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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that his country stands ready to assist the United States in countering Iran, pointing to Ukraine’s extensive battlefield experience dealing with Iranian-designed Shahed drones during Russia’s ongoing war.

Speaking in multiple interviews with international outlets, Zelenskyy explained that Ukraine has gained practical knowledge that could be valuable in protecting American forces and allied assets as tensions intensify in the Middle East.

His remarks followed a call by President Donald Trump urging other nations to help safeguard maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital corridor for global oil transport, after the U.S. initiated “Operation Epic Fury” targeting Iran.

Iran has since issued warnings toward vessels seeking to navigate the strategic waterway.

“Hopefully China, France, Japan, South Korea, the UK, and others, that are affected by this artificial constraint, will send Ships to the area so that the Hormuz Strait will no longer be a threat by a Nation that has been totally decapitated,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on March 14.

Despite that appeal, several countries, including Australia, Japan, and Italy, have reportedly opted not to participate in the effort.

In an interview with the New York Post, Zelenskyy said Ukraine responded swiftly when the U.S. began its military action against Iran.

“Whenever it is possible for us to help defending civilians or U.S. nationals, without second thought we sent our teams,” he explained, adding that Ukraine hopes to assist the U.S. military with its experience against Shahed drones.

He added that Ukrainian specialists with expertise in Iranian drone systems have already been deployed to the Middle East.

In a separate message posted on social media, Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine should not be seen merely as a recipient of foreign assistance.

“I would like the U.S. not to perceive Ukraine as a country that merely asks for help,” he wrote on X. “That is not the case. Ukraine is defending interests and values.”

“Of course, the U.S. is right when it says it is farther from this war than Europe,” Zelenskyy continued. “That is understandable. But we see U.S. allies in the Middle East, and we see what – and who – threatens them.”

Zelenskyy also proposed a broader partnership, suggesting Ukraine could play a major role in drone production.

“We could build the world’s biggest drone factory,” he suggested. “The United States would provide production and financing. Ukraine would provide the technology and experience.”

“We can use it to defend American soldiers on bases,” the Ukrainian leader offered.

In additional comments to i24NEWS and The Jerusalem Post, Zelenskyy said Ukraine has effectively served as a proving ground for Iran’s drone capabilities.

“Ukraine was kind of an experiment place for these drones in the end,” Zelenskyy told The Jerusalem Post. “You can’t even compare the first class [of] Shahed, what was at the very beginning of the war, and today’s Shahed.”

President Trump, however, brushed aside the proposal from Kyiv.

“We don’t need help,” Trump told NBC News. “The last person we need help from is Zelenskyy.”

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the ongoing war with Iran is progressing successfully, emphasizing that Tehran now recognizes it cannot obtain nuclear weapons.

“We’re doing very well, I will say. We’re knocking them for a loop. They can’t have a nuclear weapon, and they now understand that very strongly,” Trump said during an appearance alongside Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin.

He continued by pointing to American military strength, saying, “But we have a great country, and we have an unbelievable military. We have the most powerful military in the world, and people see that,” he added.

TRUMP COMMENTS ON IRAN

“We're doing very well, I will say. We're knocking them for a loop. They can't have a nuclear weapon, and they now understand that very strongly. But we have a great country, and we have an unbelievable military. We have the most powerful military in the… pic.twitter.com/tIb0cEw6A2

— Real America's Voice (RAV) (@RealAmVoice) March 17, 2026

Speaking a day earlier, Trump told reporters that the conflict is unlikely to conclude within the week, though he expects it to end in the near future, describing it as something that will be “wrapped up soon”.

Later Monday, NBC News reported that U.S. military planners have already developed a range of options that could allow Trump to bring the war to a close, should he choose to act on them.

The report noted that, as of now, Trump has not made a decision to move forward with any of those plans.

In related developments, the United States over the weekend launched a significant round of airstrikes against Iranian targets on Kharg Island, a key hub for the country’s oil exports. Trump has also indicated that additional strikes could be directed at the island’s energy infrastructure.

A separate report by Axios on Sunday said Trump is considering a more aggressive step—taking control of Iran’s main oil storage facility on Kharg Island—if tankers continue to be stranded in the Persian Gulf.

