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U.S. defense officials have told lawmakers that removing Iranian naval mines from the Strait of Hormuz could require up to six months, raising concerns that disruptions to global energy markets may persist well into the year, according to a report published Wednesday.

The update was delivered during a classified briefing to Congress, as reported by The Washington Post, which cited individuals familiar with the session. The projected timeline suggests that the financial consequences of the conflict could stretch on through the end of the year or beyond.

According to three officials, members of the House Armed Services Committee received the briefing on Tuesday. Lawmakers from both parties were said to be dissatisfied with the assessment.

Military officials indicated that Iran may have deployed at least 20 naval mines in and around the critical shipping corridor, a key route for a significant portion of the world’s oil supply. Some of the devices were reportedly positioned using GPS-guided methods, making them harder for U.S. forces to locate, while others were believed to have been placed by small Iranian vessels.

The Pentagon declined to elaborate on the details publicly. Spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed that the topic had been addressed in a classified setting but dismissed the reported conclusions as “inaccurate.”

The Strait of Hormuz has emerged as a focal point in the ongoing confrontation. Iran has asserted that the waterway is closed and has carried out attacks on certain vessels, while both Washington and Tehran continue to press their respective conditions for ending the conflict.

Prior to the outbreak of hostilities, approximately 20 percent of the world’s oil shipments passed through the strait, with major Asian economies such as Japan, South Korea, and China relying heavily on that route.

President Donald Trump has insisted that Iran dismantle its nuclear program, relinquish its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, and fully reopen the waterway, warning that failure to comply could lead to additional military action. Iranian officials, for their part, have said they will not return to negotiations unless the United States first removes the naval blockade imposed in recent weeks.

On Tuesday, Trump said he was extending a two-week ceasefire indefinitely, adding Iran’s leadership is “seriously fractured” and must “come up with a unified proposal.”

He later stated if the US lifts its naval blockade of Iran, a deal between the two countries would be possible if the US renews its strikes on the Islamic Republic.

“Iran doesn’t want the Strait of Hormuz closed, they want it open so they can make $500 Million Dollars a day (which is, therefore, what they are losing if it is closed!). They only say they want it closed because I have it totally BLOCKADED (CLOSED!), so they merely want to ‘save face,’” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.

“People approached me four days ago, saying, ‘Sir, Iran wants to open up the Strait, immediately.’ But if we do that, there can never be a Deal with Iran, unless we blow up the rest of their Country, their leaders included!” he added.

Iran carried out the execution of a man accused of working with Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency, the country’s judiciary announced Wednesday, as watchdog groups reported that the individual had been employed in Iran’s nuclear sector.

The man, identified as Mehdi Farid, was put to death in what marks the latest in a growing series of executions involving individuals accused of espionage, a pattern that has drawn increasing concern from international rights organizations.

In a statement published by the judiciary’s Mizan Online outlet, officials said, “Mehdi Farid… was hanged this morning for extensive cooperation with the terrorist spy service Mossad after the case was examined and the final verdict was approved,” the judiciary’s Mizan Online website said, adding that he had been convicted of the capital offense of “corruption on earth.”

The Norway-based group Iran Human Rights reported that Farid had been employed by Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization at the time of his arrest on May 31, 2023.

According to the organization, Farid was originally handed a 10-year prison sentence. However, following a retrial in July 2025, the charges were elevated and he was sentenced to death on allegations of spying for Israel.

A separate U.S.-based group, Human Rights Activists News Agency, also stated that Farid, 55, had worked for the atomic energy body and that the retrial was initiated after the prosecutor challenged the initial sentence.

Mizan Online, for its part, described Farid as a manager within Iran’s Passive Defense Organization, a civil defense entity. That organization later issued a denial, stating he held no affiliation, declaring he had “any membership, responsibility or position” there.

The execution comes amid a broader escalation, with Iran carrying out multiple hangings since the outbreak of its conflict with the United States and Israel on February 28. A tenuous ceasefire has been in effect since April 8.

Just days earlier, Mizan reported that two additional individuals accused of collaborating with Mossad were executed. The men, named Mohammad Masoum Shahi and Hamed Validi, were alleged to be part of an espionage network connected to the Israeli agency and were said to have received training abroad, including in Iraq’s Kurdistan region.

Human rights groups have long identified Iran as one of the world’s leading executioners, second only to China, and Iranian officials have signaled that those accused of working with Israel should not expect any leniency.

By Rabbi Pinchos Lipschutz

Following the news these days can leave a person feeling whipsawed.

One day, the United States and Israel are striking Iran, determined to dismantle its nuclear ambitions. The next day, talk of a ceasefire emerges, and Iran signals a willingness, at least outwardly, to step back. One day, Israel is engaged in a full-scale confrontation with Hezbollah, declaring that this time it will not rest until the threat to its northern residents is eliminated. The next day, a ceasefire is imposed.

One day, President Trump announces that a sweeping peace agreement with Iran is within reach. The next day, Iran declares that it will not even attend the talks.

The same events are described in completely different terms depending on who is speaking. Some portray a necessary and even heroic campaign against a dangerous regime that threatens not only Israel, but the stability of the Western world. Others condemn the very same actions as reckless and unjustified, accusing leaders of overreach and irresponsibility.

