Israel & the United States at War with Iran
Special Update from Israel

April 23, 2026

Prepared by and sent from Jewish Federations of North America's Israel Office 

• Ceasefires with Iran and Lebanon hold, shakily, while negotiations continue.
• Two IDF soldiers were killed in Lebanon last week
• Argentinian President visits Israel

Iran

• Hours before the two‑week ceasefire with Iran was set to expire, President Donald Trump announced he was extending the truce “for the time being,” saying Pakistani mediators sought more time for Iran’s leadership to submit a unified proposal. He said the US would continue a naval blockade tied to Iran. Meanwhile, the US and Pakistan awaited Iran’s response to a US proposal; a second round of talks that had been pushed off, so VP JD Vance called off his planned trip to Pakistan.
• Iranian forces targeted three container ships in and around the Strait of Hormuz and seized two of them, identifying the vessels as the MSC Francesca and the Epaminondas. A UK maritime security report said an IRGC gunboat fired on one ship about 15 nautical miles northeast of Oman, causing heavy damage to the bridge, although the crews were safe. Panama condemned what it called the “illegal seizure” of a vessel sailing under its flag through the Strait of Hormuz, saying it was forcibly taken into Iranian waters.
• US defense officials predicted that the work of clearing the mines laid in the Strait of Hormuz would take about six months.
• According to Israeli media, pressure on Tehran is increasingly coming from Beijing, as China’s oil reserves decline. The New York Times reported that it was because of China's intervention that Iran agreed to the Pakistan‑mediated ceasefire; Beijing told Tehran to “show flexibility and defuse tensions.”
• Iran executed Soltanali Shirzadi Fakhr for cooperating with Israeli intelligence; he was a long‑time member of the Mujahideen‑e‑Khalq.
• The Mossad, Israel’s foreign intelligence arm, said that one of its members had been killed inside an “enemy country,” without further details being released.

Iran's Options

• According to Israeli reporter Amit Segal, Iran now has four broad strategic options, none of which offer a clear or low‑cost exit:

1. Renew the war: Iran could decline to extend the ceasefire and resume direct conflict, likely focusing on high‑impact targets such as oil and gas infrastructure in neighboring Gulf states to intensify the global energy crisis and generate pressure on Washington. This path carries significant risk, given Iran’s depleted military stocks, Israel’s readiness to respond, and the arrival of additional US naval forces in the region.
2. Proxy escalation: Iran could attempt to raise indirect pressure through allied groups, particularly Shiite militias in Iraq or the Houthis in Yemen, including attacks on Gulf energy facilities or shipping routes. However, Hezbollah seems unlikely to re‑enter fighting after the recent Lebanon ceasefire, and the Houthis have shown limited willingness to escalate against a reinforced US military presence.
3. Capitulate and negotiate: Tehran could return to negotiations while the naval blockade remained in place. While this option reduced immediate military risk, it would represent a major political and reputational setback for a regime that had publicly ruled out negotiations under blockade conditions.
4. Maintain the stalemate: Iran could take no immediate action, preserving the status quo while betting that domestic political pressure in the US and sustained energy market strain would eventually push Washington to soften its demands. This approach risks prolonged economic damage inside Iran, with the possibility that the existing equilibrium could become unsustainable within weeks.

• From Israel’s perspective, the continuation of the ceasefire combined with Iran’s absence from negotiations is seen as a favorable outcome, as it leaves Tehran under sustained pressure from US naval containment and sanctions without unlocking funds or concessions that could enable Iran to rebuild its military capabilities.

Lebanon

• Two Israeli reserve soldiers were killed last week during operations in southern Lebanon after explosive devices detonated during patrol activity. Sgt. First Class (res.) Lidor Porat, 31, was killed when an explosive detonated as his vehicle passed over it, while Command Sgt. Maj. (res.) Barak Kalfon, 48, was killed when an explosive device was triggered during a search of a building for weapons. The IDF carried out targeted strikes against Hezbollah infrastructure in response.
• Israel and Lebanon remained in the U.S.-brokered indirect negotiations under a 10‑day ceasefire that took effect on April 16, which was aimed at creating space for a more permanent security arrangement along the northern border. The Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors to the U.S. in Washington are set to meet as early as today with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Lebanon is seeking to extend the current ceasefire beyond the initial 10 days.
• Israel said the cease-fire is “conditional and temporary,” stressing that Israel retained full freedom of action against imminent Hezbollah threats and continued to demand the disarmament of Hezbollah and the removal of its forces from southern Lebanon. Lebanese officials described the talks as fragile but necessary, emphasizing Lebanese sovereignty, while insisting that Hezbollah’s fate could only be addressed “through internal Lebanese consensus.” Hezbollah signaled cautious adherence to the ceasefire but warned it would respond to any Israeli violations. Israeli media say that the success of the talks is dependent on whether the Lebanese government and military have the desire and the ability to disarm Hezbollah.
• The IDF said its troops captured a member of Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force in southern Lebanon after identifying him as planning “imminent” attacks on Israeli forces stationed there. The military said the operative surrendered shortly after being spotted and was taken to Israel for interrogation by the IDF.
• A Lebanese journalist, Amal Khalil of the pro‑Hezbollah daily Al‑Akhbar, was killed after Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon, with her body later pulled from rubble hours after the attack. The account said a strike hit a vehicle near where Amal Khalil and freelance photographer Zeinab Faraj were working, and they then ran into a nearby house that was also hit.
• Read: Inside Israel’s Buffer Zone in Southern Lebanon

