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The IDF has approved plans to broaden its military campaign in northern Israel, following the targeting of more than 2,000 sites in Lebanon. Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said the fight against Hezbollah is still in its early stages and will continue until the threat is removed.

Zamir convened a high-level meeting with the General Staff, division commanders, and brigade leaders operating in the northern sector to review and authorize the next phase of operations. During the meeting, he praised commanders for their performance and for the gains achieved in recent weeks.

Speaking about the broader conflict, Zamir emphasized the connection between Iran and Hezbollah. “Iran is our primary focus, and the northern front is another central arena. They are interconnected. The Hezbollah terrorist organization is a central arm of the Iranian terror regime, and it made a grave mistake by choosing to join the war against Israel. This decision harms both the organization and the State of Lebanon as a whole.

“The message is clear: there is no safe place for the regime and its proxies. Any threat to the citizens of the State of Israel will be met with a determined, precise, and powerful response.”

He detailed recent operational achievements, noting that Israeli forces have struck over 2,000 targets, including dozens of weapons depots, and have eliminated hundreds of terrorists. “The campaign against Hezbollah has only begun – at the end of the campaign in Iran, Hezbollah will remain alone and isolated. This is a prolonged campaign, and we are prepared for it.”

Zamir said the military is now preparing to intensify both ground maneuvers and airstrikes according to an organized plan. “We will not stop until the threat is pushed away from the border and long-term security is ensured for the residents of the north. Alongside the strikes, the IDF is strengthening the forward defensive line in order to protect northern communities. We are prepared for a long campaign and will continue to act as required – both offensively and defensively – to ensure the long-term security of northern residents.”

{Matzav.com}

A disturbing incident took place shortly before Shabbos in Bnei Brak on Friday, when a woman dressed in chareidi clothing cut the peyos of a ten-year-old boy after claiming that a ball he had been playing with struck her.

According to the boy’s family, he had been playing in the street with a group of children when their ball rolled and knocked over a garbage can that was positioned near the woman.

The boys insisted that the ball did not hit or even touch the woman. Nevertheless, she reportedly reacted by taking out a pair of scissors, approaching the child, and cutting off his peyos.

The boy ran home in tears, clutching the hair that had been cut. His family said he was deeply shaken and frightened by what had occurred.

Video of the incident quickly circulated on social media, triggering widespread reaction. Local residents expressed strong shock over the attack on the young boy, and many called for an investigation and for the woman to be held accountable.

The family of the child is now weighing possible legal steps in response to the incident.

{Matzav.com}

Senior figures in Israel’s aviation sector have advised Transportation Minister Miri Regev to shut down Ben Gurion Airport without delay, as the country continues its military campaign against Iran and faces sustained missile fire from Iran and Lebanon.

The recommendation was made Sunday evening as Operation Roaring Lion remains underway, with ongoing barrages raising serious concerns about the safety of civilian air travel. A key meeting on the issue was scheduled for later in the evening, bringing together Civil Aviation Authority Director General Shmuel Zakai and Airports Authority CEO Sharon Kedmi to weigh next steps.

Roughly 10,000 travelers typically pass through Israel’s main international airport each day. However, aviation professionals now believe the security risks warrant a complete halt to air traffic, aside from flights deemed essential and approved in advance. Their position runs counter to commercial airlines, which had been preparing to expand operations ahead of the upcoming Passover holiday.

At the same time, Minister Regev is under increasing pressure from the International Air Transport Association to formally declare an “aviation emergency.” Such a move would enable airlines to rely on a Knesset-approved provision limiting their obligations to stranded passengers—requiring coverage of only two nights of lodging, without mandating alternative travel arrangements, and allowing refunds of the original ticket instead.

Despite the mounting concerns, officials close to Regev said Sunday night that there has been no shift in current aviation policy.

“contrary to reports, there has been no change in aviation policy.”

“Transportation Minister Miri Regev is holding ongoing situation assessments in order to maintain open skies, while ensuring the security and safety of passengers in accordance with the recommendations of security officials,” her associates said.

President Donald Trump announced Sunday that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents will be deployed to airports across the United States starting Monday to support Transportation Security Administration operations, as staffing shortages worsen during the ongoing partial government shutdown.

In a Truth Social message, Trump said ICE personnel would step in to back TSA officers who have remained on duty despite not receiving pay. He had already cautioned a day earlier that such a move would be implemented if congressional Democrats continued to withhold funding for airport security operations.

