Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-25 at 16:01

HEADLINES
Gaza Reservists Battle Filthy Rodent-Ridden Quarters
Ben-Gvir Urges Trump Call on Hezbollah Drones
Judges Halt Israel Second Authority Appointments

The time is now 4:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Regional Impacts, reservists stationed in the southern Gaza Strip report extremely poor sanitary conditions at their post, with major drainage problems creating sanitary hazards and an uptick in mosquitoes, flies and mice. The tents serving as sleeping quarters, the dining tent, and the showers are described as rotten on the inside and emit a foul odor. Soldiers say hundreds of feral cats and dogs roam the area and have bitten soldiers who were evacuated and treated or inoculated for tetanus and rabies. They also report finding dead animal carcasses around their tents. Many have accumulated about 400 days of reserve service since October 7, and they say they are not seeking pity or to abandon the mission, only basic living conditions. When asked for comment, the IDF told KAN that it had begun a response, though the full comment was not provided in the report.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, far-right security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir urged Prime Minister Netanyahu to phone US President Trump and make clear that Israel will not accept Hezbollah’s drone attacks, calling on the prime minister to “pound the table” and show that Israel will not normalize a routine of terrorism. Ben-Gvir’s remarks came at a Knesset press conference, where he and fellow allies pressed for stronger action against Hezbollah as drone activity continued, and amid talk of a potential US-Iran deal that could influence Israel’s options. In parallel, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich also pushed for military action, saying Israel must end the threat posed by Hezbollah’s explosive drones, stating that for every explosive drone, ten buildings in Beirut should fall. Separately, Israel has approved plans for Operation Arrows of Fire, which will include strikes in Beirut.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, newly appointed Second Authority Council chairwoman Dr. Yifat Ben Hay-Segev and council members asked the High Court of Justice to reject petitions against their appointments, arguing that the challenges are politically driven and legally unfounded. The petitions were filed against the government’s March appointments to the Second Authority Council, the body that regulates Israel’s commercial television and regional radio broadcasters, including channels 12 and 13 and their news companies. The petitions were brought by the Union of Journalists in Israel, the Israel Television News Company, the Movement for Quality Government in Israel, the Israel Press Council, and the Association for the Preservation of Legal Values. Justice Alex Stein froze the council’s activity earlier this month, barring it from convening or making decisions until further notice, after the state missed its deadline to respond to the petitions. The Attorney-General later told the court that the appointments should be canceled and returned for renewed review, saying the process suffered serious legal flaws. In a related development, Prime Minister Netanyahu was admitted to Hadassah Ein Kerem hospital for a dental procedure, with his office stating the treatment was dental in nature. The nature of the procedure was not disclosed, though Netanyahu has said in the past that his health is proper and that he undergoes regular medical testing, noting a history of an enlarged prostate but no cancer.

In Uplifting News, Founding fathers and mothers: The uniqueness of the Jewish people presents an opinion on the Hebrew Bible’s structure. The piece argues that the Torah does not begin with the greatest prophet, Moshe Rabbeinu, but with Bereishit, or creation, highlighting the long lead-in to revelation. It suggests that Judaism is not merely a religion but a people whose identity is rooted in a family and covenant. The Torah’s preface to Sinai is thus a reminder that the covenant was given to a people already formed through shared generations, not to isolated individuals.

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/article-897271
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-897287
https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/76824
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-897277
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-897289
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/bybigxfgfl
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-897281