Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-13 at 14:02

HEADLINES
- Netanyahu UAE Meeting Launches Roaring Lion Operation
- Saudi Strikes Iraq as Gulf Crisis Worsens
- Rothman Pushes Split AG Bill Amid Dissolution

The time is now 2:02 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Operation Lion's Roar, Netanyahu met with UAE president at start of Operation Roaring Lion, PMO announces. Netanayhu traveled to the United Arab Emirates to meet President Mohammed bin Zayed at the outset of Operation Roaring Lion, the Prime Minister's Office said. It was the first publicly announced meeting between the two since the Abraham Accords in 2020, and the PMO described the encounter as a historic breakthrough in Israel-UAE relations. During the operation, Mossad chief David Barnea and Shin Bet chief David Zini reportedly visited the UAE to coordinate on war efforts. The United States ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, said Israel had sent Iron Dome batteries to the UAE to defend against Iranian attacks. The UAE has also been linked to recent strikes on Iranian assets, including the Lavan Island refinery in early April.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Saudi airstrikes targeted militias in Iraq during war with Iran. Saudi fighter jets bombed targets linked to Tehran-backed Shi’ite militias in Iraq, with retaliatory strikes launched from Kuwait into Iraq, part of a broader pattern of military responses around the Gulf since joint Israeli-US strikes on Iran on February 28. Those attacks have triggered Iranian strikes on Gulf states and Israel and affected global energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz. The strikes targeted sites near the kingdom’s northern border with Iraq, according to Iraqi security and military officials and Western officials. Some actions occurred around the time of the April 7 US-Iran ceasefire, targeting sites from which drone and missile attacks were launched. IDF preparing plan to return to Gaza fighting, depending on Iran ceasefire deal. Southern Command chief Major-General Yaniv Asor presented a plan to Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir for a return to fighting in Gaza, with options for continued operations and evacuation measures. The plan, developed by the Southern Command in collaboration with the Air Force, Intelligence Directorate, and Operations Directorate, includes a phased approach for various scenarios. The timing and scope of any resumption of fighting would hinge on developments with Iran, with a last-minute agreement with the Ayatollahs’ regime potentially bringing Israel closer to resuming actions against Hamas in Gaza, while a renewal of fighting with Iran or in Lebanon against Hezbollah could delay such moves. Security sources say the chances of Iran reaching a nuclear deal are unlikely, complicating regional calculations.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, MK Simcha Rothman rushes bill to split A-G position as Knesset dissolution looms - report. Coalition members are pushing bills quickly ahead of a possible dissolution of the Knesset, with Constitution, Law and Justice Committee chairman MK Simcha Rothman accelerating discussion on a bill to split the attorney-general’s role into three posts, weakening political influence. Rothman plans an initial vote in the Knesset next week. On Tuesday, Rabbi Dov Lando, the spiritual leader of the haredi Degel Hatorah faction, gave a green light to work toward dissolving the Knesset as soon as possible over the haredi conscription bill, a move that could lead to early elections around October. Opposition parties Yesh Atid, Yisrael Beytenu, the Democrats, and Ra’am said they would support bringing a bill to disperse the Knesset to a plenum in the near term. Jerusalem Day lacks ritual meaning and how to fix a neglected holiday - opinion. An opinion piece argues Jerusalem Day is the most minimalist holiday and lacks a defining ritual, suggesting a broader set of observances to unify Jews at home and abroad. It urges Israelis to visit Jerusalem’s key historic sites, including the David Citadel Museum, the City of David, and the Western Wall tunnels, and proposes abroad audiences create “JerusAlbums” to celebrate their visits. Jerusalem Day commemorates the city’s reunification in 1967, but the piece emphasizes expanding rituals to capture a deeper communal meaning. Netanyahu held secret meeting with Emirati president in the UAE during Iran war, PM's office says. Reuters reports that Netanyahu visited the United Arab Emirates and met with the Emirati president during the war with Iran, with the PMO stating the meeting produced an historic breakthrough in Israel-UAE relations. The visit marks a rare public confirmation of high-level contact since the Abraham Accords. Herzog urges negotiations toward plea deal in Netanyahu criminal trial. President Isaac Herzog urges dialogue toward an agreed resolution in Netanyahu’s criminal case, stating that internal crises should, where possible, be handled through negotiation rather than rupture. Herzog’s legal team invited Netanyahu’s defense attorneys and the prosecution to preliminary talks to test whether an arrangement can be reached, underscoring a preference for settlement over confrontation.

In Berlin Holocaust memorial vandalized in latest antisemitic vandalism incident, the Deportation Monument on the Putlitz Bridge in Berlin was defaced with graffiti on Tuesday evening. Berlin Police confirmed the vandalism at the memorial for Jews deported from Moabit, and the Department for Research and Information on Antisemitism Berlin (RIAS Berlin) described such acts as targeted antisemitic property damage that disrupt remembrance of the Shoah. The monument has endured repeated vandalism since its creation, including white paint and parcel tape in August, a memorial wreath thrown in November 2024, and prior bomb damage in 1992 that was repaired.

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-896096
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-896093
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-896068
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-896079
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-895896
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/05/netanyahu-held-secret-meeting-emirati-president-uae-during-iran-war-pms-office
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-896077
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-896078