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Israeli special forces units reportedly played a role in the dramatic American mission to recover a downed U.S. navigator in Iran, as new details emerge about the complex rescue operation carried out deep inside enemy territory.

According to a report published Sunday by the opposition-linked outlet “Iran International,” IDF commando units Shaldag and Sayeret Matkal were involved in the mission alongside U.S. forces.

Earlier reports from Fox News indicated that Israel supported the operation by providing intelligence and helping suppress Iranian activity in the area while the navigator remained missing.

The mission itself was conducted by American forces operating on the ground within Iran, marking the first known deployment of U.S. ground troops inside the country during the current war.

Details from the report indicate that the navigator relied on his “Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape” (SERE) training to avoid capture after ejecting. He reportedly moved away from the crash site on foot, took cover on higher ground, and activated an emergency beacon, all while armed only with a handgun.

The rescue effort involved U.S. special operations units and additional elite teams, with MQ-9 Reaper drones providing aerial support throughout the operation.

The report also stated that the CIA carried out a deception campaign, spreading false information inside Iran suggesting the navigator had already been located and that American forces were leaving the area—moves that reportedly sowed confusion and aided the rescue.

President Donald Trump publicly confirmed the successful recovery in a message posted to Truth Social, writing: “WE GOT HIM! My fellow Americans, over the past several hours, the United States Military pulled off one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in U.S. History, for one of our incredible Crew Member Officers, who also happens to be a highly respected Colonel, and who I am thrilled to let you know is now SAFE and SOUND! This brave Warrior was behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran, being hunted down by our enemies, who were getting closer and closer by the hour, but was never truly alone because his Commander in Chief, Secretary of War, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and fellow Warfighters were monitoring his location 24 hours a day, and diligently planning for his rescue.”

He continued: “At my direction, the U.S. Military sent dozens of aircraft, armed with the most lethal weapons in the World, to retrieve him. He sustained injuries, but he will be just fine. This miraculous Search and Rescue Operation comes in addition to a successful rescue of another brave Pilot, yesterday, which we did not confirm, because we did not want to jeopardize our second rescue operation. This is the first time in military memory that two U.S. Pilots have been rescued, separately, deep in Enemy Territory. WE WILL NEVER LEAVE AN AMERICAN WARFIGHTER BEHIND! The fact that we were able to pull off both of these operations, without a SINGLE American killed, or even wounded, just proves once again, that we have achieved overwhelming Air Dominance and Superiority over the Iranian skies. This is a moment that ALL Americans, Republican, Democrat, and everyone else, should be proud of and united around. We truly have the best, most professional, and lethal Military in the History of the World. GOD BLESS AMERICA, GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS, AND HAPPY EASTER TO ALL!”

[Video below.] A scaled-down Birchas Kohanim was held Sunday in Yerushalayim’s Old City under strict wartime restrictions, preventing the usual massive crowds from gathering at the Kosel as Iranian missile threats continue.

The ceremony took place as rabbinic leaders and public figures intensified calls to ease limits imposed by the IDF Home Front Command, pointing to a recent High Court ruling issued on Shabbos that allowed up to 600 participants at a protest in Tel Aviv.

Due to security directives, attendance at the Kosel was capped at just 50 individuals, and the BirKas Kohanim was conducted in a covered area rather than the main plaza, marking a significant departure from the traditional gathering that typically draws tens of thousands.

Among those present were Yerushalayim Mayor Moshe Lion and the Chief Rabbis, Rav Kalman Ber and Rav Dovid Yosef. The vast majority of the tzibbur was unable to attend and instead followed the event through a live broadcast.

Shortly before the ceremony began, the Western Wall Heritage Foundation issued a renewed appeal to the Home Front Command to reconsider the restrictions limiting access to the Kosel plaza.

“I find it difficult to understand why the right to protest is perceived as more important or more urgent than the right to pray,” said Rav Shmuel Rabinowitz, head of the foundation.

“The Kosel is the beating heart of the Jewish people,” he added. “If the security reality permits hundreds of people to gather in public squares for demonstrations, all the more so it should allow Jews to assemble at the Kosel Plaza.”

Following the conclusion of the ceremony, Sephardic Chief Rabbi Rav Dovid Yosef sharpened his criticism of the High Court, coming a day after his strong remarks against the court’s stance on protests during wartime while access to the Kosel remained restricted.

“The High Court understands lawlessness in the name of freedom of protest,” he said.

“They call it ‘pikuach nefesh,’ nothing less,” Rav Yosef added.

Rav Yosef also voiced support for Rav Rabinowitz’s request that the Home Front Command reevaluate the current security policies governing the Kosel.

“We turn to the professionals who truly understand ‘pikuach nefesh,’” Rav Yosef said. “The High Court does not understand pikuach nefesh, the Home Front Command does, and here we declare that the Rabbi of the Western Wall and the Chief Rabbis will act according to the instructions of the Home Front Command, because we know what safeguarding every Jewish life means.”

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu on Sunday evening joined growing criticism from across the public over the Supreme Court’s decision to permit demonstrations in Tel Aviv, even as access for mispallelim at the Kosel remains limited due to security restrictions.

Opening his remarks, Netanyahu expressed strong disbelief at the situation, highlighting what he described as a clear inconsistency between how protests and tefillah are being treated.

“Unbelievable,” Netanyahu said, pointing to what he described as unequal treatment between demonstrators and worshippers.

“While Jews are restricted from praying at the Wall during the chag, the Supreme Court allowed a left-wing demonstration in Tel Aviv. Freedom of protest is important, but freedom to pray is no less important,” he stated.

Netanyahu emphasized that during a time of war, security decisions must remain in the hands of the appropriate authorities, specifically the Home Front Command. “In time of war, the Home Front Command alone determines security arrangements,” he said, warning that outside intervention—particularly from the judiciary—can create dangerous inconsistencies and potentially compromise public safety.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump disclosed that U.S. officials initially feared a communication from a downed American airman in Iran could have been a deceptive tactic designed to draw U.S. forces into an ambush.

