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President Donald Trump said Friday that he has no interest in pursuing a ceasefire with Iran at this stage, arguing that the current military campaign is achieving decisive results.

Speaking to reporters, Trump made clear that he believes halting operations now would be premature. “I don’t want to do a ceasefire. You know you don’t do a ceasefire when you’re literally obliterating the other side,” he said.

https://twitter.com/i/status/2035083049180782939

He pointed to the intensity of recent U.S. strikes, describing the damage inflicted on Iranian targets in stark terms. “We’ve been hitting them awfully hard. I don’t know if you can possibly get hit harder. These are thugs, and animals, and horrible people… but I’m not surprised, they executed 3 young people for protesting,” added Trump.

When asked whether Israel would align with his timeline for ending the conflict, Trump expressed confidence that both countries remain closely coordinated. “I think so, yes…the relationship is a very good one. We want more or less similar things. You know what we want? We want victory.”

Trump also asserted that, from a military perspective, Iran’s capabilities have been effectively neutralized. “I think we’ve won. We’ve knocked out their navy, their air force, we’ve knocked out their anti-aircraft, we’ve knocked out everything. We’re roaming free. From a military standpoint, all they’re doing is clogging up the Strait [of Hormuz]. But from a military standpoint, they’re finished.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a message to Iran’s leadership marking the Nowruz holiday, reaffirming that Moscow continues to stand with Tehran as a dependable ally during a period of heightened regional tensions.

Despite the statement of support, questions remain about how far Russia is willing to go. Some sources within Iran have suggested that Moscow has offered limited practical assistance during what many describe as the country’s most serious crisis since the 1979 revolution.

The Kremlin said Putin conveyed his greetings to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian in honor of the Iranian New Year.

“Vladimir Putin wished the Iranian people to overcome the harsh trials with dignity and stressed that in this difficult time Moscow remains a loyal friend and reliable partner of Tehran,” the Kremlin said. Russia says the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran have thrust the entire Middle East into the abyss and triggered a major global energy crisis, while of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as a “cynical” murder.

At the same time, reports have circulated about a possible proposal from Moscow to Washington. According to those reports, Russia suggested it would halt intelligence-sharing with Iran if the United States agreed to stop providing intelligence to Ukraine. The proposal was reportedly rejected, and the Kremlin has denied the claim, calling it false.

Russia’s position has also been influenced by broader geopolitical shifts. The fall of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro cost Moscow an ally, though rising oil prices tied to the current conflict have provided economic benefits for Russia, particularly given its ties to Iran.

Even with their close relationship, the agreement between Russia and Iran does not include a mutual defense commitment. Moscow has also repeatedly stated that it opposes Iran developing nuclear weapons, warning that such a move could trigger a wider nuclear arms race across the Middle East.

President Donald Trump warned that he may soon send Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to assist at U.S. airports, saying he has already instructed ICE to prepare as a prolonged government shutdown continues to strain airport security nationwide.

Earlier in the day, Trump floated the possibility of assigning ICE personnel to airports if Democrats do not approve new security-related measures. By the evening, he sharpened his tone, indicating he is ready to act without delay.

Posting on Truth Social, Trump criticized Democrats while defending security personnel and federal agencies. “The Radical Left Democrats have hurt so many people,” Trump wrote, taking aim at what he described as their management of the Department of Homeland Security and “our fantastic TSA Officers.”

He continued by warning that if lawmakers fail to act, ICE will step in. “If the Democrats do not allow for Just and Proper Security at our Airports … ICE will do the job far better than ever done before!” he added, noting that he could deploy agents “on Monday” and that he has already told them to “GET READY.”

Trump concluded the message emphatically: “NO MORE WAITING, NO MORE GAMES!”

The remarks come as the partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security stretches into its fifth week, leaving approximately 50,000 TSA officers working without pay and creating significant staffing shortages at airports across the country.

