Tel Aviv/Beirut, 30 March (H.S.):

Iran and Hezbollah unleashed a coordinated missile rocket and drone assault on Israel triggering a massive explosion and fire at the Haifa oil refinery where thick black smoke now billows skyward.

In southern Lebanon clashes one Israeli soldier Sergeant Liran Ben Zion aged 19 died from a Hezbollah anti-tank missile while an officer suffered serious wounds and three others were critically injured The Times of Israel reported.

Economic Fallout Looms Amid Strikes

Israel Defense Forces hit Iranian weapons factories with over 80 bombs overnight while neutralizing a suspect near Tulkarm in a car-ramming attempt IDF said.

Iran earlier launched ballistic missiles at southern Israel as Finance Ministry chief economist Shmuel Abramzon warned the economy faces a first-quarter contraction of 95 percent year-on-year and 25 percent quarter-on-quarter due to the prolonged war exceeding expectations.

Early this month the ministry trimmed its 2026 growth forecast from 52 percent to 48 percent amid the multi-front conflict.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar