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President Donald Trump warned that devastating consequences could unfold within hours if Iran fails to agree to his terms for ending the war, declaring that an entire civilization could be wiped out.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again,” adding, “I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will.”

He also suggested that recent developments could lead to a dramatic shift, writing: “However, now that we have Complete and Total Regime Change, where different, smarter, and less radicalized minds prevail, maybe something revolutionarily wonderful can happen, WHO KNOWS? We will find out tonight, one of the most important moments in the long and complex history of the World. 47 years of extortion, corruption, and death, will finally end. God Bless the Great People of Iran!”

In remarks delivered the previous day, Trump reaffirmed that the deadline for reaching an agreement with Iran remains set for Tuesday and issued additional warnings directed at Tehran.

“The entire country [of Iran] can be taken out in one night, and that night might be tomorrow night” Trump said.

His comments followed Iran’s rejection of a proposed temporary ceasefire. Tehran conditioned any end to the conflict on several demands, including halting regional hostilities, establishing safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, rebuilding damaged infrastructure, and lifting all sanctions.

Trump indicated that negotiations were still ongoing but insufficient, stating: “Tuesday is the deadline. The Iranians have made an offer, a significant offer, a significant step. It’s not enough, but a very significant step. They are negotiating now and they have made a very significant step.”

After the speech, Iranian officials dismissed Trump’s statements as unrealistic. Iran’s Armed Forces Central Headquarters said: “The rude, insolent, and baseless threats of the delusional US President will not make up for the humiliation and disgrace of the United States in the West Asia region.”

The IDF said it is continuing to expand its strikes against Iran’s military infrastructure, further degrading the regime’s operational capabilities.

According to the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit, Israeli Air Force aircraft, acting on intelligence provided by IDF Intelligence, carried out attacks over the past several days on major production facilities linked to Iran’s military.

On Monday, the Air Force struck a primary facility in Shiraz used for manufacturing sonar and underwater detection systems. The site is affiliated with Iran’s Ministry of Defense.

The IDF stated that the facility played a central role in the planning, research, development, and production of sonar technologies designed to identify submarines, naval vessels, divers, and underwater missile systems.

“The strike significantly impairs the Iranian terror regime’s maritime detection and defense capabilities and its ability to produce and maintain submarines and naval electronic systems,” the statement said.

In a separate round of operations, Israeli forces also targeted a key installation in Karaj used in the production of naval cruise missiles and air defense systems, according to the IDF.

Rapper Ye has been denied entry into the United Kingdom ahead of a planned performance at the Wireless Festival, prompting organizers to cancel the major London event following widespread backlash over his antisemitic remarks.

Festival officials confirmed the decision and the cancellation of the three-day event. According to the BBC, citing the Home Office, Ye was refused entry because his presence was deemed not “conducive to the public good.”

He had been scheduled to headline before an estimated 150,000 attendees from July 10–12 at Finsbury Park in London. Prior to the decision, a senior government official had already stated he should “absolutely not” be allowed to perform.

In response to the controversy, Ye indicated a willingness to meet with representatives of the UK Jewish community, saying he would prove change through his actions. The pressure campaign against his appearance intensified amid criticism from sponsors and political leaders, particularly in light of his previous antisemitic comments and expressions of admiration for Adolf Hitler.

The controversy follows a series of incidents over the past year, including the release of a track titled “Heil Hitler” and the promotion of merchandise featuring a swastika. In January, Ye issued a public apology, attributing his behavior to a bipolar episode.

Several major corporate sponsors—including Pepsi, Rockstar Energy, and Diageo—pulled their support, while UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the planned performance as “deeply concerning.”

Jewish community leader Phil Rosenberg said that any potential meeting would depend on sincere remorse from the artist. Meanwhile, event organizers had initially defended the booking, calling for “forgiveness and hope.” That position drew criticism from UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who dismissed it as “absurd” and reiterated that Ye should not be permitted to perform.

President Donald Trump reiterated that the United States is prepared to launch a major attack on Iran if a deal is not reached by his Tuesday 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time deadline, according to comments relayed by Fox News host Bret Baier following a direct conversation with the president.

Baier said he had just spoken with Trump, who declined to assign probabilities to a diplomatic outcome but emphasized that the deadline would be enforced. “I just got off the phone with the president…he called and I said, ‘Listen, if you were to put odds on it, what were the odds that this is going to end up being a negotiated deal?’ He said he wasn’t going to put odds on it, but he said 8:00 p.m. is happening. That’s what he said. He said, ‘If we get to that point, there is going to be an attack like they have not seen,’” Baier said.

According to Baier, Trump added that a breakthrough remains possible if talks advance quickly. “If negotiations move forward today and there is something concrete, that could change. But, at this hour, he didn’t want to put odds on it, but he said it is moving forward with the plans that we have.”