Israel's Home Front

• Israel’s Home Front is operating as normal with schools, businesses, gatherings, and workplaces functioning without restrictions, including in the country’s north. Nonetheless, citizens are braced for a renewal of fighting, on either or both fronts, at any moment.
• Israel’s air traffic remains well below normal levels despite the formal reopening of airspace, with operations concentrated mainly at Ben Gurion Airport and only limited activity elsewhere. Ben Gurion was open to commercial flights, led primarily by Israeli carriers El Al, Arkia, Israir, and Air Haifa, alongside a small number of foreign airlines, led by UAE-based Etihad. Officials said capacity is still only a fraction of pre‑war levels, with airlines operating reduced schedules and, in many cases, fewer frequencies and seats per route than usual.
• Following the commemoration of Yom Hazikaron and celebrations of Yom Ha’atzmaut, read: A Country Worthy of their Sacrifice and A Day to Remember.

Diplomatic Developments

• Argentine President Javier Milei paid a historic state visit to Israel last week. During the trip, Milei announced the opening of Argentina’s embassy in Jerusalem, making Argentina the latest country to formally locate its embassy in Israel’s capital, and joined Israeli leaders in announcing the launch of direct flights between Tel Aviv and Buenos Aires later this year. Milei also became the first foreign leader to light a torch at Israel’s official Independence Day ceremony at Mount Herzl.
• The US Defense Department announced that John Phelan, the US Navy secretary, departed his post “effective immediately,” with Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell saying Hung Cao would become acting secretary. The departure came a day after Phelan addressed a Navy conference, and weeks after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth fired the Army’s top officer, Gen. Randy George, along with two other top generals.
• Israel’s Defense Ministry ordered another $200 million worth of aerial munitions from Elbit under a multiyear arrangement, describing the purchase as aimed at bolstering readiness for near‑term combat scenarios and preparing for a more intense security decade. The order included missiles and other bombs used by Israeli Air Force aircraft for strikes and interceptions. A similar $183 million deal was signed in January.
• UK counter-terror police arrested three suspects aged 20, 19, and 17 over the arson attack that destroyed four ambulances belonging to the Jewish volunteer organization Hatzalah near a synagogue in the Golders Green area of London. The arrests were on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life.

Jewish Federations and Partners

The Jewish Agency for Israel

• The Jewish Agency, supported by Jewish Federations, has provided approximately $6.3 million in loans and grants to 402 small businesses.
• Under the Roaring Lion Fund for victims, 1,224 applications were approved and an additional 126 were in process, representing about $1.43 million in assistance.
• Since the beginning of the war, 357 new immigrants have arrived, and 2,851 new aliyah files have been opened. The first flight of about 220 Bnei Menashe immigrants will arrive in Israel today.  An additional two flights are planned over the next two weeks, bringing the first cohort to about 600 immigrants. All members of the new Bnei Menashe olim groups were set to reside at the Nof HaGalil absorption center for six months. Children will be integrated immediately into kindergartens and schools, and adults are scheduled to participate in Hebrew ulpan at the center.

The Schechter Institute of Jewish Studies

• The Schechter Institute, supported by Jewish Federations’ iRep, is a Jerusalem-based umbrella network of over 40 Israeli-Judaism organizations and 25 communities working to promote a pluralistic, tolerant, and accessible public sphere in the capital. The Institute is known as one of Israel’s leading centers for pluralistic Jewish learning and community leadership training.
• The Institute’s Marpeh program equips mental-health professionals with practical tools to strengthen personal and communal resilience and has continued despite the challenges of the war. When in-person meetings were no longer possible, Schechter quickly transitioned the program to Zoom. Participation remained strong, and the work has stayed deeply impactful. More broadly, the Institute opened its new academic semester online to ensure continuous learning and connection for students.

The Shalom Hartman Institute

• The Shalom Hartman Institute, supported by Jewish Federations’ iRep, is a leading center for Jewish thought and moral leadership and has been active on multiple fronts throughout the war. Hartman has produced special podcast episodes, offered timely educational briefings, and provided program-specific support across its communities. The institute’s shared-society educators’ program, Min HaBe’erot, recently held a virtual session for Arab and Jewish participants on “Hope in a Time of War,” drawing strong participation despite sirens and shelter relocations.
• Rabbanut Yisraelit, Hartman’s network of Israeli rabbis, has focused on supporting rabbis personally, equipping them with tools for their communal roles, and fostering shared spiritual reflection. Meanwhile, core programs, including the ordination program, continue online.

Israel & the United States at War with Iran
Special Update from Israel

April 16, 2026

Prepared by and sent from Jewish Federations of North America's Israel Office 

Breaking News: President Donald Trump announced a 10-day Israel–Lebanon ceasefire set to begin at 5 p.m. ET, following calls with both countries’ leaders.

• Rocket attacks on Israel’s north continue
• Ceasefire between Iran and Israel + the US holding. Negotiations over the next stage continue informally.

