Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-05-23 at 18:04

HEADLINES
1. Israel Battles Iran-Backed Forces on Seven Fronts
2. Gaza Aid Stalled Amid Violence and Looting Crisis
3. Record-Breaking Heat Worsens Middle East Climate Crisis

The time is now 02:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

Today, Israel faces an intensifying multi-front conflict with Iran and its proxies across seven key regions: Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and Iran itself. This escalation marks a significant chapter in the ongoing struggle for regional security, with Israel mobilizing extensive military operations to counter threats from hostile entities aligned with Tehran.

In Gaza, Israeli forces continue their military campaign aimed at dismantling Hamas infrastructure, with recent airstrikes targeting terror financing hubs and command centers. The Israeli military reports that over 75 targets have been hit in recent days, including key facilities used by terrorist groups. Meanwhile, the Gaza Strip remains under tight blockade, with humanitarian aid only beginning to trickle in after Israel lifted an 11-week blockade. Despite the partial resumption, aid delivery is hampered by insecurity and looting, with reports of food and medical supplies being stolen by armed groups near Khan Younis. The United Nations warns that current aid levels are insufficient, with only a fraction of the needed 500 to 600 trucks per day reaching civilians, leading to widespread hunger and desperation. UN officials have condemned the slow and limited aid flow, emphasizing that without rapid and sustained assistance, the civilian population faces catastrophic consequences.

In Lebanon, sources indicate that the Lebanese Army is working to enforce a plan to remove illegal weapons from Palestinian refugee camps, with a goal of clearing all non-state arms by the end of 2025. This move aims to reinforce Lebanese sovereignty and reduce Hezbollah's influence, although tensions persist. Hezbollah remains a significant player in Lebanon’s security landscape, supporting Iran’s regional agenda, which continues to threaten Israel’s northern border.

Syria has seen a shift in Palestinian faction leadership, with many pro-Iran groups reportedly leaving Damascus under pressure from new authorities seeking to assert control and implement disarmament policies. This development reflects broader regional realignments following the recent change in Syrian governance, with some factions abandoning their previous support networks for Iran.

Meanwhile, Iran’s leadership continues to assert its defiance against Western and Israeli pressures, with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei emphasizing the regime’s resilience. Israeli officials warn that Iran’s nuclear ambitions and regional support for terrorist organizations constitute a persistent threat, likening Iran’s posture to that of a Nazi threat in terms of danger and expansionism.

Across the region, international concerns are mounting. The United Arab Emirates recorded a record-high temperature of 50.4 degrees Celsius, highlighting the urgent climate crisis facing Gulf nations. The extreme heat exacerbates already dire water scarcity issues and poses significant health risks to outdoor workers and residents. Climate experts warn that such heatwaves are a clear sign of global warming, with the Middle East warming nearly twice as fast as the global average.

Domestically, Israel continues its security operations, with reports of a recent drone and missile activity near Gaza, including alerts and sirens in border communities. Israel also targets terror financing and infrastructure, including a recent strike on a Gaza money exchange used to funnel funds to terrorist groups. In political developments, coalition tensions persist over the appointment of senior security officials, with some military leaders urging caution and adherence to judicial...