Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-03-19 at 14:03

HEADLINESIsrael's new tactic broadens Iran air campaignUS F-35 lands after Iranian strike claimGhalibaf leads Iran's war effortThe time is now 2:02 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.In Operation Lion's Roar, the air force has broken down Iran's air defenses, focusing on mobile anti-aircraft missiles. The top tier of Iran's remaining defenses consists of mobile missiles that are often deployed in groups of a dozen or more on a vehicle, and about 92% of those have been destroyed. The next layer is an Iranian version of the RIM-66 Standard, which can strike aircraft at a distance of roughly 60 to 75 kilometers; about 75% of these systems have been destroyed in June 2025 and in the current conflict. There are older and less threatening systems, with about 75% destroyed in June 2025 and around 80% in the current rounds. The long-range radar systems have also suffered, with around 70% destroyed in June 2025 and around 80% destroyed so far in the current round. Israel has also pursued new tactics to extend its striking capacity, including a method that reduces fuel needs on long missions.Israel's air force has integrated new tactics in the current war that it did not use in three prior rounds against Iran, allowing a far larger number of fighter jets to strike the Islamic Republic. The tactic accelerates jets to high altitude on a much faster, steeper takeoff to save fuel. By climbing quickly to high altitude, many jets can reach Iran without refueling, a distance of about 1,500 to 2,000 kilometers depending on where they take off from. This approach reduces air friction and fuel burn, enabling longer missions with fewer midair refuels and expanding the scale of sorties that can be flown.War by the numbers: How many strikes, targets, and missions has Israel carried out? Israel has dropped about 12,000 bombs since the war began, including 3,600 within the Tehran region alone. The operation has included 40 top Iranian officials killed by 40 bombs in the first 40 seconds of the war. Some 540 fighter jet waves were sent to central and western Iran, with another 50 waves aimed at more distant parts of the country, totaling about 5,700 sorties. In Lebanon, about 2,200 bombs have been dropped on Hezbollah across roughly 1,000 sorties, with 220 Hezbollah targets tracked and hunted and about 100 targets attacked as part of Hezbollah’s overall war effort.In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, Israel makes progress against Iran missiles, but disputes within IDF about the extent of the damage have emerged. One top IDF source said the air force had destroyed or neutralized about 75% of Iran's roughly 470 missile launchers, while another senior IDF source put the figure at around 60%. The discrepancy underscores ongoing uncertainty about the pace of damage, as officials note that missile fire has fallen from roughly 100 launches per day to about 20 per day, and on some days to four or five. The estimates illustrate the challenge of accurately measuring the remaining missile threat amid an ongoing campaign.The IRGC claims that it targeted the Haifa and Ashdod refineries in its latest missile barrage at Israel, using the Nasrallah enhanced and guided missile system for the first time. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says the refineries were hit with the Nasrallah system, though independent verification of these claims was not provided here.A US F-35 fighter jet was forced to make an emergency landing at a US base in the Middle East after being struck, with Iranian media claiming the IRGC was behind the hit. The US Central Command said the aircraft landed safely and the pilot is in stable condition, and the incident is under investigation. The report notes this would be the first time Iran has hit a US aircraft in the war, and it reminds audiences that both the US and Israel operate F-35s, each costing well over $100 million.Ghalibaf: Iran's new strongman running war effort describes Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran's parliament speaker and a veteran of the Revolutionary Guards, as a leading figure in directing the war effort after the killing of Iran’s leaders. Ghalibaf has emerged as a prominent public voice, posting frequently on X and giving interviews, while Mojtaba Khamenei has appeared less in public. He has framed the conflict as an unequal war and signaled a push to mobilize Iran’s resources with a focus on self-reliance in equipment and engineering, even as security concerns limit public appearances at rallies.In Regional Impacts, IDF sources say Iran’s military power has been set back years in nearly every area, though there is no consensus on whether the strikes will be enough to topple the regime. Some officials caution that even substantial damage may not translate into a leadership change, while others suggest that the intensity of strikes could shift politics at home. The debate highlights the uncertain trajectory of the conflict and the potential for unpredictable outcomes as foreign military action continues.פגע וברח בזמן האזעקות: גבר נהרג מפגיעה מרכב בחיפה - תוך כדי שיגורים reports a fatality in Haifa amid ongoing sirens and missile fire, underscoring the human toll of the hostilities in the region. The note reflects a civilian death in the context of ongoing rocket launches around the city.Day 20: why isn't every cluster missile intercepted — and what's left of Iran's nuclear program reports that the Air Force says about 60% of Iran’s launchers have been destroyed, with interception rates climbing to 90%. Officials remain tight-lipped about the pace and scope of strikes on nuclear and enriched uranium sites, as the conflict reshapes Iran’s strategic posture and the international calculus surrounding its nuclear program.In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Tlaib accuses Israel of ‘ethnic cleansing’ in Lebanon, alleging that Israeli operations amount to ethnic cleansing that has killed nearly 1,000 people, including more than 100 children, a claim reported by World Israel News.In Uplifting News, A Taste of Home highlights how people in Israel are spending more time at home and savoring everyday moments. Three popular combinations are featured: an Israeli-style breakfast, coffee with something sweet, and kitchen classics like tahini and traditional spreads, reminding audiences that simple flavors can offer comfort and connection even in challenging times.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-890578https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-890575https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-890581https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-890563https://t.me/JewishNews24/51565https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-890587https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/03/ghalibaf-irans-new-strongman-running-war-efforthttps://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-890547https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1298617https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rjyaght9bxhttps://worldisraelnews.com/tlaib-accuses-israel-of-ethnic-cleansing-in-lebanon/https://t.me/ILtoday/17958