Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-03-09 at 07:02

HEADLINESUS Plans Six Week Iran StrikeIranian Missiles Hit Central Israel, Two KilledIsrael Expands Lebanon Front as Hezbollah FiresThe time is now 7:02 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.In Operation Lion's Roar, former National Security Council head Major General (Reserve) Yaakov Amidror says spending Passover in shelters could be a fair price if it helps destroy the Iranian regime. In a Monday interview on 103FM, Amidror argued that while air power alone may not finish the job, the United States has reportedly calculated a target window of six to eight weeks for a heavy strike. He cited the lack of an Iranian ground opposition and no clear successor to take power if the regime is displaced, underscoring his view that a weaker regime could be easier to defeat. He warned that to avoid another war, Iran should focus on improving its own country rather than spreading terror across the Middle East.In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, two people were killed when Iranian missiles struck a construction site in central Israel, with a second strike injuring another person. World Israel News reports the fatalities, and a separate Hebrew report warns of potential escalation, noting Hezbollah's reaction and the broader implications of the Iran confrontation, including discussion of the threat to Israel's north.In US Military Role, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says the United States' operations against Iran are "only just beginning," and that the Iranian Navy is largely no more. He told CBS News' 60 Minutes that US capabilities, especially when combined with Israel's air force, are overwhelming, and that the two powers will seek uncontested airspace during operations Epic Fury and Roaring Lion. He said the decision to move forward is guided by American interests and protecting American lives, a stance echoed by comments from the Israeli prime minister in the same period.In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Israel has deepened its penetration into southern Lebanon as Division 36 expands its presence, joining prior moves by Divisions 91, 210, and 146 to widen the security zone and deter Hezbollah from invasion. By last week, 700 strikes had been carried out, including major attacks on Hezbollah's Dahiya stronghold in Beirut, as Hezbollah answered with extended rocket and drone fire across Israel's North, including Haifa. Israeli forces doubled troop levels along the Lebanon border and launched a focused raid near the frontier; airstrikes continued in Iran against regime command centers and missile sites. In a separate development, Israeli forces reportedly killed a Hezbollah cell in a Christian village in southern Lebanon as part of frontline defense, with officials saying they will continue to counter the group's escalation.In US Policy Concerning Israel, US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner canceled their trip to Israel that had been scheduled for Tuesday; the cancellation is described as a developing story.In Israeli Domestic Politics, Mai Golan reportedly fled to New York on a business-class flight amid the war, drawing attention to wartime political realities. Separately, the military says women now account for 20% of Israeli combat forces, with women comprising about half of the personnel serving in the Air Defense Array, a unit central to intercepting incoming missile threats.In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, a synagogue in Liege, Belgium, was damaged in what authorities termed an antisemitic attack, with the explosion damaging the synagogue windows and a building opposite. Prosecution has handed the case to federal authorities; Belgium's Interior Minister called the act despicable and said security at similar sites will be reinforced.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-889326https://worldisraelnews.com/2-dead-in-iranian-missile-attack-on-central-israel/https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1293995https://www.jpost.com/international/article-889321https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-889323https://www.ynetnews.com/article/sjgtsmntzlhttps://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1293994https://www.jpost.com/international/article-889318https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1293992https://worldisraelnews.com/women-now-20-of-israeli-combat-forces-military-says/https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/03/belgian-synagogue-damaged-blast-considered-antisemitic-act