Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-11 at 08:02

HEADLINES
Hezbollah drone kills Israeli sergeant near border
Gaza backs two-state solution, poll finds
Haddad, Hassan-Nahoum pursue new party bid

The time is now 8:02 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Regional Impacts, an Israel Air Force helicopter failed to take off after landing to evacuate three wounded soldiers in southern Lebanon on Monday morning, with the military later confirming the incident was a technical malfunction and not the result of enemy fire. The helicopter managed to depart after field repairs, and a second helicopter was scrambled to evacuate the three soldiers in its stead. The three soldiers were wounded when a drone carrying explosives detonated near their position, and their families were notified. Earlier, the IDF announced the death of First Sergeant (Reserve) Alexander Glovanyov, 47, from Petah Tikva, who was killed when a Hezbollah drone hit the tank carrier he was driving near the Israel-Lebanon border. A preliminary investigation indicated Hezbollah launched a fiber optic drone toward Israel, striking Glovanyov’s tank carrier near an IDF outpost on the Israeli side of the border. Separately, poll results show Gazans increasingly back a two-state solution, with 64% in Gaza and 56% in the West Bank supporting it, though opposition to normalization with Israel remains sizable across both territories. The poll also notes that the 1967 borders remain the most favored basis for a settlement, while a notable share in the West Bank continues to voice strong opposition to normalization even if a Palestinian state were established. Additionally, coverage of Gaza highlights that a “freedom” marathon in Bethlehem and Gaza was criticized for portraying a staged political image, including the exclusion of women from running, and commentators argue real freedom would require Palestinians to openly address Hamas, corruption, fear, and leadership.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Noam Bettan prepares for Eurovision as Hezbollah drone strike targets Iron Dome is the focal point of the latest roundup, with the Jerusalem Post noting the strike on Iron Dome and mentioning Noam Bettan’s preparations for Eurovision as part of the segment curated by Shifra Jacobs.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Arab-Israeli activist Yoseph Haddad is weighing a new party bid for the upcoming elections and is partnering with former Jerusalem deputy mayor Fleur Hassan-Nahoum, according to sources cited by The Jerusalem Post. The two are seeking to translate Haddad’s social media support into tangible influence within Jerusalem’s political apparatus, with general elections expected no later than October. A Midgam Institute survey in February suggested a Haddad-led list could win four Knesset seats, and insiders say all options are on the table. Separately, the state paid tens of thousands of shekels in damages to a Prime Minister’s Office employee who said she endured two years of harassment by Sara Netanyahu; the lawsuit, filed with the Jerusalem Labor Court, cited incidents including Sara Netanyahu’s conduct during a breakfast service and alleged harassment. In a related development reported in Hebrew, a Tel Aviv court set a date for the publication of the name of the suspect in the rape case involving singer Shy-Li Atari, with the name to be released on May 17, 2026 at 10:00.

In Israeli Economy and Business, Can Israel’s economy survive after a seven-front war? At the Jerusalem Post Annual Conference, Minister of Economy Nir Barkat will share his vision for Israel’s economic future, outlining how the country plans to adapt amid continued security challenges. Despite the war footing, OECD data place Israel among the strongest performers in 2025, with the economy ranked third in the OECD, while the stock market surged about 53.3% and GDP growth reached 3.5%, positioning Israel as a resilient economy in the face of adversity. Barkat will discuss what many refer to as Israel’s “secret sauce” and the strategies behind sustaining growth as decades-long strains persist.

In Uplifting News, an American oncologist aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius stepped in after the ship’s doctor contracted hantavirus and quickly assumed leadership of the medical response. Dr. Stephen Kornfeld told ABC News that within 24 hours the situation escalated, with one patient dying and the physician and another staff member growing sicker; he credited the on-board team for collaboration as the outbreak unfolded. A total of three passengers on the Hondius have died, two of them confirmed cases, and Kornfeld emphasized that the response was a coordinated effort involving many people.

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/israel-news/defense-news/article-895786
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-895781
https://t.me/ILtoday/19036
https://www.jpost.com/podcast/jpost-headlines/article-895792
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-895789
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-895779
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-895771
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-895772
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1319974
https://www.jpost.com/conferences/article-895782
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-895785