Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-04-20 at 16:02

HEADLINES
- Iran will never abandon aims Cohen warns
- Hezbollah warns civilians not to return
- Disarm Hamas talks inch toward Gaza accord

The time is now 4:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Iranian Retaliation, former Mossad chief Yossi Cohen warned that Iran will continue to lie and that no agreement or ceasefire would change its fundamental ambitions. Speaking at a Remembrance Day ceremony in Jerusalem, Cohen said that despite Israel’s recent military and intelligence achievements, the battle for the State of Israel is not over and Israelis would be called on for sacrifice and boundless Zionism. He tied his warning to Israel’s long confrontation with Iran and its regional proxies, noting that during Operation Rising Lion and Operation Roaring Lion the IDF and the intelligence community showed strength, but he stressed that Israelis must not deceive themselves: the Iranians will keep lying, and they cannot be trusted or complacent. No ceasefire or agreement will alter their core aims.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, the next big phase in southern Lebanon has begun as the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire that kicked in on April 17 faces a test with civilians attempting to return to their villages. By Sunday, Lebanese civilians were seen crossing into southern Lebanon, using makeshift routes across the Litani River even where the IDF had destroyed bridges. Some reached their villages and found significant damage, while others were blocked or met with warning fire. Hezbollah publicly told civilians not to return due to the risk of renewed hostilities and the ongoing use of improvised explosive devices against IDF troops; it is unclear whether the group privately maintains that stance, given the earlier ceasefire in November 2024.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, the year has been described in stark terms even as statistical measures show resilience. The Central Bureau of Statistics reports Israel’s population grew by 150,000, immigration fell by about 7,000 from the previous year, and 91% of Israelis say they are satisfied or very satisfied with life, yet the year has been defined by sirens, long periods of reserve duty, and a sense of ongoing strain since October 7, 2023. Former IDF chief Gadi Eisenkot, launching the Yashar! Party ahead of elections, said the loss of his son Gal in Gaza pushed him to act to improve the country, noting that he did not cry for 50 years until his son’s funeral and that one must gather strength to continue living, while acknowledging deep pain and the desire for his family to thrive. A separate ruling by Israel’s Supreme Court sent back for renewed review the question of whether publication of a rape suspect’s name should be allowed, canceling a lower court decision that had permitted publication and setting aside an earlier ruling that barred it; the case remains in flux, with the suspect’s name still under a gag order. At Remembrance Day ceremonies, IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant-General Eyal Zamir urged all sectors to serve, calling for broad partnership in securing the State of Israel for current and future generations. The Western Wall ceremony underscored the country’s solemn memory, noting that 25,648 Israelis have fallen in service since 1860, 172 since last Remembrance Day, and 79 terror victims in the last 12 months. In Tel Aviv, tensions flared at a Israeli-Palestinian memorial event, with protests reported at the ceremony.

In Uplifting News, the Board of Peace envoy expressed guarded optimism about Gaza disarmament talks, while warning that progress may proceed slowly. Nickolay Mladenov told Reuters that he is fairly optimistic a plan to disarm Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza can be agreed, though negotiations have been challenging and will take time. The plan, associated with a format backed by a Board of Peace chaired by President Trump, envisions Israeli troops withdrawing from Gaza and reconstruction beginning as Hamas lays down its weapons. Disarmament remains a key sticking point in implementing the broader Gaza accord, and despite optimism, violence continues in the Palestinian territories as talks proceed.

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/middle-east/iran-news/article-893645
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https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-893646
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-893644
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-893637
https://t.me/newssil/199646
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-893647
https://t.me/newssil/199643