Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-03-19 at 12:01

HEADLINESIsraeli strikes kill hundreds at Azadi StadiumUS Israel unleash fiercest Iran strikesQatar ejects Iranian attache after Tehran strikesThe time is now 12:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.In Operation Lion's Roar, Israeli strikes during the first week of the war pushed Iranian security forces to fall back and regroup at sports complexes before targeting those sites. The Wall Street Journal reported that the attacks killed hundreds of Iranian military and security personnel, with the majority at Azadi Stadium, one of the region's largest soccer venues. The Journal cited that Israeli intelligence had learned of the Iranian fallback plans, and noted that the strikes followed the first-day joint Israeli-US actions that hit Iranian missile launchers and air defenses. After those initial strikes, the United States and Israel divided responsibilities in the campaign.In Iranian Retaliation, interception debris struck the BAZAN facility in Haifa, hitting the Haifa oil refineries at two sites within the compound after Iran's latest missile barrage. Fifteen fire and rescue teams from the Coastal District responded, and no casualties have been reported. Firefighters worked to extinguish a blaze, cordoned off the scene, and monitored for a suspected hazardous materials incident.In US Military Role, today will be the most intense day of US strikes against Iran, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said during a Pentagon briefing, describing the ongoing campaign as a large strike package and noting continued destruction of Iran's air defenses, missile and drone production facilities, and Iran's navy. Yet General Dan Caine acknowledged that Iran still maintains some capability to launch strikes across the Gulf during the briefing.In Regional Impacts, Qatar declared the security and military attache in Iran's embassy persona non grata, giving notice that the official must leave within 24 hours following Iran's attacks, including the strike on Qatar's Rass Laffan industrial city. QatarEnergy reported extensive damage to the facility. Dr. Najah Al-Otaibi, a Saudi analyst, described Iran's attacks as a betrayal of the diplomatic detente and said Doha's move is more than symbolic, marking a major break in the Gulf's approach to Tehran.In US Policy Concerning Israel, US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard told the House intelligence committee that the two alliances pursue different objectives in the war on Iran: the Israeli government aims to disable Iran's leadership, while the president's stated goals focus on destroying Iran's ballistic missile program and its navy. She said the coordination between the United States and Israel is ongoing but that their aims are not identical. Separately, amid a global energy crisis, the United States plans to ease sanctions on Iranian oil, proposing the release of about 140 million barrels, up to two weeks of supply. Israeli officials, for their part, stressed that an attack on Iran's gas field would not happen again, emphasizing the coordination of actions.In Uplifting News, From Bayern’s bench to Southampton’s savior: Daniel Peretz and the rise of the ‘Iron Dome’, Daniel Peretz, once hailed as the “Golden Boy” of Israeli soccer who had famously stared down German strikers at the U-21 Euros, delivered two season-defining performances that underscored his transformation from a forgotten understudy in Germany to the beating heart of Southampton’s promotion push. He backstopped the Saints to crucial victories over Coventry City and Norwich City, including a 2-1 win over the league leader Coventry City featuring six vital saves, a spectacular 43rd-minute reflex stop, and a dramatic 97th-minute scramble that sealed the win. The performances have solidified his reputation as one of the Championship’s elite goalkeepers.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-890577https://www.israelhayom.com/2026/03/19/haifa-refineries-interception-debris-iran-retaliation/https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-890566https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-890568https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-890580https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hjz5u9yqbghttps://www.jpost.com/israel-news/sports/article-890557