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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Monday that the military campaign against Iran is entering a more aggressive stage, declaring that greater strikes are still ahead as Washington moves to dismantle Tehran’s missile and naval capabilities. Speaking at the Capitol, Rubio made clear that operations would continue until those threats are eliminated.

“They’re suffering a tremendous amount of damage,” Rubio stated. “I’m not going to give away the details of our tactical efforts, but the hardest hits are yet to come from the US military. The next phase will be even more punishing on Iran than it is right now.”

Rubio declined to outline a specific timetable for the campaign but underscored that the United States has defined targets and intends to pursue them without pause. “I don’t know how long it will take,” he said, “but we will do this as long as it takes to achieve those objectives and we will achieve those objectives. The world will be a safer place when we’re done with this operation.”

He argued that the action was necessary to prevent Iran from reaching a point at which it could deter any effective response. “This operation needed to happen because Iran, in about a year or a year and a half, would cross the line of immunity,” he said. “They would have so many short-range missiles, so many drones that no one could do anything about it because they could hold the whole world hostage.”

Pointing to the current impact of the strikes, Rubio suggested that the damage already inflicted demonstrates what could have happened had Iran been given more time to build up its arsenal. “Look at the damage they’re doing now,” he remarked. “And this is a weakened Iran… imagine a year from now.”

Rubio said the United States moved forward with full awareness of Israel’s plans and the potential consequences for American forces. “Obviously, we were aware of Israeli intentions and understood what that would mean for us, and we had to be prepared to act as a result of it,” he explained.

Describing the broader strategy, Rubio stressed that eliminating Iran’s ballistic missile program is central to the mission. “Our mission is the destruction of Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities and their ability to manufacture them,” he said.

He also voiced hope that change could eventually come within Iran itself, while maintaining that the immediate objective remains military. “We would love for there to be an Iran that is not governed by radical clerics,” Rubio said. “If there’s something we can do to help the people of Iran down the road, we would be open to it, but our objective is the destruction of Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities.”

Rubio closed by reiterating that preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons is the overriding goal of the operation. “President Trump would love for the people of Iran to use this opportunity to rise up and remove these leaders, but the objective of this mission is to make sure Iran doesn’t have nuclear weapons that can threaten us and our allies in the region.”

{Matzav.com}

Hundreds gathered Monday evening to accompany the three Biton siblings — Avigail, Yaakov, and Sarah, Hy”d — to kevuras Yisroel after they were killed in a direct Iranian missile strike in Beit Shemesh. The heartbreaking tragedy has shaken the tzibbur, as family, friends, and residents stood together in grief to bid farewell to the young souls taken so suddenly.

Their father, Reb Yitzchak Biton, delivered a tearful hesped, his voice breaking as he struggled to comprehend the magnitude of the loss. “Avrohom Avinu sacrificed one son, I sacrificed three. I sacrificed my son Yaakov, my daughter Avigail, and my daughter Sarah. Hakadosh Boruch Hu wanted to take these holy souls. We were at home when there was a tremendous blast. The ceiling collapsed, and I shielded the youngest daughter.”

The devastation unfolded in an instant, as the family home was struck and partially collapsed from the force of the explosion. The father’s words conveyed both anguish and submission to the gezeirah, as he described the terrifying moments when the blast tore through their home.

During the levayah, the children’s grandmother, Lillian, also addressed the crowd, her words saturated with pain. “These were pure children who only knew how to do good. They grew up in a home of goodness, joy, love for Israel, and only doing good for others.”

She spoke lovingly of her daughter, the children’s mother, emphasizing her strength and unwavering emunah. “They have a special mother. Their mother is stronger than anyone. She has great strength and deep faith. She taught them at home, not in institutions. A home education-she feared that the outside world would spoil them.”

Turning to the assembled mourners and to Klal Yisroel at large, the grandmother called for spiritual awakening in the face of tragedy. “The people of Israel must strengthen themselves-this is the time. We must be together and believe that the Torah will save us and cling to Hakadosh Boruch Hu. That is what will save us, not shelters. The mother told them, ‘Do not go to the shelter, stay with me,’ because she has faith.”

As the levayah drew on, she lifted her voice heavenward in a final anguished plea: “Creator of the world, these holy children have come to You; send redemption, enough, Creator of the world!”

{Matzav.com}

Additional footage shows air defense systems intercepting Iranian ballistic missiles over Israel.

Authorities have released all the names of the nine people killed when a ballistic missile launched from Iran struck a residential area in Beit Shemesh, marking the deadliest single strike in Israel since the current conflict with Iran began.