Earlier, Trump issued a stark warning on Truth Social, suggesting catastrophic consequences if Iran refuses his terms. “A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again,” Trump wrote. “I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will.”

He also indicated that regime change could alter the outcome, writing: “However, now that we have Complete and Total Regime Change, where different, smarter, and less radicalized minds prevail, maybe something revolutionarily wonderful can happen, WHO KNOWS? We will find out tonight, one of the most important moments in the long and complex history of the World. 47 years of extortion, corruption, and death, will finally end. God Bless the Great People of Iran!”

On Monday, Trump reaffirmed that the deadline for reaching an agreement remains unchanged and warned of severe consequences if it is not met. “The entire country [of Iran] can be taken out in one night, and that night might be tomorrow night” Trump said.

His remarks followed Iran’s rejection of a proposed temporary ceasefire. Tehran demanded an end to the war contingent on several conditions, including a halt to regional conflicts, guarantees for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, reconstruction of damaged infrastructure, and the lifting of all sanctions.

Iranian officials later dismissed Trump’s warnings, asserting that the United States had suffered setbacks in the conflict and criticizing the president in harsh terms. A spokesman for Iran’s Armed Forces Central Headquarters said, “The rude, insolent, and baseless threats of the delusional US President will not make up for the humiliation and disgrace of the United States in the West Asia region.”

Rav Yehoshua Eichenstein delivered an unusually strong and uncompromising address criticizing israeli state policy, arguing that what is called democracy has become a form of ideological coercion. The remarks were delivered in a closed-door talk to a small group of students and are now being published for the first time, against the backdrop of ongoing tensions surrounding the draft law and economic pressure on the Torah world.

In his remarks, Rav Eichenstein presented what he described as a clear and unapologetic position regarding the relationship between the chareidi public and the State of Israel, particularly during wartime.

Opening his address, he said: “If people think the state here is democratic, that’s a mistake.” He argued that the concept of “liberal democracy,” as promoted by the courts and media, has become a tool for ideological enforcement. “The moment you try to impose your religion on someone else, it’s no longer liberalism. Today’s progressivism is a religion in every sense, and it stands above everything—even above security needs.”

Rav Eichenstein cited court rulings that prioritize equality over operational effectiveness in the military as an example, describing them as detached from logic. “This is not one plus one equals two; this is one plus one equals ten. They are willing to sacrifice everything for their new ‘religion.’”

He also addressed the idea of “equal burden-sharing,” calling it a fundamental misunderstanding of how the world was created. “God created a world of different roles. There is a man and a woman, a carpenter and a mathematician. The idea that everyone must do the same thing is a communist concept, not a democratic one. In a true democracy, the state should allow each group to live according to its own way.”

The rosh yeshiva stressed that yeshiva students should not feel guilty in response to such claims. “I’m prepared to argue this with the greatest law professor—they have no answer. If democracy is ‘for the people,’ then why are you forcing part of the people to follow a foreign religion? You have no right to interfere in the details of my personal way of life.”

During the talk, Rav Eichenstein also explained why he believes the current structure of the military poses a threat to chareidi identity. He noted that from the time of Ben-Gurion, the army was designed to serve as a “melting pot” aimed at erasing distinct communities and creating a new identity detached from Torah.

“Today, when women are brought into every setting and progressive agendas are pushed into the units, it is almost impossible to be there without being affected. Those who propose frameworks like ‘Kodkod’ or ‘Chashmonaim’ are trying to create a ‘split chareidi’—someone who lives in two worlds. We need to remain whole and recognize that Torah is the main hall, and everything else is just the corridor.”

The Yerushalayim community was saddened by the news of the passing of Mrs. Gittel Tziporah Weinberger a”h at the age of 70.

The nifteres was a beloved and respected figure in Dushinsky chassidus, where she lived a life of mesirus nefesh, anavah, and deep yiras Shamayim. Her husband, Reb Nota Shlomo Weinberger z”l, a prominent member of the chassidus, was niftar on 7 Shevat 5781 during the Covid pandemic.

For many years, the couple lived at 34 Rechov Shmuel Hanavi in Yerushalayim, near the center of the chassidus, where they raised their 11 children, nine sons and two daughters. One of the children is a special child who received devoted care from his parents and is now left a yasom, while continuing in a specialized educational framework.

She leaves behind a large family of children and descendants who continue in the path of Torah and yiras Shamayim. Among her children is the well-known singer Zanvil Weinberger, as well as his brothers Yossi and Michoel Weinberger, members of the Malchus Choir.

The levayah took place at the Dushinsky Bais Medrash on Rechov Shmuel Hanavi, with kevurah on Har HaMenuchos.

The family will begin sitting shivah immediately after Shevi’i Shel Pesach.

Tehei nishmasah tzerurah b’tzror hachaim.

