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Israeli authorities authorized a restricted prayer arrangement at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Sunday night following tensions earlier in the day when senior Christian leaders were barred from entering the site under wartime safety rules.

According to an Israel Police statement, the decision was reached after a security review led by Yerushalayim District Commander Deputy Commissioner Avshalom Peled, alongside David Sub-District Commander Dvir Tamim, and in coordination with a representative of the Latin Patriarch. The plan allows for limited access in order to preserve worship opportunities for various Christian groups at the church.

Police emphasized that the limitations placed on holy sites lacking standard protective infrastructure—including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre—are based on Home Front Command guidelines and are meant to protect those present.

Authorities added that similar precautions are in place elsewhere, noting that both the Kosel Plaza and the Har Habayis compound have also been closed to visitors due to ongoing security concerns.

“Iranian regime missiles do not distinguish between religion or background, and the Iranian regime continues to launch missiles toward populated areas and holy sites,” the Israel Police stated.

The revised arrangement comes after a confrontation earlier Sunday, when police stopped the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, from entering the church. He had attempted to access the site despite wartime restrictions issued under Home Front Command directives.

A joint statement from the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Custody of the Holy Land said that Cardinal Pizzaballa, accompanied by the Custos of the Holy Land, Fr. Francesco Ielpo, was halted on his way to the church while traveling privately and “without any characteristics of a procession or ceremonial act,” and was forced to turn back.

Church officials pointed out that, because of the incident, “for the first time in centuries, the Heads of the Church were prevented from celebrating the Palm Sunday Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.”

They characterized the situation as “a grave precedent,” stating that it disregards “the sensibilities of billions of people around the world who, during this week, look to Jerusalem.”

Church leadership stressed that since the beginning of the conflict they have adhered to all imposed restrictions, including canceling public events and arranging for global broadcasts of services.

“Preventing the entry of the Cardinal and the Custos… constitutes a manifestly unreasonable and grossly disproportionate measure,” the statement said, calling the decision “hasty and fundamentally flawed” and “an extreme departure from basic principles of reasonableness, freedom of worship, and respect for the Status Quo.”

The Patriarchate and the Custody of the Holy Land conveyed “profound sorrow” to Christians locally and worldwide over the inability to hold prayers on one of the holiest days in the Christian calendar.

In the diplomatic arena, Israel’s Ambassador to Italy, Jonathan Peled, was called in for talks at the Italian Foreign Ministry in Rome following the episode, while other diplomatic missions also requested explanations from Israeli officials.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry responded that all current safety directives in Yerushalayim’s Old City are a direct consequence of Iranian missile attacks.

“As is known, the Iranian regime has fired on the Old City on multiple occasions, striking sites in the vicinity of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and the Western Wall,” the statement said.

{Matzav.com}

A much-anticipated bein hazemanim concert for bochurim in Carteret, New Jersey, was abruptly shut down tonight after police intervened over several concerns, including alleged vaping or smoking inside the venue and overcrowding.

The event, held at the Carteret Performing Arts Center, drew a large turnout of bochurim eager to attend what had been billed as an uplifting evening of music and chizuk during bein hazemanim.

The concert, for men only, was organized in memory of Dovi Steinmetz, the beloved son of R’ Shloime Steinmetz, and had generated significant excitement in the weeks leading up to it.

Featuring a lineup of well-known Jewish music performers, the program included Yidi Bialostozky, Shloime Daskal, Joey Newcomb, and Chaim Horowitz, accompanied by the Shea Kaller band. In addition, surprise appearances were planned, including singer Levi Falkowitz.

The evening began smoothly, with spirited singing and an energized atmosphere inside the hall. However, as the program progressed, police were called to the scene due to alleged overcrowding outside, and the situation soon escalated. Law enforcement then entered the building and ordered the event to be shut down. Officials reportedly cited safety concerns, including overcrowding of the exits, which they said were a fire hazard, and allegations of vaping or smoking taking place inside the venue.

The shutdown came just as Levi Falkowitz had taken the stage.

Witnesses describe confusion and frustration as organizers and attendees attempted to understand the sudden decision. Many bochurim were forced to disperse from both inside the venue and the surrounding area as police tried to clear the scene, but many bochurim had gathered to sing in unison in the venue’s lobby.

Organizers had intended the evening to serve as both a musical experience and a meaningful tribute. Instead, the night ended prematurely, leaving many participants disappointed.

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{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump said Sunday night that negotiations between the United States and Iran, being facilitated by Pakistan, are moving forward and could soon produce an agreement, as tensions in the region remain high.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump described the diplomatic track as advancing positively and indicated that a deal might be reached in short order.

He also noted a development in the Strait of Hormuz, saying Iran has increased the number of Pakistan-flagged oil tankers it is permitting to pass through the strategic waterway, doubling the total to 20.

Reporter: “Do you see a deal with Iran this coming week?”

Trump: “I do see a deal in Iran. Could be soon.” pic.twitter.com/5NSSLBCrg1

— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) March 30, 2026

Trump further asserted that Iran’s leadership has effectively been replaced following the recent joint U.S.-Israeli strikes, which he said eliminated the prior regime figures.

When asked whether the United States is weighing a ground deployment, Trump said, “I just have lots of alternatives. We have tremendous numbers of ships over there. We don’t need them all because of, you know, the power.”

He added, “We’re ahead of schedule with Iran. We’re weeks ahead of schedule. If you would have said that in three days we were going to knock out 158 ships, their entire navy, which we did. We knocked out their entire air force. We knocked out most of their missiles.”

Addressing questions about Mojtaba Khamenei, who was named Supreme Leader after his father, Trump said his condition remains unclear. “He may be, but nobody’s heard about him. He may be alive, but he’s obviously very seriously in trouble. He’s seriously wounded.”

Last weekend, Trump issued a 48-hour ultimatum demanding that Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face attacks on its power infrastructure. That deadline has since been extended twice to allow time for continued negotiations, most recently on Thursday, when he granted Iran an additional ten days.

Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, said Friday that Washington is awaiting Iran’s response to a 15-point proposal aimed at ending the conflict, and expressed expectation that talks between the sides will take place this week.

