Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-04-05 at 18:01

HEADLINES
Israel-US Finalize Iran Strike Target List
Iran-Backed Drone Strike Sets Baghdad Ablaze
US Pararescue Leads Daring Airman Recovery

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

In Operation Lion's Roar, Israel and the United States have finalized a comprehensive list of strategic targets to be struck in Iran should the Islamic Republic fail to meet the requirements of President Donald Trump’s looming ultimatum. The agreement on the target list follows a series of intensive high-level discussions aimed at synchronizing the American and Israeli responses to Tehran’s continued defiance. Coordination between the US military and the IDF has been completed, with the final touches on the joint operational plan made during a meeting last Thursday between IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and leadership from US Central Command, where officials discussed the division of roles and mission objectives should the ultimatum expire. In a stark warning to the regime in Tehran, Trump told ABC News that “without a deal – it’s over for the state of Iran.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu subsequently convened the Security Cabinet to brief ministers.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, the IDF does not know exactly how many ballistic missiles Iran has left. While the majority of the IDF believes Iran retains several hundred missiles from an original 2,500 that can reach Israel, some IDF sources have acknowledged that no one can be certain. The uncertainty is compounded by missiles buried under rubble, which may or may not be salvageable and immediately accessible. There is a subquestion about how many of those missiles could be recovered and redeployed, with reports noting that some rubble-clearing operations have employed bulldozer teams to uncover weapons within a day, leaving open the possibility that portions of Iran’s arsenal could still be active in the long term.

In US Military Role, the mission to recover a downed airman behind enemy lines is led by United States Air Force Pararescue, the PJs, a unit celebrated for its demanding training and high-risk operations. The PJ community traces its roots to the end of World War II and is widely regarded as among the most elite elements within the Joint Special Operations Command. Experts describe PJ teams as the Pentagon’s ultimate insurance policy, trained to operate under heavy fire and in extreme environments to recover downed pilots or other personnel, embodying the motto “So That Others May Live.”

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, a drone attack by Iran-backed Iraqi terrorists struck the US Victory Base Complex in Baghdad, causing a large fire on site.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, the High Court issued a conditional order requiring the state to explain why it has not set a protest policy that properly balances security needs with the rights to free expression and protest in the wake of Saturday night anti-war demonstrations. The ruling did not set new crowd limits or a fresh operational framework; instead, it moved the case to its next stage, directing Police Commissioner Danny Levi, the Home Front Command chief, and the Attorney-General to show cause why no policy has been adopted. affidavits are due by Monday afternoon, with written arguments due by Tuesday at noon. The petition was filed after police restrictions on protests raised questions about who sets wartime protest terms and how proportional those restrictions are.

In Jerusalem, clashes erupted near the Tomb of the Kings as roughly 100 rioters attempted to force entry into a private area and confront police attempting to disperse them. One rioter was arrested, three police officers sustained light injuries, and officers used crowd-control measures to restore order.

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/middle-east/iran-news/article-892173
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-892171
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-892172
https://t.me/selena_updates/60952
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-892176
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1305570