Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-09-08 at 13:06

HEADLINES
Houthis drone strike Ramon Airport escalate
Jerusalem bus attack leaves six dead
UK warns on Iran IRGC influence

The time is now 9:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

This is the 9:00 AM national briefing. The region remains tense as a new cycle of attacks, countermeasures, and political salients unfolds across Israel, the Gaza Strip, and the broader Middle East.

In the south, the Houthi movement in Yemen intensified its campaign against Israel. A drone strike last Sunday penetrated the Ramon Airport complex in the Arava, injuring a passenger with light wounds from shrapnel and prompting medical attention for several others. The Israeli military said three additional Houthi drones were intercepted over southern Israel within a half hour on Monday, with sirens triggering in the Ramon area, near Dimona, and in the Eilat region. An initial investigation found the drone in question was detected by radar but was not classified as a threat by air defense units, allowing the impact to occur. The day’s interceptions and the prior strike come as the Houthis have been escalating their attacks in recent weeks, including missiles and drones, in what Israel characterizes as a sustained, corrosive campaign far from the Gaza front. Israelis remain on alert as security forces coordinate air defense and ground responses to ongoing threats.

In Jerusalem, a deadly escalation added to the country’s security challenge. Two gunmen opened fire at a crowded bus stop in the Ramot neighborhood, killing six civilians and wounding others in what authorities described as the city’s deadliest attack in years. Security services launched intensified operations in the West Bank, with investigative sweeps and arrests around Ramallah and adjacent villages as authorities pursue the attackers and seek to prevent further incidents. The violence in the capital and the West Bank underscores the fragility of regional security and the difficulty of containing violence that feeds into urban and rural communities alike.

International reaction to the violence included formal condemnation and expressions of sympathy from allied governments. The United Arab Emirates issued a statement denouncing the Jerusalem attack, offering condolences to the families of the victims and to the Israeli people, and reaffirming its opposition to all forms of violence and terrorism. The UAE’s stance reflects a broader regional concern with stability in a volatile period and signals continued regional alignment with Israel’s security needs while advocating for de-escalation where possible.

In one of the broader symbolically charged developments tied to security and civil discourse, a Banksy mural appeared on London’s High Court wall. The artwork, depicting a judge striking a protester, has drawn attention amid ongoing debates over security, protest rights, and the global environment in which Middle East conflicts are discussed. Although it is not a direct reflection of the current fighting, the piece sits within a larger conversation about power, accountability, and the limits of civil action in times of crisis.

Late yesterday, the United Kingdom reiterated its concern about Iran’s regional influence, underscoring Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps as a core security priority in its assessments of threats to stability in the region. The government’s position emphasizes vigilance against transnational militant networks and the importance of coordinated counterterrorism efforts with allies, including Israel, to deter aggression and maintain deterrence.

The situation in the Gaza Strip remains tightly watched. Hamas and other factions retain control, and the enduring hostage issue from the larger conflict continues to influence Israeli strategic calculations and international diplomacy. Humanitarian access and civilian protection...