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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-07-04 at 17:04
HEADLINES
Israel Advances in Gaza, Controls 65% of Territory
Iran Threatens Europe and US with Capable Missiles
Diplomacy Grows as Gaza Ceasefire Negotiations Begin
The time is now 01:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
At one o'clock in the afternoon, this is your update on the ongoing conflicts and regional developments.
In Israel, military operations continue to make significant advances in Gaza, with the Israel Defense Forces announcing control over approximately sixty-five percent of the territory. Over the past week, Israeli forces have targeted more than seven thousand five hundred sites linked to terrorist infrastructure, including weapons depots, missile launchers, and underground tunnels. The military reports that around one hundred militants have been neutralized during this period. Despite these efforts, the humanitarian situation remains dire, with the Palestinian health authorities in Gaza reporting at least 138 deaths and over four hundred fifty injuries in the past twenty-four hours alone.
Meanwhile, in Lebanon, security forces have killed a prominent terrorist figure, Qassem Salah Al-Husseini, in the southern region. Al-Husseini was a key player in Iran’s weapons smuggling routes from Syria, serving as a critical conduit for arms destined for various fronts, including the West Bank. His elimination aims to disrupt Iran’s logistical networks supporting militant activities against Israel.
Tensions escalate further along Israel’s northern border, where Israeli military officials have identified threats from Iran’s missile capabilities. An Israeli defense source states that Iran possesses the capacity to strike targets across Europe and even reach the eastern coast of the United States, with an estimated limited number of launchers capable of delivering devastating strikes. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has claimed to have shot down an Israeli drone in the region of Zanganeh, displaying what they assert to be the wreckage of an Israeli aircraft, though independent verification remains limited.
In the broader Middle East, Saudi Arabia's foreign minister has emphasized the importance of achieving a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, urging renewed diplomatic efforts. The kingdom remains committed to mediated negotiations to address Iran’s nuclear ambitions, advocating for constructive dialogue over military escalation.
Internationally, diplomatic exchanges continue. Germany’s Merz has discussed with President Trump the potential sale of Patriot missile systems to Ukraine, as Western allies seek to bolster Kyiv’s defenses amid ongoing Russian support. Meanwhile, Russian forces launched their most extensive drone attack on Kyiv in recent days, shortly after a summit between President Trump and President Putin yielded no progress on ending the Ukraine conflict. President Trump has expressed skepticism about diplomacy, citing recent Iranian missile tests as evidence of ongoing threats, with Iranian officials vowing to continue missile and drone assaults if attacked again, claiming they have launched around two thousand projectiles during recent hostilities.
In Israel’s domestic arena, there is a continued focus on security and national resilience. The military reports the killing of a Lebanese terrorist involved in planning attacks on Israeli targets, and the Israeli government has paid tribute to fallen soldiers, including those lost in Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed unwavering commitment to bringing home hostages seized by Hamas, reaffirming Israel’s determination to neutralize threats.
Additionally, incidents of violence persist within Israel’s borders. A young boy in Taybe suffered moderate injuries after being struck by a vehicle, and in Ashkelon, two individuals—an adult and a toddler—were critically injured in a traffic c
Published on 2 days, 21 hours ago