Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-09-05 at 20:01

HEADLINES
Iran claims strikes in Strait of Hormuz
Europe's first orbital flight from European soil
Lando thanks Gafni, pushes UTJ refresh

The time is now 8:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Iranian Retaliation, the Iranian Navy targeted three oil tankers traveling through the Strait of Hormuz and three US-affiliated ships in retaliation for the three oil tankers hit earlier in the day by US forces, the IRGC claimed. CENTCOM has not confirmed the strikes. The IRGC warned against ships transiting the strait through routes unauthorized by Iran and said they would be targeted if they proceed. The IRGC later announced that it attacked a US aircraft carrier and destroyer with ballistic missiles, according to reports, though the US has not confirmed this. The strikes come after the US struck three Iranian oil tankers earlier in the day, CENTCOM said. One tanker was reportedly struck off Kharg Island; Tasnim reported that four US missiles hit a tanker in the region. CENTCOM said the strikes were carried out after the IRGC launched ballistic missiles.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Rabbi Dov Lando, spiritual leader of the Degel HaTorah faction of United Torah Judaism, sent letters to MK Moshe Gafni and Rabbi Uri Maklev thanking them for their years of service as they prepare to leave the Knesset, and he requested that Gafni remain the party’s chairman as part of a party refresh. Lando cited the need to refresh the party’s presence in the Knesset and the group’s focus on the Basic Law: Torah Study, which passed in July by 63 votes to 52. In May, Lando had allowed his party members to work toward dissolving the Knesset. Separately, veteran Haredi MK Moshe Gafni is to be removed as leader of UTJ’s Degel HaTorah faction; Gafni and MK Uri Maklev will not run in the October 27 election, the party confirmed, with the rabbinical leader saying it is time to refresh the candidate list.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, debate and controversy over Jewish politicians in public life continued. In New York, Brad Lander, Jewish and elected in the city’s 10th congressional district, defeated incumbent Dan Goldman in a primary, but his Jewish identity has been cited amid a spate of antisemitic incidents as he campaigns on progressive stances, including support for undocumented immigrants and criticism of federal immigration enforcement. Supporters and critics have highlighted confrontations in public spaces where he was insulted and accused of Zionism, and his critiques of Israeli policy have fed a broader antisemitic climate on the left. Separately, Palestinian journalist Rula Jebreal drew backlash after calling House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries an “AIPAC monkey” on a podcast, with the remark prompting defense from Jebreal but condemnation from the Congressional Black Caucus and others who called the term racist. Jebreal insisted the term referred to an image of three monkeys representing hearing, seeing, and speaking. In a separate exchange, Britain’s foreign secretary Ed Miliband drew criticism from Israel and the US, after claiming stories of Gaza residents lacking medical access indicated a real crisis; Israel’s Foreign Ministry rebutted that there are no restrictions on medicines entering Gaza and noted substantial medical aid, while US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee backed the Israeli position and criticized Miliband. Israel’s Foreign Ministry further pushed back on Miliband’s account, emphasizing factual information about aid to Gaza.

In Uplifting News, Europe marked a historic milestone in spaceflight as German startup Isar Aerospace launched its uncrewed Spectrum rocket from Arctic Norway, achieving the first orbital flight to originate from European soil. The launch from Norway’s Arctic Andøya Spaceport sent five small satellites and an in-flight technology experiment into orbit, signaling Europe’s growing role in commercial space missions. Isar’s co-founder and CEO Daniel Metzler said access to space remains a major constraint for the space industry and national security architecture. The mission follows Isar’s previous test, and officials noted Europe’s desire for greater autonomy as global dynamics shift. Chancellor Friedrich Merz had previously visited the launch site in March, underscoring Europe’s push to expand its space capabilities.

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-907652
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-907655
https://www.timesofisrael.com/veteran-haredi-mk-moshe-gafni-to-be-removed-as-leader-of-utjs-degel-hatorah-faction/
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-907469
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-907650
https://www.timesofisrael.com/huckabee-accuses-uk-gov-of-jew-hate-over-claim-israel-blocking-medicine-from-gaza/
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-907649
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-907653