Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-04-17 at 12:02

HEADLINES
- Hormuz transit open amid ceasefire, US cautions
- IDF presses Hezbollah strikes despite ceasefire
- Hamas to disarm soon, timeline unclear

The time is now 12:02 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Regional Impacts, officials in Tehran say ships wishing to cross the Strait of Hormuz will travel along the coordinated route announced by the Islamic regime, with Iran’s foreign minister saying passage is open for the remaining period of the ceasefire. President Donald Trump, posting on Truth Social, said the Strait of Hormuz is fully open and ready for full passage, and he noted that the US blockade on Iranian ports will remain in force until the Iran–US transaction is 100% complete. A US Navy advisory cautioned that the mine threat in parts of the Strait is not fully understood and urged mariners to consider avoiding that area while using the Traffic Separation Scheme. On the humanitarian front, Lebanon’s health ministry reported 98 people killed and 359 wounded in the last 24 hours, bringing the totals to 2,294 dead and 7,544 wounded since the start of the current round of fighting; officials warned the death toll could rise as missing persons are believed buried under rubble or located in areas under Israeli control in southern Lebanon.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, the IDF said it will continue to attack Hezbollah in southern Lebanon despite the ceasefire, viewing the Litani River as the new indefinite security line unless Hezbollah disarms. IDF sources said Hezbollah has suffered heavy losses, including about 1,700 fighters and 5,800 rocket launchers. Separately, the IDF said Hamas is expected to enter a disarmament process soon; the move is aspirational and its exact form remains unclear, with the United States previously signaling that by late April to early May Hamas would begin handing over heavy weapons; Hamas has pressed for more rebuilding in Gaza before disarming, leaving the timeline uncertain. The statement reflects a growing confidence within IDF circles that Hamas may take steps to disarm to prevent an Israeli invasion.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Trump asserted that Israel is prohibited from bombing Lebanon any longer and that the United States will work with Lebanon separately to address the Hezbollah situation. Prime Minister Netanyahu hailed the ceasefire as an opportunity to pursue a historic peace with Lebanon and said it was accepted at Trump’s request, adding that the United States helped reshape the region and remove threats both near and distant. Netanyahu described threats from Hezbollah as diminished, citing concerns about infiltrations and anti-tank fire as well as Nasrallah’s long-range missiles.

In Uplifting News, the Israel Nature and Parks Authority announced that most national parks and nature reserves in the north will reopen to the public following updated civil defense guidelines, with reopening planned for tomorrow. Sites opening include Korazim National Park, Capernaum National Park, Nimrod Fortress, Tel Hazor, Yehiam, Nahal Amud and Nahal Snir, with additional sites expected to reopen next week. Open areas will operate with visitor quotas and advance bookings through the Authority’s website, and safety checks and rockfall clearance will be conducted to ensure safe trails. A brief social post wishes Shabbat Shalom.

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.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-893370
https://t.me/abualiexpress/120577
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/04/mine-threat-parts-hormuz-not-fully-understood-us-navy-advisory-says
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-893373
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-893374
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-893371
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1311129
https://t.me/newssil/199423