Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-05-24 at 08:06

HEADLINES
1. Gaza Aid Trucks Hijacked Amid Ongoing Conflict
2. Israeli Strikes Target Lebanon Hezbollah Sites
3. Israel’s Psychological Warfare Sparks Fear Nationwide

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

At 4:00 AM, the situation across Israel and its surroundings remains highly complex and tense. In Gaza, aid trucks have reportedly begun entering the enclave through the Kerem Shalom crossing early this morning, signaling ongoing humanitarian efforts amid the conflict. However, reports also indicate that during the previous night, approximately five to eight trucks carrying wheat were hijacked near Khan Yunis, with the stolen goods trafficked to Rafeh where they are being sold at significantly reduced prices. Despite these disruptions, most aid trucks are still reaching their destinations, with some reporting that wheat is being sold at 80 shekels per kilogram, far below normal prices.

In the northern and southern regions of Gaza, Israeli military operations continue. Israeli forces have conducted systematic airstrikes and artillery fire overnight, targeting locations in Khan Yunis. Despite the heavy strikes, reports suggest a deliberate effort to evacuate residents from certain areas, particularly in Khan Yunis, where authorities aim to depopulate the region to prevent further resistance. The death toll from these recent airstrikes remains relatively low, with about eight fatalities reported across the Gaza Strip since last night.

Across Lebanon, tensions persist along the border. Sources from Lebanese military and UNIFIL reports suggest that Israeli strikes late Thursday and into the night targeted sites within southern Lebanon, where the presence of Hezbollah and other armed groups remains a concern. These operations are described as aimed at disrupting militant activity, with some reports alleging cooperation between Israeli forces and UNIFIL, which is offering $150 for information on Hezbollah locations. The Lebanese government’s response has been muted, with minimal condemnations of the Israeli actions, and some local reports hint at possible covert cooperation involving American intermediaries to avoid direct conflict between the Lebanese army and Hezbollah.

In Israel, political debates intensify. A heated exchange occurred during a security committee meeting where Defense Minister Israel Katz and Member of Knesset Amichai Shikli clashed over military strategies to dismantle Hamas. Katz emphasized the importance of targeted military operations, while Shikli criticized the current approach as insufficient, arguing that a comprehensive plan to eliminate Hamas remains elusive. Meanwhile, reports emerge of domestic issues, including a tragic traffic accident where a 50-year-old man was seriously injured after colliding with a scooter on Highway 57.

Internationally, the situation continues to impact diplomatic and academic communities. Harvard University officials privately acknowledge severe pressures from the Trump administration, which is reportedly exerting influence to hinder the university’s legal and financial activities, including efforts related to a student exchange program. Simultaneously, a terrorist stalked American embassy personnel in Washington, with authorities linking the attack to broader tensions involving Gaza-related motives.

Within Lebanon, the upcoming local elections in the south have begun, with President Michel Aoun urging citizens to vote for candidates aligned with national development goals. Meanwhile, reports from Lebanese sources claim that Israeli military activity, including airstrikes, is occurring in border regions previously monitored by UNIFIL, with some suggesting that these operations may involve covert cooperation with Lebanese authorities to avoid direct conflict.

Amid these developments,...