Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-03-29 at 15:02

HEADLINES
US massing troops for possible Iran invasion
Iran strike near Mehrabad Airport triggers outages
Netanyahu expands buffer zones to deter invasion

The time is now 3:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, a strike in Tehran near Mehrabad Airport has been reported. The available article provides no further details beyond noting the strike near that airport.

In US Military Role, US officials have said in closed-door discussions that escalation could occur if Iran does not pursue a diplomatic path, including the possibility of a ground operation. By early next week, the US military is expected to deploy sufficient ground forces to the Middle East to support a potential ground operation against Iran. Thousands of Marines and paratroopers are arriving in the Central Command area in the coming days, and the administration is considering deploying another 10,000 infantry troops to the region. Among options presented to the president is a plan to seize Iran’s Kharg Island and to conduct raids along coastal areas near the Strait of Hormuz to prevent Iran from targeting ships transiting the waterway. Iran has not yet responded to President Trump’s 15-point proposal. Senior US officials said that all options are on the table and that the decision rests with the president. In addition, one report notes that the first stage of a US ground entry into Iran may already be clear, with Egypt entering the event and escalation pushing Gulf states to the edge; there are mentions of dramatic events at Naot Hovav after an Iranian missile strike, explosions in Isfahan with reports of damage to a Basij base, and discussions that Israel’s defense establishment may be identifying targets in Iran as part of a broader reshaping of the Middle East, with signals from Lebanon suggesting a new equation.

In Regional Impacts, reports of power outages have emerged in parts of Tehran following attacks attributed to Israel and the United States, amid broader regional escalations referenced in related reports.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel will expand its buffer zone in Lebanon to finally thwart the threat of invasion and to push anti-tank missile fire away from the border. He described a paradigm shift in Israel’s recent wars and said the country has changed its security concept, noting that it now "initiates, we attack" and has created three security zones deep within enemy territory. Netanyahu cited buffer zones in Lebanon, Gaza, and Syria, and he addressed residents of the North, promising generous assistance from government ministries and asking for continued patience and steadfastness, while also offering condolences to soldiers who have died in the conflict.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, the budget is set to pass, and Netanyahu’s government appears positioned to complete its four-year term, despite sustained opposition infighting that has undermined efforts to unseat him. Observers note that, given the magnitude of the Oct. 7 attack, the government’s continued tenure is remarkable, and the opposition’s disarray is a key factor in its survival. Separately, former IDF chief Gadi Eisenkot rejected Naftali Bennett’s offer to unite parties and said he would not serve as Bennett’s number two, insisting he believes in his own leadership and would not leave Benny Gantz to join Bennett. Eisenkot’s bid to build a new political force comes as elections are due no later than October, with his Yeshar! party gaining momentum alongside other contenders.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, three articles argue that a dangerous current in Europe is not incidental and has a single clear source. They contend that European leaders claim that wars in the Middle East are not connected to Europe, while asserting that policy does not exist in a vacuum. The pieces critique Europe, including Germany, for hypocrisy and for failing to address the threat of antisemitism and anti-Jewish hate, warning that Europe is moving along a perilous path and failing to confront these issues with the seriousness they require.

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/beholdisraelchannel/74109
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-891553
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1302801
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1302804
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-891545
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-891559
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-891557
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1302815
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1302814
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1302813