Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-12 at 15:01

HEADLINES
Saudi strikes Iran in first direct attack
EU extends conflict-zone advisory to airlines 2026
Reservists Party unveils nationwide PTSD plan

The time is now 3:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Regional Impacts, Saudi Arabia launched unpublicized strikes on Iran in retaliation for attacks inside the kingdom, marking the first time the kingdom is known to have directly carried out military action on Iranian soil and signaling a bolder stance in defending itself against its main regional rival. Western officials briefed that the strikes were carried out by the Saudi Air Force in late March as tit-for-tat measures, though specific targets could not be confirmed and officials from Riyadh and Tehran did not comment. Separately, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency extended its conflict-zone advisory, advising airlines not to fly to Israel and to the broader Middle East and Persian Gulf region through May 27, 2026. The extension effectively freezes the return of European carriers such as Lufthansa Group and Wizz Air. The agency cited ongoing military activity, ceasefire instability, and hostilities in Lebanon and the Gulf, and said risk assessments would continue so safety measures can be adjusted if conditions stabilize.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir sent a letter to the Deputy Attorney-General urging an immediate discussion to advance expelling illegal immigrants from southern Tel Aviv and other parts of the country, arguing thousands remain despite a legal and practical framework to do so and linking the issue to crime and security concerns. He cited the SSQ gang, described as comprising both minors and adults of Sudanese, Eritrean, and Filipino origin, and referenced a Foreign Ministry legal opinion indicating expulsions could proceed, calling for immediate deportation. Democrats MK Rabbi Gilad Kariv warned that this year’s Jerusalem Day flag march poses a serious risk to non-Jewish residents, noting the parade’s history of violence and racist acts in the Muslim Quarter and other areas. He urged the police to ensure the march takes place outside the Muslim Quarter to protect residents and businesses. A separate analysis piece discusses the High Court of Justice’s handling of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s appointment of Roman Gofman as Mossad chief, highlighting broader tensions over loyalty, rule of law, and the independence of security agencies, including distrust of police under Ben-Gvir and the trend of outsider appointments to Shin Bet and the IDF, with implications for how such leadership roles may be filled in the future.

In Uplifting News, the Reservists Party, led by former communications minister Yoaz Hendel, unveiled Returning from the Battlefield, a national PTSD recovery plan for those affected by war, presented at a Sunday press conference with party members who were wounded in combat. The plan, developed with mental health professionals and veterans groups, aims to address post-traumatic stress disorder nationwide in the wake of the October 7 Hamas attacks and the ensuing conflict. The party, formed in September 2025 ahead of elections expected no later than October this year, emphasizes universal conscription and has signaled it would not join a government that includes parties whose members do not serve in the military.

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-895961
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-895939
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-895942
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/crime-in-israel/article-895941
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-895955
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-895956