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The United States has quietly delivered a detailed proposal to Iran aimed at bringing an end to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, according to a report published Tuesday by The New York Times, which cited two officials familiar with the diplomatic effort.

The proposal, consisting of 15 points and reportedly transmitted through Pakistan, has an uncertain status within Iran’s leadership. It remains unclear how broadly it has been circulated among Iranian officials, whether Tehran is prepared to consider it as a foundation for negotiations, and whether Israel supports the initiative.

While The New York Times did not obtain the document itself, the officials, who spoke anonymously, outlined its general framework. They indicated that the proposal addresses key concerns surrounding Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities as well as its nuclear program.

According to one of the officials, the plan also deals with maritime security. Since hostilities began, Iran has effectively prevented many Western vessels from safely navigating the Strait of Hormuz, a vital passageway for global energy shipments, disrupting oil and gas flows and driving prices sharply higher.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that diplomatic efforts are underway but emphasized that military operations continue. “As President Trump and his negotiators explore this newfound possibility of diplomacy, Operation Epic Fury continues unabated to achieve the military objectives laid out by the commander in chief and the Pentagon.”

Pakistan has taken on a central role in facilitating communication between Washington and Tehran. Officials told The New York Times that Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, has emerged as a primary intermediary, with Egypt and Turkey also urging Iran to engage in meaningful dialogue. Munir’s reported connections to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps have positioned him to relay messages between both sides.

In recent outreach, Munir contacted Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran’s parliament speaker and a former commander in the Revolutionary Guards, suggesting that Pakistan serve as host for potential talks between the United States and Iran. This was confirmed by both an Iranian and a Pakistani official, each speaking anonymously due to the sensitive nature of the discussions.

Munir has met twice with President Trump in 2025, during which Trump expressed strong admiration for him, referring to him as his “favorite field marshal.”

Speaking to reporters at the White House on Tuesday, President Donald Trump addressed the conflict with Iran and suggested that Tehran had already made a significant gesture toward the United States, stating that Iran had delivered “a very big present.”

When asked why he would pursue negotiations despite longstanding distrust, Trump responded, “Because they’re going to make a deal. They’re going to make a deal.”

He pointed to a recent undisclosed development as a sign of progress. “They did something yesterday that was amazing, actually. They gave us a present, and the present arrived today. It was a very big present, worth a tremendous amount of money. And I’m not going to tell you what that present is, but it was a very significant prize, and they gave it to us.”

A day earlier, Trump announced a temporary halt to certain military actions, declaring a five-day suspension of “any and all military strikes against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure” to create space for negotiations between Washington and Tehran. He added that the United States is in contact with “very solid” individuals within Iran.

Reports that followed suggested that Ghalibaf was acting as Iran’s representative in discussions with the United States, but he publicly rejected those claims.

“Our people demand the complete and humiliating punishment of the aggressors. All officials stand firmly behind their Leader and people until this goal is achieved,” Ghalibaf wrote on social media.

He further insisted that no diplomatic engagement had occurred, stating, “No negotiations with America have taken place. Fake news is intended to manipulate financial and oil markets and to escape the quagmire in which America and Israel are trapped.”

As Israel faces ongoing security challenges and painful losses, one place continues to reflect a different kind of reality—where life begins each day with the sound of newborn cries. At Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Yerushalayim, which records more than 22,000 births annually, staff are managing the country’s busiest maternity system under the extraordinary conditions of wartime.

In an interview, Bat Ami Yisrael, who has served for 17 years as head of nursing in the hospital’s maternity and newborn division, described the complex preparations, dramatic moments during air raid sirens, and the emotional scenes of husbands arriving straight from the front lines to the delivery room.

One of the most immediate challenges at the outbreak of the war was ensuring the safety of mothers, newborns, and medical staff, while maintaining uninterrupted care. To achieve this, the hospital carried out a rapid logistical overhaul.

“The entire maternity system is operating fully in protected areas,” Yisrael explained. “The delivery rooms were relocated to a dedicated and private secure complex, and the maternity triage unit was moved entirely into a shelter. Our goal was clear: when a siren sounds, the mothers and staff remain where they are. No one needs to run anywhere. Even if we are in the middle of a cesarean section, care continues as usual, and the sirens simply pass over us.”

She noted that the maternity wards, nursery, and neonatal intensive care unit remain in their original above-ground locations, as those areas are already well fortified. “It creates two parallel worlds,” she said. “Outside there is war, and inside we continue to bring life into the world, giving mothers a complete sense of security.”

The pressures of war have also changed how women arrive to give birth. Hospital staff have observed two main trends: some women come very early out of fear of being caught on the road during a siren, while others arrive at the last possible moment and give birth quickly.

To address both the heavy volume and the need to remain in protected areas, the hospital established a new dedicated induction unit adjacent to a shelter, designed for women who require labor induction. “In the past, women would have to wait until a delivery room became available,” Yisrael said. “Today, thanks to the new unit, the induction process begins immediately, without delays. We are seeing tremendous satisfaction among mothers.” She added that no prior registration is required to give birth at the hospital.

One of the greatest challenges during this time has been the absence of husbands, many of whom have been called up for reserve duty. “We have quite a few stories of husbands who missed the birth because they were in Gaza, or those who arrived directly from combat, and sadly also husbands who were injured in the war,” Yisrael said. In such cases, the maternity staff step in with even greater support, surrounding the mother with care and emotional strength.