{Matzav.com}

Israel’s Knesset is set to vote Monday on a controversial bill that would impose the death penalty on terrorists, a move that has triggered intense political and security debate. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir is framing the vote as a turning point, saying its passage would mark a major shift in Israel’s deterrence policy.

Ben-Gvir described the upcoming vote as “a historic moment for the State of Israel,” arguing that the legislation is essential in the aftermath of the October 7 attacks and that the country can no longer afford hesitation.

According to Ben-Gvir, unlike in the past, there is now broader backing for the measure even within Israel’s security establishment. “Also in the Shin Bet, also in the army, also in the police and in the prison service, they understand that this law will frighten our enemies,” he said, adding that the scale of recent terror attacks requires stronger responses.

The proposed law would allow courts to impose the death penalty on terrorists responsible for deadly attacks, with supporters arguing that such a measure would strengthen deterrence and help prevent future violence. Backers say the legislation sends a clear and forceful message to those who seek to harm Israeli civilians.

Opponents, however, warn that the bill could carry serious consequences, both in terms of security and Israel’s legal and international standing. Critics argue there is no clear evidence that capital punishment deters terrorism and caution that it could undermine democratic values and expose Israel to global criticism.

Ben-Gvir emphasized the universal threat posed by terrorism, saying: “A terrorist does not distinguish between religious and secular — he comes to kill us all,” and urged lawmakers to support the measure: “The people of Israel expect us to vote for their security.”

Ben-Gvir has appealed to chareidi members of Knesset to back the bill, though their position has not yet been made clear.

{Matzav.com}

Four of Iran’s key ballistic missile manufacturing locations and at least 29 ballistic missile launch sites have been damaged in the first four weeks of the U.S.-Israeli offensive, undermining Iran’s central military strategy, according to a Washington Post review and analysis by experts.

Since the war began, the U.S. and Israel have conducted thousands of strikes across a range of military targets. The Post’s examination provides a comprehensive accounting of the damage to ballistic missile sites, as well as what it means for the future of the overall program.

Strikes have destroyed aboveground launching facilities, temporarily blocked access to missiles stored underground and halted Iran’s ability to immediately build new missiles, according to satellite imagery, and Iranian military and defense experts who reviewed the findings. But the experts cautioned that Iran’s ballistic missile program has not been destroyed.

“They’re still shooting. That’s a key indicator,” said Tom Karako, director of the Missile Defense Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington-based think tank, referring to Iran’s continued use of missiles.

Some experts said they doubted the missile program could ever be completely destroyed, citing the regime’s record of rebuilding after prior attacks and access to foreign supply chains that can replenish destroyed manufacturing equipment. Mobile missile launchers are also being used, and the number of those is unknown.

“I don’t see Iran making a fundamental change to their missile strategy if the regime survives,” Nicole Grajewski, a nonresident scholar at the Carnegie Endowment, said. “Missiles are still going to be the ultimate deterrent against attackers and the foundational military strategy.”

The Trump administration has identified the destruction of Iran’s missile program as a central goal of the war.

At a press briefing on March 19, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said U.S. attacks destroyed “the factories, the production lines that feed their missile and drone programs.” Separately, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the same day that Iran’s missile and drone arsenals have been “massively degraded” and that these attacks compared to the ones of June last year are destroying the factories that “produce the components to make these missiles.”

The U.S. and Israel have not publicly identified all the specific missile sites they have hit.

In his briefing, Hegseth said that Iranian retaliatory missile attacks against its neighbors had decreased by 90 percent since the beginning of the war on Feb. 28. Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has acknowledged that Iran still retains missile capabilities.

Israel claimed on March 21 that for the first time, Iran fired intermediate-range ballistic missiles at the joint U.K.-U.S. Diego Garcia military base in the Indian Ocean, almost 2,000 miles away.

Production sites hit

The manufacturing, development and testing of ballistic missiles is sustained through a network of campuses overseen by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Iran’s Ministry of Defense, according to Iranian military experts.

Four of the most important sites, which make fuel for the ballistic missiles, the experts said, have suffered severe damage in attacks by the U.S. and Israel that is greater than what was inflicted during the 12-day war with Israel last June and in October 2024, when Israel attacked Iran.

The sites – Khojir, Parchin, Hakimiyeh and Shahroud military complexes – house the production of critical missile propellants and assemble the weapons for use.

“If you don’t have propulsion, the missile’s aren’t going anywhere,” Jim Lamson, senior research associate at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies, said. Four experts who reviewed satellite imagery of the sites at The Post’s request said the damage has most likely halted Iran’s ability to produce short-range and medium-range ballistic missiles until facilities can be rebuilt.

Satellite imagery shows four main areas at the Khojir missile complex, just east of Tehran, were hit by the U.S. or Israel. The strikes targeted complex production systems that make solid and liquid fuel necessary to power the ballistic missiles, according to Sam Lair, a research associate at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies.

Ballistic missiles are fired miles into the air before returning to the ground at extremely high speeds. Those in the Iranian arsenal are fueled by either solid or liquid propellants, according to experts. Solid fuel is the most common, typically used for shorter range munitions and more efficient during war. Liquid propellants typically power the longest-range missiles, but have more time consuming fuel-loading processes, which makes them more vulnerable to attack.

In total, at least 88 structures were destroyed at Khojir, according to satellite imagery taken on March 24.

The IRGC’S Shahroud production complex in northeast Iran houses the research, development and mass production of solid fuel. It was heavily attacked by the U.S. or Israel, satellite imagery shows, leaving at least 28 damaged or destroyed structures.

At the Parchin military complex east of Tehran, where solid propellant is made, 12 structures were hit, according to March 12 imagery. On the outskirts of the capital, 19 structures were hit at the Hakimiyeh military complex, including facilities that make liquid propellant and launchers, March 14 imagery shows.

Sean O’Connor, an imagery analyst at the security intelligence firm Janes, told The Post in an email that if Iran is unable to rebuild its missile forces, it will lose one of its most important defensive strategies in the Middle East.

