Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-04-05 at 17:02

HEADLINES
Historic Israel-US finalize Iran strike targets
US F-15E downed in Iran; pilots safe
IRGC Hormuz won’t return to old order

The time is now 5:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Operation Lion's Roar, Israel and the United States have finalized a comprehensive list of strategic targets to be struck in Iran should Tehran fail to meet the requirements of President Trump's looming ultimatum. The agreement on the target list follows a series of high‑level discussions aimed at synchronizing American and Israeli responses to Tehran’s defiance, and joint operational coordination between the US military and the IDF has been completed. The final touches on the plan were made during a meeting last Thursday between IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and leadership of CENTCOM, with officials laying out the division of roles and mission objectives should the ultimatum expire. In a stark warning to the regime, Trump stated in an ABC News interview that “without a deal – it’s over for the state of Iran.” Against that backdrop, Prime Minister Netanyahu convened the Security Cabinet to brief ministers on the evolving posture.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, the IDF acknowledges that it does not know for certain how many ballistic missiles Iran has left. While the majority of the force estimates Iran retains several hundred missiles capable of reaching Israel from the original 2,500, IDF sources told The Jerusalem Post that no one can be sure of the exact total. The question of salvageability remains, as many missiles lie buried under rubble and could be temporarily inaccessible; some rubble cave‑ins may be cleared in less than a day, and in certain cases bulldozer teams have been deployed to uncover sites, leaving open the possibility that elements of Iran’s long‑term arsenal remain active.

In Iranian Retaliation, a US F-15E from the 494th Fighter Squadron was shot down over southwestern Iran, with the crash site confirmed in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad Province near Dehdasht. The wreckage includes an ejection seat and tail section matching the aircraft, and Iran claims a new IRGC air defense system was involved. Both crew members ejected; the pilot activated survival radio and was recovered within hours, while the weapons systems officer landed separately and evaded for hours before contact with US forces faded. Iran launched a large‑scale search operation, and state television urged civilians to report or capture the pilot, with rewards offered. Over the following hours, US ISR tracked Iranian movement and MQ-9 Reaper drones conducted strikes against Iranian personnel approaching the area as the situation developed.

In US Military Role, the rescue mission hinged on the US Air Force Pararescue teams, the PJs, described as among the most elite units in the Joint Special Operations Command and bound by the motto “So That Others May Live.” The PJ role, rooted in postwar developments, centers on recovering downed aviators behind enemy lines under extreme conditions. The operation also drew support from Israeli intelligence and tactical assets, with Israeli strikes used as diversions to draw Iranian security forces away from the crash site, while extraction crews moved in. The collaboration between IDF leadership and US forces, including direct contact between top commanders, underscored a tightly coordinated effort during a tense 48‑hour window.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy delivered a message that the Hormuz Strait “will never return to its previous state,” signaling a determination to alter the security dynamic in the Persian Gulf, especially for the United States and Israel. The statement described completing operational preparations for a new arrangement in the Persian Gulf as part of Tehran’s plan, reflecting heightened maritime pressure in the region.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, analysis centers on President Trump’s Hormuz ultimatum and the enduring question of whether he will act on his threats. The piece notes a pattern of warnings followed by deadlines, with action sometimes taken and other times pivoting away, and highlights that the latest deadline for Hormuz looms as Monday night approaches. The analysis frames the uncertainty around whether this is a moment of bluster or a prelude to decisive action, reflecting a familiar dynamic in Trump’s approach to crises.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, the High Court issued a conditional order in the petition over Saturday night protests, directing the state to explain why it has not adopted a policy to balance security needs with free expression during wartime. The ruling moves the case to its next stage, with response affidavits due Monday afternoon and written arguments due by Tuesday. Separately, at the Western Wall, wartime restrictions limited attendance for the Priestly Blessing to 50, but the High Court intervened to permit larger anti‑war protests, mandating no fewer than 150 participants at three sites and no fewer than 600 at Habima Square, while allowing up to 100 worshippers at the Western Wall Plaza due to Home Front Command warnings; the district rabbi urged authorities to ease restrictions.

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/middle-east/iran-news/article-892173
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-892171
https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/74522
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-892172
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-892170
https://t.me/newssil/197982
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-892166
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-892176
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-892167