Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-09-04 at 12:12

HEADLINES
IDF to Strike Lebanon; Tensions Mount
IAEA Pushes Iran to UNSC Refer
Unity Party Leader Withdraws From Israeli Election

The time is now 12:11 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Regional Impacts, Iraq’s close political and commercial ties with Iran continue to give Tehran access to trade routes, currency markets, and commercial networks that are difficult for US authorities to monitor, even as Washington steps up pressure on Tehran and entities linked to it. Iraqi officials and analysts say progress on bringing Iran-backed armed groups under state control by a September deadline remains slow, while Washington maintains a push for stronger oversight of dollar transactions and the banking system. Iraq and Iran share a lengthy border with formal crossings and enduring informal trade routes, and US authorities have documented the use of Iraqi banks and currency-exchange mechanisms to move dollars to Iran and Iran-aligned groups. Separately, Israel has released five Lebanese civilians in a US-mediated deal that includes a search for the remains of Lebanese Jewish leaders abducted and murdered during Lebanon’s civil war in the 1980s; Lebanon is to assist in locating the bodies in exchange for the detainees’ release, with Israel’s prime minister’s office saying the leaders were abducted and murdered by terrorist organizations, and the Red Cross confirming the remaining detainees were received. In the same regional frame, two ballistic missiles were launched from Iran toward the Strait of Hormuz.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, the IDF is set to conduct strikes on Lebanon in coming hours, with explosions expected in Western Galilee, the Hula Valley, the Ramim Ridge, and possibly in the northern Golan Heights; the security department of the Upper Galilee Regional Council said there will be no special public instructions, but the IDF and the council will stay in continuous contact and issue updates if changes occur. This remains a developing situation.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, the United States and its allies Britain, France and Germany are pressing other countries on the UN nuclear watchdog’s board to adopt a resolution next week that would report Iran to the UN Security Council for the first time in two decades. If approved, the measure would follow up a June 12, 2025 resolution declaring Iran in breach of non-proliferation obligations for not fully cooperating with an IAEA investigation into uranium traces found at undeclared sites. The United States, which conducted a February 28 air campaign with Israel that damaged Iran’s uranium-enrichment facilities, notes that Iran has not allowed IAEA inspectors to return to the bombed sites or verify remaining stocks of enriched uranium. A board resolution to refer Iran to the Security Council would mark the culmination of a protracted dispute over IAEA access, as the board has issued multiple resolutions over the past year demanding Iran declare its enriched uranium stocks and grant full inspection access.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Unity Party leader Gilad Erdan announced he is withdrawing from Israel’s 2026 election race, saying the party has little chance of crossing the electoral threshold and that merger efforts with other parties have failed to materialize, leaving him to conclude the Unity Party will not run. He cited voter focus on who will become prime minister and the desire for a broad unity government as reasons for stepping back. Political commentary within the same topic argues the Israeli Right faces a pattern of fragmentation that could hinder forming a governing majority, with talk of mergers among leaders such as Winter with People of Israel, and a technical bloc between Smotrich and Feiglin, while Winter has reportedly not joined that arrangement. A Hebrew-language report within this topic repeats Erdan’s decision.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, security spending across the American Jewish community has surpassed $1 billion annually, with the average expenditure per institution around $225,000 among more than 4,500 Jewish communal organizations, a 33% increase from 2024. The bulk of the cost goes to security personnel, and the analysis excludes privately owned businesses such as kosher restaurants and markets. The data come as leaders renew calls for the Jewish American Security Act to fully fund the Nonprofit Security Grant Program at $1 billion. The rise in spending reflects heightened concerns about safety for synagogues, community centers, schools, camps, and other institutions.

In Uplifting News, Israeli adventurer Adam Jano has climbed Sierra Leone’s so-called cursed mountain, venturing into a remote region despite warnings of demons and witchcraft. Jano followed a mystery spotted on Google Earth, with local hunters joining his ascent, and a summit marker revealing a 57-year-old story.

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/article-907597
https://t.me/JewishNews24/59611
https://t.me/selena_updates/69785
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-907606
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-907604
https://www.jpost.com/israel-election-2026/article-907605
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-907448
https://t.me/newssil/209884
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-907599
https://www.ynetnews.com/magazine/article/syl34vuuge