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

HEADLINES
Israel Plans Gaza Return to Combat
Two Million Barrels Cross Hormuz
Attorney General Split Into Three Roles

The time is now 1:02 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Regional Impacts, a plan by Israel's Southern Command to resume fighting in Gaza was presented to Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir. The plan envisions a return to combat with options for continued operations in the Gaza Strip, including evacuation measures and the relocation of civilians to new humanitarian zones. It was developed by the Southern Command in collaboration with the Air Force, the Intelligence Directorate, and the Operations Directorate, and it includes a phased approach for different scenarios. Security sources say that whether any renewed fighting would begin largely depends on developments with Iran, and that a last-minute agreement with the Iranian regime could bring the IDF closer to resuming operations against Hamas, while renewed fighting with Iran or in Lebanon against Hezbollah could push timing to an unknown date. Officials note that chances of a nuclear deal with Iran remain slim to none. Separately, the Strait of Hormuz saw a Chinese Very Large Crude Carrier carrying roughly two million barrels of Iraqi crude cross the strait after a lengthy delay, marking another passage amid ongoing US-Iran tensions. The vessel is now anchored off the Gulf of Oman near the blockade area, and its voyage comes as Iran tightens control over the waterway and signs oil and LNG deals with Iraq and Pakistan; the ship is operated by COSCO Shipping Energy Transportation.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Saudi fighter jets bombed targets linked to Iran-backed Shiite militias in Iraq, with retaliatory strikes from Kuwait into Iraq as part of a broader Gulf pattern surrounding the widening conflict. The strikes occurred in the context of tensions following joint Israeli-US strikes on Iran on February 28 and have coincided with Iranian retaliatory actions on Gulf states and Israel, actions that have unsettled the global economy and disrupted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Some of the strikes appeared to align with the period around the April 7 US-Iran ceasefire, targeting sites associated with drone and missile operations.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, coalition ministers are rushing to push through legislation ahead of a potential dissolution of the Knesset. Constitution, Law and Justice Committee chair MK Simcha Rothman, of the Religious Zionist Party, is accelerating the bill to split the attorney-general’s role into three positions, a move aimed at weakening the AG’s political influence, with an initial Knesset vote planned for next week. Earlier, Rabbi Dov Lando, head of Degel Hatorah, signaled support for dissolving the Knesset “as soon as possible” over the haredi conscription bill, a move that could trigger early elections. Opposition parties Yesh Atid, Yisrael Beytenu, the Democrats, and Ra’am said they supported bringing the dissolution bill to a plenum. Separately, President Isaac Herzog urged negotiations toward a possible arrangement or plea deal in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s criminal trial, saying dialogue could help prevent further internal rupture and that both sides should enter talks if possible. A separate analysis notes Naftali Bennett’s ongoing effort to position himself for a broad bid, describing his public rally and visit to the Western Wall as part of a strategy built around political vehicles—Bayit Yehudi, then Yamina, and now a new merger with Lapid—aimed at reshaping Israel’s political landscape with a reform agenda.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Berlin’s Deportation Monument on the Putlitz Bridge was vandalized again, with police reporting graffiti tags on the memorial dedicated to Jews deported to concentration and death camps. Berlin’s RIAS Berlin described such acts as targeted antisemitic property damage that disrupts remembrance efforts. The monument has faced repeated vandalism since its creation, including incidents in August, and reports of a wreath being thrown and candles destroyed in November 2024. The Center for Jewish Art notes that the memorial was damaged by a bomb in the past, underscoring a history of attacks on memorial sites.

In Israeli Economy and Business, Wizz Air announced it will resume flights to Israel on May 28, joining the Lufthansa Group in restoring service to Ben Gurion Airport after Europe’s aviation safety agency eased its guidance regarding flights to the region.

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-896068
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-896072
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-896093
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-896079
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-896077
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-896076
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-896078
https://t.me/JewishNews24/54308