Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-04-28 at 14:02

HEADLINES
Trump Approval at 34% Amid Rising Costs
Hamas Consolidates Control in Gaza, Threat Looms
Jalud Rioters Torch Palestinian Home, IDF Delays

The time is now 2:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Military Role, President Donald Trump’s approval rating has fallen to 34% in a four-day Reuters/Ipsos poll, the lowest level of his current term, as Americans expressed concern about the cost of living and an unpopular war with Iran. The poll, completed on Monday, shows 34% approval, down from 36% in a prior Reuters/Ipsos survey conducted from April 15 to 20. Only 22% of respondents approve of his handling of the cost of living, down from 25% in the prior poll. The shift comes as gasoline prices have risen amid the conflict with Iran that began earlier this year. Responses were gathered before the Saturday night shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, and federal prosecutors have charged the accused shooter with attempting to assassinate the president.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Hamas moves to consolidate rule in Gaza. The threat profile from Gaza has fractured into immediate tactical threats and the internal governance that allows the group to survive, and observers caution that action will be needed to prevent Hamas from rebuilding a terror army in the Strip. The Israel Defense Forces have inflicted heavy damage in past campaigns and control more than half of the coastal enclave, yet Hamas is exploiting a lull to rehabilitate civilian administration and re-establish its military footprint. Former Israeli intelligence officials say long-term implications cannot be addressed simply through diplomacy or third-party interventions to disarm a group that retains its grip on the local population.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, IDF stood by as extremist Jewish rioters set fire to a Palestinian home in Jalud and beat an elderly man, according to Army Radio. Soldiers arrived after the rioters, then waited for about five minutes without taking action against the 12 participants; eyewitnesses say one soldier warned the rioters to disperse or be arrested, allowing most to escape, and only one of the twelve was arrested. Eyewitnesses also described violent acts against IDF troops and Border Police in the area, including ramming a vehicle and blocking responses. The army did not deny the incident, explaining the arrest decision reflected being outnumbered and a priority to disperse the confrontation and extinguish the fire. Separately, Ultra-Orthodox protesters blocked Highway 4 and threw rocks at firefighters as they demonstrated against draft policies; the protests featured clashes with police, while local officials denounced the disruption and a High Court order instructed steps to retract key financial benefits from draft evaders and move toward criminal enforcement.

In Uplifting News, Tel Aviv University and Weizmann Institute scholars are among the 2026 Landau Prize winners. The awards total 1.35 million shekels, with each winner receiving 150,000 shekels, alongside a special Avigdor Yitzhaki Prize awarded to Desert Stars for nonprofit civil society work promoting dialogue and bridge-building in Israeli society. The arts winners include dancer Iris Erez, Shahar Marom in children’s theater, the Jerusalem Piyyut Ensemble in instrumental performance, and Ido Dolev in film art direction, with judges praising the winners for artistic excellence and contributions to culture and science in Israel.

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.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/04/exclusive-trump-approval-sinks-record-low-war-iran-drives-cost-living-concerns
https://worldisraelnews.com/exploiting-international-focus-on-other-arenas-hamas-moves-to-consolidate-rule-in-gaza/
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/crime-in-israel/article-894496
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/crime-in-israel/article-894492
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/article-894488