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

HEADLINESIsrael strikes Iran's Assembly of Experts sitesIran's brutal missile drone assault on UAEToronto synagogue targeted on PurimThe time is now 1:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.In Operation Lion's Roar, Israeli strikes targeted Iran’s Assembly of Experts, hitting sites in Qom and Tehran that are tied to the clerical body empowered to appoint and oversee the supreme leader. Iranian state outlets and IRGC-linked sources reported damage to the Assembly’s facilities in Qom and at the former parliament site in Tehran, and a Telegram channel claimed casualties were incurred during what would be a formal gathering of clerics. The Assembly of Experts, 88 clerics elected for eight-year terms, is charged with selecting and supervising the country’s supreme leader. The strikes come after Iran’s leadership transition events and are described by observers as a simultaneous blow to both a key institutional process and the regime’s symbolic foundations.In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, a deadly air-raid alert was reported in the region as Israeli forces moved, with reports that a live broadcast was interrupted and two foreign reporters were detained in front of the Kirya, the Israeli military headquarters. The report notes heightened tensions around Israeli operations in the area and references a broader discussion of Iran’s potential collapse scenario, including remarks attributed to the father of Matan Angrast about dramatic measures in the context of the conflict.In Iranian Retaliation, analysis argues that Iran attacked the United Arab Emirates as the regime faced an existential challenge it cannot defeat the UAE’s model of modern statehood. The piece cites Iran’s use of missiles and drones in the campaign after Ali Khamenei’s death, detailing 165 ballistic missiles, two cruise missiles, and 541 drones launched toward a single country. It notes intercept success rates and destruction figures: roughly two-thirds of Iran’s munition expenditure in this campaign targeted the UAE, with about 174 missiles detected and 161 destroyed, 13 at sea; about 689 drones detected and 645 intercepted, 44 entering Iranian territory. The UAE reported three fatalities and 68 injuries. The analysis argues the UAE represents a test case for Iran’s revolutionary project, illustrating why Tehran views the UAE as a critical battleground in its broader confrontation with adversaries.In US Military Role, President Donald Trump asserted that the United States may have compelled Israel’s action against Iran, speaking from the White House in a joint appearance with Germany’s chancellor. He said the US operation Epic Fury had knocked out Iran’s air force, navy, and air defense, and reiterated claims that Israel would have acted without American preemption. Trump noted that Marco Rubio indicated Israel planned a preemptive strike and that Germany is aligned with removing the regime in Iran; he also claimed Spain had not cooperated with US actions. In a separate briefing, Trump said the United States had knocked out many Iranian naval and air targets, asserting that “just about everything has been knocked out” and that Iran’s missile capabilities would wane under sustained pressure, though he offered no corroborating evidence.In Regional Impacts, explosions were heard across the Gulf region, with witnesses in Kuwait, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha reporting blasts as Iran’s campaign in the region continued after the start of Operation Roaring Lion. Iran’s forces have fired hundreds of missiles and drones at neighboring states since last weekend’s initial strikes, with Iraqi authorities saying a drone attempting to strike the US consulate in Erbil was downed. UAE officials said they intercepted most missiles and drones, but a portion reached targets, including disruptions at Dubai International Airport and other sites. The UAE reported 174 missiles detected since the start, 161 destroyed, 13 lost at sea, and 689 drones detected with 645 intercepted, 44 entering UAE territory, alongside confirmed casualties and injuries in the country.In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Hezbollah made a “very grave mistake” by attacking Israel and dragging Lebanon into war. Speaking at Palmachim Air Force Base, he praised UAV operators and the fighters backing Operation Roaring Lion, emphasizing that Israel will continue striking Iran and Hezbollah targets in Lebanon with greater force. He urged Lebanon to defend itself and warned that the country should not become further entangled in a confrontation that he said is not theirs, while vowing ongoing defensive actions.In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, a Toronto synagogue was targeted on the first night of Purim, with bullets holes found in front windows of Temple Emanu-El and an investigation launched by the Integrated Gun & Gang Task Force, in coordination with the Hate Crime Unit. Toronto’s mayor condemned the act as antisemitic and intolerable, pledging to protect communities against hate, while the city’s public safety minister and officials stressed that violence has no place in the city and that investigations and heightened patrols would continue.In Uplifting News, Israel plans to reopen Ben-Gurion Airport under a controlled, limited regime as aircraft will land with passengers but depart empty to minimize ground time during Operation Roaring Lion. The Transportation Ministry outlined an extraction model designed to speed the return of thousands of Israelis stranded abroad, with potential routing through Egypt and a phased return as crews drill emergency procedures for sirens and incoming fire during approaches and landings. Transportation Minister Miri Regev and officials were set to provide additional details, framing the plan as a measured effort to restore travel while maintaining safety.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/middle-east/faq/article-888688https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-strikes-iranian-clerics-gathering-to-elect-new-supreme-leader/https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1291552https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-888692https://www.jpost.com/international/article-888696https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/03/trump-says-us-has-knocked-out-many-iranian-naval-and-air-targetshttps://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-888699https://t.me/hnaftali/21858https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-888690https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-888706https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-888689