On the eve of Shevi’i Shel Pesach, a significant halachic obligation takes effect: the mitzvah of biur maasros, requiring those in Eretz Yisroel to ensure that all maasros have been properly separated and distributed, and that no produce or funds remain in their possession without having been given to their intended recipients.

According to halachah, this is the designated time to verify that all terumos and maasros were taken correctly, and that no agricultural produce or designated tithes are still being held without fulfilling their purpose.

The source of this mitzvah is the pasuk: “When you have finished tithing all the produce of your yield in the third year, the year of the tithe, you shall give to the Levi, the stranger, the orphan, and the widow, and they shall eat within your gates and be satisfied.” This obligation occurs twice during each shemittah cycle—at the end of the third and sixth years—and continues to apply today in accordance with the halachos observed after the churban.

This year, 5786, corresponds to the fourth year of the shemittah cycle, meaning the time has now arrived—following the completion of the maaser ani cycle—to carry out the biur. Practically, this requires anyone who still has produce from which terumos and maasros were not properly separated, or who is holding maasros that have not yet been given to a kohein, Levi, or ani, to address the matter without delay.

{Matzav.com}

Former CIA Director David Petraeus said that Russia no longer holds a dominant position in its war against Ukraine, pointing to what he described as a noticeable shift in momentum despite Moscow’s larger resources.

“I think what’s remarkable is that Russia no longer has the upper hand,” Petraeus said in an interview published Monday by CBS.

He noted that while Russia maintains clear numerical and economic advantages, those strengths have not translated into battlefield success. “Russia heavily outnumbers Ukraine. It outguns Ukraine. It has an economy 10 or 12 times the size of Ukraine’s. And yet the Ukrainian forces right now are stopping the Russians cold on the front lines,” he added.

The war in Eastern Europe has now stretched beyond four years, with multiple diplomatic efforts failing to bring about a ceasefire or lasting resolution.

Russian forces have continued to launch repeated strikes on Kyiv as part of a broader effort to secure control over key regions, including Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson.

According to CBS, Ukraine has relied heavily on its Delta battlefield management system, which allows forces to pinpoint targets and coordinate attacks using advanced digital mapping.

Petraeus described the intensity of the ongoing assaults, saying that more than 400 drones and dozens of missiles were launched on the morning of his interview, with glide bombs striking on a nightly basis.

“But on the front lines, which is all important, the Russians have actually achieved less than the Ukrainians have in the last two weeks,” he added.

Separately, reports indicate that Russian President Vladimir Putin has been in close contact with Iran during its conflict with the United States and Israel, with Moscow reportedly providing intelligence support to Tehran as regional tensions continue to escalate.

Israeli journalist Amit Segal said Monday that he was the first to report that a second American airman was missing after a U.S. F-15 was shot down over Iran, an early disclosure that later drew a sharp warning from President Donald Trump, who threatened legal consequences for whoever revealed the information.

Segal made the claim publicly on his Telegram channel, writing: “As you may recall, this was first published here,” referring to his initial report about the weapons systems officer who went down during Operation Epic Fury.

The report surfaced at a particularly sensitive stage in the escalating U.S.-Iran confrontation. Following the aircraft’s downing on Friday, American officials confirmed that one pilot had been recovered but did not immediately disclose that a second crew member was unaccounted for.

During a White House briefing on Monday, Trump asserted that the leak may have endangered the missing airman by alerting Iranian forces, which he said led Tehran to place a bounty on the serviceman. He vowed to identify and take action against whoever first reported that a second airman was missing.

Trump also blamed the media for publicizing the information, arguing that such details should not have been released. While he did not name specific outlets, observers later pointed to reports by Fox News and The Washington Post as among the earliest coverage of the incident.

At the briefing, Trump made clear he intended to pursue the source of the leak, saying: “The person that did the story will go to jail if he doesn’t say, and that doesn’t last long,” Trump said. “We’re going to go to the media company that released it, and we’re going to say, ‘National security. Give it up or go to jail.'”

Shortly after those remarks, Segal publicly identified himself as the journalist behind the initial report, appearing to challenge the president’s warning. However, when questioned further by the New York Post, he softened his position, saying he was “not sure” he had been the first to break the story before adding: “I will protect my sources.”

It remains unclear whether U.S. authorities would have jurisdiction to pursue legal action against an Israeli citizen or compel a foreign media outlet to disclose confidential sources.

Segal, 43, is widely regarded as one of Israel’s most prominent political journalists. He serves as a commentator for Channel 12 News and writes for Yedioth Ahronoth, while also maintaining a large following on Telegram and contributing regularly to The Wall Street Journal. Over the years, he has reported extensively on Israeli politics, including major investigations involving government corruption and cyber activities linked to Iran.

His background includes legal studies at Hebrew University and a master’s degree in public policy from University College London. His father, Chagai Segal, is a former journalist and was previously convicted as a member of the Jewish Underground..

