SOFREP Evening Brief: Israel Intercepts Missile from Yemen as Houthis Target Ben Gurion Airport, Russia Bans Amnesty International

Good evening! Wrap up your Monday with SOFREP’s evening brief, featuring the latest updates on defense and global affairs for May 19, 2025. Here’s a quick roundup for today’s headlines: Israel shot down a Houthi missile aimed at Ben Gurion Airport. Netanyahu vowed full Gaza control amid growing famine and over 53,000 deaths. Sudan named a new prime minister to restart civilian rule. Ex-US Navy Admiral Robert Burke was convicted of bribery. The USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group joined NATO drills in the Mediterranean after a Red Sea deployment. The European Union seeks a defense pact with Australia. Trump will call Putin and Zelenskyy to push for a Ukraine ceasefire. Russia banned Amnesty International. Taiwan urged tech upgrades after two Chinese arrived undetected by boat.

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Israel Intercepts Missile from Yemen as Houthis Target Ben Gurion Airport

The Israeli military on Sunday intercepted a missile launched from Yemen, as Iran-backed Houthi rebels claimed they had fired two ballistic missiles at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv.

Air raid sirens were triggered in multiple areas, though no damage was reported from the latest incident.

The Houthis, who have repeatedly targeted Israel since the Gaza war began in October 2023, said the attacks would continue until Israel lifts its blockade on Gaza. Earlier this month, a Houthi missile struck near Ben Gurion Airport, injuring several and breaching Israeli air defenses.

MOMENT Israel intercepts Houthi missile

BRIGHT flash lights up sky like falling meteor https://t.co/xZhzEmjQCY pic.twitter.com/10nB6m9G8r

— RT (@RT_com) May 17, 2025

In retaliation, Israel has bombed Houthi positions in Yemen, including ports in Hodeida and Salif, as well as targets in Sanaa and local power stations. Israel has warned it will escalate further if the missile attacks persist.

The Houthis have also disrupted Red Sea shipping throughout the conflict, citing solidarity with Palestinians. A separate ceasefire between the US and the Houthis in early May does not cover hostilities involving Israel.

Netanyahu Vows Full Control of Gaza as Israel Expands Offensive Amid Famine Warnings

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Monday that Israel will “take control of all the territory of the Strip” as the military intensifies its ground and air campaign across Gaza.

The statement comes as Israeli forces issued evacuation orders for residents of Khan Yunis and nearby areas ahead of what the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) called an “unprecedented attack.”

The Israeli military reported hitting 160 targets and continued operations across Gaza, including airstrikes that killed at least 22 people on Monday. Gaza’s overall death toll now stands at over 53,000, according to the local health ministry.

Netanyahu defended the decision to allow limited aid into the blockaded territory, citing diplomatic pressure and the need to avoid mass starvation. He warned that even Israel’s allies “will not tolerate images of mass starvation,” as World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said “two million people are starving” while food remains blocked at the border.

Israel plans to allow limited food aid into Gaza, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying it was necessary to avoid famine for “practical and diplomatic reasons.” pic.twitter.com/jPqGxhZf8t

— DW News (@dwnews) May 19, 2025

Far-right Israeli ministers remain divided on the issue. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir opposes any aid, while Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich supports minimal humanitarian deliveries to preserve international support.

The renewed offensive follows Hamas’s October 2023 attack that killed 1,218 people and resulted in the abduction of 251 hostages. Israel says 57 hostages remain in Gaza, including 34 believed to be dead. The humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate, with residents describing scenes of devastation and calling for international intervention.

Sudan Appoints First Prime Minister Since Civil War Began, Aims for Civilian Transition

Sudan’s military chief Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan on Monday appointed Kamil al-Taib Idris as the country’s first prime minister since the outbreak of civil war in April 2023.

Idris, a legal expert and former United Nations (UN) adviser, will form a transitional government following the army’s recent recapture of Khartoum from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The appointment is seen as a key step toward restoring civilian rule after the conflict between the army and RSF left at least 20,000 dead and displaced nearly 13 million people.

Sudan’s military leader Gen Abdel Fattah Al Burhan has named former UN diplomat Kamil Idris as Prime Minister, the first since Abdalla Hamdok resigned after the 2021 coup. pic.twitter.com/ZYuQJ0HjI0

— The National (@TheNationalNews) May 19, 2025

Journalist Osman Mirghani noted Idris’ neutrality and lack of political ties could earn him broader acceptance across Sudanese society, including among RSF supporters.

