Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-05-17 at 09:04

HEADLINES
1. Israeli Flyers Threaten Gaza Ground Invasion
2. Hezbollah Tensions Escalate After Israeli Strikes
3. Yemen Houthis Launch Drone Attacks on Saudi Oil

The time is now 05:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

Today, at 5:00 AM, ongoing developments in the multi-front conflict involving Israel continue to shape the regional landscape. Reports indicate that the Israeli Defense Forces have issued a provocative flyer over the central Gaza Strip, specifically over Dier El-Balah. The flyer bears a biblical verse from Surah Al-Shu'ara, verse 63, which translates to "And God said to Moses: Strike the sea with your staff, and He parted the sea, making every part of it like a huge mountain." Beneath the verse, a message warns residents: "The Israeli army is coming." This action suggests a potential preparatory signal for a possible ground operation, although Israel has not officially confirmed any imminent crossing of Gaza.

Meanwhile, tensions persist along Israel's northern border with Lebanon. A Lebanese security source reports that after Israeli strikes earlier today on the town of Aita al-Shab, the Israeli military has completed the destruction of all temporary shelters known as caravans, which had been set up in southern Lebanese villages. This indicates ongoing Israeli efforts to target Hezbollah infrastructure or personnel, amid increased hostilities across the Lebanese frontier.

In Syria, reports from the state-controlled media indicate that the Israeli air force conducted a strike near the Damascus International Airport overnight, causing damage but no reported casualties. The strike follows a pattern of Israeli operations aimed at Iranian-backed militias operating within Syria, which Israel views as a strategic threat.

In Iraq, security sources confirm that Israeli military activity has increased in the northern regions, with reports of airstrikes targeting Iranian-backed militias. These strikes come amid heightened regional tensions and accusations from Baghdad that Israel is escalating its military presence in Iraq, a claim Israel has neither confirmed nor denied.

Further south, in Yemen, reports from Houthi sources state that they have launched drone attacks against Saudi Arabian oil facilities. The Houthis, aligned with Iran, continue to threaten regional stability, and their actions underscore the broader proxy conflicts intertwined with the current Israeli-Iranian confrontation.

Internationally, the United States has authorized the sale of advanced AIM-120C-8 missiles to the Turkish Air Force, signaling ongoing support for Turkey amid regional instability. This move follows the recent resumption of civilian flights at Sanaa International Airport after Israeli strikes forced its closure in Yemen, suggesting a cautious easing of some tensions in the area.

Within Israel, temperatures are reaching unprecedented levels, with the Meteorological Service reporting over 40 degrees Celsius in several central regions. The extreme heat, combined with ongoing military operations, adds to the domestic pressures faced by the government as it manages the conflict and its economic repercussions.

In the Palestinian territories, reports from Gaza reveal continued suppression of dissent. Hamas security officials reportedly threatened local journalists, including Tawfiq Abu Jarad, with repercussions if they cover protests or unrest. Several journalists have been detained or warned not to report on anti-Hamas demonstrations, illustrating the ongoing repression of free press within Gaza. The Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate documents multiple incidents of violence and intimidation, highlighting a pattern of enforced self-censorship.

In Iraq, the Arab League holds its 34th summit in Baghdad, with regional leaders, including Palestinian Authority...