Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-04-28 at 19:02

HEADLINES
US weighs Iran response to Trump withdrawal
Amer Hujirat killed in Hezbollah drone strike
Netanyahu legal team invites plea bargain talks

The time is now 7:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Iranian Retaliation, US intelligence is examining how Iran would respond if President Trump declares unilateral victory and withdraws amid polling pressure, with officials warning of possible renewed strikes, oil storage concerns and Tehran’s threats over potential damage to wells. US intelligence agencies are studying how Iran would react to the possibility of a swift de-escalation in a two-month conflict that has become politically painful for the White House. The goal is to understand the implications of Trump potentially pulling back from the conflict, which some officials fear could contribute to deep Republican losses in the midterm elections later this year. While no decision has been made, officials warn that de-escalation could ease political pressure but might leave behind an emboldened Iran capable of rebuilding its nuclear and missile programs and threatening US allies in the region.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Amer Hujirat, a civilian working for the IDF in southern Lebanon, was killed in a Hezbollah drone strike, and his 19-year-old son was lightly wounded and evacuated to Ziv Medical Center, later discharged after medical care and mental health support. The IDF also confirmed the death of another contractor working on Defense Ministry projects, with his family notified by police. The violence comes as the IDF faces renewed threats from Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, a group deploying fiber optic "wire" drones that are said to be impossible to jam because they are controlled via a physical wire. On Sunday, the IDF announced that one soldier was killed and several were wounded in a Hezbollah drone attack.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, the British ambassador to Washington, Christian Turner, in a leaked private conversation, said there is probably one country that has a special relationship with the United States, and that country is probably Israel.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Why I’m still a Zionist 25 years later – opinion presents a personal reflection on Zionism, recounting how the author wrote “Why I am a Zionist” 25 years ago amid a climate of criticism and fear, and arguing that Jews should reclaim the label and defend Zionist ideals as central to Jewish self-identity. Netanyahu trial: President’s legal team invites prosecution, defense to preliminary plea-deal talks reports that President Isaac Herzog’s legal team invited both Netanyahu’s defense and the prosecution to begin preliminary discussions on a possible plea bargain ahead of a pardon decision, noting that participation would not bind either side to any legal position, and that cross-examination of Netanyahu resumed after a two-month hiatus caused by the Iran war.

In Uplifting News, Beyond the headlines: Finding an anchor in the shelter - opinion highlights a hopeful habit from Kiryat Shmona, where residents turn sirens into moments of learning: when alarms sound, a building with six families chooses to go to the shelter and study one law together as Passover approaches, a practice started by the Schwartz family and embraced by neighbors, turning fear into learning and giving children a sense of purpose and resilience.

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.ynetnews.com/article/rkl0po06zx
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-894510
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-894514
https://t.me/selena_updates/62871
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-894511
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-894508
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-894512