It is not only the events themselves that are dizzying. It is also the constant shift in how they are understood.

The world feels unsteady, lurching from one crisis to the next. Wars, threats, disasters, rising hatred, senseless violence—each day seems to bring a new upheaval. It can feel as though no one is truly in control, as if there is no steady hand guiding events, no clear path toward stability.

But we know that beneath the surface turbulence, beyond what appears to be happening, nothing is haphazard. Rather, everything is being carefully guided by the Ribbono Shel Olam. There is a plan, even when we cannot see it. There is order, even when everything appears chaotic.

A person who doesn’t appreciate that cannot remove the feeling of instability. Those who live without Torah and are tethered to their phones can feel as if life pulls them in different directions, emotionally and mentally. The constant barrage of information, the shifting realities, and the conflicting voices can leave a person unanchored.

But we live differently. We exist for a higher purpose.

As Hakadosh Boruch Hu prepared to give us the Torah at Har Sinai, He defined who we are meant to be. He told Moshe Rabbeinu to convey to us our mission: “V’atem tihiyu li mamleches kohanim v’goy kadosh, You shall be to Me a kingdom of kohanim and a holy nation” (Shemos 19:6).

What sets us apart, what defines us, is not only what we do, but who we are meant to become—namely, a goy kadosh, a nation of holiness. Kedusha is not an added dimension of Yiddishkeit. It is its very core. Every one of us, no matter who we are and what we do, is charged to live a life of kedusha. That obligation is not just for the few, for the best, for the roshei yeshiva, rebbes, kollel yungeleit, rabbonim, and others who dedicate their lives to Torah study. It is the mandate of us all.

This week’s parsha of Kedoshim opens with that same all-encompassing charge: “Kedoshim tihiyu—You shall be holy.” Moshe Rabbeinu gathered together kol adas Bnei Yisroel, the entire nation, and delivered this message to everyone equally—not only to a spiritual elite, not only to those removed from the mundane world, but also to ordinary people living ordinary lives.

Because for us, holiness is not the domain of the exceptional. It is the responsibility of every Jew.

We are not meant merely to get by, performing mitzvos, learning Torah, and checking the boxes of observance. That is not the entirety of who we are. We are meant to be kedoshim, living differently, thinking differently, and being driven by a higher standard that shapes how we act, how we speak, and how we live.

But what does it mean to be holy?

It means to always be aware that Hashem created the world and created us for a purpose. When we know that He controls the world and everything in it, we live differently and conduct ourselves accordingly.

Many imagine holiness as something distant, reserved for those who withdraw completely from the material world, detaching themselves from its distractions and temptations. Yet, the Torah immediately dismantles that notion. The same parsha that commands kedusha goes on to speak about honesty in business, proper weights and measures, respect for parents, care for the poor, sensitivity in speech, and fairness in judgment.

These are not side topics. They are the definition of kedusha.

The Torah’s vision of holiness is not an escape from life, but an elevation of it.

Rashi famously explains “kedoshim tihiyu” as a call for perishus, restraint. Not merely abstaining from what is forbidden, but exercising discipline within what is permitted. A person can live entirely within the framework of halacha and still be driven by indulgence and a lack of refinement. Kedusha begins where mere permissibility ends. It is the awareness that just because “I can” does not always mean “I should.”

The Ramban sharpens this idea with his powerful description of the “novol birshus haTorah,” a person who follows the mitzvos, yet whose life lacks dignity and inner boundaries. The Torah’s command of holiness comes to close that gap. It calls upon a person to cultivate an inner nobility and live with restraint, proportion, and purpose.

As we count down toward Shavuos and Kabbolas HaTorah, we also have to take stock of our lives as Jews. We are all, no doubt, proud bnei Avrohom, Yitzchok, v’Yaakov, but sometimes we forget what it is all about.

We live in a world of plenty, where so much is available, and much of it has a hechsher or other indications that it is kosher. It becomes difficult to draw the line of where to stop and where to go; what is appropriate for us to bring into our homes and what is not. We forget to think about what will affect us in a good way and what will affect us in a negative way.

When we go shopping in the large, beautiful, fully stocked supermarkets that we are now blessed with, as we try to decide whether to purchase an item, we check the label and examine its ingredients and caloric content. How much sugar does it have? How much sodium? What about trans fats and other elements that can affect our physical health?

Being a member of the am kadosh means that we should also consider how any product we buy will affect our spiritual health. Will the product help us become better Yidden? Will it help us learn Torah? Will it give us an added geshmak in performing mitzvos? Or will it turn us off and cause us to become cynical of people who strive for holiness? Just because something has a glitzy cover and appears appealing does not mean that we should buy it.

I had a dear relative who was not privileged to grow up in a religious home. She lived out of town and did her best to keep kosher. One of the ways she determined whether food was kosher was by looking for Hebrew letters on the packaging. She assumed that any product with Hebrew letters on it was kosher, and where she lived, that assumption usually worked.

I met her shortly after she returned from her first visit to Israel and asked her how the trip had gone. She could not stop speaking about how wonderful it was to be surrounded by Jews wherever she went and how different it felt from her small hometown. Decades later, I distinctly remember one of her comments. She said, “And one of the best parts of being there was that it was so easy to find kosher products, because everything had Hebrew letters on it!”

