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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Thursday that American forces stand ready to carry out a strike on Iran should President Donald Trump direct them to do so, according to a report in the New York Post.

Speaking about restoring deterrence, Hegseth emphasized the administration’s intent to reshape how adversaries view U.S. resolve. “We’re having to rebuild how our enemies perceive us. And when President Trump said, we’re not getting a nuclear Iran, you won’t have a nuclear bomb, you meant it,” he said.

Hegseth pointed to the recent capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro as an example meant to underscore why Tehran should take Washington’s warnings seriously. “They should not pursue nuclear capabilities, and we will be prepared to deliver whatever this president expects of the War Department, just like we did this month, no other military in the world could have, could have executed the most sophisticated, powerful raid, not just in American history,” he added.

The comments followed remarks made a day earlier by President Trump, who said a U.S. naval armada was heading toward the Middle East in response to Iran’s violent suppression of anti-regime demonstrations. Those protests have reportedly left thousands dead, with figures ranging from 3,000 cited by Iranian authorities to more than 36,000 according to other reports.

Trump addressed Iran directly in a post on his Truth Social account, writing: “As I told Iran once before, MAKE A DEAL! They didn’t, and there was ‘Operation Midnight Hammer,’ a major destruction of Iran. The next attack will be far worse! Don’t make that happen again.”

Israeli officials assessing the situation believe the president’s rhetoric may be intended to signal contemplation of a sweeping policy shift toward Iran, potentially including regime change, Kan News reported.

As the United States continues reinforcing its military presence across the region, sentiment in Washington increasingly favors bringing the ayatollahs’ rule to an end. At the same time, President Trump has said a diplomatic off-ramp remains available, even as he warned publicly that “time is running out” for Tehran to reach an agreement.

{Matzav.com}

U.S. life expectancy rose to 79 years in 2024 — the highest mark in American history. It’s the result of not only the dissipation of the COVID-19 pandemic, but also waning death rates from all the nation’s top killers, including heart disease, cancer and drug overdoses. What’s more, preliminary statistics suggest a continued improvement in […]

Iran issued sharp warnings on Thursday that it would swiftly target U.S. military bases and aircraft carriers if attacked, escalating rhetoric after President Donald Trump cautioned that Tehran was running out of time and the European Union moved to brand Iran’s Revolutionary Guards a terrorist organization.

As the war of words intensified between Tehran, Washington, and Brussels, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged renewed diplomacy, calling for talks to “avoid a crisis that could have devastating consequences in the region”.

An Iranian military spokesman said any American strike would trigger an expansive and immediate response, far more severe than Iran’s actions last June, when U.S. forces briefly joined Israel in air operations against Iranian targets. This time, he warned, retaliation would be decisive and “delivered instantly.”

Brigadier General Mohammad Akraminia told state television that U.S. aircraft carriers face “serious vulnerabilities” and that American military installations across the Gulf region are “within the range of our medium-range missiles.”

“If such a miscalculation is made by the Americans, it will certainly not unfold the way Trump imagines — carrying out a quick operation and then, two hours later, tweeting that the operation is over,” he said.

A senior Gulf official, speaking to AFP from a country that hosts U.S. military facilities, said anxiety about a possible American strike was mounting and “very clear”.

“It would bring the region into chaos, it would hurt the economy not just in the region but in the U.S. and cause oil and gas prices to skyrocket,” the official added.

Against this backdrop, Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani spoke by phone with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, with both leaders discussing “efforts being made to de-escalate tensions and establish stability,” according to Qatar News Agency.

Pressure on Tehran also intensified from Europe, where the European Union formally designated the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization, citing its role in a deadly crackdown on widespread protests.

“‘Terrorist’ is indeed how you call a regime that crushes its own people’s protests in blood,” said EU chief Ursula von der Leyen, praising what she called a long-awaited move.

Although the designation is largely symbolic, Iranian officials responded angrily, warning of consequences.

