Feed aggregator

Republican senators on Wednesday voted down a resolution that would have required President Donald Trump to secure approval from Congress before undertaking any additional U.S. military operations against Iran.

The measure was defeated by a vote of 47 to 53. Republican Senator Rand Paul broke with most members of his party and joined nearly all Democrats in supporting the resolution, while Democratic Senator John Fetterman sided with Republicans in opposing it.

Even if the proposal had passed this procedural stage, it still faced a difficult path forward. The resolution would have needed to move through the Senate’s full amendment process before it could advance to the House of Representatives. In addition, the legislation would almost certainly have faced a presidential veto, meaning supporters would have needed a two-thirds majority in both chambers of Congress to override it.

The vote came shortly after Trump publicly criticized five Republican senators who had supported an earlier war powers resolution related to potential military action in Venezuela. Of those lawmakers, only Paul once again voted in favor of restricting the president’s authority.

The issue is now expected to come before the House of Representatives, where lawmakers are scheduled to vote on a related measure on Thursday.

{Matzav.com}

Air raid sirens will be sounding momentarily in Central Israel including Yerushalyim. A barrage of missiles was launched toward Israel. The public is requested to continue to follow the instructions of the Home Front Command, the public is requested to stay in protected spaces until official notice. The IDF is currently identifying and intercepting threats.

Israel’s Air Force commander suggested Wednesday that elite Israeli special forces may be operating deep inside Iran, describing ongoing missions in the country as the kind that “could ignite the imagination.” In a letter to Air Force personnel about Operation Roaring Lion, Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar revealed that fighters from the military’s most secretive units […]

Agudath Israel of America has appointed New Jersey Assemblyman Avi Schnall as the organization’s new Chief Operating Officer.

The appointment was first shared at a meeting of the Moetzes Gedolei Hatorah held last Thursday in Boro Park, Brooklyn. The news was later conveyed to Agudah staff members during a gathering on Taanis Esther. The official announcement was made today by Shlomo Werdiger, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Agudath Israel of America.

“Avi is a longtime employee of Agudas Yisroel, an effective advocate for both his home state of New Jersey as [previously] the state director, and more recently for yeshiva children across the country as our Director of Federal Education Affairs in Washington, D.C. Avi also has the Agudah in his DNA as the grandson of the beloved, longtime Agudah activist Mr. Zloitchy Gluck z”l. Avi’s infectious enthusiasm, his dedication to Klal Yisroel, and his ability to form personal connections and relationships, will certainly serve him in good stead as he moves forward on this more important national role in Agudas Yisroel,” Mr. Werdiger added.

In his new capacity as Chief Operating Officer, Assemblyman Schnall will oversee the day-to-day operations of Agudath Israel of America, one of the nation’s leading Orthodox Jewish advocacy organizations.

A Brooklyn native who now resides in Lakewood, New Jersey, Schnall currently serves in the New Jersey State Assembly representing the 30th legislative district. The district includes Lakewood and Point Pleasant, as well as several Monmouth County municipalities including Avon-by-the-Sea, Belmar, Bradley Beach, Brielle, Farmingdale, Howell Township, Lake Como, Manasquan, Sea Girt, Spring Lake, Spring Lake Heights, and Wall Township.

Schnall first assumed a leadership role with Agudah of New Jersey in 2014. In that position, he advocated for the Orthodox Jewish community on both the state and local levels and developed working relationships with officials across the political spectrum. During that time, he earned the confidence of both the Christie and Murphy administrations.

He has also served on the New Jersey Department of Education’s Nonpublic School Committee, where he was appointed chairman in 2018. In 2020, Governor Phil Murphy selected Schnall to serve on the Social Services and Faith Committee of the Restart and Recovery Advice Council.

Schnall grew up in Flatbush and pursued his Torah studies in Yeshiva of Philadelphia before continuing his learning under Rav Dovid Soloveitchik in Eretz Yisroel. He later learned at Bais Medrash Govoah in Lakewood.

Before entering the field of public advocacy, Schnall spent more than seven years working for Oorah, where he served as National Director of Learn n’ Chill Zone and as head counselor of the organization’s boys division summer camp.

The spirit of communal leadership and askonus was instilled in Schnall from a young age. His grandfather, Reb Louis (Loychie) Glueck z”l, was a devoted Agudah activist and a close confidant of Rabbi Moshe Sherer zt”l. Known as a proud bearer of the Agudah banner, he worked tirelessly on behalf of the organization and ensured that those values were passed on to the next generation.