We can laugh at her naivete, or we can feel compassion for this sincere and well-meaning woman. But in truth, we often do something quite similar. We assume that because something has a Hebrew name, it is proper and kosher enough for us.

Our world has become dumbed down and we often act without giving things sufficient thought. We form opinions based on snippets of information we have picked up, or more often merely skimmed, from dubious people driven by agendas or irresponsibility. In doing so, we lose sight of the truth and of our obligation to be better and holier than those around us.

We become involved in pursuits that take over our lives and fail to remain dedicated to Torah study and behavior.

So many of the mitzvos in Parshas Kedoshim relate to how we treat others, because without them, we can become overly focused on ourselves, our families, and our immediate circles, and grow indifferent to the needs and feelings of others.

There is much more to being a Yid, but being thoughtful, caring, and treating others the way we ourselves would like to be treated is where it begins, and it should become second nature to us.

The Alter of Kelm would say that included in this week’s mitzvah of ve’ohavta lerei’acha kamocha is that we care about another person not merely because we are commanded to do so, but because we genuinely love him. He explained that the mitzvah is to love another as you love yourself, and just as you love yourself naturally—not because anyone instructed you to—we are meant to love others as part of our very nature.

And just as there is no limit to how much people love themselves, it is not as if a person loves himself to a certain degree and then fulfills his obligation, so too, when it comes to loving others, there is no limit. We must be proactive in anticipating the needs of others, caring about them, rejoicing with them, grieving with them, assisting them, and helping them achieve a sense of satisfaction and happiness.

It is something we are all capable of doing or it would not be a mitzvah in the Torah. No one should say, “This is not for me. I am not that type of person. I do not have patience. I am too busy. I cannot be bothered attending other people’s simchos or, lo aleinu, shivahs. I cannot be kind to everyone.”

This is who we are meant to be and what our essence is meant to reflect.

We are all familiar with the story of the prospective ger who asked Hillel to summarize the entire Torah in one sentence. Hillel responded, “Mah de’aloch sonei lechavroch lo sa’avid—What you do not want done to you, do not do to your fellow.”

Apparently, Hillel was explaining the words ve’ohavta lerei’acha kamocha, teaching that this mitzvah is the very foundation of the Torah. Treating others the way we wish to be treated is not just a nice idea. It is not just another one of the 613 mitzvos.

This week, we will be learning the third perek in Pirkei Avos, where the Mishnah (3:17) states, “Im ein derech eretz, ein Torah” – without proper conduct, there can be no Torah. Someone who cannot conduct himself properly cannot properly learn Torah.

Chazal further teach in the third perek of Pirkei Avos that one who finds favor in the eyes of people finds favor in the eyes of Hashem. As members of an am kadosh, what we say and do in our interactions with others must always be aligned with the principles of derech eretz and middos tovos.

The Meshech Chochmah asks a striking question at the end of Parshas Yisro: What did Moshe Rabbeinu personally gain from Kabbolas HaTorah? Moshe had already reached the highest possible levels of spirituality. He was able to ascend to Shomayim even before the Torah was given, which is a clear indication that he had already achieved perfection. So what changed at Mattan Torah?

The Meshech Chochmah’s answer is profound and deeply relevant to us. Until Mattan Torah, he explains, even Moshe Rabbeinu’s avodah, and more broadly man’s avodah, was primarily in the realm of ruchniyus. Holiness was expressed through detachment from the physical, through elevating oneself beyond the material world.

At Mattan Torah, something fundamental changed. From that point on, gashmiyus became a vehicle for kedusha. The physical world was no longer something to escape from, but something to elevate.

In this light, the Meshech Chochmah explains the meaning of Hashem’s words to Moshe at the burning bush: “Shal ne’alecha mei’al raglecha—Remove your shoes from your feet.” On a simple level, Moshe was being told to remove the physical coverings that connected him to the earth. Symbolically, he was being told: “Set aside your physicality as you stand before Me.” At that moment in history, before the Torah was given, holiness meant stepping away from the material and entering a space of pure spirituality, like a malach.

But after Mattan Torah, everything shifted. The “shoes” are no longer removed. They are part of the avodah. The physical life of a Jew is not something to be discarded in order to serve Hashem. It is something to be refined and elevated in the process of serving Him.

Thus, after Mattan Torah, Hashem told Klal Yisroel, “Ve’anshei kodesh tihiyun li—You shall be holy people unto Me” (Shemos 22:30).

Holiness is not achieved by escaping life, but by elevating life as it is lived, and doing so with kedusha.

We are not meant to become malochim. We are meant to remain human beings who bring kedusha into human life.

We do not need to withdraw from the world to be good. We do not need to retreat into isolation to become kedoshim. The Torah wants us to live among people, amidst the complexity of daily life, and to make that life holy.

In a turbulent world, where up can feel like down and down like up, where truth becomes blurred and depth is too often replaced with emptiness, being anchored to Torah gives us stability. It allows us to find clarity and purpose amid the confusion, and to build lives of kedusha through Torah, mitzvos, and avodas Hashem.

May we all merit to fulfill our missions in this world, to live full and meaningful lives, and to bring the world ever closer to the coming of Moshiach, bemeheirah beyomeinu.

A Chilean national living in the United States illegally has been sentenced to three years behind bars for stealing a purse belonging to former Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem during an incident last April.

