Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-05-21 at 12:03

HEADLINES
1. Israel Strikes Over 115 Gaza Targets in 24 Hours
2. UN Warns Gaza Babies Face Fatal Malnutrition Surge
3. Germany Declares BDS Movement Unconstitutional Amid Tensions

The time is now 08:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

$final_report = "At 8:00 AM, tensions and military actions continue to escalate across multiple fronts involving Israel, Iran, and their proxies. Israel's armed forces reported striking over 115 targets in Gaza within the past 24 hours, including tunnels, launchers, military facilities, and terrorist squads, with the confirmed killing of Hamas terrorists involved in the October 7 attack. Israeli military operations also extended into southern Lebanon, where an airstrike targeted and killed Hezbollah weapons expert Hasin Nazih Baraj, disrupting Hezbollah’s missile infrastructure. This strike is part of Israel’s broader effort to weaken Hezbollah following recent confrontations and alleged violations of existing agreements.

Meanwhile, Israeli military helicopters experienced a technical malfunction, accidentally dropping a munition inside Israel near the western Negev border, with no injuries reported. This incident adds to a series of such mishaps within the past month, raising concerns about operational safety amidst ongoing hostilities.

Internationally, the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire. Israel has permitted the transfer of ninety-three aid trucks into Gaza, containing essentials such as food, medical supplies, and pharmaceuticals. However, UN officials have expressed frustration, citing that the aid volume remains insufficient and that the delivery process is hindered, with some aid trucks still waiting at the border. The UN's humanitarian chief, Tom Fletcher, notably claimed that 14,000 Gazan babies could die within 48 hours due to severe malnutrition, a figure later clarified by UN sources as an estimate of malnutrition cases over a year, not imminent deaths. Fletcher criticized Israel’s strategy of moving civilians to southern Gaza for aid, calling it a "dodgy modality," and emphasized the urgent need for increased aid access.

Domestically, Israel faces challenges regarding military conscription, especially among the ultra-Orthodox community. The IDF reports that sanctions against draft-dodgers are currently weak, with only a small percentage respecting conscription orders. Efforts to enforce sanctions and increase enlistment have faced opposition from ultra-Orthodox leaders and legal hurdles, leading to ongoing debates about the country's draft policy.

On the diplomatic front, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas arrived in Beirut for a three-day visit, signaling continued political activity amid the ongoing conflict. In Lebanon, Lebanese sources report a second casualty following an attack on a vehicle in southern Lebanon this morning, further highlighting regional instability.

Meanwhile, in Israel, law enforcement conducted a high-speed chase resulting in the arrest of a 29-year-old suspect linked to a major arms smuggling case involving 80 weapons from Jordan, some used in attacks. The police also raided homes connected to a fraud and embezzlement scheme involving dozens of Israeli soccer players, with illicit funds amounting to approximately NIS 13 million being diverted through falsified documents and false addresses.

In legal developments, Germany's highest agency against extremism declared the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement unconstitutional, citing its goal to abolish Israel and links to terrorist organizations like Hamas and PFLP. This marks a significant step in Germany’s efforts to counter anti-Israel activities and antisemitism linked to the movement.

Overall, the situation remains highly volatile, with ongoing military engagements, international pressure regarding aid and...