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Air raid sirens sounded across central and southern Israel shortly after midnight early Monday, after Iran launched a missile equipped with a splitting warhead. The projectile was successfully intercepted, and no injuries were reported, though debris fell in several locations.

Falling fragments were documented in a number of areas in central Israel. Reports indicated impacts in Bnei Brak and Moshav Gat Rimon, while additional damage from debris was reported in Petach Tikva.

תיעוד התפזרות רסיסי טיל מצרר מעל שמי הארץ

(אורלי אלקלעי) pic.twitter.com/QVp9W9HDbj

— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) March 22, 2026

Earlier Sunday evening, warning sirens were activated twice in northern Israel following additional launches from Iran. Those incidents did not result in any injuries or direct hits. According to initial assessments, one of the missiles fired during that barrage landed in Lebanese territory.

IDF Spokesperson Effie Defrin addressed the developments Sunday night, speaking about the increased pace of Iranian attacks over the past day.

“We have just gone through a complex day on the home front. The fire from Iran and Lebanon continues. We are deepening and expanding our strikes in Iran and Lebanon. We must not forget – we are fighting against a terrorist regime and its proxies. This is an essential campaign. We have achieved significant successes, but it is also exacting a heavy price from us,” Defrin began.

He also stated that “interceptors were fired in Dimona and Arad, but unfortunately we were unable to intercept the missiles launched. Our investigation has shown that the failures in these incidents are unrelated to one another.”

“The threats we faced tonight are not new. These are missiles that have been fired throughout the operation and which we have successfully intercepted in the past. We investigate every such incident. Over 95% of launches are intercepted,” he added.

An Air Canada flight carrying more than 100 passengers was involved in a serious ground collision at LaGuardia Airport late Sunday night, striking a fire truck while taxiing after landing, according to initial reports.

The aircraft, identified as Air Canada Flight 8646 arriving from Montreal–Trudeau International Airport, reportedly collided with an airport fire vehicle on a taxiway near Runway 4. Early images from the scene show heavy damage to the nose and front section of the regional jet, a Bombardier CRJ-900.

Emergency crews rushed to the site within minutes, and a large-scale response was immediately underway. Initial reports indicated multiple injuries among those involved, though authorities have not yet confirmed the number of casualties or the severity of injuries.

Unconfirmed reports circulating shortly after the incident suggested the possibility of at least two fatalities and numerous critically injured victims. Officials have not verified those claims as of this time.

In the aftermath of the collision, operations at LaGuardia Airport were suspended as emergency personnel worked to treat the injured and secure the area. Passengers on board the aircraft were being evacuated as responders assessed the situation.

The U.S. administration has recently conveyed a message to Israel’s political leadership indicating that ongoing military plans could take significantly longer than expected, suggesting the war with Iran is likely to continue for several more weeks.

The message comes amid Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and reflects U.S. assessments that efforts to restore security in the vital waterway will not be resolved quickly.

According to a report aired Sunday on Channel 12 News, American officials told Israeli counterparts that operational plans to reopen the Strait of Hormuz—through which roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply passes—may require an extended period to complete.

The U.S. estimate, as cited in the report, is that the operation could take weeks, meaning the broader conflict with Iran will also be prolonged beyond initial expectations.

Officials in Washington emphasized that their objective goes beyond simply reopening the strait. Instead, they are seeking a broader strategic shift that would prevent Iran from exerting influence over global oil and gas markets. “We want a strategic change, even if it takes time,” American officials said.

This message aligns with the ultimatum issued by President Donald Trump to Iran, warning that if the strait is not reopened within 48 hours, the United States will move to destroy Iranian power stations.

Israel has reportedly been briefed on aspects of the U.S. plans and is involved in certain elements, including intelligence-sharing and advisory support related to operations in the region.

The overall takeaway from the American message is clear: if the U.S. proceeds with its planned actions, the war against Iran is not expected to end soon, but rather continue for an extended period, potentially far longer than originally anticipated.

At the same time, senior Israeli officials say that behind the scenes, a broader diplomatic effort is underway involving Qatar, Turkey, and Egypt, aimed at brokering an agreement between President Donald Trump and Iran.

According to a separate report, Trump is concerned that the conflict could conclude in a way that appears to show him conceding over the Strait of Hormuz, and is seeking a different outcome in which Iran is seen as backing down. Israeli officials indicated they will align with the U.S. approach. “We would prefer that the strikes continue, but we will do what he decides. We will know by tomorrow, because Trump’s ultimatum expires tomorrow evening,” the officials said.

