Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-13 at 15:02

HEADLINES
Historic Israel UAE talks amid Roaring Lion
WFP halves Syria emergency food aid
Gaza ceasefire still closed after seven months

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 Operation Lion's Roar, Netanyahu met with UAE president at start of Operation Roaring Lion, PMO announces. The Prime Minister's Office described the talks with President Mohammed bin Zayed as a historic breakthrough in Israel‑UAE relations, and noted this was the first publicly disclosed meeting since the Abraham Accords in 2020. Officials say coordination on the war involved Mossad chief David Barnea and Shin Bet chief David Zini during visits to the UAE. US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said Israel had supplied UAE with Iron Dome batteries to defend against Iranian attacks, reflecting deeper security cooperation. Reporting also ties the UAE to recent strikes on Iranian assets, including an attack on Lavan Island’s refinery reported by sources familiar with regional developments. The PMO later confirmed Netanyahu’s secret UAE visit with Shin Bet Chief Zini during the operation, describing it as another historic step in the evolving ties between the two countries.

In Regional Impacts, the World Food Programme said it has halved emergency food assistance in Syria due to funding shortages, warning that millions remain vulnerable despite signs of stabilization in parts of the country. The number of people receiving emergency food aid in Syria fell to 650,000 in May from 1.3 million, as operations across all 14 governorates were cut back to seven. Overall, 7.2 million people in Syria remain acutely food insecure, including 1.6 million facing severe hunger, with many households reducing meal portions or skipping meals. The reduction is described by the WFP as driven solely by funding constraints, not a drop in needs. The United States, the agency’s biggest donor, has slashed foreign aid, with other countries also tightening development and humanitarian assistance. The WFP halted a bread subsidy program that had supported more than 300 bakeries with fortified flour, a move the agency says will affect access to subsidized food staples. Marianne Ward, the WFP’s Syria country director, stressed that the needs in Syria remain substantial despite any stabilization.

Seven months after the ceasefire, the door to Gaza’s future is still closed, BoP chief said after meeting Netanyahu. Nickolay Mladenov, director-general of the Board of Peace, said that what was promised to the Palestinians is not what they deserve and that the ceasefire, while holding, is far from perfect, with daily violations that endanger civilians. He noted that delays and restrictions continue to affect humanitarian access and daily life for Palestinians. Mladenov urged the political leadership currently managing Gaza to step aside as called for by the Security Council decision and the 20‑point plan, arguing there is room in a new framework that respects civilian protections and the rule of law.

Who gets to belong? Palestinians in Syria confront old suspicions under new rule examines how Palestinian refugees face a changing environment in Syria. Palestinian‑Syrian journalist Qusai Amameh’s reporting on Damascus’ Mount Qasioun redevelopment drew backlash focused on his Palestinian identity rather than his journalism. Critics linked to Syria’s Information Ministry attacked him in online forums, highlighting a broader struggle over belonging and status for Palestinians in Syria, where online discourse has grown more hostile as political debate shifts to digital spaces. Activists and advocates warn that identity politics and online hostility threaten the safety and visibility of Palestinians in Syrian society.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, the threat is manageable: IDF downplays Hezbollah drone campaign. Military officials describe the drone activity from Lebanon as a tactical problem rather than a strategic challenge, with solutions being developed. Three soldiers and one civilian have been killed by exploding drones since the Lebanon ceasefire took effect on April 17. Officers from Givati’s Sabar Battalion showed reporters a tunnel dug beneath a clothing store in al-Khiam, containing a command and communications hub and a cache of weapons, illustrating that the threat persists. The deputy commander, identified as L, cautioned that while the threat is real, it should not be viewed as war‑changing, and a measured approach is being pursued to counter it.

Heritage Minister taps Esther Shreiber for next IAA director, first woman in role. Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu announced Esther Shreiber, CEO of the INEXTG Group, as the next director of the Israel Antiquities Authority, a post that would make her the first woman to hold the role. Her appointment will be submitted for approval by the IAA’s council and the government. The selection followed a committee process chaired by Itai Granek, with members including Joshua Shwartz, Batsheva Moshe, Moshiko Erez, and Avi Solomon. Shreiber holds a BA in the History of the Jewish People from the Hebrew University and an MA with honors in Public Administration and Policy from the University of Haifa, and is a Stern Prize recipient for studies of the Second Temple period. In a Ynet interview, archaeologist Aharon Meir offered commentary on the candidate.

S. African non-Jewish activists protest at Holocaust center with ‘Jews for Free Palestine' shirts. In Durban, non-Jewish protesters wore shirts affiliated with the anti‑Israel Jewish group at the Durban Holocaust and Genocide Centre, while members of the South African Palestine Movement dressed in SAJFP‑identified apparel to show solidarity with a broader call for a Free Palestine. The South African Jewish Board of Deputies criticized the incident as crossing from anti‑Israel activism into political theater and noted that fringe voices are often used to provide cover for campaigns targeting Jewish spaces. The episode underscores tensions around Jewish spaces and the use of identity in political protests.

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
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https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-896103
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-896075
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-896104