Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-03-04 at 06:02

HEADLINESIsrael destroys Qadr missiles at IsfahanIsrael F-35 downs Iranian YAK-130US confirms first casualties in Iran warThe time is now 6:02 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.In Operation Lion's Roar, the IDF said it destroyed Qadr-class ballistic missiles and their launch platforms at Isfahan, a site tied to Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs. The Qadr 110 variant is a two‑stage solid‑fuel missile with an estimated range of 1,500 to 2,000 kilometers, capable of striking anywhere in Israel. Isfahan has been cited as a repeat target in June 2025 and again in the current conflict. The military said several dozen missile launchers were destroyed and more than 300 neutralized. In a separate development, reports indicate Israel leveled a building where clerics were gathering to select Iran’s new Supreme Leader.In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, Israeli F-35I fighters shot down an Iranian YAK-130 in what authorities described as the first confirmed air-to-air kill by a F-35 against a manned Iranian aircraft. The dogfight occurred Wednesday morning at about 10:30 a.m. after earlier strikes, with Iranian jets reportedly preparing to take off; the YAK-130 is a Russian-made trainer‑turned‑attack aircraft and Iran’s air force remains heavily outmatched by Israeli air power, which has strong support from US air superiority in the Tehran area.In US Military Role, the Pentagon identified the first US service members killed in the war with Iran. In a video message Sunday night, President Trump offered condolences to the families and warned that the road ahead may bring more loss as the campaign continues.In Regional Impacts, Saudi defense ministry officials said there was an attempted attack on Aramco's Ras Tanura refinery on Wednesday; the facility was not damaged and the attack was carried out by a drone. Separately, a submarine attack on an Iranian ship off Sri Lanka left at least 101 people missing, one dead and 78 injured, according to Sri Lankan navy and defense ministry. The vessel has since sunk, with officials reporting varied figures: one navy source said 79 were rescued and one seriously injured, while another said 32 were rescued and that reports of 101 missing were not true. Foreign minister Vijitha Herath said rescue operations began after a distress call at 6:00 a.m. (1230 GMT), but the situation remained fluid.In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Israeli forces continued strikes in Beirut, targeting underground weapons depots and Hezbollah command centers, as well as a site used for terrorism, intelligence gathering, and propaganda. The military said steps were taken to minimize civilian harm, including advance warnings, precision munitions, and aerial surveillance. Meanwhile, about 300,000 Lebanese Shi’ite residents have evacuated southern Lebanon as the IDF conducts a broad counteroffensive against Hezbollah, carrying out roughly 250 strikes since Monday, with around 100 on Tuesday. The IDF says Hezbollah will be substantially harmed by losing access to Iranian funds, reflecting the group’s reliance on Iranian support.In US Policy Concerning Israel, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said his country stands ready to mediate in the Middle East conflict if asked, calling for dialogue and an immediate ceasefire and noting efforts to repatriate South Africans stranded in the region. A new poll finds 71 percent of Americans support Israel over Hamas, underscoring broad domestic backing for Israel’s position. An assessment of the broader regional dynamic notes growing support for the US-Israel war effort in the Middle East and Europe as Iran becomes more isolated, even as Iran has reportedly launched hundreds of missiles and drones toward Gulf states since the conflict intensified.In Israeli Domestic Politics, the Attorney General told the High Court that an absolute order must be issued instructing Prime Minister Netanyahu to dismiss National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, citing abuse of authority. Ben-Gvir criticized the move, accusing the attorney general of attempting a political coup and defending his role as the war enters its critical phase.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/defense-news/article-888783https://worldisraelnews.com/stop-the-count-israel-levels-building-where-clerics-gathered-to-select-irans-new-supreme-leader/https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-888768https://worldisraelnews.com/israeli-air-force-makes-history-with-the-f-35-shooting-down-russian-made-jet/https://worldisraelnews.com/pentagon-identifies-first-us-troops-killed-in-war-with-iran/https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-888782https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/03/submarine-attack-iranian-ship-sri-lanka-leaves-least-101-people-missing-sourceshttps://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1291860https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-888767https://www.jpost.com/international/article-888780https://worldisraelnews.com/support-for-israel-trump-gaza-peace-plan-remains-high-among-us-voters-new-poll-finds/https://worldisraelnews.com/us-israel-war-effort-bolstered-by-growing-support-in-middle-east-europe-as-iran-left-isolated/https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-888775