IRGC Expands Strikes as Casualty Estimates Rise and Infrastructure Concerns Grow in Israel

Mar 23, 2026 at 02:37 PM

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Lanka Leader

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has announced a new wave of attacks targeting Israeli military positions and regional infrastructure, signaling a continued escalation in the ongoing conflict.

In a statement released early Monday, the IRGC said it had carried out the 75th phase of its campaign, known as Operation True Promise 4. According to the statement, the strikes were based on intelligence gathered by operational units and targeted newly identified locations of Israeli troops and alleged concealment sites across Israel.

The IRGC also claimed it launched ballistic missiles at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, which it described as a key hub for US military operations in the region. These claims have not been independently verified.

At the same time, concerns are mounting over the resilience of Israel’s critical infrastructure. Shaul Goldstein, CEO of Noga Energy, warned that prolonged power outages could severely disrupt daily life, stating that conditions could become unmanageable after 72 hours without electricity.

Iranian officials have issued further warnings, saying any attack on Iran’s energy facilities would be met with large-scale retaliation targeting energy infrastructure across the region.

Casualty Estimates and Disputed Figures

A separate analysis by the Hebrew-language branch of Tasnim News Agency claims that the death toll in Israel has surpassed 1,280 people during the recent conflict.

The report says it reviewed burial data from multiple cemeteries, including sites in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa, Petah Tikva, Holon, Rehovot, and Ashdod, along with data from burial organizations and emergency response groups.

The analysis also incorporated information from ZAKA, a group responsible for handling fatalities at disaster sites, and burial societies known as Chevra Kadisha.

According to the findings, while the average daily death rate in Israel is typically around 150, an additional average of 61 deaths per day has reportedly been recorded over the past 21 days. Based on this increase, the report estimates a minimum total of 1,281 fatalities.

The report further noted that recent casualties from strikes on Arad and Dimona were not yet included in the calculation. These figures differ from official Israeli data and have not been independently confirmed.

Shift in Military Strategy

As the conflict enters its fourth week, analysts say the nature of operations is evolving. Earlier Iranian strikes reportedly focused on weakening Israel’s air defense systems, including systems such as Iron Dome.

More recent developments suggest a shift toward more complex tactics, including diversified weapon use and expanded targeting. The emerging strategy appears aimed not only at penetrating defenses but also at disrupting their recovery and degrading logistical and support infrastructure.

Experts warn this could impose longer-term pressure on Israel’s operational capabilities, extending beyond the battlefield to critical systems that sustain military operations.

Regional and Strategic Implications

The escalating exchanges are raising concerns about broader regional stability. Analysts note that the increasing use of missile and drone technology highlights their effectiveness as relatively low-cost tools against more advanced military systems.

At the same time, the situation may force the United States to reassess its military posture in the region and consider investing in more integrated and resilient defense systems.

With Iran signaling high military readiness and issuing strong warnings of retaliation, and Israel facing mounting security and infrastructure challenges, the conflict appears to be entering a more complex and potentially prolonged phase.