Trump reiterated his position during the same briefing, warning: “We’re going to go to the media company that released it and we’re going to say, ‘National security, give it up or go to jail.”

President Donald Trump has put forward a proposal to dramatically boost funding for renovations at the White House, requesting more than $377 million for fiscal year 2026 and an additional $174 million for fiscal year 2027.

The $377 million request marks a sharp increase—about 866 percent higher than the approximately $39 million allocated for White House maintenance in fiscal year 2025.

An Office of Management and Budget spokesperson told Politico that the proposed funding reflects broader planning beyond routine upkeep, including modernization projects and upgraded security measures.

According to the spokesperson, the scope of the work will go beyond the main residence and cover several parts of the White House complex, including plans supported by Trump to build a new ballroom.

Of the total amount proposed for 2026, roughly $350 million is categorized as mandatory spending, which the spokesperson said includes private contributions earmarked for the ballroom construction.

The ballroom initiative has already drawn legal opposition.

On Friday, the Trump administration argued that a federal court order stopping construction creates a direct security concern for the president and the White House.

In a court filing appealing the decision, attorneys for the National Park Service warned that halting the project is “threatening grave national-security harms to the White House, the president and his family, and the president’s staff.”

“Time is of the essence!” government lawyers wrote, stressing that the project involves materials and systems intended to produce a “heavily fortified” structure. The filing noted that the design includes elements such as bomb shelters, military installations, and a medical facility.

U.S. District Judge Richard Leon in Washington, D.C., issued a temporary injunction last week, stopping construction work, including efforts that had already involved demolishing parts of the East Wing.

Leon ruled that without clear approval from Congress, the preservation group challenging the project is likely to succeed. He wrote that “no statute comes close to giving the president the authority he claims to have.”

The judge delayed enforcement of his ruling for 14 days, giving the administration time to file an appeal.

The Pentagon is preparing a request for approximately $4.5 billion in its fiscal 2027 budget to rebuild depleted Tomahawk cruise missile stockpiles, highlighting growing pressure on U.S. military resources following sustained global operations.

According to a Bloomberg Government report, the planned funding request follows extensive use of the long-range, sea-launched missiles in recent conflicts, including the war with Iran, where hundreds were reportedly deployed.

The increased usage has sparked concern within defense circles about maintaining adequate readiness for future threats.

Tomahawk missiles continue to serve as a key component of U.S. strike capabilities, enabling naval forces to carry out precise attacks from great distances.

With each missile costing an estimated $2 million, restoring inventory levels represents a major financial commitment.

Defense officials say the proposal is part of a larger effort to rebuild the nation’s weapons reserves and reinforce the defense industrial base after years of limited investment and rising global tensions.

In addition to operations involving Iran, ongoing U.S. military commitments worldwide—including support for allies and deterrence against rivals such as China and Russia—have further strained available munitions.

To address the issue, the Pentagon is advocating for multiyear purchasing agreements with defense contractors to boost production capacity and avoid future shortages.

Officials warn that without consistent funding, the United States risks falling behind in an era of high-intensity warfare, where advanced weapons are used at a rapid pace.

The proposed 2027 defense budget is expected to include not only funding for missile replenishment but also increased investment in aircraft, missile defense systems, and other essential military capabilities.

The shift reflects a growing acknowledgment that modern warfare demands larger reserves of advanced weaponry.

Supporters of increased defense spending argue that such measures are overdue after years of what they describe as insufficient prioritization under previous administrations, emphasizing that rebuilding stockpiles and strengthening production capacity are critical to maintaining U.S. military superiority and deterring adversaries.

The White House has put forward a plan to significantly reduce the size and budget of the Transportation Security Administration, proposing to eliminate more than 9,400 positions and cut over $1.5 billion from the agency responsible for airport security, according to newly released budget documents.

The proposal is outlined in a Department of Homeland Security budget plan for the upcoming fiscal year, with DHS serving as the parent agency overseeing TSA operations.

Lawmakers are expected to review the proposal during congressional hearings scheduled for later this month, as they work toward finalizing a federal budget agreement ahead of the September 30 deadline. Some Republican legislators have also renewed calls to fully privatize airport security operations.

The proposed cuts are separate from the ongoing funding dispute in Congress over DHS spending for the current year, a standoff that has already led to disruptions at airports as TSA employees temporarily went without pay.

President Donald Trump on Friday suggested that smaller airports should transition to private security providers as an initial step toward broader privatization of the agency, which was established in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, attacks.

According to the White House, shifting smaller airports to private screening would reduce the TSA workforce by more than 4,500 positions. An additional 4,800 jobs would be cut through internal efficiency measures, including removing staffing at exit lanes and reducing overlapping roles.

Officials estimate that these workforce reductions alone would result in savings exceeding $500 million.

