Feed aggregator

In light of the ongoing regional tensions following the Iran conflict, new travel restrictions have further complicated movement in and out of Israel.

Travel to Israel remains limited but possible. Passengers are generally able to obtain seats, though availability is inconsistent and many flights have been cancelled. In many cases, working with an experienced travel agent has proven helpful in securing bookings that are not readily visible online.

Outbound travel, however, continues to be significantly more challenging. Last night, restrictions were further tightened, with only 50 passengers permitted per outbound flight and the number of available flights being reduced. Thousands of travelers – including tourists, students, families, and individuals with pressing medical or personal needs – remain stuck in Israel with no clear or reliable path home.

Arkia to Operate Aqaba to JFK Nonstop Option

Chaim V’Chessed has learned that, In light of the new restrictions, Israeli carrier Arkia will operate a nonstop flight from Aqaba in southern Jordan directly to John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York.

While this option requires travelers to make their way to Eilat and cross the border there into Jordan before continuing on to Aqaba, it may present a practical and timely solution for many who are currently unable to secure departure from Israel itself.

Travelers considering this option should carefully review border crossing requirements, confirm visa/passport eligibility if applicable, and allow ample time for the land transfer between Eilat and Aqaba.

U.S. State Department – Information Collection and Bus Travel

The U.S. Department of State continues to collect information about travelers’ reports, via their Crisis Intake Form. However, many Americans report receiving responses that are often incoherent or unhelpful. Official evacuation options remain limited and inconsistent, and the situation is evolving rapidly.

In addition, the State Department has announced that it will now provide bus travel from Jerusalem and Tel Aviv to Amman, Jordan. Travelers will need to arrange their own onward travel from Amman. While international flights are available out of Amman, the journey is expected to be arduous, requiring travelers to navigate long land transfers and border procedures. Passengers may register for the bus service at this link.

In addition to the journey being arduous, travelers should be aware of other potential complications. Historically, there have been difficulties bringing religious items such as tefillin into Jordan, which will present concerns for some passengers. Furthermore, if the busses do not arrive in Amman in the early morning hours, travelers may be required to stay overnight, as most international flights from Amman depart during the earlier part of the day. Careful coordination of timing and logistics will therefore be essential.

Weather Warning – Potential Flooding in Southern Israel

The Israel Meteorological Service has warned of heavy rains with expected flooding in southern Israel on Wednesday and Thursday. These weather events may result in road closures and have the potential to cut off travel to Eilat, depending on which highways are affected. Chaim V’Chessed recommends that travelers take this information into account when planning their journey, whether intending to depart via Egypt or Aqaba.

Situation Remains Fluid

Airspace policies, airline schedules, and border procedures continue to change with little notice. Those attempting to depart are advised to remain flexible, follow Chaim V’Chessed updates, and prepare for last-minute adjustments.

{Matzav.com}

A new national survey indicates that Secretary of State Marco Rubio is viewed positively by nearly half of likely U.S. voters, reflecting an increase in his standing as he plays a leading role in President Donald Trump’s foreign policy efforts.

According to the Rasmussen Reports poll, 47% of likely voters have a favorable opinion of Rubio, including 25% who describe their view as “very favorable.” This marks a slight increase from 45% recorded a year ago.

In contrast, 36% of respondents hold an unfavorable view of Rubio, while 16% say they are unsure.

The findings point to a growing national profile for Rubio as he takes on major diplomatic responsibilities tied to the Trump administration’s agenda, including sensitive initiatives in Latin America and the Middle East.

The survey also explored how voters assess Rubio’s performance compared to past secretaries of state. It found that 36% believe he is doing a better job than most of his predecessors, while 35% say he is performing worse. Another 18% feel his performance is about the same.

Republican voters show particularly strong support for Rubio, with 71% expressing a favorable opinion and 59% saying he is outperforming previous secretaries of state.

Among Democrats, however, opposition is pronounced, with 73% saying they view Rubio unfavorably, underscoring the sharp partisan divide over the administration’s foreign policy.

The poll highlights Rubio’s strength among Hispanic voters, with 64% viewing him favorably — a notable figure given his background as a Miami-born politician of Cuban descent and his prominent role in shaping U.S. policy toward Latin America.

Among white and Black voters, Rubio holds a 44% favorability rating, according to the survey.

Men are more likely than women to express a positive opinion of Rubio, and voters in their 30s show the highest level of support among age groups.

Support is strongest among conservatives, with 75% reporting a favorable view of the secretary of state.

The Rasmussen survey was conducted from March 16 to March 18 among 1,092 likely voters and carries a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.

Rubio’s improved numbers domestically come as his visibility on the global stage also appears to be increasing.

An international poll conducted by AtlasIntel for Bloomberg News found that Rubio ranks among the most favorably viewed political figures in Venezuela following U.S.-backed efforts to stabilize the country after the removal of strongman Nicolas Maduro.

Rubio has stressed the importance of restoring stability and advancing democratic elections in Venezuela, arguing that conditions there are already improving after years of socialist governance.

“I will say this without apology or fear: Venezuela is better today than it was eight weeks ago,” Rubio said recently, pointing to progress while acknowledging more work remains.

Overall, the Rasmussen data suggests that Rubio’s prominent diplomatic role and close alignment with President Trump’s America First approach are resonating with a significant segment of the electorate, even as critics continue to voice opposition.

