Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-04-03 at 05:02

HEADLINES
- Cluster missiles injure Israeli in Kiryat Ata
- US bases hit as proxies strike Erbil
- IDF eyes buffer zone near Litani

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, a 79-year-old man was lightly wounded by Iranian cluster missile debris in Kiryat Ata on Friday morning. Emergency services said he was treated on site by Magen David Adom medics and then taken to Rambam Hospital with his condition described as mild. Emergency crews also attended to several people suffering post-traumatic symptoms. The cluster munitions damaged a number of buildings and vehicles. Across Haifa and nearby towns, emergency services reported multiple sites of fallen shrapnel; Channel 12 cited seven sites, with other reports noting eleven sites under investigation. There were indications of an impact in Haifa’s industrial zone, and Bazan oil refinery infrastructure was reported in the impact area.

In US Military Role, overnight claims from the Islamic Resistance in Iraq said they carried out 23 drone and rocket attacks on US bases in Iraq and the region in the past 24 hours. A missile directly struck Kurdish positions in Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan. The insurgent group said at least 30 suicide drones were launched at Erbil, most of which were intercepted. Drones attacked the US Army Camp Victoria complex at Baghdad International Airport, and a drone damaged an American logistics center.

In Regional Impacts, the latest developments include the Israeli military saying it has struck more than 3,500 targets across Lebanon since fighting with Hezbollah began, while Iran warned against provocative action as the UN Security Council weighs authorising defensive force to protect shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The vote on authorising such force has been delayed, with Bahrain circulating a draft resolution to greenlight member states to use all defensive means necessary. President Donald Trump warned that US forces have yet to begin destroying what's left in Iran. Separately, emergency teams were deployed to areas reporting debris and rising smoke near Haifa and the surrounding towns, with authorities saying there were no confirmed injuries at this stage according to Magen David Adom. A dispersing missile advisory urged residents to take cover.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, the IDF has acknowledged that disarming Hezbollah without a full-scale invasion is unrealistic and would not be pursued; five divisions are deployed in Lebanon near the Litani River, with the aim of finishing control of territory eight to ten kilometers from the border within about a week, a move that would diminish Hezbollah’s firing capabilities and extend warning times. The army plans to seize and demolish frontline villages to create a deep buffer zone similar to the Gaza model. Meanwhile, rockets continued to be fired from southern Lebanon toward northern Israeli towns, triggering alerts in Kiryat Shmona and Margaliot.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, US intelligence assessments cited by CNN indicate that roughly half of Iran’s missile launchers and one-way attack drones remain operational after weeks of strikes, and a large share of Iran’s cruise missiles remain intact; President Trump has claimed the war could end in two to three weeks, a timeline CNN says is unrealistic. Iran’s former foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif urged a deal with the United States to end the war by offering to curb its nuclear program and reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for sanctions relief, including a mutual nonaggression pact and closer economic ties.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, an opinion piece argues the greatest threat to Israel is not on the battlefield but at home, as Netanyahu’s coalition choices risk democracy, social cohesion, and long-term stability. The piece notes security successes in wars against Hezbollah and Iran but contends that domestic governance and social cohesion are endangered by current political moves.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, French far-left member of the European Parliament Rima Hassan will face trial in July over a post on X about a 1970s attack on Lod airport in Tel Aviv. Prosecutors say she will be tried on charges of advocating terrorism online; authorities detained her briefly, and she faces up to seven years in prison and fines of up to 100,000 euros.

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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