Launch bases attacked

At least 29 missile launch bases have been hit by airstrikes, according to imagery, severely undermining Iran’s ability to fire ballistic missiles, experts told The Post. Experts said the exact number of ballistic missile launch sites in Iran is not known but estimated there to be about 30. Most of these bases include underground missile storage facilities that are accessed through tunnels cut into mountainsides, according to experts. U.S. and Israeli strikes have hit many of these tunnel entrances, blocking access to where the missiles are kept, satellite imagery shows.

“These strikes will significantly hamper operations,” Lair said. Citing the destruction of base infrastructure, he added “it now takes longer to set up launchers, which gives the U.S. and Israel more time to identify and destroy them.”

Bases in central and western Iran are mobilized for medium-range strikes on Israel, while those along the Persian Gulf have been used to fire short range missiles at the Gulf states, Lamson said.

The Khorgu missile base along the Gulf has been struck at least twice by Israel or the U.S., according to imagery. At least 15 facilities were flattened and two tunnel entrances were hit.

Imagery of the Imam Ali missile base in western Iran shows nine aboveground structures and at least two tunnel entrances were hit, impeding access to the weapons underground, O’Connor of Janes said.

However, many experts said this impact is likely temporary. “It seems hard to permanently knock those bases out,” said Jeremy Binnie, another analyst at Janes. “You can neutralize them in theory but Iran will just keep digging them out and repairing.”

(c) 2026, The Washington Post · Jarrett Ley 

 

{Matzav.com}

A new election survey indicates that Likud is gaining strength, climbing to 28 Knesset seats, while former IDF chief Gadi Eisenkot has emerged as the leading choice to head the anti-Netanyahu bloc.

The poll, published Sunday night by Kan 11, comes about a month after the launch of Operation “Roaring Lion” and reflects shifting political momentum within both the coalition and opposition camps.

Likud, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, rose to 28 seats—up from 25 in the previous survey. Meanwhile, the party of former prime minister Naftali Bennett, still the largest faction within the anti-Netanyahu bloc, slipped by one seat to 19.

Other opposition parties also saw slight declines. Yair Lapid’s Yesh Atid dropped to 7 seats, while Avigdor Lieberman’s Yisrael Beiteinu fell to 8.

By contrast, Eisenkot’s party, “Yisra!”, posted a significant gain, jumping by four seats since the last poll to reach 13 mandates, making it the second-largest party within the opposition bloc. The Democrats party, led by Yair Golan, held steady at 9 seats.

Several parties failed to cross the electoral threshold in the poll, including Benny Gantz’s Blue and White, Yoaz Hendel’s Reservists Party, Bezalel Smotrich’s Religious Zionism party, and the Balad party led by Sami Abu Shehadeh. If the Arab parties were to reunite under a joint list, they would collectively secure an estimated 13 seats.

In terms of political blocs, the Netanyahu-aligned camp stands at 53 seats, up from 51 in the previous poll. The opposing bloc holds 67 seats; however, without cooperation between Jewish parties and Arab factions, that number would drop to 56—short of a governing majority.

Respondents were also asked who should lead the anti-Netanyahu bloc. Eisenkot topped the list with 24% support, compared to 18% for Bennett, despite Bennett heading a larger party within the bloc. Notably, 34% of opposition voters and even 18% of coalition voters selected Eisenkot as their preferred leader.

When asked who they trust most to manage the ongoing war, 32% of respondents chose Netanyahu. The results showed a sharp divide: 76% of coalition voters expressed confidence in Netanyahu, compared to just 6% among opposition voters. Among opposition respondents, the most trusted figure was IDF Chief of Staff Zamir, who received 45% support. Defense Minister Katz garnered only 3% overall, with similar levels of backing from coalition (3%) and opposition (1%) voters.

The poll also addressed concerns about military strain following remarks by Chief of Staff Zamir that the IDF could “collapse inward” due to the burden on service members. Overall, 66% of respondents said the statement worried them. The concern was significantly higher among opposition voters (85%) than coalition voters (40%). By demographic breakdown, 87% of secular respondents and 64% of traditional respondents expressed concern, compared to just 33% among religious and chareidi respondents.

Finally, participants were asked about the economic impact of the war with Iran. A total of 43% said their financial situation had been harmed, either moderately or severely. The divide persisted along political lines, with 31% of coalition voters and 45% of opposition voters reporting economic hardship as a result of the conflict.

{Matzav.com}

Israel’s 2026 state budget cleared the Knesset in a late-night vote, but the final moments of the session produced a political surprise: hundreds of millions of shekels were funneled to yeshivos and chareidi educational institutions after opposition lawmakers mistakenly backed the measure.

The budget, totaling roughly 699 billion shekels—the largest in Israel’s history during an ongoing war—was approved by a 62–55 vote in an overnight session between Sunday and Monday.

In the final minutes before the vote, coalition members introduced a series of objections of their own—an unusual move—which included provisions directing significant funding to chareidi institutions.

The maneuver had been kept quiet for days and appears to have confused opposition members. Some voted in favor of the objections, believing they were routine challenges to the budget. The result was a lopsided outcome: 107 lawmakers supported the measure, while only four opposed it.

Coalition officials said the step did not expand the budget, but rather released funds that had already been allocated and later frozen due to legal hurdles. Israel’s Attorney General, Gali Baharav-Miara, had previously declined to approve the use of the funds, citing concerns tied to the exemption of yeshiva students from military service and related High Court rulings. The coalition ultimately advanced the funding through what it described as a technical budget adjustment.

Opposition leaders reacted angrily. Opposition chairman Yair Lapid accused the government of abusing the process to transfer political funds during a time of national emergency.

Lapid wrote: “There has never been anything like this in the history of the Knesset. Right now, in the plenum, the coalition added at the last minute hundreds of millions of shekels to the chareidi parties beyond the budget framework! This is a group of despicable thieves disconnected from the people, looting the citizens of Israel while they are in shelters.”

Former prime minister Naftali Bennett also blasted the move, calling it a disgraceful political grab carried out during wartime.

