Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-03-02 at 13:02

HEADLINESIsrael extends home-front emergency amid Iran warIAEA no evidence of Iran nuclear strikesUS says campaign ahead ground troops possibleThe time is now 1:02 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.In Operation Lion's Roar, the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee approved extending the country’s declaration of a special emergency situation on the home front until March 12, amid Israel's ongoing Operation Roaring Lion and the joint Israel–US campaign against Iran that began on Saturday. The committee heard briefings from the National Security Council, the IDF Operations Directorate, and the Military Intelligence Directorate on campaign preparations, the current situation assessment, and readiness for ongoing operations, with the Home Front Command briefing addressing field concerns. The committee’s chair, MK Boaz Bismuth, said, “We are preparing for a prolonged campaign. Israel will not stop halfway until the threat is completely eliminated.” The panel also unanimously approved the expansion of an order under another provision related to the emergency framework.In Operation Lion's Roar, there were also indications regarding the broader strain on Iran facilities as statements from various parties circulated about potential damage to Iran's nuclear sites. The IAEA’s director-general, Rafael Grossi, told the IAEA Board of Governors that there is no evidence that either the US or Israel has struck any Iranian nuclear sites, including the Bushehr power plant or the Tehran research reactor. Reports from the same period suggested a possible attack on Isfahan, but Iran, Israel, and the US offered conflicting accounts, and no definitive confirmation of damage to nuclear facilities had been publicly established.In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, footage released by the IDF shows a fighter pilot attacking Tehran while apparently dodging an Iranian missile fired in his direction. The Israeli military says the air force has conducted more than 1,000 combat sorties over Iranian skies. The reported strikes centered on Iranian targets produced no casualties, and civil-defense guidance was updated to reflect ongoing risk in the region. The report notes ceremonies for Yossi and Beloria Cohen, honored for losses suffered in earlier strikes, and it includes warnings from security services that Iran may alter its missile-launch approach moving forward.In US Military Role, President Trump said the operation against Iran is substantially ahead of schedule and that the US military will do whatever it takes to achieve the mission’s objectives, outlining aims to destroy Iran’s missile capabilities, annihilate its navy, prevent a nuclear weapon, and curb its regional support. He also indicated the campaign could extend beyond an initial four to five weeks if necessary. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth cautioned the war might last up to six weeks, while stressing it would not drag on indefinitely. Separately, Reuters reported that Trump said he ordered the US military to attack Iran to thwart Tehran’s nuclear and ballistic-missile programs, signaling a direct personal authorization of strikes within the broader campaign.In Regional Impacts, Qatar’s defense ministry said it shot down two Iranian Su-24 fighter jets that approached from Iran, amid a wider wave of Iranian drone and missile attacks affecting Gulf states allied with the United States after airstrikes began on Saturday. The UK Maritime Trade Operations reported a separate incident near Bahrain’s port, where a vessel was struck by two unknown projectiles and later extinguished, with the crew evacuated. The US embassy in Bahrain issued travel advisories urging caution for citizens abroad as debris from missile interceptions was reported in the region.In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Israel’s defense establishment announced a completed round of strikes across Lebanon targeting assets tied to the Al-Qarq Al-Hassan Society, a civilian-finance entity used to fund Hezbollah and support its operations, including salaries and transfers from Iran. The activity underscores concerns about Hezbollah’s financial network and its impact on regional stability. Separately, the Israeli Air Force confirmed it shot down an unmanned aerial vehicle that crossed from Lebanon into northern Israeli territory after border alarms were triggered.In US Policy Concerning Israel, President Trump said he would not rule out deploying ground troops into Iran “if necessary,” speaking with the New York Post and arguing that leaders sometimes must act without broad public backing as the operation moves ahead. He described the mission as “way ahead of schedule” and reiterated a readiness to take additional actions beyond what has already been planned. The White House emphasized that the aims remain focused on disabling Iran’s strategic capabilities, while observers noted the statement as part of a broader posture on the campaign.In Israeli Domestic Politics, the IDF Home Front Command extended security guidelines restricting social gatherings, non-essential workplace activity, and school closures until at least Saturday at 8:00 p.m. Netanyahu’s adviser Yonatan Urich faced renewed police efforts to extend restrictive conditions, with a court hearing set for Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. to determine whether to prolong contact bans with the prime minister and the PMO, as well as a travel ban through March 19. Separately, Israel’s national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir criticized what he described as a hypocritical and irresponsible legal-judicial establishment tied to decisions around a suspect involved in allegations of improper ties with Qatar, urging steadfast preparation and resilience for the nation.In Israeli Economy and Business, the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange closed on its strongest day since the pandemic era, marking a period of notable performance not seen in nearly six years.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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