Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-03-18 at 02:02

HEADLINES
Israel strikes Tehran command centers missile sites
Iranian missiles kill couple in Ramat Gan
US bombs Iranian missile sites near Hormuz

The time is now 2:02 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Operation Lion's Roar, the IDF completed a wave of strikes targeting Iranian terror regime command centers in Tehran. The Israeli Air Force, under the direction of the IDF Intelligence Directorate, struck command centers, ballistic missile array sites, and additional infrastructure of the Iranian terror regime. Among the Tehran targets were the headquarters of the IRGC Security Unit, the maintenance center of the General Logistics and Support Department of Internal Security Forces, and a command center belonging to the ballistic missile array. At the same time, several air defense systems were struck to expand the Israeli Air Force’s aerial superiority over Iranian airspace. The completed strikes are part of a phase aimed at deepening damage to the core systems and foundations of the Iranian terror regime.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, Iran executed a man accused of spying for Israel, identified by the judiciary's Mizan news agency as Kurosh Keyvani. He was found guilty of providing Israel's spy agency, Mossad, with pictures and information about sensitive locations in Iran. Iran has a long history of executing people it accuses of links to Mossad, and the report notes ongoing human rights concerns in the context of the January crackdown. In addition, Iran has launched missiles toward central Israel, with a third such launch detected within about three hours. The Hebrew-language reports also indicate more launches toward the center. In an overnight Iranian missile attack on the Tel Aviv area, a man and his wife, both in their 70s, were killed when submunitions from a cluster warhead hit their apartment in Ramat Gan; a separate missile attack later caused damage but no injuries. Separately, air raid alerts were expected in the Gush Dan and the Shfela region as the threat persisted. A further night-brief note referenced ongoing incidents, including a report of a strike in Beirut and disruptions to transportation in Israel as authorities respond to the broader threat.

In US Military Role, the US military dropped 5,000-pound GBU-72 bombs on fortified Iranian missile sites along the coasts of Iran near the Strait of Hormuz.

In Regional Impacts, alarms were activated, with sirens reported in Jerusalem as the threat persisted across the region.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Hezbollah came under new pressure as the IDF began striking Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon following the civilian evacuation around Tyre and rocket fire toward Israel. Analysts such as Jonathan Alhouri describe cracks in Hezbollah's fear-based discipline, noting that more people are speaking openly about Hezbollah's actions, a gradual but meaningful shift, even as public protests remain limited. There is also a Beirut-focused item prompting questions about who was eliminated in Beirut.

In Israeli Economy and Business, price checks ahead of Passover 2026 revealed sharp gaps in meat and poultry pricing across networks, with differences approaching 200 shekels for identical purchases. Individual items also showed sizable gaps, making pre-holiday price comparisons critical.

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-1297810
https://t.me/newssil/195766
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https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/73029
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https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1297808
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