The American Federation of Government Employees, which represents TSA screeners, has pushed back against privatization efforts, warning that such changes could compromise aviation security.

Overall, the proposal would shrink the TSA’s $7.8 billion budget by roughly 20 percent. The agency has already seen its workforce decline by more than 1,600 employees during recent government funding disruptions last fall and spring.

Currently, about 50,000 airport security screeners across the United States are employed by the TSA.

President Trump has been openly critical of the agency. On his first day in office in 2025, he dismissed TSA Administrator David Pekoske and has yet to name a successor.

Last year, the White House said, “TSA has consistently failed audits while implementing intrusive screening measures that violate Americans’ privacy and dignity.”

Under the previous administration, the TSA expanded its operations. In 2024, the agency screened a record 904 million passengers, marking a 5 percent increase compared to the previous year.

The IDF’s Persian-language spokesperson released an unusual public warning Tuesday morning, directly addressing civilians across Iran and urging them to avoid train travel nationwide.

In the announcement, the IDF called on the Iranian public not to use trains or travel near railway lines anywhere in the country for a limited period.

According to the statement, the advisory remains in effect until 9:00 p.m. local time in Iran. The IDF emphasized that the purpose of the warning is to protect civilian lives, stating: “Your presence on trains and near railway lines endangers your life.”

The warning was issued on the same morning that President Donald Trump had previously referred to as “Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day,” in which he warned that if Iran failed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by 8:00 p.m. EST Tuesday, the United States and Israel would target key infrastructure, including civilian facilities.

Senior American military leaders approved a strike on a subterranean Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) site near Tehran while carrying out a mission to recover U.S. airmen whose aircraft had been brought down inside Iran, according to a Fox News report citing senior sources.

The report said that during the rescue operation, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) chief Adm. Brad Cooper gave the order to hit the underground command center. The attack was executed by B-2 bombers deploying Massive Ordnance Penetrators, specialized munitions designed to destroy hardened, deeply buried targets.

Officials cited in the report indicated that the targeted IRGC facility was destroyed in the strike.

At the same time, as the rescue mission unfolded, U.S. B-1 bombers released roughly one hundred 2,000-pound bombs in the surrounding area to prevent Iranian forces from advancing toward the extraction site, a senior U.S. defense official said.

A senior military source described the action to Fox News by stating that US forces had applied significant force against the IRGC during the operation.

CENTCOM later confirmed in an official statement that two service members were successfully recovered after their F-15E aircraft had been shot down.

The Fox News report added that the strike on the IRGC installation took place between the two rescue phases. According to the report, the B-2 bombers launched from Whiteman Air Force Base in the United States after receiving time-sensitive intelligence showing that multiple IRGC commanders were present inside the underground complex.

Following the mission, President Donald Trump said that American forces had rescued a severely injured F-15 crew member from deep within Iran, highlighting the dangers involved. He also referred to a second rescue effort that followed the initial extraction, describing both operations as unusual due to their length and complexity.

More than two years after emerging from the darkness of captivity into freedom, Bar Kuperstein spoke publicly in an emotional interview with Kikar HaShabbat about his time in Hamas captivity, describing how faith sustained him through the darkest moments.

Kuperstein recounts two and a half years filled with fear, uncertainty, and suffering—but says one thing never left him: his belief in Hashem. In the interview, he reflects on the horrors of Simchas Torah, the long months inside terror tunnels in Gaza, and the small moments he experienced as open miracles.

He describes how, even in the lowest and most desperate conditions, he managed to hold on to faith and find strength, hope, and light.

At the beginning of the interview, he shares: “In the past two years, I didn’t have the ability to celebrate a real Pesach. The other holidays—Chanukah or Rosh Hashanah—we were able to mark in some way.

“When we went to get food, the terrorists had a television in their room. On Chanukah we saw the prime minister lighting the third candle, so we knew it was Chanukah. They showed a clip from a broadcast in Israel and we saw Sukkos. On Chanukah we took a flashlight and would sing songs.”

Kuperstein then returns to the morning of Simchas Torah, when he was serving as a deputy security officer at the Nova festival. He describes how he helped save dozens of lives before being captured by Hamas terrorists and taken into Gaza.

“There was total chaos there,” he recalls. “From the moment the rockets started, we told people to disperse, and slowly you see that the rockets don’t stop. Then there was a huge traffic jam in the parking lot. I took my car to see what was causing it, and I saw a police vehicle blocking the road, warning of terrorist gunfire—and then I understood there was a terrorist infiltration.

“We continued evacuating vehicles, and after about fifteen minutes, cars came back under gunfire, and we realized there were terrorists there too. Wounded people were arriving, there were terrorist squads—you understand you’re in a war zone. We reached a point where we were trapped in a death zone, north and south, everything blocked. I went to a police officer and told him we had to open an emergency route. I told him to drive and open it, and he trusted me to stay behind. When I returned from captivity, a police officer told me that action saved more than 2,000 people.”

