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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-07-04 at 08:05
HEADLINES
1. Israeli Forces Target Iranian Proxies Near Damascus
2. Lebanon Incursion: Israel Moves Into Syrian Border Village
3. Iran’s Military Mobilizes Amid Nuclear Negotiation Tensions
The time is now 04:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
At 4 AM, tensions in the region remain high amid ongoing military operations and geopolitical developments. The Israel Defense Forces announced the death of Sergeant Yair Eliyahou, a 19-year-old combat engineer from Ezer in southern Israel, who fell during combat in northern Gaza. The IDF also revealed that its special forces conducted helicopter landings near Damascus, targeting sites formerly associated with Bashar al-Assad’s regime, signaling a proactive approach against Iranian-backed forces.
A recent investigation into the October 7 massacre in Mivtahim uncovered significant military failures. The probe indicates that local security units, supported by a single special forces operative, prevented a larger tragedy despite the deployment of outnumbered troops and delayed reinforcements. The findings highlight vulnerabilities in Israel’s defensive posture during that day’s attack.
Meanwhile, Israeli military operations continue to target Iranian influence and proxies across the region. Reports suggest that Israeli aircraft struck deep into Syrian territory, including a five-hour presence near Damascus’ outskirts, with helicopters landing at an old Republican Guard site in Yafur. Additionally, unconfirmed sources claim that Israeli forces recently launched a covert operation involving multiple helicopters in the vicinity of the Syrian capital, indicating an escalation in efforts to curb Iranian and Syrian regime activities.
In Lebanon, reports from a Lebanese channel, Al-Mayadeen, describe Israeli armored units reaching the village of Rachla along the border with Lebanon, marking the first known incursion into Syrian territory near the Lebanese frontier. The operation reportedly involved three armored vehicles and lasted several hours before Israeli forces withdrew.
Iranian military movements also continue. Three Iranian aircraft reportedly returned to Mashhad from Muscat, Oman, amid ongoing discussions about nuclear negotiations with the United States. These developments come as Iranian-backed groups threaten Israeli and regional stability, with some non-official Hamas sources warning of retaliatory actions against collaborators within Gaza once a ceasefire is implemented. The group’s paramilitary wing, associated with the Hyundai H1 vehicle, has issued threats of executions targeting internal dissenters, emphasizing internal security concerns during the fragile ceasefire negotiations.
On the diplomatic front, French President Emmanuel Macron held discussions with President Biden and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia, addressing Iran, Ukraine, and the European-American negotiations. Macron’s outreach underscores the importance of coordinated international efforts amid the volatile Middle East landscape.
Additionally, Israeli strategic thinker Dr. Raphael Ben-Levi advocates for a broader military campaign extending into Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, arguing that recent successes have repositioned Israel as a formidable regional power. He emphasizes that Israel’s actions serve as a moral and strategic defense of civilization, positioning the nation as a guardian against totalitarian regimes. Ben-Levi also comments on the ideological underpinnings of global conflicts, criticizing Western and American approaches that often overlook cultural and religious motivations driving Iran and other adversaries.
As the region braces for potential further escalations, the current atmosphere remains tense. Israeli forces, despite setbacks and vulnerabilities revealed in recent investigations, continue to assert military
Published on 3 days, 11 hours ago