One story illustrates the intensity of the situation: a woman was on her way to the hospital when a siren sounded, forcing the couple to stop along the road. Labor progressed rapidly in the car, and by the time they reached the hospital parking lot, the baby was already being delivered. “Our midwives literally ran out to meet them in the parking lot and delivered the baby there,” Yisrael recalled. “There was a great deal of uncertainty because of the siren on the way, but everything ended well, and the power of that moment was indescribable.”

For the medical staff, working in a maternity ward during wartime brings a unique sense of purpose. In contrast to the loss and grief reported daily, they experience a profound sense of mission.

“There is an overwhelming feeling of pride and of being part of something divine,” Yisrael said. “Every birth is powerful, but when you know that outside people are being killed, and here you are part of the continuation of the world and bringing new life—it is a privilege like no other. This is our true victory.”

{Matzav.com}

The Israeli government on Tuesday authorized a plan to designate land in Yerushalayim for the construction of a permanent United States Embassy, advancing a long-term project to establish a fixed diplomatic presence in the capital.

The proposal, brought forward by Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu together with Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and Construction and Housing Minister Chaim Katz, allocates a site within the Allenby Complex for the future embassy building in Yerushalayim.

Netanyahu and the two ministers described the move as a major milestone, noting that it brings to completion a diplomatic process that began when President Donald Trump formally recognized Yerushalayim as Israel’s capital during his first term and moved the U.S. Embassy there.

They said the establishment of a permanent embassy facility represents a lasting and visible symbol of American recognition of Yerushalayim as Israel’s capital, as well as the enduring relationship between the two nations. They added that the decision comes at a time when Israel and the United States are closely aligned in confronting the Iranian regime, giving the development added importance as a reflection of their strategic partnership and shared principles.

The ministers also conveyed appreciation to U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee for his cooperation in advancing the initiative, along with officials from Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs who were involved in bringing the plan to completion.

Israel’s Compensation Fund has received 17,683 claims for property damage since the start of Operation “Roaring Lion,” reflecting the widespread impact of missile attacks and ongoing hostilities across the country.

According to data released Tuesday by the Israel Tax Authority, 84 Compensation Fund teams are currently operating nationwide, working alongside engineers and appraisers to assess damage and assist affected residents. These teams are coordinating closely with local authorities in various impacted areas.

The distribution of teams highlights the scope of the response effort: 35 teams are deployed in the Arad and Dimona region, 25 are operating in central Israel, and 20 are working in the north. An additional four teams have been assigned to hotels housing evacuees, where they are helping displaced individuals file claims.

A breakdown of the claims shows that 11,846 were submitted for structural damage to buildings, 1,744 for damage to contents and equipment, 3,721 for vehicle damage, and 372 for other types of losses. Officials noted that the figures do not yet include damage reported from incidents in central Tel Aviv earlier Tuesday.

The report also indicates significant progress in processing claims. A total of 14,323 claims—about 81 percent—have already been assessed, either through on-site evaluations by appraisers or through a fast-track process that does not require a physical inspection.

The expedited track, introduced during the war, allows claims for structural and contents damage of up to 30,000 shekels to be processed without waiting for an appraiser’s visit. Under this system, approvals can be granted within seven days of submitting a complete claim. So far, 2,689 claims have been filed through this fast-track route.

Tel Aviv-Yafo leads all cities in the number of claims, with 3,879 filings, followed by Be’er Sheva with 2,793. Other heavily affected cities include Beit Shemesh with 1,357 claims, Arad with 1,265, and Petach Tikvah with 641. Additional figures show 845 claims in Dimona, 496 in Rishon LeZion, 449 in Ramat Gan, 380 in Bnei Brak, and 246 in Yerushalayim.

By regional service centers, the Tel Aviv district recorded 8,058 claims, followed by Ashkelon with 6,924. The Akko region reported 1,725 claims, Tiberias 533, Yerushalayim 402, and Eilat 41.

Due to the high volume of claims, authorities have warned that delays in appraiser visits are possible. The Compensation Fund is encouraging residents, where eligible, to use the fast-track system. In cases where that is not possible, individuals are advised to obtain repair estimates in advance to help speed up the claims process.

Residents whose homes or property were damaged by missile fire can report incidents through the Tax Authority’s hotline at *4954 or submit claims online via its official website. Officials say the data reflects a broad national effort to respond to damage and provide timely compensation while easing the burden on affected civilians.

{Matzav.com}

The Israeli Air Force carried out a large-scale series of strikes on Tuesday targeting Iran’s military production infrastructure, including what the IDF described as its most important explosives manufacturing facility.

According to the IDF, the operation, directed by military intelligence, focused on production sites belonging to the Iranian regime in the Isfahan region.

Among the targets was a central explosives production plant, identified as a major facility where the regime develops and produces explosive materials used in a wide range of weapons. The site had previously been struck during Operation “With a Lion,” and in recent months, renewed activity had been identified indicating attempts by the regime to rehabilitate it.

In addition, Israeli aircraft, operating under intelligence guidance, struck dozens of other regime targets throughout the day using more than 120 munitions. These targets included ballistic missile launch sites, weapons manufacturing facilities, and defensive systems belonging to the Iranian regime.

The IDF said in a statement: “The IDF continues to deepen the strike against the regime’s military industries in order to deny the production capabilities it has built over many years.”

