US, Israel Prepare Renewed Iran Strikes as Gaza Commander Killed and Lebanon Ceasefire Extended (May 16, 0656 UTC, 0956 Israel) (Morning Edition)

US-Israel Strike Preparations: The US and Israel are in advanced preparations for renewed strikes on Iran, potentially as early as next week, according to reports from The New York Times cited by Israeli Channel 13 and confirmed by multiple outlets Times of Israel Ynetnews Haaretz. The planning includes options for commando raids to extract nuclear material from rubble, which would involve thousands of supporting forces and potential clashes with Iranian troops, as well as intensified bombing campaigns Times of Israel. President Trump, speaking to Fox News after his return from Beijing, warned that the US could 'destroy everything in two days' and said he believes Iran will 'surrender soon' N12 Chat Israel Hayom. He added that the US is 'taking the nuclear dust' and that anyone approaching damaged nuclear sites 'is a target' Israel Hayom.

Diplomatic and Economic Pressure: Iran's UN Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani said the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and its global economic repercussions are 'solely' the responsibility of those who launched the war IRNA. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi claimed all impacts of the war on the US economy were avoidable IRNA. China's UN representative criticized a US-Bahrain draft resolution on Hormuz as 'inappropriate,' with diplomats expecting Russian and Chinese vetoes Behold Israel.

Cyber Activity: US officials suspect Iranian hackers are behind a series of breaches of gas monitoring systems across the US, with experts warning of potential for sabotage including leaks N12 Chat.

Ceasefire Extension: The US announced a 45-day extension of the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire, which was due to expire on Sunday, following direct talks in Washington Al Jazeera. The extension aims to 'enable further progress' in negotiations Al Jazeera.

Israeli Strikes Continue: Despite the extension, Israeli strikes persisted. An airstrike on a civil defense center in Haruf, southern Lebanon, killed six people, including three paramedics from the Hezbollah-linked Islamic Health Committee, and wounded 22 Al Arabiya Times of Israel. The IDF also struck Hezbollah sites in the Tyre area Al Arabiya. The IDF called for evacuations of nine villages in southern Lebanon ahead of further airstrikes, citing Hezbollah ceasefire violations Times of Israel.

Hezbollah Drone Attack: An apparent Hezbollah drone launched from Lebanon triggered sirens in the Mount Meron area of northern Israel. The IDF said the 'incident has concluded' with no injuries IDF Official Times of Israel. Earlier, sirens in Majdal Shams in the Golan Heights were determined to be a false alarm Bint Jbeil News N12 Chat.

Casualties and Damage: Lebanon's Ministry of Health said Israeli attacks have killed 2,951 people since March 2, with at least 8,988 wounded Al Jazeera. A paramedic was killed in Haruf, and a civilian was injured for the second time in an Israeli strike Bint Jbeil News.

Strike Targeting Hamas Commander: Israeli aircraft struck a residential building in Gaza City's Rimal neighborhood on Friday evening, targeting Izz al-Din al-Haddad, the head of Hamas's military wing in Gaza Haaretz BBC News. Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Katz confirmed the operation, describing Haddad as responsible for the murder and abduction of thousands of Israelis Ynetnews. The IDF said the strike was enabled by years of intelligence gathering Behold Israel. Haddad was one of the last remaining senior Hamas leaders in Gaza involved in planning the October 7 attack Long War Journal.

Casualties: At least seven Palestinians were killed in the airstrike, including three women and a child, and 50 were wounded, according to Gaza's Civil Emergency Services Mehr News Al Jazeera. The strike hit an apartment building and a vehicle Al Jazeera.

Aid Convoy: The 'Global Sumud Land Convoy' set off from Tripoli, Libya, toward Gaza with 400 activists from 40 countries, carrying ambulances, humanitarian aid trucks, container homes, and donated vehicles Quds News Network.

