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A young girl born without a complete inner-ear system is currently unable to hear at all.

Iran’s cyber campaign has reportedly reached an unusual target — an Israeli wafer factory. In a radio interview, the manager of the Menamim wafer factory said Iranian hackers attempted to create panic by circulating old security footage online as part of psychological warfare.

During a conversation on the radio program Zman Avir, host Menachem Toker spoke with Tom Marcus, manager of the Menamim factory and a fourth-generation member of the family business, after Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed they had taken control of the company’s systems.

“A friend sent me screenshots from a reserve-duty WhatsApp group,” Marcus said. “An Iranian cyber group posted that they had taken control of a Zionist factory that produces for the Zionist army and had halted production.”

Initial concerns quickly subsided when it became clear that the claims were based on recycled material. Marcus explained that the images circulating on social media accounts with millions of followers were taken from a breach of the factory’s security cameras that had occurred roughly two and a half years ago.

“We realized this was psychological warfare,” Marcus said. “We’re continuing production at full speed. They didn’t find anything in our computers. We don’t have state secrets — maybe only the family recipe.”

Toker, known for his humorous style, suggested half-jokingly that the Iranians might be attempting to weaken Israel through its snack supply. “If the guys don’t snack on wafers, Israel will lose,” he said.

The factory, located in the Haifa Bay area, sits in a region considered strategically sensitive. Marcus, however, said with a smile that it was hard to believe the facility would be considered a real military target.

Despite the tense moment, Marcus said he remains confident in Israel’s resilience — and in the factory’s closely guarded recipe.

By the end of the interview, Marcus even turned the incident into a marketing opportunity. “My wife said we should turn the lemon wafer into lemonade,” he joked, referring to the unexpected publicity the long-standing brand received after appearing on the Revolutionary Guards’ social media accounts.

While Iranian operatives were busy promoting old security footage, workers at the Menamim factory were already focused on preparing for Pesach and continuing large-scale production of what Marcus jokingly called Israel’s “national weapon” — the Israeli wafer.

{Matzav.com}

Update: Police say the suspicious package discovered near Gracie Mansion in Manhattan has been investigated and cleared by the NYPD bomb squad. Authorities determined the item did not pose a threat.

Nearly two days after being named the third supreme leader in the history of the Islamic Republic, Mojtaba Khamenei has yet to appear publicly or issue any formal message to the Iranian people. Despite crowds of supporters gathering in cities across Iran to pledge allegiance to the new leader, no video address has been released, […]

Amid the current security situation, Rabbi Ofir Malka clarified that carrying a phone on Shabbos is generally not permitted, even for the purpose of receiving Home Front Command alerts. The question arose in connection with people walking to a Shabbos meal in another location or heading to shul and wanting advance warning of incoming rocket sirens.

During the Halacha Lemaaseh radio program, a caller asked Rabbi Malka whether it would be permissible to carry a phone on the upcoming Shabbos while walking to a Shabbos meal elsewhere or going to daven, in order to receive alerts from the Home Front Command.

Rabbi Malka explained that in most situations there is no need for such a measure. When a person is in shul or outside on the street, the siren itself can usually be heard. The main concern arises only if someone is inside a closed building where the siren cannot be heard clearly. In most cases, however, sirens are audible in homes and shuls, and even if an individual does not hear it personally, others nearby will. As a result, there is typically sufficient time to reach a protected area.

He noted that the phone alert usually serves only as an early warning that comes a few minutes before the siren. Someone walking to shul generally does not need the alert because protected spaces are typically available nearby.

Rabbi Malka added that in more extreme cases, where a person genuinely needs the early alert because otherwise he would not be able to reach a protected area in time, there may be limited room for leniency. In such a situation, the phone may be placed in a jacket or pants pocket before Shabbos begins so that the person can receive the alert.

