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A 4½-year-old Israeli boy who suffered severe burns after falling into a pot of boiling soup at a shul on Friday night remains sedated and on a ventilator, with doctors at Hadassah Ein Kerem reporting extensive injuries.

Medical teams from the pediatric emergency department and plastic surgery unit at Hadassah Ein Kerem treated the young child late Friday night in the trauma unit after he fell into a pot of bubbling hot soup and sustained serious burns.

The incident occurred at a shul on Friday night, as soup was being distributed at a communal Shabbos Hagadol seudah. According to his mother, the child stepped backward and, within a split second, found himself inside the boiling pot.

Dr. Stav Serna Cahan, a senior specialist in plastic surgery and head of the burn unit at Hadassah, described the emergency response: “On Friday evening, a 4½-year-old boy was urgently brought to the trauma unit after sustaining severe and deep burns when he fell into a pot of boiling soup. He was taken directly to the trauma room and immediately underwent evaluation and examination by all the relevant teams from the pediatric emergency department and the burn unit of the plastic surgery department.”

Dr. Serna Cahan emphasized the extent of the injuries, noting that the burns covered a significant portion of the child’s body. “The severe burns were assessed at approximately 42 percent of his body surface, second- and third-degree burns. Due to the extent of the burns, the child was urgently transferred to the operating room, where he was sedated and ventilated and underwent debridement of the burns and dressing. He was then transferred to the pediatric intensive care unit, and as is customary in such severe burn cases, the team began fluid resuscitation. As of now, his condition is stable, and he is being treated by the experienced pediatric intensive care team and the multidisciplinary burn unit staff in the plastic surgery department at Hadassah, while he remains sedated and ventilated.”

The boy’s mother has remained constantly at his bedside, gently stroking his head as she spoke about the terrifying moment. “We were together in the shul. When my son approached the pot of soup, his older brother asked him to move away. He stepped backward and without noticing—it was a matter of a single second—he stumbled backward and fell into the pot.”

She explained that the pot was very large, enough to serve dozens of portions for those present in the shul. “Immediately there was a rapid response at the scene. He managed to get out of the pot, and people in the shul gathered around him right away. They took him and poured water on the burns while calling ambulances. As quickly as possible they brought him to Hadassah Ein Kerem. Here, the excellent team in intensive care and the burn unit is treating him—they are truly messengers.”

The mother expressed hope while stressing the importance of awareness. “I believe we will get through this and that he will feel well, with Hashem’s help. But it is very important to emphasize that this was an accident that happened in a split second and not anyone’s fault. Certainly, increasing awareness is very important to prevent more cases like this, and if someone will be more careful after reading this, we have done our part. Here in the intensive care unit, the team is caring for him with dedication, and our community is helping us and surrounding us with support for everything we need at home.”

Dr. Serna Cahan concluded with an important message for parents: “If such an incident occurs, emergency services should be called as quickly as possible in order to evacuate the injured person for professional treatment in a burn unit like the one operating at Hadassah. Do not pour water over the body; it is possible to place a clean towel over the burn.”

{Matzav.com}

A newly resurfacing coronavirus strain known as BA.3.2, or “Cicada,” has been identified again in recent months after nearly disappearing since it was first detected in South Africa in 2024. Health experts say the variant could soon make its way to Israel as it spreads across multiple regions.

According to international reports, the variant has recently been detected in the United States, several European countries, and parts of North Africa, drawing increased attention from public health officials.

A report by Mako notes that the strain belongs to the Omicron family and carries an unusually high number of mutations—between 70 and 75—more than the variants currently dominant. Experts believe some of these mutations may allow it to partially evade existing immunity, although there is currently no indication that it causes more severe illness.

Professor Cyril Cohen, dean of the Faculty of Life Sciences at Bar-Ilan University, explained in an interview with Mako that the emergence of new variants is expected. He noted that immunity to COVID-19 is not as stable as with other diseases, which allows new strains to spread even among populations that have already been exposed to the virus. He also pointed out that reduced monitoring of COVID-19 in many countries makes it more difficult to accurately assess the extent of its spread.

According to Professor Cohen, the new variant may arrive in Israel in the near future, but there is no reason for alarm. “Immunity in the population is good, even if not perfect,” he said. “We need to monitor, but there are no signs of anything medically unusual at this stage.”

