Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-03-15 at 13:02

HEADLINESIran's War Machine Hit, Rebuild Looms60% Uranium in Rubble After StrikesHezbollah Arsenal Reduced, Still ThreatensThe time is now 1:02 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.In Operation Lion's Roar, the IDF says rebuilding Iran's military industrial complex would take years even if fighting ends immediately. At the war's start, Israel mapped 2,600 industrial defense complexes; by October 2024, 14 targets had been struck, and by June 2025, 100. To date, between two-thirds and three-quarters of these facilities have been destroyed by Israeli and American air strikes, and the IDF says it remains focused on destroying a further one-third to one-quarter as a top priority. The aim is to disrupt Iranian military supply chains and sectors to slow any future effort to rebuild ballistic missile and related capabilities. The update notes that roughly 70% of ballistic missile launchers have been destroyed or neutralized, but a smaller share of actual missiles has been eliminated. Iran has shown it can rebuild missile launchers quickly, with reports that in around eight months it rebuilt and exceeded pre-war numbers. Separately, the IDF said it has destroyed about 2,200 Iranian regime targets, largely in Tehran and western Iran, in an effort to weaken the regime and its ability to threaten Israel. The operation has expanded to include Basij checkpoints in the field, not only large headquarters. While these steps mark progress, Israeli defense officials remain cautious about any near-term regime change. In support of transparency, an Israeli military official provided materials highlighting Iranian officials killed in the opening strike, footage of a missile production site hit by the IDF, and an infographic explaining how Israel targeted Iran’s weapons manufacturing industry.In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, the two large nuclear threats remain unresolved. More than 400 kilograms of 60% enriched uranium lie in rubble after attacks on nuclear sites, and the Pickaxe Mountain facility remains a stated concern. As of Sunday, more than two weeks into the war, neither Israel nor the United States has announced success in neutralizing these threats, and the IDF declined to pledge that they will be dealt with before the war ends. There has been talk of covert operations to seize or dilute the enriched uranium, but no such operation has been announced. Pickaxe Mountain, a facility built under a mountain deeper than Fordow, has drawn international attention, with satellite imagery in mid-February showing a scramble to protect it from potential air attack. In other developments, reports from Kuwaiti television citing Al-Jarida say Mojtaba Khamenei was secretly flown to Moscow for surgery after injuries sustained in joint US-Israeli strikes and remains there. An Iranian security official cited in the reporting told Al-Miyadin that there is no ceasefire scenario and no end to the war, with supporters aligned in the axis of resistance expected to participate in any agreement.Regional Impacts reports a civilian casualty incident near Ashkelon. At 6:21 p.m. on the evening in question, a pedestrian was struck by a motorbike on Highway 232 at the Hodaya junction near Ashkelon. Paramedics from Magen David Adom evacuated a 15-year-old girl in critical condition with multi-system injuries to Barzilai Medical Center, while another person sustained minor injuries. A medic described finding the teen conscious and in pain, offering lifesaving care before transfer to hospital care.In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, the IDF says it has destroyed 85-90% of Hezbollah’s pre-2023 rocket arsenal. Before the war, Hezbollah possessed more than 150,000 rockets. By November 2024, the IDF said 70-80% had been destroyed, and by 2025 the remaining force was down to roughly 10,000–23,000 rockets. Despite these reductions, Hezbollah has continued to pose a threat, firing about 100 rockets or drones per day at Israel, including a 200-rocket barrage on March 11 that caused significant damage and fear in the North. The IDF notes that its efforts have disrupted Hezbollah plans and reduced the potential scale of a strike, even as the group’s capabilities remain substantial.In US Policy Concerning Israel, Washington has widened its focus on Iranian leadership and security figures. The United States is offering rewards of up to $10 million for information on ten senior Iranian military and intelligence officials, including Mojtaba Khamenei, the newly named supreme leader who was reported injured in the strikes and has not been seen publicly since. He released a written statement recently. Officials said the reward targets key IRGC figures and aims to disrupt Iran’s leadership network. Separately, US intelligence assessments reported by CBS News suggest Ali Khamenei was wary about his son succeeding him, describing Mojtaba as potentially lacking the experience or effectiveness for the role, with White House officials noting that the IRGC may be pulling strings behind the scenes.In Israeli Domestic Politics, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed online speculation about his demise with a video posted to X. He appeared calm, spoke of his love of coffee and his nation, and urged the public to stay near sheltered areas as conditions allow. He emphasized that Israel is taking action and repeatedly noted that some operations cannot be disclosed publicly. In a separate item, a Hebrew-language report cites Mike Huckabee, the former US governor, claiming Netanyahu should have shown only one finger, prompting questions about which finger he intended.In Israeli Economy and Business, EL AL issued an update for its North American customers regarding recovery flights, providing a status report from Alon Lavi, Director of Operations at EL AL’s Control Center. The update serves to inform travelers about ongoing recovery flight arrangements and schedules for those affected by the ongoing security situation.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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