Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-23 at 11:01

HEADLINES
US trims Europe troops amid NATO rebalancing
Mediators push end to war, Hormuz reopen
Netanyahu sidelined as Trump drives Iran talks

The time is now 11:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Military Role, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, while in Sweden for the NATO Foreign Ministers Meeting, said that “it’s well understood in the alliance that the United States’ troop presence in Europe is going to be adjusted.” This comes amidst recent drawdown announcements on the continent and President Donald J. Trump’s reversal of those moves.

In Regional Impacts, mediators say the proposal would extend the ceasefire by 60 days, gradually reopen the Strait of Hormuz and ease pressure on Iranian ports, while delaying detailed nuclear negotiations for a later phase. Ukrainian long-range drones struck the Metafrax Chemicals plant in Russia’s Perm region, roughly 1,700 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, in one of the deepest Ukrainian drone operations inside Russian territory since the war began. The facility is a major producer that supplies materials to dozens of Russian defense manufacturers involved in aircraft systems, drones, rocket engines, explosives, and military electronics. According to Israel’s I24 News, citing an Iranian official, a memorandum of understanding that excludes the key point of contention on Iran’s enriched material has been reached with Pakistani mediators, and they are waiting for a US response. Al Jazeera reports that the memorandum of understanding reached with the Pakistanis would include a permanent end to the war in the region, including Lebanon, a US naval blockade being lifted, Iran opening the Strait of Hormuz, and American military forces leaving the region, with nuclear matters to be discussed later; Iran has not moved from its position. Principal Pakistani decision-maker Field Marshal Asim Munir met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi amidst Pakistani efforts to facilitate a deal, but Iranian outlets report little progress on convergence, including on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s nuclear program. Iran says memorandum reached with the Pakistani mediator and awaits a US response; the Iranian draft would end the war, reopen Hormuz and delay nuclear talks, while Rubio says there has been some progress and there may be news later today. Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson says they are very close and very far from a deal because of America’s positions, while Rubio notes progress and the possibility of an announcement on Iran in the coming days.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, reports say Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is described as being sidelined by President Trump in talks with Iran, leaving Israel largely out of the loop in negotiations and forcing Israel to seek information through other diplomatic and intelligence channels; Axios has said Netanyahu’s hair was “on fire” after a phone call with Trump over the plan to end the war and launch a month-long negotiation period, with Trump remarking that Netanyahu will “do whatever I want him to do.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated there may be news later today on Iran, saying there has been progress and that work is ongoing, with President Trump’s preference to solve problems through negotiated diplomacy and the possibility of a statement on that topic during Rubio’s visit. An Iranian official emphasizes ongoing talks as well, saying there has been progress and that the United States could have something to announce in the coming days.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, France has banned Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir from entering French territory over his actions toward activists detained on a Gaza flotilla, with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot saying the ban reflects concern about threats to French and European citizens and calling for EU sanctions alongside Italy, which had already taken a similar step. The ban follows a video published by Ben-Gvir showing him mocking bound activists during the interception of the flotilla at sea, drawing widespread condemnation from Israeli figures and prompting questions across Europe about responses to such conduct.

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.

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