Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-04-22 at 20:01

HEADLINES
CENTCOM 29 ships repelled at Hormuz
Ali Reza Abbas killed in Bint Jbeil
Lebanon pushes for month long ceasefire extension

The time is now 8:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Military Role, CENTCOM has rejected media claims that several ships evaded the Strait of Hormuz blockade, calling the reports inaccurate. CENTCOM said 29 vessels were directed to turn around or return to port as part of the blockade, and it named three ships that had been alleged to have broken through: M/V Hero II, M/V Hedy, and M/V Dorena. It said Hero II and Hedy did not sail past the blockade and were not part of any flotilla ferrying oil; the Iranian-flagged tankers are anchored in Chah Bahar after being intercepted earlier this week. Dorena has been escorted by a US Navy destroyer in the Indian Ocean after attempting to violate the blockade. The Pentagon noted a maritime interdiction and boarding of the M/F Tifani, a stateless sanctioned vessel, conducted overnight under INDOPACOM’s area of responsibility.

In Regional Impacts, the Israeli military said it intercepted around 40 Israeli civilians who gathered at the border and attempted to enter Syria on Wednesday afternoon, infiltrating several hundred meters into the buffer zone before being returned to Israel and taken into police custody. Israeli media identified the infiltrators as part of the right-wing group “Pioneers of Bashan,” which advocates Jewish settlement in Lebanon and Syria.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, the IDF said it killed hundreds of Hezbollah terrorists in the 24 hours before the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire took effect, with more than 150 Hezbollah fighters killed and about 300 infrastructure targets struck across Lebanon, including launchers, command centers, and weapons storage facilities. Among those killed was Ali Reza Abbas, commander of the Hezbollah unit operating in Bint Jbeil. Abbas was involved in fighting against the IDF and in terror plots over the years and helped strengthen the Bint Jbeil post; he is the fourth Bint Jbeil commander killed since the start of Operation Northern Arrows. The IDF also indicated an additional operation conducted by the IDF’s 91st Division.

Prior to the ceasefire taking effect, the IDF’s 91st Division, backed by the Israeli Air Force, conducted an operation against Hezbollah terror infrastructure in the Dibbin area of southern Lebanon, about 12 kilometers inside Lebanese territory. Forces engaged a Hezbollah compound where attacks on Israeli troops and civilians were being planned, striking more than 70 targets and killing over 20 terrorists in ground combat and airstrikes.

Israeli strikes killed five people, including a journalist, and wounded another in Lebanon on Wednesday, as fighting continued ahead of ceasefire talks in Washington. Beirut plans to seek a one-month extension of the ceasefire during those talks with Israel under US auspices. The current 10-day ceasefire expires Sunday, and Lebanese authorities say discussions are underway to extend the truce and end the fighting that began in early March.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, WATCH: Per FOX, President Trump is reportedly extending the Iran ceasefire for only 3-5 days. Politico reports the White House has developed an internal document described as a “naughty and nice” or tiered ranking of NATO members, evaluating their overall contributions to the alliance—including defense spending and capabilities—alongside their political and operational support for US actions during the recent Iran war.

In Uplifting News, OU Independence Day event in Jerusalem drew about two thousand participants, with senior leadership from the Orthodox Union Israel in attendance and participation by English-speaking Jews from the United States, Canada, Australia, and South Africa, including Olim. Rabbinical leaders spoke as part of the program, with remarks recognizing Remembrance Day and the enduring connection to the State of Israel. Jerusalem Deputy Mayor also took part in the proceedings.

John F. Kennedy International Airport on Tuesday unveiled a major renovation of Terminal 8 as part of a broader, multibillion-dollar modernization effort. The $525 million upgrade adds dozens of new dining and retail options, with a focus on local New York businesses, and officials say the project signals progress for an airport long criticized over the passenger experience.

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-893871
https://t.me/JewishNews24/53155
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-893873
https://t.me/JewishNews24/53158
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/04/israeli-strikes-kill-5-lebanon-beirut-seek-truce-extension
https://t.me/JewishNews24/53160
https://t.me/JewishNews24/53159
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-893874
https://t.me/JewishNews24/53157