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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-06-27 at 15:05
HEADLINES
IDF Denies Civilian Targeting Amid Gaza Strikes
Israel Warns Iran of Devastating Response for Threats
Controversy Mounts Over Gaza Aid Scheme’s Deadly Impact
The time is now 11:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
At 11:00 AM, this is the latest update on the ongoing situation in the Middle East.
Israeli military officials reaffirm that the Israel Defense Forces did not target civilians seeking aid in Gaza. The IDF continues to operate in coordination with the American Gaza Humanitarian Foundation to facilitate and secure the delivery of humanitarian supplies, emphasizing that their efforts are focused on ensuring aid reaches civilians rather than Hamas. The IDF strongly denies allegations of deliberately firing upon civilians approaching distribution centers, citing strict directives that prohibit such actions. The military is currently investigating reports of civilian casualties at aid sites, and any deviations from operational protocols are being thoroughly examined.
Meanwhile, Israeli operations in Gaza persist, with extensive airstrikes targeting what Israel describes as militant infrastructure. The Israeli military reports that these strikes aim to degrade Hamas capabilities while safeguarding the civilian population, although reports of civilian casualties continue to emerge. The Gaza health ministry states that nearly 550 Palestinians have been killed near aid centers since May, many while seeking food. International organizations, including Doctors Without Borders, have condemned the Israeli-backed relief scheme, calling it a "slaughter masquerading as humanitarian aid" due to the chaotic, dangerous conditions at distribution sites, which are surrounded by Israeli forces and heavily guarded.
On the northern front, the IDF has denied claims of a deadly strike in southern Lebanon’s Nabatieh today, attributing the blast to a Hezbollah rocket that exploded during an attack near a Hezbollah facility. Lebanese authorities reported one death and eleven injuries in the incident. The IDF’s Arabic spokesperson clarified that no civilian buildings were targeted, criticizing Hezbollah for storing weapons near residential areas and endangering Lebanese civilians. Israel maintains that Hezbollah continues to pose a threat by refusing to disarm and storing weapons in populated areas, complicating efforts to stabilize the region.
Tensions between Israel and Iran remain high. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a stark warning, stating that Israel would respond to threats from Iran with force "a hundred times more" severe than recent strikes on Gaza and Lebanon. Katz highlighted Israel’s recent operation, dubbed "Rising Lion," which he describes as a significant military achievement involving the destruction of Iranian nuclear infrastructure and missile sites within Iran, including the opening of Tehran’s skies to Israeli air activity. He underscored that this operation signals a shift in Israel’s policies post-October 7, with a clear message that Israel’s immunity has ended.
International reactions continue to unfold. The US and Israel are engaged in a debate over the effectiveness of recent strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, with US officials claiming that the operation has set Iran’s nuclear program back by months, while Iran’s leadership downplays the damage, asserting that little has changed. The International Atomic Energy Agency reports extensive damage to critical nuclear infrastructure, though some sites remain operational. Iran’s government has suspended cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog, raising concerns about the country’s nuclear ambitions.
Amid these tensions, political developments include the appointment of Britain’s new MI6 chief, Blaise Metreweli, the first woman to lead the agency, whose family history includes ties to Nazi collaborato
Published on 1 week, 6 days ago