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

HEADLINES
78-Year IDF Soldier Burial Found Amid Shrapnel
Missile Strikes on Israel Amid Trump Threats
Argentina Designates IRGC as Terrorist Organization

The time is now 2:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, authorities report 12 zones of falling shrapnel across the Gush Dan region, four people wounded in Bnei Brak, and damage to a building in Shfar’am described as having collapsed in a pancake shape. A fallen IDF soldier, whose burial place had not been known for 78 years, was located. A 60-year-old man was killed by a vehicle near the Ashkolot junction. Iran is strengthening its backing for Hezbollah as part of its broader pressure campaign in the region.

In Iranian Retaliation, Iran fired missiles at Israel on Thursday after a White House address in which President Donald Trump threatened to bomb the Islamic Republic into the “Stone Ages” with heavy strikes over the next two to three weeks. Trump said the campaign was moving toward its objectives and that, in coming weeks, those goals would be brought back to the Stone Ages. Britain is set to host a meeting with about 35 countries on how to reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz that Iran has effectively blocked without a deal to end the war. The war has killed senior Iranian officials, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, whose son has since replaced him. The attack was framed as part of a broader outlook, with officials saying the core strategic objectives are nearing completion. Iran’s missiles also set off sirens in the Haifa area and in the Galilee, though no casualties have been reported so far.

In Regional Impacts, Germany and Poland are described as coming under pressure as emergency measures are rolled out in response to the widening crisis, underscoring the broader tension rippling through Europe and the Middle East.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Argentina designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization, triggering sanctions and restrictions. The move cites the 1992 bombing of the Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires and the 1994 attack on the AMIA Jewish center as two of the most serious terrorist attacks in history carried out by the IRGC’s regional arm, Hezbollah. Argentina’s government will place the IRGC in the Public Registry of Persons and Entities Linked to Acts of Terrorism and its Financing, aiming to curb its operations in the country and protect the financial system. The decision was praised by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, US intelligence assesses that Tehran has lost trust and that there is no horizon of a renewed agreement at present. There is no expectation of a forthcoming deal, even as regional tensions persist and global powers weigh their next moves.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, observers note that Avigdor (Smutrich) is at a low point in his political career, but one big opportunity could keep him in the Knesset. Other analyses suggest Smotrich could win the elections if a particular scenario materializes. Separately, an assessment of Ari Gilad’s numerology suggests a sharp, curious mind with emotional depth and leadership potential, helping to explain his public prominence in a changing political landscape.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, the influencer Myron Gaines drew wide condemnation after performing a Nazi salute at Ohio University and mocking the Holocaust’s death toll, while voicing antisemitic conspiracy theories on campus. His real name is Amrou Fudl. In Australia, Naveed Akram loses a bid to keep his family anonymous as he faces 59 criminal charges, including 15 counts of murder and 40 counts of wounding with intent to murder following a Hanukkah attack on Bondi Beach. A judge ruled that reporting on family identities could proceed, upholding open justice in a high-profile case.

In Uplifting News, Mehran Rezvani, a 60-year-old Iranian volunteer who defected from Iran, has become a devoted supporter of Israel and now volunteers near Jerusalem with eight Norwegian volunteers at the Eitanim Mental Health Center, on behalf of Nachamu Nachamu Ami, a Dutch humanitarian organization. Rezvani, who left Iran after being part of its weightlifting team and competing in the 1986 Asian Games in Seoul, reflects a surprising personal transformation. Also, mothers of freed Gaza hostages describe the lasting pain of their 477 days apart, sharing lessons of fear, resilience, and rebuilding as their daughters return home amid ongoing conflict.

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.

SOURCES
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1304240
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https://www.ynetnews.com/article/r111glusjzl
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1304244
https://www.jpost.com/international/islamic-terrorism/article-891933
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https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1304241
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1304239
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-891931
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https://www.ynetnews.com/magazine/article/h11btuio11g