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Senator Lindsey Graham voiced reservations Thursday following President Donald Trump’s announcement of a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, cautioning that any agreement must address the long-term threat posed by the terror group.

“Like everyone, I yearn for peace in the Middle East. But we have to be smart. Hezbollah and peace don’t fit in the same sentence,” Graham wrote on X.

The South Carolina Republican argued that any truce must go beyond a temporary halt in fighting and include concrete steps to dismantle Hezbollah’s capabilities. “Any ceasefire in Lebanon must include a credible path to disarm Hezbollah – one of the largest terrorist organizations in the world, aligned with Iran that is dripping with American blood. If, at the end of the day, the severely degraded Iranian regime survives and receives sanctions relief, and Hezbollah is still left standing in Lebanon, it will only be a matter of time until both groups regenerate.”

He warned against agreements that could allow hostile actors to regain strength, stressing that recent gains should not be squandered. “No ceasefires or peace deals that create pathways that allow the reemergence of terrorist states like Iran or terrorist organizations like Hezbollah. We’ve accomplished too much to allow this to be the end state.”

Despite his concerns, Graham expressed confidence in the administration’s leadership, concluding, “I trust President Trump and his team, not only to find peace, but make it real and sustainable.”

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump said his administration expects to determine within days whether there is any connection between a series of deaths and disappearances involving 10 scientists over the past three years.

Speculation surrounding the cases has circulated widely online, though officials have not identified any concrete evidence linking the incidents to one another.

“Well, I hope it’s random, but we’re going to know in the next week and a half,” Trump told reporters on the South Lawn before jetting off to Las Vegas, noting he was just in a meeting on that subject. “Pretty serious stuff … hopefully a coincidence, or whatever you want to call it.”

He added that several of the individuals involved were highly significant figures and said the administration would be reviewing the matter closely in the near term. “Some of them were very important people, and we’re going to look at it over the next short period,” he went on.

{Matzav.com}

Federal investigators are turning to newly enhanced DNA analysis techniques as they continue searching for answers in the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old woman who vanished from her Tucson, Arizona home.

According to a report, a Florida-based laboratory that works with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department forwarded previously collected DNA evidence to the FBI. The bureau is now applying updated technology to reexamine the sample, even though it is not newly obtained, ABC News reported.

Authorities have indicated that the genetic material recovered from Guthrie’s residence does not belong to a single individual. The PCSD has said the DNA recovered from Guthrie’s home came from more than one person, according to the outlet.

The sheriff added that several additional laboratories across the country—up to five—are also contributing to the investigation, though it remains unclear whether any new DNA evidence is currently under review.

Roughly two dozen investigators from both the Pima County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI are still actively working the case, but meaningful breakthroughs have been slow since Guthrie, the mother of NBC News co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, disappeared on February 1.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump said Thursday that Iran appears to be nearing acceptance of key U.S. demands, pointing to what he described as significant progress in ongoing discussions.

He praised the current blockade on Iran, calling it “amazing,” and said it “is holding up very strong, and I think we’re making a lot of progress.”

Trump indicated he does not see a need to prolong the ceasefire, adding: “Iran wants to make a deal and we’re dealing very nicely with them. They’re willing to do things today that they weren’t willing to do two months ago.”

He added that another round of talks between the sides is likely to take place over the weekend.

Addressing reports that any agreement might limit Iran’s uranium enrichment for a defined period, Trump said no such arrangement has been finalized. “What we have is a statement that goes beyond 20 years, that they will not have nuclear weapons. There’s no 20-year limit.”

At the same time, he cautioned that if negotiations collapse, hostilities could restart.

Trump also asserted that Iran has agreed to transfer its enriched uranium, saying: “They agreed to hand over the nuclear dust. It’s way underground because of the attack with the B-2 bombers. We have a lot of agreement with Iran, and I think that something very positive is going to happen.”

Turning to the ceasefire he recently announced between Israel and Lebanon, Trump said he expects Hezbollah to comply. “It’s quite exciting, we’re going to meet with Bibi Netanyahu and the President of Lebanon. I had a great talk with both of them today. They’re going to have a ceasefire, and that will include Hezbollah.”

Responding to criticism from Pope Leo XIV regarding the conflict with Iran, Trump said: “It’s important that the Pope understands that Iran killed 42,000 people who were totally unarmed. They were protesters. Iran can not have a nuclear weapon. If they did, every country, including Italy, where he’s stationed, would be in trouble. So we’re doing very well in respect to that.”

{Matzav.com}

The U.S. State Department on Thursday evening issued the full text of a newly brokered understanding between Israel and Lebanon, marking a major diplomatic development facilitated by President Donald Trump’s administration.

The agreement, described as a significant turning point, formally states for the first time in decades that Israel and Lebanon are no longer considered to be in a situation of war and are committed to working toward a lasting peace arrangement.

Under the terms outlined, a ceasefire is set to begin at midnight Israel time and will initially remain in effect for ten days. During this window, representatives from both countries are expected to meet in Washington for direct negotiations aimed at reaching a permanent resolution. The timeline can be extended if both sides agree that meaningful progress is being made.

