Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-25 at 21:01

HEADLINES
US Strikes in Iran to Protect Forces
IDF Hits 70 Hezbollah Sites in Lebanon
Canada Demands Independent Probe of Gaza Activists

The time is now 9:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Military Role, the United States says it carried out self-defense strikes in southern Iran to protect American forces from threats posed by Iranian forces. CENTCOM spokesperson Captain Tim Hawkins said the operations targeted boats attempting to lay mines and a missile launch site, and that the strikes also included a surface-to-air missile site in Bandar Abbas after explosions were reported in the city. Officials indicated two Iranian vessels were destroyed after being observed in the Strait of Hormuz, and they stressed the actions were defensive in nature and taken with restraint amid the ongoing ceasefire. Additional explosions were reported in nearby areas around Sirik and Jask, though US officials cautioned that these strikes do not signal the end of the ceasefire.

In Regional Impacts, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney denounced the treatment of Gaza flotilla activists aboard the Gaza-bound aid convoy as unacceptable in a call with Israeli President Isaac Herzog. He urged an independent investigation and condemned remarks by Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who published a video mocking the activists after their detention in international waters. The discussion echoed broader diplomatic friction, with Canada saying it summoned the Israeli ambassador over the incident. Activists included Canadian citizens, and concerns have been raised about treatment during detention as other European countries consider responses; France has banned Ben Gvir from entry, with Italy and Spain also urging EU action to sanction him.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Hezbollah released footage for the first time showing a drone with night-vision capabilities, a development analysts say could significantly raise the threat to Israel Defense Forces troops operating in Lebanon at night. The IDF reported a heavy strike campaign against Hezbollah infrastructure across Lebanon, targeting more than 70 sites in the Bekaa Valley and Tyre with about 85 munitions, including operations against Hezbollah command centers and storage facilities, and the army said it also eliminated Hezbollah fighters on motorcycles near southern Lebanon. The Israeli Home Front Command updated its guidelines for communities along the Lebanese border, permitting gatherings and services in open areas of up to 50 people and indoors up to 200, while educational activities remain unchanged. Iran, for its part, said talks were pointless without an end to the Lebanon war as Israeli threats were raised, and Israeli officials warned that expanded Lebanon operations could target Hezbollah drone networks and commanders in Beirut as US-Iran talks in Doha seek broader regional calm; residents in northern areas were cautioned that war could intensify tonight. Amid the drone attacks, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the IDF to intensify blows against Hezbollah as tensions rise.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Kiryat Shmona’s mayor Avichai Stern warned that about one-third of students have not registered for the upcoming school year, signaling continued instability in northern Israel. He said roughly 1,000 students are missing from next year’s education system, with only about 10,000 of the prewar population of roughly 26,000 having returned. Stern described ongoing security pressures affecting attendance, noting that even students who attend in person face repeated disruptions as families weigh safety and resilience amid the current climate.

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/international/article-897292
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/bkfk4vfezl
https://t.me/DefenderDome/20936
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/05/canadas-carney-calls-treatment-gaza-flotilla-activists-unacceptable
https://t.me/JewishNews24/54796
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-897290
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/bj00cr4zlzl
https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-orders-idf-to-intensify-blows-against-hezbollah-amid-surge-in-drone-attacks/
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-897291