Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-04-12 at 19:01

HEADLINES
US Blocks Iranian Ports Starting April 13
IMF Warns Hormuz May Never Normalize
Hezbollah FPV Drones Target Israeli Forces

The time is now 7:01 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 says it will begin implementing a blockade of all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports on April 13 at 10 a.m. Eastern time, following President Donald Trump’s indication that 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, while CENTCOM will not impede freedom of navigation for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to non-Iranian ports. Additional information will be provided to commercial mariners through a formal notice before the blockade starts.

In Regional Impacts, the IMF warns the Strait of Hormuz might never return to normal, suggesting the closure or sustained disruption could become the new reality for the waterway, similar to what happened at Bab al-Mandeb. IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, speaking at the Fund’s Spring Meetings in Washington, cautioned that the war’s effects amount to a large, global, asymmetric supply shock. Beyond oil’s jump from about $72 a barrel to over $100—and peaking around $120—she warned of disrupted key supply chains, with Asian markets particularly affected. The Fund compared the potential outcome to Bab al-Mandeb, where traffic has never fully recovered since the Houthis seized a major shipping route in 2023, illustrating how a disrupted chokepoint can redefine regional trade patterns.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Hezbollah is increasingly deploying FPV explosive drones against Israeli forces in Lebanon, a development drawing on tactics seen in Ukraine and prompting discussion of how Israel should prepare for a broader FPV threat, including lessons from the Ukraine conflict and the need for countermeasures alongside existing defenses such as the Trophy system. Separately, UNIFIL says an IDF Merkava tank rammed its vehicles twice in southern Lebanon, causing significant damage in one incident, with Israeli forces also firing warning shots near peacekeepers and repeatedly blocking routes used to access UN positions. In another incident, two soldiers from the 98th Division were moderately injured by the shockwave of a Hezbollah rocket attack in southern Lebanon. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said he is working to stop the Israel-Hezbollah war, while the Lebanese Red Cross reported the death of a paramedic during a humanitarian mission, noting its teams were targeted despite bearing medical symbols. UN and Israeli authorities described tensions around a fragile ceasefire, with Israel saying it will continue its operations against Hezbollah even as other fronts remain active.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, the Israel Security Agency has dropped fliers over Gaza urging Arabs to inform on Hamas, framing the group as weakened and encouraging cooperation with efforts toward stability and a better future. In parallel, discussions at a security cabinet meeting indicated that Hamas’s disarmament will be determined this week, with officials considering whether disarmament could be voluntary or pursued by other means as part of a broader deal. The plan reportedly contemplated a staged approach, beginning with heavy weapons relinquishment and tunnel destruction, followed by broader disarmament, with involvement from regional and international negotiators.

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/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.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1309177
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/04/lebanon-pm-says-working-get-israeli-troop-withdrawal
https://t.me/selena_updates/61696
https://t.me/selena_updates/61697
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-892766