The funding lapse has already led to hundreds of TSA employees resigning, while absenteeism has increased sharply, raising alarms about potential vulnerabilities in airport security and the risk of widespread disruptions.

Passengers are experiencing extended wait times at major airports, with delays lasting hours. Some smaller airports could face temporary closures if staffing levels continue to decline.

Although TSA agents are classified as essential workers and must remain on duty, many are going without pay, forcing some to take on additional work or depend on outside help to cover basic expenses.

The standoff in Washington centers on funding for the Department of Homeland Security, with Democrats seeking adjustments to immigration enforcement policies and Republicans pushing for tighter border controls.

Trump also used the post to highlight his administration’s border policies, stating that Republicans “closed it all down” and achieved the “Strongest Border in American History.”

The president has increasingly indicated a willingness to broaden ICE’s responsibilities beyond its traditional scope as the shutdown drags on and pressure mounts to stabilize airport operations.

Robert Mueller, the former FBI director who led the high-profile investigation into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election but did not establish a criminal conspiracy involving the Trump campaign, has died at the age of 81, according to a statement from his family.

“With deep sadness, we are sharing the news that Bob passed away last night. His family asks that their privacy be respected,” Mueller’s family said.

President Donald Trump reacted swiftly to the news, posting on Truth Social: “Robert Mueller just died. Good, I’m glad he’s dead. He can no longer hurt innocent people! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”

No official cause of death was immediately released, though Mueller had been battling Parkinson’s disease in recent years.

Mueller was born on August 7, 1944, in New York City, to Alice Truesdale and Robert Swan Mueller Jr., a DuPont executive and World War II Navy veteran. He was raised near Philadelphia and went on to graduate from Princeton University in 1966 with a degree in politics, later earning a master’s in international relations from New York University.

Following the death of a close Princeton friend in Vietnam, Mueller enlisted in the Marine Corps and served in combat. His military service earned him both the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. After returning home, he attended the University of Virginia School of Law, receiving his law degree in 1973.

He built a long career as a federal prosecutor and legal professional before being selected by President George W. Bush to lead the FBI just days before the September 11 attacks. Mueller remained at the helm of the bureau until 2013.

In 2017, then-Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein appointed Mueller as special counsel to investigate whether Russia had interfered in the 2016 presidential race in a way that benefited Trump.

That investigation culminated in a 448-page Department of Justice document formally titled “Report on the Investigation into Russian Interference in the 2016 Presidential Election,” widely known as the Mueller report.

Mueller assembled a team of experienced prosecutors, whom Trump frequently criticized, referring to them as “killers” and “thugs.”

Over the course of the investigation, the team questioned numerous figures connected to Trump’s campaign and administration, including Paul Manafort, Steve Bannon, Ivanka Trump, Donald Trump Jr., and Jared Kushner.

Rather than sit for an in-person interview, Trump ultimately provided written responses to questions submitted by Mueller’s team following negotiations between both sides.

The investigation led to 37 indictments and seven guilty pleas. However, its inability to establish collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia prompted Trump to declare that he had been “totally exonerated.”

Trump repeatedly denounced the probe, calling it an “illegal takedown” and describing it as a “witch hunt” aimed at undermining his presidency.

“There’s no obstruction, there’s no collusion, there’s no nothing,” he said.

The report itself stated that it “identified numerous links between the Russian government and the Trump campaign.”

“While this report does not conclude that the president committed a crime, it also does not exonerate him,” it said on the issue of alleged obstruction of justice.

Mueller ultimately declined to make a definitive determination on obstruction, citing longstanding Department of Justice policy that a sitting president cannot be charged with a crime.

“If we had confidence that the president clearly did not commit a crime, we would have said so,” Mueller said in a televised statement announcing the report.

His long-standing reputation as a formidable prosecutor appeared to take a hit during his 2019 testimony before Congress, where he faced questions from both the House Judiciary and Intelligence committees.

