Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-25 at 00:02

HEADLINES
Oil slides on Hormuz deal hopes
Britain France eye Hormuz mine clearance
IDF on high alert as reservists trimmed

The time is now 12:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Regional Impacts, oil falls, Asian stocks climb on hopes of US-Iran Hormuz deal. Oil prices slipped as investors weighed the prospect of a deal between the United States and Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, with Brent crude at 99.41 dollars a barrel and West Texas Intermediate at 92.49, down roughly five percent. The talks, viewed as a potential step to end the conflict that has disrupted energy markets since February, have helped ease some pressure on prices, though traders remain wary of remaining sticking points, including Tehran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium. President Donald Trump said on Truth Social that negotiators should not rush into a deal and that time is on their side, while Iranian reports indicated key clauses remain unresolved.

In Regional Impacts, awaiting deal in Iran war, British navy prepares to clear mines in Strait of Hormuz, Britain’s Royal Navy is preparing a mine-clearing mission to secure the Strait of Hormuz alongside France, contingent on a peace agreement. Aboard the RFA Lyme Bay off Gibraltar, hundreds of sailors waited to be deployed as a potential international operation to clear mines and safeguard the oil lane. Trump has urged allies to support the effort, saying the deal with Iran has been largely negotiated but still needs finalizing, and Britain's Armed Forces Minister visited Lyme Bay to review preparations for a mission that would be led by the UK and France if a peace accord is in place.

In Regional Impacts, IDF maintaining high alert level despite potential US-Iran deal, but reducing mobilized reservists, Israel’s military leadership said reservists at the General Staff headquarters have been reduced in number, while some officers were told to stay ready but not report to the HQ. The head of Military Intelligence, Major-General Shlomi Binder, is overseeing intelligence work to gauge Iran’s efforts to rebuild its military capabilities and to refine warnings of strategic developments, even as political leaders are not seen as central to the negotiations. Israel emphasizes vigilance as talks continue, with a clear focus on monitoring Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps activities and potential shifts in the regional threat picture.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, IDF troops borrowing nets from fishermen to defend against Hezbollah drone threat, Israeli forces in southern Lebanon reportedly reached out to Sea of Galilee fishermen for fishing nets to bolster defenses against Hezbollah’s growing drone threat. The nets, along with other improvised defenses such as shade nets and camouflage, are part of efforts to standardize a response to aerial attacks, even as not all nets prove effective and officials move to establish a consistent defense approach. Soldiers improvise with fishing nets as Hezbollah drone threat intensifies, with reports noting continued drone attacks that have life-and-death consequences for troops and positions, and public outcry over gaps in preparedness as Hezbollah expands its drone campaign. Sergeant Nehoray Leizer was killed by an explosives-laden drone strike in southern Lebanon as Hezbollah accelerates attacks with fiber-optic drones; authorities say planned operations to continue fighting have not been approved by the political leadership, in part because of ongoing diplomatic efforts involving Iran.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Diplomacy funded by illusions: Trump’s deal with Iran must be more than promises, an editorial argues that a rush to publish progress can create a false sense of progress while leaving dangerous gaps. The piece warns that any agreement must deliver verifiable dismantling of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and the removal of enriched uranium, with strict inspections and a durable end to Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. A deal that offers sanctions relief and reopened ties while keeping core capabilities intact would amount to a dangerous concession, the editorial contends. It cautions that Israel cannot judge Iran by the moment’s mood and notes that while Trump has suggested the deal is largely negotiated, the ultimate value will depend on concrete, verifiable outcomes beyond temporary assurances.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, The Arab parties will run together in a 'technical joint list' in upcoming elections, representatives from Hadash, Ta'al and Balad issued a plan to invite Ra’am to form a technical bloc for the vote while preserving each party’s independence, a move described as aiming to prevent loss of Arab votes and to maximize electoral influence.

In Uplifting News, Gofra Beach's mineral-rich sulfur springs reopen after six years, the Sea of Galilee’s water levels have receded enough to reveal the sulfur springs at Gofra Beach, reopening in mid-May after a six-year closure. The waters, rich in minerals such as boron, fluorine, and chloride and heating to about 31 degrees, flow into a small wading pool built to concentrate the spring’s flow. The beach area, spanning about 900 meters, remains a popular spot with facilities for recreation and camping, and a boating channel, with the reopening welcomed by the Kinneret Cities Association and beachgoers alike.

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/oil-falls-asian-stocks-climb-hopes-us-iran-hormuz-deal
https://www.timesofisrael.com/awaiting-deal-in-iran-war-british-navy-prepares-to-clear-mines-in-strait-of-hormuz/
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-897184
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-897187
https://worldisraelnews.com/soldiers-improvise-with-fishing-nets-as-hezbollah-drone-threat-intensifies/
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/bykd7rweme
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-897161
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rkc00y711lgg
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-897186