In Israel, COVID-19 currently represents a relatively small portion of seasonal illnesses. However, experts say there could be a moderate increase in cases in the coming months, a pattern often seen as other respiratory illnesses begin to decline.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump warned that the United States could escalate its military actions against Iran, including targeting major energy infrastructure, if negotiations fail to bring an end to the ongoing conflict.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said that Washington is engaged in “serious discussions” with Tehran aimed at resolving the war, claiming that the talks have already made “great progress.”

At the same time, he issued a stark threat regarding Iran’s critical facilities. “If the Hormuz Strait is not immediately ‘Open for Business,’ we will conclude our lovely ‘stay’ in Iran by blowing up and completely obliterating all of their Electric Generating Plants, Oil Wells and Kharg Island (and possibly all desalinization plants!), which we have purposefully not yet ‘touched’,” he wrote.

Iran, however, continues to deny that direct negotiations are taking place. Officials in Tehran have previously dismissed American proposals to end the conflict, describing them as “unrealistic, illogical and excessive.”

The warning comes as thousands of U.S. troops have been deployed to the region following Trump’s earlier threats to move against Kharg Island, a strategic location in the Persian Gulf that handles roughly 90 percent of Iran’s oil exports.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei acknowledged that messages have been relayed through intermediaries indicating a U.S. willingness to negotiate, but said the terms being proposed are excessive and unacceptable.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump said Sunday that construction is underway on a new White House ballroom that will include an extensive underground facility, featuring advanced security measures and financed entirely through private contributions.

Trump explained that the project is intended to address longstanding space limitations at the White House, particularly when hosting large gatherings and foreign dignitaries, noting that current rooms are insufficient for major events.

“The military is building a massive complex under the ballroom, and that’s under construction, and we’re doing very well,” Trump said.

He indicated that work on the subterranean portion is already in progress and is part of a broader security design tied directly to the ballroom above it, giving the structure both functional and protective purposes.

According to Trump, the ballroom itself will incorporate significant protective features, including reinforced construction and safeguards against modern threats such as drones.

“We have all bulletproof glass. We have drone-proof roofs, ceilings,” Trump said. “Everything is drone-proof and bulletproof, and unfortunately, we’re living in an age where that’s a good thing.”

Trump stressed that the project will not use taxpayer funds, saying it is being covered entirely by private donors and his own contributions.

“All of the money paid is paid by myself and donors…it’s all donors,” Trump said. “There’s not one dime of government money going into the ballroom.”

The proposal received approval in February from the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, which unanimously backed the roughly $400 million plan on a 6-0 vote and moved it forward on an accelerated timeline.

The new structure is being built where the former East Wing once stood, after it was torn down in October, and is expected to greatly increase the White House’s ability to host large-scale functions.

For years, administrations have relied on temporary setups for major events due to limited indoor space, as the old East Wing dining area could accommodate only about 200 people.

Trump said construction is moving at a rapid pace and remains both ahead of schedule and below projected costs as work continues.

“We’re ahead of schedule and under budget,” Trump said.

He added that the ballroom is being designed to align with the White House’s existing architecture in both appearance and scale, describing it as a fitting addition to the historic property.

“I think it’ll be the greatest ballroom anywhere in the world,” Trump said. “It pays total homage to the White House, which is, I think, very important.”

{Matzav.com}

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said her department has identified widespread fraud totaling billions of dollars within federal food assistance programs, pointing to recent efforts to overhaul oversight and enforcement.

In remarks to Breitbart News, Rollins said the Department of Government Efficiency played a central role in uncovering misuse within the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

“I can’t give enough credit to Elon Musk, who I still am in contact with today, and to the DOGE team that came in,” Rollins told Breitbart.

Rollins acknowledged that not all agencies welcomed the outside involvement but said the results spoke for themselves. “I know some of the other agencies weren’t as excited about it,” Rollins added. “I believed it was one of the greatest, most fortunate things that happened to us.

“I don’t know that we would have ever been able to stop and uncover — to the tune of billions of dollars” — without President Donald Trump, Rollins said.

She also pointed to examples of federal spending she described as questionable, including a grant approved during the Biden administration to examine how racism impacts the pest control industry, as well as funding given to Louisiana researchers studying transgender mice.

“It was crazy, crazy stuff,” Rollins said to Breitbart. “[DOGE] were tremendously helpful.

