Operation Roaring Lion: Live updates

The Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International (LBCI) reported on Thursday that the terrorist who carried out the attack at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan, is a Lebanese man named Ayman Ghazali, originally from the town of Machghara in the Beqaa Valley.

According to the report, the attacker allegedly wanted to avenge the deaths of his two brothers, Qassem and Ibrahim Ghazali, who were killed in an IDF strike on the town last week.

So far, US authorities have not released the terrorist's identity or any details about him, so this information has not been confirmed by an official source.

The attack occurred at about 1:00 p.m. local time on Thursday, when the attacker crashed his car into the synagogue.

Witnesses reported hearing gunshots soon after the vehicle crashed into the building. The vehicle also caught fire.

Police forces were called to the scene and were able to eliminate the shooter.

The IDF on Thursday evening completed several waves of strikes targeting Hezbollah infrastructure in Beirut and southern Lebanon.

According to the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit, the IDF struck several Hezbollah command centers, from which Hezbollah terrorists operated to advance terror attacks against the State of Israel and its civilians.

The statement noted that the Hezbollah terrorist organization systematically embeds its infrastructure within the civilian population across Lebanon. This is another example of the organization’s cynical exploitation of Lebanese civilians for its terrorist activities.

It also noted that prior to the strikes, measures were taken to minimize the risk of harm to civilians, including advance warnings, the use of precision munitions, and aerial surveillance.

“The IDF is operating with determination against the Hezbollah terrorist organization following its deliberate decision to attack Israel on behalf of the Iranian regime. The IDF will not tolerate any harm to the residents of the State of Israel," the statement stressed.

Earlier on Thursday, the IDF announced that overnight, the Israeli Air Force, guided by IDF intelligence, struck and eliminated the terrorist Ali Muslim Tabaja, a commander of the Iranian Imam Hossein Division. Additional senior commanders were also eliminated.

The Imam Hussein Division is a military force used by the Iranian Quds Force to strengthen the Iranian axis and to operate against the IDF and Israeli civilians.

The division is composed of thousands of terrorists across the Middle East, and it serves as a force-employment method, providing Hezbollah with significant capabilities.

The IDF also stated that it eliminated the Hezbollah's "Radwan Force" southern Lebanon unit commander in southern Lebanon.

So far, over 100 terrorists have been eliminated, and more than 60 Radwan Force command and control centers have been dismantled.

Nearly one week after his son, Benaya, was wounded in combat on the Lebanese border, Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich came to the Galilee Medical Center in Nahariya to thank the medical teams that tended to his son and visit Benaya's peers who are hospitalized as well.

The Minister spoke with the wounded soldiers, including his son's friends who were injured with him, and listened as they recounted the moments of their injuries and their rehabilitation process.

During the visit, the minister stopped and personally thanked the medical staff and military officials who accompanied the wounded from the moment of their evacuation from the battlefield through their hospitalization.

"I came back here today to say thank you to the staff members who saved the lives of my son and his friends. The doctors, nurses, cleaners, volunteers, and soldiers from the Ram 2 medical unit and the Givati casualty department. Thank you everyone, on by behalf, and on bahalf of all the parents and families, and on behalf of the entire people of Israel," Smotrich stated.

According to a report in The Wall Street Journal, the information on the locations of Basij checkpoints and Iranian security forces that were attacked overnight reached the Israeli security establishment from Iranian civilians.

A short while ago, the IDF identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel.

Defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat.

In the past few minutes, the Home Front Command has sent a precautionary directive directly to mobile phones in the relevant areas.

The public is asked to act responsibly and follow the instructions-they save lives.

Upon receiving an alert, the public is instructed to enter a protected space and remain there until further notice.

Leaving a protected space is permitted only after receiving explicit instructions. The public is requested to continue acting in accordance with the Home Front Command’s guidelines.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held his first press conference since the start of the war this evening (Thursday) via video conference.

During the press conference, Netanyahu addressed Hezbollah's attacks on Israel and stated that the Iranian proxy terror group would "pay a very heavy price."

"This is no longer the same Iran, this is no longer the same Middle East, and this is also not the same Israel. We initiate and attack with force. Trump and I talk almost every day, exchange ideas and advice, and decide together," Netanyahu said.