During the hours-long hearing, Mueller often gave short answers, asked lawmakers to repeat questions, and declined to go beyond the findings outlined in his report, even as members of Congress sharply criticized his work.

Trump responded at the time by calling it a “great day for the Republican Party,” while the White House described the appearance as an “epic embarrassment for the Democrats.”

Former Attorney General Bill Barr later wrote in his memoir about a meeting with Mueller, describing his physical condition. He said Mueller’s hands were “trembling” and recalled his reaction: “Wow,” he told Rosenstein. “Bob has lost a step.”

Mueller’s Parkinson’s diagnosis became public in 2025 after Rep. James Comer, chairman of the House Oversight Committee, sought to have him testify as part of an investigation into the government’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case.

His family disclosed the diagnosis in August 2025, after which the committee withdrew its request for his testimony.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump tonight delivered a sharp warning to Iran, demanding that it fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours or face severe U.S. military retaliation.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump made clear that failure to comply would trigger immediate action. “If Iran doesn’t FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 HOURS from this exact point in time, the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!” Trump wrote.

Roughly an hour before that message, Trump pushed back forcefully against claims that U.S. operations had fallen short, asserting that American forces had already dealt a decisive blow to Iran. “the United States has blown Iran off of the map”, he wrote, dismissing critics who argued otherwise.

He continued by insisting that the campaign had exceeded expectations in both pace and impact. “Yes I have, and weeks ahead of schedule! Their leadership is gone, their navy and air force are dead, they have absolutely no defense, and they want to make a deal. I don’t! We are weeks ahead of schedule,” he wrote, adding, “Just like their incompetent Election coverage of me, The Failing New York Times always gets it wrong!”

The latest escalation follows comments Trump made on Friday indicating that U.S. forces are nearing their intended military objectives in the confrontation with what he called the “terrorist regime of Iran,” suggesting that operations could soon begin to wind down.

At the same time, Trump signaled that he is not interested in pausing the fighting at this stage. Speaking to reporters, he rejected the idea of a ceasefire, arguing that the current battlefield dynamics do not justify halting the campaign.

“I don’t want to do a ceasefire. You know you don’t do a ceasefire when you’re literally obliterating the other side,” he said.

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A powerful Iranian missile carrying a heavy payload struck a residential building in Arad tonight, hitting a structure housing Gur chassidim after Israeli air defenses were unable to stop it.

Emergency responders from Magen David Adom reported a mass-casualty situation at the scene, with 75 people hurt to varying degrees. Authorities fear that some individuals remain unaccounted for and possibly trapped beneath the debris, as rescue teams continue intensive operations at the site.

Among those wounded are several in serious and critical condition, in addition to others suffering lighter injuries. According to MDA, 68 victims have so far been transported to Soroka Medical Center. Of those, 10 are listed in serious condition and 13 in moderate condition, while 48 sustained light injuries and four were treated for shock. A five-year-old girl is among those critically injured, and four individuals were reported unconscious. The hospital had been placed on alert ahead of the arrivals, and helicopters were dispatched to a landing zone in Arad to assist with evacuations.

MDA Senior EMT Saar Shachori described the aftermath: “This is a severe scene. We saw extensive destruction in several buildings, with thick black smoke rising from multiple locations, and there was a lot of chaos. Together with the many MDA teams that arrived, we began searching for injured people and set up a casualty treatment point near the scene. Using a megaphone, we called for injured individuals to come to the point, where we provided initial medical care, and those requiring hospital transport were evacuated via MDA ambulances and mobile intensive care units. Through the rubble, I noticed four injured people: a 4-year-old girl in serious condition, one in moderate condition, and two children in mild condition. They were frightened and called for help; I ran to them, assisted them out of the rubble, provided life-saving medical treatment, and transported them to the hospital.”

Medical teams remain on the ground treating additional casualties while continuing searches for anyone still buried. Officials formally classified the situation as a multi-casualty incident.