{Matzav.com}

Two elderly residents were killed early Wednesday in Ramat Gan when missiles fired from Iran struck the area, part of a barrage that included submunition warheads and caused damage and injuries in multiple locations.

The victims, a man and a woman in their 70s, were discovered inside a fourth-floor apartment in a residential building. It is believed they were unable to reach a protected space in time. Emergency responders from Magen David Adom attempted lifesaving measures at the scene, but their efforts were unsuccessful.

Preliminary findings suggest that one of the victims had a physical limitation that may have prevented them from reaching shelter quickly.

MDA paramedic Inbar Green and MDA medic Naftali Halberstadt, who arrived at the scene in Ramat Gan, reported, “We saw smoke rising from a building with extensive damage, shattered glass. Among the debris, we found two unconscious victims, without a pulse and not breathing, with severe injuries to their bodies. We conducted medical assessments, but they showed no signs of life, and we had no choice but to pronounce them dead at the scene. Along with additional MDA teams, we are continuing to search for other injured individuals and are prepared to provide further medical treatment if needed.”

In addition to the fatalities, four individuals sustained minor injuries from the missile strike involving submunitions. In Bnei Brak, emergency teams treated a 25-year-old man who suffered shrapnel wounds to his hand and transported him to Ichilov Hospital. In Kafr Qassem, three others were treated for light injuries.

Rail service in the Tel Aviv area was disrupted after shrapnel struck near the Savidor Center station, damaging sections of the platforms. Israel Railways suspended train operations in the area and arranged for shuttle buses to run between Herzliya, Tel Aviv Savidor Center, and Ben Gurion Airport. No injuries were reported at the station, and crews are working to repair the damage and resume normal service.

The escalation followed an earlier round of attacks Tuesday evening, when Hezbollah fired at least 40 rockets toward northern Israel. Many of the projectiles were intercepted, and no casualties were reported.

Residents in the north reported hearing powerful blasts and identified several impact points in open areas. One structure in Karmiel sustained a direct hit.

The rocket fire targeted communities ranging from the Upper Galilee down to the Chadera region. Additional launches aimed at central Israel were also detected, though those attempts appear to have failed.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu delivered a message to the people of Iran on Tuesday from the Israeli Air Force command center at the Kirya, expressing support and encouragement as they mark the festival of Nowruz.

Speaking alongside senior Israeli defense officials, Netanyahu described recent military actions against top Iranian figures and emphasized Israel’s continued operations. “I’m here with Israel’s Defense Minister, our Chief of Staff, the head of the Mossad, the Chief of Air Force, our senior commanders. In the past 24 hours, we knocked out two of the terrorist chieftains, the top terrorist chieftains of this tyranny,” Netanyahu stated in reference to the assassination of Ali Larijani and the commander of the Basij.

He said Israeli forces are actively targeting operatives across various locations in Iran, framing the strikes as part of a broader effort connected to the holiday. “Our aircraft are hitting the terror operatives on the grounds, in the crossroads, in the city squares. This is meant to enable the brave people of Iran to celebrate the Festival of Fire,” he said.

Netanyahu concluded his remarks with a message directed to the Iranian public. “So celebrate and Happy Nowruz. We’re watching from above”, the prime minister concluded.

{Matzav.com}

Russia has been providing Iran with satellite intelligence and drone-related technology to help the Islamic Republic strike American military assets, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.

The report states that Moscow is interested in extending the conflict and stands to gain from its continuation. As part of its support, Russia has reportedly shared satellite imagery and assisted in enhancing the communications capabilities of Iran’s shaheed suicide drones—technology similar to that used by Russian forces in Ukraine.

According to a diplomat and a military official cited in the report, the intelligence being shared includes detailed information on the locations of U.S. forces stationed throughout the Middle East.

Analysts told the Journal that Iran has demonstrated greater effectiveness in targeting American military positions in the current conflict than it did during the 12-Day War in June 2025, noting that its methods closely resemble tactics employed by Russia in Ukraine.

Earlier in the conflict, The Washington Post reported that Russia was already supplying Iran with intelligence aimed at facilitating attacks on U.S. forces in the region.

That report added that since the outbreak of the war, Russia has transferred information to Iran identifying the positions of American military targets, including naval vessels and aircraft.

