Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-03-15 at 14:02

HEADLINESIDF Wipes Out 2,200 Iranian TargetsHezbollah Joins Iran, Plans Long WarPope Pleads Ceasefire Amid Iran WarThe time is now 2:02 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, the IDF says it has destroyed 2,200 Iranian regime targets, mostly in Tehran and western Iran, aiming to weaken the regime and its ability to threaten Israel. Targets expanded at the end of last week to include Basij militia checkpoints in the field, in addition to large headquarters-type buildings. Despite these successes, the IDF remains conservative about how quickly these attacks will facilitate the Iranian opposition’s ability to topple the regime, if at all. There have been reported desertions among regime supporters, according to leaks from Israeli officials, though defense officials say the trend is too small to produce near-term collapse. Questions have been raised about how often the IDF is killing regime forces who would be used to attack protesters versus destroying buildings. The IDF cited examples in Tehran, Ahvaz, and Isfahan, where facilities were targeted only when they were full of forces expected to attack protesters. Between 1,900 and several thousand Irani targets have been affected, according to the military.In Iranian Retaliation, Destructive Iran missile barrage, Araghchi singles out US and Israel, the top stories from the Jerusalem Post roundup note a destructive barrage from Iran, with Araghchi singling out the United States and Israel as principal targets of blame.In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Pope Leo decries 'atrocious violence' in Iran war, urges ceasefire, the pope urged an immediate ceasefire in the expanding Iran war, lamenting the "atrocious violence" that has killed thousands of non-combatants and caused suffering across the region. He warned that violence will not bring justice, stability, or peace, and he appealed to those responsible to cease fire. He also highlighted the situation in Lebanon, ravaged by a war between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah, as a matter of great concern and called for dialogue to support lasting solutions for the Lebanese people.Hezbollah's war plan might involve a long conflict, international intervention - analysis, analysis indicates Hezbollah joined Iran two weeks ago and appears prepared for a prolonged confrontation rather than a quick escalation. Tehran’s regime, seen as under existential threat from the US and Israel, is believed to motivate a long-haul conflict. Hezbollah’s current campaign differs from prior actions, following its entry into the Israel-Hamas War and the broader regional dynamics. Since Hezbollah entered the fighting on March 2, there have been about 379 waves of attack from Lebanon, including more than 400 rockets, with a big barrage last week of more than 100 rockets. Lebanon recognizes Israel is threatening further escalation.IDF has destroyed 85-90% of Hezbollah's pre-2023 rocket arsenal, the military said on Sunday. Before the war, Hezbollah possessed over 150,000 rockets; by the November 2024 ceasefire, 70-80% had been destroyed. Later updates in 2025 show roughly 10,000 to 23,000 rockets remaining. Despite the reduced stockpile, Hezbollah has maintained a high tempo, launching around 100 rockets or drones per day against Israel, including around 200 on March 11. The IDF has been able to disrupt larger plans, and, in one instance, Hezbollah’s 200-rocket attack on March 11 was a departure from an original plan to fire about 600 rockets.In US Policy Concerning Israel, IDF: Sunni Arab countries do not want to be stuck with Iran with no US, Israel defense, the Israeli Defense Forces say Sunni Arab countries in the Middle East do not want to be left facing a resurgent Iran without protection from the United States and Israel. The wave of Iranian missile and drone attacks has shifted regional security calculations, and the United States appears less willing to defend them, leaving Israel and regional partners to coordinate security. Iran has targeted Abraham Accords states including the UAE, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia. Israel cooperates with those countries outside the Abraham Accords under the US Central Command umbrella or through clandestine Mossad activity. Former Mossad chiefs Tamir Pardo and Yossi Cohen have had close ties with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in recent years. In tandem, the US Treasury designated four sham charities as funding Hamas's military wing. The charities are Ghazi Destek Dernegi (GDD), Hayat Yolu, Palestinian White Hands Assistance and Solidarity Association (Palestinian White Hands), all Turkey-based, and Indonesia-based Komite Nasional Untuk Rakyat Palestina (KNRP). Internal Hamas documents show these charities funded charitable projects in Gaza that benefited Hamas’s operations. The Treasury states Hamas continues to finance its military wing through sham charities.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/middle-east/iran-news/article-890007https://www.jpost.com/podcast/jpost-headlines/article-890020https://www.jpost.com/international/article-890028https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-890023https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-890003https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-890034https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-890027