Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-04-18 at 20:01

HEADLINES
Iran closes Hormuz reopening odds 24 percent
IDF soldier Barak Kalfon killed by IEDs
Israel schools fully reopen nationwide Sunday

The time is now 8:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Regional Impacts, chances that commercial traffic in the Strait of Hormuz returns to normal anytime soon have plummeted in the last 24 hours on Polymarket, as Iran announces it is once again fully closing the vital shipping lane, with traders on Polymarket believing there is only a 24% chance that the strait will be reopened by the end of April.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, IDF soldiers face threat from IEDs as Lebanon ceasefire terms prove weaker than previous deal. Reserve soldier Barak Kalfon was killed when he triggered explosives planted there before the ceasefire, and the IDF seeks ceasefire rules that allow forces to strike any terrorist activity up to the Litani River.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, the school system will fully reopen across Israel starting Sunday, the Education Ministry confirms. The nationwide reopening, including northern communities near the Lebanon border, follows updated security guidelines from the IDF Home Front Command amid ceasefires with Lebanon and with Iran. The ministry says the system has been prepared in advance, and will provide all necessary resources to ensure the immediate and full opening of all frameworks. “The system is returning to full operation due to early preparation and out of the responsibility for the reality on the ground,” Education Minister Yoav Kisch said. “The return to learning in the school framework is an important moment for the students and the staff,” he added.

In Uplifting News, immigration by choice: why do most olim from America choose Jerusalem? The immigrant public from the US is described as tolerant and diverse, and Jerusalem is seen as well suited for the oleh character. In 2025, about 4,100 immigrants from the US made aliyah, with a total of 19,000 since 2020. About one-third chose Jerusalem, settling in neighborhoods with diverse communities that support English speakers, such as Givat Hamatos, Rehavia, Baka, and Arnona. Some went to Beit Shemesh, Gush Dan, Ra’anana, and other cities, as Israel seeks to attract more arrivals.

Over a thousand entertainment leaders sign letter supporting Israel’s Eurovision participation. More than 1,000 prominent figures in entertainment signed an open letter via Creative Community for Peace to back Israel’s continued inclusion in the Eurovision Song Contest. Israel has participated since 1973 and has four wins, but calls for exclusion intensified after Yuval Raphael’s second-place finish in 2025. The European Broadcasting Union declined to put exclusion to a vote in December, while five countries—Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia, and Spain—withdrawn from the 2026 contest in Vienna in response to Israel’s participation. The EBU investigated in 2025, found no wrongdoing, and subsequently updated rules in response to criticism; the letter emphasizes music’s unifying power.

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://t.me/DefenderDome/20373
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/bkb1ik11azl
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-893428
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-893247
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/article-893424