
Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-09-18 at 17:05
9/18/2025
0:00
5:48
HEADLINES
Hezbollah strikes widen; Lebanon evacuations ordered
Rafah blast kills four IDF soldiers
Iran missile tests; West pushes snapback
The time is now 1:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
1:00 PM. This is the hourly news update.
Israeli forces have widened strikes against Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon, hitting weapon depots and other logistics sites as part of a broader effort to deter attacks from across the border. The Israeli military says several Hezbollah facilities were hit and that evacuation orders have been issued for three communities in the area, signaling continuing risk near the border even as diplomacy and warnings circulate about potential escalation.
In the border region, the Israeli military also announced new evacuation notices in the Shebaa and Regua areas in southern Lebanon, broadcasting alerts in Arabic as operations continue. The shell of the current campaign centers on degrading Hezbollah’s ability to threaten Israeli towns and critical infrastructure, though the broader political and security situation in Lebanon remains deeply unstable.
Across the region, Hamas’s capacity in Gaza is being described in stark terms by Israeli officials and allied observers. While the group’s command-and-control and weapons networks have suffered significant damage in recent weeks, the hostage crisis in Gaza persists, complicating any effort to declare a definitive end state. Analysts caution that even with notable degradation, Hamas remains capable of asymmetric attacks and of using civilian corridors to complicate Israel’s operations.
In Rafah, four IDF soldiers were killed and another cadet was seriously wounded when the Humvee they rode in struck an explosive device during an operation in the Jnina neighborhood. The incident underscores the persistent danger of improvised explosive devices and the challenges of conducting ground operations in densely populated urban terrain. The army says it will continue to pursue militants while probing possible sniper fire and assessing the day’s casualties.
The conflict abroad continues to influence regional security dynamics. In Yemen, Houthi forces conducted attacks that drew responses from Israel’s defense authorities. A drone incident in Eilat prompted sirens and an investigation after a drone penetrated Israeli airspace and crashed near a hotel, igniting a fire but causing no reported injuries. Security officials urged residents to follow guidance and avoid debris that could pose danger in the aftermath.
Iran remains a central factor in the region’s balance of power. Iranian authorities have been reported to have conducted ballistic missile testing, with state-linked sources claiming a successful test east of Tehran. International diplomacy surrounding Iran continues to unfold: French President Emmanuel Macron has signaled that United Nations sanctions on Iran would be reimposed by the end of September if Tehran does not engage seriously with European powers. Britain, France, and Germany have triggered the so‑called snapback mechanism, and the UN Security Council is due to vote on sanctions on Friday.
The broader diplomatic backdrop includes mounting scrutiny of UN staff and positions on the Israel-Hamas war. A recent UK-US and European line emphasizes maintaining neutrality and upholding international norms while pressing for accountability. In parallel, a UN envoy role in Syria is shifting as Geir Pedersen steps down after six years, with Syria’s political and humanitarian crises continuing to influence regional risk calculations, including Iran’s reach and the status of its proxies.
Domestically in Israel, political and legal currents continue to ripple through the government and governing coalition. Reports from Jerusalem detail ongoing investigations in graft probes involving government ministers, including the May Golan case, which has drawn scrutiny over interactions with police and questions about the handling of investigations. The political climate remains tense as parties consider their paths into the next electoral cycle, balancing security imperatives with domestic concerns.
On the humanitarian front, a first group of sick Gazan children has arrived in the United Kingdom for treatment, a complex operation supported by the World Health Organization and Jordanian partners aimed at alleviating urgent medical needs amid the war. Humanitarian access and aid corridors remain central to international discussions about how best to protect civilians while allowing security operations to proceed.
Looking ahead, the United States under President Donald Trump’s leadership has signaled a policy of standing with Israel and pursuing peace through strength, reinforcing security cooperation and regional coordination with allied partners. The United Kingdom, France, and Germany are aligning with those aims in parallel diplomacy, focusing on sanctions and diplomacy aimed at curbing Iran’s destabilizing activities while supporting Israel’s security requirements. As this period of high tension continues, officials warn that the risk of further escalations remains real, and the path to stability will demand steady resolve, clear diplomacy, and vigilance on multiple fronts. We will bring you updates as events unfold.
