Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-03-23 at 13:02

HEADLINES
- Israel Strikes IRGC Targets Moves West Bank
- Trump Halts Iran Power Plant Strikes Five-Day Pause
- Netanyahu OKs West Bank Redeployment Amid Clashes

The time is now 1:01 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 military said it struck an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force member in Beirut on Monday afternoon, though it did not name the target. Earlier on Monday, the IDF conducted a series of strikes in Tehran, with the first at about 4 a.m. targeting terror regime infrastructure and the second at 2 p.m. aimed at Iranian terror regime targets. Dozens of Israeli Air Force fighter jets carried out another wave of strikes in Tehran overnight on Sunday night, targeting several IRGC and IRGC Quds Force sites, security organization headquarters and bases, and key weapons manufacturing sites. The IDF said more than 100 munitions were used in the strikes. The military also announced it is diverting forces from the Lebanon invasion to the West Bank to rein in Jewish violence against Palestinians, marking the first time amid the Lebanon operation that forces were moved to a less dangerous front.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, analysts urge patience as Israel’s war with Iran progresses, warning that gains will be gradual and time is needed to weaken Tehran’s capabilities. Yaakov Amidror, a former National Security Council head, told a recent webinar that Israel must equip itself with patience because there are opportunities in Iran, Lebanon, and Gaza that are unlikely to recur. Don’t expect quick results when you are attacking. A separate briefing notes that President Trump described talks with Iran as “successful,” while the IRGC has threatened Israel’s power sources.

Regional Impacts also notes that another evacuation order was issued to the Dahieh district in Beirut, underscoring ongoing disruption in the area as tensions persist.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Kata’ib Hezbollah says it is extending its ceasefire on US targets in Iraq for five days, warning foreign forces to leave while US-Iran talks continue. The group had paused attacks previously, and the extension coincides with a broad warning to foreign forces. Abu Mujahid al-Assaf, a security official for the group, said the five-day extension applies to the deadline it had set for the US Embassy in Baghdad, and that violations will be addressed accordingly. Iraqi intelligence services were targeted in past incidents, and one Iraqi intelligence officer was killed amid the broader clashes surrounding the region.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, markets reacted to Trump’s statement that he would postpone any strikes against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for five days after saying he had had “good and productive conversations” with Iran. Tasnim News Agency cited an Iranian official saying the Strait of Hormuz would not return to pre-war conditions and energy markets would remain unsettled. As a result, eurozone bonds rallied and the pound recovered, with Germany’s 10-year yield easing from earlier highs as investors eyed the development.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, the IDF announced it is diverting forces from the Lebanon invasion to the West Bank to rein in Jewish violence against Palestinians, a move described as unprecedented mid-operation. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved the decision after Judea and Samaria commanders pressed for more forces to restore order, following a period when the security situation in the area had deteriorated.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, a Kent-based art exhibition titled Drawings Against Genocide has sparked outrage for drawings critics say echo antisemitic tropes. The works depict Jews in dehumanizing ways, including portrayals of Patrick Drahi eating babies and other images that depict Jews as devils with horns or standing on skulls. Some pieces deny sexual violence on October 7, with captions suggesting there is no evidence of rape or beheaded babies. The debate centers on the boundaries between free expression and antisemitism and the responsibilities of artistic critique.

In Uplifting News, Israel is highlighted as one of the world’s happiest nations despite ongoing conflict, ranking eighth in the latest World Happiness Report. The piece notes that Israelis find purpose, unity, and resilience even amid danger and uncertainty, underscoring a counterpoint to the country’s 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/israel-news/defense-news/article-890940
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-890951
https://www.jpost.com/podcast/jpost-headlines/article-890945
https://www.jpost.com/podcast/jpost-headlines/article-890945
https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/73621
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-890948
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-890943
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-890949
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-890956
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-890759