Episode Details

HEADLINES
China-backed Iran blamed for US F-15E downing
Hezbollah rockets strike Kiryat Shmona, north tense
Tel Aviv Univ admits injured IDF vets

The time is now 11:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Iranian Retaliation, US investigators, citing intelligence assessments, say Chinese military technology may have supported Iran during its recent conflict with the United States. NBC News reports that an American F-15E Strike Eagle shot down over southwestern Iran in April was likely hit by a Chinese-made shoulder-fired missile. The aircraft’s two crew members ejected, with the pilot rescued within hours and the weapons systems officer later recovered in the Zagros Mountains, according to Pentagon accounts cited by NBC. If confirmed, the incident would mark a rare downing of a US fighter by enemy fire and would raise new questions about the extent of Beijing’s support for Tehran during the conflict as investigations continue and officials review the evidence surrounding a Chinese-made man-portable air defense system described as the most plausible factor in the incident.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, overnight a Hezbollah barrage struck the city center of Kiryat Shmona, causing substantial damage to businesses but with no deaths or injuries reported. The Israeli defense forces said Iron Dome intercepted all other projectiles. Local leadership criticized the government’s handling of the situation, with Kiryat Shmona’s mayor calling for action and Deputy Mayor Ze’evik Zweigi threatening to leave the Likud party if the situation does not improve, noting that sirens and attacks continued through the night and into the early hours. The violence extended beyond Kiryat Shmona, as Hezbollah rockets fell in the Mediterranean Sea near Nahariya, close to beachgoers, and after the shopping-center strike in Kiryat Shmona, rockets reached Safed for the first time since the ceasefire, with Nahariya sirens sounding again after a two-week lull. Red alert sirens were heard across northern Israel as the region faced renewed bombardment.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, a Lebanese Hezbollah supporter posted on X with a stark statement: “Screw Muslim-Christian coexistence. Lebanon will remain for the Shia Muslims until eternity,” highlighting sectarian rhetoric circulating online.

In Uplifting News, Tel Aviv University has begun admitting approximately 100 injured IDF veterans under a new framework that allows enrollment without the psychometric exam. So far, about 30 veterans have been admitted, with the university aiming to enroll the rest by the end of the open admissions process. The university hosted a VIP area for IDF veterans during open day, where guidance on programs and support services was provided, with participation from the Ministry of Defense’s Rehabilitation Department. The framework, approved to assist veterans undergoing rehabilitation after the Iron Swords war, enables first-year study without the standard psychometric testing. Separately, Nir Oz, a Gaza-border kibbutz, is building a civilian security team with support from Magen 48. The volunteers, many former IDF soldiers, train to defend the community as part of local security arrangements, reflecting ongoing efforts to bolster resilience on Israel’s frontlines after the Oct. 7 attacks.

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-897792

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