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The IDF announced Sunday morning that Sergeant First Class (Res.) Lidor Porat, 31, of Ashdod, was killed during fighting in southern Lebanon. Porat served in the 7106th Battalion of the 769th Regional Brigade and fell during an operational mission in the area.

During the same incident, one additional soldier sustained severe injuries, four were moderately wounded, and four others suffered light injuries.

All injured soldiers were transported to hospitals for treatment, and their families have been informed.

According to a preliminary IDF inquiry, forces from the 7106th Battalion were conducting an operation when an engineering vehicle struck an explosive device that had been planted by the Hezbollah terrorist organization. Troops operating nearby to secure the area were hurt when the device detonated.

The military is continuing to examine when the explosive was placed and whether the incident constitutes a breach of the ceasefire.

On Saturday night, the IDF also confirmed the death of Command Sergeant Major (Res.) Barak Kalfon, who succumbed to wounds sustained in combat in southern Lebanon.

Kalfon, 48, a resident of Adi, served as a combat soldier in the 7056th Infantry Battalion, part of the 226th Brigade.

He died in the hospital after being critically injured during operational activity on Friday in southern Lebanon. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, his parents, and two brothers. His funeral is scheduled for Sunday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. at the cemetery in Adi.

In the same Friday incident in which Kalfon was fatally wounded, two soldiers were moderately injured and another sustained light injuries.

The wounded were evacuated to receive medical care, and their families were notified.

Kalfon was employed as a mechanical engineer at Rafael, which issued a statement saying: “Barak was a dedicated and professional employee who worked on critical areas for the security of the State of Israel, which he so deeply loved. Rafael employees embrace Shimrit, Noga, Mia, and the entire family during these difficult moments.”

Initial findings indicate that on Friday around midday, Battalion 7056 forces were operating in the village of Jabin, located in the western sector of southern Lebanon approximately three kilometers from the border. While searching a structure in the village, a powerful explosive device detonated.

Kalfon was critically wounded in the blast and was rushed to a hospital, where medical teams fought for hours to save his life before declaring his death on Saturday.

The IDF has conducted a preliminary investigation into the explosion, particularly given the ceasefire that was in place at the time. Current assessments suggest that the explosive device had been planted in the building prior to the ceasefire taking effect.

At this point, the military is not classifying the incident as a violation of the ceasefire, as initial conclusions indicate that Hezbollah operatives did not detonate the device remotely in real time. The IDF continues to investigate how the explosive was triggered and why it went undetected before troops entered the building.

Rav Yehuda Silman, prominent posek from Bnei Brak, was released from a New York hospital after collapsing during a visit to the United States, and is expected to return to Eretz Yisroel for further medical treatment in the coming days.

Following several tense hours, Rav Silman – who traveled to the United States to garner financial support for Shuvu – was discharged after being hospitalized for approximately half a day due to the sudden incident during his trip.

Sources indicated that upon his return, he will likely undergo a cardiac catheterization procedure next week at a hospital in Israel as part of continued care.

In a moving scene captured on video, his close friend, Rav Yitzchok Zilberstein, rav of the Ramat Elchanan neighborhood, visited Rav Silman’s bais medrash, Kehillas Chassidim, where he recited Tehillim on his behalf. Afterward, he conducted a Mi Shebeirach for his recovery along with all those in need of healing.

The public is asked to daven for the full recovery of Rav Yehuda ben Leah.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu is set to meet Argentina’s President Javier Milei on Sunday in what officials in Yerushalayim are describing as a highly significant visit, expected to deepen ties between Israel and South America.

At the center of the meeting will be the announcement of a new diplomatic initiative reportedly titled the “Isaac Accords,” modeled after the well-known Abraham Accords.

The initiative, which is said to be driven by Milei, aims to establish a strategic alliance between Israel and countries across South America, with close coordination alongside the United States. Officials believe the move could strengthen Israel’s global standing while expanding economic and security cooperation throughout the region.

In addition to the diplomatic development, the two leaders are expected to formally unveil a new direct flight route between Israel and Argentina, to be operated by El Al. Until now, thousands of members of Argentina’s large Jewish community, along with Israeli travelers, have had to rely on lengthy connecting flights through Europe or the United States.

The planned route is expected to significantly reduce travel time, with outbound flights estimated at approximately 16 hours and return flights around 15 hours. The new service is also expected to lower ticket prices, making travel more accessible and allowing families to visit one another more frequently. Argentina’s Jewish population, one of the largest in the world, numbers roughly 250,000, most of them based in Buenos Aires.

The visit also carries symbolic and ideological weight. Milei has been selected as one of the torch lighters at Israel’s upcoming Independence Day ceremony, a rare honor for a foreign leader. In a recent interview, he explained his strong support for Israel, saying: “I defend the cause of Israel and the cause of the Jewish people because it is a just cause. I do this because that is truly how I feel, without any political calculation”.

Milei, who is known for his affinity toward Jewish teachings and values, has previously demonstrated his connection to Israel. During an earlier visit, he became emotional while praying at the Western Wall and announced plans to relocate Argentina’s embassy to Jerusalem—a commitment he is expected to advance during this trip.

Beyond diplomacy, the meeting is expected to include the signing of strategic memorandums of understanding across several key sectors. In the fight against terrorism, the two countries are expected to enhance intelligence cooperation. In defense, discussions will include joint development and procurement initiatives, with Argentina already having recently acquired advanced fighter jets as part of a broader military modernization effort.

In the technology sphere, agreements are expected to focus on advancing artificial intelligence capabilities for both nations, potentially opening new markets for Israeli companies across South America.

Officials in Yerushalayim describe Milei as a close and reliable ally who has demonstrated consistent and outspoken support for Israel on the international stage. President Isaac Herzog is also expected to award him the Presidential Medal, the country’s highest civilian honor, in recognition of his support.

