Israel & the United States at War with Iran
Special Update from Israel

March 16, 2026

Prepared by and sent from Jewish Federations of North America's Israel Office 

(Updates this week will also be sent on Wednesday and Thursday)

• Day 17 of the US/Israel War with Iran
• Missile fire continues, as more flights begin to fly into and out of Israel
• Some schools have reopened in low-risk areas, while classes in all major cities remain closed, and most other restrictions continue.

See Jewish Federations’ Joint Security Guidance for Jewish Institutions Following Strikes on Iran.

Briefing: Israel & the United States at War with Iran with Haviv Rettig Gur
Wednesday, March 18 at 12pm ET

Join the Jewish Federations of North America for a special briefing on the rapidly unfolding conflict involving Israel, the United States, and Iran. We’ll be joined by Haviv Rettig Gur, who will provide timely insight and analysis on the latest developments and what they may mean for the region and the Jewish community worldwide.

Missile and Rocket Fire

• Iran launched several ballistic missiles toward central Israel in the last 24 hours, and emergency services said at least some of the munitions appeared to again include cluster sub‑munitions. Multiple impact sites were reported, and footage showed damage to a home in one central town. A woman in her 30s was taken to hospital with minor trauma wounds. Rescue services said at least two impacts were consistent with cluster munitions or falling fragments.
• The number of missiles being fired by both Iran and Hezbollah has been decreasing. On the first day of the war, 350 were fired, decreasing to 175 on the second. By the third day, it was 120, and 110 on the fourth. Since that time, only 30-50 missiles have been launched at Israel each day. A similar number of Iranian and Hezbollah drones have been launched against Israel each day.
• An Iranian ballistic missile struck the northern Arab-Israeli town of Zarzir over the weekend after its warhead remained intact despite an attempted interception. The impact caused extensive damage to homes and vehicles and injured around 60 people, most of them lightly, from shattered glass and debris.  One woman was moderately wounded by shrapnel. Emergency and Home Front Command teams were deployed to the scene to assist residents and assess damage.
• Despite Iran’s recent threats against Israel’s economic infrastructure, property damage so far is less than one-tenth of what was seen during Operation Rising Lion, according to Israel’s Tax Authority. Although the current campaign has already outlasted the June 2025 war, a steady decline in missile launches makes it less likely Iran will “close the gap.” Analysts note that even at full capacity, “Iran is not the same force it was eight months ago.”
• In order to minimize disruptions and emotional distress, the IDF’s Home Front Command has adjusted its algorithm so that warning alerts are sent to people in a narrower geographic window with each impending missile strike.
• Watch: Israelis near Lebanon border try to maintain normal life despite Hezbollah threat

The War with Iran

• U.S. Central Command reported that a U.S. KC‑135 aerial refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq last Thursday, during operations linked to the war with Iran. The aircraft was involved in an incident with another tanker in friendly airspace, with the second aircraft landing safely. All six U.S. service members on board were later confirmed dead. U.S. officials stated that the crash was not caused by hostile fire or friendly fire, and an investigation into the circumstances of the accident is ongoing.
• Israel’s air force destroyed Ali Khamenei’s aircraft at Tehran’s Mehrabad Airport overnight. The IDF said the plane had been used by Khamenei and other senior officials to advance military procurement and manage ties with “axis” countries through domestic and international flights. It described the aircraft as a “strategic asset” and said its destruction harmed Iran’s coordination with proxy groups, military buildup, and rehabilitation capabilities. The military added that earlier in the month, it had struck 16 aircraft it said were used by the Quds Force to move weapons and cash to proxy groups, chiefly Hezbollah, at the same airport, and that Iran had tried to conceal planes by moving them into storage areas for out‑of‑service planes.
• The Israeli Air Force also launched ongoing “extensive” airstrikes against Iranian regime infrastructure sites in Tehran, Shiraz, and Tabriz. One strike targeted Iranian military space infrastructure, dismantling a compound that was used to develop capabilities to attack satellites. The site was linked to Iran’s military space program, including work on the Chamran‑1 satellite developed by Iran’s Defense Ministry electronics industries and launched by the IRGC in September 2024.
• Some reports said that President Trump was weighing a plan to seize Iran’s Kharg Island oil depot if Iran continued blocking tanker passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Such a move would require American boots on the ground. Earlier, the US struck Iranian military infrastructure on the island, destroying naval mine storage facilities, missile depots, and other military sites. The island is a critical part of Iran's oil export network, processing roughly 90 percent of the country's crude exports.
• Iran’s military issued threats against the USS Gerald R. Ford strike group, adding that logistics and service centers enabling the carrier to remain operational would be treated as targets. A spokesperson for Iran’s military called the carrier in the Red Sea a threat and said associated support hubs were considered legitimate targets.
• Iranian authorities have conducted sweeping raids in recent weeks and arrested hundreds of people on suspicion of “cooperation with the enemy.” Iran’s judiciary chief said there should be no delay or leniency in cases involving people accused of links to Israel or the United States. He urged accelerating the review and resolution of cases tied to alleged threats to public security.
• Iran’s internet disruption deepened sharply as the blackout expanded to a wider scale than previously seen during the war. Connectivity rapidly collapsed overnight, and Iranian state‑linked accounts that usually posted frequently, including Fars News Agency, abruptly stopped updating around the same time. The cause was not immediately clear. A watchdog said the disruption appeared to affect routes many Iranians had still been using to get online, including VPNs and Starlink connections, leaving far fewer users able to connect.
• Iran’s military warned countries in the region against cooperating with Iran International, a London‑based opposition channel, saying media infrastructure used to support it would be placed in Iran’s “bank of targets.” A statement accused the broadcaster of using satellite capacity and regional media infrastructure to “spread false narratives that served US and Israeli goals.” Iran has designated the outlet a terror organization since 2022 and has recently said cooperation with it is punishable. Iranian authorities also announced arrests of at least 18 people accused of sending images and information to the channel.
• IDF spokesperson Effie Defrin said toppling Iran’s regime was not an IDF war goal. He said the army instead aimed to create conditions that undermined it so that Iranians could eventually determine their own future.
• Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded publicly after an Iranian conspiracy theory falsely claimed he had been killed, releasing a short video to debunk the rumor. The claim, circulated by Iran’s Tasnim News Agency without evidence, alleged Netanyahu had died in an Israeli strike, with online speculation also asserting that earlier footage of him was AI‑generated. In the video, Netanyahu appeared casually picking up a coffee and directly addressed the rumors, jokingly inviting viewers to “count his fingers” after claims that manipulated footage showed six.

The War with Hezbollah

• Israel said it launched a targeted ground operation in southern Lebanon to expand the buffer zone after Hezbollah attacks. The IDF said that in fighting in the eastern sector, a unit encountered Hezbollah operatives and killed several of them. It described the operation as an effort to expand the “forward defense area,” including destroying infrastructure and eliminating operatives in the area.
• The IDF reported that most of Hezbollah’s pre‑war rocket arsenal had been destroyed, estimating that 85–90% of the group’s rockets held before 2023 were eliminated. According to the military, Hezbollah possessed more than 150,000 rockets before the war, with remaining stockpiles reduced substantially over time through airstrikes and ground operations in southern Lebanon.
• Israel said it also carried out another wave of airstrikes on Hezbollah infrastructure in Beirut overnight.
• Israeli and Lebanese officials reported that preparations were underway for possible direct negotiations, with talks aimed at reaching a ceasefire and addressing Hezbollah’s military presence in southern Lebanon. According to multiple reports, Lebanon was forming a delegation. International actors, including France and the United States, were involved in facilitating discussions, though no date or agreed framework had been set, and Israeli officials publicly offered differing assessments about whether talks had formally begun.

Israel's Home Front

• Schools reopened in some areas of Israel after more than two weeks, with returns limited to zones assessed as lower risk for missile fire. An estimated 350,000 pupils and children in daycare were eligible to return, though many locations reopened only partially due to staffing, transportation, and shelter constraints. Schools had closed on March 1, and nationwide regulations kept them shut for two full weeks due to ongoing missile and drone attacks from Iran and Hezbollah, even as many workplaces reopened. Under the government’s color‑coding system, “yellow” areas were permitted to open schools if protected spaces were available, including the Beit She’an Valley, the Dead Sea area, parts of southern Israel, including the Gaza border region, and in Judea and Samaria. Schools remained closed in major cities, including Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Haifa, and mayors in some municipalities in permitted areas (such as Ashkelon) chose to keep schools closed for safety reasons.
• Israel’s Health Ministry said 142 people were taken to hospitals over the past 24 hours because of the war, with three in moderate condition and 134 in good condition. Five people were treated for anxiety, and the ministry noted some injuries may have occurred while people rushed to shelter rather than from direct hits. Since the war began on February 28, the ministry said 3,369 people have been admitted to hospitals, with 81 still hospitalized. Of those currently hospitalized, one person was in critical condition, seven were in serious condition, 14 were in moderate condition, and 59 were in good condition; the figures included civilians and soldiers.
• Israel’s Ministry of Transportation said it was lifting capacity limits on long-range flights (to the US and the Far East). Until now, only 100 passengers had been permitted on each flight. More than 100,000 Israelis have already been brought home on rescue flights since the war began.
• In coordination with the U.S. Embassy, the U.S. Department of State, and Israel’s Ministry of Transportation, EL AL has gained government approvals for special non-stop recovery flights from Tel Aviv to New York for U.S. citizens currently in Israel. Beginning today, the airline will operate six dedicated daily flights for U.S. passport holders whose original flights were canceled since the war began. The flights will operate at full capacity. Customers with EL AL tickets whose flights were canceled and who have not yet been rebooked will be proactively contacted.

