Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-03-22 at 03:03

HEADLINESIranian missile hits Arad wounding 84Hezbollah anti-tank strike hits Misgav AmIran threatens Hormuz disruption, strait at riskThe time is now 3:02 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, the latest exchanges stretch from the south to the north as the conflict intensifies. A Hezbollah anti-tank missile struck a car in Misgav Am near the Lebanese border, the driver critically wounded and later dying. Earlier on Saturday night, an Iranian ballistic missile hit a building in Arad, wounding at least 84 people, including a five-year-old among the 10 in serious condition; 19 were reported in moderate condition and 55 lightly wounded. All wounded were evacuated to Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba by ambulance or helicopter, with officials saying no one is currently trapped under rubble as search efforts continue. In central Israel, fragments from the Iranian barrage were reported, though no injuries were recorded by Magen David Adom. The fourth week of Operation Roaring Lion began as part of the broader hostilities. Separately, a British Navy submarine has arrived in the Arabian Sea and is reported to be capable of attacking Iran with Tomahawk missiles if the confrontation escalates.In Iranian Retaliation, Tehran’s posture is being viewed through regional media as a potential shift in strategy. Iran has signaled it could disrupt international shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, deploying aerial and maritime drones against Western and regional vessels and threatening one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints. American forces have said they have sunk at least 60 Iranian warships since the start of the conflict; prior to the war, Iran’s navy operated about 62 vessels while the Revolutionary Guard controlled more than 250 fast-attack boats, though many have been destroyed or are scattered after bases were hit. The latest US strikes targeted vessels believed to be involved in deploying naval mines in the Strait. Iran faces a dilemma: mining the waterway would intensify the conflict, and such moves remain a point of contention as diplomacy continues.In US Military Role, Britain says Akrotiri will not be used in US strikes on Iran targets. A British government statement noted that RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus would not participate in the continuation of the US-based defense arrangement for strikes on Iranian missile sites threatening ships in the Strait of Hormuz. The announcement followed a Saturday call between Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides. The Cypriot side stressed that Cyprus’s security remains a priority. The same block also notes that an Iranian-type Shahed drone caused slight damage at Akrotiri on March 2, with two others intercepted, and there have been no further known security incidents on the island. In a separate development, HMS Anson, a British nuclear-powered submarine armed with Tomahawk Block IV missiles and Spearfish torpedoes, has taken position in the Arabian Sea after sailing from Perth, roughly 5,500 miles to the region. The submarine’s presence provides Britain with long-range strike capability if regional tensions escalate, and it comes as Downing Street authorized the US to use British bases for strikes on Iranian sites threatening the Strait of Hormuz.In Regional Impacts, Saudi Arabia expels Iranian military attache amid escalating missile attacks. The Saudi foreign ministry announced that the attaché, his assistant, and three embassy staff must leave within 24 hours, declaring them persona non grata. Saudi officials have said continued Iranian missiles and drones targeting Saudi territory have contributed to heightened tensions, with most attacks intercepted and the broader conflict raising the prospect of further escalation and significant consequences for current and future relations. The Saudi foreign minister previously said the kingdom reserves the right to act militarily against Iran, and the two regional powers had only recently restored diplomatic ties in 2023 as the US-Israeli war ripples through energy exports in the region. Iran’s stance includes openness to maritime safety talks and the Strait of Hormuz remaining accessible to all shipping except vessels linked to Iran’s enemies, provided security and safety arrangements are coordinated with Tehran; Tehran says diplomacy remains its priority, though mutual trust and a cessation of aggression are essential. In the same update, a post circulating in the narrative references that the United States threatened to destroy Iran’s power plants if the Strait of Hormuz is not fully opened within 48 hours. An item simply labeled “Alarms activated” also appears in the section, underscoring the heightened sense of alert in the region.In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Hezbollah fired an anti-tank guided missile toward two vehicles in Misgav Am, a Israeli community near the Lebanon border. The driver of one vehicle was critically wounded and died from his wounds, and there were no other reported casualties. The missiles were fired at low altitude and from a short distance, and there was no warning siren activated at the time.In Uplifting News, an enduring community story from Israel speaks to resilience in the face of devastation. The fire that engulfed the main building of the Hesed Olam farm in central Israel destroyed a year’s worth of work, equipment, and infrastructure as Oriya Tayeri, the family’s father, served in the reserves at the northern front. Abishag and the children stood amid the ruins, while Hesed Olam, which protects 12,000 dunams in western Benjamin, remains a symbol of steadfastness in the region. The family’s supporters emphasize that the fight is broader than a single house, and a fundraising drive is underway to rebuild and support the Tayeri family as they rebuild the farm and continue to defend their community.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/israel-news/defense-news/article-890734https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/73460https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-890432https://www.jpost.com/international/article-890744https://www.jpost.com/international/article-890735https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-890742https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-890741https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/73458https://t.me/selena_updates/59163https://t.me/abualiexpress/118322