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A new U.S.-backed proposal presented to Hamas outlines a phased disarmament process over eight months, requiring the group to dismantle its extensive tunnel system and surrender its weapons as part of a broader plan to stabilize Gaza.

The proposal, put forward by President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace,” sets out a structured timeline beginning with a U.S.-supported body of Palestinian technocrats assuming control of Gaza’s security, and ending with a full Israeli withdrawal contingent on “verification that Gaza is free of weaponry.”

Efforts to implement the plan are complicated by Hamas’ longstanding refusal to disarm, a central obstacle in negotiations aimed at solidifying an October ceasefire that ended two years of intense conflict. Much of Hamas’ arsenal is believed to be stored within its underground tunnel network, and Israel has insisted it will not withdraw unless Hamas relinquishes its weapons.

A Palestinian official involved in the discussions described the proposal as flawed, saying it was “unfair,” and predicted Hamas would demand changes.

Speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the talks, the official also warned that the plan lacks assurances that Israel will fulfill its commitments. He added that tying reconstruction and humanitarian improvements to political conditions such as disarmament could risk reigniting the conflict.

The full proposal, initially reported by Al Jazeera, was shared with Reuters by two Palestinian officials participating in the negotiations, and a Hamas official confirmed its authenticity.

According to those familiar with the matter, the plan was formally presented to Hamas last week.

Hamas has not issued an official public response, though a representative said the group is reviewing the details. On Thursday, three additional Palestinian factions, including Islamic Jihad, released statements criticizing the plan, arguing it places too much emphasis on disarmament while neglecting key issues such as rebuilding Gaza and securing an Israeli withdrawal.

The proposal is divided into two main parts: a 12-point framework titled “Steps to Complete the Implementation of Trump’s Comprehensive Peace Plan for Gaza,” and a five-phase schedule for disarmament over an eight-month period.

The document stipulates that all armed factions in Gaza, including groups like Islamic Jihad, must participate in the disarmament process under the supervision of a civilian administrative body known as the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza.

“Gaza will be governed under the principle of one authority, one law, one weapon, whereby only individuals authorized by [NCAG] may possess weapons, and all armed factions will cease military activities,” the document says.

Oversight of the disarmament effort will be carried out by a body identified as the Weapons Collection Verification Committee, which the plan says will be established by Nickolay Mladenov, the Board of Peace’s chief envoy.

The plan also specifies that reconstruction will only proceed in areas designated as demilitarized zones.

Following the October ceasefire, Israel maintains control over more than half of Gaza, while Hamas continues to govern the remainder of the territory and its roughly 2 million residents, most of whom have been displaced by prolonged fighting.

While Hamas has publicly rejected disarmament in recent months, sources indicate that in private discussions, some within the group have shown willingness to consider it as part of a broader political process leading to Palestinian statehood. However, the current proposal does not address the issue of independence or the establishment of a state.

Under the proposed timeline, the first phase, lasting 15 days, would involve the National Committee assuming control over Gaza’s security and administrative functions while preparing for the collection of weapons.

In the second phase, Israel would remove heavy military equipment from areas under its control, including artillery and tanks, while an international security force would be deployed.

The third phase represents the most significant step, requiring Hamas to surrender its heavy weapons and equipment to the governing committee and “will allow the destruction of all tunnels, explosives, and military infrastructure.”

During the fourth phase, police forces under the committee would collect and register all remaining small arms, including rifles and handguns, as Israeli forces begin a gradual withdrawal.

The final phase calls for complete disarmament verification, after which “Israeli forces withdraw completely from Gaza, except for a presence in a security perimeter, and the start of comprehensive reconstruction efforts.”

Iran is advancing plans to formalize a system that would charge ships up to $2 million for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, according to sources connected to the shipping industry, marking a significant shift in control over one of the world’s most vital maritime routes.

Officials familiar with the proposal believe that once fully implemented, the toll structure could bring in as much as $80 billion annually, turning the strategic waterway into a major source of income as Iran continues to face economic pressure from international sanctions.

The move reflects a broader effort by Tehran to tighten its grip on the strait, a key chokepoint that previously handled about one-fifth of the world’s oil supply, as detailed in a recent report.

