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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-06-20 at 17:04
HEADLINES
Israel Defense Forces Warns Prolonged Gaza Campaign
Iran Fires 850 Missiles in Escalating Attacks
US Deploys Nimitz Carrier Amid Middle East Tensions
The time is now 01:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
At one o'clock in the afternoon, this is your update on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The Israel Defense Forces chief of staff, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, indicated that the current military campaign may extend over a prolonged period. He explained that Israel launched this operation specifically to eliminate what he described as a grave threat. Zamir revealed that Iran had dedicated years to developing a plan aimed at destroying Israel, which the IDF now considers an imminent and serious danger. As part of their efforts, Israeli forces have destroyed approximately half of Iran's missile launchers, underscoring their focus on preemption and strategic targeting.
Meanwhile, the situation on the ground remains tense. Israeli military sources report ongoing strikes in southern Lebanon targeting Hezbollah, which has suffered significant losses, including the decimation of its capabilities by the IDF. Reports also confirm missile attacks in Haifa, where at least 19 individuals were wounded, one critically, after Iranian missiles struck the northern port city. Among the targets was a mosque, which was hit during the barrage, and there are reports of damage near Bushehr airport in Iran.
Iran continues to deny US negotiations, insisting that talks cannot resume until Israeli military actions cease. Tehran's top diplomat has called Israeli strikes an act of aggression and has accused Israel of targeting civilians across multiple faiths, including Muslim, Christian, and Jewish communities. Iran claims to have launched a barrage of approximately 450 missiles and 400 attack drones at Israel since the escalation began, causing damage at over fifty impact sites and resulting in the deaths of at least 25 civilians, including children.
In response, Israel has carried out a series of targeted strikes on Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon, with the IDF stating that Iranian forces were responsible for launching missile systems prepared for attack. The Israeli military reports that during the night, it intercepted three Iranian surface-to-surface missile launchers and a unit of Iranian soldiers, including a commander responsible for missile operations, who were en route to execute an attack. The Israeli Air Force has emphasized its active efforts to preempt such threats, with the chief of staff noting that they have identified and destroyed approximately half of Iran’s missile launchers, some just minutes before launch.
Additionally, the Israeli government has maintained strict civil defense measures. The Home Front Command reports that emergency instructions remain unchanged at least until 9 p.m. tomorrow. Amid the hostilities, a tragic incident occurred in Ramat Gan, where a woman in her seventies was found dead in a bomb shelter during a missile alert caused by Iranian strikes.
On the international front, diplomatic efforts are ongoing. European foreign ministers are currently engaged in talks with Iran in Geneva, but Israeli officials dismiss these discussions as ineffective. Israeli Foreign Minister Arik Kaanah condemned the European approach, criticizing the lack of action and warning that Israel will continue its military operations to dismantle Iran's nuclear and missile infrastructure. He described the negotiations as a "shame and a farce," emphasizing Israel's intent to fully neutralize threats rather than negotiate away its security.
In a related development, a US aircraft carrier, the USS Nimitz, is expected to arrive in the Middle East by the end of the week, marking the second American carrier in the region. US officials suggest this d
Published on 3 weeks, 2 days ago