Iran’s military condemned what it described as “the illogical, irresponsible and spite-driven action of the European Union”, accusing the bloc of acting in “obedience” to Iran’s enemies, the United States and Israel.

Tehran has repeatedly blamed Washington and Israel for fueling unrest at home, alleging their agents orchestrated “riots” and a “terrorist operation” that overtook initially peaceful demonstrations rooted in economic hardship.

Human rights organizations dispute Iran’s narrative, saying security forces — including the Revolutionary Guards — killed thousands during the protests.

On the streets of Tehran, residents voiced despair and uncertainty about the future.

“I think the war is inevitable and a change must happen. It can be for worse, or better. I am not sure,” said a 29-year-old waitress, who requested anonymity out of fear of reprisals.

“I am not in favour of war. I just want something to happen that would result in something better.”

Another woman, also 29 and unemployed, living in an affluent northern Tehran neighborhood, described a sense of hopelessness. “I believe that life has highs and lows and we are now at the lowest point.

“Neither the economic situation, nor our livelihood is good. It is the lowest for me.”

Earlier, Trump had warned of military consequences if protesters were killed during the anti-government demonstrations that began in late December and reached their height on January 8 and 9.

More recently, his focus has shifted to Iran’s nuclear activities, which Western governments believe are aimed at producing an atomic weapon.

On Wednesday, Trump said “time is running out” for Tehran to reach an agreement, noting that a U.S. naval strike group that entered Middle East waters earlier in the week was “ready, willing and able” to strike Iran.

Meanwhile, the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reported it had verified 6,373 deaths linked to the protests, though it said ongoing internet restrictions imposed on January 8 have hampered confirmation efforts.

Other rights groups warn the true death toll may be far higher, possibly reaching into the tens of thousands.

Iranian authorities acknowledge that thousands died but claim the number exceeds 3,000 and that most of those killed were security personnel or civilians caught in violence carried out by what they call “rioters”.

In Tehran, the government has moved to reinforce its message with public displays. New billboards and banners have appeared across the capital, including one large image depicting the destruction of an American aircraft carrier.

{Matzav.com}

SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: “The cancer is the sanctuary city policy adopted by 12 states that creates chaos for the rest of the 38…So here’s some news: I just concluded a deal with the White House … that would end sanctuary city policy forever.”

Workers in Vienna, Virginia have been putting in 12-hour shifts since Saturday to clear massive snow piles left behind by the Mid-Atlantic snowstorm this weekend.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro on if President Trump imposes an immigration crackdown on his state: “I’m not going to get into specifics…We have ratcheted up our preparation should this come…We’re prepared on every level.”

A devastating tragedy struck the Skverer community of New Square, New York on Thursday morning with the death of five-year-old Mattisyahu Glick z”l, who was fatally injured in a traffic accident while on his way to cheder just two days after the birth of a new baby in his family.

According to details that emerged, the accident occurred on Ostilla Street. Mattisyahu had gone to a nearby relative’s home to wait for his school transportation. As he stood at the bus stop, a bus transporting girls passed by without stopping. Believing it to be his own bus, the child ran after it. The driver, apparently unaware of the child’s presence, struck him.

The boy was rushed to Westchester Medical Center, where he lost consciousness. Despite the efforts of medical staff, he was pronounced niftar shortly thereafter.

Only earlier this week, Mattisyahu’s mother had given birth to a baby boy.

Mattisyahu was the son of Reb Yekusiel Pinchas Glick, and a grandson of Rav Aharon Goldmintzer, the rav of the Skverer kehillah in Yerushalayim. Rav Goldmintzer, who had been planning to travel to the United States next week for a family simcha, was instructed by the Rebbe to advance his trip and arrive before Shabbos in light of the tragedy.

Baruch Dayan HaEmes.

{Matzav.com}

At a time when Klal Yisroel faces unprecedented challenges, with so many of our children being lost to the streets or worse R”L, one initiative has become a lifeline amidst the raging storm: Kesher Nafshi.