The RSF, meanwhile, has backed a rival political charter calling for a decentralized, democratic, and secular Sudan.

Idris’ nomination marks a pivotal moment in the struggle to stabilize the nation and resolve its political crisis.

Former US Navy Admiral Robert Burke Convicted of Bribery, Faces Sentencing in August

Retired Adm. Robert Burke, once the Navy’s second-highest-ranking officer, was convicted Monday on four criminal counts, including bribery and conspiracy to defraud the U.S., following a federal trial in Washington, D.C. The case marks one of the most significant corruption convictions of a senior military leader in recent history.

Prosecutors argued Burke steered a lucrative Navy contract to leadership training firm Next Jump in 2021, then accepted a $500,000-a-year job with the company after retiring in 2022. Burke was also found guilty of concealing material facts and personally enriching himself.

The defense, led by attorney Tim Parlatore, called the verdict a miscarriage of justice, blaming a rushed trial and evidence derived from a questionable witness—Burke’s former lover, a senior civilian Navy official. She did not testify, but her statements were key to the investigation and the warrants used to secure evidence.

Next Jump executives Charlie Kim and Meghan Messenger, facing a separate trial, claim Burke misled them and that they were victims, not co-conspirators. Their defense team plans to reveal communications suggesting broader Navy misconduct.

Burke’s sentencing is scheduled for August 22. The trial for Kim and Messenger is pending.

USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group Joins NATO Drill After Middle East Deployment

The USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) Carrier Strike Group will take part in the NATO-led Neptune Strike exercise in the Mediterranean Sea, officials confirmed Monday.

The strike group, which includes the Truman, destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG-109), and cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG-64), recently departed the Red Sea following months of operations against Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen.

The exercise, overseen by Allied Joint Force Command Naples, involves at least 13 NATO nations and places the carrier strike group under NATO command. The timeline of the Truman’s integration into the drill and the status of the accompanying USS Stout (DDG-55)remain undisclosed due to operational security.

USS Harry S. Truman 🚢 🇺🇸 joins #NeptuneStrike 🔱

The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier leads the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group which will be under the command and control of NATO during the enhanced Vigilance Activity in the Mediterranean Sea 🌊.

Neptune Strike 🔱… pic.twitter.com/4k8G7RZcKY

— NATO JFC Naples (@JFC_Naples) May 19, 2025

The deployment follows the conclusion of Operation Rough Rider, a US airstrike campaign halted by President Donald Trump on May 6 after claiming the Houthis agreed to stop Red Sea attacks. Since March, US forces have targeted over 1,000 Houthi positions.

The Truman’s latest mission was marked by several mishaps, including the loss of three F/A-18 Super Hornets—one shot down in a friendly fire incident, and two lost in April and May.

Additionally, the carrier sustained minor hull damage in a February collision with a cargo ship near the Suez Canal. That incident led to the removal of Capt. Dave Snowden as commanding officer, replaced by Capt. Christopher Hill on an interim basis. All incidents are under investigation.

European Union Seeks Defense Pact with Australia Amid Global Security Concerns

The European Union (EU) announced plans Sunday to pursue a defense partnership with Australia as part of its broader effort to build global security alliances in response to the war in Ukraine and rising geopolitical tensions.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen made the proposal during a meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Rome, following Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural mass.

Great to see you in Rome, @AlboMP and congratulations on your re-election!

In uncertain times, your renewed mandate brings both continuity and fresh momentum to the EU–Australia strategic partnership.

So let’s deepen ties in trade, defence, and security. pic.twitter.com/6mmIfLfyS8

— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) May 18, 2025

Von der Leyen cited recent EU defense agreements with South Korea and Japan and emphasized Australia’s role as a strategic partner.

Albanese affirmed Australia’s continued support for Ukraine and highlighted shared democratic values with the EU.

The EU’s push for new defense ties comes amid concerns over US commitment to European security under President Donald Trump. The bloc has expanded its defense diplomacy in recent months, seeking closer cooperation with India and other Indo-Pacific nations.

Trump to Speak With Putin, Zelenskyy in Ceasefire Push Amid Escalating Ukraine Conflict

President Donald Trump is set to hold separate calls Monday with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a renewed push to broker a ceasefire in the Ukraine war.

Trump confirmed the outreach in a social media post over the weekend, calling it a potential “productive day,” and has also spoken with NATO and European leaders ahead of the talks.

