Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-04-04 at 15:02

HEADLINES
Israel readies strike on Iran energy facilities
IDF soldier dies Lebanon Masnaa crossing warned
Trump threatens Iran attack Hormuz standoff grows

The time is now 3:02 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Operation Lion's Roar, a senior Israeli official told Reuters that Israel is preparing to strike energy facilities in Iran, awaiting an American green light. Preparations to attack Iran’s energy infrastructure are under way, with Washington’s clearance anticipated. The report notes that Iran launched missiles, including two strikes near Tel Aviv’s Kirya complex, with destruction and vehicles burning at multiple central sites after strikes on chemical plants. A senior IDF source said the next target to strike in Iran has been identified. The government reportedly ignored a deadline set by the High Court, and protests are underway.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Sergeant First Class Guy Ludar, 21, from Yuvalim, a member of the Maglan Unit of the Commando Brigade, fell while fighting in southern Lebanon. His name was released after his family was notified. Army radio reports he was killed by friendly fire in a two-sided exchange in the village of Shebaa; an additional soldier was seriously injured during clashes between two units searching for a terrorist, who was captured and an investigation opened. The IDF Arabic-language spokesperson said the army will soon strike the Al-Masnaa border crossing between Syria and Lebanon, on the Damascus-Beirut road, because Hezbollah uses the crossing to smuggle weapons. The IDF later issued an evacuation warning for the Al-Masnaa crossing and the nearby road, citing Hezbollah’s use of the crossing for military purposes and for smuggling weapons, and stating that attacks on the crossing are planned in the near future.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, President Donald Trump renewed threats to intensify attacks on Iran if a deal is not reached or the Strait of Hormuz is not opened, posting on Truth Social that 48 hours remain before “all Hell will reign” on them. The move comes as Iranian and US forces pursue a missing American pilot after two warplanes were downed over Iran and the Gulf, with a US official saying search-and-rescue efforts had recovered one crew member. Separately, US federal agents arrested Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter, the niece and grand-niece of Qassem Soleimani, after Senator Marco Rubio revoked their green cards. The State Department said Afshar had promoted Iranian regime propaganda, celebrated attacks against American soldiers and facilities in the Middle East, praised the Iranian Supreme Leader, and voiced support for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps; the pair had lived in Los Angeles, with posts cited as evidence.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, an opinion piece argues that religion is driving Israel toward extremism, pointing to the Netzach Yehuda ultra-Orthodox unit’s assault on CNN journalists as part of a broader pattern of violence by hardline religious groups, and noting that far-right religious settlers conduct nearly daily attacks in the West Bank while the military and government overlook them. The piece also draws attention to the government’s security cadre, which includes far-right religious figures, and to proposals to legalize the death penalty by hanging for Arab terrorists; the author, who recounts a personal journey from a haredi upbringing, suggests these patterns are linked to religion. Separately, the IDF admits air-defense failures after the Dimona and Arad missile impacts, with the head of the IDF’s Air Defense Systems acknowledging that even the best systems have mistakes and malfunctions; officials describe the air-defense network as composed of three different weapons systems and emphasize adherence to Home Front Command guidelines. Additionally, Rabbi David Yosef has labeled the High Court as an “enemy of Judaism” and said it shows no sensitivity toward religious people.

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.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1305085
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-892036
https://t.me/abualiexpress/119561
https://t.me/selena_updates/60798
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-892037
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-892035
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-891871
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-891944
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1305087