Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-04-03 at 09:02

HEADLINES
Iran claims downed US fighter jet
Israel says 70% Iran steel destroyed
Lebanese rocket fire stirs northern alarm

The time is now 9:02 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Operation Lion's Roar, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking at the Kirya, said that with our American friends we will continue to crush the terror regime in Iran. He asserted the Air Force has destroyed 70% of Iran's steel production capacity in recent days, and that in full coordination between him and President Trump, between the IDF and the US Army, they will continue to crush Iran. He described the regime as weaker than ever and Israel as stronger than ever, and said that in Lebanon the IDF continues to strike Hezbollah hard.

In Iranian Retaliation, Iranian sources released footage of the search for the F-15 downed in southwestern Iran, with A-10 aircraft providing close air support to ground forces and helicopters and tanker aircraft taking part to sustain the effort. For the first time since the start of Operation Epic Fury, Iran has said it shot down a US fighter jet, and a search-and-rescue operation is underway for two crew members in southern Iran. Tasnim News Agency reported that one American helicopter attempting the rescue was attacked by Iran’s air defenses near the border and forced to flee, while other aircraft tried to complete the mission but continued fire from Iranian air defenses forced them to retreat. Iran’s Mehr News Agency called on civilians to help capture the pilot and weapons officer of the American F-15E Strike Eagle, and Iranian state media also urged local tribes to search for the pilots, promising a reward for those who capture them alive.

In the US Military Role, at the request of the United States Israel is participating in the rescue effort. Fox News reports that B-52 bombers have been deployed in the skies over Iran to support military actions. A US Air Force HC-130J “Combat King II” Combat Search and Rescue aircraft was seen flying extremely low over the countryside of southern Iran as the search continues for the crew of the downed F-15E.

In Regional Impacts, Iran struck Kuwait’s oil refinery complex, a development drawing regional attention to the broader conflict and its economic spillover.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Hezbollah Radwan Force operatives captured last week by the IDF’s Givati Brigade described a sharp drop in morale, saying that Hezbollah is sending them to die and that they are exhausted after more than a year and a half of fighting, including a stated aim to avenge Iran’s former supreme leader Ali Khamenei. A senior security official warned that it is only a matter of time before Naeem Kasem is eliminated, and that if Lebanon does not proceed against Hezbollah, military action against them would begin. Alarms in the north sounded after rocket fire from Lebanon, with a 79-year-old lightly injured in the Krayot as dozens of launches were reported into the north. An army briefing in the north said dismantling Hezbollah is not a current war goal despite prior pledges, with officials stressing it remains a long-term objective, while residents accused leaders of misleading them.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, an IDF air defense battery commander in northern Israel led troops through a briefing on a string of espionage cases involving soldiers in the corps, telling them he trusts them but emphasizing the seriousness of national-security breaches. The Air Force’s air defense directorate circulated an internal letter tightening information security and cyber guidelines within the corps, urging that any suspected information-security incidents be reported to the information security officers.

In Uplifting News, a Passover night of faith, survival, and miracles took place at the Friends of Zion Center in Jerusalem, where a deeply moving Seder brought together people bearing the weight of recent months with a sense of resilience and hope.

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.

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