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In a video message released ahead of Shabbos Parshas Behaaloscha, Rishon LeTzion and member of the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah of Shas Rav Dovid Yosef addressed Klal Yisroel, urging vigilance, bitachon, and heartfelt tefillah as Israel faces heightened security threats.

Rav Yosef opened his remarks with a clear directive: “One must carefully follow the instructions of Pikud HaOref (Home Front Command) and increase tefillah for the safety of IDF soldiers and security personnel, who are risking their lives with tremendous mesirus nefesh to protect the State of Israel.”

He praised the bravery and brilliance of Israel’s defense establishment, saying, “Am Yisroel is a wise and understanding nation. In these days, we are witnessing the extraordinary wisdom that Hashem has granted to the army, the Mossad, and the security forces—a wisdom that leaves the entire world in awe of Israel’s strength and the wonders of Hashem.”

But he warned that the danger has not yet passed: “As Chazal teach us, ‘In every generation, they rise up against us to destroy us.’ Our enemies continue to plot terrible and cruel schemes.”

Rav Yosef called upon every individual to accept a sacred obligation this Shabbos: to intensify their tefillos, to recite Avinu Malkeinu, and to plead with the Shochein Meromim to safeguard Am Yisroel in every location, and to protect the soldiers, fighters, and all security personnel.

“We all know: ‘We have no one to rely on but our Father in Heaven.’ In recent days, we’ve seen incredible siyata diShmaya, and we daven that it continues—that there be no more destruction in our streets, that our soldiers return safely, and that all captives come back swiftly to their families.”

“May we all soon be zocheh to hear and share good news, salvations, and consolation.”

{Matzav.com}

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) emphasized on Friday that the United States must maintain an unwavering stance in support of Israel’s security following its military operation against Iran on Thursday. It “must be iron-clad,” he said.

Schumer refrained from condemning the Israeli offensive, in contrast to several high-ranking Democrats in the Senate who have already labeled the strike as dangerously provocative.

“I have long said that Israel has a right to defend itself and that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon,” Schumer said in a statement. “Ensuring they never obtain one must remain a top national security priority.”

The assault reportedly resulted in the deaths of several senior Iranian military officials, inflicted major damage to key nuclear infrastructure, and targeted top nuclear scientists in the country.

As the most senior Jewish figure in American elected office, Schumer’s stance carries considerable weight within both political and Jewish communities.

“The preferred path to preventing a nuclear-armed Iran and for supporting security and stability in the region has always been a strong, unrelenting diplomatic effort backed by meaningful leverage, and every effort must be made to move toward the path of a diplomatic solution,” he continued.

Senator Jack Reed (D-R.I.), who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee, took a much harsher view, criticizing Israel’s actions.

“Israel’s alarming decision to launch airstrikes on Iran is a reckless escalation that risks igniting regional violence,” Reed declared in a statement on Thursday.

Senator Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), also a member of the Armed Services Committee, aligned herself with Schumer’s position, issuing a message of solidarity with the Jewish state. “Israel acted in self-defense against an attack from Iran, and the U.S. must continue to stand with Israel, as it has for decades, at this dangerous moment.”

The fallout from the Israeli offensive has exposed and widened ideological rifts within the Democratic Party, especially in the Senate, where members are increasingly split between unwavering allies of Israel and those more skeptical of its leadership and military strategy.

{Matzav.com}

A new wave of ballistic missile fire from Iran has triggered nationwide sirens across both northern and southern Israel, with the IDF confirming that dozens more projectiles have been launched in a second barrage late tonight.

The military reports that air defense systems are actively working to intercept the incoming threats, urging all civilians to remain in fortified areas as the assault unfolds. This latest salvo brings the estimated total of Iranian-launched missiles tonight to roughly 200.

As tensions escalate, an unnamed senior Israeli official quoted by Channel 12 warned that Iran would face intensified retaliation. “Iran will pay an unbearably heavy price for its fire at civilian areas,” the official said. The source hinted at potential escalation targeting critical Iranian infrastructure, adding, “We know what Israel hit… and we know what Israel decided not to hit. And that’s the next step.”

In the Tel Aviv area, several missile strikes have been reported. Magen David Adom emergency personnel responded to seven impact locations, treating five individuals—one with moderate injuries and four with light wounds from shrapnel. All were transported to nearby hospitals for further care.

Police confirmed that the blasts caused property damage in multiple buildings across the region.

Meanwhile, Axios reports that the United States has been actively helping Israel intercept the barrage, according to a senior Israeli source.

In Tehran, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accused Israel of launching the conflict and vowed that Iran would respond forcefully. “The Zionist regime will not remain unscathed from the consequences of its crime,” Khamenei stated. “The Iranian nation must be guaranteed that our response will not be half-measured.”

{Matzav.com}

BREAKING FOOTAGE: Serious damage from Iranian missile on residential building near Tel Aviv.

Delta Airlines announced on Friday that it has suspended its New York-to-Tel Aviv route through the end of August. The decision follows a dramatic escalation in hostilities, as Israel carried out a broad aerial offensive across Iranian territory.

This temporary suspension reflects growing concerns over a potential Iranian counterattack in response to Israel’s large-scale strikes.

Meanwhile, El Al also halted its operations on Friday morning, grounding all flights in response to the complete shutdown of Israeli airspace.