{Matzav.com}

IDF spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin said Tuesday evening that Israel is bracing for significant rocket and missile fire from Lebanon, while simultaneously carrying out operations aimed at disrupting and preventing such attacks by striking Hezbollah positions.

Defrin also referenced the targeted killings of senior Iranian figures, including acting leader Ali Larijani and top Basij commanders, describing the developments as part of a broader escalation against Tehran. “We are in the midst of a very significant day in the war. With each passing day, we deepen the damage to the Iranian regime. We will reach all Iranian leaders, anywhere and at any time.”

Addressing speculation surrounding Iran’s newly named supreme leader, Defrin said Mojtaba Khamenei has not appeared publicly in recent days and has remained silent. He stressed that Israel intends to track him down regardless of his location. “Mojtaba Khamenei has not been seen recently and we have not heard from him. In any case, he is not immune – we will pursue him, find him and eliminate him.”

{Matzav.com}

President Isaac Herzog met Tuesday with Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna during the minister’s visit to Israel, expressing appreciation for Estonia’s show of support during the ongoing war and highlighting the close relationship between the two countries.

Herzog thanked Tsahkna for coming to Israel at a time of conflict, saying the visit reflects the strength of ties between the two nations.

During the meeting, Herzog addressed recent strikes targeting senior Iranian figures, including the Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Ali Larijani, and Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani. “It seems that Ali Larijani was removed and incapacitated, and so was the Commander of the Basij. This is a very important step, because the people of Iran need to have the lid open so that they can protest.”

He went on to recount Larijani’s alleged role in past regional conflict, pointing to events surrounding the Second Lebanon War. “I will remind people about Ali Larijani. In 2006 there was the Second Lebanon War. How did it start? By the kidnapping of two Israeli soldiers who were doing their patrol on the border. Ali Larijani, that morning took a flight out of Lebanon. He was there as head of the National Security Council of Iran – he came to plan with Nasrallah this operation, give him the okay, because that’s how they operate with proxies. And that was one of the most brutal wars we had. That was the first in a series of wars.

“So, Ali Larijani spread terror and hate in the worst kind of decision making processes throughout the history in the last generation. And so is the head of the Basij. I hope, sincerely, that the Middle East will see a new horizon out of this conflict. And I hope that also the benefit of the world and Europe will be the same,” the President concluded.

{Matzav.com}

A federal oversight body in the United States is broadening its inquiry into suspected connections between employees of a United Nations aid organization and Hamas, including potential involvement in the October 7 massacre.

The Office of the Inspector General for the now-closed U.S. Agency for International Development is reviewing more than 100 staff members from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency amid concerns that some may have ties to Hamas or may have taken part in the October 7 attack, according to individuals familiar with the investigation.

According to a report by The New York Post, investigators have already flagged at least 14 UNRWA employees for alleged links to Hamas. Two others have been recommended for debarment, a step that would prevent them from receiving U.S. funds, while one former staffer has already been permanently barred from federal support.

Officials say the probe remains active, with the number of individuals being examined continuing to rise. The deputy inspector general of USAID is expected to brief members of Congress on the findings, emphasizing the continued importance of the oversight office even after the agency’s shutdown and amid discussions about transferring its functions to the State Department.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that while many U.S. allies support Washington’s actions against Iran, they are unwilling to take part militarily, renewing his criticism of NATO and other partner nations.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote that several allied countries have expressed agreement with the U.S. campaign but are declining to join the fighting. “The United States has been informed by most of our NATO ‘Allies’ that they don’t want to get involved with our Military Operation against the Terrorist Regime of Iran, in the Middle East, this, despite the fact that almost every Country strongly agreed with what we are doing, and that Iran cannot, in any way, shape, or form, be allowed to have a Nuclear Weapon.”

Trump said he was not taken aback by the response, arguing that the alliance has long placed a disproportionate burden on the United States. He pointed to the scale of American defense spending and accused partner nations of failing to reciprocate in moments of crisis. “I am not surprised by their action, however, because I always considered NATO, where we spend Hundreds of Billions of Dollars per year protecting these same Countries, to be a one way street – We will protect them, but they will do nothing for us, in particular, in a time of need. Fortunately, we have decimated Iran’s Military – Their Navy is gone, their Air Force is gone, their Anti-Aircraft and Radar is gone and perhaps, most importantly, their Leaders, at virtually every level, are gone, never to threaten us, our Middle Eastern Allies, or the World, again!” he stated.