A senior Gulf official has revealed that behind-the-scenes contacts between Qatar and Iran in the final days of the war may have led to a sharp reduction in Iranian attacks on Doha, though Qatari authorities are firmly rejecting the claim.

According to the official, who spoke with a regional correspondent, recent reports of quiet understandings between the two countries followed an Iranian strike on a major gas facility in northern Qatar.

The source said that in exchange for scaling back attacks, Iran requested that Qatar’s Al Jazeera network adopt a less aggressive tone toward Tehran and provide greater exposure to Iranian voices. “This indeed happened,” the official said, emphasizing Iran’s view of the network as a key platform for messaging to the Arab world.

One of the figures highlighted as receiving airtime was Hassan Ahmadian of the University of Tehran, who appeared on both the English and Arabic broadcasts of Al Jazeera. These appearances, the source noted, came during a period when the network’s coverage of Iran shifted from sharp criticism of its actions in the Gulf to a more moderated tone.

Earlier in the conflict, Iran’s state broadcasting authority had threatened to target Al Jazeera’s offices in Doha, but later unexpectedly withdrew the warning and canceled evacuation alerts. Qatari officials at the time denied any link between that reversal and changes in the network’s editorial stance.

Qatar has categorically denied that any agreement was reached with Iran during the war. Officials in Doha stated clearly, “There was no deal,” rejecting claims that Qatar paid Iran to halt attacks or influenced Al Jazeera’s coverage in any way.

Qatar is widely considered one of the Gulf states maintaining relatively close ties with Iran, even during periods of regional tension. During the war, however, Doha expelled Iran’s military attaché after repeated strikes on its energy infrastructure.

Reports of possible coordination emerged after Iran targeted a major gas installation in northern Qatar during the conflict. President Donald Trump had also stated that Israel would refrain from striking the gas field again unless Iran launched further attacks on Qatar, warning that in such a scenario the United States would respond by destroying Iran’s South Pars gas field.

The revelation adds to the ongoing strain in the Persian Gulf, where Sunni Arab states are pressing the United States to take a firmer stance against Iran. While Trump has spoken of a “diplomatic window,” Gulf nations continue to call for the complete dismantling of Tehran’s nuclear and missile capabilities.

The United States is considering plans to board and seize oil tankers tied to Iran around the world, a move that would mark a significant escalation in its maritime strategy against Tehran as tensions rise in the Strait of Hormuz.

The discussions come amid renewed instability in the key shipping corridor, where Iranian forces reportedly fired on multiple commercial vessels and declared the waterway under their “strict control,” raising alarm across global shipping markets.

The developments have rattled shipping companies, particularly after Iran’s foreign minister had just recently maintained that the strait remained open for commercial traffic—a position that President Donald Trump had publicly welcomed.

Behind the scenes, U.S. officials say the Pentagon is preparing options to intercept and take control of vessels linked to Iran, potentially extending operations far beyond the Middle East into global trade routes.

According to the report, the goal of the strategy is to intensify economic pressure on Tehran, with the hope of forcing Iran to reopen the strait and make concessions in nuclear negotiations.

Trump said Friday that Iran had agreed to hand over its stockpile of highly enriched uranium — a claim Iranian officials quickly dismissed. Key disagreements remain over the duration of any halt to uranium enrichment and whether Iran would regain access to billions of dollars in frozen assets.

The U.S. has already blocked 23 ships from departing Iranian ports as part of an expanding naval blockade, US Central Command said in a post on X.

Expanding the effort globally would place Iran-linked tankers — including those suspected of transporting weapons or circumventing sanctions — directly in Washington’s crosshairs.

“The US will actively pursue any Iranian-flagged vessel or any vessel attempting to provide material support to Iran,” Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine said Thursday, warning that so-called “dark fleet” ships are also fair game.

The intensified campaign — referred to by Trump officials as “Economic Fury” — could involve U.S. forces operating well beyond the Persian Gulf.

The developments are unfolding as a fragile ceasefire approaches its expiration on Wednesday. Recent talks in Pakistan failed to produce a breakthrough, and no date has been set for another round of negotiations.

Even so, both sides appear to be preparing for multiple scenarios.

Iran is believed to still possess thousands of short- and medium-range missiles and has begun moving launch systems out of underground storage, though heavy U.S. strikes have significantly weakened its ability to quickly rebuild, according to U.S. officials.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said U.S. forces are “maximally postured” in the event that hostilities resume, though officials remain cautious about deploying ground troops.

For now, the administration appears focused on applying economic pressure.

Iran exports roughly 1.6 million barrels of oil per day — much of it to China through smaller independent refineries — making its shipping network a key target.

The Treasury Department has already imposed new sanctions on vessels, companies, and individuals connected to Iran’s shadow oil trade, while U.S. prosecutors are preparing to pursue cases against those involved in buying or selling sanctioned crude.

U.S. officials have previously demonstrated the ability to track and seize vessels tied to sanctioned regimes — including operations against ships linked to Venezuela — and now appear ready to apply the same approach to Iran.

Pope Leo XIV said today that he has no intention of engaging in a public dispute with President Donald Trump over the war with Iran, emphasizing instead that his role is to continue promoting a call for peace.

Speaking to reporters aboard the papal plane en route from Cameroon to Angola, the pontiff addressed the growing attention surrounding his recent remarks and the responses they have drawn from Trump.

He noted that much of the coverage has been shaped by misinterpretations, particularly following comments made by the U.S. president early in the trip.

“There’s been a certain narrative that has not been accurate in all of its aspects, but because of the political situation created when, on the first day of the trip, the president of the United States made some comments about me,” he said.

“Much of what has been written since then has been more commentary on commentary, trying to interpret what has been said.”

Trump’s criticism began in a Truth Social post on April 12, where he challenged the pope’s repeated calls for peace as the conflict—sparked by joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Feb. 28 and followed by Iran’s retaliation—continues.