Public Opinion in Israel

• New public‑opinion data from the Israel Democracy Institute showed strong overall Jewish support for Operation Roaring Lion, with 81% of Israelis expressing support after 12 days of fighting. Among Jewish respondents, support remained largely unchanged from earlier polling at 92.5%, though the share who said they “strongly support” the operation declined from 74% to 68%.
• Among Arab Israelis, opposition to the operation remained the majority position, with 65.5% opposing the joint US‑Israeli action against Iran.
• Political affiliation continued to shape Jewish opinion, with broad cross‑camp support but notable variation by ideology. Support was lowest among Jews identifying with the Left (68%), and significantly higher among those in the Center (95%) and on the Right (96%).
• Survey findings indicated high confidence among Jewish Israelis in personal protection from Iranian attacks, with 79% reporting they felt protected, up five percentage points from the first week of the operation. Among Arab respondents, the sense of protection remained low and showed no change.
• Geographic differences emerged within the Jewish population, with lower feelings of protection in major urban areas such as Tel Aviv, Haifa, and the center of the country. In contrast, residents in northern areas reported comparatively higher levels of perceived protection despite ongoing exposure to Hezbollah fire.
• A majority of Jewish respondents expressed confidence in the achievability of military objectives, with around 70% believing Iran’s nuclear program and ballistic missile threat could be eliminated. Sixty‑one percent also believed the Iranian regime could be overthrown.
• Arab Israelis were significantly more skeptical about outcomes, with fewer than one‑third believing any of the stated goals were achievable. This pessimism applied across all major objectives cited in the survey.
• Perceptions of coordination with Washington were generally positive, as a majority of Jewish Israelis and over half of Arab Israelis saw strong US‑Israel alignment in the operation. Specifically, 82% of Jews and 52% of Arabs said the interests of the two countries were very or fairly strongly aligned.

Global and Diplomatic Developments

• President Trump said the United States and Israel were working together on securing maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and that Washington was speaking with about seven countries about policing the shipping lane. He demanded that countries that benefit from the strait help protect it and argued the US needed it less because of its own oil access. Trump said China received about 90% of its oil through the strait and declined to say whether Beijing would join any coalition.
• China said it was communicating with all sides over the Strait of Hormuz and reiterated calls for de‑escalation and an immediate ceasefire. Beijing said it had remained in contact with parties involved and aimed to promote “cooling down” to prevent wider economic fallout.
• EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said EU member states would discuss steps to help keep the Strait of Hormuz open. She said ensuring the strait remained open was in Europe’s interest and that options were being discussed ahead of an EU foreign affairs meeting in Brussels. The statement came as Washington urged other countries to help reopen the vital oil‑shipping route. Japan said it was not considering ordering maritime security operations despite US pressure to help protect Hormuz.
• President Trump warned that NATO faced a “very bad future” if allies failed to assist in opening the Strait of Hormuz.

The Region

• Flights to and from Dubai were temporarily suspended after a drone‑related incident near Dubai International Airport caused a fuel tank fire, with officials saying the blaze was contained and caused no injuries. Emirates announced a temporary suspension of flights to and from Dubai.
• A drone attack on oil infrastructure in Fujairah, on the UAE’s east coast, sparked a large fire in the Fujairah Oil Industries Zone, authorities said. Officials reported no injuries and said firefighting efforts were continuing to bring the blaze under control. Also in the UAE, an Iranian strike on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi killed a Palestinian civilian after a missile hit a car.
• Saudi Arabia said its air defenses intercepted 61 drones since midnight, with the Defense Ministry reporting the overnight intercepts occurred in the east of the country.
• Rockets landed near Baghdad International Airport for the second time in a day, with militia sources claiming the projectiles targeted Victoria Base, a former US base that still supports American operations. An earlier strike that day wounded four airport security personnel and staff.
• The New York Times reported that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had been speaking regularly with President Trump and urging him to continue attacking Iran harshly. The report said he repeated advice attributed to Saudi Arabia’s late King Abdullah to “cut off the head of the snake.” Similar language appeared in leaked diplomatic cables from 2010 in which Gulf leaders pressed for stronger American action against Iran’s nuclear program.

Jewish Federations and Partners

Jewish Federations of North America’s Israel office has activated our emergency protocols and is in close contact with the government of Israel and our partners.

Some Jewish Federations partner updates:

The Jewish Agency for Israel

• Through the Jewish Agency’s Roaring Lion Fund, emergency grantmaking expanded significantly, with approximately $590,000 allocated to date. A total of 537 grants were approved, and an additional 463 grant applications remained in process at the time of reporting.
• The Agency’s Amigour subsidiary continued addressing food insecurity, distributing nearly 7,000 food baskets to individuals and households impacted by the war. The effort is focused on populations facing immediate material need.
• The Agency’s support for Holocaust survivors continued through volunteer engagement, with 166 university students maintaining their placements. Volunteering took place either virtually or in person where possible, including locations such as Beer Sheva.
• Youth programming and family support were reinforced by Shinshinim volunteer deployments, with 64 participants active across youth frameworks, absorption centers, and services for displaced families. Their work focused on continuity and emotional support during displacement.
• In the Nitzana area near the Egyptian border, short‑term safe housing was provided to 270 individuals requiring immediate shelter. An additional 50 people from other parts of Israel without access to safe rooms were also hosted. The Nitzana campus also functioned as a logistical staging and accommodation site for arriving volunteers and IDF personnel.
• Watch: The Jewish Agency: Standing with Israel During Operation Roaring Lion

American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC):

• Emergency systems developed and supported by JDC are now providing real-time data for national and municipal decision-making, including active use of the Be’er Sheva Emergency Management System and the EMUN national crisis response dashboard tracking displacement, injuries, property damage claims, and economic indicators.
• Utilization of JDC’s Arabic-language emergency resource portal has increased, with more than 36,000 visits recorded as of March 11 by educators and therapists working in Arabic-speaking communities.
• Mental health efforts by JDC have focused on culturally tailored support for Ethiopian Israelis, including a March 10 webinar with more than 65 participants, delivered in partnership with the Ministry of Health and focused on accessible services and practical coping tools.

OTO - The Israeli Autism Association

• OTI – The Israeli Autism Association, maintained continuity of support for autistic children and adults amid repeated sirens and widespread disruption. Services included a 24/7 professional hotline providing guidance to parents and educational staff, along with online support spaces for autistic adults focused on stress management and maintaining daily frameworks. Multidisciplinary teams adapted existing crisis‑response and early‑intervention models to help individuals cope with sudden changes and anxiety and to support educators and community teams in real time.
• See Jewish Federations’ Joint Security Guidance for Jewish Institutions Following Strikes on Iran.
• Jewish Federations continue to monitor the situation on the ground very closely and will report as needed.

See Jewish Federations’ Joint Security Guidance for Jewish Institutions Following Strikes on Iran.

Jewish Federations continue to monitor the situation on the ground very closely and will report as needed.

Israel & the United States at War with Iran
Special Update from Israel

March 12, 2026

Prepared by and sent from Jewish Federations of North America's Israel Office 

• Day 13 of the US/ Israel War with Iran
• Operation Roaring Lion has now lasted longer and caused far greater damage in Iran than Rising Lion
• Hezbollah launches its largest barrage against Israel since the November 2024 ceasefire
• Schools in Israel remain shuttered, and most restrictions continue

See Jewish Federations’ Joint Security Guidance for Jewish Institutions Following Strikes on Iran.

