Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-03-19 at 04:02

HEADLINESCivilian toll climbs in Sharon Hebron LodIranian drone hits Kuwait refinerySenate blocks war powers resolution on IranThe time is now 4:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.In ידה הארוכה של ישראל הגיעה לים הכספי: המסר החריף לטהרן ולמוסקבה נחשף. Overnight, casualties across the region tied to the current hostilities include a man in his thirties killed by shrapnel in the southern Sharon area, three women killed in Hebron, and a woman about 40 shot dead in Lod. A missile fragment struck a house in the Na'ot moshav, causing extensive damage.In Iranian Retaliation, Iran's UN ambassador says the UAE’s decision to allow its territory to be used for strikes constitutes an internationally wrongful act and that Tehran seeks reparations, including compensation for material and moral damages. Separately, Kuwait reports a fire at an oil refinery following an Iranian drone attack this morning.In Kremlin confirms Ukraine talks paused as Iran war escalates, the pause in trilateral peace talks among the United States, Russia, and Ukraine is confirmed, with officials saying the Iran war could nudge Kyiv toward compromise. The Kremlin notes that Kirill Dmitriev will continue work on economic cooperation while the trilateral talks remain on pause. The Washington Post report cited by Russian officials indicates Moscow has provided Iran with targeting information on US forces since the conflict began, signaling a broader alignment in the region. Separately, Palestinian communities report continued Iranian missile strikes, with Beita near Nablus hit and civilians reporting property damage and electricity outages after waves of missiles and artillery. In Europe, gas prices surged more than 30 percent following Iran’s attack on a gas facility in Qatar, fueling concerns about energy stability in the region.In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, the Israeli Defense Forces say they killed over 20 Hezbollah operatives in southern Lebanon over the past 24 hours and seized a variety of weapons, including RPGs, anti-tank rockets, ammunition, and other equipment. The operation follows the earlier removal of a Hezbollah commander in Beirut and underscores a continued effort to curb Hezbollah activity tied to Iranian backing. The Israeli military states it will press on with operations to safeguard civilians and degrade Hezbollah capabilities under Iranian sponsorship.In US Policy Concerning Israel, the Senate blocked a second attempt in as many weeks to use a war powers resolution to end the Iran conflict. In Washington and Jerusalem, discussions continue over how to calibrate responses to Iran’s actions and the implications for US and Israeli strategy. Separately, reports describe a rift in how the Qatar attack was perceived: US and Israeli officials say Iran’s gas-field strike had US approval, while President Trump denied knowledge of the operation and warned against further escalation; Israeli sources maintain there was coordination with the United States. A separate report notes that, behind the scenes, Trump and aides presented differing accounts of the level of involvement.In Israeli Economy and Business, Israeli retail technology funding rebounded sharply in 2025, rising to $463 million from $197 million the previous year. The sector comprises 502 active companies, about 7.05% of Israel’s 7,125 startups, with Ecommerce Enablement the largest segment at 230 companies. Dealmaking moved upmarket, with median deal sizes near $15 million in 2025, compared with $9.5 million in 2024, reflecting renewed investor confidence and a shift toward AI-driven, commercially proven solutions across Retail & Commerce.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.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1298347https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1298346https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-890493https://t.me/abualiexpress/118063https://www.jpost.com/international/internationalrussia-ukraine-war/article-890491https://t.me/abualiexpress/118062https://t.me/abualiexpress/118058https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1298341https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-890494https://worldisraelnews.com/senate-blocks-attempt-to-impose-limits-on-iran-conflict/https://www.ynetnews.com/article/h1wujgf9zghttps://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1298338https://www.jpost.com/business-and-innovation/article-890492