Iran

• Following its imposition of a shipping blockade on Iran, the US warned that buyers of Iranian oil could face secondary sanctions and indicated it expected China to pause purchases. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington had told countries that Iranian funds sitting in their banks could trigger secondary sanctions, and that letters had also been sent to two Chinese banks warning of possible punitive measures. The Treasury Department also targeted Iran’s oil transportation infrastructure, sanctioning more than two dozen individuals, companies, and vessels. Bessent confirmed a 30‑day waiver on sanctions for Iranian oil at sea, issued March 20 and due to expire April 19, was not renewed.
• US Central Command said it turned back 10 vessels that attempted to sail out of Iranian ports during the first 48 hours of the naval blockade. CENTCOM claimed no ships broke through, including one vessel it said was redirected back to Iran by a guided missile destroyer.
• A senior adviser to Iran’s supreme leader publicly threatened to sink American ships if the US attempted to “police” the Strait of Hormuz during the blockade. Mohsen Rezaei said US ships “will be sunk” by Iranian missiles if Washington continued, and he also issued an explicit threat about taking hostages in the event of a ground invasion.
• Iran’s parliament speaker said a Lebanon ceasefire would be the result of Hezbollah’s “steadfast struggle” and the unity of the “Axis of Resistance,” while pressing the view that Lebanon should have been included in the ceasefire reached between Washington and Tehran.

Lebanon

• IDF Sgt. Maj. (res.) Ayal Uriel Bianco, 30, from Katzrin was killed on Monday, when a military vehicle he was traveling in overturned during operational activity in southern Lebanon amid ongoing fighting with Hezbollah. Three other reserve soldiers were injured in the incident, and the IDF said the circumstances of the crash were under investigation.
• In what would be a historic move, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to speak directly with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in the near future— possibly as early as today, as the two countries engage in direct negotiations and move closer to what could be a new peace deal. The talks were confirmed by an Israeli minister, although no formal announcement has been made.
• Earlier in the week, Israel began direct negotiations with Lebanon, marking the first such talks between the two countries since 1993, following decades of formal hostilities and indirect contacts. Israeli and Lebanese delegations met this week in Washington, DC, in US‑mediated talks hosted at the State Department. The Washington meeting brought together Israeli Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter and Lebanese Ambassador to the US Nada Hamadeh Moawad, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and senior US officials acting as mediators.
• Hezbollah rejected the talks outright and stepped up rhetoric against the Lebanese government as it continued its attacks on northern Israel with repeated barrages of rockets, missiles, and drones launched from southern Lebanon, triggering air raid sirens across the Galilee and border communities, including Kiryat Shmona, Nahariya, Safed, Shlomi, and Karmiel.
• More than 40 rockets were fired in one barrage earlier this week, and additional attacks included multiple explosive drones, several of which penetrated Israeli airspace before being intercepted, while at least one drone struck a building in Shlomi, causing property damage. Most projectiles were intercepted or fell in open areas, but rocket shrapnel wounded an Israeli civilian in the Western Galilee, and damage was reported to residential structures.
• In recent days, the IDF has continued its combined air and ground campaign against Hezbollah across southern Lebanon, striking what the military described as command centers, weapons depots, rocket launch sites and Radwan Force infrastructure. Airstrikes targeted Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon, the Tyre and Nabatieh areas, and parts of the Bekaa Valley, but not Beirut.
• Israeli ground forces continued an expanded offensive just north of the border. The main focus of ground fighting has been the town of Bint Jbeil, a longtime Hezbollah stronghold and symbolic center of the group’s “resistance,” where the IDF said troops have surrounded the town, destroyed dozens of sites used by Hezbollah and killed over 100 fighters in close‑quarters combat and air support operations.
• During the fighting in the Bint Jbeil area, IDF forces located more than 130 weapons inside a school building. The weapons included Kalashnikov rifles, pistols and additional arms, along with Hezbollah flags and other organizational insignia found at the site. The IDF said the weapons were confiscated, and troops continued operations in the area as part of efforts to locate additional weapons and Hezbollah operatives.
• President Donald Trump publicly urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to avoid actions that could derail diplomacy, saying Washington wanted to create “breathing room,” though he also stressed that Hezbollah was not covered by the Iran ceasefire. Israeli officials said operations against Hezbollah would continue, arguing the campaign was aimed at pushing the group away from the border and dismantling its military capacity.
• The IDF reiterated a broad evacuation warning for residents of southern Lebanon, urging people to evacuate immediately and move north of the Zahrani River.

