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Israel’s security establishment is preparing for a possible sharp escalation along the northern front in the coming 48 hours, prompting the cancellation of classes in border communities and stricter Home Front Command directives across the region.

According to updated assessments, exchanges of fire with the Hezbollah terror organization are expected to intensify significantly following heavy rocket barrages launched into Israel over Shabbos, as reported by N12. In response to the heightened threat, officials decided to cancel planned school reopenings in communities along the border, where limited in-person learning had been scheduled to resume. Authorities determined that the risk to civilians remains too high.

At the same time, the IDF continues to apply military pressure on Hezbollah infrastructure in Lebanon. Over the past day, approximately 200 targets were struck across multiple locations in Lebanese territory as part of efforts to degrade the group’s capabilities.

Despite the ongoing operations, the political leadership has so far held off on approving several proposals presented by the military to expand both ground and aerial activity. In addition, reports indicate that Israeli airstrikes in the Beirut area have paused over the past two days, a move seen as potentially allowing space for diplomatic efforts.

The current tensions are unfolding alongside reports of intensive negotiations and mounting international pressure aimed at securing a ceasefire. Officials believe an agreement could be reached as early as Tuesday, though conditions on the ground remain volatile. These diplomatic efforts come as local leaders in northern Israel continue to demand a decisive military outcome against Hezbollah, rejecting temporary arrangements.

Municipal leaders from evacuated and frontline communities have expressed concern that authorities may attempt to present limited achievements—such as the creation of a buffer zone or partial removal of anti-tank and infiltration threats—as sufficient, without addressing long-term recovery. They have also stressed that any agreement must include a comprehensive economic and educational plan to rebuild the region after months of sustained fighting.

Against this backdrop, the Home Front Command issued updated and stricter guidelines for northern communities, reflecting the elevated state of alert. The directives, in effect through Monday evening, impose significant restrictions due to the expectation of heavy rocket fire.

In frontline areas, all educational activities have been suspended entirely. In the Golan Heights and Upper Galilee, schooling has been limited and is permitted only within properly protected spaces. The decision to cancel and scale back studies is intended to prevent risk to life during a period when attacks are expected to intensify.

Beyond the education system, new limits have been placed on public gatherings. In border communities, outdoor gatherings are restricted to no more than 10 people, and indoor gatherings to 100. In the bay area, Golan, and Galilee regions, outdoor gatherings are capped between 50 and 100 participants, with somewhat more flexibility indoors.

Officials also clarified that workplaces may remain open only if there is access to an approved protected space that can be reached within the required response time.

A unique and stirring maamad of biur ma’asros was held on the waters off the coast of Jaffa on the eve of Shevi’i shel Pesach, as rabbanim and participants gathered for a special seafaring observance organized by the Institute for Mitzvos HaTeluyos Ba’Aretz.

The annual tradition, conducted during the designated shnas biur, featured a large group boarding a vessel to carry out the mitzvah in the open sea. The event was led by Rav Shneur Zalman Revach, head of the institute, and included the presence of Rishon LeTzion Rav Shlomo Moshe Amar, along with Rav Yisrael Revach, president of Mosdos Mishkan HaTorah; Rav Micha Halevi, Rav of Petach Tikvah; Rav Yitzchak Yosef, Rosh Kollel and Rav of Kehillas Shaarei Rachamim; as well as other rabbanim, morai hora’ah, and public figures, including Elad Mayor Yehuda Butbul, together with a large crowd.

Following the formal chilulim, recitation of “l’shem yichud”, and study of the Rambam in the laws of maaser sheini, thousands of coins designated for maaser—collected from both the main branch in Eretz Yisroel and a branch in the United States—were cast into the depths of the sea in fulfillment of the mitzvah of biur ma’asros as prescribed in the Torah.

After completing the mitzvah, participants returned to shore uplifted, singing songs of geulah and longing, filled with hope that they will soon merit to observe the mitzvah in its full Biblical form once again, bimheirah b’yameinu.

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A federal appeals court on Friday temporarily prolonged a halt on a lower court order that had blocked construction of a proposed White House ballroom, while directing the case back to a district court for further clarification.

In a brief, unsigned decision, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit continued an administrative stay of the earlier injunction through April 17. The move gives federal officials time to consider seeking intervention from the Supreme Court and allows the lower court to address unresolved factual questions.

