Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-04-01 at 11:02

HEADLINES
- Israel strikes Tehran amid escalating air war
- US weighs Iran ceasefire linked to Hormuz
- San Francisco college finds Jewish professor harassed

The time is now 11:02 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Operation Lion's Roar, hundreds of Israeli Air Force combat aircraft have been operating in Iranian airspace, striking targets of the Iranian terror regime. Aerial refueling is a critical component of the Air Force’s operations over Iran, enabling sustained air superiority in the area, with tanker aircraft having conducted approximately 2,000 aerial refuelings. The IDF has begun a wave of strikes in Iran, with eight zones reporting debris from interceptor fragments and no casualties; residents are told they may leave shelters.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, the Iranian foreign ministry spokesman denied to Al Jazeera that Trump’s claim of a ceasefire request was correct. The ministry also said the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is in good health and that his absence from public view reflects wartime conditions. The Israel Defense Forces said it has launched a broad series of strikes in central Tehran, targeting dozens of infrastructures of the Iranian regime, while the air force is intercepting threats from across sectors. Reports indicate significant strikes underway in Tehran.

In US Military Role, a US B-52 bomber loaded with bombs took off from the RAF Lakenheath base in Britain en route to Iran.

In Regional Impacts, across central and southern Israel authorities report major activity and damage: imagery from Petah Tikva; a large blast in the south with no sirens; destruction at a central site with a building collapse and a missile fragment landing in Ramat Gan; cars in Petah Tikva set alight; the Home Front Command has advised that people may leave protected spaces; so far no injuries have been confirmed and searches continue; additional notes reference Tel Aviv and red alerts ongoing.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, President Trump says Iran’s new regime president has asked for a ceasefire and that the United States will only consider it when the Strait of Hormuz is opened, although there has not been a new Iranian president in about two and a half years and Masoud Pezeshkian is listed as president. Separately, according to Axios’ Barak Ravid, three US officials say discussions are under way about a possible ceasefire with Iran in return for reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, minister Itamar Ben-Gvir revealed on Channel 7 that the Shin Bet has begun building a facility for those sentenced to death.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, StandWithUs and the Brandeis Center announced a significant victory for Jewish faculty and students after the City College of San Francisco concluded that a Jewish professor faced unlawful harassment and discrimination during a Board of Trustees meeting based on Jewish identity; the ruling establishes a critical precedent for how universities evaluate conduct often framed as political speech but targeting Jewish identity. Deedee Bitran, senior counsel and director of pro bono at StandWithUs Saidoff Law, said that discriminatory treatment of minorities in the workplace may constitute unlawful harassment when it targets protected identity and urged prompt intervention and enforcement of policies to deter future violations.

In Uplifting News, former Gaza hostages say Passover takes on a different meaning this year as they return home and reflect on freedom; David Cunio and Keith Siegel describe the holiday’s deeper significance after their release, with Cunio having launched a crowdfunding effort to support his family’s recovery. The ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Israel also offered Passover greetings, wishing Jews in Israel and around the world a meaningful Seder and a safe holiday.

Thank you for tuning in to this Israel Today: Ongoing War Report update.
I'm Noa Levi. Stay safe and informed.
Keep in mind that this AI-generated report may contain occasional inaccuracies, so consult multiple sources for a comprehensive view. Find the code and more details in the podcast description.

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