Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-25 at 07:03

HEADLINES
Iran demands $12B frozen assets pre-talks
Israel vows to strike Beirut over drones
Israel limited in shaping Trump's Iran decisions

The time is now 7:02 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Regional Impacts, Iran is demanding the immediate release of $12 billion in frozen assets held in Qatar as a precondition for continuing talks on a potential memorandum of understanding with the United States. The source described this as the only immediate hurdle to moving forward on the MOU, which would start a 60-day ceasefire extension and open the door to further talks. Separately, Qatar’s budget data show first-quarter revenue of 37.8 billion riyals, down 23.5 percent from the same period last year, with a deficit of 10.3 billion riyals.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Israel’s top military and political leadership signal readiness to respond to Hezbollah’s drone campaign. At a Security Cabinet meeting, IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant-General Eyal Zamir said Israel should strike Beirut in response to the drone attacks on troops in southern Lebanon, following his assessment of ongoing operations. Zamir’s remarks came as he had just visited the Northern Command and approved plans after the death of Sergeant Nehoray Leizer to an explosive drone. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich voiced a hardline view, saying that for every explosive drone, ten buildings in Beirut should fall, and a two-billion-shekel defense budget was approved to address the drone threat, a sentiment echoed by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. In Metula, a Hezbollah drone damaged the roof of a home and caused a fire, with no injuries reported; the IDF is investigating.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently told confidants that Israel has limited ability to influence Donald Trump’s Iran decisions as Washington pursues a deal in the war’s early phase. The disclosure, described to Reuters by Israeli officials, comes as Israel has largely been sidelined from talks aimed at an initial halt to the war, with disagreements over Iran’s nuclear program and sanctions relief and Israel’s ongoing conflict in Lebanon. An Israeli expert, Avner Vilan, cautions that the most favorable outcome could resemble the JCPOA from the Obama era, with Iran kept under verification and limits on some activities, though missiles remain outside the agreement; an interim arrangement could include reopening Hormuz and easing pressure on Tehran while leaving some nuclear questions to be addressed later.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Netanyahu’s testimony in Case 2000 resumed at the Tel Aviv District Court, but the session ended early when his lawyers conferred with the presiding judges for what was described as security-diplomatic schedule reasons. The cross-examination is nearing its end after about 90 hearings, with prosecutors estimating only a few full days remain before the defense proceeds with redirect examination.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Australia warns antisemitism was left unchecked as Israel weighs wartime trauma recognition. The remark appears in coverage linked to a Jerusalem Post roundup of top stories.

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-897224
https://t.me/abualiexpress/123000
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-897231
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-897232
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-897237
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-897218
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-897215
https://www.jpost.com/podcast/jpost-headlines/article-897234