Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-12 at 13:01

HEADLINES
China denies aiding Iran's missile program
Hormuz closed through late May, prices rise
Likud poll backs Netanyahu as Ohana rises

The time is now 1:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, Beijing rejected Prime Minister Netanyahu's claim that it aided Iran’s missile program, calling the assertion baseless. China's denial comes after Netanyahu’s 60 Minutes interview and follows a separate diplomatic clash over Israeli lawmakers’ visit to Taiwan.

In Regional Impacts, the US Department of Energy's statistical arm says the Strait of Hormuz will remain effectively shut through late May, with traffic resuming gradually next month, prompting higher forecasts for US motor fuel prices. The disruption has upended global energy markets as millions of barrels per day of Middle Eastern energy exports have been stranded, raising fears of shortages worldwide. In the United States, gasoline and diesel prices have hit multi-year highs. The Energy Information Administration now expects US retail gasoline prices to average $3.88 a gallon this year, about 18 cents more than its prior forecast issued in April, reflecting the assumed prolonged closure of Hormuz before a gradual reopening.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, President Donald Trump said he is 100% confident that Iran will stop enriching uranium and will hand over the enriched material it possesses, emphasizing that the United States will not permit Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon and pointing to a blockade that blocks Iran’s money. He argued that, had he not withdrawn from the JCPOA, Iran would have had a nuclear weapon years ago, and he reiterated a firm stance against a nuclear-capable Iran while praising his relationship with Netanyahu as excellent. In the same vein, Trump said he was very disappointed with Kurdish opposition groups following US backing, suggesting that only some guns with ammunition had been sent and that weapons were supposed to be delivered but were not, while noting that Kurdish fighters generally “fight hard when they get paid.”

In Israeli Domestic Politics, a new poll among active Likud members shows strong backing for Netanyahu even as reservations about his policies remain. Tali Gottlieb leads with 71.5% approval, followed by Amir Ohana at 69.9%, Moshe Saada at 61.6%, Eli Cohen at 56.6%, and the top ten Including Amichai Chikli, Israel Katz, Miri Regev, Yariv Levin, and Shlomo Karhi. Ohana is identified as the biggest winner, ranking second on the list and seen as the leading candidate to replace Netanyahu if he does not run, with 26.1% support. Netanyahu remains firmly in control, with 75.1% of members preferring him for Likud leadership and 74.6% supporting advancing a pardon. Separately, the IDF's military prosecution filed two indictments against two Sergeant First Class suspects for smuggling cigarettes, stealing ammunition, and tax offenses linked with Gaza, following joint investigations by Shin Bet, Israel Police, the Military Police's Special Investigations Unit, and the Israel Tax Authority. The first defendant ran an extensive network smuggling cigarettes and other goods into Gaza from February 2024 to January 2026, took hundreds of rounds of ammunition from military stockpiles to sell to civilians, and faces charges including drug offenses, money laundering, and assisting the enemy. The second defendant was tapped by the first at the end of the investigation period as part of the case. Finally, an opinion piece argues that the political glass ceiling for Arabs in Israel is more a function of political dynamics than societal barriers, noting that coalitions excluding Arab parties are far more likely and that the current rightward tilt, along with ongoing distrust, complicates any move toward integrating Arab parties in government.

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.ynetnews.com/article/bkremaljzx
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/05/us-governments-energy-arm-assumes-strait-hormuz-will-stay-shut-through-late-may
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-895937
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-895935
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-895945
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/crime-in-israel/article-895925
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-895759