U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro announced Wednesday that 50-year-old Mario Bustamante Leiva received the sentence after previously admitting guilt in November to three counts of wire fraud and one count of first-degree theft.

Authorities said that once his prison term is completed, Leiva will be removed from the United States and sent back to Chile.

In a statement, Pirro said, “Bustamante Leiva came to Washington illegally to prey on citizens of the District,” Pirro said in a statement. “He methodically targeted women at restaurants, stealing their purses, and monetizing the stolen cards within minutes. His pattern of theft ends here. He will serve his prison term and be deported.”

Leiva’s alleged accomplice, 52-year-old Cristian Rodrigo Montecino-Sanzana, also a Chilean national in the country illegally, had already been sentenced last month to 13 months in prison.

According to prosecutors, the two men carried out a planned theft on April 20 at Capital Burger, focusing on Noem, whom they were unaware was serving as DHS secretary at the time. Video footage showed Leiva taking Noem’s Gucci purse, which held credit cards and roughly $3,000 in cash.

After the incident, Leiva was later spotted at another restaurant with the same purse, where he used the stolen credit cards to make purchases without authorization.

Investigators said Leiva initially entered the United States through Orlando International Airport in August 2021 under the Visa Waiver Program, which permits nationals from certain countries to travel to the U.S. without obtaining a visa in advance.

He was required to leave the country by November 13, 2021, but remained beyond that date, placing him in the country illegally. At the time of the purse theft, officials said he also had outstanding arrest warrants in Utah and New York tied to allegations including retail theft, credit card fraud, and possession of stolen property.

{Matzav.com}

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President Donald Trump indicated Wednesday that there is no set schedule for ending the ongoing standoff with Iran, making clear that his administration is not operating under any deadline as it maintains a ceasefire and continues economic pressure through a naval blockade.

In an interview with Martha MacCallum on Fox News, Trump emphasized that both the conflict and diplomatic efforts are proceeding without urgency. He said there is “no time frame” for the war and reiterated that there is likewise “no time pressure” tied to the ceasefire he extended Tuesday or to any potential negotiations.

Responding to questions about when hostilities might conclude, Trump repeated that there is “no time frame” and stressed that the administration is not rushing toward a resolution. He pushed back against political speculation, stating, “People say I want to get it over because of the midterms, not true,” Trump said, adding that the administration wanted to “get a good deal for the American people.”

Even as the ceasefire remains in place, Trump confirmed that the United States will continue enforcing its maritime blockade targeting Iranian ports. He did not outline any timeline for when those restrictions might be lifted.

A day earlier, Trump announced that the temporary ceasefire would be extended without a defined endpoint. At the time, he described Iran’s leadership as “seriously fractured” and said the country must “come up with a unified proposal” before meaningful progress can be made.

Trump later suggested that a diplomatic breakthrough would depend on continued pressure, including the possibility of renewed military action if the blockade were lifted prematurely. In a post on Truth Social, he wrote: “Iran doesn’t want the Strait of Hormuz closed, they want it open so they can make $500 Million Dollars a day (which is, therefore, what they are losing if it is closed!). They only say they want it closed because I have it totally BLOCKADED (CLOSED!), so they merely want to ‘save face,’”

He continued in the same post: “People approached me four days ago, saying, ‘Sir, Iran wants to open up the Strait, immediately.’ But if we do that, there can never be a Deal with Iran, unless we blow up the rest of their Country, their leaders included!”

Statements from the White House echoed the president’s position. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Wednesday that no deadline has been imposed on Iran to present terms for ending the conflict.

She explained that divisions within Iran are complicating the situation, saying, “There’s obviously a lot of internal division [in Iran]. This is a battle between the pragmatists and the hardliners in Iran right now, and the President wants a unified response. And so as we await that response, there’s a ceasefire with the military and kinetic strikes, but Operation Economic Fury continues,” she stressed, “and the effective and successful naval blockade continues as well of ships and vessels that are moving to and from Iranian ports. We are completely strangling their economy through this blockade. They’re losing $500 million a day.”

Leavitt underscored that the timeline remains entirely in the president’s hands, adding, “The President has not set a firm deadline to receive an Iranian proposal, unlike some of the reporting I’ve seen today. Ultimately, the timeline will be dictated by the commander-in-chief and the president of the United States.”

She also cautioned against relying on public messaging from Tehran, noting, “We all see a lot of different messaging and rhetoric coming out of Iran – and I would caution you against taking anything they say at face value. What they say publicly is much different than what they concede to the US and our negotiating team privately.”

According to Leavitt, the decision to prolong the ceasefire reflects Washington’s expectation that Iran must take the next step. “chose to extend the ceasefire because it’s Iran who needs to get their act together. The United States and President Trump have been very clear in our demands, and our red lines, and what we need to see…from the very beginning.”

Earlier in the day, a spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry said Tehran had agreed to the U.S. request for a ceasefire but has not yet determined whether it will enter formal negotiations.

At the same time, tensions remain high in the region, with Iran reportedly launching three separate attacks on vessels traveling south through the Strait of Hormuz.

{Matzav.com}

A planned Shabbos gathering with the Belzer Rebbe for major donors has been postponed due to his current medical condition, according to an update delivered to the chassidus.

