Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-04-18 at 03:02

HEADLINES
- Iran Rejects Trump, Hormuz Rules Grounded
- Tankers Depart Gulf as Hormuz Tensions Rise
- IDF Kills Knife Attacker After Negohot Alert

The time is now 3:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Iranian Retaliation, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf responded to US President Donald Trump’s posts yesterday in relation to the Iran war and negotiations: the president made seven claims in one hour and all seven are false. Among these lies, they did not win the war, and they certainly will not achieve anything in negotiations. If the US naval blockade continues, the Strait of Hormuz will not remain open. Transit through the Strait of Hormuz will be carried out according to defined routes and with Iran’s approval. Whether the Strait is open or closed and what the rules are is determined on the ground, not on social media.

In Regional Impacts, convoy of tankers is seen leaving Gulf, vessel tracking data shows. A group of four liquefied petroleum gas carriers and several oil product and chemical tankers was observed departing the Gulf and transiting the Strait of Hormuz, with more tankers following, according to MarineTraffic data.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Trump cites 'some pretty good news' on Iran, says ceasefire may end if no deal reached by Wednesday. Trump said there had been some “pretty good news” regarding Iran and suggested the temporary ceasefire could end unless a long-term deal is reached by Wednesday, noting that the US and Israel would resume attacks on Iran if negotiations fail and that the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz would remain until a deal is reached. Meanwhile, there is skepticism about the posture from Trump’s social-media messaging, with Iran’s top officials saying the opposite is true. Another ruling from the presidency states the US may not extend the ceasefire if no Iran deal is reached by Wednesday, with the possibility of resumed bombing and a continued blockade if talks fail; Iranian officials have rejected claims about transferring enriched uranium to the US.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, IDF kills terrorist armed with knife after Negohot infiltration alert. The army says soldiers were dispatched to the area and conducted further scans after a knife-wielding attacker infiltrated Negohot, with no casualties reported. In a separate West Bank incident, the Jordan Lions Battalion reportedly seized about 75 kilograms of drugs at the Jordan border, with the substances transferred to the Israel Police for processing; no details were provided on detentions. This is a developing situation.

In Israeli Economy and Business, the last tankers on the way: the truth behind the supply gap in the global energy market. The piece examines the global energy market’s supply gap and related commentary on how energy flows may be affected. A second Hebrew piece, No pizzas and no reservations: the secret of the most talked-about Italian restaurant in Haifa, surveys the factors behind a restaurant’s rising prominence in the city.

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://t.me/ILtoday/18748
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/04/convoy-tankers-seen-leaving-gulf-vessel-tracking-data-shows
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-893396
https://t.me/ILtoday/18749
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/sye009cltwe
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-893397
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hyc0jix6wg
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1311235
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1311231