Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-04-28 at 13:02

HEADLINES
US Carrier Heads to Middle East
Tuapse Oil Fire Deepens War Toll
Lebanon Sovereignty Challenged by Hezbollah

The time is now 1:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Military Role, the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer, carrying thousands of Marines, is moving from the US Indo-Pacific Command area toward the Middle East. Officials say it is expected to arrive in the region in the coming days, completing the deployment of American ground forces in Central Command. The ship reportedly passed near the Philippines in the last two days.

In Regional Impacts, the situation in Tuapse, Russia, is deteriorating as oil from burning facilities flows into the streets. The Tuapse refinery is burning at least at three points, in what is described as the third Ukrainian strike on the city’s oil infrastructure in the last 12 days, with fuel storage tanks on fire across the refinery grounds.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, the Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, said Lebanon cannot speak of sovereignty while Hezbollah still controls parts of the country. Separately, Hanin Ghaddar, a Hezbollah expert, said Beirut’s vow to disarm Hezbollah is “ink on paper,” noting that Hezbollah remains deeply entrenched within Lebanon’s military and government. Ghaddar has a history as a journalist and has faced legal action tied to comments about Hezbollah and the Lebanese army.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, the government, through COGAT, pushed back on MSF’s claim that Israel is using water as a weapon, calling the assertion factually incorrect and accusing Hamas of weaponizing humanitarian aid. COGAT said it provides water to Gaza well above humanitarian thresholds, with four water lines activated and power and repair work coordinated to sustain supply, asserting that water is supplied from Israeli sources. Separately, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz designated five Hamas-linked media platforms as terrorist organizations, targeting Quds Plus, Meydan al-Quds, Al-Quds al-Buzala, Al-Ma’rag, and Al-A’atsma for operation across websites and social networks; the platforms are said to incite riots and nationalist actions and are now prohibited under Israeli law.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, police opened an investigation into a fire at a memorial wall in Golders Green, London. Counter Terrorism Policing London is leading the inquiry, but the incident is not being treated as a terrorist act, and no arrests have been made as investigators work with community organizations to address heightened concerns in the area.

In Uplifting News, Tel Aviv University and Weizmann Institute scholars are among the 2026 Landau Prize winners. The prize pool totals 1.35 million shekels, with each winner receiving 150,000 shekels, including a special Avigdor Yitzhaki Prize for nonprofit civil society work promoting dialogue and bridging divides in Israeli society. Arts recipients include Iris Erez in dance, Shahar Marom in children’s theater, the Jerusalem Piyyut Ensemble in the instrumental arts, and Ido Dolev in film art direction, with judges praising the winners for artistic courage, impact, and leadership.

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://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/75663
https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/75666
https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/75665
https://t.me/ILtoday/18905
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-894480
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-894481
https://worldisraelnews.com/israel-labels-five-hamas-linked-media-platforms-as-terror-organizations/
https://t.me/newssil/200346
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-894484
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/article-894488