The president accused Leo of being lenient on crime, aligned with left-wing positions, and suggested that his election as the first American pope was tied to Trump’s influence.

Pope Leo has consistently urged dialogue and condemned the use of religion to justify violence, including sharply criticizing Trump’s warning about destroying Iranian civilization.

Specifically, he called Trump’s threat to annihilate Iranian civilization “truly unacceptable.”

The Vatican has clarified that the pope’s appeals for peace are universal in scope and not limited to the Iran conflict, but extend to all global conflicts.

For instance, religious leaders in Russia have framed Moscow’s war in Ukraine as a “holy war,” illustrating the broader concern over faith being used to support armed conflict.

In his remarks today, Pope Leo pointed back to a speech he delivered earlier in the week during a peace gathering in Bamenda, Cameroon.

That city has been at the center of a long-running separatist conflict in the country’s English-speaking western region.

He explained that the speech—in which he condemned a “handful of tyrants” for spreading war and exploitation—had been prepared two weeks earlier, before Trump’s comments.

“And yet as it happens, it was looked at as if I was trying to debate again the president, which is not in my interest at all,” he said.

Looking forward, Pope Leo said his mission remains unchanged, centered on his pastoral responsibilities.

“I primarily come to Africa as a pastor, as the head of the Catholic Church to be with, to celebrate with, to encourage, and to accompany all the Catholics throughout Africa,” he said.

{Matzav.com}

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei released a series of defiant messages today during the fragile ceasefire with Israel, warning that Iran’s navy remains prepared for further confrontation even as U.S. officials say the country’s military has been severely weakened.

Khamenei, who has not appeared publicly since taking power after being seriously wounded in the Feb. 28 U.S.-Israeli airstrike that killed his father, delivered the statements in connection with Iran’s Armed Forces Day.

Despite ongoing negotiations and a temporary truce with Israel, Khamenei used his official channels to project strength and readiness.

“Just as Iran’s drones strike like lightning against the US and Zionist criminals, Israel, the brave navy is also prepared to inflict new bitter defeat on enemies,” a post from Khamanei’s Telegram account read.

In additional messages, he sought to portray the military as closely tied to the Iranian people.

“The Army is like the nation’s child, which arises from within the heart of the people’s homes,” the shadowy cleric boasted in another post.

He continued by emphasizing the army’s role in defending the country.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran’s Army is now courageously defending the land, water, and flag that belong to it,” another post stated.

Khamenei also framed the conflict in ideological terms, referencing the United States and Israel.

“Iran’s Army is standing side by side with their comrades from other armed forces, battling the two leading armies of disbelief and Arrogance,” he wrote in another post referencing the US and Israel.

“And the Islamic Army has exposed those armies’ weakness and humiliation to the world,” Khamenei laughably claimed.

President Donald Trump, however, rejected those assertions, saying Iran’s military capabilities have been largely destroyed.

“Their military is destroyed, their whole navy is underwater. One hundred fifty ships are gone, their navy is gone,” Trump told reporters outside Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on April 13.

“I think Iran is in very bad shape. I think they’re pretty desperate … We had a meeting that lasted 21 hours. We understand the situation better than anybody, and Iran’s in very bad shape.”

Khamenei’s remarks come during a delicate 10-day ceasefire between Iran and Israel, which is scheduled to expire on April 22.

At the same time, Iran has maintained its grip on the Strait of Hormuz, reimposing restrictions on the key shipping route today after the United States signaled it would continue its blockade of vessels linked to Iran.

The renewed limits on the strait follow Trump’s announcement a day earlier that the U.S. blockade on Tehran “will remain in full force.”

President Donald Trump today voiced strong support for Israel, calling it a steadfast partner of the United States in a post on Truth Social, a day after comments that appeared to signal friction over the situation in Lebanon.

“Whether people like Israel or not, they have proven to be a GREAT Ally of the United States of America,” Trump wrote.

“They are Courageous, Bold, Loyal, and Smart and, unlike others that have shown their true colors in a moment of conflict and stress, Israel fights hard, and knows how to WIN!” added the President.

The statement followed remarks made Friday that were widely interpreted as a rebuke of Israel, when Trump suggested that the United States had compelled Israel to halt its military actions in Lebanon.

“Israel will not be bombing Lebanon any longer. They are PROHIBITED from doing so by the U.S.A. Enough is enough!!! Thank you!” he wrote.

According to a report by Axios, Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu and his advisers first learned of Trump’s comments through media coverage and were taken by surprise. Members of his team then sought clarification on whether U.S. policy had shifted.

After Axios requested an official response, a U.S. official provided clarification regarding Trump’s remarks.

“The President’s ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel clearly states that Israel will not carry out any offensive military operations against Lebanese targets but preserves its right to self-defense against planned, imminent or ongoing attacks,” the US official said.

Iranian authorities have yet to finalize a burial site for Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, with officials citing security concerns surrounding a potential mass funeral, while one analyst argues the delay reflects deeper weakness within the regime.

Khamenei, 86, was killed in a joint U.S.-Israeli airstrike on Feb. 28 that triggered the current war with Iran. His body remains unburied, marking a significant departure from longstanding practices for leaders of his stature.

In contrast, the 1989 funeral of his predecessor, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, drew millions into the streets of Tehran. However, similar scenes of mass mourning have not been seen in the weeks following Khamenei’s death, even as the country endured sustained airstrikes that eliminated many senior figures in the regime.

According to Behnam Taleblu of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, Iran is currently unable to stage a large-scale state funeral amid the fragile ceasefire.

“Simply put, the regime is too afraid and too weak to roll the dice,” he said.

Taleblu pointed to multiple factors behind the delay, including fears of Israeli attacks, the possibility of anti-government demonstrations similar to earlier nationwide protests, and questions surrounding the absence of Mojtaba Khamenei—the slain leader’s son and newly appointed successor—who has not appeared publicly.

