Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-04-20 at 17:01

HEADLINES
- Cohen warns Iran won’t abandon ambitions
- Gaza disarmament plan tied to Trump proposal
- Maglan strikes Hezbollah post in Bent Jbeil

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 Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, former Mossad chief Yossi Cohen warned that Iran would “continue to lie” and that no agreement or ceasefire would change its fundamental ambitions. In a Remembrance Day ceremony in Jerusalem, Cohen said that despite Israel’s recent military and intelligence achievements, “our battle for the State of Israel is not over” and that Israelis would continue to be called on for “sacrifice and boundless Zionism.” He tied his warning to the long confrontation with Iran and its regional proxies, noting the close operational bond between the IDF and the intelligence community. The address underscored the human cost of Israel’s wars.

In Regional Impacts, the Board of Peace’s lead Gaza envoy, Nickolay Mladenov, told Reuters he is “fairly optimistic” a plan for disarmament of Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza can be agreed, but cautioned that delays will still come. He described the talks with Hamas as “not easy” and said he hopes to arrive at an arrangement that “works for all sides and, most importantly, works for the people in Gaza.” The board’s Gaza plan, tied to President Trump’s proposal to oversee disarmament and reconstruction, envisions Israeli troops withdrawing from Gaza and reconstruction beginning as Hamas lays down its weapons. The United Nations Security Council has recognized the board, which is chaired by Trump, though many major powers have not joined. The plan’s implementation faces ongoing difficulties amid violence in Palestinian territories. Separately, the United Arab Emirates announced the capture of a terror network and 27 suspects linked to Iran.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Maglan forces destroyed a Hezbollah operational command post today in Bent Jbeil.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Trump said the newest Iran deal would be “far better” than Obama’s JCPOA, arguing that without canceling the 2015 agreement Iran would have developed nuclear weapons and could have used them against Israel and US bases. He described the JCPOA as “one of the worst deals ever made” and cited cash payments and broader funding tied to the agreement as flaws, while asserting that the new deal would be different and that talks were moving forward. Separately, Trump posted on Truth Social claiming the Iranian leadership has forced hundreds of ships toward the United States, mostly to secure oil.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Israel at 78 reflects on a year defined by sirens, safe rooms, long reserve duties, and strain on families, even as official figures show population growth of about 150,000 and 91% of Israelis expressing life satisfaction, with 7,000 fewer immigrants than the previous year. The piece notes that Oct. 7, 2023, reshaped the national narrative and remains a reference point for current challenges. Former IDF chief Gadi Eisenkot, leading the Yashar! Party, spoke of grief after his son Gal Eisenkot’s death in Gaza, saying he did not cry for five decades until the funeral, and stressed gathering strength to move forward while honoring memory. He described a personal push to act for a better future and to lead national improvements. Israel’s Supreme Court ordered renewed review of whether to publish a rape suspect’s name, sending the case back to the lower court for further evaluation after ruling that a psychiatric opinion alone was not sufficient to justify publication, with the name remaining under a gag order until a new decision is issued.

In Uplifting News, Time Square, New York City. Rivana Tendler wrote that she plans to share the story of her daughter, Keren Tendler, who was the first female aerial mechanic on IDF Yasur helicopters and was killed in Lebanon when a Hezbollah missile struck her helicopter after deployment; before departing on her final flight, Keren asked her younger brother to bring her a knife if she were captured. This was two days before the end of the Second Lebanon War. The main memorial service for Israel’s fallen soldiers took place at the Western Wall plaza in Jerusalem.

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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