Middle East war update: March 26, 2026

Breaking News: An Israeli man was killed and another is in critical condition following a Hezbollah rocket attack on Nahariya.

 

• Day 27 of the US/ Israel War with Iran
• An IDF soldier was killed on the northern front, the third member of the Israeli military to have fallen in this war.
• Israeli media: Negotiation positions of US and Iran are so far from each other that agreement is virtually impossible.

Jewish Federation of San Diego is committed to keeping our community informed on this ongoing situation. To view past updates, please visit our blog.

The War with Hezbollah

 

• An IDF soldier, Staff Sgt. Ori Greenberg, 21, was killed during a gunfight with Hezbollah operatives in southern Lebanon. According to the IDF, the clash occurred around 2 a.m. today when troops identified several armed operatives and exchanged fire, killing numerous Hezbollah members. Another Israeli soldier was lightly wounded in the incident and did not require hospitalization. Greenberg was the third Israeli soldier killed since the renewal of ground operations in southern Lebanon earlier this month.
• The IDF said an Israeli officer was moderately wounded by shrapnel from friendly fire during overnight operations in southern Lebanon. In a separate incident, 15 Israeli soldiers were hospitalized with suspected hypothermia, with one listed in moderate condition and the others in good condition. Earlier, a Hezbollah mortar strike seriously wounded one Israeli soldier and lightly injured three others, all of whom were evacuated for treatment. The IDF also reported a separate Hezbollah rocket attack that seriously wounded a reservist and lightly injured two additional soldiers.
• The IDF released footage showing the demolition of a Hezbollah command center and a weapons depot in southern Lebanon by the Golani Brigade. The military said the brigade had destroyed more than 200 Hezbollah infrastructure sites since the start of ground operations earlier this month. The IDF said troops located weapons caches and killed multiple Hezbollah operatives during the campaign. Scans for remaining gunmen were ongoing in several areas.
• Yesterday, Lebanon declared Iran’s ambassador persona non grata, ordering him to leave by March 29 and canceling his diplomatic status over interference in Lebanese internal affairs. The Lebanese government also recalled its own ambassador from Tehran for consultations.

 

Missile and Rocket Fire

 

• After a lull of nearly 15 hours, Iran launched at least seven ballistic missile salvos at central and northern Israel today, triggering repeated sirens across Tel Aviv, the Jerusalem area, the West Bank, and the Galilee this morning. Several of the missiles carried cluster munition warheads, with submunitions striking populated areas. In Tel Aviv, three people were lightly wounded by shrapnel. In contrast, in the Arab-Israeli town of Kafr Qasim, five people were injured when bomblets struck residential streets, flipping vehicles and damaging buildings. Additional impacts damaged homes in two settlements in Samaria, although the families were inside safe rooms and no injuries were reported.  Fragments were also reported in the Modi’in area.
• In northern Israel, one person suffered light-to-moderate injuries from shrapnel during the same Iranian missile wave.  The attack included a small number of missiles, at least one of which was intercepted by Israeli air defenses. Sirens were activated across central and northern Israel as well as Judea and Samaria, during the fourth Iranian attack of the morning. Israeli military assessments indicated that several additional missiles fired later in the day were also intercepted, with no further injuries reported.
• An 11-year-old girl in Safed was hospitalized in serious condition after suffering cardiac arrest while running to shelter during incoming rocket sirens. Magen David Adom said medics arrived to find her without vital signs and performed defibrillation and advanced life-saving treatment until her heartbeat was restored. She was transferred to Ziv Medical Center and listed as serious but stable.
• Hezbollah also fired multiple rockets toward central Israel overnight, claiming the salvo targeted the IDF’s Kirya headquarters and another military base. The IDF said air defenses intercepted the rockets; no direct injuries resulted from the attack.

 

The War with Iran

 

• Latest media reports suggest that the US is considering a range of military options as a “final blow” against Iran, including the possible deployment of ground forces and a major bombing campaign. Options under review reportedly included seizing or blockading key Iranian islands and oil export routes, as well as targeting Iran’s highly enriched uranium stockpiles.
• The Israeli Air Force carried out an extensive wave of airstrikes across several areas of Iran overnight, targeting regime infrastructure sites. Recent Israeli attacks have focused heavily on Iran’s military production industries. Earlier, the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy, Alireza Tangsiri, was killed in a strike. Tangsiri was responsible for Iran’s control of the Strait of Hormuz.
• According to Western intelligence assessments, Russia began delivering drones to Iran this month in Moscow’s first direct weapons shipment to Tehran during the current war; the shipment is expected to be completed by the end of March. Russia is also sending food and medicine,  intelligence support, and satellite imagery.  A Kremlin spokesperson dismissed the report as “containing falsehoods” but confirmed ongoing dialogue with Iranian leadership. Israeli strikes near the Caspian Sea in recent days were reported to have aimed at disrupting transfers between Russia and Iran.
• Iran’s parliament advanced legislation to formalize fees charged to ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Lawmakers described the plan as codifying Iranian control and oversight of the strait while creating a new revenue source through transit fees. Separately, a shipping intelligence analysis reported that Iran was already operating a de facto toll regime, requiring vessels to submit cargo manifests and crew details to the Revolutionary Guard. At least two ships were reported to have paid for safe passage in Chinese yuan.
• Iran has moved military personnel, air defense systems, and layered ground defenses to Kharg Island in recent weeks in preparation for a possible US operation to seize control of the island. The island, Iran’s primary hub for oil exports, was fortified with shoulder‑fired surface‑to‑air missile systems, anti‑personnel mines, and anti‑armor mines along likely landing zones. US Central Command said that since March 13, US forces had struck 90 targets on the island, including naval mine storage facilities, missile bunkers, and other military sites, while deliberately sparing oil infrastructure. Senior US officials debated whether to launch a ground operation, with military experts warning of high American casualties due to Iran’s remaining air defenses, drone capabilities, and the island’s compact geography.
• Israel’s Ministry of Defense has marked the landing of the 200th cargo aircraft as part of air and sea bridge operations during Operation Roaring Lion. Since the start of the campaign, approximately 8,000 tons of military equipment, weapons, and munitions have been delivered to Israel, primarily from the United States.
• Jerusalem Post: Low chance for US-Iran deal, but Trump ‘can always surprise us.’