With international challenges continuing to evolve, Rubio’s rising favorability may position him as a central figure in shaping U.S. foreign policy — and potentially as a contender in the 2028 Republican presidential race.

[COMMUNICATED]

Three kedoshei elyon had one common concept when it came to learning Torah – they were the Ohr Hachaim Hakadosh (Rabbi Chaim ibn Attar 1696-1743) when he came to Eretz Yisroel; the Ramchal (Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto 1707-1746) when he lived in Padua, Italy;  and Hagaon, Harav Chaim Volozhiner, (1749-1821) the famous talmid of the Gaon of Vilna.

They each had a yeshiva with ‘around-the-clock’ Torah learning, 24-hours a day, so that there would be no minute when the sound of Torah learning would not be heard in this world. The 24-hour period would be divided into shifts, and as one ended the next would begin.

Torah-24

A “Torah-24” Center has been opened in Yerushalayim and the Nasi is Maran Sar Hatorah, Harav Chaim Kanievsky, zt”l.

Under ONE ROOF, from 6:00 am – 6:00 am, 10 kollelim fill successive learning shifts. Each kollel focuses on a specific area of in-depth Torah study. The “Torah-24” Kollelim include: Boker (Gemora), Yerushalmi, Bavli, Zeraim-Taharot, Dalet Chelkei Shulchan Aruch, Erev (Gemora), Chatzos- Zohar/Kabbolah, Erev Shabbos (Chumash / Medrash b’iyun). 

Already there are 52 avreichim metzuyonim, and a large number of candidates are vying for the remaining slots in the kollelim. All the avreichim are required to take rigorous monthly tests.

Endorsements & Letters

Endorsements include Maranan Hagaonim shlit”a: Harav Gershon Edelstein, Harav Berel Povarsky, Harav Shimon Badani, Harav Dovid Cohen, Harav Boruch Mordechai Ezrachi, Harav Chaim Feinstein, Harav Shimon Galai, Harav Shraga Shteinman.

Letters of support-encouragement have been received from Maranan Hagaonim, shlit”a: Hamekubal Harav David Bazri, Hamashpia Hagadol Reb Elimelech Biderman, Hamekubal Harav Yaakov Meir Schechter, Harav Moishe Sternbuch, Harav Yitzchak Tuvia Weiss.

For more “Torah-24” information click on: www.torah-24.com or call 718-766-5022

A senior Iranian official has firmly rejected claims that Tehran is engaged in discussions with the Trump administration over ending the ongoing conflict and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, contradicting statements made by President Trump about active negotiations.

Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Baqher Ghalibaf pushed back strongly against President Trump’s claim that Washington had held “very good and productive talks” with Iran aimed at resolving the war.

“No negotiations have been held with the US, and fakenews is used to manipulate the financial and oil markets and escape the quagmire in which the US and Israel are trapped,” Ghalibaf wrote on X.

“Iranian people demand complete and remorseful punishment of the aggressors,” he added. “All Iranian officials stand firmly behind their supreme leader and people until this goal is achieved.”

Tehran has consistently dismissed reports that its leadership is in direct contact with U.S. officials, even as optimism over a possible diplomatic breakthrough led to gains in both stock and oil markets on Monday.

President Trump, however, suggested that Iran’s denials stem from internal communication breakdowns following sustained U.S.-Israeli strikes that have eliminated numerous senior figures in Iran’s leadership.

“The communication, as you know, has been blown to pieces. They were unable to talk to each other, but we’ve had very strong talks,” he told reporters.

“If it goes well, we’re going to end up settling this. Otherwise, we just keep bombing our little hearts out.”

According to Israeli officials cited in a report, Ghalibaf has been identified as a key intermediary for Iran, allegedly maintaining either direct or indirect contact with Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff as well as Jared Kushner.

President Donald Trump said Monday that it remains unclear whether Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is still alive, following reports that he may have been wounded during the opening stages of Operation Epic Fury.

Speaking to reporters as he left Palm Beach International Airport in South Florida en route to Memphis, Tennessee, Trump acknowledged the lack of information about Khamenei’s condition. “We have not heard from the son,” Trump said. “We don’t know if he’s living.”

Shortly before making those remarks, Trump indicated that the United States is engaged in discussions that could potentially bring an end to the conflict in the Middle East, referring to talks involving what he described as a highly respected figure in Iran’s leadership.

When asked whether he meant the country’s supreme leader, Trump clarified that he was not referring to that position. “No,” he replied.

Trump went on to state that Iran’s previous leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, had been killed and suggested that Mojtaba Khamenei’s current status remains uncertain. “[Ali] Khamenei was killed,” the president said. “Khamenei’s son is unavailable. Nobody knows what happened to him. I can say they haven’t seen him there either. Something is going on with him. But regardless, I don’t consider him really the leader, but they do have some leaders left.”

Shortly after Trump’s comments, The Jerusalem Post reported that U.S.-Iran discussions are believed to be centered around Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who currently serves as speaker of Iran’s parliament.

Ghalibaf, 64, is a former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps air force and has been seen on Iranian state television leading chants of “Death to America! Death to Israel!” among lawmakers.

Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, was appointed on March 8 to succeed his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed at age 86 during the initial phase of the joint U.S.-Israeli air campaign on February 28.

