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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-05-26 at 13:04
HEADLINES
Israel Targets Cross-Border Threats Amid Rising Regional Tensions
Humanitarian Aid Begins in Gaza Despite Hamas Exploitation Concerns
US and Israel Strengthen Ties as Iran Negotiations Continue
The time is now 09:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
Good afternoon. Today, the Middle East remains a focal point of intense military and diplomatic activity amid Israel’s ongoing multi-front conflict. Israel is engaged in a complex and demanding campaign across seven arenas, including Iran, Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen, seeking to neutralize threats and restore security. The Israeli government emphasizes that its military operations are targeted and necessary to defend its citizens against ongoing attacks from Hamas, Hezbollah, and other hostile entities aligned with Iran.
In Lebanon, reports indicate that Israeli airstrikes targeted the outskirts of the town of Hariba in the northern Bekaa Valley, with Lebanese media describing a series of strikes and secondary explosions in the area. These operations are part of Israel’s broader effort to deter and dismantle cross-border threats, although they also risk escalating regional tensions.
Meanwhile, in Gaza, a private humanitarian group backed by the Israeli authorities has announced the commencement of aid deliveries after an 11-week blockade. This organization aims to reach over one million Palestinians by week's end, working within strict security parameters to prevent aid diversion to Hamas. However, international agencies and critics have raised concerns about the transparency and effectiveness of these efforts, given Hamas’s history of exploiting aid for its military and political gains.
On the diplomatic front, Israel continues to strengthen its ties with the United States. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem held a joint press conference in Jerusalem, reaffirming the unshakeable alliance between the two nations. Sa’ar thanked the US for its ongoing support and highlighted the importance of continued unity, especially amid negotiations with Iran. Secretary Noem emphasized that the US remains committed to supporting Israel’s security and discussed the ongoing, limited progress in nuclear talks with Iran, which resumed recently in Rome.
International reactions are varied. Germany’s government has expressed concern about the current escalation, with coalition partner SPD calling for an end to arms exports to Israel, citing alleged humanitarian issues and violations of international law. The German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, indicated he plans to discuss the ongoing conflict with Prime Minister Netanyahu, urging caution in military actions.
In the broader regional landscape, Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nohad Slaim declared that the era of exporting the Iranian revolution has ended, emphasizing Lebanon’s desire for peace and control over its weapons. Meanwhile, in Malta, the Prime Minister announced intentions to recognize Palestinian statehood following a forthcoming UN summit, reflecting shifting diplomatic stances in Europe.
Domestically within Israel, there is ongoing political tension. Opposition leader Yair Lapid criticized the government’s handling of the conflict, describing the current military and financial situation as a “theft of the country’s resources,” and warning of economic repercussions. Additionally, families of victims from the October 7 attacks have attempted to access the Knesset to voice their grievances, but were reportedly barred by security.
Amid these developments, a tragic accident was reported in southern Israel: a 40-year-old electric bicycle rider was seriously injured in a collision with a bus in Ofaqim, prompting medical response and hospitalization.
In other news, in the United States, a proposal
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