Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-09-05 at 00:02

HEADLINES
Iran-linked hackers cripple 100 US water systems
Leaks probe targets munitions stockpile, 50 polygraphs
IAI completes first A330-200 cargo conversion flight

The time is now 12:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Iranian Retaliation, US intelligence warns that Iran may be weighing a significant escalation in its war with the United States, buoyed by a clearer picture of its military strengths and a reluctance to end the conflict. In recent weeks, Iran has resumed strikes against US targets in the Middle East and the US has carried out strikes inside Iran, with officials warning of the possibility of heavier actions against ships in the Strait of Hormuz and critical US infrastructure, including cyber targets. The same reports note Iran-linked hackers were responsible for cyberattacks on more than 100 water systems across the United States in July, causing disruptions that required manual overrides and precautionary boil-water measures. New assessments also suggest Tehran believes it understands its military strengths, the limits of American pressure, and the leverage provided by the Strait of Hormuz, raising fears the war could drag on or escalate further.

In US Military Role, about 50 members of the US military’s Joint Staff have undergone polygraph tests as investigators probe leaks to journalists about the diminished stockpile of munitions amid the Iran war. President Donald Trump has warned of long-term jail sentences for anyone found responsible for releasing information about US munitions stockpiles. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said the department does not comment on internal personnel matters but treats leaks of classified national security information extremely seriously and investigates them, stressing that securing classified information is critical to the security of the United States and its troops deployed around the world.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Hollywood’s Jewish community has rallied to defend actor and producer Mark Ruffalo in a row over antisemitism linked to Paramount Skydance’s pending merger with Warner Bros. Discovery. About 170 notable Jewish figures signed an open letter arguing that the attacks against Ruffalo risk crossing into false and dangerous weaponization of charges of antisemitism, with signatures including George Clooney, Abbi Jacobson, Ilana Glazer, Joel Coen, Jonathan Glazer, Todd Haynes, Tony Kushner, Hannah Einbinder, Joaquin Phoenix, and Debra Winger. Ruffalo had previously tied the Paramount Skydance chief to Oracle and criticized what he described as an apartheid system of oppression in Gaza. Separately, IMPACT hosted Digital Defender 102, a workshop aimed at helping Jews aged 55 and up combat online antisemitism through training that uses artificial intelligence and social media, held at Congregation Etz Hayim in Queens and described by IMPACT’s Aaron Herman as part of a three-workshop program designed to empower an experienced segment of the community. A Times of Israel piece noted that in political discourse, figures like El-Sayed and Vance have sparred over antisemitism, illustrating how the issue remains a live topic across the political spectrum.

In Israeli Economy and Business, Israel Aerospace Industries completed the first flight of an Airbus A330-200 converted into a cargo aircraft, marking a milestone in the company’s expansion into Airbus conversions. The flight, conducted from and to Ben-Gurion Airport, followed the aircraft’s main structural conversion and an extensive ground-test program and moves the 300BDSF toward delivery and service. The converted jet offers cargo capacity for up to 30 containers and a payload of up to 61 tons, aided by an electric cargo-loading system and optimized cargo flow. IAI has previously converted only Boeing aircraft for cargo operations, aerial refueling, and VIP transport, and the cargo-conversion program provides a cost advantage, with converted aircraft costing tens of millions of dollars versus more than $250 million for a new production-line model.

In Uplifting News, John Malkovich will return to Israel on April 13 to star in The Music Critic, a satirical theatrical-musical show at the Charles Bronfman Auditorium in Tel Aviv. The production blends classical masterpieces with sharp historical critique, with Malkovich portraying an “evil critic” who needles iconic composers while a live ensemble counters with performances of the disputed works, culminating in a finale titled “The Malkovich Torment.” The show has toured Europe and the United States and has been released in various formats. Also this week, entertainment picks highlight Gal Gadot’s thriller The Runner, now streaming on Prime Video, along with a gripping Israeli TV drama and Hanoch Daum’s return, offering a mix of high-stakes storytelling and local cultural moments.

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-907621
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hkn9szfuzg
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-907623
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-907619
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-907618
https://www.timesofisrael.com/el-sayed-and-vance-call-each-other-evil-while-both-handling-antisemitism-the-same-way/
https://www.jpost.com/business-and-innovation/article-907620
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/article-907548
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/article-907546