Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-04-21 at 03:02

HEADLINES
Iran Deems Port Blockade War Crimes, Responds
Hormuz Transit Scams Target Crypto Payments
Beit Jbeil Battle Continues, Paratroopers Advancing

The time is now 3:02 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In ע'ולאם אג'אי, ראש הרשות השופטת של איראן: המצור על הנמלים והחופים של איראן ותקיפת הספינה האיראנית הם פשעי מלחמה - נגיב עליהם בוודאות. 3 תגובות
The head of Iran’s judiciary has called the blockade of the country’s ports and coasts, along with the attack on an Iranian vessel, war crimes and said Iran will respond with certainty.

In Scam messages offering ships safe transit through Hormuz, security firm warns, MARISKS has warned that fraudulent messages promising safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for cryptocurrency have been sent to several shipping companies whose vessels are stalled west of the waterway. The United States continues its blockade of Iranian ports, while Iran has alternately opened and closed the Strait of Hormuz, through which about a fifth of the world’s oil and LNG moved before the conflict began. The messages, some claiming to represent Iranian authorities, demanded transit fees in cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin or Tether for “clearance.” MARISKS said these messages are not legitimate, and there has been no immediate comment from Tehran. Hundreds of ships and about 20,000 seafarers remain stranded in the Gulf; Iran briefly opened the strait on April 18, subject to checks.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, a commander of the Paratroopers Brigade told his troops in Bent Jbeil that the mission will continue until it is complete, noting that Memorial Day finds them in the midst of intense and historic fighting in Beit Jbeil, a site where the paratroopers fought in 2006. He said the fighting has moved from the stadium to the kasbah, that militants are being neutralized, and that operational gains are being achieved, all made possible by those who fell and sacrificed for these missions. Defense Minister Katz, speaking at a state memorial, warned that Naim Qassem will pay with his head and pledged to dismantle Hezbollah if the government does not act, as Memorial Day ceremonies begin at Mount Herzl. Foreign media reports yesterday circulated allegations that Hamas militants are exploiting Palestinian women in Gaza, demanding sexual favors in exchange for aid and food; these claims have long circulated in Israel, and some observers view foreign coverage as bringing renewed attention to the issue.

In Uplifting News, the meeting between the chief of staff and soldiers whose relatives fell in the war is described as a moving moment, with the chief of staff saying he is excited to meet them and listen to their personal stories, which he called a message of hope. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu placed the tefillin on Golani fighter Sergeant Shawn Carmeli, who fell in Operation Protective Edge, a moment captured in a press photograph. May their memory be blessed.

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/abualiexpress/120802
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/04/scam-messages-offering-ships-safe-transit-through-hormuz-security-firm-warns
https://t.me/abualiexpress/120803
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/byafe5ntwg
https://t.me/ILtoday/18783
https://t.me/newssil/199663
https://t.me/hnaftali/22803
https://t.me/newssil/199654