Rabbi Pinchas Lerner, a Belzer askan, informed chassidim in a recorded message that the upcoming “Heichala D’Malka” Shabbos, which was scheduled for this weekend, has been delayed. The event was set to take place at the D-City complex in Maale Adumim and was expected to host approximately 200 donors, each of whom had contributed $100,000 to the Belzer institutions.

Explaining the decision-making process, Rabbi Lerner said: “When I arrived in Eretz Yisroel on Sunday, I became aware of the Rebbe’s health condition. At that stage, it was not possible to make decisions, especially since on Monday encouraging reports began to arrive about a significant improvement in his condition. We waited until Tuesday, and with Hashem’s help, the situation indeed improved greatly.”

Leadership of the Belzer institutions convened to deliberate whether to proceed with the event as planned, weighing the Rebbe’s health and need for rest against the extensive preparations already made for the gathering.

The discussion was thorough, with strong considerations on both sides. On the one hand, there was a desire to move forward with the elevated Shabbos experience for the hundreds of chassidim who had already registered and prepared. On the other, the overriding concern was that the Rebbe had not yet fully regained his strength.

To reach a final decision, the matter was brought before the Rebbe himself, together with his son, Rav Aharon Mordechai Rokeach.

During the conversation, the option of canceling the Shabbos was presented. It was understood that if the Rebbe insisted on proceeding, the event would go ahead. However, if he agreed to postpone, it would indicate that he still required additional time to recover.

When the matter was presented, the Rebbe accepted the proposal and asked: “Do you agree to postpone the Shabbos?” The response was affirmative. Those present noted that the decision appeared to bring the Rebbe a sense of relief and that, at this time, it was not appropriate for him to undertake the effort required for such an event.

Rabbi Lerner also addressed the donors who had registered, saying: “We ask for the forgiveness of the public who registered and invested their resources and funds. However, there is no doubt that the Rebbe’s full health stands at the forefront of every chossid’s mind, and it takes precedence over any event.”

He added that an updated announcement regarding a new date for the gathering will be issued in the coming days, concluding: “We thank everyone for their understanding.”

An Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon has killed Maha Abu Khalil, an 80-year-old operative who was part of a terror cell that attempted to hijack an El Al flight in Athens in 1969, marking what officials describe as the closing of a decades-old account.

According to reports on Wednesday, Abu Khalil was killed in a strike carried out by the Israeli Air Force in the Tyre district in the western sector of southern Lebanon, just minutes before a cease-fire between Israel and Lebanon took effect.

Abu Khalil was a known member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and had long been associated with attacks targeting Israeli interests. Her death is being viewed as a significant moment in Israel’s long-standing conflict with figures linked to early-era Palestinian terrorism.

The incident that first brought Abu Khalil to prominence occurred in 1969 at Athens International Airport in Greece. She was part of a three-person cell from the Popular Front that sought to seize control of an El Al aircraft bound for Israel.

The objective of the hijacking attempt was to trigger an international crisis and pressure Israel into releasing Palestinian and Arab prisoners held at the time. The operation was foiled, and Greek authorities arrested the members of the cell and brought them to trial.

Despite her conviction, Abu Khalil did not serve her full prison sentence. In 1970, about a year after the failed hijacking attempt, another aircraft was hijacked by the same terror organization, which issued an ultimatum demanding the release of imprisoned operatives. As part of a prisoner exchange forced on the Greek government with international mediation, Abu Khalil and her associates were released.

Reports indicate that the Israeli strike that killed her targeted several buildings in Tyre believed to be used for terrorist infrastructure, and was carried out in the final moments before the cease-fire went into effect.

Her killing, despite her advanced age, is being described as symbolic, representing a reckoning with members of the earlier generation of Palestinian militants in Lebanon who were involved in hijackings and high-profile attacks against Israel in previous decades.

Separately, the IDF released details of another operation conducted earlier Wednesday deep inside Lebanese territory, shortly before the cease-fire began. Forces from the 769th Brigade under the 91st Division, working in coordination with the Israeli Air Force, carried out a raid on a Hezbollah compound in the village of Debin, approximately 12 kilometers from the border.

According to the military, the operation followed intelligence indicating militant activity at the site and plans to carry out attacks against Israeli forces and civilians. Troops from the Sabra Battalion raided the compound and destroyed extensive terrorist infrastructure.

During the operation, Israeli forces struck more than 70 separate targets, including engaging in close-quarters combat with Hezbollah operatives alongside precision airstrikes. More than 20 militants were reported killed in the assault.

{Matzav.com}

An Israeli court has ordered Sheba Medical Center to pay approximately 3.5 million shekels in compensation to a woman who was left permanently disabled following childbirth, ruling that medical negligence during a prolonged labor directly caused severe and irreversible harm.

The decision concludes an eight-year legal battle stemming from a 2018 delivery that began as a routine hospital admission but ended with lasting neurological damage. The court found that failures by the medical team during critical hours in the delivery room led to the woman’s condition.

According to the ruling, one of the central failures was the staff’s lack of appropriate response to a stalled labor that continued for many hours. The court described this as a clear breach of the duty of care. The patient testified that she remained in the delivery room for an extended period without being examined by a doctor, despite the complexity of her situation.

