Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-04-09 at 00:02

HEADLINES
IRGC Maps Hormuz Routes to Bypass Mines
Khamenei Dead, Missile Infrastructure Setback
Tel Aviv Protests US Embassy Over War

The time is now 12:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has published a statement announcing alternative routes for commercial vessels traveling through the Strait of Hormuz, in order to avoid sea mines deployed during the war with Israel and the United States. The IRGC says that all ships intending to transit the Strait should take alternative entry and exit routes for traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, providing instructions for an alternative routing for ships transiting the Hormuz Strait in the interest of maritime safety and to be protected from possible collisions with sea mines.

In Regional Impacts, the first article notes that former supreme leader Ali Khamenei is dead, and that Iran’s ballistic missile infrastructure has been set back to a degree that Israeli defense planners would have called fantasy in 2024, but the regime has endured. A two-week ceasefire between the United States, Israel, and Iran took effect, ending 39 days of war. The Islamabad Accords, brokered by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief General Asim Munir, are already fraying. Missile attacks hit the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Kuwait within hours. The Strait of Hormuz is reopening under terms that let Iran and Oman collect transit fees. Negotiations begin Friday. Nothing is settled. The piece cautions against assuming a final resolution, while noting the campaign’s consequences. Separately, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the large Israeli strike in Lebanon, saying civilians were killed and expressing deep concern about the price civilians are paying. His spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric called the violence a serious risk to the ceasefire and to peace efforts, urging all sides to halt hostilities immediately.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, an article argues that the operation has not delivered lasting gains and that the so‑called “Axis of Resistance” remains a hollow slogan. It suggests that after a period of stalemate, the campaign produced limited, uneven results, with Israel’s defense posture still in play and strategic cards once touted for surprise moves in Lebanon now appearing less decisive than hoped.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, protesters gathered outside the US embassy in Tel Aviv ahead of the Iran ceasefire announcement, organized by the Peace Partnership coalition. The demonstrators chanted opposing the war with lines such as “War will not bring freedom to anyone in the region” and “Don’t believe lying officials, freedom doesn’t come from missiles.” Organizers said the war will only expand bloodshed in the region, a point echoed by Omri Evron, Co-Coordinator of Peace Partnership, who urged solidarity with civilians bearing the cost of a rapid push for a “new Middle East.” Protests were mirrored in other cities, including Jerusalem and Philadelphia. In a separate political item, a column notes that the attorney-general’s office cannot remove Ben-Gvir arbitrarily or without due process, highlighting legal limits on the process of removing a sitting political figure.

In Uplifting News, Israel’s ice hockey story centers on a small, devoted community in Sofia, Bulgaria, where the national team has survived against the odds. Israel defeated New Zealand 7-6 in overtime in the opening game of the 2026 IIHF World Championship Division II, Group B, and faces Bulgaria later in the tournament, followed by matches against China. The result is celebrated as a symbol of resilience for a program fighting to endure. Separately, as the Israel Soccer League resumed amid wartime restrictions, crowds were notably absent, leaving games at venues in Jerusalem, Netanya, Beersheba, and Nazareth eerily quiet. Artificial crowd noise filled broadcasts, and at least one Netanya match was briefly halted by incoming missile fire before play resumed, underscoring how sport continues even as the country adapts to a season without its usual stadium atmosphere.

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://t.me/DefenderDome/20155
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-892393
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1306673
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1306674
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-892407
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1306675
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/sports/article-892408
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/sports/article-892405