HEADLINES
Iran unveils warning mural amid US threats
Republicans seek probe into Minnesota immigration shooting
Daniella Gilboa previews song marking recovery

The time is now 11:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

The following is the 11:00 p.m. update on the Middle East and related global developments, presented in a steady, door‑price calm voice suitable for live broadcast.

Iran warns the United States in Tehran’s Enghelab Square, releasing a new mural that many observers see as a stark reminder of the risk of miscalculation. The artwork, which mirrors a United States flag but centers on an aircraft carrier accompanied by damaged aircraft and red streaks, bears a message in both Farsi and English: “If you sow the wind, you will reap the whirlwind.” The mural appears at Enghelab Square, a site long used by Iran’s leadership for public statements and demonstrations, and was unveiled amid heightened US threats of strikes against Iran in response to domestic unrest and Tehran’s broader regional posture. Officials in Tehran have warned that any attack would be met with an “all‑out war,” a phrase designed to deter what Iranian authorities describe as foreign interference while signaling that the region could face rapid escalation as US naval assets are reported to be moving toward the area. The display, described by Sky News as a recent public installation, comes at a moment when President Trump has publicly warned that ships are headed toward Iran, even as he indicated he hoped a conflict could be avoided. In Tehran, officials have suggested that any attack would provoke a comprehensive response, casting the confrontation in stark, dire terms and underscoring the fragile security balance in the Persian Gulf area.

In Washington, the domestic political conversation about security and governance has intersected with events abroad. A growing chorus of Republican lawmakers is urging a thorough examination of federal immigration tactics in Minnesota following the fatal shooting of a man during a Border Patrol operation connected to immigration enforcement. The incident has sparked a debate about the use of force, the administration’s approach to immigration policy, and how federal and local authorities coordinate in high‑tension situations. Video footage from the scene shows a tense encounter in which a man—identified by officials as Alex Pretti, a 37‑year‑old intensive care nurse—was involved in a confrontation with officers. While authorities say Pretti was armed with a license to carry, video later released by some outlets shows a physical scuffle in which he was pushed, and the exact sequence remains a matter of public scrutiny. Republican leaders on Capitol Hill have pressed for a joint federal‑state investigation and for more information from federal agencies tasked with immigration enforcement, arguing that the public’s confidence in these operations warrants careful review. They have stressed the need for a transparent process while cautioning against political overreach or mischaracterization of the activities involved. In response, administration officials have defended the hard‑line enforcement posture, while acknowledging the difficult questions raised by the incident. The controversy has fed into broader conversations about the political climate surrounding immigration, law enforcement, and national security as the country faces an election year, with polling data indicating mixed public sentiment on immigration policy and the government’s handling of it.

On the same domestic front, President Trump has continued to defend his administration’s immigration approach and the enforcement tools it deploys. In a series of online statements, he highlighted what he described as prior arrests by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in several states and urged Congress to end sanctuary policies that he says hamper enforcement efforts. He also labeled the Minneapolis episode as tragic while charging opponents with politics over public safety. The political tension is evident in the reactions of lawmakers across the spectrum: some Republican senators and representatives call for a full, impartial probe into the handling of the incident and the use of force by federal agents, while others emphasize the need to protect law enforcement and public safety. Within the broader political landscape, questions about gun rights, civil liberties, and the proper balance between security and protest have heated up, reflecting a wider national conversation that touches on many policy areas beyond immigration alone. Polls released in recent months show a range of opinions on the administration’s approach to immigration, underscoring the challenges for policymakers as they seek to navigate security imperatives and public expectations.

In another thread of the current security environment, a human story from the Gaza–Israel theater illustrates the enduring human dimension of conflict. Daniella Gilboa, a former Hamas hostage who spent nearly 500 days in captivity before her release, has shared a preview of a new song written in collaboration with Israeli musician Gil Vain. Gilboa describes the moment as a milestone in her personal recovery and artistic expression, expressing that she feels she can now speak more openly about her experiences after a long period of quiet. Her work stands alongside the many personal narratives that have emerged from the Oct. 7 era and the wider hostilities, underscoring the resilience and continued creative response of Israelis who endured captivity and conflict. The story of Gilboa’s artistic release serves as a reminder of the ongoing human impact of the conflict and of the persistence of ordinary life and cultural expression even amid deep national distress.

A separate Israeli report center‑stage a more personal dimension of the conflict’s legacy. Two years after a major hostage crisis, new details have surfaced about the family of Liam Or, who returned from Hamas captivity. The reporting notes that his father, Ramzy Nassar, was identified as a Muslim Arab, a fact that had been kept private for years and only came to light as the family navigated the aftercare and public narratives surrounding the ordeal. The piece discusses the silence, name changes, and the anguish behind these biographical disclosures, highlighting how identities and family histories intersect with the politics and perception of the conflict within Israeli society. The reporting is a reminder of the long tail of the war—how individual stories and family histories continue to shape public memory and national discourse even as new events unfold.

In a broader policy and strategic context, the United States continues to recalibrate its stance toward Gaza and the broader region. Washington has signaled ongoing concern about Hamas’ governance in Gaza even as discussions about a broader vision for Gaza’s future persist in some policy circles and media coverage. The interplay between humanitarian considerations, security assurances, and regional diplomacy remains a central feature of US engagement in the area, as allied governments watch closely for signs of de‑escalation or further escalation.

As these threads move forward, the international community watches a volatile mix: the risk of miscalculation in a region long marked by divergent red lines, the domestic pressures shaping how leaders respond to crises, and the continuing human stories that remind observers of the real stakes for civilians living under the shadow of conflict. More broadly, as headlines evolve, observers will be listening for any new signals from Tehran and Washington about de‑escalation channels, the status of military assets in the Middle East, and any potentially influential shifts in regional diplomacy. The situation remains fluid, and policy makers on all sides are mindful that choices made in the coming days could influence the security landscape well into the year. This is the latest briefing.

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-884529
https://www.ynetnews.com/magazine/article/byvcljqizg
https://www.timesofisrael.com/republican-voices-grow-for-thorough-probe-into-officers-killing-of-man-in-minnesota/
https://www.jpost.com/american-politics/article-884526
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/article-884525