White House border czar Tom Homan confirmed the plan, explaining that the additional manpower is intended to ease growing congestion at airport checkpoints during a high-volume travel period. Speaking on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Homan said ICE agents would assist in managing crowds as TSA faces reduced staffing levels, with many employees working without pay amid the shutdown.

“It’s a work in progress, but we will be at airports tomorrow, helping T.S.A. move those lines along,” Homan said.

Homan noted that key logistical details were still being worked out, including how many agents would be deployed and which airports would receive assistance. He said priority would likely go to airports experiencing the most severe delays, with wait times in some locations reportedly stretching to three hours. Additional information on the rollout was expected later in the day.

He also explained that ICE agents already assigned to airport locations could shift into support roles such as overseeing exits and other areas outside the main screening process, freeing TSA personnel to concentrate on passenger security checks.

“This is about helping T.S.A. do their mission, and get the American public through that airport as quick as they can, while adhering to all the security guidelines and the protocols,” Homan said.

Democratic leaders quickly objected to the plan. Representative Hakeem Jeffries of New York argued that placing ICE agents in airport security environments could create safety concerns, noting that they are not trained to perform TSA duties.

Trump reiterated his stance in additional social media posts, saying ICE officers stand ready to be deployed as long as the funding standoff continues. He added that the effort would also support broader immigration enforcement, including detaining individuals in the country illegally.

The move comes as the partial shutdown has led to significant disruptions at airports nationwide. Although TSA workers are considered essential and have continued reporting to work, they have gone without paychecks, leading to increasing absenteeism and a growing number of resignations since the shutdown began in mid-February.

Talks to resolve the funding dispute remain ongoing. Senate Democrats have sought legislation to ensure TSA workers receive back pay, while Republicans have pressed for comprehensive funding of the Department of Homeland Security. Discussions between lawmakers and the White House have shown signs of movement, though no final agreement has been reached.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune warned that if negotiations drag on, conditions at airports could deteriorate further as passenger traffic continues to build.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries sharply rebuked President Trump on Sunday after the president declared that the Democratic Party has become the nation’s “greatest enemy,” escalating an already heated political standoff.

Responding to Trump’s remarks, Jeffries issued a pointed warning during an appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union.” “Donald Trump should keep his reckless mouth shut before he gets somebody killed,” Jeffries said when asked about the president’s comments earlier that day.

The exchange followed a Truth Social post by Trump in which he argued that, in the wake of the recent military campaign against Iran, Democrats now pose a more serious threat to the United States than any foreign adversary.

“Now with the death of Iran, the greatest enemy America has is the Radical Left, Highly Incompetent, Democrat Party!” Trump wrote. “Thank you for your attention to this matter.”

Trump had delivered a similar message a day earlier, accusing Democrats of harming Americans through their policies. “Radical Left Democrats have hurt so many people with their vicious and uncaring ways.”

The president pointed in particular to the ongoing dispute in Congress over funding for the Department of Homeland Security. Democrats have largely opposed approving funds for DHS without revisions to immigration enforcement policies, leading to a partial shutdown that began on February 14.

That impasse has caused major disruptions at airports across the country, where long security lines have formed amid staffing shortages. Some Transportation Security Administration officers have stopped reporting to work after missing paychecks, worsening the delays.

Blaming Democrats for the situation, Trump said, “What they have done to the Department of Homeland Security, our fantastic TSA Officers, and, most importantly, the great people of our Country, is an absolute disgrace.”

“The Fascist Democrats will never protect America, but the Republicans will,” the president raged, as he announced his intention to deploy ICE agents to airports to help out TSA. Some on the left, including prominent Democrats, have long accused Trump of being a “fascist.”

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned Sunday that conditions at airport security checkpoints are expected to worsen significantly as the partial government shutdown stretches into its 41st day, raising concerns about staffing shortages and longer wait times nationwide.

Speaking in an interview on ABC’s “This Week,” Duffy said the situation could escalate in the coming days as more TSA workers face financial strain. “I think you’re going to see more TSA agents, as we come to Thursday, Friday, Saturday of next week, they’re going to quit or they’re not going to show up,” he said, pointing out that many officers are about to miss their second consecutive paycheck.

He added that the lack of pay is already taking a toll on the workforce. “But without getting paychecks, it’s even that much more challenging,” Duffy said. “They’re going to take other jobs to put food on the table and pay the rent. So, I do think it’s going to get much worse. And as it gets worse, I think that puts pressure on the Congress to come to a resolution.”

