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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-05-29 at 15:05
HEADLINES
Israel Pushes Ahead with Multi-Front Warfare Amid Diplomatic Shifts
US Flags Over Damascus Signal Possible Syria-Israel Peace Talks
Israel Intercepts 35 Hezbollah Drones in Escalating Border Skirmish
The time is now 11:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
At eleven o'clock, our news update begins with the ongoing escalation of Israel’s multi-front conflict, as fighting continues across seven key regions. In Gaza, Israeli forces have established additional aid distribution centers, including a new facility near the Netzarim corridor, aiming to facilitate humanitarian efforts amid ongoing military operations. Meanwhile, reports from Palestinian channels indicate renewed destruction in the Noursam refugee camp in Tulkarem, where house demolitions have resumed, transforming narrow alleys into broader streets in an effort to clear pathways.
In the northern region, Israeli military sources confirm ongoing attacks on southern Lebanese towns, including the cities of Ayn Rumman and Al-Zouani, as part of the broader campaign against Hezbollah’s missile and drone infrastructure. Israeli authorities also report the dismantling of Lebanese barriers near the town of Adaisah, despite attempts by Lebanese forces, accompanied by tanks, to impede their work.
Within the context of diplomatic efforts, a tentative shift toward negotiations is emerging. The United States’ envoy for the Middle East, Thomas Barrack, has raised the American flag in Damascus for the first time since the closure of the US embassy in 2012. Barrack has called for a non-aggression pact between Syria and Israel, suggesting that the conflict can be resolved through dialogue on borders and boundaries. Though Syria has yet to respond formally, the move signals a potential thaw in relations, as Syria’s interim government seeks to normalize ties and end decades of hostility.
On the diplomatic front, the proposed framework by US mediator Steve Witkoff has seen minor adjustments, with Israel accepting the initial terms, which include the release of hostages in phases and the return of bodies of fallen soldiers, alongside discussions on troop withdrawals. Hamas has yet to respond definitively, but reports indicate they are reviewing the latest draft, which emphasizes a ceasefire lasting at least seventy days and the disarmament of militant groups in Gaza, with the future security regime to be transferred to an unspecified authority.
Meanwhile, in the political arena, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed families of hostages and fallen soldiers, affirming that Israel is committed to accepting the Witkoff framework. The government also authorized the construction of 22 new settlements in the West Bank, amid heightened tensions and military operations in the region. This expansion occurs alongside reports of increased military activity in the area, as IDF forces continue their operations in the northern West Bank.
In the broader regional context, US efforts to restore ties with Syria have taken a significant step forward. Ambassador Thomas Barrack raised the American flag over the US residence in Damascus, and discussions have begun about establishing a non-aggression agreement between Syria and Israel. The US also reports progress in economic reconstruction, including a $7 billion energy deal involving Qatari, American, and Turkish companies to revitalize Syria’s electricity grid, which has been devastated by years of civil war.
In other developments, a civilian contractor working for the IDF, David Libi, 19, was tragically killed in Gaza by an explosive device while performing engineering work. Additionally, a 67-year-old man was injured in a traffic accident involving an electric scooter in Bnei Brak, and a pedestrian was hit by a vehicle in Rishon LeZion, both in moderate condition.
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