Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-03-31 at 07:02

HEADLINES
Israel says Iran pre-war targets 60-70% destroyed
Jet over central Israel triggers sirens
Gulf warns rapid Iran end under Trump

The time is now 7:02 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Operation Lion's Roar, the IDF says all critical and essential pre-war targets in Iran will have been destroyed by Wednesday. The campaign has reached about 60-70% of the total pre-war targets, with 100% of the top two categories eliminated. Critical targets were those that immediately threatened Israel, such as ballistic missile industry facilities and targets central to the war's mission goals, including the small remaining nuclear-related targets. Essential targets, a level down, comprise the wider Iranian military-industrial complex, including satellite launching and satellite attacking platforms and related research that underpins long-range weapons and Iran’s ability to contend with Israel’s satellite advantages. The remainder of the pre-war targets cover broader military elements tied to Iran’s long-term capability.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, an Israeli Air Force fighter jet was spotted over central Israel as the war against the Iranian regime continues, reinforcing Israel’s stance that it will not bow to terror. Sirens were reported in Avivim and other border areas as the conflict persists, with reports of Israeli strikes in Iran and Lebanon and injuries in the Bnei Brak area, including infants, amid ongoing fighting and security operations.

In US Military Role, officials stressed that America is not leaving the region. CENTCOM’s commander and the IDF chief of staff reportedly agreed on targets in Iran for the coming months, signaling coordinated and extended activity without a declared wind-down.

In Regional Impacts, the war has unsettled Gulf markets, with Abu Dhabi and Dubai stock exchanges collectively shedding about 120 billion dollars in market value. The downturn exposes vulnerabilities in a state long seen as insulated from regional risk and underscores broader concerns about economic exposure to the conflict.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, evacuation warnings were renewed by an IDF spokesperson in Arabic for seven neighborhoods in Beirut’s Dahieh district ahead of possible strikes. Israeli defense authorities also signaled the intention to press operations in the region, including in southern Lebanon where officials say control could be established over large areas up to the Litani River and where border villages could be affected. Qatar weighed in, asserting that Israeli strikes in Lebanon and talk of a buffer zone may violate international law.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Gulf states have voiced concerns that a rapid end to the Iran war under President Trump could come without meaningful constraints on Tehran’s regional threat. UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have warned that any settlement must prevent Iran from regaining the capacity to threaten neighboring states and to disrupt maritime traffic, viewing the current moment as a rare strategic opportunity to limit Iran’s regional influence.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, discussions have stretched beyond the battlefield. Steve Bannon called for deporting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s son Yair to join the front lines of the Iran conflict, a provocative stance reflecting broader debates about leadership and military service. Separately, Israel has halted defense sales to France citing a hostile attitude toward Israel in recent years, though existing contracts will be honored and private deals might continue; larger government-to-government deals could be affected as defense cooperation cools between the two countries.

In Israeli Economy and Business, Stratasys has been chosen to join a major US defense program to accelerate the use of 3D-printed components across military platforms, a multi‑million‑dollar initiative led by Stratasys Direct to qualify and deploy production-scale parts. Separately, amid the crunch of daily life during heightened alerts, the El Bar Group is offering at-home test drives for the AVATR 11 electric crossover in selected central and Gush Dan areas, with pricing starting around 289,900 shekels. The program is designed to accommodate shoppers who prefer to stay close to home, and it operates outside Saturdays and holidays.

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/article-891756
https://t.me/hnaftali/22549
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1303561
https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/74226
https://t.me/newssil/197328
https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/74227
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/s13yvxyo11e
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1303559
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-891751
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-891747
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-891742
https://www.jpost.com/defense-and-tech/article-891750
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1303567