According to Trump, the crew member of an F-15 survived for more than a full day in mountainous terrain despite being injured, before being extracted Saturday in a high-risk special operations mission.

Roughly 200 special operations troops were involved in the rescue effort, Trump said, describing the scale of the operation.

He added that the aircraft had been brought down by Iranian forces using a shoulder-fired missile, saying, “They got lucky.”

In remarks given shortly after confirming the rescue, Trump said that “thousands of these savages were hunting him down,” referring to Iranian military forces, and added, “Even the population was looking for him. They offered people a bonus if they captured him.”

Trump explained that the downed officer took cover in a mountain crevice and was eventually located using advanced U.S. surveillance capabilities.

He said U.S. forces were tracking signals tied to the officer’s location, but concerns arose after a radio transmission suggested he might have been captured and that Iranian forces were “sending false signals” to lure rescuers.

Describing the initial communication, Trump said the officer transmitted a brief and unusual message after ejecting: “He said: ‘Power be to God.'”

A U.S. defense official confirmed the general account but clarified that the phrase was “God is good.”

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also used the phrase “God is good” in a social media post on Sunday.

Trump noted that the wording of the message raised suspicions at first, saying, “What he said on the radio sounded like something a Muslim would say.”

He added that those familiar with the officer later explained he was religious, making the statement consistent with his personal beliefs.

A defense official supported that explanation, saying, “It was not completely clear early on, but we stuck with it and verified he was alive and not captured. And those who knew him said he is religious.”

Trump also pointed out that the pilot of the aircraft had been rescued earlier, in a daylight mission conducted under heavy Iranian fire.

A U.S. defense official described that earlier operation as “a bold and quick snatch” carried out during the day, while the later rescue took place at night after U.S. forces established a temporary position inside Iranian territory.

“The two crew members were spread apart by a couple miles. Hundreds of IRGC soldiers were everywhere,” the official said.

Trump noted that Israeli forces provided limited assistance during the rescue effort, saying they helped “a little bit.”

A U.S. official clarified that while Israel did not supply precise location data for the downed officer, it did share broader intelligence about conditions on the ground.

Israeli officials added that the Israeli Air Force carried out a strike intended to prevent Iranian forces from reaching the area.

“They have been good partners. They have been great and brave people. We are like a big brother and little brother,” Trump said.

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rebbetzin Reva Halpern a”h, who was niftar at the age of 76.

Rebbetzin Halpern was the wife of Rav Binyomin Zev Halpern, rov of Khal Bais Halevi of Lakewood, NJ and stood at his side for decades as a pillar of strength and support in his harbotzas haTorah and kehillah leadership.

She was a daughter of Rav and Rebbetzin Simcha Schustal zt”l, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Bais Binyomin of Stamford.

Earlier today, she collapsed and was rushed by Hatzolah to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune in critical condition. Despite the tireless efforts to save her, she was niftar shortly thereafter.

Rebbetzin Halpern a”h was known for her quiet strength, warmth, and unwavering dedication to her family and to the needs of others. She embodied true chesed and refined middos, leaving a lasting impression on all who merited to know her.

The levayah will take place tonight at 8:15 p.m. at Khal Bais Halevi, located at 705 Valley Drive in Lakewood, NJ.

Yehi zichrah boruch.

President Donald Trump escalated his threats to target Iran’s infrastructure if it does not open up the Strait of Hormuz, warning the country will be “living in Hell” in an expletive-filled message on social media Sunday. He later suggested that the United States could target “every power plant” in the country.

“Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, his social media platform. “There will be nothing like it!!! Open the … Strait, you crazy …, or you’ll be living in Hell – JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah.”

The profane threat, which landed this morning, underscores tensions as there is little sign Tehran and Washington are close to striking a deal to open the vital shipping route that Iran has effectively closed since the attacks began about five weeks ago. Gas prices have risen sharply as Iran limits the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz, ramping up the political pressure on Trump to end the conflict he started – and Sunday’s threat heightens earlier warnings that he plans to inflict severe damage if there is no movement.

Trump’s warning also sowed more whiplash for allies after a week of mixed messages about his plans for the strait. The president, who has previously called on other countries to help open the waterway, suggested in recent days that the U.S. is not responsible for reopening it: “What happens in the strait, we’re not going to have anything to do with,” he told reporters Tuesday. He has also urged allies reliant on oil that passes through the strait to “build up some delayed courage” and “just TAKE IT.”

At an address to the country Wednesday, Trump did not list reopening the strait as one of the United States’ core objectives. He said the U.S. would hit Iran “extremely hard” over the next two or three weeks and assessed that the strait would open up “naturally” after the war ends.

But even after the assassinations of senior Iranian leaders by Israel and the U.S., Iran’s remaining leaders have been emboldened in their efforts to inflict further economic pain, pushing Tehran and Washington further apart in negotiations.

About 20 percent of global oil supplies pass through the Strait of Hormuz each year, and the International Energy Agency in Paris has called Iran’s clampdown the largest energy shock in history. In the U.S., the price of gas surpassed $4 a gallon for the first time since 2022 and is about 25 percent higher than it was a month ago, according to data from AAA.

Trump on Sunday told the Wall Street Journal that if Iran does not reopen the strait by Tuesday evening, “they’re going to lose every power plant and every other plant they have in the whole country.”

Human rights experts have warned that attacking civilian infrastructure would violate international law on armed conflict. Power grids, as well as water facilities and bridges, are possible examples of “dual use” infrastructure, which civilians use but which the military may also rely on for operations. While international law restricts militaries from attacking these sites in many cases, the U.S. has increasingly targeted them since the Gulf War, experts note.