President Donald Trump has indicated that Iran may have offered concessions in the form of limited access, describing it as a “gift” of safe passage for a select number of vessels.

However, industry insiders say the reality on the ground is far different, with access now heavily restricted, expensive, and influenced by political considerations.

Before tensions escalated between Iran, the United States, and Israel, roughly 135 ships were passing through the strait each day.

That number has since dropped sharply.

Figures cited in the report show that only 116 vessels made the journey between March 1 and March 25 — representing a dramatic 97% decline from the previous month.

As a result, thousands of ships remain stuck in the Gulf, either unable or unwilling to attempt passage without explicit authorization from Iranian authorities.

Central to the new system is a requirement that vessels be classified as “non-hostile” and coordinate directly with Iran before entering the strait.

This involves communication between governments, detailed screening of cargo and crew, and the issuance of a special authorization code that ships must transmit as they approach the waterway.

Only after completing this process — and, in certain cases, paying substantial fees — are vessels allowed to proceed.

Iranian officials have portrayed the policy as both a wartime necessity and part of a longer-term strategy.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has suggested that Tehran intends to maintain a new “order” in the strait even after hostilities end, asserting Iran’s control over the route despite its international status.

Lawmakers in Tehran have gone even further, openly referring to the development of a “new regime” governing maritime traffic.

Iranian policymakers have also drawn comparisons to historic toll systems and modern examples such as the Suez Canal.

Still, the plan raises serious legal and geopolitical questions.

Under commonly accepted interpretations of international maritime law, including principles from the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea, coastal nations may regulate navigation for security purposes but are not permitted to arbitrarily block or charge for “innocent passage.”

Critics argue that Iran’s approach could violate these norms, even though both Iran and the United States have, at times, taken selective positions regarding such legal frameworks.

The United States has struggled to effectively counter Iran’s tightening control over the strait.

Despite repeated warnings and threats of military action targeting Iranian infrastructure, there has been little evidence of a sustained campaign to reopen the route.

This inability to ensure free navigation has unsettled allies and highlighted the challenges faced by U.S. forces operating in the narrow and complex geography of the region.

Shipping companies have begun adjusting to the new reality.

Some vessels are reportedly reflagging under neutral or less politically sensitive countries in hopes of improving their chances of receiving clearance.

Others are turning to informal or opaque financial channels, utilizing networks similar to those Iran has used for years to bypass sanctions on its oil exports.

Trade patterns are also shifting.

Recent shipments moving through the strait have primarily been headed toward Asian markets, especially China and India, with little traffic bound for Europe or the United States.

This shift suggests that Iran’s growing control over the passage could reshape global energy flows, benefiting some regions while limiting access for others.

Over time, analysts warn the strategy could have unintended consequences.

By turning the strait into a tightly controlled and monetized corridor, Iran may accelerate efforts by Gulf nations and global energy producers to develop alternative routes, such as pipelines that bypass the strait altogether.

The situation also raises the possibility of a prolonged conflict, including scenarios in which U.S. ground forces could be deployed to Iran’s coastal areas in an effort to secure the critical waterway.

{Matzav.com}

Newly released letters from several prominent kashrus authorities affirming that xanthan gum is permitted for use on Pesach, addressing widespread uncertainty surrounding the ingredient.

CRC Kashrus responded directly to inquiries regarding xanthan gum and confirmed its permissibility for Pesach when produced under proper supervision.

A letter from Rav Yechiel Babad states clearly that xanthan gum does not fall into the category of chometz and may be used on Pesach, explaining that its production process does not involve any of the five grains that could create a chometz concern.

Similarly, Rav Menachem Meir Weissmandl writes that despite xanthan gum being produced through fermentation, it is not considered chometz, and there is no halachic basis to prohibit it for Pesach use.

Rav Benyumin Gruber also addresses the issue directly, concluding that xanthan gum is permitted, and reiterating that its manufacturing process does not introduce any chometz-related issues.

An additional letter from the Nirbater Rov reinforces the same position, ruling that xanthan gum is acceptable for Pesach and does not present a halachic concern.

Across the various letters, the rabbonim emphasize a consistent point: although xanthan gum is created through a fermentation process, it is not derived from chometz sources and therefore does not fall under Pesach restrictions.

