Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-25 at 09:02

HEADLINES
- Iran Activates Qeshm Island Air Defenses
- Israel Threatens Beirut Over Hezbollah Drones
- Trump Pushes Accords Expansion in Iran Talks

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

In Regional Impacts, the leaderly figures in the region are described as being in shock as events unfold, with Qatar and Saudi Arabia reportedly stunned by the latest developments. Separately, Iran is reported to have activated air defense systems on Qeshm Island in the Persian Gulf, a move that underscores heightened alert in the area.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Israel’s top military leadership signaled that Beirut would be a target in response to Hezbollah’s drone attacks on Israeli troops in southern Lebanon, with Lieutenant-General Eyal Zamir outlining that the Security Cabinet was briefed and operational plans were reviewed after his on-site assessment and the death of a soldier in a drone incident. At the same time, Hezbollah’s leadership urged Lebanese to take to the streets to topple the current government, framing it as part of a confrontation with what they described as an American-Israeli project.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, President Donald Trump publicly pressed for Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, and Pakistan to join the Abraham Accords as part of the Iran negotiations, signaling that talks with Iran are progressing and warning of a choice between a “great deal” and no deal at all. The White House has reportedly enlisted right-wing influencers to explain the emerging Iran agreement and has asked Republican lawmakers to post supportive messages, with some agreeing and others expressing concern about defending any deal upon Congress’s return. Critics argue that a deal could empower Tehran, while Trump pitches the framework as a path to broaden regional alignment through the accords, with discussions also noting a potential expansion that could eventually include Iran itself. Multiple reports reiterate Trump’s stance that the Abraham Accords should be expanded and that key regional powers, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar, should join as part of any final arrangement.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, ultra-Orthodox lawmakers from United Torah Judaism were directed by their leadership to halt cooperation with the coalition’s push on the contentious haredi draft bill, a move that further ties the bill’s fate to the broader question of dissolving the Knesset and moving up elections. Prime Minister Netanyahu has privately acknowledged that Israel has limited influence over President Trump’s Iran decisions as negotiations proceed, and Israeli officials warn that a memorandum under negotiation could affect operations in Lebanon. Netanyahu has also voiced concerns about a memorandum to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, while US and Iranian officials have signaled no imminent breakthrough in the talks.

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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