Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-04-19 at 22:02

HEADLINES
- Netanyahu says Iran nearly had atomic bomb
- US kills narco terrorists in Caribbean strike
- Qaani meets Baghdad on militia integration

The time is now 10:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Independence Day torchlighters that Iran would have had an atomic bomb to use against Israel were it not for Israeli actions in February 2025 and June of the same year. He described the potential scenario as "the beginning of the end for the Jewish people" and said Israel was compelled to act, noting that attacks against the Jewish people have continued since the founding of the state and that what has changed is Israel’s ability to repel them. He stressed that antisemitism remains a global reality and that Israel’s actions have altered the regional balance, framing the measures as a decisive response to an existential threat.

In US Military Role, US Southern Command reports that Joint Task Force Southern Spear carried out a strike on a vessel in the Caribbean operating along known narcotics trafficking routes and linked to a designated terrorist organization. Three alleged narco-terrorists were killed in the operation.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Esmail Qaani, head of Iran’s Quds Force, visited Baghdad for talks with Shi’ite political and militia leaders regarding Iraq’s next prime minister and the future of the militias amid ongoing US sanctions. This visit marked his first trip outside Iran since Operation Roaring Lion began on February 28, with discussions including the candidate for prime minister and the militias’ future, including proposals to integrate them into state security institutions and to separate political and armed wings. Separately, Iranian authorities announced the arrest of Shamim Mafi, a 44-year-old Iranian national living in Los Angeles, at LAX for attempting to smuggle drones, bombs, bomb fuses, and millions of rounds of ammunition to Sudan on behalf of the Islamic regime. Mafi faces charges under 50 USC. § 1705 and potentially up to 20 years in prison, with an initial court appearance planned for Monday.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, the West Bank expansion continues with 103 new settlements established under the current government, even as the north faces budget shortfalls. Investment in the territories has reached 19 billion shekels, while Palestinian buildings are demolished, trees uprooted, and violence has risen in the hills, signaling ongoing friction over land and governance.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Tony Greenstein, an anti‑Zionist Jewish activist, says he will fight the Green Party’s suspension over antisemitism allegations and seeks to retain his membership. The Green Party cited a documented history of antisemitism, including terrorism charges, in suspending Greenstein, who disputes the accusation and argues that antisemitism charges are weaponized against Jewish anti‑Zionists. He contends that genuine antisemites have long ignored antisemitism and suggested the suspension may reflect his prominence within the movement.

In Uplifting News, NASA has released striking video from astronaut Reid Wiseman showing raw iPhone footage of the Moon during the Artemis II mission, providing a vivid glimpse of the distant world. Separately, Jackson Memorial Hospital in South Florida is preparing to open one of the nation’s largest emergency departments this week after a $400 million expansion. The new 178,000-square-foot facility will triple the size of the existing ER and is aimed at reducing wait times, improving patient flow, and enhancing privacy for patients.

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/israel-news/article-893552
https://t.me/JewishNews24/52993
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-893554
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-893553
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/syf711tfawe
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-893551
https://t.me/JewishNews24/52992
https://t.me/JewishNews24/52986