HEADLINES
CENTCOM denies evasion; 29 vessels turned back
Pioneers of Bashan infiltrate Syria border
Over 150 Hezbollah killed; ceasefire talks advance

The time is now 7:02 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Military Role, CENTCOM said reports that several commercial ships evaded the Strait of Hormuz blockade are inaccurate. In a post on X, CENTCOM said 29 vessels were ordered to turn around or return to port as part of the blockade. The command named M/V Hero II, M/V Hedy, and M/V Dorena as ships cited by media reports. Hero II and Hedy did not sail past the blockade as part of a flotilla ferrying millions of barrels of oil to the market; the Iranian-flagged tankers are anchored in Chah Bahar, Iran, after being intercepted earlier this week. Dorena has been escorted by a US Navy destroyer in the Indian Ocean after attempting to violate the blockade. The United States also confirmed a maritime interdiction and boarding of the M/F Tifani, described as a stateless sanctioned vessel, overnight under INDOPACOM's area of responsibility.

In Regional Impacts, the Israeli military said it intercepted around 40 Israeli civilians who attempted to enter Syria on Wednesday afternoon. The group gathered at the border and penetrated several hundred meters into the buffer zone before being returned to Israel and taken into police custody. Israeli media identified the infiltrators as part of the right-wing group "Pioneers of Bashan," which advocates establishing Jewish settlements in Lebanon and Syria. A short while ago, an unidentified drone attacked the Komala organization headquarters in the Suran area of Erbil, in northern Iraq.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, the IDF said hundreds of Hezbollah terrorists were killed in the 24 hours before the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire took effect. More than 150 Hezbollah terrorists were killed and about 300 infrastructure targets were struck across Lebanon, including launchers, command centers, and weapons storage facilities. Among those killed was Ali Reza Abbas, commander of the Hezbollah unit operating in Bint Jbeil; Abbas was involved in operations against military forces and in efforts to strengthen the town. He is the fourth Bint Jbeil commander killed since the start of Operation Northern Arrows. An additional operation was conducted by the IDF's 91st Division. Separately, Israeli strikes killed five people in Lebanon, including a journalist, and wounded another as Beirut and Washington prepare for ceasefire talks. Lebanon plans to seek a one-month extension of the truce in the talks, while the Lebanese president said contacts are underway to extend the ceasefire.

In Uplifting News, about two thousand people attended an Independence Day event organized by Orthodox Union Israel for English speakers at the Ramada Hotel in Jerusalem. Senior leaders including Executive Director Rabbi Avi Berman, Center Director Rabbi Sam Shore, and President Rabbi Stuart Hershkowitz attended, along with participants from the United States, Canada, Australia, and South Africa. Berman noted the day's significance and thanked those who served. In JFK, Terminal 8 in New York was unveiled after a $525 million renovation, adding dozens of local dining and retail options and marking progress for an airport long criticized for passenger experience. In film news, Israeli-born director Sam Firstenberg, known for action classics like American Ninja, sees a revival of interest as his 1989 Riverbend will screen in five cities on April 29, offering a fresh look at the film and his body of work. Finally, former Gaza hostages visited wounded soldiers ahead of Independence Day, meeting returned servicemen at Rabin Medical Center-Beilinson Campus; the veterans said the moment felt like a real victory.

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-893871
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https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-893873
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/04/israeli-strikes-kill-5-lebanon-beirut-seek-truce-extension
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-893874
https://t.me/JewishNews24/53157
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-893868
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-893867