Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-03-28 at 22:01

HEADLINES
Iran missiles strike southern Israel no injuries
US weighs risky weeks-long Iran ground operation
IRGC threatens US Israeli universities demands condemnation

The time is now 10:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, sirens sounded across southern Israel amid a missile attack from Iran, and no injuries were reported.

In Iranian Retaliation, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps threatened American and Israeli universities in the Middle East as retaliation for an attack on the Iran University of Science and Technology in Tehran. The IRGC said that all American and Israeli universities located in West Asia would become legitimate targets until two universities are struck in retaliation for the destroyed Iranian universities. The group also demanded that US officials condemn the bombing by Monday and warned that if President Donald Trump does not stop allied forces from attacking universities and research centers, the threat would remain valid. The warning was reported by Tasnim News Agency.

In US Military Role, the Pentagon is weighing options for a potential ground operation in Iran that could last weeks, focusing on special operations missions and limited infantry rather than a full-scale invasion, though the plan has not been approved by the President due to the high risk to American troops. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt noted that it is the Pentagon’s job to prepare options for the Commander in Chief. Separately, reporting indicates the United States has deployed Marines to the region and is considering moving thousands of soldiers from the 82nd Airborne to the area. A third note from the Washington Post describes preparations for weeks of ground operations that could involve raids by Special Operations forces and conventional infantry, with whether the President would approve remaining uncertain. In a related development, a Counter-Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar System, or C-RAM, was seen engaging Iranian one-way drones during an attack on the Syrian Army’s Al-Tanf Garrison, a US-linked base in southern Syria near the Jordan and Iraq border, which had been operated by the US Army until their withdrawal in 2025.

In Regional Impacts, the Kuwaiti Armed Forces reported that several Iranian drones struck Kuwait International Airport, causing significant damage to the radar system and a large fire at the airport’s fuel tanks, with no injuries reported. A total of 15 Iranian drones were launched at Kuwait in the past 24 hours.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Iranian-backed militias in Iraq escalated their attacks, targeting the Kurdistan Region president Nechirvan Barzani’s house. The assault drew condemnation from France and Baghdad, while Iran distanced itself from the incident. The strike follows recent Iranian missile fire at Kurdish Peshmerga forces in Iraq that left six dead. Nechirvan Barzani, a pragmatic leader who pursues regional prosperity, is connected to the region’s ruling family, including Masoud Barzani and Masrour Barzani. Analysts noted that the militias operate with their own targets independent of the Iraqi government and the PMF command, complicating regional security dynamics. In a separate development, Ali Hassan Shaib, described as a Hezbollah Radwan Force operative who operated under the cover of a journalist for the Al-Manar network, was eliminated; Shaib had previously exposed IDF troop positions in southern Lebanon and maintained direct contact with Hezbollah operatives.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, South African authorities confirm the death of Steven Gruzd, a prominent Jewish academic, after he was abducted for ransom and theft in what investigators described as an express kidnapping. The CSO said Gruzd disappeared Thursday evening and was found dead Friday; five suspects were arrested, with one pointing to the body’s location. The CSO and the victim’s family described the incident as criminal in nature, with no evidence of antisemitic motive. Gruzd led the African Governance and Diplomacy Programme and his loss is being mourned by colleagues. A second piece discusses how antisemitism is increasingly weaponized through language, citing an incident in which a Jewish student at Exeter University faced hostile, Zionist-slur-laden abuse at a party, framing the broader trend of antisemitic rhetoric on campuses and online.

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://t.me/selena_updates/60014
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-891480
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-891481
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/03/pentagon-preparing-weeks-ground-operations-iran-washington-post-reports
https://t.me/DefenderDome/19797
https://t.me/JewishNews24/52061
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-891478
https://t.me/JewishNews24/52060
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-891475
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-891239