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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-06-20 at 18:06
HEADLINES
1. Israel Launches Precise Strikes Against Iran and Hezbollah
2. Iran Fires Missiles into Haifa, Civilians Injured
3. US Deploys Second Aircraft Carrier Amid Middle East Tensions
The time is now 02:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
At two o'clock in the afternoon, this is the latest update on the escalating conflict in the Middle East. Israel remains engaged in a complex and multifaceted confrontation involving Iran and its proxies, with recent developments highlighting both military actions and diplomatic efforts.
Overnight, Israeli aircraft targeted missile launchers and Iranian military personnel preparing to fire toward Israel. Three ground-to-ground missile launchers, identified as ready for deployment, were destroyed by Israeli forces, successfully thwarting an attempted early morning missile attack. Concurrently, remotely piloted aircraft detected and eliminated a convoy of Iranian soldiers, including a commander from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps based in western Iran, responsible for overseeing fifteen missile launchers. This preemptive strike aims to prevent further Iranian aggression.
Meanwhile, reports from the United States indicate ongoing diplomatic communications. Sources from the White House confirm that Steven Vittkoff, the US envoy to the Middle East, maintains regular backchannel talks with Iranian officials, even as the Biden administration evaluates its strategic posture. French Foreign Minister Jean-Nicolas Barré conveyed that Iran’s Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, expressed willingness to discuss all issues, including nuclear matters, under the current tense circumstances.
In Iran, a significant domestic upheaval is reported. According to Iranian police sources, approximately five million residents have evacuated Tehran amid the recent Israeli strikes, reflecting widespread fear and internal displacement.
Israeli leaders continue to assert the strength and resilience of the nation. Former Defense Minister Gideon Sa’ar, speaking from the site of the recent attack in Haifa, reaffirmed Israel’s resolve: "Our society is strong; we support our military operations aimed at neutralizing threats from Iran." The Israeli government has also announced a substantial increase in civil defense measures, approving a budget of around 100 million shekels to accelerate the deployment of protective shelters and missile defense systems across the country, especially in central regions.
On the battlefield, the Israel Defense Forces launched a series of targeted airstrikes against Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon. These operations are believed to be a direct response to ongoing Iranian missile salvos. Israeli military officials indicate that the strikes are precise, employing advanced munitions to disable Hezbollah’s infrastructure, and are part of a broader strategy to deter further escalation.
In Gaza, the situation remains tense. Israeli forces carried out a joint operation with the Shin Bet security service, resulting in the elimination of Ibrahim Abu-Shamala, a senior Hamas financier and military aide to the organization’s deputy commander. Abu-Shamala had been responsible for managing Hamas’s military budget and facilitating the transfer of funds for weaponry and salaries to militants. His death is seen as a significant blow to Hamas’s operational capabilities.
In the broader regional context, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei issued a provocative message, citing a verse from the Koran—"Victory comes only from Allah"—and calling for Sunni Muslim mobilization against Israel. This appeal underscores Iran’s effort to galvanize religious support across Sunni-Shiite divides for its anti-Israel campaign, which has intensified amid the recent hostilities.
Adding to the regional tension, Iran launched a barrage o
Published on 3 weeks, 2 days ago