Reports indicate that Mojtaba Khamenei may have been injured in the same strike that killed his father, though accounts differ regarding the extent of his injuries.

The New York Times, citing Iranian sources, reported on March 11 that he suffered a broken foot, bruising around the eye, and cuts to his face.

A day later, another report citing an Iranian source claimed that Khamenei was in a coma and receiving intensive medical treatment at Sina University Hospital in Tehran.

“One or two of his legs have been cut off. His liver or stomach has also ruptured. He is apparently in a coma as well,” the source alleged.

Since assuming the role of supreme leader, Khamenei has issued only written statements, which have been read on state television, fueling further speculation about his condition—particularly after he did not appear at a public event marking his succession.

Over the weekend, Axios reported that U.S. and Israeli intelligence assessments suggest Mojtaba Khamenei is still alive, noting that Iranian officials have reportedly been attempting to arrange in-person meetings with him.

“We have no evidence that he is really the one giving orders,” a senior Israeli official said, while a U.S. official described the situation as “beyond weird.”

“We don’t think the Iranians would have gone through all this trouble to choose a dead guy as the supreme leader,” the official said, “but at the same time, we have no proof that he is taking the helm.”

{Matzav.com}

Unmasked Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were deployed to major airports across the United States on Monday, where they were quickly confronted and photographed by travelers and media as they began assisting with airport operations.

President Donald Trump announced the move a day earlier, saying ICE personnel would be sent to support TSA officers, many of whom have been working without pay since February due to the ongoing government shutdown.

At John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, ICE agents were seen patrolling terminals as long security lines formed amid the partial shutdown. The presence of the agents drew significant attention from passengers and photographers.

Some ICE officers were filmed attempting to avoid cameras, with footage showing them running as they were pursued by photographers inside JFK.

At the same time, ICE personnel were also deployed at Atlanta’s airport, where they were observed helping with security-related duties alongside TSA officers who remain on the job despite not receiving pay.

Airports where ICE agents were deployed on Monday include Atlanta, Chicago O’Hare, Cleveland, Houston Hobby, Fort Myers, New Orleans, New York JFK, New York LaGuardia, Newark Liberty, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, and San Juan in Puerto Rico.

Passengers aboard an Air Canada flight that collided with a fire truck at New York’s LaGuardia Airport described scenes of panic and confusion as the aircraft lost control on the runway, while some suggested the pilots’ final actions may have prevented a far greater tragedy.

“It was a regular flight like always,” passenger Jack Cabot told Fox News, referring to the plane that arrived from Montreal shortly before 11:40 p.m. Sunday.

Cabot recounted the moments leading up to the crash, saying the landing felt unusually forceful before things quickly escalated. “As we were arriving, we came down really hard. We stopped really quickly, 2 seconds later, we had an absolute slam,” he said, describing the impact that left the front section of the aircraft destroyed.

Both pilots were killed in the crash, and 41 passengers were taken to hospitals following the incident, which led to the shutdown of the Queens airport for much of Monday.

'IT WAS CHAOS': An Air Canada passenger details the harrowing moments when the plane he was on collided with a fire truck on the runway during landing at LaGuardia Airport. Two pilots were killed and dozens of passengers were injured. pic.twitter.com/7Nt36V5Bfc

— Fox News (@FoxNews) March 23, 2026

Cabot described the immediate aftermath inside the cabin as chaotic and disorienting. “Everybody was flying everywhere. The plane veering off left and right. It was chaos. It didn’t feel like there was anybody controlling it,” he added.

Another passenger said it appeared the pilots attempted a last-second maneuver that may have helped save lives.

“We had just touched down, and maybe about 30 seconds later we all felt a jolt forward, then a loud bang, and what felt like sliding sideways down the runway,” passenger Brady Sego wrote on Reddit.

“Someone did say the pilot tried to reverse thrust at the last second. Honestly, they likely saved our lives. I wish I could tell their families how thankful I am. They are heroes,” he added.

Authorities have not yet released the identities of the pilots, and investigators are still working to determine what caused the crash.

Audio recordings from air traffic control captured tense moments during the incident, including a controller acknowledging a mistake. The recordings reveal one official saying they “messed up.”

Images taken the following morning show extensive damage to the aircraft, with the cockpit area completely destroyed as daylight illuminated the runway.

{Matzav.com}

Amid the ongoing security situation, the weekly Motzoei Shabbos shiur of the former Rishon LeTzion, Rav Yitzchok Yosef, was moved from its usual location at the Yazdim shul to a protected underground hall at Yeshivas Ohr Hachaim on Rechov Ezra in Yerushalayim.

The shiur drew hundreds who came to hear the words of the Rishon LeTzion despite the change in venue. The evening opened with divrei chizuk from the renowned mashpia, Rav Meilech Biderman, followed by the main shiur delivered by Rav Yitzchok Yosef.

PHOTOS:

[Video below.] Sen. Lindsey Graham said Sunday that the United States should move to seize or control Iran’s Kharg Island, arguing that doing so would deal a decisive blow to Tehran’s economy and military capability amid escalating tensions in the region.

Speaking on Fox News’s “Fox News Sunday,” Graham, who has long advocated a hardline stance on Iran, pointed to Kharg Island as a critical target, noting that it serves as “the point of departure for approximately 90 percent of Iran’s oil exports.”

