Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-03-16 at 16:02

0:00Teleredic here from 2311 Racing. Game night's fun until someone spends five minutes lining up one shot. Chalk, breathe, reach-shock, still aiming. While they figure it out, I fire up Champa Casino. I can spin anywhere, anytime, and there's always a new social casino game every week. Spins happen way faster than that shot. Play now at champacasino.com. Let's Chama. Sponsored by Champa Casino, no purchase necessary. VGW Report, where prohibited by law, 21-plus terms and conditions apply. The time is now 4.02 pm in New York. I'm Noah Levi, and this is the latest Israel today, ongoing war report. In direct Israel-Iran clashes, a leaked audio account describes a February 28 strike on Tehran's leadership compound that appears to have targeted Iran's senior leadership. Majtaba Khamenei, Iran's new Supreme Leader, escaped harm by stepping outside moments before

1:01missiles hit his residence. The recording attributed to Mazah Hossini, head of protocol in Ali Khamenei's office, says the building was hit at 9.32 am local time, and that Majtaba was in the yard heading back upstairs when the strike unfolded. He suffered a leg injury, while his wife Zara had had a del and their son were killed instantly. The telegraph says the audio, independently verified, also describes the deaths of other people inside, and frames the strike as a coordinated attempt to kill members of the Khamenei family and senior leadership at the same time. A separate item in this block carried the headline another great interception, but offered no additional details. In the conflict with Iran and its regional proxies, a senior Iran-backed Iraqi militia official was killed, as Kattab Hezbollah confirmed the martyrdom of Hatch Abu Ali Al-Asqari, a senior member and militia spokesperson, while not confirming the cause of death. K.H. Chief Abu Hussein Al-Hamadawi praised Asqari's role in communicating the group's positions during periods of confrontation,

2:04and Abu Mujahid Al-Asaf will assume the spokesperson's role. Following the announcement, security sources told Reuters that Kattusha rockets were launched toward the US Embassy in Baghdad, and drones were sent into the green zone. K.H. is one of the most powerful Iranian-backed militias in Iraq. An analysis in this block argues that Israel's illusions about Lebanon persist as tensions with Hezbollah escalate, urging a rethink of peace and security strategies, given Lebanon's internal politics and Hezbollah's influence. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told the Jerusalem Post that Russia helped Iran improve shard drones after Ukraine was used as a testing ground for the weapons. Warning that the same threat now facing Israel, Gulf states, and the United States, had been honed through years of attacks on Ukrainian civilians. He described how Ukraine faced hundreds of Iranian drones daily, and said Iran's drone program evolved from earlier models to today's capabilities, with Russia providing technical assistance.

3:05In Israeli domestic politics, an opinion peace argues that soldiers must be equipped to defeat enemies who celebrate barbarism. While legal systems must provide clarity, credibility, and fairness, it contends that the recent S.D.E. Taiman detention case highlights a dangerous tension between battlefield necessity and legal oversight. Noting the closure of the criminal case against reservists accused of abusing a Hamas detainee after the October 7 massacre, due to evidentiary complications and a leaked surveillance video, the author warns that procedural hurdles should not hinder decisive action in combat. Ex-defense officials are urging stronger steps from government and the IDF to address a rise in Jewish violence in the West Bank, warning that in action could threaten national security and Israel's diplomatic standing in a letter to IDF central commander Major General Avi Bluth. Commanders for Israel's security said the organization and its members have observed a growth in deadly violence against Palestinians, and called for greater accountability

4:08in action, citing past meetings with Matt and Vilni and Danny Yattam, and urging a concrete response. In uplifting news, Gal Gadot is directing a Genesis Prize matching gifts campaign to support Israel's post-October 7 recovery. The initiative, launched with the Jewish Funders Network, aims to channel at least $2 million to Israeli NGOs helping people cope with trauma, loss and displacement after the October 7 massacre, and the subsequent conflicts. The Genesis Prize Foundation has committed $1 million, with donors expected to contribute at least another $1 million. The effort is designed to strengthen long-term recovery by funding professionals and organizations aiding the country's healing efforts. Thank you for tuning into this Israel today, ongoing war report update. I'm Noah 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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