{Matzav.com}

The Israeli Air Force carried out strikes on key Iranian nuclear-related sites on Friday, hitting a heavy water facility in Arak and a uranium extraction plant in Yazd, in operations based on IDF intelligence, the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit announced.

According to the IDF, the Arak site produces heavy water, a specialized substance used in nuclear reactors, including the now-inactive Arak reactor, which was originally intended to enable the production of weapons-grade plutonium. The material can also serve as a neutron source in the development of nuclear weapons.

The military added that the facility also held economic significance for Iran, functioning as a revenue-generating asset for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran and bringing in tens of millions of dollars annually for the regime.

“Despite explicit international commitments, foremost among them the nuclear agreement, the Iranian terror regime has systematically avoided converting the reactor so that it would not enable the production of weapons-grade plutonium, and even deliberately ordered that the conversion not be completed,” said the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit.

The Arak facility had previously been targeted during Operation Rising Lion last June. Since then, the IDF said it had identified multiple attempts by Iran to rebuild the site, prompting the latest strike.

“repeated reconstruction attempts by the Iranian terror regime have been identified. Therefore, the IDF has now struck the facility once again.”

“The IDF will not allow the Iranian terror regime to continue its efforts to advance its nuclear weapons program, which poses an existential threat to the State of Israel and the entire world,” the statement stressed.

In a separate operation, Israeli forces struck a uranium extraction facility in Yazd, also in central Iran, again acting on intelligence gathered by the IDF.

“This plant is the only one of its kind in Iran, where raw materials mined from the earth undergo mechanical and chemical processing so that they can later be used as raw materials for uranium enrichment,” said the IDF.

The military emphasized that this stage is a critical early step in the nuclear development process.

“This is a highly significant process for the nuclear weapons program advanced by the regime and constitutes the beginning of the value chain required for producing nuclear weapons.”

According to the IDF, the strikes focused on infrastructure essential to these specialized production processes. Since enriched uranium is a key component in building nuclear weapons, disabling the facility disrupts Iran’s ability to produce the necessary materials and weakens its overall program.

“The IDF will not allow the Iranian terror regime to continue its efforts to advance its nuclear weapons program, which poses an existential threat to the State of Israel and the entire world,” it clarified.

{Matzav.com}

An Israeli Air Force fighter jet narrowly avoided being shot down during a recent mission over Iran, as newly deployed Iranian surveillance technology presents a growing operational challenge, according to a report.

Iran has established a widespread network of cameras across the country—particularly in key locations and along commonly used and sensitive flight routes—connected to an advanced artificial intelligence system capable of detecting aircraft movements in the sky. The system is now seen as a significant obstacle for both Israeli and American air operations.

According to reporting by Amir Bohbot in Walla!, the system combines civilian and military cameras that continuously scan designated airspaces. As a result, the skies have become increasingly dangerous. To avoid detection, the Israeli Air Force has been forced to operate in densely populated areas, both day and night, while constantly adjusting its tactics.

“The Iranians are studying us well. The methods and the technology, and they are testing the IDF in defense and in attack,” a senior security official said.

The report revealed that this effort nearly resulted in a major incident that had not previously been made public. During an operational sortie, Iranian forces came very close to downing an Israeli fighter jet in what was described as an extremely dangerous encounter.

The Israeli Air Force is said to possess video footage of the incident, classified as “top secret.” According to the documentation, a combination of the pilot’s quick thinking, coordinated formation flying, and advanced onboard systems prevented the aircraft from being shot down.

The incident is still under investigation, but the footage is already being used as a training tool for future missions over Iran. This comes amid assessments within Israeli military intelligence that Iran may possess additional defensive and offensive capabilities that have not yet been uncovered by Israeli or U.S. intelligence agencies.

{Matzav.com}

A senior Israeli Air Force reservist is facing serious charges after allegedly passing classified information about the timing of a planned strike on Iran to a friend, enabling him to place profitable bets on a prediction platform and win large sums of money.

A Tel Aviv District Court on Thursday cleared for publication details of the indictment against the reservist, who served in a sensitive role, and a civilian accomplice. The two are accused of using inside information to wager on the timing of Israel’s strike on Iran during Operation “Am KeLavi” through the digital betting platform Polymarket.

