Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - September 3, 2026, 07 PM Eastern

0:00You're listening to Israel Today ongoing war report, I'm Noah Levi. We begin today with significant developments on Israel's northern border. The IDF announced on Thursday the completion of clearance operations against two extensive Hezbollah underground infrastructures located on the Ali Al-Taharij in southern Lebanon. According to the military, these tunnel complexes, which took about two decades to build and were planned and funded by Iran, served as critical command centers for Hezbollah operatives. IDF forces from the 36th division have been operating in the area for several weeks, achieving operational control both above and below ground. During these operations, Hezbollah operatives were cleared from the area, with some reportedly killed and others fleeing. The IDF found command rooms, weapons storage, living quarters, and facilities that allowed operatives to remain underground for extended periods, and conduct combat operations, including

1:04planning terrorist attacks against Israel and IDF forces. While efforts to neutralize the tunnels are ongoing, the IDF stated that the ability to carry out additional attacks from these sites has been neutralized. Operations in southern Lebanon continue, with the IDF remaining committed to the ceasefire agreement. The capture of the Ali Al-Taharij, a complex operation lasting several months, involved detailed mapping and destruction of underground systems, command rooms, and weapons depots, turning to US policy and its representatives in the region. US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has been outspoken, while reaffirming the strong partnership between the United States and Israel, citing benefits in intelligence, military hardware, technology, and counterterrorism. Huckabee has also stated he cannot ignore the growing violence perpetrated by Israeli citizens against Palestinians in the West Bank. He emphasized that violence is unacceptable regardless of who commits it. Drawing a parallel between Palestinian attacks on Israelis and Israeli attacks on Palestinians,

2:08and noted that such settler violence harms Israel's reputation in the United States. Separately, the role of Martin Marx, special assistant to the President and Director of Jewish Engagement, has been highlighted. Marx reportedly spent months arranging a White House meeting with two rabbis representing a movement that regards the state of Israel as a religious era, prior to Roch Hashanah. This outreach facilitated by Marx is noted as a new development from the White House. In Israeli domestic politics, Firebrand Knesset member Tali Gotlev will run with National Security Minister, Eta Marbenjeevurs, Farait Otsma Yehudet party in the upcoming October 27 election. This move follows Gotlev's disappointing, result in the Lecude primary, which he blamed on Prime Minister Netanyahu. Under an agreement between Lecude and Otsma Yehudet, Gotlev will remain bound by Lecude faction discipline until the election. This arrangement is crucial for her to retain parliamentary immunity and secure substantial party funding from the Knesset, which she would lose if declared a departing lawmaker.

3:12Benjeeva welcomed Gotlev calling her a fighter against the Deep State. I'm Noah Levi, thank you for listening to Israel Today ongoing war report. Stay safe and informed. Follow Israel Today, ongoing war report in your podcast app so you don't miss the next update. Keep in mind that this AI-generated report may contain occasional inaccuracies, so consult multiple sources for a comprehensive view.