Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-03-08 at 19:02

HEADLINESIDF Women Now 21.2% of Combat ForceIsrael Hits 30 Iranian Fuel FacilitiesIran Attacks UAE and Other Arab StatesThe time is now 7:02 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.In Operation Lion's Roar, women are playing a growing role across the IDF’s combat and operational units during the campaign, with new data released to mark International Women’s Day. Women now make up 21.2% of the IDF’s combat force, up from 7.2% in 2015, and about 20% of reservists called up for the current campaign are women. The military says women serve in frontline and support roles across the operation, both at the front and on the home front, and that more than 90% of military positions are now open to women as part of a long-term effort to expand access to combat and operational roles. In the Israel Air Force, women account for about half of the personnel in the Air Defense Array, one of the most heavily engaged branches in the current conflict, and roughly 5,000 female reservists are serving in the IAF in the current operation. Reports note that more than 30 women have served as aircrew on strikes and other aerial missions connected to the campaign. The Israeli Navy has also seen notable involvement according to the release.In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, Israel’s strikes expose the vulnerability of Iran’s energy lifeline. The latest strikes hit 30 fuel storage facilities belonging to the Iranian military, challenging Tehran’s claims that these installations were civilian infrastructure. Beyond the immediate fires and smoke, the attacks underscore Iran’s energy dependence tied to revenue from oil and gas exports. Iran earned at least $40 billion from oil sales in 2025, exporting nearly 2 million barrels per day, with about 90% of those exports going to China via a “ghost fleet” of tankers under heavy sanctions. The arrangement helps sustain the regime but comes at a cost, as Beijing’s leverage grows while Tehran relies on energy exports to fund regional proxies and to stabilize domestic unrest. The same period also sees a statement that Israel is preparing for extended fighting and stepping up efforts against Tehran’s ballistic missile array, with officials saying the launchers have been reduced from about 460 to roughly 150.In Iranian Retaliation, the joint US-Israeli operation against Iran has produced a development few could have imagined on the eve of the attack: Iran has launched about 3,000 missiles and drones at Arab countries, with at least 1,668 of those launches directed at the United Arab Emirates, a figure far higher than the total fired at Israel. Abu Dhabi has denied Israeli reports that it struck an Iranian desalination facility in retaliation. The questions echo across the region: why is Iran striking its neighbors with such intensity, and are those countries prepared to respond militarily? Iran’s assault is viewed by analysts as part of a calculated strategy to cope with the combined power of the US and Israel and to pressure Washington to halt the war. Tehran’s leadership understands that its defense systems cannot fully stop the blows, and its hope is to deter the United States from escalating further.In US Military Role, a seventh US service member has died from wounds sustained during Iran’s initial counter-attack across the Middle East, according to CENTCOM. The service member died last night after being seriously wounded at the scene of an attack on US troops in Saudi Arabia on March 1. CENTCOM said the service member’s identity would be withheld until 24 hours after next of kin are notified. Separately, CENTCOM later announced that another soldier died in Kuwait on March 6 during a medical emergency, with the cause of death under review. The developments mark a continuing, evolving toll as major combat operations proceed.In Regional Impacts, sirens were heard in Misgav, with reports reflecting the northern border’s ongoing strain and security concerns. The region has faced a surge of violence and related emergency responses, including confirmation of casualties on the northern front tied to Hezbollah-linked confrontations. The day’s coverage also notes the death of a prominent Israeli figure: the legendary commander of the torch-lighting ceremony, David Ronni, has died at age 94, a development noted alongside ongoing war dynamics and regional security concerns. The broader picture includes the rising sense that the conflict is reshaping regional risk and civilian safety considerations.In The Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, a Hezbollah operative named Abbas Jaafar, together with an armed group he leads, threatened civilians in Aaramoun, a village in Lebanon’s Aley District with a mixed Druze and Sunni population, telling residents they were “under Hezbollah’s shoe.” The incident began when local homeowners asked for identification to ensure the group’s affiliation. A Directorate of Intelligence raid on Jaafar’s house followed, but he remains elusive on the run as efforts to arrest him continue. Jaafar leads a group of about 50 armed men linked to Hezbollah, illustrating the ongoing challenge of militant activity across the region.In Israeli Domestic Politics, the northern city of Arraba reported a shooting that left a mayor and his deputy in moderate condition; police opened an investigation, but the circumstances remained unclear. The two men were treated at Tzafon Medical Center near Tiberias. Abraham Initiatives condemned the attack, saying violence in Arab society has “crossed a red line” and calling on authorities to bring the shooters to justice, highlighting concerns about governance and security within the country. Separately, Education Minister Yoav Kisch said schools should stay remote for safety as the war could last weeks, explaining that safety for students takes priority over returning to in-person classes, even as some parents look to resume normal routines and work schedules.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/article-889285https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-889289https://www.ynetnews.com/article/bkesuvjtzlhttps://www.israelhayom.com/2026/03/09/irans-gamble-in-the-war-could-bring-itself-a-new-enemy/https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/71713https://www.jpost.com/international/article-889286https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1293805https://t.me/selena_updates/57646https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/crime-in-israel/article-889291https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-889287