Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-04-29 at 02:02

HEADLINES
US missile stockpile shortage amid Iran war
Israel strikes Hezbollah cell in Lebanon
Israel murder toll doubles in five years

The time is now 2:01 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 Defense Department may be understating the severity of America's missile stockpile shortage amid the Iran war, The Atlantic reported on Monday, citing two unnamed senior officials who said Vice President JD Vance has questioned the accuracy of the department's reports and has discussed the issue with President Trump, expressing concerns without directly accusing Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth or Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine of misleading the President. The Atlantic warned that a weapons shortage would be extremely detrimental to American interests, given the stockpile would be needed to defend allies against their adversaries. An April 22 CNN report cited experts and insiders warning of a near-term shortage of key missiles following a significant depletion during the Iran war. Next, CENTCOM has published video showing US Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit boarding the M/V Blue Star 3, which was suspected of attempting to violate the US naval blockade of Iran. Following the boarding, US forces determined the ship's itinerary would not include an Iranian port call and released the ship in the Arabian Sea. Finally, President Trump was quoted as saying the United States attacked Iran because Iran was about to attack Israel.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Israeli air forces struck a cell of militants in southern Lebanon, and the IDF targeted terror infrastructure and weapons depots north of the front line; a fighter was lightly wounded by a drone explosive Hezbollah launched toward the forces. In Lebanon, a fighter was reported to be lightly wounded yesterday by a Hezbollah drone explosive.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, the Netanyahu trial moved forward as judges refused a defense request to delay the testimony hearing and ordered it to proceed as planned; the defense had asked to hold the hearing only from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., citing a security matter, but the court said there was not a sufficient basis to change the date. Separately, two IDF soldiers were wounded in the West Bank village of Silwad during overnight operations; the attackers stabbed the soldiers, and the soldiers responded, killing one attacker and disabling the other, who was arrested, with the wounded evacuated to hospital. New data show Israel’s murder toll more than doubled in five years, rising from 147 murders in 2020 to 295 in 2025, with violence increasingly concentrated in Arab communities and northern and coastal districts; police say they need broader powers. Also today, Netanyahu sought to shorten his testimony by three hours due to security scheduling, a move echoed by ongoing courtroom proceedings. In other security news, 12 Haredi extremists faced remand after a break-in at a top IDF officer’s home, while 13 others were released; IDF chief Eyal Zamir called the incident a dangerous red line, and coalition leaders drew criticism for avoiding mention of ultra-Orthodox draft dodgers in their condemnations. In Galilee, police arrested a 51-year-old man after a search found a shotgun being converted, Palestinian flags, and military uniforms; the man was detained as investigators examine weapons possession. In a separate West Bank operation, troops entered a home in Silwad as part of a weapons raid; two soldiers were evacuated to hospital in non-urgent condition, while one terrorist was killed and another arrested.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, a profile examines PR professional Sandi Sieger’s disturbing social media activity, highlighting antisemitic amplifications and hostility toward Jewish concerns; the piece notes a pattern of problematic commentary and is featured at Radical Truth Telling.

In Uplifting News, a memorial ceremony was held in Orange, Connecticut, to mark 30 days since the death of IDF lone soldier Sergeant Moshe Yitzchak HaKohen Katz, who was born in New Haven and was killed while fighting in Lebanon on March 29. The event drew hundreds at the Southern Connecticut Hebrew Academy, with remarks from Israeli Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter and former US ambassador to Israel David Friedman, who conveyed a message from President Donald Trump. Katz’s father, Mendy Katz, spoke of the pain and pride in his son’s service. Prime Minister Netanyahu issued a statement honoring Katz’s sacrifice and noting his migration from the United States to Israel and his service with the Paratroopers Brigade in defense of the homeland.

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
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