"We are crushing Iran and Hezbollah," Netanyahu declared, adding, "We are becoming a regional power. Our roar is growing louder. We have achieved enormous achievements that are changing the balance of power beyond the Middle East."

Regarding the campaign in the north, he said, "Hezbollah feels the comfort of our arm and will pay a very heavy price for its aggression."

In response to a question about the threat from Lebanon and past statements that Hezbollah was defeated in the previous campaign against it, Netanyahu said: "We talked then about 150,000 rockets and missiles, about the destruction of the towers in Tel Aviv, about the eyes of ruins in the rest of the country, and about 15,000 to 20,000 dead. All of this did not materialize because we dealt them a tremendous blow, but that does not mean that they did not have any residual fire left."

"Threats come and go, but we are strengthening our power compared to what was here," the prime minister added. "Tomorrow they will be even weaker - both Iran and Hezbollah. We are changing the Middle East. Both against enemies and against friends. Israel is stronger than ever, the whole world understands that."

He referred to the appointment of Ali Khamenei's son as Iran's supreme leader after his father's assassination. "We have eliminated the old dictator, and the new dictator, the puppet of the Revolutionary Guards, cannot show his face in public. I say to the people of Iran: The moment is approaching when you can embark on the path of freedom. It is in your hands."

However, he added that he cannot guarantee "that the Iranian regime will collapse, if we join forces, we will repel the enemies time and time again."

The Prime Minister promised that "many more surprises are expected in the campaign. We have the upper hand, much more than we expected."

Netanyahu was asked about the request for a pardon in his trial and replied, "This is a trial that should never have come to pass and was overturned after the terrible things that happened in it were discovered - blackmail with threats, bedbugs and the use of spies, where has such a thing been heard of?"

When asked if he asked the US President to intervene in favor of granting a pardon, he responded, "I did not ask Trump for any request regarding the pardon. Trump has the right to speak his mind and he speaks from his heart."

An analysis conducted by researchers at JPPI (the Jewish People Policy Institute) examines the media conduct of one of the key players in the Middle East, Qatar - home to the largest American military base in the region, Al-Udeid Air Base, which the United States uses in its military operations against Iran.

While Qatar publicly presents itself as cooperating with the United States, the English-language network Al Jazeera, which is affiliated with the Qatari regime, together with its digital arm AJ+, which reaches millions of viewers worldwide, has broadcast strongly anti-war messages and has directly and indirectly attacked US President Donald Trump and the U.S. administration.

The analysis examined dozens of opinion columns, articles, and videos in English, published both before and after the outbreak of the war, between January 28 and March 8, 2026. The findings reveal a clear and consistent pattern: criticism of the war is extremely harsh and largely ignores the role played by Gulf states - including Qatar itself - in hosting and defending American military bases.

Some content even argued that the war serves as a distraction from domestic political controversies in the United States, such as the Jeffrey Epstein affair, while others framed the military campaign as illegitimate, illegal, or even linked to broader structures of “white supremacy and capitalism." The study analyzed Al Jazeera’s English-language opinion columns and articles using advanced artificial intelligence tools and sentiment analysis. Researchers compared two periods: before the war, when commentary focused on the possibility of conflict, and after the war had begun.

During the pre-war period (approximately one month), 77.8% of publications were classified as very negative and 5.6% as negative. In total, 89% of the publications expressed negative sentiment toward the war. After the war began, the trend intensified. 85.3% of publications were classified as very negative and 5.9% as negative. Overall, 91.2% of the publications were negative, the vast majority of them strongly so.

The findings were even more pronounced on AJ+, the network’s digital platform. 95.2% of the content analyzed was classified as “very negative" toward the war, including direct personal criticism of President Trump. Among the sampled videos, not a single one presented the war in a positive light or attempted to justify it, and only marginal references were made to Iranian attacks on Gulf states.

Lt. Col. (res.) Or Hurwitz, a Senior Fellow at JPPI, and a former senior officer in Israeli Military Intelligence, stated: “Qatar has experienced firsthand the Iranian threat during the current war. Its longstanding strategy of attempting to ‘live alongside tigers’-pursuing reconciliation while maintaining strategic relationships with terrorist organizations and extremist actors-has not protected it. At the moment of truth, this approach failed to prevent Iran from harming Qatar itself and directly threatening its sovereignty. This development joins the Israeli strike in Doha several months ago, which also demonstrated the limits of Qatar’s attempt to ‘dance at two weddings.’"