Power plants and bridges could either be lawful military targets or civilian objects under the law of war, depending on the facts on the ground, said Brian Finucane, a former legal adviser for the State Department.

“A threat to attack all bridges or power plants or to attack them without distinguishing between lawful and unlawful targets would be a threat to commit war crimes,” said Finucane, now a senior adviser for the U.S. program at the International Crisis Group.

Brett McGurk, a former senior national security official under several presidents, including Trump, said Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union” that Trump’s latest Truth Social threat appeared to be an effort to “escalate to try to get a deal.” But McGurk said he was skeptical it would achieve that.

“The president in his national address the other night suggested the Strait of Hormuz is not an objective for us,” McGurk said, and now, he is suggesting it is. “It’s just kind of shifting objectives in terms of what exactly we’re trying to achieve here.”

Rep. Michael R. Turner (R-Ohio), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, in an appearance on ABC’s “This Week” said that the conflict in Iran was inevitable – and that Trump was intervening to stop Iran from being able to “project force against the United States and our allies.” Asked if the Strait of Hormuz can be opened without putting U.S. troops on the ground, Turner said he doesn’t think ground troops are going to be necessary.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-New York) said on “This Week” that “there is no circumstance where U.S. ground troops should be sent over to the Middle East” and called the conflict a “reckless war of choice without any plan, any strategic objectives and no clear exit strategy.”

“This war is already deeply unpopular, for obvious reasons amongst the American people,” he said. “The American people are not going to accept ground troops being put into harm’s way in this war of choice, when there’s no clear evidence that it actually is designed to improve our national security interests.

(c) 2026, The Washington Post · Hannah Knowles, Mariana Alfaro, Alex Horton 

Emergency crews are continuing intensive rescue operations in Haifa after a powerful Iranian ballistic missile struck a seven-story residential building, leaving significant destruction and multiple casualties.

Medical officials reported that several people were injured in the attack, including an elderly man in critical condition and a baby who sustained light injuries after being pulled from the wreckage. Others at the scene were treated for shock.

The missile, which carried a 400-kilogram explosive payload, was not intercepted and hit the building directly, resulting in extensive structural damage.

The blast caused widespread devastation to both the building and nearby areas. Firefighters and Home Front Command teams remain on site, searching for four individuals still missing: two adults, a child, and a foreign worker.

MDA Senior EMT Shevach Rothenshtrych described the scene: “When we arrived at the street, we saw a multi-story building that had been hit, with extensive destruction at the scene. Residents who were there told us there were casualties trapped under the rubble on the lower floors. We managed to move large pieces of concrete with our hands and rescued an 82-year-old man from the debris, who was in serious condition but conscious. We provided him with initial treatment at the scene and evacuated him to the hospital in an MDA mobile intensive care unit ambulance while in serious condition. Large MDA teams at the scene are providing medical treatment to several people in mild condition and are prepared to provide medical care to additional casualties if they are located during the searches”

MDA Paramedic Lamas Salameh added, “This is a 7-story building that sustained a direct hit, causing extensive damage. We arrived at the scene with large MDA teams, including ambulances, mobile intensive care units, and MDA medicycles, and began searching the scenes. During the searches, we located an 83-year-old casualty in serious condition who was injured by the destruction. In addition, we treated 3 other casualties in mild condition, as well as several people suffering from anxiety symptoms. We are continuing to search the scenes to ensure there are no additional casualties and will remain on site as required.”

MDA Senior EMT Tal Shustak also recounted the response: “Immediately upon receiving the reports at MDA’s emergency dispatch center about a building being hit, we were dispatched in large forces to the scene and saw extensive destruction, including glass, smoke, and concrete scattered across the ground. We rescued an 82-year-old man from the building’s rubble who was in serious condition after being struck by debris. We provided him with medical treatment and evacuated him to the hospital. In addition, we treated three people in mild condition – a 77-year-old woman, a 38-year-old woman, and a 10-month-old baby who suffered a head injury. They were injured by shrapnel, and we provided them with medical treatment. We also treated several people suffering from anxiety symptoms at the scene, and we are continuing to search the area.”

Rav Yigal Cohen, a member of the Chief Rabbinate Council and a prominent mashpiach, issued a strong warning about attempts by Iranian intelligence to recruit operatives from within the chareidi community, urging the public not to cooperate under any circumstances.

Rav Cohen, who heads Mosdos Yabia Omer, released a public message cautioning against engaging with Iranian operatives, including requests to photograph locations or assist in any activity.

In his remarks, Rav Cohen said: “Dear brothers and sisters! Recently, security officials approached me and told me that within our chareidi community, which observes Torah and mitzvos, we are harming ourselves. This is happening because the Iranians are seeking spies; they are asking people to photograph locations, to move weapons from place to place, and, chas v’shalom, there are those who are tempted by them.

“I beg you, there is no greater chilul Hashem than when a Jew who observes Torah and mitzvos is seen betraying his own people. This is a betrayal of our nation. They want to kill scientists, they want to strike us measure for measure, they want to harm the most precious people—the Jewish people, the souls of Jews. Even photographing a location is dangerous. They can direct their missiles to those places.

“I ask you, have mercy on your lives. It is a chilul Hashem. There is also the matter of arrest—it destroys lives. It is detention as security prisoners; it is the Shin Bet that arrests those collaborators, and they sit in prison with security terrorists. A person can end up in the darkest places in Jewish history.

“Please, my dear brothers, my beloved ones! Do not cooperate, not intentionally and not unintentionally. If, chas v’shalom, you receive a message in any way from Iranians asking you even for a photo—even to photograph a park—do not touch it! Do not go near them! And report it immediately to the police.”

He concluded with a bracha, saying: “And with Hashem’s help, Hakadosh Boruch Hu will grant you the desires of your hearts for good and for blessing, salvation and comfort. Amein, may it be His will.”