He describes the moment of his abduction: “I saw the terrorists’ pickup trucks arriving and I understood… it was like a full army, military vehicles. I didn’t know where it came from. At that moment I understood I couldn’t save anyone else and had to save myself. I felt like someone was holding my hand and guiding me where to go—Hashem directed me. Along the way I was shouting at people to get out of their cars; people were frozen in shock. I couldn’t stop at every car because they were shooting at me in insane quantities.

“I hid in bushes and started crawling because they were shooting at us. Eventually they reached us and began slaughtering everyone. I remember we all said ‘Shema Yisrael’ together, everyone who was with me in the bushes—and we were all saved, baruch Hashem. The fact that we were taken captive was itself the salvation. Everyone ahead of us—we heard screams, then bursts of gunfire, and silence. They were massacred. We said Shema Yisrael and waited for the bullet that would kill you.

“After a month in captivity, when we were allowed to talk, we shared those moments, and it turned out that all of us said ‘Shema Yisrael.’ Apparently, that’s what truly saved us.”

Kuperstein describes the journey into Gaza: “The entire way I’m praying to Hashem, saying ‘Shema Yisrael’ and chapters of Tehillim—everything I remember. I’m begging not to die there. I know what the ‘Hannibal Protocol’ is in the army—you see terrorists and you shoot—I kept praying that wouldn’t happen.”

He recalls a chilling exchange with a terrorist: “One of the terrorists who spoke English came to me and asked, ‘Where is your God now?’ That shook me. I sat with that question for hours and couldn’t answer.

“Then I said to myself—if I have a question about Hashem, who do I ask? My mother. I asked myself what she would say, and I answered: Hashem is testing me, and I’m in a test, and I have to pass it. That’s what kept me going.”

In the early weeks, he was moved between different houses across Gaza: “We were walking through the streets, our faces uncovered, usually in the dark because there’s no street lighting. We moved like that between several houses.”

He shares a moment he describes as a clear miracle: “One night, when they were transferring us, something didn’t feel right. We walked for about an hour, and the whole time I was just praying—‘Please let everything be okay.’ We felt something was wrong. I asked Hashem to bring us somewhere safe.

“We reached a place called ‘Beit HaBasta,’ but the guards didn’t arrive, so they took us back to the previous house. When we returned, the terrorist told me, ‘God loves you.’ I asked what happened, and he said, ‘You remember the house you were supposed to go to? It was bombed exactly where you were supposed to be.’”

“I said then—what just happened to me is not random. It’s Hashem. It’s divine providence. It’s a message that Hashem is with me and telling me I will stay alive.”

He describes his constant conversations with Hashem deep inside the tunnels: “I would talk to Him freely, because I didn’t know many prayers. I knew ‘Shema Yisrael,’ I knew some Tehillim. I told myself I would pray in my own way—I would just speak to Hashem, because I know you can do that.

“Every time I would ask Hashem for small things—just a bit more hope. I wouldn’t say ‘get me out of here now.’ If Hashem put me here, then I’m in a test and I need to be here. I would daven constantly—Shacharis, Modeh Ani, whatever I remembered. And at the end I would ask, ‘Give me some hope, give me a little more food, give me strength to walk and ask the terrorists for something.’”

He adds: “When I would go ask the terrorists for something, it didn’t always end with a ‘no.’ Sometimes it ended with threats or even beatings. So I would ask Hashem—after a period with no food—give me the strength to ask for something to eat. And then I went to them, didn’t even ask, and they just gave me food. If that’s not Hashem, then what is? It never happened that they just gave us food on their own.”

He also recounts another moment of divine encouragement: “I asked Hashem for a sign, and suddenly I heard my mother on the radio—on my birthday. If that’s not Hashem, then what is?”

Despite watching others being released in earlier deals, including women, children, and his fellow captive Ohad Ben Ami, he says he never felt resentment: “No, not at all. I always knew my time would come. Now it’s Ohad’s time. I’m happy for him, that he’s going back to his children and parents. Now it’s his time to be home. I’ll manage.”

“I knew my time would come,” he continues. “Hashem protected me, saved me again and again. If all this happened, there’s no chance I’m not getting out of here. I always believed I would leave captivity—and baruch Hashem, I’m here.”

He recalls an especially moving Shabbos in the tunnels: “Wow, I remember one Shabbos I’ll never forget. It was me, Elkana, and Ohad, and then they added Yosef Chaim Ohana, Segev, and Maxim. That Shabbos we were six people in a tunnel, and we sang ‘Shalom Aleichem’ together. It felt like the whole tunnel was shaking. We had tears of joy. We felt Hashem sent angels to surround us. It was incredibly emotional, and from then on, every Shabbos we made Kiddush.”

