HEADLINES
- Trump backs direct strike on Iran leadership
- IDF dismantles Hezbollah tunnels in Qantara
- Fort Polk soldier charged with synagogue threat

The time is now 9:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, there are reports from Washington that a direct attack on Iran's leadership is being considered as an option. Former President Donald Trump asserts that Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz would allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon, warning that such a move would leave the world hostage, and says he is taking action with Iran now that other nations or presidents should have done long ago.

In Regional Impacts, the Panama Canal is experiencing higher traffic as the US-Iran conflict affects global shipping plans. The Panama Canal Authority said the war should drive more shipments through the canal, with about 300 vessel crossings registered since October compared with the same period last fiscal year, and that this trend is expected to continue until the situation in the Middle East is resolved.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, the IDF reports it dismantled two Hezbollah underground tunnels in the Qantara area of southern Lebanon. The tunnels stretched about two kilometers in total, contained more than 30 rooms and 30 operational shafts, and were destroyed with more than 450 tons of explosives; one tunnel had recently been used by Hezbollah’s Radwan Force for terror attack planning. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel is launching a “special project” to eliminate drone threats from Lebanon, a long-term effort he says will be pursued with patience as Israel works to dismantle that threat.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, a 22-year-old soldier stationed at Fort Polk in western Louisiana—now known as Fort Johnson near the Texas border—has been charged in federal court after authorities say he threatened on Discord to carry out a mass shooting at a synagogue and kill Jewish worshippers. Prosecutors say he was charged with transmitting a threat in interstate commerce, a offense carrying up to five years in prison.

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://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/75685
https://t.me/JewishNews24/53533
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/04/panama-canal-sees-spike-vessel-traffic-due-war-middle-east
https://t.me/JewishNews24/53528
https://t.me/JewishNews24/53525
https://t.me/JewishNews24/53524