Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-25 at 15:01

HEADLINES
Israel targets Iran as Trump deal nears
Hezbollah drones spark Israeli strikes in Tyre
Hamas sanctions reinstated at UN

The time is now 3:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Operation Lion's Roar, the piece recalls a period of high tension over a possible Trump Iran deal and centers on a series of Israeli actions against Iran. It notes that since October 2024 Israel has conducted bombings targeting Iran’s ballistic-missile program three times and its nuclear program twice, with a fourth symbolic strike in April 2024. As discussions about a new deal proceed, the article argues that any agreement signed by President Trump is likely to include additional achievements not present in the 2015 Obama-era nuclear accord, while stopping short of regime change. It also points out that for decades many experts said Iran’s nuclear work could not be bombed, and explains that Tehran dispersed its program across dozens of locations in a country roughly three times the size of France, making a targeted strike extraordinarily risky for pilots.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, the scene in southern Lebanon and the Israeli north remains volatile. The IDF struck the city of Tyre after multiple Hezbollah drone attacks, noting Tyre lies in the southern portion of Lebanon beyond the previously limited security zone. The army warned residents in parts of Tyre and nearby areas to evacuate red zones to stay safe, saying it would still strike Hezbollah officials. The IDF has been carrying out long-range airstrikes in Tyre in recent days and has signaled an escalation in the campaign. In northern Israel, Hezbollah explosive drones hit a house in Metula and a bus stop on the main road in Shomera, causing property damage with no casualties reported. Israel’s Chief of Staff has requested a security meeting to discuss possible attacks on buildings in Beirut in response to Hezbollah activity, while stressing that Israel does not act with full independence in Lebanon due to American restrictions. Local communities in the Western Galilee, including Ya’ara, Goren, Granot, Shomera, Shetula, Zar’it, Mattat, Natu’a, and Even Menachem, will keep schools closed while the situation continues. Northern Command leaders have underscored that firing on the home front will not be tolerated, with Major General Rafi Milo emphasizing the seriousness of Hezbollah’s actions. Separately, the IDF said it began striking Hezbollah sites in the Tyre region and other areas in southern Lebanon, signaling a broader campaign against Hezbollah infrastructure.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, developments reflect Washington’s engagement with regional dynamics. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman privately told evangelical leader Mike Evans that he would recognize Israel today, though his father, King Salman, remains an obstacle, according to Evans’ account to The Jerusalem Post, which could not be independently verified. The comments come as President Trump pushes a broader approach that links any Iran deal to broader Arab and Muslim normalization efforts, with Trump noting conversations with leaders from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Pakistan, Egypt, Jordan, and Turkey as part of the effort. In another development, Ambassador Danon statements highlighted that the Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit reinstated sanctions against Hamas’s biggest supporter at the United Nations, a move he framed as a reassertion of policy that opponents argued had already been reversed. The report notes the sanction reinstatement occurred as part of ongoing debates over enforcement and international alignment surrounding Hamas and its supporters.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, debate and maneuvering continue as parties weigh security and diplomacy. Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir pressed Prime Minister Netanyahu to phone President Trump and “pound on the table” to make clear that Israel will not accept, nor normalize, Hezbollah drone attacks, arguing for a tougher stance amid developments around a potential US-Iran deal. Fellow hard-liner Bezalel Smotrich likewise urged decisive action, saying Israel must put an end to the threat posed by Hezbollah’s drones and advocating a strong response that would reshape the deterrent balance. Separately, the IDF has asked the Police to allocate forces to proactively arrest ultra-Orthodox draft dodgers as early as June, with discussions underway on the scale and type of forces needed. The push follows past resistance from Police Commissioner Danny Levy and a High Court decision that critics say influenced recent security considerations. Overnight, dozens of haredi protesters attempted to storm the Oz military police station in Jerusalem after the arrest of a suspected IDF deserter, a development that coincided with the police reassessment. In another development, an entry in Hebrew reports that the Mateh Asher regional council canceled classes and educational activities from tomorrow until further notice, indicating regional disruption to normal schooling.

In Uplifting News, Brazil’s president pursues treatment after a health setback. Lula, at 80 years old, began radiation therapy for an early-stage skin cancer diagnosis. As Brazil’s oldest sitting president, he remains a central figure in the country’s politics and is expected to seek a fourth non-consecutive term in October.

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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