Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-25 at 13:02

HEADLINES
No deal halts Israel relentless Iran strikes
Hezbollah tunnel exposed under Metula clothing store
Saudi prince hints at recognizing Israel now

The time is now 1:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, a commentator asserts that no piece of paper will stop Israel from striking Iran if red lines are crossed. Since October 2024, Israel has carried out a series of strikes against Iran's nuclear and ballistic-missile programs, including three blows to the ballistic program and two to the nuclear program, with a fourth symbolic strike noted in April 2024. As debate swirls about a possible Trump-era deal, the author says these actions amount to game-changing achievements that cannot be erased by any agreement. The piece notes that Iran dispersed its program across dozens of locations in a country three times the size of France, making targeted strikes a high-risk mission for pilots.

In Regional Impacts, paying a daily price for restraint in Lebanon - analysis, the IDF recently invited journalists to El-Khiam near Metula to view a Hezbollah tunnel hidden beneath a clothing-store floor. Officials described the exploding drones as a tactical threat rather than a strategic one, while acknowledging the drones have killed four people and injured about 50 since the ceasefire began on April 16. The IDF says it has adjusted its operations and that the drone threat is manageable. From a military perspective the northern campaign has not collapsed and the balance along the border remains; but there is a recognition that harsher retaliation would raise the risk of escalation.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, IDF strikes city of Tyre in southern Lebanon, following surge in Hezbollah drone attacks. The army said the strikes came after multiple warnings and that residents in defined red zones should evacuate, as Hezbollah has been using civilians as shields and the IDF would still strike. Tyre lies beyond the security zone the IDF controls in the south, and recent days have seen long-range strikes and an uptick in hostilities, including an earlier explosive drone attack on Metula with no injuries reported. Hezbollah still strong enough to drag Lebanon into civil war, expert warns. Analysts say Hezbollah has the military capability and support to pull Lebanon into civil conflict, and that statements from its leadership could reflect Iranian influence. While it is unclear whether this would trigger a full-blown civil war, experts say the seriousness of the threat warrants close monitoring.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman told a Trump ally he could recognize Israel today. Evans said the prince told him he would acknowledge Israel today, but that his father King Salman remains the obstacle; the account could not be independently verified. Evans described a two-hour meeting that also involved MBS's brother and the Saudi foreign minister, noting the claim’s independence could not be confirmed. The comments come as Trump pushes a broader effort to link any Iran deal to Arab and Muslim countries joining the Abraham Accords, with Trump saying he has spoken with leaders from Qatar, Pakistan, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain. From the Abraham Accords to the Abraham Alliance - opinion argues that the region’s future will be shaped by a strong US-Israel-Gulf partnership, moving beyond normalization to a permanent coalition with integrated economic, technological, intelligence, and military cooperation. Trump needs a tougher Iran negotiating strategy – opinion argues that Iran’s internal power is fragmented, with multiple Revolutionary Guards factions and power brokers, making it unclear if any single figure can deliver on competing interests. The piece notes the Persian Gulf Strait Authority, controlled by the IRGC, collects tolls on ships through Hormuz and that paying those tolls funds terrorism, suggesting sanctions should apply. It also notes that Trump’s team is negotiating with Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran’s parliament speaker, amid Pakistani mediation.

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-897273
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-897275
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-897274
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-897265
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-897270
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-897263
https://worldisraelnews.com/trump-needs-a-tougher-iran-negotiating-strategy-opinion/