Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-05-19 at 13:04

HEADLINES
1. Israel Authorized Humanitarian Aid Amid Escalating Gaza Crisis
2. Israel Strikes Hezbollah Near Syrian Border, Broader Regional Tensions
3. France Pushes Peace Talks as Israel Faces Domestic Unrest

The time is now 09:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

Today in the region, tensions remain high across multiple fronts. Israel’s political and military leadership continues to respond to the ongoing conflict with Hamas and other hostile entities. The Israeli government has recently decided to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza, citing the importance of maintaining international support and preventing a humanitarian catastrophe. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that this aid is crucial for Israel’s war effort, warning that failure to prevent starvation could jeopardize support from the United States and weaken Israel’s strategic position. Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to fully capturing Gaza, stating that Israel aims to take control of the entire territory to dismantle Hamas’s infrastructure. He also acknowledged the international pressure, including warnings from American lawmakers, and highlighted that aid delivery is essential to sustain both the population and the military campaign.

In Gaza, the situation remains dire, with reports of severe shortages of food and medical supplies. The UN reports that trucks carrying aid are currently waiting at the border, pending permission to enter. Meanwhile, Israeli forces continue operations in several locations, including the destruction of nearby tunnels and illegal structures, as part of the broader campaign to weaken Hamas. Notably, the Israeli military claims to have destroyed a tunnel in Rafah used by terrorists, and reports indicate ongoing efforts to target Hamas infrastructure, including a recent strike near the Lebanese border.

On the diplomatic front, France is actively advancing a peace initiative aimed at establishing a Palestinian state. Israeli advisor Ofer Bronchtein is overseeing preliminary talks in Paris, which are designed to build regional support and prepare for a broader international conference at the United Nations. The initiative seeks to foster recognition of Israel by Arab countries and promote regional stability, even amid ongoing hostilities. Meanwhile, tensions persist elsewhere in the region, with Israel conducting a strike in Lebanon’s Baalbek district near the Syrian border, targeting Hezbollah positions. This follows a series of exchanges and escalations in southern Lebanon and Syria, reflecting the broadening scope of the conflict.

In domestic Israeli politics, the Jewish Torah party is considering measures to intensify opposition against the current coalition, especially over delays in passing the military draft law. The coalition faces internal debates about how to respond to the ongoing security challenges and political pressure from religious factions. Additionally, there are reports of increased unrest and protests within Israel, and some reservists have publicly criticized the government’s handling of military operations, expressing frustration over what they see as limited scope and broken promises regarding a major offensive in Gaza.

Internationally, the conflict has affected travel and commerce, with several airlines, including Ryanair, announcing delays and potential suspensions of flights to Israel due to security concerns. The Israeli government has also reported ongoing efforts to destroy tunnels and sabotage infrastructure used by terrorists, with recent operations targeting underground passages in Gaza and the destruction of a tunnel in Rafah.

Amid these developments, some voices call for restraint and renewed diplomatic efforts. The World Jewish Congress President Ron Lauder received Israel’s highest civilian honor from President Herzog, who emphasized the...