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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-05-07 at 12:06
HEADLINES
1. Israel Plans Total Gaza Destruction Amid Rising Civilians' Crisis
2. US Naval Mishap Sparks Concerns Over Yemen Airstrikes Support
3. UAE-Syria Backchannel Signals Cautious Regional Diplomatic Shift
The time is now 08:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
Today, at 8:00 a.m., we begin with the latest developments in the ongoing multi-front conflict involving Israel and its adversaries across the region. Israel continues to face threats on seven key fronts: Iran, Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen, amid a backdrop of international and domestic tensions.
In the Mediterranean, the USS Harry S. Truman experienced a mishap during a routine fighter jet landing. An F/A-18 Super Hornet went overboard on the aircraft carrier, forcing the pilots to eject. They were rescued by a helicopter and suffered minor injuries. The incident raises concerns about ongoing naval operations supporting the US airstrike campaign against Houthi rebels in Yemen. The carrier’s crew has faced multiple incidents recently, including a jet slipping off the hangar deck in April and a collision with a merchant vessel near Port Said earlier this year. Meanwhile, the Houthis continue to monitor and respond to Israeli strikes in Yemen, including a recent attack on Sanaa International Airport, which was heavily damaged, with reports of destroyed terminals and stranded aircraft.
In Gaza, Israeli forces targeted the region with a significant aerial assault, devastating the airport in Sanaa and damaging at least six passenger planes. The strikes followed a period of intense fighting, with over 2,500 Palestinians killed since Israel resumed its offensive on March 18. Israeli military operations have aimed at dismantling Hamas, with the government asserting plans for complete destruction of Gaza and the defeat of Hamas by the end of 2025. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has openly stated that the entire Gaza Strip will be demolished, and that nearly all of Hamas’s infrastructure will be destroyed within months. The civilian population, approximately two million people, are expected to be concentrated in a designated humanitarian zone in southern Gaza, prompting international concern about the humanitarian crisis worsening amid ongoing hostilities.
In the West Bank, recent data indicates a sharp decline in terror attacks, with only 46 incidents recorded in April—the lowest in five years. This reduction is attributed to increased security efforts, including the detention of suspects involved in incitement and violence. However, internal political tensions continue, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu embroiled in a confrontational stance against the Shin Bet chief, Ronen Bar, amid growing scrutiny over Israel’s war objectives and internal divisions. The Arab world remains vigilant, watching Israel’s internal conflicts and military campaigns closely, amidst broader regional instability.
Meanwhile, an indirect backchannel has reportedly been established by the United Arab Emirates between Israel and Syria. Focused on security and intelligence issues, the secret talks began shortly after Syrian President Ahmed Sharaa’s visit to the UAE in April. Sources indicate that the discussions are limited to counterterrorism and operational concerns, deliberately excluding military activity in Syria. This development signals a cautious step toward regional dialogue despite the absence of formal diplomatic relations.
On the diplomatic front, US Ambassador Mike Huckabee made a historic visit to the West Bank, holding his first official meeting with settler leaders during a tour of Shiloh. He praised Jewish settlers and invoked biblical claims to the land, marking a departure from traditional American diplomatic protocol. At the same time, Israel’s internal political landscape faces controversy over milita
Published on 4 days, 10 hours ago