Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-03-08 at 06:05

HEADLINESIDF hits Iran air power at IsfahanIran vows long war as strikes widenIsrael Lebanon clashes kill 200 Hezbollah fightersThe time is now 6:04 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 struck and eliminated several of Iran's F-14 fighter jets along with detection and air defense systems at Isfahan airport, the same city where Israel had previously targeted Ghadr-class ballistic missiles and their launch platforms. A separate Friday strike destroyed 16 Quds Force aircraft at Mehrabad airport in Tehran. Iran acquired 79 F-14s in 1976, and after the 1979 Revolution the aircraft passed to the Islamic Republic; the F-14 was retired by the US Navy in 2006, and Iran remains the only country still operating the twin‑engine fighter jet.In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, the IDF said it will pursue every successor to Iran's next supreme leader, warning that the hand of the State of Israel will continue to target any successor or anyone seeking to appoint one. Mehr news agency reported that Assembly of Experts member Ayatollah Mirbaqeri said a majority consensus on a successor to former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been reached, though some obstacles remain about the final process. The IDF also issued an evacuation warning for four villages in south Lebanon, north of the Litani River, with officials noting Hezbollah fire from those areas toward Israel is a likely cause. A separate piece questions what Israel decided to do with Iran’s embassy plot in Tel Aviv.In Iranian Retaliation, Tehran fuel depots burned as Iran warned it can fight for months, with the Revolutionary Guards vowing to press the fight for months to come. Israel’s campaign also reached downtown Beirut, where a strike aimed at killing key Quds Force commanders killed at least four people, according to Lebanon’s health ministry. As the war entered its ninth day, the Guards said Iran has enough supplies to sustain a drone and missile campaign for up to six months, and they signaled that advanced long-range missiles will be used in coming days. US President Donald Trump did not rule out sending American ground troops into Iran, and Iranian officials said they would widen their strike capabilities beyond first- and second-generation missiles. In related regional activity, Saudi Arabia intercepted a wave of drones headed for targets including Riyadh, Kuwait reported damage to fuel tanks at its international airport, and Bahrain said a water desalination plant had been damaged.In Regional Impacts, reports from Iran say a successor to Supreme Leader Khamenei has been chosen and their name will be announced soon. In Tehran, observers described a somber mood as the conflict intensified. Across the region, border communities reported drone activity along the frontline and sirens in settlements near the border. An infographic-style briefing circulated noting Iran has carried strikes in multiple directions, accompanied by a map showing the countries affected. Bahrain also reported a breaking development: a Iran‑origin drone attack hit a civilian high-rise.In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, the Israeli military disclosed that it has killed 200 Hezbollah fighters since the fighting began in Lebanon on March 2, with 14 Israeli soldiers wounded in anti-tank ambushes while establishing forward positions. Two soldiers were wounded on Friday when Hezbollah fired an anti-tank missile at their position in southern Lebanon; a second incident left others wounded as security forces sought to neutralize the attackers. The army imposed a curfew on nearby communities to boost alertness, and authorities emphasized that those responsible would be brought to justice as Israel continues operations against what it describes as its adversaries.In US Policy Concerning Israel, President Donald Trump said the United States is not looking to the Kurds entering Iran and does not want to make the war more complex than it already is. He added that he does not want to see Kurds harmed and noted they are willing to participate, but he’s told them not to go in. Trump also indicated he is not interested in negotiating with Iran, warning that the war would end only when Tehran’s leadership is erased, a stance reported alongside discussions of Kurdish-Iranian and Kurdish-Iraqi divisions over whether to act.In Israeli Domestic Politics, three Palestinians were killed by Israeli civilians in a West Bank village, with two shot and one killed by suffocation after being attacked near homes; the IDF said security forces responded with crowd-dispersal measures and opened a criminal investigation. In southern Lebanon, an overnight Israeli airstrike on the village Sir El Gharbiyeh killed around 20 people, with commentators noting the result underscored the severity of evacuation warnings being treated as a joke by some observers.In Uplifting News, Iran’s women players sang the national anthem and saluted before their last group match at the Women’s Asian Cup in Australia, after previously remaining silent during the tournament due to concerns about family safety amid the conflict. Iran lost 3-0 to South Korea and 4-0 to Australia, but the team’s decision to salute reflected a display of resolve during a period of regional tension.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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