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu recently held consultations with senior coalition figures to discuss possible dates for upcoming elections, with late October emerging as the leading option despite earlier consideration of moving the vote forward.

According to an Israeli media report, a meeting included Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs, Justice Minister Yariv Levin, Education Minister Yoav Kisch, and Coalition Chairman Ofir Katz. During the discussion, October 27 was raised as a potential election date.

The meeting reportedly covered a range of topics, including the possibility of holding elections earlier, with September and October both discussed as viable timeframes.

Participants also explored the option of scheduling elections on a day other than Tuesday, which is typically required under Israel’s Basic Law. As a precedent, they cited the March 2, 2020 election for the 23rd Knesset, which was held on a Monday.

Despite these discussions, Netanyahu is currently inclined to stick with the original timeline and proceed with elections on October 27. This is despite prior talk of avoiding the sensitive month of October.

The prime minister’s thinking, according to the report, is to allow more time to consolidate achievements from the ongoing war, with the expectation that those gains will strengthen public support and improve his chances of victory, even during a politically charged period.

As Israel remains deeply engaged in its military campaign against Iran and faces escalating tensions on its northern front, Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu’s wife, Sara Netanyahu, is expected to depart for Washington within the next 24 hours to attend an international summit.

The visit is tied to a conference being organized by U.S. First Lady Melania Trump, who is hosting a gathering of first ladies from multiple countries.

The summit is part of a broader global initiative led by Trump, bringing together women from 45 countries along with major technology companies under a program titled “Fostering the Future Together.” The initiative is aimed at advancing child development through education and technology.

According to a White House announcement, the event will open Tuesday at the U.S. State Department and continue the following day at the White House. Representatives from dozens of countries, including Israel, are expected to participate.

The gathering is part of a newly formed international coalition, in which spouses of world leaders are being invited to commit to promoting the responsible use of advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, for educational purposes and for safeguarding children from online risks.

Participating countries are expected to collaborate with leading technology firms to expand access to advanced educational tools, in some cases at little or no cost. The initiative also includes plans to develop training programs for teachers and parents, as well as efforts to improve digital literacy.

A tense exchange unfolded Sunday in the Knesset Interior Committee between MK Yorai Lahav-Hertzanu of Yesh Atid and MK Yaakov Asher of United Torah Judaism, as the two clashed over coalition funding and the condition of hospitals in southern Israel.

The confrontation centered on budget allocations, with Lahav-Hertzanu sharply criticizing the government while pointing to the situation at Soroka Medical Center in Be’er Sheva following recent incidents in Dimona and Arad.

“5 billion are going to corrupt figures and political operatives, and Soroka is being sent to beg for donations,” Lahav-Hertzanu said. He described what he called a severe crisis at the hospital: “Soroka is short more than 1,700 doctors, a third of its operating rooms are not functioning, and 36% of its beds are not in use — this is the state of the only major hospital in the Negev serving more than a million residents.”

He continued, arguing that government priorities are misplaced. “We are told there is no money for a hospital that needs to provide care, but there are 5 billion shekels for coalition funds going to corrupt figures and operatives. Soroka is being forced to collect donations from philanthropists. I am ashamed that this is what the largest hospital in the south looks like.”

Asher rejected the criticism and defended the funding, saying it supports legitimate educational needs. “It’s easiest to call everything coalition funds,” Asher said. “These coalition funds are part of the budget that the State of Israel allocates to certain communities for education. This is exactly something we have fought for over the years — the budgets you are comparing are for education. I was a mayor, and I know how hard I fought for education funding.”

He then accused Lahav-Hertzanu of acting on political instructions. “I’m not going to answer you because I’m sure you were instructed by someone to do this. You received instructions from someone who pushes headlines and doesn’t even reach 6 seats in the polls. We are coming after a disaster, where many of those ‘corrupt people’ you are talking about are in the hospital. You are speaking about an entire ציבור like this. I won’t respond — despite the pain, I will not respond!”

Israeli forces recently discovered a long-abandoned bunker containing thousands of aging bombs, many of which are now being repurposed for use in ongoing military operations against Iran.

According to a Kan News report on Sunday, the explosives—estimated to be more than 50 years old—were originally stockpiled for potential use against Egyptian military targets prior to the 1979 peace agreement between Israel and Egypt. The cache had remained untouched for decades until its recent discovery.

