Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-04-12 at 20:02

HEADLINES
US weighs limited Iran strike Hormuz blockade
Hezbollah FPV drones target Israeli troops
Netanyahu appoints Gofman Mossad chief

The time is now 8:02 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Military Role, Washington is weighing a limited operation against Iran following the breakdown of talks in Islamabad, according to The Wall Street Journal. US officials say any operation would target specific sites to gain leverage in a potential new round of negotiations, while the option of a full resumption of bombing remains on the table, though officials caution the move would risk further destabilization and Trump's aversion to protracted campaigns. Separately, CENTCOM said it would begin a complete maritime blockade of the Strait of Hormuz starting Monday at 10 a.m. ET, enforcing it impartially against vessels entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas, including all Iranian ports on the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman; ships moving to or from non-Iranian ports would not be stopped. A Notice to Mariners will be broadcast before the blockade takes effect, with vessels urged to contact US forces on bridge-to-bridge channel 16 when approaching the Gulf of Oman and the Strait. Trump had said the blockade would be enforced immediately after the talks failed, accusing Iran of mining the Strait.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Hezbollah is increasingly deploying first-person-view explosive drones against Israeli forces in Lebanon, a tactic drawn from the Ukraine war. The evolving drone threat has prompted the IDF to study Ukraine lessons to improve defense against FPV drones and to deter the Islamic Regime from expanding such capability, while fielding armor with the Trophy active defense system to counter ATGM threats. In southern Lebanon on Sunday, two soldiers from the 98th Division were moderately injured by the shockwave of a Hezbollah rocket attack; they were evacuated to hospital and their families were notified.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, the article on Trump’s chess game notes the US president signals readiness to resume fighting as Iran issues threats, while Israel expects the ceasefire to hold and aims to push Tehran back to more realistic talks; Netanyahu’s cabinet is set to review scenarios and a possible Trump visit.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved Military Secretary Major-General Roman Gofman as the next head of the Mossad, with Gofman set to take over on June 2; Netanyahu called him bold and creative, expressing confidence he will strengthen Israel’s security, and he was praised by IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, who said he had a glorious military career and would be a worthy successor, though Barnea opposed the appointment. In the same section, the High Court released the names of two brothers indicted for selling AI-generated information to Iran; Meir and Yosef Nahum, residents of Beit Shemesh and Beitar Illit, were charged with transferring information to Iranians in exchange for tens of thousands of shekels, much of which was false and AI-generated. Justice Alex Stein rejected an appeal to suppress the names, saying publication is an exception among exceptions, and that the claimed psychological harm does not distinguish the defendants from others.

In Uplifting News, Canada has returned 11 pages of ancient manuscripts to Turkey in the country’s first archaeological repatriation of this kind. Seven pages date to the 17th-19th centuries, two come from rare printed works, and two are pages of modern calligraphy. The handover occurred in Ottawa after work by the Canada Border Services Agency and with permission from Canada’s federal court. Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy called the move a strong international precedent and thanked the teams who contributed to the process.

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-892772
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-892771
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-892770
https://t.me/JewishNews24/52593
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rkllwjk3wg
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-892773
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/crime-in-israel/article-892769
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-892641