Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-04-13 at 05:02

HEADLINES
Iran oil blockade disrupts two million bpd
IDF closes major Hezbollah targets in Lebanon
Barnea opposes Netanyahu successor over conduct issue

The time is now 5:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Regional Impacts, authorities announced a blockade that would stop shipping in and out of Iran’s ports starting at 10 a.m. Monday, potentially preventing about two million barrels of Iranian oil a day from entering world markets. The blockade would apply to ships bound for or departing from Iran, including all Iranian ports on the Gulf and Gulf of Oman, while vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz to non-Iranian ports would not be impeded. The US military said freedom of navigation would remain for non-Iranian traffic, and more information would follow. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that approaching vessels would be considered a ceasefire breach and dealt with harshly. President Trump said the US Navy would begin the process of blockading ships trying to enter or leave the Strait after weekend peace talks in Islamabad ended without a deal. Separately, a Middle East analyst cautioned that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is moving to build a Sunni axis that could challenge Iran’s regional role, aiming to fill a potential vacuum alongside Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Pakistan, and that Erdogan has pressed actions that oppose Israeli interests.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Israeli forces say major fighting in southern Lebanon could be complete within days as operations against Hezbollah in Bint Jbeil move forward. The IDF said that after finishing the current push around Bint Jbeil there would be no remaining major strategic targets in southern Lebanon, though clearing operations to dismantle Hezbollah weapons found during the invasion could continue for a period. There remains the possibility of limited clashes with leftover Hezbollah forces in parts of southern Lebanon that have not withdrawn north of the Litani River. Troops from the 98th Division, alongside Paratroopers, Commando, and Givati Brigades, have surrounded Hezbollah military infrastructure and begun targeted ground operations in the Bint Jbeil area, reportedly eliminating more than 100 Hezbollah fighters and destroying dozens of infrastructure sites while locating hundreds of weapons near civilian facilities. To strengthen the forward defense, the IDF will continue to operate with resolve against Hezbollah to protect Israeli civilians and prevent further attacks. In related lines, battalion forces under Brigade 7, with the Yahalom Unit, destroyed an underground route used by Hezbollah to organize attacks, dismantling the tunnel after thorough searches. Historical notes in the updates reference Hassan Nasrallah’s May 26, 2000 speech from the Bint Jbeil soccer field, in which he claimed Israel was weak, and a 2026 update from Division 98 praising the capture of the area and the destruction of terror infrastructures, with commanders stressing that the fight continues to protect civilians.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, MK Zvika Fogel faced widespread criticism after posting a mocking message about US President Donald Trump on X that a spokesperson later deleted at the request of Otzma Yehudit’s leader, Itamar Ben-Gvir. The post, which suggested Trump should “shoot” rather than “quack,” remained online for more than an hour and attracted about half a million views before deletion and a clarification expressing regret for disrespect. In another development, Mossad chief David Barnea opposed Netanyahu’s pick for successor over a past conduct issue involving the use of a minor in an intelligence operation, even as the IDF chief backed the candidate and an advisory panel approved the appointment despite internal opposition and a dissenting opinion from its head.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, delegations from around the world gathered in Poland for the March of the Living as Holocaust survivors prepare to walk from Auschwitz to Birkenau on Remembrance Day. An estimated 7,000 participants are expected to follow the survivors, including a group of ten who traveled from Israel despite rocket fire in the region. Among the survivors, memories are carried by centenarians such as Dorit Carmeli and Naftali Fürst, who emphasized the importance of telling the next generation about those who suffered and perished, underscoring the enduring duty to remember.

In Uplifting News, International Good Deeds Day continued to expand, with 115 countries participating and millions of people taking part in volunteer activities. Initiated by Shari Arison, Good Deeds Day has grown into a worldwide tradition over two decades, uniting people to perform acts of kindness. The events span a wide range of projects, including meals for the elderly and clothing drives, with the campaign’s message summarized as United in Good—20 Years of Doing Good from the Heart.

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.

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