Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-03-31 at 05:02

HEADLINES
Iranian missiles intercepted over central Israel
Iranian retaliation wounds civilians including babies
Italy blocks US bases for Iran strike

The time is now 5:02 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, sirens sounded in central Israel as missiles fired from Iran were intercepted, with no injuries reported.

In Iranian Retaliation, eight people were lightly wounded across central Israel after fragments fell from an Iranian cluster munition, with several cars set on fire. The wounded include two 18-month-old babies; emergency services and police are en route to multiple sites of shrapnel falls, and several fragments were found in the Tel Aviv area. The situation is developing.

In US Military Role, Italy has not authorized the United States to use its bases for offensive operations against Iran, with Aviano Air Base in the north and Sigonella Naval Air Station in Sicily identified as potential hubs, and the Italian government avoiding direct involvement; any use would require explicit political approval, which has not been given. Reports also describe video from last night's strike on Isfahan showing a large ammunition depot hit with 900-kilogram bunker-busting bombs, and the White House has posted about the Isfahan strike.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, the IDF announced the deaths of a team commander and three Nahal soldiers in a battle in southern Lebanon, with the name of one of the four fallen not yet released. The total Israeli death toll among troops since the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023 cross-border attacks now stands at 935. The fourth soldier killed overnight in Lebanon was identified as Sergeant Gilad Harel, 21, of Modiin, a member of the Nahal reconnaissance unit; the family name was released by the IDF. Reports describe several fall zones in the Gush Dan area and another wave of Israeli strikes in Tehran, including eight people wounded in Bnei Brak, among them babies. A former senior Mossad official said that anyone expecting Iran to end the confrontation within three days does not know Iran, and security officials say the balance of power in the Middle East has shifted.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Spain bans US military flights to Iran from its airspace, with Madrid stating it will not permit US military aircraft linked to the conflict with Iran to pass through Spanish airspace.

In Uplifting News, nearly 20,000 new immigrants have arrived in Israel since last Passover. The Aliyah Ministry reports 19,386 people in 11,216 families, including 4,119 children and teenagers aged zero to 18 and 2,426 people over 65. The majority came from Russia (more than 6,470), with the United States a distant second at 3,512; over 3,000 arrived from France, with additional arrivals from the United Kingdom, Ukraine, Canada, and other countries. Tel Aviv absorbed 2,807 newcomers, Netanya 2,298, Jerusalem 2,276, and Haifa 1,661. Minister Ofir Sofer called the aliyah numbers a Zionist story.

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/ILtoday/18287
https://t.me/selena_updates/60288
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-891733
https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/74219
https://t.me/abualiexpress/119224
https://t.me/abualiexpress/119223
https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/74218
https://t.me/newssil/197315
https://t.me/abualiexpress/119225
https://worldisraelnews.com/four-israeli-soldiers-killed-in-southern-lebanon/
https://t.me/newssil/197316
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1303500
https://worldisraelnews.com/spain-bans-us-military-flights-to-iran-from-its-airspace/
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-891730