Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-04-02 at 19:01

HEADLINES
US debunks IRGC fighter jet downing claim
US strikes Karaj B1 Bridge eight dead
Attacks hit Tehran Shiraz Isfahan Tabriz Khorramabad

The time is now 7:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Iranian Retaliation, US Central Command says the IRGC’s claim of shooting down a fighter jet is false and that all US fighter jets are accounted for, after the IRGC released a video accompanying its statement. A separate IRGC claim off Qeshm Island repeats the downing assertion, but the released video does not appear to show a downing, with flares visible through the footage.

In US Military Role, a sequence of US Air Force strikes targeted the B1 Bridge in the northern Iranian city of Karaj, one of the tallest bridges in the Middle East, which authorities say killed at least eight people and injured dozens more. A US official told Reuters the strike was military justified, aimed at eliminating a planned military supply route for sustaining Iran’s ballistic missile and attack drone forces.

In Regional Impacts, France barred the 40th Annual Meeting of Muslims of France in Paris amid heightened security concerns following a foiled bomb attack on Bank of America offices last weekend, with police enforcing the prohibition from April 3 to 6 at the Paris–Le Bourget Exhibition Centre and organizers planning a legal appeal. In Iran, reports describe a wave of powerful attacks across Tehran, Shiraz, Isfahan, Tabriz, and Khorramabad.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Education Minister Yoav Kisch says a group including a man who claimed to be a teacher tried to force entry to his home during a siren, banging on the gate as missiles were heard in the background. He called the group an extremist and deranged gang of criminals, noting they had eight minutes to seek shelter but stayed in place; Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich condemned the intrusion.

In Uplifting News, passengers on an American flight from Atlanta to Puerto Rico captured one of the closest videos of the Artemis II launch from their plane, which has gone massively viral as some viewers question the plane’s proximity to the rocket. Maccabi Tel Aviv has surged into the Euroleague Play-In race, moving above .500 and advancing under coach Oded Katash as it navigates a challenging final stretch amid the broader regional conflict, with the GM Claudio Coldebella sharing reflections in an Italian interview and noting the club’s recent Israel State Cup triumph. A shift in Israeli soccer is highlighted as MLS emerges as a home for Israeli stars, reflecting a broader reorientation of the league’s role in attracting international talent. Longtime Israeli lyricist Tzruya Lahav, known for shaping generations of popular music, died at 74 after a battle with cancer, with tributes noting her influential body of work and songs that remain part of the country’s cultural canon.

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
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