“As DOGE itself … wound down at the end of the spring, we pivoted our DOGE team. They’re still here. We pivoted them to SNAP and helping us begin to understand how to even start to reconstruct that entire program.”

Rollins said that upon assuming her role, she immediately contacted governors across the country to signal a shift in enforcement priorities and accountability.

“We have to do better by the taxpayers,” Rollins said.

According to Breitbart, the joint efforts of DOGE and the USDA uncovered approximately 500,000 individuals receiving multiple SNAP benefits, along with nearly 200,000 deceased individuals who were still listed as recipients.

Rollins also criticized certain states for not fully cooperating with the investigation, specifically pointing to those led by Democrats.

“I can’t even begin to imagine what California, New York, or Minnesota look like,” Rollins said.

Since she took office, Rollins said that roughly 3.3 million people have been removed from SNAP rolls, and 118 individuals suspected of fraud have been taken into custody.

“When we finally get our hands on that blue state data, I think it is going to be more shocking than anyone could have even imagined,” Rollins said.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump is considering a potential military operation to remove close to 1,000 pounds of uranium from Iran, a move that could require American forces to operate inside the country for an extended period, U.S. officials told The Wall Street Journal on Sunday.

No final decision has been made, according to those officials, who said the president is still evaluating the risks to American troops. At the same time, they noted that Trump is generally receptive to the plan, seeing it as a possible way to ensure Iran is permanently prevented from developing nuclear weapons.

In parallel, Trump has urged his team to push for Iran to hand over the uranium as part of any agreement to end the conflict, according to a source familiar with his thinking. In discussions with allies, the president has made it clear that Iran cannot retain the material and has even raised the possibility of taking it by force if negotiations fail.

Efforts to mediate between Washington and Tehran have involved countries such as Pakistan, Turkey, and Egypt. However, direct talks between the United States and Iran aimed at ending the war have not yet taken place.

“It’s the job of the Pentagon to make preparations in order to give the commander-in-chief maximum optionality. It does not mean the president has made a decision,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. The Pentagon declined to comment, and a spokesperson for U.S. Central Command also declined to comment.

Prior to the wave of joint Israeli and American strikes carried out last June, Iran was believed to possess over 400 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent, along with nearly 200 kilograms enriched to 20 percent—levels that can be further processed into weapons-grade material at 90 percent.

Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, has indicated that much of this uranium is likely stored at two of the three facilities targeted in those strikes: a subterranean tunnel system at the Isfahan nuclear site and a stockpile located at Natanz.

According to the source familiar with the discussions, Trump and some of his allies believe a focused operation could successfully secure the uranium without significantly prolonging the war, allowing the United States to wrap up its involvement by mid-April.

The president has also conveyed to those around him that he wants to avoid a drawn-out conflict. Some senior advisers are encouraging him to shift attention to domestic issues, particularly the upcoming midterm elections, where polling suggests Republicans could face notable setbacks.

As U.S. forces continue their strikes against Iranian targets, Trump has been receiving ongoing briefings about the logistical and operational challenges tied to such a mission, officials said. At the same time, the military is preparing additional contingency plans, including deploying rapid-response Marine units and paratroopers from the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division to the region, potentially to secure key strategic positions such as islands off Iran’s southern coastline.

Last Saturday, Trump issued a 48-hour ultimatum demanding that Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz or risk attacks on its energy infrastructure.

He has since extended that deadline twice to allow diplomatic efforts to continue, most recently on Thursday, when he granted Iran an additional ten days.

Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, said on Friday that the United States is awaiting Iran’s reply to a 15-point proposal aimed at ending the war, adding that he expects negotiations between the sides to begin this week.

{Matzav.com}

A large shipment of KitKat chocolate bars weighing approximately 12 tons has been stolen in Europe, raising concerns that store shelves could be short on the popular treat just ahead of the Easter season, according to Nestle.

The Swiss-based food company confirmed that the theft involved a truck carrying hundreds of thousands of bars from its newer product line. The vehicle vanished last week while en route between manufacturing and distribution points.

KitKat, owned by Nestle, told AFP on Saturday that “a truck transporting 413,793 units of its new chocolate range has been stolen during transit in Europe.” The company said the shipment disappeared while moving through its supply chain.