“Qatar is an actor driven primarily by survival in a complex regional environment rather than by ideology. The current war may therefore create a unique window of opportunity for a strategic shift in Qatari policy after the conflict. Such a shift could include a harder stance toward Iran and Sunni terrorist organizations, a reassessment of Al Jazeera’s editorial guidelines, and perhaps even gradual changes in Qatar’s posture toward Israel. The path forward is uncertain and complex, but the possibility for change now exists-particularly if it is supported by American engagement and strategic assistance."

The IDF says it has just begun a wide-scale wave of strikes targeting infrastructure of the Iranian terror regime across Tehran.

The IDF published footage on Thursday filmed with a camera mounted on IDF troops raiding Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon

Over the past week, IDF troops conducted targeted night operations and dismantled terrorist infrastructure in Hezbollah compounds in southern Lebanon. The sites targeted in the operation belonged to the ‘Radwan Force' Unit.

As part of the activities, the troops and the Israeli Air Force leveraged precise fire and artillery in order to target the Hezbollah infrastructure.

The IDF is operating with determination against the Hezbollah terrorist organization as a result of the terrorist organization's decision to deliberately attack Israel on behalf of the Iranian regime. The IDF will not tolerate any harm to the residents of the State of Israel.

Dr. Mike Evans, founder of the Friends of Zion Heritage Center in Jerusalem and a close evangelical ally of President Donald Trump, has launched a nationwide billboard campaign across Israel bearing the message: “Thank You God & Donald Trump!"

Evans, a prominent evangelical supporter of Israel, said the campaign is intended to express gratitude for what he described as a historic moment in the Middle East amid the ongoing war between Israel, the United States, and Iran.

The billboards, featuring a photo of US President Donald Trump, have been placed along major highways and central intersections in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

“This is nothing less than a Purim miracle," Evans said. “The courage and leadership shown by President Trump, combined with the faith of millions who believe in God’s protection over Israel, are changing the course of history in the Middle East. Many believe the events unfolding in Iran could ultimately bring freedom to the Persian people and greater security for the Jewish people in Israel."

Evans arrived in Israel on Thursday, February 26, just two days before the war began. He was the only major evangelical leader to arrive in the country before the fighting started, saying he wanted to stand in solidarity with Israelis and document events on the ground for the global evangelical community that strongly supports Israel.

During his visit, Evans traveled across the country with a professional camera crew, visiting missile impact sites and communities affected by the war. He also met with soldiers, visited wounded civilians in hospitals, attended funerals, and spoke with Holocaust survivors. His team documented how Israeli society was functioning during wartime while also exploring ways to provide practical assistance.

Following his visit to Israel, Evans departed via Egypt and continued directly to Washington, DC, where he is continuing public and diplomatic efforts in support of Israel.

The campaign follows a series of nationwide billboard initiatives organized by Evans and the Friends of Zion movement in recent years. Previous campaigns included “Cyrus the Great is Alive," referring to the biblical Persian king who enabled the Jewish people to return to Jerusalem, as well as other campaigns highlighting US-Israel relations.

Evans has been involved in several pro-Israel initiatives connected to the Trump administration. On December 11, 2017, he presented President Trump with the prestigious Friends of Zion Award in the Oval Office for his support of Israel. The award, commissioned by Israel’s ninth president, Shimon Peres, has been presented to 28 world leaders recognized for their friendship with the Jewish people and the State of Israel.

Representatives of religious minorities in the Iranian Parliament have released a joint declaration regarding the appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei as supreme leader after the elimination of his father and predecessor, Ali.

The representatives expressed condolences for the "martyrdom of the wise leader of the Islamic Revolution," and declared allegiance to the new Ayatollah.

Homayoun Sameh, the Jewish representative in parliament, published a statement reading: "The holy flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran was passed to the hands of our holy leader, and amidst the fire and blood, he became a soother for the hearts of admirers."

The statement praised the new leader: "He carries the heavy load of leadership on his shoulders. For many years, he was dedicated and faithful to the character and path of our holy leader and learned leadership and persistence from his father, a tireless warrior. 'Congratulations' is not a term that can properly describe the condition of our burned hearts."