Missile and Rocket Fire

• Missile and rocket sirens sounded across large parts of Israel overnight after a joint Iran–Hezbollah attack. Hezbollah launched about 200 rockets toward northern Israel (its largest barrage since the November 2024 ceasefire), while Iran fired ballistic missiles toward central Israel. 
• Of the 200 Hezbollah rockets, 80 fell short of the border, landing in Lebanon. Israeli commentators said that the attack was less an act of aggression than a statement: a declaration that Hezbollah intends to fight to the end. Magen David Adom reported no fatalities, though responders treated several people who were injured while moving to protected spaces, and police said shrapnel caused property damage in central Israel.
• Hezbollah said it also launched missiles at an IDF Military Intelligence base housing Unit 8200 near Tel Aviv yesterday. The terror group described the strike as a barrage of “advanced missiles.”  Their statement came after the Iranian Revolutionary Guards had already announced that  they had carried out a joint missile operation with Hezbollah against targets in Israel. Israel said there were impacts and damage in central Israel, although no injuries were reported.
• A rocket fired from Lebanon struck the yard of a home in Moshav Haniel in central Israel, causing extensive damage and leaving the reinforced secure room as the only part of the building undamaged. Footage showed a crater at the impact site; the blast virtually destroyed the structure. The resident and her caregiver reportedly reached the safe room during a 90-second warning and were likely saved as a result. Fire and Rescue Services said no one was injured and firefighters searched to ensure nobody was trapped.
• A key distinction remains between missiles launched from Iran and rockets fired by Hezbollah in Lebanon. In the case of Iranian attacks, Israeli civilians typically receive an early warning alert on their phones about ten minutes before the expected impact, allowing them time to move closer to a shelter. This is usually followed by a siren approximately 90 seconds before impact. By contrast, rockets launched from Lebanon provide virtually no advance warning due to the close proximity to Israeli towns and cities. As a result, residents are often taken by surprise and may have only seconds to reach shelter.
• Israel’s Health Ministry said 179 people were admitted to hospitals over the past 24 hours due to the Iran war, including civilians and soldiers. It said four were in moderate condition and 157 in good condition, with 18 treated for anxiety. Since the war began on February 28, the ministry said 2,745 people have been admitted to hospitals, with 85 currently hospitalized. Of those hospitalized, it reported 11 in serious condition, 10 in moderate condition, and 64 in good condition.
• Using a number of new apps, Israelis are tracking the number of alerts and sirens received in their cities, the amount of time spent in their shelters, and more. See an example here.

The War with Iran

• Fresh Iranian missile volleys continued overnight and into the morning, with the IDF reporting multiple ballistic-missile attacks, including a fourth launch since midnight. Sirens sounded across the Jerusalem area, central Israel, and the country’s north. All missiles were intercepted or fell in open areas; there was no major damage or injuries reported. Authorities also noted that fragments from interceptions fell in several areas.
• Israeli media is noting that while the overall number of missiles being launched in attacks from Iran has decreased dramatically, it takes only one missile to disrupt the entire country, causing sirens, dashes, panic, and sleepless nights. Thankfully, missiles are almost always intercepted.
• Israel said it was launching “extensive” airstrikes in Tehran, describing a new wave of Israeli Air Force attacks aimed at Iranian regime sites in the capital. Separately, Iran said that Israeli drone activity over Tehran was seen on Wednesday evening. Several members of Iran’s security forces and the Basij volunteer force who were stationed at checkpoints were killed.
• The US military released footage showing strikes on Iranian aircraft in southern Iran, declaring that several planes had been destroyed. The video showed hits on a Lockheed C-130 Hercules, Lockheed P-3 Orion, and an Ilyushin Il-76. CENTCOM said the aircraft included US-made planes supplied to Iran before the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The statement described the campaign as methodically dismantling Iranian air capability.
• Israel’s ambassador to the US, Yechiel Leiter, said that in the first twelve days of the war, Israel has hit eight times the number of targets that it hit during the Twelve Day War with Iran, last June.
• The Israeli and US militaries continue to coordinate closely. Listen to this conversation between the pilots of a US and an Israeli fighter jet following the successful completion of a mission.
• The intelligence branch of the Revolutionary Guards reportedly threatened members of Iran’s Assembly of Experts (the body responsible for selecting the Supreme Leader) as well as their family members, in order to force them to choose Mojtaba Khamenei as the next leader. 

The War with Hezbollah

• The IDF said it struck 10 Hezbollah command posts in Beirut’s southern suburbs and dozens of rocket launchers across Lebanon during a 30-minute span. The military said the attacks hit launchers and operatives planning to fire rockets at Israel, as well as command posts in Dahiyeh, which is inside the capital. According to the IDF, those command posts were used by Hezbollah’s intelligence unit and the elite Radwan force.
• Lebanon’s health ministry reported that an Israeli strike on the Beirut seafront area of Ramlet al-Bayda killed at least seven people and wounded 21, describing it as an attack on a vehicle. A separate report later said the death toll from an earlier Israeli strike on central Beirut had risen to eight dead with 31 wounded.
• Hezbollah’s remaining long‑range missile arsenal is still substantial, with Israeli assessments indicating the group retains over 1,000 long‑range missiles. Reporting suggests that Hezbollah may still have tens of thousands of shorter‑range rockets, despite sustained Israeli strikes. In response to the assessment, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir ordered significant reinforcements to Israel’s northern front, signaling the potential of deeper ground-force involvement in Lebanon. The move reflects concern that Hezbollah retains the capacity to continue striking Israel’s home front, even as its infrastructure and command posts are being targeted.

Israel's Home Front

• The Religious Services Ministry published a list of safe and protected women’s mikvaot (ritual baths), following pressure from the religious rights organization ITIM. Under wartime regulations issued shortly after the Iran war began, these mikvaot were allowed to remain open only if they included a standard shelter reachable within the required alert time, while men’s mikvaot were ordered closed. (Under halachah, there are strict requirements regarding women’s ritual baths that do not apply to men).
• President Isaac Herzog met at the President’s Residence with Bernie Galsim Lavarias, the widower of Mary Ann V. De Vera, a Filipino national killed in an Iranian missile attack on Tel Aviv last week. The meeting, held on March 12, included the Ambassador of the Philippines to Israel, Aileen Mendiola. Herzog conveyed condolences to the family and to the Filipino people, and spoke about De Vera’s actions during the attack, saying she helped save the life of an Israeli woman. The president also expressed appreciation for the contribution of the Filipino community to Israeli society and its role during times of crisis.
• Israeli media reported that the ultra-Orthodox parties understood that a proposed draft-exemption law was unlikely to pass in the Knesset, and have therefore prioritized budgetary demands. Multiple outlets said that the Haredi factions have an interest in passing the 2026 state budget and that there is no feasibility of passing the conscription law after the budget because “there simply won’t be a majority.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced the government was putting aside the conscription legislation in order to pass the budget quickly to help cover war costs. The government has also authorized about $1.6 billion in discretionary funds for Haredi institutions and other coalition priorities, drawing condemnation from the Opposition.
• Israel’s Ministry of Transport says that all Israelis who have been stuck in the UAE will be returned to Israel by the weekend.

Global and Diplomatic Developments

• Spain has formally withdrawn its ambassador from Israel, further downgrading diplomatic relations between the two countries. According to Spain’s official gazette, the ambassador’s post has been terminated and Spain’s embassy in Tel Aviv will now be led by a chargé d’affaires. The move follows months of strained relations and marks an escalation in Spain’s diplomatic response to Israel’s military actions.
• Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said that only Iranians can topple their regime, but argued they “have no chance” without outside assistance. He said Israel cannot bring down the government itself, but described an effort to create conditions enabling regime change by the Iranian people, emphasizing the weakening of repression mechanisms such as IRGC bases, headquarters, and command-and-control sites.
• US President Donald Trump said Iran is “pretty much at the end of the line,” while also saying that “doesn’t mean we’re going to end it immediately.” He claimed “the Straits are in great shape,” referring to the Strait of Hormuz, even as Iran has largely shut it down to oil transport in retaliation for US-Israeli strikes. Asked about a report that Iran is trying to carry out an attack in California, he said it was being investigated without providing details. Trump also said US law enforcement has eyes on “all” Iranian-linked sleeper cells in the US and reiterated that the US wants to see new leadership in Iran.
• The cost of the US war effort against Iran has surged rapidly, with a Pentagon briefing saying that the opening week alone cost more than $11.3 billion. The figure does not include many expenses tied to the military buildup preceding the strikes, meaning the total for the first week could rise significantly. Defense officials had earlier told Congress that about $5.6 billion in munitions were used in just the first two days of fighting. The Center for Strategic and International Studies estimated that the first 100 hours of Operation Epic Fury cost $3.7 billion, or more than $891 million per day, with $3.5 billion of that not previously budgeted.
• The US Energy Department said it will release 172 million barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve beginning next week. The department said the release would take about 120 days to deliver based on planned discharge rates. In its statement, the agency accused Iran of manipulating and threatening the energy security of America and its allies. 
• Oil markets reacted sharply to the latest escalations in the war, with Brent crude topping $100 a barrel early Thursday after having spiked near $120 days earlier. Reports described worsening supply concerns due to Iranian attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, which carries about a fifth of the world’s crude oil under normal conditions. The International Energy Agency agreed to unlock 400 million barrels from reserves — its largest release ever.

