Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-09 at 19:01

HEADLINES
- Israel covert Iraqi desert base revealed
- Gaza backs Hamas disarmament civilian governance
- Ships trapped in Hormuz floating prison

The time is now 7:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Operation Lion's Roar, Israel established a clandestine military outpost deep in Iraq’s western desert ahead of its long-range air campaign against Iran, with US officials aware of the operation to support Israeli special forces, intelligence collection and combat search-and-rescue teams operating more than 1,000 miles from Israel. The covert base remained hidden until early March, when an Iraqi shepherd observed unusual helicopter movements and alerted Iraqi security forces. As Iraqi troops moved toward the area near Nukhayb in Anbar province, Israeli aircraft struck the approaching unit, killing one Iraqi soldier and wounding two others to prevent exposure. Iraq later lodged complaints at the United Nations over sovereignty violations and initially accused the United States of involvement, though Washington denied responsibility. The revelations drew attention after Israeli Air Force commander Major General Tomer Bar wrote in a March letter that Israeli air force special units were carrying out “extraordinary missions” capable of igniting the imagination, remarks now widely interpreted as an indirect reference to covert operations tied to the affair.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, Israel built a secret military base in a remote Iraqi desert to support an airstrike in the war against Iran, according to a Wall Street Journal report. Several people familiar with the matter, including top US officials, told the WSJ that the IDF established the outpost shortly before Operation Roaring Lion began in February. It housed Air Force special forces and served as a logistics facility, with troops stationed there in case pilots were shot down over enemy territory. The report noted that the IDF nearly launched strikes against Iraqi troops that had almost discovered the base. A local shepherd spotted unusual activity on March 4 and tipped off the Iraqi military; Iraqi forces were driven away by airstrikes, and one Iraqi soldier was killed. A US source told the WSJ that American forces were not involved. Baghdad condemned the incident and filed a complaint with the United Nations.

In US Military Role, Iraqi reports describe a large number of American aircraft over Baghdad skies, the largest since the start of the ceasefire.

In Regional Impacts, Gazan public opinion is shifting, with a majority of residents supporting disarmament of Hamas and viewing it as a potential path out of long-term turmoil and violence. Western intelligence findings cited by KAN News indicate broad backing for Hamas to surrender its weapons and for civilians to lead rather than the group, with a growing sense that reconstruction and peace are possible if fighting ends. On the ground, reports also note a decline in support for violent resistance and a move toward civilian governance amid stalled disarmament negotiations tied to the October 2025 ceasefire deal.

In Regional Impacts, Hormuz’s floating prison describes hundreds of ships trapped in the Persian Gulf as supplies run low and rescue options vanish, with crews reporting drones overhead, a nearby ship burning and fears for their safety as tensions persist between the United States and Iran.

In Regional Impacts, Russia and Iran use Caspian Sea trade routes to aid Tehran’s drone program, with trade flowing through Caspian ports as an alternative to the blocked Strait of Hormuz. Four ports operate around the clock to import essential commodities, including wheat, corn, animal feed and sunflower oil, and traders note that Caspian shipments could double by year’s end as coverage and tracking remain difficult from afar.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Qatar rushes to mediate on Iran deal as Tehran threatens US bases and ships over tanker strikes; Rubio and Witkoff met Qatar’s prime minister in Miami as mediators press for a memorandum to end the war, while Washington awaits Iran’s answer.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, a UK man, Nick Daly, 30, is charged with nine counts of offensive messages for eight anti-Muslim messages to a Muslim organization and one antisemitic message to the Israeli embassy, plus a count of possession of an offensive weapon and possession of a controlled drug after police found a weapon and cannabis at his home. In another case, Wayne Kelly, 65, pleaded guilty to racially aggravated common assault, two counts of racially aggravated intentional harassment alarm, and two counts of racially aggravated harassment after shouting antisemitic abuse toward Jewish people on a city street and threatening to harm them. In a separate incident, James Agius, 50, was charged with religiously aggravated harassment and using threatening words for threatening to kill Orthodox Jews on a London bus. Finally, the ninth arrest in the wave of arson attacks targeting Jewish, Israeli and Iranian sites was made in relation to the Golders Green Hatzalah ambulances arson investigation; a Leytonstone resident was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson as authorities pursue multiple suspects linked to the March 23 incident that damaged four Jewish emergency service ambulances and heightened community concern.

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/selena_updates/63528
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-895621
https://t.me/newssil/201262
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-895619
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/bjn4fn6awe
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-895618
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/ry11rhnar11x
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-895626
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-895625
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-895624
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-895623