Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-19 at 15:02

HEADLINES
- President says US nearly struck Iran
- NATO considers Hormuz deployment to shield shipping
- Hamas plans kidnappings after death penalty law

The time is now 3:02 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Military Role, a reporter pressed how close the administration came to striking Iran, and the president said he was an hour away, they were all set to go, and it would have been happening right now.

In Regional Impacts, NATO is reportedly discussing a deployment to help secure shipping through the Strait of Hormuz if disruptions continue into July, though alliance members remain divided over deeper involvement in the Iran-linked conflict, and energy markets are facing growing pressure as disruptions drive up global oil and LNG prices and raise concerns about broader economic impacts.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Major Itamar Sapir, 27, deputy commander of a company in Battalion 7008, was killed in combat in southern Lebanon after Hezbollah fired from a church toward IDF soldiers, becoming the tenth Israeli soldier killed in Lebanon since the start of the ceasefire; former prime minister Naftali Bennett mourned Sapir, noting he left behind a wife and a one-and-a-half-year-old son. In the Hamas front, leadership is planning to intensify efforts to kidnap Israeli soldiers after a new death-penalty law was passed, describing the legislation as a “fascist law” and calling for escalation of “active operations” with kidnapping framed as the only path to secure Palestinian prisoners’ release. Separately, a captured Hamas document outlines a seven-day training course for 121 new recruits in the Shejaia Battalion, featuring weapons training, battlefield first aid, counter-drone instruction, and lessons drawn from the October 7 attack, with training tightly scheduled amid concerns the ceasefire could collapse and with materials prepared for dissemination on social media as part of Hamas’s messaging.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, the Gaza flotilla leaders tied to Hamas and Hamas-linked networks were designated under the Office of Foreign Assets Control, with a Treasury statement noting the move aims to sever Hamas’ global financial support; the designation included figures such as Saif Abukeshek and Hisham Abu Mahfuz among others. In a related line, Vice President Vance described Iran as a fractured country and urged a process that ensures not only a commitment to not have a nuclear weapon but years down the road that Iran will not rebuild its nuclear capability, while another Vance remark emphasized shifting resources in Europe to maximize American security rather than pulling every troop out, a stance described as encouraging Europe to take more ownership. Treasury officials also called the flotilla effort a ludicrous bid to derail President Trump’s path to lasting peace and reaffirmed that Hamas’ financial networks will continue to be severed. In a public moment, President Trump said the United States is negotiating with Iran, while Democrats have proposed a bill that he should stop negotiations, warning that war could occur and signaling a potential major action if needed.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Netanyahu’s cross-examination was canceled for diplomatic and security reasons after the prime minister requested the change, with prosecutors and judges agreeing, and the session shortened to 1:30 p.m.; the trial remains in its defense phase, focusing on Case 2000 involving discussions between Netanyahu and Yediot Aharonot publisher Arnon Mozes, with the court proceeding despite the cancellation.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced at a Jewish American Heritage Month reception at Gracie Mansion that he plans to add 26 million dollars in funding to prevent hate crimes in the proposed 2027 budget, a move announced as leaders in the Jewish community boycotted the event.

In Israeli Economy and Business, the Israel Electric Corporation unveiled the world’s first robotic drone-based system capable of installing and removing orange aviation-warning markers on high-voltage transmission lines, developed with Kronos, using a drone equipped with a robotic payload to attach markers at heights of 20 to 70 meters, replacing helicopters and elevated platforms and promising safer crews, lower costs, and a smarter national grid.

In Uplifting News, Steven Meiner, the Jewish mayor of Miami Beach, hosted the inaugural launch of the Jewish Mayors and Municipal Leaders Association, a national initiative created by the Combat Antisemitism Movement to strengthen cooperation among Jewish municipal leaders across the United States.

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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