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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-04-17 at 18:09
HEADLINES
1. Iran Challenges Countries Over Passenger Jet Downing
2. Israel Kills Hezbollah Deputy in Coastal Airstrike
3. Florida Campus Shoots Wounds Four Students
The time is now 02:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
At 2:01 PM, this is your news update.
Iran has formally challenged four countries—Canada, Sweden, Ukraine, and Britain—at the International Court of Justice over a 2020 UN aviation body's ruling concerning the downing of a passenger jet. Iran admits its military mistakenly fired two surface-to-air missiles at Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752 shortly after takeoff from Tehran, resulting in the deaths of all 176 onboard. Iran is appealing the March decision by the International Civil Aviation Organization, which asserted jurisdiction over the incident, and is requesting the ICJ to declare that ICAO lacked authority to rule and to overturn its decision. Tehran emphasizes that the military’s actions were unintentional and conducted during a heightened alert period amidst fears of a US attack, citing human error and misidentification.
International reactions include Britain’s Foreign Office welcoming ICAO’s ruling as a step toward holding Iran accountable. The UK and other countries have previously sought compensation for the victims, with Iran offering $150,000 per family, though critics argue that such unilateral offers are insufficient and lack transparency.
Meanwhile, in the Middle East, Israeli military operations continue on multiple fronts. Israel’s Defense Forces confirmed the elimination of Ali 'Ibar al-Nadi Khadi, a deputy commander of Hezbollah’s Mhaibib sector in southern Lebanon, killed earlier today in an airstrike near Blida. The IDF also targeted a Hezbollah activity in the same region with a drone attack using three bombs on a house in the village of Mahibib, with no reported casualties.
In southern Lebanon, Israel’s military struck and killed a suspected Hezbollah terrorist, and earlier today, a drone attack in the area of Mahibib resulted in no injuries. These actions appear part of Israel’s broader campaign to weaken Hezbollah’s military infrastructure amid rising regional tensions.
In Syria, Iranian influence remains evident as Tehran’s foreign minister delivered a written message from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The communication centers on regional and bilateral issues, highlighting Moscow and Tehran’s efforts to bolster ties despite Western sanctions and diplomatic pressure. Additionally, Iran continues to assert its regional presence, with its military and political leadership engaged in active diplomacy.
In Iraq, reports indicate ongoing unrest and security challenges, with some reports of US-backed operations. Notably, in Yemen, the Houthi movement remains active, with recent American airstrikes targeting Houthi positions in response to attacks on regional ships and facilities.
Back in Israel, domestic issues persist. A high-profile security briefing was held without the participation of Shin Bet Chief Ronen Bar, following criticism from Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. Smotrich accused Bar of failing to prevent the October 7 attack and criticized the High Court’s involvement in appointing him, asserting that trust in security agencies remains compromised. Smotrich announced he would no longer attend meetings where Bar is present, emphasizing ongoing concerns about accountability in Israel’s intelligence community.
In the United States, a serious incident occurred at Florida State University, where an active shooter wounded at least four students, prompting a shelter-in-place order on campus. The university’s emergency system advised students to remain in secure locations as police responded to the incident.
In Israel’s religious landscape, a rec
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