Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-19 at 13:02

HEADLINES
- US Probes Minab School Blast 168 Dead
- Trump Nears Iran Attack With Gulf Backing
- ICC May Issue Warrants For Israeli Leaders

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 US Military Role, the US military investigation into a blast at a girls' school in Iran is complex, given that the site was on an active Iranian cruise missile base, CENTCOM chief Adm. Brad Cooper testified before Congress. Reuters previously reported that an initial internal US military investigation showed US forces were likely responsible for the destruction of the Minab girls' school. The Pentagon has since elevated the probe. The incident occurred on February 28, the first day of the conflict, and Iranian officials say 168 children, mostly girls, were killed. Cooper also noted that Iran has hanged dozens since the start of the ceasefire and has targeted civilians in the Middle East thousands of times. Earlier this week, he said US bombings have dramatically reduced Iran's ability to threaten its neighbors and US interests, and that Tehran's defense industry has been set back by about 90%. He declined to address reports that Iran retains significant missile and drone capabilities.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, President Trump said he was “an hour away” from ordering an attack on Iran today before several Middle Eastern governments urged him to wait for negotiations. He said he and others were ready to strike, and listed Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, and others as working with the US as a team. This followed a Truth Social post in which Trump said leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE asked him to postpone. He said he would wait two days to early next week for Iran to come to an agreement, and that any deal would include removing Iran's enriched uranium immediately, despite Iran's current limitations due to prior strikes. He noted that only the US and China are believed to have the capability to extract the uranium.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Israel expects the International Criminal Court in The Hague to issue arrest warrants for Defense Minister Israel Katz, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, along with IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant-General Eyal Zamir and Southern Command Chief Major-General Yaniv Asor, over alleged Gaza war crimes. In 2024, the ICC issued warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and then-defense minister Yoav Gallant. Haaretz reported the possible warrants, though the ICC denied issuing any new warrants. The High Court of Justice also ruled that the Senior Appointments Advisory Committee’s handling of IDF Major-General Roman Gofman’s appointment as Mossad chief was lacking, since he had not been exposed to relevant real-time documents or direct testimony. The court ordered the committee to update on whether it will finish its examination by Thursday at noon, with a further notice by May 26 if it completes. Gofman is slated to replace outgoing Mossad chief David Barnea on June 2 after the committee’s approval last month. The court said its decision was to preserve a proper process and did not take a position on the final result. A Hebrew-language report notes that Itamar joined the Maglan unit in 2019, later served as a platoon commander in the unit’s reserve battalion, and is the 63rd fatality among the Benjamin Regional Council since the war began.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Israel Police arrested a Bethlehem resident suspected of throwing an improvised explosive device at Rachel’s Tomb last week; he was taken to the Shin Bet for questioning. Separately, police said they arrested four suspects near Hadera shortly after a report that a Palestinian Authority resident intended to carry out a terror attack in the area, and a woman was located inside a vehicle near Nahal Hadera with three other passengers. In New York City, Mayor Zohran Mamdani pledged to add $26 million in funding to fight hate crimes in his proposed 2027 budget, following a 182% rise in hate crimes targeting Jews in the city during his first month in office. The mayor spoke at a Jewish American Heritage Month reception at Gracie Mansion, an event attended by few major Jewish leaders amid boycotts and amid discussion of Nakba Day posts he had shared.

In Uplifting News, more than 125 orphans who lost a parent, including during the October 7 War, celebrated a joint bar mitzvah at the Western Wall. The boys proceeded to the site with their families, were called up to the Torah, and received new tefillin before readings. A dinner and gala followed at Jerusalem’s Binyanei HaUma International Convention Center. Colel Chabad notes the orphans have lost parents to illness, terrorist attacks, accidents, and the October 7 War, and the charity provides ongoing support through tutoring, counseling, and financial aid.

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-896724
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-896722
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-896709
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-896721
https://t.me/newssil/201959
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-896720
https://worldisraelnews.com/at-controversial-jewish-heritage-month-reception-mamdani-pledges-26-million-to-fight-hate-crimes/
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-896713