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Israeli Intelligence Says Strikes Set Iran’s Nuclear Program Back by Years, But Didn’t Fully Dismantle It
Thousands Flock to the Kosel as It Reopens Following War’s End
With the conclusion of Operation “Am K’Lavi” and the lifting of public gathering restrictions by the Home Front Command, the Kosel has resumed full activity. Thousands of people have already begun arriving at the Kosel Plaza to offer tefillos of gratitude.
As Erev Rosh Chodesh Tamuz approaches on Wednesday—a time considered especially auspicious for tefillah and yeshuah—thousands are expected to gather at the Kosel for special Yom Kippur Katan minyanim.
At the central midday minyan, Nishmas Kol Chai and Mizmor L’Sodah will be recited in a moving display of thanksgiving for the miracles experienced during the days of war.
The Western Wall Heritage Foundation is encouraging the public to revisit the Kosel Tunnels, which have reopened to the public, and to take part in immersive guided tours offered for groups and individuals across several fascinating routes.
{Matzav.com Israel}
HaMashgiach HaRav Naftali Kaplan: “Netanyahu’s Statements Of Emunah Are Also A Neis”
Post-Iran War Poll Shows Netanyahu Gaining Knesset Seats, But Coalition Still Falls Short As Naftali Bennet Surges
Israeli Home Front Command Lifts All Restrictions, Declares Nationwide Return to Routine
Israel’s Home Front Command announced Tuesday evening a full return to normalcy across the country, lifting all restrictions that had been in place during the recent Iran war. The decision followed a situational assessment and was approved by Defense Minister Yisroel Katz.
According to the updated guidelines, all regions of Israel—except for the Gaza border communities—are now permitted to operate without limitations in all areas of daily life. Schools, workplaces, and public gatherings may resume normal activity after nearly two weeks of intense fighting and in light of the current ceasefire.
In the Gaza periphery, educational activities may now take place without restriction, subject to instructions from the Ministry of Education and local municipalities. Workplaces in that region are also authorized to operate as usual.
Gatherings and public services are now allowed for up to 2,000 participants, except in towns officially classified as being in a state of emergency, where restrictions will remain in effect.
The Airports Authority also confirmed that Ben Gurion Airport and Haifa Airport are resuming full operations. The limitations on the number of incoming and outgoing flights, as well as on the number of passengers per flight, have been lifted. Entry to airport terminals for both travelers and accompanying individuals is once again permitted.
Starting Wednesday morning, duty-free shops in the airports will reopen, in accordance with all relevant security and regulatory guidelines. Border crossings will continue functioning as normal.
The Home Front Command urged the public to remain vigilant and stay informed by following official updates through the National Emergency Portal and the Home Front Command’s mobile app.
{Matzav.com Israel}
Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi: “No Chasunos During 3 Weeks, Even During A War”
House Torpedoes Rep. Al Green’s Effort to Impeach Trump Over Iran Strikes
The House of Representatives decisively rejected a renewed bid by Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) on Tuesday to impeach President Trump in response to the recent U.S. military strikes in Iran. Despite anger among some Democrats over the weekend’s events, the vote revealed little momentum within the party to pursue impeachment at this time.
In a lopsided 344-79 vote, the House opted to table Green’s resolution, effectively shelving the effort. Notably, 128 Democrats joined their Republican colleagues in voting to dismiss the measure, signaling bipartisan resistance to launching another impeachment proceeding.
Rep. Green has long been one of Trump’s most outspoken critics, frequently calling for impeachment over a range of issues involving both foreign and domestic policy. His latest resolution centered on Trump’s decision to authorize airstrikes against three Iranian targets without first obtaining congressional approval.
Filing the resolution once again on Tuesday, Green asserted that Trump violated his constitutional responsibilities by bypassing Congress before initiating military action. The resolution states: “In his conduct of the office of President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, in violation of his constitutional oath faithfully to execute the office of President of the United States and, to the best of his ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States, and in violation of his constitutional duty to take care that the laws be faithfully executed, abused the powers of the presidency when he disregarded the doctrine of separation of powers by usurping Congress’s power to declare war and ordered the United States military to bomb another country without the constitutionally mandated congressional authorization or notice to Congress — cognizant of the fact that should another country’s military bomb a facility within the United States of America, it would be a de facto declaration of war against the United States of America.”
{Matzav.com}
Netanyahu Said to Be Considering Trip to Washington in Wake of Iran Campaign
Following the conclusion of Operation “Am K’Lavi” and the significant blows dealt to Iran’s military and nuclear infrastructure, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is considering a diplomatic visit to the United States, which would include a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House.