{Matzav.com}

170 families, mostly children, are now homeless. Dozens are injured, many children are hospitalized.
They have no homes to make Pesach in.  No food, no clothing, nothing!
They need our help! 

Join Klal Yisrael’s effort to help them make Pesach.
Click here to sponsor a child or an entire family’s Pesach needs.

Three-year-old Yedidya Rotelvi, who was blown from a fourth-floor apartment in Arad during a missile blast and trapped beneath rubble, was released from Soroka Medical Center on Tuesday in what his family described as a clear miracle.

The child, a member of the Gur chassidic community in Arad, had recently celebrated his third birthday milestone. At the time of the strike, the force of the explosion hurled him from the window, leaving him buried under debris. When his family later located him in the hospital, he told them, “I didn’t get hurt at all, and suddenly people came and took me in an ambulance.”

In a dramatic interview on a hotline broadcast hosted by Itche Dzhilavsky, the full extent of the extraordinary rescue emerged. His father, Rabbi Tzvi Meir Rotelvi, whose fourth-floor apartment sustained a direct hit, and Kobi Shachar, an IDF-disabled veteran who pulled the boy from the wreckage, recounted the terrifying moments and what they described as unmistakable hashgacha pratis.

When the massive explosion was heard, the walls of the apartment simply collapsed. Rabbi Tzvi Meir rushed to the children’s room and found that two of his children had miraculously survived. Moments later, he realized that Yedidya’s bed was empty—the child had been carried down with the collapsing wall. Trapped inside the shattered apartment, the father described a powerful sense of faith that overtook him.

“What went through my mind was that the city of Arad was established by the Rebbe, the ‘Lev Simcha’ of Gur,” the father said. “I told myself: my child is now in his hands. Where exactly? I don’t know. But he is in his hands.”

At the same time, below the building amid the destruction, Kobi Shachar rushed into the scene. In the interview, he described hearing faint cries and discovering the child beneath a massive slab of concrete weighing over 100 kilograms that had stopped just inches from his head. Seconds later, another stone came crashing down from above, and Shachar instinctively pushed it away with his bare hand before pulling the boy out.

“He simply put his head on my shoulder and rested, completely exhausted,” Shachar recalled during the broadcast.

Later in the interview, the father expressed his gratitude to the rescuer, saying: “You were a messenger of the Creator of the world… a merit and a miracle beyond words.” Shachar responded emotionally: “The merit is mine. Behold, the Guardian of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps.”

By the end of the interview, the father shared the most encouraging news: Despite the horrific fall and being buried under rubble, young Yedidya recovered at Soroka Medical Center and even began getting out of bed and walking on his own. In what the family described as a clear miracle during the month of miracles, he was discharged and returned home.

{Matzav.com}

Missile fire from Iran struck central Israel on Tuesday night, causing widespread damage in Bnei Brak and surrounding cities and leaving at least 19 people injured, including multiple children and a baby, according to emergency services.

Several missiles were launched toward the Tel Aviv metropolitan area, with impacts reported in Bnei Brak, Petach Tikvah, and Givat Shmuel. The strikes caused significant destruction to residential buildings and vehicles across multiple locations.

The most severe damage occurred in Bnei Brak, where a cluster munition directly hit a four-story residential building. The explosion caused extensive structural damage, including the collapse of a balcony. Fire and rescue teams were dispatched to the scene and conducted searches to rule out the possibility of people trapped under the rubble.

Emergency responders from Magen David Adom reported that medics treated and evacuated 19 injured individuals to Sheba Medical Center, Schneider Children’s Medical Center, Beilinson Hospital, and Mayanei Hayeshua Medical Center. Among the wounded were a 23-year-old man in moderate condition with shrapnel injuries to his abdomen and head, 11 individuals in mild condition suffering from blast and shrapnel injuries, and seven people treated for acute anxiety.

Of the total casualties, 12 were injured in Bnei Brak alone, including one person in moderate condition and eight with light injuries, among them six children. Three additional individuals were treated for shock.

MDA emergency medic Menachem Chai Zinger described the scene: “A woman about 80 years old was inside the home at the time of the impact. She was conscious and suffered light injuries. Despite the heavy destruction in the building, she was not in a protected space and miraculously was only lightly injured. We brought her down from the apartment fully conscious and she was evacuated to the hospital in stable condition.” He added that another woman who had been with her in the apartment was unharmed.

Fire and Rescue Services reported that crews were operating at three separate scenes in Bnei Brak. In addition to the main strike, another four-story building in the city sustained damage, and a fragment struck a balcony in a residential building in nearby Givat Shmuel.

Additional impacts were reported across the Central District, including three separate locations in Petach Tikvah and another in Rosh HaAyin. In Rosh HaAyin, a fragment landed in an open area. In Petach Tikvah, a direct hit on a building caused damage but no injuries were reported, and interceptor debris fell between residential structures.

United Hatzalah medics Yitzchak Reichman and Shmuel Rotenberg, who responded to one of the Bnei Brak scenes, said: “We arrived at an impact site where, during searches, we located an approximately 80-year-old woman with injuries to her body after being struck by shrapnel and the blast. Together with medics and paramedics from Hatzalah and MDA, we provided her with initial medical treatment at the scene, and she was evacuated for further treatment at the hospital.”