A central provision of the deal addresses the role of armed groups operating outside state authority, specifically Hezbollah, stating that such organizations erode national sovereignty. The agreement stipulates that only Lebanon’s official security bodies—including the Lebanese Armed Forces, Internal Security Forces, Directorate of General Security, General Directorate of State Security, Lebanese Customs, and Municipal Police—will be authorized to carry weapons.

The framework also makes clear that Israel maintains its right to defend itself against any imminent or ongoing threats, even during the ceasefire period. At the same time, Israel agreed to refrain from initiating offensive operations against official Lebanese government targets across land, sea, or air.

In a notable declaration, both sides affirmed that “the two states are not at war” and pledged to engage in direct and sincere negotiations to settle outstanding issues, including finalizing the international land border between them.

Lebanon, for its part, committed to taking concrete measures to prevent Hezbollah and other armed factions from launching attacks against Israel. The agreement underscores that Lebanon bears full responsibility for maintaining its sovereignty, with no external party permitted to assert control within its borders.

The U.S. statement further noted that Washington will spearhead international efforts to assist Lebanon and contribute to broader regional stability.

A 25-year-old man was left in critical condition Thursday evening after being struck by shrapnel during a Hezbollah missile attack near Karmiel, just shortly before a planned ceasefire between Israel and the terror group was set to begin.

Emergency responders who arrived at the scene discovered the victim with serious penetrating injuries, primarily affecting his head and one of his legs.

Magen David Adom reported: “At the scene in the Karmiel sector, MDA medics and paramedics are providing medical treatment at the scene to a 25-year-old man in serious condition who was injured apparently by interception fragments.”

The attack occurred roughly 90 minutes prior to the scheduled ceasefire going into effect between Israel and Hezbollah.

In the lead-up to the truce, northern Israel had come under sustained fire, with Hezbollah launching a wave of rockets and unmanned aerial vehicles over the course of approximately two hours.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the Trump administration could look into a series of unexplained deaths and disappearances involving American specialists connected to sensitive research, an issue that has drawn growing attention and speculation.

Her comments represent one of the first indications that the matter may be formally examined, shifting it from online discussion to a topic acknowledged at the White House briefing podium.

Newsweek contacted the White House for comment on Thursday.

Authorities have not identified any confirmed link tying the cases together, though several lawmakers have urged a deeper review of the incidents. Any federal investigation could help clarify questions that have circulated for weeks.

During Wednesday’s briefing, a reporter asked Leavitt: “There are now 10 American scientists who have either gone missing or died since mid-2024. They all reportedly had access to classified nuclear or aerospace material. Is anybody investigating this to see if these things are connected?”

Leavitt replied: “I haven’t spoken to our relevant agencies about it. I will certainly do that, and we’ll get you an answer. If true, of course, that’s definitely something I think this government and administration would deem worth looking into. So let me do that for you.”

One of the most prominent cases involves retired Air Force Major General William Neil McCasland, who disappeared on February 27 near Quail Run Court NE in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Authorities said McCasland left behind his phone, prescription glasses, and wearable devices at his home. A gray U.S. Air Force sweatshirt was later recovered roughly 1.25 miles east of where he lived.

In a separate case, aerospace engineer Monica Reza vanished in June while hiking in California’s Angeles National Forest. Reports indicate she had previously participated in a government-funded rocket materials program overseen by McCasland.

These cases are part of a broader group that has fueled online claims of a possible pattern, including two scientists who were killed in attacks at their residences. However, officials have not established any verified connection among the incidents.

The circumstances have prompted a range of theories, including speculation involving unidentified aerial phenomena as well as espionage.

Chris Swecker, a former FBI assistant director, dismissed the idea of extraterrestrial involvement. “I think there’s a rational explanation for this,” he said, per NewsNation.

“If it’s not just random acts, it’s modern-day espionage,” he added. According to the outlet, Swecker suggested federal authorities may already be examining the cases, even though no public confirmation has been issued.

“These are classified matters,” Swecker said. “We shouldn’t be hearing about them if they are investigating.”

According to the International Business Times, the following individuals connected to advanced scientific or government-related work have either gone missing or died since 2023:

Steven Garcia, a government contractor at the Kansas City National Security Campus in Albuquerque, has been missing since August 28, 2025.

William “Neil” McCasland, a retired U.S. Air Force major general, has been missing since February 27, 2026.

Anthony Chavez, a former Los Alamos National Laboratory employee, has been missing since May 8, 2025.

Melissa Casias, an administrative worker at Los Alamos National Laboratory, has been missing since June 26, 2025.

Monica Reza, Director of Materials Processing at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, has been missing since June 22, 2025.

Nuno Loureiro, director of MIT’s Plasma Science and Fusion Center, died on December 16, 2025, after being shot the previous day.

Carl Grillmair, a Caltech astrophysicist involved in NASA’s NEOWISE and NEO Surveyor missions, died on February 16, 2026.

Michael David Hicks, a research scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory who worked on the DART Project and Deep Space 1 mission, died on July 30, 2023.

Frank Maiwald, a principal researcher at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, died on July 4, 2024.

Jason Thomas, a Novartis pharmaceutical researcher focused on cancer treatments, died on March 17, 2026.