Bennett wrote: “The government of greed and draft-dodging carried out a nighttime grab to transfer an additional 800,000,000 shekels to chareidi education. Soon we will replace them and fix everything.”

Coalition figures rejected the criticism and instead faulted the opposition for failing to carefully review what they were voting on. Minister Ze’ev Elkin ridiculed the confusion, describing it as a parliamentary failure by the opposition.

Amid the political clash, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich struck an upbeat tone about the economy, saying that despite the war, Israel’s economic data points to stability and growth. He said the approved budget is intended to strengthen security while ensuring the economy continues to function.

{Matzav.com}

Transportation Security Administration employees are set to receive their paychecks this week following an order from President Donald Trump, according to White House border czar Tom Homan, who said uncertainty remains over how long federal immigration agents will continue assisting at airports.

Homan explained that the timeline for withdrawing immigration personnel from airports is still unclear and will depend on staffing levels within the TSA.

“We’ll see,” Homan told CNN’s “State of the Union.” “It depends on how many TSA agents come back to work, how many TSA agents have actually quit and have no plans [of] coming back to work.”

He said he spoke Saturday with newly appointed Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, and that plans are in place to ensure TSA workers are paid by early this week, likely Monday or Tuesday.

Homan added that he is coordinating with acting TSA Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill and acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Todd Lyons to assess what is required to keep airport operations running smoothly.

According to Homan, ICE agents are maintaining a strong presence at airports due to heightened national security concerns tied to the ongoing conflict with Iran.

During testimony before the House Homeland Security Committee last week, McNeill said that 480 TSA officers have resigned since DHS funding lapsed on Feb. 14. She also noted that more than 1,100 officers left during last year’s broader government shutdown.

In a separate interview on CBS’ “Face the Nation,” Homan said immigration agents will remain deployed at airports until conditions return to normal operational readiness.

“If fewer TSA agents come back, that means we’ll keep more ICE agents there,” he said.

“The president has been clear. He wants to secure those airports… ICE is there to help our brothers and sisters in TSA. We’ll be there as long as they need us.”

Homan emphasized that, despite the expected pay for TSA employees, many other Department of Homeland Security workers—including personnel in the Coast Guard and Secret Service—are still not receiving funding, urging Congress to act.

He pointed to disagreements in Washington, saying Democrats are withholding support for DHS funding unless major changes are made to immigration enforcement policies, particularly those involving ICE.

“They want to talk about, you know, immigration policies,” Homan said. “We can talk about that. But why do you got to hold the rest of the DHS hostage to do that?

“Let’s sit down and talk. I’ve been talking to them for the last two weeks.”

At the same time, Congress is currently on a two-week recess, a situation Homan criticized sharply.

“The American people hold Congress responsible,” Homan told Brennan. “They’re on vacation right now while tens of thousands of DHS employees aren’t being paid.”

Although Republicans control both chambers of Congress, Homan argued that Democrats are responsible for blocking DHS funding.

“They simply won’t fund DHS, because they want to change ICE policies, so ICE is less effective in the interior,” Homan said.

“Remember why we’re here. We’re here because the last four years of an open border, millions of people are in this country illegally, many public safety threats, national security threats, and we’re out seeking them and arresting them.

“And they simply don’t like ICE enforcing the law.”

Homan noted that he assumed leadership of ICE operations following the shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, an incident that prompted renewed calls from Democrats for policy changes.

He said the current funding bill includes additional resources, including money for equipment such as surveillance cameras.

“The bill they’re holding up right now actually gives $120 million to buy more cameras,” Homan said.

“I’ve already talked to them. They want to talk about policy and legislative policy. Look, if they want to change the law, change the law. We’re enforcing laws they enacted.”

Democrats are also pushing for new restrictions on immigration enforcement, including limiting officers’ ability to enter private homes, an issue Homan said is under discussion.

“We’re already in discussions on that.”

Homan added that he remains in frequent contact with Mullin as they work through policy decisions, while stressing that any legal changes must come from Congress.

“If they don’t like the law to allow us entry into the home, then change the law,” he said.

“They want an arrest warrant to just arrest an illegal alien. There’s nothing in federal law that says that. Matter of fact, the law that Congress wrote says you can arrest an illegal alien with an administrative warrant. That’s what the federal statute says.”

{Matzav.com}

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee sharply criticized Israeli police after Christian clergy were barred from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Palm Sunday, calling the move an “unfortunate overreach” that has triggered global backlash.

According to the Latin Patriarchate of Yerushalayim, Israeli authorities prevented the Latin Patriarch from conducting Palm Sunday services at the historic church, marking what it described as an unprecedented disruption. The Patriarchate said this was “for the first time in centuries,” attributing the restrictions to security concerns tied to the ongoing war with Iran.

Church officials said Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and Friar Francesco Ielpo were stopped by police as they made their way to the site, which is revered by Christians.

“As a result, and for the first time in centuries, the Heads of the Church were prevented from celebrating the Palm Sunday Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre,” it said in a statement.

Israeli police said the restrictions were part of broader emergency measures that have been in place since the start of the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran. They noted that access to all major religious sites in Yerushalayim’s Old City—across Christian, Muslim, and Jewish traditions—has been limited, particularly in locations lacking adequate bomb shelter protection.

Authorities also confirmed that a request by church leaders for a special exemption to allow Palm Sunday services was denied.

“The Old City and the holy sites constitute a complex area that does not allow access for large emergency and rescue vehicles, which significantly challenges response capabilities and poses a real risk to human life in the event of a mass casualty incident,” police said.

Huckabee said in a social media post that the decision was already causing “major repercussions around the world.”

“Home Front Command Guidelines restrict any gatherings to 50 people or less,” Huckabee said. “The 4 representatives of the Catholic Church were well below that restriction.”

“Statements from the Gov’t of Israel indicate the action to prohibit Cardinal Pizzaballa entry to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher were for safety reasons, but churches, synagogues, and mosques throughout Jerusalem have met with the restrictions of 50 or less,” Huckabee added.

He added that the police action was hard to explain or defend, even in light of the ongoing security situation.

