Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-07 at 06:02

HEADLINES
Hamas vows resolve after Za'am al-Hayya killed
US pulls 5,000 troops from Germany
Court orders Netanyahu to disclose medical records

The time is now 6:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Hamas has published an official bulletin in response to the killing of Za’am al-Hayya, the son of Khalil al-Hayya, who leads Hamas’ Gaza delegation for negotiations. The report states that Israeli forces killed Za’am yesterday to pressure the negotiating delegation and Hamas leadership, echoing a September incident in Doha when one of Khalil al-Hayya’s sons was killed. It argues that harming family members of negotiating figures will not weaken the resistance but will harden its resolve. The posting describes such crimes as revealing the depth of the occupation’s crisis and its inability to break the will of the people or achieve a military or political gain, adding that the blood of the martyrs is a source of strength for steadfastness. The attached video shows Za’am’s sisters at the hospital room in Gaza bidding him farewell; the footage suggests he arrived in parts and may have lost a leg.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, the first item notes that Washington is weighing a broad strategic shift. On May 1, 2026, the Pentagon announced that Secretary of War Pete Hegseth ordered the withdrawal of about 5,000 American troops from Germany, leaving roughly 31,000 stationed there. Germany is the main American base of operations in Europe, so this is more than a simple cut in numbers; it could affect the logistical backbone of US operations in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. President Donald Trump signaled that “additional steps” would follow, signaling the start of a broader process to reduce the American military presence in Europe. The move comes amid tensions with Germany over Chancellor Merz’s remarks that Germany will not take part in the United States’ war in Iran, that the United States has no exit strategy from the war, and that the United States is being humiliated by Iran. A senior administration official said the German rhetoric was inappropriate. The piece notes that the US presence in Europe dates back to the postwar era and that many believed the commitment would endure, with implications that could shape allied dynamics going forward.

The same topic also covers Israel’s position on the Iran deal. The article on Israel’s red lines recounts Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s talks with President Trump as part of efforts to influence the emerging agreement and ensure Israel’s interests are addressed within it. Jerusalem believes those around Trump favor proceeding along an economic pressure track toward a deal, despite Iran’s resilience. Israel is demanding that any agreement remove all enriched material from Iranian territory and dismantle Iran’s enrichment capabilities, a core goal not open to compromise. Officials in Jerusalem also argue that additional military pressure is needed to secure the best possible deal. At the same time, some in Washington reportedly favor focusing on economic and diplomatic pressure rather than immediate military steps as the talks evolve. The accompanying piece also notes that the Israeli Air Force is actively pursuing Iran’s launchers as part of this broader assessment.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, the State indicts Yonah Shreiber for attacking a nun in Jerusalem’s Old City. The State Attorney’s Office charged the 36-year-old with assault causing actual bodily harm, plus a charge of assault motivated by hostility toward a public due to religion and common assault. The incident occurred last Wednesday in an alley near King David’s Tomb, and police arrested Shreiber shortly after. The indictment describes Shreiber running toward the nun, pushing her to the ground, and then kicking her; a passerby who intervened was punched and kicked as well. The nun suffered facial bruising and injuries to her legs. The case follows a series of recent incidents tied to attacks on Christian symbols or figures in the area.

Separately, Netanyahu is ordered to submit his medical records in a defamation case. Beersheba District Court Judge Menahem Mizrahi ruled that the prime minister must provide his most up-to-date medical file so the court can determine when his prostate cancer was discovered. The file must be sealed and delivered in a secure envelope directly to the court by May 13, accompanied by a letter from Netanyahu’s personal physician confirming it is the updated file and attaching the original medical document showing when the cancer was discovered. The ruling does not yet require testimony from the doctor or from the oncology department head, and the judge will issue a supplementary decision on whether to summon them. This is part of Netanyahu’s defamation suit against Gonen Ben Yitzhak, Uri Misgav, and Ben Caspit, raising questions about medical privacy, public statements about health, and the scope of discovery.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Rutgers cancels graduation speaker over a tweet accusing Israelis of genocide and claiming they run dungeons where dogs are trained to sexually assault prisoners. Rutgers University announced the cancellation of a commencement speaker scheduled for next week after the post, posted by alumnus Rami Elghandour, who is also a biotech company owner and an executive producer of the documentary The Voice of Hind Rajab. The university cited the inflammatory nature of the tweet, posted on April 20 in response to a broader debate about US aid to Israel, as the reason for rescinding the invitation to speak at the School of Engineering on May 15. The university noted that social media posts about Israel were the cause of the decision.

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://t.me/abualiexpress/121861
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-895430
https://www.israelhayom.com/2026/05/07/these-are-israels-red-lines-for-iran-deal/
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/crime-in-israel/article-895442
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-895427
https://worldisraelnews.com/rutgers-cancels-graduation-speaker-over-tweet-claiming-israelis-train-dogs-to-sexually-assault-prisoners/