In her testimony, the woman described a sudden shift in the atmosphere after hours of relative calm. “From a calm room it became a full room and everyone was stressed, and I don’t understand what’s happening,” she said, recounting the moment when multiple doctors rushed in as the situation deteriorated.

The judge determined that the medical team’s failure to intervene in a timely manner left the patient in a dangerous condition for too long, directly resulting in permanent nerve damage. The compensation awarded is intended to cover lost earning capacity, ongoing medical treatment, and the profound impact on the woman’s life.

While cases of medical malpractice are not uncommon, the severity of this ruling and the size of the compensation stand out, underscoring the critical importance of close monitoring and timely intervention during childbirth, particularly when warning signs emerge.

Legal experts have noted that successful malpractice claims require clear proof of a direct causal link between negligence and injury, which the court found to be established in this case.

Sheba Medical Center has not issued a formal response to the ruling. The hospital, widely regarded as one of Israel’s leading medical institutions and recently ranked among the top hospitals globally, now faces renewed scrutiny over patient safety standards.

In a statement, the hospital said: “The Sheba Medical Center is known for a significantly lower-than-average rate of perineal tears worldwide. This is due to a professional approach practiced at Sheba, of exhausting all possible actions to avoid the use of instruments and unnatural means during childbirth, and with the goal of allowing the mother an optimal birth experience — while maintaining uncompromising attention to the safety and well-being of both the mother and the newborn. We will continue to provide the most professional, safe, and optimal care to all our patients.”

A moving image released on Memorial Day morning shows Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu donning the tefillin of Staff Sgt. Nissim Sean Carmeli, a lone soldier who was killed during Operation Protective Edge.

The photograph captures a powerful moment as Netanyahu puts on the tefillin of the Golani fighter, whose story deeply moved the nation. Carmeli, originally from Texas, immigrated to Israel and enlisted in the IDF as a lone soldier. He was killed in combat in Gaza at the age of 21.

Carmeli’s story became a symbol of dedication and love for Israel. After news of his death spread, his friends feared that few would attend his funeral, as most of his family remained in the United States. However, calls spread across social media urging the public to come honor the fallen soldier.

The response was overwhelming. According to police estimates, more than 20,000 people attended his funeral at the military cemetery in Haifa. “Listen, this is really not what we thought,” said Dori, a friend of the fallen soldier. “Despite the call on Facebook, I thought maybe a few dozen would come. When I suddenly saw more and more people arriving, it surprised me.”

During this year’s Memorial Day ceremonies, Netanyahu also addressed the ongoing war, saying: “In the past two and a half years, we have been engaged in a multi-front war unlike anything since the War of Independence.” He added that “25,648 fallen soldiers of Israel’s wars are now joined by Barak Kalfon and Lidor Porat — the most recent casualties from the fighting in Lebanon.”

{Matzav.com}

Hodaya Cohen, who was crowned this year’s International Tanach Quiz champion for youth, said she nearly gave the wrong answer to the final, decisive question before securing first place in the competition.

Speaking after her victory, Cohen described the tense moment that determined the outcome, revealing how close she came to an error. The question asked where Yaakov Avinu was born, and after several long seconds that felt like an eternity, she answered “Be’er Lachai Roi,” clinching the title.

In an interview on the program “Yatza Chag” with Liat Regev on Kan News Radio, she reflected on the moment, saying: “At that moment I didn’t process it, it took me time. I almost said a wrong answer, I almost answered Be’er Sheva.”

She went on to describe her thought process under pressure: “I simply ran through the places that were a few chapters earlier, and moved forward to that chapter, and suddenly the posuk about Be’er Lachai Roi popped into my mind, and right after that passage it speaks about the birth of Yaakov.”

Cohen is an 11th-grade student at Ulpanat Rabbi Beharan in Gedera and a resident of Moshav Nir Akiva in southern Israel. This year’s competition featured 16 participants from seven different countries and was held at the Yerushalayim Theater under the theme “To Build and to Plant.”

Akiva (Jack) Schreier, a 10th-grade student from the United States, finished as runner-up, while Yehoshua Applebaum of Israel, a student at the Berman Hebrew Academy, placed third.

{Matzav.com}

Israel’s Supreme Court has ordered limits on public access to a key hearing set for Thursday on petitions demanding the establishment of a state commission of inquiry into the failures surrounding the October 7 attacks, citing concerns over possible disruptions.

The hearing follows a conditional order issued by the High Court of Justice in November, requiring the government to explain why it has not acted to establish a commission under the Commissions of Inquiry Law, which would examine “independently, professionally, and impartially the full scope of events related to the attack.”

In their decision, the justices said there is a substantial risk that the proceedings could be disrupted, justifying restrictions on entry to the courtroom. “There is a well-founded concern that the hearing scheduled in these proceedings may be accompanied by disturbances, unrest, or outbursts of a degree that is expected to significantly hinder its proper conduct,” the ruling stated.

Accordingly, attendance will be limited to attorneys, members of the press, and individuals granted special authorization. At the same time, the court stressed that in order to preserve the principle of open proceedings, the hearing will be broadcast live to the public.

The case will be heard before an expanded panel of seven justices, led by Deputy Supreme Court President Noam Sohlberg.

