Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-20 at 04:02

HEADLINES
- US-Israel push to reinstall Ahmadinejad
- US Nigeria strike kills ISIS deputy leader
- Israel faces ultra-Orthodox draft bill crisis

The time is now 4:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, Israel and the United States reportedly carried out Operations Roaring Lion and Epic Fury with the objective of reinstating former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as Iran’s leader, according to a New York Times report citing US officials. An associate of Ahmadinejad told the Times that Americans saw him as a figure who could guide Iran and help manage Iran’s political, social, and military situation. Ahmadinejad served as president from 2005 to 2013 and, since leaving office, has been barred from running for president by Iran’s Guardian Council in 2017, 2021, and 2024. After the 2017 disqualification, he reportedly became a vocal critic of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, and he is known for hard-line anti-Israel and anti-American views. Reports also indicate his movement has been restricted following mass protests in January, with his phones confiscated and his bodyguards increased to about 50.

In Iranian Retaliation, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps escalated its tone, warning that if attacks resume, the war will exceed regional borders, signaling a direct threat to the United States.

In US Military Role, US and Nigerian forces conducted joint strikes that eliminated Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described as the second-in-command of ISIS globally, along with several of his lieutenants, at his compound in the Lake Chad Basin in Borno state, northeastern Nigeria. No Nigerian or US personnel were harmed in the operations. The following day, additional strikes targeted ISIS positions in Northeast Nigeria. The campaign comes as ISIS has shifted much of its focus to the Sahel, with roughly 90 percent of its attacks taking place there, according to reporting cited by the BBC.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Israel’s military leadership warned of a serious manpower shortage as debate over the ultra-Orthodox draft bill resumed amid a coalition crisis. Brigadier-General Shai Tayeb, head of the IDF’s personnel planning branch, said the army needs about 12,000 more soldiers to close the gap now, with the shortfall potentially widening to about 17,000 ahead of January 2027 when the first cohorts discharged after 30 months will leave. He noted a sustained rise in draft evaders, estimating the number could reach around 80,000 to 90,000, and added there is no updated draft-outline presented to lawmakers as two bills were discussed in committee.

South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung criticized Israel for detentions of South Korean nationals in international waters, calling the actions “way out of line” and questioning whether such steps could pass without protest under international law. He noted that many European countries might arrest Prime Minister Netanyahu under International Criminal Court warrants and said Seoul must make its own judgment on the matter. The remarks came as most activist flotilla vessels were intercepted on their way to Gaza, with the final vessels stopped after most of the fleet had already been interdicted.

Former Civil Service Commissioner Daniel Hershkowitz withdrew from the race for State Comptroller, leaving the contest between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s lawyer Michael Rabilo and former Supreme Court Justice Yosef Elron. The move came as coalition MPs shifted their endorsements, with some retracting support for Rabilo and others backing Elron, including Merav Ben-Ari, who argued that Elron embodies integrity and decency amid criticisms of the Likud bloc.

Governing the top appointments, the committee led by former Supreme Court Chief Justice Asher Grunis is set to convene today to complete its work following a High Court directive to hear key witnesses, including a person who was a minor at the time of involvement in the proceedings.

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-896782
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1323613
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-896745
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-896791
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-896787
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-896784
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1323615