Officials previously told Newsweek they were aware of speculation surrounding McCasland’s disappearance but said there is no verified evidence linking his case to any other investigation.

It is unclear whether federal authorities will formally announce a broader probe into whether these deaths and disappearances are connected.

{Matzav.com}

Facing a looming $5.4 billion budget deficit gap this year and next, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, both Democrats, are jointly backing a tax on high-end pieds-à-terres, or second homes, in New York City, which can sit empty much of the year.

The proposal, which was presented without much detail, would tax people who own a second home in New York that is worth more than $5 million. Hochul said her goal is to raise $500 million annually, which would go toward closing the anticipated $5.4 billion budget deficit in 2027.

“If you can afford a $5 million second home that sits empty most of the year, you can afford to contribute like every other New Yorker,” Hochul stated.

Nicole Gelinas, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute and contributing editor to its City Journal who researches urban policy, including public finance, told JNS that New York City is “long overdue” for a “full rethink of its property-tax system.”

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announces proposed a pied-à-terre tax to support New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s efforts to close New York City’s budget gap, April 15, 2026. Credit: Susan Watts/Office of Gov. Kathy Hochul.

“Gently discouraging keeping a house or apartment unoccupied might make sense in the context of full property-tax reform,” according to Gelinas, a contributing opinion writer at the New York Times.

“The mayor and governor have not proposed full property tax reform, instead isolating one gimmicky, tax-the-rich idea essentially as a marketing ploy as the state budget remains stalled,” she told JNS.

“It sounds good to most people who don’t have second homes” but isn’t a “rational tax strategy,” she said. “It’s also concerning that they are making a desperate cash grab when state and city revenues, including property tax dollars, are still naturally rising with the economy.”

Hochul said at a press conference that “what I’m saying is simple and similar to what other international cities like Paris and Toronto have already adopted, because it’s a matter of fairness to all those millions of residents who actually live here.”

“Those who benefit from the city without living in a full-time capacity should contribute to the costs that it takes to run the city: public safety, world class parks, amenities, the roads, the subway system,” she said. “This proposal simply ensures that they’re contributing in a meaningful way to keeping New York City the greatest city in the world, and it goes also to help the city’s budget gap.”

Mamdani spoke on Wednesday at a Tax Day forum with leading economists Joseph Stiglitz and Gabriel Zucman.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani holds a Tax Day forum with economists Gabriel Zucman and Joseph Stiglitz at the CUNY Graduate Center in Manhattan, April 15, 2026. Credit: Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office.

“This is a tax on properties worth more than $5 million that are owned by people who do not reside in New York City,” the mayor, a Democratic Socialist, said at the forum.

Mamdani said that the “super wealthy” buy properties and use them to “store their wealth” but don’t “pay back into that same city that generates so much of that wealth in the way that they should.”

“What we are talking about is a recognition of the inequality that has permeated politics through the five boroughs of our city, through our country, through the world,” he said. Mamdani called a projected exodus of high earners from the city, if taxes get too high, “imagined,” saying that “we have to reckon with the very real exodus that we are seeing in this city: an exodus of working-class people.”

The mayor has also proposed raising property taxes by more than 9% in the next fiscal year. That and the proposed new tax on secondary homes have met strong opposition.

Multiple real estate brokers, who cater to an ultra-wealthy clientele, declined to comment on the impact such a tax would have on the Big Apple real estate industry.

Bess Freedman, CEO of the real estate brokerage Brown Harris Stevens, wrote to her staff that “while this proposal is being framed as a tax on the ultra-wealthy, the reality is that its impact would extend far beyond a narrow segment of the market” to “every corner of our industry.”

Freedman reportedly added in the memo that “targeting the top of the market creates a ripple effect” and “when luxury values decline, it compresses pricing throughout the entire market, impacting homeowners at all levels.” (Freeman’s firm said earlier this month that more buyers spent $10 million or more to buy a new development residence in Manhattan in the first quarter of 2026 than in any other quarter of the past 10 years.)

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani holds a Tax Day forum with economists Gabriel Zucman and Joseph Stiglitz at the CUNY Graduate Center in Manhattan, April 15, 2026. Credit: Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office.

At the event with Mamdani and the economists, Stiglitz, a former chief economist at the World Bank who holds a Nobel Prize in Economics, said that in the past 25 years, “41% of all the increase in wealth has gone to the top 1%.”

“The bottom 50% of the world has gotten just 1% of that increase in wealth. So inequality has been growing,” he said. The United States has “more inequality than any other advanced country,” he said.

Stiglitz, a Jewish university professor at Columbia University, pointed to Mamdani during his remarks and told the mayor that in his travels all over the world, “one of the striking things, as we’ve traveled, is everywhere, you are known.”

“You are as famous as Donald Trump, and the point I want to make is that the election in New York got so much attention everywhere because it was symbolic,” the economist said. “It showed that there was another side of the United States, that there were, you know, a city, which is the largest Jewish city, could elect somebody of very different persuasion, a religious belief.”

“It was a real testimony to the good side of humanity, and we need affirmation that there exists a good side to humanity right now,” he said. “One can’t underestimate the influence that New York has on the entire world as a symbol of what is possible.” JNS

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu has been named to Time magazine’s 2026 list of the 100 most influential people in the world, the magazine announced on Wednesday.
It marks the fifth time the longest-serving premier has appeared on the annual list.