The Region

• Iran published a list of potential Iranian targets that included offices of US tech giants Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Nvidia in Gulf countries and Israel. Iran said this as part of an expansion of the conflict into “infrastructure warfare,” saying Iran’s scope of targets was “gradually expanding.”
• A major fire broke out near Bahrain International Airport after an Iranian attack. Bahrain’s Interior Ministry said fuel tanks were targeted and urged residents in surrounding neighborhoods to remain indoors and close windows and ventilation openings due to smoke. Bahrain had moved some aircraft out of the airport area earlier on Wednesday.
• Saudi Arabia said it intercepted multiple drones, including a drone headed toward the Shaybah oilfield (the third such interception reported within a day) and also said it shot down a drone approaching a district housing foreign embassies. Using language unusual for Saudi officials, the drone incidents were described as “enemy” attempts.
• Kuwait’s Defense Ministry also said its air defenses intercepted several drones as Iran carried out strikes on Gulf countries.
• Explosions were reported in downtown Dubai, with a correspondent describing one as very loud and saying small clouds of smoke rose above a residential neighborhood.
• Italy’s Foreign Minister said an Italian base in Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan was attacked, with no injuries. He said all Italian soldiers were safe in a bunker and that he had spoken with Italy’s ambassador to Iraq. Italy has troops in Erbil training the Kurdistan security forces as part of an international coalition force.
• Iraq said an attack on Basra port killed at least one person and forced authorities to halt operations at all the country’s oil terminals. Separate attacks on two oil tankers near Iraq saw one Indian crew member killed, and 38 rescued.
• A Thai bulk carrier, the Mayuree Naree, was hit while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, with its owner saying three crew members were believed trapped in the engine room. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they struck the Thai-registered ship and a Liberia-flagged vessel because the ships ignored “warnings.”

Jewish Federations and Partners

Jewish Federations of North America’s Israel office has activated our emergency protocols and is in close contact with the government of Israel and our partners.

Some Jewish Federations partner updates:

The Jewish Agency for Israel

The Roaring Lion Fund continues to provide emergency financial assistance to bereaved families, the injured, and those whose homes were destroyed in coordination with local municipal welfare departments. To date, 1,115 requests for emergency grants have been received, of which 469 have already been paid, totaling approximately $600,000. This includes:

• 16 grants for bereaved families
• 10 grants for individuals who were injured
• 443 grants for families whose homes were destroyed

Thirty individuals have been given temporary housing at the Ye'elim Absorption Center in Beer Sheva. This includes seniors who do not have access to safe rooms or shelters, as well as families whose homes have been damaged and are undergoing renovation.

The Jewish Agency organized emergency flights for 322 passengers enabling the safe departure of Israel Experience program participants, Federation groups, and others. Leveraging the Agency's longstanding relationship with El Al, we were also able to secure places for 60 high school students from a North American high school on one of the scheduled rescue flights.

The Jewish Agency's senior housing company, Amigour, has significantly scaled up its response since the start of the Operation. Over 5,000 food packages have already been distributed to elderly residents ensuring they have essential supplies without needing to leave the safety of their homes.

American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC):

• Through its Back on Track program, JDC broadened employment rehabilitation outreach, proactively contacting current and former participants affected by renewed escalation and expanding services to Beit Shemesh, Be’er Sheva, and northern Israel for newly displaced individuals.
• Support for displaced families has included JDC assistance for young children in evacuation hotels, with activity and movement kits and equipment provided to daycare centers serving up to 150 displaced children to help maintain routines and manage stress.
• Nationwide resilience efforts continued as JDC delivered online training for older adults and caregivers, reaching more than 3,600 participants with guidance on physical safety, emotional wellbeing, and coping during emergencies.

Yedidim

• Yedidim is Israel’s largest volunteer-based non-medical emergency assistance organization, providing rapid, on the ground help for incidents such as people trapped in elevators, vehicle breakdowns, and home access emergencies.
• Jewish Federations-supported Yedidim has played a central role in safe room emergency response during Operation Roaring Lion, handling 37,880 emergency related calls. Using repair kits funded through Federation support, volunteers repaired doors and windows in 6,305 safe rooms and rescued residents from 1,143 safe rooms where jammed doors left people trapped inside during alerts.
• Prior Federation investment strengthened Yedidim’s large scale emergency readiness, including upgrades to volunteer management technology and the distribution of specialized safe room repair kits. These preparations enabled rapid dispatch of volunteers and sustained response capacity during periods of repeated sirens and widespread residential disruptions.

See Jewish Federations’ Joint Security Guidance for Jewish Institutions Following Strikes on Iran.

Jewish Federations continue to monitor the situation on the ground very closely and will report as needed.

Israel & the United States at War with Iran
Special Update from Israel

March 10, 2026

Prepared by and sent from Jewish Federations of North America's Israel Office 

• Day 11 of the US/ Israel War with Iran
• Two Israeli civilians killed in missile strike
•  Significant increase in the level of rocket and drone fire from Lebanon
• Schools in Israel remain shuttered, and most restrictions continue

Briefing: Israel & the United States at War with Iran
Thursday, March 12 at 11 am ET

Join the Jewish Federations of North America for a special briefing on the conflict between Israel, the United States, and Iran. We will be joined by Israeli journalist and political analyst Amit Segal, who will share insights and an update on the latest developments. Register here.

See Jewish Federations’ Joint Security Guidance for Jewish Institutions Following Strikes on Iran.

The War with Hezbollah

• The IDF is conducting ground operations deep in southern Lebanon and has killed multiple Hezbollah operatives. The IDF also struck Hezbollah command centers and infrastructure by air overnight; they described the area as a launch point for rockets fired at Israel. The IDF says it issued an evacuation warning ahead of the strikes and again accused Hezbollah of embedding military assets in civilian areas; they called it a cynical exploitation of Lebanese residents.
• Israel also issued new evacuation warnings for specific buildings in the Lebanese coastal cities of Tyre and Sidon, saying it would soon strike Hezbollah military infrastructure there and instructing civilians to move at least 300 meters away.  It also reiterated a broader warning for civilians across southern Lebanon to evacuate north of the Litani River, saying airstrikes are ongoing and estimating that over 500,000 Lebanese civilians have already left their homes in the south. The repeated guidance indicates the IDF anticipates continued strikes across a wide geographic area.
• Israel says it has expanded economic targeting, striking branches of Al‑Qard al‑Hasan, a Hezbollah-linked association. The military says yesterday’s wave hit assets and vaults, and that over the past week, roughly 30 assets connected to the institution were struck across Lebanon.
• Israeli media have reported that the campaign against Hezbollah may continue even after the Iranian air campaign ends. Reports say that for now, IDF ground activity remains largely near the border, partly because air assets are heavily committed to the Iran front.
• Syria’s state media reports that Hezbollah fired artillery shells into Syria from Lebanon, with shells landing west of Damascus. Syrian officials also claimed they observed Hezbollah reinforcements at the Syrian–Lebanese border and warned they would not tolerate aggression.

The War with Iran

•  Israel says a wave of overnight airstrikes in Tehran hit “vital infrastructure” tied to Iran’s military capabilities, including a subterranean weapons R&D complex at Imam Hossein University, which they described as part of the IRGC’s ballistic-missile development and production processes. The IDF says that the strike targeted an underground route used for experiments and tests, alongside infrastructure at the Quds Force’s main headquarters, additional weapons-production sites, and air-defense systems. The military framed the attack as a new stage of the war aimed at “deepening the blow” to core Iranian regime arrays and foundations.
• Iran’s foreign minister says Tehran will continue missile attacks “as long as it takes,” insisting that negotiations with the United States are no longer on the agenda after previous talks and subsequent US strikes. In an interview, he argued that the US and Israel failed to achieve regime change in the war’s opening days and claims they are now “aimless.” He also said Iran is prepared for a prolonged confrontation, with continued launches presented as an open-ended commitment.
• Iran’s Revolutionary Guards declared that they “will determine the end of the war” and repeated its threats tied to energy shipping, saying they would not allow “one liter of oil” to be exported from the region if US and Israeli attacks continue. The statement positions Iran’s armed forces as the decisive actor vis-à-vis how and when the conflict concludes.
• US President Donald Trump issued a series of remarks presenting the conflict as nearing a conclusion while simultaneously threatening vastly expanded force if Iran blocks oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz. In one message, he warned Iran would be hit “twenty times harder” and promised “death, fire, and fury” if oil shipments are impeded. He also claimed that the US has held back certain electricity-production targets but would strike them if Iran “doesn’t cooperate.” Trump added that he believes the war will end “soon,” although he declined to give a firm timeline and suggested renewed fighting would bring heavier strikes.
• Turkey’s foreign minister told his Iranian counterpart that violations of Turkish airspace are “unacceptable,” warning Ankara would take all necessary measures to protect Turkey, which is also a member of NATO. Turkish sources say NATO air defenses shot down a second ballistic missile that entered Turkish airspace, and Turkey’s Defense Ministry says a US Patriot system has been deployed to Malatya as part of NATO measures to bolster air defenses amid missile threat.
• Energy officials are concerned about deepening economic fallout as the Strait of Hormuz remains disrupted, with one senior Gulf energy official saying stopping the war is the only way to reopen the waterway for oil and gas movement. Saudi Aramco’s chief warned that the longer the disruption continues, the effects on oil markets could be “catastrophic,” calling it the biggest crisis the region’s oil and gas industry has faced. Separately, Bloomberg reported major producers cutting output sharply—Saudi Arabia by 2–2.5 million barrels per day, the UAE by 500,000–800,000, Kuwait by 500,000, and Iraq by about 2.9 million. Together, these signals reflect how quickly the conflict is reshaping expectations for energy supplies and price pressures.