Another United Hatzalah responder, Yehuda Mor, who treated victims at a separate scene in Bnei Brak, reported: “We arrived with large forces at an impact site where, during searches, we located seven injured people, including six children, with injuries to their bodies after being struck by shrapnel and the blast. Together with medics and paramedics from Hatzalah and MDA, we provided them with initial medical treatment at the scene, and they were evacuated for further treatment at the hospital.”

Senior MDA medic Lipa Hirsch described the rescue efforts: “We received a report of a strike and arrived at the scene with large forces including ambulances, intensive care units, and rapid response motorcycles. We saw destruction on the upper floor and began searches on the upper levels. A 7-year-old boy was fully conscious. I immediately understood that he needed to be removed quickly from the building, so I picked him up and carried him out rapidly. We are continuing to search to ensure there are no additional casualties or people in need of assistance.”

United Hatzalah medic Yisrael Biton, who was among the first to arrive, and Bnei Brak branch head Efi Feldman added: “This is a scene of extensive destruction on the upper floor of the building as a result of a direct hit. We provided initial medical assistance at the scene to a 94-year-old woman who was evacuated to Sheba Tel Hashomer Hospital by a United Hatzalah ambulance. At this stage, her condition is defined as moderate.”

{Matzav.com}

Residents of Be’er Sheva were gripped by fear Tuesday when a woman walked through city streets holding knives, creating a tense situation that unfolded as air raid sirens sounded due to a missile launch from Iran.

According to reports, the woman moved through the area waving the knives at people nearby. During the incident, she could be heard singing “Am Yisrael Chai,” further heightening the confusion and alarm among residents.

דרמה בבאר שבע: אישה השתוללה ברחוב כשהיא מנופפת בסכיני מטבח גדולים – עד שנוטרלה. pic.twitter.com/cXXuezfOQI

— זירת החדשות (@ZiratNews) March 24, 2026

A soldier together with a civilian quickly assessed the threat and intervened. Acting decisively, they managed to subdue the woman and take control of the situation using a belt.

Police officers from the Be’er Sheva station arrived shortly afterward, secured the scene, and arrested the suspect. She was then taken in for questioning.

Authorities said officers responded promptly upon reaching the scene. An investigation into the circumstances is ongoing, with early indications suggesting the woman may have been in the midst of a mental health episode.

Officials stressed that there is no indication the incident was linked to terrorism or any broader security threat. Nevertheless, the episode caused significant distress among residents, particularly as it coincided with the activation of sirens. The woman has since been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further evaluation and care.

The United Kingdom is preparing to head a multinational initiative aimed at removing naval mines from the Strait of Hormuz and restoring the flow of oil tankers, according to new reports, as global concern mounts over disruptions to one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes.

British officials are reportedly working to convene a gathering of roughly 30 countries that have already agreed to contribute “appropriate efforts” toward reopening the strait, Politico reported. The move reflects growing coordination among U.S. allies to stabilize the region’s maritime routes.

As part of that effort, the UK is considering dispatching a Royal Navy minesweeper or contracting a civilian vessel capable of deploying mine-clearing drones into the affected waters, according to The Times.

Intelligence assessments indicate that Iran has placed at least a dozen naval mines in the narrow passage, posing a serious threat to commercial vessels. U.S. officials told CBS News that the devices identified include Iranian-produced Maham 3 and Maham 7 limpet mines.

These explosives present a major hazard to any ship attempting to pass through the strait, effectively choking off a corridor responsible for transporting roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply.

Despite the danger, British authorities believe a navigable route remains open, as several tankers have recently succeeded in passing through the chokepoint without incident, according to reports.

The Maham 3 mines, weighing over 660 pounds, are equipped with magnetic and acoustic sensors and can latch onto vessels that come within close proximity—about 10 feet—based on information from the Collective Awareness to Unexploded Ordnance database.

The Maham 7, referred to as a “sticking mine,” is a smaller limpet device that lies on the seabed and uses similar sensor technology to target mid-sized ships and amphibious craft.

Weighing approximately 485 pounds and first unveiled publicly in a 2015 weapons exhibition, the Maham 7 is considered difficult to detect, with the ability to interfere with sonar systems and complicate minesweeping operations.

According to the U.S. military, at least 44 Iranian vessels involved in deploying mines have been destroyed since the conflict began.

Although there is no precise tally, estimates suggest Iran maintains a stockpile of between 2,000 and 6,000 naval mines.

Even amid the heightened threat, ships from India, Pakistan, and China have reportedly continued transiting the strait without encountering mines or drone attacks.

Huax, a maritime intelligence company based in Germany and Italy, has indicated that vessels successfully navigating the route may be transmitting a specific signal to indicate safe passage, The Times reported.

“Whether they are signals to Tehran or internal fleet identifiers, we cannot confirm, but the signals are coordinated across multiple vessels,” Arsenio Longo, a maritime intelligence expert at Huax, told the outlet.

“Indian and China-linked vessels appear to be transiting or staging for transit while virtually all other commercial traffic remains blocked,” he added.

Iran has stated that all countries—aside from the United States, Israel, and their allies—are permitted to pass through the strait, a position that has led to increased tensions with President Trump over the weekend.

President Trump has called on Iran to reopen the strategic waterway following sharp increases in global oil prices, as reports suggest indirect discussions may be underway between Tehran and Washington aimed at ending the conflict.

