Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-04-12 at 18:01

HEADLINES
US blocks Iranian ports starting April 13
IMF Hormuz disruption won’t normalize prices surge
Hezbollah FPV drones target IDF in Lebanon

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 US Military Role, the US Central Command announced it will begin implementing a blockade of all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports on April 13 at 10 a.m. Eastern Time, after President Donald Trump said the US Navy would start blockading the Strait of Hormuz. The blockade will be enforced impartially against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas, including all Iranian ports on the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. CENTCOM said it will not impede freedom of navigation for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to non-Iranian ports. Mariners will receive a formal notice before the blockade begins. A separate report quotes John Bolton saying that only a change of regime in Iran would bring peace, adding that you can negotiate with these people as you wish, but it won’t change the outcome; observers will watch Tehran’s response as the measure takes effect.

In Regional Impacts, the IMF warned that the Strait of Hormuz could never return to normal, suggesting the current disruption could become the new reality for the waterway. Kristalina Georgieva described the war’s effects as a global, asymmetric supply shock. The IMF noted oil prices have risen, jumping from about $72 a barrel to over $100, with peaks near $120, and warned that widespread disruption to key supply chains could push Hormuz into a new operating reality, with ongoing impacts on Asian markets. The Fund pointed to the Red Sea’s Bab al-Mandeb as a cautionary parallel, where traffic has not returned to pre-crisis levels since attacks last year.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Hezbollah is increasingly deploying FPV explosive drones against IDF forces in Lebanon, drawing on tactics seen in Ukraine and prompting discussions about readiness as these technologies evolve. The IDF has stressed the need to learn from other conflicts and to bolster defenses, including the Trophy active-defense system and countermeasures to ATGM threats that require line of sight. UNIFIL has alleged that a Merkava tank rammed its vehicles twice in southern Lebanon, causing significant damage, with warning shots fired nearby and periodic restrictions on peacekeepers’ movements along the Blue Line. Israeli actions in the area have included destruction of force-protection cameras at UNIFIL headquarters and other measures affecting access. In Jerusalem, discussions continue over Hamas disarmament, with a Jerusalem Post source saying a decision on whether Hamas will disarm as part of a potential agreement will be determined this week; talks involve the Trump administration’s peace framework and senior Hamas officials, outlining a plan in which Hamas would surrender heavy weapons and tunnels in stages. Separately, two IDF soldiers from the 98th Division were moderately injured by the shockwave of a Hezbollah rocket attack in southern Lebanon and were evacuated for medical care.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Israel’s internal security service, the Israel Security Agency, has dropped fliers over Gaza urging Arabs to inform on Hamas, portraying Hamas as weaker and collapsing and inviting those who care about the future to get in touch.

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.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/04/us-military-says-it-will-start-blockade-all-ships-going-and-iran-monday
https://t.me/newssil/198900
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1309167
https://t.me/selena_updates/61695
https://www.jpost.com/business-and-innovation/energy-and-infrastructure/article-892738
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-892770
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-892768
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-892766
https://t.me/selena_updates/61696
https://t.me/newssil/198899
https://t.me/selena_updates/61697