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Sephardic Chief Rabbi Rav Dovid Yosef has made clear to Transportation Minister Miri Regev and executives at El Al that Jewish law prohibits operating repatriation flights on Shabbos for Israelis stranded overseas, according to a statement from his office reported by The Times of Israel.

Rav Yosef’s position comes as the country works to return an estimated 150,000 Israelis who were left abroad after Israel closed its airspace early Friday in response to the escalating conflict with Iran.

In light of the emergency, the Transportation Ministry, along with Israeli airlines El Al, Arkia, and Israir, have been coordinating efforts to launch special return flights, which are expected to begin tomorrow depending on security developments.

Although El Al normally halts operations over Shabbos, the airline and Minister Regev approached Rav Yosef to ask whether halachic exceptions could be made under the principle of pikuach nefesh which can override Shabbos prohibitions.

However, Rav Yosef ruled that the situation does not meet the criteria of immediate danger to life, and therefore, flights should not be operated by El Al on Shabbos.

A spokesperson for Minister Regev clarified that the Chief Rabbi’s directive applies only to El Al. “The rabbi’s prohibition is specifically for El Al,” the spokesperson stated. “We will continue with whoever can fly or sail.”

Other carriers such as Arkia, which does operate on Shabbos, will be handling rescue flights. Additionally, the Transportation Ministry has arranged for Mano Maritime to run two cruise ship journeys from Cyprus to help ferry stranded Israeli citizens home by sea.

{Matzav.com Israel}

A dramatic scene unfolded directly in front of the Beth Rivka girls school in Montreal this afternoon – just as girls were leaving and beginning to walk home. There was no indication that the incident was security related.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has released footage of what they claim are Emad ballistic missiles being launched earlier tonight toward Israel.

A missile launched by Iran almost destroyed a parked car in a Chareidi neighborhood in Haifa but the tefillin inside it were unharmed. B’Chasdei Hashem, no one was injured in the incident. Deputy Transportation Minister Uri Maklev traveled on Tuesday to the impact site and spoke with the residents of the neighborhood, who have been under continuous threat. Iran has been targeting Haifa in their barrages, as there are many strategic assets in the city: the Haifa Port, the city’s industrial zone and oil refineries (the largest of which was hit and is currently closed down), and a naval base. The owner of the car told Maklev that part of the neis was that the missile first hit the nearby water pipe, which quelled the fire before it hit the car. Even the police were amazed when they discovered tefillin intact within the twisted metal of the car—without a scratch. “The officers at the site were astonished, and the incident left a strong impression on the residents of the area,” the police said. (YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

Sirens are sounding, schools and jobs are shut, and families’ expenses are soaring while income has vanished. Our Rabbinic board has ordered a large crisis fund to keep food on tables and hope in hearts.

According to The New York Times, Iran has put its missile systems and other military assets on alert in preparation for potential strikes targeting American military positions across the Middle East.

U.S. officials cited in the report say Tehran is preparing these moves as a contingency plan in case American troops become involved in Israeli military operations against Iran.

The officials note that any U.S. strike on Iran’s Fordo nuclear site could prompt the Iran-aligned Houthi rebels in Yemen to launch attacks on vessels in the Red Sea, a tactic they have previously used.

Militias affiliated with Iran in Iraq and Syria are also expected to target U.S. military installations in those countries if the situation escalates, the report adds.

Additionally, Iranian forces might deploy sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz—an essential waterway at the mouth of the Persian Gulf—in an effort to restrict the movement of U.S. naval vessels.

The report emphasizes that Iran’s missile arsenals are positioned within striking distance of several U.S. military outposts in the region, where tens of thousands of American troops are currently stationed.

{Matzav.com}

The IRGC claims a recent missile barrage involved Fattah-1 hypersonic missiles, calling it “the beginning of the end” for Israel’s air defenses. According to the IRGC, the missiles penetrated Israeli systems, struck their targets, and demonstrated Iran’s control over the skies of the “occupied territories.”

At the mass Atzeres Tefillah in BMG’s Bais Yitzchok, as thousands daven for the safety of Acheinu Bais Yisroel under the shadow of war in Israel. Participating in the atzeres are Gedolei Eretz Yisroel, including Harav Moshe Hillel Hirsch shlit”a and Harav Dovid Cohen shlit”a. The call-in number for the atzeres is 857-347-0100 (125005).