He also describes spiritual growth among the captives: “It was amazing. I came from a traditional home, Elkana also knew a lot, and those who didn’t know had a strong connection—they said, ‘Teach us.’ Ohad, who knew accounting, would say, ‘Come, let’s learn Torah.’ They wanted more—it was very moving. We had the privilege to give them that gift.”

On the constant bombings, he says: “Of course—every day, every hour, there are explosions. Everything shakes, sand falls on you. You’re underground—one bomb in the wrong place and everything collapses and you’re buried forever. You’re always afraid. But every time there was an explosion, you immediately say ‘Shema Yisrael,’ Tehillim—even ‘Shir LaMa’alos.’ That’s what kept us going—this faith.”

He describes the days leading up to his release: “We knew about the deal a few days before. They called us and said, ‘Sit and watch TV.’ They didn’t say anything, and then we saw the government approved the deal and families celebrating. We looked at each other and said, ‘Okay, let’s see if it actually happens.’ How many times had we seen this before? We didn’t want to be disappointed again. If it happens, it happens—we’ll be happy at home.”

Finally, he describes the moment of freedom: “It was crazy. We came out of the tunnel—they open the shaft, and suddenly you feel air on your face after almost two years underground. There’s no air in the tunnel, and suddenly you feel wind and see the sun. We saw massive destruction, but then you hear children and birds—you hear life. We were in a pit, and suddenly you hear a truck horn—these are things we hadn’t heard for two years.”

He also recalls the moment he was transferred to Israeli forces: “Of course I remember. We were with the Red Cross, we reached the line, and suddenly you see an armored vehicle from the Nachal Brigade—and I served in Nachal. That was closure for me. The forces escorted us, and suddenly you see an IDF base on a hill, everyone waving, and you say, ‘I survived this. I won.’”

As reported last night on Matzav.com, a special Pesach event was held at the White House, bringing together senior administration officials and prominent Jewish leaders for a reception and policy discussion with President Donald Trump.

The event began with a reception in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building attended by approximately 70 staff members and senior officials, followed by a private 30-minute meeting in the Oval Office with the president and a select group of Jewish representatives.

During the meeting with the Jewish representatives, President Trump spoke candidly about his daughter Ivanka’s conversion, stating: “When Ivanka decided to convert, I wasn’t very happy at first, but today I am happier than ever. She is an amazing woman, and my son-in-law Jared Kushner is also an amazing and smart man.”

Turning to Iran, Trump said: “If not for my actions, the State of Israel would not exist today. No president before me did what I did for Israel.”

He also addressed the pardon he granted to Sholom Mordechai Rubashkin in 2017, saying: “I am proud that I granted a pardon to the prisoner Sholom Rubashkin. What was done to this man was a great and terrible injustice. That is exactly what they tried to do to me. I am glad that I set him free.”

During the meeting, Trump also called his daughter Ivanka, put her on speaker, and told her about the Jewish delegation gathered in the Oval Office.

Several key issues were discussed during the meeting. The president asked about the status of Department of Homeland Security funding for Jewish community security, an ongoing concern amid rising antisemitic threats. He also reiterated his strong support for Israel.

{Matzav.com}

After nearly ten years of ongoing tension surrounding the management of the hilula of Rav Yeshaya’le of Kerestir zt”l, a decisive arbitration ruling has now been issued, establishing clear control over the event and aiming to prevent confusion and disorder ahead of the annual mass pilgrimage on Gimmel Iyar.

It has been learned that the ruling was delivered by the Galanta Rebbe, a member of the rabbinic leadership of the Hisachdus HaRabbonim of the United States and Canada, following hearings in which both sides presented their claims and formally agreed to arbitration.

At the center of the decision is a clear and binding determination that full responsibility for organizing, overseeing, and managing the 101st hilula in the town of Kerestir, Hungary, belongs exclusively to the descendants of the tzaddik, the Rubin family of Reb Shayale’s Hoiz. The family has been handling operations at the site for years with notable success, though they have periodically faced interference.

The ruling emphasizes that representatives of the Rubin family will coordinate all logistical and operational aspects of the hilula with the relevant authorities, emergency services, and support organizations, and that no outside parties are permitted to interfere with or disrupt these arrangements.

It was further clarified in unequivocal terms that no other organization, aside from the Rubin family, may create misleading impressions through media or public messaging suggesting that they are responsible for running the hilula or any part of it. This includes the use of names such as “Reb Shayale’s Kach” or “Reb Shayale’s Bakery,” which were specifically cited as examples of potentially misleading branding.

At the same time, other groups will still be permitted to operate on the day of the hilula, but only on a limited basis and strictly in coordination with the Rubin family of “Reb Shayale’s Hoiz.”

Beginning this year, participants are expected to benefit from a more orderly and structured event, with clearly defined leadership under the Rubin family, who recently completed extensive renovations of the bais medrash of the tzaddik, along with expanding a large network of hachnosas orchim facilities, upgraded hospitality areas, the tzaddik’s home, and numerous additional resources for the many visitors.