Israel's Home Front

• Israel’s Health Ministry said 7,791 people had been admitted to hospitals due to the fighting with Iran and Hezbollah since the war began on February 28. It reported 83 still hospitalized, including one in critical condition, 15 in serious condition, 26 in moderate condition, and 41 in good condition, with the figures including both soldiers and civilians.
• The Israeli shekel has strengthened sharply in recent days, reaching its strongest level against the US dollar in roughly 30 years, with the exchange rate briefly breaking below 3 shekels to the dollar for the first time since the mid‑1990s. Over roughly the past year, the shekel has appreciated close to 20% against the dollar, making it one of the world’s strongest‑performing currencies over that period. Economists and market analysts attributed the surge to improving investor sentiment following the ceasefire with Iran, expectations of reduced regional risk, continued strong capital inflows, and a broader weakening of the dollar globally. The shekel has also gained against other major currencies, pushing it to record levels on a trade‑weighted basis, a development that has helped moderate inflation and lower import costs, while raising concerns among exporters about pressure on competitiveness.
• Israel’s aviation sector has begun a gradual return to normal operations following the ceasefire with Iran, with Ben Gurion Airport fully reopened and servicing an expanding—but still limited—range of international flights. Israeli carriers El Al, Arkia, and Israir have resumed broader schedules, with El Al set to expand service to around 40 destinations starting April 19, including routes to Boston and multiple European cities.
• Among foreign airlines, Etihad Airways has restarted two daily Tel Aviv–Abu Dhabi flights, while Bluebird Airways and TUS Airways have resumed service to Athens and Larnaca, respectively. Ethiopian Airlines, Smartwings, Hainan Airlines, and several smaller European and regional carriers are also returning this week, though capacity remains constrained. Major North American and Western European airlines—including United, Delta, Air Canada, Lufthansa Group, Air France–KLM and British Airways—have largely kept suspensions in place for now, citing security assessments and regulatory guidance. As a result, flight availability remains limited, fares are high, and the authorities say a full recovery will depend on continued stability and the pace at which foreign carriers regain confidence in the market.
• The government approved a five‑year development plan for the Golan Heights and Katzrin for 2026–2030, with total investment estimated at about $330 million. The plan aims to significantly expand Katzrin, which cabinet minister Ze’ev Elkin said would become the Golan’s first city, and to strengthen infrastructure, housing, employment and public services across the region along the Syrian and Lebanese borders. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the plan envisions bringing about 3,000 new families to Katzrin and the Golan Heights by 2030, alongside investments in higher education and research. Plans include establishing a branch of the University of Kiryat Shmona in Katzrin, as well as a veterinary hospital.

Diplomatic Developments

• Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar publicly thanked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for signing a law that introduced criminal penalties for antisemitic action in Ukraine, including prison sentences of up to eight years. The law was signed on Israel’s Holocaust Remembrance Day, and the update said it was overwhelmingly supported by Ukraine’s parliament.
• The US Senate voted down two resolutions aimed at blocking weapons sales to Israel, while a large share of Senate Democrats supported the efforts. Forty of 47 Senate Democrats voted to back one resolution seeking to block a $295 million sale of bulldozers, while 59 senators voted against it. Thirty‑six Democrats supported another resolution seeking to block a $152 million sale of 1,000‑pound bombs, while 63 senators voted against blocking it.     
• Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was included on Time magazine’s 2026 list of the 100 most influential people, marking his fifth appearance. The publication criticized Netanyahu for his responsibility for the October 7, 2023 failure while crediting him with subsequent political recovery amid Israel’s conflicts in Lebanon and Iran and the release of Gaza hostages.

Jewish Federations and Partners

The Jewish Agency for Israel

• Through the Jewish Agency’s Roaring Lion Fund for victims of the war, 1,165 assistance requests were approved and 325 remain in process, with total allocations reaching approximately $1.36 million. In parallel, $4.3 million in loans and grants were provided to 336 small businesses to support economic recovery.
• Jewish Agency subsidiary Amigour continued disruption at its sheltered housing facilities in northern Israel. A total of 11,909 food packages were distributed to elderly residents, including 76 deliveries this week to seniors in Nahariya. The organization renovated  153 sheltersand has been asked to repair 730 homes and public buildings.
• The Wings program for new immigrant lone soldiers expanded support following the outbreak of the war, mobilizing staff to conduct proactive outreach to hundreds of participants. Approximately 100 emergency grants and shopping vouchers were distributed to participants financially impacted by the fighting, and around 40 individuals were referred for mental health treatment, including wounded soldiers, evacuees, and those affected by nearby rocket impacts. The program also provided dedicated assistance to evacuees and parents of lone soldiers, including online resilience workshops for families abroad, while continuing all counseling and scholarship preparation services remotely to maintain continuity. The Wings program supports an average of 3,600 lone soldiers annually.

Kulna

• Kulna, an initiative that strengthens and empowers Mizrahi Jewish communities across Israel, is playing a critical role in this moment. Supported through iRep (Israel Religious Expression Platform), a coalition of Jewish Federations working  to advance religious pluralism in Israel by supporting civil society organizations, building public awareness, and strengthening dialogue between Israeli and North American Jewish leadership on issues of religion and state.
• In Tiberias, the local Kulna community led by Yossi Ben Hamo, is helping operate the municipal emergency center, supporting about 2,000 families. Their work focuses on three areas: meeting urgent community needs, including refurbishing shared shelters; supporting evacuated families with essentials and activities for children; and providing meals, care packages, and morale-boosting support for soldiers in the region. In Kiryat Shmona, where the situation is even more severe, Kulna has shifted programming online with Zoom learning sessions and in-shelter activities.

