Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-04-06 at 05:02

HEADLINES
Israel kills IRGC intelligence chief Khademi
Judea Samaria Hamas cell tied to Turkey
Iraqi militias may cross into Iran

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

In Operation Lion's Roar, Defense Minister Israel Katz and the IDF announced that the Israel Air Force assassinated the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Intelligence Organization chief Majid Khademi. The IRGC corroborated that he was martyred. Khademi had been considered one of the three most senior surviving IRGC officials until Monday, and he had led IRGC intelligence since June 2025 after his predecessor was killed in what Israel has framed as part of Operation Rising Lion. Separately, the IDF said it conducted a round of strikes on Iranian regime targets in Tehran. Officials say Khademi's death and other attacks on Unit 840, the IRGC's Quds Force unit dealing with global operations, would reduce the regime's ability to project terror globally and to suppress Iranian protesters should they return to the streets in the future.

In Regional Impacts, Turkish observers warn that the situation is intensifying and point to broader regional implications. Shin Bet has uncovered another Hamas cell operating in Judea and Samaria that is tied to Hamas cells in Turkey, a connection that Turkish authorities are not directly directing but have not adequately curbed, a development seen as deeply problematic. Reports also note missiles from Iran toward Israel and the killing of a senior IRGC commander, underscoring the widening regional spillover. In Turkey, public discourse and state media are described as promoting anti-Israel messaging and civil initiatives while critics point to demonstrations of support for Hamas and a hardening stance against Israel. Coverage also highlights the heightened focus on the status of religious sites, with Turkish outlets emphasizing closures around the Temple Mount and related religious tensions as the region remains volatile.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, analysts consider whether Iraqi militias could cross into Iran to bolster Tehran’s war effort. Since the February 28 attacks by the United States and Israel, Tehran has looked to widen the conflict across the region, with Hashd al-Sha’abi militias in Iraq—a force backed by Iran and viewed as terrorist by the United States—lobbied as a potential strategic asset. Over the course of the war, these militias have carried out more than 700 attacks inside Iraq against US targets and personnel, and there is concern they could be deployed to Iran’s Kurdistan region to bolster the IRGC and help enforce order on Iran’s periphery. The discussion centers on the risk that Iraqi-based forces could be drawn into Iran’s broader strategic theater and what that would mean for regional stability.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, the Temple Mount is set for a limited reopening to both Jews and Muslims, with emergency protocols stating that in the event of a missile alert, all visitors would be immediately evacuated. Separately, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Ziv Agmon will remain as spokesman until a replacement takes over, but amid backlash within the Likud party he reversed course and appointed Ido Norden to succeed Agmon, with the transition expected in the coming days. Netanyahu also stressed that Agmon’s apology was accepted and framed the need for stability and continuity given Israel’s current challenges.

In Israeli Economy and Business, a ministerial committee approved a rapid increase in Arrow missile interceptor production for the second time in roughly a year. Arrow 2 and Arrow 3 interceptors, manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries, are Israel’s primary defense against ballistic missiles from Iran or the Houthis, and the move comes amid concerns about stock depletion during the ongoing conflict, particularly after a heavy use in Project Rising Lion. In another sector, analysis on Gulf economies notes that, in the first month of the war, energy-revenue losses across Gulf states totaled about $15 billion, reflecting the broader economic impact of the conflict on energy markets and trade routes.

In Uplifting News, the Defense Ministry recognizes Major (Reserve) Asaf Dagan as a fallen soldier following PTSD-related suicide, acknowledging the mental health toll of service as a legitimate injury and granting his family bereaved status after a long fight. His case underscores a broader effort to address moral injury among pilots. Separately, IDF helicopter crews and Unit 669 continue high-risk rescue operations in the face of battlefield fire in southern Lebanon, evacuating wounded soldiers swiftly and with pilots emphasizing their ability to see the enemy, highlighting the ongoing human dimension of combat.

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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https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-892197
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https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-892181
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