Fatalities: Israeli forces shot dead a 15-year-old Palestinian boy, Fahd Zidan Oweis, in Al-Lubban Al-Sharqiyya near Nablus; the military said he was throwing stones at Israeli cars Arab News Al Arabiya. A 34-year-old Palestinian, Nour Al-Din Kamal Fayyad, was killed by Israeli army gunfire in Jenin refugee camp Quds News Network.

Settler Violence and Raids: Israeli forces and settlers conducted raids across multiple West Bank towns, including in Salfit, Hebron, Ramallah, and Bethlehem governorates. A Palestinian man was shot in the thigh by a settler, and two Palestinian-owned vehicles were destroyed Middle East Eye. A settler was filmed brutally clubbing a dog to death in a Palestinian village; no arrests were reported Times of Israel. A mosque was burned overnight in a settler attack Times of Israel.

Fatah Internal Politics: Backers of Mohammed Dahlan, a rival of PA President Mahmoud Abbas, were excluded from a major Fatah conference, despite Egyptian pressure for inclusivity Times of Israel.

UN Security Council: China's UN representative, as rotating president, criticized a US-Bahrain draft resolution on the Strait of Hormuz, calling its content and timing 'inappropriate.' Diplomats expect Russia and China to veto the resolution if put to a vote Behold Israel.

Lebanon Ceasefire Talks: The US-brokered extension of the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire was announced after direct talks in Washington, extending the April 16 cessation of hostilities by 45 days Al Jazeera.

UAE Response: The UAE rejected 'attempts to justify Iranian terror' after Tehran alleged Abu Dhabi played a role in the war, stating all its actions were taken to preserve sovereignty Times of Israel N12 Chat.

US Indictment for Jewish Target Plots: US federal authorities charged Iraqi national Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood Al-Saadi, a Kata'ib Hezbollah commander and IRGC operative, with plotting attacks on Jewish community sites in New York and Los Angeles, as well as synagogues in Europe Haaretz The Guardian BBC News. The charges include conspiracy to provide material support to a terrorist organization and relate to nearly 20 attacks or attempted attacks across the US, Canada, and Europe Al Jazeera. FBI Director Kash Patel described Al-Saadi as a 'high-value target' Al Jazeera.

Swastika Graffiti in New York: Swastika graffiti is increasingly common in New York, targeting synagogues and playgrounds, with at least three sprees in recent months and an increase last year, according to ADL data. Prosecutions remain rare Times of Israel.

ISIS Leader Killed: President Trump announced that US and Nigerian forces killed Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, the second-in-command of ISIS globally, in an overnight joint operation in Nigeria Behold Israel Al Jazeera.

Ebola Outbreak: A rare strain of Ebola has killed at least 65 people in DR Congo's Ituri province, with 246 suspected cases Al Jazeera.

Eurovision Protests: An alternative concert was held in Vienna protesting Israel's participation in Eurovision, under the slogan 'Song Protest – No Stage for Genocide' Quds News Network. A UK artist's exhibition 'Drawings Against Genocide' was cancelled after being falsely depicted as antisemitic, the artist said Al Jazeera.

Palestinian Activist Deportation: France moved to deport Palestinian activist Rami Shaath over his pro-Palestine activism, classifying him as a threat to public order Quds News Network.

US Charges Iraqi Commander: The US Justice Department charged Mohammad Al-Saadi with terrorism-related offenses for plotting attacks on Jewish and Israeli targets in the US and Europe (see Antisemitism section) Haaretz BBC News The Guardian.

Trump on Taiwan: President Trump warned Taiwan against declaring independence, saying the US is 9,500 miles away and China is a 'very, very powerful, big country' Behold Israel.

Trump-Xi Summit Follow-up: After his Beijing visit, Trump warned Taiwan against independence steps, citing China's proximity and power Behold Israel. He also discussed Iran with Xi but did not directly ask him to pressure Tehran Ynetnews.

UAE Denial: The UAE rejected Iranian accusations of involvement in the war, saying all actions were taken to preserve sovereignty Times of Israel.

Libya Aid Convoy: A land convoy departed Tripoli for Gaza with 400 activists and humanitarian supplies Quds News Network.