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

HEADLINESEl Al Rescues Israelis Free Flights Abroad140 Prospective Olim Postponed Amid Airport ClosureWar Risk Cover Withdrawn Amid Hormuz TensionsThe time is now 3:02 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.In Operation Lion's Roar, El Al to begin rescue flights for Israelis stranded due to Operation Roaring Lion. El Al has begun preparing a rescue operation to bring Israelis stranded overseas as a result of Operation Roaring Lion. Rescue flights will begin once Ben-Gurion Airport reopens and approvals are obtained from state and security authorities. The airline said it is prioritizing passengers whose flights were canceled, and that rescue flights for El Al and Sun d’Or customers will be operated at no additional cost. In the first stage, El Al is lining up rescue flights from its main destinations in the United States, the Far East, and Europe. The initial United States destinations include New York, Miami, and Los Angeles, while the Far East destinations include Bangkok and Phuket. European destinations being prepared include Larnaca, Athens, Rome, Milan, Paris, Budapest, Tbilisi, Sofia, Warsaw, Bucharest, Madrid, London, Barcelona, Geneva, Amsterdam, Munich, and Zurich. Rescue flights for El Al and Sun d’Or customers whose flights were canceled will not incur an additional charge and will be made available for public sale only after all affected customers have been brought home.In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, The IDF trolls Khamenei. "The only thing annihilated was you..." The Israel Defense Forces posted a message taunting Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, writing "The only thing annihilated was you..." In Regional Impacts, approximately 140 prospective immigrants were forced to postpone their planned arrival in Israel this week following the closure of Ben-Gurion Airport at the start of Operation Roaring Lion. The temporary shutdown led to the cancellation of flights for Olim scheduled to land between March 1 and March 7 from countries including Russia, the United States, France, Argentina, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, and Belgium. Some of those affected are individuals making aliyah alone, while others are families with children who had prepared for the move, having sold property and left jobs while saying farewell to relatives. They were expected to settle in cities across the country, including Netanya, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Haifa, Jerusalem, Ashdod, Beersheba, Ra’anana, and Nahariya.Several marine insurers said they are cancelling war risk cover for ships due to the conflict in Iran and the Gulf, with notices effective March 5. War risk cover will be excluded in Iranian waters, the Gulf and adjacent waters. Insurers such as Gard, Skuld, NorthStandard, the London P&I Club, and the American Club issued notices. Skuld said it was working on a buy-back option to reinstate cover. Japan's MS&AD Insurance Group told Reuters it had suspended underwriting a range of war-risk policies around Iran, Israel and neighboring countries. Tensions have escalated after United States and Israeli strikes on Iran over the weekend, prompting Tehran to say it had closed navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a key chokepoint for global energy flows. In the days since, several tanker owners, oil majors, and trading houses have suspended shipments through the waterway, and satellite data has shown vessels clustering near UAE ports.Smoke seen rising near US embassy in Kuwait following reports of downed jet. Kuwait's defense establishment later confirmed that several American warplanes had crashed on Kuwaiti territory, but that crews survived. Earlier, smoke was observed near the United States embassy, with fire trucks and ambulances on the scene as Kuwait urged people to avoid the area and take cover indoors amid a continued threat of missile and drone attacks. Authorities also reported interceptions of drones near several neighborhoods as Iran warned of targeted responses to Western action.Britain's RAF Akrotiri base in Cyprus hit overnight by drone, causing minor damage. A Shahed-type unmanned aircraft struck the British Royal Air Force base Akrotiri in Cyprus, causing limited damage with no casualties reported. Cyprus's president noted that Cyprus does not participate in military operations, while Britain's defense ministry confirmed the incident. It was not immediately clear where the drone was launched from, and reports said a second drone was intercepted. Akrotiri remains a strategic site for British operations in the region.A 102-year-old Israeli man from Ramat Gan has died after being injured in a fall while seeking shelter from an Iranian missile attack. The elderly man died after his injuries sustained while seeking protection during the barrage.In Uplifting News, Victories overshadowed: War halts Israeli hoops momentum. Less than 36 hours after both Israeli Euroleague representatives posted big wins, war with Iran broke out, sending the Israeli sports scene into chaos. Hapoel Tel Aviv snapped its five-game losing streak, and Maccabi Tel Aviv earned an important win that would help keep its postseason bid alive as March approaches. The conflict led to the postponement of the Reds’ home game against Paris and likely the Euroleague derby between Maccabi and Hapoel not taking place in Israel, with potential further delays. Domestic leagues have been put on hold for now, and many foreign players have relocated abroad, primarily through Jordan, while some teams and players have chosen to remain in Israel. In the United States–Israel alliance moment, the Israeli national team did play in Cyprus on Friday night, routing the hosts 94-54, with Yam Madar starring.Archival photos recall the enduring joy of Purim celebrations. As Israel marks Purim under the shadow of ongoing conflict, Keren Kayemnet LeIsrael–Jewish National Fund unveiled a rare collection of archival photographs from the 1920s through the 1950s that captured Purim celebrations in the Land of Israel and Jewish communities around the world. The black-and-white images show children in handmade costumes, crowded streets, and parade floats, documenting how the holiday energized communities during the British Mandate and early statehood years. The Tel Aviv Adloyada parade, among others, is highlighted as a defining cultural moment from that era.Yet again, Israel’s public shelters become sites of camaraderie amid steep danger. In Jaffa, a large public bomb shelter buzzed with chatter, singing, and greetings of “Happy Iran Holiday” amid the US-Israel strikes on Iran and the barrage of missiles that followed. The shelter, which also hosted a bar mitzvah for worshippers from a nearby synagogue, offered a rare sense of communal resilience, with residents describing adrenaline and companionship as they sheltered together during the alert.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://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-888466https://t.me/ILtoday/17307https://www.jpost.com/aliyah/article-888465https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-888459https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-888458https://www.jpost.com/international/article-888457https://t.me/ILtoday/17306https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/sports/article-888464https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/article-888462https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-888461