The Aguda

• The Aguda, formally known as The Association for LGBTQ Equality in Israel, is Israel’s oldest national LGBTQ organization, a non‑profit advocacy and support group founded in 1975 that works to advance equality, combat discrimination, and provide services to the LGBTQ community nationwide.
• During Operation Roaring Lion, The Aguda’s “Someone to Talk To” Hotline, supported by Jewish Federations, demonstrated the value of sustained philanthropic investment by maintaining full operational continuity under emergency conditions. As the war unfolded, the hotline rapidly absorbed increased demand, providing immediate emotional support and stabilization to LGBTQ individuals across Israel—many of them first time callers—while operating remotely under security constraints. Prior investment in volunteer training, digital infrastructure, and cross organizational coordination enabled uninterrupted access to crisis listening, containment, and referral, even as anxiety, loneliness, and emotional distress sharply intensified nationwide.
• Long-term capacity building also enabled swift escalation from listening, to action in high risk cases, including suicide prevention, emergency shelter placement, and urgent financial assistance. At the same time, hotline leadership prioritized volunteer resilience through proactive outreach and group support, ensuring staff well-being and service quality despite widespread personal and communal strain. Together, these measures allowed the hotline to remain a trusted, responsive point of care throughout the crisis—providing stability, safety, and connection when they were needed most.

Reshut Harabim

• Reshut Harabim, another iRep grantee, is a Jerusalem-based network of over 40 Israeli-Judaism organizations and 25 communities working to promote a pluralistic, tolerant, and accessible public sphere in the capital. In recent weeks, the organization has provided support across multiple cities and strengthened Jerusalem-based partners, so they have the resources and infrastructure needed to sustain community life under extreme conditions. It has also kept Beit Reshut Harabim operational (including its functioning bomb shelter) to enable safe programming and ongoing work. In parallel, Reshut Harabim is preparing for longer-term needs and “the day after,” helping civil-society organizations plan for recovery, resilience, and the rebuilding of communal life once the immediate emergency subsides.

Jewish Federations continues to monitor the situation on the ground very closely and will report as needed.

Israel & the United States at War with Iran
Special Update from Israel

April 13, 2026

Prepared by and sent from Jewish Federations of North America's Israel Office 

• Ceasefire between Iran and Israel + the US holding, even as negotiations break down
• Fighting with Hezbollah continues as talks between Israel and the Lebanese Government begin
• Unrelenting rocket attacks on Israel’s north continue
• US Blockade on the Strait of Hormuz is in place

Jewish Federations Webinar
Wednesday, April 15 at 1pm ET 

Join Jewish Federations of North America for a timely briefing on the Iran ceasefire, ongoing tensions in Lebanon, and the impact of weeks of disruption on Israeli society, from families running to shelters to reservists called up. Featuring Col. (Ret.) Miri Eisin with expert insight on what’s next.

Ceasefire

• The US‑brokered ceasefire between Israel and Iran has continued to hold formally, but senior US, Israeli, and Iranian officials have repeatedly warned that it remains extremely fragile.
• US‑Iran negotiations held in Islamabad, Pakistan, over the weekend ended without agreement after more than 20 hours of talks. The negotiations broke down principally over Iran’s refusal to commit to abandoning uranium enrichment and nuclear weapons capability. Iranian negotiators said US demands were excessive.
• The collapse of the talks immediately heightened uncertainty and triggered renewed economic and security fallout across the region. In response to the breakdown, President Trump announced that the US Navy has begun blockading Iranian ports and intercepting vessels connected to Iranian toll collection in the Strait of Hormuz. Trump warned Iran that failure to comply with US demands would lead to broader military action, including strikes on infrastructure, stressing that the United States would not tolerate what he described as “maritime extortion.” Some media reports said US President Donald Trump is considering resuming limited strikes inside Iran in parallel with the maritime blockade.
• Reports suggest that Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed deep skepticism toward US‑led diplomacy with Tehran, warning that halting pressure now could allow Iran to reconstitute military and nuclear capabilities. Israeli officials have emphasized that Israel was not a party to the ceasefire talks themselves and has not committed to broad de‑escalation beyond the Iranian front.
• President Donald Trump also said that negotiations have not yet collapsed. Still, he stressed that Washington would not tolerate prolonged ambiguity or violations, suggesting that the ceasefire remains conditional rather than open‑ended.
• Oil prices surged following the US announcement that it would impose a naval blockade on Iranian ports after US‑Iran talks collapsed. US crude rose roughly 8 percent to about $104 per barrel.
• Read: What this War has Proven

