Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-13 at 07:01

HEADLINES
Mossad chief Barnea visits UAE amid war
Lebanon conflict escalates with Hezbollah strikes
Bennett-Lapid unity poll challenges Netanyahu

The time is now 7:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Operation Lion's Roar, Mossad chief David Barnea visited the UAE at least twice during Operation Roaring Lion to coordinate regarding the war, with reports noting trips in March and again in April. The UAE was described as carrying out strikes against Iranian assets, including an attack on the Lavan Island refinery in early April, in what was portrayed as a covert response to Iran targeting Emirati civilian and energy infrastructure. Iran then launched another volley of drones and missiles against the UAE and Kuwait in retaliation, though there was no official confirmation of who was behind that action at the time. Israel and the UAE have continued to deepen their partnership in the shadow of the Iran war, with a senior American official confirming that Iron Dome batteries were sent to the United Arab Emirates to help defend against Iranian attacks during a Tel Aviv University conference.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, a pro-Iran hacker group claimed responsibility for a DDoS attack against Spotify on Tuesday, saying the disruption was revenge for actions against Iran’s leadership. Users reported access issues around 8 p.m., and Spotify acknowledged investigations into the slowdown and service interruptions as the group Islamic Cyber Resistance in Iraq – 313 Team claimed responsibility on messaging channels. Separately, Iraq’s leadership is downplaying reports of a secret Israeli base in the desert while Iraqi forces and Iranian-backed militias continue to search the area; officials described efforts to secure the desert region southwest of Najaf and Karbala as part of broader security operations. On the Lebanon front, the Israeli Defense Forces issued evacuation warnings for residents of Kfar Hata, Arabsalim, and Deir Zahrani ahead of planned strikes against Hezbollah targets, urging people to move at least a kilometer away. The Israeli Air Force carried out strikes against a vehicle in Deir al-Balid in the Beqaa region and another elimination in Sidon, with authorities tallying multiple vehicle attacks in Lebanon today. An Arabic-language IDF warning also urged residents of Kfarkela, Aitaroun, Arab Salim, and Deir ez-Zahrani to evacuate immediately, as the army prepared to act against Hezbollah violations of the ceasefire. The conflict has also seen Hezbollah drones complicating the battlefield, even as Lebanon reports casualties near Beirut and Israel reports striking dozens of Hezbollah targets. Earlier, another elimination was recorded in Sidon, bringing today’s reported vehicle attacks to seven.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, a KAN 11 poll published Tuesday night suggests a united Bennett-Lapid framework could challenge Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud, with Likud at 26 seats and Bennett’s Together Party at 25, followed by a potential entry by former IDF chief Gadi Eisenkot. The poll comes as tensions over the coalition’s handling of security issues persist, including challenges around advancing military service legislation without the haredi enlistment bill, a move viewed by ultra-Orthodox parties as a breach of coalition understandings and a potential trigger for government turmoil. Former prime minister and ex-IDF chief Ehud Barak offered a critical assessment of Netanyahu’s stated Iran policy, arguing that the former prime minister’s vision is far from reality and warning that Hezbollah, Hamas, and Iran’s nuclear threat remain pressing threats. On the domestic front, border police uncovered more than 10,000 cannabis plants in 18 greenhouses in southern Israel as part of a broad crackdown on illegal cannabis production and distribution, with authorities dismantling the facilities and destroying the crops. The Health Ministry has issued recommendations aimed at changing how medical cannabis is prescribed and used, and a professional committee led by Dr. Gilad Bodenheimer was formed in response to rising usage during the wartime period to ensure safe and responsible access.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, the Jerusalem Dispatch episode examines security concerns for British Jews amid rising anti-Israel sentiment, political polarization in the UK, and the challenges faced by Jewish authors. The discussion references heightened security around Jewish institutions following a terrorist attack in Golders Green and notes the sense of vulnerability within the community. The program also touches on the UK political climate, including the Green Party’s stance on Israel, and reports from New York of protests outside a synagogue, highlighting the pressures Jewish communities face abroad and the broader questions about safety and belonging in diaspora communities.

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
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