Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-04-20 at 00:02

HEADLINES
STRATCOM relocates Mercury aircraft boosts command post
Hormuz sees 20 ships Iran cargoes surge
Hamas ready to hand over weapons

The time is now 12:02 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Unusual activity by the US Strategic Command (STRATCOM) continues on Sunday, with the relocation of E-6B "Mercury" communications aircraft and the airborne strategic command post aircraft currently operating and broadcasting off the east coast...

In More than 20 vessels pass Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, Kpler data shows, More than 20 vessels moved through the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, the highest count since March 1. Among them, five last loaded cargoes from Iran ranging from oil products to metals, and three are liquefied petroleum gas carriers headed to China and India. The Panama-flagged Crave, carrying LPG from the United Arab Emirates, is heading to Indonesia. Akti A and Athina, carrying refined products loaded from Bahrain, are bound for Mozambique and Thailand, respectively. The Liberian-flagged Navig8 Macallister is shipping about 500,000 barrels of UAE naphtha to Ulsan in South Korea, while the Very Large Crude Carrier Fpmc C Lord is carrying about 2 million barrels of Saudi crude to Mailiao port in Taiwan. The Indian-flagged Desh Garima loaded with UAE's Das crude is headed to Sri Lanka, and the Ruby is carrying Qatari fertiliser to the UAE. The bulk carrier Merry M is carrying petroleum coke loaded from Saudi Arabia.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Hamas officials claim terror group ready to hand over small weapons, rifles to Gazan police - NYT, two Hamas officials told The New York Times that the group is prepared to hand over thousands of small weapons used by Gaza's police and internal security services, though they would retain weapons within the Izzadin al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas's military wing. The officials said they have already met with other Gaza security agencies to lay groundwork for transferring government functions to a technocratic Board of Peace, and Palestinians in Gaza fear that the refusal to give up the military wing could spark renewed fighting. We heard a Gaza resident describe the desire for an end to the current stalemate.

Syrian authorities apprehended a Hezbollah terror cell in Quneitra that was preparing to launch rockets at Israel from Syria. Two terrorists were arrested, and several rockets and launchers were seized.

Iran's IRGC Quds Force head Esmail Qaani visited Baghdad to meet with Shi'ite political and militia leaders amid discussions over Iraq's next prime minister and the future of Shi'ite militias under US sanctions. This would be Qaani's first visit outside Iran since Operation Roaring Lion began on February 28. He met with militia leaders and, separately, with leaders of the Shi'ite Coordination Framework to seek a consensus candidate and to discuss the militias' future, including proposals to integrate them into state security institutions and to separate political and armed wings. The discussions also touched on the possibility of aligning on a prime minister candidate, with earlier reports noting a probe of alignment around Nouri al-Maliki.

In From grief to action: Ensuring the sacrifices of Israel’s fallen are not in vain - editorial, Remembrance Day in Israel is observed Monday evening to honor those lost in wars and terrorism, with 170 soldiers killed across multiple fronts over the past year, including 15 soldiers and reservists killed in southern Lebanon since fighting resumed on March 2. Fifty-four disabled veterans have died from wounds, and 7,165 bereaved relatives remain. Israelis gathered outside the homes of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other ministers for an impromptu ceremony, observing a minute of silence before turning to a broader public remembrance.

לפיד בקרקעית, עבאס עוקף את גנץ: הטלטלה במשאל הנהגת האופוזיציה, the Hebrew-language report notes turbulence in the opposition leadership race, with prominent figures including Lapid and Abbas moving ahead of Gantz. The report also highlights developments in the IDF, including the Education Corps launching a program called "Arrow Journey," and documents an incident in which a soldier was filmed smashing a statue of Jesus in Lebanon, an event the military says is under investigation. The piece also references long-running security operations, including a notable IDF disruption in Lebanon attributed to Division 162 about 20 years after the kidnapping of soldiers Goldwasser and Regev, with claims of the collapse of the Moraniyeh fortress in Lebanon.

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/beholdisraelchannel/75251
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/04/more-20-vessels-pass-strait-hormuz-saturday-kpler-data-shows
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-893555
https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/75252
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-893554
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-893546
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1311936