“Like President Trump, Benjamin Netanyahu once faced the political wasteland: the Hamas attacks of Oct. 7, 2023, left the Israeli Prime Minister responsible for the worst security failure in his country’s history. The political comeback he then engineered may have exceeded Trump’s own,” Time editor-at-large Ian Bremmer writes. “Israel’s devastation of Hezbollah’s military infrastructure, its crippling strikes alongside the U.S. on Iran’s nuclear program in the [June 2025] 12-Day War, and the eventual extraction of all remaining hostages from Gaza have boosted his standing with the Israeli public.”

Bremmer continues: “This same legacy may also poison international attitudes toward his country. The staggering human toll in Gaza, ongoing West Bank settlement expansion, another incursion into Lebanon, and a darkening war with Iran eroded support among younger Americans—even as Washington remains Israel’s indispensable security partner.

“More chapters will soon be written, but Netanyahu has yet to resolve the tension at the center of his comeback: the actions that saved him politically will also define—and complicate—his legacy.”

Netanyahu is among roughly two dozen political leaders recognized this year, alongside U.S. President Donald Trump, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Pope Leo XIV. Also included are Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, among others. JNS

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump said a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon will take effect tonight, outlining a 10-day pause aimed at opening the door to broader negotiations between the two countries.

In a statement posted on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “I just had excellent conversations with the Highly Respected President Joseph Aoun, of Lebanon, and Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, of Israel. These two Leaders have agreed that in order to achieve PEACE between their Countries, they will formally begin a 10 Day CEASEFIRE at 5 P.M. EST.”

He went on to describe recent diplomatic efforts, adding: “On Tuesday, the two Countries met for the first time in 34 years here in Washington, D.C., with our Great Secretary of State, Marco Rubio. I have directed Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Rubio, together with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dan Razin’ Caine, to work with Israel and Lebanon to achieve a Lasting PEACE. It has been my Honor to solve 9 Wars across the World, and this will be my 10th, so let’s GET IT DONE! President DONALD J. TRUMP”

In a subsequent post, Trump said he plans to bring both leaders to Washington, writing that he will invite them for “the first meaningful talks between Israel and Lebanon since 1983, a very long time ago. Both sides want to see PEACE, and I believe that will happen, quickly!”

Despite the announcement, Israeli officials indicated that military positions on the ground will remain unchanged during the ceasefire period. A senior Israeli source told Reuters that the IDF is not preparing to pull back from southern Lebanon.

Under the arrangement, Israeli forces will continue holding the so-called “anti-tank line,” the furthest distance from which anti-tank missiles could threaten Israeli communities, and will maintain control of key elevated positions throughout southern Lebanon.

Officials further stressed that Israeli forces will retain freedom of action, noting that if Hezbollah or other hostile elements pose an immediate danger, the IDF will act to neutralize the threat.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam publicly welcomed the development, calling it “a central Lebanese demand we have pursued since the first day of the war, and was our primary goal in the Washington meeting on Tuesday.”

He continued: “As I congratulate all Lebanese on this achievement, I pray for the martyrs who fell, and affirm my solidarity with their families, with the wounded, and with the citizens who were forced to flee their cities and villages, and I hold full hope that they will be able to return to them as soon as possible.”

Salam also expressed appreciation to international players involved in the diplomatic effort, thanking “the regional and international efforts exerted to reach this outcome, especially those by the United States of America, France, European Union countries, and all Arab brothers, led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Arab Republic of Egypt, in addition to the State of Qatar and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.”

In Israel, opposition leaders sharply criticized the move. Yesh Atid Chairman Yair Lapid said: “Not for the first time, all the promises of this government are crashing into reality.”

He added: “The confrontation in Lebanon can only end with the removal of the threat to the northern communities permanently. Under this government, that will no longer happen.”

Yisrael Beytenu Chairman MK Avigdor Liberman also voiced strong opposition, stating: “The ceasefire in Lebanon is treason against the residents of the north. We again allow Hezbollah to recover and become stronger. We can not end the war without a clear decision and the elimination of Hezbollah.”

Earlier Thursday, Axios reported, citing a Lebanese presidential source, that Trump had already informed President Joseph Aoun that a ceasefire decision had been finalized and would take effect within hours.

An Israeli official confirmed that Washington has been pressing for an agreement, and while discussions are advancing, a final deal has not yet been formally completed.

According to various reports, U.S. officials initiated the diplomatic push, believing that direct engagement between Israel and Lebanon could pave the way for either a temporary or permanent cessation of hostilities.

Even as optimism grew around the ceasefire announcement, Hezbollah responded with renewed attacks. Shortly after reports of the agreement surfaced, the group fired five missiles toward Haifa and surrounding areas. Some were intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome system, while others landed in open areas.

A day earlier, Trump had signaled his intentions in another Truth Social post, writing: “Trying to get a little breathing room between Israel and Lebanon. It has been a long time since the two leaders have spoken, like 34 years. It will happen tomorrow. Nice!”

However, behind the scenes, diplomatic friction persisted. A Lebanese source claimed that when Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a joint call with President Aoun, the Lebanese leader strongly rejected the idea.

