Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-02-28 at 18:02

HEADLINESIsraelis rerouted to hostile countries amid warTrump says off ramps end Epic FuryIsfahan crowds cheer amid Khamenei elimination rumorThe time is now 6:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.In No option of shelter: Israelis stuck in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, amid war with Iran - interview, the latest updates show Israelis stranded as flights are diverted to countries unfriendly to Israel amid the widening conflict. A plane carrying about 180 Israeli passengers was forced to land in Saudi Arabia, with passengers kept on board while authorities determine next steps. Another case involved a brother traveling from Sri Lanka to Dubai who was redirected to Muscat, Oman, a country with no normal relations with Israel. In Bahrain, Ofri remains stuck; while Bahrain and Israel have diplomatic ties, Israel's Foreign Ministry warns against travel to Bahrain and labels it a High Threat destination amid the fighting. The ministry notes a rise in hostility toward Israelis and Jews worldwide since the start of Operation Swords of Iron, urging people to avoid travel to that country. Ofri, who had been on a work trip in Dubai and wished to visit Bahrain when war broke out, described sirens and explosions in the area.In Trump: We have several 'off ramp' options for ending operation against Iran, Trump told Axios on Saturday that he has off ramps to end Operation Epic Fury. "I can go long and take over the whole thing, or end it in two or three days and tell the Iranians: 'See you again in a few years if you start rebuilding [your nuclear and missile programs],'" he said. "In any case, it will take them several years to recover from this attack." He noted that Operation Epic Fury was launched for two reasons: the collapse of US-Iran nuclear talks in Geneva and the regime's move to rebuild the nuclear facilities that had been struck during the June Israel-Iran war. "The Iranians got close and then pulled back — close and then pulled back. I understood from that that they don't really want a deal," Trump explained. Additionally, while preparing his speech announcing the operation, Trump directed his team to compile a list of every Iranian-linked attack over the past 25 years, finding that "every month they did something bad, blew something up or killed someone." He insisted that if the strikes against Iran last June, named Operation Midnight Hammer, had progressed as planned, the consequences would have been severe.In Hundreds of Iranians seen cheering in the streets and celebratory gunfire heard in Isfahan, Central Iran, following the reported elimination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the mood across major cities has shifted as crowds gathered in Isfahan. Separately, the UAE summarized Iranian attacks: 137 ballistic missiles intercepted, 132 hits with 5 falling into the sea; 209 Shahed drones launched, 195 intercepted, 14 falling into the sea or inside the country. The Israeli Defense Forces said it has thwarted dozens of missile launches and completed another wave of strikes against Iran’s ballistic missile and air-defense networks, including a launch site in central Iran, part of ongoing efforts to degrade Iran's military capabilities. In Tel Aviv, a direct strike after sirens killed one person and wounded 22, with emergency crews evacuating the injured and continuing to search damaged buildings for additional victims. Dubai International Airport reported minor damage to a concourse from an Iranian drone attack, with four staff members injured and receiving medical attention. Reports also indicate protests against the regime and celebrations across Iran. International response includes Russia calling for an urgent IAEA meeting to discuss Israeli-American strikes on Iran, underscoring growing regional and global concern over the unfolding events.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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