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Sa’ar Says Israel Has “Already Won” Against Iran as Fighting Continues Without Clear End Date

Matzav -

Israel’s foreign minister, Gideon Sa’ar, said Tuesday that Israel has effectively secured victory in its war against Iran, though he made clear that military operations will continue and declined to offer any timeline for when the conflict might conclude.

At a press briefing, Sa’ar explained that Israel’s goal is to eliminate what he called “existential threats,” but did not spell out how officials would determine when those threats had been fully neutralized.

“One must be patient,” he said, referring to the 18th day of fighting in a war that has left more than 2,000 people dead across multiple countries, including Iran, Lebanon, Israel, Iraq, and parts of the Persian Gulf.

Israeli leaders, including Sa’ar, have repeatedly said their broader objective is to significantly degrade Iran’s capacity to strike Israel over time, while also creating internal pressure that could eventually lead to political change within Iran.

At the same time, Sa’ar acknowledged that any effort to bring down Iran’s leadership would ultimately have to come from within the country itself, indicating that such an outcome does not appear imminent.

According to the Israeli military, its forces have been targeting Iran’s ballistic missile systems, including launch sites as well as storage and manufacturing facilities. Strikes have also been carried out against locations tied to Iran’s nuclear program, along with security infrastructure.

“We have already won,” Sa’ar said, asserting that Iran has been severely weakened and is no longer the same power it was before the war began on Feb. 28 with coordinated U.S.-Israeli strikes.

“This is clear for us and for our neighbors, but we will continue until the point that the mission is complete,” he said.

Despite those claims, Iran launched multiple waves of missiles toward Israel on Tuesday, underscoring that it still retains the ability to carry out long-range attacks more than two weeks into the war.

Messages from Washington about the duration of the conflict have varied, with President Donald Trump at times suggesting it could end soon while also indicating that operations remain ongoing. Israeli officials have similarly avoided committing to a timeline, and the military has said it is prepared for several more weeks of fighting and beyond.

“We are doing a very important job,” Sa’ar said, shortly after Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that Israeli forces had killed senior Iranian security figure Ali Larijani.

The war between the United States, Israel, and Iran has destabilized the broader region, with Israel also engaged in combat with Hezbollah forces in Lebanon, while Iran has launched strikes targeting Gulf Arab states.

Iran has also effectively shut down the Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime passage through which roughly 20 percent of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas normally flows, fueling rising energy prices and concerns about inflation.

Several American allies have declined President Trump’s request to deploy naval forces to help escort commercial tankers through the strait, with some criticizing the U.S. and Israel for initiating the conflict without broader consultation. Sa’ar condemned Iran’s actions in the waterway, calling them “modern piracy” and warning that the issue affects the entire international community.

Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, who appeared alongside Sa’ar, indicated that his country could consider joining a U.S.-led effort to reopen the vital shipping route. However, he said Washington would first need to clearly outline its goals and specify what kind of assistance it is seeking.

{Matzav.com}

Oil Surge From Iran War Drives U.S. Gas Prices to Highest Levels in Over Two Years

Matzav -

The war with Iran has sent shockwaves through global energy markets, pushing oil prices sharply higher and leaving American drivers paying the most for gasoline in nearly two and a half years.

New data from AAA shows that the national average price for a gallon of regular gas climbed to $3.79 on Tuesday, a steep increase from $2.98 before the United States and Israel began coordinated strikes against Iran on Feb. 28. Prices have now reached levels not seen since October 2023.

Consumers across the country are already feeling the impact.

“It’s pretty hard. I mean, times are tough for everybody right now,” Amanda Acosta, a Louisiana resident, told The Associated Press while filling up her car’s tank this week.

“I’m getting way less gas and paying way more money.”

Her frustration reflects a broader trend, as higher fuel costs have become one of the most immediate economic consequences of the conflict. The price of crude oil, which is the key component in gasoline, has jumped and fluctuated significantly in recent weeks due to disrupted supply chains and reduced output from major Middle Eastern producers.

Brent crude, the global benchmark, surpassed $102 per barrel on Tuesday, up sharply from about $70 just weeks earlier. U.S. benchmark crude has also surged, approaching $96 per barrel.

Attention has increasingly turned to Washington. Before the outbreak of the war, President Donald Trump had touted his record of keeping gas prices down. Since then, however, he has shifted his messaging, suggesting that higher oil prices benefit the United States.

In a social media post last week, Trump wrote that because America is now the world’s leading oil producer, “when oil prices go up, we make a lot of money.”

While energy companies stand to gain from rising prices, consumers are left shouldering the burden. The latest spike comes at a time when many households are already grappling with elevated living costs.

