Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-04-09 at 05:02

HEADLINES
- UK Warns Lebanon-Israel Escalation Must End
- Netanyahu corruption hearings resume in Tel Aviv
- Pakistani Pleads Guilty in NYC ISIS Plot

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

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Britain’s foreign secretary warned that the recent escalation between Israel and Lebanon must end to prevent destabilizing any potential US-Iran ceasefire. Yvette Cooper told Times Radio that Israel’s strikes were deeply damaging and that Lebanon should be included in any ceasefire so the accord covers the whole region. She also urged protection of freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and backing for international maritime proposals to aid ships stuck there, amid broader concerns about regional security. The Israeli military said overnight strikes targeted two key crossings used by Hezbollah to move between areas north and south of the Litani River and to transfer weapons, part of ongoing efforts to disrupt Hezbollah’s infrastructure. The army added that roughly 10 weapons storage sites, launchers, and command centers in southern Lebanon were hit, and it released footage of paratroopers operating as troops push to reinforce the forward defensive line along the northern border. In a related move, Costa Rica designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Hezbollah, Hamas, and Yemen’s Houthis as terrorist organizations, saying the action aligns with international commitments to fight terrorism and its financing and will strengthen authorities’ ability to prevent, investigate, and prosecute support networks that enable these groups, protecting public security and democratic institutions. Across the north, air-raid sirens continued as fighting in Lebanon persisted, with observers noting that the broader confrontation could widen. Former Israeli defense officials and lawmakers warned that the conflict with Iran could resume, while the Home Front Command issued guidance on civil defense and daily routines, including schooling and public transport, as residents adapt to the ongoing threat. In Kiryat Shmona, sirens again sounded, underscoring the continued disruption of daily life in northern Israel.

In the Israeli Domestic Politics topic, the Jerusalem District Court announced that hearings in the Netanyahu corruption case would resume as normal after a return to routine court operations. The hearings are scheduled to begin Sunday, April 12, and will run four days a week, with sessions on Mondays through Wednesdays held in Tel Aviv unless a specific postponement is requested. The development comes as the legal proceedings resume alongside broader domestic and security concerns in the country.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, a Pakistani national has pleaded guilty to ISIS-inspired plans to attack New York’s Jewish community on the first anniversary of Hamas’s October 7 massacre. Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, also known as Shahzeb Jadoon, admitted to attempting to commit acts of terrorism and to planning a mass shooting at a prominent Jewish center in Brooklyn, having previously communicated with others about ISIS while based in Canada and later extradited to the United States. Prosecutors said he discussed distributing ISIS propaganda and coordinating abroad, with the plan to carry out an attack on October 7, 2024, while seeking to cross national boundaries for the operation.

In the Israeli Economy and Business topic, Energean’s Kish offshore gas platform is set to restart production following a ceasefire between the United States and Iran. The Energy Ministry ordered Energean to resume operations on the Kish field, which had been shut since February 28 out of safety concerns tied to the broader regional conflict. Energean confirmed receipt of the directive and said it would reanimate safe production and normal operations in line with its internal procedures.

In the Uplifting News topic, the Artemis II astronauts brace for a fiery return to Earth. The four crew members, orbiting the Moon in the Orion capsule, are preparing for re-entry off the Southern California coast on Friday, with speeds approaching 23,839 mph as the heat shield faces extreme atmospheric friction. The crew spoke of the journey’s emotional magnitude in their first space briefing, noting the wealth of images and stories gathered during the farthest Moon flyby in human history. Separately, former hostage Eliya Cohen faces complex foot surgery ahead of his wedding. He postponed the operation due to trauma from a hospital in Gaza, expressing hope that he will one day stand under his wedding canopy and step on the glass, a moment he looks forward to with faith and resolve.

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/international/article-892428
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https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1306784
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1306778
https://t.me/newssil/198481
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1306785
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-892411
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1306786
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-892417
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/sjp1gkh2bg