{Matzav.com}

A Russian-flagged tanker carrying liquefied natural gas exploded and erupted in flames before sinking in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Libya, authorities in the North African country said Wednesday, and Russia blamed the sinking on an attack by Ukrainian sea drones. According to the Libyan Maritime Authority, there were “sudden explosions, followed by […]

Senate Republicans voted down an effort Wednesday to halt President Donald Trump’s war against Iran, demonstrating early support for a conflict that has rapidly spread across the Middle East with no clear U.S. exit strategy. The legislation, known as a war powers resolution, failed on a 47-53 vote tally. The vote fell mostly along party lines, though […]

An Israeli flight bound for Dubai was forced to land in Saudi Arabia after Iranian strikes targeted the Gulf region, leaving about 180 Israeli passengers unexpectedly stranded before they began traveling by bus toward the United Arab Emirates.

The incident occurred after the launch of Operation “Shaagat HaAri” and the start of large-scale strikes against Iran, which led to the rapid closure of Israeli airspace early that morning. Thousands of Israelis abroad were left unable to return home, and estimates suggest that roughly 100,000 Israelis are currently stranded outside Israel.

Among those affected were dozens of Israelis aboard a FlyDubai flight that had departed for Dubai. The aircraft ultimately landed in Saudi Arabia, where passengers remained on board before beginning a long overland journey to the UAE by bus.

“Our flight to Dubai took off about an hour after the airspace was closed, according to the announcement by the Ministry of Transportation,” said Reuven, one of the passengers, speaking to Ynet. He added that travelers had not yet received clear information about what would happen next.

Another passenger, Eran Feitelovich, who had boarded a flight from Tel Aviv to Dubai, told N12 that the alert announcing the beginning of the military operation sounded while passengers were still standing in the boarding bridge.

“We asked to get off the plane, but they told us it was impossible,” said Reuven Kim, another passenger on the flight. According to him, the aircraft remained on the runway for roughly 50 minutes while sirens were sounding before it finally took off.

Passengers quoted in reports said that during the flight a man moved through the cabin checking passengers’ nationalities and noting who was Israeli and who was not, though no one was removed from the aircraft. “Everyone is still here,” one passenger said.

While the plane remained grounded in Saudi Arabia, rumors circulated among passengers that they might eventually be transported by bus to Dubai — a journey estimated to take about 12 hours.

The developments came as Iran expanded its attacks across the Gulf region. Neighboring countries were also targeted, including Bahrain, where footage circulated showing an Iranian drone striking a building that, according to the Iranian news agency Sada, houses senior American officials.

{Matzav.com}

In a message released on Wednesday evening, Agudah Chairman Mr. Sol Werdiger announced that Assemblyman Avi Schnall has been appointed the new Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Agudath Israel of America. “Avi is a longtime employee of Agudas Yisroel, an effective advocate for both his home state of New Jersey as [previously] the state director, […]

Israel’s Home Front Command announced Wednesday that it will tighten nationwide civilian safety restrictions, shifting the country to a more restrictive activity level as the security situation continues to evolve.

Following a new situational assessment by military officials, authorities said updated defensive guidelines will take effect beginning Thursday, March 5, 2026, at 12:00.

Under the revised policy, all regions of the country will move from what had been classified as an “essential activity” level to a stricter “limited activity” level.

One of the most significant changes affects schools and other educational frameworks. Educational activities are prohibited (except for activities specified under the outlined exceptions).

New limits have also been placed on public gatherings. Gatherings: Gatherings of up to 50 people are permitted, provided that a standard protected space can be reached within the required protection time.

Workplaces will also face new operating restrictions under the updated policy. Workplaces: Workplaces may operate only in locations from which a standard protected space can be reached within the required protection time.

Officials said the updated guidelines are scheduled to remain in force beginning Thursday, March 5, 2026, at 12:00 and will stay in effect until Saturday, March 7, 2026, at 20:00.

{Matzav.com}

The IDF Home Front Command announced that wartime restrictions in Israel will be eased starting Thursday at noon, shifting from “essential activity” to “limited activity” as the rate of Iranian ballistic missile fire slows. Gatherings of up to 50 people and limited workplace activity will be allowed if shelters are accessible, while educational activities remain […]

The Senate rejected a Democrat-backed War Powers resolution aimed at limiting President Trump’s authority to conduct further military action against Iran without congressional approval in a 48–52 vote. Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) joined Republicans in opposing the measure, while Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) voted with Democrats.

