Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-04-01 at 22:02

HEADLINES
Missiles pummel Israel as Iran Lebanon clash
Trump vows crushing strike on Iran soon
Artemis II lifts off NASA moon mission

The time is now 10:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, missiles from Iran toward the north and from Lebanon toward the north and center were identified, with authorities reporting 12 zones of impact in the Gush Dan area and in Shfaram. Interceptions were reported as defense systems engaged, and the Home Front Command said residents may leave the protected spaces when advised. A 60-year-old man was killed in a traffic-related incident near the Escholot junction on the holiday evening. Iran is described as strengthening its support for Hezbollah, and a nuclear expert is cited as saying Israel and the United States could, if needed, eliminate the Iranian nuclear threat. An account labeled Iran’s answer to a recent speech notes a missile directed at northern Israel.

In US Military Role, President Trump said the United States will strike Iran extremely hard over the next two to three weeks and bring Iran back to the Stone Ages. He asserted that if no deal is reached, actions would be taken to hit Iran “very hard,” including its electric generating plants, and defended Operation Epic Fury while blaming Tehran for a surge in oil prices. He also suggested a possible drawdown and urged allies to take greater responsibility for securing key shipping routes. The president did not criticize NATO or announce the deployment of ground troops to Iran during tonight’s address, which ended without major announcements. A separate post quotes a critic arguing that the presence of a third carrier and thousands of Marines signals ongoing engagement rather than a conclusion to hostilities.

In Regional Impacts, gold and silver prices collapsed following the address to the nation on the Iran war, while oil prices surged, with WTI well above $103 per barrel and Brent near $106. Interceptions were also reported over Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, underscoring continued regional activity linked to the crisis.

In Uplifting News, NASA’s Artemis II mission lifted off from Kennedy Space Center in Florida with four astronauts for a historic lunar journey. The crew—Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen—are aboard the Orion spacecraft for a roughly 10-day voyage around the Moon, representing the United States’ most significant step toward returning humans to the lunar surface within this decade. After launch at 6:35 p.m. EDT, the Orion capsule separated from the rocket’s upper stage and entered a highly elliptical Earth orbit, with the crew conducting systems checks before proceeding toward the Moon, testing operations that will push farther from Earth than any prior crewed mission.

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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