Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-03-05 at 11:03

HEADLINESDrones cut Iran missile launches 86%US protests linked to Singham Iran campaignChief rabbis oppose Shabbat transit planThe time is now 11:02 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, new reporting describes how Iran’s missile cities have become a strategic liability as drone surveillance and weakened air defenses allow the United States and Israel to locate and strike launchers with greater ease. The Wall Street Journal reports that operations code-named Epic Fury and Roaring Lion rely on drones to monitor about a dozen underground missile facilities, with manned fighter jets deployed only after activity is detected near their exits, contributing to a reduction of launches by about 86%. In a separate development, the Israeli Air Force, under civilian command, began a second round of strikes on infrastructure tied to Iran’s regime in Tehran, as launches from Iran set off sirens in central Israel and around Jerusalem. The Israel Defense Force released footage of an F-35 Adir shooting down an Iranian Yak-130, underscoring the air campaign’s role in the current clashes.In Regional Impacts, a message from the community of Hanita on the northern border describes an unusual event and urges residents to return children home and stay indoors, with further information to follow. Regional observers note Iran’s drones targeting refineries in Bahrain, signaling spillover effects beyond the immediate front. Azerbaijan’s president reportedly rejected the Iranian Foreign Minister’s claims and signaled readiness to respond with fire. At Al-Jufair Naval Base in Bahrain, authorities reported multiple direct impacts, highlighting the broader regional reach of the current hostilities.In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Israeli security forces launched a major manhunt in Galilee after a resident expressed intent to commit “a bad act,” as officials warn of heightened Iranian efforts to recruit Israelis online for security-related tasks. Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt voiced full support for government actions banning Hezbollah and IRGC elements and pursuing fighters to enforce those decisions. On the northern border, another incident left a Israel Defense Forces soldier seriously injured by a missile fired at a tank along the Lebanon frontier.In US Policy Concerning Israel, a new investigation reports that spontaneous protests in the United States against the Iran campaign were driven by anti-Israel groups with alleged links to a Shanghai-based billionaire and a broader funding network under congressional scrutiny, including organizations such as CodePink, the ANSWER Coalition, and The People’s Forum, tying into a web of financial and ideological ties linked to Neville Roy Singham and Jodie Evans.In Israeli Domestic Politics, Israel’s chief rabbis protested planned Shabbat public transportation intended to help Israelis stranded abroad return from Ben-Gurion Airport, arguing the measures would violate Shabbat without consultation with the Chief Rabbinate. The rabbis urged Transportation Minister Miri Regev to reconsider, noting the absence of a situation requiring pikuach nefesh and emphasizing concerns about religious observance amid the ongoing war.In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, criticism grew over Tucker Carlson’s suggestion that Chabad institutions were behind strikes on Iran to destroy the Al-Aqsa Mosque, with observers saying the claim is unfounded and dangerous. Commentators noted that Chabad has historically faced antisemitic violence and stressed that the group’s mission centers on outreach, education, and community life rather than geopolitics.In Israeli Economy and Business, experts examine how attacks on critical infrastructure can trigger broader service disruptions, highlighting a new partnership between Octopus Systems and Bynet Communications. Octopus’s AI-powered Data Fusion is set to be deployed across Israel’s critical infrastructure, beginning with water systems, to integrate physical protection, cyber defenses, and operational monitoring across sectors.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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