In addition to mine-clearing operations, the UK is expected to deploy Type 45 destroyers to escort and protect oil tankers navigating the strait, according to The Times.

The British-led initiative signals that key U.S. allies are beginning to align more closely with President Trump’s push to resume energy shipments through Hormuz, even as some had previously voiced opposition to the war.

A total of 30 countries have signed a joint declaration committing to efforts to secure the waterway.

Participating nations include France, the United Arab Emirates, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands.

Iran, for its part, has warned that it will keep the Strait of Hormuz closed until both the United States and Israel agree to end the war and compensate Tehran.

{Matzav.com}

The Israel Defense Forces should establish the Litani River as the Jewish state’s “new border with the Lebanese state,” Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich declared.

The ongoing campaign against Hezbollah “must end with a radical change” beyond the vanquishing of the Iranian-backed terror group, the senior Cabinet minister told reporters during a faction meeting of his Religious Zionism Party at the Knesset in Yerushalayim.

“The Litani [River] must be our new border with the Lebanese state, just like the Yellow Line in Gaza and like the buffer zone and peak of the Hermon in Syria,” said Smotrich.

The Litani River lies some 20 miles north of the Blue Line, which currently demarcates the unofficial border between Israel and Lebanon.

“We must not return to the Oct. 6 situation where the enemy is on our fences,” Smotrich continued, in reference to the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led massacre. “We’ll push him away on all fronts and create a sterile security cordon that will separate the enemy from our citizens,” he said.

“Today, we are evacuating the residents of Southern Lebanon. We are destroying the terrorist villages and rebuilding the northern communities,” he declared.

Hezbollah again began firing rockets and suicide drones at Israel on March 2, in retaliation for the Jewish state’s targeted killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Khamenei was killed in the opening strikes of “Operation Roaring Lion/Epic Fury” against the regime on Feb. 28.

In response to the terrorist organization’s violation of the U.S.-brokered Nov. 27, 2024, truce agreement, Jerusalem launched an aerial campaign against Hezbollah and ordered IDF troops to advance and take control of additional areas in Southern Lebanon to halt cross-border attacks.

Responding to Smotrich’s remarks on Monday, fellow Religious Zionism Party lawmaker Simcha Rothman told JNS that the principle of not allowing terrorists in close proximity to Israeli civilians should apply equally to Lebanon and Gaza.

“When you share a border with a sovereign country that protects that border and does not seek to harm you, that is one thing,” said Rothman. “But when the border is with a terrorist organization, that is not something any country—certainly not the State of Israel—should accept.”

“Israel must ensure that its border is not situated near northern towns and civilian populations, and that the IDF is able to carry out its duty to protect citizens,” he added.

“Before Oct. 7 and the IDF’s operations in Lebanon, Hezbollah terrorists were positioned just meters from civilians. No one can accept that level of danger,” he said.

Addressing why such a policy was not implemented earlier, Rothman invoked the Hebrew term “conceptzia”—referring to a flawed strategic mindset that guided Israeli policy for years, but has since shifted.

“My party and I did not need the events of Oct. 7 to understand this,” he said. “Unfortunately, some only adopted this view afterward. They were operating under illusions of peace and prosperity with terrorist organizations—ideas that have proven irrelevant.”

“We have all seen what these groups are capable of,” he added. “Hezbollah forces are no less capable than Hamas’s Nukhba Force terrorists of carrying out attacks like those of Oct. 7.”

Addressing Lebanon’s sovereignty, Rothman argued that the country cannot be considered fully sovereign while allowing a terrorist organization to operate freely along its own southern border.

“The right of any country to self-defense must prevail,” he said. “If Lebanon is sovereign, then it is effectively attacking our civilians daily. If it is responsible for what happens on its territory, it has forfeited its ability to control that land while Hezbollah continues to fire on our civilians from there.”

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on March 12 that if Lebanon’s official government fails to prevent Hezbollah rocket and drone attacks on the Jewish state, Jerusalem would “take control of the territory and do it ourselves.”

“The prime minister and I have instructed the Israel Defense Forces to prepare to expand its operations in Lebanon and to restore quiet and security to the northern communities,” the defense minister stated.

During a situational assessment on Tuesday, Katz again emphasized that “hundreds of thousands of residents of Southern Lebanon who evacuated northward will not return south of the Litani River until security for the residents of the north is ensured.”

“The IDF is maneuvering into Lebanese territory to establish a forward defensive line, eliminating Hezbollah terrorists and destroying the terror infrastructure built there … in order to create a defensive buffer and push the threat away from Israeli communities,” he added.

Overnight Monday, the IDF struck Hezbollah infrastructure in Beirut and across Lebanon, the military said in a separate statement.

The strikes in Lebanon’s capital targeted several Hezbollah headquarters, including bases of its Radwan Force, “from which terrorists operated to advance and execute terror attacks against IDF soldiers and Israeli civilians,” it said. The IDF also struck a headquarters of Hezbollah’s intelligence branch, it said.

“The Hezbollah terrorist organization operates systematically from civilian infrastructure in Lebanon, from which it advances terrorist activity that harms the civilians of the State of Israel and endangers Lebanese citizens,” the army noted.

The IDF also struck a “key crossing used by Hezbollah terrorists to move from north to south across the Litani River,” it said, accusing the terror group of having used the bridge to transfer weapons with which to carry out attacks on IDF soldiers.