Earlier this month, President Donald Trump said U.S. forces had already inflicted major damage on the island’s military assets. In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote that American forces had destroyed “every military target in Iran’s crown jewel, Kharg Island.”

He added, “for reasons of decency, I have chosen NOT to wipe out the Oil Infrastructure on the Island. However, should Iran, or anyone else, do anything to interfere with the Free and Safe Passage of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz, I will immediately reconsider this decision.”

On Sunday, with shipping through the Strait of Hormuz effectively disrupted following Iranian attacks on oil tankers, Trump warned Tehran that it must reopen the waterway or face U.S. strikes targeting its power infrastructure.

Graham said he has advised the president that a more decisive step is needed to cripple Iran’s capabilities. He said he told Trump that to permanently weaken the regime, the United States must “take Kharg Island, where they have all of the resources they have to produce oil.”

Host Shannon Bream asked whether such a move would require American ground forces, referencing concerns raised in The Atlantic about the risks of a prolonged and difficult campaign far from supply lines.

“I’m sort of tired of all this arm chair quarterbacking,” Graham said. “This has been an amazing military operation. God bless the fallen.”

Bream pressed further on the issue of deploying troops, noting the distinction involved in committing forces on the ground.

“I trust the Marines, not that guy,” Graham said, referring to the Atlantic writer. “I trust DOD. We’ve got two marine expeditionary area units sailing to this island. We did Iwo Jima, we can do this. The Marines, my money’s always on the Marines.”

Graham said the exact approach—whether through a direct takeover or a blockade—remains to be determined, but emphasized the strategic importance of the island. “I don’t know if you take the island or you blockade the island, but I know this: The day we control that island, this regime, this terrorist regime, has been weakened and it will die on a vine.”

He added that such a move could pave the way for broader regional diplomacy. “I want to take up and complete what [Joe] Biden started. As soon as we get Iran defanged so they can never do another October 7th, I want to start up peace talks between Saudi and Israel. This year, I want a peace deal between Saudi and Israeli normalizing ending the Arab-Israeli conflict — been going on for 2,000 years this year — and you can’t do it with a lethal Iran.”

Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie on Sunday sharply criticized President Donald Trump’s decision-making, arguing that the administration is failing to think through the broader consequences of its actions as the Department of Homeland Security shutdown continues to disrupt airport operations.

Speaking on ABC’s “This Week,” Christie addressed concerns raised by host Jon Karl about the ongoing funding lapse, which has left most DHS functions without support aside from Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Karl asked, “And this is all happening as we have this shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security, basically no funding for anything except for ICE. I mean, where is this going? What’s your sense?”

Christie responded by pointing to the growing impact on air travel, warning that the situation is likely to worsen as the busy summer season approaches. “Well, look, as it continues to impact, lines at airports. Yeah. And as we get closer to this summer, when people are going to be going on vacation, you know, it’s going to have to come to a head. And, you know, when you have a 2.5-hour line in Atlanta, the busiest airport in the country, this is going to become a huge problem.”

He then broadened his criticism, arguing that the administration is taking a short-term approach without considering long-term consequences. “But look what everyone is saying around the table here is an indication that the president plays checkers, not chess. This is a guy who just looks at what jump he can make today. Does it look if there’s a double jump coming in the other direction. So you do what you do with Iran. You know, think about what happens with the Strait of Hormuz. You don’t think that what that’s going to force you to do to deal with gas prices that Donald just talked about is to relieve sanctions on Russia and Iran, who you’re going to war with?”

Christie added that the American public is paying attention to what he described as a pattern of decisions lacking foresight. “I mean, the American people see this stuff. And my point on this chart is this goes to competence. It goes to, are you competent to run the government and make these decisions? And every time one decision is made, another domino falls. And the president and the people around him are not considering those things.”

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

Newly released recordings have heightened tensions within Israel’s opposition, with Democrats party chairman Yair Golan accusing opposition leader Yair Lapid of refusing to unite due to “personal issues” and what he described as irrational behavior.

According to recordings aired Sunday by Channel 14 journalist Ishai Friedman, Golan sharply criticized Lapid for declining to join forces with his party. The remarks are part of a broader political push by Golan aimed at reshaping the left-wing bloc.

Sources close to Golan say his camp is openly anticipating a political weakening of Lapid’s Yesh Atid party, believing that only by diminishing Lapid’s strength can he be pressured into joining a larger, unified left-wing party under Golan’s leadership.

As part of this effort, Democrats activists have been working in the field and at small gatherings to dissuade voters from supporting either Naftali Bennett or Yair Lapid. Party officials argue that Lapid and his allies are effectively “burying their heads in the sand,” harming the bloc’s chances of winning the next election.

MK Gilad Kariv recently voiced similar frustration at a local gathering, saying that having three parties competing for the same voters is fundamentally flawed. He stressed that repeated offers to unite with Yesh Atid have been ignored, and also criticized Lapid for not speaking out forcefully enough against IDF operations in Gaza, which he said reflects deeper divisions within the opposition.

The dispute has now taken on a more personal dimension. Golan is directly accusing Lapid of poor political judgment driven by personal considerations. While Golan’s strategy is to weaken Lapid in order to bring him into a unified framework as a junior partner, there are also concerns that a significant collapse of Yesh Atid could ultimately cost the broader left-wing bloc critical seats.