“It speaks volumes that the turnout for the funeral of the regime’s founding father in 1989 was such a massive affair, and yet one generation later his successor is still not able to have a funeral well over a month after his passing,” Taleblu continued.

“The Islamic Republic likes to talk a big game about owning the streets, but a 50-day internet blackout tells you all you need to know. The regime fears the consequences of the truth getting out.”

Iranian officials are now reportedly considering Mashhad, a city in the country’s northeast, as a possible burial location, according to state-affiliated outlets cited by The Australian.

Mashhad, located near the border with Turkmenistan and far from Israel, is Khamenei’s birthplace and carries both logistical and symbolic advantages.

With a population of around five million, the city is home to the shrine of Imam Reza, one of the most significant religious sites in Shi’ite Islam, which draws millions of pilgrims annually.

One proposal under consideration would place Khamenei’s grave near the shrine, an area already under heavy security that could offer protection for the burial site.

Initially, Iran had planned a three-day state funeral beginning March 4, but those arrangements were abandoned as the country came under extensive U.S. and Israeli bombardment, according to the state news agency IRNA.

Later, officials suggested the postponement was due to expectations of an “unprecedented turnout,” as reported by Gulf News citing Iranian media, but the ceremony has yet to be rescheduled.

No date has been announced for the burial.

A temporary ceasefire between the United States and Iran, reached on April 8, is set to expire on Wednesday.0

A woman in Wales says she finally received the correct diagnosis for her long-standing medical condition after consulting ChatGPT, following years of inconclusive and conflicting assessments from doctors.

Phoebe Tesoriere, a 23-year-old from Cardiff, had endured seizures, frequent falls, and ongoing balance issues for years. She said medical professionals had attributed her symptoms to anxiety, depression, and epilepsy, and warned that repeated visits to the emergency room could result in her being treated as a mental health patient, according to the BBC.

Her health struggles began early in life, with balance problems emerging during childhood.

“All my childhood I had a limp,” said Tesoriere. “I was born without a hip socket and had operations as a baby, so thought it was to do with that.”

At one stage, she was evaluated for dyspraxia, a condition that affects coordination, but testing did not support that diagnosis.

When she was 19, Tesoriere experienced a seizure that caused her to collapse. Doctors again linked the episode to anxiety, though she questioned that conclusion.

“I had no history of anxiety. I was a really happy, bubbly person,” she said.

In 2022, she was diagnosed with epilepsy and prescribed medication, but her condition continued to deteriorate, with increasing difficulty walking and more frequent seizures.

Doctors later suggested she was experiencing Todd’s paralysis, a condition sometimes associated with epilepsy.

In January 2025, she fell down a flight of stairs and spent three months in the hospital. Despite undergoing numerous tests, doctors were unable to reach a definitive diagnosis.

Several months later, she suffered another seizure that left her in a coma for three days.

Even then, she said, doctors continued to attribute her symptoms to anxiety.

Feeling desperate, isolated, and “lonely,” Tesoriere turned to ChatGPT, which suggested she might have hereditary spastic paraplegia, a genetic disorder marked by progressive stiffness and weakness in the legs.

She brought that suggestion to her medical team, who ordered genetic testing that ultimately confirmed the condition.

Now using a wheelchair, Tesoriere is managing her illness through physical therapy. She is no longer able to continue her work as a teacher, but is pursuing a master’s degree in psychology with the goal to “do something that helps people.”

In a statement to the BBC, a spokesperson for the Cardiff and Vale Health Board said: “We are sorry to hear about Phoebe’s experience while in our care.”

Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz surged again on today after Iran reversed its earlier reopening of the strategic passage and opened fire on vessels attempting to transit, responding to the continued U.S. blockade of Iranian ports.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard navy announced that the strait would remain shut until the American blockade is lifted, warning that “no vessel should make any movement from its anchorage in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman, and approaching the Strait of Hormuz will be considered as cooperation with the enemy” and be targeted.

The renewed attacks in the narrow waterway, which carries roughly 20 percent of the world’s oil supply, raised fears of a worsening global energy crisis and the possibility of further escalation as the conflict entered its eighth week.

A fragile ceasefire is set to expire by Wednesday, even as Iran said it has received new proposals from the United States. Pakistani mediators are working to organize another round of direct talks between the two sides.

Earlier in the day, Iran’s joint military command had stated that “control of the Strait of Hormuz has returned to its previous state … under strict management and control of the armed forces.”

According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center, Iranian Revolutionary Guard gunboats fired on a tanker, while an unidentified projectile struck a container ship, causing damage to several containers. India’s foreign ministry said it summoned Iran’s ambassador following what it called the “serious incident” involving gunfire directed at two Indian-flagged vessels, particularly after several ships bound for India had previously been allowed to pass.

For Tehran, closing the strait—first enacted after the United States and Israel launched hostilities on Feb. 28 during nuclear negotiations—remains one of its most potent tools, with the potential to disrupt the global economy and apply political pressure on President Donald Trump. For Washington, the naval blockade serves as a key lever to intensify pressure on Iran’s already strained economy.

Iran’s new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, issued a defiant statement, saying the navy stands “ready to inflict bitter defeats on its enemies.” He has not appeared publicly since assuming leadership following his father’s death in the initial Israeli strike.

The renewed closure comes just a day after Iran announced the strait had been reopened to commercial traffic following a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group in Lebanon, a move that had briefly eased oil prices.

Trump, however, made clear that the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports “will remain in full force” until a deal is reached. The blockade was implemented after direct talks in Pakistan between U.S. and Iranian officials ended without agreement.

U.S. Central Command said American forces have turned back 23 vessels attempting to reach Iran since the blockade began earlier in the week. Trump’s remarks drew sharp criticism from Tehran.

“Americans are risking the international community, risking the global economy through these, I can say, miscalculations,” Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh told The Associated Press, adding that the U.S. is “risking the whole ceasefire package.”

