Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-05-21 at 22:04

HEADLINES
1. Israel Mobilizes for Iran Strike Amid Tensions
2. Gaza Humanitarian Aid Faces Looting and Blockade
3. Diplomatic Clash as West Bank Shooter Sparks Outrage

The time is now 06:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

At 6:00 PM, we bring you an update on the ongoing conflict and regional developments affecting Israel and its neighbors.

Israel continues to prepare for potential military action against Iran’s nuclear facilities, with reports indicating that Israeli forces are mobilizing for a possible strike should negotiations with the United States fail. This escalation underscores concerns over Iran’s nuclear program amid ongoing diplomatic tensions.

In the north, tensions persist in Syria’s Suwayda province, a predominantly Druze area. An armed group briefly took the governor hostage at the town hall, demanding the release of an imprisoned associate convicted of vehicle theft. The Syrian Information Ministry reports that the hostage was later released for the safety of the hostages. This incident highlights ongoing instability in the region, with the Druze community often caught between various conflict lines.

In southern Israel, a 17-year-old girl was severely injured in an act of violence in Rahat, prompting emergency medical response and hospital transfer. Meanwhile, in the Gaza Strip, Israeli military authorities facilitated the entry of 100 humanitarian aid trucks, including flour, medical supplies, and baby formula, through the Kerem Shalom crossing. This aid effort comes amid ongoing hostilities and a humanitarian crisis, with Gaza’s health ministry reporting over 53,600 fatalities since the conflict reignited in March.

Rocket fire from Gaza continues to threaten southern Israel, with sirens sounding in Ashkelon and surrounding communities. The Palestinian Islamic Jihad claims responsibility for a salvo of rockets, intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome system, while no injuries or damage have been reported. Israel’s military warns that any further rocket launches will be met with force, and has issued a pre-strike warning to Gaza residents in northern areas, urging them to evacuate.

In the West Bank, Israeli forces fired warning shots during a diplomatic visit, sparking international condemnation. The incident involved a convoy of foreign diplomats near Jenin, with the UN Secretary-General describing the shooting as unacceptable. The diplomatic community calls for accountability and respect for diplomatic norms amid heightened regional tensions.

In a related domestic matter, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed recent criticisms regarding the October 7 attack on Kibbutz Ein Hashlosha. The Prime Minister’s Office clarified that his comments were misunderstood and emphasized that the attack was the most severe in Israel’s history, with four residents killed during the infiltration. The kibbutz community and families of the victims demand acknowledgment and accountability, asserting that the Security Forces failed to prevent the infiltration despite breaches in the fence and inadequate security measures.

Meanwhile, in Lebanon, reports indicate armed groups are holding the governor of Suwayda hostage, a sign of continued turmoil in areas with complex allegiances.

Internationally, diplomatic efforts are underway. Israel and Turkey have reportedly reached a preliminary agreement facilitated by Azerbaijan to establish a hotline aimed at preventing accidental clashes between their military forces operating in Syria. The agreement focuses on avoiding unintended escalation, especially around Turkish deployment areas in northern Syria.

In other news, protests continue in Gaza over the ongoing humanitarian blockade, with reports of aid trucks being looted by crowds. Additionally, a tragic incident in the West Bank saw an...