HEADLINES
Iran War Justified as Self-Defense by US
Nesiah Karadi Dies After Iranian Strike
War Aims to Block Turkey Weapon Access

The time is now 5:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Military Role, the State Department’s top lawyer argues that President Trump’s war with Iran was launched in self-defense and to defend an ally, framed as a continuation of an ongoing conflict rather than the start of a new war. State Department Legal Adviser Reed Rubinstein issued the stance days before a May 1 deadline for Congress to authorize the campaign under the 1973 War Powers Act or move to end it. The initial strikes on February 28 targeted Iran’s leadership and missiles program, with Trump stating aims to destroy missiles, erase Iran’s navy, and prevent a nuclear weapon, while urging Iranians to overthrow their government; legal experts have questioned whether the actions comply with the UN Charter. Separately, footage from Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv shows several US KC-46 Pegasus and KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft on the ground.

In Regional Impacts, a former Navy commander says the war is not about Iran now but to prevent Turkey from obtaining the weapon, reflecting wider regional concerns about how the conflict could shift balance and access to power in the area.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, an 11-year-old, Nesiah Karadi, died after more than three weeks in intensive care following an Iranian missile strike in Bnei Brak on Passover eve. Her death raises Israel’s fatalities since the start of Operation Roaring Lion to 28. Nesiah was a student at the Chorev school in Ramat Gan; her parents spoke of her adherence to safety guidelines and described her as a diligent child who always moved to protected spaces during sirens, and her funeral is expected Saturday evening.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, two teenagers were arrested in relation to a threat that shuttered Congregation Beth Israel in Houston. Angelina Han Hicks, 18, of Lexington, North Carolina, was arrested at her home and charged with conspiring to attack the synagogue, held on a $10 million bond. A 16-year-old boy in Houston was also arrested in connection with a threat directed at Jewish institutions in the area. It was unclear whether the arrests are connected; a judge ordered Hicks not to communicate with unnamed co-conspirators. Congregation Beth Israel and the Shlenker School closed following the threats, and authorities said there is no other known credible threat at this time.

In Uplifting News, female IDF soldiers in Lebanon say they are defying skepticism and know their worth, emphasizing that their experiences in Gaza and Syria have proven their value in combat roles despite initial doubts from commanders. And on a lighter note, we’re reminded: On our way to Reno, Nevada.

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/american-politics/article-894082
https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/75498
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1313574
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-894081
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-894080
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/ryllmlta11x
https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/75495