Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-03-31 at 17:02

HEADLINESUS Israel Hit Isfahan Steel Plant AgainChina Pakistan Urge Ceasefire Peace Talks NowBennett Demands Coalition Of Those Who ServeThe time is now 5:02 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.In Operation Lion's Roar, Iranian reports say Israel and the United States attacked the steel industry in Isfahan again last night.In Regional Impacts, China and Pakistan on Tuesday called for an immediate ceasefire in the Gulf and the wider Middle East, urging the swift launch of peace talks and the restoration of normal navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, as their foreign ministers met in Beijing. They also called for talks to end the US-Israeli war on Iran, now in the fifth week. Pakistan has previously said it is ready to facilitate peace talks between Washington and Tehran, highlighting its role as a mediator with ties to Iran. “Dialog and diplomacy are the only feasible ways to resolve conflicts,” China and Pakistan said in a five-point initiative. The initiative called for safeguarding sovereignty, territorial integrity, national independence, and security of Iran and Gulf countries, and for the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure. The Iran war has threatened Gulf ports and disrupted global trade through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway through which roughly a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas normally passes. Iran's Revolutionary Guards have warned that ships passing through the narrow Strait will be targeted, after the US and Israel launched strikes on the country on February 28. Attacks have been reported on several ships: the Marshall Islands-flagged crude tanker MKD VYOM, where a crew member was killed after it was hit by a projectile off the Omani coast, about 50 nautical miles north of Muscat; the Gibraltar-flagged oil bunkering tanker Hercules Star was struck about 17 nautical miles northwest of Ras Al Khaimah in the UAE, triggering a fire that was extinguished; a Palau-flagged tanker was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz two nautical miles north of Kumzar; the US-flagged products tanker Stena Imperative was struck by two projectiles in the port of Bahrain, causing a fire; the crew of the US-sanctioned Skylight was evacuated after an attack, according to Oman’s maritime security center.In US Policy Concerning Israel, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear declined to label Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide in an interview with Politico published Sunday, calling the label a litmus test for Democrats. “That’s becoming one of those new litmus tests that we said we would never do as a party again,” Beshear told Politico after being asked if he agreed with the label. He is the Democratic governor of a solidly red state and a potential 2028 presidential contender. His remarks come as Democratic candidates grapple with stances on Israel amid record-low support for Israel among their base. While several lawmakers, including Vermont’s Jewish Sen. Bernie Sanders, have called Israel's actions in Gaza a “genocide,” the label has not gained mainstream support in the Democratic Party. Former Vice President Kamala Harris declined to use the term last October but said, “We should all step back and ask this question and be honest about it.” Some Democrats have embraced the question.In Israeli Domestic Politics, Bennett draws coalition line: No government with those who do not serve - interview. The former prime minister Naftali Bennett told The Jerusalem Post that the next government will be based on a “covenant of those who serve,” and that anyone who can be with him in a tank in Gaza can be with him in the government. He warned that the conscription policies could lead to “national suicide” amid the IDF's manpower shortage. Bennett, whose Bennett 2026 party trails Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud in polls ahead of elections expected no later than the end of October, said he would restore Israel’s public diplomacy system in full. He indicated he would not partner with haredi parties unless they agreed to his core principles, adding that anyone who opposes quality education, universal service, and the need to work without state funding cannot join the government.In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Tensions flare at Passover seder over Mamdani’s inclusion, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani was briefly interrupted by a heckler during an appearance at a Passover seder in Manhattan Monday night, marking a tense moment amid ongoing strains between the mayor and segments of New York’s Jewish community. Mamdani said, “The rising tide of antisemitism has caused enormous pain for so many Jewish New Yorkers. Doors are locked that used to be open, routine subway journeys felt fraught, synagogues that once felt like sanctuaries now require armed protection.” The heckler shouted, “Every Jewish organization is a target.” Attendees responded with shushes and a chorus of “Stop the xenophobia, let him speak.” Mamdani told the crowd, “This is New York City, and we love to be here,” stressing the importance of acknowledging what it means to love and lead the city. The episode occurred at Jewish entrepreneur Michael Dorf’s venue.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.SOURCEShttps://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/74258https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-891846https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-891840https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-891850https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-891845https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-891847