Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-04-13 at 21:01

HEADLINES
US-Iran talks stall after near breakthrough
Rubio joins Israel-Lebanon direct talks
Haifa espionage cell uncovered explosives plot

The time is now 9:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Regional Impacts, the Home Front Command announced that the incident in the Milouot North industrial area, Betzet coast, Liman, Rosh Hanikra, and Achziv coast has ended. JD Vance said the United States demands a full opening of the Hormuz Strait and that this position has been clarified. Trump revealed that Iran had called and requested negotiations, saying, “We got a call from the right people.” In a broader shift, Lebanon is described as the main battlefield for Israeli operations, and an Iranian espionage cell in Haifa was uncovered with four suspects who produced explosives and planned a suicide attack.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, CNN reports that Marco Rubio will participate in direct talks between Israel and Lebanon.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Bad news? Vance comes up empty-handed on Iran and Hungary, for now. The US vice president spent a week pursuing two goals—securing an Iran deal and maintaining Viktor Orban in power in Hungary—but neither effort succeeded. He left Pakistan after a 21-hour push that failed to yield an agreement with Tehran and, after a terse Islamabad press conference, headed home. Days later, Orban conceded defeat in elections despite a high-profile administration effort to save him. The administration argues it was still worth standing by allies even when victory isn’t achieved. Dialogue between US and Iran still alive after Islamabad talks ended. Officials say the talks came very close to a breakthrough and were “80% there” before debates over unresolved decisions stalled on the spot, yet the dialogue remains ongoing. The discussions, held at the Serena Hotel in Islamabad with Pakistani mediators, involved direct engagements between US officials and Iranian counterparts and covered issues including the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s nuclear program, and sanctions. CNN reports that the White House is considering holding another meeting between US and Iranian representatives before the ceasefire ends next week; unconfirmed reports mention this coming Thursday.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, The shadow of Auschwitz's Angel of Death: The horrors of Dr. Mengele. Josef Mengele, the monstrous doctor known as the Angel of Death at Auschwitz, conducted brutal experiments on camp prisoners, especially twins and people with disabilities, using his professional status to advance Nazi racial theory. His atrocity work extended across the wartime years, culminating in a legacy of cruelty that persisted long after the camp’s collapse, until his death in Brazil.

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.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1309635
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1309632
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1309639
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/04/bad-news-vance-comes-empty-handed-iran-and-hungary-now
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-892899
https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/74974
https://www.jpost.com/history/article-892902