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council issued a statement condemning the blockade as a breach of the ceasefire and said it would block “any conditional and limited reopening” of the strait. The council has recently functioned as the country’s top decision-making authority.

Because much of the supply flow to U.S. bases in the Gulf region passes through the strait, “Iran is determined to maintain oversight and control over traffic through the strait until the war fully ends,” the council said. The statement indicated that Iran would enforce designated shipping routes, require transit fees, and issue clearance certificates.

A subsequent statement from the Revolutionary Guard navy suggested a stricter stance, indicating that no vessels should attempt passage at all.

The latest escalation came hours after Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said his government is working to “bridge” the gap between Washington and Tehran. Pakistan is expected to host another round of negotiations early next week.

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council confirmed that “new proposals” from the United States were delivered during a recent visit by Pakistan’s army chief and are currently under review.

Khatibzadeh, however, said Iran is not yet ready to return to face-to-face negotiations, arguing that the United States “have not abandoned their maximalist position.”

He also rejected the idea of transferring Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium—estimated at 970 pounds (440 kilograms)—to the United States, calling it “a nonstarter.” He did not elaborate on alternative proposals, saying only that “we are ready to address any concerns.”

Trump, speaking later, said Iran “got a little cute” but added that “very good” discussions were underway, with more developments expected soon. “They can’t blackmail us,” he said.

On Friday, Trump said the United States would enter Iran if necessary to retrieve what he called “all the nuclear dust,” referring to the enriched uranium believed to be stored at nuclear facilities damaged in last year’s U.S. strikes.

As registration season for yeshivos ketanos approaches across Israel, a closer look at the Yerushalayim landscape reveals a changing system, with new institutions gaining ground and traditional enrollment patterns undergoing significant shifts.

A Bechadrei Chareidim investigation explored the world of yeshivos ketanos in Yerushalayim—the city with the largest and most diverse talmidim population—and examined how both long-established and newer yeshivos are navigating this year’s admissions cycle.

Veteran yeshivos in Yerushalayim continue to hold their position at the top, maintaining stability and demand year after year. Among them is Yeshivas Kol Torah, where observers are watching closely to see whether it will retain its character and strength following the passing of its longtime mashgiach, Rav Aviezer Shapiro. Admissions are currently overseen by Rav Meisels, a member of the yeshiva’s staff. Another prominent institution is Tiferes HaTalmud–Shenker, which has steadily strengthened its standing and moved beyond the Machal label that once defined it.

Among the older yeshivos experiencing renewed growth, Yeshivas Chevron L’tzeirim has seen a notable surge in demand and is now considered one of the most sought-after options. It has become a primary pathway for talmidim aiming to continue on to Yeshivas Chevron. Its anticipated move to a large new campus at the entrance to Ramat Shlomo has further fueled interest, particularly from nearby neighborhoods such as Ramot, Ramat Shlomo, and Neve Yaakov.

Also noteworthy is Yeshivas Ateres Shlomo–Sorotzkin, led by Rav A. Breslauer, which currently enrolls around 300 top-tier talmidim—a particularly high figure for a yeshiva ketanah in Yerushalayim or elsewhere in the country. Alongside it, Yeshivas Tiferes Yaakov continues to maintain its reputation as a more “frum” and guarded environment, with many alumni choosing to send their own sons specifically there.

At the same time, several newer yeshivos have quickly climbed into the upper tier. Leading that group is Yeshivas Imrei Moshe, headed by Rav Y. Mishkovsky and founded under the direction of Rav Aharon Leib Shteinman, as well as Yeshivas Birchas Shmuel, led by Rav O. Leibovitz, which has established itself as a major presence in a relatively short time. With approximately 300 high-level talmidim, Birchas Shmuel stands out for its structure, dividing classes into three groups of no more than 30 talmidim each, combining strong academic standards with individualized attention. The yeshiva also has one of the largest spiritual staffs in Yerushalayim, with over 30 members. Recently, it opened a large new campus in the heart of Givat Shaul, built at a cost of millions. The yeshiva operates under the leadership of Rav D. Cohen, with roshei yeshiva Rav Tzvi Partzovitz and Rav Y. Weinberg.

According to findings by Bechadrei Chareidim, one of the most significant changes in recent years is how admissions are handled. In the past, enrollment was largely coordinated through the talmudei Torah and the melamdim. Today, however, yeshivos are increasingly reaching out directly to parents.

“This is no longer the system that existed in the past,” a senior cheder administrator in Yerushalayim told Bechadrei Chareidim. “Parents have become the central decision-makers, and to some extent, the cheders have lost control over the admissions process. Yeshivos are no longer relying solely on the melamdim but are building direct relationships with families.”

Another insider added, “Today, a yeshiva that doesn’t know how to work with parents simply loses out in admissions.” According to him, this shift has led more yeshivos to formally employ recruiters and even field representatives—a practice that was once uncommon in Yerushalayim.

The numbers help explain the intensity of the competition. Each year, roughly 1,500 talmidim in Yerushalayim move on to yeshivos ketanos, compared to about 700 in Bnei Brak and Modiin Illit. This creates a much more competitive environment, with around eight flagship yeshivos shaping the market and allowing the admissions landscape to shift rapidly from year to year.

Another major factor is the development of Neve Yaakov. Whereas the neighborhood was once part of the broader citywide admissions system, it is now emerging as an independent hub, driven by the opening of multiple new yeshivos alongside established ones such as Netivos Mordechai and Nachalas Shmuel.

Among the newer institutions is Yeshivas Mishnas Boruch, led by Rav Y. Eichenstein, who personally delivers a weekly shmuess and learns with the talmidim. Due to demand, the size of the class has already been increased from 20 to 30 talmidim—a step not even taken at Yad Aharon, which he also leads. Another new yeshiva has also opened under Rav Grunzweig.

