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

HEADLINES
Iran fires missiles at Israel red alerts
US rescues second F-15E pilot Basij losses
Gaza drone hits Hamas police checkpoint

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 Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, sirens sounded in southern Israel as missiles were fired from Iran. One ballistic missile carrying a cluster warhead was allowed to hit an open area, according to protocol, and there were no injuries reported. Red alert sirens were heard as the Iranian regime continued to fire missiles at Israel. Following the strikes, the Home Front Command said civilians could exit the protected area in certain zones, and Magen David Adom teams were deployed to survey sites around Beersheba after reports of strikes; officials noted that several missiles appeared to break up in the air before reaching land.

In US Military Role, the United States has begun a rescue operation for the second pilot of the F-15E fighter jet downed yesterday by Iran, in the Black Mountains of Dehdasht in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad, near Yasuj. Clashes occurred between Basij forces and American special operations troops, with many casualties reported among Basij forces.

In Regional Impacts, reports from Gaza say an Israeli drone struck the western part of Gaza City at a Hamas police checkpoint, with several fatalities reported at the scene.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, an opinion piece argues that Israel cannot exist without its identity as a Jewish state, contending that the nation must remain identified with the Jewish people and serve as the Jewish homeland.

In Uplifting News, Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band drummer Max Weinberg remembered Suki Lahav, the band’s Israeli touring violinist who died at 74 after a battle with cancer. He recalled how Suki and her husband Louis Lahav were among the first people he bonded with, sharing Jewish heritage and family stories. Separately, a New York–area high school student named Nadav chose to remain in Israel during the war, joining a group helping farmers affected by the conflict and enduring sirens and shelter time as he said he wanted to be part of the Israeli experience.

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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https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1305142
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-891642
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/article-892040
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-891718
https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/74455
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/s1i21my211g
https://t.me/hnaftali/22622