Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-04-22 at 14:01

HEADLINES
- Missile Fragment Intercepted Near Ramat Hasharon
- Zamir Caine Cooper Orchestrate Iran War
- IDF Strikes 70 Targets in Lebanon

The time is now 2:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, Israeli civilians discovered a large missile fragment in an open area near Ramat Hasharon in central Israel. The fragment is believed to be from an interception during Operation Roaring Lion. Police said there were no casualties and the fragment posed no danger. They dispatched officers, including bomb disposal specialists, to assess the scene and handle any unexploded ordnance. Authorities urged the public to remain vigilant, avoid touching suspected fragments, and call the police if they find anything suspicious. Several large fragments fell during the operation after being intercepted by Israel’s air defense systems, including Arrow and Iron Dome.

In US Military Role, a new report details the roles of three senior military figures as influential voices in the Iran war: Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lieutenant-General Eyal Zamir, United States Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Caine, and United States Central Command Chief Admiral Brad Cooper. Zamir is described as having helped persuade Caine and Cooper that the conflict could be feasible, leading them to support it or not oppose it. Caine is portrayed as having been crucial in convincing President Trump that the war was viable, even as the US chairman reportedly held doubts about certain aspects. Caine also weighed in on the issue of unilateral ceasefires, concerned that costly outcomes in American lives and politics could follow any escalation. All three high-ranking commanders are presented as major influences on the war’s architecture, even when their preferences did not always align, a broader narrative that also touches on an emergency White House meeting in Washington.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, the Israeli Defense Forces conducted an operation in southern Lebanon before the current ceasefire came into effect, around Dibbin about 12 kilometers inside Lebanese territory, with the 91st Division coordinating with the Israeli Air Force. Troops engaged a Hezbollah compound identified as a threat to soldiers and civilians, and intelligence indicated attempts to carry out attacks. More than 70 targets were struck and over 20 terrorists were killed in close-quarters combat and airstrikes. Earlier, Hezbollah violated the ceasefire by firing rockets toward Israeli troops in southern Lebanon, and the IDF said it struck the launcher. Hezbollah later claimed the rockets were launched in response to what it called more than 200 violations by the Israeli side since the ceasefire began.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, the United States informed Israel that the Iran ceasefire had been extended to Sunday, officials said. President Trump also said Iran halted the executions of eight women protesters after his appeal, claiming four would be released and four given one-month sentences, framing the move as a possible opening step toward renewed negotiations.

In Uplifting News, Israel’s furthest north communities welcomed a baby born during Independence Day in Kidmat Tzvi in the Golan Heights. Tal and Kirish Akrish welcomed their third son, the first to be born at the Ziv Medical Center’s maternity ward since the war began, and thanked the medical team at Ziv in Safed. “The moment we held our baby for the first time was a moment of great light,” they said, while midwife Hanan Abu Assi noted that the moment carried real meaning and that a baby boom is expected as the center resumes operations after the ceasefire with Hezbollah. In Gibraltar, researchers reported that macaques are increasingly eating soil, particularly in groups that consume more tourist snacks such as chocolate and crisps, as a potential buffer against stomach upset from junk food. Lead author Sylvain Lemoine suggested soil may act as an antacid, with more research needed to understand possible microbiome effects. Former Gaza hostage Eli Sharabi spoke of Independence Day with renewed sorrow and resolve, recalling his wife and daughters murdered in the October 7 attacks and his brother kidnapped and later killed; he said Independence Day now carries deeper meaning as he continues to honor his family and pursue a sense of national resilience.

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/israel-news/article-893859
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-893860
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-893857
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hkzweyi611l
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-893858
https://www.jpost.com/omg/article-893862
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-893854