Netanyahu Admits Israel Taking More Gaza Territory as Drone Strikes UAE Nuclear Plant (May 17, 1531 UTC, 1831 Israel) (Evening Edition)

Security Cabinet Convenes on Iran Strike Preparations Prime Minister Netanyahu convened the security cabinet on Sunday evening amid reports that Israel and the US are in advanced preparations for renewed strikes on Iran. Netanyahu was also scheduled to speak with President Trump later in the day on Iran and China Times of Israel. The US Air Force was reported to be surging a major airlift to the Middle East Behold Israel.

Iranian Warnings and Diplomacy A senior Iranian military spokesman warned the US against any “new foolishness,” saying it would trigger a harsher response than during the 40-day war IRNA. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei accused the US of preparing a pretext for war under the guise of preserving global energy market stability IRNA. Iran’s deputy foreign minister said Tehran is pursuing legal cases over damage to cultural heritage sites from US-Israeli strikes, reporting 149 historical sites damaged across 18 provinces IRNA.

Hormuz Toll Plan Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref said the country would soon unveil a plan to manage traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, including charging tolls Al Jazeera. The strait is operating at 2–4% of pre-war traffic levels TLDR Iran SITREP.

Nuclear Talks An alternative version of the US proposal would reportedly give Iran access to over $25 billion while allowing it to keep nuclear enrichment capability Behold Israel.

Roadside Bomb Wounds Four IDF Soldiers Four Israeli soldiers were wounded, one seriously, when a roadside bomb detonated near their position in southern Lebanon overnight. An officer was moderately injured, and another officer and a soldier were lightly wounded. All were evacuated to hospital IDF Official Times of Israel.

Hezbollah Claims Attacks Hezbollah’s Military Media issued multiple statements claiming attacks on Israeli forces: a suicide drone hit a gathering of soldiers at Ras al-Naqoura; an explosive device targeted an advancing Israeli force near Yohmor Al-Shaqif, causing casualties; a drone struck an artillery emplacement in Addaisseh; and a loitering drone hit an Israeli military vehicle in Al-Bayyada, which was seen burning afterward Al-Manar TV Bint Jbeil News. The group also released videos of drone and rocket strikes from May 14–15 Al-Manar TV.

IDF Strikes and Interceptions The Israeli Air Force intercepted several rockets launched by Hezbollah toward IDF troops in southern Lebanon IDF Official. Warplanes struck targets in Aita al-Jabal, Khirbet Selm, Tebnin, Deir Antar, Al-Babliyeh, Al-Marwaniyeh, and the area between Jibchit, Adchit, and Aabba Al-Manar TV Bint Jbeil News. The IDF issued evacuation warnings for four southern villages ahead of further strikes Times of Israel.

Sirens and Drone Incursions Sirens sounded in the Western Galilee due to a suspected hostile aircraft infiltration; the incident concluded with no injuries IDF Official N12 Chat. Experimental sirens were heard at Beirut Port Bint Jbeil News.

Casualty Figures Israeli media reported that 105 soldiers have been wounded in southern Lebanon over the past week Bint Jbeil News.

Netanyahu Confirms Expanded Territorial Control At the weekly cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Netanyahu stated that the IDF is now holding 60% of the Gaza Strip, pushing beyond the Yellow Line that demarcated the 53% retained under the US-brokered ceasefire Times of Israel.

Airstrikes and Casualties The IDF carried out an airstrike on a charitable food distribution center near Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah, killing at least three people and wounding several others Quds News Network. An additional strike killed a Palestinian in the same area Quds News Network. The Israeli Air Force struck and killed two armed operatives who posed threats to troops—one near the Yellow Line in southern Gaza and another approaching soldiers in central Gaza IDF Official Manniefabian.

Commander Killed The IDF confirmed the elimination of Bahaa Baroud, a commander in Hamas’s operations headquarters, in a precise airstrike on Saturday. Baroud was involved in planning and advancing attacks against Israeli forces and civilians IDF Official N12 Chat.

Settler Violence Palestinian media reported that Israeli settlers torched a car, stole cellphones, and beat at least five Palestinians near Bethlehem. Footage showed a man being treated in an ambulance Times of Israel. In a separate incident, settlers were filmed running over sheep and assaulting their owners in Khirbet Al-Tawil near Aqraba, south of Nablus Quds News Network.

Israeli Raid Israeli forces raided the village of Burqa in Nablus, prompting the evacuation of schools as children fled the area Al Jazeera.

Fatah Leadership Vote Early results from Fatah’s leadership vote showed Yasser Abbas, son of President Mahmoud Abbas, and intelligence chief Zakaria Zubeidi elected to the party’s Central Committee Times of Israel Al Jazeera.

ICC Warrants Denial The International Criminal Court denied a Haaretz report that it had issued five new arrest warrants for Israeli officials, including ministers and military officers. The court’s spokesperson called the report “not accurate” Times of Israel Ynetnews. Haaretz had reported that secret warrants were issued for five officials, including two military officers, adding to existing warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant Quds News Network.

US-Israel Coordination Netanyahu was set to speak with President Trump on China and Iran. The security cabinet convened in the evening for a security discussion Times of Israel.

G7 Finance Ministers G7 finance ministers were scheduled to meet Monday to discuss the consequences of the Hormuz closure TLDR Iran SITREP.

South Africa Protest A pro-Palestine protest was held at the oldest colonial building in Cape Town to commemorate the Nakba Al Jazeera.

Ebola Outbreak The WHO declared an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo a global health emergency Al Jazeera.

Eurovision Bulgaria won the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time; Israel placed second. Israel’s participation had triggered a boycott by five countries and protests over the war in Gaza Al Jazeera.

Ukraine-Russia A massive Ukrainian drone strike on Russia killed at least four people; Russia claimed to have intercepted 556 drones overnight Behold Israel.

US Politics Georgia’s primary elections saw Republicans aiming to reclaim a Senate seat, while Democrats selected a gubernatorial candidate Al Jazeera.

USS Ford Returns The USS Gerald R. Ford returned home after a record 326-day deployment that included operations in the Gulf and off Venezuela Times of Israel.

China’s Role A Chinese embassy spokesperson in India said China would continue to be a constructive partner for peace in the Middle East, referencing Foreign Minister Araghchi’s praise for China’s role in Iran-Saudi rapprochement IRNA.

India Unrest Unspecified major events were reported in India War Monitors.

UAE Barakah Nuclear Plant Drone Strike A drone strike hit an electrical generator outside the inner perimeter of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in Abu Dhabi’s Al Dhafra region, causing a fire. The UAE Defense Ministry said it intercepted two other drones. No injuries were reported, and the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation confirmed radiological levels remained normal and essential systems were operating The National Times of Israel Haaretz. The UAE launched an investigation into the source of the three drones, which reportedly came from the western border (Saudi Arabia) Behold Israel Bint Jbeil News.

Kuwait IRGC Arrests Kuwait arrested four men accused of being IRGC members who allegedly tried to infiltrate Bubiyan Island by sea on May 1, injuring a Kuwaiti soldier. The men admitted they were tasked by the IRGC with “infiltrating” Behold Israel.

Iranian Regional Statements President Pezeshkian called for regional cooperation against terrorists and aggressive powers IRNA. Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf said the killing of a Hamas commander during the ceasefire confirmed Israeli disloyalty IRNA.