Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-05-19 at 20:05

HEADLINES
Israel Boosts Eastern Border with Jordan Amid Security Crisis
Hezbollah Terrorist Eliminated in Southern Lebanon Clash
Global Powers Call for Gaza Humanitarian Ceasefire

The time is now 04:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

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At four in the afternoon, Israeli authorities announced significant developments amid ongoing regional tensions and internal security concerns. The government has approved a five-year, comprehensive plan aimed at strengthening Israel's eastern border with Jordan. This initiative, led by NGO HaShomer HaChadash and backed by a budget of 80 million shekels for its initial year, focuses on constructing a new border fence, increasing IDF presence, and establishing civilian settlements, including yeshivot, farms, and residential units. The objective is to restore governance and security to a long-neglected region, integrating military and civilian efforts to ensure a sustainable civilian presence. During the pilot phase through 2025, the program will include pre-military academies, national service initiatives, and support for families of reservists, fostering community continuity. The NGO’s founder, Yoel Zilberman, described the move as a historic shift toward a Zionist approach that combines security with settlement and agriculture, emphasizing a unified effort between soldiers, yeshiva students, and civilians.

Meanwhile, Israel remains on alert across multiple fronts. The Israel Defense Forces reported the elimination of a terrorist operative from Hezbollah’s Raduan unit in southern Lebanon, marking a continued effort to curb threats from that region. In Gaza, tensions persist as international voices, including the UK, France, and Canada, have issued rare joint statements urging Israel to halt its Gaza offensive and lift restrictions on humanitarian aid, citing the “intolerable” level of human suffering. Israeli military sources confirmed the targeted killing of a terrorist involved in recent rocket attacks and described ongoing operations to neutralize threats.

In the West Bank, security forces responded to a violent incident at Jaffa Port, where at least two individuals were injured in a shooting. The incident is under investigation, with police currently en route to the scene. In parallel, Israeli authorities announced the death of a terrorist in an airstrike in southern Lebanon, as part of ongoing efforts to prevent cross-border attacks.

On the diplomatic front, France's President Emmanuel Macron publicly expressed opposition to Israel’s expanding military activities in Gaza, emphasizing the humanitarian toll and calling for a ceasefire that includes the opening of humanitarian corridors. Several European nations, along with Canada and Australia, have also urged Israel to enable aid entry into Gaza, highlighting international concern over the escalating crisis.

In the United States, President Donald Trump stated that he made progress during a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, including discussions on initiating negotiations to end the Ukraine conflict. Additionally, the US deputy Middle East envoy, Morgan Ortagus, is scheduled to visit Israel and Lebanon later this week, signaling ongoing diplomatic engagement in the region.

Domestically, Israel faces a series of security challenges. A shooting at Jaffa Port injured two individuals, with police actively investigating the incident. In Louisiana, authorities continue a manhunt for seven inmates who escaped from a New Orleans jail, believed to have committed violent crimes including murder. The escape was discovered just after midnight, with the inmates breaking through a bathroom wall and scaling a wall to flee across the interstate. The FBI and local agencies have increased rewards for information leading to their recapture, and efforts remain focused on ensuring...