Across the country, a growing number of TSA employees have been calling out of work as negotiations to restore funding for the Department of Homeland Security remain stalled. Travelers have already begun to feel the impact, with extended security lines reported at multiple airports.

Officials have also raised the possibility that some smaller airports may be forced to temporarily shut down operations if staffing shortages continue to deepen. According to DHS figures, more than 360 TSA officers have resigned since the shutdown began in late February.

Despite the mounting challenges, Duffy said he is encouraging TSA personnel to continue reporting for duty, emphasizing that they will ultimately receive their back pay. “I’m asking for them to come [to work], and we’ve asked them to come to work,” he said. “They make family decisions that are right on behalf of their finances. But we want them to come.”

In an effort to ease the strain, President Trump announced Saturday that Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers would be deployed to airports across the country beginning Monday to help support operations during the shutdown.

Details of how that plan will be implemented remain unclear. Duffy said the ICE agents are expected to assist with certain security-related functions, while White House border czar Tom Homan could play a role in managing passenger flow and reducing congestion at checkpoints. Homan indicated in a separate interview that officials are working to finalize the approach before it is rolled out.

“[ICE officers] run those same type of security machines at the southern border, right?” Duffy said. “Packages come through or people come through. They run similar assets.”

“And again, even if we’re … look at the line there. To manage the through flow of people and even administratively, they’ll be helpful,” he continued. “But again, we have ICE agents who are trained and can provide assistance to agents.”

Rav Yitzchok Yosef addressed the tense security situation during his weekly shiur, emphasizing both the need for hishtadlus and tefillah. He also called on the public to add specific chapters of Tehillim to their daily routine and to recognize the efforts of the security forces.

Opening his remarks last night, the former Rishon LeTzion praised the soldiers operating Israel’s air defense systems and urged the public to show appreciation and daven on their behalf. “We are now in a matzav shel milchamah and first and foremost we must pray for the soldiers. Everything they are doing with Iron Dome and the Arrow missile system—fortunate are they and fortunate is their portion. We must show them gratitude and pray for them.”

He then addressed the fear gripping the public in light of the ongoing missile barrages, stressing the obligation to follow safety instructions everywhere. “All of Klal Yisroel is in distress because of all these missiles; people are afraid. Even in Bnei Brak one must be careful and not take any risks. When there is an alert, go to a protected space.”

On the spiritual front, the Rav established a special daily seder tefillah for the days of Chodesh Nissan. He instructed that immediately after the daily recitation of the Korbanos HaNesi’im, three chapters of Tehillim should be added: Yoshev B’Seiser Elyon (91), Mima’amakim Kerasicha (130), and Esa Einai El Heharim (121). “In every place, one should not rush away,” he said, encouraging people to take the time to daven on behalf of the entire nation.

Rav Yosef also expressed astonishment at the intense hostility of the Iranian regime toward Israel. “In the past we had wars with Jordan, Egypt, Syria, and Lebanon—those who are close to us. But Iran—do we share a border with Iran? What do they want from us? To destroy, to kill, and to annihilate. And who knows if the Houthis will join them—the Yemenites are stubborn.” He added that despite the heavy missile fire, clear nissim are being seen. “We are seeing miracles and wonders. So many missiles have been fired at us. I know there were some injuries, but still there have been many miracles and wonders.”

Concluding his remarks, the Rav addressed the issue of military service, emphasizing the Torah world’s love and appreciation for the soldiers. “We love the soldiers and pray for them. We increase in ahavas Yisroel.” He explained that continued learning in the batei medrash serves as the true protection of the nation during wartime: “Why do we not go to the army? Because our Torah protects the people of Yisroel. All the missiles that fall without fatalities—it is in the merit of our Torah.”

It is with great sadness that Matzav.comreports the passing of Rav Shalom Meir HaKohein Wallach zt”l, a renowned maggid meisharim and prolific author from Bnei Brak, who was niftar on Motzaei Shabbos after a prolonged illness. He was 78.

Rav Wallach was born in southern Tel Aviv on Sukkos 5708 to his father, Reb Mordechai HaKohein Wallach z”l, a Vizhnitzer chossid. In his youth, he learned in Yeshivas Slabodka in Bnei Brak.

After his marriage, while continuing his learning in kollel, he began developing his unique voice in Torah literature. With the founding of the newspaper Yated Ne’eman by Rav Elazar Menachem Shach zt”l, Rav Wallach was invited to serve as editor of its Torah supplement, where he helped shape a new style of Torah writing.