The Kremlin confirmed the Trump-Putin call for 5 p.m. Moscow time. Trump, who has pledged to end the war quickly, views this effort as a critical test of his dealmaking reputation. His envoy, Steve Witkoff, said Trump believes his direct engagement can break the impasse.

However, criticism has mounted over the administration’s perceived bias toward Moscow. Former US Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink said she resigned last month after observing consistent pressure on Kyiv rather than on Russia. She warned against “appeasement disguised as peace.”

Talks in Turkey last week between Russian and Ukrainian delegations failed to produce a truce, though both sides agreed to a 1,000-person prisoner exchange. Putin declined Zelenskyy’s request for a direct meeting and rejected a proposed 30-day ceasefire. Trump later remarked that Putin’s refusal to attend the Turkey summit was due to Trump’s own absence.

President Donald Trump is looking to make progress toward a ceasefire in the war in Ukraine, holding separate phone calls Monday with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. More: https://t.co/mglbYPmwGl pic.twitter.com/eEisTEUGVG

— NewsNation (@NewsNation) May 19, 2025

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that failure by Putin to negotiate in good faith could trigger more sanctions. Trump may offer trade incentives to entice Russian cooperation while weighing pressure through economic penalties.

Zelenskyy met with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Rome on Sunday, urging continued sanctions and defense support. He accused Russia of sending “non-decision-makers” to last week’s talks and stressed Ukraine’s commitment to “real diplomacy.”

France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Italy have coordinated closely with Trump ahead of Monday’s call. French President Emmanuel Macron said Putin must accept the US-backed 30-day ceasefire proposal.

Meanwhile, Russia launched its largest drone barrage since the war began, targeting multiple Ukrainian regions with 273 drones. Ukraine’s air force reported intercepting dozens but said the scale underscored the urgency of reaching a ceasefire.

Russia Bans Amnesty International, Labels It ‘Undesirable Organization’

Russia’s Prosecutor General on Monday officially designated Amnesty International as an “undesirable organization,” criminalizing any activity or support related to the human rights group under a 2015 law.

The move bars Amnesty from operating in Russia and threatens prosecution for individuals sharing its reports or cooperating with the organization.

The designation is part of Moscow’s intensified crackdown on dissent since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Amnesty joins a growing blacklist of 223 groups, including Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Meduza, Transparency International, and Open Russia.

🇷🇺 In a move that’s typically Russian, Moscow has declared Amnesty International an “undesirable organization,” accusing it of supporting Ukraine and spreading “Russophobia.”

So much for free speech and human rights. pic.twitter.com/D0a9ufv8VC

— NOELREPORTS 🇪🇺 🇺🇦 (@NOELreports) May 19, 2025

Authorities accused Amnesty of promoting “Russophobic projects” and supporting Russia’s political and economic isolation. The group has repeatedly criticized the Kremlin for human rights abuses in Ukraine and domestic repression, including the jailing of election monitors and the recent arrests of publishing professionals under anti-LGBTQ+ laws.

Amnesty has not yet issued an official response to the ban as of writing. The crackdown highlights Russia’s escalating campaign to silence independent voices and restrict civil society.

Taiwan Urges Tech Upgrade After Chinese Nationals Arrive Undetected by Boat

Taiwan’s Coast Guard called for urgent upgrades to surveillance technology on Monday after detaining a Chinese father and son who arrived undetected by inflatable boat near Taipei.

The incident, days before President Lai Ching-te’s first year in office, highlighted gaps in Taiwan’s coastal security.

The two men reportedly departed from China’s Fujian province and evaded radar detection. Coast guard officials said small boats like theirs are difficult to track and noted that patrols were focused elsewhere at the time.

in conducting air-sea joint training along with other PLAN vessels. #ROCArmedForces have monitored the situation and responded accordingly.

— 國防部 Ministry of National Defense, ROC(Taiwan) 🇹🇼 (@MoNDefense) May 18, 2025

Spokesman Hsieh Ching-chin cited a growing need for infrared thermal imaging, drones, and artificial intelligence (AI)-based warning systems to counter what Taiwan describes as China’s escalating “grey-zone harassment” — tactics short of war intended to weaken Taiwan’s defenses.

Since January, authorities have caught 38 individuals from China and Vietnam attempting illegal entry.

Taiwan has deployed some thermal imagers on its outlying islands but lacks comprehensive coverage. Hsieh warned that more illegal arrivals may follow as part of China’s “cognitive warfare,” aiming to unsettle public morale during sensitive political periods.

Beijing continues to assert sovereignty over Taiwan and staged major military drills after Lai took office last year.

Sources: News Agencies