Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-14 at 12:02

HEADLINES
Second Marmaris flotilla sails toward Gaza
Four IAF commanders indicted for abuse
Trump Xi discuss China's Iran support

The time is now 12:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Regional Impacts, dozens of ships set sail from Marmaris, Turkey toward Gaza as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla’s second blockade run, a continuation of a protest flotilla that saw 20 vessels intercepted by the Israeli Navy in April. Activist trackers place vessels traveling south of the Marmaris departure point, with Marine Traffic confirming several ships had departed at sea and GSF posting videos of at least two vessels sailing. Some of the boats that joined the April 15 group did not appear to be taking part in the second attempt after confrontations near Crete on April 29, while Greenpeace’s Arctic Sunrise appears near Crete according to trackers. Saif Abu Keshek, a Steering Committee member who was detained in Israel on April 30 and deported on Sunday, told reporters on a Wednesday briefing that 54 vessels and more than 500 activists would embark from Marmaris, adding, “We sail one day before the Nakba, not only to commemorate the anniversary of the Nakba, but to act on it.” In addition, the IHH Turkish organization behind the infamous 2010 Marmara flotilla is identified as part of the force leaving Marmaris for Gaza in what organizers call the “Freedom Flotilla,” a reminder some observers point to from the past as the same organization involved in earlier clashes; commentators note the 2010 outcome remains a reference point.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, President Trump discussed with Chinese leader Xi Jinping the question of China’s support for Iran, according to remarks from the President describing their discussions on the topic.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, investigators with the military police reveal a pattern of abuse by veteran Israel Air Force commanders who subjected younger officers to initiation ceremonies that involved beating and degradation. Four involved figures have indictments on file, with sentences ranging from 26 to 50 days of detention, 45 days to three months suspended, and demotion to Private, along with fines between 500 and 1,500 shekels; the IDF says it maintains zero tolerance and will pursue justice as needed. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned racism against Ethiopian Jews and denounced the murders of Yemanu Binyamin Zalka and Destao Tsakol during a state memorial, pledging to apply the full weight of the law and to continue fighting violence, racism, and discrimination, while highlighting a broader mission to locate Haymanut Kasau and linking the effort to the return of hostages. A JPPI Israeli Society Index poll finds that 63% of Israelis support the immediate formation of a commission of inquiry into the October 7 massacre, with support across Jewish and Arab segments and varying by political alignment; left-wing and center-left respondents overwhelmingly back immediate action, while a notable portion of right-wing respondents prefer delaying the move, and opinions differ on the preferred type of inquiry. Separately, the Foreign Ministry says Israel will sue The New York Times over a defamation column by Nicholas Kristof, with Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Sa’ar directing the move; the process, if pursued in the United States, would hinge on where suit is filed and would likely face early challenges over the column’s status as protected opinion, though the court could weigh defamation standards differently. Jerusalem Day is set to begin this evening, and festivities are already underway, including Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir unfurling an Israeli flag atop the Temple Mount.

In Israeli Economy and Business, Israel Aerospace Industries has announced that its board of directors recommends merging its subsidiary Elta Systems into IAI. Based in Ashdod, Elta develops a wide range of advanced technologies, including the Green Pine radar system, Israel’s high-power radar capable of detecting distant targets and ballistic missiles from across the region, and it also contributes to the Arrow and David’s Sling interception systems, as well as communication systems, electronic warfare, and tactical radar systems for aircraft and naval platforms. Elta manufactures maritime tools such as the Super Dvora, unmanned submarines, and other weapons systems; more than seventy percent of Elta’s business is with foreign clients. Under the proposed framework, all of Elta’s assets and obligations would transfer to IAI without compensation, and Elta would cease to exist as a separate legal entity.

In Uplifting News, a rare, personal perspective on Jerusalem Day follows Alon Wald, who directs the Ammunition Hill National Memorial Site in Jerusalem and traces a life shaped by the absence of his father, a paratrooper killed at Ammunition Hill during the Six-Day War. Wald describes how his father’s surviving unit chose to visit bereaved families rather than celebrate their own victory, forming bonds with those families and influencing Wald’s path into the paratroopers and his leadership of the memorial site, which now welcomes veterans, students, soldiers, and tens of thousands who found shelter at Ammunition Hill following Oct. 7. In parallel, Jerusalem Day celebrations are underway, setting the scene for commemorations across the city.

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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https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-896248
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-896243
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-896240
https://t.me/ILtoday/19085
https://www.jpost.com/defense-and-tech/article-896235
https://www.jpost.com/podcast/article-896254
https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/76306