Over the years, his name became a fixture in Jewish homes through the hundreds of seforim he authored, spanning all segments of the chareidi world. With unusual talent, he bridged different communities, writing about the gedolim of both the Litvishe and chassidishe worlds, as well as producing well-known series dedicated to the heritage of Sephardic Jewry.

His works became widely popular and helped transform the landscape of Jewish storytelling. He was especially known for his haggados, publishing a new one each year that gathered the teachings of gedolei hadoros.

Alongside his vast literary output, he served for decades as the rov of the central shul in Shikun Gimmel in Bnei Brak. Residents recall a warm and radiant figure, a talmid chochom whose door was always open to those in need, and whose derashos—woven with stories and parables—drew large crowds eager to hear words of Torah.

He is survived by a distinguished family, with children and grandchildren following in the path of Torah and mitzvos.

The levayah was held last night at his home at 10 Rav Ami Street in Bnei Brak. The procession passed by his beis medrash at 74 Chazon Ish Street in Shikun Gimmel on its way to the Vizhnitzer cemetery in the city for kevurah.

Tehei nishmaso tzerurah b’tzror hachaim.

Tensions flared sharply over Shabbos in the Achisamach neighborhood of Lod after dozens of chareidi residents blocked a main road in an effort to prevent chillul Shabbos, prompting a forceful and controversial response from the city’s mayor, Yair Rebibo.

The unrest unfolded over the latest Shabbos, when residents organized to stop vehicular traffic through their neighborhood. Protesters erected physical barriers across the main street, aiming to preserve the sanctity of Shabbos. The move angered other local residents and quickly drew the attention of municipal authorities.

Mayor Rebibo reacted immediately after Shabbos with unusually strong language, making clear that he would not tolerate what he described as a disruption of public order and illegal obstruction of traffic. He warned that the community from which the demonstrators emerged could face sweeping consequences, stating that it would be removed from access to municipal resources currently allocated to it as a form of collective penalty for what he called harm to the city’s daily functioning.

In a highly unusual step, the mayor also announced a financial incentive to identify those responsible for organizing the protest. “I remembered another important thing: a reward of 1,800 shekels will be given to the first person who provides me with the exact name of the organizer, who, among other things, produced professional notices and arranged for them to be posted in all the buildings on Friday afternoon,” Rebibo wrote in a message to residents.

He emphasized that he is specifically seeking the individual behind the planning, advertising, and logistics of the demonstration, and pledged complete confidentiality to anyone who comes forward with information. “I guarantee full confidentiality—please contact me privately. Thank you very much!” he added.

The atmosphere in Achisamach remained tense into the evening, with members of the chareidi community expressing concern over the potential loss of municipal funding and services in response to the protest. City officials, for their part, stressed that they will not allow any group to dictate traffic patterns in violation of the law and the existing status quo.

It remains to be seen whether the once-quiet neighborhood will become a regular flashpoint of confrontation each Shabbos, or whether city leaders will come to recognize that while chillul Shabbos may not be preventable everywhere, there is little justification for allowing its open violation in a chareidi area.

{Matzav.com}

Iran sharply intensified its confrontation with the United States on Friday by launching two intermediate-range ballistic missiles toward Diego Garcia, a major U.S.-U.K. military installation in the Indian Ocean, in a move that signals a dramatic expansion of Tehran’s strike capabilities.

The attempted strike, aimed at a base located roughly 2,500 miles from Iran, suggests that the regime now possesses missile range far beyond what it had previously acknowledged publicly.

Prior to the launch of Operation Epic Fury on Feb. 28, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had insisted that Tehran had deliberately limited its missile program. “We intentionally kept the range of our missiles below 2,000 kilometers so we don’t have that capability. And we don’t want to do that because we do not have hostility against the United States people and all Europeans.”

Israeli officials said the latest attack tells a very different story. On Saturday, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir stated, “Just yesterday, Iran launched a two-stage intercontinental ballistic missile with a range of 4,000 kilometers [2,500 miles] toward an American target on the island of Diego Garcia. These missiles were not intended to hit Israel. Their range reaches the capitals of Europe — Berlin, Paris and Rome are all within direct threat range.”

IDF spokesman Nadav Shoshani accused Iran of misleading the world about its capabilities. Writing on X, he said, “Just 3 days before the war, the Iranian regime said they don’t obtain long-range missiles. Today, their lies were exposed once again, when missiles were fired 4000km away from Iran. They hoped to lie their way into becoming a force that can terrorize the world. We didn’t buy it.”

