Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-03-12 at 12:03

HEADLINES
Israel kills Ali Muslim Tabaja commander
US drones strike pro-Iran militias in Iraq
Hezbollah rockets drive exodus from southern Lebanon

The time is now 12:02 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Operation Lion's Roar, the IDF says an overnight Israeli Air Force strike in Lebanon killed Ali Muslim Tabaja, a commander of Iran's Imam Hossein Division, along with several other senior terrorists. The division, run by the Iranian Quds Force, is made up of thousands of fighters across the Middle East and works closely with Hezbollah to carry out attacks against Israel. According to the IDF, the terror group was involved in launching drones and missiles toward northern Israeli communities during recent fighting. Those killed in the strike also included the division's deputy commander Jihad al-Safira, UAV officer Sager al-Handasa, and other senior terrorists.

In US Military Role, American LUCAS-type drone strikes targeted positions of pro-Iranian militias in Iraq.

In Regional Impacts, another evacuation order was issued for a high-rise in the heart of Beirut as fighting intensifies. Beirut remains tense as civilians seek safety amid clashes along the border and across southern Lebanon. The exodus from southern Lebanon continues, with residents blaming Hezbollah for the displacement. In Marja'youn and other Christian villages and towns across Lebanon, reports say Shia refugees are being turned away amid concerns Israeli threats and Hezbollah presence. United Hatzalah treated five people after a Hezbollah attack hit a residence on Wednesday. The situation remains fluid, with civilians seeking shelter and authorities urging caution.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, border residents are calling for Israel to eliminate Hezbollah or create a buffer zone up to the Litani River after a major cross-border barrage. Hezbollah fired about 200 rockets in a single night, with hundreds more across the last day, including a barrage of rockets and drones that has drawn heavy Israeli retaliation. The fight has prompted cross-border airstrikes with Lebanese targets, including Beirut and elsewhere, as Israel seeks to degrade Hezbollah infrastructure along the border.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, the IDF Military Advocate General Major General Itay Offir announced that he has ordered the cancellation of the indictment against five defendants in the Sde Teiman case, explaining that evidentiary difficulties and the scandal surrounding a leaked video made it too difficult to continue the case. The case was filed by Offir's predecessor, Yifat Tomer Yerushalmi, in February 2025 against five soldiers for the alleged crimes. Yerushalmi resigned in October 2025 over her illegal leaking of a video of the alleged beating prior to trial, and Offir replaced her a month later. From a domestic political perspective, the current government regarded the move as the safest course. He did not call the case a "blood libel," but cited technical reasons and evidentiary concerns. In other news, a 47-year-old man was seriously wounded after a suspected terror stabbing in Ramat Gan; the victim, identified as a prominent rabbi affiliated with the Shas movement who chairs the local religious council, was stabbed in the afternoon and stabilized after treatment by Magen David Adom and transport to Ichilov Hospital. The 20-year-old suspect from Jatt was arrested, and investigators are examining whether the act had nationalist or terror-related motives.

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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