Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-03-20 at 15:02

HEADLINESIsrael Kills Basij Commander Soleimani and AhmadiIranian Missiles Target Incirlik NATO BaseTrump Says US Could Leave Iran OperationThe time is now 3:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.In Operation Lion's Roar, the Israeli Air Force says a strike earlier this week that killed Gholamreza Soleimani, the commander of Iran’s Basij Force, also killed Ismail Ahmadi, who headed the paramilitary security force’s intelligence arm. Ahmadi played a key role in the deadly suppression of widespread protests earlier this year.In Iranian Retaliation, Reports earlier today and footage indicated that sirens sounded at NATO’s Incirlik Air Base in Turkey. However local media has said authorities have denied reports of an “adverse threat” to the local area, with this coming after several ballistic missile attacks against the base by Iran.In US Military Role, President Donald Trump said the United States could leave the Iran operation now and Tehran would be unable to rebuild for more than a decade, but that is not acceptable; if we stay longer, they’ll never rebuild, he added, noting that the United States and Israel have largely similar goals for the outcome but operate from different geographic positions. A Bloomberg report, citing a US official, says there are no current plans to deploy US troops in Iran, specifically Kharg Island, though the US will retain the ability to do so if ordered by the president. CENTCOM has released video showing a US Air Force A-10C Thunderbolt II refueling from a KC-135 Stratotanker over the CENTCOM area of responsibility.In Regional Impacts, Ukraine has deployed 228 specialists to five Middle Eastern countries to help intercept drones and advise on air-defense measures; the teams are in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and Jordan, with officials saying they expect to finalize several significant security arrangements. In Kuwait, the armed forces say they detected a ballistic missile and 25 Iranian one-way attack drones in the last 24 hours, with 15 drones intercepted and destroyed; 2 drones targeted a Kuwait Oil Corporation refinery causing a fire now under control, while 8 drones fell in open areas without damage. Druze security forces in Suwayda thwarted an attempt to smuggle weapons and ammunition for use in hostile acts on the Busra al Sham and Baka road; a clash followed when gunmen opened fire, leaving two dead, two wounded, and two arrested, with weapons seized. JPMorgan Chase economists forecast Qatar's GDP to shrink about 9 percent in 2026 due to Iranian attacks.In Israeli Domestic Politics, Gaza compensation: A controversial idea to free Israel from the war crimes debate - analysis. Some Israeli officials had discussed ex gratia payments in a small number of high-profile Gaza war casualties as a way to relieve the war crimes debate and boost Israel's legitimacy on the world stage; the plan, drawing on precedent from the Netanyahu-Turkey compensation after the 2010 Mavi Marmara incident, is said to be supported by a range of former and current top Israeli legal officials.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://t.me/DefenderDome/19483https://t.me/DefenderDome/19484https://www.jpost.com/international/article-890681https://t.me/DefenderDome/19493https://t.me/DefenderDome/19492https://t.me/DefenderDome/19489https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-890680https://t.me/DefenderDome/19490https://t.me/selena_updates/59032https://t.me/abualiexpress/118212https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-890423