At the center of the legal battle is a plan announced by President Donald Trump in July 2025 to construct a 90,000-square-foot ballroom on the site of the East Wing, financed by private contributions.

Court filings indicate that although officials had pledged to account for historic preservation concerns, the East Wing was torn down within days of an October announcement that construction had commenced.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation filed suit, arguing that the project proceeded without congressional approval and violated federal statutes.

On March 31, a district court judge sided with the plaintiffs, finding they were likely to prevail and issuing a preliminary injunction stopping further work, except for measures required to ensure the safety and security of the White House.

The federal government challenged that ruling, arguing the injunction could itself create security risks by prolonging vulnerabilities caused by the demolition and ongoing construction.

Officials noted that the site currently includes a large excavation area and planned installations tied to security infrastructure, including protective features and military-related systems.

The appellate panel did not rule on the substance of those arguments, instead highlighting lingering uncertainties about how the injunction aligns with security considerations.

Judges also pointed to contradictions in the government’s earlier statements, including claims that certain underground work could continue regardless of the ballroom’s design.

The panel further questioned whether delaying the project would cause meaningful additional harm, given that completion of the ballroom is not expected until 2028.

Rather than issuing a sweeping stay, the appeals court sent the case back to the district court, instructing it to clarify how its order accounts for security concerns during the appeals process. It also dismissed the government’s broader request for a stay as moot.

In a dissenting opinion, Judge Neomi Rao wrote that the administration had shown it had the legal authority to move forward and that delaying construction posed significant security risks, which she said outweigh the plaintiffs’ objections related to preservation and appearance.

The case now returns to the district court for expedited review as the legal fight over the project continues.

A violent and unprovoked attack inside Grand Central Terminal left three elderly victims injured Shabbos morning, after a man wielding a machete slashed commuters before being shot and killed by police, authorities said.

The incident unfolded around 9:50 a.m. on the 4, 5, and 6 subway platform, where an 85-year-old man sustained a severe head wound, a 65-year-old man suffered cuts to his head, and a 70-year-old woman was slashed in the shoulder, according to police.

Images from the scene showed one victim with blood-soaked bandages wrapped around his head, while the attacker was later seen being transported on a stretcher.

Two NYPD detectives working overtime transit security detail responded to the scene and confronted the suspect, identified as 44-year-old Anthony Griffin. Officers ordered him repeatedly to drop the weapon.

“From the top of the stairs, they observed the individual on the platform, and they immediately ordered him to drop the knife,” Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at a press briefing. “The individual was armed with a large knife described as a machete and was behaving erratically, repeatedly stating that he was Lucifer.”

According to Tisch, Griffin ignored repeated commands from officers.

Griffin refused to comply “with at least 20 orders to drop the knife,” she said.

Police also attempted to calm the situation and offered assistance.

Officers also “attempted to deescalate” and offer assistance, saying “We are going to get you help,” Tisch told reporters.

Despite those efforts, Griffin advanced toward the officers with the weapon raised.

But Griffin advanced toward them with the blade extended, she said.

“One officer discharged his firearm striking the perpetrator twice,” Tisch said.

Emergency responders transported the three victims to area hospitals, where they were listed in stable condition.

Griffin was taken to Bellevue Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead, authorities said.

Police sources noted that Griffin had a prior arrest involving menacing with a sharp object.

The two officers involved in the shooting were also taken to a hospital for treatment of tinnitus following the incident.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani praised the response of law enforcement, writing that he was “grateful to the NYPD for their quick response and for preventing additional violence.”

He added that the department would follow standard procedure in reviewing the shooting.

“The NYPD is conducting an internal investigation and will release body-worn camera footage, as it does in all incidents involving the discharge of an officer’s firearm,” he said.

Witnesses described scenes of panic and confusion as the violence unfolded.

“I was coming from Connecticut when ‘Boom!’ everyone got down on the floor fast,” said Claudio Delgado, 53. “Then the police said, ‘Get outta here! Get outta here fast!’ They said it was somebody with a gun and police were involved too. It’s scary. This is how New York City is now. It’s too much violence in New York City now.”

Another worker at the station recounted seeing the aftermath as emergency crews rushed to treat the suspect.

“I saw them [paramedics], they came up with somebody on the stretcher, and they were pumping his chest,” he said. “It’s crazy. You could be on the platform minding your business, and someone had a machete, it’s scary, scary, scary.”