“Israel has indicated it will work with the Patriarch to accommodate a safe means of carrying out Holy Week activities,” Huckabee said.

The incident also drew a response from European leaders. Italy’s foreign minister, Antonio Tajani, said he intends to summon Israel’s ambassador to address the matter.

France’s President Emmanuel Macron also criticized the move, saying it “adds to the worrying increase in violations of the status of the Holy Places in Jerusalem.”

{Matzav.com}

The U.S. Treasury Department is launching a new whistleblower initiative aimed at exposing massive health care fraud schemes, offering informants a share of the penalties collected from offenders in an effort to curb billions in losses tied to Medicare and Medicaid.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is set to roll out the program Monday, which will compensate individuals who provide actionable information with as much as 30% of fines levied against those committing fraud, according to details obtained by The New York Post.

Officials estimate that fraud involving Medicare and Medicaid costs tens of billions annually, with figures reaching roughly $70 billion each year.

Under the structure of the program, rewards will be paid directly from the financial penalties imposed on wrongdoers, rather than drawing from taxpayer funds, according to internal Treasury materials reviewed by The NY Post.

“Individuals located in the United States or abroad who provide information may be eligible for awards if the information they provide leads to a successful enforcement action that results in monetary penalties exceeding $1,000,000,” one of the documents reads.

The approach is modeled after a similar whistleblower system operated by the Internal Revenue Service, which also falls under Treasury oversight.

Bessent, a 63-year-old former hedge fund executive, plans to grant informants between 10% and 30% of recovered funds when enforcement actions result in penalties exceeding $1 million.

At the same time, Treasury is preparing to alert financial institutions to heightened risks, warning that sophisticated fraud networks are increasingly using foreign nationals to siphon money from government programs.

Federal authorities are already examining cases in Minnesota involving Somali-linked networks accused of setting up sham autism clinics, fake food distribution programs, and fraudulent housing operations. These schemes allegedly relied on “straw owners” to channel taxpayer money into overseas assets, and in some cases, investigators suspect links to extremist groups such as Al-Shabaab.

“Our citizens have a right to know that their tax dollars are not being diverted to fund acts of global terror or to fund luxury cars for fraudsters,” one Treasury official briefed on the matter told The Post.

One major case in Minnesota involving an organization called Feeding Our Future allegedly diverted $250 million intended to feed children. Prosecutors say the funds were instead used to purchase luxury vehicles, designer goods, and real estate abroad.

With the exception of the alleged ringleader, most of those involved in that case are reported to be of Somali background.

The new measures follow a March 2025 executive order signed by President Trump directing a government-wide crackdown on fraud tied to federal benefits programs.

Vice President JD Vance also convened the first meeting Friday of a newly established anti-fraud task force as part of broader efforts to tighten enforcement.

The Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network is expected to issue guidance instructing banks to remain alert to suspicious financial activity linked to health care fraud.

Financial institutions are required under federal law to file Suspicious Activity Reports when they detect potential money laundering or fraudulent behavior.

Attempts to conceal or move illicit funds violate core anti-money laundering statutes in the United States.

The advisory, expected to be released Monday, outlines common tactics used by fraud rings, including bribery and identity theft to obtain patient information, followed by the submission of false claims for treatments that were never provided.

Funds obtained through these schemes are often transferred through wire transactions or cryptocurrency, or spent on high-end goods.

“Fraud, including health care fraud and government benefits fraud, also continues to be one of the largest sources of illicit proceeds in the United States,” the document to be published on Monday reads, adding that “health care fraud has increased significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Treasury officials warn that unchecked fraud ultimately drives up costs and undermines public trust in both the health care system and financial institutions.

“These schemes threaten the integrity of both the US health care and financial systems, impose enormous costs on taxpayers, waste critical resources for beneficiaries of these programs, and increase the cost of health care in the United States,” the 18-page missive states.

According to the advisory, many schemes begin with “straw owners,” sometimes using immigrants or stolen identities of retired doctors to create shell companies posing as legitimate providers of medical equipment, home care services, laboratory testing, medications, or adult care programs.

Investigators say fraudsters frequently bill for services never rendered, prescribe unnecessary treatments, or inflate claims by categorizing simple procedures as more expensive ones.

“This is often facilitated by paying kickbacks and bribes through recruiters and marketers to complicit doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other medical professionals for fraudulent, non-existent, exploitative, or unnecessary medical care,” the advisory reads.

Once payments are issued, funds are often quickly transferred abroad, making recovery more difficult for authorities.

Last year, the Justice Department charged 324 individuals in connection with an alleged $10 billion health care fraud operation.

The case was part of Operation Gold Rush, described as the largest crackdown of its kind, targeting a network that allegedly acquired legitimate medical supply companies to submit fraudulent claims, steal identities, and defraud Medicare.

A 2022 study by Colorado State University’s Global White Collar Crime Task Force estimated that Medicare and Medicaid fraud costs at least $68.7 billion annually.

The Treasury’s internal guidance highlights up to 24 warning signs for banks, including claims submitted by individuals without U.S. residency, sudden spikes in billing from newly formed medical entities, and large transfers to foreign accounts immediately after receiving government payments.

Although the advisory is not legally binding, financial institutions that ignore such warnings risk regulatory scrutiny and significant penalties.

In a recent enforcement action, Treasury imposed an $80 million civil fine on New York-based investment firm Canaccord Genuity for failing to properly monitor suspicious transactions.

Authorities said the firm neglected to file at least 160 required reports between 2019 and 2022, allowing thousands of questionable transactions to go unexamined for extended periods.

That case was unrelated to health care fraud, focusing instead on a Cyprus-based operation accused of helping Russian oligarchs move funds out of Russia.

{Matzav.com}

IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir has ordered the removal of the chareidi reserve battalion “Netzach Yisrael” (941) from ongoing operational duties, following a string of incidents that raised serious concerns about conduct in the field, Arutz Sheva reports.

The move comes after multiple cases involving breaches of discipline and unusual events that drew international scrutiny and criticism of the unit’s behavior.

