IDF Strikes Hezbollah in South Lebanon, Kills Hamas Gaza Chief as US-Israel Prepare Iran Strikes (May 16, 1529 UTC, 1829 Israel) (Evening Edition)

US-Israel Strike Preparations The US and Israel are in advanced preparations for a possible renewal of strikes on Iran, potentially as early as next week, according to a New York Times report cited by Haaretz and the Times of Israel. US officials said the monthlong bombing hiatus has been used to rearm warships and attack planes in the region, and that commandos could be deployed to extract nuclear material. A senior Israeli official was quoted saying fighting would last “days to weeks.” Haaretz Times of Israel

Diplomatic Signals Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that after Trump described Iran’s response as unacceptable, Tehran received messages from the US expressing willingness to continue negotiations. Araghchi also warned that a “war of choice” would leave US citizens paying the economic price. Al-Manar TV Separately, Iranian media reported that Pakistan’s interior minister arrived in Tehran to facilitate US-Iran talks. Times of Israel Araghchi, during a visit to India, said Tehran and Muscat are consulting on a joint mechanism for managing the Strait of Hormuz. IranWire

Strait of Hormuz An Iran SITREP noted that Hormuz traffic is at 2% of pre-war levels (1.6 vessels/day), while Iran unveiled a toll-collection mechanism and UBS warned global oil stockpiles are hitting all-time lows by month-end. TLDR Iran SITREP

Other Developments A fire broke out at a machine oil factory in northwestern Iran, with no immediate reports of casualties. N12 Chat President Pezeshkian thanked the Pope for his moral stance and reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to diplomacy. IRNA

IDF Strikes The IDF launched a wave of airstrikes on Hezbollah infrastructure in several areas of southern Lebanon, the first such strikes since the ceasefire extension was announced. The military issued evacuation warnings for nine villages. IDF Official Times of Israel The Israeli Air Force struck and killed two Hezbollah operatives at a rocket-launching site in southern Lebanon, following a rocket attack on troops that hit open areas without causing injuries. Secondary explosions indicated weapons were present in the building. Manniefabian Times of Israel Israeli aircraft also bombarded the towns of Sadiqine, Al-Qalila, Al-Housh, Al-Mansouri, Hanaouieh, Maashouq, and Hadatha, according to multiple reports. Quds News Network Bint Jbeil News Artillery shelled Yohmor al-Shaqif with what was claimed to be white phosphorus shells. Quds News Network

Hezbollah Attacks Hezbollah’s Military Media issued multiple statements claiming attacks on Israeli forces: a loitering drone targeted a gathering of soldiers in Al-Khiam at 13:10; a Namera armored vehicle in Taybeh was hit with a loitering glider; a Hummer vehicle in Taybeh was also struck; a gathering in Naqoura was targeted with two loitering drones at 14:00; and the newly established Blat site was shelled with artillery. Al-Manar TV Bint Jbeil News An apparent Hezbollah drone launched from Lebanon was intercepted by air defenses over Metula, triggering sirens. The IDF called it an additional violation of ceasefire understandings. IDF Official Manniefabian

Casualties and Context Al Jazeera reported that Israeli strikes killed seven people in Lebanon on May 15, including in Tyre. UNICEF stated that the conflict is causing the death or injury of a classroom’s worth of children daily, with over 177 children killed in Lebanon. Al Jazeera English Bint Jbeil News

Killing of Hamas Gaza Chief The IDF confirmed that Izz al-Din al-Haddad, head of Hamas’s military wing and leader in Gaza, was killed in an airstrike in Gaza City overnight. Hamas sources also confirmed his death. Haddad was one of the last surviving architects of the October 7 onslaught and had previously surrounded himself with hostages. IDF Official Times of Israel BBC News IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir called it a “significant operational achievement,” noting that freed hostages had repeatedly mentioned Haddad. The military instructed Southern Command to remain alert for retaliation. IDF Official Times of Israel Footage circulated of Haddad training his wife in shooting and grenade throwing; both were reportedly killed in the same strike. Behold Israel Israel Hayom His funeral was held at Al-Aqsa Mosque in Gaza City. Behold Israel

Other Operations The IDF announced the killing of two Hamas terrorists who infiltrated Israel on October 7 and recently attempted attacks on troops in northern Gaza. They were identified as Khamer Iyad Muhammad Al-Matouq and Khaled Muhammad Salem Jouda. Another strike in central Gaza killed Abdel Rahman Mahmoud Jumaa Shafi, a member of Hamas’s Bureij Battalion. IDF Official Manniefabian

Israeli forces stormed the village of Deir Jarir, east of Ramallah, and detained four Palestinians. Quds News Network

Ceasefire Extension The US announced a 45-day extension of the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire following talks in Washington, despite ongoing Israeli strikes and Hezbollah attacks. Al Jazeera English

US-UAE-Iran The US is reportedly encouraging the UAE to seize Iran’s Lavan Island, which it secretly attacked in April, as part of a broader effort to involve the UAE in confronting Tehran. Ynetnews

Iraq Iraq’s new Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi pledged to expand regional and international ties based on mutual respect. IRNA

London Stabbing Trial Essa Suleiman, 45, accused of the April 29 attempted murder of two Jewish men in Golders Green, appeared in court via video link and will stand trial next year. The victims were seriously wounded. Times of Israel

Nigeria President Trump announced that US and Nigerian forces killed Islamic State’s second-in-command, Abu Bakr al-Mainuki, who was plotting attacks against US interests. Times of Israel

Eurovision Protests A protest against Israel’s participation in Eurovision began in Vienna, with chants of “from the river to the sea” and “Israel is a terrorist state.” N12 Chat In London, tens of thousands marched in concurrent far-right and pro-Palestine protests on Nakba Day, with 4,000 police deployed to keep the groups apart. Al Jazeera English Times of Israel Israel’s Noam Bettan prepared to perform at the partly boycotted Eurovision final, with the delegation believing his song could win the public vote. Times of Israel

Thailand At least eight people were killed and 25 injured when a freight train crashed into a public bus in Bangkok. Al Jazeera English N12 Chat

Syria Syria’s new MiG-29 fighter jets have begun flying operational sorties to defend Syrian airspace. Behold Israel