HEADLINES
Lebanon intercepts Iranian missile over Beirut
Israel hits Isfahan explosives facility in Iran
US plans 3,000 troops to Middle East

The time is now 3:03 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, senior Lebanese security sources said an Iranian missile was intercepted over Lebanese airspace for the first time, with two sources attributing the interception to a foreign naval vessel. Shrapnel from the interception landed over towns north of Beirut, causing light wounds. Later, the IDF confirmed that an Iranian missile had landed near Beirut after a barrage toward Israel. Lebanon’s foreign ministry summoned the Lebanese ambassador to Iran for consultations, citing Tehran’s violation of diplomatic norms, and President Michel Aoun said the war could have been avoided if Israel had withdrawn from occupied areas in southern Lebanon and honored the 2024 ceasefire deal. In Israel, significant damage to residential structures in Bnei Brak followed the impact of multiple cluster munitions from an Iranian ballistic missile, and cluster munitions from a medium‑range Iranian missile were seen falling over central Israel. Reports also described a munition fragment hitting Bnei Brak and there being likely damage to a school in Petah Tikva; three people were reported lightly injured by shrapnel in the Safed area. Sirens sounded in central Israel after Iran fired a cluster warhead at a central city, with no immediate reports of injuries. The Israeli Air Force said it struck Iran’s main explosives production facility in the Isfahan area as part of a broader wave of attacks on weapons industries, with more than 120 munitions dropped on dozens of targets, including ballistic missile launch sites, weapons facilities, and air defense systems.

In US Military Role, the White House plans to deploy around 3,000 troops from the 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East to support Operation Epic Fury, according to The Wall Street Journal. An order for the deployment is expected to be issued later on Tuesday, and officials stressed that this does not confirm a decision by President Donald Trump to put boots on the ground in Iran, though it outlines options for future action. The 82nd Division’s combat brigade would be deployed alongside the division’s headquarters; the unit can mobilize about 3,000 troops within roughly 18 hours. A large exercise planned for the division was canceled about two weeks ago, fueling speculation about a potential move.

In Regional Impacts, Magen David Adom says there have been at least five zones affected by the latest volley, with one zone described as significant and damaged. In Cyprus, Israelis report a strong sense of safety despite modest upticks in reported crime and shifting demographics since the October 7, 2023, Hamas‑led attack; a longtime Cypriot resident said Cyprus remains welcoming and that Israelis continue to see the island as a close, nearby refuge, with many visitors choosing to display identity proudly rather than tone it down.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, the IDF named Muhammad Ali Kourani, a Quds Force member, as killed in a Beirut strike on Monday afternoon, after a broader campaign that included strikes in Tehran targeting IRGC and IRGC Quds Force sites and more than a hundred munitions used across multiple targets. Separately, the IDF said a missile launched from Iran by the Iranian regime fell in Beirut following earlier launches toward the State of Israel.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, President Trump said the United States is talking to “the right people” in Iran to reach a deal and that the Iranians want a deal badly, noting a recently described “gift” related to the Strait of Hormuz worth a tremendous amount of money. A five-day pause in strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure, following what Trump called productive talks, sparked debate about whether pressure is easing too soon. Trump also asserted that the war may end, though he cautioned that he could not say for sure, and repeated statements emphasizing that negotiations are underway and that Iran would be hard-pressed to meet a deal. He claimed the regime would be willing to make a deal and described the situation in stark terms about Iran’s powers. In another session, Trump asserted that negotiations are ongoing and that “they’d like to make a deal,” adding that the regime had claimed a substantial prize and that the United States is dealing with the right people. In remarks at the White House, Trump also hinted at a “present” Iran delivered, described as oil and gas related and worth a lot of money, while stressing that the present was not nuclear and underscoring diplomacy as the path forward.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, drama at the Kirya in Tel Aviv centered on harsh criticism directed at the commander of the Northern Command. The Home Front Command defensive guidelines remain unchanged and in effect until Thursday, March 26, 2026 at 20:00.

Thank you for tuning in to this Israel Today: Ongoing War Report update.
I'm Noa Levi. Stay safe and informed.
Keep in mind that this AI-generated report may contain occasional inaccuracies, so consult multiple sources for a comprehensive view. Find the code and more details in the podcast description.

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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-03-24 at 15:03