Missile and Rocket Fire

• Iran continues to fire missiles at Israel as Hezbollah fires both rockets and drones. The number of Iranian missiles fired daily has slowly been decreasing, presumably as a result of the Islamic regime’s diminished capabilities stemming from allied attacks. On the first day of the war, Iran fired 95 missiles. The next day (March 1), this dropped to 57, followed by 28 on Day 3; yesterday, the number was 10 missiles.
• Two workers from Petah Tikva were killed in an Iranian ballistic missile attack using cluster bomb munitions at a construction site in Yehud, with the second victim dying of wounds the next morning. The victims were Rostam Golumov, 61, and Amid Mortozov; reports say they were not in a bomb shelter when the cluster munition struck the area. Another victim in a separate location was reported seriously wounded in the same attack.
• Israel's Health Ministry says 191 injured people were admitted to hospitals over the past 24 hours due to the conflict with Iran, including one in critical condition, three serious, two moderate, and 172 in good condition, alongside 10 treated for anxiety. It adds that since the war began on February 28, 2,339 people have been admitted to hospitals, with 95 currently hospitalized. Among those currently hospitalized, the ministry lists one critical, 11 serious, 11 moderate, and 69 in good condition.
• Since the start of the war, Israel has experienced an unprecedented volume of Home Front Command alerts. Between February 28 and March 8, 35,000 alerts were activated nationwide — the highest rate ever recorded, compared with around 21,000 alerts during June 2025, including fire from Yemen. Most alerts have been concentrated in central Israel, including repeated warnings around Ben Gurion Airport, with the north also heavily affected, particularly after Hezbollah entered the fighting on March 4, leading to a sharp rise in alerts around Kiryat Shmona and border communities. The data shows a clear distinction between Iranian missile alerts, which are usually preceded by early warnings and cover wide areas, and fire from Lebanon, which typically allows only seconds to reach shelter and is more geographically focused. Alerts of hostile aircraft intrusions have been concentrated almost entirely along the northern border, especially in communities near the border with Lebanon.

Israel's Home Front

•  A political dispute has emerged over the timing of reopening schools, after the Home Front Command announced nationwide restrictions would remain in place, forcing Education Minister Yoav Kisch to walk back an earlier outline for gradually resuming operations. Opposition leader Yair Lapid accused the government of pushing to reopen too early without adequate consultation, while Kisch said the outline was prepared with relevant groups.
• British low-cost carrier EasyJet says it will not resume flights to Tel Aviv until at least the winter, postponing a restart that had been expected on March 29. The airline said the decision was part of an ongoing review of its flying program amid the war with Iran, and that customers have been offered options including full refunds or alternative flights. EasyJet joins other foreign airlines that have suspended services in the coming weeks after Israel’s airspace was closed on February 28 when the war began.
• Since the start of the war, more than 3,400 residents have been forced to leave their homes due to missile impacts and interception debris. The damage has been recorded across 22 local authorities, with the most significant incidents in Tel Aviv–Jaffa, Be’er Sheva, Beit Shemesh, and additional communities.
• Evacuees are currently housed in 21 hotels nationwide, primarily in Tel Aviv–Jaffa, Jerusalem, and Be’er Sheva, with efforts made to keep residents from the same municipality together. The vast majority of evacuations followed missile strikes during the first three days of the operation (February 28–March 2).
• According to government data, approximately 985 evacuated children aged 0–18 have been identified, and the Education Ministry has opened 12 special education and learning centers in main absorption areas. A government decision on March 1 approved initial emergency grants of NIS 1,500 per evacuated household and NIS 500 per individual (about $395 and $130, respectively), with several municipalities already completing transfers and submitting reimbursement requests, while others are still in the process.

Diplomatic Developments

• Russia says President Vladimir Putin’s mediation proposals remain on the table, with the Kremlin noting he offered different options “even before the military phase began.” A Kremlin spokesman said Russia is ready to assist “to the best of its ability,” while also acknowledging such efforts require multiple understandings and agreements. The comments followed a Putin–Trump phone call in which, according to the Kremlin, Putin shared proposals to end the Iran war quickly, though Moscow declined to provide details.
• Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the end of Iran’s regime ultimately depends on the Iranian people’s willingness to “throw off the yoke of tyranny,” while asserting that Israel’s actions are already inflicting major damage. He said Israel’s “arm is still outstretched” and claimed there has been a “tremendous change” in Israel’s standing in the world.
•  Iran’s Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said Tehran is “absolutely not looking for a ceasefire” and argued the “aggressor must be punished” to prevent future attacks. Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana replied in Persian that “the only thing proposed to you was unconditional surrender,” declaring that a ceasefire is not on the table.
•  A new NGO Monitor report says that from the opening days of the 2026 Iran war, a network of highly politicized international NGOs issued immediate condemnations of Israel and the United States, accusing them of “aggression” and violations of international law, while largely ignoring Iran’s missile attacks on Israeli population centers and Tehran’s long‑standing role in arming and directing regional terror groups. According to the report, many NGOs framed the conflict using familiar ideological language, including claims of imperialism, genocide, and Western complicity, while omitting references to Iran’s nuclear weapons program and its support for Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and other proxies. NGO Monitor documents statements from organizations such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the World Council of Churches, and activist groups, arguing that their rhetoric relied on selective legal claims and double standards. The report concludes that these responses repeated long‑standing advocacy patterns in which Iranian actions and antisemitic terrorism are erased, while Israel’s legitimacy and right to self‑defense are challenged.

The Region

• The UAE said that its air defenses are intercepting missile and drone threats from Iran, announcing an active response to incoming attacks. Separately, Bahrain’s interior ministry reported that an Iranian strike on a residential building in Manama killed one person and injured others, describing it as a blatant attack on a residential area.
• Iran’s Revolutionary Guards say they targeted the Al‑Harir Air Base in Iraq’s Kurdistan region with five missiles, calling it a headquarters of the “invading US army.” In a separate incident, the UAE says its consulate general in Iraqi Kurdistan was damaged in a drone attack. However, it reported no casualties and called it a dangerous escalation and a violation of international norms protecting diplomatic missions. Iraq has also seen daily air-defense activity around US facilities, including reported rocket interceptions near the US embassy in Baghdad and frequent drone interceptions over Erbil.
•  Pakistan has moved to protect shipping and energy supplies amid Gulf tensions, with its navy launching an operation to escort merchant vessels and ensure the flow of national energy supplies and maritime trade. Authorities also shuttered schools for two weeks and introduced austerity measures, including closing government offices one day a week and ordering 50% of staff to work from home, after fuel price hikes of about 20% reportedly triggered long lines at gas stations.
• A loud blast was reported near the US embassy in Oslo, triggering a major police response. Norwegian police said there were no reports of injuries and that the cause remains unclear. Smoke was seen near the embassy compound amid heightened security alerts across Europe.

Jewish Federations and Partners

Jewish Federations of North America’s Israel office has activated our emergency protocols and is in close contact with the government of Israel and our partners.

Some Jewish Federations partner updates:

American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC):

• JDC has expanded emergency operations across the country, integrating more than 2,000 volunteers and community leaders into municipal emergency systems in 13 municipalities. Volunteers are conducting welfare checks on older adults, assisting families in shelters, helping with repairs to safe rooms, delivering supplies, and providing emotional support. For children with disabilities spending prolonged periods in shelters, JDC has begun distributing accessible shelter kits with sensory and motor‑support tools; initial distributions have already taken place in northern communities, with further deliveries underway.
•  JDC has also continued to support local emergency response teams, building on work since October 7 that included the distribution of over 640,000 medical and rescue items to teams in 152 municipalities and training 420 volunteer first responders. Municipal officials in Be’er Sheva reported that JDC‑supplied rescue kits and training enabled rapid response following recent missile strikes, including the safe evacuation of elderly residents from damaged buildings. Alongside physical response efforts, JDC’s Nafshi national mental‑wellbeing platform has recorded more than 15,700 visits from over 14,000 users since the current escalation began, reflecting the growing demand for psychological support amid prolonged emergency conditions.