The reservist is charged with transmitting classified information, accepting bribes, and obstructing justice, while the civilian faces charges including transmitting classified information, aggravated espionage, bribery, and obstruction of justice. Both have been in custody since late January. The reservist, a major in the Air Force reserves, has served since 2009 and worked alongside the civilian in the alleged scheme.

According to the indictment, the reservist took part in a classified briefing about the operation, during which the launch date was disclosed, and he signed a confidentiality agreement. Despite that, he allegedly sent a WhatsApp message to his friend stating that the strike would take place on the night of June 12.

The friend then placed a bet on Polymarket predicting that the strike would occur before July, and the reservist encouraged him to significantly increase the wager. After receiving the tip, the friend shared the information with five additional individuals. As a result of the bet, he won $162,663. The indictment further states that he later made another profit by betting on the timing of the operation’s conclusion.

Two days after the operation ended, the friend contacted the reservist and the two agreed to split the winnings. The friend created a digital wallet for him and transferred cryptocurrency, which the reservist later sold for a profit of approximately 200,000 shekels.

According to the charges, their collaboration continued and led to additional bets on Polymarket. For example, in September 2025, the reservist allegedly passed along information about a planned Israeli strike in Yemen, allowing the friend to bet successfully and win about $5,000.

The two also allegedly planned to repeat the scheme ahead of the current conflict. At the beginning of January, the reservist reportedly informed his friend that tensions with Iran were escalating and that a strike was imminent. The friend then placed two bets on the platform—one predicting an Israeli strike before the end of January and another before the end of March.

However, according to the indictment, reports of an investigation into the betting activity prompted the friend to change his username on the site and cancel one of the wagers. As media coverage increased, the two allegedly deleted their WhatsApp correspondence and any related images they had shared.

The reservist is charged with transmitting classified information, accepting bribes, and obstruction of justice. Prosecutors have filed additional charges against the civilian, including two counts of transmitting classified information, bribery, aggravated espionage, and obstruction of justice.

Two Israeli women were detained at Kuala Lumpur International Airport after relying on incorrect guidance from ChatGPT, in an incident that has prompted a warning from Israeli officials against depending on artificial intelligence for travel decisions.

The two young women, who were en route to a vacation in the Philippines, were stopped on Wednesday during a layover in Malaysia’s capital, according to a report. They had arrived on a connecting flight from Thailand after checking in advance—using AI technology—whether it was safe for Israelis to transit through the country.

Despite not speaking English and traveling solely with Israeli passports, they relied on a response indicating that passage through Malaysia would be safe.

In reality, the situation was very different. Upon landing, they were immediately detained by Malaysian authorities. At the same time, two additional Israeli men traveling with them were also held for questioning.

The incident triggered a diplomatic emergency response, with Israel’s ambassador to Singapore, Eli Vered Hazan, and consul Naama Avnat working directly with relevant officials to secure the Israelis’ release.

Efforts to resolve the situation took time, as Israel and Malaysia do not maintain formal diplomatic relations, and Malaysia is considered one of the most hostile countries toward Israel—a stance that has intensified significantly since the events of October 7.

According to Israel’s Foreign Ministry, this was not an isolated case. In recent months, at least eight Israeli citizens have been detained at Kuala Lumpur’s airport, some traveling only with Israeli passports and others holding dual citizenship.

Hazan explained that these detentions, which typically last between 24 and 48 hours, are not the result of any criminal wrongdoing but are instead acts of deliberate targeting based solely on nationality. He noted that Malaysian authorities are aware of the financial damage and distress caused to travelers, who often face thousands of dollars in costs due to canceled flights and legal complications.

In some instances, deportation from Malaysia has also led to entry denials in other countries in the region, further complicating matters and raising security concerns.

The ambassador concluded with a stark warning to travelers, stressing that artificial intelligence tools should not be relied upon in life-and-death matters, and urged Israelis to avoid entering Malaysia altogether—even for brief transit connections.

{Matzav.com}

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has reportedly reduced the minimum age for participation in support roles within its military framework to just 12, according to an opposition-linked report, in a move that has sparked concern over the use of minors in conflict-related activities.

