Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-04-13 at 06:01

HEADLINES
- US blocks Iran ports as Hormuz threat
- IDF says no major fights left Lebanon
- Survivors lead Auschwitz-Birkenau march 7,000

The time is now 6:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Iranian Retaliation, the US Navy began enforcing a sweeping maritime blockade on Iranian ports after peace talks collapsed, as Tehran threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz to ships identified with the enemy. President Donald Trump said the blockade would begin Monday at 5:00 p.m. Israel time, targeting the collection of illicit transit fees Tehran has levied on tankers passing through Hormuz, potentially totaling up to two million dollars per vessel. Britain and France have sought to assemble a coalition to guarantee freedom of navigation, but London has made clear it will not participate in the blockade itself, and Australia has not yet been asked to contribute. An Iranian armed forces spokesman branded the American move piracy and in violation of international law, while the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that any military vessel approaching the Strait would be met with a response.

In Regional Impacts, the United States designated shipping traffic in and out of Iran’s ports for a blockade that would begin at 10 a.m. Eastern Time on Monday, a move that could curb roughly two million barrels of Iranian oil a day from global markets. The blockade would apply to ships going to or from Iran, including all Iranian ports on the Gulf and Gulf of Oman, while not impeding freedom of navigation for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that any vessel approaching the Strait would be considered a ceasefire breach and dealt with decisively. Retired Admiral Gary Roughead offered analysis on potential implications as oil markets brace for tighter supply.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, the IDF said that within a few days of completing its operation against Hezbollah in Bint Jbeil in southern Lebanon, there would be no major fights left in the area. There would still be pockets where Hezbollah weapons found during the invasion would be cleared, and such clearing operations could continue for an extended period. The IDF also cautioned that limited fighting could occur with leftover Hezbollah forces in parts of southern Lebanon that had not withdrawn north of the Litani River. Broadly, the army indicated there would be no remaining strategic targets in southern Lebanon, and since the Iran ceasefire last week, attacks in Beirut and other high-profile Hezbollah sites have diminished as air strikes focus on real-time rocket threats to Israel’s home front rather than on erasing Hezbollah’s deeper capabilities.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, MK Zvika Fogel of Otzma Yehudit deleted an X post that mocked US President Donald Trump at the request of Cabinet member Itamar Ben-Gvir, after the post drew international attention and reached roughly half a million views. Ben-Gvir instructed Fogel to remove the post and issue a clarification; Fogel said his aim was to be heard and expressed regret for any offense, stressing his respect for the United States and its leader. The section also notes a broader public conversation over who should serve as Israel’s national spokesperson amid a crisis, with media commentary challenging the government’s messaging and alleging inconsistencies in the public account of Iran-related events.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, delegations from around the world gathered in Poland for the annual March of the Living. About 7,000 participants are expected to walk from Auschwitz to Birkenau on Holocaust Remembrance Day, following a procession led by fifty Holocaust survivors. Among the survivors, some were children during World War II, and ten were able to fly from Israel despite ongoing tensions and security concerns in the region. Survivors emphasized the importance of bearing witness to history and passing the lessons on to younger generations, underscoring an ongoing fight against rising antisemitism worldwide.

In Uplifting News, International Good Deeds Day continued to expand, with 115 countries and millions of participants taking part in volunteer activities. Initiator Shari Arison said Good Deeds Day has become a two-decade tradition uniting people through acts of service. The 2026 theme, United in Good—20 Years of Doing Good from the Heart, highlighted how anyone can contribute, large or small. In the United States, Miami hosted events led by Arison in collaboration with local organizations, including meals for the elderly and clothing donations, among hundreds of projects worldwide designed to spread goodwill.

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.israelhayom.com/2026/04/13/trump-iran-naval-blockade-strait-of-hormuz-threat/
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-892807
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-892814
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-892799
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1309353
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1309352
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1309351
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1309350
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1309349
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1309348
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-892796
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-892788