“The strike adds to other crossings that were struck over the past week,” it stated.

Meanwhile, ground troops of the IDF’s 810th Brigade located a Hezbollah tunnel shaft and weapons compound during operations in the Mount Dov area close to the Blue Line, according to another statement on Tuesday.

“The IDF is operating decisively against the Hezbollah terrorist organization in response to its deliberate decision to attack Israel on behalf of the Iranian terror regime, it said. “The IDF acts to remove threats to civilians of the State of Israel.”

Likud Party lawmaker Moshe Passal told JNS on Tuesday that if Lebanon’s Shi’ite population continues to fight Israel, fire rockets and build capabilities to carry out attacks, more far-reaching measures may be required.

“Following Oct. 7, we neutralized along the border Hezbollah’s preparations to invade the Galilee. If the Lebanese government can act on its own and dismantle Hezbollah, that would be ideal—but if not, there will be a line at the Litani River,” he said.

“Others could live there—Druze or anyone not affiliated with Hezbollah—people who seek good neighborly relations and peace, and we would welcome that,” he added.

Passal argued that Hezbollah and the Shi’ite population in Lebanon are closely intertwined.

“In civilian homes, we found bunkers, weapons and preparations for attacks,” he said. “The Shi’ite population must decide whether it wants to disarm and live in peace, or otherwise relocate.”

“Israel cannot continue this cycle for another two, three or five years—fighting wars only to return to the same situation,” he added. “We need a long-term solution that will last for generations, not a temporary fix.” JNS

Four new ambulances have been brought in to replace emergency vehicles destroyed in a suspected antisemitic arson attack targeting a Jewish volunteer medical organization in north London, as authorities continue to investigate possible international links behind the incident.

The vehicles, operated by Hatzola, were deliberately set on fire in Golders Green during the early hours of Monday morning, destroying four ambulances and prompting an inquiry led by the Metropolitan Police’s counter-terrorism command.

No suspects have been taken into custody so far. However, police indicated they are examining the potential involvement of an Islamist organization believed to have ties to Iran, which has claimed responsibility for similar attacks elsewhere in Europe.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting announced that the government will fund the replacement ambulances, which are currently being provided on a temporary basis until permanent units are secured.

“The Jewish community should not bear the cost of this hatred,” Streeting said.
“This moment demands more than practical support. The Jewish community will not stand alone – the government and this entire country stand with them.
“The answer cannot simply be higher walls, thicker doors, more CCTV. We also have to deal with this hatred at its source. We have to confront and beat the evil ideas that are permeating in our society.”

Investigators believe three individuals were involved in carrying out the attack, which authorities have classified as a hate crime motivated by antisemitism. Although it has not officially been labeled a terrorist act, the Met confirmed that counter-terror officers are leading the case due to the nature of the incident and the expertise required.

Police have launched an online portal asking the public to submit any relevant video footage or information that could assist in identifying those responsible.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley announced enhanced security measures across London, including the deployment of 264 additional officers to safeguard Jewish communities, along with “additional highly visible firearms patrols”.

By Tuesday morning, police had removed the security cordon at the site, leaving behind the charred remains of the destroyed ambulances.

Nearby, at the Machzike Hadath Synagogue, damage from the blaze was evident. Medical equipment inside the burned vehicles was left ruined, shattered glass covered the ground, and the synagogue’s stained glass windows were cracked. Windows in a neighboring residential building, reaching as high as the fourth floor, had also been blown out and boarded up, apparently due to exploding oxygen tanks.

Damon Hoff, president of the synagogue, commended emergency responders for their swift action and noted that most of the damage was limited to the building’s exterior.

“Clearly this was planned,” Hoff told the BBC.
“This wasn’t just something that happened.
“All indications are, from what we’ve been told, is there was definitely surveillance and all indications are that we need to be aware that there is surveillance on our communities and infrastructure.”

Hoff also said the synagogue sustained roof damage in addition to the shattered stained glass.

Earlier in the day, Met Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor told BBC Radio 4’s Today program that incidents of this nature have a significant emotional and psychological effect on Jewish communities.

He noted that plots linked to Iran and disrupted in the UK since October 2024 have included “everything from assassination, to kidnap, to espionage”.

Taylor added that investigators are exploring whether the latest attack was supported by Iran, though determining the motive remains a key focus of the inquiry.

An Iran-aligned organization, Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya — also known as The Islamic Movement of the People of the Right Hand — claimed responsibility for the attack on its Telegram channel, though officials have not verified the claim.

The same group has also taken credit for other recent incidents across Europe, including an attack on a synagogue in Liege, Belgium, as well as explosions targeting a synagogue in Rotterdam and a Jewish school in Amsterdam.

Recalling the moments after the fire broke out, Hoff said he and fellow congregants rushed to the synagogue out of concern for the safety of the Torah scrolls, the most sacred items housed in the building.

He described it as “a miracle” that the interior of the synagogue was largely spared, and confirmed that prayers resumed there on Tuesday.

As the replacement ambulances arrived in Golders Green, the London Ambulance Service expressed its solidarity with Hatzola, stating that it stood “shoulder to shoulder” with the organization.

Hatzola, a volunteer-run emergency service, has been operating in Golders Green since 1979, serving a large Jewish population in the area. The neighborhood is home to dozens of synagogues, and nearly half of its residents identify as Jewish, according to official data.