The War with Hezbollah

• Over the past several days, the war between Israel and the Hezbollah terror group in Lebanon has intensified, despite the ongoing ceasefire with Iran. Both Israel and the US have made it clear that the agreement with Iran does not include Lebanon, even as Iran argues that it was part of the deal. Israeli media have reported that President Trump has asked Israel to reduce the intensity of attacks against Hezbollah, and that Prime Minister Netanyahu has agreed to this request.
• Northern Israel absorbed sustained rocket fire from Lebanon, with large barrages triggering repeated sirens across the Galilee, Upper Galilee, and western border communities. Dozens of rockets and drones crossed into Israeli territory over the past several days, with a number evading interception and striking residential areas, causing damage to homes, power infrastructure, and public buildings. Emergency services treated multiple civilians for shrapnel injuries and blast‑related trauma, and at least one IDF reservist was seriously wounded, while additional residents were treated for anxiety after prolonged sheltering.
• The ongoing attacks have caused widespread disruption in northern cities and towns, reinforcing assessments that Hezbollah retains the capacity to inflict civilian harm despite continued Israeli strikes on launch sites and command infrastructure.
• In response, Israeli military operations against Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon and the Beirut area have also intensified.  Airstrikes have continued against rocket launch sites, command infrastructure, and senior operatives. Lebanese authorities reported mounting civilian displacement and damage to infrastructure.
• IDF ground forces uncovered and destroyed Hezbollah infrastructure, including an underground tunnel that was located and demolished by a combat engineering unit yesterday. In a separate incident earlier in the week, troops killed a Hezbollah operative emerging from a tunnel shaft and seized weapons, including explosives, rockets, RPGs, and grenades.
• Israeli leaders have repeated that military pressure on Hezbollah would continue until rocket fire and cross‑border threats are fully neutralized, emphasizing the restoration of long‑term security to northern Israel and preventing Hezbollah from regrouping during any diplomatic pause.
• Alongside the fighting, Israel moved in recent days to open a diplomatic track with Lebanon, approving direct talks it said were aimed at disarming Hezbollah and stabilizing the northern border. Talks are being held in Washington with US mediation, led by Israel’s Ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter. In addition to an end to the fighting, media reports suggest that the aim is to disarm Hezbollah and begin talks on a peace treaty between Israel and Lebanon.

Israel's Home Front

• Home Front Command guidelines were updated following the ceasefire, allowing a return to full activity across most of the country, including reopening schools, while communities along the northern conflict line remained under restricted activity with schools closed.
• Out of more than 10,000 residents displaced at some point since the start of the operation, approximately 6,500 residents whose homes were damaged by missile strikes or interception debris are still living in hotels or community housing solutions.
• Since the ceasefire took effect, overall alert levels declined nationwide, and nearly all alerts continued to be concentrated in northern border communities, with more than 550 alerts issued in the first three days after the ceasefire began.
• According to Israel’s Finance Ministry, the direct cost of the war has now reached approximately $9.7 billion.
• The Health Ministry reported a gradual return of the healthcare system to routine operations, with most hospitals resuming above‑ground activity. However, two hospitals in northern Israel continued operating in fortified emergency settings. A survey conducted by Maccabi Healthcare Services (a leading HMO) found significant deterioration in the public’s mental and functional health one month into the operation, including widespread difficulties with concentration, daily functioning, and emotional resilience, with roughly 30 percent of respondents reporting a need for professional mental health support. Data analysis based on mobile behavior patterns similarly showed sustained elevated stress and depression indicators, with no measurable improvement following the ceasefire.
• Israel’s Health Ministry reported that 7,693 people had been hospitalized since the war began on February 28, including civilians and soldiers. As of today, 104 people remain hospitalized, with two in critical condition, 13 in serious condition, 31 in moderate condition, and 58 listed in good condition. The Ministry noted that some injuries were indirect, including those sustained while en route to shelters.
• Israel fully reopened its airspace and resumed regular operations at Ben Gurion Airport after the US‑Israel‑Iran ceasefire took effect. The Transportation Ministry said flight restrictions were lifted and terminal services, including duty‑free shops, reopened. Israeli carriers El Al, Arkia, and Israir began gradually expanding flight activity, while approvals were formally issued to foreign airlines and international aviation regulators.
• Several foreign airlines announced plans to resume service to Israel in the near future. Ethiad Airlines has said that it will recommence flights this week. Greek low-cost carrier Bluebird Airways became the first European airline to resume operations, including daily Tel Aviv–Athens flights yesterday, and plans to increase frequency later in the week. Hungarian low‑cost carrier Wizz Air said it reopened ticket sales for Tel Aviv routes starting April 25, initially flying to Budapest and gradually adding additional destinations, in line with international safety guidelines. Czech airline Smartwings also announced it would resume regular Tel Aviv flights from April 15, operating seven weekly services while continuing to monitor the security situation, as larger European and US carriers delayed their returns.
• Flight operations also resumed at Herzliya Airport and Ramon Airport near Eilat. A decision on reopening Haifa Airport was deferred pending updated security assessments, particularly given continued fighting with Hezbollah. Since the start of the operation, approximately 294,000 Israelis entered the country and 268,000 exited, with most movement occurring through land crossings until air traffic normalized.
• On Sunday, April 12, the Israeli Government’s Advisory Committee on Senior Appointments, chaired by former Supreme Court President Asher Grunis, approved Maj.-Gen. Roman Gofman as the next director of the Mossad. Following the committee’s decision, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signed the appointment, setting Gofman’s five-year term to begin on July 2.

