HEADLINESSecond Israeli strike hits Hezbollah in LebanonIran protests persist amid internet outagesStorm to hit Israel with 100kmh windsThe time is now 4:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.This is your hourly update. A severe storm is forecast to hit Israel on Friday with heavy rainfall, winds up to 100 kilometers per hour, and high waves along the coast. Emergency officials urge people to secure outdoor items, avoid beaches, and remain alert for localized flooding, especially in underground garages and lower-lying areas where water can accumulate quickly. Motorists are advised to tread carefully as rain and wind can create hazards on roads, including hidden potholes and fallen debris. Power outages and downed trees are possible, and authorities emphasize that high winds may affect traffic signals and signage. Observers note that residents should monitor meteorological updates and heed guidance from fire and rescue services as conditions develop.In the broader region, the Israel Defense Forces conducted a second strike in less than 24 hours in southern Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah. The military says the operation was in response to continued violations of ceasefire understandings. The strike targeted the Zaita region and killed a Hezbollah operative identified as Alaa Hourani, who had aided in reestablishing the group’s infrastructure, gathering intelligence, and deploying forces. This comes after an Israeli strike on Jouaiyya in southern Lebanon the previous day. Lebanon’s government and army have said they are working to consolidate security south of the Litani River, with officials asserting that the Lebanese army is moving to monopolize arms in the area, while the Israeli army remains in control of portions near the border.In a separate legal matter, a federal judge in Chicago dismissed a lawsuit filed by Palestinian Americans and family members trapped in Gaza seeking mandates for emergency rescues by the US government. The court said it did not have the authority to adjudicate foreign policy decisions within the executive branch and highlighted that evacuation plans had already been developed and that some plaintiffs had been evacuated or offered options that did not cover immediate family members. The ruling leaves unresolved questions about the coordination of evacuations with neighboring states and the logistics of moving civilians out of war zones, issues the plaintiffs contended were a constitutional duty of the United States.On the diplomatic front, a delegation from Somaliland is expected to arrive in Israel on Sunday for a six-day visit. Sharaka, the NGO organizing the trip, says the program will include briefings on Israel’s history and institutions, as well as visits to Yad Vashem, the Old City of Jerusalem, the Gaza border area, including the Nova massacre site, and the Bedouin city of Rahat. The visit follows Israel’s recognition of Somaliland as a sovereign nation and is described as a milestone in relations. Sharaka’s leadership notes that the group aims to promote moderate voices in the region and to advance cooperation against extremist forces.In Iran, the nationwide protests that have rolled across cities and towns continue amid a deteriorating economic situation. Net outages in telecommunications and internet access were reported as thousands demonstrated in Tehran and other urban centers, following weekend calls from exiled opposition figure Reza Pahlavi. Early reports indicate at least 45 deaths among protesters and security personnel, with hundreds wounded and thousands detained in the crackdown. Observers say the protests are leaderless and uncertain in trajectory, though the sustained demonstrations reflect continuing discontent with the regime. International outlets note that internet and communications disruptions have compounded the challenge of documenting events on the ground, and some Iranian officials have warned that security measures will be tightened to quell demonstrations.In Washington, US Senator Jacky Rosen of Nevada has called for a robust, multilateral approach to Iran. She described the regime as a global threat and argued for a “lifeline” of technology to support Iranian protesters, including enhanced access to the internet and communications abroad, alongside coordinated sanctions aimed at oil revenues, financial networks, and arms transfers. Rosen stressed that Congress must be involved in sanctions design and that a united coalition of allies is required to deter Tehran. She cited ongoing cooperation between Israel, the United States, and regional partners as a critical component of deterrence and defense capability, including integrated air and missile defense, maritime security, space, and cyber collaboration.Also in the region, President Donald Trump issued warnings that Iran will face severe consequences if it harms protesters in Iran, a posture that drew responses from Tehran’s ...
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