Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-04-09 at 20:03

HEADLINES
Kamal Kharazi dies from April 1 attack
Mojtaba Khamenei proclaims victory urges protests
Britain and US plan to reopen Hormuz

The time is now 8:02 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Operation Lion's Roar, Kamal Kharazi, a senior figure in the Iranian regime, died from his wounds after an IDF attack on April 1.

Kamal Kharazi died from wounds sustained in the April 1 attack.

In Iranian Retaliation, a message published tonight in the name of Mojtaba Khamenei on the 40th day since the death of his father declares that the heroic Iranian people are Victors in this battle, and calls for continued public presence in the streets. The message warns Iran’s southern neighbors that they are witnessing a miracle, cautions against the false promises of the devil, says Iran will not allow the criminals who attacked the country to escape punishment, states that Iran does not seek war but will not give up its rights, and says Iran will demand full compensation for the damages and will implement a new phase in the management of the Strait of Hormuz.

A message published tonight in the name of Mojtaba Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran, on the occasion of the 40th day since the death of his father: The heroic Iranian people are the victors in this battle. The public presence in the streets must continue as it has in the last 40 days. To Iran's southern neighbors: you are witnessing a miracle. Beware of the false promises of the devil. Iran will not allow the criminals who attacked the country to escape punishment. Iran does not seek war, but will not give up its rights. Iran will demand full compensation for the damages and will implement a new phase in the management of the Strait of Hormuz.

Regional Impacts, a plan to restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz “as quickly as possible” was discussed on Thursday between British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US President Donald Trump. Starmer informed Trump of the UK’s efforts to convene partners to agree on a viable plan to restore free navigation in the waterway, a critical route for global trade. They agreed that now there is a ceasefire in place and agreement to open the Strait, we are at the next stage of finding a resolution. The leaders discussed the need for a practical plan to get shipping moving again as quickly as possible, and would speak again soon. In separate meetings with Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, Starmer discussed the need to push for the reopening of the Strait and to restore the free flow of goods to support global supply chains. The Strait has been closed since the US and Israel launched a war on Iran late February, and has been a point of contention during ceasefire talks.

Unexpected winner of the Iran war: Pakistan’s pivotal diplomatic rise Hosting the talks would cap a diplomatic comeback after years of declining influence in Washington, where Pakistan was long seen as an unreliable ally and sidelined following the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, before a recent shift under Trump.

Suez vs. Hormuz: Why do you pay for one — and fight over the other? Iran’s recent threats to impose “fees” on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz raise an obvious question: if ships pay substantial sums to pass through the Suez Canal, why is it considered extortion in Hormuz? The answer lies in one fundamental distinction - both geographic and legal. The Suez Canal is a man-made waterway. Egypt constructed it, maintains it, and operates it within its full sovereign territory. Legally, it functions as a toll road. Ships pay for the use of infrastructure built and maintained by a sovereign state. This arrangement is legitimate, regulated, and grounded in international agreements such as the Constantinople Convention of 1888. The Strait of Hormuz, by contrast, is a natural maritime passage. Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), vessels enjoy the right of continuous transit passage through international straits. This is a fundamental principle of international law that even bordering states — Iran and Oman — cannot suspend, restrict, or condition upon payment. They may enforce safety and environmental regulations, but they do not “own” the passage. They may enforce safety and environmental regulations, but they do not “own” the passage.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, חדירת כלי טיס עוין: אזעקות באזור גבול הצפון reported that alarms rang along the northern border after an intruding hostile aircraft. A notable move by Netanyahu suggested talks with Lebanon were being pursued, while מירי רגב announced a decision to light a memorial torch in honor of a wounded fighter, the popular chef, and the mother of a war hero. The “ring” around Bint Jbeil was described as nearing completion, and Hezbollah was said to be enraged. Reports also noted teachers and parents breaking silence after the war, and the burial of Sergeant Toval Yosef Lifshitz. Israeli military says Hezbollah launched missile at Israel, triggering air raid sirens in parts of the country, including Tel Aviv. The missile was intercepted, according to the Times of Israel. Hezbollah said it targeted Israeli military infrastructure in the northern city of Haifa in the late hours of Thursday. It was not immediately clear if the Iran-backed armed group was referring to the same attack.

Hezbollah releases footage of them launching missiles from civilian homes inside Lebanon Hezbollah releases footage of them launching missiles from civilian homes inside Lebanon (Visegrad 24).

Interception of the long range scud missile Hezbollah launched towards central Israel Interception of the long range scud missile Hezbollah launched towards central Israel.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, ‘Sold us illusions’: Opposition accuses Netanyahu of failing war goals, backs Lebanon talks Opposition party leaders accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of failing to reach war objectives and lying to the public after the ceasefire with Iran was announced on Wednesday, though some expressed support for his later announcement on Thursday to hold direct talks with Lebanon on Hezbollah disarmament. Former prime minister Naftali Bennett, who is the leading candidate against Netanyahu in the upcoming elections, said in a press conference on Wednesday evening that the war’s objectives were clearly outlined in advance and had not been achieved ahead of the ceasefire. Instead, Bennett said that Netanyahu was lying to the public and “sold illusions” about what could be won. “The war’s objectives were clear: The complete and permanent dismantling of the nuclear program, regional terrorism, and missiles, and the removal of 460 kilograms of enriched uranium from Iranian territory.” “The campaign will be judged solely by meeting these goals, because failure will leave Israel facing a more vengeful and determined Iran.” He argued that the reason the public was disappointed by the ceasefire was that “the leadership sold us illusions. The government did not speak the truth to us...

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar: Israel views with great severity these clear antisemitic blood libels from a government that claims to be “promoting peace.” Calling the Jewish state a “cancer” is, in effect, a call for its destruction. Israel will defend itself against terrorists who swear to destroy it.

In Uplifting News, After more than a month of relentless attacks by the Iranian regime against Israel, children in central Israel are finally returning to school as restrictions are eased across the country, a powerful testament to the resilience of Israelis. Meanwhile, as Hezbollah continues its attacks on northern Israel, life there has yet to return to normal, with families still facing daily attacks by the Iranian regime proxy group.

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.

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