The Jewish Agency for Israel

• The Jewish Agency has expanded assistance to affected communities, with a focus on housing, welfare, and direct community support. In Be’er Sheva, vulnerable seniors were relocated to an absorption center to ensure safety and continuity of care. In parallel, the Agency has been working with the Property Tax Authority to repair and renovate homes damaged by missile strikes, with approximately 106 housing units currently under renovation in Be’er Sheva, Beit Shemesh, Tirat HaCarmel, and Ramat Gan.
• Amigour, the Jewish Agency’s senior housing company, has supported approximately 7,300 elderly residents, including around 1,300 Holocaust survivors. Assistance has included distributing 2,655 food baskets across 22 residential buildings, extending staff hours to provide daily responses to residents’ needs, and volunteer visits, including holiday activities for residents unable to leave their homes. These efforts are intended to reduce the need for elderly residents to travel during disruptions and to maintain their daily routines.
• Alternative housing solutions have also been provided through the absorption center system. Absorption centers, which are home to approximately 5,000 new immigrants across 20 locations, have served as temporary housing for families whose homes were destroyed and for elderly residents unable to remain in their apartments. Welfare teams were deployed to these centers from the first days of the escalation to provide emotional support, practical assistance, and coordination with local services.
• Within absorption centers, ongoing welfare activities have included individual therapeutic support for high‑risk residents, resilience workshops conducted in shelters, emergency assistance for elderly residents, and tailored programs for children. In total, 950 children and youth have received structured support, including infants, kindergarten‑age children, primary school students, and teenagers. In addition, 3,045 young adults participating in Jewish Agency youth programs took part in relief and support activities. Educational continuity was supported through distance‑learning coordination with the Ministry of Education, including visits by teachers, soldier‑teachers, and mentors.
• The Jewish Agency also activated the Roaring Lion Emergency Fund to provide immediate financial assistance. As of today, 970 requests for emergency grants have been received, with 305 grants already disbursed, totaling NIS 1.22 million (approximately $405,000). Grants were allocated to injured individuals, bereaved families, and families whose homes were destroyed, in coordination with municipal welfare departments.
• A significant component of the Agency’s outward‑facing community response has been delivered through Youth Futures (Potechim Atid). Following the missile strike in Beit Shemesh, Youth Futures launched a free telephone support hotline for all residents of the city. The hotline is staffed by certified therapists from the Family Space clinic, which operates within the Youth Futures framework, and provides emotional support, professional consultation, and guidance for coping with the situation. The service is aimed primarily at parents of children aged 8–15 and is being promoted in cooperation with the municipality and welfare services. Youth Futures operates in Beit Shemesh across eight schools and has expanded the hotline beyond program participants to reach the wider community.
• Internationally, Jewish Agency emissaries have maintained rapid‑response engagement with Jewish communities facing security incidents. Following a terror incident affecting the Jewish community in Liège, Belgium, the Agency coordinated immediate outreach, security support, and leadership engagement. After a shooting at synagogues in Toronto, the Agency offered briefings and joint sessions for community security teams in coordination with its Security Fund. Additional outreach has included contact with Jewish communities in the UAE, support for Israelis stranded abroad, and dedicated calls for parents of lone soldiers.
• Through JReady, the Jewish Agency delivered briefings and webinars to Jewish communities and organizations abroad, including a large briefing for the Zionist Federation of South Africa, sessions for educational tourism organizations under Jewish Federations’ IETA, and English‑language webinars for parents of lone soldiers in the United States, Australia, and South Africa.

SAHAR – Online Emotional Support and Listening 

• Since the launch of Operation “Lion’s Roar,” SAHAR has sustained uninterrupted online emotional support services, responding to hundreds of real-time chat requests from individuals experiencing distress related to the war. A significant portion of these conversations (approximately 40 percent) center on fear, anxiety, depression, and the challenge of coping with the ongoing security situation, underscoring the escalating mental health needs across the population. 
• In parallel, SAHAR’s volunteer monitoring unit, the “SAHAR Patrol,” is actively scanning social media platforms to identify signs of acute emotional distress. Through this proactive outreach, the team has already located and directly engaged with 112 high-risk posts, offering immediate support and connection to help. 
• To ensure continuity and quality of care throughout the crisis, SAHAR has expanded its volunteer support and supervision framework. This includes enhanced professional guidance and dedicated sessions designed to mitigate secondary trauma among volunteers managing high volumes of distress and crisis-related inquiries.

See Jewish Federations’ Joint Security Guidance for Jewish Institutions Following Strikes on Iran.

Jewish Federations continue to monitor the situation on the ground very closely and will report as needed.

Israel & the United States at War with Iran
Special Update from Israel

March 8, 2026

Prepared by and sent from Jewish Federation of North America's Israel Office 

• Day 9 of the US/ Israel War with Iran
• Two IDF soldiers killed on Lebanese border and five seriously injured
• UAE attacks Iran for the first time
• Schools in Israel remain shuttered, even as limited international flights begin

Briefing: Israel & the United States at War with Iran
Monday, March 9 at 1pm ET

Join Jewish Federations of North America for a special briefing on the conflict between Israel, the United States, and Iran. We will be joined by Ambassador Yechiel Leiter, who will provide a timely update on the latest developments.

See Jewish Federations’ Joint Security Guidance for Jewish Institutions Following Strikes on Iran

Fighting Hezbollah

• Two IDF soldiers were killed and five seriously wounded in two separate attacks by Hezbollah. In both attacks, the terror group fired anti-tank missiles at Israeli positions on the country’s northern border.
• Israel continues to hit Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, including in the capital, Beirut. Hundreds of thousands of Lebanese have followed IDF instructions to evacuate the southern region between the Israeli border and the Litani River. In addition, Beirut’s Dahieh neighborhood, which is a Hezbollah stronghold, was evacuated for the first time as residents heeded the Israeli military’s instructions.
• Later, after an overnight attack hit a seaside hotel, the IDF carried out a targeted strike on IRGC Quds Force commanders operating from Beirut. Lebanese officials said at least four people were killed and ten wounded, while Israel said the targets were senior operatives directing attacks on Israel from Lebanese territory. The IDF said precision weapons and aerial surveillance were used to minimize civilian harm.
• Additional overnight strikes hit Hezbollah command centers in Beirut, including a facility belonging to the group’s aerial forces responsible for drone operations. The IDF said the sites were intended to facilitate attacks on Israeli civilians and troops. Evacuation warnings were issued to residents ahead of the strikes.
• The IDF reported that approximately 200 Hezbollah fighters have been killed since the terror group joined the war. Israeli forces have conducted hundreds of strikes on Hezbollah in recent days.
• Israeli special-forces carried out an operation in eastern Lebanon over the weekend. It was aimed at locating the remains of missing Israeli Air Force navigator Ron Arad, who disappeared in 1986. The IDF confirmed that helicopter‑borne troops operated near the village of Nabi Chit; they were supported by airstrikes intended to secure the area during the search. Despite intelligence pointing to that location, no findings connected to Arad were discovered. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated Israel’s ongoing commitment to locating missing personnel, describing the effort as a national obligation. Arad’s family was briefed on the outcome, with public statements emphasizing their concern over the risks involved in recovery attempts.

