Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-04-23 at 06:02

HEADLINES
- US Tightens Iran Blockade, Interdicts Tankers
- Supreme Court Pushes for October 7 Inquiry
- Former Jerusalem Bomber Speaks Remotely at Berkeley

The time is now 6:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Military Role, The United States has begun a new phase of its pressure campaign against Iran, intercepting and seizing ships that attempt to break its blockade of Iranian ships or provide material support to the regime in a broad effort dubbed Operation Economic Fury. The blockade began with Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz, enforced by naval forces and aircraft. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the plan last week at a Pentagon press conference with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs General Dan Caine. Ships that try to evade the blockade are contacted by US forces, and if the crew does not comply, the vessel is disabled and boarded. The most recent example occurred on Sunday with the Iranian-flagged tanker Touska, which was carrying about two million barrels of Iranian oil from Kharg Island when it attempted to break through. The operation then expanded beyond the Strait of Hormuz to ships providing support for the Iranian regime, with a maritime interdiction and boarding conducted in international waters.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, The Supreme Court began hearing petitions seeking to compel the government to establish a state commission of inquiry into the October 7 massacre and the war that followed, a motion that comes two and a half years after the Hamas attack with no state commission yet formed. The attorney-general has backed the petitions, reinforcing the push for a formal inquiry with broad statutory powers. The case centers on whether the government can continue delaying the creation of such a commission. The seven-justice panel includes Deputy Supreme Court President Noam Sohlberg, with Justices David Mintz, Yael Willner, Ofer Grosskopf, Alex Stein, Khaled Kabub, and Yechiel Kasher; Supreme Court President Isaac Amit recused himself from the case. At the opening, Sohlberg said the petitions concern the establishment of a state inquiry into the October 7 events and the subsequent war, noting that all sides agree the events were exceptional. Separately, Culture andSports Minister Miki Zohar was summoned for a second round of questioning by Lahav 433 over the Histadrut corruption affair, with the first session lasting about 11 hours. In parallel, UN and international voices have urged Israel to change course regarding its actions in southern Syria, arguing that such activity breaches agreements and raises the risk of regional escalation. The hearing in the Supreme Court has also included moments of disruption by opponents of a state inquiry, with Judge Tali Gottlieb being escorted out during the session as Deputy President Sohlberg led the panel through the proceedings.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, A former Jerusalem car bomber released as part of a October 7 hostage deal spoke remotely to students at the University of California, Berkeley, addressing a Palestinian Prisoners Day event from a classroom on campus. Israa Jaabis, convicted in 2015 of attempting to bomb a gas tank in Jerusalem, spoke via video to students at Berkeley Law School during the event organized by student groups. Jaabis was released in November 2023 as part of a ransom for 26 hostages seized by Gazans during the massacre, and video footage shows a classroom full of students applauding as she speaks. In London, police said two people were arrested in Watford in connection with an alleged arson plot targeting a Jewish community site, with the objective tied to the Jewish community. The investigation has led to multiple arrests across the region, with authorities continuing to pursue those involved in the spate of arson incidents in northwest London and related areas.

In Uplifting News, President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to accelerate research into ibogaine as a potential treatment for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and related conditions. The directive aims to remove regulatory barriers, improve coordination and data sharing, and prioritize clinical trials. The FDA is tasked with developing safe therapeutic protocols, and roughly $50 million in new federal funding is being allocated to support ibogaine and related psychedelic research. If all goes as planned, government-approved treatments could begin as early as the summer of 2026.

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-893895
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-893932
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-893915
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1313065
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1313057
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1313056
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-893909
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-893891
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-893936