Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-04-22 at 03:02

HEADLINES
Israel US Prepare War With Iran
Iran Executes Mehdi Farid on Spying Charges
US Halts $500M to Iraq Militias

The time is now 3:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Operation Lion's Roar, Israel remains skeptical about a breakthrough in talks with Iran despite President Trump extending the ceasefire. Jerusalem’s national broadcaster reported that negotiations are viewed as unlikely to yield a major deal, with Israeli leadership seeing them as Iran’s attempt to delay a resumption of war with the United States and Israel. A senior official said, “The Iranians are trying to stall for time and are speaking in multiple voices.” Officials said Israel and the United States are coordinated and ready to resume the war immediately. The two allies have been preparing for a possible resumption since the ceasefire began, including exercises involving fighter jets and refueling aircraft across the Middle East. Joint plans and a target bank were approved during last week’s visit to Israel by CENTCOM chief Adm. Brad Cooper, with reports that the plans included possible strikes on Iranian targets.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, Iran announced it executed Mehdi Farid on charges of spying for Israel.

In US Military Role, a CNN report says the US military significantly depleted its missile arsenals during the fighting with Iran, raising concerns about readiness for another major conflict. Estimates suggest approximately 45% of its missile stockpiles were deployed.

In Regional Impacts, US Treasury Secretary Scott Sant commented on the effectiveness of continuing the maritime blockade against Iran, saying that within days Iran’s storage facilities on Kharg Island would be full and its fragile oil wells would be shut, and that limiting Iran’s maritime trade directly hits the regime’s lifeblood. The UK Office of Maritime Trade Operations reported an attack on a container ship in the Strait of Hormuz, about 15 nautical miles off the coast of Oman, by a gunboat operated by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy, resulting in heavy damage to the ship’s bridge, though all crew members were reported safe. A separate report noted a ship sailing near Oman was fired upon by a Revolutionary Guards ship, with damage sustained.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, the US halted $500 million in dollar shipments to Iraq and froze security cooperation programs, demanding Baghdad dismantle Iranian-backed militias. The blocked funds, the proceeds of Iraqi oil sales, were moved from accounts at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Washington has also suspended funding for some counter-terrorism and military training programs until militia attacks end and Iraqi authorities take steps to dismantle armed groups. Earlier this month, the United States summoned Iraq’s ambassador after a drone attack on a major US diplomatic facility in Baghdad, in a pattern Washington has attributed to Iran-aligned militias.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, CNN reports that Ambassador Mike Hakbi will be part of the US delegation for talks between Israel and Lebanon.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Independence Day celebrations were marred by stabbings and a residential fire across central Israel, leaving several people injured. At 2:41 a.m., responders were called to Hashomer Street in Rishon LeZion where a 28-year-old man was wounded and evacuated in moderate condition. Earlier, in Petah Tikva, a 21-year-old man was seriously wounded in a stabbing, and in Netanya two men in their 40s were stabbed, sustaining serious and moderate injuries. Dozens of people phoned in to express their protest to Anbar Toizer. President Herzog opened the ceremony for the 78th Independence Day with remarks praising the troops, saying, “You are the generation that protects, you are the generation that fights, in the name of the State of Israel I thank you. I salute you.”

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
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https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-893799
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https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-893798
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https://t.me/newssil/199784