HEADLINES
- Lebanon housing destroyed as displacement soars
- US seizes Iranian ship amid Hormuz talks
- Remembrance Day honors fallen soldier Shachar Fridman

The time is now 11:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Regional Impacts, the latest government estimate shows Israeli attacks in the ongoing Lebanon war damaged or destroyed more than 62,000 housing units across the country. Within about 45 days of the fighting, 21,700 housing units were destroyed and 40,500 were damaged, according to Chadi Abdallah, head of the National Council for Scientific Research. The conflict has left more than 2,400 people dead and displaced more than a million since Iran-backed Hezbollah dragged Lebanon into the war on March 2. Despite a 10-day truce that began Friday, Lebanese authorities, eyewitnesses, and photographs from AFP indicate that Israeli forces have continued to demolish and blow up homes in southern Lebanese towns they currently occupy. Abdallah said the first three days of the ceasefire saw 428 housing units destroyed and 50 damaged. Lebanon plans to seek an extension of the truce at talks set for Thursday. The clash between Hezbollah and Israel last flared in 2023, escalating into two months of fighting.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, tensions across the region could rise even if US-Iran talks proceed, as a fragile ceasefire between Washington and Tehran threatens to unravel. The implications of renewed escalation could include a multi-front war and a sharp rise in global oil and shipping prices, along with international pushback against the United States and Israel and political effects ahead of the US midterm elections. The United States on Monday attacked and seized an Iranian cargo ship it said was trying to break the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz; Iran condemned the move as a ceasefire violation and warned it would retaliate if the pressure continued. Talks are expected to take place in Pakistan, and Washington said negotiations remained positive while Tehran said it was considering participation. Reports also noted a senior US official said talks would proceed, though specifics were not disclosed.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Trump says talks with the Iranians on Friday could be possible. The former president suggested that discussions with Iran might occur on Friday, signaling a potential shift in approach, though no further details were provided about format or participants.

In Uplifting News, the sister of fallen soldier Shachar Fridman spoke of his life and character on Israel’s Remembrance Day. Fridman, who was 21, served in the 101st Battalion of the Paratroopers Brigade and returned to service after the October 7 outbreak despite previously being released from the army. She recalled that he answered his commander’s call without hesitation and went to fight in southern Israel before entering Gaza. He was killed on November 18, 2023, during hand-to-hand combat with Hamas fighters in the northern Gaza Strip while trying to protect fellow soldiers. Born September 13, 2002, in Jerusalem, he was the fourth child of Liat and Doron and grew up with his sisters Inbar, Sahar, and Noya. He studied at a religious high school with a focus on art, and his sister described him as a beacon of light, joy, and love for others, living with an open heart and constant concern for those around him.

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/more-62000-lebanon-housing-units-damaged-destroyed-israel-war-govt-estimate
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-893847
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-893840
https://t.me/newssil/199820
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-893838