Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-05 at 15:02

HEADLINES
Sa’ar Demands Iran Be Dealt With Now
UAE Battles Iran Missile and Drone Attacks
Ceasefire Collapse Deepens Israel-Hezbollah Clash

The time is now 3:02 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar has called for action against Iran, saying Iran must be dealt with now.

In Regional Impacts, the United Arab Emirates says its air defenses are responding to new Iranian missile and drone attacks.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, a reporter’s notebook examines the developing Israel-Hezbollah conflict after a half-capsized ceasefire began to collapse in late April. The Jerusalem Post, escorted by the IDF, visited Naqoura and Ras al-Bayada about 10 kilometers into southern Lebanon, observing heavily destroyed villages along the route and noting that Hezbollah stores weapons in many of the houses there, according to IDF sources. Christian villages such as Alma a-Shaab were described as intact, suggesting Hezbollah did not establish positions in those areas. The area is controlled by IDF Division 146, under Brigadier General Beni Aharon, with senior commanders Colonel Aviel Balachsan and Lieutenant-Colonel Lior among those directing operations. For almost a week after the April 17 ceasefire, the IDF and Hezbollah kept friction to a minimum, even as hostilities continued.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Abu Dhabi officials told the Israeli ambassador in the United Arab Emirates that they need to press the American administration to act and to punish the Iranian regime.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, a poll by IDI’s Viterbi Center for Public Opinion and Policy Research shows 64% of Jewish Israelis view the current security situation regarding Iran as incompatible with Israel’s interests, while 48.5% of Arab Israelis see it as compatible. The survey also finds 62% of Israelis expect a high likelihood of fighting resuming, and 52% of Arab Israelis share that expectation. It also shows 51% of Israelis believe the Trump administration has more influence over Israel’s defense decisions than the government, with Jewish respondents at 56% and Arab respondents viewing influence as shared. Optimism about national security declined from 47% in March to 39% in April, while optimism about social cohesion fell from 30% to 22.5%.

In the same topic, Bennett responds to Smotrich comments that coalition with an Arab party was “worse than Oct. 7,” with Naftali Bennett releasing a video distancing himself from Smotrich’s remarks and Yair Golan condemning Smotrich for using the deaths of 1,200 Israelis for political gain.

In the Likud political storm, Netanyahu’s demand for ten reserved spots on Likud’s national list is described as a non-negotiable stance by a senior Likud official, raising the possibility of a major reshuffle or even an independent run if demands are not met. The plan could push around 70% of Likud ministers and Knesset members out of the next Knesset, depending on how the Norwegian Law provisions are applied, and could fundamentally reshape the party’s lineup.

In Israeli court extends detention of two Gaza flotilla activists until Sunday, the Ashkelon Magistrate’s Court extended the detention of Spanish national Saif Abu Keshek and Brazilian Thiago Avila, activists aboard the Global Sumud flotilla intercepted last week near Crete, to allow continued questioning. Police say the suspicions include aiding the enemy during wartime, contact with a foreign agent, contact with terrorist elements, and other offenses, with authorities arguing the individuals are linked to a group designated as terrorist.

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/18979
https://t.me/JewishNews24/53909
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-895215
https://t.me/newssil/200958
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-895224
https://www.jpost.com/podcast/article-895225
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-895222
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-895211
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-895034