In a Hebrew-language interview broadcast tonight on israel’s Channel 14, Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu reiterated recent remarks supporting the idea of toppling Iran’s ruling regime and indicated that the current military conflict could help advance normalization with Arab countries under the Abraham Accords framework.

Responding to a question about whether regime change in Iran was a specific aim of the war, Netanyahu explained his perspective in historical terms. “Cyrus freed the Jews, and today the Jewish state might free the Persians. Not in the sense that we’re doing it for them…In the end, they have to rise up themselves, but we are creating the conditions. And that’s why it could be consequential.”

During the interview, Netanyahu made the assertion—twice—that “80 percent” of the Iranian population “hate” their ruling regime, although he did not cite any source for the statistic. He referred to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as a “modern Hitler” and said that Israel intended to strike “additional regime facilities” as part of its military campaign.

Netanyahu expressed confidence that the current war signaled a major regional shift. “We’re going to see a different Middle East, a reality we haven’t seen until now,” he said, forecasting that the Arab nations would become more aligned with Israel and that the war might actually lead to further developments in the Abraham Accords.

“The Arab world has opened up to us,” Netanyahu said. “And the threat we face now is Iran. It’s either us or them.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

Iran has released a new AI-generated video implicitly threatening a nuclear attack on Israel. There is no evidence to suggest the genocidal regime has any such capabilities.

New explosions seen in Tehran amid a new wave of Israeli bombing runs, as confirmed by the IDF.

Amid waves of ballistic missile attacks and a US attack on its nuclear facilities likely pending, Iran’s supreme leader ym”s vows to “show the Zionists no mercy.”

President Donald Trump is reportedly weighing the possibility of coordinating with Israel on military strikes targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, including the highly secure facility located in Fordow. The information was reported by CBS News, which cited five individuals with knowledge of the matter.

The report indicates that among Trump’s top advisors, there is no unanimous stance on whether the United States should actively join the Israeli military campaign.

This issue was expected to be addressed during a high-level discussion convened by Trump in the White House Situation Room on Tuesday afternoon, where his national security team gathered to evaluate the growing conflict between Israel and Iran.

Earlier that day, Trump posted on Truth Social, asserting that the United States, alongside Israel, now dominates the Iranian airspace. “We now have complete and total control of the skies over Iran. Iran had good sky trackers and other defensive equipment, and plenty of it, but it doesn’t compare to American made, conceived, and manufactured ‘stuff.’ Nobody does it better than the good ol’ USA,” Trump wrote.

In a follow-up message, Trump mentioned the location of Iran’s top leader and issued a veiled warning, saying, “We know exactly where the so-called ‘Supreme Leader’ is hiding. He is an easy target, but is safe there – We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now. But we don’t want missiles shot at civilians, or American soldiers. Our patience is wearing thin. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

In another post, Trump issued a stark demand to Tehran, simply stating, “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!”

A day earlier, Trump used his Truth Social account to urge those in Iran’s capital to flee, warning of potential consequences if the regime did not cooperate on nuclear negotiations. “Iran should have signed the ‘deal’ I told them to sign. What a shame, and waste of human life. Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again! Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!” he wrote.

He reiterated this stance in yet another post, emphasizing his America First policy. “AMERICA FIRST means many GREAT things, including the fact that, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!”

In response to the escalating developments in the Middle East, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that President Trump would be cutting his trip to the G7 summit short. “President Trump had a great day at the G7, even signing a major trade deal with the United Kingdom and Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Much was accomplished, but because of what’s going on in the Middle East, President Trump will be leaving tonight after dinner with Heads of State,” she said in a post on X.

When Trump later faced questions from the press regarding his early departure, he offered a brief explanation. “You probably see what I see… I have to be back early — for obvious reasons.”

{Matzav.com}

The White House has called a full lid for the evening, meaning President Donald Trump is not expected to make any public appearances, issue statements, or be seen on camera for the remainder of the day.