This shift is having a direct impact on the broader Yerushalayim admissions map. As more talmidim from Neve Yaakov choose to remain within their neighborhood rather than attend yeshivos elsewhere, the balance of power is changing significantly, reducing the intake at many of the city’s older institutions.

{Matzav.com}

Rabbi Shmuel Bachrach zt”l, a well-known figure of chesed in Bnei Brak and among the earliest volunteers of ZAKA, passed away at the age of 68 after a period of difficult suffering. He died at Sheba Medical Center in Tel Hashomer.

The levayah is scheduled to take place Sunday at 1:00 p.m., beginning at his home on 11 Rechov Chevron in Bnei Brak and proceeding to the cemetery in Elad, where he will be laid to rest.

Rabbi Bachrach was born to his father, Rabbi Avraham Bachrach, and his mother, Mrs. Chana, of Petach Tikva. Upon reaching marriageable age, he married his wife, the daughter of Rabbi Aharon Goldman of Rechov Ben Zakai in Bnei Brak.

In Bnei Brak, Rabbi Shmuel was widely recognized as one of the city’s leading baalei chesed. More than thirty years ago, he was among the first volunteers to join ZAKA, dedicating himself faithfully to communal needs.

ZAKA Tel Aviv issued a statement mourning his petirah: “With great sorrow we announce the passing of one of the most special members of our group, a true doer of kindness with his body, who was devoted heart and soul to the mission of ‘true kindness,’ one of the first volunteers and a driving force within the organization, Rabbi Shmuel Bachrach, who was purified through suffering and passed away today, on Shabbos Kodesh, at the age of 68. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family. The leadership and volunteers of the organization embrace and accompany the family during this difficult time.”

He is survived by a large family—sons and daughters, sons-in-law, and many descendants who continue in his path.

Airlines around the world are facing rising fuel and labor expenses, pushing ticket prices higher and adding new fees for passengers already dealing with economic uncertainty, according to Axios.

Industry concerns are intensifying over a potential jet fuel shortage in Europe and Asia, which could worsen the impact of the Iran conflict on global travel within weeks if a tentative agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz breaks down. Such a scenario could lead to even higher fares and possible flight cancellations as the busy summer travel season nears.

Reflecting the ongoing strain, Air Canada announced Friday that it plans to suspend service to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport from June 1 through Oct. 25 in an effort to reduce fuel-related expenses.

Other major carriers—including U.S. airlines such as United and Delta, along with Air France-KLM, SAS, Philippine Airlines, and Cathay Pacific—have scaled back routes and either raised ticket prices or indicated they will do so if disruptions to oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz persist.

“It’s very hard for the airlines to make predictions in this environment, so they’re going to be conservative, and that’s why it’s likely that their prices will remain elevated for some time until things really stabilize,” said Shye Gilad, a former airline captain who now teaches at Georgetown University’s business school.

Amid the pressure, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby has reportedly considered a controversial merger with American Airlines, while Spirit Airlines is said to be nearing liquidation after filing for its second bankruptcy in less than a year in November, Axios reported.

At the same time, Southwest and other carriers are trimming less-profitable routes, and Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian said Tuesday the company will need to “find ways” to pass increased jet fuel costs on to customers.

Oil markets showed some relief Friday after Iran’s foreign minister indicated that tankers and other commercial vessels could once again travel freely through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passageway that carries roughly 20% of the world’s oil and natural gas.

Jet fuel, a refined petroleum product, represents the largest expense for airlines, accounting for about 30% of total operating costs, according to the International Air Transport Association.

Prices for jet fuel have roughly doubled since the conflict began, and industry analysts warn that supply shortages may soon follow.

In recent weeks, major U.S. carriers—including Delta, United, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and JetBlue—have raised fees for checked baggage.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific recently increased fuel surcharges by approximately 34% across its network, and Air India added as much as $280 in extra fees on certain routes earlier this month.

Other global carriers, including Emirates, Lufthansa, and KLM, have also adjusted pricing and surcharges to keep pace with volatile fuel costs.

Iran’s parliamentary speaker said tonight that talks with the United States have advanced, even as major disagreements persist and tensions continue to rise over the ongoing conflict.

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, speaking to the Tasnim news agency, said there has been “progress” in the discussions but cautioned that a “big distance” still separates the two sides on key terms needed to end the war. He added that “The American and Iranian negotiating teams now have a more realistic understanding of each other” despite the gaps.

His remarks followed comments by President Donald Trump, who told reporters that negotiations are “going actually along very well,” while emphasizing that Iran “can’t blackmail us.”

At the same time, Iran confirmed on Saturday that it has shut down the Strait of Hormuz and intends to maintain control over the strategic waterway until the war concludes.

A report by Fox News, citing a regional intelligence source, said the Strait is now fully controlled by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and has been closed to traffic.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Friday night, Trump raised the possibility that the current ceasefire may not be extended, while reaffirming that the U.S. blockade will remain in place. “Maybe I won’t extend” the ceasefire with Iran, “but the blockade is going to remain. But maybe I won’t extend it, so you’ll have a blockade and unfortunately we’ll have to start dropping bombs again.”

Earlier in the day, Trump told CBS News that Iran had accepted U.S. terms and would cooperate in removing its enriched uranium from the country.

He stressed that no American ground forces would be involved in the operation and said only that “our people” would handle retrieving the material.

“No. No troops,” he said. “We’ll go down and get it with them, and then we’ll take it. We’ll be getting it together because by that time, we’ll have an agreement and there’s no need for fighting when there’s an agreement. Nice right? That’s better. We would have done it the other way if we had to.”

Iran’s Foreign Ministry rejected Trump’s claims, insisting that its enriched uranium stockpile would not be transferred out of the country.

Spokesperson Esmail Baghaei told Iranian state media that “the transfer of uranium to the US has not been presented as an option.”

He underscored Iran’s position, stating, “Iran’s enriched uranium is as sacred to us as the soil of Iran and will under no circumstances be transferred anywhere.”

Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, delivered a sharp rebuke of France during a heated General Assembly session addressing the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and its impact on global shipping.

The emergency discussion came after a Bahrain-backed resolution failed to pass in the Security Council, prompting the issue to be brought before the wider General Assembly. Speaking at the session, Danon adopted a notably blunt tone, directing criticism at the French delegation.

Referring to international reports, he asserted that ships owned by French interests were able to pass through the Strait of Hormuz without obstruction, while vessels from other nations were stopped by Iran. Turning directly to France’s ambassador, Danon questioned whether any payments had been made in exchange for safe passage.

He warned that such concessions only embolden Iran, describing its conduct in the waterway as “economic terrorism” aimed at disrupting a vital route for global commerce. Danon argued that countries that comply with these demands are not preserving stability but instead encouraging further pressure tactics.

He cautioned that giving in to what he described as coercive behavior would lead to higher costs and increased risks over time, urging the international community to stand firm and reject what he characterized as a pattern of extortion rather than accommodate it.

{Matzav.com}

A newly erected “information center” in the Polish town of Jedwabne is drawing sharp criticism for disputing the widely accepted historical account that local residents were responsible for the murder of most of their Jewish neighbors during World War II, JTA reports.

The installation consists of two large shipping containers placed prominently at the memorial site, rising above the surrounding area. One of the containers bears the Polish phrase “The earth doesn’t lie”—a slogan used by those advocating for exhumation of the site in an effort to clear the town’s Polish population of responsibility.

The structures were set up earlier this month and formally unveiled in a ceremony that was shared online by right-wing activist Wojciech Sumlinski. Sumlinski had previously taken responsibility for placing seven boulders near the official memorial last year, each marked with inscriptions denying Polish involvement and promoting claims of historical Jewish conspiracies against Poles.

“We call it a denial museum, because that’s what it is,” said Abraham Waserstein, whose grandfather, Szmul Wasersztein, survived the 1941 massacre. Speaking to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, he added, “Putting these containers in Jedwabne [is] further desecrating the only remnants of Jewish community left there, our family’s legacy there.”

Waserstein, currently a law student at Duke University, said his family has reached out to local advocates in an effort to have the installation removed. However, he acknowledged that the effort may face significant challenges, noting that the previously installed boulders remain in place and are visible in footage documenting the new additions.

Szmul Wasersztein was among a small group of Jews who escaped the events of July 10, 1941, when local residents rounded up and killed hundreds of their Jewish neighbors, most of whom were burned alive in a barn.

His testimony, recorded in 1945, played a central role in documenting the massacre and contributed to the conviction of 12 Polish residents in 1949. Decades later, his account became a key source for historian Jan Tomasz Gross in his book “Neighbors,” published in 2000, which ignited widespread debate within Poland. The revelations from Jedwabne challenged longstanding narratives that focused exclusively on Polish victimhood under Nazi occupation and instead highlighted instances of local collaboration in the Holocaust.

In 2001, then-President Aleksander Kwasniewski issued an official apology for the massacre. The following year, an investigation by Poland’s Institute of National Remembrance concluded that Polish townspeople had carried out the killings.

Despite these findings, Jedwabne has remained a deeply divisive subject in Polish political discourse. Some far-right figures continue to argue that German forces were responsible, while others portray research into Polish involvement as an attempt to defame the nation. This perspective has gained traction among certain political leaders, including President Karol Nawrocki, elected last year.

Sumlinski described the unveiling of the new installation as “the moment when groups friendly to Jewish circles, sowing the Jedwabne lie, ultimately lost the battle for Jedwabne.”

Calls from nationalist activists and politicians to exhume the mass grave have intensified, with the aim of proving that German forces carried out the killings. A limited exhumation conducted in 2001 supported the conclusion that Poles were responsible, but further work was halted due to Jewish religious prohibitions against disturbing the dead.

In addition to the display advocating for exhumation, another container installed at the site calls for “conditions for seeking and defending historical truth,” which it says are “in Poland’s national interest.”

In a video filmed at the site, Sumlinski also criticized Warsaw’s Polin Museum of the History of Polish Jews, a major institution dedicated to Jewish history.

He described the new installation as “a place of resistance, perhaps one of our last lines of defense against what is being prepared for us, against the vision of Polin, against the strategy introduced by [Justice] Minister Żurek to support Jewish life and counter antisemitism.”

Commemorations marking the 1941 massacre are frequently disrupted in Jedwabne. Last July, Grzegorz Braun, a far-right member of the European Parliament, joined demonstrators who temporarily blocked Polish Chief Rabbi Michael Schudrich and other attendees from leaving the memorial site.

Anna Bikont, a Polish Jewish journalist who examined the events in her 2004 book “The Crime and the Silence,” said that resistance to established historical accounts continues to influence local sentiment in the town of fewer than 2,000 residents.

“You can’t win the elections in Jedwabne without saying that it was a lie, what Gross said,” Bikont said.

During her research, Bikont interviewed two brothers, Zygmunt and Jerzy Laudański, who played key roles in the massacre. They were sentenced to prison terms of six and eight years, respectively, but were released early during a 1956 amnesty under leader Władysław Gomułka following the death of Joseph Stalin.

“They told me that they didn’t do it,” Bikont said. “But at the same time, they told me I had to tell Adam Michnik, my chief at Gazeta Wyborcza, that if we started to write about what the Poles did with Jews, the Poles would start to write about what Jews did with Poles. And it would not be a good story for Jews, so better not to do it. So it was menacing.”

According to Bikont, when the brothers returned home after their release, they were welcomed back in Jedwabne and even celebrated.

In response to the new installation, Waserstein and his relatives have expanded their efforts into advocacy work. Together with Jewish community leaders, they established a nonprofit organization called Shoah Truths, aimed at combating Holocaust denial through education, outreach, and legal support.

