Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-09-05 at 07:01

HEADLINES
Unverified drone strike claims hit Al-Manzouri
Huckabee visits Turmus Ayya amid settler violence
Eiland calls diplomacy stupid dangerous seeks dialogue

The time is now 7:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Lebanese channels report that the Israeli Defense Forces used drones to drop canisters loaded with explosive material onto buildings in the village of al-Manzouri and then remotely detonated them. The reports describe strikes on structures in Al-Manzouri and subsequent blasts, with no independent verification provided in the accounts. The claims come amid continued regional tension linked to Iran and its allies.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, the United States ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, visited Turmus Ayya in the occupied West Bank, meeting with Palestinians including families of American citizens killed by Israeli settlers. The visit comes as settler violence in the West Bank has risen since Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition government—described as the most right-wing in Israel’s history—took office in late 2022. Town officials say settlers frequently harass residents and enter homes, and they pressed the ambassador for help securing safety and security. About 80% of Turmus Ayya’s roughly 3,000 residents are Palestinian Americans, according to the town’s leadership. Huckabee, a Baptist minister and long-time supporter of Israeli policies, indicated he would raise concerns and seek assurances from Israeli and American officials.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, former National Security Council chief Major-General (Reserve) Giora Eiland warned that Israel’s diplomatic approach is “stupid, childish and dangerous,” arguing the country must prioritize dialogue to protect its interests. He said world leaders lack trust in the government and that public statements by officials, along with Prime Minister Netanyahu’s silence, have shaped perceptions abroad. Eiland added that many leaders do not believe the Israeli government, and they listen to voices like Smotrich and Ben-Gvir, which influences international interpretations of policy. He urged a process to bring positions into alignment with allies.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, the German far-right AfD party’s projected win in Saxony-Anhalt has placed Jewish communities in a difficult position, drawing scrutiny over antisemitism within the party as it looks poised to win large in the state’s elections. Observers question what the outcome means for Jews in Germany as the party’s stance remains a point of concern amid rising concern about antisemitism in political life.

In Uplifting News, the second year after a loss is explored as holidays approach, with the writer describing mixed emotions—anger, sadness, and frustration—interwoven with moments of comfort that come from carrying a loved one’s memory forward. The piece emphasizes that progress comes in small steps and that the hollowness of loss can coexist with moments of meaning during meaningful times.

In the kitchen with Henny: Sweetness in every course, the author reflects on Rosh Hashanah planning and adherence to tradition, describing how simanim and festive flavors—honey, silan, pomegranate, apples, and other familiar tastes—are woven into simple, celebratory dishes that carry symbolic meaning through the meal from first bite to last spoonful.

Sweetening the new year: How Jewish food becomes family tradition - opinion discusses what makes Jewish food distinctive, quoting ideas that it is sanctified by its role in Jewish life rather than merely what is eaten. The piece describes incorporating traditional Rosh Hashanah foods and simanim—such as beets, leeks, and other symbolic items—into family menus and the wordplay and prayers that accompany them, highlighting how culinary tradition strengthens family memory and ritual.

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/health-and-wellness/mind-and-spirit/article-907471
https://www.jpost.com/food-recipes/article-907511
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-907435
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-907628
https://t.me/abualiexpress/129740
https://www.timesofisrael.com/german-far-right-afd-partys-projected-win-puts-jews-between-the-left-and-a-hard-place/
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/09/us-ambassador-visits-palestinian-town-amid-rise-west-bank-settler-violence