 

Israel’s Home Front

 

• Since the war began, a total of 5,460 people in Israel have been displaced as a result of missile and rocket damage to their homes. Of these, 3,481 are currently being housed in 35 hotels, and 1,979 are being accommodated within host communities, affecting 45 localities.
• Israel’s National Security Council has warned that the war with Iran increased the risk of terrorist attacks against Israelis and Jewish targets abroad, citing recent attacks and attempted attacks on synagogues and Jewish sites in Europe and the United States. Iran and its proxies are expected to intensify efforts to carry out attacks during Passover, when large numbers of Israelis travel and gather overseas. The NSC urged Israelis abroad to exercise heightened caution worldwide and advised against attending unsecured or public Passover events, particularly in countries bordering Iran and in parts of Asia. It recommended avoiding stays in the Sinai Peninsula and limiting travel to specific airports.
• A new grassroots website, IsraelForPesach.com, was launched to match Israelis, students, tourists, and families unexpectedly staying in Israel for Passover with hosts willing to open their homes. The free, community‑run platform connects people seeking Passover meals or, in some cases, overnight accommodations, with host families. The site was created amid widespread travel uncertainty, with flights changing frequently and many visitors unable to leave Israel ahead of the holiday. Hosts and guests submitted details such as location, number of people, kashrut level, and lodging needs, and then contacted one another directly.

 

Global and Diplomatic Developments

 

• US President Donald Trump said Iran had been negotiating with his administration in recent days and wanted a deal “so badly,” despite officials indicating that contacts were limited to messages passed through mediators. Trump made the remarks at a Republican fundraising event, and suggested that Iranian leaders feared both internal backlash and US military action.
• Iran’s ambassador to Japan said Tehran would not accept any US-imposed peace plan, stressing that decisions “would be made by Iran” and describing unilateral imposition as unacceptable. The remarks came as Iranian officials continued to publicly deny that negotiations with the United States were taking place.
• According to Israeli media, the negotiation positions of the US and Iran are so far from each other that agreement is virtually impossible.
• The United Arab Emirates’ Ambassador to the United States, Yousef Al Otaiba, warned that the war with Iran should not end prematurely and argued that any conclusion must address Tehran’s long‑term regional threat. Writing in a Wall Street Journal op‑ed, “The UAE Stands Up to Iran,” Al Otaiba said the conflict required a decisive outcome that dealt with Iran’s missile capabilities, proxy activity, and threats to civilian and energy infrastructure. Gulf states echoed that position at the United Nations Human Rights Council, where representatives from the UAE and Kuwait described Iranian missile and drone attacks as an existential threat and accused Tehran of destabilizing the international order.
• China called for an immediate push toward peace talks, with foreign and defense ministry spokespeople urging all parties to halt military operations and avoid escalation.
• President Trump has sharply criticized NATO, saying its member states have done “absolutely nothing” to address Iran, which he described as militarily decimated, and asserted that the US needed nothing from the alliance. His comments came amid reports that some NATO countries, including the UK and France, were discussing leading a coalition to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, with other members signaling openness to joining such an effort.
• An Australian government decision barred Iranian passport holders from entering the country for tourism or work for six months, citing concerns they might overstay visas due to the war. Officials said limited exceptions would be considered, including for parents of Australian citizens. The move followed tensions between Canberra and Tehran after Australia granted asylum to members of Iran’s women’s national football team earlier this month.
• Uganda’s military chief said his country wanted the war in the Middle East to end, but would enter the conflict if Israel faced defeat. In a public statement, he said Uganda would side with Israel in such a scenario. He also referenced Uganda’s plan to erect a statue honoring Yoni Netanyahu, the brother of Israel’s prime minister, who was killed during the 1976 Entebbe hostage rescue in the country.

