Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-03-07 at 23:02

HEADLINESIranian Fire Intercepted Hezbollah Death Toll RisesBush Deploys to Eastern Mediterranean Amid TensionsKuwait Cuts Crude Production Amid AttacksThe time is now 11:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, Iranian fire was intercepted and there were no casualty reports at this stage. In central Beirut, reports describe what was inside the hotel that was attacked and say Israel opened an air strike on Iran’s oil facilities. The report also notes an unusual development in Lebanon claiming that 41 Hezbollah members were killed overnight, and that by 1:00 a.m. Tehran was focused on the strike. After the coordinated fire, the IDF says it is preparing a strong retaliatory response against Hezbollah.In US Military Role, the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) is expected to deploy to the eastern Mediterranean, becoming the third active US aircraft carrier in the region alongside the USS Abraham Lincoln and the USS Gerald Ford. The Bush recently completed COMPTUEX, a training exercise that integrates all elements of a carrier strike group, and it is a Nimitz-class supercarrier. Earlier reporting had suggested the Bush could join the Lincoln in the Middle East, but the Ford was chosen for deployment. The Ford carrier strike group crossed the Suez Canal on Thursday after docking in Haifa and is now in the Red Sea, moving into the Mediterranean as part of ongoing force posture in the region.In Regional Impacts, after alarms were sounded, sirens were heard in the southern area, with earlier warnings across the country indicating that sirens would likely be heard again. In Kuwait and the Gulf, Kuwait’s national oil company said it was cutting crude production as a precaution; the military said drones penetrated airspace and that fuel tanks at Kuwait’s international airport were targeted, with some civilian facilities damaged by interception debris. Qatar said it was targeted by missiles fired from Iran, including 10 ballistic missiles and two cruise missiles, though most were intercepted and casualties were avoided. Saudi Arabia reported intercepting and destroying 15 drones in its airspace. Australia said it was weighing requests for help from countries attacked by Iran but reaffirmed it would not participate in offensive operations in Iran or deploy ground troops; it said it would consider protective support for allies against drone and missile attacks.In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, a drone struck a United Nations building in Sulaymaniyah, in northeastern Iraq, security sources said. Iraq has become a focus as Iranian Kurdish opposition groups launched a ground offensive near the Iraqi border. Iran has conducted drone strikes across the region, including the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia; debris from an intercepted drone damaged an Abu Dhabi complex housing the Israeli embassy and other missions. An Iranian plot to attack the Israeli embassy in Baku, Azerbaijan, was foiled.In US Policy Concerning Israel, Donald Trump said he does not want Kurdish fighters from Iraq to enter Iran’s war, noting that the conflict is already complicated and that he does not want Kurds to go in or be harmed; he had previously signaled support for Kurdish involvement. In a separate remark, Trump claimed Britain is weighing sending two aircraft carriers to the Middle East but said the United States does not need them to win the war, and that he would remember Britain’s lack of support. The British defense ministry has indicated it is preparing the Prince of Wales aircraft carrier to potentially deploy, but no final decision has been made.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.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1293352https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-march-08-2026/https://www.jpost.com/international/article-889183https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1293351https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1293350https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1293349https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/03/australia-weighing-requests-assistance-countries-attacked-iranhttps://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/03/kuwait-airport-saudi-arabia-targeted-iran-presses-gulf-attacks-0https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-889182https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hjsqsdqfzehttps://www.timesofisrael.com/after-initially-voicing-support-trump-says-he-doesnt-want-kurds-to-enter-iran-war/https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-889181