According to senior diplomatic officials, formal discussions between Yerushalayim and Washington have yet to begin, but the intention is to schedule the visit as soon as possible—potentially within the next few weeks. One official noted, “The goal is to create a symbolic and international moment of victory over Iran—both on the diplomatic stage and in the court of global public opinion.”
The planned trip is being described behind the scenes as a “victory celebration,” although the exact timing remains uncertain, and it is still unclear whether the visit will proceed without delays.
Within Israel’s political sphere, the move is seen as an effort to reinforce the legitimacy of the recent military campaign, especially amid increasing debate over the impending ceasefire. For Netanyahu, the meeting—should it materialize—would serve to project strength and mark a personal achievement in reaffirming ties with one of Israel’s most important allies.
{Matzav.com}
Ben Gurion Airport Returns to Full Operation as Travel Restrictions Lifted
Lieberman: Ceasefire with Iran Will Lead to Renewed War in Two Years
MK Avigdor Lieberman, head of the Yisrael Beytenu party, issued a stark warning on Tuesday in response to President Donald Trump’s announcement of a diplomatic initiative aimed at ending hostilities with Iran. Lieberman expressed deep concern that this approach could backfire, posing significant dangers not only to Israel but to the wider region as well.
In a post shared across his social media platforms, Lieberman praised the accomplishments of Israel’s military and intelligence agencies during the conflict, calling them “extraordinary military achievements.” However, he criticized how the war is winding down. “The final chord is particularly bitter and jarring,” he wrote, voicing his disappointment with what he described as a retreat into diplomacy instead of forcing Iran into a full surrender.
Lieberman argued that shifting to talks with Tehran is a strategic miscalculation. “Instead of unconditional surrender, the world is entering into a difficult and exhausting negotiation process,” he said, asserting that Iran has made no serious moves to abandon its nuclear program, its production of long-range missiles, or its financial and operational backing of terror organizations.
Reflecting on his earlier warnings, Lieberman reiterated that he had cautioned against allowing the Iranian regime to survive the war in a weakened state. “There is nothing more dangerous than leaving a wounded lion,” he wrote, emphasizing the threat of a still-defiant but injured Iran.
He concluded his remarks by warning that halting the war without securing a clear and definitive outcome could lead to devastating consequences. “It will certainly lead us to another war within two or three years, and under much worse conditions,” he cautioned, underlining his belief that a temporary truce without resolution would only delay the inevitable.
{Matzav.com}
Judge Dismisses Authors’ Copyright Claim Against AI Firm, But Piracy Trial Moves Forward
WATCH: Netanyahu Celebrates Historic Victory; Says Iran Nuclear Program Is “Down The Drain”
Defense Minister: ‘Iran Planned a Surprise Attack, We Preempted Them’
The Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, led by MK Yuli Edelstein, convened behind closed doors today at the Kirya military compound in Tel Aviv. Defense Minister Yisroel Katz joined the session and delivered a comprehensive update on the current state of Israel’s military campaigns across Gaza, the northern front, and in the Iranian sphere.
Minister Katz disclosed that Iran had been preparing to initiate a major assault, but Israel acted first to prevent it. “The Iranians planned to strike first and launch between 400 to 500 missiles in the opening strike. If we hadn’t acted first, it would have been much harder for us. Our biggest challenge was opening the skies and neutralizing Iran’s air defense systems. We controlled the skies and were able to continue.”
He continued, explaining how Israel differentiated between military targets. “During the war, we made a distinction and targeted more members of the Revolutionary Guards than the Iranian military. When we wanted to eliminate Khamenei, he hid.”
Katz reported that Israel’s military objectives in Iran had been fully realized and pointed to American assistance in the final stages. “We met 100% of the operational objectives in Iran, and the Americans helped a lot in the end,” he said. With a touch of irony, he added, “If Trump had woken up after a quarter of an hour, the strike this morning would have been even stronger.”
Outlining Israel’s future approach to the Iranian nuclear threat, Katz described a plan modeled on strategies previously used in Lebanon. “Iran no longer has the ability to produce nuclear weapons. I instructed the IDF to prepare an enforcement plan in cooperation with the Americans, based on the Lebanese model, but much more comprehensive, to enforce any attempt to develop nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles.”
He also mentioned an upcoming diplomatic mission by Prime Minister Netanyahu to coordinate policy with Washington. “Netanyahu will fly to the U.S. to build agreements with the Americans on Iran. Right now, this is just a ceasefire. We must remember that Trump canceled the central sanction on Iran selling oil to the Chinese, and as a result, Iran could become stronger again.”
