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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-06-24 at 17:04
HEADLINES
Iran missile strike kills civilians in Be'er Sheva
Israel engages Iranian proxies amid escalating conflict
Gaza humanitarian crisis worsens as aid is weaponized
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 1:00 PM, tensions remain high across the Middle East and Israel. In a tragic development, an Iranian missile strike on Be'er Sheva resulted in the deaths of three civilians: IDF Corporal Eitan Zachs, who was training in a multi-dimensional unit, his mother Michal, aged 50, and his girlfriend Noa Boguslavsky, both aged 18. The attack occurred shortly before a ceasefire was announced, marking a devastating toll that includes 29 deaths and over 3,000 injuries nationwide, as Iranian missile and drone assaults continue to target Israeli territory.
Meanwhile, Israel’s military reports ongoing intense exchanges, with the Israeli Defense Forces engaging Iranian-backed groups and their proxies. Notably, Israel’s intelligence chief, Tzachi Hanegbi, confirmed during a classified session that Israel maintains direct, active dialogue with the new Syrian government led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, moving beyond previously reported indirect contacts. Discussions reportedly encompass both security and political issues, with the potential for normalization and territorial adjustments under the Abraham Accords model if peace advances.
In Gaza, the humanitarian situation remains dire. Israeli forces killed another 46 Palestinians waiting for aid, according to Gaza’s civil defense, with many wounded, and hospitals overwhelmed. The UN and human rights organizations condemned the US-backed food distribution system, which they accuse of weaponizing aid—an act likened to war crimes. The territory suffers from famine-like conditions, exacerbated by Israel’s blockade since March. Calls for a broader ceasefire grow louder, especially as opposition figures and families of hostages implore Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to include Gaza in ceasefire negotiations.
In Iran, internal security measures intensify. Reports indicate that the regime is arresting numerous individuals suspected of cooperating with Israel, with some sources suggesting plans for mass executions to instill fear. Additionally, Iranian military figures, including General Muhammad Taki Yosfwani, were reportedly targeted and eliminated in recent airstrikes, echoing ongoing covert conflicts within Iran’s borders.
In Syria, a deadly suicide bombing at Saint Elias Church in Damascus has been claimed by a little-known Sunni extremist group, Saraya Ansar al-Sunna. The attack killed 25, wounded dozens, and heightened sectarian tensions in a country still battling insurgencies and government instability. The group’s origins are linked to defectors from jihadist factions, and the incident underscores ongoing volatility and the threat of radical splinter groups.
Across the region, Iran’s public celebrations of "divine victory" in Tehran contrast sharply with the grim reality of ongoing conflict, including recent targeted airstrikes against Iranian military figures and infrastructure. The regime’s narrative of victory is met with skepticism by many residents, wary that the ceasefire may be fragile.
Internationally, the United States under the current administration has played a nuanced role, with some analysts suggesting Iran’s recent missile launches on US bases in Qatar were carefully calibrated to signal a desire for a truce with Israel, following heavy US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Former President Donald Trump publicly claimed that both Israel and Iran wanted to end the conflict equally and credited his administration with destroying Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
In Israel, domestic security remains a concern. An incident in Jerusalem saw a 27-year-old man severely injured in an act of street violence
Published on 2 weeks, 3 days ago