{Matzav.com}

At a special gathering for bnei yeshivos in Ramat Elchanan, leading gedolim addressed practical questions relevant to bein hazmanim, including how much mussar a bochur should learn and how to structure his time during the break.

The event brought together hundreds of bochurim at the Yeshivas Bein Hazmanim Chashukei Chemed, where the Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Dov Landau, delivered words of chizuk ahead of Pesach. Also in attendance were prominent rabbonim, including Rav Yitzchok Zilberstein, Rav Yehuda Silman, Rav Masoud Ben Shimon, and Rav Menachem Tzvi Berlin.

Before Rav Landau’s arrival, a question-and-answer session was conducted with Rav Zilberstein, during which questions submitted by bochurim were presented.

The moderator opened: “With the permission of our rabbonim shlit”a, we have a few minutes before Rabeinu shlit”a enters the beis medrash, and I asked the mara d’asra to use the time to address several questions relevant to bochurim and bein hazmanim.”

One question raised was whether a bochur should attend a yeshivah bein hazmanim in another neighborhood or remain in his local area to strengthen the local kol Torah.

Rav Zilberstein responded: “One should go where there are more talmidei chachamim. When there are more talmidei chachamim, there is more Torah, and their answers are more superior. A person should seek out the place where the greatest number of talmidei chachamim are found.”

The moderator quipped: “So the Rav is saying they should stay in Ramat Elchanan…”

The discussion then turned to the importance of mussar during bein hazmanim.

The moderator asked: “In yeshivah, there is a set seder mussar each day. We would like to hear from the Rav how important mussar is during bein hazmanim, whether there is an obligation, and how much time should be dedicated daily.”

Rav Zilberstein answered: “Learning mussar in our times is Yiddishkeit—it is not just mussar. In the past it was only mussar, but today it is Yiddishkeit. A person who walks in the street and sees newspapers and inappropriate things loses everything and becomes like an animal. Today, learning is about upholding the religion. When a person sits and learns mussar, he grows, and today there is greater siyata d’Shmaya.”

When asked how much time to devote, he replied: “In the yeshivos, they established half an hour. Presumably, if the gedolei olam established half an hour a day, then half an hour—and one should not deviate from it. [And one must know that the sefer Shaarei Teshuvah—every word is a priceless jewel.]”

Rav Masoud Ben Shimon added: “Shlomo Hamelech said, ‘Hold fast to mussar, do not let go; guard it, for it is your life.’ If it is your life, then certainly it applies during bein hazmanim as well.”

Another question addressed whether bochurim should focus on reviewing their masechta or invest time in learning the halachos of the Yom Tov.

Rav Zilberstein responded: “This depends on each individual—there is no single answer. Every bochur is a world, every bochur is a treasure, and each one requires his own guidance. In yeshivah, the Rosh Yeshiva is the expert who determines what and how much one should learn.”

A final question focused on how bochurim can best benefit from living in a neighborhood filled with talmidei chachamim, whether by regularly approaching rabbonim with questions or simply observing them.

Rav Yehuda Silman answered: “I want to reiterate the words of the mara d’asra, which serve as one answer to all the questions asked here. Regarding what to learn, there is a Biur Halachah that brings from the Rishonim a preference for learning the halachos of the Yom Tov. But in general, when asking what to learn, where to learn, and what to do, it is clear that the inclination of the heart determines it.

“It is written in the sefarim that there is a great advantage for a person to choose a specific mitzvah and invest in it throughout his life. But which mitzvah to choose depends on one’s inclination—some are drawn to chesed, others to Torah and teaching Torah. Each person should follow where his heart leads, because that is where he is most likely to succeed.

“And by the way, even in learning sefarim of mussar, which is very important as was said here, it is clear that the sefer with which you will succeed the most is the one your heart is most drawn to, because you will invest more effort and be more immersed in it, and there will be greater siyata d’Shmaya.”

{Matzav.com}

A request has been submitted to police to hold a demonstration at the Kosel during Chol Hamoed, citing a recent High Court ruling that permitted a large protest in Tel Aviv under current wartime conditions.

The appeal comes after the court approved a gathering of up to 600 participants at a protest in Habima Square, despite Home Front Command restrictions. In response, the organization B’Tzalmo is now calling for similar authorization to hold a demonstration at the Kosel during the Yom Tov period.

In a letter addressed to Police Commissioner Danny Levy and the Yerushalayim District commander, the group wrote: “Following the High Court ruling issued today regarding the holding of mass demonstrations during the war (contrary to the position of the Home Front Command), approval was given to hold a demonstration in Habima Square with the participation of no fewer than 600 people.”

The organizers stated that they are requesting permission “to approve the holding of a demonstration at the Western Wall for six hundred people. The demonstration will be a protest over the exile and a demand that the situation of the Jewish people improve and that we merit, soon, a complete victory over all our enemies and, of course, a complete redemption.”

They emphasized that the event would be conducted in full compliance with police guidelines and public safety requirements, with coordination among all relevant authorities and appropriate logistical planning to ensure order.

The group asked for prompt approval of the request, along with any necessary instructions to carry out the event legally. The proposed date for the demonstration is Tuesday morning, April 7, 2026, with organizers requesting alternative dates if that time is not approved.

After ousting two of his highest-profile Cabinet members from their posts, President Donald Trump is considering making more changes to his administration’s top leadership, according to advisers – a decision that would accelerate the once-slow pace of his second-term staff departures.

But Trump, who sought to avoid high-profile departures during the first year back in the White House – often publicly standing by Cabinet members even as they faced scrutiny – is also reluctant to engage in a large-scale shake-up of his Cabinet, and in some cases has pushed to counter reporting that he has soured on certain officials.

On the heels of news of the firing Thursday of his attorney general, Pam Bondi, Trump wanted to make a “very strong” statement reaffirming his support for another official rumored to be on the chopping block, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, according to a White House official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal conversations. As a result, his rapid-response account on X posted a statement from Trump’s communications director saying that the president “has total confidence” in Gabbard, “and any insinuation otherwise is totally fake news.”