A key episode involved a confrontation captured by CNN in northern Samaria. Correspondent Jeremy Diamond was on site reporting on the establishment of a hilltop memorial for Yehuda Sherman, who was killed in a vehicular terror attack.

Video from the scene shows soldiers from the battalion aiming their weapons at the news crew and instructing them to sit down. One soldier is heard telling the reporter: “All of Judea and Samaria belongs to us. If they had murdered your brother – what would you do?” CNN also reported that a member of its team was physically attacked during the encounter.

Another incident that contributed to the decision was the damage caused to a monument honoring former Palestinian Authority chairman Yasser Arafat. Military officials determined that these events were not isolated, but part of a broader pattern that required a comprehensive response and reassessment of discipline.

Under the plan now being implemented, the battalion will be taken off active duty and assigned to intensive training and procedural review sessions beginning after Passover.

The decision has sparked frustration within the unit, with soldiers expressing anger toward the military leadership. One member of the battalion told Arutz Sheva-Israel National News: “Instead of backing the soldiers who are dealing with a complex arena, they are simply sacrificing us to appease the world. This is a slap in the face to all the reservists who came to serve.”

{Matzav.com}

A postal worker charged with pushing a young Jewish boy to the ground has previously displayed aggressive behavior toward residents in the neighborhood, according to multiple locals who say the incident did not come as a complete surprise, the NY Post reports.

Community members described the mailman, identified as Gabriel Stan, as someone prone to losing his temper. Yosef, a 21-year-old father who asked that his last name not be published, said he personally experienced the worker’s anger during a prior interaction.

“He was not nice, I had an encounter with him and he got very angry,” said Yoseph, a 21-year-old father of two, who declined to give his last name.

Yosef and his wife both said the mail carrier often behaved harshly and unpredictably, adding that they were shocked but not entirely surprised by the March 19 incident in which the child was allegedly shoved.

“He wasn’t the nicest guy. I went to thank him for delivering my mail, he delivers the mail every day, I wanted to thank him, and he screamed at me that I was disturbing him,” Yoseph said. “We are not happy with him.

“Once, while he was delivering packages, I asked him something and he started screaming at me,” Yosef’s wife, who did not wish to be named, told The Post.

The alleged assault took place on a quiet cul-de-sac in Ramapo, New Jersey, a neighborhood with a large Jewish population, where children were outside playing and families were preparing for Passover.

Residents expressed outrage over the incident. “What he did was inhuman; he was like an animal, there is no excuse to attack a child, ever,” said grandmother Miriam Kingoff.

Security footage captured the moment the confrontation occurred, showing Stan allegedly forcefully pushing the 4-year-old boy after the child approached a mailbox near where the postal truck was parked.

The impact knocked the boy’s yarmulke off his head. The video shows him quickly standing up, retrieving it, and walking back toward a group of children, who then scattered away from the mail carrier.

Afterward, Stan was seen making angry gestures in the direction of the children as they ran off.

“The boy is okay, thank God. He’s a very innocent kid, I don’t think he said anything to trigger him. Whenever there’s mail or construction, the kids all rush over to see what’s happening; it’s their entertainment,” Kingoff, 71, said.

Authorities have charged Stan, 39, with assault and child endangerment. Law enforcement sources indicated that the case is not currently being classified as a hate crime.

The United States Postal Service confirmed that Stan remains employed but did not provide further details regarding his status.

On Thursday, Stan did not appear on his usual delivery route or at the local post office. Another mail carrier who filled in declined to comment on the situation.

{Matzav.com}

LISTEN:

https://matzav.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/03222026_Rav_Shimshon_Sherer_Hil.mp3

Released hostage Bar Kuperstein has recounted a deeply disturbing episode from his time in Hamas captivity, describing a period of intense violence that he says was triggered by developments outside the prison.

In an interview with Yisroel Hayom, Kuperstein said that after footage surfaced from the Sde Teiman base allegedly showing abuse of a Hamas detainee by the Force 100 prison intervention unit, their captors reacted with fury. According to him, they told the hostages that the video was spreading worldwide and warned, “Now you will suffer,” before launching into severe beatings. The captives were also forced to watch footage depicting assaults on prisoners.

“We couldn’t understand how videos that harm us could be published,” Kuperstein recalled. “It was a horrible period. They would beat us until they were exhausted, then say, ‘We’ll be back tomorrow.’ We spent nights unable to sleep from fear. This went on for days.”

Kuperstein said that roughly a week later, the hostages noticed lights in the distance and began reciting tefillos, including Shema Yisrael and Shir LaMa’alos, fearing that something worse was imminent. He and another hostage, Yosef Chaim Ochana, were abruptly removed, blindfolded, and prevented from speaking. “You think to yourself, after a week of beatings, this is it. They’re going to execute us, and no one will ever know,” he said.

He then described the next stage of the ordeal in graphic terms. Upon being brought into a room, the two were struck immediately, knocked to the floor, kicked, dragged, and repeatedly beaten. Their legs were fastened to iron bars, and their captors declared they would make them “feel on their own bodies” what they claimed had been done to their own prisoners. Kuperstein said he first heard Ochana crying out before the attackers turned their attention to him, striking his legs again and again with what seemed to be metal objects.

The beating continued until Kuperstein lost consciousness, leaving him with broken toes. He and Ohana were later forced to make their way back through a tunnel to the area where the other hostages were being held, a slow and painful journey that lasted several minutes.

Other captives, including Ohad Ben Ami, Elkana Bohbot, Segev Kalfon, and Maxim Herkin, were stunned when they saw their condition. “It was one of the hardest moments in captivity,” Kuperstein said.

Kuperstein added that the abuse finally stopped only after Ben Ami, the oldest of the group, broke down crying and begged their captors to stop.

{Matzav.com}

Media personality Stephen A. Smith sharply criticized both Republicans and Democrats, arguing that neither party is offering strong leadership and raising concerns about a growing political void in the country.

Appearing on “Real Time with Bill Maher,” Smith pointed to what he sees as a lack of direction within the Republican Party, emphasizing its heavy reliance on President Donald Trump while questioning what comes next.

