Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-15 at 20:01

HEADLINES
IDF closes Rosh Hanikra Achziv border zone
Israel Lebanon extend ceasefire by 45 days
US arrests Iraqi Kataib Hezbollah senior

The time is now 8:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Regional Impacts, the IDF declared a closed military zone in the areas of Rosh Hanikra and Achziv in northern Israel, near the border with Lebanon, following a situation assessment. The closure went into effect on Thursday night, according to an order from the IDF’s Commander of the Northern Command, MG Rafi Milo. Civilian entry into the areas is prohibited, and any individual caught violating the order will be prosecuted. The closed military zone announcement came as Hezbollah has repeatedly launched drones and projectiles toward Israeli territory. According to the IDF, over the past week, the military struck over 440 Hezbollah targets in multiple areas of southern Lebanon. More than 220 Hezbollah terrorists who operated to enact attacks against Israeli soldiers were killed in the strikes. Over the course of Friday, the IDF targeted several Hezbollah infrastructure sites in the Tyre region of southern Lebanon. The air force, in coordination with Israeli troops, also struck Hezbollah weapons storage facilities containing stockpiles of anti-tank missiles and mortar shells, as well as a drone launch site.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 45-day extension to the ceasefire following two days of negotiation facilitated by the US State Department. The framework for negotiations includes full recognition of each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and the goal of establishing genuine security along their shared border. Negotiations will unfold on two tracks, security and political, with political talks reconvening on June 2 and June 3, while military delegations from both countries will meet at the US Pentagon on May 29. The United States affirmed its recognition of Hezbollah’s threat and noted that they operate without the consent or approval of the government of Lebanon, with all parties working toward a long-term solution. Israel’s ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, described the talks as frank and constructive and said they hold potential for success. The Lebanese delegation reaffirmed its commitment to the process.

The United States has arrested Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood Al-Saadi, an Iraqi national and senior member of Kataib Hezbollah, on charges of providing material support for Iranian-backed terrorist organizations and directing attacks targeting US citizens and interests. Authorities say Al-Saadi directed and urged others to attack US and Israeli interests, including by killing Americans and Jews, to advance the goals of Kataib Hezbollah and the IRGC. The case marks another step in broader US efforts to counter Iranian-backed militias in Iraq. The Justice Department released a photograph of Saadi with the late Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani. The United States has over time offered rewards of ten million dollars for information on various Iraqi militia leaders. The charges against Al-Saadi are described as significant in the ongoing effort to disrupt Iranian-backed networks in the region.

In the Uplifting News, amid Eurovision tensions, Israelis attending the Vienna contest have found allies in Austria’s youth Green party and a local café that welcomed them. The Young Greens of Austria, a left-leaning youth group tied to the Green movement, posted a video on Instagram welcoming Israel’s Bettan and condemning calls to boycott the Jewish state. As anti-Israel boycotts and protests roiled this year’s Eurovision in Vienna, some Austrians showed support for Israel. Noam Bettan faced chants of “stop the genocide” during his semifinal performance, but the competition proceeded with other countries that did not boycott Israel. On Sunday, the Young Greens published a video welcoming Bettan and denouncing efforts to exclude Israel, arguing that boycotts would foster a hostile environment for Jews in Europe. The message emphasized that they would not reward such calls and instead offered support to Israeli participants.

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-896337
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-896336
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-896335
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-896339