Lapid responded to the recordings, criticizing Golan’s tone and approach. “Yair Golan and the Democrats have chosen a low and personal style.”

He elaborated in a post on X: “Before the war, I warned exactly about things like this.”

“Unfortunately, Yair Golan and the Democrats have chosen a low and personal style. This is not the first time Golan has spoken this way, just the first time he was recorded, and then happily distributed by Channel 14. They know this mainly helps Bibi. This is not how you win elections or build an alternative. I very much hope someone there comes to their senses quickly before they once again cause irreversible damage to the entire bloc.”

{Matzav.com}

Israeli officials are rejecting claims of internal fractures within Iran’s leadership, warning instead that Tehran is preparing for a sustained war of attrition and remains firmly controlled by hardline elements of the Revolutionary Guard.

Sources in Israel told Maariv that decision-making power in Tehran is now concentrated in a rigid inner circle of the Revolutionary Guard, operating without restraint and showing no indication of internal moderation or a shift that could lead to a favorable resolution for the West. Officials speaking privately in Yerushalayim described the situation in stark terms, saying that President Pezeshkian has been significantly weakened. Although he was expected to play a more central role, in practice he is largely sidelined, with real authority having shifted to the Revolutionary Guard and the most hardline faction within Iran’s leadership.

Regarding Mojtaba Khamenei, Israeli officials say there is no clear certainty about his condition. The assessment is that he is alive, possibly conscious, but questions remain about how much control he truly exercises and how much is being carried out in his name. From Israel’s perspective, however, the distinction is largely irrelevant. Those currently making decisions are not more moderate but more extreme, and the figures now at the top are considered more hardline than those in power before the war began. Israeli officials say they see no signs of any Iranian “perestroika” or gradual political shift; on the contrary, the leadership that has emerged is more rigid, closing rather than opening any window for a more favorable agreement.

According to Israeli assessments, Iran retains the capability to sustain a prolonged campaign involving ongoing missile fire for months. Officials believe Tehran is relying on one key factor: President Donald Trump. Iranian strategy, they say, is built on the expectation that rising global oil prices will push the United States to pressure for a ceasefire and move toward negotiations on what Israeli officials describe as an unfavorable deal. From Israel’s standpoint, such an agreement would halt the fighting, release frozen Iranian funds, and leave Tehran’s power structure intact, without dismantling its nuclear program or missile systems. Israeli officials believe Iran views the United States as a lever—using oil markets and inflation to force a deal over Israel’s head.

When it comes to the Strait of Hormuz, Israeli officials do not believe the issue can be resolved through air power alone. Assessments in Jerusalem indicate that Iran has come to see control over the strait as a strategic asset and a long-term pressure point it will continue to exploit even after the current conflict ends. As a result, officials argue that the issue must be addressed during the current campaign rather than postponed to a vague future agreement. In internal discussions, strategic targets in the Persian Gulf are being repeatedly raised, particularly Kharg Island, through which most of Iran’s oil exports pass. Some in Israel believe that a U.S. move to take control of the island is not unrealistic and would be the only effective way to strike at the regime’s financial lifeline and limit its leverage in the region.

At the same time, Israeli officials express little confidence in Europe’s response. The prevailing view in Yerushalayim is that European governments have yet to fully grasp the scale of the threat and are opting to delay action in order to avoid opening another front with a country that could disrupt global oil flows through Hormuz. Even unusual developments, such as Iran launching missiles toward Diego Garcia, have not significantly shifted Europe’s cautious stance.

{Matzav.com}

President Trump said Monday that the United States will hold off for five days on striking Iran’s energy and power infrastructure, citing what he described as encouraging diplomatic engagement over the weekend aimed at ending the ongoing three-week conflict.

“I am please [sic] to report that the United States of America, and the country of Iran, have had, over the last two days, very good and productive conversations regarding a complete and total resolution of our hostilities in the Middle East,” Trump wrote, offering no additional details about the discussions.

“Based on the tenor and tone of these in-depth, detailed, and constructive conversations, witch [sic] will continue throughout the week, I have instructed the Department of War to postpone any and all military strikes against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for a five-day period, subject to the success of the ongoing meetings and discussions.”

Speaking later in a phone interview with CNBC, Trump emphasized that Washington is strongly pursuing an agreement with Tehran and described the negotiations as highly focused and intense.

Iranian officials swiftly rejected the president’s portrayal of events. In a statement released through the Foreign Ministry to the state-run IRAN newspaper, Tehran dismissed the claims outright, saying: “Remarks by the US president are part of efforts to reduce energy prices and buy time to implement his military plans.

“While there have been initiatives by regional countries to de-escalate tensions, Iran’s response has been clear: It did not start the war and all such requests should be directed to Washington.”

Following Iran’s response and the continuation of Israeli air operations, oil markets reversed earlier declines, with prices climbing back toward $100 per barrel by 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time.

Earlier in the day, Trump’s announcement had triggered a sharp drop in oil prices, with Brent crude falling below $94 per barrel after previously reaching nearly $109. At the same time, futures tied to the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 2.6% ahead of the market open.

Over the weekend, Trump had issued a 48-hour ultimatum demanding that Iran reopen the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz, warning that failure to comply would result in major strikes. He stated that if Iran refused, “the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!”