The report, published Thursday by the opposition outlet Iran International, cited remarks by a senior Revolutionary Guard official in Tehran, Rahim Nadali, who said the change was being implemented openly and had even been referenced in Iran’s state media.

According to the report, a new initiative known as “For Iran” is recruiting children and teenagers for non-combat roles tied to the war effort, including patrols, checkpoint staffing, and logistical support. Nadali explained that due to “high demand from young people,” the decision was made to lower the minimum age for participation to 12.

Iran International noted that Iran is a signatory to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which prohibits the use of minors in military activity. Despite this, the new program—referred to in Tehran as “Defenders of the Homeland of Iran”—appears to move in the opposite direction and has raised serious concerns among human rights advocates.

The report adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting the recruitment of minors in recent years, but highlights that this instance is notable for being an explicit and public statement by a senior regime official. The fact that the remarks were also carried by state media is being viewed as an indication of a broader policy shift.

The development has drawn sharp international criticism, particularly given the already tense security situation in the region and fears that children may be exploited for military purposes under the guise of volunteer service.

{Matzav.com}

The Senate approved a compromise measure early Friday to fund most of the Department of Homeland Security through the end of September, moving closer to ending a 42-day partial shutdown that has disrupted air travel nationwide and driven hundreds of airport security workers to quit after missing paychecks.

The agreement was passed by voice vote before senators left Washington for a two-week recess and is expected to be taken up by the House later Friday.

The deal does not include any of the conditions Democrats had pushed for regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement, including proposals to prevent agents from wearing masks and to impose stricter warrant requirements for detaining illegal migrants.

It also does not allocate new funding for ICE or Border Patrol. However, both agencies had already received billions in funding under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed by President Trump in July, allowing immigration enforcement operations to continue despite the shutdown.

Even so, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer claimed a political victory for Democrats.

“In the wake of the murders of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, Democrats were clear: No blank check for a lawless ICE and Border Patrol,” he said.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune acknowledged the shortcomings of the agreement while emphasizing the urgency of reopening government functions.

“The Dems wanted reforms,” Thune said, according to Politico. “We tried to work with them on reforms. They ended up getting no reforms but, you know, we’re going to have to fight some of those battles another day.”

“We can get at least a lot of the government opened up again and then we’ll go from there,” he added.

The Senate action came just hours after President Trump said he would intervene to ensure Transportation Security Administration agents receive paychecks, as many were on the verge of missing a second full pay period.

That announcement followed another failed Senate vote, where most Democrats again blocked consideration of a DHS funding bill.

“Because the Democrats have recklessly created a true National Crisis, I am using my authorities under the Law to protect our Great Country, as I always will do!” Trump wrote in a lengthy Truth Social post.

“I am going to sign an Order instructing the Secretary of Homeland Security, Markwayne Mullin, to immediately pay our TSA Agents in order to address this Emergency Situation, and to quickly stop the Democrat Chaos at the Airports. It is not an easy thing to do, but I am going to do it!,” he wrote.

Trump had indicated earlier in the week that he might take more aggressive action if the stalemate in Congress continued, including potentially deploying the National Guard to assist at airports.

According to a senior administration official, the planned order would use funds from Trump’s 2025 tax legislation to temporarily pay TSA personnel.

If the House approves the Senate measure and it is signed into law, the emergency action may no longer be necessary.

The impact of the shutdown has already been severe. Nearly 500 airport screeners have resigned since Feb. 14, while absentee rates have surged into the double digits—far above the roughly 2% rate seen before funding lapsed, according to acting TSA Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill.

As a result, some airports have seen security wait times stretch beyond four and a half hours, the longest in the agency’s history.

It remains unclear how quickly conditions will improve if funding is restored.

To help manage the backlog, ICE agents have been deployed to more than a dozen airports, assisting with ID checks and crowd control, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

{Matzav.com}

Former prime minister Naftali Bennett sharply criticized Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu on Thursday, downplaying Israel’s recent operations against Iran and arguing that the government’s overall performance in the war has fallen short.

Speaking during an interview on Channel 12, Bennett said Netanyahu has done very little when it comes to confronting the Iranian threat, despite ongoing military efforts.

