Podcast Episode Details
Back to Podcast Episodes
Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-06-16 at 07:04
HEADLINES
1. Israel Deploys New Defense System, Shoots Down Eight Drones
2. Iran Strikes Kill Eight Civilians in Devastating Attack
3. Israel Targets Iran’s Military, Disrupts Oil Facilities
The time is now 03:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
At 3 a.m., the situation in Israel remains intensely volatile as hostilities continue on multiple fronts. Early this morning, reports confirm that Israeli forces intercepted and shot down eight unmanned aerial vehicles launched from Iran, utilizing the newly operational 'Barak Magen' missile system, mounted on the Sahar 6 missile ships. This marks the first operational use of this advanced defense system, which is capable of countering a broad spectrum of threats, including drones, cruise missiles, and sea-to-land missiles. Since the start of the recent hostilities, Israel’s missile defense has intercepted approximately twenty-five UAVs aimed at civilian populations.
In a devastating escalation, Iranian missile strikes during the early hours have resulted in the death of eight civilians, with a six-day-old baby among those rescued from rubble in central Israel. The attacks, which targeted both civilian infrastructure and military sites, have left over 287 injured, many in critical condition, as hospitals across the country mobilize to treat the wounded.
Israeli military operations have targeted Iran’s military capabilities directly. Israel reportedly conducted airstrikes today on an oil refinery in Kermanshah, western Iran, and on key military facilities in Shiraz. Satellite imagery shows significant damage to Iranian industrial sites, with some reports suggesting a strategic effort to disrupt Iran’s missile production and supply chain.
Meanwhile, Israeli aircraft have intensified efforts to neutralize Iranian ballistic missile launchers, using air superiority to hunt down and destroy these threats. The Israeli Air Force’s campaign, dubbed Operation Rising Lion, has expanded to include targeted strikes on Iranian missile sites and command centers, with reports indicating the destruction of multiple targets in western Iran.
On the diplomatic front, tensions extend beyond the battlefield. Russia has unusually begun repatriating its citizens from Iran, halting consular services and advising airlines to avoid Iranian airspace until at least June 26. Australia has also closed its embassy in Tehran amid the ongoing crisis. These moves reflect the broader regional instability and the shifting international stance toward Iran’s aggressive posture.
In Israel’s northern regions, residents are experiencing the psychological toll of ongoing missile threats. Southern Lebanon witnesses Iranian missiles targeting northern Israel, while civilians in southern Lebanon and surrounding areas enjoy the spectacle amid the danger. In Petah Tikva, rescue teams recovered the bodies of four civilians killed in missile strikes, and search operations continue in Haifa and other affected areas.
The Israeli government has announced plans to evacuate approximately 200,000 citizens stranded abroad. Rescue efforts include deploying two cruise ships owned by Mano Shipping, which will operate as emergency ferries to bring Israelis home via Cyprus, as Ben-Gurion Airport remains closed. The government has issued a Level 4 travel warning for neighboring land crossings, urging citizens to wait until airspace reopens.
International reactions remain mixed. The United States, under the Trump administration, reportedly blocked an Israeli plan to target Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, fearing escalation. Meanwhile, the US ambassador in Tel Aviv confirmed minor damage to the American embassy caused by Iranian missile activity overnight. In a surprising development, Russian authorities halted all consular services and advised airlines to cease flights over
Published on 3 weeks, 6 days ago