Gabbard, who has a long history of criticizing U.S. involvement in Middle East conflicts – specifically the notion of a war with Iran – has continued to brief the president on intelligence, even as Trump earlier this week told reporters that Gabbard was “a little bit different in her thought process than me” on Iran.

Gabbard is “safe” in her role for the time being, the White House official said.

Two others in his Cabinet may be less secure. Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick have both been under Trump’s scrutiny for a possible exit, according to the same official and a second White House official.

Chavez-DeRemer, who is facing misconduct allegations that include an alleged affair with a staffer and drinking in her office, has so far remained in her role despite top officials in her agency resigning amid the scandal. And Lutnick’s style of freelancing policy ideas and deals without prior approval has long prompted eye rolls from aides and others in the White House, according to people close to Trump, who also spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss personnel issues.

Trump has discussed letting both of them go, according to the first White House official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations, but he hasn’t made a final decision, and their departures aren’t necessarily imminent.

“Reports of him wanting to do a massive shake-up are overblown,” the official said. The firings of Bondi and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi L. Noem, the official contended, were each isolated cases after Trump spent time considering moving them out of their roles over issues with their respective job performances. He had been slow to give the edict for both, doing so after conversations over months.

In a statement to The Washington Post, White House spokesman Davis Ingle said Trump has “the most talented cabinet and team in American history,” and referred to Gabbard, Lutnick and Chavez-DeRemer as “patriots” who are “tirelessly implementing the president’s agenda and achieving tremendous results for the American people.”

“They continue to have the president’s full confidence,” Ingle said.

The president isn’t looking far to fill Bondi’s role once she leaves the Justice Department. Trump has already tapped Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche to serve as acting attorney general upon Bondi’s departure – and it’s “very likely” Blanche will be the one to run the department for the long term, the White House official told The Post on Friday.

Trump has floated others for the role, including Lee Zeldin, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency, whom he met with at the White House on Tuesday. Harmeet K. Dhillon, assistant attorney general in the Civil Rights Division at the Justice Department, has been pushed by influential MAGA commentators this week as the person Trump should tap for the role.

A White House official told The Post that while Trump “really respects” Dhillon, she is not a top contender for attorney general.

As for Blanche, the official said, “right now, the president is happy.”

Trump had told Bondi a day before firing her that her “time is ending” in the role, according to a person with knowledge of the conversation. The two spoke Wednesday as Bondi traveled with the president to hear Supreme Court arguments in his administration’s birthright citizenship case.

Bondi asked the president to keep her in the role for longer, and Trump said he would consider the request, the person said. Within hours, however, news of her imminent departure had spread. Trump, who remains fond of Bondi personally, had been weighing her ouster for months and was dissatisfied with Bondi’s failure to prosecute his political foes and her handling of the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files, which dominated news for much of last year, said two people with knowledge of the president’s thinking.

A month earlier, Trump fired Noem after a similar months-long probationary period in which he was unhappy with her performance and the negative headlines drawn by her agency, his advisers told The Washington Post.

(c) 2026, The Washington Post · Natalie Allison 

Jennifer Siebel Newsom, the wife of Gavin Newsom, said the recent exits of two high-profile women from Donald Trump’s administration point to what she described as a broader trend affecting women in Republican leadership circles.

Her remarks focused on Pam Bondi, whom Trump announced on April 2 would step down to take a private-sector position, and Kristi Noem, who Trump said on March 5 would leave her role to serve as a special envoy for The Shield of the Americas. In her place, Markwayne Mullin was selected to lead the Department of Homeland Security.

In a video posted to Instagram, Jennifer Newsom said it was “no surprise to me that the first two prominent people pushed out of this administration were women.”

She further argued that women aligned with conservative leadership are supported only so long as they “serve the interests of the patriarch at the top.”

Expanding on her criticism, she stated: “There’s no secure place inside this hand picked patriarchal body that systemically disrespects, devalues, and discriminates against women and girls, and this is where complicity comes in, because when you align yourself with that value system, with a leader who has publicly devalued women, degraded them and been found liable of abusing women.”

She added that while women in such roles may appear to wield influence, their standing is ultimately fragile, saying their power is temporary and “ultimately they will come for you.”

Newsom concluded: “No woman is safe in Trump’s Republican Party unless she has enough wealth or the ability to buy her own job security and safety. So my friends, regardless of your political affiliation, you might wanna wake up and see this for what it truly is. It’s a war on all women.”

Separately, commentary from John Nolte revisited Jennifer Siebel Newsom’s broader views on gender, noting that she prefers the term “first partner” rather than traditional titles, describing it as more inclusive.

He also referenced her past remarks about parenting, including: “I’ve given our boys dolls, even if they tear the head off,” explaining that she wants them to learn “that care and caregiving is not just an activity that’s reserved for women, but that it’s also an activity that is a responsibility of men.”

Nolte further cited her approach to reading with her children, stating: “If I’m reading a book and the protagonist is male, I just change ‘he’ to ‘she,’” as part of her effort to ensure her sons “to see that women can be the center of the story.”

He additionally pointed to her broader perspective on gender roles, quoting her as saying: “We’re all kind of in a place in history maybe where recognizing what’s ultimately deconstruct gender roles and ultimately be human.”

Nolte also referenced earlier comments in which she said she had taken her children on visits to Republican-led states so they could observe firsthand what she described as “racism, sexism, and bullying.”

{Matzav.com}

The sudden removal of Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George and Gen. David Hodne has caught senior military leaders off guard, sparking concern within defense circles about the potential impact on ongoing operations in Iran and future efforts to modernize the Army.

The two generals are the latest in a string of high-ranking officers dismissed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, in a wave of changes that has significantly altered the makeup of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, intelligence agencies, and key combat commands.

