Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-25 at 14:02

HEADLINES
- Israel targets Iran, Hezbollah amid mounting violence
- Saudi eyes recognizing Israel amid Accords
- Distel-Atbaryan exits Likud race

The time is now 2:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Operation Lion's Roar, the piece argues that regardless of what the new Iran deal may or may not include, there are game-changing developments that cannot be erased by any agreement. It notes that since October 2024 Israel has conducted multiple strikes against Iran, including attacks on its ballistic missiles program and on its nuclear program, with a fourth symbolic strike in April 2024. While a future agreement might add new achievements not present in the 2015 accord and will not amount to regime change, the report emphasizes that the cumulative impact of past actions remains significant. The piece also recalls that for decades experts argued Iran’s nuclear program could not be bombed because it was dispersed across dozens of locations, making a tightly targeted strike a high-risk endeavor for pilots.

In Regional Impacts, the interview-based analysis highlights how restraint carries risks as well as the potential costs of stronger retaliation. Two weeks ago, the IDF guided journalists to El-Khiam, just north of Metula, to show a Hezbollah tunnel buried beneath floor panels in a clothing store. Officials say exploding drones, which have killed four people and wounded about 50 since the April ceasefire in Lebanon, are a tactical threat rather than a strategic one, and that the IDF has adjusted its operations accordingly. They contend the threat is manageable, though the death of Sergeant Nehoray Leizer in a drone incident underscores the human cost of the ongoing tension.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, events in Lebanon and across the border continue to unfold. The IDF struck the southern Lebanese city of Tyre after public warnings, part of a broader surge in Hezbollah drone activity against Israelis. Tyre lies beyond the smaller security zone the IDF took over in March, and the absence of Israeli forces in that area is cited as allowing attacks from there. The army warned residents in red-marked zones to evacuate for safety while indicating it would target Hezbollah officials. Earlier in the week, Hezbollah’s leadership has been described by security analysts as possessing the means and support to pull Lebanon toward civil conflict, with one expert noting that the organization’s rhetoric and posture could test Lebanon’s institutions. In a public address, Netanyahu said Israel is at war with Hezbollah and pledged to increase the blows as part of the broader conflict.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, the reporting centers on a potential shift in regional recognition and diplomacy. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman privately told evangelical leader Mike Evans that he was prepared to recognize Israel “today,” but he said his father, King Salman, remained the obstacle. Evans recounted the discussion, though the account could not be independently verified by The Jerusalem Post. The remarks arrive as President Trump links any possible Iran agreement to a wider push for Arab and Muslim nations to join the Abraham Accords, with Trump saying he had spoken with leaders from several states, including Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, as part of that effort.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, developments focus on security and party dynamics. The IDF has asked Israel Police to provide forces for proactive arrests of ultra-Orthodox draft dodgers as early as June, a request that would involve locating dodgers in the central region and handing them over to the Military Police, with no exceptions. The police’s decision is under review, and discussions are ongoing about the type of forces needed. The change comes after recent protests in Jerusalem following the arrest of a suspected IDF deserter. Separately, Likud MK Galit Distel-Atbaryan announced she will not run in party primaries or in the next Knesset elections, noting her support for Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi and reflecting on shifts within the party after October’s events. Distel-Atbaryan has been a longstanding figure in party circles and her departure follows other resignations from Likud figures in recent weeks.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, the focus is on a long-delayed recognition of bravery. A retired Pittsburgh police officer, Daniel Mead, was awarded the Hometown Hero Award for his actions during the Tree of Life shooting in 2018, when he and a partner approached the synagogue and he was wounded in the hand as they attempted to intervene. The award, presented at the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police headquarters, honors his role as one of the first responders to the attack that claimed 11 lives and wounded several others.US Attorney Troy Rivetti praised Mead’s courage, noting the lasting gratitude for the first responders who faced danger that day.

In Uplifting News, a ceremonial moment at Arlington National Cemetery is highlighted. The President, Vice President, and Secretary of War were seen saluting as the Star-Spangled Banner played, a scene captured during a tribute at the national cemetery.

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/israel-news/defense-news/article-897273
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-897275
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-897274
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-897265
https://t.me/newssil/202277
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-897270
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-897244
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-897256
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-897278
https://t.me/JewishNews24/54783