Podcast Episode Details
Back to Podcast Episodes
Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-06-21 at 08:06
HEADLINES
Iran drone attacks reach Beit She’an for first time in conflict
Israel eliminates key Iranian operative linked to Hamas attacks
US deploys aircraft carriers as Middle East tensions escalate
The time is now 04:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
At 4 a.m., the security situation along Israel’s borders remains tense as reports confirm ongoing aerial infiltration attempts and military responses. In the southern region, sirens sounded repeatedly due to multiple drone incursions from Iran’s eastern border. Israeli defenses intercepted most of these unmanned aerial vehicles, but some reached their targets, prompting widespread alerts and protective measures. Notably, a drone impact was reported in Beit She’an, with no injuries but the first such incident since the current conflict’s escalation. In addition, Iranian attack drones were detected over the Jordan Valley, prompting further sirens and mobilization of defenses.
Meanwhile, in the north, a drone was also intercepted over the Galilee, accompanied by alerts in the region. The Iranian regime’s use of UAVs continues to demonstrate its strategic intent to challenge Israeli security, with multiple incidents reported across different zones. Israeli military sources confirm that this is part of a broader pattern of drone activity from Iran and its proxies.
In a significant development, an Iranian missile barrage targeted central Israel during the night. Five ballistic missiles were launched, with fragments hitting a residential building but causing no casualties. A fire was sparked on impact, raising concerns over escalation. Additionally, a building in Beit She’an was hit by an Iranian drone earlier in the day, which was deemed an act of aggression with no casualties reported from that incident either.
On the ground, Israel’s military announced the targeted killing of a key Iranian operative, Saeed Izadi, linked to the Iranian Quds Force. He was reportedly involved in funding and arming Hamas ahead of the October 7 attacks and was a direct contributor to Iran’s regional terror network. Israeli officials hailed the operation as a major success, emphasizing that the elimination of Izadi and other senior figures signals Israel’s commitment to dismantling Iran’s military infrastructure in the region.
Furthermore, Israeli forces have conducted a series of targeted strikes in Iran itself, including the destruction of a nuclear site east of Isfahan and the assassination of high-ranking Iranian military figures involved in missile and UAV programs. These measures are part of Israel’s broader campaign to neutralize Iran’s military capabilities.
International reactions remain cautious. The United States, under the current administration, continues to support Israel’s right to defend itself, with Vice President Vance indicating that while diplomatic efforts are ongoing, decisive action remains an option if Iran’s aggression persists. Meanwhile, some European allies have expressed concern over the rising intensity of hostilities but reaffirmed their support for Israel’s security.
Across the Middle East, Iran’s retaliatory strikes extend beyond Israel, with reports of escalating drone activity in Iraq and Syria—including intercepted Iranian UAVs over Qabatia in the West Bank and multiple infiltration attempts across Israel’s eastern and northern borders. Iraq reports severe drought conditions, with water levels at the Dukan Dam dropping to levels unseen in two decades, exacerbated by upstream damming by Iran and Turkey, and climate change impacts.
In the wider regional picture, the presence of American naval forces has increased, with the deployment of multiple aircraft carriers and fighter jets in strategic locations near Iran and the Gulf, signaling a show of force amid ongoing tensions. The United States maintains that
Published on 3 weeks, 1 day ago