Policy analysts say the development reinforces longstanding concerns about Iran’s refusal to curb its missile ambitions. Jason Brodsky of United Against Nuclear Iran told Fox News Digital, “The Trump administration, in citing Iran’s missile threat as a rationale for Operation Epic Fury, was therefore justified in its decision to undertake military action as Iran has consistently refused to negotiate over its missile program.

“It also shows how dangerous it is to solely rely on Iranian nuclear weapons fatwas and the supreme leader’s public rhetoric in formulating U.S. policy. As long as Iran retains the technical capability beyond public pronouncements, it is a threat.”

Brodsky also pointed to a possible shift in power dynamics within Iran following the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. “I think it’s a message that the IRGC is in charge in Iran after Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s death,” Brodsky said. “When Khamenei was alive, he limited the range of Iran’s missile program to 2,000 kilometers. Khamenei recounted in 2018 how he had rejected overtures from IRGC commanders seeking to increase the range to as much as 5,000 kilometers.

“But now that he has died, those voices in the IRGC seeking to increase the range are likely driving the agenda. The launch of the missiles was likely meant as a signal of the IRGC’s capabilities to threaten U.S. allies beyond the Middle East. For example, this threatens Europe.”

Although neither missile struck its target, the attempted attack marked a significant escalation. One of the missiles reportedly malfunctioned mid-flight, while a U.S. naval vessel fired an SM-3 interceptor at the second. Officials have not yet confirmed whether that interception was successful. Diego Garcia remains a critical hub for U.S. strategic operations, including bomber deployments and nuclear submarine activity.

Ilan Berman of the American Foreign Policy Council said the launch underscores the urgency of addressing Iran’s growing threat. “The launch hammers home the president’s point about Iran being an imminent threat. It’s easy for casual observers to ignore, but the increasing maturity of Iran’s strategic programs, plural, has been exponentially expanding the threat that the Islamic Republic poses beyond the Middle East.

“That is what Epic Fury is seeking to address. The administration believes, absolutely correctly in my view, that these types of capabilities cannot be left in the hands of a radical, predatory regime.

“Despite its public denials, it’s been clear that the Iranian regime has been working on expanding the range of its ballistic missile capabilities for years. The launch toward Diego Garcia confirms that it has made real progress toward that goal and is already able to put targets in the same range as Central and Eastern Europe at risk. Moreover, it’s clear that the regime is seeking still greater capabilities and that, if left intact, Iran’s ballistic missiles would attain intercontinental range soon.”

Berman also highlighted the connection between Iran’s missile work and its broader strategic programs. “The parallel development Iran has been carrying out on its space program is significant. The booster used to put payloads into orbit can be married onto a medium-range missile to create intercontinental range capabilities. Before the war, we were seeing a clear convergence of the regime’s strategic programs: its ballistic missile work, its space capabilities and its nuclear program.”

He warned that Europe is now firmly within range. “Europe is absolutely at risk as the recent launch makes clear,” Berman said. “I wouldn’t say that a failure to recognize this to date has been due to a grand deception by Tehran, though. It is more attributable to willful blindness on the part of European elites about the extent of the threat that the Iranian regime poses as well as undue faith in diplomacy and arms control in containing it.”

The United Kingdom issued a sharp condemnation following the attempted strike. “Iran’s reckless attacks, lashing out across the region and holding hostage the Strait of Hormuz, are a threat to British interests and British allies,” the U.K. Ministry of Defense said in a statement. “RAF jets and other U.K. military assets are continuing to defend our people and personnel in the region.

“This government has given permission to the U.S. to use British bases for specific and limited defensive operations.”

{Matzav.com}

Podcaster Joe Rogan drew criticism after appearing to entertain unfounded online rumors suggesting that Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu is dead, even floating the idea that Netanyahu’s brother may have been killed in a recent missile strike during a new episode of his show.

The remarks were made on episode #2471 of The Joe Rogan Experience, featuring comedian Mark Normand, which was released between March 20 and 21, 2026. In a widely circulated clip, Rogan responded to questionable videos spreading online amid rising tensions between Israel and Iran.

His comments quickly gained traction across social media, where pro-Israel users accused him of echoing Iranian disinformation and veering into conspiracy theories.

