Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-04-29 at 04:02

HEADLINES
- Trump Pushes Hormuz blockade amid Iran collapse
- Israel destroys huge southern Lebanon tunnel network
- Netanyahu trial proceeds as judges deny delay

The time is now 4:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Iranian Retaliation, President Trump says Iran has conceded it is in a state of collapse and needs the United States to end its naval blockade immediately. He wrote on Truth Social that Iran is in a “State of Collapse” and wants the Hormuz Strait reopened as soon as possible while Tehran works through its leadership transition. There was no immediate confirmation from Tehran, and talks remain stalled as the White House has rejected Tehran's overture to negotiate a separate deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the war.

In US Military Role, five former US officials criticized the Pentagon for not publicly addressing possible American involvement in the February 28 strike on a primary school in Minab, Iran, during Operation Epic Fury. Iranian officials say the strike killed 168 people, including around 110 children. The Pentagon says the incident remains under investigation, with no final conclusion announced and no comment on reports that investigators believed American forces were likely responsible. Separately, the defense secretary is set to testify before Congress as lawmakers press on war costs, munitions shortages, Iran drone attacks and Pentagon firings, while fuel prices have risen since Tehran closed the Strait of Hormuz, adding pressure ahead of the midterms.

In Regional Impacts, European airlines face their biggest challenge since the COVID-19 pandemic as the Iran war pushes jet fuel prices higher and disrupts travel through the Middle East, casting a shadow over the summer holiday season. Carriers have hedged to manage costs as jet fuel has risen about 84% since the start of the conflict on February 28; there is a risk of fuel supply rationing, particularly in Asia and Europe, though supply remains adequate for now. The underlying demand for air travel stays solid, and airline shares have been affected as markets weigh the turbulence and possible peace moves.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, the Israeli military says it destroyed the most significant underground tunnel network discovered in southern Lebanon to date. Using 450 tons of explosive, the tunnel network extended about two kilometers, reached depths of up to 25 meters, and included 30 shafts and 30 living chambers, carved into granite. It was described as a major and costly project.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Trump told aides to prepare for an extended blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, according to the Wall Street Journal. In a Monday meeting, he argued that maintaining economic pressure on Iran was less risky than walking away or restarting the conflict. He reportedly believed a prolonged blockade would reduce risk compared with alternatives. Separately, during a state dinner with Britain's King Charles, Trump said the US military was “doing well” in the Middle East and asserted that the opponent had been militarily defeated and would not be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon; the context includes Iran largely blocking Gulf shipping since the war began and the US began blockading Iranian ships earlier in the month.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Netanyahu's trial proceedings continued with judges rejecting the defense's request to delay testimony. The defense asked to shorten Wednesday's hearing to 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., citing a security matter presented in a sealed envelope; Presiding Judge Rivka Friedman-Feldman declined, and the hearing will proceed as scheduled. It marks the first hearing since February 24, following the Iran war and regional security developments. In a separate note, a report from the Mahane Yehuda market indicates the arrest of a Shin Bet asset, with few details available.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, a court in Brno, Czech Republic, has sentenced a young man to seven years in prison for trying to carry out a terrorist attack by setting fire to a synagogue, in a case authorities say was inspired by the Islamic State (ISIS). The defendant, who was a minor at the time of the 2024 incident, received an additional two-year sentence for promoting terrorism after reaching adulthood, bringing the total custodial sentence to nine years. Prosecutors said he was part of online-radicalized youths who spread extremist propaganda and discussed attacks against minority targets, highlighting ongoing concerns about digital radicalization and youth involvement in extremism in the Czech Republic.

In Israeli Economy and Business, Axel Springer CEO Matthias Döpfner told employees that support for Israel is part of the company’s DNA and that those who disagree should leave. He stressed that the firm’s core values, including support for the right of Israel to exist, are non-negotiable, and urged staff to consider elsewhere if these principles are not the reason they work there.

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://worldisraelnews.com/trump-iran-admitted-to-us-it-is-in-a-state-of-collapse/
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-894538
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/bj52ev10wx
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-894542
https://t.me/abualiexpress/121351
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-894537
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/benjamin-netanyahu/article-894532
https://t.me/newssil/200391
https://t.me/selena_updates/62884
https://t.me/newssil/200394