Despite their age and lack of modern guidance systems, the munitions have been deemed usable and are currently being deployed in targeted strikes. The report indicated that the bombs are being dropped on Iranian regime military installations located away from civilian population centers.

Military officials told Kan News that using these older weapons serves a dual purpose: reducing costs by utilizing existing stockpiles and clearing out storage facilities where the bombs had been preserved in relatively stable condition.

Responding to the report, the IDF emphasized that operational decisions regarding weaponry are made carefully and in accordance with safety protocols. “The Air Force operates using a variety of methods and different types of munitions against targets of the Iranian regime. The selection of the type of munitions used is an operational decision, dependent on many factors. The Air Force employs munitions only after a regulated process to verify their usability and to ensure the safety and readiness of ground and air crews.”

{Matzav.com}

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is drawing sharp criticism after attending a Ramadan fast-breaking meal with Muslim inmates on Rikers Island, later calling the visit one of the most significant experiences of his time in office.

The mayor reflected on the visit in a post on X, describing the evening in emotional terms following the Monday appearance, which quickly sparked widespread reaction by the weekend. “It was a night that will stay with me for quite some time,” the city’s first Muslim mayor gushed Friday on X about his under the radar and historic visit on Monday, which by Saturday sparked a firestorm of outrage.

Earlier in the week, Mamdani also spoke about the gathering during an interview, emphasizing its personal importance. “This is one of the most meaningful evenings that I’ve had as the mayor of New York City.”

He framed the visit as an expression of his identity and connection to the city’s Muslim community. “This is me just being a Muslim New Yorker,” continued Mamdani, who has made a point to emphasize and promote his Muslim identity as mayor. “And I think there are some for whom that is a political act, and there are a million or so of us here in this city for whom it is simply a day-to-day existence.”

The visit has drawn criticism from law enforcement sources and others who argue the mayor is focusing more on inmates than victims of crime.

One longtime NYPD officer voiced strong objections to the mayor’s priorities. “He actually visited inmates on Rikers but hasn’t visited any victims of the heinous crimes some of these guys have committed,” said an NYPD veteran of 20 years. “I think it’s absolutely disgusting.

“We clearly know he doesn’t like us. He’s already made his stance clear on that. Even after we get clear extensive video of the guy trying to knife the police officers in Queens, he visited the criminal’s family in that case too!,” raged the police veteran.

The officer was referencing Mamdani’s visit last month to the family of Jabez Chakraborty, who was shot by police in Queens after allegedly attacking officers with a large knife.

Another law enforcement source raised concerns about the mayor’s actions in light of recent attacks on police officers. “He can go visit the inmates at Rikers, but he can’t go visit a cop who gets injured? That’s not right,” said another law enforcement source, referring to cops hurt earlier this month responding to an ISIS-inspired attempted terrorist attack outside the mayor’s home at Gracie Mansion.

The same source added a pointed remark about the city’s direction. “I think next year there’ll be nobody to visit because he’s going to let everybody out of jail. Maybe he was going there to tell them we’re reducing everybody’s sentences,” the source said.

The Rikers visit was one of 17 iftar meals the mayor attended across the city through Thursday, marking the first time a sitting New York City mayor has observed Ramadan at the jail complex.

Mamdani shared images from the visit showing him alongside Department of Correction Commissioner Stanley Richards interacting with detainees during the meal. He described the atmosphere in his post. “People sharing what little they have: breaking bread, offering prayer, making space for one another’s dignity even in the hardest place,” Mamdani wrote on X, posting photos alongside Department of Correction Commissioner Stanley Richards, gladhanding with dozens of detainees as they gobbled packaged meals.

Councilman Yusef Salaam, a practicing Muslim and member of the exonerated “Central Park Five,” also joined the mayor for the event.

Public criticism extended beyond law enforcement circles. Author Daniel Friedman questioned the mayor’s judgment in a post online. “You have to be an absolute monster to be sent to Rikers Island these days,” he wrote on X.

He added further criticism of those being held there. “Offenders on Rikers all have long histories of doing things so horrible that even the woke, pro-crime judges and prosecutors in NYC don’t want to be responsible for what they’ll do if they let them go.”

Sam Antar, a convicted fraudster and former executive at electronics chain Crazy Eddie, also criticized Mamdani’s approach. “If you commit a violent crime in NYC, Zohran Mamdani has your back,” he wrote on X,.

City Hall did not respond to requests for comment on the backlash, though the Department of Correction said the event did not cost taxpayers anything, noting that the food served at the gathering had been donated.