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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-05-04 at 22:07
HEADLINES
1. Iran Unveils New Ballistic Missile Threatens Region
2. Yemen’s Houthis Plan Airblockade Amid Escalating Attacks
3. Record Jewish Voter Surge Reflects Growing Israel Concerns
The time is now 06:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
Tonight at 6 p.m., Israel continues to face a complex and multi-front conflict that involves Iran and its regional proxies across seven key areas. In the Gaza Strip, the Israeli Defense Forces remain engaged in operations aimed at degrading Hamas’s military capabilities, amid tensions with the IDF chief, Lieutenant-General Eyal Zamir, who publicly stated that soldiers will not participate in distributing humanitarian aid, citing the danger to troops and the risk of aid reaching Hamas. This stance highlights growing tensions between military and political leadership over the handling of aid and military operations. Despite a call-up of tens of thousands of reservists, the expansion of military activity in Gaza is expected to be approved by the security cabinet, although the numbers remain below the levels seen in October 2023.
In Lebanon, Hezbollah continues to threaten escalation, with reports of increased missile and drone activity along the northern border. Meanwhile, in Syria and Iraq, Iranian influence persists through the presence of proxy forces and military installations, complicating regional security. Iran itself has recently revealed a new ballistic missile, the Kassam Sire, capable of reaching 1,200 kilometers and reportedly capable of penetrating advanced missile defense systems such as the THAAD battery. This development underscores Iran’s ongoing efforts to bolster its missile arsenal and regional influence.
Yemen’s Houthis have escalated their threats further, announcing plans to impose a “comprehensive air blockade” on Israel by targeting airports, including a missile attack earlier today near Ben-Gurion Airport that resulted in minor injuries. The Houthis claim this is part of their broader strategy to impose regional pressure, backed by Iran’s support. The organization also asserts it is working toward this goal through repeated missile launches and drone attacks across the region.
Meanwhile, in Yemen, the Southern Transitional Council, which controls the south of the country, has established a new diplomatic mission in Washington, aiming to secure international recognition and support for its bid to establish an independent state. The leader of the STC, Aidarous Al-Zubaidi, emphasized the group’s commitment to peace and regional stability, advocating for dialogue and cooperation. She also made clear that the conflict with the Houthis, who support Iran, remains the primary threat to Yemen’s stability, with the Houthis continuing to control Sanaa and threaten regional shipping lanes.
On the international front, the United States has seen record-breaking participation in the Zionist Congress elections, with over 211,000 American Jews voting—an unprecedented level of engagement, driven partly by the recent Gaza conflict and rising antisemitism. This high turnout reflects a deep concern about the future of Jewish communities and the evolving relationship between diaspora Jewry and Israel.
In diplomatic developments, Israel’s National Security Council has twice blocked legislation that would classify Qatar as a state sponsor of terror, citing security concerns and the need for proper regulation. Qatar and Iran continue to deny involvement in recent attacks and aid distribution to Gaza, despite accusations from Israeli officials and security agencies that Qatar’s influence and support for terrorist groups pose a significant regional threat.
Finally, the broader regional instability continues to impact international travel, with around twenty foreign airlines halting flights to Israel following missile threats from the Houthi
Published on 5 days, 16 hours ago