Jessica Munoz, who works at a nearby bakery, described the fear as people fled the station.

“I was scared, we don’t know what we can do, we just see the people running, and I asked the guy and he said there was a shooting downstairs,” she said. “It’s scary, we didn’t know what we could do. It’s crazy.”

Israeli Defense Minister Yisroel Katz sharply criticized Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan tonight, responding to Ankara’s legal action against senior Israeli officials and accusing Erdogan of hypocrisy for failing to respond to Iranian attacks on his own country.

In a post on X, Katz lashed out at Erdogan, claiming the Turkish leader is deflecting attention by targeting Israel instead of addressing security threats closer to home.

“Turkish President Erdoğan, who did not respond to missile fire from Iran into Turkish territory and was revealed as a paper tiger, is fleeing to the realms of antisemitism and declaring field trials in Turkey against Israel’s political and military leadership,” Katz wrote.

He continued by accusing Erdogan of hypocrisy and aligning with hostile elements, stating, “What an absurdity. The Muslim Brotherhood man, who massacred Kurds, is accusing Israel of genocide for defending itself against his Hamas partners.”

Katz concluded with a blunt warning, asserting Israel’s determination to continue its military efforts regardless of outside criticism.

“Israel will continue to defend itself with strength and determination – and he had better sit quietly and shut up.”

Turkish prosecutors have brought sweeping charges against dozens of senior Israeli figures, including Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, over last year’s naval interception of a Gaza-bound flotilla, seeking severe penalties that include life sentences and thousands of years in cumulative prison terms.

The indictment, submitted over the weekend by the Istanbul public prosecutor’s office, targets 35 high-ranking officials in connection with the seizure of the vessel “Sumud” in October. Authorities are pursuing punishments ranging from life imprisonment to combined sentences exceeding 4,500 years.

Among those listed in the case are Defense Minister Yisroel Katz, former defense minister Yoav Gallant, Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, and Navy Commander David Salama. The document also names former IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari, Knesset member Tali Gottlieb, and former Mossad chief Yossi Cohen.

Prosecutors argue that stopping the flotilla does not qualify as a lawful security measure and instead amounts to a “deed with serious consequences” under international legal standards.

Turkish Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc described the case as a reflection of Ankara’s legal stance, writing that the indictent was “a tangible expression of the determination of the Turkish judicial system, operating on the basis of international law.” He further stated that Netanyahu and the other defendants would “bear legal responsibility” for what he characterized as serious offenses, including genocide, torture and looting.

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu issued a recorded address tonight, declaring that Israel has already secured major gains in its campaign against Iran, even as a ceasefire remains in place and fighting with Hezbollah continues.

“The campaign is not yet over, but it is already clear that we have achieved historic accomplishments,” Netanyahu said. “I want to remind everyone where we were: Iran tried to encircle Israel in a stranglehold. They sought to choke us, and now we are choking them. They threatened our destruction, and now they are fighting to survive.”

Netanyahu described a series of actions taken under his leadership to counter Iran’s progress, including operations that were not publicly disclosed at the time, emphasizing that Israel took steps others could not see.

“We hit them, [but] we have more to do. I approved all sorts of actions, most of them covert, in order to delay Iran, and we did delay them, but the world didn’t hear it. Many said, ‘It’s not so bad. It wouldn’t even be that terrible if Iran had nuclear weapons.’ I heard those voices not only abroad but also within Israel. And I, as the Prime Minister of Israel, only Jewish state, could not accept that.”

He pointed to a turning point during a major military operation, highlighting what he described as a breakthrough moment when Israeli forces directly struck inside Iran.

“The biggest change was made on the evening of Operation Rising Lion, when I informed you that our daring pilots were flying in Iranian skies and striking targets all across Iran. We were the first to break the barrier of fear and act inside Iran itself.”

Netanyahu reflected on the emotional impact of that moment, noting both his own reaction and what he believed was felt across the country.

“I remember the feeling I had the emotion, the pride, the goosebumps. I know that you all experienced it. But if I had told you a year ago that our pilots would be flying over Iran, who would have believed it?”

He concluded by asserting that Israel’s actions eliminated what he described as an immediate existential threat, saying the country had successfully blocked Iran’s path to nuclear weapons.

“We had to remove two existential threats. Had we not launched these two operations, Iran would already have nuclear bombs. We have prevented that existential danger.”