HEADLINES
Iran missile intercepted near Israel triggers alerts
IDF kills Kamal Ayash; two terrorists killed
US urges designation of IRGC and Hezbollah

The time is now 8:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, a missile fired from Iran was intercepted outside Israeli territory and authorities say residents in protected areas may exit. Alarms were activated in northern communities during the overnight flare-up, and officials warned that further alerts could come in the near term.

In Regional Impacts, the IDF said it killed Hamas anti-tank corps commander Kamal Ayash in Gaza during an operation; Ayash was described as responsible for planning and carrying out terrorist plots against Israeli soldiers and the State of Israel. In the West Bank, snipers from Unit 636 killed two terrorists who threw stones at Israeli vehicles on a main road, with a third suspect spotted but fleeing. The army said it will continue to thwart such attacks and safeguard residents.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, the administration directed diplomats to push allies to designate Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Lebanon-based Hezbollah as terrorist groups, citing an elevated risk of attack; the internal cable dated March 16 and signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged delivering the message by March 20 and coordinating with Israeli counterparts. Separately, Rubio spoke with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun on the Strait of Hormuz, saying cooperation to secure safety there is essential to stabilizing the global economy and oil prices; Cho agreed, and Seoul said allies should maintain close consultations. Japan and Australia have said they are not planning to deploy ships to the Middle East, even as President Trump urged a coalition of navies to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, the Knesset approved in first reading the State Budget Framework Law for 2026, with 53 in favor and 45 against; the bill will move to the Finance Committee for the next two readings, subject to updated revenue and growth forecasts. It proposes raising the overall deficit cap to 5.1% of GDP and increasing eligible government spending in 2026 by about 32 billion shekels, plus an allowed increase in the spending cap by up to 4.4%. It also would permit the government to add a further 7 billion shekels in 2026 under conditions set out in the Budget Foundations Law. The explanatory notes reference that on February 28, 2026 Israel launched a multi-target campaign that triggered civil defense measures across the country and ongoing attacks from Iran and Lebanon.

In Uplifting News, two Iranian women footballers trained with Brisbane Roar after seeking asylum in Australia; seven members of Iran’s delegation competing in the Women's Asian Cup sought sanctuary last week, with two remaining in Australia as others returned. Brisbane Roar’s chief executiveKaz Patafta welcomed the players to training with the club’s A-League Women squad, while rights groups have accused Tehran of pressuring athletes by threatening relatives or property; Iranian authorities have countered that Australia pressures the players.

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
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1297276
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1297274
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-890183
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/03/rubio-tells-us-diplomats-push-allies-blacklist-irans-revolutionary-guards-and
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/03/rubio-south-korea-foreign-minister-cho-agree-strait-hormuz-key-global-economy
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1297280
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/03/iran-footballers-train-australia-club-and-say-everything-will-be-fine

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-03-16 at 20:01