HEADLINES
Lebanon strike kills Hezbollah official Amal Karnesh
Gaza tunnel raid kills six Hamas militants
Greene resigns as rift with Trump widens

The time is now 5:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

Good morning. The Middle East remains in a state of heightened tension, with Israeli security operations, clashes linked to pro-Palestinian protests abroad, and continued fighting in Gaza and along the Lebanon border shaping a fragile regional balance.

In the south of Lebanon, the Israeli army said it struck targets in the Paron district, killing Amal Karnesh, described by Lebanese sources as a Hezbollah official responsible for community liaison and welfare and economy in that area. The military said the operation was part of a broader effort to prevent attacks and identified the strike as conducted with air support and in line with ongoing military activity in the region. In nearby reports, there were accounts from local outlets of a drone strike targeting a vehicle near al-Nabta al-Sharqiya, with further details still emerging about casualties and the identity of those involved. The army reiterated that such actions are intended to deter militant activity and to uphold security arrangements on the border, while noting that it will continue to respond to threats as they arise.

In Gaza, the Israeli military reported it had eliminated six Hamas militants who emerged from a tunnel near Rafah and detained five others in a separate operation. The forces described the actions as part of a sustained campaign to disrupt Hamas’ operational capabilities and to prevent planned attacks against Israeli civilians and troops. The announcements underscored the ongoing tempo of targeting Hamas personnel and infrastructure in southern Gaza as part of broader security efforts.

In the West Bank, Palestinian sources reported that an undercover Israeli unit shot and killed a Palestinian police officer, Younis Walid Astatia, in the village of Tal in the western sector of the territory after a clash that followed a prior incident in which he allegedly fired at Israeli forces, wounding a reserve soldier. Palestinian accounts also described a separate operative engagement in which a second officer from the same unit, associated with Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades, was subsequently reported dead after forces surrounded a house where he held out. The Israeli side has emphasized that its operations in the West Bank are aimed at dismantling militant networks and securing areas where violence has occurred, while Palestinian sources caution about the human toll on civilians and the day-to-day disruptions in daily life.

Across Europe, anti-Israel demonstrations accompanied a high-profile sports event in Bologna, Italy. Police and protesters clashed outside a EuroLeague basketball game between Virtus Bologna and Maccabi Tel Aviv, with organizers and local media reporting that protesters hurled stones, set fires in trash bins, and launched firecrackers as riot police used smoke grenades and water cannon to restore order. The disturbances occurred as authorities weighed security considerations for events connected to the Gaza conflict, and Bologna’s leadership urged restraint while acknowledging the right to protest.

In other regional developments, families of aid workers abducted by Yemeni Houthi forces said their relatives appeared gaunt and exhausted after limited contact, highlighting the ongoing humanitarian and political impasse surrounding the captives held by the Houthis. The case underscores the broader regional struggles over the fate and safety of aid workers and civilians caught in conflict zones.

Turning to the United States, a high-profile political development unfolded as Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene announced her resignation from Congress, a move prompted by a public rift with President Trump over several issues, including the handling of the Epstein files and policy disputes related to Israel. Trump characterized Greene’s resignation as “great news” for the country, while Greene argued that ordinary Americans are bearing rising costs and that loyalty in politics should be reciprocal. The shake-up narrows the Republican majority in the House and adds a new dynamic to debates over foreign policy and support for Israel, at a moment when US attention remains divided between domestic concerns and international affairs in the Middle East.

As this day unfolds, observers note the interconnected risks: violent incidents abroad influence regional security calculations, while diplomatic signals from Washington and regional actors shape strategy and public messaging. The cadence of events across Gaza, Lebanon, the West Bank, Europe, and domestic US politics reflects a period in which security concerns, humanitarian considerations, and political calculations all bear on the path forward for Israelis, Palestinians, and their international partners. This morning, the stakes for civilian safety and for strategic stability remain high as authorities assess next steps and prepare for possible further developments.

Thank you for tuning in to this Israel Today: Ongoing War Report update.
I'm Noa Levi. Stay safe and informed.
Keep in mind that this AI-generated report may contain occasional inaccuracies, so consult multiple sources for a comprehensive view. Find the code and more details in the podcast description.

SOURCES
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-874777
https://www.jpost.com/international/islamic-terrorism/article-874778
https://www.jpost.com/history/article-874610
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/bythpgk11bl
https://www.jpost.com/american-politics/article-874776
https://t.me/newssil/180892
https://t.me/abualiexpress/109266
https://t.me/newssil/180891
https://t.me/newssil/180890
https://t.me/abualiexpress/109265
https://t.me/newssil/180889
https://t.me/abualiexpress/109264
https://t.me/newssil/180888
https://t.me/newssil/180886
https://www.timesofisrael.com/maga-stalwart-taylor-greene-announces-resignation-trump-great-news-for-the-country/
https://t.me/newssil/180884
https://t.me/abualiexpress/109259
https://t.me/abualiexpress/109258
https://www.timesofisrael.com/italian-anti-israel-activists-clash-with-cops-outside-maccabi-tel-aviv-basketball-game/