The organization, whose name means “rescue” in Hebrew, provides free emergency medical care and transportation to hospitals through a network of trained volunteer medics.

In addition to north London, Hatzola operates in Manchester, Gateshead, Canvey Island, and Hertfordshire, working alongside public emergency services to assist people of all backgrounds.

In the wake of the attack, fundraising efforts have generated more than £1.3 million across several GoFundMe campaigns to support the organization.

Hatzola chairman Shloimie Richman said the funds raised will be used to establish a new, more secure headquarters.

Following the arrival of the replacement ambulances, Richman issued a statement describing Monday as the most difficult day in the organization’s history.

He said: “The irony is here that you have vehicles that are used for life-saving work and transfer to hospital, and those are being targeted in an arson attack.
“It just kind of makes you feel you know, what kind of world are we living in currently?”

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that Iran had delivered what he described as a “very big present” to the United States, pointing to the move as a sign of progress in negotiations taking place during the ongoing conflict.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump dismissed the notion that trust plays any role in his dealings with Tehran. When asked why he would rely on Iranian commitments, he replied, “I don’t trust anybody. I don’t trust you. I mean, that’s only because I know you. But if I didn’t know you, I’d probably have more trust. But I don’t trust anyone.”

He challenged the premise of the question itself, making clear that trust is not a factor in his approach. “Why do you say that? Why do you say what makes you trust? Do you think I trust them? I don’t trust them.”

.@POTUS provides an update on discussions amid Operation Epic Fury pic.twitter.com/3P6gH4ku8t

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) March 24, 2026

Despite that stance, Trump said negotiations were continuing because he believes an agreement is within reach. “Because they’re going to make a deal. They’re going to make a deal.”

The president pointed to a recent development he described as significant evidence that talks are moving forward. “They did something yesterday that was amazing, actually. They gave us a present, and the present arrived today. It was a very big present, worth a tremendous amount of money. And I’m not going to tell you what that present is, but it was a very significant prize, and they gave it to us.”

He clarified that the action was not connected to nuclear matters, but rather involved energy resources. “No, it wasn’t nuclear-related. It was oil and gas-related, and it was a very nice thing they did.”

Trump said the gesture reinforced his view that U.S. negotiators are dealing with the right figures in Iran’s leadership, which he claimed has been largely dismantled. “What it showed me is that we’re dealing with the right people,” he said, noting that much of Iran’s leadership had been eliminated. “The leadership was killed, all gone. Khamenei, all gone, as the expression goes. The past Supreme Leader. And then the new Supreme Leader was racked up – at a minimum, racked up pretty good. And everyone else was gone.”

He added that lower-level officials have also been removed, but emphasized that those currently in place have followed through on their commitments. “The present, the gift they made to us, was very significant. And they said they were going to do it, and it happened. And they’re the only ones that could have done it.”

When pressed on whether the development was tied to the Strait of Hormuz, Trump confirmed the connection. “Yeah, it was related to the flow and to the Strait,” he said.

He rejected the idea that talks were centered on negotiating control of the strategic passage. “No, we’re going to – we’ll have control of anything we want,” Trump stated.

Trump said he would prefer to bring the conflict to a close without further destruction or loss of life. “If we can end this without more lives being lost, without knocking out $10 billion electric plants that are brand new and the apple of their eye, I’d like to be able to do that,” he said.

At the same time, he reiterated that key demands remain non-negotiable. “They can’t have certain things. I mean, you know the things. I don’t have to go over the list, but again, it starts with no nuclear weapons, and they’ve agreed to that. There won’t be any nuclear weapons. They’re not going to have – and they’re not going to have enrichment, any of those things.”

Trump said the United States is currently negotiating from a position of strength. “I hate to say that we’re in a very good bargaining position, but – and I hate to say that they’re defenseless, because, you know, until that last missile is fired, they have a little power. But we are in about the best bargaining position. We’re way ahead of schedule.”

He also described what he said was extensive damage to Iran’s military capabilities. “They have no Navy, and they have no Air Force, and they have no missile protection, and most of their missiles are gone. Most of their launchers we’ve killed – you know, we’ve killed about 82 percent of their launchers. So, even if they had a missile, they can’t launch it.”

Trump closed by underscoring U.S. military superiority. “We have the greatest military in the world. Nobody even comes close. We have the best military equipment in the world.”

Delta Air Lines has pulled back certain privileges previously extended to members of Congress, citing the ongoing failure to fund the Department of Homeland Security.

The airline has temporarily shut down its dedicated congressional desk services for lawmakers and Capitol Hill staff, a move that will remain in effect until DHS funding is restored after a partial shutdown that began on Feb. 28.

“Due to the impact on resources from the longstanding government shutdown, Delta will temporarily suspend specialty services to members of Congress flying Delta,” the company said in a statement first reported by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

“Next to safety, Delta’s No. 1 priority is taking care of our people and customers, which has become increasingly difficult in the current environment.”

Perks that had been available to lawmakers—such as airport escorts and access to red coat assistance—have been put on hold. While Delta’s Capitol Desk reservation line is still operating, lawmakers will now be “treated as any passenger based on their respective SkyMiles status” for the time being.

The decision follows sharp criticism from Delta CEO Ed Bastian, who last week condemned Congress for allowing DHS funding to lapse, leaving Transportation Security Administration employees without full pay for more than a month.