Responding to concerns from Knesset members about Gaza, Katz dismissed reports of interference from legal authorities as baseless. “The military advocate is not harming the fighting. These are just false reports.” Some committee members had criticized the IDF’s limited ground movement since the Iran operation began, expressing frustration that legal constraints were forcing Israel to supply humanitarian aid to Hamas-controlled areas.
Later, Katz posted on X that he had spoken with U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, expressing appreciation for Washington’s support and reiterating Israel’s commitment to the truce. “I spoke moments ago with U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. I thanked him for President Donald Trump’s bold decision to act with Israel against the Iranian nuclear threat. The Secretary praised Israel and the IDF for the historic achievements made. I emphasized that Israel will respect the ceasefire — as long as the other side does. We agreed to deepen the close U.S.-Israel security cooperation,” Katz wrote.
{Matzav.com Israel}
IDF CHIEF OF STAFF: Iran Campaign a Milestone, but the Fight Continues – Next Target Is Gaza
Yidden Dance at Kosel in Celebration of End of War With Iran
Mirrer Rosh Yeshiva HaRav Leizer Yudel Finkel Recites “Nishmas” at Kosel After Iran War Ends
First Maariv at Reopened Kosel Marks End of Iran War
Rechasim Celebrates End of Iran War with Music on Loudspeakers
Former Navy Chief: ‘We Overestimated Not Only Iran, But Also Hezbollah’
Maj. Gen. (res.) Eliezer (Chayni) Marom, who once led the Israeli Navy, reflected on Operation Rising Lion and the military strikes inside Iran during an interview with 103FM. Offering a candid assessment, he shared his perspective on how Israeli expectations about its adversaries may have been inflated.
“I completely agree that we overestimated not only Iran, but also Hezbollah. In the end, we took the intelligence assessment, analyzed it, and always forgot that Israel also has an offensive capability,” said Marom.
He elaborated by citing Hezbollah’s arsenal as an example, pointing out that the figures can sound daunting when viewed in isolation. “Take Hezbollah as an example. When we say Hezbollah has 160,000 rockets and will launch 3,000 rockets a day at us, with a certain percentage hitting power stations, it sounds terrifying. But we must remember that we have significant power and excellent intelligence – we operate both defensively and offensively. That means we strike missile bases and launchers, and this essentially reduces the impact of those 3,000 rockets to nearly nothing.”
Marom observed that the ongoing conflict brought about a gradual but meaningful shift in Israel’s strategic posture. “This war, in an evolutionary way, gave us increasing courage as we progressed, and in the end, we had enough courage to strike in Iran. Ultimately, with all due respect to the ministers, the one who made the decision was the Prime Minister—no one else. And really, there was no choice. What do you want, to leave us exposed to a barrage of 500 to 1,000 ballistic missiles fired at the State of Israel? Let’s say they launch 800, and we intercept 70-80 percent depending on the day, dozens of missiles still fall here. We’ve seen what those missiles can do.”
When asked if Israel might come to regret concluding the campaign at its present juncture, Marom expressed confidence in what had been accomplished. “No, I don’t think so. Let’s look at what we’ve achieved in these twelve days—I don’t think any of us could have imagined the scale of the achievement. It is enormous.”
Turning his focus to the capabilities of Iran’s military, Marom pointed out that Israel maintains a significant edge thanks to its technological advantage and advanced defense infrastructure. “We have absolute technological superiority. We use mostly Western and American weapons, along with some Israeli systems, and this weaponry is significantly superior to anything the Iranians could get from the Russians. We’ve known this for many years. We struck freely in Syria, even when there were S-300 and S-400 systems—we knew how to neutralize them and achieve air superiority. After the October 2024 strikes, it was clear we had near-total control of the skies because we destroyed all of their anti-aircraft batteries.”
He went on to note the unprecedented level of digital coordination now possible on the battlefield. “This is also the first networked war,” he said. “A UAV or loitering munition hovers over Tehran, spots a launcher vehicle, feeds it into a command and control system, and suddenly everyone on the system sees the same image. This happens in seconds. This should make everyone understand the level of achievement we’ve reached.”
Marom wrapped up by emphasizing the vast disparity between the two militaries. “The technology we use compared to theirs is like heaven and earth. The difference is in intelligence, in the quality of personnel, in motivation, in everything combined,” he concluded.
{Matzav.com Israel}
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