Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-04-28 at 06:02

HEADLINES
Mossad reveals 2025 Rising Lion ops Iran
Israel can strike Hezbollah north of Litani
Iran war hits China's economy hard

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 Operation Lion's Roar, Mossad Director David Barnea said on Monday that the organization's agents demonstrated groundbreaking operational capabilities in target countries during 2025. His remarks came at an awards ceremony to honor Mossad operatives for 2025 achievements. “We acquired strategic and tactical intelligence from the heart of the enemy's secrets,” he said, referencing Mossad's operations against Iran, notably during June's Operation Rising Lion. He added that Mossad proved new, groundbreaking operational capabilities in target countries and demonstrated the effectiveness of a powerful, innovative system for striking our enemies. Barnea also noted a clandestine diplomatic campaign aimed at building regional alliances and expanding Israel's strategic depth. Among those honored were operatives involved in exceptional operations to obtain strategic and tactical intelligence aiding Israel in maintaining superiority in Iran and Lebanon, including operatives inside Iran during Operation Rising Lion, during which Mossad implemented new, unique working methods.

In Iranian Retaliation, Trump has a choice to make on Iran – analysis. Trump’s current position reflects a cost-benefit assessment that the Iranian regime is vastly inferior to its opponents in conventional military capacity and in its ability to inflict harm. The piece notes that Trump canceled a planned trip to Islamabad by his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner over the weekend, following the departure of Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi from Islamabad. After the cancellation, rival accounts of the current state of affairs in the standoff circulated. Trump, speaking to Fox News, said he is in no hurry for diplomatic progress, declaring, “We have all the cards. They can call us anytime they want.” He suggested Tehran, pressured by the blockade of its tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, was showing greater flexibility on the future of its nuclear program. Trump said, “The Iranians gave us a paper that should have been better and interestingly, the minute I cancelled it, within 10 minutes, we got a new paper that was much better… They offered a lot but not enough.”

In Regional Impacts, Iran war begins to hit China’s economy as costs surge. The war in Iran is weighing on China’s economy, with car sales plunging, toy factories shutting down, and thousands of workers taking to the streets following a surge in plastic and energy prices. The sharp rise in oil and natural gas prices triggered by the conflict is starting to strain China’s economy, deepening the slowdown in private consumption and key export sectors. Although China benefits from large strategic energy reserves and significant investment in renewable energy, recent signs suggest that even the world’s second-largest economy is not immune to the global shock. One clear indicator is the automotive sector, with retail car sales in China falling 26% in the first 19 days of April compared to the same period last year, according to the China Passenger Car Association, with some decline attributed to weaker demand for electric vehicles.

In Regional Impacts, Araghchi visit highlights Iran-Russia coordination during US-Iran conflict tensions - analysis. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived for a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Russia on April 27, as the United States and Iran continue talks to end the conflict and while the US and Israel have begun attacks on Iran. Iran has been working with Pakistan to mediate talks with the US and has also coordinated with Oman, which hosted talks in February about strikes. Russia has been a longtime ally of Iran and has supplied kamikaze drones for Moscow’s use in Ukraine, though Moscow has not been able to provide strong support to Iran during US strikes. The last high-level meeting Putin had with Iranian officials was in January. Araghchi’s visit reportedly involved talks with Putin and others in Russia, including Sergei Lavrov, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, and Igor Kostyukov, head of Russia's GRU military intelligence, per BBC and Telegram channels.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Netanyahu: Israel able to strike Hezbollah north of Litani under US-Lebanon deal. Prime Minister Netanyahu said Israel retains a large degree of freedom of action in Lebanon and that Hezbollah’s arsenal of rockets and missiles is down to 10% of its pre-war level. Speaking to a conference of the IDF's senior command, he cited monumental achievements in Lebanon, including the elimination of the rocket array that threatened the country and the creation of a security zone designed to prevent an invasion and direct anti-tank fire. “We are attacking, as we are doing now, both in the security zone, north of the security zone, and north of the Litani,” he said, noting that the freedom of action to thwart threats rests on agreements with the US and the Lebanese government. He warned that Hezbollah still poses threats from 122mm rockets and drones. Israeli forces continue to strike Hezbollah terrorists in Southern Lebanon this morning, underscoring ongoing operations in the region.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Lapid to be allocated 10 out of top 24 mandates in Together Party's Knesset list, sources tell KAN. Former prime ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid have agreed to allocate 10 of the top 24 spots on their Together Party's joint Knesset election list to Lapid's Yesh Atid, enabling a potential split after the election. Lapid requested to reserve the right to split after the election in the agreement with Bennett. A source described Bennett as willing to give Lapid nearly half the list because “he doesn't have people.” The arrangement also leaves room for adjustments, including adding figures such as Yashar! Party leader Gadi Eisenkot. Polls show Likud as the largest party with 27 seats, and Together with 24 seats.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Netanyahu criminal trial returns after two months, testimony hearing begins. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s testimony in his criminal trial resumed in Tel Aviv after a two-month pause tied to the war and regional security developments. Prosecutor Yehudit Tirosh continued questioning in Case 4000, the Bezeq-Walla affair, in which Netanyahu is accused of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust in exchange for favorable coverage; Netanyahu denies all charges. The session took place at the Tel Aviv District Court with Likud lawmakers present and Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana in attendance.

In Uplifting News, F ZEEN KEFALONIA: A sanctuary for the self on Ionian Sea. On Kefalonia’s western coastline, a retreat named F ZEEN KEFALONIA invites adults to slow the pace and reconnect with themselves through mindful luxury. The retreat blends natural beauty with a program centered on euzoia, the flourishing of body, mind, and spirit, offering a setting where the sea, olive groves, and intimate spaces harmonize interior and exterior. Guests arrive to a sense of ease and depart renewed, with daily life rebalanced as a personal journey of renewal.

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/article-894410
https://worldisraelnews.com/trump-has-a-choice-to-make-on-iran-analysis/
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-894436
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-894400
https://worldisraelnews.com/netanyahu-israel-able-to-strike-hezbollah-north-of-litani-under-us-lebanon-deal/
https://t.me/ILtoday/18893
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-894432
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-894423
https://www.jpost.com/consumerism/article-893950