Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-04-03 at 07:02

HEADLINES
Kiryat Ata hit by Iranian missile debris
Iran claims F-35 shot down; US silent
Israel to carve security zone into Lebanon

The time is now 7:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, emergency services say a 79-year-old man was lightly wounded by debris from Iranian cluster missiles in Kiryat Ata on Friday morning. He received on-site care from Magen David Adom medics and was transported to Rambam Hospital, with his condition described as mild. Responders treated several people for post-traumatic symptoms, and multiple buildings and vehicles were damaged by shrapnel. There were several shrapnel sites in the Haifa area, with Channel 12 reporting 11 sites under investigation. An earlier strike or debris fall also affected Haifa’s Bazan oil refinery, which has faced prior attacks and experienced localized damage and temporary power disruptions but no casualties were reported. Channel 12 noted that at least 10 shrapnel sites were being assessed by authorities.

Separately, Kuwait’s electricity and water ministry said Iran attacked a power plant and a desalination facility within Kuwaiti territory, while Iranian Revolutionary Guards condemned the attack as inhumane and asserted that Israel was the real aggressor and has not owned up to it. The Kuwaiti ministry’s report and the Iranian response reflect contested claims that have not been independently verified. In Bnei Brak, 11-year-old Nesya, who was struck by an Iranian missile, reportedly showed a slight improvement as her heart resumed beating on its own and she was disconnected from the ECMO support, though her overall condition remains critical.

In US Military Role, the Iranian Khatam al-Anbiya headquarters issued a statement claiming that it shot down an American F-35 over the skies of Markazi Province in central Iran, with the pilot’s chances of survival described as slim. Debris footage, identified by tail markings, allegedly confirms the aircraft as American and linked to a squadron based at the British Lakenheath base. There has been no published American denial or response to the claim.

In Regional Impacts, Russia, China, and France are blocking an Arab-led initiative at the UN Security Council to authorize military action against Iran aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz, with France officially described as on the other side. A separate report notes residents of Kiryat Ata whose homes were destroyed expressing defiance, emphasizing that no one should say this could not happen to them.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, the IDF states Hezbollah cannot be fully disarmed without a ground invasion and plans to maintain a security zone extending two to four kilometers into southern Lebanon after the current conflict ends. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stressed that disarming Hezbollah remains the top objective through military and diplomatic means, regardless of Iran, with the ground maneuver reaching the anti-tank line to defend border communities. The army will destroy border-area houses serving as Hezbollah outposts in line with a Gaza-model approach to remove threats and will maintain security control in the Litani area; returning about 600,000 southern Lebanon residents to the region south of the Litani will not be permitted until northern Israeli communities are assured of safety. The IDF will continue to target Hezbollah leaders and operatives across Lebanon, in addition to roughly 1,000 terrorists already eliminated since the start of the campaign, and will act vigorously against rocket and missile fire from Lebanon toward Israeli towns. A fresh Hezbollah rocket attack toward the north triggered sirens in Misgav, underscoring the ongoing threat. Iran-backed Iraqi militants posted a video of themselves in Azadi Square, Tehran, signaling cross-border proxy activity.

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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https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1304632
https://worldisraelnews.com/idf-says-hezbollah-cannot-be-fully-disarmed-without-ground-invasion/
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1304636
https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/74394
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