Referencing the brand’s well-known slogan, a company spokesperson addressed the unusual theft with a touch of humor. “We’ve always encouraged people to have a break with KitKat,” a spokesperson told AFP, referring to its famous catchphrase. “But it seems thieves have taken the message too literally and made a break with more than 12 tons of our chocolate.”

Nestle said the truck had departed from a production facility in central Italy and was on its way to Poland when it was taken. As of now, both the vehicle and its cargo remain missing.

“the vehicle and its contents remain unaccounted for.”

The company said authorities are actively working to track down the stolen shipment in coordination with partners across its distribution network.

“Investigations are ongoing in close collaboration with local authorities and supply chain partners,” Nestle said.

Officials warned that the loss could disrupt supply levels in stores across Europe, potentially making it harder for shoppers to find KitKat products in the lead-up to Easter.

Nestle also cautioned that the stolen bars might resurface through unauthorized sales channels in various markets.

To help identify the missing goods, the company noted that each bar carries a traceable batch code that can be scanned.

“If a match is found, the scanner will be given clear instructions on how to alert KitKat who will then share the evidence appropriately,” it said.

KitKat confirmed on Sunday that the stolen shipment totals around 12 tons and said it is cooperating with law enforcement as the investigation continues.

“Good news: there are no concerns for consumer safety, and supply is not affected,” KitKat’s official account on X said in a statement.

{Matzav.com}

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A dramatic standoff unfolded last week at Kever Rochel when security forces moved to shut down the site—the last place that had maintained uninterrupted tefillah throughout the months of war—before a swift intervention led to a solution allowing it to reopen with limitations.

At the height of Operation “Roaring Lion,” representatives from the Home Front Command and police arrived at the kever near Bais Lechem intending to close it immediately due to a lack of sufficient protective measures.

Since the start of the fighting, the site had remained open 24/7, serving as a central place for thousands of mispallelim who came to be mispallel and pour out their hearts during this eis tzarah. However, stricter security directives brought about a decision to shut it down entirely due to safety concerns.

The site’s director, Reb Eyal Attia, who has been running the site with true mesirus nefesh since the beginning of the war, refused to accept the closure. He fought strongly against the decision, stressing the importance of keeping the kol of Torah and tefillah going at such a makom kadosh, especially in a time like this.

It was learned that the Director-General of the Ministry of Religious Services, Yehuda Avidan, stepped in to assist. Within less than 48 hours of intense efforts and coordination with the relevant authorities, a practical solution was achieved.

Two reinforced mobile shelters were brought in and installed at the site for the protection of the tzibbur, making it possible to reopen in accordance with Home Front Command regulations.

Following the placement of the shelters, the hanhalah is preparing for a structured reopening under official safety guidelines. At this point, entry will be limited to 100 people at a time to ensure the safety of those coming to daven at the kever of Rochel Imeinu.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli authorities authorized a restricted prayer arrangement at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Sunday night following tensions earlier in the day when senior Christian leaders were barred from entering the site under wartime safety rules.

According to an Israel Police statement, the decision was reached after a security review led by Yerushalayim District Commander Deputy Commissioner Avshalom Peled, alongside David Sub-District Commander Dvir Tamim, and in coordination with a representative of the Latin Patriarch. The plan allows for limited access in order to preserve worship opportunities for various Christian groups at the church.

Police emphasized that the limitations placed on holy sites lacking standard protective infrastructure—including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre—are based on Home Front Command guidelines and are meant to protect those present.

Authorities added that similar precautions are in place elsewhere, noting that both the Kosel Plaza and the Har Habayis compound have also been closed to visitors due to ongoing security concerns.

“Iranian regime missiles do not distinguish between religion or background, and the Iranian regime continues to launch missiles toward populated areas and holy sites,” the Israel Police stated.

The revised arrangement comes after a confrontation earlier Sunday, when police stopped the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, from entering the church. He had attempted to access the site despite wartime restrictions issued under Home Front Command directives.

A joint statement from the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Custody of the Holy Land said that Cardinal Pizzaballa, accompanied by the Custos of the Holy Land, Fr. Francesco Ielpo, was halted on his way to the church while traveling privately and “without any characteristics of a procession or ceremonial act,” and was forced to turn back.

Church officials pointed out that, because of the incident, “for the first time in centuries, the Heads of the Church were prevented from celebrating the Palm Sunday Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.”

