HEADLINES
Ronen Bar Evacuated From UAE After Warning
Ras Laffan Blast Injures 54, 18 Missing
Netanyahu: IDF Remains in Lebanon

The time is now 3:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Regional Impacts, former Shin Bet head Ronen Bar was evacuated from the United Arab Emirates after a warning of a possible Iranian-directed attack. Bar was in the UAE with his wife, Dafna Bar-Agassi, to attend a security conference hosted by UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The evacuation was carried out quickly following a security alert, and the details of the event remain tightly controlled. Separately, a blast at Qatar’s Ras Laffan Barzan gas export terminal disrupted efforts to restart production after strikes during the war. The explosion injured at least 54 people and left 18 missing, according to authorities, and the Barzan facility has a capacity of about 1.4 billion standard cubic feet of sales gas per day. Qatar had shut production in the wake of Iran’s actions in the region, and as officials assess the damage, the incident threatens further disruption to global energy markets. The authorities provided higher casualty figures in the hours after the blast, underscoring the broader security and energy implications for the region.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the Israel Defense Forces will remain in southern Lebanon “as long as we need to protect our people.” He argued that no country would do a better job under the threat posed by Iranian-backed Hezbollah, describing a scenario where terrorists threaten Israeli cities and citizens. Netanyahu spoke at the JNS International Policy Summit at Jerusalem’s Waldorf Astoria, comparing Israel’s approach to how the United States would respond if faced with a similar cross-border threat. He emphasized that the ratio of terrorists to noncombatants slain in the war has been as low as 5 to 1, framing the military posture as a necessary measure to ensure civilian safety.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, the head of a local authority was detained by the National Fraud Investigation Unit, Lahav 433, on suspicion of involvement in public corruption. Searches are being conducted at the homes of officials and at authority offices, and additional senior officials have been summoned for questioning. The investigation is being supported by several enforcement and supervisory bodies, including the Civil Administration, the Tax Authority, the Electric Company, the Civil Attorney’s Office, and the Land Enforcement Authority, with actions already underway at multiple sites within the council’s territory. The case is in its early stages, and additional actions are expected. Last week, a well-known soccer player from a top Israeli team was arrested by Lahav 433’s Sports Gambling and Bribery Division as part of a separate investigation into a Migdal Ha'emek-backed gambling and match-fixing network.

In Israeli Economy and Business, Algeria is spending a record $25 billion on its military, representing about 20.6% of the national budget, as it seeks to counter weapons supplied to Morocco. By contrast, Morocco is directing about $17.1 billion toward advanced technology and the creation of a domestic defense industry through joint ventures with Israeli firms such as BlueBird Aero Systems. On the corporate front, UVision Air, the Israeli maker of suicide drones and missiles, is planning a Nasdaq IPO with a target valuation of $3 to $3.5 billion; founder Aaron Frenkel aims to raise funds through a public offering, pursuing a path announced after considering institutional investors who demanded a lower valuation. Anduril Industries, the US defense-tech company valued at about $61 billion, is exploring establishing a presence in Israel, meeting with senior officials to map options for operations, whether through acquisitions or organic growth, as it weighs how to serve the Ministry of Defense and R&D needs. Separately, Israel’s Energy Ministry published a national guide to shift power projects toward municipalities, establishing Implementation Centers for Promoting Sustainable Energy in local authorities. The guide outlines three levels of municipal involvement—from information sharing to fully managing local projects—citting Netanya as an example and noting Holon and Beitar Illit as early adopters of solar and energy-awareness initiatives.

In Uplifting News, a cat stole the spotlight during a production of Romeo and Juliet in Izmir, Turkey. Romeow, a feline on stage, wandered into the final scene and settled beside Romeo, played by Brazilian dancer Pedro Seara, while grooming itself, prompting laughter from the audience and a light-hearted moment for the cast, who maintained their focus and finished the scene. The moment circulated on social media, with Romeow’s antics linked to a light touch of levity amid the performance. In kibbutz news, residents of Kibbutz Holit are returning home nearly three years after Hamas’ attack on the Gaza border community. Seven families have already moved back, with five new families joining, and residents describe rebuilding Holit as part of their broader recovery process.

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/article-900101
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https://www.timesofisrael.com/explosion-at-qatar-gas-export-terminal-leaves-dozens-injured-and-18-missing/
https://worldisraelnews.com/idf-to-remain-in-lebanon-as-long-as-we-need-to-protect-our-people-netanyahu-says/
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/crime-in-israel/article-900096
https://t.me/newssil/204963
https://www.jpost.com/defense-and-tech/article-900104
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https://worldisraelnews.com/israel-to-empower-cities-and-towns-to-lead-renewable-energy-projects/
https://www.jpost.com/omg/article-899706
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rk1c34lfzl