Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-13 at 09:01

HEADLINES
Israel UAE coordinate Iran war Lavan strike
Netanyahu Mozes Case 2000 cross-examination begins
Spotify outage blamed on pro-Iran hacker group

The time is now 9:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Operation Lion's Roar, Mossad chief David Barnea visited the United Arab Emirates at least twice during Operation Roaring Lion to coordinate on war planning, with trips reported in March and April. Shin Bet chief David Zini is said to have visited the UAE as well, and the two countries coordinated on security matters during the conflict. The Wall Street Journal cited Arab officials and a well-placed source in reporting the visits, and noted that the UAE was behind several recent strikes against Iranian assets, including the attack on Lavan Island’s refinery in early April, carried out covertly in response to Iran targeting Emirati civilian and energy infrastructure. Iran answered with another wave of drones and missiles against the UAE and Kuwait, though attribution at the time remained unconfirmed. The relationship between Israel and the UAE has continued to deepen in the shadow of the Iran war, with United States Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee confirming that Israel had sent Iron Dome batteries to bolster defense amid regional threats.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, former prime minister and former IDF chief Ehud Barak criticized Prime Minister Netanyahu for presenting what he called an unrealistic vision to the United States on Iran, arguing that military action could not simply topple the regime and warning that overconfidence risked Israel’s security. He stressed that Hezbollah remains a formidable force in Lebanon, Hamas continues to grow in Gaza, and Iran’s nuclear capabilities remain a serious threat, noting that none of Israel’s major strategic goals had been achieved. In the same topic, Netanyahu denied involvement in alleged 2009 efforts to broker understandings with Yediot Aharonot publisher Arnon Mozes, saying he did not participate in such discussions. The cross-examination in Case 2000 focused on claims that intermediaries close to Netanyahu discussed limiting the weekend edition of Israel Hayom in exchange for improved coverage in Yediot Aharonot, with Netanyahu facing fraud and breach-of-trust charges and Mozes facing related accusations. Former Netanyahu spokesman Nir Hefetz testified that he discussed with Netanyahu in 2009 the possibility of meeting Mozes and conveying that Netanyahu could influence or moderate the number of Israel Hayom copies distributed on weekends.

In Regional Impacts, a pro-Iran hacker group claimed responsibility for a DDoS cyberattack on Spotify, calling it revenge for Khamenei’s killing. Downdetector reported users experiencing access issues on Tuesday evening around 8 p.m., and Spotify acknowledged disruptions while investigators looked into the matter. The Islamic Cyber Resistance in Iraq – 313 Team posted the claim on Telegram after the attack, and Israeli users were also targeted by threatening WhatsApp messages from business-looking accounts, according to the report. Separately, Iraq’s army leadership played down reports of a secret Israeli base, while Iraqi authorities say troops and Iranian-backed militias are now combing the desert for such a base. Iraq’s Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Abdul Amir Rashid Yar Allah, conducted field oversight of desert security near Al-Nukhayb in mid-March as part of broader efforts to secure remote areas, even as The Wall Street Journal had suggested the existence of a covert base in the region.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, a revised version of the controversial bill to create a politically appointed investigative committee into government failures during the October 7 attacks dropped language calling for a “full, thorough, and independent investigation.” Bereaved families accused the government of attempting to whitewash failures, while committee legal adviser Gur Bligh questioned why those words were removed. Proponents argued the revision would make the purpose clearer and the process more concise, while pledging that representation across Israeli society would be ensured and the investigation would remain thorough and autonomous. Separately, a KAN 11 poll suggested a united Bennett-Lapid bloc could challenge Netanyahu’s Likud, with the Likud at 26 seats and the Bennett-Lapid collaboration at 25. The poll comes amid government friction over military service reform and the haredi enlistment bill, fueling ongoing debates about the coalition’s stability and strategy.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, King Charles delivered the King's Speech to Parliament, outlining the Starmer government’s agenda as it faces mounting calls for resignation over national issues. The monarch said the government would take urgent action to tackle antisemitism, strengthen national security laws, and continue support for Ukraine, while committing to defend energy, defense, and economic security for the long term. He urged the nation to uphold British values of decency, tolerance, and respect for difference, promising concrete steps to ensure all communities feel safe in a changing world.

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/iran-news/article-896041
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-896017
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-896037
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-896039
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-896048
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-896044
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-896019
https://worldisraelnews.com/king-charles-vows-urgent-action-on-british-antisemitism/