Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-03-13 at 09:02

HEADLINESKhamenei Wounded; Iran UAV Attacks UAEFrance, Italy De-Escalation Talks Open HormuzGermany's Merz Vows Unwavering Israel SupportThe time is now 9:02 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, an open letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu frames this moment as not political but a citizen’s plea for Israel to end the cycle of war with Iran, acknowledging the sacrifices and the weight of decisions that lie ahead while offering a blessing that comes with a condition it must be seen through. A separate opinion piece in the same topic argues Mojtaba Khamenei’s appointment as Iran’s leader signals that the revolution is dead, drawing a historical parallel to describe the leadership’s move as an inversion of past moments and suggesting that Tehran will pursue its course without foreign occupation, with the author contending this signals a transformed trajectory for Iran.In Iranian Retaliation, US officials described Iran’s new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei as wounded and likely disfigured in the latest round of hostilities. The same topic notes that Iranian unmanned aerial vehicle attacks against American bases and infrastructure in the United Arab Emirates continue, with targets including US military personnel living in Dubai’s skyscrapers.In Regional Impacts, France and Italy opened talks to de-escalate the escalation with Iran and to open the Hormuz Strait, a development reported after signals of rising tensions in the region. Israel’s defense authorities are watching signs of strain in Iran as regional hostilities persist, with ongoing attacks and related security pressures affecting multiple locations in the region, including alerts inside Israel and assaults linked to the broader confrontation.In US Policy Concerning Israel, an opinion piece argues that the US-Israel relationship has never been static, featuring high moments of cooperation alongside periods of tension and disagreement. While collaboration has been extraordinary in areas of joint operations and intelligence sharing, the author cautions that American support is not guaranteed and that Israelis should not assume alignment will always be the same, noting episodes where US decisions frustrated Israeli policymakers even as broader support remained significant.In Israeli Domestic Politics, the article notes that, in contrast to Jerusalem, some cities have decided not to return to classes at this stage, reflecting a divergence in local approaches to schooling amid the ongoing security situation.In Israeli Economy and Business, Bank Hapoalim will provide emergency grants of 2,000 shekels plus emotional support to Zarzir residents whose homes were damaged in the Iranian missile strike, offering targeted relief to affected customers.In Uplifting News, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz declared unwavering support for Israel, telling a rally that the federal government will never leave any doubt about where it stands and that they stand with Israel, along with a pledge to combat antisemitism and to ensure Jews can live freely. He also stated that if those supporting Hamas lay down their weapons, the conflict would end within 24 hours. Separately, a breakthrough at Channel 13 was announced as talks between the company and investors led by Assaf Rapoport moved toward a new investment plan intended to strengthen press freedoms in Israel, with Len Blavatnik remaining a significant partner and the deal expected to bring investments in technology and management.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/opinion/article-889863https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-889812https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/03/irans-new-supreme-leader-wounded-likely-disfigured-hegseth-sayshttps://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/72429https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1295884https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-889755https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1295874https://www.ynetnews.com/article/s14peyz5behttps://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-889862https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1295881