Preliminary findings indicate the missile landed between residential buildings, causing major destruction to at least four structures and inflicting additional damage to surrounding properties.

Although interceptor missiles were launched in response, officials have not yet determined why the incoming projectile was not successfully neutralized.

The IDF later confirmed that the missile, weighing approximately 450 kilograms, struck Arad directly after two separate interception attempts failed.

According to the military, Home Front Command search-and-rescue units are actively working at the impact site in southern Israel, conducting scans for survivors and assisting civilians. The IDF added that “Israeli Air Force helicopters were dispatched to the scene to assist the civilian population in the area.”

“The public is requested to avoid gathering in these areas,” the IDF stressed. “The Home Front Command calls on the public to continue following the guidelines.”

Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu addressed the nation following the attack, saying: “This has been a very difficult evening in the battle for our future. A short while ago, I spoke with Arad Mayor Yair Ma’ayan, and asked to convey, on behalf of all the citizens of Israel, our prayers for the recovery of the wounded.”

“I have instructed the Director General of my office to provide the full necessary assistance together with all government ministries.

“I offer my support to the emergency and rescue forces currently operating on the ground, and I call upon everyone to follow Home Front Command instructions.

“We are determined to continue striking our enemies on all fronts,” he added.

Earlier in the evening, a separate missile strike in Dimona left 47 people injured after a direct hit on a residential building.

Among the victims there, a ten-year-old boy was listed in serious condition, while a woman in her thirties sustained moderate injuries. The boy’s mother said her son had been heading toward a bomb shelter but was unable to reach it before the impact.

All those injured in the Dimona strike were taken to Soroka Medical Center in Be’er Sheva for treatment.

A report in Haaretz noted that footage from the scene suggests the missile struck roughly nine seconds after the warning siren was activated.

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March 22, ד׳ ניסן

The Mir Annual Celebration Dinner

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4:30: Shiurim
4:45: Reception
5:15: Meet and Greet with the Rabbiem
6:00: Dinner Program

From Bnei Brak comes the painful news of the passing of Rav Yehuda Tzvi Deutsch zt”l, among the distinguished lomdei Torah of Kollel Chazon Ish, who was niftar at the age of 82.

The niftar was born in the year תש”ד to his father, Rav Moshe Yitzchok Deutsch, one of the foremost talmidim of the Chazon Ish, a leading figure in Kollel Chazon Ish, and the renowned author of the sefarim series Ziv HaYam on Shas and Rambam.

Raised in a home of gedolim, he grew up witnessing what true mesirus nefesh for Torah looks like. His father’s sefarim, Ziv HaYam, became foundational works among lomdei Kollel Chazon Ish, drawing in part on shmuos and hanhagos received from the Chazon Ish.

In his youth, he learned in Yeshivas Slabodka in Bnei Brak, where he acquired his Torah from the roshei yeshiva and rabbanim of the yeshiva. After his wedding, he joined Kollel Chazon Ish, where he toiled in Torah and avodah with remarkable hasmadah for decades.

Throughout his life, he was zocheh to edit and publish the sefarim of Rishonim and Acharonim. He lived with deep humility, remaining a nichba el hakeilim, fleeing from kavod.

He leaves behind a dor yesharim mevorach. Among his brothers is Rav Yaakov Peretz Deutsch, one of the roshei yeshiva of Yeshivas Slabodka.

The levayah took place this morning, departing from his home at 21 Ben Zakai Street in Bnei Brak and continuing to the beis hachaim in Elad, where he was laid to rest.

Tehei nishmaso tzerurah b’tzror hachaim.

Russia summoned Israel’s ambassador to Moscow for a formal reprimand on Friday following a missile strike in Lebanon that landed near a crew from the RT network, leaving members of the team injured.

Ambassador Oded Joseph was called to the Russian Foreign Ministry after the incident, in which a missile struck just meters from an RT correspondent—part of the Kremlin’s English-language media arm—while reporting from the scene.

