Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-04-02 at 06:01

HEADLINES
- Israel strikes IRGC bases killing Fatehin commander
- UK limited against Iran missile threat
- Hormuz talks aim reopen strait amid tensions

The time is now 6:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, the Israeli military said it destroyed an IRGC Ground Forces base and a mobile command post in Tehran as part of strikes against regime infrastructure, noting the Iranian regime has begun using mobile units as command centers to evade airstrikes, with commanders inside them when hit. The IDF also struck a ballistic missile storage site in the Tabriz area as part of the effort to degrade the regime's missile array. The US Central Command reported the EA-37B electronic warfare aircraft deployed in the Middle East and said more than 12,300 targets have been destroyed since late January, along with more than 13,000 combat flights, and at least 155 Iranian navy vessels rendered inoperative. In a separate development, Brigadier General Mohammad Ali Fathalizadeh, commander of the IRGC’s elite Fatehin unit, has been eliminated.

In Iranian Retaliation, British defense experts say the United Kingdom has a very limited capability to shield itself against the growing ballistic missile threat from Iran and Russia. Iran's top military leadership has warned that no enemy will exploit the country and that the regime will remove the specter of war from above it. Iran has signaled a hard line and is expanding support for regional proxies, including Hezbollah.

In Regional Impacts, Britain will host a virtual meeting with about 35 countries to explore ways to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, with the United States not attending. The talks come after President Trump said the Strait could open naturally and that it was up to nations relying on the waterway to ensure it stays open. Iran has effectively shut the Strait in retaliation for US-Israeli strikes that began in late February, underscoring the urgency to restore freedom of navigation as energy prices rise. Separately, a broader regional shift is seen as Iraqi oil convoys move to Syria along an alternate route that bypasses Hormuz, part of a wider effort to create new energy corridors from the Gulf to the Mediterranean, including routes passing near Israel.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, the IDF began demolishing homes in southern Lebanese villages along the border that were used by Hezbollah as bases for reconnaissance and anti-tank fire, according to military sources. The destruction follows orders from Defense Minister Israel Katz to accelerate demolition of Lebanese homes in border areas to neutralize threats, with residents allowed to evacuate northward. Israeli forces also continued their ground incursion into southern Lebanon, with several Hezbollah fighters detained as prisoners of war after surrendering in the past day.

In Israeli Economy and Business, reports note oil shipments from Iraq to Syria are moving along an alternate route to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, part of a broader regional effort to create new energy corridors from the Gulf to the Mediterranean. Analysts say this shift benefits various market players rather than Israel.

In Uplifting News, Passover reimagined: How Jews reinterpret freedom at the Seder table explores how Passover celebrates liberty, tradition, and evolving ways to mark the Seder night. The Haggadah is read with commentary from sages of old, offering multiple perspectives, and the festival, sometimes called the Festival of Freedom, invites flexible approaches to observance in the spring season.

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/israel-news/defense-news/article-891937
https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/74355
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1304319
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-891939
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1304323
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1304322
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-891935
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1304321
https://www.jpost.com/judaism/jewish-holidays/article-891616