The missile leveled a shul and caused massive destruction to a public bomb shelter located beneath it, along with severe damage to nearby homes. In total, nine people were killed and more than 40 others were wounded when the estimated 500-kilogram warhead made a direct impact.

Those killed included three teenage siblings, a mother and her adult daughter, a mother and her adult son, a 16-year-old boy, and a man.

The Beit Shemesh attack was the deadliest missile strike inside Israel during the ongoing hostilities. A day earlier, Philippine national Mary Anne Velasquez de Vera, 32, was killed in a missile strike in Tel Aviv.

The IDF said the Israeli Air Force is investigating why the missile was not intercepted. Air defense systems were activated, but for reasons that remain unclear, the interceptors failed to bring down the projectile before it hit its target.

Even during some of the funerals, as victims were being laid to rest, additional missile fire from Iran forced mourners to seek shelter once again.

Ronit Elimelech, 45, and her mother, Sara, were among those killed in the strike. Elimelech volunteered with United Hatzalah, and emergency crews responding to the scene discovered her medical vest and equipment among the debris.

According to a statement from United Hatzalah, Elimelech and her three children had been visiting her parents’ home in Beit Shemesh. When sirens sounded, they entered the public shelter beneath the shul, which was later destroyed in the blast.

Rescue teams pulled two of Elimelech’s children from the rubble and transported them to Hadassah Ein Kerem Medical Center in Yerushalayim with light to moderate injuries. A third child was not hurt, and Sara’s husband was also located unharmed.

“Ronit joined United Hatzalah after her young son asked her to volunteer as his birthday gift. I met them personally, and they hold a very special place in our hearts,” Eli Beer, president of United Hatzalah, wrote on X before Elimelech’s death was formally announced.

He later shared how her son Itamar, who is autistic, had requested on his 11th birthday that his mother become a volunteer. “Itamar was so proud of his mother,” Beer wrote.

Among the victims were siblings Yaakov Biton, 16, Avigail Biton, 15, and Sara Biton, 13. Hundreds attended their funeral Monday night. Their father described the moment the missile struck, calling it a “tremendous explosion,” according to Hebrew media. He said his first instinct was to protect his youngest daughter.

Drawing a parallel to the Torah account of the Akeidah, he said, “Avrohom Avinu bound one son, I bound three. I bound my son Yaakov, my daughter Avigail and my daughter Sara. God wanted to take these holy souls.”

Their grandmother, Lilian, remembered them as “pure children who only knew how to do good. They grew up in a home of only good and happiness and love of country.”

At the funeral, according to Arutz Sheva, she cried out, “Creator of worlds, these holy children have come to you. Bring redemption.”

Oren Katz was also identified by the Beit Shemesh municipality as one of the victims. He is survived by his wife, children, and a brother, according to a local news report.

He was buried Monday. During the funeral, his son Yosef delivered a eulogy, saying, “You were always a special person who cared for everyone, not only yourself.”

“Yesterday you came home in the middle of the workday so we’d have something to eat for lunch. I’m glad I had the privilege to eat your food for the last time,” he said. “You told us we were your reason for living.”

Sixteen-year-old Gavriel Baruch Ravach was another victim identified by municipal officials. According to a local outlet, his father had previously contributed to and been involved in building the very synagogue that was destroyed in the same missile strike that claimed his son’s life.

Bruria Cohen was killed together with her adult son Yosef. A Beit Shemesh news site reported that Yosef was widely known in the community for his devotion to caring for his mother.

{Matzav.com}

In light of the war with Iran, the Gerer Chassidus has issued firm instructions ahead of Purim, prohibiting public gatherings and large-scale celebrations. The directive was delivered via a recorded message sent to thousands of bochurim in the chassidus’ yeshivos.

In the recording, the bochurim were informed that the yeshivos will not be organizing any official Purim activities this year, and that each individual should celebrate at home. They were specifically instructed to conduct themselves “without garatchke in the streets,” making clear that there should be no public revelry or commotion outdoors.

Additionally, the bochurim were asked not to dance in the streets, not to travel from city to city to attend festive meals, and not to arrange independent minyanim. Rather, they were directed to daven only in established shtieblach.

It was further clarified that bochurim may visit members of the yeshivah staff, but not in large groups, and that any seudah gatherings should take place only in small groups.

{Matzav.com}

The IDF has issued an evacuation notice to the Evin neighborhood of Tehran, located near the IRIB broadcasting building.

CENTCOM Update: Six U.S. service members have been killed in action. U.S. forces recently recovered the remains of two previously unaccounted for service members from a facility that was struck during Iran’s initial attacks in the region.

