Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-16 at 22:02

HEADLINES
Iranian Proxies Orchestrate Toronto US Consulate Attack
US Extends Israel-Hezbollah Ceasefire by 45 Days
Noam Betan Secures Eurovision Runner-Up

The time is now 10:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, US authorities say a senior Kata’ib Hizballah official, Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood Al-Saadi, told an undercover law enforcement officer that his "people" were behind two March attacks in Toronto, including the shooting at the US consulate. The complaint indicates Iranian proxies may have been behind at least two March shooting attacks in Toronto, including the March 10 attack on the US consulate, which caused damage but no injuries. In March, three synagogue shootings targeted Jewish sites: Temple Emanu-El on March 2, Beth Avraham Yoseph of Toronto (the BAYT) on March 6, and Shaarei Shomayim on March 7. An 18-year-old man was charged on May 6 in connection with the March 6 and March 7 incidents.

Analysts say Al-Saadi orchestrated and posted HAYI propaganda videos detailing 18 attacks in Europe, most of them in London over the past two months. Prosecutors describe Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia (HAYI) as a front for Kata’ib Hizballah designed to carry out attacks against US and Israeli interests in Europe. The case raises questions for Prime Minister Keir Starmer and other European governments about how to respond to what prosecutors describe as Iranian regime-backed attacks on their soil.

Meanwhile, the United States has extended the Israel–Hezbollah ceasefire by 45 days as Washington advances diplomatic and Pentagon-led security-track talks. The Israeli Defense Forces say it struck about 100 Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon, while drone activity and alerts persisted in northern Israel.

In the Uplifting News, Eurovision 2026 delivered a notable moment as Noam Betan finished in second place, with Keren Peles and Neta Barzilai opening the show. In a separate profile, Lilian Gandelman, a Brazilian-born lawyer who lives in Israel as an amputee, is on a personal mission to educate and change attitudes—one Israeli at a time.

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-896386
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-896385
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/h1p7ckljge
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1322190
https://www.jpost.com/aliyah/article-896193