HEADLINES - **IDF Launches Major Airstrikes on Hezbollah Targets in Southern Lebanon** - **Hezbollah Rockets Ignite Wildfires: Israeli Govt Allocates $13.4M for Firefighting Efforts** - **Houthi Rebels Attack Civilian Ships and US Destroyer in Red Sea** The time is now 04:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report. This afternoon, tensions between Israel and Hezbollah have escalated significantly, with the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) launching airstrikes on multiple Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon. Brigadier General Daniel Hagari, a spokesperson for the IDF, emphasized that Hezbollah’s actions are jeopardizing Lebanon’s future as they attempt to shield Hamas. Hagari pointed out that Hezbollah's refusal to adhere to United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, which calls for the disarmament of all armed groups in Lebanon except the Lebanese army, has led to the current military confrontations. The IDF's operations aim to protect Israeli citizens and restore security along the Lebanese border. In a related development, Hezbollah’s rocket barrages have ignited wildfires that have scorched nearly 15,000 acres in the Upper Galilee and Golan Heights. The Israeli government has approved a $13.4 million budget to purchase around 200 fire trucks to combat the fires, including 40 vans and 150 all-terrain vehicles to be deployed with volunteer firefighting teams. This move comes in response to the severe damage inflicted and the ongoing threat to northern Israeli communities. Meanwhile, in Gaza, the IDF continues its operations against Hamas. Southern Command Chief Major General Yaron Finkelman addressed troops in Rafah, acknowledging recent losses but stressing the importance of continuing their mission. The Israeli forces aim to dismantle the enemy’s infrastructure and ultimately neutralize Hamas's military capabilities. In another incident, German police shot and injured a man in Hamburg who was threatening passersby with a sledgehammer and a Molotov cocktail. The man, identified as a 39-year-old German, was reportedly experiencing a psychiatric crisis. The incident, which occurred near the Reeperbahn station and involved a significant police response, is not believed to be linked to the ongoing Euro 2024 football match preparations in the city. In international waters, Yemen's Houthi rebels claimed to have attacked two civilian ships and an American destroyer in the Red Sea and Arabian Sea. The Houthi military spokesperson stated that ballistic and naval missiles, along with drones, were used in the attacks. The UK Maritime Trade Operations confirmed that a vessel reported two explosions nearby but continued its journey safely. These actions have disrupted global trade routes and heightened tensions in the region, drawing retaliatory strikes from US and British forces since February. Domestically, the Knesset has revived a controversial bill to expand the Chief Rabbinate’s influence over local authorities. The legislation, previously halted, could result in hundreds of new publicly funded rabbinical posts, potentially costing taxpayers tens of millions of shekels annually. Critics argue that the bill would erode the role of women in the appointment process and benefit the Shas party by providing jobs for its affiliates. Finally, in Turkey, mobs destroyed effigies of US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a display of anger during Eid al-Adha. The incidents, filmed in several locations, involved worshippers, including children, stoning and vandalizing the figures. This reflects the heightened tensions and widespread anger in the region related to ongoing conflicts. This comprehensive coverage underscores the multifaceted nature of the current geopolitical landscape, highlighting the ongoing conflicts, their broader implications,...