Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-04-17 at 21:02

0:00A vacation rental should come with support, not surprises. That's why Verbo comes with a Verbo care guarantee and 24-7 life support from real people. So if something goes sideways, Verbo care can help. If the host cancels, Verbo care? If the listing says heated pool but there's actually no pool to heat. Definitely a Verbo care thing. If my teenager starts calling me Leslie instead of Mom. That's a family thing, Leslie. That makes sense. Book with support, not surprises. Verbo care and 24-7 life support. If you know, you Verbo. Terms apply, cverbo.com slash trust for details. The time is now 9.01 pm in New York. I'm Noah Levi and this is the latest Israel today, ongoing war report. In regional impacts, a Hebrew university study finds that Israelis faced notable health-related behavior changes during the Iran War, with nearly two-thirds reporting a sharp drop in overall physical activity and a reduction in sleep. The research also shows a rise in ultra-processed food consumption,

1:03with just over half of participants increasing intake of sweets and pastries, alongside a decline in produce and a rise in alcohol use. The study notes there was no link between the uptick in ultra-processed foods and the drop in produce. Suggesting the overall increase in food consumption reflects broader eating increases. The impact appeared more pronounced among women, and researchers observed a correlation between higher ultra-processed food intake and reduced physical activity. Separately, Iran has told mediators it will continue to limit the number of ships crossing the strait of hormones and charge tolls for the remainder of the cease-for-period. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for joint efforts to set up a mission to safeguard freedom of navigation in the strait of hormones, saying Kiev's wartime Black Sea experience could help. He emphasized that decisions now will shape how other straits and fronts are treated and noted that hormones' security challenges require more than political measures. Siting Ukraine's experience in escorting merchant vessels,

2:05demining, defending against air attacks, and coordinating such operations. In the conflict with Iran and its regional proxies, ex-Al-Qaeda member and former British intelligence asset Amin Dine, claims the US-mediated Israel Lebanon cease-fire is being used as leverage against Iran. Suggesting Tehran is using the Lebanon cease-fire as a pretext while pursuing broader goals, including nuclear talks and opening the strait of hormones. IDF officers in southern Lebanon say they were not informed about the cease-fire before learning of it through foreign media and telegram. Five IDF divisions remain in the area awaiting orders, with the military indicating it will maintain control of captured Lebanese terrain, and could deepen operations if needed. After reporting the seizure of a key ridge minutes before the cease-fire took effect, Lebanese President Joseph Ayrun said cease-fire terms should move toward permanent agreements, thanking the United States and regional partners, and stressing that negotiations must preserve the rights, unity, sovereignty and land of Lebanon.

3:08Even as Hezbollah opponents within Lebanon push back on direct talks with Israel. In US policy concerning Israel, the American Jewish Committee joined with foundations and rights groups to urge President Trump to elevate the return of Americans held in Iran, to the highest national priority during cease-fire talks, asserting that wrongful detention will not be tolerated, and that the United States must pursue such cases with resolve. A new round of us Iran talks is planned for Monday in Islamabad, Pakistan, according to Iranian officials, as part of ongoing efforts to manage tensions and security dynamics in the region. In anti-Semitism and anti-Jewish hate, Alana Newhouse argues in an opinion piece that envy of the Zionist nation state helps explain anti-Zionist sentiment in parts of the liberal West, suggesting a longing for Israel's model of statehood underpins critical attitudes. Separately, Pete Hexath drew criticism for comparing the media to Pharisees, a reference that many view as carrying antisemitic implications.

4:10A controversy that echoes a similar instance from 2019 when Pete Buttigieg referenced Pharisees in a critique of an opponent. In uplifting news, an opinion piece commemorates the overlooked Jewish role in America's revolution. Noting how Jewish merchants, artisans and professionals aided the fight for independence by supplying goods, raising funds, and joining local militias, a travel piece on Hormuz Island off Iran's coast offers a vivid look at a striking landscape that has recently drawn renewed attention, describing its otherworldly scenery as travellers share impressions from the island's dramatic environment. Thank you for tuning into this Israel today, ongoing war report update. I'm Noah 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.

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