The caller suggested that having the phone would allow him more time to prepare. Rabbi Malka responded that one should simply act quickly rather than rely on the device. He emphasized that not everything becomes permissible due to the situation, and only actions that are truly necessary may be allowed.

“If because of this you will be able to reach the protected area, and without it you would not, then it is necessary,” the rabbi explained. “But if it is only so that you will hurry, then you should hurry from the outset.”

{Matzav.com}

The Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday approved a generic medication for a rare brain disorder, while walking back suggestions by President Donald Trump and other administration officials that the drug showed great promise for people with autism. The agency said it approved leucovorin for children and adults with a genetic condition that limits delivery […]

A senior Israeli official said Tuesday that the IDF has already destroyed the vast majority of Iran’s missile launchers and is moving rapidly toward a point where daily life in Israel could begin returning to normal. In an interview with the Israeli outlet Walla, the official said the Israeli Air Force has eliminated roughly 80% […]

Reporter: Reuters has reported that about 150 U.S. Service members have been injured so far. Can you confirm that number and elaborate on that? Leavitt: I can’t confirm the exact number. I know it’s within that ballpark.

Reporter: Why did the energy secretary post and then appeared to have delete a post saying that the Navy escorted an oil tanker? Leavitt: I can confirm that the Navy has not escorted a tanker or vessel at this time. Reporter: Was it posted by a staffer? Will there be any consequences? Leavitt: I would […]

Leavitt: But ultimately, the operations will end when the commander in chief determines the military objectives have been met, fully realized, and that Iran is in a position of complete and unconditional surrender, whether they say it or not.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani hosted anti-Israel activist Mahmoud Khalil for a Ramadan iftar meal at the mayor’s official residence on Monday night, publicly signaling his sympathy for a figure accused by federal officials of supporting extremist causes – just two days after ISIS-inspired suspects threw homemade bombs nearby. Mamdani and his wife – […]

War Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tuesday that American forces were preparing to launch what he called the most powerful round of strikes so far in the ongoing military campaign targeting Iran.

Hegseth delivered the remarks during a Pentagon briefing alongside Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine.

According to Hegseth, the upcoming phase of the operation will significantly increase both the scope and the tempo of the air assault that has been underway since the United States began leading attacks against Iranian military infrastructure.

He explained that Tuesday’s strikes are intended to further damage Iran’s missile capabilities, naval assets, and weapons manufacturing facilities.

“Today will be the most intense day of bombing so far,” Hegseth said, emphasizing that U.S. forces were prepared to carry out a large number of coordinated strikes across multiple targets inside Iran.

Hegseth told reporters that the campaign — which the Pentagon has described as a focused military effort — aims to dismantle Iran’s ability to launch missile and drone attacks and prevent the country from advancing toward nuclear weapons capabilities.

He insisted the United States is making significant progress in achieving those objectives.

Caine then outlined the military results of the operation to date, stating that Iran’s offensive capacity has been dramatically weakened since the campaign began.

According to Caine, Iranian ballistic missile launches have dropped by roughly 90% and drone attacks have declined by more than 80% as coalition forces have targeted key military infrastructure.

Caine said Iran’s military response so far has not exceeded what U.S. officials expected when the campaign began.

“They’re fighting, and I respect that,” he said. “I don’t think they’re more formidable than we thought.”

Caine said U.S. forces have also struck naval assets and weapons manufacturing sites, including missile and drone production facilities, as part of a broader effort to limit Iran’s ability to sustain attacks across the region.

He added that the campaign has already destroyed dozens of Iranian ships and significantly weakened Tehran’s naval operations.

Even as the air campaign intensifies, Hegseth stressed that the United States is not attempting to topple Iran’s leadership, describing the mission as a limited military operation rather than a war aimed at regime change.

The Pentagon briefing came amid a widening regional confrontation. Iran has fired missiles and launched drones toward Israel and several Gulf countries, heightening concerns that the conflict could spread further across the Middle East while also shaking global energy markets.