In an unusual move, the Russian Foreign Ministry invited media outlets to document the ambassador’s arrival, apparently seeking to publicly highlight the rebuke. Upon arriving, Joseph declined to respond to reporters’ questions, stating he did not wish to be late for the meeting.

Earlier, Moscow announced that it intended to present its official position to the ambassador, describing the incident—where both the reporter and cameraman were wounded by shrapnel in their limbs—as a serious violation. Russian officials also demanded that Israel open an investigation and bring those responsible to justice.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry rejected the claims, stating, “Israel’s Ambassador to Russia, Oded Joseph, met with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Borisov. Advance warning was given regarding IDF activity in the area of the incident at the Qasmiya crossing on the Litani River. Any attempt to portray the incident as a deliberate action against journalists is ridiculous and far from reality.”

“The ambassador, in his conversation with the deputy foreign minister, criticized Russia’s one-sided conduct during the operation, its support for Iran, and the complete absence of Russian condemnation of the deliberate fire by the Iranian regime and Hezbollah toward civilian population centers in Israel.”

Rabbi Yair Levy z”l, a former Knesset member and a central figure in the development of the Shas movement, passed away at the age of 73 at Maayanei Hayeshua Hospital in Bnei Brak after a prolonged illness. He was widely known for his leadership of the Ohr Hachaim institutions and his role in building Torah education across the country.

Rabbi Levy was born in Tiveriah on October 22, 1952, to his father, Reb Ephraim Levy, and his mother, Mrs. Latifa Levy. In his youth, he studied in high school and later in a rabbinical seminary, receiving rabbinic ordination. During his military service, he served in the Armored Corps as a base commander in the 9th Brigade and was wounded in the Yom Kippur War.

He emerged as one of the most influential figures within the Shas movement, where he played a key role in establishing and expanding the El Hamaayan educational network. He opened dozens of branches and helped lay the groundwork for the movement’s strong presence in development towns and underserved neighborhoods.

Within just a few years of its founding, Shas had established itself across three major arenas: municipal leadership, parliamentary representation, and a nationwide education system. Rabbi Levy was the driving force behind the education network, earning the nickname “the bulldozer” for his relentless efforts. In less than a year, he established hundreds of El Hamaayan branches, stretching from Metula in the north to Eilat in the south.

His success propelled him into national politics, and in 1989 he was placed on the Shas list for the Knesset. Serving as a close confidant of party chairman Aryeh Deri, he carried out his responsibilities with distinction. Ranked sixth on the list, he was elected to the 12th Knesset, where he served for more than three years.

In 1996, he turned to his mentor, Rav Chaim Greineman, with whom he maintained a close and regular relationship. There, he was entrusted with a new mission: overseeing the Ohr Hachaim seminary founded by Rabbi Moshe Pardo. Rav Greineman had a clear vision regarding educational institutions for Sephardic girls, and Rabbi Levy became the one to implement it on the ground.

Over the following years, Rabbi Levy established hundreds of institutions for Sephardic students under the Ohr Hachaim framework. He developed a unique method that enabled rapid expansion: securing property—often owned by Ohr Hachaim—appointing leadership, and allowing each institution to develop independently. Among the well-known yeshivos he helped found were Beis Shmaya, Tiferes Moshe, and many others.

Rabbi Levy maintained a close relationship with Rav Ovadia Yosef until his final days. Rav Yosef, who remembered his significant contributions to the founding and growth of Shas, spoke highly of him. In Bnei Brak, he lived near Rabbi Moshe Levy, one of the senior figures at Yeshivas Kisei Rachamim.

He is survived by a distinguished family. His son is Reb Itzik Levy, and one of his sons-in-law is Shlomi Elcharar, chairman of the Shas faction in Bnei Brak.

The levayah was held Friday afternoon at the Ponovezh Cemetery in Bnei Brak, where he was laid to rest.

The family will be sitting shiva at his home on 10 Rechov Kotzk in Bnei Brak.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}