Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-04-03 at 10:01

HEADLINES
IRGC Claims Downed US F-35, Search Ongoing
First French Vessel Through Hormuz Amid War
Netanyahu Vows Crushing Iran With US Partners

The time is now 10:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Military Role, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has claimed it shot down a United States F-35 fighter aircraft over central Iran, a claim that has not been officially corroborated by the United States. The report notes that searches are underway to locate two crew members and that the situation remains developing.

In Regional Impacts, a CMA CGM container ship linked to the French shipping group passed through the Strait of Hormuz, data shows, a day after French President Emmanuel Macron said it would be unrealistic to launch a military operation to reopen the strait. The Malta-flagged Kribi crossed the Strait on April 2, sailing south along the coast of Oman, and its passage marks the first French-owned vessel through the channel since the recent hostilities began. It was not immediately clear how the ship secured passage, and comment requests to CMA CGM and Macron's office were not immediately answered. Macron had underscored that reopening the Strait must be pursued by diplomatic means, while the strait remains a critical artery for global energy and trade. In another development, reports from the region state that Kuwait’s oil refinery was bombed by Iran, a claim that adds to regional tensions without further detail in the current report.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Hezbollah operatives captured by the IDF’s Givati Brigade described a sharp drop in morale, saying Hezbollah is sending fighters to war and that many do not want to go. One operative described leaving home as something done against their will, and both indicated they had grown worn out after a year and a half of fighting, tied to the broader war involving Iran and its regional allies. The same article carries a personal note from a family member about the loss of four IDF soldiers in Lebanon, including Gilad Harel, who is referred to as the writer’s stepson. The author expresses a deeply felt sense of grief and pledges to honor the fallen.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged to continue crushing the Iranian regime in a security briefing in Tel Aviv, stating that coordinated action with American partners will persist in eliminating commanders, destroying bridges, and striking infrastructure. He asserted that the regime is weaker than ever and that Israel, in cooperation with the United States, is maintaining pressure against Iran and its proxies, including ongoing operations against Hezbollah and a broader effort to expand a security zone to protect northern communities. An opinion piece warned that Yair Lapid’s rhetoric could threaten national unity and security by provoking divisive discourse during wartime, calling for responsible leadership. Another political analysis argued that the opposition’s critique of Netanyahu’s government may undermine its own credibility, citing a recent budget vote in which opposition members supported funding for ultra-Orthodox educational institutions, a move that may ultimately prove limited in effect but highlights strategic differences within Israeli politics.

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.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-892001
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-891999
https://t.me/newssil/197723
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-891992
https://www.israellycool.com/2026/04/03/gilad-harel-my-stepson-among-four-idf-soldiers-killed-in-lebanon/
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-892000
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-891895
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-891989