Hegseth said the United States intends to continue the offensive until Iran’s ability to threaten the region is substantially diminished, noting that the duration of the campaign will depend on when U.S. strategic goals are met.

{Matzav.com}

Leavitt on the success of Operation Epic Fury: Ten days in, this campaign has been a resounding success thus far, and America’s warriors are winning this important fight at an even faster pace than we anticipated. •⁠ ⁠More than 5,000 enemy targets stuck. •⁠ ⁠Iran’s ballistic missile attacks down more than 90%. More than 50 […]

Leavitt: As for the oil, President Trump fully expected the rogue Iranian regime to try and disrupt the global markets. That’s why President Trump and his team have been planning for this long before the strike.

WH Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt: Let me be clear. It is a good thing to wipe out terrorists who indiscriminately target civilians and attempt to hold the global economy hostage…and President Trump should be commended for doing so.

Several police officers were injured Tuesday after a gunman opened fire near a shul in Baltimore, Maryland.

Authorities rushed to the scene on a block along Park Heights Avenue in the city’s northwest section after receiving reports of a suspect shooting from a window in a building located near the Agudah of Baltimore.

Two officers were struck during the incident. One was transported to Shock Trauma in serious condition, while the second officer sustained injuries that authorities said were not life-threatening.

Police said the suspect was also shot during the confrontation, though officials did not release further details regarding the individual’s condition.

{Matzav.com}

Footage of attempted interceptions over central Israel now as air defenses try to intercept ballistic missiles from Iran.

The parents of a girl critically wounded in a school shooting in Canada alleged in a civil lawsuit Monday that ChatGPT-maker OpenAI knew the shooter was planning a mass attack. OpenAI has said it considered but didn’t alert police about the activities of the person who months later committed one of Canada’s worst school shootings […]

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir to technicians at Tel Nof Airbase: “The Israeli Air Force’s operational machine cannot stop. We will know how to move forward with strength.”

Emes Travel says that it has assisted hundreds of passengers in leaving Israel through Egypt during the current crisis, and stated that all travelers using its arrangements have completed the trip safely.

In a letter dated today, the company wrote, “Since the beginning of this time of need, Emes Travel has helped hundreds of passengers arrange and complete travel packages via Egypt for those departing Israel — including coordinated ground transportation, guided border crossings, and onward international flights through Sharm el-Sheikh Airport.”

The company said the departures were handled with extensive support from staff and local teams. “Each departure was carefully managed in partnership with experienced local teams, with our staff available around the clock to answer questions and guide travelers through every step of the process,” the letter stated.

Emes Travel also addressed concerns that have reportedly been circulating about the route, saying that those claims have not been borne out by its own experience. “Baruch Hashem, all travelers have completed their trips safely, with no injuries and no substantiated security incidents reported,” the company wrote.

The letter continued, “We are aware that unsubstantiated claims regarding security concerns along this route have been circulating. To date, none of these claims have been verified, and they are not reflective of the experience of any of our travelers.”

According to the company, those who have used the service have responded positively. “The feedback we have received has been overwhelmingly positive, with travelers expressing appreciation for the attentiveness of our staff and the peace of mind that came from having a dedicated team in their corner,” the statement said.

Emes Travel said additional options remain available for those still seeking to leave Israel. “For anyone still in need of assistance, we encourage you to visit emestravel.com/marketplace to view our current offerings — including departures on Wednesday, March 11 and Sunday, March 15,” the company wrote.

The agency added that travelers whose needs are not met by the currently scheduled departures can join a waiting list. “If these don’t meet your needs, you can sign up for our waitlist to be notified as soon as new options become available,” the letter said.

Emes Travel closed by reaffirming its focus on passenger safety. “Emes Travel remains committed to providing responsible, well-supervised travel solutions, with the safety and well-being of every passenger as our highest priority,” the letter concluded.

{Matzav.com}