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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-06-25 at 13:04
HEADLINES
Israel's Historic Airstrikes Turn Tides in Gaza
Iran Suspends IAEA Cooperation Amid Nuclear Tensions
US Divided Over Iran Strikes and Gaza Conflict
The time is now 09:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
Today, at nine in the morning, our top story continues to focus on the rapidly escalating conflict in the Middle East. Israel remains engaged in a complex and intense military campaign against Hamas in Gaza, with recent reports indicating significant Israeli airstrikes targeting Hamas infrastructure and militant positions. The Israeli military claims to have executed a historic number of air operations, including over twelve hundred strikes, hundreds of aerial refuellings, and the destruction of key missile and anti-aircraft installations. These efforts are part of Operation Rising Lion, which aims to weaken Iran-linked Hamas and prevent further attacks on Israeli territory.
Meanwhile, the situation on the ground remains volatile. Reports from Gaza speak of ongoing hostilities, with Israeli forces continuing their operations to rescue hostages and dismantle militant networks. The Palestinian health authorities estimate that the death toll in Gaza has surpassed fifty-six thousand, predominantly civilians caught in the crossfire. Israeli officials have raised concerns about the humanitarian crisis, citing shortages of food, water, and medical supplies, compounded by Israeli restrictions and ongoing fighting.
Internationally, the conflict has drawn sharp reactions. Iran's parliament has voted to suspend cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, accusing the agency of aiding Israeli and US strikes on its nuclear facilities. Iranian lawmakers chanted slogans calling for “death to Israel” and “death to America,” reflecting the heightened tensions. Iran also announced that some restrictions on internet access have been lifted after recent outages, though the overall security situation remains tense.
In the United States, public opinion is sharply divided. A recent poll shows strong partisan splits: most Republicans support the recent US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, whereas the majority of Democrats oppose them. President Donald Trump has publicly expressed optimism about negotiations and ceasefire prospects, stating that "great progress" is being made toward ending the Gaza conflict, and praising Israel’s military achievements. Trump also indicated that Israel has confirmed the destruction of Iran’s nuclear facilities, emphasizing that Iran’s nuclear ambitions are now set back decades.
Politically, Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, is weighing the possibility of calling early elections. Discussions within his circle suggest that recent military successes, coupled with diplomatic efforts to normalize relations with Saudi Arabia, could be used to strengthen his political position. Netanyahu faces pressure from opposition and coalition allies alike, amid ongoing debates about the future of the Gaza campaign and regional diplomacy.
On the security front, US and Israeli forces continue to monitor threats from Iran-backed groups. The Houthi movement in Yemen has reiterated threats to target US ships in the Red Sea if Washington becomes involved in Israeli strikes on Iran, though no attacks have been reported so far. The US military predicts that the Houthis will remain a persistent challenge, especially given Iran’s support and ongoing regional tensions.
In domestic news, Israel’s air force has achieved a historic milestone during Operation Rising Lion, executing thousands of precision strikes without losing a single aircraft or pilot. In the political arena, the recent mayoral and comptroller elections in New York saw a significant victory for Jewish candidate Mark Levine, who advocates strongly for Israel and Jewish community issues, providing a
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