“Look at the Republican Party right now. It’s Trump. You know what I said the other week on my show? I said, ‘Y’all do know he’s leaving in 2028, right?’ Unless he circumvents the 22nd Amendment and runs for a third term, he’s leaving,” Smith said of the GOP on “Real Time with Bill Maher.”

He went on to dismiss other prominent Republican figures as lacking the same influence or appeal.

“JD Vance, you ain’t [Trump]. Don’t think you are. Marco Rubio, thank God he doesn’t try to be. The rest of these people fawning over him in such embarrassing fashion, you ain’t going to be him.”

Turning to foreign policy, Smith also took aim at Democrats for what he described as inconsistent positions regarding Iran, noting that many leaders across administrations have long viewed the country as a threat.

“They’re taking this position that Trump was wrong to go after Iran or what have you, but practically every president before him would complain about Iran and how Iran needed to be dealt with, but then, all of a sudden, he does it, and it’s a big problem,” he said.

While offering some criticism of Trump’s handling of the situation, Smith said the broader reaction from Democrats does not align with their previous rhetoric.

“Now, I’m not saying that he’s handled it entirely correctly. Please don’t get me wrong because he hasn’t,” he said.

“But the flip side to it is that you have got a lot of … nerve to be in the face of the American people saying for numerous administrations, ‘Iran is a problem. They have to be dealt with …’, and then this man deals with them, and then, all of a sudden, you’re complaining about him. Now it doesn’t really make sense.”

Smith also expressed frustration with Democratic leadership more broadly, arguing that the party has yet to produce a figure capable of uniting voters and providing direction.

“The Democrats, my God, please find somebody who can lead,” he said.

He singled out Gavin Newsom, suggesting the California governor has focused more on media appearances than governance.

“Gavin Newsom … he’s being known more for trolling Trump on his podcast or with other interviews than what he’s actually doing in the State of California. They think that’s leadership because they don’t have it.”

Smith, who has previously been mentioned as a possible 2028 presidential contender, has consistently taken a critical stance toward both parties. In past remarks, he indicated he would support Secretary of State Marco Rubio over several leading Democrats, while also making clear he does not intend to run for president himself.

“He’s an adult in the room. There is no questioning his qualifications for the job,” he told Fox News’ Sean Hannity on the new “Hang Out with Sean Hannity” podcast.

Smith added that, despite identifying as a Democrat, he would choose Rubio over prominent figures in his own party, including Newsom and former Vice President Kamala Harris.

{Matzav.com}

An American E-3 Sentry surveillance aircraft was destroyed during Iran’s latest strike on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, dealing a major setback to U.S. aerial monitoring capabilities in the region, according to U.S. officials and newly surfaced images.

Photos circulating online and confirmed by AFP show the E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft split apart after being hit in Friday’s combined missile and drone attack.

The loss of the aircraft — valued at approximately $270 million — significantly undermines the United States’ ability to track threats and maintain a real-time operational picture in the Middle East, retired Air Force Col. John Venable told The Wall Street Journal.

“It’s a huge deal,” he told the outlet. “It hurts the US’s ability to see what’s happening in the Gulf and maintain situational awareness.”

Before the strike, the U.S. Air Force had 16 E-3 Sentry planes in service, with six of them based at Prince Sultan Air Base, according to Air & Space Magazine.

U.S. Central Command has not yet issued a public statement regarding the attack.

In addition to the destruction of the aircraft, 12 American service members were reportedly injured when the base was hit by an Iranian missile barrage accompanied by drone strikes.

At least two of those wounded are said to be in serious condition, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing U.S. and Arab officials.

The attack also caused damage to multiple U.S. refueling aircraft stationed at the base. At least one KC-135 refueling plane was struck and reportedly caught fire, a senior U.S. official told Fox News.

Prince Sultan Air Base has come under repeated Iranian fire in recent weeks. Earlier this month, a separate strike damaged five refueling aircraft. Since the launch of Operation Epic Fury on Feb. 28, roughly 303 U.S. service members have been wounded and at least 13 killed, according to CENTCOM.

{Matzav.com}

Amid the ongoing war and continued rocket alerts, Rav Yitzchok Yosef has released detailed halachic instructions for how to conduct Pesach preparations and the Seder under emergency conditions, addressing scenarios such as sirens during kiddush or achilas matzah, and guidelines for those displaced from their homes.

The guidance was issued with a tefillah that the war should end in a decisive victory before Pesach, allowing families to conduct the Seder without disruption. However, recognizing that hostilities may continue, the Rishon LeTzion outlined practical rulings for those facing these circumstances.

Regarding bedikas chametz, he rules that if a siren sounds after making the brachah, one should quickly check even a small area, such as a drawer, and then proceed immediately to a protected space. In a situation where there is no time at all, one must go straight to safety without speaking. After the danger passes, the search should resume without repeating the brachah.

In shared spaces such as a communal shelter, protected room, or stairwell, there is an obligation to perform bedikas chametz. Residents should appoint a representative, such as a building committee member, to check on behalf of everyone. If some neighbors are not observant, one should have in mind not to acquire any chametz they leave behind.

Someone whose home was damaged by missile strikes and is no longer living there should include any chametz remaining inside in the sale of chametz to a non-Jew. Evacuees staying in hotels are required to perform bedikas chametz with a brachah in their rooms.

If individuals in a shared protected space bring chametz during Pesach while sheltering from a siren, it is proper to gently explain the seriousness of the matter. If they do not listen, one is still permitted to remain there.

Addressing Seder night, the Rishon LeTzion rules that if a siren is heard during kiddush in an area where there are two to three minutes to respond, one should quickly complete kiddush, drink a revi’is while reclining, and then go to a protected area. If there is no time, one must stop immediately—even in the middle of a bracha—and go to safety. Upon returning, the brachah should be restarted from the beginning.

If one needs to relocate during achilas matzah or korech and continue eating in a protected space, no new brachah is required, and the same applies during the meal.

