HEADLINES
- **Wildfire Erupts Near Rosh HaAyin; Firefighting Teams Mobilized**
- **G7 Pressures Israel to Maintain Banking Links with Palestinian Authority Amid Fiscal Crisis**
- **Israeli Drone Strike Kills Two Hezbollah Members in Syria Amid Escalating Tensions**

The time is now 10:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

A significant wildfire has erupted near the city of Rosh HaAyin, located adjacent to Highway 444, between Rosh HaAyin and El'ad. Six firefighting and rescue teams are actively working to suppress the flames, supported by aerial firefighting units. No casualties or individuals trapped have been reported so far.

In Tel Aviv, a 30-year-old man was found unconscious after being pulled from the sea near Goldman Beach. Emergency medical personnel provided immediate treatment, but his current condition remains unclear.

International diplomatic efforts are intensifying as the Group of Seven (G7) finance leaders urge Israel to maintain banking links with the Palestinian Authority (PA). This appeal is aimed at preventing a fiscal collapse of the PA amid the ongoing conflict. The G7's draft statement calls for Israel to release withheld clearance revenues to address the PA's urgent financial needs. This comes in light of US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen's warning that failing to renew a crucial banking waiver could sever a vital financial lifeline for the Palestinian territories. The implications of not renewing this waiver are severe, threatening to halt essential financial transactions and commerce between Israeli and Palestinian banks.

In Tel Aviv, families of hostages abducted by Hamas continue their protests, demanding the Israeli government take more decisive actions to secure the release of their loved ones. This movement, dubbed "Night of the Mothers," sees widespread participation, with demonstrators calling for a government response following the recovery of three more hostages' bodies from Gaza. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) recently apologized for not showing the families interrogation footage of captured Hamas terrorists before its public release. The families and supporters are rallying to highlight what they perceive as governmental neglect in addressing the hostages' plight.

Meanwhile, in Syria, two Hezbollah members were reportedly killed in an Israeli drone strike in the central region near the town of Qusayr. This strike is part of a series of recent Israeli operations targeting Hezbollah in Syria. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the drone strike targeted a vehicle convoy, resulting in multiple casualties. Concurrently, explosions were reported in the Damascus suburb of Mazzeh, an area housing several diplomatic missions. One person was killed by a car bomb, believed to be linked to the ongoing conflict and possibly tied to Iranian interests in the region.

In separate incidents, an electric bicycle rider and a motorcyclist suffered moderate injuries in traffic accidents near Jerusalem. Both individuals received medical attention and were transported to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital.

Negotiations for the release of hostages held by Hamas are set to resume next week, following a meeting between Mossad Chief David Barnea and CIA Director William Burns in Paris. The discussions focused on establishing an infrastructure to facilitate these negotiations based on new proposals from mediators.

In a broader cultural context, an Iranian film titled "The Seed of the Sacred Fig," which depicts the country's women-led protests, has garnered critical acclaim at the Cannes Film Festival. The film's production was shrouded in secrecy to protect those involved, reflecting the intense political climate in Iran. The director, Mohammad Rasoulof, who conceived the idea while imprisoned, underscores the ongoing struggle for freedom and dignity in Iran.

These events collectively underscore the complex and multifaceted nature of the ongoing conflict in the region, marked by military actions, international diplomatic efforts, and societal upheavals.

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.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/Article-1101772
https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-802604
https://www.timesofisrael.com/g7-to-urge-israel-maintain-bank-links-with-pa-amid-fears-of-potential-fiscal-collapse/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/hostages-families-to-hold-weekly-protest-demanding-return-of-their-loved-ones/
https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-802603
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/Article-1101766
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/Article-1101765
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/r1a6kljvr
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/Article-1101764
https://www.timesofisrael.com/two-hezbollah-fighters-said-killed-in-alleged-israeli-drone-strike-in-syria/
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/Article-1101760
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2024/05/iran-directors-identity-was-hidden-even-his-actress