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/israel-news/defense-news/article-867995
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-868001
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-867999
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/sports/article-867997
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-867914
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-867996
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/sports/article-867989
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-867988
https://www.jpost.com/podcast/jpost-headlines/article-867984
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-867981
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-867969
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-867972
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1234298
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1234297
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-867973
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1234295
https://worldisraelnews.com/no-more-half-measures-in-gaza-opinion/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/95-year-old-accused-of-murdering-holocaust-survivor-in-nyc-nursing-home/
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1234291
https://www.al-monitor.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27core/themes/stable9/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/originals/2025/09/un-sanctions-iran-be-reimposed-frances-macron-says_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27core/themes/stable9/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__
https://www.al-monitor.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27core/themes/stable9/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/originals/2025/09/un-security-council-vote-iran-nuclear-sanctions-friday_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27core/themes/stable9/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__
https://worldisraelnews.com/trump-and-starmer-sign-a-tech-deal-before-holding-private-talks-on-tariffs-and-war/
https://www.israelhayom.com/2025/09/18/four-idf-soldiers-killed-in-gaza/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/minister-at-center-of-graft-probe-said-to-spirit-mom-out-of-police-station-during-grilling/
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-867960
https://www.al-monitor.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27core/themes/stable9/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/originals/2025/09/un-special-envoy-syria-geir-pedersen-steps-down-after-six-years_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27core/themes/stable9/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hk12ritsge
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/sjeyuitsxx
https://www.israelhayom.com/2025/09/18/houthi-drone-hits-eilat-sparking-fire/
https://worldisraelnews.com/us-ambassador-huckabee-pressure-on-israel-is-an-outrage-hamas-has-no-morality/
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/syi93ifoge
https://worldisraelnews.com/brown-university-reactivates-students-for-justice-in-palestine-following-suspension/
https://www.israelhayom.com/2025/09/18/german-shop-posts-sign-no-entry-for-jews/
https://t.me/newssil/171267
https://t.me/abualiexpress/105207
https://t.me/abualiexpress/105205
https://t.me/abualiexpress/105203
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1234285
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/bklcfjfile
https://t.me/newssil/171266
https://t.me/newssil/171265
https://www.israelhayom.com/2025/09/18/whos-crazy/
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/h1itookslg
https://worldisraelnews.com/idf-launches-wave-of-strikes-against-hezbollah-in-southern-lebanon/
https://t.me/newssil/171264
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1234281
https://t.me/newssil/171263
https://t.me/newssil/171262
https://t.me/Newss0nline/55422
https://t.me/abualiexpress/105196
https://t.me/newssil/171261
https://www.al-monitor.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27core/themes/stable9/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/originals/2025/09/trump-says-he-disagrees-uk-recognising-palestinian-state_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27core/themes/stable9/
Hezbollah strikes widen; Lebanon evacuations ordered
Rafah blast kills four IDF soldiers
Iran missile tests; West pushes snapback
The time is now 1:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
1:00 PM. This is the hourly news update.
Israeli forces have widened strikes against Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon, hitting weapon depots and other logistics sites as part of a broader effort to deter attacks from across the border. The Israeli military says several Hezbollah facilities were hit and that evacuation orders have been issued for three communities in the area, signaling continuing risk near the border even as diplomacy and warnings circulate about potential escalation.
In the border region, the Israeli military also announced new evacuation notices in the Shebaa and Regua areas in southern Lebanon, broadcasting alerts in Arabic as operations continue. The shell of the current campaign centers on degrading Hezbollah’s ability to threaten Israeli towns and critical infrastructure, though the broader political and security situation in Lebanon remains deeply unstable.
Across the region, Hamas’s capacity in Gaza is being described in stark terms by Israeli officials and allied observers. While the group’s command-and-control and weapons networks have suffered significant damage in recent weeks, the hostage crisis in Gaza persists, complicating any effort to declare a definitive end state. Analysts caution that even with notable degradation, Hamas remains capable of asymmetric attacks and of using civilian corridors to complicate Israel’s operations.
In Rafah, four IDF soldiers were killed and another cadet was seriously wounded when the Humvee they rode in struck an explosive device during an operation in the Jnina neighborhood. The incident underscores the persistent danger of improvised explosive devices and the challenges of conducting ground operations in densely populated urban terrain. The army says it will continue to pursue militants while probing possible sniper fire and assessing the day’s casualties.
The conflict abroad continues to influence regional security dynamics. In Yemen, Houthi forces conducted attacks that drew responses from Israel’s defense authorities. A drone incident in Eilat prompted sirens and an investigation after a drone penetrated Israeli airspace and crashed near a hotel, igniting a fire but causing no reported injuries. Security officials urged residents to follow guidance and avoid debris that could pose danger in the aftermath.
Iran remains a central factor in the region’s balance of power. Iranian authorities have been reported to have conducted ballistic missile testing, with state-linked sources claiming a successful test east of Tehran. International diplomacy surrounding Iran continues to unfold: French President Emmanuel Macron has signaled that United Nations sanctions on Iran would be reimposed by the end of September if Tehran does not engage seriously with European powers. Britain, France, and Germany have triggered the so‑called snapback mechanism, and the UN Security Council is due to vote on sanctions on Friday.