He went on to say that the United States does not require assistance from its allies, citing what he described as significant battlefield gains against Iran. Trump extended that point beyond NATO to include key U.S. partners in Asia as well. “Because of the fact that we have had such Military Success, we no longer ‘need,’ or desire, the NATO Countries’ assistance – WE NEVER DID! Likewise, Japan, Australia, or South Korea. In fact, speaking as President of the United States of America, by far the Most Powerful Country Anywhere in the World, WE DO NOT NEED THE HELP OF ANYONE! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DONALD J. TRUMP,” his Truth Social post concluded.

{Matzav.com}

How to Make the Most of Your 3 Trip Days This year’s calendar crunch means you’ve got exactly three days to work with. Here’s how to plan them without losing your mind. Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. Pesach 2026 starts Wednesday night, April 1. The first two days of Yom Tov (Thursday […]

Dozens of Americans who were evacuated from Israel through the nonprofit Grey Bull Rescue have come forward to defend the organization after a viral social media post accused it of misconduct, with many describing their experiences as positive and expressing strong appreciation for the group’s efforts.

Grey Bull Rescue, a donor-supported organization led by military veterans, specializes in extracting Americans from dangerous environments. The group says it has carried out 808 missions and helped rescue 8,739 people. It reports experience in areas such as special operations, counter–human trafficking, evacuations from war zones, and hostage situations. The organization was established by combat veteran Bryan Stern.

The controversy began after Dr. Lauren Hofstatter, known online as @theorthodoxtherapist, posted a video describing her daughter’s evacuation experience with Grey Bull. In the video, she alleged that her daughter’s group was left stranded in Jordan unless their parents could raise $1 million.

Hofstatter said her daughter called her Friday morning, just before the conflict with Iran escalated, expressing fear. Hofstatter then booked her on a Motzoei Shabbos flight to the United States, but the flight was canceled once Iranian attacks on Israel began.

According to Hofstatter, her daughter departed Yerushalayim on Tuesday at midday with roughly 150 people in the Grey Bull group. She said they were told they would travel through Jordan and then fly to Europe, from where they would arrange their own return home.

Hofstatter claimed that upon arriving at the airport in Amman Tuesday evening, the group waited until 3 a.m. for a flight that never came. She said they returned to a hotel and tried again the next day, but still were unable to leave.

Hofstatter told the Jerusalem Post that she later received a heter from a rabbi allowing her daughter to eat bread in Jordan, and subsequently another ruling permitting her to fly on Shabbos if necessary.

She added that on Motzoei Shabbos, several boys on the trip contacted their parents, who then used connections to reach the State Department, prompting Ambassador Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun to get involved.

“I don’t think her safety was compromised, but I do think she was held hostage, and I do think it is embezzlement and extortion,” Hofstatter alleged.

Grey Bull founder Brian Stern dismissed Hofstatter’s claims, describing them to the Post as “silly” and “wildly debunked.”

He explained that a chartered flight had already been arranged and funded, but missile attacks caused delays that resulted in the group missing its departure window. By the time arrangements could be reset, Shabbos had begun, and religious members of the group could not travel, leading to a decision to remain in place and resume efforts afterward. During that time, the group stayed in a five-star hotel in Amman under heavy security, including 60 armed guards and Jordanian special forces.

“When you dissect her statements, if you go data point by data point, they’re either misrepresented or patently false,” he told the Post. “She says on there that I asked everyone for a million dollars for a plane. That’s not what happened.”

Stern emphasized that no one was required to contribute funds, explaining that he simply informed participants about the financial needs of arranging flights.

“It’s kind of strange to see someone say, how dare you get my daughter out of the war zone, keep her safe, feed her kosher food, which you can’t do in Jordan. There’s no kosher food in Jordan. I’m the first and only person to establish a kosher kitchen in Jordan.”

The Post reviewed a video of Hofstatter’s daughter stating she “felt so safe the entire time” and describing Grey Bull as “taking care of everything and was organized.” She was also seen eating kosher food.

