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

HEADLINES
1. Hezbollah Targeted as Israel Launches Lebanon Strike
2. Gaza Humanitarian Access Reopens Amid Intense Israeli Attacks
3. Global Powers Clash Over Israel’s Escalating Military Campaign

The time is now 03:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

Today, Israel continues to face a multi-front conflict that is reshaping the regional landscape. On the northern border, Israeli forces confirmed the targeted killing of a Hezbollah terrorist in Lebanon. The Israel Defense Forces announced that they struck a Hezbollah militant using aircraft in the region of Choula in southern Lebanon, in what they described as a preemptive action against threats from the organization. Reports indicate that during the operation, a Hezbollah fighter named Bar Shaar was killed, highlighting ongoing escalation in the area.

Meanwhile, in Gaza, the Israeli military intensified its operations following the evacuation orders issued earlier this week. A widespread offensive is underway in the southern city of Khan Younis, with the Israeli army launching a large-scale attack after a period of relative quiet. For the first time in months, five United Nations aid trucks have been allowed entry into Gaza, marking a fragile step toward humanitarian relief amid ongoing hostilities. However, Israel also reports striking multiple targets, including a Hamas leader, Muhammed Sinwar, who was targeted during a meeting in a Gaza hospital. Sinwar, considered the most hardline Hamas figure in Gaza, was believed to have been killed in this attack, which was based on precise intelligence.

In the West Bank, tensions remain high with reports of violence and clashes involving Palestinian residents and Israeli forces. Additionally, a young man in his twenties was wounded in an incident of violence in Mijdal al-Karim, with medical teams providing treatment and evacuating him to a hospital. Israeli authorities also reported a minor traffic accident in Afula, where two pedestrians were injured, one critically.

The conflict extends beyond Israel's immediate borders, with reports of Israeli airstrikes in Syria and Iraq targeting Iranian-backed militia sites. Israeli officials have emphasized that these strikes aim to prevent Iranian entrenchment and to degrade the capabilities of proxies operating in the region. In Syria, the Israeli military confirmed a strike on an Iranian weapons depot near Damascus, while in Iraq, several sites linked to Iran-backed groups have been targeted in recent days.

Internationally, several European countries—Britain, France, and Canada—have issued warnings and are considering sanctions against Israel if the military escalation continues and humanitarian access remains restricted. The UK, France, and Canada have expressed concern over the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and have called for a halt to military operations in Gaza, urging Israel to allow humanitarian aid to reach civilians trapped in the conflict zone.

Amid these developments, diplomatic efforts are ongoing. Israel's delegation remains in Qatar, awaiting Hamas's response to a proposed ceasefire framework based on the Witkoff plan. Reports indicate that Hamas is seeking guarantees from the United States that Israel will not resume fighting, complicating the path toward a truce. Israeli officials remain cautious, emphasizing that any agreement must ensure the safety of hostages and the cessation of hostilities.

On the political front, tensions within Israel continue as opposition figures criticize government policies. A notable example is MK Amit Halevi, who was removed from the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee due to his opposition to certain military plans, reflecting the internal debate over the ongoing military campaign.

In the broader regional context, external actors such as the...