Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-06 at 15:01

HEADLINES
- US Navy blocks Iranian tanker attempting blockade
- Beirut strike targets Radwan commander Balout
- US Iran talks progress after Trump pause

The time is now 3:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Military Role, The US Navy disabled an Iranian oil tanker attempting to run the blockade and reach an Iranian port.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Israel carried out a Beirut operation described as targeting Radwan Force commander Malek Balout in the Dahiyeh district, with Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Katz saying the strike aimed to eliminate him; reports indicate Balout's fate remains unclear and that the deputy commander of Radwan and other senior Radwan officials were at the targeted compound. Separately, an Israeli airstrike in Khan Younis killed Naseem al-Kalazani, a colonel in the Hamas-run police force, and wounded about 17 others. Diplomacy efforts include plans for a third round of Israel-Lebanon talks in the United States next week, with the Lebanese delegation including former ambassador Simon Karam and current ambassador Nada Hamadeh Moawad, and Moawad meeting with US officials to discuss alleged Israeli violations and the importance of a ceasefire. Additionally, reports indicate that, for the first time since the Lebanon ceasefire went into effect, Israel struck Beirut, killing the head of Hezbollah’s elite Radwan force.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Netanyahu said he was not surprised by the recent US-Iran negotiations and that there is full coordination between the United States and Israel, adding that he speaks with President Trump on an almost daily basis and that the shared objective is the removal of all enriched material from Iran and the dismantling of Iran's enrichment capabilities; he also said Israel is prepared for any scenario and that this is the directive given to the IDF and security agencies. Pakistani officials expressed cautious optimism that a diplomatic breakthrough between the United States and Iran may be within reach after Trump ordered a pause in Project Freedom. A Fox News report cites President Trump as optimistic about a deal and notes a one-week deadline; the report also mentions that US forces fired on an Iranian tanker attempting to breach the blockade.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Ex-spy Jonathan Pollard said he is joining politics ahead of the upcoming election, aligning with Orot HaShachar, and called for annexation of the Gaza Strip; Pollard, who spent 30 years in prison for spying for Israel, criticized Netanyahu and is joined by Nissim Louk as part of the new party.

In Uplifting News, Beautiful ceasefire.

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/18997
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-895380
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-895369
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-895367
https://www.israelhayom.com/2026/05/06/idf-targets-radwan-force-commander-in-beiruts-dahiyeh-strike/
https://t.me/ILtoday/18996
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-895372
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/sktyalf0zl
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-895378
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rkjhgzk011x
https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/75969