According to U.S. officials, George’s firing was driven by personal tensions rather than any substantive disagreement over the Army’s strategic direction.

One official described the decision bluntly, saying the dismissal during wartime was “insane.”

Hodne, who had recently been appointed to lead the Army’s Transformation and Training Command (T2COM), had been tasked with speeding up the development and deployment of new technologies. The initiative stemmed from the Army Transformation Initiative, an effort George had helped spearhead.

Critics within the defense establishment questioned the rationale behind the move, with one official saying, “This doesn’t feel like a very strong, self-assured decision.”

The firings come at a particularly sensitive moment, as elements of the 82nd Airborne Division are deploying to the Middle East and the Army continues to play a central role in air and missile defense operations.

Highlighting the timing, another U.S. official said, “Here is a four-star general who is actively working to get equipment and people into theater — to protect U.S. forces — and you fire him? In the middle of a war?”

Just weeks earlier, George had emphasized the importance of boosting weapons production in light of the Iran conflict, stressing the need for faster manufacturing across the board.

“This gets back to how we build this stuff faster,” he said. “And we’re talking about this with everything — not just interceptors. Every missile. Everything that we’re doing.”

In the wake of George’s departure, Gen. Christopher LaNeve has stepped in as acting Army chief. LaNeve previously served as an aide to Hegseth and more recently as the Army’s vice chief of staff, a position that became vacant following the abrupt retirement of Gen. James Mingus.

Meanwhile, the future of T2COM remains uncertain. As of Friday morning, the command’s website still listed Hodne as its leader, reflecting the sudden nature of the transition.

LaNeve has reportedly expressed concerns that the Army may be advancing reforms too aggressively, with one official noting he has questioned whether the service is moving “too fast and too far.”

The Trump administration has appealed a federal judge’s order to halt the construction of President Donald Trump’s White House ballroom, arguing in an emergency motion that pausing the $400 million project would raise national security risks.

The motion, which was filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, argues that U.S. District Judge Richard Leon’s “shocking, unprecedented, and improper injunction” to stop construction would imperil Trump, his family and White House staff. The administration asked for Leon’s order to be stayed pending appeal and said it would seek emergency relief from the Supreme Court if necessary.

“Time is of the essence!” Justice Department lawyers wrote, saying that the planned 90,000-square-foot addition to the White House is being designed to defend against “hostile attacks via drones, ballistic missiles, bullets, biohazards” and other potential threats to the president. They also argued that Trump has the authority to build the ballroom, disputing Leon’s ruling that the project requires congressional approval.

The tone of the administration’s 27-page filing – particularly its first five pages – departs from the usual style for federal appellate briefs, which typically focus on legal arguments. Instead, the language closely resembles Trump‘s charged remarks and social media posts about the ballroom, which the president has identified as a personal priority. The appeal invokes the “American Patriots” who have made donations for the project, lists various materials being used to construct it and repeats Trump’s frequent boasts that the project is under budget and ahead of schedule.

“No taxpayer dollars are being used for the funding of this beautiful, desperately needed, and completely secure (for national security purposes) ballroom,” the Justice Department lawyers wrote, defending Trump’s decision to solicit private donations. Leon said that Trump was attempting an “end-run” around Congress by relying on private funding.

The White House said it was “confident” that it would win the case on appeal.

“The DOJ’s brief filed last night in the DC Circuit highlights the extraordinary errors and the unprecedented overreach represented by the lower court’s injunction,” spokesman Davis Ingle said in a statement.

The three-judge panel set to hear the appeal is Patricia Ann Millett, an Obama appointee; Bradley Garcia, a Biden appointee; and Neomi Rao, a Trump appointee.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation, charged by Congress with helping to preserve historic buildings, sued to block the project in December. The nonprofit has argued that Trump was wrong to tear down the White House’s East Wing last year and begin building his ballroom without going through necessary federal reviews and obtaining authorization from Congress.

Trump has repeatedly derided the organization, and his administration has continued to pursue plans to build the ballroom. The National Capital Planning Commission, a federal agency that reviews major construction projects in Washington and is led by Trump allies, on Thursday voted to approve the now-stalled project.

Leon, an appointee of President George W. Bush, on Tuesday sided with the National Trust and ruled that the project must be authorized by Congress to continue. He also dismissed the Trump administration’s claim that halting the project would create national security risks.

“Please! While I take seriously the Government’s concerns regarding the safety and security of the White House grounds and the President himself, the existence of a ‘large hole’ beside the White House is, of course, a problem of the President’s own making,” Leon wrote. Still, he stayed his order for two weeks and ruled crews could continue construction necessary to ensure the safety and security of the White House.

Trump and the National Trust are arguing over what the judge’s ruling permits.

Hours after Leon issued his decision, Trump shrugged off the order to halt construction while taking questions from reporters in the Oval Office. The president said the two-week grace period Leon provided to wind down construction was unnecessary because the judge also gave an indefinite exception for “actions strictly necessary to ensure the safety and security of the White House and its grounds, including the ballroom construction site, and provide for the personal safety of the President and his staff.”

Trump said the proposed building’s security features met that standard, ticking them off for reporters: bulletproof glass, a “drone-proof” roof, bomb shelters, hardened telecommunications, a secure HVAC system and “very major medical facilities.”

“We have all of these things, so that’s called ‘I’m allowed to continue building,’” he said.

The National Trust disagrees. On Wednesday, the group filed a motion asking Leon to spell out that his exception does not allow Trump to continue building the ballroom structure simply because it has security features. The judge has not yet ruled on that motion.

(c) 2026, The Washington Post · Dan Diamond, Jonathan Edwards 

Israel’s Health Ministry reported Sunday that 6,833 injured individuals have been evacuated to hospitals nationwide since the launch of Operation “Shaagas HaAri,” with 138 patients currently hospitalized in varying conditions.

