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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-05-29 at 07:03
HEADLINES
Published on 1 month, 1 week ago
1. US Plan Offers Gaza Ceasefire and Hostage Release
2. Israel Demolishes Hamas Operative’s Home Amid Strikes
3. Lebanon Disarms Hezbollah, Easing Regional Tensions
The time is now 03:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
Tonight, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to hold a focused cabinet meeting to discuss the latest update on the ceasefire and hostage negotiations. The new Witkoff outline, proposed by US envoy Steve Witkoff, calls for a 60-day ceasefire with the potential release of nine hostages alive and the remains of 18 others in two phases within the first week. This plan also includes a limited withdrawal of Israeli forces from recently captured areas in Gaza and a shift in humanitarian aid distribution back to the United Nations, replacing the current US-managed system, driven by the urgent humanitarian needs in Gaza.
Meanwhile, Israel’s military continues its targeted actions against terror infrastructure. Overnight, IDF forces demolished the home of Hamas operative Jaafar Muna in Nablus, responsible for a failed suicide bombing attempt in Tel Aviv. The government maintains that house demolitions serve as a crucial deterrent, especially for severe terrorist offenses, even when no additional casualties occur.
On the diplomatic front, discussions between the United States and Iran are reportedly advancing toward a new nuclear agreement, raising regional security questions. Concurrently, there is a significant development in Lebanon, where Israeli intelligence, facilitated by US channels, reports that the Lebanese army has made considerable progress in disarming Hezbollah's weapons in the south, with around 80% of disarmament goals achieved thus far.
In Gaza, there are reports of increased unrest as residents begin to challenge Hamas’s control, with some instances of looting and a perceived erosion of Hamas’s authority amid ongoing Israeli strikes. Israeli military sources indicate that the escalation of internal dissent could lead to further instability in the enclave.
Additionally, there is controversy surrounding the expansion of Israeli settlements. The Defense Ministry announced the approval of 22 new settlements across Judea and Samaria, including some on the sites of evacuated towns from 2005. Officials describe this move as a strategic effort to strengthen Israel’s hold on the land and prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state.
In domestic political developments, former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert publicly criticized Israel’s Gaza operation, calling it an indefensible war that risks unnecessary harm and casualties among civilians. Olmert emphasizes that a two-state solution remains the only viable pathway to lasting peace in the region.
Finally, in broader regional security updates, Hezbollah's military capabilities appear to be weakening. Israeli and Lebanese sources suggest that Lebanon’s army, with US support, is effectively neutralizing Hezbollah's weapons stockpiles in the south, potentially signaling a shift toward reducing hostilities and stabilizing the border area.
This has been your update. We will continue to monitor these developments and bring you further details as they become available.
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
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1200899
https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-855859