Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-03-13 at 23:02

HEADLINESIran hits U.S. refuelers in SaudiKhamenei killed, Iran not toppledIsrael plans southern Lebanon invasion against HezbollahThe time is now 11:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.In Iranian Retaliation, five US Air Force refueling planes were struck and damaged on the ground at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia during an Iranian missile strike, according to The Wall Street Journal citing two US officials. The aircraft are being repaired and there were no fatalities reported. The update also notes that at least seven refueling planes have been damaged or destroyed in recent days, and comes after a Thursday collision of two KC-135 aircraft that left six crew members dead. This is a developing story.In US Military Role, US-Israeli strikes killed Iran's leader but have not toppled the government, which now, from its perch on the Strait of Hormuz, has put the world economy on the war's frontlines. The initial victory in killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has given way to a conflict Washington cannot completely control, sharply limiting President Trump’s options. Two weeks into a bloody air campaign, Iran holds many cards as it chokes the world's oil supply and strikes US allies in the Middle East, including Gulf states who had for years staked their reputations on political and economic stability. It makes for a drastic turn from the early hours of April 28, when the first clouds of black smoke rose over Tehran. Amid smouldering ruins of a housing complex in the Iranian capital were Khamenei and dozens of top-ranking officials, killed in strikes that took years of espionage and planning. The government had been decapitated. And yet such strategies have never been effective in state-versus-state warfare, a view echoed by scholars. Separately, massive explosions were reported across Baghdad, as the US Air Force continued strikes against Iranian-backed paramilitary forces.In Regional Impacts, alarms were heard on the northern border in Manara and Migdal, and the alerts briefly interrupted life in border communities, ending after about ten minutes. The Pentagon says cooperation with Israel is changing the campaign after the killing of Hezbollah’s top commander, and the Israeli chief of staff has ordered a ground maneuver in Lebanon. An incident in Umm al-Fahm left a 25-year-old man dead from his injuries. Security agencies have signaled continued pressure related to Iran, and there are reports of a joint Iran-Lebanon action causing damage in the Galilee region.In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Israel is planning a large-scale invasion of southern Lebanon to dismantle Hezbollah's assets south of the Litani River, a operation officials say would be the largest in Lebanon since the 2006 war. Officials describe the goal as seizing territory, pushing Hezbollah’s forces north and away from the border, and destroying military positions and weapon depots in villages, with aims similar in scale to operations in Gaza.In US Policy Concerning Israel, an opinion piece argues President Trump will not abandon Israel in the war with Iran, praising his leadership, moral clarity, and steadfast support for Israel. Separately, Axios reports that Trump rejected Vladimir Putin’s proposal to move Iran’s enriched uranium to Russia as a path to end the war, saying there were no clear signs Iran would accept; the US position remains that the uranium must be secured, and Iran had proposed diluting the uranium inside its own facilities under IAEA supervision. There is also a note that the US is set to recognize Somaliland after Israel.In Uplifting News, the Yeshiva University Maccabees saw their NCAA tournament run end with a Sweet 16 defeat to Emory, as Zevi Samet delivered 43 points in his final game with the program. Samet said the highlight of his time at YU was the friendships and the time spent together, with the coach emphasizing the lasting value of the experiences and community built during his tenure.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/international/article-889882https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/03/few-easy-ways-out-us-war-iran-dragshttps://t.me/DefenderDome/19180https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1296033https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1296032https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-889883https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-889754https://www.jpost.com/international/article-889879https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/72529https://www.timesofisrael.com/yeshiva-knocked-out-in-sweet-16-as-zevi-samet-scores-43-in-his-last-game-with-maccabees/