They characterized the situation as “a grave precedent,” stating that it disregards “the sensibilities of billions of people around the world who, during this week, look to Jerusalem.”

Church leadership stressed that since the beginning of the conflict they have adhered to all imposed restrictions, including canceling public events and arranging for global broadcasts of services.

“Preventing the entry of the Cardinal and the Custos… constitutes a manifestly unreasonable and grossly disproportionate measure,” the statement said, calling the decision “hasty and fundamentally flawed” and “an extreme departure from basic principles of reasonableness, freedom of worship, and respect for the Status Quo.”

The Patriarchate and the Custody of the Holy Land conveyed “profound sorrow” to Christians locally and worldwide over the inability to hold prayers on one of the holiest days in the Christian calendar.

In the diplomatic arena, Israel’s Ambassador to Italy, Jonathan Peled, was called in for talks at the Italian Foreign Ministry in Rome following the episode, while other diplomatic missions also requested explanations from Israeli officials.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry responded that all current safety directives in Yerushalayim’s Old City are a direct consequence of Iranian missile attacks.

“As is known, the Iranian regime has fired on the Old City on multiple occasions, striking sites in the vicinity of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and the Western Wall,” the statement said.

{Matzav.com}

A much-anticipated bein hazemanim concert for bochurim in Carteret, New Jersey, was abruptly shut down tonight after police intervened over several concerns, including alleged vaping or smoking inside the venue and overcrowding.

The event, held at the Carteret Performing Arts Center, drew a large turnout of bochurim eager to attend what had been billed as an uplifting evening of music and chizuk during bein hazemanim.

The concert, for men only, was organized in memory of Dovi Steinmetz, the beloved son of R’ Shloime Steinmetz, and had generated significant excitement in the weeks leading up to it.

Featuring a lineup of well-known Jewish music performers, the program included Yidi Bialostozky, Shloime Daskal, Joey Newcomb, and Chaim Horowitz, accompanied by the Shea Kaller band. In addition, surprise appearances were planned, including singer Levi Falkowitz.

The evening began smoothly, with spirited singing and an energized atmosphere inside the hall. However, as the program progressed, police were called to the scene due to alleged overcrowding outside, and the situation soon escalated. Law enforcement then entered the building and ordered the event to be shut down. Officials reportedly cited safety concerns, including overcrowding of the exits, which they said were a fire hazard, and allegations of vaping or smoking taking place inside the venue.

The shutdown came just as Levi Falkowitz had taken the stage.

Witnesses describe confusion and frustration as organizers and attendees attempted to understand the sudden decision. Many bochurim were forced to disperse from both inside the venue and the surrounding area as police tried to clear the scene, but many bochurim had gathered to sing in unison in the venue’s lobby.

Organizers had intended the evening to serve as both a musical experience and a meaningful tribute. Instead, the night ended prematurely, leaving many participants disappointed.

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{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump said Sunday night that negotiations between the United States and Iran, being facilitated by Pakistan, are moving forward and could soon produce an agreement, as tensions in the region remain high.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump described the diplomatic track as advancing positively and indicated that a deal might be reached in short order.

He also noted a development in the Strait of Hormuz, saying Iran has increased the number of Pakistan-flagged oil tankers it is permitting to pass through the strategic waterway, doubling the total to 20.

Reporter: “Do you see a deal with Iran this coming week?”

Trump: “I do see a deal in Iran. Could be soon.” pic.twitter.com/5NSSLBCrg1

— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) March 30, 2026

Trump further asserted that Iran’s leadership has effectively been replaced following the recent joint U.S.-Israeli strikes, which he said eliminated the prior regime figures.

When asked whether the United States is weighing a ground deployment, Trump said, “I just have lots of alternatives. We have tremendous numbers of ships over there. We don’t need them all because of, you know, the power.”

He added, “We’re ahead of schedule with Iran. We’re weeks ahead of schedule. If you would have said that in three days we were going to knock out 158 ships, their entire navy, which we did. We knocked out their entire air force. We knocked out most of their missiles.”

Addressing questions about Mojtaba Khamenei, who was named Supreme Leader after his father, Trump said his condition remains unclear. “He may be, but nobody’s heard about him. He may be alive, but he’s obviously very seriously in trouble. He’s seriously wounded.”

Last weekend, Trump issued a 48-hour ultimatum demanding that Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face attacks on its power infrastructure. That deadline has since been extended twice to allow time for continued negotiations, most recently on Thursday, when he granted Iran an additional ten days.

Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, said Friday that Washington is awaiting Iran’s response to a 15-point proposal aimed at ending the conflict, and expressed expectation that talks between the sides will take place this week.

{Matzav.com}

Israel’s Knesset is set to vote Monday on a controversial bill that would impose the death penalty on terrorists, a move that has triggered intense political and security debate. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir is framing the vote as a turning point, saying its passage would mark a major shift in Israel’s deterrence policy.

Ben-Gvir described the upcoming vote as “a historic moment for the State of Israel,” arguing that the legislation is essential in the aftermath of the October 7 attacks and that the country can no longer afford hesitation.

According to Ben-Gvir, unlike in the past, there is now broader backing for the measure even within Israel’s security establishment. “Also in the Shin Bet, also in the army, also in the police and in the prison service, they understand that this law will frighten our enemies,” he said, adding that the scale of recent terror attacks requires stronger responses.

The proposed law would allow courts to impose the death penalty on terrorists responsible for deadly attacks, with supporters arguing that such a measure would strengthen deterrence and help prevent future violence. Backers say the legislation sends a clear and forceful message to those who seek to harm Israeli civilians.

Opponents, however, warn that the bill could carry serious consequences, both in terms of security and Israel’s legal and international standing. Critics argue there is no clear evidence that capital punishment deters terrorism and caution that it could undermine democratic values and expose Israel to global criticism.

Ben-Gvir emphasized the universal threat posed by terrorism, saying: “A terrorist does not distinguish between religious and secular — he comes to kill us all,” and urged lawmakers to support the measure: “The people of Israel expect us to vote for their security.”

Ben-Gvir has appealed to chareidi members of Knesset to back the bill, though their position has not yet been made clear.

{Matzav.com}

Four of Iran’s key ballistic missile manufacturing locations and at least 29 ballistic missile launch sites have been damaged in the first four weeks of the U.S.-Israeli offensive, undermining Iran’s central military strategy, according to a Washington Post review and analysis by experts.

Since the war began, the U.S. and Israel have conducted thousands of strikes across a range of military targets. The Post’s examination provides a comprehensive accounting of the damage to ballistic missile sites, as well as what it means for the future of the overall program.

Strikes have destroyed aboveground launching facilities, temporarily blocked access to missiles stored underground and halted Iran’s ability to immediately build new missiles, according to satellite imagery, and Iranian military and defense experts who reviewed the findings. But the experts cautioned that Iran’s ballistic missile program has not been destroyed.

“They’re still shooting. That’s a key indicator,” said Tom Karako, director of the Missile Defense Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington-based think tank, referring to Iran’s continued use of missiles.

Some experts said they doubted the missile program could ever be completely destroyed, citing the regime’s record of rebuilding after prior attacks and access to foreign supply chains that can replenish destroyed manufacturing equipment. Mobile missile launchers are also being used, and the number of those is unknown.

“I don’t see Iran making a fundamental change to their missile strategy if the regime survives,” Nicole Grajewski, a nonresident scholar at the Carnegie Endowment, said. “Missiles are still going to be the ultimate deterrent against attackers and the foundational military strategy.”

The Trump administration has identified the destruction of Iran’s missile program as a central goal of the war.

At a press briefing on March 19, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said U.S. attacks destroyed “the factories, the production lines that feed their missile and drone programs.” Separately, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the same day that Iran’s missile and drone arsenals have been “massively degraded” and that these attacks compared to the ones of June last year are destroying the factories that “produce the components to make these missiles.”

The U.S. and Israel have not publicly identified all the specific missile sites they have hit.

In his briefing, Hegseth said that Iranian retaliatory missile attacks against its neighbors had decreased by 90 percent since the beginning of the war on Feb. 28. Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has acknowledged that Iran still retains missile capabilities.

Israel claimed on March 21 that for the first time, Iran fired intermediate-range ballistic missiles at the joint U.K.-U.S. Diego Garcia military base in the Indian Ocean, almost 2,000 miles away.

Production sites hit

The manufacturing, development and testing of ballistic missiles is sustained through a network of campuses overseen by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Iran’s Ministry of Defense, according to Iranian military experts.

