Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-04-01 at 19:02

HEADLINES
Iran missiles strike central Israel amid sirens
US adds 18 A-10s to Middle East
Artemis II lifts off toward the Moon

The time is now 7:02 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, red alert sirens sounded in central Israel as the Iranian regime continues to fire missiles at Israel. A separate report identified a launch from Iran to the central region, and, during the Passover seder, sirens were heard in the Gush Dan area after reports of fire linked to Lebanon.

In Iranian Retaliation, reports describe a missile from Iran that appeared to split in flight, with early indications of debris from interceptor firings falling in the Gush Dan area. There was no advance warning reported.

In US Military Role, The New York Times, citing two Pentagon officials, reports that the United States plans to deploy 18 additional A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft to the Middle East, joining 12 already operating in the US Central Command Area of Responsibility.

In Regional Impacts, sirens were heard in Krayot and the Galilee, in the Sharon region and the central area, and in Metula. Iran has now launched a total of 89 waves of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones against US bases and infrastructure in the Middle East, their Gulf neighbors, Kurdish territories, and Israel since the start of the ongoing conflict.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, President Trump is set to address the nation at 9 p.m. Eastern, signaling the administration is moving toward a possible end to the month-long war with Iran, with a White House official saying he will declare that the military has achieved its wartime goals and outline a plan to wind down within two to three weeks, including claims that the US has destroyed Iran’s navy and ballistic missiles and missile production facilities and prevented Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. The New York Times reports American intelligence agencies have concluded that Iran is not ready at this stage to negotiate an end to the war. Iran’s president Masoud Pezeshkian released a message urging Americans to reject what he characterizes as propaganda and stating that Iran has no enmity with US citizens, describing Iran’s actions as defensive in response to US pressure and military presence. Trump has said the war was supposed to end within three days.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, a Lego block is being added to Passover seder plates at Temple Israel in suburban Detroit, a Reform congregation that was targeted by a vehicle-ramming attack last month. The temple describes the Lego as a symbol of vulnerability and rebuilding for children, teachers, and the broader community.

In Uplifting News, the Artemis II mission moves forward with humanity’s return to the Moon. The crew—Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialist Christina Koch, and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen—are en route to the Moon, with the mission described as the United States’ first manned lunar venture since the 1970s. Artemis II has lifted off from Kennedy Space Center, marking a historic step as the crew prepares to circle the Moon for the first time since Apollo 17.

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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