Fighting with Iran

• Strikes on Iran overnight left Tehran oil facilities shrouded in thick smoke hours after attacks by the United States and Israel. Iranian officials said five oil sites, including four depots and a petroleum transport center in Tehran and Alborz, were hit, killing two oil tanker drivers  and two other workers. Fires were brought under control;  Iranian authorities said fuel reserves remain sufficient, although residents reported a lingering smell of burning across the city and droplets of oil falling from the sky. The strikes appeared to mark the first confirmed targeting of a civilian industrial facility in the conflict, although Israel said the oil storage was being strategically used by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.
• The IDF confirmed Iranian F‑14 fighter jets were destroyed at Isfahan airport, saying the US‑supplied aircraft dated to before the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Additional detection and air‑defense systems posing a threat to Israeli aircraft were also hit. The strikes followed earlier attacks aimed at securing Israeli control of Iranian airspace that destroyed 16 Revolutionary Guards Quds Force aircraft at Tehran’s Mehrabad Airport.
• Israel Air Force Chief Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar took part in one of the airstrikes carried out over Iran. He flew as part of an operational sortie rather than directing the mission solely from the ground. Bar flew an F‑15 fighter jet during the strike, which the IAF described as an expression of shared responsibility between senior command and frontline aircrews.
• The IDF says it has dropped approximately 6,500 munitions on Iran within a single week. The strikes targeted regime military infrastructure and internal security forces, with Israeli officials estimating that thousands of Iranian regime personnel were killed, although the figures remain under review. The scale of the bombing exceeded Israel’s previous high‑intensity air campaign in June 2025 and was conducted alongside a similar number of US strikes on additional targets. Israeli officials noted that, unlike other fronts, casualty assessments in Iran are complicated by the absence of ground forces and limited confirmation capabilities.
• The United States is expected to add a third US carrier to the region, the USS George H.W. Bush, which will be deployed to the eastern Mediterranean. The Bush would join the USS Gerald R. Ford and the USS Abraham Lincoln, which are already operating in the Mediterranean and Gulf areas.
• Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned they could sustain an “intense war” for at least six months against Israel and the United States. A Guards spokesperson claimed Iranian forces have already targeted more than 200 sites linked to American and Israeli bases across the region.
• Concerns resurfaced that enriched uranium at the Isfahan nuclear site may still be accessible, despite US strikes last year. US intelligence identified a “very narrow access point” through which uranium could potentially be retrieved and said the site is under constant surveillance. Iran has refused to clarify the status of its uranium stockpile or allow IAEA inspections, while President Trump said he would not rule out sending ground troops to secure it. Some Israeli media reported that the US and Israel are considering sending in a small group of special-forces from both countries to retrieve the materials.
• Iran’s clerical leadership attempted to project stability, with an Assembly of Experts’ member saying a majority consensus on the next supreme leader has been reached. Iranian media reported disagreement over whether a formal in‑person meeting is required to finalize the decision. No successor was named, although it is widely expected to be Ali Khameini's son. The IDF also publicly commented on Iran’s future leadership, warning it would pursue those involved in appointing Khamenei’s successor. In a Persian‑language post, the military said clerics planning to convene in Qom would also be considered targets.
• Iran’s ambassador to South Korea warned that US ground troop deployment would bring “many coffins” home, while Israel’s ambassador said the joint campaign aims to dismantle Iran’s nuclear and missile programs and support the Iranian people.

Flights

• After weeks of closure, outbound passenger flights resumed from Ben Gurion Airport under strict security conditions. Israeli airlines El Al, Israir and Arkia began limited departures, with a restricted number of passengers per flight and a requirement that travelers sign a declaration not to return for at least 30 days. Early check-in and short airport arrival windows were imposed to reduce exposure during ongoing missile threats.
• Israel also announced renewed repatriation flights from the UAE following an agreement between Prime Minister Netanyahu and UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed. Transportation Minister Miri Regev said thousands of Israelis stranded in Dubai and Abu Dhabi would be flown home in cooperation with Emirati airlines. A previous effort to repatriate about 4,000 Israelis was paused after the Dubai airport was hit in an Iranian strike.
• Israeli airlines are also continuing to operate flights to bring home Israelis stranded abroad as a result of the war. The flights operate around the clock but on a restricted basis, with capacity for up to 9,000 passengers per day.
• Rescue flights are also operating via Taba and Sharm el‑Sheikh in Egypt and Aqaba in Jordan, with others still crossing over land borders. The airlines have committed to prioritizing passengers whose flights were canceled, with ten percent of seats on each flight reserved for humanitarian cases.

Missile and Rocket Fire

• While the number of missiles being fired at Israel from Iran has decreased dramatically, sirens continue to send millions of Israelis rushing to the shelters throughout the day and night. At the same time, Hezbollah has significantly increased the scale and frequency of its attacks.
• Sirens sounded repeatedly across northern Israel over the weekend amid continued drone and rocket fire from Lebanon, as the military chased suspected UAVs. Israeli media reported three drones were downed, including one after a prolonged pursuit; there were no injuries or damage. The IDF said Hezbollah has fired many dozens of rockets and drones since Monday.
• Six people were injured, one seriously, earlier today when Iranian missiles struck Tel Aviv and Petach Tikva.
• Rockets and UAVs fired from Lebanon present additional hardships to Israel, due mainly to the shorter distances. When missiles are fired from distant Iran, those in the target zone first receive a warning message that a siren is likely in the coming minutes. This gives civilians the opportunity to prepare and move closer to a shelter. In the case of launches from Lebanon, there is no time for an advance warning, so the population must dash to shelters as soon as the siren sounds.
• While UAVs typically carry a smaller warhead than rockets or missiles, they present additional challenges since they can change direction and avoid interceptions. On numerous occasions, UAVs are “chased” by the military," sometimes for more than an hour, triggering sirens in a long string of cities as they continue to fly and change direction.
• The IDF reports that most barrages from Iran include far fewer missiles than during the first days of the war, making the chance of successful interceptions significantly higher. The lower number of projectiles fired also likely represents considerably diminished Iranian capabilities as a result of Israeli and US airstrikes on missile stockpiles and launchers.
• Israel experienced four Iranian missile barrages overnight, with most missiles intercepted. Fragments fell in unpopulated areas, and no injuries were reported.
• Israel’s Center for Local Government says that 2,719 Israelis whose homes were damaged have now been evacuated to hotels. Most of the evacuations were carried out from the cities of Beit Shemesh, Tel Aviv–Jaffa, Be’er Sheva, Ramat Gan, Tirat Carmel, and Bnei Brak.

Israel's Home Front

• As of last night, the Home Front Command extended its public protection guidelinesthrough Monday evening, March 9. The instructions remain in force nationwide and continue to vary by locality.
• The education system is operating entirely through remote learning. Distance learning began earlier in the week in the Arab and Druze sectors and was extended nationwide in the Jewish sector as of March 5. The Ministry of Education confirmed that remote learning would continue at least through tomorrow, March 9, with further decisions contingent on guidance from the Home Front Command. The Bank of Israel estimates that school closures and remote learning have resulted in an estimated 20 percent reduction in work productivity among parents who are trying to work at home while taking care of their children.
• In response to the security situation, Israel’s Chief Rabbinate issued a special halachic ruling permitting weddings during the Omer period (between Passover and Shavuot) under defined conditions. Weddings are usually not permitted during this time, but many ceremonies and parties have had to be postponed during the war.
• Transportation and licensing services are gradually resuming and driving lessons restarted on Friday, March 6; mandatory driver courses and practical driving tests are scheduled to resume today.  Public transportation inside Israel is operating under emergency conditions. Rail service has been reduced to limited frequencies on several lines, though a continuous shuttle service is operating through Ben Gurion Airport. Bus service is running at roughly 45 percent of normal capacity. The Tel Aviv light rail and Haifa cable car remain suspended, while the Jerusalem light rail has resumed partial service.
• Israeli hospitals and health clinics have activated streamlined wartime protocols, shifting critical services into protected and improvised facilities amid ongoing missile fire. Medical centers moved operating rooms and intensive care units into fortified underground spaces, while community doctors established temporary clinics in hotels housing evacuees. The Health Ministry instructed hospitals nationwide to transition immediately into emergency mode, drawing on experience from previous escalations. Medical staff reported that procedures for relocation and continuity of care were implemented more rapidly than in earlier conflicts. The response reflects institutional learning from prior wars, allowing the health system to maintain operations under sustained attack. Read more here.
• On the labor front, approximately 110,000 additional reservists were mobilized, placing an added strain on families and employers. An estimated half a million workers were absent from the workforce due to reserve duty, unemployment, or unpaid leave, representing roughly 11 percent of the labor force. Since the start of the operation, 3,560 new job seekers were registered, most of them on March 1.
• From an economic perspective, early data showed a sharp shift in consumer behavior, with overall credit‑card spending down more than 45 percent, food purchases up by roughly 50 percent due to emergency stockpiling, and spending on clothing and footwear down nearly 90 percent. Israel’s major ports in Haifa and Ashdod continue operating at full capacity under emergency protocols.
• International rating agency S&P maintained Israel’s credit rating at A with a stable outlook, while highlighting increased fiscal pressure from rising defense expenditures and economic disruption. Daily economic losses associated with reserve mobilization were estimated at approximately $70–85 million, with overall daily war costs estimated at around $700 million, including both direct military expenses and lost economic output.
• Mental‑health data indicated elevated but stable stress levels within Israel during the early days of the operation. In the first five days, resilience centers received 648 calls, averaging about 130 per day (roughly 40 percent fewer than during the opening days of the October 2024 war). The national emotional‑support hotline received 4,510 calls during the same period, and health‑fund support lines logged 1,159 calls, both lower than comparable periods in previous conflicts.
• A new survey by the Israel Democracy Institute found broad public support in Israel for the current military operation against Iran. According to the poll, support stood at 82% overall, including 93% among Jewish respondents and 26% among Arab respondents. The survey also found that 74% of Jewish respondents expressed trust in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s handling of the operation, compared with just 16% among Arab respondents. A majority of Jewish respondents, particularly those with access to shelters or reinforced safe rooms, reported feeling protected from Iranian attacks. See more here.
• A Haaretz report highlighted the human toll of the war through the experience of Mary Ann De Vera, known as “Michelle,” a foreign caregiver who remained with the elderly Israeli woman she was caring for during a missile strike on their Tel Aviv apartment. According to the account, the two were separated by a single interior wall when the missile hit: the wall shielded the patient, who survived, while Michelle was killed. The story reflects the disproportionate risks faced by caregivers and other non‑combatant workers who remain on duty during missile attacks.