"We are, on the one hand, mourning that wise old man who gave his life for our dear land, Iran, and his blood has watered the strong tree of the regime, and on the other hand, we are happy for the worthy and courageous choice of Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, the correct and supreme leader.

"Therefore, we, the representatives of the religious minorities in the Islamic Republic parliament, on our behalf and on behalf of the religious communities, congratulate this worthy decision and affirm our allegiance to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran," the statement concludes.

Following the wide-scale degradation of many Iranian Security Internal and Basij Forces assets, the IDF recently identified that soldiers of the Basij Unit had established roadblocks in several locations across Tehran.

After identifying the deployment, over the past day, the Israeli Air Force, acting on IDF intelligence, has targeted the Basij roadblocks and operatives.

These armed forces are part of the Iranian terrorist regime’s security apparatus and have been responsible for carrying out terror attacks for years.

These forces led the regime’s primary efforts to suppress internal protests, particularly in recent months, employing severe violence, mass arrests, and the use of force against civilian demonstrators.

The Chief of the General Staff, LTG Eyal Zamir, visited the Northern Command today (Thursday) together with the Commander of the Northern Command, MG Rafi Milo, and additional commanders.

During the visit, the Chief of the General Staff conducted a situational assessment and received an operational briefing on developments in the Northern Command over the past several days.

The Chief of the General Staff instructed that additional troops be reinforced and deployed to the northern sector.

“We are in a multi-front war. We are operating simultaneously against Iran and its proxies and are acting with great determination against the evil regime. Every strike against Iran weakens all of its proxies. The defense against Hezbollah is another main front, not a secondary arena," Zamir stated.

"We make decisions every day, with the central consideration being the security of the state and its civilians. We are acting for the residents of the north and for their security. We will review and learn from the decisions made last night. If there was a mistake, the responsibility is first and foremost mine. We will draw lessons and learn.

"Let there be no confusion - we are fighting absolute evil. Our enemies must not be allowed to weaken our morale. We will continue to act in the north with determination and reinforce the troops. Hezbollah made a serious mistake and will continue to pay a heavy price for it. The Government of Lebanon is not enforcing its authority within its territory - therefore we will do so," he added.

According to the Chief of Staff, "Out of the hundreds of launches fired last night, only two struck Israeli territory - this is a very significant achievement.

"The activity of the Northern Command, the early preparations, and the decisive action led to excellent results: dozens of terrorists were eliminated, most of the missile launchers were thwarted after they fired, and we struck dozens of terrorist infrastructure sites at the heart of terror in Beirut."

He also added that Israel succeeded in locating and striking and eliminating the commander of the Imam Hussein Division and his deputy, along with many of the division’s staff officers. Following the strike in the Dahieh area, many Hezbollah terrorists began fleeing to other hiding places in Beirut, within the civilian population.

"We will continue to defend our civilians everywhere and from everywhere. We reinforced the Northern Command with many hundreds of additional troops and intelligence officers, as well as intelligence collection and fire capabilities. They are achieving remarkable and impressive results, and I have great appreciation for them and their achievements.

"This operation will not be short. We will bring additional troops and capabilities to the north. We will continue to act with great determination. We continue moving forward," Zamir concluded.

Minister for the Development of Negev and the Galilee, and National Resilience, Yitzhak Shimon Wasserlauf (Otzma Yehudit) was miraculously saved on Thursday after a missile fired by the Hezbollah terror organization landed just a few feet away from him.

The incident occurred while the minister was conducting a work tour of the communities on the northern border. While travelling between communities, a siren sounded. The minister and his entourage managed to take only partial cover before a powerful impact in an adjacent field. Miraculously, no one was hurt by the blast or shrapnel.

A short time after the incident, Minister Wasserlauf recounted the experience on X. "A work day in the north visiting as many local authorities to meet their needs. And then another siren. A few seconds passed and the impact came, ten meters from us. Everything shook. Thank G-d we weren't harmed. We're getting our heart rate back down."

The minister took advantage of the incident to stress the strategic importance of continuing the military campaign until total victory. "This is the reality of the residents of the north over the past two weeks. This is the reality that will continue if we don't defeat Hezbollah and its main boss, Iran, once and for all. If we won't do this now, we will go back to this reality in another year or two."

