LiveLive Updates May 21, 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 21, 2026UpdatesSouth Korea says nationals held by Israel released after Gaza aid vessel seizureSouth Korea's presidential Blue House said on Thursday that some of its nationals who had been in held in Israeli custody had been released.Seoul, which had earlier expressed strong regret over Israel's seizure of an aid vessel bound for Gaza and the arrest of its nationals, welcomed their release, a presidential spokesperson said.Israel to start deportation hearings for hundreds of detained Gaza flotilla activistsA person takes part in a protest demanding the release of detained Gaza flotilla activists, among them several Mexicans, outside the Israeli embassy, in Mexico City, Mexico, May 20, 2026. Credit: REUTERS/Luis CortesA person takes part in a protest demanding the release of detained Gaza flotilla activists, among them several Mexicans, outside the Israeli embassy, in Mexico City, Mexico, May 20, 2026. Credit: REUTERS/Luis CortesIsrael is to start deportation hearings for the hundreds of activists it detained when preventing a Gaza-bound flotilla from reaching its destination earlier this week. The detainees have been transferred from Ashdod port to the Ketziot prison, where hearings are expected to begin on Thursday morning.U.S. State Department watchdog investigates Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, FT reportsGaza Humanitarian Foundation aid package in Nuseirat refugee camp. Credit: AFP/EYAD BABAGaza Humanitarian Foundation aid package in Nuseirat refugee camp. Credit: AFP/EYAD BABAThe U.S. State Department's oversight body is investigating the now-defunct Gaza Humanitarian Foundation and how it spent millions of dollars in emergency aid, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday, citing three people familiar with the inquiry.The Office of Inspector General is focusing on a $30 million grant announced by the State Department last June to the organization backed by the U.S. and Israel to distribute aid in Gaza, the FT report said.Reuters could not immediately verify the report.U.S. removes UN expert Francesca Albanese from sanctions listThe United States has removed Francesca Albanese, a UN expert on the ‌Palestinian territories, from its list of sanctioned individuals, according to the U.S. Treasury Department website.The removal comes a week after a federal judge temporarily blocked the sanctions, finding that the Trump administration likely violated her free-speech rights by imposing the measures after she criticized U.S. ally Israel's war in Gaza.Turkey's Erdogan tells Trump issues with Iran can be resolved, urges steps to prevent Lebanon deterioration Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan told U.S. President Donald Trump in a call on Wednesday he welcomed the extension of a cease-fire between the U.S. and Iran, adding he believed contested issues between the sides could be resolved, according to the Turkish presidency."During the meeting, our President stated that he viewed the decision to extend the cease-fire in the conflict zone in our region as a positive development (and) that he believed a reasonable solution to the disputed issues was possible," the presidency said in a statement.It added that Erdogan called renewed stability in Syria an "important gain" for the region, adding that he urged steps to prevent the situation in Lebanon from worsening amid the continued fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.RECAP: Hezbollah drone wounds seven Israeli soldiers in southern Lebanon, one severely, IDF saysHere are Wednesday's updates from the U.S.-Iran cease-fire and Israel's war with Hezbollah:■ The exchange ‌of messages ⁠between ⁠Iran and the U.S. has continued based ‌on ‌Tehran's 14-point proposal, with Pakistan's interior minister in Iran ⁠to help facilitate it, Iran's ‌foreign ⁠ministry ‌spokesperson said.■ U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said on a post on X that the Gaza-bound flotilla was a "stupid stunt", but "Ben-Gvir betrayed the dignity of his nation," referring to the video uploaded earlier Wednesday by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir showing detained activists of the intercepted Gaza-bound flotilla being bound and dragged in Israel's Ashdod Port.■ The IDF announced that a Hezbollah drone wounded seven IDF soldiers, including one severely and three moderately, in southern Lebanon.■ Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency said that the United States has submitted another proposal as part of negotiations aimed at ending the war, and that Tehran is currently reviewing it.■ U.S. President Donald Trump said that negotiations with Iran were "in the final stages", while warning of further attacks unless Tehran agrees to a peace deal.■ Germany has warned Israel against evicting the residents of the Palestinian village of Khan al-Ahmar in the West Bank.■ Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian said on a post on X media that Iran has "explored every avenue to avert war," and that "all paths remain open" on Tehran's side.■ Several world leaders summoned their Israeli ambassadors and issued harsh criticism over a video published by Israel's far-right Defense Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on X media that Ben-Gvir's conduct towards the flotilla activists is "inadmissible" and that Italy demands an apology for their mistreatment.In the NewsIsrael Eagerly Awaits Resumption of Iran War While Sinking Into the Lebanon MudAs Israel Heads to Elections, Netanyahu Needs WarU.S. Threatens to Revoke Visas of Palestinians at UN Over Vice Presidency BidIran Executes Two People Under Security Charges, News Agency SaysIsrael Used 'New Pattern of Intentional Physical Abuse' on Flotilla ActivistsRemembering and rebuilding two years laterICYMIHundreds Protest at New York Times HQ Over Column Alleging Abuse by IsraelisICC Prosecutor Seeks Warrants for Ben-Gvir, Smotrich, Other Israeli OfficialsEverybody Loses in the Cynical Israeli-Palestinian Sexual Violence CompetitionIsraeli Settler Filmed Abusing Palestinian-owned Dog in West BankWelcome to the Most Shameful Day in the Jewish CalendarIsraeli Teens Storm Muslim Quarter in Old City, Haaretz Reporter Attacked