Footage shows U.S.–Israeli airstrikes hitting an IRGC missile site in Yazd, central Iran, earlier tonight.

i24NEWS reports that thousands of Kurdish fighters affiliated with the Kurdistan Free Life Party have launched a ground offensive inside Iran, with fighters reportedly taking combat positions around the Marivan area in western Iran. An Iranian Kurdish official said thousands of PJAK fighters are already deployed in Iran’s mountainous regions.

The leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel was buried Monday in a shiny golden casket with enormous flower wreaths and a large military presence in the state that gave name to one of Mexico’s most powerful cartels. A federal official confirmed that Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias “El Mencho,” was buried in a cemetery in […]

NISSIM: Debris from a ballistic missile shot down over Israel comes crashing down – narrowly missing people in vehicles nearby.

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naeem Qassem delivered his first public speech since the outbreak of the war with Iran, claiming that the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei had led to what he described as an ongoing response against Israel and the United States.

Speaking in a televised address, Qassem accused Israel and the United States of launching broad aggression during the Muslim holy month. He said: “The infidels harmed the atmosphere of Ramadan and launched wide aggression. For a year and three months the Israeli-American enemy has continued its aggression.”

Qassem also claimed that Israel had violated the ceasefire agreement while Hezbollah had adhered to it together with the Lebanese government. “For three months the Israeli-American enemy has continued its aggression. The ceasefire agreement was the beginning of a new phase. We stood by that agreement alongside the Lebanese state, while Israel did not comply with even a single clause.”

He said Hezbollah had agreed to give diplomatic efforts a chance but claimed those attempts produced no results. “We agreed to the diplomatic process but it produced nothing for 15 months. We did not respond to the repeated Israeli attacks so that we would not be accused of sabotaging the diplomatic process, because it was the responsibility of the state. We wanted to give the state an opportunity to fulfill its responsibility and to test this option through the practical implementation of the agreement. We said again and again that there are limits to patience, and we said again and again that the state must be more active and that the Lebanese must feel the results.”

Qassem continued by warning that Hezbollah’s patience was nearing its end while accusing Israel of expanding its military activity. “Our patience has limits, and the excess of the Israeli enemy has become great. We were told that completing the deployment of the army south of the Litani River would help — and that we should be patient, because this deployment could help stop the aggression and bring about the withdrawal of the Israeli enemy. This did not happen. We repeated again and again in our speeches that Israel wants to expand and is not satisfied with what it has achieved, and all the steps were only from Lebanon, while there were no steps from Israel.”

He also criticized demands that Hezbollah disarm, arguing that the real issue was what he described as occupation rather than Hezbollah’s weapons. “It is as if the ears have gone deaf, and the demand became one — within Lebanon and among our Arab and foreign friends — to hand over the weapons. Is this the problem? The problem is the occupation, not inside, not the weapons, not Hezbollah, not the components of the people. The problem is the continuous violation of sovereignty and the Israeli-American occupation in Lebanon in the air, on the ground, and through dictates.”

Qassem further condemned Lebanese political decisions related to a plan to collect weapons from armed groups, claiming they weakened the country’s position. “The decisions of the 5th and 7th of August (the plan to collect weapons) were a great sin that weakened Lebanon’s position and gave legitimacy to the Israeli aggression. After that the concessions increased, alongside the intensification of the attacks, as if the attacks were direct pressure to develop diplomatic and political steps intended to make Lebanon without sources of power, so that it would negotiate without ability and enter a process that does not align with its sovereignty. Our duty is to stop this dangerous path in the continuation of the Israeli-American aggression that will undoubtedly lead Lebanon to the confiscation of sovereignty and the imposition of surrender.”

Addressing the rocket fire launched toward Israel, Qassem said the attacks were intended as retaliation against Israeli and American military actions. “The launching of rockets in one barrage is a response to the Israeli-American aggression on our land, and this is the basis. They say that these rockets are what caused the Israeli attack and the war. Absolutely not! These rockets are a response to 15 months of violations of everything I mentioned, and a response to the Israeli recklessness in everything related to us.”

He also connected Hezbollah’s response to the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, claiming it intensified the confrontation. “From that recklessness — what happened with the elimination of the Supreme Leader Khamenei — we are facing a response to a continuous attack.”

{Matzav.com}