Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-05-15 at 14:07

HEADLINES
1. Gaza Casualties Surge as Israeli Bombings Intensify
2. Hezbollah Threats Escalate Lebanon-Israel Border Tensions
3. Trump Calls October 7 a World-History Catastrophe

The time is now 10:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

At ten o'clock in the morning, this is the latest update on the ongoing multi-front conflict involving Israel, Iran, and their respective proxies across the region. Over recent days, the escalation in military activity in Gaza has resulted in significant casualties. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza, the number of Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrikes has risen sharply, with at least 82 fatalities reported in the past 24 hours alone, and total casualties since early this morning reaching over 114, according to Al Jazeera. The most intense bombardments have concentrated in eastern Khan Younis, including the European Hospital, as well as in the northern regions such as Beit Lahiya and Jabalya. These strikes have been carried out predominantly via more powerful fighter aircraft, marking a notable increase in the scope and intensity of Israeli military operations in the enclave.

The escalation has led to increased pressure on the local population, with widespread evacuation alerts issued for Gaza City, northern Gaza, and Khan Younis. The high number of casualties, combined with the evacuations, has created a tense atmosphere among civilians, many of whom are experiencing heightened fear and uncertainty. An Gaza-based media outlet described the situation as: "The war has returned to Gaza with full force." The recent military actions also precede the official launch of "Gadot's Chariots," an operation expected to intensify the campaign further.

Meanwhile, in the northern Gaza Strip, the Israeli military has destroyed underground tunnel networks in Beit Hanoun, with exclusive footage confirming the targeting of a tunnel intended for military use. These operations are part of Israel’s broader strategy to dismantle militant infrastructures and prevent future attacks.

Across the northern front, tensions persist over the ongoing hostage negotiations. Reports from sources close to the talks in Doha indicate difficulties in making progress, with no substantial breakthroughs as of Thursday. The Israeli security cabinet has scheduled a meeting for Sunday at 4 p.m. to discuss further actions, signaling ongoing deliberations at the highest levels of security.

In the political arena, the Israeli government continues to emphasize its defensive posture while also exploring avenues for international aid. Hamas has issued a stark warning: if humanitarian aid does not enter Gaza immediately, it could jeopardize efforts to negotiate the release of hostages and prisoners. A Hamas spokesperson declared that aid should begin flowing into the enclave without delay, citing ongoing negotiations with American mediators, though there is skepticism about the prospects of a breakthrough. Reports from the Arab media suggest that no substantial progress has been made in recent negotiations, with some sources indicating that the Israeli delegation in Dura has not presented new proposals.

On the regional front, tensions are also evident in Lebanon and Syria. Hezbollah has threatened to escalate its involvement if Israel proceeds with further ground operations, while Syrian military positions have been targeted in retaliatory strikes attributed to Israel. The situation along the Lebanon-Israel border remains volatile, with exchanges of fire reported overnight.

In Iraq and Yemen, Iranian-backed militias have increased their activity, with reports of rocket launches toward Israeli interests and military assets. Iran itself continues to deny involvement in recent hostilities, with Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian stating that Tehran has not...