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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-06-29 at 21:04
HEADLINES
Israel conducts deadly Gaza strikes targeting terrorists
Regional instability escalates with Israeli drone attack in Lebanon
Egypt proposes 60-day ceasefire amid Iran’s defiant stance
The time is now 05:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
Today at five in the afternoon, tensions across the Middle East remain high as the conflict between Israel and Iran continues to intensify. Reports indicate that Israel has conducted a series of powerful airstrikes in Gaza, particularly targeting Jabaliya in the northern strip, resulting in at least ninety deaths and over three hundred injuries earlier today. The Israeli military has emphasized that these strikes are part of Operation "Gideon’s Chariots," aimed at dismantling terrorist infrastructure, eliminating militants, and confiscating weapons, some hidden within civilian structures. The violence is expected to persist into the night, with the death toll likely to rise.
Meanwhile, in southern Lebanon, reports of an Israeli drone attack in the vicinity of Ramiya have surfaced, adding to regional instability. Israeli officials continue to monitor and respond to threats from Hezbollah, which has suffered significant losses in recent Israeli operations. Reports from Palestinian sources speak of intense Israeli bombardments in Gaza’s Saja’ea neighborhood, with casualties mounting and the damage described as substantial.
On the diplomatic front, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held discussions at the IDF Southern Command headquarters regarding the endgame of the 21-month Gaza conflict. The focus remains on whether to send a representative to potential ceasefire and hostage negotiations, possibly taking place in Doha or Egypt. Netanyahu expressed confidence in achieving both the defeat of Hamas and the resolution of the hostage crisis, emphasizing the emergence of broader regional opportunities that could benefit Israel.
In parallel, efforts on the international stage continue. Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry reported that Cairo is actively engaged in negotiations proposing a sixty-day ceasefire, which would include the release of some hostages and humanitarian aid into Gaza. Egypt and the United States are reportedly seeking guarantees to ensure the ceasefire’s durability, fearing that renewed aggression could destabilize the region further.
Amid these developments, Iran voices deep skepticism about Israel’s commitment to the fragile ceasefire. Iranian military officials have expressed doubts, citing previous Israeli actions and warning that Tehran remains prepared to respond forcefully if attacked again. Iran’s chief of staff, Abdolrahim Mousavi, stated that Iran did not start the recent hostilities but has responded with full force to Israeli aggression. Iran also claims to have little confidence in the monitoring of its nuclear program, especially after recent US and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, which Iran asserts caused less damage than publicly claimed. Intercepted communications suggest that US intelligence assessments may underestimate the impact of those strikes, although Washington maintains that Iran’s nuclear ambitions remain on hold.
In the United States, President Donald Trump is reportedly working on a proposal to secure the release of all hostages simultaneously and to exile Hamas leaders. Trump’s team believes that a comprehensive deal is achievable, with discussions reportedly progressing on the humanitarian issues and the finality of the conflict. Meanwhile, in New York, Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani has refused to denounce the slogan “globalize the intifada,” drawing criticism from the Jewish community amid rising tensions over free speech and anti-Semitism.
Back in Gaza, the situation remains dire. Palestinian sources report ongoing heavy bombardments, with civi
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