Senior envoys from President Donald Trump’s administration are expected to travel to Israel this week as the United States and Israel continue their coordinated military campaign against Iran.
The visit would mark the first such trip since the launch of Operation “Roaring Lion,” which began more than a week ago and has involved extensive joint strikes against Iranian targets.
Despite the close cooperation between Washington and Jerusalem during the conflict, no in-person meetings between senior officials from the two countries have taken place since the fighting began.
However, Israel’s Channel 12 News reported Sunday evening that meetings are expected to occur this week with the arrival of Trump’s senior adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner, along with the president’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.
Kushner and Witkoff, both of whom have been involved in managing the war effort and coordinating closely with Israel, are expected to arrive on Tuesday. During the visit, they are scheduled to meet with senior Israeli political leaders.
The report noted that the two officials may also bring messages from President Trump.
It was also reported over the past week that President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu have been speaking daily since the start of the war in order to coordinate the next stages of the military campaign.
{Matzav.com}[Video below.] A behind-the-scenes Kremlin video showing Russian President Vladimir Putin briefly stopping during a prerecorded International Women’s Day message and mentioning that his throat was irritated has reignited online speculation about his health, though there is no verified evidence that he is seriously ill.
The footage, which The Moscow Times reported was mistakenly released before being replaced with an edited version, shows Putin interrupting his remarks, switching off the camera, and commenting: “You know, let me say that again, because… my throat’s a bit scratchy. Yes, a bit scratchy. I almost started coughing. I’ve been talking a lot today.”
Russia’s state news agency TASS also reported that Putin delivered a video greeting for the March 8 holiday.
The brief moment was enough to trigger a new wave of speculation on social media suggesting that the Russian leader may be concealing a more significant medical problem.
However, similar rumors about Putin’s health have surfaced repeatedly in the past without being backed by credible evidence.
In 2023, The Associated Press reported on viral claims circulating online that Putin had suffered a heart attack. Investigators found the allegation originated from an anonymous Telegram account that researchers who track misinformation said lacked credibility.
According to the report, the Kremlin dismissed the claim as a “hoax,” while Reuters said that same month that Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov rejected another round of health rumors, stating: “Everything is fine with him, this is absolutely another fake.”
By itself, the recently circulated clip does not indicate that Putin is dealing with any serious health condition.
A momentary cough or throat irritation can be caused by many routine factors. In 2021, Putin also coughed during a televised government session and responded to concerns by saying he was healthy and regularly tested for COVID-19 and other illnesses.
What remains clear is that even minor incidents involving Putin attract intense attention because of their potential political significance, especially as Russia continues its war in Ukraine and maintains tight control over the president’s public appearances.
The video attracted interest largely because it captured an unusual unscripted moment, rather than providing proof of the longstanding claims about Putin’s health that have circulated for years.
WATCH: {Matzav.com}The United Arab Emirates said Sunday that Iran launched a new wave of attacks, firing ballistic missiles and drones toward the country as regional tensions continue to escalate.
According to the UAE’s Defense Ministry, Iran launched 16 ballistic missiles along with more than 117 drones during the latest assault.
The ministry said air defense systems successfully intercepted all 16 missiles, while an additional missile fell into the sea. Officials also reported that most of the drones were shot down, though four drones ultimately landed inside UAE territory.
The ministry added that the country remains prepared to “firmly confront” any further threats.
Earlier Sunday, Iran’s president warned that Tehran could expand attacks against American targets across the Middle East in response to continuing Israeli and U.S. military operations.
The UAE did not provide details about the specific locations targeted in Sunday’s attacks.
{Matzav.com}