 

The Region

 

• Two people were killed in Abu Dhabi after debris from an intercepted Iranian missile fell on a major road, according to the emirate’s media office. Three additional people were injured, and several vehicles were damaged.
• The head of the Gaza portfolio for the US‑led Board of Peace pressed Israel and Egypt to ease restrictions at the Rafah crossing, warning that current limits were obstructing implementation of the next phase of the ceasefire. The Board’s representative said restrictions on movement through Rafah were preventing sufficient numbers of people from entering and leaving Gaza and were impeding humanitarian and civilian arrangements envisioned under the agreement. He called on both Israel and Egypt to expand access at the crossing and to allow it to function more consistently.
• Israeli authorities uncovered an attempt to smuggle illegal motor oil into Gaza hidden inside humanitarian aid shipments transported by the United Nations Development Program, according to the IDF’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT). The discovery was made at the Kerem Shalom crossing, where inspectors found the oil concealed within aid deliveries. Following the finding, COGAT chief Maj. Gen. Yoram Halevi ordered an immediate suspension of all UNDP aid entering Gaza pending a full investigation and the organization’s submission of findings. The IDF warned that responsibility for the contents of aid shipments lay with the organizations coordinating them and said any further attempts to exploit humanitarian mechanisms for smuggling would result in enforcement measures.

 

Jewish Federations and Partners

 

The Jewish Agency for Israel

 

• Through the Jewish Agency’s Roaring Lion Fund, 825 requests have been approved, and 397 remain in process. Approximately 250 requests have been received from Arad and Dimona, including cases involving personal injury and destroyed homes; these requests are under review, with additional applications expected. Total allocations by the Fund have now reached approximately one million dollars
• Jewish Agency subsidiary Amigour has now distributed 11,833 food baskets. The subsidiary continued renovation of public shelters, with work in process at 93 sites and completed at 77 sites.
• Since the start of the war, 186 olim have arrived in Israel, including a group of 25 who arrived from North America yesterday. Overseas, 1,787 new individuals have opened aliyah files.
• The Agency’s Youth Futures programming in the north continued despite ongoing disruption from the war. The 11-year-old girl from Safed who suffered a heart attack during a siren (see above) was a Youth Futures participant; as is her brother.  The family’s mentor maintained close contact to provide support. Mentors also assisted families in Kiryat Shmona whose homes or businesses were damaged, including cases where family businesses were destroyed.
• Across the north, 181 mentors supported approximately 3,400 children in communities from Kiryat Shmona to Yokneam, including Jewish, Druze, and Arab (Muslim and Christian) villages. Activities continued in shelters and homes where possible, including group and one-on-one meetings and organized activities such as baking and arts-based programming. Youth Futures mentors and participants from Yarka also volunteered at a local aged care facility.

 

National Headquarters for Reservists’ Families (NHQ)

 

• The National Headquarters for Reservist Families (NHQ) is a nationwide coordination framework in Israel that brings together government, military, municipal, and civil-society services to provide case-managed support to reservist families. It was established to ensure that families affected by large-scale reserve call‑ups receive coordinated logistical, emotional, and community support through a single, integrated system during wartime emergencies.
• More than two weeks into Operation Roaring Lion, NHQ has mobilized a nationwide response to support families affected by the current wave of reserve duty callups. Dozens of reserve family coordinators have been deployed across more than 50 municipalities, reaching thousands of families, with a particular focus on households where one parent is serving. In contrast, families cope with prolonged shelter stays, disrupted routines, and ongoing concern for loved ones at the front.
• On the ground, coordinators are embedded in municipal emergency command centers, ensuring that reservist families’ needs are reflected in real-time decision-making and resource allocation. Their work includes proactive outreach to families, tailored logistical support such as childcare and home assistance, and the organization of respite and community activities in shelters and community spaces. NHQ has also prioritized mental resilience by offering therapist-led Zoom sessions, distributing coping tools for children, and providing clear, accessible information to help families navigate reserve duty rights and the bureaucracy.
• These efforts have helped families maintain stability during an intense and prolonged emergency, reinforcing a sense of care, recognition, and shared responsibility. Through continuous training, peer learning, and coordination with partners such as the Reserve Wives Forum, NHQ is strengthening its national infrastructure to expand reach and sustain impact, demonstrating how coordinated, community-based support plays a critical role in Israel’s civilian resilience during wartime.

 

IVC

 

• Jewish Federations-supported IVC is a philanthropic investment organization that has been working to deliver emergency support to northern Israeli municipalities during Operation Roaring Lion. It facilitated direct grants to local authorities to strengthen shelter conditions, fund respite programming, and address urgent civilian needs.
• Throughout Operation Roaring Lion, IVC, in partnership with Federations and Keren Hayesod, facilitated targeted emergency grants to northern municipalities to strengthen local response capacity. The initiative allocated $40,000 per municipality (including Kiryat Shmona, Mateh Asher Regional Council, Metula, Upper Galilee Regional Council, Mevo’ot Hermon Regional Council, and Nahariya) to fund respite programming and equipment for shelters, alongside $100,000 grants to key cities (Nahariya and Kiryat Shmona) for critical shelter upgrades and essential supplies. By channeling flexible funding directly to local authorities, the program enabled rapid, needs-based deployment of resources, improving conditions in shelters and supporting civilian resilience in high-risk frontline communities.

 

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