Despite the harrowing experience, Wasserlauf pledged to continue touring the north as needed. "I'm proud of the residents of the Galilee and particularly the residents of the confrontation line who show extraordinary determination. You are the strength for victory," he concluded.

IDF Arabic Language Spokesman Avichay Adraee has issued a building in Beirut's Zuqaq al-Blat neighborhood, which is not located in the usually-targeted Dahieh suburb.

The IDF on Thursday announced that overnight, the Israeli Air Force, guided by IDF intelligence, struck and eliminated the terrorist Ali Muslim Tabaja, a commander of the Iranian Imam Hossein Division. Additional senior commanders were also eliminated.

The Imam Hussein Division is a military force used by the Iranian Quds Force to strengthen the Iranian axis and to operate against the IDF and Israeli civilians.

The division is composed of thousands of terrorists across the Middle East, and it serves as a force-employment method, providing Hezbollah with significant capabilities.

During Operations Roaring Lion and Northern Arrows, the division took an active part in the fighting, carrying out multiple terrorist attack plans from Lebanese territory in coordination with the Hezbollah terrorist organization. This included the launch of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and missile fire toward communities in northern Israel.

Tabaja served as a senior commander in operating against the State of Israel. He was a key figure within the division and for the Hezbollah terrorist organization. He has joined the Hezbollah terrorist organization and, over the years, held a series of military roles both within Hezbollah and within the division, including serving as the deputy commander of the division.

Tabaja was appointed as the division’s commander following the elimination of previous commander, Dhu al-Fiqar in Operation Northern Arrows. In addition, he was involved in the process of rebuilding the Hezbollah terrorist organization and maintained ongiong contact with senior members of the axis and Iranian officials.

Additional terrorists were also eliminated in the same strike, including Jihad al-Safira, the Deputy Commander of the Imam Hussein Division, Sager al-Handasa, the division’s UAV officer, and additional senior commanders in the division.

A fire broke out on Thursday on the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier, which is currently operating in the Red Sea in support of Operation Epic Fury.

The US Navy 5th Fleet noted that the blaze originated in the ship’s main laundry spaces and stressed that the cause of the fire was not combat-related and was contained. It also emphasized that there is no damage to the ship’s propulsion plant, and the aircraft carrier remains fully operational.

Two Sailors are currently receiving medical treatment for non-life-threatening injuries and are in stable condition.

President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social on Thursday that the Iranian National Soccer Team "is welcome to The World Cup, but I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"

Iranian regime television on Thursday broadcast the new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei's first message since his appointment

The message was not delivered by Khamenei himself, but was instead read by a narrator on the backdrop of an archive photo of the leader, who has still not made a public appearance.

The message stated that Iran will not cease avenging those it referred to as "shahids" (martyrs), especially the "shahids of the school in Minab." In addition, it was stated in the name of Khamenei that the Strait of Hormuz must remain closed.

The new leader has not been seen in public since the war with Israel and the United States began. During the strike that killed his father and predecessor, Ali Khamenei, Mojtaba was injured.

According to foreign reports, the injuries included a broken foot, a bruise around his left eye, and cuts on his face. The injuries also limited his ability to move.

US Presiden Donald Trump discussed the rising oil prices in a post on Truth Social: "The United States is the largest Oil Producer in the World, by far, so when oil prices go up, we make a lot of money. BUT, of far greater interest and importance to me, as President, is stoping an evil Empire, Iran, from having Nuclear Weapons, and destroying the Middle East and, indeed, the World. I won’t ever let that happen! Thank you for your attention to this matter."

At the initiative of MK Amit Halevi (Likud), dozens of members of parliament around the world have signed a public appeal to the leaders of the free world, headed by US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling for the full freedom of the Iranian people and the overthrow of the Ayatollah regime.

The initiative is "an extraordinary response from dozens of parliamentarians around the world to fulfill the primary mission of our generation," Halevi said, adding that it shows the desire "to eliminate the regimes of radical Islam that pose an existential threat to Israel and the entire world."

Recently, Halevi reached out to members of parliament in free and democratic countries around the world, urging clear and decisive international action to overthrow the murderous oppressive regime in Iran and to secure full freedom for the Iranian people.