The airline requested that travelers scheduled to depart on Motzoei Shabbos or Sunday refrain from coming to the airport and instead wait for additional instructions.

“As of 9:30 a.m., and following the declaration of a special situation on the home front and the closure of Israeli airspace for takeoffs and landings as per the decision of security authorities, El Al has updated that all its flights are canceled,” the company said in a statement to media outlets.

El Al further advised passengers currently overseas to secure lodging and remain in place until updated security instructions are released.

{Matzav.com Israel}

BREAKING: The IDF says another barrage of dozens of ballistic missiles has been launched from Iran at Israel and will hit in around 10 minutes. It says civilians should continue to remain in bomb shelters as air defenses work to shoot down the threats.

TEL AVIV: Footage appears to show a fire in a high-rise building impacted by a ballistic missile.

Close-up footage showing the Iranian ballistic missile attack and Israeli air defense response

Air raid sirens blared throughout Israel as the country came under heavy fire from Iranian ballistic missiles in what is being described as a large-scale assault.

A source within the Israeli military reported that approximately 100 missiles were fired from Iranian territory toward Israel.

“The IDF identified that missiles were recently launched from Iran towards the territory of the State of Israel,” the military said in a statement. “The defense systems are working to intercept the threat.”

Israelis have been told to get to shelter and remain there until further notice.

{Matzav.com}

Another angle appears to show an impact in Tel Aviv. Confirmed hits have taken place in both Tel Aviv and Ramat Gan in Central Israel. Only 1 report of injury so far.

Livestreaming footage appears to show at least 2 impacts in Tel Aviv. 150+ ballistic missiles were fired by Iran, according to initial estimates.

More missile interceptors seen being launched from near Jerusalem in Central Israel. Reports state that over 100 ballistic missiles were fired at Israel, in what could be just the opening barrage.

As Israel grapples with heightened security concerns following the attack on Iran, a new statement from rabbonim of Yerushalayim’s Yishuv HaYashan communities calls on the ir people to completely ignore the government directives and continue life as usual.

In the sharply worded announcement, the rabbanim instructed members of their communities to maintain full schedules in yeshivos and Talmudei Torah, despite calls for altered routines or emergency adjustments from Israeli authorities.

They wrote, “Do not be misled by the calls and directives of a government that seeks to uproot the Torah.”

The statement echoes a posuk from Yirmiyahu, reinforcing the centrality of uninterrupted Torah study: “If not for My covenant [of Torah] day and night, I would not have established the laws of heaven and earth.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

TEHILLIM: Interceptor missiles seen soaring through Israeli skies as they head to counter incoming ballistic missiles from Iran

NEW TARGET: General Amir Khatami has been appointed as the new commander of the Iranian army.

U.S. Embassy Jerusalem: As a result of the current security situation, the U.S. Embassy has directed that all U.S. government employees and their family members continue to shelter in place until further notice.

During his press conference, IDF Spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin reveals that that the military has killed at least six top Iranian military commanders and nine nuclear scientists. The military officials include Iran’s chief of staff Mohammad Bagheri; IRGC chief Hossein Salami; head of the Khatam-al Anbiya Central Headquarters, Gholam Ali Rashid; IRGC Air Force chief Brig. Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh; IRGC Air Force drone unit commander Taher Pour, and IRGC Air Force air defense unit commander Davoud Shaykhian.

Map published by the IDF showing Iran’s missiles’ ranges. The map shows the entirety of Kashmir region as part of Pakistan.

In light of the severe and security situation facing Israel, Rav Dov Landau, rosh yeshiva of Slabodka, offered hadracha to the public in a video shared by Kikar HaShabbat.

The rosh yeshiva spoke with characteristic sweetness and calm, emphasizing that despite the fear and uncertainty, Hashem is fully in control. “This story—this entire situation—is very unusual,” Rav Landau said. “Hashem runs the world. He gives people different thoughts, so they think they’re doing things. But the steering wheel is in the hands of the Creator.”

Sitting beside him was Rav Ulman, who posed questions that reflect the concerns of many families across the country.

“What should a father say to his children? They’re afraid. How should he lead his home?”

Rav Landau responded: “Hashem runs the world. He loves us and has mercy on us.”

When Rav Ulman added, “And everything will be for the good,” the rosh yeshiva affirmed, “Certainly.”

“Hashem loves us, and we will continue doing good things so that He will continue to love us and shower us with kindness,” Rav Landau added.

Rav Ulman asked, “Should we strengthen ourselves in Torah and mitzvos?”

“Only good things,” Rav Landau replied. “Only sweet things.”

“What does that mean—sweet things?” Rav Ulman asked.

“That it should be pleasant to hear,” the rosh yeshiva explained. “Speaking kindly to one another—that too. Everything should be sweet, not something sharp like a bitter drug. Sweet. Hashem will help…”

In a separate directive issued due to the current dangers, Rav Landau spoke with the Rav of Bnei Brak, Rav Shevach Tzvi Rosenblatt, and ruled that this time is to be considered an eis sakana, a period of danger. He instructed that the public increase their tefillos and tachanunim, even on Shabbos Kodesh, and recite chapters of Tehillim after each of the tefillos on Shabbos.

{Matzav.com}