Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-04 at 23:02

HEADLINES
US destroys Iranian boats, launches Hormuz bid
Sudan blames UAE, Ethiopia for Khartoum drone
Two Queens synagogues vandalized in antisemitic wave

The time is now 11:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Military Role, the US military said on Monday it destroyed six Iranian small boats and intercepted Iranian cruise missiles and drones as Tehran sought to thwart a new US naval effort to open shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump launched Operation Project Freedom on Monday in an effort to wrest control of the Strait, a critical waterway that had effectively been closed since the conflict began on February 28. CENTCOM commander Admiral Brad Cooper declined to comment on whether the ceasefire begun on April 8 remained in effect as Iran carried out drone and missile attacks in the region, including against the UAE. He acknowledged the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ interference and said the threats were defeated through the defensive application of munitions, adding that Iranian forces were strongly advised to remain well clear of US assets as the operation proceeds. In a separate development linked to US forces, defense officials told CBS News that one of the two American service members missing in Morocco jumped into the water to try to save the other missing soldier, and search-and-rescue efforts are still underway.

In Regional Impacts, Sudan’s armed forces blamed a drone attack on Khartoum International Airport on the United Arab Emirates and Ethiopia, the latest in a string of assaults that have unsettled the capital three years into Sudan’s civil war. Witnesses said the drone strikes targeted Khartoum’s airport, which has seen renewed activity after residents reported a return of some government functions and international presence last week. The government said it had evidence implicating the UAE and Ethiopia, though Reuters could not independently verify the claims, and both countries did not immediately comment. Since Friday, strikes have hit military targets and civilian areas as fighting continues in a city where ministries and international agencies have slowly returned after the army retook control in March 2025. Separately, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva warned that inflation is rising and the global economy could face a much worse outcome if the war in the Middle East drags into 2027 and oil prices approach $125 per barrel. She said the IMF’s reference scenario for a short conflict is no longer viable, with the adverse scenario already in effect, and cautioned that a protracted conflict with higher oil prices could further destabilize inflation and financial conditions.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Jonathan Pollard, the former US Navy analyst jailed in the United States for spying for Israel, said he will enter Israeli politics. He noted that the October 7 events pushed him into public life, and he criticized Prime Minister Netanyahu’s wartime leadership. Pollard also said he would not cooperate with former Prime Minister Bennett over past security decisions.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, authorities are investigating a wave of vandalism across New York City in which at least two Queens synagogues and several homes were defaced with antisemitic graffiti, including Nazi symbols and the message “Heil Hitler.” The NYPD hate crimes task force is leading the investigation, with New York City Jewish community organizations and politicians reporting the incidents. The Rego Park Jewish Center and another synagogue on 108th Street were targeted, and a Kristallnacht plaque was defaced. NYC Council Speaker Julie Menin said she visited Congregation Machane Chodosh, while the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York and other groups are tracking developments as investigators pursue leads at multiple sites beyond the Forest Hills synagogue.

In Uplifting News, for Israel’s Circassians, food and language sustain an ancient heritage. In the Circassian village of Rehaniya near Israel’s border with Lebanon, Shina Shabso was preparing halyuj, fried semi-circular cheese pastries served to honor guests or to comfort mourners. Preserving Circassian cheese and culinary traditions is seen as vital for the tiny minority of about 5,000 people in Israel, passed down through generations. Shabso described how the recipes connect younger generations to their history, a heritage carried forward even as the border region has endured bursts of conflict, including Hezbollah fire during the Gaza war.

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-895129
https://t.me/JewishNews24/53881
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-895130
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-895128
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/b12quric11l
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-895126
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/05/israels-circassians-food-and-language-sustain-ancient-heritage