Israeli military could “fracture internally,” army chief warns
Israel’s Chief of Staff, Eyal Zamir, has warned that the country’s military risks internal breakdown. In a statement, he said he was “raising 10 red flags,” cautioning that reserve forces may soon be unable to continue fighting on the battlefield.
He added that unless amendments are made to laws governing reservists and further measures are taken, the Israeli military could face internal collapse. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said Israel is short of 20,000 troops and criticized the government for entering the war without a clear strategy, adequate resources, or sufficient manpower.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid stated that in 13 years as part of the security cabinet, he had never heard such a grave warning from an army chief.
New front threatened in Bab el-Mandeb; Iran claims downing of U.S. jets
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claims it shot down two U.S. warplanes, including an F-18, within Iranian airspace. Russian media have released footage allegedly showing the incidents. Earlier reports also claimed a U.S. F-35 had been targeted, while U.S. media previously reported damage to at least 16 American aircraft during the conflict.
Iran has also warned of opening a new front in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a key maritime chokepoint linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, if attacks on its territory continue.
Iran launches fresh drone strikes on Israeli targets: report
Iranian forces have reportedly carried out new drone strikes on key Israeli sites, including fuel and naval facilities in the city of Haifa, according to Press TV.
Reports say Iran is targeting Israeli territory and U.S. military positions across the Middle East in response to a joint military operation launched by the United States and Israel on February 28. On the first day of that operation, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was reportedly killed, and a girls’ school in southern Iran was bombed. Iranian sources say the death toll has exceeded 1,200.
White phosphorus allegedly used in southern Lebanon
According to Lebanon’s National News Agency, Israeli artillery fired white phosphorus shells on eight towns in southern Lebanon. The use of such munitions in populated areas is prohibited under international law, including the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons, due to the risk of severe burns and indiscriminate harm to civilians.
Israel’s emergency service, Magen David Adom, said one person was killed and 11 injured in northern Israel following shelling by Hezbollah.
Lebanon has repeatedly accused Israel of violating its sovereignty despite a ceasefire agreement reached in November 2024. Israeli forces remain deployed at several positions in southern Lebanon, which Lebanese authorities describe as an ongoing occupation and a breach of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.
Western sanctions hurting Europe more than Russia: Dodik
Milorad Dodik, leader of the Alliance of Independent Social Democrats in Republika Srpska, said Western sanctions against Russia are harming the countries imposing them more than Russia itself.
He argued that it would have been better if such sanctions had never been imposed, allowing economies and societies to function freely. Moscow has repeatedly said it will withstand Western pressure and claims the West is unwilling to admit the failure of its sanctions policy.
Closing Strait of Hormuz is Iran’s legal right: foreign minister
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said during a phone call with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that closing the Strait of Hormuz would be Tehran’s legal right.
Following strikes by the U.S. and Israel on Iranian targets, including Tehran, tensions have surged, with Iran retaliating against Israeli and U.S. military assets. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil and LNG supplies, is already facing disruptions, pushing up energy prices worldwide.
Trump delays strike on Iranian power plants
U.S. President Donald Trump said he has postponed planned strikes on Iranian power plants for 10 days at Tehran’s request, extending the deadline to April 6.
In a social media post, Trump said negotiations are ongoing and progressing well, despite contrary reports. Iran, however, has denied that any talks with the United States are taking place.
Large-scale strikes reported in central Tehran
The Israel Defense Forces said it carried out large-scale strikes targeting infrastructure in central Tehran. In response, Iranian media reported the launch of the 83rd wave of “Operation True Promise 4.”
UN Security Council to hold closed-door meeting
Russia has requested a closed-door session of the United Nations Security Council to address attacks on civilian infrastructure in Iran. The meeting is scheduled to take place in New York on Friday.
Lebanon death toll rises to 1,116
Lebanon’s Health Ministry said that since March 2, Israeli attacks have killed 1,116 people and injured 3,229 others. In the past 24 hours alone, 22 people were killed and 110 wounded.
Tensions between Hezbollah and Israel escalated on March 2, when the group resumed missile attacks on Israeli territory. Israel responded with large-scale strikes across southern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, and the outskirts of Beirut, later announcing a ground operation on March 16.