Four of the most important sites, which make fuel for the ballistic missiles, the experts said, have suffered severe damage in attacks by the U.S. and Israel that is greater than what was inflicted during the 12-day war with Israel last June and in October 2024, when Israel attacked Iran.

The sites – Khojir, Parchin, Hakimiyeh and Shahroud military complexes – house the production of critical missile propellants and assemble the weapons for use.

“If you don’t have propulsion, the missile’s aren’t going anywhere,” Jim Lamson, senior research associate at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies, said. Four experts who reviewed satellite imagery of the sites at The Post’s request said the damage has most likely halted Iran’s ability to produce short-range and medium-range ballistic missiles until facilities can be rebuilt.

Satellite imagery shows four main areas at the Khojir missile complex, just east of Tehran, were hit by the U.S. or Israel. The strikes targeted complex production systems that make solid and liquid fuel necessary to power the ballistic missiles, according to Sam Lair, a research associate at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies.

Ballistic missiles are fired miles into the air before returning to the ground at extremely high speeds. Those in the Iranian arsenal are fueled by either solid or liquid propellants, according to experts. Solid fuel is the most common, typically used for shorter range munitions and more efficient during war. Liquid propellants typically power the longest-range missiles, but have more time consuming fuel-loading processes, which makes them more vulnerable to attack.

In total, at least 88 structures were destroyed at Khojir, according to satellite imagery taken on March 24.

The IRGC’S Shahroud production complex in northeast Iran houses the research, development and mass production of solid fuel. It was heavily attacked by the U.S. or Israel, satellite imagery shows, leaving at least 28 damaged or destroyed structures.

At the Parchin military complex east of Tehran, where solid propellant is made, 12 structures were hit, according to March 12 imagery. On the outskirts of the capital, 19 structures were hit at the Hakimiyeh military complex, including facilities that make liquid propellant and launchers, March 14 imagery shows.

Sean O’Connor, an imagery analyst at the security intelligence firm Janes, told The Post in an email that if Iran is unable to rebuild its missile forces, it will lose one of its most important defensive strategies in the Middle East.

Launch bases attacked

At least 29 missile launch bases have been hit by airstrikes, according to imagery, severely undermining Iran’s ability to fire ballistic missiles, experts told The Post. Experts said the exact number of ballistic missile launch sites in Iran is not known but estimated there to be about 30. Most of these bases include underground missile storage facilities that are accessed through tunnels cut into mountainsides, according to experts. U.S. and Israeli strikes have hit many of these tunnel entrances, blocking access to where the missiles are kept, satellite imagery shows.

“These strikes will significantly hamper operations,” Lair said. Citing the destruction of base infrastructure, he added “it now takes longer to set up launchers, which gives the U.S. and Israel more time to identify and destroy them.”

Bases in central and western Iran are mobilized for medium-range strikes on Israel, while those along the Persian Gulf have been used to fire short range missiles at the Gulf states, Lamson said.

The Khorgu missile base along the Gulf has been struck at least twice by Israel or the U.S., according to imagery. At least 15 facilities were flattened and two tunnel entrances were hit.

Imagery of the Imam Ali missile base in western Iran shows nine aboveground structures and at least two tunnel entrances were hit, impeding access to the weapons underground, O’Connor of Janes said.

However, many experts said this impact is likely temporary. “It seems hard to permanently knock those bases out,” said Jeremy Binnie, another analyst at Janes. “You can neutralize them in theory but Iran will just keep digging them out and repairing.”

(c) 2026, The Washington Post · Jarrett Ley 

 

{Matzav.com}

A new election survey indicates that Likud is gaining strength, climbing to 28 Knesset seats, while former IDF chief Gadi Eisenkot has emerged as the leading choice to head the anti-Netanyahu bloc.

The poll, published Sunday night by Kan 11, comes about a month after the launch of Operation “Roaring Lion” and reflects shifting political momentum within both the coalition and opposition camps.

Likud, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, rose to 28 seats—up from 25 in the previous survey. Meanwhile, the party of former prime minister Naftali Bennett, still the largest faction within the anti-Netanyahu bloc, slipped by one seat to 19.

Other opposition parties also saw slight declines. Yair Lapid’s Yesh Atid dropped to 7 seats, while Avigdor Lieberman’s Yisrael Beiteinu fell to 8.