Bastian described the situation as “inexcusable” and accused lawmakers of treating TSA personnel as “political chips.”

“It’s inexcusable that our security agents, our frontline agents, that are essential to what we do, are not being paid, and it’s ridiculous to see them being used as political chips,” Bastian told CNBC last Tuesday. “We’re outraged.”

Delta is based in Atlanta, Georgia.

The funding lapse has had visible effects at major travel hubs. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, in particular, has seen TSA wait times exceed four hours, with lines extending beyond terminal buildings.

Nationwide, staffing shortages have driven sharp increases in TSA absenteeism. Call-out rates, previously around 2%, have surged past 10% since the shutdown began, according to acting Deputy TSA Administrator Adam Stahl.

Nearly 400 TSA employees have resigned since the partial shutdown took effect.

Stahl has also cautioned that if the funding gap continues, some smaller airports could be forced to suspend operations.

TSA employees last received a full paycheck on Feb. 14. They were issued a partial paycheck on Feb. 28 and missed their next scheduled pay period on March 13, according to an agency spokesperson. Their next payday is set for Friday.

The impasse in Congress continues, with Democrats using the Senate filibuster to block a DHS funding bill in an effort to secure broader changes to the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement policies.

Republicans have pushed back against proposals to restrict Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents from wearing masks and to impose stricter judicial warrant requirements.

On Monday, President Trump ordered ICE personnel to be deployed to airports nationwide to help relieve pressure on TSA staffing caused by the shutdown.

This marks the third funding lapse affecting TSA workers within the past six months.

President Trump recently dismissed a proposal that would fund most DHS operations separately while addressing ICE funding through the reconciliation process.

“I don’t think we should make any deal with the Crazy, Country Destroying, Radical Left Democrats unless, and until, they Vote with Republicans to pass ‘THE SAVE AMERICA ACT,’” Trump declared on Truth Social over the weekend.

Separately, a measure introduced by Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) cleared the Senate unanimously last week. The bill would eliminate certain travel privileges for lawmakers, including the ability to bypass standard TSA security screening, though it has yet to pass the House.

Some lawmakers have floated additional measures, including proposals to withhold congressional pay. However, such changes cannot take effect until the next Congress under the 27th Amendment.

A 27-year-old woman was killed Tuesday evening when a heavy rocket barrage fired by Hezbollah from Lebanon struck northern Israel, as additional missile fire elsewhere left several others injured.

Nuriel Dubin, a resident of Moshav Margaliot, was fatally wounded when rockets and shrapnel struck the Machanayim Junction area. Two other individuals sustained minor injuries in the same incident.

Emergency responders from Magen David Adom arrived rapidly and attempted to save Dubin’s life, administering urgent medical care at the scene, but ultimately had to declare her dead.

Security personnel and rescue teams continued searching nearby locations to ensure there were no further casualties or damage resulting from the widespread rocket attack.

In a separate incident earlier in the day, a Bedouin doctor was seriously wounded when a missile launched from Iran struck, while his wife and two young children suffered light injuries.

The injured man, who works as a physician at Soroka Hospital, had just returned home following an extended shift and had gone to rest when the missile hit.

Magen David Adom crews treated the family members at the scene before transporting them to Soroka Hospital in Be’er Sheva. Air raid sirens were triggered across the Negev and the Gaza border region during the attack.

The Department of War is preparing to send thousands of troops from the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East, according to a source familiar with the planning.

The Pentagon is expected to formally unveil the deployment of a 3,000-soldier brigade combat team from the elite North Carolina-based division in support of the ongoing US and Israeli military campaign against Iran, The Wall Street Journal first reported.

The 82nd Airborne Division is one of the military’s top rapid-response units, built to mobilize quickly in crisis situations. It is capable of sending a battalion into action within 18 hours and deploying an entire brigade within 72 hours.

According to the Journal, defense officials are likely to publicly confirm the deployment of the brigade combat team in the coming days.

Because of its speed and readiness, the 82nd Airborne is often placed on heightened alert and is frequently among the first forces considered for emerging global conflicts.

It remains unclear when the troops would arrive in the region or what their precise mission would be if the deployment goes forward.

The Pentagon has not issued any official confirmation regarding the reported plans.

Israel’s Chief Rabbi, Rav Kalman Meir Ber, welcomed the Knesset’s approval of the arbitration law on Monday night, calling it a long-overdue correction of an ongoing historical injustice affecting both the public and rabbinical judges.

He explained: “One must understand the absurdity: for years, anyone who wished to conduct arbitration in monetary matters could do so in any forum—except before rabbinical judges in rabbinical courts.”

He continued: “This is an absurd and outrageous situation, both for the public that wishes to adjudicate according to Torah law and for the judges who studied for years and developed expertise in these areas. The authorities seemingly recognize the judgment of everyone—except the judgment of Torah scholars who have spent many years mastering monetary law. This is an unacceptable situation, especially in a Jewish state.”

The Chief Rabbi noted that the need to correct this issue has long been clear to anyone familiar with it and has drawn agreement across different sectors. He said: “At the ceremony for appointing judges at the President’s Residence, I spoke about this issue, and there was broad consensus across the board.”

He also expressed gratitude to those who advanced the legislation, particularly MK Moshe Gafni, stating: “who for many years worked behind the scenes with determination to formulate the legal and political framework that would allow for its approval—as indeed occurred last night in the Knesset plenum.”