The organization, founded by R’ Gedalia Miller, has become the go-to for parents who find themselves in this impossible and gut-wrenching predicament. Kesher Nafshi equips them with perspective and guidance that helps them weather the storm with confidence. Instead of losing their child C”V, parents learn how to remain close, become a source of safety, and steer their child back ashore.

Kesher Nafshi creates inroads to reach these children by training the five pillars that surround a child’s world — Rabbanim, Mechanchim, parents, siblings, and mental health professionals. By empowering those within a child’s social and family circle, the devoted askanim at Kesher Nafshi have continued to save families and save lives, one at a time.

When such storms develop, the organization extends a hand with comprehensive support services, crisis Chinuch guidance, and innovative coping tools.

The offerings include the increasingly-popular Shabbatons that now regularly count hundreds of participants, tailored training programs, respite opportunities, support groups, immediate phone guidance and mentorship for parents, siblings, and caregivers, equipping them to face challenges with resilience and love. In the nine years since its founding, over 3,700 families around the globe benefited from one of these programs!

The costs of this mission are, of course, very prohibitive and the burden falls entirely on its leadership.

But the achrayus is one that belongs to all of Klal Yisroel, and there is no one who can say that they don’t have someone close to them that is dealing with a struggling child.

That is why Kesher Nafshi is turning to the community with a plea for help.

This week, Klal Yisroel will unite as one to support the Weathering the Storm initiative. Together, we will ensure that no child of ours is lost and that no family has to face this frightening storm alone.

Extend a hand!

https://www.charidy.com/keshernafshi

A senior Hamas official said Wednesday that the terror group never agreed to give up its weapons, challenging a central condition demanded by the United States and Israel as part of an American-backed framework for postwar Gaza.

Moussa Abu Marzouk’s remarks directly contradict repeated statements by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump, both of whom have said Hamas would be required to disarm in the near term as part of the second stage of the Gaza ceasefire. Trump has said Hamas “promised” to relinquish its weapons and has warned the group about the consequences if it does not comply.

In the same interview, Abu Marzouk indicated that Hamas effectively retains decisive influence over who can participate in the newly established technocratic body meant to administer Gaza. He also underscored that Hamas continues to govern the areas of the Strip not currently under IDF control, in line with the ceasefire arrangements.

Abu Marzouk made the comments in an interview with Al Jazeera as international efforts continue to advance phase two of the US plan for Gaza, which envisions Hamas being disarmed and removed as the ruling authority. Hamas has repeatedly rejected such demands in the past.

“We haven’t discussed the weapons yet; no one has spoken to us directly about it. We haven’t spoken with the American side or the mediators on this issue, so we can’t talk about what it means or what the goal is,” Abu Marzouk told the Qatari outlet.

He went further, insisting that no such commitment was ever made, saying a Hamas agreement to hand over its weapons “never happened, not for a single moment did we talk about the surrender of weapons, or any formula about destroying, surrendering, or disarmament.”

Pointing to the prolonged fighting in Gaza, Abu Marzouk questioned how such a goal could now be achieved, asking, If Hamas was not disarmed in two years of war, “how can they obtain it through negotiations?”

At the same time, he suggested that limited discussions on weapons could take place under certain conditions, saying that in talks, “we will discuss which weapons will be removed, what will be removed, how they will be removed.”

His version of events conflicts with statements by Trump envoy Steve Witkoff, who said senior Hamas figures told him and Trump aide Jared Kushner, just hours before the ceasefire agreement was finalized in October, that the group was prepared to disarm.

Publicly, however, Hamas has never declared that it would lay down its arms.

Trump’s 20-point proposal for Gaza explicitly requires Hamas to surrender its weapons, but Hamas’s formal response to the plan included significant caveats and avoided any explicit reference to disarmament.

Instead, Hamas said at the time that “other issues mentioned in President Trump’s proposal” — widely understood as a reference to disarmament — would “be discussed within a comprehensive Palestinian national framework.”

