Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-23 at 13:01

HEADLINES
Marines land in Caracas embassy parking lot
US Iran near 60-day ceasefire Hormuz reopening
Eisenkot seeks two million olim by 2048

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

In US Military Role, US Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft assigned to the Thunder Chickens of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263, currently deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, were seen landing in a parking lot inside the US Embassy Compound in Caracas as part of a military response exercise. Carrying Marines and other personnel, the aircraft are part of a joint operation described as a DoD-State Department exercise underway in the Venezuelan capital today.

In Regional Impacts, the United States and Iran are on the verge of agreeing to a 60-day extension of the current ceasefire, with terms that would include a gradual reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The Financial Times reports the extension would address issues that arose during negotiations. Separately, 23 deaf and mute Israeli civilians were rescued from the center of Nablus after entering the city in six vehicles with Israeli plates following an invitation to a meal from a local Palestinian resident who is also deaf and mute; Palestinian security forces intervened, escorted them to a police station, and handed them over to Civil Administration officers for processing. They were removed safely from the city. In Damascus, a group of seven Australian ISIS brides and 14 of their children, the last Australians to leave the al-Roj camp in northeastern Syria, arrived amid speculation they may be returning to Australia; Australian authorities say they were not notified of flight arrangements and the timing of onward travel remains unclear.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, President Trump said negotiators were getting a lot closer to finalizing an agreement with Iran to end the war, with a deal that would prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and ensure that enriched uranium is satisfactorily handled; he added that he will only sign a deal if we get everything we want. He indicated a decision on whether to sign or resume hostilities could come soon. Reuters reported the remarks in an interview with CBS News. Separately, Axios noted that Trump was expected to hold a conference call at 1:00 PM ET with the leaders of several Arab nations, including Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and others, amid discussions of potential breakthroughs in negotiations with Iran.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar! Party, has set a goal of moving two million olim to Israel by 2048, aiming to cut bureaucratic barriers and expand incentives for both immigrants and returning residents. He argues the immigration process has grown into a prolonged, bureaucracy-heavy ordeal, diverging from earlier practice that required only proof of Jewish lineage. He contends the Interior Ministry’s current direction, influenced by political forces such as the Shas party, has contributed to stricter interpretations of the Law of Return and greater obstacles for potential new citizens.

In Uplifting News, Gabrielle Soffer, seven years after arriving alone in Israel, is now inspiring Israeli high school students through English and literature. Soffer arrived in Tel Aviv in 2019, bringing a background in visual arts and psychology from Hunter College in New York. She joined a Hebrew ulpan program at Tel Aviv University, sharing housing with women from Russia, Brazil, and Hungary, and later met her husband, Asaf Cohen. On Teacher’s Day, she received a certificate of appreciation at ORT Motzkin high school for her work in supporting students and language learning.

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
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https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/05/trump-says-negotiators-are-getting-closer-iran-deal-media-interviews-show
https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/76669
https://t.me/DefenderDome/20895
https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/76668
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-896978
https://www.jpost.com/aliyah/article-896790