Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-13 at 00:01

HEADLINES
- Iranian air assets shielded in Pakistan
- Sudan war births trauma for rape survivors
- Netanyahu Mossad pick sparks security clash

The time is now 12:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, images from Karachi airport reveal for the first time that Iran moved some planes to Pakistan to avoid destruction by Israel during the 12-day war in June. The report says several of Iran's Air Force assets are being kept safe inside Pakistan, including a KC-707 ELINT aircraft and two Boeing 747 transport aircraft.

In Regional Impacts, the region’s human stories illuminate the cost of conflict. Nesma, a 26-year-old university graduate in Sudan’s capital Khartoum, describes the trauma of war and the birth of her son, Yasser, among thousands of children born to rape survivors during three years of fighting between the army and the Rapid Support Forces. She fled Khartoum but returned to retrieve birth, graduation and death certificates to move forward, recalling the three attackers who violated her as RSF fighters allegedly carried out systematic sexual violence. Separately, satellite imagery has confirmed that Pakistan is sheltering Iranian Air Force C-130s.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, President Donald Trump says stopping Iran’s nuclear program outweighs Americans’ economic pain. He told reporters that Americans’ financial struggles are not a factor as he presses toward ending what he calls the Iran war, asserting, “The only thing that matters, when I’m talking about Iran, they can’t have a nuclear weapon.” He also said he does not think about Americans’ financial situation or anybody else, emphasizing the goal of preventing a nuclear-armed Iran. White House aides said the president’s ultimate responsibility is the safety and security of the United States.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, the fight over Netanyahu’s Mossad appointment is heating up. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s choice of Major-General Roman Gofman as the next Mossad chief has sparked a clash inside Israel’s legal and security establishment, with critics warning the move could politicize the country’s intelligence apparatus. Outgoing Mossad chief David Barnea publicly opposed the appointment, reportedly over concerns tied to a past scandal involving a teenage operative who was abandoned by military handlers. Critics say the trend toward loyalists in key security posts could erode independence, even as High Court justices signaled they are unlikely to intervene given the prime minister’s broad authority. In a separate matter, police say two suspects were seriously and moderately wounded after an officer opened fire to neutralize a threat in what authorities said is an ongoing investigation into an alleged Hadera firebomb plot.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, a trio of items highlights ongoing concerns. A looted painting resurfaced in the home of descendants of a Dutch SS collaborator: Portrait of a Young Girl by Toon Kelder, once part of Jewish art collector Jacques Goudstikker’s collection, was found hanging in a hallway in the granddaughter’s home, prompting remarks from art detective Arthur Brand about the case’s unusual trajectory. At Abraham Foxman’s funeral, mourners paid tribute to the longtime ADL leader whose life spanned the Holocaust’s shadow and the fight against antisemitism, with presidents, pope would-be allies and world leaders offering reflections on his influence. In Pennsylvania, Judge David Wecht, who is Jewish, left the Democratic Party and registered as independent, saying antisemitism has moved from the fringe to the mainstream and urging action to confront Jew-hatred on all sides, citing past incidents including a deadly attack on a Pittsburgh synagogue.

In Israeli Economy and Business, Arkia is expanding its long-haul footprint with a new route to Ho Chi Minh City. The company announced weekly flights to Saigon beginning in October 2026, joining its Hanoi service launched earlier this year. Arkia’s leadership frames the Saigon addition as part of a broader strategy to grow long-haul operations and deepen ties with the Far East, with the new schedule facilitating more flexible travel between Israel and Vietnam.

In Uplifting News, Magen David Adom unveiled a dedicated mental health emergency response unit. In partnership with the Health Ministry, the program is rolling out after a successful pilot, with plans for phased expansion in coming years. The new unit will route mental health-related calls to specially trained dispatchers and embed mental health professionals into emergency responses, a move officials say will improve care in complex, emotionally charged situations.

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://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/76228
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/05/not-my-sons-fault-women-bearing-children-sudans-war-rapes
https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/76227
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-895979
https://worldisraelnews.com/inside-the-secret-battle-over-netanyahus-mossad-appointment/
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/skx11xv111ze
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-895981
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-895978
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-895977
https://www.jpost.com/travel/article-895980
https://www.jpost.com/health-and-wellness/mind-and-spirit/article-895976