First Week of War: Data

• Data compiled by the Taub Center for Social Policy Studies in Israel point to significant human, economic, and social impacts inside Israel.
• In the first week of fighting, 11 Israelis were killed by missile strikes, nine of them in Beit Shemesh. Since the start of the war, more than 1,563 people have been hospitalized, the vast majority with mild injuries. As of March 6, 87 injured individuals remained hospitalized, including four in serious condition, with Tel Aviv (126 hospitalizations) and Be’er Sheva (121) recording the highest numbers.
• The report estimates an average of 260 injuries per day, slightly lower than during Operation Rising Lion in June 2025. Missile fire also caused extensive displacement, with approximately 2,800 people forced to leave their homes, including about 1,350 residents of Tel Aviv and 660 from Beit Shemesh. As of March 5, 6,230 claims had been filed with the Property Tax Compensation Fund, primarily for damage to buildings, followed by home contents and vehicles.
• In economic terms, the Taub Center estimates the direct cost of the current war at approximately $4–6.5 billion, driven primarily by munitions, interception systems, flight hours, and reserve mobilization. For comparison, the April 2024 missile attack was estimated at approximately $1–1.3 billion, while Operation Rising Lion in June 2025 was estimated at around $5–5.5 billion, roughly 1% of Israel’s annual GDP. Israel’s Chief Economist estimates that the economy is currently losing about $2.4 billion per week, including roughly $270 million per week attributable to the shutdown of the education system.
• Consumption patterns shifted sharply during the first week of fighting. According to Shva data, credit card spending declined by 27% compared with the preceding week, with the exception of food purchases, which rose by 21%. At the same time, aviation disruptions left more than 125,000 Israelis stranded abroad at the start of the war; by March 5, 14,200 had returned, mostly via land border crossings.
• Security indicators show a steady decline in the number of air raid alerts nationwide as the war progressed, alongside a growing share originating from Lebanon. By March 5, approximately 13% of alerts were triggered by fire from Lebanon rather than Iran. The report notes that while the scale of damage is so far lower than in Operation Rising Lion, none of these costs were included in Israel’s 2026 state budget, implying a likely increase in the planned deficit as the government updates its fiscal framework.

Diplomatic Developments

• Russian and Iranian leaders held a phone call amid the war’s escalation. According to the Kremlin, President Vladimir Putin reiterated Moscow’s position in favor of ending military operations and returning to diplomatic channels. A statement emphasized Russia’s support for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a political resolution.
• An attack that wounded UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon prompted renewed international reaction. French President Emmanuel Macron publicly condemned the incident and stressed France’s continued engagement in efforts to prevent further regional escalation. France reaffirmed its commitment to UNIFIL and underscored the stabilizing role of international forces along the Israel–Lebanon border. The comments followed confirmation that UN personnel had been injured during cross‑border hostilities.

Fighting Spreads

• The United Arab Emirates carried out a strike on an Iranian desalination facility, marking its first direct offensive action in the war. The UAE is also reportedly planning to freeze billions in Iranian assets. The moves follow large numbers of Iranian drone and missile attacks on multiple Gulf states, including strikes inside the UAE in recent days.
• Earlier, Dubai’s main airport saw operations temporarily suspended after an air-defense interception near Dubai International Airport, with witnesses reporting a loud explosion and smoke near the terminal area. Passengers inside the airport were ushered into train tunnels during the alert, before authorities announced a partial resumption of operations later the same day.
• Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian attempted to walk back earlier remarks, when he announced that the Islamic Republic would cease attacking its Muslim neighbors. Pezeshkian clarified that his earlier comments on Gulf attacks were “misinterpreted by the enemy.” He said Iran seeks good relations with neighbors but is forced to retaliate when attacked.
• A loud blast was reported near the US embassy in Oslo, triggering a major police response. Norwegian police said there were no reports of injuries and that the cause remains unclear. Smoke was seen near the embassy compound amid heightened security alerts across Europe.

Jewish Federations and Partners

Jewish Federations of North America’s Israel office has activated our emergency protocols and is in close contact with the government of Israel and our partners.

Some Jewish Federations partner updates:

American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC):

• JDC deployed emergency response activities in communities affected by recent missile strikes, working in coordination with government ministries and local municipalities. In Beit Shemesh, JDC delivered 1,700 tons of humanitarian assistance to evacuees housed in Jerusalem hotels, including essential supplies for families displaced from their homes. JDC also provided emergency medical and rescue equipment to strengthen volunteer and municipal response teams in the city.
• JDC began expanding the Ad HaBayit program in Beit Shemesh and Be’er Sheva to support families whose homes were severely damaged, with more than 100 new families already identified for assistance. The Ad HaBayit expansion supports displaced families through professional caseworkers, assisting with housing navigation, access to government benefits, and stabilization following displacement, with plans to scale support to hundreds of additional households.
• In northern Israel, seven municipalities formally requested emergency assistance in response to renewed threats; JDC is preparing to provide food, essential household items, medical equipment, and community support personnel.
• JDC emergency operations are active in 24 northern locations, with capacity in place to expand support as needs increase.
• Nationwide, 200 municipal mental‑wellbeing coordinators previously deployed through JDC‑supported initiatives are providing immediate emotional support in communities under attack.
• JDC’s Nafshi digital mental‑health platform recorded over 7,000 new visits during the current escalation, indicating increased demand for emotional and psychological support.
• At the national level, JDC is coordinating emergency response efforts through a cross‑sector roundtable with the Prime Minister’s Office and participation in the Ministry of Economy’s emergency operations center to support essential workers and municipal services.
• In Be’er Sheva, earlier JDC‑supported investments in municipal information and analytics capacity enabled the city to rapidly identify affected households following a missile strike, including data on children, older adults, and people with disabilities, allowing targeted assistance to be delivered within minutes.
• Emergency response kits previously provided through JDC‑supported preparedness efforts were used by first responders during recent rescue operations.
• In response to a Ministry of Health directive, JDC is coordinating the replacement of 1,442 medical oxygen cylinders in municipal emergency kits, with 300 cylinders being replaced immediately, to ensure continued lifesaving capacity for volunteer teams.

The Jewish Agency for Israel:

• The Agency continues its extensive activities on the ground as a result of the war, as outlined in previous updates.
• Since the outbreak of the war until Thursday, 334 new aliyah files have been opened, and about 1,100 additional inquiries have been received from people interested in immigrating to Israel. Also, 68 immigrant families have been evacuated from their homes due to damage caused.
• Through the Fund for the Victims of Terror, The Agency is also providing emergency financial assistance to individuals directly affected by recent attacks, including bereaved families, injured civilians, and households whose homes were destroyed. Assistance includes immediate emergency grants and longer‑term rehabilitation support for those impacted.
• In coordination with local municipalities, The Jewish Agency is supporting evacuees and displaced families, delivering urgent aid and resilience‑focused services during the initial recovery phase. The response includes targeted support for vulnerable populations, including children, seniors, and individuals experiencing trauma, to ensure access to protection, stability, and essential services.

The Israel Trauma Coalition (ITC)

• ITC teams are currently operating in 10 hotels housing displaced families, providing on‑site psychosocial support to evacuees.
• ITC professionals are supporting hundreds of displaced families, including in Beit Shemesh, through individual, family, and group‑based interventions delivered in hotel settings.
• It has also expanded remote support beyond evacuation sites, delivering webinars and professional guidance for caregivers and families in multiple languages, including Arabic, Russian, English, French, Spanish, and Amharic.
• More than 500 households per day are participating in child‑focused ITC activities designed to provide structure and emotional support, including online and in‑person programming. Child‑focused interventions include creative and therapeutic activities, such as story sessions and clown‑therapy programs, as well as Arabic‑language programming through ITC’s Bedouin Resilience Center.
• See Jewish Federations’ Joint Security Guidance for Jewish Institutions Following Strikes on Iran.
• Jewish Federations continues to monitor the situation on the ground very closely and will report as needed.

Jewish Federations continue to monitor the situation on the ground very closely and will report as needed.