Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-04-19 at 07:01

HEADLINES
Trump Excluded From Iran Airman Rescue
UN Gaza Death Toll Questioned Over Methods
Milei Opens Israel Visit With Direct Flight

The time is now 7:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Military Role, military aides kept President Donald Trump out of the Situation Room during the high-stakes extraction of a downed American airman in Iran, citing fears his temper could derail the mission, according to a senior administration official. The operation unfolded over a tense 24-hour period during Easter weekend, after Iran downed a US jet, and Trump reportedly spent hours shouting at aides in a near-empty West Wing while haunted by the 1979 hostage crisis. To mitigate the risk of impulsive interference, updates were provided to the president only at meaningful moments rather than minute-by-minute tactical feeds monitored by the National Security Council. The extraction faced the same blood-and-sand challenges that have long complicated US efforts in the region, and Vice President JD Vance and other officials were involved in oversight.

In Regional Impacts, a United Nations report claiming more than 120,000 Gaza fatalities, including more than 38,000 women and girls, is being challenged as misleading and flawed in its methodology. Gabriel Epstein, a senior policy associate at Israel Policy Forum, said the figures were produced by applying projections from earlier in the war rather than using the more complete demographic breakdown published by Gaza Health Ministry in November 2025. The UN Women portion of the report has also been questioned for suggesting a very large share of fatalities among women and girls, with experts noting the data shifts when compared with Hamas’ figures.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, President Donald Trump praised Israel as a great ally on social media, highlighting its loyalty to the United States and its willingness to win in times of conflict. The post came as he publicly criticized NATO for what he described as inadequate involvement by European partners in the Iran-related conflict. Trump’s post, written on Truth Social, celebrated Israel as courageous, bold, loyal, and smart, and contrasted them with others he said have shown their true colors in moments of strain. The remarks reflect ongoing questions within the administration about NATO's stance and potential shifts in allied coordination.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Supreme Court President Isaac Amit, Deputy President Noam Sohlberg, and Justice Dafna Barak-Erez criticized Justice Minister Yariv Levin for selectively advancing some judicial appointments while blocking broader staffing moves across the system. In a letter released Sunday in response to Levin's Judicial Selection Committee notice, the justices said Levin had acknowledged, after significant delay, the damage caused by the ongoing failure to convene the committee and fill seats. Levin's plan focuses on traffic, family, and youth courts, along with immediate appointments to magistrates’ courts in the north and Haifa, with a May 3 deadline for committee submission of candidates.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, an Israeli columnist who described American Jews as “traitors” for not making aliyah is challenged as wrong. The response argues that labeling six million Jews as disloyal is a moral and Zionist mistake. The author defends American Jewry, noting the diversity of paths for Jews around the world and the ongoing contributions of diaspora communities to Israel’s security and prosperity, even if they do not live in Israel.

In Israeli Economy and Business, Argentinian President Javier Milei arrived in Israel for a three-day visit, with plans to meet Prime Minister Netanyahu and senior Israeli officials in Jerusalem. The talks are expected to cover diplomacy, economic cooperation, and new bilateral agreements, including the launch of a direct El Al flight between Israel and Argentina to strengthen tourism, business links, and people-to-people ties. Milei is accompanied by Argentina’s foreign minister, who is also slated to meet Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar for separate discussions on counterterrorism cooperation and technology collaboration.

In Uplifting News, Argentina’s President Javier Milei has landed in Israel for a three-day state visit, kicking off a trip described as focused on strengthening ties and regional cooperation.

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/international/article-893485
https://worldisraelnews.com/expert-debunks-un-report-on-gaza-fatalities/
https://worldisraelnews.com/trump-on-israel-a-great-ally-they-know-how-to-win/
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-893479
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-893484
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-893477
https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/75225