Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-03-13 at 18:02

HEADLINES- Israel Billboard Praises Trump Amid War- Iranian missiles strike Israel as IDF retaliates- US Deploys B2 Bombers to Deter IranThe time is now 6:02 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.In Operation Lion's Roar, a nationwide billboard campaign was launched across Israel by Jerusalem’s Friends of Zion Heritage Center bearing the message “Thank You God & Donald Trump!” The campaign, led by Dr. Mike Evans, founder of the organization and a prominent evangelical supporter of Israel, is aimed at expressing gratitude for what he called a “historic moment” in the Middle East amid the ongoing war with Iran. The billboards, featuring a photo of United States President Donald Trump, have been placed along major highways and central intersections in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Evans noted that he previously presented Trump with the Friends of Zion Award in December 2017 for his support of Israel, an award that has been presented to 28 world leaders. Evans described the recent events in the Middle East as nothing short of a Purim miracle, citing the courage and leadership he believes Trump has shown alongside the faith of millions who trust in God’s protection over Israel. Separately, the Israeli Defense Forces have begun a wide-scale wave of strikes targeting infrastructure of the Iranian regime across Iran, signaling intensified actions attributed to the broader campaign in the region.In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, sirens sounded across southern and central Israel amid two missile attacks from Iran, with missiles intercepted and shrapnel landing in open areas and no injuries reported. A separate note indicated that shrapnel from an Iranian missile directly impacted the Negev region, underscoring the reach of the exchanges. Additional reports described sirens in central and southern Israel with missiles intercepted, and, in a separate update, breaking red alert sirens were reported in central Israel as the Iranian regime continued to fire missiles at Israel. The pattern of alarms and interceptions marked a period of heightened warning across multiple frontlines, with authorities continuing to track incoming threats and assess any damage or casualties.In US Military Role, the United States has deployed B-2 stealth bombers to participate in Operation Epic Fury against the Iranian regime, according to CENTCOM, with the intent to use long-range fire to deter the threat today and prevent rebuilding in the future. The deployment also includes a squadron of F-35 fighter jets and tiltrotor MV-22 Osprey aircraft as part of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, about 2,200 Marines aboard three Navy amphibious ships. The ships include the possibility that the Japan-based USS Tripoli will be among those headed toward the Middle East. While the move increases the American military footprint in the region, officials stated it does not necessarily indicate that Marines will engage in ground combat operations in Iran, though the presence is positioned to influence broader strategic aims and global trade considerations occurring alongside Iran’s nuclear ambitions.In Regional Impacts, an Iranian aircraft departed southern India carrying sailors from a naval vessel that had docked in Sri Lanka, along with the bodies of crew members killed in a US submarine attack off Sri Lanka last week. The plane had earlier taken off from Sri Lanka with the bodies of 84 Iranian sailors, landed in Kochi, and then departed with sailors from another Iranian vessel and some Iranian tourists stranded in India, with Tehran later confirming that Indian vessels would be allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, easing New Delhi’s supply routes as shipping tensions mount in the area. Reports also noted several attacks in the Bandar Abbas area, Iran. In Israel, Home Front Command guidance indicated that it is possible to leave protected spaces, and police were conducting searches for debris from intercepts in the south, as tensions persisted. Across the region, reports circulated of events in Tehran involving an airstrike that reportedly eliminated Basij fighters, a large crater appeared on Route 431 after falling debris, and a $10 million reward and relocation efforts were announced by the United States to target leaders of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards. Turkish President Erdogan expressed concern about what might come after Iran, suggesting that Turkey seeks to position itself as a regional power at a critical junction between Europe and Russia, while warning against actions that could disrupt energy routes or push prices higher, as Ankara weighs its role in the evolving regional dynamic.In US Policy Concerning Israel, the Pentagon’s engagement with the media during the Iran war is described as heavy on rhetoric and short on operational detail, with an adversarial stance toward mainstream outlets that seek to raise questions about the conflict. Journalists have faced fewer briefings and less access than in past wars, and the information released has often been less informative, according to sources familiar with US military public affairs. Veterans of previous campaigns note that a dedicated communications cell that emphasized maximum disclosure with minimum delay is not present in the current conflict. Questions remain about the United States’ responsibility for a deadly strike on an Iranian elementary school and Washington’s post-war plans for Iran, illustrating a tense and opaque information environment as the conflict persists.In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Turkey is reporting an Iranian Jerusalem Day observance in Istanbul, reflecting ongoing international reactions to Middle East tensions and the broader discourse surrounding Jewish communities and related events in the region.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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