Ah Freilichen Purim, Rabbosai. Ah! Krias megillah by the world’s most popular daf yomi maggid shiur, Rabbi Eli Stefansky.

IRGC Advisor Brigadier General Sardar Ebrahim Jabbari: Strait of Hormuz is closed. Anyone who wants to pass, our self-sacrificing heroes in the IRGC Navy and the Army will set those ships on fire.

El Al announced Monday evening that it will not begin operating flights to Taba at this time, citing the absence of authorization from Israeli security officials.

In a statement released by the airline, the company made clear that it will not operate any flights without explicit security clearance. The announcement also stressed that a severe travel warning remains in effect for Egypt, and that Israeli carriers are barred from flying to the country.

El Al emphasized that it follows the directives of the relevant security authorities without exception and that passenger safety takes precedence over every other consideration.

Following the reopening of Ben Gurion Airport, the airline reiterated its commitment to bringing all of its customers back to Israel at no extra cost from more than 20 destinations worldwide.

At the same time, it was reported that Wizz Air will take part in the evacuation efforts and will bolster its service to Sharm El Sheikh beginning Friday.

{Matzav.com}

The head of Israel’s Intelligence Directorate, Maj. Gen. Shlomi Binder, declared that Israel will continue striking senior enemy figures and expanding its target list, stating that recent operations delivered a clear and uncompromising message to its adversaries.

Maj. Gen. Binder made the remarks Monday during an intelligence situation assessment held at the Intelligence Directorate’s Command Center, where he met with commanders and personnel from the Research Division to review ongoing operations and future objectives.

Addressing those present, Binder described the operational capabilities that enabled Israeli forces to act with speed and precision.

“We could tactically surprise them, beginning at an unexpected hour and catching our enemies mid-gatherings. In 40 seconds, we eliminated more than 40 of the most important people in Iran…and we are not finished. You must continue to set these targets and mark them. Just last night we achieved another such accomplishment, and we intend to add to the list every day.”

He framed the recent actions within the broader context of the war over the past two years, emphasizing the strategic message being conveyed.

“Looking at the past two years of the war, I believe we are sending a very clear message to our enemies – there is no place where we will not find them.”

Binder concluded with a direct warning to those who threaten Israel and its citizens.

“Anyone who chooses to engage in such actions against the State of Israel, against the residents of the State of Israel, against our future here, we will find them, and we will eliminate them.”

{Matzav.com}

A new Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted amid the U.S. and Israeli offensive against Iran — dubbed “Operation Epic Fury” — finds that roughly one in four Americans approve of President Trump’s decision to order military strikes that resulted in the death of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The national survey, conducted Saturday and Sunday in […]

As Klal Yisroel prepares to celebrate Purim with simcha, Rav Boruch Hirschfeld, Rosh Kollel of Torah Life Institute in Cleveland, is encouraging ways to elevate the Yom Tov while keeping Acheinu Bais Yisroel in mind. Rav Hirschfeld offered two simple suggestions: 1. Increase limud torah on Purim — each person according to his level — […]

The Yerushalayim Municipality has introduced a new emergency notification system tailored specifically for residents who use kosher phones and do not have access to smartphone apps or standard digital alerts.

The initiative, launched at the direction of Mayor Moshe Lion, is designed to automatically place phone calls to those who register for the service. Subscribers receive two types of recorded voice updates: an advance warning prior to the sounding of a siren in their area, and a follow-up message informing them when the security incident has concluded.

One of the system’s central features is its ability to send localized alerts based on specific neighborhoods, rather than issuing blanket notifications citywide. In addition, the system has been structured in a manner that complies with halachic requirements, enabling it to function on Shabbos and Yomim Tovim in a permissible way.

“It is important to ensure that those who choose a lifestyle without a smartphone receive the earliest possible warning so they can reach a protected space safely,” Lion stressed.

In the wake of the recent tragedy in Beit Shemesh, where residents lost their lives despite following official directives, Lion stressed the critical importance of remaining inside a protected room, describing it as “life-saving and an obligation upon every individual.”

{Matzav.com}

Iran’s leaders are scrambling to replace Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who ruled the country for 37 years before he was killed in the surprise U.S. and Israeli bombardment. It’s only the second time since the 1979 Islamic Revolution that a new supreme leader is being chosen. Potential candidates range from hard-liners committed to confrontation with the West to […]

Iranian state media released a video purportedly showing Iranian forces shooting down an Israeli Heron drone.

PURIM BEGINS IN ERETZ YISROEL: Harav Dov Landau shlit”a seen in Shul this evening at Krias Megillah.