HEADLINES
- Asia fertilizer crisis inflates farming costs
- Iranian threats loom over Hormuz shipping
- Israel faces 2030 path amid deep divide

The time is now 4:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Regional Impacts, disruptions tied to the widening Iran war are driving up fuel and fertilizer costs across parts of Asia as farmers enter key sowing periods. The pressure is hitting those reliant on urea fertilizer and imported fuel, with access to essential inputs constrained by tensions in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. Thai rice farmers have delayed or reduced planting as production costs rise above expected sales revenue; one farmer cited that planting and harvesting could run about $33,000 while the crop might sell for roughly $22,000. A large share of global urea supply has effectively been removed from the market, and spot prices have climbed since February. The disruption is affecting Thailand, the Philippines, Bangladesh, and Australia, where planting periods have begun, with some farmers cutting fertilizer use, leaving land unplanted, or reducing planting overall.

In the same context of regional risk, a bulk carrier off the coast of Doha was struck by an unknown projectile, sparking a small fire that was extinguished, with no casualties or environmental impact reported. Iranian authorities have warned that vessels from countries that comply with US sanctions could face difficulties crossing the Strait of Hormuz as part of a broader push to formalize Iran’s management of the strait through new legislation targeting vessels deemed hostile. Ship-tracking data showed the Qatari tanker Al Kharaitiyat moving to break through a naval blockade; if successful, it would mark Qatar’s first regional export by sea since the Iran War began, and Qatar remains one of the world’s largest suppliers of energy. A separate report notes another commercial vessel was attacked off the coast of Qatar, believed to be linked to Iranian forces, underscoring ongoing security risks in the area.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, experts warn that the country stands at a defining moment as it approaches the 2026 elections and the implications for Israel through 2030. Dor Moriah has released the first phase of its Visions of Israel’s Future – 2030 project, sharing findings from a survey of 12 Israeli specialists in politics, economics, security, law, media, and civil society. The study underscores a deeply divided view of the country’s political, social, and institutional trajectory ahead of the October 2026 vote, with a second phase underway in cooperation with the Geocartography Sociological Center to measure how widely those elite perspectives resonate among the public. The study stresses that the Knesset elected in the fall will largely determine Israel’s direction through 2030, framing the election not merely as a routine contest but as a decision about the country’s path for years to come.

Separately, Israeli authorities released two detained Global Sumud Flotilla activists, Thiago Avila and Saif Abu Keshek, who were held for a week and then deported to an undisclosed location after being transferred to the immigration authority. Adalah contends the pair were unlawfully detained for their civilian mission, describing harsh conditions and isolation, and contesting jurisdiction given their vessel’s Italian flag. Israel’s foreign ministry said Abu Keshek is a Spanish national and accused him of ties to terrorism, while Avila is identified as Brazilian; both deny the allegations as they return to the region.

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/international/article-895650
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-895640
https://t.me/ILtoday/19027
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-895276
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-895637
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1319407
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1319401
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1319400
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1319399
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1319398