Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-03-30 at 08:06

HEADLINES
Regime-change claim after US-Israeli strikes on Iran
Iranian missiles strike Haifa Bazan refinery hit
IDF soldier dies as Lebanon clash escalates

The time is now 8:05 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Operation Lion's Roar, strikes are taking place in Tehran and Karaj. Right now, strikes are underway in Tehran and Karaj.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, the report says US-Israeli airstrikes have killed the supreme leader Ali Khamenei and a broad echelon of Iran's political and military elite, and US President Donald Trump has said the war has achieved "regime change" and that "we're dealing with different people than anybody's dealt with before." But several key figures have survived, and the Islamic republic has shown resilience by rapidly replacing killed leaders and continuing the fight against the US and Israel. In the latest update, Alireza Tangsiri, the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps naval force, died of wounds from an Israeli strike, according to the Guards. Israel bombs IRGC facilities at Imam Hossein University in Tehran.

In Iranian Retaliation, an impact was reported in Haifa during the latest Iranian missile barrage on Israel, with initial indications pointing to a strike or falling debris in the city’s industrial zone near the Bazan oil refinery, which has been targeted in previous attacks. In earlier barrages, missile shrapnel struck the facility, causing localized damage and temporary power disruptions, though no casualties were reported. Search and rescue forces are on their way to a site in northern Israel where reports of impact have been received. The Environmental Protection Ministry said there was a gasoline tank burning in the refinery complex, producing thick smoke, but no risk to the population from hazardous materials. The Haifa municipality later confirmed there was no suspicion of hazardous materials in the area, and residents were asked to close windows and not stay outside.

In Regional Impacts, Spain has closed its airspace to US planes involved in attacks on Iran, a step beyond its previous denial of use of jointly-operated military bases, Defense Minister Margarita Robles said on Monday. "We don't authorize either the use of military bases or the use of airspace for actions related to the war in Iran," she told reporters in Madrid. Spanish newspaper El Pais had first reported the news, citing military sources. The closure means military planes must bypass NATO member Spain en route to their targets in the Middle East, but emergencies are not included. Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo said the decision is part of the government’s stance not to participate in or contribute to a war that was initiated unilaterally and against international law, a view echoed by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez as he weighs the broader implications for relations with the United States. President Donald Trump has threatened to cut trade in this context.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Iran is deepening its grip on Lebanon as Israel expands its ground operation and airstrikes against Hezbollah. Lebanon is seeking to expel Iran’s ambassador, who will not leave Lebanon despite being declared persona non grata and ordered to exit by Sunday, according to Iranian and Lebanese sources. Hezbollah denounced the decision, and Berri’s Amal party joined Hezbollah ministers in boycotting a cabinet session this week in protest of the order to expel Mohammad Reza Sheibani. In the same region, the IDF announced the death of Sergeant Liran Ben Zion, 19, from Holon, killed during combat operations in southern Lebanon, with an armored corps officer severely wounded and evacuated for treatment; Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered condolences to Ben Zion’s family. The IDF also struck Hezbollah's ambulances belonging to the Al-Risala Scout Association in the Hanouiyeh area of the Tyre district, noting that Hezbollah often uses emergency medical vehicles for military activity, and warning that ambulances lose their protection under international law when used for military purposes. During a targeted operation against Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon, troops located a weapons cache and destroyed five advanced anti-tank missiles intended for launch toward Israeli territory, as well as weapons caches inside underground compounds that were dismantled on the scene.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Jerusalem prosecutors have indicted 23-year-old Ali Jaber in the District Court, accusing him of knowingly maintaining contact with a foreign agent acting on behalf of Iranian intelligence and transmitting information that could be useful to the enemy. The indictment says Jaber contacted a Telegram user identified as “Joan” after seeking temporary work, opened a PayPal account, and sent a photo of his identity card; a payment of about $80 was deposited, and his first assignment involved photographing a traffic circle near Eilat’s central bus station. Prosecutors indicate they may seek a prison sentence if convicted. In Crisis leadership, Itay Ben-Horin argues that there is no single rule for how leaders handle crises, noting that responses must fit the client and moment; his book Crisis Management: Insider Views of How Business and Political Giants Won or Lost Big explores how leaders navigate high-stakes situations and includes lessons drawn from 16 cases, including references to Bill Clinton, Netanyahu, and the challenges faced by families of hostages taken to Gaza.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Toronto Police have faced criticism for not fully enforcing a ban on pro-Palestinian demonstrations in Jewish residential areas, despite announcing the restriction last week. Protests were seen passing through the Bathurst Street and Sheppard Avenue area near Jewish institutions, with some groups briefly moving onto side streets to reach residents; no arrests were reported. Israel’s consul in Toronto, Idit Shamir, said small groups did break off onto side streets to reach Jewish residents, while City Councillor James Pasternak said officers were doing their best to manage the situation.

In Uplifting News, two Passover initiatives are aimed at reducing isolation and enhancing safety for Israel’s elderly. Thousands of senior citizens will receive support through two programs coordinated by the Social Equality Ministry and the Advancement of the Status of Women, the Israel Association of Community Centers, the Tzalir Fund, and Mifal HaPais. In one initiative, dozens of community centers across the country will host public Seders so no senior is alone on Seder night, with registration handled via the 8840 hotline. The second program expands the Tzalir Fund’s Banu emergency project to move elderly residents and people with disabilities from northern confrontation-line communities to protected hotels ahead of the holiday.

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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