Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-04-18 at 13:02

HEADLINES
Gaza border zone forms as Erez closed
Economic Fury targets Iraqi militias
Kinetic elimination fails US envoy says

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 Regional Impacts, a field report from the Gaza border shows the security zone taking shape on the ground. After passing the turnoff for the Nativ Ha'Asara junction, Highway 4 was halted at a military checkpoint manned by reserve soldiers. A quick look into the vehicle, followed by a few questions, and the driver continued, turning right onto a dirt road toward the Gaza border. I put on a helmet and a bulletproof vest. A protected jeep and two soldiers opened the large gate in front of the tall concrete wall. A convoy of jeeps enters Gaza. The area shows immense destruction and is the landscape accompanying the drive toward Jabaliya. On the left, the Erez Crossing has been closed since October 7. Signs of destruction remain visible even from a distance. Evidence of the massacre carried out at the Coordination and Liaison Headquarters, where nine Israeli soldiers were killed and three kidnapped by Hamas militants in two waves. About a thousand meters away, we passed what remains of the Hamsa Hamsa compound. The infrastructure was completely destroyed, including the Hamas compound opposite the Erez Crossing.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, US Treasury goes after Iranian-backed militias in Iraq, a report on the economic front of the confrontation with Iran. The US Treasury Department is going after Iranian-backed militias in Iraq. These groups are already designated as terrorist organizations by the US. The department describes an effort labeled “Economic Fury” against the militias. It designates seven Iran-backed Iraqi militia commanders for planning, directing, and executing attacks against US personnel, facilities, and interests in Iraq. The targeted groups include Kata’ib Hizballah, Kata’ib Sayyid Al-Shuhada, Harakat Al-Nujaba, and Asa’ib Ahl Al-Haqq. Officials say these militias operate with near impunity, attacking US personnel and civilians across Iraq and siphoning Iraq’s wealth to finance their activities, undermining Iraq’s sovereignty and democratic processes.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, officials described a shift in thinking about regional security strategy at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum. “Kinetic elimination does not work”: US envoy breaks with Netanyahu doctrine in Antalya. At the forum, US Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy for Syria Thomas Barrack argued that military force is a dead end and that conflicts will not be solved by trying to destroy enemies one by one. The remarks came as a Lebanon ceasefire took effect after a ten-day pause, and minutes earlier Barrack met Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the Syrian delegation’s Antalya residence. Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani sat next to Barrack in that gathering, and on Friday morning al-Shaibani returned with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to the same residence. Barrack framed the moment as a needed timeout after rapid violence, while noting the overarching backdrop of the Iran confrontation that began February 28 and the fragile ceasefires in the region. Separately, Pakistan’s diplomat asserted that the second round of negotiations between Iran and the United States will NOT take place on Monday as expected.

In Uplifting News, the education system will return to full operation, officially beginning tomorrow. The Ministry of Education announced, after Shabbat, that the education system will be fully active across the country, including all northern border communities, in line with the updated Civil Defense policy. The system has been prepared in advance, and the ministry will continue to provide all resources required to ensure a full and immediate reopening of all educational frameworks. Unlike previous decisions granting local authorities flexibility, this is a sweeping mandate and cannot be changed.

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/israel-news/defense-news/article-893411
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-893412
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-893409
https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/75211
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1311395