The broader diplomatic backdrop includes mounting scrutiny of UN staff and positions on the Israel-Hamas war. A recent UK-US and European line emphasizes maintaining neutrality and upholding international norms while pressing for accountability. In parallel, a UN envoy role in Syria is shifting as Geir Pedersen steps down after six years, with Syria’s political and humanitarian crises continuing to influence regional risk calculations, including Iran’s reach and the status of its proxies.
Domestically in Israel, political and legal currents continue to ripple through the government and governing coalition. Reports from Jerusalem detail ongoing investigations in graft probes involving government ministers, including the May Golan case, which has drawn scrutiny over interactions with police and questions about the handling of investigations. The political climate remains tense as parties consider their paths into the next electoral cycle, balancing security imperatives with domestic concerns.
On the humanitarian front, a first group of sick Gazan children has arrived in the United Kingdom for treatment, a complex operation supported by the World Health Organization and Jordanian partners aimed at alleviating urgent medical needs amid the war. Humanitarian access and aid corridors remain central to international discussions about how best to protect civilians while allowing security operations to proceed.
Looking ahead, the United States under President Donald Trump’s leadership has signaled a policy of standing with Israel and pursuing peace through strength, reinforcing security cooperation and regional coordination with allied partners. The United Kingdom, France, and Germany are aligning with those aims in parallel diplomacy, focusing on sanctions and diplomacy aimed at curbing Iran’s destabilizing activities while supporting Israel’s security requirements. As this period of high tension continues, officials warn that the risk of further escalations remains real, and the path to stability will demand steady resolve, clear diplomacy, and vigilance on multiple fronts. We will bring you updates as events unfold.
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/israel-news/defense-news/article-867995
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-868001
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-867999
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/sports/article-867997
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-867914
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-867996
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/sports/article-867989
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-867988
https://www.jpost.com/podcast/jpost-headlines/article-867984
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-867981
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-867969
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-867972
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1234298
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1234297
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-867973
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1234295
https://worldisraelnews.com/no-more-half-measures-in-gaza-opinion/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/95-year-old-accused-of-murdering-holocaust-survivor-in-nyc-nursing-home/
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1234291
https://www.al-monitor.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27core/themes/stable9/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/originals/2025/09/un-sanctions-iran-be-reimposed-frances-macron-says_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27core/themes/stable9/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__
https://www.al-monitor.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27core/themes/stable9/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/originals/2025/09/un-security-council-vote-iran-nuclear-sanctions-friday_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27core/themes/stable9/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__
https://worldisraelnews.com/trump-and-starmer-sign-a-tech-deal-before-holding-private-talks-on-tariffs-and-war/
https://www.israelhayom.com/2025/09/18/four-idf-soldiers-killed-in-gaza/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/minister-at-center-of-graft-probe-said-to-spirit-mom-out-of-police-station-during-grilling/
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-867960
https://www.al-monitor.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27core/themes/stable9/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/originals/2025/09/un-special-envoy-syria-geir-pedersen-steps-down-after-six-years_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27core/themes/stable9/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hk12ritsge
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/sjeyuitsxx
https://www.israelhayom.com/2025/09/18/houthi-drone-hits-eilat-sparking-fire/
https://worldisraelnews.com/us-ambassador-huckabee-pressure-on-israel-is-an-outrage-hamas-has-no-morality/
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/syi93ifoge
https://worldisraelnews.com/brown-university-reactivates-students-for-justice-in-palestine-following-suspension/
https://www.israelhayom.com/2025/09/18/german-shop-posts-sign-no-entry-for-jews/
https://t.me/newssil/171267
https://t.me/abualiexpress/105207
https://t.me/abualiexpress/105205
https://t.me/abualiexpress/105203
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1234285
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/bklcfjfile
https://t.me/newssil/171266
https://t.me/newssil/171265
https://www.israelhayom.com/2025/09/18/whos-crazy/
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/h1itookslg
https://worldisraelnews.com/idf-launches-wave-of-strikes-against-hezbollah-in-southern-lebanon/
https://t.me/newssil/171264
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1234281
https://t.me/newssil/171263
https://t.me/newssil/171262
https://t.me/Newss0nline/55422
https://t.me/abualiexpress/105196
https://t.me/newssil/171261
https://www.al-monitor.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27core/themes/stable9/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/originals/2025/09/trump-says-he-disagrees-uk-recognising-palestinian-state_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27core/themes/stable9/
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