If a brachah was made on matzah or maror and a siren sounds, one should take a small bite and go immediately to safety. Upon returning, one should eat 27 grams while reclining without making another brachah. It is preferable to be stringent and eat two kezaysim while reclining. Speaking during a siren is permitted when necessary—for example, to alert others to go to a protected room—but one should minimize talking, since the brachah on achilas matzah also covers korech, and one should not speak until eating korech.

If a siren interrupts the brachah of “Asher Ge’alanu” and there is no time to delay, one should stop in the middle of the bracha and proceed to a protected space. The brachah may be continued there even without holding the cup, and upon returning, one should drink the second cup while reclining.

If one drinks the second cup or eats a kezayis of matzah in a protected area and cannot recline properly, one should at least tilt slightly to the left while eating or drinking.

If a siren sounds during the reading of the Haggadah, one should stop immediately—even in the middle of a posuk—and go to safety. Upon returning, it is preferable to resume from the beginning of that section.

The Rishon LeTzion concluded his message with a brachah: “With wishes for a kosher and joyous festival, may you merit many pleasant and good years, and with a prayer for the soldiers that they return to their homes for good life and peace for long days and years. With the blessing of the Torah.”

{Matzav.com}

A new communal Rav was officially appointed for the neighborhoods of Ramot Beit Shemesh Daled-3, as Rav Yeshaya Halberstam was named to the position during a l’chaim gathering held on Motzaei Shabbos HaGadol attended by hundreds of residents and local rabbanim.

The appointment followed consultations with leading gedolei Yisroel, culminating in a well-attended and uplifting event marking Rav Halberstam’s new role as Rav of the kehillos in the rapidly growing neighborhood.

The event followed an especially elevated Shabbos, during which Rav Halberstam spent time in the community and delivered drashos in the main batei knesses to large audiences.

After Shabbos, following the mechiras chametz, rabbanim of the city assembled for the celebratory gathering. Among those present were the mara d’asra of Ramot Beit Shemesh Daled, Rav A. Saffner, along with Rav A. Kornfeld and Rav A. Meirovitz. In their remarks, the rabbanim spoke about the significant responsibility resting on the Rav’s shoulders, as well as the privilege granted to the community to be led by a figure of such strong Torah stature.

In recent years, Ramot Beit Shemesh Daled-3 has developed into a vibrant Torah-centered neighborhood, with many bnei Torah and accomplished avreichim relocating there. The area has experienced rapid growth and now hosts prominent yeshivish kehillos that serve as a major center of Torah in the city. With that growth came an increasing need for a Rav of stature to guide the expanding kehillos.

Rav Halberstam serves as rosh kollel of Ateres Shlomo in Modi’in Illit. He is widely recognized in the Torah world for his depth, breadth of knowledge across all areas of Torah, and for his clear and insightful shiurim, as well as his well-known and widely used marei mekomos.

He is also connected to prominent Torah families, as the son-in-law of Rav Avrohom Tzvi Povarsky, son of the rosh yeshiva Rav Berel Povarsky, and the grandson of Rav Yitzchok Halberstam zt”l, who served as Rav of the beis medrash Ahavas Chesed in Givat Yeshivas Ponevezh in Bnei Brak.

Rav Halberstam addressed the crowd, offering words of brachah along with a tefillah that the kehillos should continue to grow and flourish, bringing honor to Torah and strengthening its presence in the neighborhood and throughout the city.

A larger, more formal hachtarah event had been planned in recent days with the participation of leading gedolei Yisroel, but was postponed due to the current situation in the country and safety guidelines. It is expected to take place after Pesach, im yirtzeh Hashem.

{Matzav.com}

The Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) has published a preliminary overview of the war with Iran, outlining the scope of the attacks and their consequences for Israel.

The findings indicate that Iran launched more than 396 separate attack waves against Israel. During the fighting, approximately 570 missiles entered Israeli territory, along with more than 765 drones. From Lebanon, there were about 1,224 additional waves of attacks involving over 3,800 missiles and drones. Yemen also contributed to the assaults, with two missiles and one drone fired toward Israel.

According to the report, 24 people in Israel were killed as a direct result of the strikes, including 19 civilians and foreign nationals and five IDF soldiers. Another seven individuals died indirectly, such as in accidents or while rushing to protected areas. Altogether, 6,009 people were injured, among them 835 children and 68 members of the IDF. The conflict also displaced more than 5,300 residents across 43 municipalities, while over 21,500 claims for compensation have been filed.

On the offensive front, Israeli operations reportedly resulted in the deaths of more than 6,000 members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, including upwards of 55 high-ranking officials. In Lebanon, Israeli forces killed more than 850 terrorists.

The report states that Israeli strikes caused extensive damage to Iran’s military infrastructure. Around 90% of its missile launch systems and ballistic capabilities were disabled, 85% of its air defense network was struck, and 92% of its primary naval forces were either damaged or destroyed. The United States military reportedly eliminated 150 Iranian naval vessels, including ships and submarines. In addition, seven major nuclear facilities in Iran were targeted.

In Lebanon, Israeli forces carried out more than 2,100 strikes on targets, flew over 1,000 combat missions, and deployed more than 2,200 munitions throughout the course of the war.

{Matzav.com}

[COMMUNICATED]

Meet the Kaplan family. This year, their youngest, Rivka, is undergoing intensive treatment. Instead of polishing silver and setting their dining room table, the Kaplans are navigating sterile corridors and counting down the minutes between infusions. For them, the four cups of wine are accompanied by the constant hum of medical monitors.

At Darchei Miriam, we believe that cancer should never have the power to steal a family’s joy or their connection to our sacred Pesach tradition.

Darchei Miriam provides funding for treatment, cheer-up events, food cornors and packages, financial aid, and just about anyhing that a family spending Pesach in a hospital may need.

Help Darchei Miriam to be able to continue bringing the Simchas Yom Tov to hundreds of families in desperate need!

$500 – Donate a Pesach Seder
$360 – Donate clothing for Yom Tov
$180 – Donate a Seudah
$100 – Donate a Chol Hamoed trip

Please Donate Here

May the zchus of your donation bring you health always, and a Chag Kosher V’Sameach!