Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-05-22 at 11:04

HEADLINES
Israel evacuates northern Gaza amid escalating conflict
Jewish Museum attack sparks US-Israel security alert
Yemen missile launches threaten Israel amid regional tensions

The time is now 07:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

Today, Israel faces a multi-front crisis as tensions escalate across several regions. In Gaza, the Israel Defense Forces has issued evacuation orders for northern parts of the Strip, including Beit Lahia and Jabalya, citing increased military activity and the presence of armed groups. The IDF warns residents that these areas are dangerous combat zones, urging them to move southward to safer locations. This escalation follows recent Israeli strikes targeting Hamas and other militant sites, aiming to weaken the threat amid ongoing hostilities.

Meanwhile, in the West Bank, security forces are intensifying their operations following last week’s deadly attack near the settlements of Peduel and Bruchin, where a Palestinian terrorist fatally shot a pregnant woman, Tzeela Gez, and her unborn child, before being subdued. The family of Gez has chosen to donate her organs to save lives, with her baby currently in critical condition at Schneider Children’s Medical Center. The attack has prompted a large-scale manhunt, with checkpoints and road closures across the region as Israeli forces seek the perpetrator.

On the northern front, Israeli military activity continues in southern Lebanon and southern Syria, with reports of low-flying aircraft and increased troop movements. These actions come amid concerns over Hezbollah and Iranian-backed militias, which have ramped up missile launches from Yemen, with the latest interceptions by Israeli defense systems. The Houthis in Yemen have fired multiple missiles towards Israel in recent weeks, threatening a full aerial blockade, prompting Israeli retaliatory strikes on Houthi-controlled sites.

In Washington, a tragic incident unfolded yesterday when an attacker, linked to radical left-wing groups and shouting “Free Palestine,” opened fire outside the Capitol Jewish Museum, killing two Israeli embassy staffers, Yarón Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim. The gunman, Elias Rodriguez, had previously published a manifesto justifying his actions, linking his attack to protests against Israel’s military operations in Gaza. Israeli authorities and US officials have condemned the violence, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calling for increased security at all Israeli missions worldwide amid rising antisemitic threats.

In international developments, Iran-backed Houthi militants have launched additional missiles at Israel, with intercepts reported over Jerusalem and surrounding areas. The Israeli military has responded with targeted strikes in Yemen, aiming to neutralize weapon transfer routes used by the Houthis. The United States has condemned the attacks and reaffirmed Israel’s right to defend itself against ongoing missile threats.

Domestically, Israeli society continues to grapple with the repercussions of recent violence. The university community has honored Dr. Yael Adami, a pioneer in peace activism, with an honorary doctorate from Tel Aviv University, recognizing her efforts to promote dialogue and reconciliation. Meanwhile, security concerns persist with the recent threats and attacks against Israeli diplomatic missions abroad, leading to heightened alert levels and reinforced fortifications at embassies in Europe and North America.

In economic news, Israeli markets are experiencing a downturn, with the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange indices dropping over one percent amid regional instability. The shekel has weakened against the dollar, reflecting investor anxieties. Additionally, the ongoing conflict has impacted international trade routes, especially in the Red Sea, where Houthi missile threats continue to...