The speculation had already been publicly debunked days earlier, when Netanyahu shared a verified video of himself casually ordering coffee at a café in Yerushalayim, poking fun at the false claims that had been fueled by Iranian state outlets and AI-generated content.

Netanyahu’s brother Iddo Netanyahu remains alive and active. The only brother who was killed was Yonatan “Yoni” Netanyahu, who died during the 1976 Entebbe rescue operation nearly five decades ago. There have been no credible reports of any recent attack involving members of the Netanyahu family.

Rogan’s comments come amid a surge in online conspiracy discussions centered on altered or distorted “AI videos” of Netanyahu, with some users citing visual irregularities, such as “six fingers,” as supposed evidence of manipulation. Rogan did not fully dismiss the claims, instead appearing to consider them as potentially plausible.

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Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu toured the site of a recent missile impact in Arad, where he sharply accused Iran of intensifying attacks on civilian areas and cautioned that the danger now reaches far beyond Israel’s borders.

Standing at the location of the strike, Netanyahu said the events of the past two days have made clear that Iran represents a global threat. He pointed to the missile that hit a residential area, describing it as a deliberate attempt to inflict mass casualties, and noted that the absence of fatalities was purely incidental.

He also referenced additional developments, including reported strikes near religious locations in Jerusalem and a long-range missile launch, which he said demonstrates Iran’s expanding operational range and its ability to threaten regions far outside the Middle East.

“Iran is putting everyone in its sights,” Netanyahu said, adding that its actions against international shipping routes further demonstrate an effort to destabilize global security and exert pressure on the international community.

Netanyahu emphasized that Israel is coordinating closely with the United States under Donald Trump to counter what he described as a “terrorist regime,” and urged other nations to take a more assertive stance in confronting the threat.

Discussing Israel’s military response, he said the IDF is operating “with great force,” while making clear that its targets are regime elements rather than civilians. He explained that operations are directed at Iran’s leadership, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, as well as key infrastructure, strategic facilities, and financial assets tied to the regime.

The prime minister outlined two central goals guiding the campaign: eliminating Iran’s nuclear and missile capabilities, and fostering conditions that could allow the Iranian public to challenge the current leadership.

When asked about possible joint action with the United States in future operations, particularly in light of Trump’s comments regarding potential steps if shipping lanes remain obstructed, Netanyahu declined to elaborate on specifics but underscored the close coordination between the two countries.

“We act together, and as much as possible, we do so discreetly,” he said.

An Israeli man killed Sunday morning when a missile struck his vehicle has been identified as Ofer Moskowitz, who managed the avocado groves at Kibbutz Misgav Am.

Although he and his family had relocated to Kibbutz Ginosar during the fighting in northern Israel, Moskowitz continued traveling back frequently to Misgav Am to care for the orchards and the kibbutz’s chicken coops near the Lebanese border, despite the ongoing security risks.

Only days before he was killed, Moskowitz openly acknowledged the danger he was living with, saying, “At any moment a missile or a UAV could hit me. It’s like Russian roulette.”

Kibbutz Misgav Am issued a statement expressing deep sorrow over his death, remembering him as “an orator, farmer, friend, and a symbol and legacy for all of us.” The statement continued, “For years he was a central voice among us. We send our deepest condolences and a strong embrace to his family and to the entire Misgav Am community. The Galilee will not look the same without him. May his memory be blessed.”

In an interview conducted in July, Moskowitz described how he tried to protect the orchards during earlier attacks. “I opened all the irrigation taps so the water would flood the area, and that’s what stopped the fire from spreading,” he said. Even so, approximately 400,000 square meters of fruit trees were lost in the blaze.

Despite the devastation, Moskowitz spoke about rebuilding with optimism and determination. “With great joy and excitement, we are replanting. We are planting not only trees, but also hope, faith, and renewal.”

Israel’s Home Front Command has imposed stricter emergency guidelines across southern regions following direct missile strikes in Arad and Dimona that left 175 people injured, including dozens in serious condition.

Under the updated directives, public gatherings in affected areas are now limited to no more than 50 people, and all educational activities have been suspended.

The new restrictions were issued after a security assessment and apply to the Lachish region, western Lachish, western Negev, central Negev, southern Negev, and the Dead Sea area, all of which have been placed under a “limited activity” status.

According to the detailed guidelines, no in-person educational programs are permitted. Schools and all forms of physical instruction have been halted entirely.

Public gatherings are allowed only up to 50 individuals, and only in locations where a protected shelter can be reached within the required response time.

