HEADLINES
US Envoys Restart Iran Talks in Islamabad
US Weighs Punishing Allies Over Iran War
Jerusalem Marathon Returns After War Disruption

The time is now 3:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, US envoys head to Islamabad to restart a new round of peace negotiations with Iran amid a fragile ceasefire, though the prospect of direct talks remained uncertain. The White House said emissaries Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would engage in an in-person conversation with Iranian representatives, but Iranian state media said that direct negotiations were not on the cards. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has already arrived in Islamabad. Separately, Spain described itself as a reliable NATO member after reports that the United States was weighing ways to punish allies who refused to back military operations against Iran, with a US official citing a Pentagon option to suspend allies who did not support the US-Israeli war against Iran. In Kuwait, an American-Kuwaiti journalist has been released after weeks in custody during a crackdown on sharing footage of the war.

In Israeli Economy and Business, Against all official odds: Jerusalem business owners struggle to survive as the state dithers, tax-paying business owners say they need timely financial assistance to keep their operations moving. Jerusalem has long faced hardship, with business owners recalling past crises and a city haunted by wall-like streets and periods of upheaval. A bar owner, speaking anonymously, said she has resigned herself to the city’s challenges after surviving events from the Second Intifada to ongoing security pressures, noting that many establishments have endured years of income-generating quandaries and other existential concerns, especially amid periodic terrorist attacks.

In Uplifting News, A city back on its feet after a month of war: The 2026 Jerusalem Marathon experience, the finish line appears near as runners push through the final stretch beside Sacher Park, their legs heavy but spirits unbowed. Jerusalemites, volunteers, and supporters call out encouragement as the crowd crosses the line and reunites with loved ones. The race was postponed to the latest possible date after a period when sirens and shelter considerations interrupted daily life, and even as the city faced what some called the Second Iran War, the event embodied resilience and community spirit. Runners gathered in the dark at 5:30 a.m. outside the Jerusalem Gate Hotel, and though uncertainty lingered about the path ahead, many looked to next year with renewed determination and hope.

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/war-middle-east-latest-developments-27
https://www.jpost.com/business-and-innovation/all-news/article-893981
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-893985