Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-22 at 00:01

HEADLINES
Iran eyes surprise missile drone strike
Lebanon border clashes erode ceasefire hopes
IDF unveils Alumot cyber defense division

The time is now 12:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, intelligence officials warned Thursday that Iran could be planning a surprise attack with missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles against Gulf States and Israel. The warning followed a situational assessment with top military leaders and Defense Minister Israel Katz, and comes as ceasefire negotiations with Iran continue. Officials said Tehran could attempt to act before the diplomatic path is exhausted, launching a strike reminiscent of the early stages of Operation Epic Fury and Operation Roaring Lion. The Air Force and IDF Operations Directorate, led by Major General Hidai Zilberman, have held talks with American counterparts to bolster readiness and exchange intelligence on unusual Iranian activity, and IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant-General Eyal Zamir has briefed commanders as part of the broader situational assessment. Satellite imagery analyzed by Soar from Sentinel-2 data shows damage at Ramat David, Nevatim, a Unit 8200 base, and Camp Shimshon, while Israeli officials warn that the missile threat remains outside current US-Iran talks.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, the IDF says armed terrorists were killed in southern Lebanon, hundreds of meters from the Israeli border. The military said the suspects were tracked by lookouts and struck from the air, with no additional threats found. Northern officials cautioned that continued fighting indicates there is no real ceasefire on the ground.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, House Republicans canceled a vote on a resolution seeking to end the Iran war unless President Trump obtains Congress’s authorization. The move came after weeks of near-unanimous Republican backing for Iran-war measures and two days after a similar Senate measure advanced. The vote had been scheduled for Thursday afternoon before lawmakers left Washington for Memorial Day recess, but party leaders delayed it to early June. Representative Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said the chamber had the votes but that leadership chose to postpone, noting that defections were expected and that the vote would proceed later.

In Uplifting News, the IDF unveiled a new cyber defense division to serve as a technological-operational hub for developing the military’s information and AI systems. The unit, called Alumot, will include soldiers in combat roles, technology professionals, information researchers, and AI experts, operating alongside other IDF branches to provide technological solutions for operational challenges. The formation aims to deepen the IDF’s information advantage in the combat space, with Major-General Aviad Dagan saying the blend of field personnel and advanced technology drives the gains seen in recent conflicts. The division will focus on making information and AI capabilities available to the warriors on the front line as the battlefield evolves.

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/iran-news/article-897001
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hjnk0hajgx
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/s1xfsb61fe
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-896999
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-897000