Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-04-09 at 08:03

HEADLINES
Iran Enrichment Irreversible, US-Israel Defeated, Trump Reacts
Ceasefire Pauses 39 Days, Hormuz Tensions Rise
Haifa Man Arrested for Iranian Intelligence Ops

The time is now 8:02 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, Iran's nuclear enrichment cannot be stopped, US-Israel defeated, Tehran's nuke chief Eslami claims. Iran's Atomic Energy Organization chief Mohammad Eslami told ISNA that no law enforcement or individual could halt Iran's nuclear enrichment, calling US and Israeli claims to stop it wishes that will go to the grave. He said all conspiracies and enemy actions, including the war named Roaring Lion and Epic Fury, have yielded no results, and that the enemies now seek to reach a result through negotiations for their own and the Zionists' pleasure, while after decades of hostility they are described as desperate and a ceasefire request as an indication of defeat. Shortly after the ceasefire took effect, former US President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that there will be no enrichment of uranium and that the United States, working with Iran, would dig up and remove deeply buried nuclear assets, noting they have been under satellite surveillance by Space Force and that nothing has been touched since the attack date.

In Regional Impacts, after 39 days of fighting, a two‑week ceasefire went into effect, a pause that President Trump urged more than any other party. The terms leave many questions about the war’s objectives, how it began, and the conditions under which it is paused. The White House has described the pause as a complete victory, yet questions linger about the Strait of Hormuz, which officials say should reopen, even though it was not listed among prewar objectives and was open before the conflict. Negotiations have barely begun, and it remains unclear whether a follow-on agreement will be signed or what it would include. The ceasefire allows for an interim assessment focusing on military gains, regional shifts, and the questions and scenarios that will need examination when the pause ends. Separately, oil prices have begun to rise again as the Strait remains closed and fears of a ceasefire collapse persist.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, an Israeli investigation has led to the arrest of a Haifa resident on suspicion of carrying out missions for Iranian intelligence, including producing explosives and gathering intelligence aimed at former prime minister Naftali Bennett. Ami Gaidarov, 22, was detained in March in a joint operation and is said to have been in contact with an Iranian handler since August 2025, performing assignments for substantial pay, documenting progress with photos and videos, and recruiting others to help obtain materials. In a separate development, Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf outlined three points, stating that Lebanon and Iran’s terrorist proxies are inseparable from the ceasefire and urging the United States to extinguish the fire immediately. A Hebrew-language report notes that Lebanese rescuers are attempting to pull people from under the rubble of a building destroyed in Israeli airstrikes in the north, underscoring continued regional tensions.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Netanyahu's criminal trial is set to resume Sunday after wartime court disruptions, returning to cross-examination in the high-profile Case 4000 proceedings. The next hearing is scheduled for Sunday at 9:30 a.m. in the Jerusalem District Court, with the emergency regime lifted and regular court operations restored, though some proceedings had been paused during the war. Separately, a High Court petition seeks to strike down the new law allowing rabbinical courts to arbitrate civil disputes, arguing it expands the powers of religious courts, creates a state-subsidized arbitration track accessible mainly to religious litigants, and raises concerns about gender equality by excluding women from the judiciary. A new public opinion analysis indicates Israelis remain divided over the ceasefire with Iran: anger over how the news was framed, debate over the meaning of “victory,” and continued attention to the Lebanese front as the conflict persists.

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-892450
https://www.jpost.com/defense-and-tech/article-892459
https://t.me/selena_updates/61411
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-892458
https://t.me/selena_updates/61412
https://t.me/newssil/198518
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/benjamin-netanyahu/article-892469
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-892466
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1306878