After Aoun declined to participate in the proposed three-way conversation, Rubio informed him that Trump would resume discussions at a later time. Lebanese reports indicated that Aoun “insisted on an immediate ceasefire” and was assured that U.S. efforts would intensify.

Meanwhile, fighting on the ground continued. Earlier in the day, a rocket barrage struck the northern city of Kiryat Shmona, with one missile directly hitting a building. Emergency responders from Magen David Adom said no injuries were reported, though the strike caused significant property damage.

{Matzav.com}

New York City’s First Lady, Rama Duwaji, has issued her first public response to mounting criticism over past social media activity, as questions continue to swirl about statements and online engagement that critics say reflect anti-Israel sentiment and sympathy for extremist causes.

Speaking in an interview with Hyperallergic, the 28-year-old acknowledged her earlier remarks, expressing “deep shame” over comments made in her youth and stating that age does not excuse the impact of what she said. Still, she did not directly address several more recent and more serious claims, prompting detractors to argue that her response was incomplete and avoided key issues.

Reports published across American media outlets in recent days have pointed to a pattern of posts and interactions attributed to Duwaji spanning multiple years. Among the material cited are engagements on October 7, 2023, that appeared to praise the breach of the Gaza border fence and describe it as an act of resistance, along with the use of phrases such as “from the river to the sea.” Additional criticism has focused on earlier comments about Tel Aviv, including a 2015 post in which she wrote that the city “should not have existed” and characterized its residents as “occupiers.” She has also faced scrutiny over past expressions of admiration for Leila Khaled, who was involved in a series of airplane hijackings in the late 1960s and 1970s.

The issue has drawn further attention due to reporting on individuals connected to Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s political circle. According to Jewish Insider, senior campaign and media adviser Donald Bornstein spoke positively about Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar following his death, saying he “gave his entire life” to his cause while also ridiculing video released by the IDF.

Mayor Mamdani has attempted to separate his administration from the controversy, stressing that his wife does not serve in any official government role and remains a private citizen. His office also reiterated that he regards Hamas as a terrorist organization and has condemned the October 7 attacks as war crimes.

{Matzav.com}

War Secretary Pete Hegseth said Thursday that the United States is fully prepared to intensify military action against Iran if diplomatic efforts collapse, emphasizing that American forces are ready to act immediately if ordered.

Speaking at his weekly Pentagon briefing alongside Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine and CENTCOM Commander Admiral Bradley Cooper, Hegseth declared, “We are locked and loaded on your critical dual-use infrastructure, on your remaining power generation, and on your energy industry,”

He added that while the U.S. would prefer to avoid further conflict, it stands ready to proceed without delay. “We’d rather not have to do it, but we’re ready to go at the command of our president and at the push of a button,” Hegseth told reporters, with his comments airing live on Newsmax and Newsmax2.

Addressing Iran’s military leadership directly, Hegseth argued that the disparity in strength between the two sides is overwhelming.

“Our capabilities are not the same,” he said. “Remember, this is not a fair fight. We know what military assets you are moving and where you are moving them to.”

He described Iran’s current position as severely weakened, claiming its military infrastructure has been badly damaged and cannot be rebuilt.

“You are digging out of bombed-out and devastated facilities,” Hegseth said. “You are digging out your remaining launchers and missiles with no ability to replace them. You have no defense industry, no ability to replenish your offensive or defensive capabilities. You only have what you have.”

In contrast, Hegseth said the United States continues to reinforce its own military capabilities.

“You can dig out for now, but you can’t reconstitute. But we can,” he said. “We are reloading with more power than ever before and better intelligence, even more importantly, better intelligence than ever before.”

He characterized the current U.S. posture as an ongoing naval blockade and dismissed Iranian claims of control over the Strait of Hormuz.

“You like to say publicly [to] Iran, that you control the Strait of Hormuz, but you don’t have a navy or real domain awareness. You can’t control anything,” he said. “Threatening to shoot missiles and drones at ships, that is not control. That’s piracy. That’s terrorism.”

Hegseth also highlighted what he described as U.S. dominance in the region’s waterways.

“The United States Navy controls the traffic going in and out of the strait, because we have real assets and real capabilities,” Hegseth said. “We’re using 10% of the world’s most powerful navy, and you have 0% of your navy. That’s real control.”

He indicated that the blockade could be sustained indefinitely but warned that failure to reach an agreement could lead to further military action.

“We can do this all day,” he said. “But if Iran chooses poorly, then they will have a blockade and bombs dropping on infrastructure, power, and energy.”

Hegseth noted that the pressure campaign extends beyond military measures to include economic steps coordinated with the Treasury Department.

“Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and our friends over at Treasury are launching Operation Economic Fury as well, maximizing economic pressure,” he said.

Bessent said during a White House briefing on Wednesday that the administration intends to increase sanctions and financial pressure on Iran, describing the effort as the “financial equivalent” of a bombing campaign.

Hegseth said the military remains capable of rapidly shifting back into full-scale combat operations if directed.

“The world watched as the U.S. military moved seamlessly from major combat operations to a world-class blockade,” he said. “We can make that transition again very quickly and even more powerfully than ever at the direction of President [Donald] Trump.”

