Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-03-04 at 02:02

HEADLINES
Israel Iran clash escalates with Tehran strikes
Afghan instability triggers border threats
Tel Aviv stocks rally amid war

The time is now 2:02 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, intense overnight airstrikes hit Tehran and other locations in Iran. The reports describe heavy bombardment across multiple sites inside the country.

In US Military Role, the United States assault on Iran was ahead of schedule, said the top American commander for the Middle East, as Israel and the United States targeted sites deep inside the country and Iran carried out strikes around the Gulf. Global markets trembled as more than 20,000 flight cancellations disrupted travel and governments rushed to repatriate stranded travelers. The Israeli military said it had begun a wave of strikes targeting Iranian launch sites, aerial defense systems, and infrastructure, with air raid sirens and reported missile interceptions in israel following the early actions. Admiral Brad Cooper said the first 24 hours of the campaign were nearly double the scale of the first 24 hours of the Iraq War in 2003, noting that Iran’s ability to hit the United States and partners appears to be declining as US combat power builds. In a separate development, Iranian Kurdish militias have consulted with the United States about whether to attack Iran’s security forces in the western part of the country, training to weaken the regime with the aim of enabling Iranians opposed to the Islamic regime to rise up; a final decision has not been made, and Iraqi leaders in Erbil and Baghdad have been in touch with the Trump administration as discussions continue, including talks about CIA assistance in providing weapons.

In Regional Impacts, a Russian Foreign Ministry report on Afghanistan warns that the country remains unstable with terrorist networks as the main source of unrest, and cross-border threats could intensify for Central Asia and Pakistan as armed groups expand their footprint. The report estimates between 20,000 and 23,000 fighters affiliated with international terrorist groups are active in Afghanistan, with more than half foreign nationals, including groups such as IS-KP, TTP, al-Qaida, the Turkestan Islamic Movement, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, and Jamaat Ansarullah. Separately, an evacuation order was issued for a building in Beirut.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, the United States is intensifying efforts to build an opposition within Iran, with intelligence sources telling CNN that the plan is not limited to ethnic groups such as the Kurds and the Baloch but also seeks support from within Iran’s regular army, public figures, local leadership, and moderate officials; President Donald Trump has suggested the effort is not too late in discussions with Politico, noting past casualties. Iran’s regime relies on two military arms—the regular army and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, with the IRGC answering directly to the Supreme Leader. In Israel, the Northern Command chief described Hezbollah as having fallen into a strategic trap and said the IDF will not stop until a heavy blow is delivered, with defense strengthened along Lebanon and Syria and roughly 250 targets struck so far, a pace that will continue daily.

In Israeli Economy and Business, the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange rose on Tuesday, three days into the Israeli-American war on Iran, led by gains in defense, energy, and financial stocks. The shekel strengthened about 1.5 percent against the dollar, nearing a 30-year high, as investors weighed the potential for reduced geopolitical risk and market resilience against broader market pressures and higher oil prices.

In Uplifting News, dozens of medical personnel are en route to Israel from Cyprus on a Zim Shipping vessel, including several senior doctors who will reinforce medical teams at Sheba Medical Center, Rambam Medical Center, and the Galilee Medical Center in Nahariya. The group is expected to arrive Tuesday morning, and Zim Shipping says its vessels will be prioritized to support Israel’s national needs as the country faces security challenges.

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.

SOURCES
https://www.jpost.com/business-and-innovation/article-888748
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https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-888743
https://www.israelhayom.com/2026/03/04/cias-secret-plan-to-arm-militias-on-irans-borders/
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rjigwurkzl
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1291753
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-888429
https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/70828
https://t.me/ILtoday/17416