Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-22 at 02:01

HEADLINES
Iran May Strike Gulf States, Officials Warn
Tel Aviv Tragedy Seven-Year-Old Girl Dies
Hamas Cell Exposed in Hebron

The time is now 2:01 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 against Gulf States and Israel, potentially using missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles. The warning followed a situational assessment with top military leaders and Defense Minister Israel Katz. The warnings come as the United States and Iran continue ceasefire negotiations, with President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly disagreeing about how to move forward with Tehran. Security officials noted that Tehran might attempt to act before the diplomatic path is exhausted and launch a surprise attack similar to the early Epic Fury and Roaring Lion operations. The Air Force and IDF’s Operations Directorate, under the direction of Major General Hidai Zilberman and other senior officials, conducted a series of discussions with American counterparts to improve readiness, including the transfer of intelligence on unusual Iranian activity. Additionally, IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant-General Eyal Zamir conducted security briefings with military commanders as part of an overall situational assessment.

In Regional Impacts, Israeli authorities reported that after alerts near the border at Rosh Hanikra, the IDF said a suspicious aerial target was identified and contact with it was lost before it crossed into Israeli airspace; the incident ended with no injuries. Meanwhile, a deadly attack in Tel Aviv resulted in the death of a seven-year-old girl who fell from the fourth floor. Additionally, a Hamas cell was exposed in Hebron.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, the reporting centers on the broader security contest around Iran and its proxies, noting ongoing regional volatility and security concerns connected to Iran.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, a set of reports describe Donald Trump’s approach to Iran as he seeks a deal that could resemble a victory while Iran pursues a path that preserves the regime and leaves nuclear concerns unresolved; Gulf states are described as attempting to distance themselves from the conflict, and Israel is recalibrating where sovereignty ends and security assistance begins. Other items describe that Trump’s policy is active and complex, with some descriptions signaling a zigzag approach to keep adversaries off balance. There are notes that Trump has not yet launched strikes, though signals and possibilities have been observed.

In Uplifting News, an Israeli Air Force-backed program sets girls on a path to the cockpit as high school students in Ofakim train on simulators and build aircraft as part of a collaboration between the IAF and the Ramon Foundation to boost skills and confidence before pilot selection. Another piece highlights the revival of farming along the Gaza perimeter, underscoring the role of agriculture in community resilience.

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
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