By contrast, Eisenkot’s party, “Yisra!”, posted a significant gain, jumping by four seats since the last poll to reach 13 mandates, making it the second-largest party within the opposition bloc. The Democrats party, led by Yair Golan, held steady at 9 seats.

Several parties failed to cross the electoral threshold in the poll, including Benny Gantz’s Blue and White, Yoaz Hendel’s Reservists Party, Bezalel Smotrich’s Religious Zionism party, and the Balad party led by Sami Abu Shehadeh. If the Arab parties were to reunite under a joint list, they would collectively secure an estimated 13 seats.

In terms of political blocs, the Netanyahu-aligned camp stands at 53 seats, up from 51 in the previous poll. The opposing bloc holds 67 seats; however, without cooperation between Jewish parties and Arab factions, that number would drop to 56—short of a governing majority.

Respondents were also asked who should lead the anti-Netanyahu bloc. Eisenkot topped the list with 24% support, compared to 18% for Bennett, despite Bennett heading a larger party within the bloc. Notably, 34% of opposition voters and even 18% of coalition voters selected Eisenkot as their preferred leader.

When asked who they trust most to manage the ongoing war, 32% of respondents chose Netanyahu. The results showed a sharp divide: 76% of coalition voters expressed confidence in Netanyahu, compared to just 6% among opposition voters. Among opposition respondents, the most trusted figure was IDF Chief of Staff Zamir, who received 45% support. Defense Minister Katz garnered only 3% overall, with similar levels of backing from coalition (3%) and opposition (1%) voters.

The poll also addressed concerns about military strain following remarks by Chief of Staff Zamir that the IDF could “collapse inward” due to the burden on service members. Overall, 66% of respondents said the statement worried them. The concern was significantly higher among opposition voters (85%) than coalition voters (40%). By demographic breakdown, 87% of secular respondents and 64% of traditional respondents expressed concern, compared to just 33% among religious and chareidi respondents.

Finally, participants were asked about the economic impact of the war with Iran. A total of 43% said their financial situation had been harmed, either moderately or severely. The divide persisted along political lines, with 31% of coalition voters and 45% of opposition voters reporting economic hardship as a result of the conflict.

{Matzav.com}

Israel’s 2026 state budget cleared the Knesset in a late-night vote, but the final moments of the session produced a political surprise: hundreds of millions of shekels were funneled to yeshivos and chareidi educational institutions after opposition lawmakers mistakenly backed the measure.

The budget, totaling roughly 699 billion shekels—the largest in Israel’s history during an ongoing war—was approved by a 62–55 vote in an overnight session between Sunday and Monday.

In the final minutes before the vote, coalition members introduced a series of objections of their own—an unusual move—which included provisions directing significant funding to chareidi institutions.

The maneuver had been kept quiet for days and appears to have confused opposition members. Some voted in favor of the objections, believing they were routine challenges to the budget. The result was a lopsided outcome: 107 lawmakers supported the measure, while only four opposed it.

Coalition officials said the step did not expand the budget, but rather released funds that had already been allocated and later frozen due to legal hurdles. Israel’s Attorney General, Gali Baharav-Miara, had previously declined to approve the use of the funds, citing concerns tied to the exemption of yeshiva students from military service and related High Court rulings. The coalition ultimately advanced the funding through what it described as a technical budget adjustment.

Opposition leaders reacted angrily. Opposition chairman Yair Lapid accused the government of abusing the process to transfer political funds during a time of national emergency.

Lapid wrote: “There has never been anything like this in the history of the Knesset. Right now, in the plenum, the coalition added at the last minute hundreds of millions of shekels to the chareidi parties beyond the budget framework! This is a group of despicable thieves disconnected from the people, looting the citizens of Israel while they are in shelters.”

Former prime minister Naftali Bennett also blasted the move, calling it a disgraceful political grab carried out during wartime.

Bennett wrote: “The government of greed and draft-dodging carried out a nighttime grab to transfer an additional 800,000,000 shekels to chareidi education. Soon we will replace them and fix everything.”

Coalition figures rejected the criticism and instead faulted the opposition for failing to carefully review what they were voting on. Minister Ze’ev Elkin ridiculed the confusion, describing it as a parliamentary failure by the opposition.

Amid the political clash, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich struck an upbeat tone about the economy, saying that despite the war, Israel’s economic data points to stability and growth. He said the approved budget is intended to strengthen security while ensuring the economy continues to function.

{Matzav.com}