Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-16 at 15:02

HEADLINES
US kills ISIS deputy al-Minuki
Israeli captain killed in Lebanon firefight
Hamas letter shows premeditated Gaza invasion plan

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 US Military Role, US forces overnight Friday killed Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, the Islamic State’s second in command globally, in an operation overseen by US Africa Command and conducted in conjunction with Nigeria’s President and at the direction of President Trump. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described the operation as coordinated with the Nigerian leadership, and Trump said the mission was carefully planned and complex, thanking the Nigerian government and noting that al-Minuki will no longer terrorize the people of Africa or help plan attacks against Americans.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Captain Maoz Israel Recanati, 24, from Itamar, was killed during combat in southern Lebanon. He served as a Platoon Commander in the Golani Brigade’s 12th Battalion and was posthumously promoted from lieutenant to captain. This is a developing story.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Izz al-Din Haddad, a longtime Hamas leader and planner of the Oct. 7 attack, was eliminated in Gaza over the weekend. The Israeli Defense Forces and Shin Bet describe the removal as an operational achievement, but not a strategic victory; analysts say a successor will likely arise and that the broader Gaza issue remains unresolved. The piece notes a shift in attention and aims from different leadership perspectives in the region.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, a captured Hamas document shows three senior commanders—Mohammed Deif, Yahya Sinwar, and Marwan Issa—signing a letter to Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, sent at 6:30 a.m. on Oct. 7, moments after the order to launch the invasion of Israeli communities along the Gaza border was given. The letter, which speaks of thousands of jihad fighters, is cited as evidence of premeditated planning by Hamas.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Israel carried out a targeted airstrike near Burj Al-Oudah in Gaza City, northern Gaza. Three terrorists were eliminated. This is presented as part of ongoing operations in the theater.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, שורד השבי עמרי מירן ב׳ערוץ 12׳ על מנהיג חמאס שחוסל: ״נפגשנו 3 פעמים, ראיתי את הרוע בעיניים״. https://t.me/newssil is noted as a developing reference. This item is included for context in the regional discourse.

In Uplifting News, The little shop on Jaffa Street that captured old Jerusalem — opinion notes that as Jerusalem Day approaches and the city moves beyond the trauma of Oct. 7 and the broader regional crisis, its memory and character highlight the city’s preciousness and resilience.

In Uplifting News, נועם והמישליות מוכנים לגמר האירווזיון — שיר מספר 3 notes that Noam and the Mishliyot are ready for Eurovision, song number 3.

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://worldisraelnews.com/u-s-military-slays-top-isis-leader-in-africa/
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-896374
https://www.israelhayom.com/2026/05/16/as-iran-standoff-nears-breaking-point-gaza-war-could-reignite/
https://worldisraelnews.com/the-chilling-letter-hamas-chiefs-sent-nasrallah-on-october-7/
https://t.me/selena_updates/63909
https://t.me/newssil/201718
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-896247
https://t.me/newssil/201720