Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-04-01 at 18:01

HEADLINES
IDF Strikes 400 IRGC Targets, 650 Munitions
Iran Vows Fight Against Israel and US
Sirens Spur RAF and US Deployments

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

In Operation Lion's Roar, the Israel Defense Force released that in the past two days it used 650 munitions to strike 400 Iranian regime and IRGC targets. Targets included air defense systems, launch sites, production facilities, storage of ballistic missiles and missiles intended to target aircraft, and 15 weapons manufacturing sites, including a central complex of the Iranian Ministry of Defense. Dramatic footage shows the aftermath of a powerful strike on an IRGC missile base in Baharestan, Isfahan, with smoke rising into the sky moments after the blast earlier today.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, Israel STRIKES BACK — over 800 IDF air sorties, 16,000 munitions, and 5,000 terror targets exposed. Israeli Air Force dominance shows no limits, proving Israel will defend its people against terror on every front.

In Iranian Retaliation, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei says that despite reports that US-Iran talks are underway, Iran will continue fighting both Israel and the United States.

In US Military Role, a US Air Force F-15 fighter jet pursued an Iranian Shahed-136 drone over Iraq but could not shoot it down. The New York Times reports that the United States is expanding its deployment of A-10 attack aircraft in the Middle East, with 18 additional planes expected to be sent to the region to join about 12 already operating.

In Regional Impacts, sirens were heard in northern border communities including Malchiya and Dishon, and in Avivim, with additional sirens reported in the Tel Aviv area amid cross-border fire from Lebanon. The UK Ministry of Defense said Royal Air Force gunners downed 10 Iranian drones overnight in high-threat areas across the Middle East; about 1,000 British personnel are deployed to the region to defend British interests, and RAF F-35s and Typhoon jets continue defensive operations over Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Cyprus, Jordan, and Bahrain.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Iran’s president Masoud Pezeshkian released a message to the American people saying Iran has never initiated a war in modern history and stresses that Iran’s military buildup and operations have been “only reaction and defense” against US aggression and the expansion of US forces in the region.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Reuters reports that Vice President JD Vance has privately signaled through intermediaries from Pakistan that Trump is open to a ceasefire, with the caveat that no ceasefire would occur until past US demands are met, including the Iranian nuclear program, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and the cessation of support for non-state actors across the Middle East. Separately, multiple US intelligence agencies have assessed that the Iranian government is not currently willing to engage in serious negotiations to end the war against Israel and the United States, believing it is in a strong position and does not trust the United States or President Trump, though it is willing to keep channels open.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, there is a suspected intrusion by militants in the settlement of Ali in Samaria. A man around 30 was shot dead in Baqa al-Gharbiyye, and police have opened an investigation.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, a Lego on the seder plate: Temple Israel calls for a new ritual object after attack. Temple Israel in suburban Detroit says this Passover they will add a single Lego block to their Seder plates, a symbol of vulnerability and rebuilding after last month’s ramming attack that damaged the synagogue and injured a security guard, with the assailant killed.

In Uplifting News, this holiday is our victory: across Israel, families mark a wartime Passover Seder, from a Gaza border kibbutz hosting northern families to evacuees in Be’er Sheva and hotels near the Dead Sea, with residents gathered in shelters in Kiryat Shmona, reflecting resilience, hospitality, and hope for quieter days ahead.

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.

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