The Jewish Agency for Israel

• The Jewish Agency’s Roaring Lion Emergency Fund continued to provide direct support to victims of attacks, with 1,135 grants approved and an additional 487 applications in process. Total disbursements reached approximately $1.3 million and provided direct financial assistance to 14 municipalities.
• In parallel, Amigour, a Jewish Agency subsidiary, advanced upgrades to public shelters, completing renovations on 146 shelters out of 448 requests submitted.
• Special emphasis remained on northern Israel, where targeted respite programs were expanded for vulnerable populations. A total of 453 elderly individuals and families with children with disabilities from Kiryat Shmona, Tzfat, Maalot, Nahariya, and the Matte Asher region participated in five‑day Pesach and post‑Pesach retreats. In addition, a new program for high‑school students was launched in border communities within roughly 1.25 miles of Lebanon, with 90 11th and 12th graders from Marom HaGalil and Kiryat Shmona attending short educational and respite programs in Nitzana and Jerusalem that combined exam preparation, resilience workshops, and time away from daily security disruptions.
• More detailed data on municipal aid, small‑business support, and volunteer activity was made available through the Jewish Agency’s Emergency Dashboard.

Irgun Nechei Zahal | Beit Halochem

• Jewish Federations-supported Irgun Nechei Zahal is the State of Israel’s official organization responsible for the long‑term rehabilitation and support of IDF wounded veterans. They provide physical, psychological, vocational, and social services through their nationwide Beit Halochem centers. The organization has been operating for decades under government mandate and supports tens of thousands of wounded soldiers and their families across Israel.
• When Operation Roaring Lion began, Irgun Nechei Zahal was able to respond immediately because the infrastructure, partnerships, and trust built through past investments were already in place. Systems developed during Swords of Iron —hospital-based outreach, a national hotline, transportation and housing solutions, and family support frameworks—were rapidly reactivated and scaled to meet new needs. What supporters funded in previous emergencies became the backbone of today’s response, ensuring wounded soldiers and their families received seamless support from the moment of injury through recovery.

Jewish Federations continue to monitor the situation on the ground very closely and will report as needed.

Israel & the United States at War with Iran
Special Update from Israel

April 10, 2026

• The Ceasefire between Iran and Israel + the US is holding.
• Fighting with Hezbollah continues, as Lebanon and Israel announce ground-breaking direct talks.
• IDF Sgt. Aviad Elhanan Wolansky, 21, was killed in fighting in the north.

Join us on Wednesday, April 10 at 1 pm ET for Israel at War: Ceasefire with Iran, Israel and Hezbollah, Israeli Society after Roaring Lion, a webinar with Col. (Ret.) Miri Eisin. Click here to register. 

Ceasefire

• Israel, Iran, and the United States entered a declared two‑week ceasefire following weeks of direct military confrontation, brokered through US-led diplomacy and confirmed publicly by President Donald Trump.
• The agreement is explicitly time‑limited and conditioned on Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz and halting attacks on Israeli, US, and regional targets, while the US and Israel suspend strikes inside Iran.
• Both Washington and Jerusalem emphasized that the ceasefire is intended as a pause for negotiations rather than a comprehensive end to hostilities, with talks expected to begin shortly under international mediation. The US negotiating team will be led by Vice President JD Vance.
• Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Israel’s support for the ceasefire, stressing that it was coordinated with the United States and subject to strict Iranian compliance. Netanyahu emphasized that Israel had achieved its key military objectives against Iran’s strategic capabilities but made clear that the truce does not apply to other arenas, particularly Lebanon.
• Israeli opposition figures sharply criticized the agreement, arguing that the ceasefire left core strategic goals unmet. Opposition leader Yair Lapid said the deal failed to neutralize Iran’s nuclear and missile programs and warned it would allow Tehran time to regroup, while other critics across the political spectrum accused the government of ending the campaign without clear, enforceable gains.
• Iran, for its part, declared the ceasefire a diplomatic and strategic success, but in one area of contention, warned that it would withdraw from the agreement if Israel continued military activity in Lebanon. Tehran specifically said that it views continued Israeli operations against Hezbollah as a potential violation of the ceasefire framework, despite President Trump confirming that the agreement does not include Lebanon. Iranian officials also stated that the agreement did not constitute an end to the war and that Iranian forces remained on full alert.
• President Trump described the ceasefire as a major breakthrough, saying it prevented further regional escalation and created an opening for broader negotiations. Trump characterized Iran’s proposals as a “workable basis” for talks and said US military objectives had been met, while warning that renewed Iranian attacks would prompt a severe response.
• The agreement also leaves unresolved the issue of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile. The Trump administration has stated that Iran will be required to remove or relinquish its enriched uranium as part of any durable agreement and that the United States does not accept Iran retaining enrichment capabilities.
• Gulf states cautiously welcomed the halt in US‑Iran fighting, viewing the ceasefire as a step toward reducing the immediate risk of regional escalation while remaining skeptical about its durability. Officials in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and other Gulf countries publicly supported de‑escalation and stressed the importance of protecting maritime security and energy infrastructure, particularly in and around the Strait of Hormuz.

War Concluded?