According to the update released at 7:00 a.m., the current hospital census includes 2 patients listed in critical condition, 14 in serious condition, 26 in moderate condition, and 93 in light condition. In addition, two individuals are hospitalized for anxiety-related conditions, and one more patient is undergoing medical evaluation.

The figures reflect continued operational activity and the ongoing demand on the healthcare system. Over the past 24 hours alone—from 7:00 a.m. the previous day until Sunday morning—108 additional injured individuals were admitted to hospitals.

Among those treated in the past day, two were listed in moderate condition, 105 in light condition, and one suffering from anxiety. All received immediate medical care and were admitted according to the severity of their injuries.

The Health Ministry urged the public to avoid unnecessary visits to hospital emergency rooms, advising that routine or non-urgent medical issues should be directed to urgent care centers operated by the health funds. Only complex or life-threatening cases should be brought directly to hospital emergency departments.

Officials said the guidance is intended to reduce strain on emergency rooms and allow hospitals to focus on the most serious cases, while maintaining readiness for ongoing emergency situations. The healthcare system continues to operate under wartime protocols, with daily situation assessments conducted in coordination with the Home Front Command.

Hospitals across the country remain on high alert for mass-casualty incidents, while also continuing to provide routine medical services where possible. Authorities emphasized the importance of maintaining continuity of care while ensuring the safety of both patients and medical staff.

At the same time, the Health Ministry is promoting awareness of urgent care services offered by the health funds, which provide faster and more accessible treatment for non-emergency cases. The public is encouraged to use these services in order to preserve hospital capacity for critical situations.

Across Israel, tefillos continue for a refuah shleimah for all those injured and for the safety of IDF soldiers and civilians.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli officials are working on a framework to gradually resume educational activities, with the Home Front Command and the Education Ministry examining guidelines that would allow schools and early childhood programs to reopen under strict safety conditions.

According to reports aired this morning on Kan News, private daycares and preschools may be permitted to resume operations after Pesach even in areas classified as “orange” zones, where security risks remain elevated.

As part of the proposed plan, the Home Front Command is considering a unified standard allowing between 15 and 30 children to be present in a certified protected space under adult supervision, though the exact number has not yet been finalized.

In areas experiencing heavier rocket fire, educational activities would be required to take place inside a protected area that meets official safety standards rather than merely near one. In other orange-designated areas, activities could be held adjacent to a protected space, provided all children can quickly enter it when needed.

The plan would enable the reopening of private preschools and daycare centers, though officials acknowledge it may not fully address the needs of all families.

The same guidelines are expected to apply to the broader education system for children over the age of three, with schools and kindergartens potentially resuming activity as early as this coming Thursday. Under the proposal, groups of up to 30 children, supervised by an adult, would be allowed either inside or in close proximity to a certified protected area, depending on local municipal decisions.

{Matzav.com}

A petition has been filed with Israel’s High Court of Justice demanding that authorities permit large-scale tefillah gatherings at the Kosel, even during the ongoing war, arguing that current restrictions unfairly limit religious worship.

The petition, submitted by the “Emes L’Yaakov B’Yisroel” organization through attorney Natan Rosenblatt, is directed against the State of Israel, the Home Front Command, and Israel Police. It claims that fundamental rights—including freedom of religion, equality, and human dignity—are being severely violated.

The petitioners argue that strict limitations have been imposed specifically on davening at the Kosel, including in protected areas such as covered sections and the Kosel tunnels, while other types of gatherings are still permitted.

According to the filing, this constitutes clear discrimination, as public and private transportation continues to operate, demonstrations are allowed, and other gatherings are approved, while prayer—particularly at a regulated and protected site—is significantly restricted.

The petition states that this situation “causes serious harm to public trust and the rule of law.”

Petitioners further stress that during wartime, when many citizens—including families of soldiers—seek to daven for safety and an end to the conflict, public prayer should be facilitated rather than limited.

A central issue raised in the petition is the traditional Birkas Kohanim held during Yom Tov.

The petition argues that there is no substantial security obstacle to allowing broader prayer gatherings, noting that the Kosel complex includes advanced protected areas, such as indoor halls and tunnels, capable of safely accommodating large numbers of people.

It also proposes practical measures such as crowd regulation, dividing participants into designated areas, and supervision, which could allow for safe gatherings without infringing on basic rights.

The filing relies on recent High Court rulings stating that even during emergencies, a balance must be maintained between security needs and fundamental rights, and that limitations must not be excessive.

According to the petitioners, if the right to protest in open areas is protected even during sensitive times, then certainly freedom of worship—especially in protected locations—must also be safeguarded.

The petition asks the court to order the state to:

• Allow davening at the Kosel around the clock
• Open all protected areas, including the Kosel tunnels
• Enable large-scale Birkas Kohanim gatherings in covered spaces
• Avoid imposing restrictions not based on concrete security needs
• Ensure equal treatment between prayer and other types of gatherings

In addition, an urgent request for an interim order has been filed, seeking to allow such tefillah gatherings to take place in the coming days, even before a final ruling is issued.

The petition concludes by stating that “at this difficult time, when an entire nation seeks to pray for peace, it is unreasonable that access to the central place of prayer should be restricted,” emphasizing that the state’s role is not only to safeguard security, but also to enable citizens to exercise their rights, including freedom of worship, in a fair and balanced manner.

Rav Shmuel Rabinowitz, rov of the Kosel and mekomos hakedoshim, has called on the Israeli Home Front Command to reconsider current restrictions limiting access for mispallelim at the Kosel following a recent High Court ruling regarding public gatherings.

In a letter addressed to Home Front Command chief Major General Shay Klapper, Rav Rabinowitz requested a reassessment of the guidelines governing entry to the Kosel plaza.

