Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-03-05 at 05:03

HEADLINES- Israel deploys Lion Roar UAVs in crisis- Repatriation flight halted as Iran strikes- Iranian strikes hit Azerbaijan, sparking regional falloutThe time is now 5:03 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.In Operation Lion's Roar, Major Y, a 27-year-old reservist from Tel Aviv serving with Squadron 200, says he returned to Israel after spotting tensions with Iran and believing a major Israeli-US strike on Iran was imminent. "I saw the reports in the media and realized that something big was about to happen. My gut feeling led me to buy a flight ticket," he recalled. Since the IDF launched Operation Lion's Roar, he has been part of a squadron whose missions include gathering intelligence, conducting surveillance, escorting forces, and carrying out precision strikes. The squadron operates Heron-1 UAVs that can stay aloft for extended periods and provide real-time intelligence day and night over long distances. The unit, established in the 1970s as part of the Israeli Air Force’s UAV wing, has participated in numerous operations. Within the same topic, reports describe Iranian launches that triggered alarms in central Israel and around Jerusalem, with the war described in sweeping terms and notes about remote schooling for the week; ultra-Orthodox soldiers behind the strike are quoted as saying, "Our mission is to ensure every aircraft completes its mission and returns safely."In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, an El Al repatriation flight was prevented from landing at Ben-Gurion Airport by Iranian strikes. The plane was reportedly only a minute from touchdown when sirens sounded across central Israel, forcing it to climb back up. No injuries were reported by Magen David Adom, and Israel Police said they were at the scene of one fallen fragment of a missile in central Israel; the incident is described as a developing story. A separate update in the Hebrew-language report cites new information published today related to the situation since the strike, underscoring the ongoing volatility of the confrontation.In Iranian Retaliation, new figures are reported on the number of missiles Iran has fired since the surprise attack, with the disclosure described as part of the evolving tally of Iranian fires in the ongoing hostilities.In Regional Impacts, missiles and drones launched from Iran fell on the territory of Azerbaijan’s Nakhchivan exclave near the border with Iran. A video circulated by Israeli media showed an explosion near a parking lot at the Nakhchivan International Airport, with black smoke rising near the terminal; a second drone landed near a school. The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said two people were injured and that it summoned the Iranian ambassador, reserving the right to take appropriate response measures. Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Defense stated that attacks on civilian infrastructure will not go unanswered and that retaliatory steps are being prepared to protect Azerbaijan’s autonomy, citizens, and critical infrastructure. Additional reports reiterate the Azerbaijani condemnation and attribution of full responsibility to Iran, with Foreign Ministry statements stressing the violation of international law and the right to respond.In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Britain reports that Iranian exiles disrupted a memorial event for Ali Khāminai at the Manchester Islamic Center, with Israeli flags present at the gathering, drawing a single notable reaction.In Uplifting News, 850 Israeli high school students were evacuated from Poland via Egypt in covert rescue operations organized by the Ministry of Education and the Shin Bet, including passage through the Taba crossing in Egypt on their way home. A separate piece reflects on the idea that there is no true escape from war, noting that distance cannot guarantee safety and that war keeps people close in heart and worry, even when they are far away.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-888902https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1292288https://t.me/newssil/194290https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-888906https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1292290https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1292287https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-888907https://t.me/ILtoday/17475https://t.me/abualiexpress/116568https://t.me/selena_updates/57149https://t.me/abualiexpress/116567https://t.me/newssil/194291https://t.me/ILtoday/17473