Although Israel has carried out significant operations, including Am KeLavi and the current campaign, Bennett declined to credit Netanyahu for those achievements, maintaining that they do not amount to meaningful progress.

“We are not winning on any front. Not in Gaza, not in Lebanon, and in Iran we will still see.”

He went further, accusing Netanyahu of excessive rhetoric without sufficient action on Iran. “I stand behind every word in my claim that there has never been anyone who talked so much and did so little on the Iranian issue like Netanyahu.”

During the interview, Bennett also addressed warnings from the IDF chief of staff regarding the military’s condition, saying the government has ignored repeated concerns. He told anchor Yonit Levi that “The government has no shame. For a year the chief of staff has been crying out, ‘I don’t have soldiers’. It is the chief of staff’s duty to raise a red flag, and the political leadership is preventing the IDF from winning.”

Bennett argued that the true measure of success in the conflict will depend on long-term strategic outcomes, particularly regarding Iran’s nuclear capabilities and missile programs. He questioned whether enriched uranium would be removed and whether Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs would be permanently dismantled.

“We need a strategic resolution, otherwise we will reach another round and another round.”

He also made clear that he would not serve under Netanyahu in any future government and revealed that he had offered former IDF chief Gadi Eisenkot the position of his number two.

“In the meantime, he is delaying,” Bennett said.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu told cabinet ministers that the government plans to move ahead with legislation regulating military conscription and extending mandatory service immediately after Yom Tov, a move that has heightened tensions and drawn strong reactions from opposition leaders.

During the cabinet discussion, Netanyahu made clear that the government intends to proceed with the legislation regardless of legal objections. “Her role is to advise — we decide to move it forward,” he said.

Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs backed that position, emphasizing that both the conscription law and the extension of regular service would be advanced together. “There is no such thing. We are bringing together a draft law and an extension of service. That’s what we decided, and she does not determine it.”

Amid the debate, a senior cabinet official argued that the situation has been misrepresented publicly, saying the IDF Chief of Staff did not warn of a collapse of the military, but rather of the consequences of delaying the legislation. According to the official, the chief of staff stressed that without completing a draft law, extending regular service to 36 months, and updating the reserve duty law, the IDF would not be able to meet all of its operational demands.

The same official added that cabinet members broadly support advancing the legislation and blamed the delay on resistance from legal advisors. He also criticized opposition leaders, saying, “It’s interesting that suddenly Bennett, Lapid, and Eisenkot support the government’s draft law,” which, he said, the chief of staff had urged be passed urgently.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid sharply criticized the government’s approach, warning against suppressing warnings during wartime. “Anyone who says we must not talk about dangers during a war because it weakens us has forgotten what we learned on October 7.”

Lapid said the responsibility of the security establishment is to issue warnings in advance, not after the fact, and stressed that the government cannot claim it was unaware. “This is the chief of staff they appointed — you cannot paint him as political and shift the blame onto him.”

The Shas party launched a sharp attack Thursday night against Naftali Bennett, ridiculing him as “a joke” after comments he made targeting party chairman Aryeh Deri.

The backlash followed an interview Bennett gave to Walla!, where he addressed the possibility of forming a coalition with Yair Golan, head of the Democrats party.

When asked whether he would be prepared to sit in a government together with Golan, Bennett responded that he would be open to partnering with anyone who serves in the military. “Anyone who can serve in a tank can serve in the government. [United Torah Judaism chairman Yitzchok] Goldknopf and Deri, who are working against the IDF, are not any closer to me.”

In response, Shas characterized Bennett’s remarks as a “panicked performance,” claiming that he appeared with an earpiece and was being fed anti-chareidi talking points by advisers during the interview.

“It’s sad that this is all he has to offer the people of Israel in the middle of a war – more incitement and tearing the nation apart,” the party stated.

The party continued its criticism by pointing to Bennett’s tenure as prime minister, saying: “The man who formed a government with Mansour Abbas and the Muslim Brotherhood now dares to criticize Netanyahu on security and victory. Embarrassing. Even the opposition bloc has figured out that he’s a joke.”

Britain’s Defense Secretary, John Healey, stumbled through a series of media interviews Thursday, offering unclear responses and even silence when pressed on straightforward questions about the country’s military strength, including the number of active warships.