At the opening of his letter, Rav Rabinowitz expressed appreciation for the work of the Home Front Command, writing: “At the outset, I would like to express deep appreciation for your dedicated work and that of your personnel. The responsibility for protecting the home front and safeguarding every individual is a sacred mission, and on behalf of the entire Jewish people, I thank you for the devotion and professionalism that saves lives each and every day.”

He went on to reference the High Court ruling that directed authorities to allow large-scale gatherings for protests and demonstrations, while restrictions at holy sites—including the Kosel—have remained unchanged.

“I cannot understand why the right to protest is perceived as more important or more urgent than the right to pray,” Rav Rabinowitz wrote. “The Kosel is the beating heart of the Jewish people. Especially now, when our soldiers are fighting with great courage and under significant danger, the public needs to come to the holiest place that remains to us since the destruction of the Temple.”

Rav Rabinowitz argued that if the current security situation permits large public gatherings elsewhere, it should also allow for tefillah at the Kosel. “If the security reality allows hundreds of people to gather in public squares for protest, then all the more so Jews should be allowed to gather at the Kosel plaza!”

In closing, he called on authorities to revisit the restrictions and enable access for those wishing to daven, stating: “I ask that the guidelines be reexamined and that the faithful public be allowed to come to the Kosel and pray for the peace of our people, our land, and our soldiers, at least under the same conditions in which other gatherings are permitted. And even more so. Especially in these days, we must not forgo prayer, the source of strength and hope for all of us.”

{Matzav.com}

Rav Yitzchok Yosef, former chief rabbi and head of the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah of Shas, sharply criticized a recent High Court ruling during his weekly shiur, drawing widespread attention after making forceful remarks about the judges in connection with their decision on protest limits in Tel Aviv.

Speaking at Yeshivas Or Hachaim in Yerushalayim, Rav Yosef addressed the court’s ruling on the number of participants permitted at demonstrations and strongly denounced the judges.

“Heretics and wicked people, Hakadosh Boruch Hu will destroy them, will kill them,” he said, as members of the audience responded, “Amen.”

At the end of the shiur, Rav Yosef clarified his earlier statement, stressing that he was not calling on anyone to take action, but rather referring to punishment from Heaven. “I did not mean that you should destroy them — Hakadosh Boruch Hu will give them the punishment.”

The remarks come amid ongoing public and political reaction to the High Court’s decision, which has sparked strong criticism in various circles.

Education Minister Yoav Kisch also condemned the ruling, stating: “The Supreme Court, in an outrageous, irresponsible, and reckless decision. The decision of the Supreme Court to allow a large-scale demonstration in Habima Square, contrary to the instructions of the Home Front Command and the police, is irresponsible interference that endangers public safety. To do this during wartime and hastily during Shabbat is detached and arrogant conduct. Instead of respecting norms and the professional judgment of the security authorities, the Supreme Court has given backing to a group of anarchists who are seeking chaos during a war.”

Degel HaTorah chairman MK Moshe Gafni also responded to the judiciary’s statements regarding considerations of “pikuach nefesh,” saying: “I suggest, therefore, appointing the Chief Rabbi as president of the Supreme Court. He at least understands the sensitivity and complexity involved in ruling on matters related to Shabbos and the sacred values of the Jewish people — matters in which even the greatest rabbis exercise great caution. In contrast, there are those who allow themselves to make far-reaching decisions, including harming the sanctity of Shabbos, based on detached and irresponsible considerations. This is not just a mistake. It is a deep disrespect for the tradition of Israel and the feelings of the public.”

{Matzav.com}

Israel is waiting for a green light from President Donald Trump to move forward with possible strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure, according to Reuters, with the operation potentially set to begin as early as the coming week.

According to Reuters, Israeli officials are prepared to expand their list of targets to include key economic and strategic assets tied to the Iranian regime, pending approval from Washington.

The timing comes as Trump intensifies pressure on Tehran over the Strait of Hormuz, while Israeli officials signal there is no intention of slowing the current military campaign. According to assessments in Israel’s political and defense leadership, targeting Iran’s production, energy, and supply systems could be the decisive phase of the war.

Officials in Israel are now describing the target set as a combination of weapons manufacturing facilities and critical economic infrastructure. The goal, according to reports, is not merely to strike isolated sites but to disrupt Iran’s entire “value chain”—from raw materials and production lines to the electricity, fuel, and logistical systems that sustain the broader network.

At the same time, Trump has continued to issue warnings to Iran regarding the Strait of Hormuz. Reuters reported that he has threatened a sharp escalation if Tehran does not reopen the waterway within 48 hours, as discussions in Washington and Jerusalem intensify over broader attacks on the regime’s energy sector.

The heightened tensions are also affecting other fronts. Israeli defense officials are on alert for attempts by the Houthis to expand their attacks, whether by air, sea, or other means. Following recent launches from Yemen—including a ballistic missile, a drone, and a cruise missile targeting Israel—the military is preparing for efforts aimed at dividing Israel’s focus and opening an additional southern front.

As part of that preparation, Israel has increased its readiness in the Red Sea. Naval deployments have been reinforced, coordination between the navy, air force, regional commands, border police, and law enforcement has been tightened, and alert levels have been raised amid concerns over potential attacks on vessels or coastal targets.

Security officials believe that creating such pressure is a central objective of the Houthis—forcing Israel to stretch its defensive resources and contend with multiple fronts while its primary focus remains on Iran.

Despite the growing threat from the south, Israeli officials continue to emphasize that Iran remains the central arena of the conflict. The outcome of operations there, they say, will determine whether the war continues as a prolonged campaign or shifts into a broader and more decisive phase.

The message emerging from Israel is increasingly clear: As long as Iran continues to use the Strait of Hormuz as leverage and does not change course, Israel is preparing to escalate rather than pause. The anticipated approval from Trump could mark the beginning of a new stage in the conflict, one aimed directly at the economic core of the Iranian regime.