They are also preparing the first English translation of Wasersztein’s memoir, “La denuncia: 10 de julio de 1941,” which was published posthumously in 2001. After the war, Wasersztein lived primarily in Cuba and Costa Rica.

In addition, the family filed a criminal complaint in Poland last year regarding the placement of the boulders, arguing that they constitute desecration and incitement. Authorities have extended the investigation through July, which will mark the 85th anniversary of the massacre.

“Of course we want to get the boulders taken down, of course we want to get the [denial] museum banned,” Waserstein said. “But at the end of the day, just like my grandfather filed his complaint in 1945 to set the record straight and say, ‘Here’s the truth,’ that’s what we wanted to do.”

The IDF announced this evening that Command Sergeant Major (Res.) Barak Kalfon has died from injuries he suffered during combat operations in southern Lebanon.

Kalfon, 48, from Adi, served as a combat soldier in the 7056th Infantry Battalion of the 226th Brigade. He succumbed to his wounds in the hospital after being critically injured during operational activity on Friday. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, his parents, and two brothers.

In the same incident in which Command Sergeant Major (Res.) Barak Kalfon was fatally wounded, two additional soldiers sustained moderate injuries and another soldier was lightly hurt.

All of the wounded were transported to a hospital for treatment, and their families have been informed.

Kalfon was employed as a mechanical engineer at Rafael, which issued a statement saying: “Barak was a dedicated and professional employee who worked on critical areas for the security of the State of Israel, which he so deeply loved. Rafael employees embrace Shimrit, Noga, Mia, and the entire family during these difficult moments.”

According to an initial IDF inquiry, the incident occurred Friday around midday, when forces from Battalion 7056 were conducting operations in the village of Jabin, situated along the second line of villages in the western sector of southern Lebanon, approximately three kilometers from the Israeli border. While searching a building in the area, a powerful explosive device detonated.

The blast left Barak Kalfon critically wounded. He was evacuated in urgent condition to a hospital, where medical teams worked for hours to save him, but he was pronounced dead on Saturday.

The IDF has launched a preliminary investigation into the circumstances surrounding the explosion, particularly given that a ceasefire had already taken effect. Early findings indicate that the explosive device had been planted in the building prior to the start of the ceasefire.

At this point, the military is not classifying the incident as a breach of the ceasefire, as initial assessments suggest the device was not triggered in real time by Hezbollah operatives. The IDF is continuing to examine how the explosion occurred and why the device was not detected before troops entered the structure.

{Matzav.com}

The Tennessee General Assembly has approved legislation mandating that all official state documents use the term “Judea and Samaria” instead of “West Bank,” advancing the measure under the leadership of State Senator Mark Pody and State Representative Chris Todd.

The initiative followed an organized push by Jewish and Christian leaders, including Evangelical figure Laurie Cardoza-Moore, who serves on the Tennessee Textbook and Instructional Materials Quality Commission.

Those leaders jointly urged lawmakers to adopt legislation that would reflect what they described as historically accurate terminology for geographic regions in the Middle East.

Cardoza-Moore appeared before legislators to advocate for the proposal, which has now cleared the General Assembly and is awaiting Governor Bill Lee’s signature to become law.

Cardoza-Moore, whose Focus on Israel television program reaches a global audience, said, “Judea and Samaria are not just names or political terms – they are a connection to truth, to history, and to our shared Judeo-Christian heritage.”

She further criticized the use of the term West Bank, calling it inconsistent with American values: “When we use the Biblical names, we stand against modern revisionism which seeks to erase that heritage – not only in that Land, but even here in our own Republic.”

Expanding on her argument, she stated, “Judea and Samaria are the Biblical, geographical, historical, and legal terms used for thousands of years to describe the mountains overlooking Israel’s coast. This is the cradle of our Faith. From towns like Shiloh and Bethel, from the plains of Minnesota to the hills of Tennessee, this is not just Jewish history – it is our history.”

She also pointed to legal precedent, saying, “Even international law and early United Nations documents recognized these names – Judea and Samaria – long before the term ‘West Bank’ was introduced after Jordan’s occupation. The name matters. Because history matters.”

In closing remarks, she tied the timing of the legislation to current geopolitical developments, noting cooperation between Israeli and American forces in Iran.

“As the United States and Israel stand together – shoulder to shoulder, heart to heart – in the cause of freedom and liberty, now is the time for us to honor that shared legacy. Let us speak the truth. Let us use the names our faith, our history, and our forefathers recognized – Judea and Samaria,” concluded Cardoza-Moore.

{Matzav.com}

Amazon U.S. has restarted direct deliveries to Israel and reinstated free shipping on orders above $49, following a pause in service during the war. As before the conflict, not all products are eligible for free delivery. Shipping times, however, have lengthened significantly, with orders now expected to arrive in about a month rather than the usual two weeks.

The halt in shipments was largely the result of a sharp decline in flights to Israel during the fighting with Iran. Despite this disruption, many international retailers continued delivering to Israel throughout the war period.

Companies adapted in various ways to maintain service. iHerb continued shipments using a DHL-backed route through Cyprus. Next also kept deliveries going, though with delays, along with other British retailers such as ASOS, Cult Beauty, and Olive Young, a South Korean brand. Some Chinese platforms, including AliExpress, scaled back promotions in an effort to limit demand from Israeli customers. Temu and Shein generally continued shipping as well, though delivery times were slower. In addition, eCargo established an alternative logistics route by flying packages to Dubai and transporting them overland into Israel, creating a temporary air corridor that received approval from the Tax Authority.

At the same time, congestion has developed at Israel’s entry points in recent days. As flight activity picked up, hundreds of thousands of previously ordered packages arrived within a short period. Following the ceasefire, Israeli consumers resumed ordering at an accelerated pace, further increasing the volume of incoming parcels. The surge has led to a backlog in warehouses and placed additional pressure on local delivery networks.

{Matzav.com}