In his personal appeal to members of parliament, MK Halevi wrote:

"Dear colleagues and fellow parliamentarians around the world,

This is a historic moment that we must not allow ourselves to miss. The murderous regime of the Ayatollahs, like the Nazi regime before it, does not only oppress and slaughter the citizens of Iran; it poses a direct threat to the security, stability, and values of the entire free world.

I urge you to join this call, to add your name to this letter, and to stand clearly and publicly for the overthrow of Iran’s oppressive regime and the restoration of freedom to the Iranian people.

History will judge how we respond at this moment. Let us stand together on the right side of history."

Dozens of members of parliament in Europe, Africa, and South America responded to the call and appealed to leaders of governments in the free world not to cease diplomatic, military, and economic pressure until the regime is overthrown and freedom is restored to the Iranian people.

In their public appeal, they warn against calls for negotiations that could weaken international pressure and allow the regime to survive, thereby enabling it to rebuild its military programs and capabilities.

"I greatly appreciate the response of my colleagues in parliaments around the world who have joined the clear call to the leaders of the free world - headed by President Trump and the Prime Minister of Israel, who are leading this campaign - to overthrow the murderous Ayatollah regime," Halevi added. "There are many strong and positive forces in the free world that clearly understand the existential threat posed by the religious ideology of radical Islam."

"Here in Israel, we must strengthen our shared front with them in order to fulfill the mission of our generation: to defeat these dangerous ideas and eliminate any governing foothold they have anywhere on earth."

Following the situational assessment, the Home Front Command has announced that it is now permitted to leave protected spaces in all areas of the country.

The public is requested to continue to follow the Home Front Command instructions.

After seriously damaging the Iranian terror regime's missile array, over the past few days the IDF has expanded its strikes on the regime’s UAV array.

During one of the waves of strikes, the Israeli Air Force identified operatives from the regime’s UAV array as they were arming an aircraft and preparing to launch it toward the State of Israel.

After quickly closing the loop, the Israeli Air Force targeted the launcher and its operatives, preventing a planned UAV launch toward the State of Israel.

So far, the IDF has dismantled over 250 UAVs across Iran. In addition, many UAV array commanders and operatives responsible for numerous launches toward the State of Israel were eliminated.

"The IDF continues to operate around the clock to dismantle infrastructure and eliminate operatives related to the Iranian regime’s ballistic missiles and UAV array in western Iran in order to reduce the scope of fire toward Israeli territory," the IDF emphasized in a statement.

Doron Lavi, head of development in the Israel Police Bomb Disposal Unit, showed Arutz Sheva - Israel Naional News fragments of Iranian ballistic missiles that were collected after launches toward Israel.

Speaking at one of the unit’s facilities, Lavi explained that some fragments are initially brought to the site for collection and documentation before being transferred to police research centers throughout the country.

According to Lavi, certain Iranian missiles contain warheads filled not with a single large explosive charge but with dozens of smaller submunitions. “Each submunition weighs about 20 kilograms, of which roughly two kilograms is explosive material," he said.

He noted that some Iranian missiles carry between 50 and 100 such submunitions, while other types contain a large single explosive charge designed to detonate in one location and cause extensive destruction - as was seen in the impact in Beit Shemesh.

Lavi explained that warheads containing submunitions open at high altitude and disperse the smaller bombs across a wide area. “When the warhead opens, it creates a cloud of submunitions falling toward the ground," he said. “They can spread over an area of more than ten kilometers and strike almost simultaneously, resulting in dozens of small explosions across a large area. It is also impossible to predict exactly where each submunition will land."

Lavi warned that unexploded submunitions pose a severe danger. “If these submunitions are found lying on the ground and have not detonated, it means they are still armed," he said. “Moving them is extremely dangerous, because even a small movement could activate the fuze."

He urged the public not to touch any suspicious objects or missile fragments. “Do not touch them, keep your distance and call the police center at 100," Lavi said, emphasizing that Israel Police bomb disposal experts are the only authority permitted to handle such ammunition.

He also stressed the importance of following instructions from the Israel Home Front Command during missile alerts. “Entering a shelter is effective protection," he said. “Even if these bombs strike near a protected room or shelter, they will not penetrate it. Anyone who remains in protected spaces and follows Home Front Command instructions is fully protected."

