Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-12 at 07:02

HEADLINES
US eyes three bases in Greenland
Hezbollah fires at IDF jet near Litani
Iron Dome to UAE to counter Iran

The time is now 7:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US negotiating establishment of new bases in Greenland in high level talks with Denmark - report, officials say the United States is seeking to expand its military footprint in Greenland, a semi-autonomous part of Denmark. The discussions include plans to open three new bases in southern Greenland, the BBC reported citing officials familiar with the talks. A source familiar with the negotiations told the BBC that the US has suggested the bases be formally designated as US sovereign territory. Denmark’s foreign ministry confirmed the talks and said there is an ongoing diplomatic track with the United States. The bases would primarily focus on surveillance of potential Russian and Chinese activity in the northern Atlantic, in the GIUK Gap between Greenland, Iceland, and the United Kingdom. The White House confirmed involvement in high-level talks and expressed optimism about the direction, while declining to comment on details.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Hezbollah fired a surface-to-air missile at an IDF fighter jet, a move the IDF described as a primitive weapon that nevertheless could alter future air operations if replicated. The missile missed the aircraft, and the IDF said it followed up by firing on the Hezbollah fighter who fled on a motorcycle; it remained unclear whether the operator was killed. Hezbollah’s leadership then escalated rhetoric, with Naim Qassem pledging that the group would not surrender and calling for Lebanon to withdraw from direct negotiations with Israel, arguing that the talks only benefit Israel. He also asserted that the United States and Israel seek to annex parts of Lebanon as part of a Greater Israel and credited Iran for shaping Hezbollah’s posture. In the broader frontline, the IDF said its Golani Brigade advanced toward the Litani River, roughly 10 kilometers from the border, employing robots at points in the operation. Over three days of fighting, the IDF said about 15 Hezbollah fighters were killed in this phase, bringing total Hezbollah fatalities in recent operations to around 70, alongside the destruction of roughly 1,000 terror infrastructure items. The IDF noted the Golani Brigade has suffered casualties, including three soldiers and three more connected to combined aerial-ground operations, over the past two months. Separately, Kuwaiti authorities said four individuals linked to Iran’s IRGC attempted a maritime infiltration on Bubiyan Island on May 1; a clash left one Kuwaiti serviceman injured, and two other members fled the scene. The region also saw a flurry of unmanned aerial vehicle activity with the IDF reporting drones believed to have come from Yemen and multiple interceptions over Eilat, with some reports questioning whether the Houthis or Iran were behind the launches, and others noting the drones were launched from the east. Authorities stressed that the exact origin of several UAVs remained under scrutiny.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee confirmed that Israel sent Iron Dome batteries and personnel to the United Arab Emirates to bolster defenses against Iranian attacks during the Iran-related conflict. Huckabee highlighted the strong ties under the Abraham Accords and cited continued high levels of air and business cooperation, including UAE-Israel flight activity in the days after October 7. He also suggested that President Trump may visit Israel before the upcoming elections, reflecting ongoing US engagement in regional security dynamics.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Israel’s Eurovision entry Noam Bettan delivered a confident and emotional rehearsal of the song “Michelle” in Vienna, as juries from 15 countries watched live. Bettan performed inside a rotating diamond-shaped structure with dancer Lihi Freud, and the staging used mirrors to create a dynamic visual effect. The performance is central to the jury portion of the competition, which accounts for half of the final score, with Israel hoping to advance to the final as jurors respond to the rendition. International observers noted that Finland and Greece are among the favorites, while the Israeli delegation underscored that Bettan’s performance stands out as a strong showing in the lead-up to the semifinal.

In Israeli Economy and Business, the IDF is moving to establish a factory to produce FPV “suicide” drones, aiming to involve about 200 haredi soldiers. Army Radio reported that the project would deploy within the IDF’s Technology and Logistics Directorate, with initial recruits joining in June after a technician training course. The factory is envisioned to supply thousands of drones within two months and tens of thousands per month in the future, reducing reliance on externally produced units. FPV drones can be used both for attack and for intercepting other drones in drone-on-drone engagements, marking a notable shift in domestic capabilities in response to threats from Hezbollah and related groups.

In Uplifting News, Winners for Life 2026: “Hasidut Be-Class” takes the stage in Jerusalem, a tribute concert at Sultan’s Pool aimed at supporting Israel’s emergency response system. The production, funded by an anonymous donor, seeks to raise funds to restock Magen David Adom’s life-saving equipment and medical supplies, underscoring a national effort to bolster resilience in the face of ongoing security challenges. The event follows a prior sold-out engagement and emphasizes the role of music and philanthropy in sustaining emergency services for the country.

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.

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