Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-04-12 at 12:02

HEADLINES
Israel-Iran War Hinges on Trump
Israel War Costs Hit 35B Shekels
US Deploys Underwater Drones to Clear Hormuz

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

In Operation Lion's Roar, Israel's official assessments say fighting with Iran could resume very soon, though not within the immediate timeframe described here in Israel. A senior political figure says the outcome now depends on President Trump; there are currently no indications the fighting will restart immediately, but the country remains on high readiness for any development.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, Israel's Finance Ministry says the war with Iran has cost about 35 billion shekels ($11.52 billion), with 22 billion allocated to defense and already added to the 2026 budget. The costs largely align with US estimates of its own expenditures during the war, which were at least $11.3 billion, though the US figure did not cover the entire cost. Iran has estimated its war losses at about $145 billion. The IDF has returned to high alert and is preparing for a resumption of war with Iran, and local authorities have canceled public Independence Day celebrations scheduled for next week.

In US Military Role, CENTCOM says it will deploy underwater drones to help clear mines in the Strait of Hormuz, establishing a new safe passage and sharing it with the maritime industry to encourage the free flow of commerce. The Strait of Hormuz is an international sea passage and a vital trade corridor, and Iran is estimated to have between 2,000 and 6,000 naval mines. Additional US forces, including underwater drones, are expected to join the clearance effort in coming days.

In Regional Impacts, Kuwait announced the disruption of Hezbollah cells and arrested 24 people accused of financing terrorist entities and threatening state security, including five former Kuwaiti lawmakers; eight of those arrested were Kuwaiti citizens or former citizens, with funds raised under religious pretexts and directed abroad, and evidence included photos of deceased Iranian and Hezbollah leadership. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned of possible military action against Israel, accusing it of atrocities and suggesting Ankara could engage militarily, drawing on past interventions in Karabakh and Libya.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Prime Minister Netanyahu, Katz, and the Chief of Staff held a situation assessment inside Lebanon.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Tucker Carlson argued that going to war with Iran would be the single biggest mistake of Trump’s presidency, saying the United States went to war with Iran at the behest and demand of Israel and urging officials to oppose large-scale attacks. President Trump said he could take out Iran in one day.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, the director-general of the Foreign Ministry spoke to a reprimand the official in charge of the Spanish embassy in Israel after the burning of a mannequin of Prime Minister Netanyahu, with the ministry stating Spain has aligned itself with radical states from Venezuela to Iran.

In Uplifting News, former Israeli judoka and two-time Olympic medalist Peter Paltchik discusses the lowest points of his career, his Olympic journey, and how mental strength shaped his path to success ahead of the Jerusalem Marathon, which is expected to draw about 40,000 participants. He recalled recovering from a major surgery, the Tokyo Olympics disappointment, and how he helped Israel win a team bronze within 48 hours, emphasizing that true winning comes from not quitting after hardship.

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
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