During the tour, Lavi also pointed to parts of a ballistic missile engine, including large fuel tanks. He explained that the tanks contain hazardous materials such as acids and hydrazine rather than conventional vehicle fuel.

“These substances are extremely dangerous to touch or inhale and can cause severe burns," he said. “When tanks fall from the sky we cannot know whether they still contain material, so people must keep away and report them to the police."

Even empty tanks, he added, remain dangerous. After separating from the missile at high altitude, they fall from great heights and accelerate to high speeds before impact. “Their impact on the ground can be destructive and may cause serious injury or death," Lavi said, though he emphasized that protected rooms and shelters can withstand such impacts.

Lavi said the Israel Police bomb disposal unit has been working around the clock since the beginning of the war to ensure that unexploded remnants of Iranian weapons do not harm civilians.

“We entered this campaign prepared, with knowledge, experience, determination and strong mental resilience," he said. “Our teams operate day and night to protect the citizens of Israel and will continue to do so as long as necessary."

He added that the unit has not been caught off guard by the weapons encountered so far. “We were not surprised by the munitions that reached here," Lavi said. “We have the knowledge, experience and tools needed to deal with any remnants of Iranian weapons. Our greatest advantage is the accumulated knowledge we have built over the years."

While residents of the north are recovering from a sleepless night of sirens and interceptions, the IDF is summarizing Thursday morning the successful repulsion of the extensive Hezbollah attack.

Alongside significant operational achievements, the Northern Command is expressing unusual self-criticism regarding the real-time communication of the event to the public.

The IDF admitted Thursday morning that after an unusual buildup by Hezbollah was detected Wednesday, updates could have been provided to the residents in advance to prevent panic and rumors. A senior IDF official emphasized that public trust is critical and promised to learn from the experience.

During the night, approximately 200 rockets and UAVs were launched toward Israel. The air defense system acted to intercept the threats and successfully intercepted the majority of them.

According to the IDF, two rockets fell in Israeli territory, causing damage and light injuries.

The IDF noted that Hezbollah had planned to launch additional waves of rockets and UAVs. Over the course of Wednesday evening, the IDF succeeded in disrupting about two-thirds of the planned launches by neutralizing operatives and attacking launchers and launch areas.

Additionally, during the night, the IDF attacked more than half of the launchers involved in the barrages, neutralizing many operatives.

Alongside the strikes and the ongoing defense battle, the IDF established approximately 20 "defensive clusters" along the border. The IDF emphasized that the operational concept is that "the army meets terrorism, and civilians meet the army."

The IDF has eliminated the Hezbollah's "Radwan Force" southern Lebanon unit commander in southern Lebanon, a military statement confirmed.

So far, over 100 terrorists were eliminated, and more than 60 'Radwan Force' command and control centers were dismantled

Last Saturday in a strike in the Harouf area, the IDF targeted Abu Ali Riyan, the commander of the 'Radwan Force' unit in southern Lebanon.

Riyan was the Radwan Force Combat Commander in southern Lebanon. He was the central figure responsible for coordinating operations, recruiting operatives, and managing its weapon supply chain.

"The Radwan Force unit, which is responsible for Hezbollah's raids and serves as a central offensive and propaganda tool for the organization, has been a core target of the IDF's efforts to further degrade the Hezbollah terrorist organization," the IDF stated. "In addition to the elimination of senior commanders in the Radwan Force unit, over 100 terrorists have been eliminated, and over 60 unit command centers have been dismantled."

"The IDF is operating with force and determination against the Hezbollah terrorist organization as a result of the terrorist organization's decision to deliberately attack Israel on behalf of the Iranian regime, and will not tolerate any harm to the residents of the State of Israel."

As part of the waves of strikes completed in the past days in Tehran, the Israeli Air Force, acting on precise IDF intelligence, struck an additional Iranian nuclear program site.

The ‘Taleghan’ compound was utilized by the regime to advance critical capabilities for developing nuclear weapons.

In recent years, the compound was utilized to develop advanced explosives and to conduct sensitive experiments as part of the ‘AMAD’ project, the covert nuclear weapon development program in the 2000s.