A separate, one-page document signed by Hamas, Israel, and the mediating countries in Sharm el-Sheikh a day before the ceasefire took effect focused solely on the first phase of the Trump initiative, chiefly the exchange of hostages for prisoners. The issue of Hamas disarmament was left for the second phase.

That second phase officially began this week following the recovery of the body of Ran Gvili, the final Israeli hostage known to have been killed and held in Gaza. Under its terms, responsibility for Gaza’s day-to-day administration is to be transferred from Hamas to the newly created National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, known as the NCAG.

The 12-member technocratic committee is chaired by Ali Shaath, a former deputy minister in the Palestinian Authority. Additional governing bodies are set to oversee Gaza under the authority of the Board of Peace, an international group of leaders established by Trump last week.

Israeli defense officials believe Hamas will soon formally step aside in favor of the NCAG. Nevertheless, an Israeli security official said Thursday that in practice, Hamas is expected to retain control over the areas it currently governs, at least in the near future.

Speaking to Al Jazeera, Abu Marzouk emphasized that Hamas remains in charge on the ground, apparently referring to those sections of Gaza not under Israeli control.

“The movement (Hamas) has restored order to the Gaza Strip to serve the Palestinian people and preserve their security,” he told the Qatari network.

He also suggested that Hamas holds veto power over the NCAG’s activities, stressing that no one can enter Gaza without the group’s approval. At the same time, he said Hamas would assist the committee’s efforts and “provide security.”

{Matzav.com}

Border czar Tom Homan said Thursday that he plans to remain in Minneapolis for as long as necessary as federal immigration authorities press ahead with enforcement actions in the city.

His comments came in the wake of the fatal shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good, two local residents who were killed during separate encounters with federal officers, incidents that have intensified scrutiny of immigration enforcement activity in the area.

“I’ve been on the ground less than three full days,” Homan said. “The president of the United States called me Monday morning and asked me to deploy here.

“I got here Monday evening, and I’m staying until the problem’s gone.”

Speaking at a morning press conference broadcast live on Newsmax, Homan said federal authorities have already made notable strides since his arrival earlier in the week.

“We’ve made a lot of progress, a lot of progress in the last three days,” he said.

Homan said discussions with state and local officials have advanced quickly, though he emphasized that the administration’s primary objective remains restoring law and order and removing individuals considered threats to public safety and national security.

He said he has already held meetings with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and senior law enforcement officials, and that additional meetings are planned, including outreach to business and religious leaders.

“We didn’t agree on everything,” Homan said. “I didn’t expect to agree on everything. Bottom line is you can’t fix problems if you don’t have discussions.

“I didn’t come to Minnesota for photo ops or headlines. I came here to seek solutions.”

According to Homan, there was broad agreement among those involved on at least one central principle.

“One thing we all agreed on was that community safety is paramount,” Homan said. “One thing we all agreed on was that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is a legitimate law enforcement agency that has a duty to enforce the laws enacted by Congress and keep this community safe.”

Homan was joined at the press conference by U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott and Marcus Charles, who is overseeing Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in the region.

Despite what he described as progress on the ground, Homan warned about the long-term impact of border policies under the Biden administration, saying that more than 10 million illegal aliens entered the country during that period, including individuals who were not properly vetted.

“We can’t forget about the 2 million known got-aways,” Homan said. “That should scare the hell out of everybody.”

He said President Trump made a commitment to Americans, including Minnesotans, to prioritize public safety, and that the administration is concentrating its efforts on identifying and removing illegal aliens who present serious dangers.

Addressing concerns about the visible federal presence in Minneapolis, Homan said the deployment is driven by threats and violence targeting officers involved in enforcement operations.

He noted that ICE has long been understaffed, with fewer than 5,000 deportation officers previously responsible for tracking down millions of illegal aliens nationwide.

“Our officers need to be protected,” Homan said. “If I’m on an arrest team going into a house, I’ve got to focus on the dangerous guy inside, not keep looking over my shoulder wondering what’s happening outside.”

Homan said understandings reached with state and local officials are expected to allow federal agencies to gradually reduce their footprint as violence subsides and cooperation improves, particularly when dangerous individuals can be handled within jail facilities.

