Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-24 at 23:01

HEADLINES
IDF on High Alert; Iran Rebuilds IRGC
Hezbollah Aims to Destabilize Lebanon, Rubio Warns
Arab Parties Form Joint Israeli Election List

The time is now 11:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, the IDF is maintaining a high alert level even as it reduces the number of reserve soldiers called to the General Staff’s headquarters. Some officers have been told to remain ready for a return to service but are not required to report to the headquarters. Senior IDF officers say Israel’s political leadership has been excluded from the core of the current US-Iran negotiations, and despite ongoing updates about a potential deal, it remains unclear how much progress has been made or who is applying pressure. The head of Military Intelligence, Major-Gen Shlomi Binder, is leading intelligence gathering and research to build a clear picture of Iran’s efforts to rebuild the IRGC’s military capabilities damaged in Operation Rising Lion and Operation Roaring Lion, and he is working to revalidate the warning model for developments in Iran. The IDF has not ruled out a potential scenario in which the Iranians suspect that something is afoot, underscoring the need for vigilance.

In US Military Role, the Hyundai Air & Sea Show in Miami Beach featured a sweeping display of American airpower, including a Boeing B-52H Stratofortress and Rockwell B-1B Lancer escorted by fighter jets such as the F-22 Raptor, F-35A Lightning II, F/A-18 Hornet, A-10 Thunderbolt II and F-16 Fighting Falcon.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, US Senator Marco Rubio accused Hezbollah of trying to plunge Lebanon back into chaos by continuing to fight Israel and by calling to overthrow the Lebanese government. Rubio denounced what he called Hezbollah’s reckless call to overthrow Lebanon’s democratically elected government and said the Iran‑backed group is actively working to destabilize the country and maintain its power at the expense of the Lebanese people. Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem had earlier asserted that “the people have the right to go down onto the streets and to bring down the government” in response to Israeli strikes and US sanctions on Al-Qard Al-Hassan, which is affiliated with the group, a development that continues to draw international attention.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Arab parties are planning to run together on a technical joint list in upcoming elections, with representatives from Hadash, Ta’al and Balad calling on Ra’am to form a bloc that runs together while preserving each party’s political and public independence, a move described as a step toward preventing the loss of Arab votes. In the same vein, eight Arab and Muslim foreign ministers condemned far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir for taunting flotilla detainees, calling the act an assault on human dignity. The ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Indonesia and Pakistan urged restraint and upheld obligations under international law, following earlier actions by France and Poland. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized Ben Gvir’s behavior, and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar joined others in condemning it as not in line with Israel’s values.

In Uplifting News, Gofra Beach’s mineral-rich sulfur springs reopened after six years, following a lowering of the Sea of Galilee’s water level that had submerged the flow. The springs, warmed to about 31 degrees and rich in minerals such as boron and chlorine, have long been regarded for their therapeutic properties, and a small 20-centimeter-deep wading pool was added to direct flow into a single area. Gofra Beach remains a popular destination on a 900-meter stretch of shoreline with facilities for recreation and camping. Also, pilgrims at the hajj in Mecca faced scorching heat, with daytime temperatures expected to remain between 42 and 47 degrees Celsius. Many pilgrims sought shade and cooler indoor spaces for prayer, underscoring the challenges of performing rites outdoors in extreme heat while the region endures an intense heat spell.

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-897184
https://t.me/JewishNews24/54763
https://www.timesofisrael.com/rubio-hezbollah-trying-to-drag-lebanon-back-into-chaos-through-war-call-to-oust-government/
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rkc00y711lgg
https://www.timesofisrael.com/arab-islamic-fms-call-ben-gvirs-taunts-of-flotilla-activists-assault-on-human-dignity/
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-897186
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/05/ice-cream-and-giant-fans-hajj-pilgrims-battle-searing-heat