A young man injured in a stone-throwing attack near the community of Ofra on Wednesday recounted the moments he says he was assaulted by a mob, describing how he lost consciousness during the incident. He was evacuated to Shaare Zedek Medical Center, where he is expected to undergo a CT scan.

Speaking from his hospital bed, the victim described the attack that took place near the nearby village of Deir Dibwan. The legal aid organization Honenu, which is assisting those injured, called on authorities to take action against those responsible.

“Today in the afternoon we were walking, a few friends, near the community of Ofra. Suddenly Arabs come toward us and start a lynch. They throw stones at us. I was also hit by several stones. I lost consciousness and fell to the ground immediately,” the injured man said.

He added that initial rescue attempts by his friends were unsuccessful due to the ongoing assault. “Friends of mine who tried to get me out of there were also hit by stones. The Arabs were throwing stones and getting closer. They eventually got me out, brought me to the hospital, and now I’m going in for a CT scan of my head,” he said.

Earlier in the day, a group of hikers traveling from Ofra toward Givat Asaf was attacked, with several individuals reported injured.

According to reports, dozens of attackers emerged from the direction of Deir Dibwan and hurled rocks at close range at members of the group. Several people were struck, including one victim who suffered a head injury and received treatment at the scene from Magen David Adom before being transported to the hospital.

Honenu called on the IDF and police to apprehend those involved in the attack and pursue legal action against them.

{Matzav.com}

Lakewood has once again topped all municipalities in New Jersey for the number of births, marking the fifth year in a row that the township has held this position.

According to statewide figures, a total of 99,721 babies were born throughout New Jersey last year, with 5,355 of those births occurring in Lakewood. That total not only places the township at the top statewide, but also accounts for over half of all births in Ocean County, where 10,715 babies were born overall.

Despite its size, Lakewood has outpaced significantly larger cities such as Newark and Jersey City, highlighting a continuing demographic trend that shows no signs of slowing.

What stands out most is the disproportion between the township’s geographic footprint and its birth numbers. Lakewood is not typically listed among the state’s largest urban centers, yet its birth totals rival—and exceed—those of cities with far larger populations and more varied demographics.

The sustained growth is largely driven by the expansion of Lakewood’s Orthodox Jewish population, which today makes up the overwhelming majority of residents. With population estimates now surpassing 140,000 and more than 80 percent identified as Orthodox Jewish, Lakewood has become a central hub for one of the fastest-growing communities in New Jersey.

A new controversy has erupted in Poland after a series of provocative actions targeting Israeli leadership, intensifying tensions just days after a lawmaker displayed an Israeli flag marked with a swastika inside parliament.

Tomasz Grabarczyk, a member of the far-right “New Hope” party and a former candidate for the European Parliament, ignited outrage with a social media post timed to coincide with Israel’s 78th Independence Day. The post featured an altered image of Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, portraying him with Adolf Hitler’s distinctive moustache, along with a caption drawing a direct comparison between the two.

“Today, a state begins to celebrate its independence, which was built on the tragedy of millions of innocent people,” the post read. It went on to accuse Israel of decades of “murder, oppression, persecution and expulsion,” adding: “Israel is a criminal state. Netanyahu is to be considered a modern Hitler until they answer for their crimes.”

The incident is part of a wider uptick in inflammatory rhetoric circulating online in Poland in recent days, much of it aimed at Israel and its government. At the same time, Polish MP Konrad Berkowicz—who previously drew condemnation after waving a defaced Israeli flag bearing a swastika—has continued to accuse Israel of “genocide.” He has also directed criticism toward the U.S. ambassador to Poland and the Israeli embassy in Warsaw, both of which strongly denounced his actions.

The controversy has extended into diplomatic exchanges as well. Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski recently criticized Israeli military conduct following the circulation of footage showing an IDF soldier damaging a statue of Yoshkah in southern Lebanon, asserting that Israeli troops had “admitted to committing war crimes” and even killing captives.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar responded forcefully, rejecting Sikorski’s remarks and pointing instead to the earlier incident in Poland’s parliament. “Your words show ignorance. Instead of preaching morality to others, it would have been better if you had condemned the antisemitic act we saw in the parliament.”

{Matzav.com}

A Virginia court has barred state officials from finalizing the results of a closely contested congressional redistricting referendum, ruling that both the measure and the legislation that set it in motion violate the constitution, according to an order issued Wednesday.

Attorney General Jay Jones said his office will challenge the ruling, confirming to 7News that an appeal is already underway.

The decision was handed down by the Tazewell Circuit Court, which has previously intervened in the matter, repeatedly finding both the referendum itself and the resolution behind it unconstitutional. The court’s position aligned with arguments made in lawsuits filed by Republican plaintiffs.

Earlier efforts to stop the referendum had been overturned by the Virginia Supreme Court, allowing the vote to proceed.

Voters narrowly approved the measure on Tuesday, advancing a plan to redraw Virginia’s congressional districts. The proposed changes could shift the state’s representation to 10 Democrats and one Republican in the U.S. House, compared to the current split of six Democrats and five Republicans.

State Democrats had backed the mid-cycle redistricting effort in response to President Donald Trump, who had previously encouraged Republican-led states to pursue similar moves ahead of the midterm elections.

Legal challenges to the referendum remain ongoing.

The Republican National Committee, which was among the plaintiffs in the case and prevailed in this ruling, praised the court’s decision and sharply criticized the redistricting push.

