NPR News: 04-17-2026 9PM EDT

The latest NPR News Now broadcast covers fragile ceasefires in the Middle East—between Israel and Lebanon, and a temporary US-Iran pause affecting the Strait of Hormuz—alongside US developments including a Supreme Court decision on pollution lawsuits, new data affirming the effectiveness of maternal RSV vaccines, and falling long-term mortgage rates.

Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire Takes Hold, but Tensions Persist

The ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, announced just a day prior, appears to be holding. Hezbollah has welcomed the pause but maintains a high state of readiness, expressing distrust of Israel. Public sentiment in Israel strongly favors continuing the fight against Hezbollah: a poll shows 69% of Israelis want to press on and eliminate the group entirely, a view that crosses political lines and even includes those opposed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's leadership. Defense analyst Amos Harel of Haaretz explains this apparent paradox—Israelis can demand Netanyahu's ouster while believing the war is justified and essential for survival. Harel notes that many see past restraint, particularly around the October 7 attacks, as a fatal error. Israelis now prioritize proactive, aggressive action against threats like Hezbollah in a hostile region, viewing the group as an existential excess that must be neutralized to prevent repeats of prior vulnerabilities.