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

HEADLINES
Hamas Leader Haddad Targeted in Gaza Strike
Trump Proclaims National Shabbat for Americans
Graham Platner Nazi Tattoo Sparks Debate

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, Israel said it struck a residential building in Gaza City’s Rimal neighborhood to hit Hamas military leader Izz ad-Din al-Haddad. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz announced the operation in a Friday evening joint statement, and senior defense sources told Walla that initial indications suggested the assassination attempt was successful, though the IDF has not officially confirmed it. The air force carried out the strike after intelligence from the IDF’s Southern Command and Military Intelligence Directorate identified Haddad’s location, a target that had been shaped by years of intelligence collection. Government officials reportedly approved the operation about 10 days prior, according to Israeli media. Haddad is described as the highest-ranking Hamas military commander and the last leader of the October 7 massacre remaining in Gaza, having served in Hamas’s military wing since its founding in 1987. He is named as a captor of Gaza hostages Liri Albag and Emily Damari. Ex-hostages Liri Albag and Emily Damari welcomed reports of the strike, accusing Haddad of holding captives as human shields and overseeing their captivity. Early reporting described Haddad as the top Hamas operative and suggested he had been eliminated, though officials cautioned that his fate remains unclear.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, an opinion piece argues that America’s National Shabbat reflects a growing Judeo-Christian alliance and signals a new cultural moment in the United States. The author notes that Trump issued a formal proclamation inviting all Americans to observe Shabbat on May 15-16, praising the sacred Jewish tradition of rest, reflection, and gratitude to the Almighty and calling on Americans to celebrate faith and freedom throughout the year and particularly in the nation’s 250th year. The piece connects this call to broader cooperation between the United States and Israel and describes a sense of closer, shared purpose that, in the author’s view, has brought Jewish and Christian soldiers to fight alongside one another in defense of common values. It portrays the development as a historic milestone in American religious and civic life.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, a Jerusalem Day opinion piece argues that Israelis cannot take a united Jerusalem for granted and should celebrate the day as a historic achievement, a political challenge, and a spiritual opportunity. The author invokes the city as the beating heart of Jewish national renaissance and the birthright of the Jewish people, framing Jerusalem as the ultimate expression of Jewish identity and national continuity. The piece reflects a uncompromising commitment to a united Jerusalem, drawing on biblical and cultural references to underscore the belief that Jerusalem must remain indivisible and central to national life. It calls for elevating and improving Jerusalem and for using the city as a touchstone for global faith and peace, reaffirming the stance that the city’s status is non-negotiable.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, at the Jewish Democrats summit, debate over Senate candidate Graham Platner highlighted tensions within the party’s ranks. JDCA CEO Halie Soifer remarked, “As far as I’m concerned, you can regret having a Nazi tattoo, you can try to cover it up, but it’s still there,” as discussions about Platner—seen as a rising star who had previously challenged Maine Governor Janet Mills for the Democratic nomination and now faces a race against Senator Susan Collins—replayed at the summit. Platner’s past Nazi tattoo and his criticisms of Israel have fueled concerns among some Jewish Democrats, while others view his potential to win a Senate seat as a significant factor in the broader political landscape. The atmosphere at the event was tense, with panel dynamics reflecting the divide over his candidacy and past positions.

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/article-896332
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/bjbtmkrjzx
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/s1nidcvjfe
https://t.me/hnaftali/23026
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-896160
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-896200
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-896329