Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-04-09 at 23:02

HEADLINES
UK US Push to Free Hormuz Shipping
Nadav Lapid Film Exposes Israeli Moral Abyss
Pakistan Ahead of Iran Talks Slams Israel

The time is now 11:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Regional Impacts, a plan to restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz as quickly as possible was discussed by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US President Donald Trump. Starmer told Trump that the UK would convene partners to agree on a viable plan to restore free navigation in the waterway, a critical route for global trade, and Downing Street said the leaders agreed that with a ceasefire in place there is a path to a resolution and that they would speak again soon. Starmer also held talks with Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates about reopening the Strait and restoring the free flow of goods to support global supply chains. The Strait, which carries about a fifth of the world’s oil, has been closed since the US and Israel launched a war on Iran in February, a development that has become a focal point in ceasefire discussions. A separate development shows strain as a fragile two‑week US–Iran ceasefire nears negotiations in Pakistan, with Washington accusing Tehran of breaching promises on the Strait of Hormuz and Israel striking Lebanon, actions Iran says violate the truce. Washington said Iran was not lifting its near‑total blockade of the strait, contributing to what has been the worst disruption to global energy supplies. Tehran pointed to Israel’s attacks on Lebanon as a key sticking point, while Trump posted that Iran was doing a “very poor job” of allowing oil to go through and suggested oil would start flowing again without detailing what steps might be taken. In the first 24 hours of the ceasefire, just a single oil products tanker and five dry bulk carriers sailed through the strait, which normally carries a fifth of the world’s oil and liquids.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Nadav Lapid’s Yes! takes aim at what he calls a moral abyss in the country, a stance he says some in the diaspora may find painful but not surprising. The film draws on a controversial video released in November 2023 by The Civil Front that showed Israeli children singing an altered version of Hareut, praising an Israeli military entry into Gaza with language that many found genocidal. The clip, posted by Kan and later deleted amid outcry, is reimagined in Yes!, which is now in limited theatrical release in the United States nearly a year after its Cannes premiere. Lapid describes the film as taking direct aim at a nation that he says is sinking into a deep moral abyss, a view he has discussed with the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. The story centers on a frustrated Israeli pianist, played by Ariel Bronz, as the film confronts difficult questions about national conduct and conscience in the shadow of recent events and ongoing conflict.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Pakistan’s defense minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif described Israel as evil and a curse for humanity ahead of Iran talks, at the same time repeating criticisms of Israel in a parliamentaryspeech and urging the Muslim world to recognize India and Israel as its true and eternal enemies.

In Uplifting News, Hapoel Tel Aviv moved closer to a playoff spot with a 95-80 win over Fenerbahce, improving to 22-13 and securing a strong hold on fourth place as the team showcased a balanced attack led by Elijah Bryant, Dan Oturu, Antonio Blakeney and Vasilije Micic, while Wade Baldwin’s first-half scoring could not keep pace. Coach Dimitrios Itoudis praised the performance, saying the team was better from start to finish and deserved the victory. Jerusalem’s 15th International Winner Jerusalem Marathon was announced for April 17, 2026, expected to draw about 40,000 participants, with registration closing on April 11 after a postponement prompted by security guidelines; Mayor Moshe Lion described the event as a symbol of resilience and normalcy for the city. In footballing news, Daniel Peretz has been lauded for his performances as Southampton’s goalkeeper, helping the club defeat Arsenal 2-1 to reach the FA Cup semifinals and a Wembley appearance; the Israeli player spoke to media about pride in representing Israelis and Jews, emphasizing the emotional significance of the moment as he continues his club career after stints with Maccabi Tel Aviv, Bayern Munich, and Hamburg.

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/article-892560
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/04/us-iran-ceasefire-deal-shows-strain-ahead-talks-oil-flows-squeezed
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/article-892565
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rkj6gcb2wg
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/sports/article-892564
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/sports/article-892563
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/sports/article-892562