“You’re going to see a drawdown, no question,” Homan said. “The agreements alone are going to cause a significant drawdown.”

{Matzav.com}

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz hailed the European Union on Thursday as an “alternative to imperialism and autocracy” that can forge deals with like-minded partners in a world of increasing great power rivalry. Merz underlined the continuing value of a NATO in which Europe will intensify its defense efforts, and said it will always seek cooperation […]

President Donald Trump said Thursday that the United States has achieved major progress in the Middle East, highlighting the return of the remains of Ran Gvili, whom he described as the final hostage held in Gaza, during remarks at a Cabinet meeting.

“We have peace in the Middle East now. Just a couple of little minor flames that we put out very easily. And very importantly, we got our last hostage back, which is incredible,” Trump stated.

Trump said the recovery of all hostages, including those who were killed, was an outcome many believed was unattainable, and he credited firm pressure on Hamas for producing results. “We did something which nobody said could be done, and I will tell you: Hamas was a big factor in getting all of the hostages back. We were not happy with them and they had to bring them back. They found the dead hostages, the bodies of hostages. Those parents wanted their sons back,” he said. “They wanted their sons back as much as people that had living hostages, that we got them back too.”

He emphasized that families of the deceased viewed the return of their children’s remains as critically important, even as efforts to free living captives continued. Trump added: “I always said getting those last 20 back was going to be very tough. We got them back, and we got all of the bodies back also, which to those parents was just as important as getting back the son that was living.”

During the meeting, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff praised the administration’s approach, telling the president: “Your policy of peace through strength, that’s what delivered them home. Without that pressure, it never happens.”

Witkoff also said Hamas would ultimately be forced to give up its weapons, asserting that the group has no alternative. Trump echoed that assessment, saying: “And now we want to get Hamas [with] no guns. There’s a good chance we’re going to get there. A lot of people said they’d never disarm. It looks like they’re going to disarm.”

{Matzav.com}

Sec. of War Pete Hegseth: “We’re having to rebuild how our enemies perceive us, and when President Trump said we’re not getting a nuclear Iran… he meant it—and we sent those B-2s halfway around the world, and they never noticed.”

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey: “Operation Metro Surge needs to end. This kind of conduct and siege needs to stop, not just in Minneapolis, but nationwide.”

Pete Hegseth: When you said, Mr. President, that we’re securing the border, the military was proud to do its part alongside Homeland Security to accomplish that. The same principle applies to Iran right now, ensuring they have all the options to make a deal. They should not pursue nuclear capabilities. We will be prepared to […]

Sen. John Fetterman: “I was cheering to bomb the Iranian nuclear facilities. If the Democrats were in charge at that time, it is very likely that Iran could have acquired a nuclear bomb”

The deputy commander of the Southern Command Search Unit in the Military Rabbinate’s Combat Unit, Major A., has described the operation that led to the recovery of the remains of Ran Gvili, the last deceased hostage held in the Gaza Strip. In an interview with Arutz Sheva–Israel National News, Maj. A. detailed Operation Courageous Heart and the complex effort required to complete the mission.

According to Maj. A., preparations for the operation had been underway for some time, but a range of operational limitations delayed its execution. Despite the postponements, the unit maintained a high level of readiness until an opportunity finally emerged. “Last week they were notified of a window of opportunity to execute the mission, and we began to get ready. We called the soldiers from their homes three days before the operation, we were issued the dedicated gear, and we practiced on dummies,” he said.

Maj. A. explained that several additional units operated under his command during the mission. These included a forensic dental team responsible for identification, an explosives ordnance unit tasked with protecting the forces, terrain specialists, an IDF anthropologist, personnel from the Captives and Missing Persons Unit, and the combat soldiers who carried out the recovery itself.

