Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-04-01 at 23:02

HEADLINESIsrael under fire as Iran shells northIran won't end war US saysArtemis II launches four astronauts to MoonThe time is now 11:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, launches to the north were intercepted, and the Home Front Command says residents may leave protected areas. Iran and Lebanon fired on the north and center, with 12 zones of impact identified in the Gush Dan region and Shfar'am. A 60-year-old man was killed in a traffic crash near the Ashkolot junction during the day’s events. Iran is increasing its backing of Hezbollah, and some reports describe President Trump’s approach to the NATO alliance as a “paper tiger” move. A nuclear expert says Israel and the United States could permanently eliminate the Iranian nuclear threat. Iran’s response to a recent speech included a missile strike aimed at northern Israel, and additional launches from Iran to the north were identified.In Iranian Retaliation, US intelligence assessments indicate Iran is unwilling to negotiate an end to the war, according to the New York Times, citing US officials. Assessments from multiple US intelligence agencies say the regime believes it is in a strong position to continue and not concede to US demands. Iran is willing to keep diplomatic channels open but does not trust the US or think President Trump is serious about negotiations. Two Iranian officials and one Pakistani official told the NYT that Iran could engage in diplomacy under the right conditions. US and Iranian officials have been exchanging messages through intermediaries, but they are not discussing ceasefire terms or ending the war. A senior Iranian source told Reuters that Iran demands a permanent end to the war and that no mediator is acceptable.In US Military Role, President Trump said the United States will strike Iran “extremely hard” over the next two to three weeks and bring them back to the “Stone Ages.” “We are going to hit them extremely hard over the next two to three weeks. We are going to bring them back to the Stone Ages, where they belong,” he said in a national address. He also claimed that Iran’s military has been devastated, defended Operation Epic Fury, and blamed Tehran for an oil price surge, while signaling a possible drawdown and urging allies to take greater responsibility for securing key shipping routes. In another note, Trump described the war as nearing completion and claimed that Iran’s leadership had been neutralized within a month, asserting they have no navy or air force. He also spoke of the Hormuz region, saying the United States is energy independent and that the world must protect tankers. He warned that if no deal is reached with Iran, the United States would strike critical electrical infrastructure. Later, a separate report said Trump’s Address to the Nation regarding the Iran War ended without any major announcements.In Israeli Economy and Business, following Trump’s address, oil prices rose more than 5%. Gold and silver prices collapsed after the address. Oil prices surged with WTI above $103 per barrel and Brent near $106.In Uplifting News, NASA’s Artemis II mission takes off with four astronauts for a historic lunar journey. Four astronauts launched from Florida on Wednesday as part of NASA’s Artemis II mission, marking the first crewed lunar mission since the Apollo era. The mission, a 10-day journey around the Moon, represents the United States’ most significant step yet toward returning humans to the lunar surface within this decade, ahead of China’s first crewed landing. NASA astronauts piloting the mission include Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, forming the Orion crew, named in tandem with the ship’s crew capsule. The launch occurred at 6:35 p.m. EDT on April 1 from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. After the launch, the Orion crew capsule separated from the rocket’s upper stage and entered a highly elliptical orbit around Earth. The crew will spend the first one to two days in high Earth orbit performing extensive systems checks before heading onto its planned trajectory toward the Moon. During the several-day transit to the Moon, astronauts will continue monitoring spacecraft systems en route to operating farther from Earth than any previous human spaceflight. Mission controllers will track communications and navigation.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. 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