LiveLive Updates May 19, 2026Share to FacebookShare to XArticle printing is available to subscribers onlyPrint in a simple, ad-free formatSubscribeComments: Zen reading is available to subscribers onlyAd-free and in a comfortable reading formatSubscribeMay 19, 2026UpdatesSaudi Arabia reportedly holding 'intensive talks' with neighboring countries to formulate unified stance on IranSaudi Arabia is holding "intensive talks" with regional countries, including Qatar and Oman, in an effort to formulate a unified position on dealing with Iran, the Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar reported, citing Egyptian sources.According to the sources, who quoted Saudi diplomats, officials in Riyadh have expressed dissatisfaction with Washington's continued "policy of surprise" and what they described as American disregard for consequences to the Gulf's security and political situation.The sources added that Saudi Arabia "lacks confidence" in the U.S. administration's decision-making, which it believes both launched and halted the war based solely on a "shared vision" with Israel. This lack of trust, they said, is now delaying progress on discussions of normalization with Israel.Irish president 'very worried' after sister detained by IDF following seizure of Gaza Freedom Flotilla, Irish President Catherine Connolly told reporters she is "very worried" about her sister, who was detained by Israeli forces while aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla on Monday, according to the Irish Examiner.Dr. Margaret Connolly is one of at least six Irish citizens aboard a vessel carrying aid that was seized alongside 10 other boats on Monday morning off the coast of Cyprus. Flotilla organizers said they have lost contact with the intercepted boats. The president added that she is "proud" of her sister.Gaza Health Ministry says three pronounced dead in past 24 hoursThe Gaza Health Ministry said three dead were identified at hospitals in the Gaza Strip in the last 24 hours.Palestinians inspect the site of an Israeli strike on a house in Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, on Tuesday. Credit: Ebrahim Hajjaj/ REUTERSPalestinians inspect the site of an Israeli strike on a house in Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, on Tuesday. Credit: Ebrahim Hajjaj/ REUTERSThe death toll since the October Israel-Hamas cease-fire has reached 880, with 2,605 wounded and 776 bodies recovered; the total death toll since the start of the war has risen to 72,772, with 172,707 wounded, according to the ministry.J Street: Israeli ambassador should be 'engaging seriously' instead of calling group 'cancer within Jewish community'After the Israeli ambassador to the United States called J Street a "cancer within the Jewish community," the group's president said the ambassador should be "engaging seriously" with the organization, he wrote on X.On Monday, Ambassador Yechiel Leiter referred to J Street as a "cancer within the Jewish community" at a National Task Force to Combat Antisemitism meeting at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C."How can you be pro-Israel and advocate for an arms embargo on a state that's fighting a seven-front war against Iranian proxies?" the ambassador said. Instead of disparaging friends of Israel who disagree with its government and calling us names, Israel’s ambassador to the United States should be engaging seriously with us.