Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-13 at 10:02

HEADLINES
- Israel Tests Fiber-Optic Drone Countermeasures
- IDF Builds Litani Bridge Amid Proxies
- Israel Fears Partial Trump Iran Deal

The time is now 10:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Regional Impacts, the IDF, the Defense Ministry and defense contractors are set to complete a series of capability tests on Wednesday to counter fiber-optic and racer drones, drawing on local and international sources to address the evolving threat. A security source said efforts are being pursued around the clock to develop solutions to be presented to Defense Minister Israel Katz. The move comes as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to meet this evening with senior defense officials to discuss the drone threat. Yesterday, an IDF spokesperson said a drone strike near the Lebanon border left a moderately injured soldier and a lightly injured reserve soldier, who were evacuated to hospital and whose families were notified. This is a developing story.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, the IDF is building a bridge over the Litani River.

In the US Policy Concerning Israel, Israel is concerned that US President Donald Trump may reach a deal with Iran that could involve last-minute concessions. Israeli officials told CNN that while there is alignment with Washington on preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, issues such as ballistic missiles and the country’s regional proxies appear not to be front and center in early diplomatic drafts. Analysts warned that a partial agreement could allow Iran to stabilize economically while leaving key capabilities intact, potentially limiting the effectiveness of any deal. The United States and Israel are continuing to coordinate their actions against Iran.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, the High Court of Justice canceled Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi’s decision to remove retired judge Nechama Munitz as chairwoman of the search committee for the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation Council, ruling that the minister lacked a legal basis to end her term. The court said removal must be based on a factual basis showing the chair did not perform the role properly and only after consultation with the president of the Supreme Court. The decision addresses petitions over the prolonged failure to complete appointments to the council that oversees public broadcaster KAN. Separately, a group of 15 parliamentarians from around the world committed to recognizing Jerusalem’s sovereignty at a Knesset conference ahead of Jerusalem Day, an event attended by Speaker of the Knesset Amir Ohana, Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion and ambassadors from several nations. Ohana opened by describing Jerusalem as a symbol of coexistence and said work remains to advance its status within national institutions. In internal political analysis, Haredi parties may push for elections as Netanyahu loses leverage, with leaders signaling that trust in the prime minister is eroding and that the bloc’s cohesion is not guaranteed, complicating the path to a coalition deal. Another development saw a revised Oct. 7 inquiry bill drop wording calling for a “full, thorough, and independent investigation,” a change that bereaved families say amounts to whitewashing government failures; proponents argue the revision clarifies the bill’s purpose and ensures broad representation on the commission.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, nine members of CTeen France met US Ambassador Charles Kushner in Paris on May 4 to discuss life as Jewish teens in France’s secular public schools. The teens described hiding their Jewish identity, removing visible symbols, and waiting weekly to reconnect with Jewish peers, with one student noting that only his best friend knows he is Jewish. They spoke of years of antisemitism in classrooms and a rise in hostility since a recent incident, underscoring concerns about safety and inclusion for Jewish students in France.

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-896070
https://t.me/hnaftali/23007
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-896066
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-896069
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-896067
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-896062
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-896048
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-896059