Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-04-05 at 14:02

HEADLINES
- Four RAF aces down Iranian drones
- Zelensky visits Damascus Turkey for grain
- Dozens of Hezbollah rockets near UN positions

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

In Iranian Retaliation, Royal Air Force Typhoon and F-35 fighter jets, supported by Voyager and Royal Navy Merlin and Wildcat helicopters, have continued defensive missions over the Eastern Mediterranean, Jordan, Bahrain, and the UAE, shooting down several Iranian drones threatening Middle Eastern countries, according to the United Kingdom’s Defense Ministry. Four RAF pilots earn ace status for blasting Iranian drones from the sky during these operations, which the ministry says protect British interests, partners, and personnel in the region. Drones and falling missile shrapnel caused fires at the Borouge petrochemicals plant in Abu Dhabi, at a storage facility belonging to Bahrain’s Bapco Energies, and at the Shuwaikh Oil Sector Complex in Kuwait; no injuries are reported. Separately, Saudi Arabia’s Defense Ministry says it intercepted an Iranian cruise missile launched toward the Gulf state on Sunday morning.

In Regional Impacts, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visits Syria for talks with President Ahmed al-Sharaa, his first trip to Damascus since Kyiv re-established diplomatic ties at the end of last year. Zelensky uses the visit to push Kyiv’s military expertise into the region, including countering drones and missiles, and to reinforce food security cooperation as a key regional objective. He says there is strong interest in exchanging security and development opportunities, and he notes Ukraine’s role as a major grain supplier. Zelensky also reports progress on security cooperation during his stop in Turkey, where he said new steps were agreed with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and discussions addressed joint gas infrastructure projects and joint gas field development.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Dozens of Hezbollah rockets strike near United Nations positions as Israel warns of the threat in southern Lebanon. The incidents come amid heightened tensions around UNIFIL peacekeeping areas, with UN forces reporting casualties earlier this week including one UNIFIL soldier killed in an explosion at a southern Lebanon post and two others killed in a separate vehicle blast. Israel reiterates its warning about Hezbollah’s activity near UN positions.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, an opinion piece argues Israel should pursue a diplomatic alternative to war with Iran, noting that exhaustion on both sides can make diplomacy thinkable. The piece underscores Israel’s long-standing concerns about Iran’s threats, including support for Hezbollah and Hamas, and describes sanctions and military pressure as tools that have been used to contain Iran. It suggests diplomacy may regain traction if military options lose appeal and both sides seek a path that avoids further conflict.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Jewish settlers in the West Bank burn a chicken coop and trucks belonging to Palestinian residents in Qusra near Nablus, and they assault a Palestinian villager in what is described as retaliation for a prior stone attack. Palestinian sources report two structures and poultry facilities are set ablaze, with Israeli forces rushing to the area to contain the incident as tensions persist after the earlier clash. In a separate development, a comment from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu notes that while Jews are restricted in prayer at the Western Wall, the High Court approved a protest by the political left.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, a Modigliani painting looted by the Nazis has been returned to the estate of Oscar Stettiner, a British-born Jewish art dealer in Paris, after more than eight decades. The New York Supreme Court ruled that Seated Man With a Cane, painted in 1918 by Amadeo Modigliani, must be returned to Stettiner’s estate, which maintained it was never voluntarily relinquished. Stettiner fled Paris in 1939 as Nazi occupation began; looting and subsequent transfers of the painting followed, with a French court order in 1946 and subsequent sales before it was located and placed for auction.

In Uplifting News, the World Happiness Report highlights that Israeli youth rank among the highest in life satisfaction, with Israel placing third globally among young people. Researchers note that while life satisfaction has declined among youths in many English-speaking countries, Israeli youth maintain notably positive moods. The report examines the impact of social media on youth well-being, a theme explored by psychologist Jonathan Haidt and co-authors, and underscores how Israel’s social dynamics contribute to a sense of community despite broader global concerns.

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-892150
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-892154
https://worldisraelnews.com/dozens-of-hezbollah-rockets-strike-near-un-positions-israel-warns/
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-891774
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-892156
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1305516
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-892155
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-892139