Tehran responded with threats of its own, warning it would target energy infrastructure throughout the region. Iranian state television displayed a message following Trump’s latest remarks that read: “US president backs down following Iran’s firm warning.”

The president’s latest statement represents the first formal indication that discussions may be underway to bring Operation Epic Fury to a close. The campaign began on Feb. 28, and Trump had initially suggested it could continue for approximately “four weeks or so,” pointing to a possible conclusion around March 28.

Before Trump’s announcement, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed that he had held a phone conversation with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, as Ankara has previously played a mediating role between Washington and Tehran.

Despite the recent diplomatic activity, Trump had signaled just days earlier that he was not interested in pursuing a cease-fire, even if Iran was open to it following significant losses among its leadership.

“I don’t want to do a cease-fire. You know, you don’t do a cease-fire when you’re literally obliterating the other side,” the president told reporters as he left the White House Friday for a weekend at his Mar-a-Lago resort.

“From a military standpoint, all they’re doing is clogging up the strait. But from a military standpoint, they’re finished.”

The Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed to maritime traffic since the conflict began, disrupting a key global oil route that carries roughly 20 percent of the world’s supply and contributing to volatility in international markets.

At nearly the same time as Trump’s announcement, Oman’s foreign minister, Badr Albusaidi, said his country is actively working to ensure safe transit through the vital waterway.

He offered no further specifics.

{Matzav.com}

White House border czar Tom Homan said Sunday that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel will begin assisting at airports but will not take on passenger screening duties, even as the effort ramps up to support strained Transportation Security Administration (TSA) operations.

Speaking on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Homan made clear that ICE agents will not be assigned to operate X-ray machines or conduct screenings. “Wherever we can provide extra security, I don’t see an ICE agent looking at an X-ray machine, because we’re not trained in that,” he told host Dana Bash.

Instead, he explained that ICE officers will step into other roles currently handled by TSA staff, allowing trained screeners to focus on their core responsibilities. “But there are certain parts of security that TSA is doing that we can move them off those jobs, and put them in the specialized jobs to help move those lines,” he added.

Earlier Sunday, President Trump announced on Truth Social that ICE agents would begin assisting TSA starting Monday, with Homan overseeing the effort. Homan said he is working alongside acting ICE Director Todd Lyons and acting TSA Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill to finalize the details. “We’ll have a plan by the end of today,” he said, adding that the strategy remains a “work in progress” and should focus first on airports experiencing the longest wait times.

The move comes as the partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security approaches its 40th day, with TSA staffing shortages continuing to disrupt operations. A growing number of TSA employees have been calling out, leading to extended lines at airports across the country.

Some major hubs, including Philadelphia International Airport and George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, have been forced to shut down certain security checkpoints due to insufficient staffing.

According to a statement released Tuesday by Lauren Bis, acting assistant secretary of DHS, 366 TSA officers have left their positions since the shutdown began on Feb. 15. Workers received only partial pay late last month and went without pay entirely last week.

With ICE now stepping in to help, Homan emphasized that agents are already familiar with airport environments. “ICE agents are assigned at many airports across the country already,” he told Bash. “They do a lot of investigation, criminal investigation on smuggling at airports. But you got TSA agents covering exits, people that enter through the exits.”

He added that ICE officers could take over tasks like monitoring airport exits to prevent unauthorized entry, freeing TSA personnel to return to screening duties. “Certainly, a highly trained ICE law enforcement officer can cover an exit and makes sure people don’t go through those exits, entering the airport through the exits,” he said. “And stuff like that relieves that TSA officer to go to screening and to reduce those lines.”

Homan’s remarks appeared to differ from comments made by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who suggested that ICE agents may assist with screening-related functions. “They run those same type of security machines at the southern border, right?” Duffy said Sunday. “Packages come through or people come through. They run similar assets.”

“We have ICE agents who are trained and can provide assistance to agents,” he continued, adding that they would also help address long wait times.

In a separate interview on “Fox News Sunday,” Homan reiterated that ICE’s primary role will be to relieve TSA agents from secondary duties such as guarding exits, allowing them to focus on passenger screening.

The Hill has reached out to TSA, ICE, and the Department of Transportation for clarification on the scope of ICE’s involvement.

Homan also noted that ICE already conducts immigration enforcement at airports on a regular basis, and that aspect of its work will continue unchanged. However, he stressed that the current deployment is specifically intended to support TSA staff during the ongoing staffing crisis.

“This is about helping the men and women at TSA,” Homan said.

{Matzav.com}

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the passing of Reb Shmuel Beller z”l, a Holocaust survivor who endured the horrors of Auschwitz and the Death March, and who rebuilt his life with remarkable strength, becoming a shining example of emunah, simcha, and ahavas Yisroel.

Reb Shmuel was born on August 9, 1927, in Oświęcim, Poland—the very town that would later become known to the world as Auschwitz. It was a small town of approximately 6,000 residents. He grew up in modest conditions. His father, Reb Tzvi Beller, worked as a peddler selling fabrics across the border, while his mother, Chava (nee Goldstein) cared for the home. The family lived simply, in a small apartment without basic amenities. He had a younger brother and a younger sister, and the home, though materially limited, was rooted in Yiddishkeit.