He closed by underscoring the administration’s core objective regarding Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

“The War Department will ensure that Iran never has a nuclear weapon, never,” Hegseth said.

While reiterating a preference for a negotiated solution, Hegseth made clear that military action remains an option.

“We’d prefer to do it the nice way through a deal … or we can do it the hard way,” Hegseth said.

{Matzav.com}

48New details released by the IDF following a change in naval leadership reveal that Israel’s submarine fleet carried out far-reaching and highly classified missions during the war, achieving record-breaking operational reach and striking deep inside enemy territory.

As Major General David Saar Salama stepped down as commander of the Navy, officials disclosed that Shayetet 7 reached new milestones in both distance traveled and sustained activity within hostile zones. According to the information made public, these operations marked a significant expansion of the Navy’s strategic footprint.

Among the most notable revelations was that Israeli submarines reached “the farthest location in the history” of the submarine flotilla during a wartime mission, underscoring the unprecedented scope of the operations.

The fleet was deployed simultaneously across three separate arenas, with vast distances of thousands of kilometers between each submarine. In a first for the Navy, Shayetet 7 coordinated directly with Shayetet 3, the missile boat flotilla, to target and destroy enemy air defense systems and aircraft from the sea.

In the Syrian arena, the Navy took advantage of a narrow operational window to launch a major strike against Syrian naval forces. Within roughly an hour, Israeli forces sank 15 ships and struck dozens of missiles with ranges between 80 and 200 kilometers, dealing a major blow to Syria’s maritime capabilities.

Naval operations against Hezbollah also yielded significant results, particularly in dismantling the group’s coastal missile network. Many of these weapons, which had been concealed beneath civilian infrastructure and in underground facilities, were destroyed, leaving only a limited number still in Hezbollah’s possession.

Another key operation, known as Operation Behind the Back, saw Shayetet 13 forces capture Imad Amhaz. His interrogation led to the uncovering of a previously hidden Hezbollah naval unit, adding to Israel’s intelligence gains.

The Navy also played a major role in countering the Houthi threat, carrying out strikes as far as 150 kilometers داخل Yemen. These attacks reportedly disrupted supply routes, preventing roughly 80 percent of goods from reaching their intended destinations. During Operation “Roaring Lion,” naval units also provided direction and intelligence for strikes on at least 95 targets in Iran.

Since the war began, naval commando units have conducted hundreds of missions, including operations in distant regions where Israeli forces had not previously operated. In Gaza, naval forces were involved in central combat activities, ranging from raids on Shifa and Rantisi hospitals to seizing control of the harbor, conducting hostage rescue efforts, and carrying out logistical insertions deep in the Strip.

During the course of the fighting, the Navy brought all four Sa’ar 6-class warships into full operational use, deploying them in both defensive and offensive roles. The fleet was further strengthened by the arrival of two landing craft from the United States, and a sixth submarine, INS “Drakon” (dragon), is expected to join the fleet in the near future. In addition, a new maritime unit called “Netz” was established to enhance surveillance and drone operations at sea.

Over the 48 days of Operation Roaring Lion,” naval forces accumulated approximately 26,000 hours at sea, conducted 154 offensive strikes, and successfully carried out 40 air defense and interception actions against incoming aerial threats.

{Matzav.com}

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has formally requested that the Justice Department investigate two former officials involved in the 2019 impeachment of President Donald Trump, following the release of newly declassified materials.

According to several reports, Gabbard submitted criminal referrals focusing on the original whistleblower and former Intelligence Community Inspector General Michael Atkinson, citing concerns raised by newly disclosed documents about how the impeachment case was conducted.

A spokesperson for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence confirmed that a referral was submitted “related to one or more former employees of the Intelligence Community and their role in the 2019 impeachment of President Trump,” though no specific allegations were detailed.

The referrals come on the heels of recently unsealed records that, according to Gabbard, suggest the whistleblower may have provided misleading information and demonstrated potential bias. The same materials also allege that Atkinson failed to share critical details with Congress during the impeachment proceedings, according to reporting by Just the News.

Gabbard has sharply criticized the handling of the complaint, asserting that the whistleblower system was “weaponized” and used as part of what she and other allies of Trump describe as an effort driven by politics to weaken a sitting president.

CBS News reported that while Gabbard has asked for investigations to move forward, the Justice Department will ultimately decide whether any legal action will be taken.

The network noted that the initial complaint focused on Trump’s 2019 phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which led to his impeachment by the House of Representatives, followed by his acquittal in the Senate.

CNN also confirmed the referrals, adding that Gabbard released additional documentation this week that she says reveals irregularities in how the whistleblower complaint was processed.

Those documents reportedly include testimony and internal records indicating that standard oversight procedures may not have been followed by the intelligence community’s watchdog.

The move has drawn sharp opposition from critics, particularly among senior Democrats.

Representative Jim Himes argued that the referral is politically motivated and cautioned that it could have a chilling effect on future whistleblowers.

Backers of Gabbard’s decision, however, say the referrals are necessary, especially if key information was withheld during a major constitutional process.

Legal analysts point out that criminal referrals do not automatically lead to charges, but they can prompt formal investigations by federal authorities.