During Operation Rising Lion, the IDF has operated systematically against knowledge centers and infrastructure related to the Iranian nuclear weapon program in order to eliminate the emerging existential threat to the State of Israel. Despite the significant damage inflicted on the program, the Iranian regime has continued efforts to advance and develop capabilities required for the development of a nuclear weapon.

As such, the IDF has recently identified that the regime has taken steps to rehabilitate the compound after it was struck in October 2024.

"The strike on the ‘Talghan’ compound joins other strikes related to eliminating the Iranian nuclear weapon threat, including the March 3, 2026 strike on the ‘Minzadehei’ compound," the IDF explained in a statement.

"The strike is a part of the series of operations carried out throughout Operation Rising Lion aimed at further damaging the Iranian terrorist regime’s nuclear aspirations."

On Tuesday this week, the IDF struck and eliminated the terrorist Abu Dharr Mohammadi, the operations commander in the IRGC’s missile unit within Hezbollah in Beirut.

Mohammadi was a central figure in the military coordination between Hezbollah and the Iranian terror regime, while coordinating and connecting between Hezbollah and Iranian senior officials.

Likewise, Mohammadi was a key figure in Hezbollah’s military force build-up as it related to missiles, focusing on rehabilitating the program following Operation Northern Arrows.

He also served as an authority on the subject of Hezbollah’s strategic weapons.

As part of his role, Mohammadi led the planning and operations processes of Hezbollah’s missile branch, supporting the planning of missile launches toward the State of Israel during Operation Northern Arrows and Roaring Lion.

The IDF is operating with determination against the Hezbollah terrorist organization following its deliberate decision to attack Israel on behalf of the Iranian regime. The IDF will not tolerate any harm to the residents of the State of Israel.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz on Thursday morning held a situational assessment at the Kirya military headquarters, issuing an unprecedented warning to the Lebanese government.

Following Wednesday's heavy missile barrages on northern and central Israel, during which 200 rockets were fired and 120 crossed into Israel, Katz warned that Israel will not hesitate to begin a widescale ground operation if the threat to northern Israel does not cease immediately.

"I warned the Lebanese President that if the Lebanese government cannot control the area and prevent Hezbollah from threatening northern communities and firing towards Israel, then we will take the territory and do it ourselves," Katz said during the meeting.

"The Prime Minister and I instructed the IDF to prepare to expand the IDF's operations in Lebanon and return quiet and security to the northern towns. We promised quiet and security to the northern towns, and that is exactly what we will provide."

Also attending the assessment were the IDF Deputy Chief of Staff Tamir Yadai, the Defense Ministry's Director General Amir Baram, IDF Operations Directorate chief Itzik Cohen, and IAF chief Tomer Bar.

Education Minister Yoav Kisch on Thursday morning that schools in some southern communities will not resume before Monday, even if an early decision is made to return to routine.

According to him, the opening of the education system requires advance guidance to allow local authorities and educational staff to prepare.

"For the education system to open on Sunday, prior guidance is needed to allow the system to prepare, at least 24 hours in advance," he explained.

He added that if the Home Front Command’s directive is received only on Saturday night, the opening of educational institutions in approved areas will only be possible on Monday.

Kisch also explained that the Education Ministry had asked the Home Front Command to bring the decision forward, to give local authorities and the education system enough time to prepare.

"In any case, this applies only to authorities and areas approved by the Home Front Command and according to the wishes and preparations of local authority leaders," he said.

At the same time, the Minister clarified that in the north and center of the country, the return to school is not on the agenda at this stage, and students in these areas are expected to continue remote learning through next week.

The Shaki and Alifor families on Wednesday night celebrated the wedding of their children, Orian and Amit, in Jerusalem, refusing to let missile threats from the north and Iran disrupt the building of their new home.

The wedding was originally planned as a large event with 600 guests, but the security situation dictated a different reality. As a result, only 50 family members and close friends attended the event due to restrictions.

During the evening, a siren sounded in Jerusalem. The celebrants didn't lose their morale, quickly moved to a shelter, and continued the celebration and dancing inside the protected space.

In an interview with Arutz Sheva - Israel National News, the families shared their feelings, saying, "They try to destroy homes, and we are building. The groom was drafted on the first Shabbat (Sabbath) at the start of the war, but the couple decided not to postpone the wedding."