Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-03-27 at 13:02

HEADLINES
IDF strikes Arak heavy water site Ardakan
Iranian missiles strike Israel as fragments fall
Hezbollah tunnel found under south Lebanon church

The time is now 1:02 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Operation Lion's Roar, the Israel Defense Force confirmed strikes on Iran’s Khondab heavy water reactor at the Arak Nuclear Complex, with Iranian media reporting a second strike on the Ardakan yellowcake production facility. Yellowcake is the concentrated uranium powder used early in fuel production. A government official cited by Fars News Agency said there were no casualties and no danger to nearby populations, while Fars noted the facility was struck twice. The Khondab site uses heavy water to operate reactors and the material can also be used as a neutron source for nuclear weapons; officials described the facility as a significant economic asset for Iran and for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran. The attacks come after the IDF urged residents near Arak to evacuate ahead of imminent strikes on regime military infrastructure. The Arak heavy water facility was previously targeted during Operation Rising Lion, and Iran has attempted to rehabilitate the site, only to be struck again as restoration efforts were detected. Earlier, the IDF announced targeted strikes against the IR-40 heavy water reactor as part of the Arak Complex, a key plutonium production site tied to Iran’s nuclear program, which had also been struck last year during the Twelve-Day War.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, Iranian state media published a list of steel plants in Israel and the Gulf States as possible targets for attack after the IDF struck steel plants in Iran.

In Iranian Retaliation, Iran has launched hundreds of missiles toward Israel since the war began, with fragments of intercepted missiles littering Israel and the West Bank. Some fragments are described as the size of small trucks, and four- to five-meter pieces have been found in places including a schoolyard near Nablus and areas near Ramallah, Bethlehem, Hebron, and Salfit. A girl was photographed with a fragment near an olive tree grove, and a schoolyard displayed a large missile case. Emergency services warned that these fragments may pose explosion and shrapnel risks, and officials have noted roughly 270 fragments have fallen across the West Bank.

In Regional Impacts, Gulf Arab states tell the United States that ending the war is not enough; any deal with Tehran should permanently degrade Iran’s missile and drone capabilities and ensure global energy supplies are never weaponized. They want enforceable restraints on Iran’s expansion of strikes on energy and civilian assets and guarantees that the Strait of Hormuz remains open, with a broader redefinition of engagement rules to address regional security concerns.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, the IDF uncovered a Hezbollah tunnel near a south Lebanon church stocked with weapons, highlighting Hezbollah’s alleged exploitation of Lebanon’s Christian population and use of church grounds for military purposes. The military said Hezbollah has prevented Christian civilians from fleeing combat zones and has fired on them. Separately, the IDF warned that military pressure alone won’t disarm Hezbollah and urged political action to press Lebanon to enforce agreements and cut Hezbollah’s finances. A report questions who was eliminated in Beirut.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, an opinion by Simcha Rothman contends that “aid to Israel” is a misnomer and frames the US-Israel relationship as a security partnership grounded in shared interests and capabilities. The piece argues for strengthening that alliance while addressing common challenges, noting discussions with visiting members of Congress as part of a broader strategic partnership.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, US Senator Marco Rubio said he is concerned by violence from Israeli settlers in the West Bank and that the Israeli government is expected to take action in response.

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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