Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-18 at 18:01

HEADLINES
Gulf States Urge Delay on Iran Strike
Jets Remain At Ben-Gurion Through 2027
London Antisemitic Attack Hits Israeli Man

The time is now 6:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Military Role, President Donald Trump said in a Truth Social post that leaders of Gulf states asked him to hold off on striking Iran, a move that would have taken place Tuesday. He named Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan as those who urged delay. He said he instructed Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs General Daniel Caine, and the US military that the scheduled attack would not go forward, while serious negotiations are under way for a deal that would avoid nuclear weapons for Iran. He added that there is readiness for a large-scale assault on short notice if no agreement is reached. Separately, reports indicate dozens of US refueling aircraft will remain stationed at Israel’s Ben-Gurion Airport through the end of 2027, with the aircraft and the personnel who operate them based around the airport, creating logistical challenges for the civilian facility. Civil Aviation Authority head Shmuel Zakay warned that Ben-Gurion is operating more like a military base, and officials caution the deployment could affect flight prices and carrier routes as foreign airlines reconsider service to Tel Aviv. The deployment follows the start of operations Roaring Lion and Epic Fury as Israeli and American air forces conducted strikes against Iran.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Irish President Catherine Connolly said she is proud of her sister, Dr. Margaret Connolly, who was detained among Irish citizens held by Israel in connection with a Gaza flotilla ship. The remarks come amid deteriorating Israel-Ireland relations, and Catherine Connolly said she is very worried after meeting with King Charles.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, a Jewish man in his 20s was attacked by a group of men in Golders Green, London, suffering injuries to his face and back and requiring hospital treatment. Police are treating the incident as an antisemitic hate crime; no arrests had been announced by Monday night. The victim, identified by the Jewish Chronicle as 22-year-old Israeli Shalev Ben Yakar, said the attackers chased him, dragged him across the road, and beat him after hearing them speak Hebrew and Arabic. This comes weeks after two Jewish men were stabbed in Golders Green.

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-896614
https://t.me/abualiexpress/122610
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-896603
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/b16u7bykgl
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-896610