Healey, who comes from a trade union background and has no military service, appeared on multiple radio and television programs to address defense issues at a time of heightened concern due to the ongoing war in the Middle East and growing doubts about the readiness of Britain’s armed forces. Despite the significance of the moment, he appeared unprepared to answer several key questions.

During an interview with LBC, Healey was asked about the condition of the Royal Navy and specifically, “How many frigates do we have in the fleet?”. He hesitated before replying: “we have, we have, we have, we have, ah… we have 17 frigates and destroyers”.

That figure was inaccurate. While 17 had once been the projected number of escort ships outlined in the 2021 Defence White Paper, the current reality is lower. Two frigates have since been retired early due to wear and tear, and delays in replacing aging Type 23 frigates have reduced the number of operational escort ships to 13.

Even among those 13 destroyers and frigates—the backbone of modern naval operations—only a small portion are currently available for deployment. One destroyer, HMS Dragon, is stationed in the Eastern Mediterranean to safeguard British bases in Cyprus, while most of the others are undergoing repairs or maintenance. Notably, one of the country’s six destroyers has been out of active service for nearly nine years and is not expected to return until late 2026 following an extended overhaul.

The situation is similarly strained among the frigate fleet. One vessel is deployed in the Atlantic tracking Russian submarines, and two are operating along England’s southern coastline, while the remainder are in various stages of maintenance or refitting.

Asked why so few ships are ready for duty, Healey said such availability levels are typical for a modern military. In a separate appearance on Sky News, he was questioned about concerns that Iran may now possess missiles capable of reaching Europe, including London.

Rather than directly addressing whether Iran has the ability to strike the British capital, Healey avoided answering multiple times and instead focused on whether there was intelligence indicating Iran intended to carry out such an attack. While Britain itself has limited missile defense systems, he remarked, “Our defence of Britain is part of the layers of defence of nations”, referencing broader NATO missile defense coverage across Europe that could intercept threats before they reach the UK.

The discussion comes after Iran launched an attempted strike on the joint British-American base at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. Although the attack failed, it challenged previous assumptions that Tehran lacked intermediate-range ballistic missile capabilities.

Questions remain about how many such missiles Iran possesses, whether the strike involved repurposed elements of its space program, and whether such an operation could have succeeded under different circumstances.

{Matzav.com}

Israel’s Attorney General, Gali Baharav-Miara, has petitioned the High Court of Justice to issue an interim order suspending the national-civil service framework available to yeshiva students, arguing that the program should not continue while legal challenges are pending.

In a formal response submitted to the court, the Attorney General’s office stated that there is no justification to extend the current national service law, which provides an alternative to military service specifically for chareidi yeshiva students.

According to the filing, the arrangement effectively allows participants to bypass mandatory enlistment in the Israel Defense Forces, creating a parallel track that applies only to one sector of the population.

The Attorney General further argued that maintaining the program significantly undermines the principle of equality, particularly at a time when the IDF faces an increasing demand for manpower.

In light of these concerns, the court has been asked to immediately freeze the program through a temporary injunction, pending a final ruling on the matter.

{Matzav.com}

NASA will no longer move forward with its planned space station in lunar orbit, opting instead to redirect those resources toward building a $20 billion base on the moon’s surface within the next seven years, the agency’s new administrator, Jared Isaacman, announced Tuesday.

Isaacman, who took office in December, revealed the decision during the opening session of a full-day event at NASA’s Washington headquarters, where he laid out a series of major changes to the agency’s Artemis moon program.

“It should not really surprise anyone that we are pausing Gateway in its current form and focusing on infrastructure that supports sustained operations on the lunar surface,” Isaacman told delegates at the event.

The Lunar Gateway—largely developed already through contractors such as Northrop Grumman and Vantor, formerly Maxar—was originally intended to function as an orbiting station around the moon. Transitioning its components for use in a surface-based facility presents significant technical challenges.

“Despite some of the very real hardware and schedule challenges, we can repurpose equipment and international partner commitments to support surface and other program objectives,” Isaacman said.

The Gateway concept had been designed to serve both as a scientific research hub and as a staging point where astronauts would transfer to lunar landers before heading down to the moon.

The adjustments introduced by Isaacman in recent weeks are reshaping major contracts tied to the Artemis program, involving billions of dollars.