For Trump’s supporters, the development is being viewed as a possible reopening of one of the most divisive political episodes of his presidency.

If the Justice Department proceeds, the outcome could carry significant consequences—not only for the individuals involved, but also for broader issues surrounding government transparency, accountability, and the role intelligence agencies play in domestic political matters.

{Matzav.com}

Search teams are continuing intensive efforts today for a sixth consecutive day to locate 17-year-old Avraham Yeshayahu Spiegel, who has been missing since Friday after drowning at Sanz Beach in Netanya.

ZAKA forces reported that based on a professional overnight assessment, search activity today has focused on a complex rocky area in the middle of the sea, where there is a high likelihood the missing bochur may be found.

Throughout the day, divers, drone operators, and jet ski teams worked the area, scanning between rocks and other difficult-to-access locations. At the same time, ZAKA volunteers from the Sharon region and Netanya team continued foot searches along the shoreline, supported by a jeep unit, maintaining around-the-clock operations.

The search efforts continued even as the family mourned another tragedy. The levayah of the missing bochur‘s brother, 21-year-old Yissachar Dov Spiegel z”l, who also drowned in the incident, was held in Yerushalayim. Despite the levayah yesterday, search teams remained fully active, coordinating responsibilities carefully to ensure uninterrupted operations.

A situation assessment was held at the command post, attended by Eldad Steinberg of the Lehava unit, who praised the volunteers. “The professionalism and spirit of volunteerism of ZAKA members, who have been operating for six consecutive days, deserve deep appreciation,” he said.

Also visiting the site were Netanya station commander Chief Superintendent Kobi Abutbul and MK Yitzchok Pindrus, who came to offer encouragement and support to the teams on the ground.

ZAKA Deputy Director of Operations Chaim Wingertein said, “We will continue to operate with determination, using all available means, until the missing person is found.”

{Matzav.com}

Last night, in Brooklyn, NY, the wedding of Hagaon Rav Nechemia Kaplan, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Shaar Hatalmud in Yerushalayim was held in Brooklyn, drawing prominent roshei yeshiva and rabbonim who came to take part in the simcha.

Rav Kaplan is a son of Rav Boruch Kaplan and Rebbetzin Vichna Kaplan, noted pioneers of Yiddishkeit in the last century. His first wife, Rebbetzin Hendel a”h, was the daughter of Rav and Rebbetzin Meshulam Dovid Soloveitchik, Rosh Yeshivas Brisk.

The rosh yeshiva remarried to Rebbetzin Chaya Esther Lerner of New York. The wedding took place at Tiferes Mordechai Hall on McDonald Avenue in Brooklyn.

A large number of prominent roshei yeshiva and rabbonim attended the chasunah.

In a unique moment during the simcha, following the first dance, the chosson, the esteemed rosh yeshiva, delivered a shiur to the assembled guests.

 

{Matzav.com}

Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor said she regrets comments she made about a colleague during a recent public appearance, calling her remarks “inappropriate” and confirming that she has issued a personal apology.

“At a recent appearance at the University of Kansas School of Law, I referred to a disagreement with one of my colleagues in a prior case, but I made remarks that were inappropriate,” Sotomayor said in a statement issued by the court, Politico reported.

“I regret my hurtful comments. I have apologized to my colleague.”

Her statement followed comments she delivered last week in Lawrence, Kansas, where she spoke critically about another member of the court—widely understood to be Justice Brett Kavanaugh—regarding his stance in an immigration-related case.

Although she did not mention him by name, Sotomayor alluded to his concurring opinion in Noem v. Perdomo, which involved an unsigned order allowing immigration enforcement operations in Los Angeles to resume.

During her remarks, she challenged what she suggested was a limited perspective on how such enforcement actions impact workers.

“I had a colleague in that case who wrote, you know, these are only temporary stops,” she said. “This is from a man whose parents were professionals. And probably doesn’t really know any person who works by the hour.”

In his concurrence, Kavanaugh stated that interactions between lawful residents and immigration authorities are “typically brief.”

Sotomayor argued that even short encounters can carry meaningful consequences, particularly for workers paid by the hour, who may lose wages or face job-related repercussions.

She said such interactions carry “financial consequences” that may not be fully appreciated in the court’s legal analysis.

The episode underscores continuing ideological divides within the Supreme Court, especially in cases involving immigration policy and the tension between enforcement authority and individual rights.

At the same time, public criticism between justices—particularly when perceived as personal—has drawn attention and concern in the past.

Sotomayor’s apology represents a relatively rare moment in which a sitting justice has publicly expressed regret for remarks directed at a colleague.

The court has faced heightened scrutiny in recent years over its internal dynamics and public credibility, with ongoing calls for increased transparency and stronger adherence to ethical standards.

{Matzav.com}

The White House on Wednesday released new information about a proposed “United States triumphal arch,” outlining plans for a national monument designed to highlight the country’s history and promote unity among Americans as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary.

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said during a briefing that the structure would incorporate artistic elements and historical imagery showcasing major milestones from the nation’s past, forming part of broader efforts tied to the upcoming semiquincentennial.

