HEADLINES
US F15E downed likely by Chinese missile
Hezbollah hits Kiryat Shmona center
Germany expansion of Yad Vashem raises concerns

The time is now 12:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Regional Impacts, US investigators believe an American F-15E Strike Eagle shot down over southwestern Iran in April was likely struck by a Chinese-made shoulder-fired missile. The aircraft’s two crew members ejected safely; the pilot was rescued within hours, while the weapons systems officer evaded capture in Iran’s Zagros Mountains before being recovered two days later. If confirmed, the incident would mark the first time in decades that a US fighter aircraft was downed by enemy fire, and it would raise new questions about the extent of Beijing's support for Tehran during the conflict as investigators examine Beijing-connected air defense and targeting capabilities. The probe remains ongoing.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, a Hezbollah missile hit the city center of Kiryat Shmona overnight following a barrage targeting Israel’s northern communities, with Iron Dome intercepting all other projectiles. There were no reported deaths or injuries, but the strike caused heavy damage to local businesses. Kiryat Shmona’s mayor, Avichai Stern, said officials would be pressed to explain the situation, while Deputy Mayor Ze’evik Zweigi criticized the government’s handling and warned he could revoke his Likud membership unless ministers deliver good news within a month. He noted that despite pauses announced by authorities, sirens and rocket barrages persisted, including a 3:30 a.m. strike that direct-hit a shopping center and caused significant property damage.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Meron Mendel, head of Frankfurt’s Anne Frank Educational Center, warned in German media that Yad Vashem’s planned expansion into Germany could be influenced by Israel’s far-right government, pointing to the Munich educational center and a Leipzig satellite as the first permanent branches outside Israel and expressing concern about independence and the institution’s ties to the Israeli government. Separately, an opinion piece argues that Israel’s public diplomacy has faced a critical test since October 7, noting long-standing neglect, lack of central leadership, and coordination gaps. It argues that the National Public Diplomacy Directorate operated without a permanent director, a unified strategy, or real authority, making battlefield justice difficult to translate into global opinion amid a flood of social media material and competing narratives. In Nir Oz, volunteers are training as part of a civilian security effort led by Magen 48 to defend Israel’s frontlines after Oct. 7, with the community’s kitat konenut teams consisting largely of former IDF personnel who stand ready to respond to threats along the Gaza border.

In Uplifting News, Tel Aviv University is enrolling approximately 100 IDF veterans who were seriously injured in the Swords of Iron war under a new framework that bypasses the psychometric exam. About 30 veterans have already been admitted, and university officials hope the rest will join by the end of the registration period. During the open day, a VIP area for IDF veterans provided guidance on programs, admissions, and support services, staffed by representatives from the Ministry of Defense’s Rehabilitation Department. The special admissions framework, approved by the university, applies to veterans recognized by the Rehabilitation Department as having a disability, reflecting ongoing efforts to support rehabilitation and higher education access for those who served.

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
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-897788
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-897794
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-897428
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-897455
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-897793