Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-06-25 at 20:01

HEADLINES
US Plans Venezuela Earthquake Relief Effort
Iran's Qaani demands Israel withdraw from Lebanon
Bedouin protests over Beersheba demolitions

The time is now 8:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Military Role, US Southern Command has activated an operational planning team to support potential disaster relief efforts in Venezuela following yesterday's magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes. Working with the US Department of State, SOUTHCOM says it is preparing to support and advise emergency response and humanitarian relief operations as the full extent of the devastation continues to emerge.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Iran's Quds force commander Esmail Qaani demanded Israel withdraw from Lebanon, declaring that Lebanon is the arena of resistance, not a playground for occupiers. Separately, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi blamed Italy and Romania for allowing the United States to use their air bases in attacks on Iran, saying such use constitutes aggression. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, in remarks to Fox News, cited Italy as an example of European support for the United States and noted the involvement of US air assets in the broader effort.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, hundreds of Bedouin protesters gathered outside the offices of the Regulation of Bedouin Settlement Authority in Beersheba, protesting the demolition of homes in Bedouin communities. They spoke after comments by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir the day before, in which he said he would continue demolishing “more and more and more” illegally built homes in the Negev. Rahat's mayor Talal Alkernawi said the conduct was unacceptable and urged coexistence, warning that a tent city could be established at the entrances to Beersheba, Ofakim, and Dimona. Ben-Gvir had earlier addressed the issue at a Local Government Conference and said Bedouin whose homes were demolished were sleeping in a school in Arad. In a separate development, the Knesset House Committee is set to hold marathon sessions next week to fast-track a Basic Law declaring Torah study a foundational value of the State of Israel. The measure, pushed by ultra-Orthodox parties to shield draft evaders, would replace the previous draft language that equated full-time Torah study with military service with language describing it as a “significant service” to the state. Supporters say the revision aims to create a just balance with respect to other foundational values, while opponents note the underlying goal remains to address legal obstacles raised by High Court rulings against draft exemptions for yeshiva students. The Knesset legal adviser has warned lawmakers against accelerating the process, and a letter to House Committee members outlines the coalition’s plan to move the bill quickly before any dissolution of the Knesset.

In Uplifting News, SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service will be provided free of charge until at least July 25, 2026 for those affected by the twin earthquakes in northern Venezuela. Three aircraft from Argentina, a C-130H Hercules and Embraer ERJ-140LR with the Argentine Air Force, along with an aircraft operated by Aerolíneas Argentinas, are set to depart tonight loaded with humanitarian aid and search-and-rescue and medical personnel bound for Venezuela. An Airbus A320-233 with Volaris departed El Salvador earlier, carrying humanitarian aid, search-and-rescue personnel and military medical teams bound for Venezuela. Two transport aircraft with the Mexican Air Force, carrying roughly 250 members of the Mexican Army including search-and-rescue teams, stretcher bearers, medical personnel and dog teams, departed Santa Lucía Air Force Base in Mexico City bound for areas devastated by the earthquakes in northern Venezuela.

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
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