“The United States triumphal arch will be outfitted with beautiful artwork and depictions celebrating the success of the American people over our 250-year history and the enduring triumph of the American spirit,” Leavitt said during a briefing.

According to the administration’s newly released National Endowment for the Humanities spending plan, U.S. taxpayers would help fund construction of the monument in Arlington, Virginia.

The proposal, which received approval from the Office of Management and Budget in September, allocates $2 million in special initiative funding along with $13 million in matching funds “are reserved for the arch.”

Leavitt said the project is intended to serve both as a cultural landmark and as a symbol of national pride, drawing inspiration from similar monumental structures found in other countries.

She added that construction is expected to begin later this year.

The administration has framed the project as an effort to bridge political divides, emphasizing its goal of bringing Americans together around a shared sense of history and identity.

“Great nations build beautiful structures that cultivate national pride and love of country, and this triumphal arch should be a project that all Americans — all political persuasions — can support,” she said.

Triumphal arches have historically been used to commemorate military victories and national achievements, and can be found in major cities worldwide, including Paris’s Arc de Triomphe.

The announcement comes as federal agencies and cultural organizations begin organizing programs and commemorations for the nation’s 250th anniversary, with planners seeking to balance celebration with reflection on the country’s past.

While reaction to the proposal has so far been limited, large federal construction projects often draw scrutiny regarding costs, location, and public backing, and lawmakers would likely need to weigh in before the project proceeds.

“It’s the only city in the world that’s of great importance that doesn’t have a triumphal arc,” President Donald Trump said in December. “… And this one is going to blow them all away. The one that people know mostly is the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France. And we’re going to top it by I think a lot.”

{Matzav.com}

Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania voiced strong support Wednesday for U.S. and Israeli military actions targeting Iran and its proxy groups, pushing back against fellow Democrats who have criticized the effort as unsuccessful.

During an appearance on Newsmax’s “The Record With Greta Van Susteren,” Fetterman acknowledged that many within his party disagree with the approach but made clear he supports what he described as central aspects of the operation, known as Operation Epic Fury.

“There are many Democrats that do think that it was a failure,” Fetterman said. “But I am the only Democrat that’s supported Epic Fury.”

He also pointed to his vote against a War Powers Act resolution intended to curb U.S. involvement in the conflict, noting that he was the sole Democrat to oppose it.

Fetterman sharply criticized Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, saying the New York Democrat’s assessment of the situation was “categorically not true.”

The senator argued that the campaign has inflicted serious damage on Iran’s military strength, citing strikes that have targeted leadership figures and facilities tied to missile programs and nuclear development.

“Just eliminating leadership — incredible,” Fetterman said. “Destroying the Iranian military capabilities and making it more and more difficult, if not impossible, to build a nuclear bomb.”

He further stressed the wider regional consequences, pointing to Israel’s actions against Hezbollah in Lebanon and arguing that Iran has been weakened both militarily and politically, limiting its ability to support allied groups.

“It’s humiliating for Iran,” he said, adding that Tehran has been “begging for a ceasefire” while Hezbollah has been largely confined to attacks on civilians that Israel has mostly intercepted.

Fetterman suggested that opposition from other Democrats may be influenced by partisan considerations, particularly because of President Donald Trump’s role in the operation.

“To call that a failure, I don’t understand — unless because Trump’s been behind it,” he said.

He also defended U.S. efforts to assert control over key maritime routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, describing it as an important show of strength and deterrence.

“It was an incredible way to remind Iran and the world that we still run things,” Fetterman said. “We can control it … and hold them accountable.”

He added that such moves could have broader international implications, potentially drawing in major global players like China due to their dependence on oil shipments passing through the region.

{Matzav.com}

Senior Pentagon officials have engaged in discussions with executives from major American companies, including General Motors and Ford Motor, about boosting weapons and military supply production, according to a report published Wednesday.

The conversations, described as broad and preliminary, began even before the conflict with Iran escalated. The effort reflects a push by the Trump administration to involve automakers and other U.S. manufacturers more directly in defense production, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing individuals familiar with the matter.

During the talks, defense officials indicated that traditional military contractors may require support and explored whether large manufacturers could quickly pivot their operations to produce defense-related equipment.

Companies such as GE Aerospace and Oshkosh, which manufactures vehicles and heavy machinery, were also part of the discussions with Pentagon officials, the report said.

Reuters said it was unable to independently confirm the details. Representatives for the Pentagon, General Motors, Ford, GE Aerospace, and Oshkosh did not immediately respond to requests for comment made outside normal business hours.

A Pentagon official told the Journal the Defense Department “is committed to rapidly expanding the defense industrial base by ⁠leveraging all available commercial solutions and technologies to ensure our warfighters maintain a decisive advantage.”

The outreach to private industry follows a March meeting in which President Trump sat down with executives from seven major defense contractors, as the Pentagon works to replenish stockpiles depleted by recent U.S. military actions, including strikes on Iran.

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and Israel’s operations in Gaza, U.S. reserves of key military equipment—such as artillery systems, munitions, and anti-tank weapons—have been significantly reduced.

Earlier this month, Trump proposed a major increase in defense spending, requesting an additional $500 billion to bring the total military budget to $1.5 trillion, citing the ongoing war with Iran.

{Matzav.com}