Podcast Episode Details
Back to Podcast Episodes
Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-06-28 at 19:10
HEADLINES
1. Israel Targets Hamas Leaders in Bold Strikes
2. Lebanon Blames Hezbollah Rocket for Deadly Explosion
3. Israelis Rally for Hostage Release Amid Rising Tensions
The time is now 03:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
At three o'clock in the afternoon, this is the latest update on the ongoing security developments across the region. The Israel Defense Forces have clarified that they did not carry out a deadly strike in southern Lebanon's Nabatieh today, instead attributing the explosion to a Hezbollah rocket launched during Israeli strikes on a Hezbollah facility nearby. Lebanon's health authorities report at least one fatality from the incident.
Meanwhile, tensions persist within Israel, where thousands gathered in Tel Aviv’s "Hostages Square" to demand the government’s action to secure the release of 49 hostages held in Gaza. This rally marks the first since a ceasefire agreement with Iran was reached on June 24, after a 12-day conflict. Relatives of the captives expressed renewed hope that the truce might accelerate negotiations to bring the hostages home. Demonstrators called on US President Donald Trump to leverage his influence for a ceasefire, with some banners urging "end the crisis in Gaza" and referencing the possibility of a Nobel Peace Prize for him.
In military developments, Israeli forces conducted targeted operations in Gaza, eliminating senior Hamas figures, including founder Hakham Muhammad Issa Al-Issa, who played a significant role in the organization’s military buildup and orchestrating the October 7 attack. The joint efforts of the IDF and the Shin Bet also resulted in the killing of another high-ranking Hamas commander, further dismantling the terror group's operational infrastructure.
Tensions also extend to Syria, where for the first time in decades, the Shiite shrine of Sayyida Zeinab in southern Damascus was found empty on the eve of Muharram. Syrian authorities reportedly ordered a halt to entry, marking a notable departure from past years and signaling heightened security concerns amid regional instability.
Regional conflict continues with frequent missile and drone exchanges. Yemen’s Houthis launched a ballistic missile at Israel this morning, which was intercepted, amidst ongoing rocket fire from Gaza and the southern Lebanon border. Israeli air defenses intercepted a rocket from Gaza last evening, with no injuries reported.
On the diplomatic front, Lebanese and Iranian officials remain outspoken. The Lebanese retired general Ashraf Rifi explained Iran's perspective, claiming Tehran believes it is immune to defeat in conflicts, citing Israel’s past attacks on its nuclear program and regional assets. Iranian military figures participated in a mass funeral in Tehran for senior Revolutionary Guard officers killed in recent clashes, which was notably sparsely attended relative to the city’s population, indicating possible domestic dissent.
International reactions include reports of increased anti-Israeli sentiment abroad, exemplified by posters in Milan proclaiming "Israeli not welcome" in public transit stations. In Israel, political figures continue to criticize each other; National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir accused former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett of neglecting to credit himself for Israel’s accomplishments, including the establishment of the state and victory in the Six-Day War, while also condemning Bennett’s alleged alliances with Muslim Brotherhood-supporting groups.
Additionally, Israeli military sources confirm ongoing operations targeting Hamas’ leadership. Over the past weekend, the IDF and Shin Bet eliminated multiple Hamas commanders involved in planning and executing terror attacks, including those responsible for the October 7 massacre. Recent drone footage shows Iranian missile impacts in Beersheba
Published on 1 week, 4 days ago