Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-09-04 at 17:01

HEADLINES
Trump says US may strike Pickaxe Mountain
IDF strikes Hezbollah after drone attack
US plans postwar alliance to counter Iran

The time is now 5:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Military Role, Trump says US may hit Iran's Pickaxe Mountain very soon.
Trump told reporters on Friday that the United States may hit Iran's Pickaxe Mountain very soon. Pickaxe Mountain, located near Iran's heavily damaged Natanz uranium enrichment facility, is a heavily fortified site that hosts two deeply buried tunnel complexes. This is a developing story.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, IDF strikes Hezbollah targets in Lebanon after Israeli soldiers intercept drone attack. The strikes followed an announcement by Defense Minister Israel Katz that the IDF had cleared Lebanon's Ali al-Taher ridge tunnels of Hezbollah terrorists. The military said the drone was spotted approaching Israeli soldiers in the IDF’s security zone in southern Lebanon and was shot down; no IDF soldiers were injured, and the attack was described as a blatant violation of the ceasefire. Iran warned the United States on Thursday that it would respond forcefully to any Israeli attack on the Ali al-Taher ridge complex. Hamas claims months of deception preceded capture of its Gaza intelligence chief: Hamas says Israel spent two months gathering intelligence, used aid-worker cover and hidden weapons, then deployed a second team behind Muin al-Arabid’s home.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, US said drafting postwar plan to create alliance against Iran, expand Abraham Accords. Axios reported that in private conversations, the Trump administration is crafting a post-Iran war strategy to build a regional alignment of US allies to contain Iran, while also expanding the Abraham Accords. The plan is described as a regional alliance with the United States as guarantor and is not yet finalized; officials cautioned it is still being worked out and not ready for implementation, with timing linked to the October 27 Israeli election and the November 3 US midterms.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Yesh Atid’s Michal Shir quits Knesset race as party faces growing wave of exits. Shir said she will not seek reelection, posting on X/Twitter that she does not wish to run but remains supportive of Yair Lapid and the party. The move follows other departures in Yesh Atid, including Karin Elharrar, Meir Cohen, Mickey Levy, Elazar Stern and others; Maariv’s poll projects the party holding about 15 seats, making it the third-largest in the Knesset.

In Uplifting News, ‘You are standing today’: A Jewish lesson for America, 25 years after 9/11 offers perspective. As the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks nears, a haftarah from Isaiah 61:10-63:9 frames destruction, rebuilding, and memory, with the prophet proclaiming Zion’s restoration and perseverance: “For Zion’s sake I will not be silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be still, until her righteousness goes forth like brightness, and her salvation like a burning torch.” Israel after Oct. 7: What Moses teaches us about survival and responsibility argues that surviving tragedy is only the beginning and that a people must decide what they stand for, invoking the line “Atem nitzavim hayom – you are still standing.” A video clip shows Yishai Ribo singing “Avinu Malkeinu” during Slichos at the Kosel on Thursday night.

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-907610
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/09/trump-says-us-may-hit-irans-pickaxe-mountain-soon
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-907612
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/bj00y3cuufe
https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-said-drafting-postwar-plan-to-create-alliance-against-iran-expand-abraham-accords/
https://www.jpost.com/israel-election-2026/article-907609
https://www.jpost.com/judaism/torah-portion/article-907466
https://www.jpost.com/judaism/torah-portion/article-907460
https://t.me/JewishNews24/59631