Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-23 at 09:01

HEADLINES
Iraqi man plotted to kill Ivanka Trump
Lebanon rocket launcher hidden in civilian building
Trump sidelines Netanyahu on Iran talks

The time is now 9:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Iranian Retaliation, authorities disclosed a plot attributed to an IRGC-trained Iraqi suspect to target Ivanka Trump. The New York Post reported that Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood Al-Saadi, a 32-year-old Iraqi national, pledged to kill Ivanka Trump in retaliation for the US drone strike that killed Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani in Baghdad six years ago. Al-Saadi was arrested in Turkey and extradited to the United States, and authorities said he had a blueprint of Ivanka Trump’s Florida home and posted a map on his X account showing the area where Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner reside, accompanied by a message promising revenge.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Israel hit a rocket launcher hidden inside a civilian building, and pro-Hezbollah channels criticized the TikToker who exposed it. The incident centers on the targeted strike in Lebanon, where a launcher was found concealed within civilian premises, drawing backlash from pro-Hezbollah actors after a TikTok disclosure drew attention to the tactic.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Netanyahu sidelined by Trump, has little control over Iran decisions, according to The New York Times. The report, citing two unnamed Israeli defense officials, says Israel is almost entirely out of the loop in talks between the United States and Iran, and has had to pursue information through alternative channels and intelligence links within Iran. The narrative follows earlier reporting that described tensions between Trump and Netanyahu over how to handle Iran, with President Trump suggesting Netanyahu will follow US lead on the matter.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, the quiet home front reveals the emotional battlefield of Israel’s reserve duty families, as Neora, 32, describes the toll of life with a partner serving in the reserves and the way the loss of her brother during active service shaped their relationship, daily routines, and coping methods. The piece traces how Neora and E., 29, met at Ben-Gurion University and navigated years of distance and shared resilience as they balanced studies, careers, and the pressures of military duty. Separately, France has banned Israel’s police minister Itamar Ben-Gvir from entering French territory, a decision France’s foreign minister framed as a response to the treatment of Gaza flotilla activists, with calls for further EU sanctions.

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/iran-news/article-897046
https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/76653
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-897047
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-896878
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/05/israeli-minister-ben-gvir-banned-access-french-territory
https://t.me/abualiexpress/122857