Podcast Episode Details
Back to Podcast Episodes
Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-05-08 at 12:04
HEADLINES
1. Female Reservists Surge in Israel’s War Effort
2. Israel Drones Drop Fake Money to Undermine Hezbollah
3. Trump Seeks Turkish Mediation for Ukraine Peace
The time is now 08:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
Today in Israel, developments continue across multiple fronts amid ongoing tensions and military operations. The Israel Defense Forces presented data to the Knesset indicating a significant increase in female participation in reserve forces and enlistment from the religious Zionist community. During Operation “Iron Swords,” approximately twenty percent of reservists were women, compared to eight percent during Operation “Protective Edge” and just three percent during the Second Lebanon War. Over the past decade, there has also been a notable rise in enlistment from the religious Zionist sector, increasing from eighteen percent to thirty-eight percent.
In Lebanon, Israeli military sources report that Israeli drones have dropped fake banknotes over southern Lebanon, warning residents against accepting currency associated with Hezbollah. The messages on the bills explicitly state that “Hezbollah’s dollar is forbidden, do not accept the yellow dollar,” aiming to undermine Hezbollah’s influence and economic activities.
Meanwhile, Turkish media reports that former US President Donald Trump has requested Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to mediate a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine. Erdoğan has reportedly responded positively to this proposal, which could influence ongoing diplomatic efforts in Eastern Europe.
In the West Bank, security forces arrested a suspect believed to be involved in recent terror activities, including a shooting that injured two reservists. The suspect, a Kafr Kassem resident, is accused of pledging allegiance to ISIS and attempting to join the group in Syria. Additionally, two individuals have been indicted for planning a car-ramming attack in Karmiel, and a man from Qalqilya has been charged with ties to Islamic State after failed recruitment attempts in Syria.
In Gaza, Israeli authorities confirm that at least twenty-one hostages remain alive, with three others believed to be in critical condition. The families of the hostages continue to be updated regularly, with the Israeli military providing detailed information through official channels. Hamas holds fifty-nine hostages, including thirty-two Israelis and three foreign nationals; thirty-five of these have been officially confirmed killed since the conflict began.
Internationally, Iran has denied involvement in a foiled plot to attack the Israeli Embassy in London. Iran’s foreign minister stated that Tehran is willing to cooperate to clarify the incident and urged the UK to ensure a fair process. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s military spokesperson claimed that India attacked their territory using drones manufactured in Israel, a charge that Israeli officials have dismissed as unfounded.
In the realm of diplomacy, reports indicate that former US President Trump has approached Turkish President Erdoğan to mediate in a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine. Erdoğan’s government has responded affirmatively, potentially shaping future negotiations in the region.
Security agencies in Israel also thwarted a network attempting to smuggle illegal residents from the West Bank into the southern city of Rahat. The police arrested suspected members of this operation, highlighting ongoing efforts to prevent infiltration and maintain stability.
Finally, in the United States, a protest at Columbia University resulted in around eighty individuals being detained for storming and taking control of the campus library in protest against Israel’s military actions. US Senator Marco Rubio announced that any foreign nationals involved would face visa revocations and possible depor
Published on 1 day, 13 hours ago