Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-02-28 at 17:02

HEADLINESIsrael OKs Iran strike after cabinet voteKhamenei death rumors swirl after Tehran strikeTel Aviv hit as Gulf missiles landThe time is now 5:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.In Operation Lion's Roar, preparations for the attack on Iran were set long in advance, with the United States and Israel engaging in several conversations in recent weeks. Most members of the Security Cabinet received final confirmation on Friday morning, were briefed on the operation's details, and that night the cabinet formally approved the strike on Iran via a secure red-phone line. By morning, a restricted Security Cabinet convened in a bunker near the Jerusalem hills, with ministers who had known of the plan for weeks. The discussions, kept private to avoid triggering a miscalculation by Iran, included a three-hour meeting focused on military planning, and there were no public statements at the start or end, save for a single photograph.In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, analysis centers on Ali Khamenei's long-standing ideological approach and his use of confrontational language toward Israel and the United States, including Holocaust denial, which observers say has guided Iran's stance and actions. Reports from Iran circulated that the Supreme Leader was killed in an Israeli strike on Tehran, with social media footage and reactions showing Iranians celebrating with fireworks. US President Donald Trump publicly asserted that Khamenei is dead and suggested that many members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps and security forces may be seeking immunity from the United States. Trump amplified the claim in a post calling Khamenei “dead,” while Netanyahu said there were growing indications of his death without providing further details. A later briefing noted by US and Israeli officials described a strike on an underground bunker as the context for such claims, but no official confirmation had been issued by the three sides.In Regional Impacts, following the outbreak of the conflict, travel disruptions affected Israelis abroad as flights were forced to land in unfriendly states; a plane carrying around 180 Israelis was diverted to Saudi Arabia, while another passenger bound for Dubai was redirected to Muscat, Oman. In Bahrain, an Israeli traveler remained stranded as tensions mounted, with the Foreign Ministry warning of heightened hostility and restricting travel to certain destinations. A reservist reported his home in central Israel damaged by an Iranian missile fragment, describing shattered windows and smoke as emergency responders arrived. In Tel Aviv, emergency services treated dozens of injured, including two in critical condition, as authorities and rescue crews conducted searches for additional victims. Arab states condemned Iranian missile strikes on US bases in the Gulf, excluding Oman, which had played a mediating role in regional talks. The developing picture includes ongoing assessments of impact across the region.In US Policy Concerning Israel, President Trump outlined several off ramps for ending Operation Epic Fury, saying he can either extend the campaign or conclude it in two to three days and tell the Iranians they would face consequences if they rebuild, with recovery spanning years. He described the operation as having two aims: the collapse of stalled talks and Iran’s attempts to rebuild damaged facilities, noting that Iran had approached a deal but pulled back. A US official, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, described briefings to the president as a high-risk, high-reward scenario that could yield a once-in-a-generation shift in regional dynamics. Trump also acknowledged that the lives of American personnel may be at risk in conducting such actions.In Israeli Domestic Politics, the judiciary moved to an emergency footing as Israel braces for ongoing fallout from the Iran confrontation, with courts and tribunals operating in a red-level format through Monday evening and prioritizing urgent proceedings; Justice Minister Yariv Levin signed orders expanding emergency regulations to limit court activity and extending similar restrictions to religious and labor courts. In a televised address, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged Iranians to unite against their government, thanked Trump for his leadership, and framed the US-Israel partnership as one that endures in peace and in war. He said the war would lead to peace and suggested that many IRGC officials had already been eliminated, while promising continued operations that would target thousands of Iranian targets and create the conditions necessary for a broader security posture.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. 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