Israel Standing Strong as the Second Day of Lion’s Roar Winds Down

“For the Lord, your God, is the One Who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you” (Deuteronomy 20:4).

As the second day of Operation Lion’s Roar unfolded, Israel found itself engaged on multiple fronts, striking at the heart of Tehran while enduring waves of Iranian missile fire at home. From the early morning hours through the evening, the day was marked by decisive military action, painful loss, and powerful expressions of national resolve.

🎯STRUCK: Two F5 and F4 fighter jets at the airport of Tabriz in western Iran, as the jets were prepared for takeoff

The strike was conducted to degrade the Iranian Air Force’s activities and to further expand the degradation of their aerial defense. pic.twitter.com/lEvpyiPI5M

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) March 1, 2026

The morning began with a sweeping Israeli Air Force offensive deep inside Tehran. Acting on precise intelligence guidance, the IAF launched a broad wave of strikes targeting assets of the Iranian terror regime in the capital. Over the previous 24 hours, the Air Force had already carried out extensive operations aimed at establishing aerial superiority and opening the path to Tehran. By late morning, Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that, for the first time in the operation, Israeli aircraft were conducting stand-in strikes directly over Tehran’s skies against regime and repression targets, in accordance with plans approved by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

‼️ The video outlines the phases of the operation: targeting air defense systems and missile launchers in western Iran, then paving the way toward Tehran and establishing aerial superiority over the capital. pic.twitter.com/STDYyyZvG3

— LTC Nadav Shoshani (@LTC_Shoshani) March 1, 2026

 

 

Shortly after noon, the IDF Chief of Staff issued a letter to service members, noting the symbolic timing of the campaign. “Roaring Lion” which began on the anniversary of the Battle of Tel Hai, where in 1920, Jewish resistance fighters fought Arab marauders in the Upper Galilee and hero Joseph Trumpeldor fell, his last words, according to the legend being: “It is good to die for our country”.  The day on the Hebrew calendar was Shabbat Zachor, the Sabbath before the holiday of Purim. On this Shabbat, the passage on Amalek is read in synagogues, reminding the Jewish people to never forget evil and blot it under the son.

“Remember. Act. Take your fate into your own hands,” Zamir wrote, framing the operation as both historic and existential.

The Home Front

Even as Israeli jets operated over Iran, the home front braced for retaliation. Around midday, the IDF identified missile launches from Iran headed toward Israeli territory. Air defense systems went into action, and the Home Front Command pushed early warnings directly to mobile phones in affected regions. Sirens soon sounded across large swaths of the country, from the Galilee to Jerusalem, the coastal plain, and the south.

In Beit Shemesh, the consequences were devastating. Initial reports indicated multiple casualties across several sites in the city, including a 10-year-old girl in serious condition and three individuals critically wounded. Magen David Adom paramedics and first responders worked frantically to treat the injured. Rescue forces from the Home Front Command, alongside numerous medical teams and evacuation helicopters, converged on the scene. Despite their efforts, medical teams later confirmed the deaths of nine people.

Elsewhere, a man in his 50s was moderately wounded in Moshav Mazor, while in Ashkelon, two interceptor fragments were located without causing injuries.

In Abu Dhabi, authorities reported that debris from an intercepted drone fell on the facade of the Etihad Towers complex, which houses the Israeli embassy, lightly injuring a woman and a child. In Israel, an explosive drone struck an apartment near the Abu Dhabi delegation’s offices, injuring two Israelis from the blast.

Throughout the afternoon, the Air Force continued striking ballistic missile launchers and destroying unmanned aerial vehicles in Iranian airspace. A second wave of Israeli strikes in the heart of Tehran was launched later in the day, underscoring the sustained intensity of the campaign. Meanwhile, the Home Front Command repeatedly updated the public, at times allowing residents to leave protected spaces while instructing them to remain close to shelter.

International reactions also emerged. Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry condemned what it described as Iran’s “brutal attack” on the Sultanate of Oman and warned of the consequences of ongoing violations of state sovereignty, calling on the international community to take firm action against Iran’s destabilizing behavior.

As evening approached, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stood atop the Kirya in Tel Aviv and addressed the nation. He declared that Israel had eliminated “the tyrant Khamenei and dozens of senior figures in the repression regime,” adding that Israeli forces were striking Tehran with increasing intensity that would grow in the days ahead.

“I have longed to do this for 40 years,” Netanyahu said. “To strike the terror regime decisively. That is what I promised, and that is what we will do.” At the same time, he acknowledged the heavy toll at home. “These are painful days. Yesterday here in Tel Aviv, and now in Beit Shemesh, we lost dear people. My heart goes out to the families.”

He emphasized that Israel was bringing to bear the full might of the IDF, along with the support of the United States, including President Donald Trump and the U.S. military, describing the partnership as a force multiplier in securing Israel’s future.

Choosing Life, Love and God

Amid the turmoil, signs of resilience continue to emerge. At Rambam Medical Center in Haifa, which activated its underground fortified hospital shortly after the operation began, 17 babies have been born since the start of the campaign, four by Caesarean section. The newborn department even distributed sweet Purim costumes to the infants, princesses for the girls and cowboys for the boys.

“Even in complex and challenging times, we are here with you and for you,” said Professor Ido Shalit, acting head of the pregnancy and childbirth division. “We are ready to provide the safest and best birth experience possible.”

Across the country, civil society mobilized as well. The “Rega Shel Chochma” organization’s national volunteer community, for example,  announced it was prepared to respond to any request for help. For more than two years, the network has connected those in need with volunteers via managed WhatsApp groups, often within minutes, without cumbersome forms or bureaucracy. With expanded reserve call-ups and mounting strain on families, the organization pledged to operate in an enhanced format in the days ahead.

Chief Rabbi of Safed Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu wrote and published a prayer for the current war:

Sovereign of the Universe,

Please look upon Your children, the children of Your beloved ones, whom You called, “My son, My firstborn, Israel.” See their love for one another, their self-sacrifice for one another and for the sanctification of Your Name. Show us great and wondrous deeds for the sake of Your great Name.

Place in our hearts faith and trust in You, that we may not fear though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the seas. Guard all the soldiers of Israel and of the allied nations who stand together in this war from every harm. Rise up to save Your people, and swiftly frustrate the counsel of all who rise against us for evil, confound their schemes. Let them be like chaff before the wind, with the Angel of the Lord driving them away. Let their swords enter their own hearts and their bows be broken. May their path be dark and slippery, with the Angel of the Lord pursuing them. Pour out Your indignation upon them, and let Your burning anger overtake them.

Please overthrow the kingdoms of wickedness in the world. Bring down Persia and Iran and all their evil helpers. Fulfill in us the promise, “And all wickedness shall vanish like smoke, when You remove the rule of arrogance from the earth.” Establish the kingdom of the house of David, Your Messiah, speedily, and may You alone, O Lord our God, soon reign over all Your works, on Mount Zion, the dwelling place of Your glory, and in Jerusalem, the city of Your sanctuary.

As it is written in Your holy Word: “The Lord shall reign forever, your God, O Zion, to all generations. Hallelujah.”

As the second day of Lion’s Roar draws to a close, Israel stands, battered but unbowed. Its jets continue to fly, its defenses remain on alert, its hospitals are functioning underground, volunteers across the country are answering the call, both military and civil, and its leaders are determined to see the battle through. Above all, many of its citizens put their trust in God to see them through and deliver them from the latest iteration of evil on earth: “The Lord is for me; I shall not fear. What can man do to me?” (Psalms 118:6).