Workplaces may continue to operate, but only if employees have immediate access to a standard protected space in the event of an alert.

These measures took effect on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at 6:00 a.m. and are scheduled to remain in place until Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at 8:00 p.m.

Earlier in the evening, Israel’s Ministry of Education announced a nationwide suspension of all in-person schooling following consultations with Home Front Command leadership. Education Minister Yoav Kisch said that on Sunday and Monday, all prior exceptions allowing classroom learning would be canceled, including for special education.

Students across the country will transition exclusively to remote learning during this period, with no physical attendance permitted.

The Ministry of Education stated: “We emphasize that all exceptions previously granted for in-person learning, including special education, are canceled. A new assessment will be held ahead of Tuesday, and additional updates will be provided accordingly.”

{Matzav.com}

Iran issued a sharp warning early Sunday following President Donald Trump’s demand that it reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours, declaring that any attack on its infrastructure would trigger strikes against U.S. and Israeli assets across 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, the body overseeing Iranian military operations, said in a statement quoted in Iran’s Fars news agency.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi echoed the warning, stating that Tehran would exercise “zero restraint” if its infrastructure were targeted.

The threats followed Trump’s ultimatum, in which he warned that Iran must reopen the vital shipping lane or face direct attacks on its energy facilities.

“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.

Roughly an hour before that statement, Trump asserted that U.S. forces had already achieved sweeping success in the conflict, pushing back against claims that objectives had not been met.

“The United States has blown Iran off of the map”, he wrote, before continuing: “Yes I have, and weeks ahead of schedule! Their leadership is gone, their navy and air force are dead, they have absolutely no defense, and they want to make a deal. I don’t! We are weeks ahead of schedule,” he wrote, adding, “Just like their incompetent Election coverage of me, The Failing New York Times always gets it wrong!”

On Friday, Trump indicated that the United States is nearing its strategic goals in its military campaign against what he described as the “terrorist regime of Iran,” suggesting that U.S. operations in the region could begin winding down soon.

His remarks came after he told reporters that a ceasefire is not under consideration 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.

{Matzav.com}

A Rockland County postal worker accused of violently pushing a 4-year-old Jewish boy is now facing additional charges, as authorities released his identity following widespread public backlash.

Gabriel Stan, 39, was charged with felony second-degree attempted assault, one day after initially being charged with misdemeanor counts of endangering the welfare of a child and third-degree attempted assault. The charges stem from a disturbing incident, captured on video, in a predominantly Jewish neighborhood in Ramapo, police told CBS New York.

Footage from a nearby home security camera shows the young Orthodox Jewish boy walking toward a communal mailbox, where the postal worker was standing with his back turned while placing mail inside.

SHOCKING INCIDENT IN MONSEY: USPS Mail Carrier Assaults 4-Year-Old — Ramapo Police And Chaverim Of Rockland Investigating, Incident Caught On CCTV

READ STORY ON MONSEY SCOOP: https://t.co/TkVPs4yKOO pic.twitter.com/Y45hh12gyu

— The Monsey Scoop (@TheMonseyScoop) March 20, 2026

As the child approached, Stan suddenly turned and rushed toward him, forcefully shoving him with both hands and knocking him backward onto the ground.

The impact also caused the boy’s yarmulke to fall off.  The child quickly got up, retrieved his yarmulke, and ran back to a group of nearby friends.

Despite the alarming nature of the incident, the boy was not physically injured, and police have not classified the case as a hate crime at this stage.

Stan, who lives in Stony Point, was taken into custody Thursday. He was later released on his own recognizance and appeared in Ramapo Town Justice Court.

Initially, Ramapo police did not disclose the suspect’s name, drawing sharp criticism online from residents demanding transparency.

The department explained that it “very rarely” releases the names of suspects in its public statements.

The United States Postal Service declined to comment when asked whether Stan remains employed and also did not respond to questions regarding the video of the incident.

{Matzav.com}

Saudi Arabia has ordered Iran’s military attaché, his assistant, and three additional embassy staff members to leave the country within 24 hours after declaring them persona non grata, the Saudi foreign ministry announced, according to Reuters.

The decision was based on what Saudi officials described as ongoing Iranian attacks against the kingdom’s territory.

Since the outbreak of the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, Saudi Arabia has faced hundreds of missiles and drone attacks attributed to Iran, most of which were intercepted before causing damage.

Among the incidents were several attempts targeting the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh. In one case, two drones struck the compound, sparking a small fire and causing limited structural damage.

Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry warned that continued aggression by Iran could lead to further escalation and would carry “significant consequences” for both current and future relations between the two countries.

Earlier in the week, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud strongly criticized Iran’s actions against neighboring nations and made clear that the kingdom could respond with military force if necessary.

Addressing reporters after a gathering of Arab and Islamic foreign ministers, Prince Faisal said Iran “doesn’t believe in talking to its neighbors”, adding that “it tries to pressure its neighbors” and emphasizing that such pressure would not succeed.

“The kingdom is not going to succumb to pressure, and, on the contrary, this pressure will backfire … politically, will backfire, I believe, morally, and certainly, as we have stated clearly, we reserve the right to take military actions if necessary,” he stressed.

Prince Faisal also dismissed Iran’s assertion that its strikes on civilian targets in neighboring countries are connected to the presence of U.S. military bases, calling the claim “unconvincing”.

“Iran’s attacks on neighboring countries were premeditated, and what we are witnessing now confirms this,” he said, adding, “I would hope that they understand the message of the meeting today, recalculate quickly and stop attacking their neighbors.”

Saudi Arabia’s action follows a similar move by Qatar, which recently expelled Iran’s military and security attachés in Doha, along with staff assigned to those offices.

Qatar’s foreign ministry said it had formally notified the Iranian embassy of the decision on Wednesday, delivering an official memorandum and instructing the individuals to leave the country within 24 hours.

{Matzav.com}

In this episode, Rabbi Reinman discusses the events of Chanukah in their broad historical context.

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Chapter Forty-three: The First Religious War

On his way back from Alexandria to Syria, Antiochus IV burned with fury and frustration. The priceless prize that was Egypt had been snatched away just when he was about to grasp it. And in such a humiliating way. He was desperate for money. A payment on the onerous indemnity the Romans had imposed on his father was coming due; default was not an option. Moreover, the Parthian upstarts were nibbling at the eastern extremities of his vast kingdom. He needed to muster and equip a large army to defeat them. The solution, he thought, was in Jerusalem. He would stop in Judea on the way back to Antioch, his capital city.

Jerusalem, at this time, was in turmoil. The office of high priest had always been hereditary, and the high priest was the most exalted of the priests, the spiritual leader of the people. That changed, however, in 175 b.c.e. when a Hellenized Jew named Jason bought the office from Antiochus by promising to deliver a high annual tribute. A terrible precedent was established. The office now went to the highest bidder, and the high priest became the de facto political governor in charge of tax collection and sending the annual tribute to Antiochus.

In 172 b.c.e., Jason sent Menelaus, another Hellenized Jew, to deliver the annual tribute to Antiochus. Instead of delivering the money, Menelaus promised to deliver an even larger sum if he would be appointed high priest. Antiochus, always in need of money, appointed Menelaus in Jason’s place. Jason fled across the Jordan River into Ammon.

In 168 b.c.e., as Antiochus was suffering humiliation in Egypt, a rumor reached Judea that he had been killed in battle. Jason saw an opportunity to recover his erstwhile office. He gathered a force of a thousand loyalists and mercenaries and entered Jerusalem. Fighting raged between the followers of the two Hellenized Jews. Blood ran in the streets. Meanwhile, the people faithful to the Torah, who despised both Jason and Menelaus, were caught in the crossfire and suffered greatly.

Antiochus arrived at a Jerusalem convulsed in civil strife. However, instead of settling the dispute, he struck Jerusalem like a thunderclap. He unleashed his soldiers on the population, killing many thousands and carrying off thousands more into slavery. He entered the Holy Temple and sacrificed a pig on the altar to Olympian Zeus, then he entered the Sanctuary and took the golden altar, candelabrum, showbread table and much treasure.

He also issued a royal decree outlawing the practice of the Jewish religion, including Sabbath and festival observance, circumcision, family purity and dietary laws. He ordered all copies of the Torah to be collected and burned, and he made it a capital offense to possess a Torah scroll or violate the decree in any way.

It is difficult to understand why he perpetrated such a violent attack on Jerusalem, especially since both combatants were Hellenized Jews; it is absurd to see it as an emotional reaction to his humiliation in Egypt. Furthermore, if his intent was to quell unrest, why attack the faithful Jews who were not involved in the fighting? On the contrary, attacking the faithful Jews physically and spiritually, even though they were not rebellious, could only radicalize them and make them his enemies …

Read full chapter and earlier chapters at www.rabbireinman.com.

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