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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - September 17, 2026, 04 PM Eastern · Israel Today: Ongoing War Report

• 0:08
  Speaker 1: You're listening to Israel Today ongoing war report. I'm Noah Levi.
• 0:12
  Speaker 1: US officials have confirmed to CBS News that Iran shot
• 0:16
  Speaker 1: down at least two US military MQ-1 drones in recent days,
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  Speaker 1: following earlier reports from Iranian state media and Al Jazeera.
• 0:24
  Speaker 1: The exact model of the drones is still being determined,
• 0:27
  Speaker 1: which will affect the calculation of US monetary losses. as
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  Speaker 1: older Predator variants are valued around $ 4 million, while newer
• 0:35
  Speaker 1: Gray Eagle models are worth tens of millions of dollars each.
• 0:38
  Speaker 1: These losses come amidst broader reports of significant US drone losses.
• 0:43
  Speaker 1: In US policy news, the State Department has approved a
• 0:46
  Speaker 1: potential $ 24. 3 billion sale of F-35 fighter jets and related
• 0:52
  Speaker 1: equipment to Saudi Arabia. The Department stated the sale supports
• 0:55
  Speaker 1: US foreign policy and national security. asserting it will not
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  Speaker 1: alter the Middle East military balance. Word of the potential
• 1:03
  Speaker 1: deal first spread in late 2025, with President Donald Trump
• 1:07
  Speaker 1: confirming the US would allow the sale in November 2025. Meanwhile,
• 1:12
  Speaker 1: President Donald Trump told Axios that he faces a significant
• 1:15
  Speaker 1: decision regarding military action against Iran, contemplating whether to annihilate them. Domestically,
• 1:22
  Speaker 1: the upcoming Israeli Knesset elections, scheduled for October 27, are
• 1:26
  Speaker 1: seeing the emergence of new political parties. Brigadier General, Reserve,
• 1:31
  Speaker 1: Ofer Winter's People of Israel party is among them, aiming
• 1:35
  Speaker 1: to attract right-wing voters and influence government formation. Winter has
• 1:39
  Speaker 1: stated he will only recommend Benjamin Netanyahu for Prime Minister
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  Speaker 1: and is seeking the Defence Ministry. A controversy has emerged
• 1:46
  Speaker 1: involving Finance Minister Beit Salel Smotrich and his religious Zionist party.
• 1:51
  Speaker 1: The Israel Bar Association has warned Smotrich to immediately remove
• 1:55
  Speaker 1: an AI-generated campaign video depicting Israeli justices and the Attorney General,
• 2:01
  Speaker 1: threatening to petition the Central Elections Committee and seek a
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  Speaker 1: police investigation if it is not removed. In other domestic news,
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  Speaker 1: the IDF confirmed the removal from service of Lieutenant Colonel A,
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  Speaker 1: who served as the intelligence officer for the Gaza division
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  Speaker 1: during the October 7 attack, signalling accountability for intelligence failures.
• 2:21
  Speaker 1: On the diplomatic front, Iranian officials will be permitted to
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  Speaker 1: attend the UN General Assembly in New York, though they
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  Speaker 1: will face travel restrictions and limitations on purchasing luxury goods,
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  Speaker 1: according to a US State Department spokesperson. Separately, the US
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  Speaker 1: has extended visa sanctions against Palestinian Authority and PLO officials,
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  Speaker 1: including President Mahmoud Abbas, citing activities that undermine the prospects
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  Speaker 1: for peace. The UN General Assembly, however, voted to allow
• 2:50
  Speaker 1: President Abbas to address world leaders via video for a
• 2:53
  Speaker 1: second consecutive year. On a separate note, Austrian politician Herbert
• 2:58
  Speaker 1: Kickl recently described the October 7 events as a crime
• 3:01
  Speaker 1: against humanity, acknowledged Austria's Nazi-era responsibility, and reached out to
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  Speaker 1: Jewish communities. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar commented that these remarks
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  Speaker 1: could pave the way for substantive, open and sincere dialogue.
• 3:15
  Speaker 1: In an uplifting story, an Israeli Navy soldier, referred to
• 3:18
  Speaker 1: as O, has achieved a rare promotion to officer status
• 3:22
  Speaker 1: after serving an extended period as a regular combat fighter.
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  Speaker 1: Commanders highlighted his exceptional character and maturity during the intense
• 3:30
  Speaker 1: operational stresses following October 7th as crucial to his selection
• 3:35
  Speaker 1: for the naval officer cadet's course. For continuing coverage of
• 3:38
  Speaker 1: antisemitism around the world, listen to Antisemitism Watch from Clockwork Media.
• 3:44
  Speaker 1: Find it at clockworkmedia.org slash watch. I'm Noah Levi, thank
• 3:48
  Speaker 1: you for listening to Israel Today ongoing war report. Stay
• 3:51
  Speaker 1: safe and informed. Follow Israel Today ongoing war report in
• 3:55
  Speaker 1: your podcast app so you don't miss the next update.
• 3:58
  Speaker 1: Keep in mind that this AI generated report may contain
• 4:01
  Speaker 1: occasional inaccuracies, so consult multiple sources for a comprehensive view.