Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-03-31 at 01:02

HEADLINES
Isfahan jolts as Iran-Israel war escalates
Israeli soldiers killed in Lebanon
Hormuz closure sparks global oil market shock

The time is now 1:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Operation Lion's Roar, overnight Israeli and US fighter jets conducted strikes across Iran, with the heaviest explosions reported in Isfahan where missiles, ammunition and missile launchers were targeted. In the last hour, multiple precision strikes were reported near Shiraz's airport.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, a senior security official warned that anyone thinking Iran has unleashed its final missile is mistaken, saying the region already sees Iran and a widening regional dynamic around Israel. After a relatively quiet night, Iran launched dawn raids toward the Jerusalem area and the south, hitting ships and missile depots. US intelligence reports chaos in Tehran following eliminations at the top of Iran’s leadership, and officials note that the Houthis joined Iran’s campaign about a month after the war began, a development now being examined.

In Regional Impacts, the International Monetary Fund warned the war in Iran has produced a global, though asymmetric, shock and is tightening financial conditions. Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz and damage to regional infrastructure have disrupted the global oil market, with 25%–30% of global oil and 20% of liquefied natural gas typically passing through Hormuz. Oil prices were on track for a record monthly rise, though the ultimate effect depends on how long the conflict lasts and how much damage is done to infrastructure and supply chains. The IMF urged policymakers to calibrate measures carefully. Tehran has also been reporting widespread power outages in the capital.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, four Israeli soldiers were killed and two wounded in fighting in southern Lebanon, with the military releasing the names of Captain Noam Madmoni, Staff Sergeant Ben Cohen and Staff Sergeant Maxsim Entis; a fourth soldier’s name has not yet been cleared for publication. Nine IDF soldiers have died in Lebanon since the start of Operation Roaring Lion on February 28, while 22 civilians have been killed by rocket and missile fire from Lebanon and Iran. Earlier, Uri Peretz, 43, was killed in Nahariya after a Hezbollah rocket strike on northern Israel. This remains a developing story.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, President Trump told aides he is willing to end the military campaign against Iran even if the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed, leaving a complex operation to reopen it for a later date. He has floated negotiating an end to the war with the Iranian regime as his first option, with Gulf States and NATO possibly leading the effort to reopen Hormuz as a secondary route. Other military options are being considered but are not his immediate priority. Netanyahu separately suggested long-term solutions could involve rerouting energy pipelines westward rather than a large-scale military operation.Separately, a Financial Times report said a Morgan Stanley broker for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth explored a multimillion-dollar investment in BlackRock's Defense Industrials Active ETF in the weeks before the Iran attack; Pentagon officials denied the report, calling it false and fabricated, and said the investment did not proceed.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, a report from the area of government budgeting notes that the 2026 budget left the country with limited prospects, and the director-general of the Finance Ministry resigned the day after the budget’s approval, as the government faced criticism over fiscal choices and their political repercussions.

In Uplifting News, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law a bill renaming Palm Beach International Airport after President Donald J. Trump. Effective July 1, the airport will be officially named President Donald J. Trump International Airport, with federal aviation authorities carrying out the necessary administrative changes.

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
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