Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-20 at 18:01

HEADLINES
Eitam mixed-gender unit boosts Israel's firepower
Ben Gvir detention video sparks global condemnation
US removes UN expert Albanese from sanctions

The time is now 6:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, the IDF is relying on a new hi-tech, mixed female–male artillery and firepower unit to bolster combat manpower as the military faces a persistent shortage of combat troops. The Eitam unit has been crucial in protecting Israeli soldiers operating in southern Lebanon during the current war, guiding artillery, drones, and elements of the air force in rapid counterattacks against Hezbollah, and helping identify and coordinate defenses against Iranian aerial threats, with several officers and soldiers playing significant roles during the June 2025 fighting. Among those featured is Lieutenant S, a female combat logistical support officer and former combat soldier.

In the US Policy Concerning Israel, Washington has removed Francesca Albanese, a United Nations expert on the Palestinian territories, from its sanctions list, a development that follows a federal judge’s temporary block of the measures over questions of free speech after she criticized Israel’s war in Gaza. Separately, Axios reported that a tense call between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump occurred as the United States circulated a new proposal to Iran via Pakistani mediators. The discussion touched on a potential “letter of intent” to end the war and begin a month-long set of talks addressing Iran’s nuclear program and the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, with Israeli sources noting disagreement on how to move forward. One US source described Netanyahu’s reaction to the call in colorful terms, and Trump also indicated that Iran and the US sit “right on the borderline” between restarting the war and reaching a deal as mediators review the document.

In the Israeli Domestic Politics, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government faces intense scrutiny over a video showing National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir visiting a detention center where Gaza Freedom Flotilla members were being held and processed. The footage depicts him arguing with detainees and appearing to smirk at rough handling, drawing condemnation from world leaders and decision-makers around the globe, with several nations summoning Israeli ambassadors over the treatment of detainees. Separately, the High Court of Justice ruled against a petition by AIDA, an umbrella of 19 international NGOs, upholding new security regulations that require NGOs to provide information on their employees as part of a broader registration and security-screening framework designed to prevent operating gaps that could benefit terrorist groups. The court emphasized that the information requirement serves a clear security purpose, even as some NGOs warned that sharing staff details could endanger workers. In a related decision, the High Court ordered Gaza NGOs to submit employee lists within 30 days and backed Israel’s NGO registration rule, underscoring that the framework aims to ensure humanitarian aid is delivered safely, transparently, and without exploitation by terrorist organizations.

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/israel-news/defense-news/article-896909
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-896912
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-896906
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/05/us-removes-un-expert-francesca-albanese-sanctions-list
https://t.me/DefenderDome/20830
https://www.timesofisrael.com/high-court-nixes-ngos-petition-against-new-security-regulations-on-aid/
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-896889
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-896889