As a child, he attended public school in the mornings, a co-ed institution under Catholic control, and spent his afternoons learning in the Dumbska yeshivah. That life came to an abrupt halt with the outbreak of the war, when the Nazis entered and took control of the town almost immediately.

Within a year, the family was uprooted from their home and sent to the Bedzin-Sosnowiec Ghetto. Living conditions were harsh and degrading. Jewish families were pushed out of proper housing and forced into cellars with dirt floors, while the Germans confiscated the better apartments.

Reb Shmuel’s father was taken away to a labor camp, leaving him to help support his mother and younger siblings. He was assigned work by the Jewish administration, employed by two German brothers who produced military uniforms. His days were split between cleaning their home and packing uniforms, all while living under constant fear and uncertainty.

As the war progressed, he was sent through a series of forced labor camps. In 1943, when he was slated for transport to Auschwitz, he went into hiding. When the Judenrat could not find him, they took his mother and siblings in his place. After two days in hiding, he emerged—only to narrowly miss that transport. Instead, he was sent to yet another labor camp.

Eventually, he was transferred to increasingly brutal conditions, including Blechhammer, the largest sub-camp of Auschwitz, where he remained for six months. From there, he was forced onto the infamous Death March.

Recounting those harrowing days, Reb Shmuel later described the brutal conditions:
“…Auschwitz they wouldn’t bomb because Roosevelt, Roosevelt, he gave orders not to bomb Auschwitz. After the war I found it out. I didn’t know then. This is something that the historian will tell. But in 1945, the Russians came from Warsaw, from the east, the British and the Americans were coming from the other side and we were like in the middle, so they started to evacuate from there. We went out about three thousand people from there. So they opened up all the ‘magazines’ – they had cloth, they had food. Whatever they had there, they opened them up, and we went in there, whoever was able to grab was able to grab…”

He described the desperate struggle to survive the freezing march, even down to the smallest details that meant the difference between life and death: “…So what I did, I put on two pairs of socks and one pair of socks I kept…Next morning, I put the socks that I had with me, I put them on the top and the other pair of socks I put on the bottom – they were a little wet – and the other socks which were more wet, I took on my body and dried it out…”

The march lasted for weeks under brutal conditions, with those unable to continue being shot on the spot. Reb Shmuel recalled: “…And whoever wasn’t able to walk, he fell down, they shot him on the spot, on the street…”

At one point, risking his life, he slipped into a bakery while passing through a village and grabbed bread, an act that sustained him for a time and helped him continue.

After weeks of marching, the prisoners were packed into cattle cars, 80 to 100 people ,crammed into each wagon without food or proper shelter. They were transported under horrific conditions, including stops at camps such as Gross-Rosen, where prisoners endured prolonged roll calls in freezing weather, beatings, starvation, and constant terror.

He described the unimaginable suffering:“…we had to stay from four o’clock in the morning to maybe ten o’clock at night. If somebody moved, they shot him or they beat him. No food, no sleeping, no nothing…”

Eventually, he was transported toward Buchenwald. Along the way, during an Allied bombing, the guards fled, and prisoners scattered. Reb Shmuel found sugar in an abandoned home—another small but critical moment of survival. “…this survived me for awhile because sugar gives strength…”

He was later liberated by American soldiers, who opened the cattle cars and declared, “You are free.” At that time, he was gravely ill with typhus and spent three months hospitalized recovering.

After the war, he was sent to a camp known as “Fenvelt,” where he lived among Hungarian boys who had arrived later and retained their Yiddishkeit. These boys had a profound impact on him, helping bring him back to a life of Torah and mitzvos. They even brought him to the Klausenberger Rebbe, helping rekindle his connection to Yiddishkeit after all he had endured.

He later spent time in a Displaced Persons camp before eventually emigrating to the United States, where he resumed his learning in yeshivah, determined to rebuild what had been destroyed.

Reb Shmuel ultimately settled in Flatbush, where he became known as a vibrant, warm, and energetic Yid whose presence uplifted all those around him. He was deeply devoted b’lev v’nefesh to the bais medrash of Rav Spector zt”l on Avenue S and East 7th Street, attending davening in all conditions and doing whatever he could to support and strengthen the shul.

His home was a place of simcha, chinuch, and genuine Torah values—a home filled with mentchlichkeit, warmth, and care. Those who knew him saw a man who, despite all he had endured, radiated life, joy, and love for every fellow Yid.

To witness a person who went through such darkness and emerged as an extraordinary eved Hashem, filled with ahavas Yisroel, love of mitzvos, and a deep appreciation for life, was to see the power of a Yiddishe neshomah. With tremendous siyata diShmaya, and with the support of his devoted eizer kenegdo, he rebuilt, creating a legacy of strength, faith, and unwavering dedication to Torah.

He is survived by his devoted children: Mr. Heshy Beller, Mrs. Chavi Greenstein, R’ Mayer Beller, and Ms. Lila Beller. The family will be sitting shivah in Monsey at 140 Horton Drive.

The levaya will be held at 10 a.m. this morning at Shomrei Hadas Chapels in Boro Park.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}

Israel’s ambassador to the United States said Sunday that growing unrest inside Iran could ultimately lead to the collapse of the Islamic Republic, arguing that the Iranian people themselves may rise up against the regime.