Those changes are forcing aerospace companies to adapt quickly, particularly as China continues advancing toward its own goal of landing astronauts on the moon by 2030.

{Matzav.com}

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President Donald Trump said Thursday that he plans to issue an emergency order to ensure Transportation Security Administration agents receive pay, as long security lines and delays continue to disrupt major airports across the country.

In a lengthy post on Truth Social, Trump sharply criticized Democrats for refusing to approve funding for the Department of Homeland Security and said he would take action to guarantee TSA workers are compensated.

“Because the Democrats have recklessly created a true National Crisis, I am using my authorities under the Law to protect our Great Country, as I always will do!” Trump said.

“I am going to sign an Order instructing the Secretary of Homeland Security, Markwayne Mullin, to immediately pay our TSA Agents in order to address this Emergency Situation, and to quickly stop the Democrat Chaos at the Airports. It is not an easy thing to do, but I am going to do it!,” he wrote.

The announcement comes as lawmakers from both parties remain deadlocked over DHS funding, leaving TSA employees without pay for a second consecutive month.

Under the National Emergency Act, the president has the authority to redirect unused federal funds to temporarily cover TSA salaries, potentially sidestepping Congress.

Although Republicans control the Senate, they do not have the 60 votes required to move DHS funding forward through the legislative process.

Democrats have withheld support for the department’s funding for several weeks as they push for stricter limitations on immigration enforcement policies.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Thursday that he had presented Democrats with his “final” proposal, which would fund most of DHS while excluding the portion of Immigration and Customs Enforcement responsible for enforcement and deportation activities, in an effort to win Democratic backing.

Meanwhile, many TSA employees have been calling out sick in protest over missed paychecks, contributing to extended wait times and significant congestion at airport security checkpoints nationwide.

{Matzav.com}

The Pentagon is considering a plan to deploy as many as 10,000 additional ground troops to the Middle East, according to a report Thursday night, as President Donald Trump evaluates both military options and ongoing diplomatic efforts with Iran.

Citing Defense Department officials familiar with the discussions, The Wall Street Journal reported that the potential deployment would expand the range of choices available to Trump amid continued tensions with Tehran.

If approved, the additional forces—expected to include infantry units and armored vehicles—would join roughly 5,000 Marines already in the region, along with thousands of paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division who have been deployed as part of Operation Epic Fury targeting Iran.

The developments come shortly after Trump announced a temporary halt to planned strikes on Iran’s energy facilities, extending the pause by 10 days while negotiations proceed and setting a new deadline of April 6.

“As per Iranian Government request, please let this statement serve to represent that I am pausing the period of Energy Plant destruction by 10 Days to Monday, April 6, 2026, at 8 P.M., Eastern Time,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.

In a Fox News interview later that day, Trump said Iranian officials had sought additional time through intermediaries before any escalation, and that he agreed to lengthen the window from seven days to 10.

“They asked for seven, and I gave them 10,” he said, adding that talks were ongoing and “going fairly well.”

The president cautioned that failure by Iran to meet U.S. demands could lead to further strikes, including against critical infrastructure such as power plants.

He also said in the interview that American forces had already dealt a significant blow to Iran’s military capabilities, including its missile systems.

Earlier Thursday, during a cabinet meeting, Trump highlighted what he described as the effectiveness of Operation Epic Fury.

“Over the past three weeks, we’ve been hitting Iran’s military capabilities at a level that few people have ever seen before. It’s a display of force and precision and skill like nothing the world has really witnessed.”

“We’re crushing their missile and drone stockpiles, destroying their defense industrial base, we’ve wiped out their navy completely, their air force completely. We’ve wiped out a large percentage of their missiles and missile launchers. Without the launchers, the missiles don’t do any good. We’ve wiped out probably close to 90 percent of the launchers [and] probably, more than 90 percent of the missiles themselves,” he added. “We’ve also destroyed a lot of the factories where they manufactured the drones and the missiles.”

Trump also asserted that Iran is eager to reach an agreement, suggesting its leadership is under increasing pressure.

Iran is “begging to make a deal, not me. They’re begging to make a deal. And anyone who saw what was happening over there would understand why they want to make a deal.”