Describing the work in the field, Maj. A. said the unit advanced alongside engineering forces that carefully excavated the area. “We joined an engineering unit that dug in the dirt with the excavators and pulled out the remains. This is very precise work; it demands great concentration by the troops,” he said. He noted that before entering the cemetery area, a navigation and marking team analyzed aerial imagery and flagged locations where there was a likelihood of finding Gvili’s remains.

Maj. A. emphasized that although heavy machinery was used, the approach was deliberately restrained. He described it as the most delicate work possible with the largest tools available. Prior to the operation, he addressed his soldiers about the sensitivity involved, and throughout the mission there was close coordination between a supervisor on the ground and the excavator operator to ensure precision.

Once remains were removed from the ground, they were carefully arranged to allow an initial assessment by forensic dentists. Maj. A. said the process involved exact documentation and clear marking, to confirm that every element intended to be recovered from the grave was indeed accounted for.

Reflecting on the moment the remains were located, Maj. A. said the discovery came sooner than expected. “We began on Sunday afternoon, and we were prepared for a few more days. For this, we called up a few more soldiers to allow for the constant execution of the operation, but we found Ran even before the next group of soldiers. There was a great sense of pride, the feeling of coming full circle on a biblical level,” he said. He recalled speaking to his soldiers beforehand about the biblical account of Samson, noting how scripture describes Samson’s family returning to recover his body after the collapse of the pillars. “We have the same spirit and the same heritage.”

When asked about the dangers involved, Maj. (Res.) A. acknowledged that the mission was carried out under significant risk, though he said the details could not be shared because the area remains an active combat zone. He pointed to the security perimeter provided by the Alexandroni Brigade and stressed that the threat level persisted throughout the operation.

Maj. A. also spoke about the makeup of the Military Rabbinate’s combat unit, explaining that it draws fighters from across the IDF. “These are infantry fighters from all IDF units, religious and secular alike, who are willing to carry out the mission that the people of Israel need,” he said.

He described a profound sense of completion felt by the soldiers after Gvili was recovered, connecting the moment to the unit’s earlier experiences. “Before the war, we were required to assist along the Judea and Samaria sector. We were stationed at the Lamed-Heh outpost, where we carried out operational activity for nearly a month. During that period, we conducted a drill to maintain our operational readiness, and at its conclusion, we held a formation in which we recounted the Lamed-Heh convoy incident, in which our soldiers were killed and their bodies abused until a British officer understood the importance of the matter and brought the fallen to Kfar Etzion, where the Vilna Gaon’s lottery was conducted. We pledged that we would not leave a fallen soldier behind. As a unit, we swore to bring everyone back. We held that formation on the anniversary of the fall of the Lamed-Heh platoon, and now, on the Hebrew date of the 8th of Shevat, we found Ran Gvili. For us, this is a very special closing of a circle.”

Toward the conclusion of the interview, Maj. A. addressed questions about the findings inside Gvili’s grave. He said the discoveries were consistent with the intelligence the unit had received ahead of time, including dental evidence used for identification. He added that “based on the information we received, we understood that he might be found with some of his uniform, and indeed we found those items in that same grave together with his remains.” According to Maj. A., the information guiding the operation was obtained through a combination of human intelligence and additional technological capabilities.

{Matzav.com}

It is with deep regret that YWN shares the heartbreaking petirah of Mattisyahu Glick a”h, a 5-year-old child who was critically injured this morning after being struck by a school bus on on Ostilla Avenue in New Square. As previously reported on Monsey Scoop, the child sustained critical injuries and was transported by New Square […]

China executed 11 people it found guilty of killing 14 Chinese citizens and running scam and gambling operations worth more than $1 billion, authorities said. The Wenzhou city Intermediate People’s Court announced the executions in a statement Thursday morning. It sentenced the 11 people to death in September. They included Ming Guoping and Ming Zhenzhen, […]

Sometimes opportunity calls and the only thing that a person should do is grab the opportunity while it is still possible. The message that leading Gedolei Yisrael have issued in advance of the start of Perek Arvei Pesachim in the Dirshu Amud HaYomi program is too chap arein, to join now so as to upgrade your learning to […]