Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-23 at 10:01

HEADLINES
- Iran warns crushing response if US strikes
- Deaf Israelis rescued after Nablus lunch invitation
- Netanyahu sidelined as Trump leads Iran talks

The time is now 10:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Iranian Retaliation, Iran's chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned that if Washington resumes hostilities, Tehran will deliver a crushing response, saying our armed forces rebuilt themselves during the ceasefire and that any restart would be more crushing for the United States than on the first day of the war. The warning followed reports by US media that the White House is weighing renewed strikes. Ghalibaf's remarks came after a Tehran meeting with Pakistan's army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, a key mediator in efforts to turn the April 8 ceasefire into a settlement; Munir left Tehran after talks as Iran complaints that the United States is making excessive demands. Weeks of negotiations to convert the ceasefire into a settlement continue.

In Regional Impacts, a group of 23 deaf and mute Israelis were extracted from the West Bank city of Nablus after being invited there for lunch by a Palestinian man. The Israelis were detained by Palestinian security officers after entering Area A, then handed over to Israeli forces, with six vehicles bearing Israeli plates involved. The Civil Administration said initial protection and coordination were provided by its Coordination and Liaison Administration, and the incident will be investigated by West Bank Police, with officials reiterating that entry into Area A is restricted. Separately, Iran said a memorandum had been reached with the Pakistani mediator and that a draft understanding would end the war, lift the blockade, reopen the Strait of Hormuz and remove US forces from the combat zone, though nuclear issues would be deferred to later talks. Iranian television also reported that the commander of the Pakistan army was leaving Tehran, asserting that Tehran is now clear for a strike, a claim echoed in the regional commentary surrounding the talks and the broader conflict dynamics.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, The New York Times reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been sidelined by President Trump in Iran talks and is “almost entirely out of the loop,” forcing Israel to seek information through other diplomatic and intelligence channels. An Axios report cited a US source saying Netanyahu’s reaction was intense after a phone call with Trump about the direction of the talks, including a draft “letter of intent” and related steps. Trump publicly asserted that Netanyahu will do whatever he wants him to do, highlighting a strained and divergent dynamic at the heart of the US-Israel approach to the Iran negotiations.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, France banned Itamar Ben-Gvir from entering French territory, with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot demanding EU sanctions against the far-right minister and condemning the flotilla approach to Gaza as counterproductive. Barrot stressed that France cannot tolerate French nationals being threatened or brutalized by public officials, noting Italy had already imposed a ban. In a separate examination of the home front, Neora, 32, describes the emotional toll of life with a spouse in active reserve duty, sharing how frequent separations strain their relationship while she navigates daily life and coping strategies during the ongoing period of service.

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.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/05/iran-chief-negotiator-vows-crushing-response-if-us-returns-war
https://www.timesofisrael.com/group-of-deaf-mute-israelis-extracted-from-nablus-after-being-invited-for-lunch/
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hysmob1gzg
https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/76654
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-897047
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-897048
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-896878