{Matzav.com}

A new intelligence assessment indicates that Iran’s supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is currently unconscious and unable to manage the country’s affairs. The report, based on joint U.S.-Israeli intelligence, states that he is being treated in serious condition in the city of Qom.

According to the assessment, Khamenei, 56, has not been seen in public since assuming leadership following the death of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed on the first day of the war.

The report, published by The Times of London, suggests that his condition is far more severe than previously believed. A statement attributed to Israeli and American intelligence reads: “Mojtaba Khamenei is being treated in Qom in serious condition and is not capable of being involved in any decision-making of the regime.”

It remains unclear whether he has been unconscious since being wounded on the first day of the war or if he suffered additional injuries later. This marks the first time his location within Iran has been publicly disclosed since he assumed the role of supreme leader, although U.S. and Israeli intelligence are said to have been aware of his whereabouts for some time.

President Donald Trump has said that he is engaged in negotiations with Iranian representatives, but clarified that he is not referring to the supreme leader. Last month, it was revealed that Mojtaba Khamenei narrowly escaped death during strikes on his father’s compound in Tehran after stepping outside moments before the attack.

Mazaher Hosseini, a senior regime official, reportedly told top clerics and commanders in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps that Mojtaba Khamenei sustained a leg injury.

In a leaked recording, it was stated: “The will of God was that Mojtaba had to go out to the yard to do something and then return.” He was outside and standing above when the missiles struck the building, and his wife was killed on the spot.

China has effectively become the dominant buyer of Iranian oil, using a covert global network to funnel tens of billions of dollars into Tehran and blunt the impact of American sanctions, according to a report published Tuesday in The Wall Street Journal. The financial lifeline has allowed Iran to sustain its economy and continue funding military activities despite international restrictions.

The data reflects a sharp reversal from previous years. During President Donald Trump’s first administration, a “maximum pressure” campaign was launched to cut off Iran’s primary revenue stream. That effort drove oil exports down dramatically, from 2.8 million barrels per day in May 2018 to roughly 200,000 barrels per day by August 2019. Today, however, the trend has shifted, with Iran once again generating billions of dollars each month due to increased Chinese purchases.

According to the report, China now absorbs nearly all of Iran’s oil output, compared to just about 30 percent a decade ago. Figures from the research firm Kpler indicate that in 2025, China imported approximately 1.4 million barrels per day—double the amount it bought in 2017 and more than 80 percent of Iran’s total oil sales that year.

U.S. officials describe the system enabling this trade as one of the largest sanctions-evasion networks in the world. The operation relies on multiple layers of concealment, including private refineries, hidden payment channels, and shell companies—many based in Hong Kong—used to launder money and convert profits into foreign currency.

A so-called “shadow fleet” of tankers plays a central role in the scheme. These vessels reportedly engage in tactics such as renaming ships, disabling tracking transponders, and conducting ship-to-ship transfers at sea. The shipments are often accompanied by falsified documents that list the oil as originating from countries such as Oman or Malaysia.

The report notes that while China officially opposes what it calls “unilateral and unreasonable” sanctions, it has also been careful not to provoke Washington excessively. Still, Iranian oil remains attractive to Beijing due to its discounted price and its usefulness in countering U.S. objectives in the Middle East.

At the same time, Washington’s ability to respond remains limited. Although the United States has pursued indictments and expanded sanctions, taking aggressive action against Chinese financial institutions or refineries could drive up global oil prices and further strain relations between the two countries. Meanwhile, even as Iran effectively restricts Western shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, its own tankers continue to reach Chinese ports without disruption, helping to secure the regime’s economic survival.

The United States is set to launch its most extensive series of attacks on Iran since the beginning of the current campaign, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced during a press briefing, attributing the move to direct orders from President Donald Trump.

“Per the president’s direction, today will be the largest volume of strikes since day one of this operation,” Hegseth said.

He made clear that the intensity of the operation is expected to grow even further in the immediate future.

“Tomorrow, even more than today. And then Iran has a choice. Choose wisely, because this president does not play around,” he added.

His comments point to a deliberate expansion of U.S. military action, as Washington increases pressure on Tehran following recent clashes across the region.

Hegseth also highlighted the recovery of a U.S. pilot whose aircraft had been downed deep inside Iranian territory, presenting it as a defining moment in the broader campaign.

According to Hegseth, the pilot managed to transmit a signal while evading capture. “The airman activated his transponder with the message ‘God is good’,” Hegseth said.

The service member was ultimately rescued by American forces after remaining hidden for several hours inside Iran.

Hegseth sharply criticized Iran’s military response to the incident. “Iran’s military is embarrassed and humiliated and they should be,” he said.