The U.S. is shifting military aircraft and warships into and around the Middle East to protect Israel from Iranian attacks as President Donald Trump warns Tehran to step back from the conflict. Trump’s social media posts saying his patience with Iran was “wearing thin” have raised the possibility of deepening U.S. involvement, perhaps by using its bunker-busting bomb to strike a key Iranian nuclear site built deep underground in the mountains. Israel doesn’t have the massive munition it would take to destroy the Fordo nuclear fuel enrichment plant, or the aircraft needed to deliver it. Only the U.S. does. As America’s national security leaders discuss the next steps, the Pentagon has moved to ensure that its troops and bases in the region are protected. Here’s a look at the U.S. military presence in the Middle East: US aircraft moving to the Middle East In a social media post, Trump warned that “we now have complete and total control of the skies over Iran.” U.S. officials insisted as of Tuesday that the American military has not taken any offensive actions against Iran, only defensive strikes to take out incoming Iranian missiles to protect Israel. Additional U.S. fighter jets and refueling tankers have been deployed to the region, but officials have declined to provide specific numbers. Fighter jets have joined in launching strikes to defend Israel, but officials said Tuesday that no American aircraft were over Iran. Aurora Intel, a group that reviews open source information in real time in the Middle East, said the U.S. Air Force had put additional refueling aircraft and fighter jets in strategic locations across Europe, including England, Spain, Germany and Greece. The information was obtained from public aviation tracking websites. U.S. fighter jets have been patrolling the skies around the Middle East to protect personnel and installations, and bases in the region are on heightened alert and are taking additional security precautions, the officials said. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss military operations. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has not provided any details, but said on Fox News Channel late Monday that the military movements were to “ensure that our people are safe.” Warships taking out Iranian missiles and ready to protect US bases American warships also are shooting down Iranian ballistic missiles targeting Israel, with the USS The Sullivans and the USS Arleigh Burke launching strikes over the weekend. The Sullivans has been joined in the Eastern Mediterranean by the USS Thomas Hudner this week to continue those defense strikes, while the Arleigh Burke has moved away from the area, according to a U.S. official. The USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier is in the Arabian Sea with the four warships in its strike group. They are not participating in the defense of Israel. But they are positioned to provide security for U.S. troops and bases along the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf. The USS Nimitz has been long scheduled to take over for the Carl Vinson and is heading west from the Indo-Pacific region toward the Middle East. The official said it is slated to arrive in the region by the end of the month, and the two carriers would likely overlap at least for a short time before the Vinson heads home to San Diego. There also are destroyers in the Red Sea, […]

The past few days in Israel have been nothing short of devastating. A barrage of hypersonic missiles, explosive-laden drones, and relentless rocket fire launched by Iran and its proxies has rained down on cities across the country, leaving destruction, trauma, and heartbreak in its wake. From the northern border to the heart of Tel Aviv, no community has been spared. In one of the most heartbreaking incidents, an entire Arab Israeli family — including young children — was killed in the north. In central Israel, direct hits on residential buildings and public spaces left over 100 injured and at least 9 civilians dead, among them three children aged just 10, 13, and 18. More than 300 homes and buildings have been reported damaged or destroyed. Sirens have sounded in dozens of municipalities, and millions of Israelis have spent nights in bomb shelters, many without electricity or access to proper care. And yet, amid the chaos and fear, there is light — the unmistakable light of courage, compassion, and unity. At every site of impact, United Hatzalah’s volunteers have been among the first to respond. With zero hesitation, these brave medics — Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Druze — leave their own families, often sheltering in safe rooms, and race directly toward danger. On ambucycles, in ambulances, or on foot, they weave through debris and sirens to reach those in need. They have pulled children from under rubble, stabilized the elderly suffering from cardiac arrest, treated burns, trauma, and shock, and responded to over 6,000 emergency calls unrelated to the conflict — showing up for every life, every need, regardless of background or location. Many of these volunteers are working on little or no sleep, and yet their devotion does not waver. This is more than just a time of crisis — it is a time of national and human urgency. United Hatzalah is not funded by the government. Every piece of equipment, every life-saving device, every emergency response is made possible through your donations. As Israel faces one of its darkest and most dangerous hours in recent memory, we ask you: stand with us. Support the work. Stand with the volunteers. Help us save lives. We do not have the luxury to wait. We must act now — together. 👉 Donate now 

The IDF has issued an urgent evacuation warning for District 18 in Tehran, ahead of an expected strike on Iranian military infrastructure. Civilians are urged to leave immediately for their safety.