HEADLINES
- Iran Attacks US Fifth Fleet Escalates Crisis
- Iraqi Militias Seek State Arms Control
- US Pressures Israel to Avoid Beirut Strikes

The time is now 10:02 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Iran's escalation against Gulf states raises concerns it feels safe attacking neighbors - analysis, Iran says its actions are conducted in response to a series of US military attacks. The Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps announced that the headquarters of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet was targeted in a missile and drone operation carried out by the IRGC Aerospace Force, describing it as retaliation for US strikes. Iran also claimed missiles hit a vessel identified as MSC Panaya, tied to US and Israeli interests, after the US struck an Iranian oil tanker to prevent movement through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran said it launched additional missiles and drones at a US air and helicopter base located in a regional country and at the US Fifth Fleet headquarters, signaling an escalation with a string of attacks including actions in Kuwait.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Iran-backed militias in Iraq signal move to place weapons under state control amid US pressure. The militias grew after ISIS; Ayatollah Ali Sistani’s fatwa drew more than 100,000 volunteers, and as many as 74 armed groups emerged under the Popular Mobilization Forces, which were formalized as a state paramilitary. It remains unclear whether militias will hand over weapons or simply redefine their status. In the broader regional picture, Hezbollah is defying ceasefire talks, reflecting ongoing tensions tied to Iran’s regional proxies.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, the United States is pressing Israel to avoid striking Beirut as talks with Lebanon enter the second day in DC. Washington seeks to keep Lebanon’s stability in focus and argues Hezbollah is not only an enemy of Israel and the United States, but also a threat to Lebanon and the Lebanese people; officials say peace could exist if Hezbollah restrains its actions. United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that Hezbollah communicated through the Lebanese government and its speaker that they would refrain from attacking Israeli territory if Israel refrained from new strikes in Beirut. The discussions come as the administration weighs security support for Lebanon, including a plan to train segments of the Lebanese army, amid ongoing Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearings on the diplomacy and security outlook in the region.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Families, former military officials debate IDF transparency after Oct. 7 failures, with Eyal Eshel, father of a soldier killed at the Nahal Oz base, voicing frustration over what he calls missing information from the defense establishment; he described the information as concealed and questioned why full candor has not been provided. MK Amsalem says Mizrahim still blocked from centers of power, urging greater representation in senior roles and critiquing what he characterizes as uneven advancement, including remarks about American constraints on Israel’s options against Hezbollah. IDF chief during the Second Lebanon War urges current commanders to challenge Lebanon policy, saying the absence of a clear objective left soldiers exposed and criticizing the perceived symbolism over strategic direction in Beaufort Ridge’s capture. A Hebrew-language post claims that, in the closing days of his term, Netanyahu is placing loyalists in key positions, including the heads of the Shin Bet, the Mossad, the Prime Minister’s Office, and the state comptroller.

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/middle-east/iran-news/article-898232
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-898241
https://www.jpost.com/podcast/jpost-headlines/article-898234
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-898244
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-898245
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-898209
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-898201
https://t.me/newssil/202982