• After 38 days of fighting, including multiple daily missile attacks, MOST Israelis have enjoyed two quiet nights since Wednesday. Nonetheless, as noted, Israelis in the country’s north remain under significant fire, and restrictions in those areas remain in place.
• President Donald Trump ordered US air, and ground forces to remain deployed around Iran, describing the posture as “armed monitoring” and warning of a “bigger, and better, and stronger” response if the ceasefire is breached.
• A total of 37 soldiers and civilians have been killed in Israel since the Iran war began. In addition, 7,232 civilians have been injured in the current war. Of those injured, 40 are in serious condition, 249 sustained moderate injuries, and 6,943 were classified as lightly injured. 
• A total of 5,365 residents have been displaced: 3,381 evacuees are currently housed in 36 hotels—primarily in Tel Aviv, Bnei Brak, Jerusalem, Haifa, Be’er Sheva, Dimona, and Arad—while an additional 1,984 evacuees are being housed in community settings. Overall, 45 localities have been evacuated to hotels. Government and municipal authorities continue to address housing damage and to provide interim solutions for residents left without permanent shelter.
• During Operation “Roaring Lion,” Israeli forces fired approximately 36,000 munitions, compared with 3,700 munitions during Operation “Rising Lion” last June — nearly a tenfold increase in scope and intensity. In total, more than 11,000 American strikes and 5,000 Israeli strikes hit Iran during the campaign.
• As part of the campaign against Iran’s missile program, roughly 1,200 of an estimated 2,500 ballistic missiles were either destroyed or launched, with Israeli officials assessing that Iran’s ability to produce new missiles has been severely degraded. 
• While most of Israel’s population centers have now experienced two missile-free days as a result of the ceasefire with Iran, the country’s northern communities continued to be targeted by multiple rocket and drone attacks, triggering regular sirens and forcing populations to dash to shelters.

The War with Hezbollah

• Fighting between Israel and Hezbollah has continued over the past several days despite the US‑Iran ceasefire, with cross‑border exchanges intensifying rather than subsiding.
• Overnight, Hezbollah also succeeded in firing rockets at central Israel, triggering sirens in Tel Aviv and surrounding areas.
• On Thursday afternoon, Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu announced that groundbreaking direct talks between Israel and the Lebanese Government would begin immediately in Washington. Israel’s team will be led by its ambassador in the US, Yechiel Leiter. According to the sides, the talks were aimed at disarming Hezbollah, ending Israeli strikes, and working towards a peace treaty between the two countries. Following the announcement, the Israeli currency strengthened to a twenty-year high (against the US Dollar).
• Israeli strikes killed 220 Hezbollah operatives yesterday, the majority of whom were identified as command‑level figures, marking one of the deadliest single days for the organization during the current fighting. This largest wave of strikes against Hezbollah, codenamed “Eternal Darkness,” included 50 fighter jets dropping 160 bombs on 100 targets across Beirut, the Beqaa Valley, and southern Lebanon within ten minutes.
• An IDF soldier was killed in fighting in southern Lebanon. The military announced that Sgt. Aviad Elhanan Wolansky, 21, from Jerusalem, was fatally wounded when a Hezbollah anti‑tank missile hit his unit’s tank north of the Litani River. Several other soldiers were wounded in the same incident.
• Ali Yusuf Harshi, the nephew and personal secretary of Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem, was killed in an IDF airstrike in central Beirut on Wednesday. According to the military, Harshi was a close advisor involved in managing Qassem’s office and security.
• Separately, the IDF reported overnight strikes on two key crossings along the Litani River used by Hezbollah to transport weapons into southern Lebanon, as well as around 10 additional targets, including weapon depots, rocket launchers, and Hezbollah facilities.
• Hezbollah resumed rocket and missile fire into northern Israel shortly after the truce was announced, striking army positions and communities in the Upper Galilee and along the border.
• Israel responded with expanded airstrikes and ground operations in southern Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah command posts, weapons depots, cross‑border transfer routes, and senior operatives. Israeli officials stressed that the ceasefire with Iran does not apply to Hezbollah.

Israel's Home Front

• The ceasefire led to immediate adjustments in Israel. The IDF Home Front Command announced a significant easing of emergency restrictions, allowing a quick return to routine activities in most parts of the country while maintaining readiness. 
• Schools and other educational institutions returned to regular classes yesterday morning across the country, except in the far north. (In Israel, the Pesach holiday concluded on Wednesday evening.)
• The Education Ministry announced the extension of state‑subsidized summer programming by three additional weeks following five weeks of school closures due to the war with Iran. The program, which typically serves kindergarten through third grade, will now run for roughly six weeks and expand to include students through sixth grade. A new summer academic catch‑up program will also be launched for middle‑school students, focusing on addressing learning gaps created during the prolonged school disruption. The initiative is estimated to cost approximately $242 million.
• Separately, the IDF Home Front Command announced that wartime restrictions would be lifted across most of Israel starting Thursday, allowing schools to reopen and resume normal operations for the first time since February 28.
• Most restrictions on public gatherings, remaining close to shelters, and workplace limits and controls were also lifted in most parts of the country. Authorities emphasized that the changes are conditional and subject to ongoing security reassessments as the ceasefire evolves.
• In communities along the Lebanon border, the Upper Galilee, Golan Heights, and parts of the Haifa Bay area, educational activities were restricted to protected spaces, and gathering sizes and workplace operations remain limited.
• Ben Gurion Airport fully reopened at midnight on Wednesday night. It began preparations for significantly expanded operations, with Israeli carriers greatly increasing flight capacity and foreign airlines expected to return gradually, pending security assessments. Nonetheless, European carriers said they would not be returning to Israel until at least April 24.

Jewish Federations continue to monitor the situation on the ground very closely and will report as needed.