’s certification process and moves toward delivery to customers and entry into service. The converted aircraft, the Airbus A330-300BDSF, is designed for cargo operations on regional and medium-range routes, offering capacity for up to 30 cargo containers and a payload of up to 61 tons. It features an electric cargo-loading system and an optimized cargo flow, with a forward placement of the main deck cargo door to speed loading and unloading. Until now, IAI had converted only Boeing aircraft for cargo operations, aerial refueling, and VIP transport, and this development signals a broader shift into Airbus-conversion work.

War-weary Ukrainian students learn Yiddish to reclaim a Jewish past nearly erased at home, non-Jews study the region’s history through language study with New York’s YIVO Institute, connecting with US Jews over a heritage decimated with help from some local collaborators. The program offers a pathway to explore regional history and culture that has been suppressed for decades, helping students engage with a heritage largely lost at home.

In Israeli scientists find ‘multitasking’ gene controls mood and metabolism in mice, researchers at the Weizmann Institute have identified the Orthopedia gene as playing a critical role in mood regulation and metabolic processes across life, including contributions to in-utero brain development. The findings may inform future approaches to treating anxiety-related conditions and metabolic disorders in humans.

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-907621
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-907623
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-907624
https://www.timesofisrael.com/white-house-looking-to-replace-hegseth-deputy-steve-feinberg-sources-say/
https://www.jpost.com/business-and-innovation/article-907620
https://www.timesofisrael.com/war-weary-ukrainian-students-learn-yiddish-to-reclaim-a-jewish-past-nearly-erased-at-home/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-scientists-find-multitasking-gene-controls-mood-and-metabolism-in-mice/