Despite the criticism, most accounts gathered were strongly supportive of Grey Bull’s work. One individual said, “My brother was on that mission. Brian was in charge of a group of [seminary] girls. He was not asked for any money; he said it was excellent.”

Another parent emphasized the outcome, stating, “At the end of the day, they all came back, safe, happy, healthy, and no parent had to spend a penny for it. There is no merit to creating a slap in the face that completely denies the work, networking, and hustling that went in on behalf of Greybull to make this whole thing work. Nobody was happy that it took days, however OUR KIDS ESCAPED A WAR ZONE IN A WAY THAT’S ALMOST ABOVE NATURE. Also, the reason why GreyBull started fundraising was because of mounting costs of purposely delaying the flight so that the airplane can take off without danger as the airspace opens.”

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu released a video message on his X account Tuesday evening to dispel widespread online rumors claiming he had died, appearing alongside U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, who confirmed the prime minister’s condition.

During the recorded meeting, Huckabee relayed that he had been sent to personally verify Netanyahu’s wellbeing, saying, “Mr. Prime Minister, I want you to know the President asked me to come and make sure you were okay.”

Netanyahu responded directly to the speculation, stating, “Yes, Mike. Yes, I’m alive.”

Huckabee added that he had confirmed the situation himself, remarking, “I checked that, and I’m happy to see that. But he wanted to make sure because, you know, you guys get along too well,”

The conversation then shifted to recent Israeli operations targeting senior Iranian figures, with Netanyahu using the moment to allude to ongoing efforts against the regime. He said, “I know, and we shake hands with five fingers in each hand, you know. But I have to tell you, I’m alive, but I have this card. And yeah, don’t read it. So it’s a punch card. Today I erased two names on the punch cards, and you see how many more to go on this batch.”

Emphasizing the continued campaign, Netanyahu concluded with a blunt statement regarding Iran’s leadership: “We’re wiping them out.”

{Matzav.com}

A recent federal court decision may entitle millions of Americans to receive tax refunds after determining that late penalties were improperly imposed during the COVID-19 emergency period.

Under Section 7508A(d) of the tax code, filing deadlines are required to be delayed when a federal disaster is declared, with the postponement lasting for the duration of the emergency plus an additional 60 days.

In a ruling issued last November in Kwong v. United States, the US Court of Federal Claims expanded the understanding of this provision, concluding that federal tax deadlines should have been pushed off for the entire span of the pandemic—from Jan. 20, 2020, through May 11, 2023—along with an extra 60 days.

As a result of that interpretation, deadlines for filing taxes for the years 2019 through 2022 should have been extended until July 10, 2023. This means that taxpayers who submitted returns before that date but were assessed late penalties or fees could now qualify to recover those amounts.

Although the IRS is expected to challenge the decision, individuals and businesses have only a limited period to act. Those who believe they were affected are encouraged to review their filings promptly and determine whether they are eligible to seek a refund.

According to USA Today, anyone—whether an individual filer or a business—who incurred penalties or interest on late tax submissions between Jan. 20, 2020, and July 10, 2023, may be entitled to reimbursement.

One example cited is Western Digital, a company specializing in digital storage, which filed a lawsuit against the federal government in February seeking to recover part of the $53.6 million it paid in taxes in August 2023.

The company contends that it should not have been charged nearly $21 million in interest because its filings occurred during the period covered by the disaster-related extensions.

The deadline to submit a claim for a refund is July 10, 2026.

Generally, refund requests are subject to a statute of limitations of three years from the time a return is filed or two years from when the tax is paid, whichever period is longer.

Based on the November ruling, the adjusted filing deadline would have been July 10, 2023. Applying the three-year window means that taxpayers have until July 10, 2026, to submit claims, according to the report.

To determine eligibility, taxpayers should review their records to see whether any penalties or interest were applied during the pandemic period, or consult with a tax professional to examine their filings.

Taxpayers can obtain their transcripts through the IRS website, request copies by mail online, or call the agency at 800-908-9946 to receive them.

These transcripts can then be used to submit a claim for relief, either directly or through a tax advisor acting on the taxpayer’s behalf.

When filing, taxpayers or their representatives should note that the submission is a protective claim connected to the Kwong v. United States case, which allows the claim to remain pending while the legal process, including any appeals, continues.

{Matzav.com}