Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-04-28 at 12:03

HEADLINES
- Iran improvises oil storage to shield flow
- Beirut Hezbollah disarmament vows amount to ink
- Trump Israel rift widens on Iran actions

The time is now 12:02 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Regional Impacts, Iran is turning to improvised storage to shield its oil facilities from the US blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, using old sites and improvised containers to hold excess crude that it continues to pump and refine. The regime is even exploring shipments to China by rail, with containers improvised for those transfers. Kharg Island remains central, processing about 90% of Iran's oil shipments, and its infrastructure could fail if the oil flow is cut. Satellite imagery has shown tankers loading at Kharg Island, with three tankers there, two at Bandar Mahshahr, and five additional tankers loading elsewhere. The Wall Street Journal reported these moves this week, while a Washington Post report earlier this month described unorthodox storage used for several weeks. Separately, President Donald Trump said Iran has told him it is in a "state of collapse" as it works through its leadership questions and that the United States should open the Strait of Hormuz "as soon as possible." A US official cited by Reuters said Trump was unhappy with Iran’s latest proposed deal for ending the war because it did not address the nuclear program from the outset, noting the Iranian proposal would delay nuclear discussions until the war ends and the Strait issue is resolved.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Beirut promise to disarm Hezbollah ‘only ink on paper,’ Lebanese Hezbollah expert says. Beirut-based Hezbollah expert Hanin Ghaddar says the Lebanese government is not serious about disarming Hezbollah despite recent legislation, and she has personally seen how deeply the group is embedded in Lebanon’s military and government. Ghaddar notes a pattern of influence, and she recalls a case in which a military court official said the verdict against her was driven by Hezbollah influence rather than the court’s wishes. She has faced security concerns since criticizing the army’s ties to Hezbollah and has not returned home. Separately, an IDF tunnel blast in Lebanon triggered earthquake alerts in Israel; the Energy and Infrastructure Ministry said the Geological Survey of Israel detected a seismic event in southern Lebanon at 6:03 p.m., felt in northern Israel, described as a controlled explosion, with residents of Maale Yosef Regional Council receiving alerts.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Trump-Israel rift emerges over next moves against Iran, Hezbollah. Gaps opened Tuesday between the United States and Israel over the next stages of the campaign against Iran, as Israel's Diplomatic-Security Cabinet argues for a supplementary military operation to complete the war’s objectives and, ideally, bring the regime to the brink of collapse, while Jerusalem expressed dissatisfaction with restrictions on IDF activity.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, COGAT says MSF 'lost moral direction' after NGO's claim that Israel is 'using water as a weapon'. COGAT rejected the MSF claim as factually incorrect, arguing that Hamas is the party weaponizing humanitarian aid and noting that Israel continues to supply water to Gaza, well above humanitarian thresholds, with four water lines activated and essential repairs coordinated, including power and water support. This will be an all out war: Israel Police launch operation clamping down on youth crime. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir described the operation as a zero-tolerance effort to curb disruption of public order, with hundreds of Border Police deployed to crime-prone districts and sites of tension around Tel Aviv, led by the Investigations and Intelligence Division in coordination with districts and operational units. Ben-Gvir warned that anyone who harms Israeli citizens will face the heavy hand of the police as the operation proceeds.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Police open investigation into Golders Green memorial wall arson. A fire was reported at a memorial wall in Golders Green, London, with Counter Terrorism Policing London leading the probe; no arrests have been made, and authorities say the incident is not being treated as a terrorist act. Police say the incident may heighten concerns in a neighborhood already confronted by a spate of arson attacks on Jewish, Israeli, and Iranian dissident sites, and they are working with community organizations to reassure residents while maintaining protective security operations.

In Uplifting News, Tel Aviv University, Weizmann scholars among 2026 Landau Prize winners. Mifal Hapayis announced the winners of the 2026 Landau Prize for Arts and Sciences, marking the 25th year of the award with a total value of 1.35 million shekels. Each winner receives 150,000 shekels, including the recipient of a special Avigdor Yitzhaki Prize for nonprofit civil society organizations promoting dialogue and bridging divides in Israeli society, awarded to Desert Stars for its work building Bedouin leadership in the Negev and promoting a stronger Israeli society. Arts winners include dancer Iris Erez, Shahar Marom in children’s theater, the Jerusalem Piyyut Ensemble in instrumental ensemble, and Ido Dolev in film art direction.

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-894461
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-894477
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-894480
https://www.israelhayom.com/2026/04/28/idf-tunnel-blast-in-lebanon-triggers-earthquake-alerts-in-israel/
https://www.israelhayom.com/2026/04/28/trump-israel-rift-emerges-over-next-moves-against-iran-hezbollah/
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-894481
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/crime-in-israel/article-894472
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-894484
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/article-894488