Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-04-11 at 13:02

HEADLINES
US destroyers pass Hormuz amid Iran talks
Hezbollah rockets hit Shlomi as IDF strikes
Lieberman eyes premier bid rules out coalition

The time is now 1:02 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Military Role, President Trump says the United States is clearing out the Strait of Hormuz as a favor to countries all over the world, including China, Japan, South Korea, France, Germany, and many others. At the same time, US Navy ships reportedly crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday afternoon as US-Iran ceasefire negotiations kicked off in Pakistan, in what officials described as a freedom-of-navigation mission. Iran denied the crossing and warned that any unauthorized ships would be attacked within 30 minutes if they attempted to cross the strait. Iranian state television said a US vessel in the strait turned back after the warning, though reporting from a newsroom correspondent disputed that claim. Three US officials cited by a major outlet confirmed that two US Navy guided-missile destroyers passed through the strait without incident. Officials cautioned that the crossing was not coordinated with the Iranian Navy and represented the first such movement since the war began. On the diplomatic side, Iranian state media said talks between Washington and Tehran in Pakistan have stretched for hours and continued, with experts from both sides exchanging written texts after completing one round of direct discussions, as observers assess whether the Hormuz issue can be resolved.

In Regional Impacts, CNN reports in Hebrew that China is preparing to transfer weapons to Iran amid the fragile ceasefire. The Financial Times says negotiations on the Hormuz issue have reached a stalemate, leaving the path forward unclear. Other summaries note that talks between the United States and Iran in Pakistan are at an impasse, with officials exchanging written texts after an initial round of discussions, and that a dramatic tweet from President Trump touched on naval mine removal in Hormuz as a possible signaling move.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, northern Israel came under a barrage from Hezbollah, with an apartment building in Shlomi damaged after rockets and drones entered Israeli airspace; most of the projectiles were intercepted and no injuries were reported, though debris from interceptor munitions fell in a nearby open area. The Israeli Defense Force says it has struck more than 200 Hezbollah targets in Lebanon over the past 24 hours, focusing on infrastructure and rocket-launching capabilities to prevent attacks against Israeli civilians. Hezbollah also fired more than a dozen rockets and sent at least five drones toward northern Israel, with the majority of rockets intercepted and the rest hitting open areas; a building in Shlomi sustained damage and a projectile landed in the Karmiel region. First-hand footage showed a Hezbollah drone being shot down, underscoring the ongoing escalation along the border.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, a provocative opinion piece argues that Israel will fight on ferociously, pursuing enemy degradation and military victory rather than return to containment policies of restraint and diplomacy, even as Israelis balance normal life with ongoing conflict. In Umm al-Fahm, police dispersed an illegal protest after seven suspects were arrested for breaking orders during demonstrations condemning the state and security forces’ actions in the war, with demonstrators calling for the release of Palestinian prisoners. In a public-facing media appearance, Lieberman said he expects to be prime minister after the elections and that he will not form a government with anyone. Separately, a Arab Scouts activist was arrested in Jerusalem after raising a Palestinian flag on the way to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre during Holy Saturday.

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.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-892633
https://t.me/selena_updates/61606
https://t.me/selena_updates/61600
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-892497
https://t.me/newssil/198708
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