Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-08 at 01:01

HEADLINES
Strait of Hormuz clashes spark US strikes
ASEAN races to shield energy security
US Iran deal near end to hostilities

The time is now 1:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Iranian Retaliation, Trump says ceasefire still in effect after mutual 'love tap' strikes as Iranian forces launched missiles, drones and boats at US vessels in the Strait of Hormuz; the United States says it intercepted and struck Iranian sites in response, and explosions followed in southern Iran. Tehran blamed the UAE for the incident, a claim Abu Dhabi denies, as tensions widen across the Gulf.

In Regional Impacts, ASEAN leaders gathering in Cebu are expected to thrash out a coordinated response to the Middle East crisis, aiming to ease pressure from an energy shock that has rattled oil-import-reliant economies. They seek to safeguard regional energy and food security as the area remains exposed to the nearly 70-day blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., serving as ASEAN chair, says unity is essential but the bloc must stay agile, pursuing practical measures to strengthen regional energy security and resilience and to improve interconnectivity.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, editors argue that Israel’s self-defense cannot be infringed upon, even if the United States and Iran reach a deal, noting that Jerusalem seems to have limited say in the process. Reports indicate the United States and Iran are close to a deal to formally end the war centered on a one-page memorandum of understanding that would require an end to hostilities and a 30-day negotiation period. The terms reportedly include lifting blockades on the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for sanctions relief and a 15-year moratorium on uranium enrichment, with Iran potentially transferring its stockpile of highly enriched uranium outside its borders. Negotiations are described as highly complex and technical, and officials say a diplomatic path is essential.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Editor’s Notes: The era of the Reshuffled Jew explores how the October 7 massacre did not awaken Jews but moved them in multiple directions. A Druze reservist who fought alongside Jewish units sent a text in Hebrew of thanksgiving, illustrating a redefined sense of Jewish identity in the wake of the violence. The piece discusses the emergence of a cohort some have termed “Reshuffled Jews,” and references commentators who have spoken of this shift in the years following the attack.

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.ynetnews.com/article/hytsq00qcbg
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/05/southeast-asian-leaders-seek-strategy-ease-impacts-iran-war
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-895509
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-895530