Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-12 at 19:02

HEADLINES
Hamas blocks Rafah reconstruction Emirates City stalled
Iran sheds two million jobs in war
Hezbollah Plans Beirut Takeover Amid Lebanon Tensions

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

In Regional Impacts, Hamas is preventing Gazan contractors from crossing the Yellow Line to rebuild Rafah, threatening them at gunpoint and turning them away. Last week, contractors from across the Strip were blocked from reaching the Israeli-controlled side to work on Emirates City, a UAE-funded project designed to house tens of thousands of displaced Gazans. Passage to the site was facilitated by the IDF and the US-led Civil-Military Coordination Center as part of initial efforts to move Emirates City forward. Hamas views the UAE-funded project as a political maneuver to replace its authority, labeling the board as “international guardianship.” This marks the first time Hamas has blocked activity approved by Trump’s Board of Peace, which aims to push the reconstruction of Rafah ahead.

Approximately 2 million jobs have been lost in Iran due to war as an internet blackout enters its fourth month. The wartime economic crisis has driven layoffs across multiple sectors, with officials saying more than one million jobs have been lost and another two million people are directly or indirectly unemployed. The New York Times cites the impact of war-related disruptions, sanctions, infrastructure damage, and the nationwide internet blackout. Sectors affected include manufacturing, steel production, petrochemicals, transportation, and retail, with the overall economy strained by the combination of conflict and sanctions.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Hezbollah is planning to occupy Beirut as pressure on Naim Qassem builds. Security establishment sources say Hezbollah has devised a plan to seize Beirut to push out pragmatic elements, while Israel is alleged to be preparing moves to divide Lebanon, potentially forcing the Lebanese state to cede large areas. Israeli officials note progress in operations against what they describe as terrorist infrastructure in dozens of Lebanese villages in southern Lebanon, raising pressure on Hezbollah Secretary General Qassem, who faces calls to split fighting forces between Beirut, southern Lebanon, and the Beqaa Valley. Israel estimates that intensified attacks could heighten this pressure. Separately, the IDF released footage showing a Hezbollah terrorist emerging from a tunnel near the Litani River and being killed by troops from the Golani Brigade’s Reconnaissance Unit.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, a Toronto resident was charged for knocking over a Jewish center menorah. Jeffrey Johnston, a Phoenix-born man, faces mischief to property under $5,000 after allegedly knocking over a menorah in front of the Yorkville Jewish Centre on April 10. Toronto Police Service released photographs and asked for public assistance identifying him, with the Jerusalem Post confirming the suspect’s identity based on tips received. Johnston’s X account contains antisemitic imagery and Nazi references, and investigators credited public tips for the identification.

In Uplifting News, Arthur Rubinstein’s piano competition presents a rich tale of two cities and one legacy. The 18th edition is being held in a bifurcated format due to security concerns in Israel, with opening stages run April 28 to May 4 at the Casals Forum of the Kronberg Academy in Germany, and final stages postponed to September 3–9. The concluding rounds will take place at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art and the Charles Bronfman Auditorium, where six finalists—Roman Fediurko, Uladzislau Khandohi, Stanislav Korchagin, Philipp Lynov, Jinhyung Park, and Dmitry Yudin—will perform chamber music and classical concertos with the Israel Camerata Jerusalem before a final orchestral showdown with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. In Eurovision news, Israel’s Noam Bettan advanced to the final after a dynamic performance of “Michelle” in the first semifinal in Vienna, surrounded by five backup dancers. Bettan will compete in the final on May 16, saying thanks to supporters and addressing Jews around the world, stating, “People of Israel, I am speaking to all the Jews around the world: Thank you very much. Thank you for all the love.”

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/american-politics/article-895965
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-895957
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-895968
https://t.me/JewishNews24/54264
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-895967
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/article-895969
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/article-895951