Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-24 at 19:02

HEADLINES
Hezbollah rejects disarmament; drones daze Israel
Gulf states urge restraint over Iran strike
SJSU hate graffiti spree ends in arrest

The time is now 7:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem rejected the idea of Hezbollah disarming, saying there can be no exclusive weapons or disarmament and that giving up arms would remove Lebanon’s defensive capability and amount to extermination. He argued that Hezbollah’s weapons are a key deterrent and described Israel’s 2000 withdrawal as the region’s first liberation without an Israeli agreement. Qassem praised Hezbollah’s FPV drones, saying they have made Israel dizzy, and he denounced the United States as not a neutral mediator, accusing Washington of pursuing its own interests. He voiced support for Iran and Gaza and condemned Bahrain’s actions against the IRGC. Separately, intelligence reports described an Iranian-regime operation using Telegram to recruit people in Britain to organize anti-Israel protests and publish anti-Zionist posters, with a suspected agent offering money and coordination with operatives in Israel. In military assessments, the IDF Chief of the General Staff in the Northern Command said the army is monitoring regional developments and stands ready to resume intense combat operations immediately to further weaken the Iranian terror regime and its capabilities, while maintaining readiness and operational flexibility; the Northern Command emphasized continued strikes against Hezbollah and the priority of protecting residents and troops. Footage released of a Hezbollah FPV drone attack showed a drone targeting a gathering of Israeli soldiers in southern Lebanon, injuring a platoon commander who was evacuated from the scene.

In the US Policy Concerning Israel, Gulf states could not bear the cost of another war and urged President Trump to avoid an attack on Iran, arguing that an immediate strike would risk an oil-price shock and an energy crisis, and that it would fall to the United States to bear the brunt of any conflict. The Gulf view contrasted with some Israeli assessments that Trump would strike, raising alertness in Israel as the prospect of a conflict loomed; meanwhile, Gulf officials contended that Trump would threaten but seek a path to an agreement to prevent a crisis. Also in this topic, US Senator Marco Rubio posted remarks criticizing Hezbollah on social media, reflecting ongoing partisan and regional debates over Iran and its proxies and how Washington should handle the broader IranIsrael dynamic.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Arab parties urged Ra’am to join efforts to revive the Joint List ahead of elections. Hadash, Ta’al, and Balad called on Ra’am to participate in a united electoral slate, while acknowledging substantial gaps between Ra’am’s positions and theirs. The three parties emphasized the existential dangers facing the Arab public and expressed a desire for unity, noting Ra’am’s openness to joining a governing coalition despite Ra’am officials’ recent reluctance to participate in some consultations. The statement underscored a shared aim of presenting a consolidated voice in the face of electoral and national challenges.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, San José State University said a months-long graffiti and threat spree targeting Jewish, Muslim, Black, and Asian students culminated in the arrest of a suspect. Since fall 2025, threatening messages and racist graffiti appeared across campus, prompting mounting concern and campus security measures. SJSU President Cynthia Teniente-Matson described the acts as causing real harm to the student body and called for condemnation of hate and violence while standing with affected communities.

In Uplifting News, Significant award inspired by tragedy: Herzog presents Jerusalem Unity Prize 2026. The prize honors individuals and organizations that advance mutual respect and tolerance and work to foster harmony in their societies. The backstory revisits the 2014 murder of three Israeli teenagers, a moment that spurred nationwide mourning and a broad national and international outpouring of support, culminating in efforts to promote unity and resilience across Israeli society.

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-897173
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-897132
https://t.me/JewishNews24/54752
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https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-897180
https://t.me/newssil/202217
https://www.timesofisrael.com/arab-parties-urge-raam-to-join-efforts-to-revive-joint-list-ahead-of-elections/
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-897179
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-897178
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-897177