Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-16 at 11:02

HEADLINES
US kills ISIS deputy Abu Bilal al-Munakhi
Russia launches 294 drones on Ukraine overnight
Israel's future hinges on policy not poison

The time is now 11:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Military Role, the US forces killed Abu Bilal al-Munakhi, the second in command globally of ISIS/ISIL, during an operation in Nigeria. Al-Minuki provided strategic guidance to the ISIS global network on media and financial operations as well as the development and manufacturing of weapons, explosives, and drones. The US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth welcomed back the crew of the USS Gerald R. Ford after a deployment of more than 300 days across the CENTCOM and SOUTHCOM areas of responsibility. Hegseth has arrived in Norfolk, Virginia for the arrival of the USS Gerald R. Ford.

In Regional Impacts, Russia launched a massive overnight aerial assault on Ukraine using 294 drones, with Ukrainian air defenses reportedly neutralizing 269 aerial targets. In Kharkiv, 3 people were injured and metro entrances were damaged in drone strikes, while in Kherson 2 civilians were wounded in artillery shelling and a bus driver was injured in a separate drone attack. Russian strikes also wounded two men in Zaporizhzhia, while attacks on the Izmail area in the Odesa Oblast injured two people and damaged power infrastructure, leaving 39 settlements without electricity.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, The existential choice: Next Israeli election must be about policy, not poison - opinion. As Israel heads to the 2026 elections, internal divisions may pose a greater threat than any external enemy. The article argues that candidates for prime minister and the Knesset should be held to high standards, that debate should focus on meaningful, logical solutions, and that ground rules should promote social cohesion over political tribalism. It notes the Israeli Paradox and points to miracles achieved despite the small size of the country as context for a serious policy discussion. Hadash elects former MK Yousef Jabareen as party chairman, ousting Ayman Odeh. Jabareen, from Umm al-Fahm, was elected to lead Hadash's Knesset list, defeating Shukri Awawdeh, and said he aims to build the broadest Joint List possible to influence negotiations and to oppose the Netanyahu, Ben-Gvir, and Smotrich government, while fighting for equality, democracy, and peace. Are new Knesset proposals pushing Israel toward Hungary-style governance? - opinion. The column warns that proposals to extend exemptions for ultra-Orthodox from military service and to set up an October 7 inquiry under the prime minister's control could push Israeli democracy toward a Hungary-like model.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Boycott over Israel takes some glitz off Eurovision final. A fiery Finnish violinist-singer duo led by Linda Lampenius and a top Australian star, Delta Goodrem, are among the favourites to win Saturday's grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest, while protesters demonstrated in Vienna against Israel's participation. Five countries, including Spain, are staying away in protest over Israel's war in Gaza. The final begins at 1900 GMT with more than 10,000 Eurovision fans in Vienna's Stadthalle.

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/selena_updates/63846
https://t.me/DefenderDome/20768
https://t.me/DefenderDome/20765
https://t.me/selena_updates/63843
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-896209
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-896367
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-896152
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/05/boycott-over-israel-takes-some-glitz-eurovision-final