Speaking on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Ambassador Michael Leiter suggested that any meaningful change on the ground would need to come from within Iran. “I think that we need boots on the ground, but they have got to be Iranian boots, and I think they’re coming,” Leiter said.

He pointed to recent unrest as a sign of deeper dissatisfaction among the population, saying, “probably it’s going to take place, because the Iranian people have had enough. They tried to raise up last month. They were brutally put down.”

Leiter compared the current situation to past historical upheavals, noting that major regime changes often come unexpectedly. “There’s a point of combustion. Look, nobody knew when the Soviet Union would collapse. Nobody knew when the Romanians would turn their guns against their Ceausescu government. But it happened at some point. And if we degrade them enough, the people of Iran are going to say we have had enough and we want a different regime.”

He emphasized that the current focus should remain on weakening Iran’s leadership to the point where it can no longer maintain control. “what we have to focus on now is degrading [Iran] to the point where they have no power left in this regime. Hopefully, that will trigger this combustion point where the people are able to take charge of their own lives. Our focus has to be on degrading this regime to the point where they no longer pose a threat to us, to the region and to the world.”

Leiter also warned about the dangers posed by Iran’s military capabilities and regional influence, stressing the urgency of preventing further escalation. “we cannot allow this regime to move forward with nuclear weapons, intercontinental ballistic missiles, and terrorists spreading throughout the region,” he said.

He concluded by underscoring the broader threat posed by Iran’s leadership, adding that “we cannot live anymore with a country that is malign, that has intent on destroying us, that declares it’s going to destroy us all the time and is now firing ballistic missiles into all of its neighbors. This has to stop.”

{Matzav.com}

Iran’s foreign minister said Sunday that Tehran will not yield to pressure, pushing back against an ultimatum from President Donald Trump demanding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz or facing potential U.S. strikes on Iranian power facilities.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded in a social media post, insisting that the waterway remains open and placing blame for disruptions on the current conflict. “Strait of Hormuz is not closed. Ships hesitate because insurers fear the war of choice you initiated – not Iran,” Araghchi wrote.

He continued with a pointed message toward Washington, stating, “No insurer – and no Iranian – will be swayed by more threats. Try respect. Freedom of Navigation cannot exist without Freedom of Trade. Respect both – or expect neither.”

The remarks followed a statement from President Trump a day earlier, in which he gave Iran a 48-hour deadline to fully reopen the strategic passage or face military consequences targeting its energy infrastructure.

“If Iran doesn’t FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 HOURS from this exact point in time, the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!” the President wrote in a post on Truth Social.

In response, Iranian officials issued their own warning, saying that any attack on the country’s energy systems would trigger a broad strike against American and Israeli assets throughout the region.

“If Iran’s fuel and energy infrastructure is attacked by the enemy, all energy, information technology, and desalination infrastructure belonging to the United States and the (Israeli) regime in the region will be targeted,” a spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters said in remarks carried by Iran’s Fars news agency.

Meanwhile, President Trump indicated Friday that U.S. forces are nearing their objectives in the ongoing campaign against what he called the “terrorist regime of Iran,” suggesting that operations could soon begin to wind down.

His comments came shortly after he told reporters he is not seeking a ceasefire at this stage of the conflict.

“I don’t want to do a ceasefire. You know you don’t do a ceasefire when you’re literally obliterating the other side,” he said.

Several ambulances belonging to Hatzolah Northwest were set ablaze outside a shul in London’s Golders Green neighborhood early Monday morning, in what is being treated as a likely antisemitic attack.

Security camera footage shared with CNN shows three masked individuals approaching a Hatzolah Northwest ambulance and deliberately setting it on fire. The timestamp on the footage reads 1:36 a.m. Monday, and the location is identified as Machzikei Hadath, the name of the adjacent shul.

BREAKING: Video shows 3 hooded men poor gas, ignite the blaze and flee the scene of a massive Hatzolah ambulance arson attack in Golders Green, London. pic.twitter.com/STpJojH7tz

— KolHaolam (@KolHaolam) March 23, 2026

A local resident, Charlie Richards, told CNN that she heard “multiple explosions since 2:00 a.m.” Footage she recorded captured a large burst of orange flames followed by thick smoke rising into the sky.

Golders Green, known for its large and established Jewish community, is home to numerous shuls, mosdos, and kosher establishments, making the incident particularly disturbing for local residents.

London’s fire services confirmed to CNN that crews responded to an incident in the Golders Green area. A spokesperson said that at this stage they could not verify the cause of the fire or confirm whether an explosion had taken place.

The attack comes amid a noticeable increase in antisemitic incidents across London in recent years. Just last month, a Jewish-owned bakery was vandalized following a pro-Palestinian Arab protest in which the business was accused of “funding Israel.”

In December, anti-Israel demonstrators targeted another bakery in London owned by Israelis.

https://twitter.com/i/status/2035904750181314663

In November, police were forced to relocate an anti-Israel protest away from St. John’s Wood shul after dozens of protesters gathered outside.

A month earlier, an Israeli academic delivering a lecture at City St. George’s, University of London, had his class disrupted when anti-Israel activists stormed the room, shouting accusations and issuing threats.

{Matzav.com}

WATCH:

LISTEN:

​​For more info, email bitachon4life@gmail.com.