Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-16 at 05:02

HEADLINES
US Israel Readies Iran Attacks Next Week
IDF Evacuates Nine Villages Then Strikes
Hamas Commander Haddad Killed as Hezbollah Strikes

The time is now 5:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Military Role, The United States and Israel are preparing for joint attacks on Iran to resume as soon as next week, according to officials, marking the most significant preparations since a Pakistani-brokered ceasefire in early April. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told lawmakers that the United States has a plan to escalate if necessary, with options to retrograde or shift assets. President Donald Trump has said Iran has refused to acknowledge multiple deals already agreed to. The discussions around any potential deal reportedly included a requirement for Iran to transfer its enriched uranium to the United States. Iranian Parliament National Security Spokesperson Ebrahim Rezaei threatened that the country may boost uranium enrichment to 90%.

In Regional Impacts, About two hours ago, the IDF spokesperson issued a focused evacuation directive for nine villages, seven in Sidon and two in Nabatieh. There was significant movement of evacuees following this directive, and a short time later the IDF began attacking some of the villages that received the evacuation warning.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Hamas sources confirmed that Ezzedine al-Haddad, commander of Hamas's military wing, was eliminated last night in an IDF strike in Gaza City. His body was identified by family and close associates, and his funeral is expected to take place at noon. The IDF has begun striking Hezbollah infrastructure sites in several areas in southern Lebanon.

In Israeli Economy and Business, Yoel Zilberman, CEO of Shomer HaHadash, describes a wide-reaching system of economic and security-related crime in the Negev and Galilee, including theft of water, electricity and fuel. He warns that criminal organizations no longer operate on the margins but influence Israel’s economy, infrastructure and personal security. He notes large-scale water, electricity and fuel theft, including jet fuel, and an extortion phenomenon that has become widespread. He also highlights a multibillion-shekel drug industry operating inside IDF firing zones, with thousands of drug greenhouses in those zones.

In Uplifting News, belly fat may accelerate brain aging, major Israeli MRI study finds. A long-term MRI study from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Beersheba shows that lower accumulation of visceral fat is linked with slower brain atrophy, preservation of key brain structures, and better cognitive performance in late midlife, independent of weight loss. The relationship appears mediated by glucose control and insulin sensitivity. The study is the first to link repeated MRI-based measurements of cumulative visceral fat with long-term brain aging and cognition. Led by Professor Iris Shai, the researchers tracked visceral fat over time and found sustained loss associated with slower brain aging. The findings were published in a major scientific journal.

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/middle-east/iran-news/article-896353
https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/76373
https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/76375
https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/76372
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/crime-in-israel/article-896351
https://www.jpost.com/health-and-wellness/exercise/article-896214