Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-04-18 at 21:01

HEADLINES
Iran Still Holds 40% Drones 60% Launchers
Arab Muslim States Condemn Somaliland Envoy
Harris: Netanyahu Dragged Trump into Iran War

The time is now 9:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Iranian Retaliation, US intelligence and military officials estimate that Iran still maintains about 40% of its pre-war arsenal of long-range attack drones and 60% of its ballistic and cruise missile launchers, with more than 100 systems recovered from caves and bunkers since the start of the two-week ceasefire on April 8. Some American estimates also assess that Iran could reclaim as much as 70% of its pre-war stockpile of missiles, likewise buried in rubble from attacks on bunkers and depots.

In Regional Impacts, several Arab and Muslim states condemned Israel's decision to send a diplomatic envoy to Somaliland in a joint statement on Saturday. The signatories—Oman, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Somalia, Sudan, Libya, Bangladesh, Algeria, Turkey, Indonesia, Pakistan, Mauritania, Jordan, and the Palestinian Authority—called the move a flagrant violation of Somalia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and rejected unilateral measures that undermine state unity. Somaliland, in response on X/Twitter, denounced the signatories as hypocrites and asked why they do not condemn al-Shabaab, ISIS, the Taliban, al-Qaeda, Hezbollah, or Iran's proxies.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, former vice president Kamala Harris said in Detroit that Prime Minister Netanyahu pulled former president Trump into the Iran conflict, arguing the war is not what the American people want. She described the Trump administration as the most corrupt, callous, and incompetent in US history and contended that Trump sought to project strength through military force while undermining international norms and alliances, making the United States appear unreliable to partners.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, a featured opinion argues Israel must be more than the nation-state of the Jewish people, presenting a view of Israel as a civilizational anchor for Jewish identity, culture, and global engagement, drawing on historical ideas about civilizations shaping modern states. Separately, the Education Ministry announced the full reopening of schools nationwide from Sunday morning, including northern communities near the Lebanon border, after updated security guidelines tied to ceasefires with Lebanon and Iran. The ministry said the system is returning to full operation with resources to ensure a swift return to learning, stressing that this decision is comprehensive and non-negotiable to close learning gaps and strengthen social resilience.

In Uplifting News, an opinion piece on immigration from America notes that aliyah from the United States tends to be by choice and that immigrants come from higher socioeconomic backgrounds, including professionals. It provides figures for 2025: about 4,100 Americans making aliyah, total of 19,000 since 2020, with about one-third settling in Jerusalem in diverse neighborhoods that support English speakers, around 18% in Beit Shemesh, 12% in Gush Dan, and about 10% in Ra’anana. The piece also highlights a goal to attract more such immigration. Also arriving in Israel, Argentine President Javier Milei is set to land on Sunday morning to announce a direct flight route to Buenos Aires and sign the Isaac Accords, then participate in a dress rehearsal for the Independence Day torch ceremony before returning home ahead of the main event.

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://t.me/DefenderDome/20374
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-893426
https://www.jpost.com/american-politics/article-893432
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-893086
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-893428
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-893247
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/byraeibpbg