“Last night, Democrats only managed to squeak out a narrow 3-point victory despite burning tens of millions in cash and manipulating voters with misleading ballot language,” a spokesperson for the RNC wrote. “Every step of the way, Democrats lied and deceived Virginians to push forward what has always been illegal under state law, and today’s decision once again reaffirms that.”

Jones, however, pushed back against the ruling, emphasizing the legitimacy of the vote.

“As I said last night, Virginia voters have spoken, and an activist judge should not have veto power over the People’s vote. We look forward to defending the outcome of last night’s election in court,” Attorney General Jones said in his statement to 7News.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Wednesday that President Donald Trump has not imposed a specific timeline on Iran to present a proposal to end the ongoing conflict, even as a temporary cease-fire remains in place.

Her remarks followed Trump’s announcement a day earlier that the cease-fire with Iran would be extended without a defined end date, allowing additional time for diplomatic developments.

Leavitt said the President is “maintaining and generously offering a bit of flexibility to a regime who has been completely tarnished because of Operation Epic Fury.”

She added that the situation inside Iran remains unsettled. “There’s obviously a lot of internal division [in Iran]. This is a battle between the pragmatists and the hardliners in Iran right now, and the President wants a unified response. And so as we await that response, there’s a ceasefire with the military and kinetic strikes, but Operation Economic Fury continues,” she stressed, “and the effective and successful naval blockade continues as well of ships and vessels that are moving to and from Iranian ports. We are completely strangling their economy through this blockade. They’re losing $500 million a day.”

Addressing reports suggesting a deadline had been set, Leavitt pushed back, saying, “The President has not set a firm deadline to receive an Iranian proposal, unlike some of the reporting I’ve seen today. Ultimately, the timeline will be dictated by the commander-in-chief and the president of the United States,” Leavitt stressed.

She also warned reporters not to rely too heavily on statements coming out of Tehran. “We all see a lot of different messaging and rhetoric coming out of Iran – and I would caution you against taking anything they say at face value. What they say publicly is much different than what they concede to the US and our negotiating team privately.”

Leavitt said the decision to prolong the cease-fire was intentional, placing the burden on Iran to respond. She explained that Trump “chose to extend the ceasefire because it’s Iran who needs to get their act together. The United States and President Trump have been very clear in our demands, and our red lines, and what we need to see…from the very beginning.”

Earlier in the day, an Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson indicated that Tehran had agreed to the American request for a cease-fire but has yet to decide whether it will formally engage in negotiations.

.@PressSec on Iran: "There's a ceasefire with the military and kinetic strikes, but Operation Economic Fury continues and… we are completely strangling their economy through this blockade. They're losing $500M/day… He's satisfied with that as we await their response." pic.twitter.com/SdtLveF1ZH

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 22, 2026

At the same time, tensions persisted in the region, as Iran carried out three attacks on vessels traveling southbound through the Strait of Hormuz, underscoring the fragile nature of the current pause in hostilities.

{Matzav.com}

Rep. Ilhan Omar reacted sharply to questions this week about major inconsistencies in her financial disclosure filings, which dramatically revised her reported net worth downward.

According to filings from last year, Omar (D-Minn.) had initially stated that she and her husband, Tim Mynett, possessed assets ranging from $6 million to $30 million. However, a revised disclosure submitted more recently placed their combined wealth at between just $18,004 and $95,000.

Omar attributed the earlier figures to accounting mistakes, saying the original filing contained significant errors.

During an exchange on Tuesday, a reporter from Lindell TV pressed Omar on the discrepancies. “Congresswoman Omar, the last time I spoke to you, you said I was stupid for asking about your financial disclosure, but there’s some discrepancies on there. Would you like to explain that? How did you make such a big mistake?” the reporter asked.

“I think you’re stupid for asking me anything,” Omar responded, appearing irritated while offering a sarcastic smile.

“I don’t want to tell you. How about that? Have a good day.”

Earlier reporting had highlighted the apparent jump in Omar’s wealth, with figures suggesting a dramatic increase in her net worth based on the now-revised disclosure.

Mynett, who previously worked as a political consultant, is connected to multiple business ventures, including the Washington-based investment firm Rose Lake Capital and a winery located in Santa Rosa, California.

In the original 2024 filing, the winery was listed with assets estimated between $1 million and $5 million, while Rose Lake Capital was reported to hold between $5 million and $25 million in assets.

At one point, Rose Lake Capital had also claimed on its website that it managed approximately $60 billion in assets.

Following questions from the Office of Congressional Conduct, Omar submitted an amended disclosure that reflected the businesses as having no net value once liabilities were taken into account.

“The amended disclosure confirms what we’ve said all along: The congresswoman is not a millionaire,” Omar spokeswoman Jacklyn Rogers told the Journal. “The congresswoman amended her disclosures voluntarily as soon as the discrepancy was identified.”

Republican leaders have seized on the issue, calling for further scrutiny. House GOP Whip Tom Emmer told reporters Tuesday, “Ilhan cannot escape accountability much longer. Investigations are ongoing in House committees. The Trump administration has waged war on fraud.”

“If Ilhan Omar is discovered to have been involved in any or to have benefited in any way from any fraud, she must be held accountable,” he added. “By the way, that includes marriage fraud.”