Economists warn that higher fuel prices could also feed into persistent inflation, at least in the near term, and potentially weigh more heavily on the broader economy if the trend continues. That, in turn, could increase pressure on the Trump administration as voters remain focused on affordability.

“I just want all of it to end. I just want to get out of there, out of Iran,” said Meghan Adamoli, a New Jersey resident who was among customers filling up at a Multani station on Tuesday.

Adamoli added that while she personally can manage the rising costs, she recognizes that many others are struggling far more.

Truck driver Dan Bradley of Pennsylvania said the increases have hit both his business and personal expenses. Alongside gasoline, diesel prices have also climbed significantly, with the national average exceeding $5 per gallon on Tuesday, up from about $3.76 before the war began.

“It sucks when you’re filling up,” said Bradley. “What are you going to do, not get gas?”

Not everyone views the surge negatively. Clay Plant, who lives in Lubbock, Texas, said higher oil prices are boosting economic activity in his area, where drilling has ramped up.

“It’s kind of a good sign for us in west Texas,” Plant said. “I look at it as my friends and family get to eat and they get to go to work.”

Although the United States has become a net exporter of oil, global pricing dynamics still affect domestic costs. Regions that rely heavily on Middle Eastern imports, particularly in Asia, have been hit even harder by the disruption, but Americans are not insulated from rising prices.

Oil is traded on a global market, and much of the crude produced in the U.S. differs from what domestic refineries are optimized to process. As a result, the country continues to rely in part on imports, leaving it exposed to international supply shocks.

The outlook remains uncertain, with the potential for further price increases if the conflict continues. Iran has effectively shut down most tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint that normally carries about 20% of the world’s oil supply.

This disruption has forced some regional producers to scale back output, as their oil cannot reach global markets. At the same time, strikes by Iran, Israel, and the United States have targeted key energy infrastructure.

These developments have triggered a scramble among nations to secure alternative supplies.

In response, the International Energy Agency announced plans to release 400 million barrels of oil from member countries’ reserves.

After previously minimizing the need to draw from emergency reserves, Trump confirmed that the U.S. would contribute 172 million barrels from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve as part of the coordinated effort.

The administration also said it would temporarily allow Russian oil to re-enter global markets despite existing sanctions tied to the war in Ukraine.

Still, analysts caution that these measures offer only temporary relief. Because refineries purchase crude in advance, it takes time for additional supply to filter through to consumers.

While crude oil prices are the primary driver of current increases, seasonal factors are also playing a role.

Gas prices often rise this time of year as travel increases and refineries switch to producing a more expensive summer fuel blend.

Regional differences also remain significant. On Tuesday, California posted the highest average price at more than $5.54 per gallon, while Kansas had the lowest at around $3.21.

Experts warn that sustained increases in fuel costs could ripple through the broader economy.

As households spend more on essentials like gasoline, many—especially those with lower or middle incomes—will need to cut back in other areas, said Francesco D’Acunto, a finance professor at Georgetown University.

Higher transportation costs also affect the price of goods and services, from food delivery to utility bills.

The combination of inflationary pressure and uncertainty tied to wartime conditions can also dampen consumer confidence.

These conditions, D’Acunto noted, may lead people to delay major financial decisions such as purchasing a home or vehicle.

“So potentially even that will have such an effect on the overall economy.”

{Matzav.com}

Zelenskyy Says Ukraine Stands Ready to Help US Counter Iran

Matzav -

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that his country stands ready to assist the United States in countering Iran, pointing to Ukraine’s extensive battlefield experience dealing with Iranian-designed Shahed drones during Russia’s ongoing war.

Speaking in multiple interviews with international outlets, Zelenskyy explained that Ukraine has gained practical knowledge that could be valuable in protecting American forces and allied assets as tensions intensify in the Middle East.

His remarks followed a call by President Donald Trump urging other nations to help safeguard maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital corridor for global oil transport, after the U.S. initiated “Operation Epic Fury” targeting Iran.

Iran has since issued warnings toward vessels seeking to navigate the strategic waterway.

“Hopefully China, France, Japan, South Korea, the UK, and others, that are affected by this artificial constraint, will send Ships to the area so that the Hormuz Strait will no longer be a threat by a Nation that has been totally decapitated,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on March 14.

Despite that appeal, several countries, including Australia, Japan, and Italy, have reportedly opted not to participate in the effort.

In an interview with the New York Post, Zelenskyy said Ukraine responded swiftly when the U.S. began its military action against Iran.

“Whenever it is possible for us to help defending civilians or U.S. nationals, without second thought we sent our teams,” he explained, adding that Ukraine hopes to assist the U.S. military with its experience against Shahed drones.

He added that Ukrainian specialists with expertise in Iranian drone systems have already been deployed to the Middle East.

In a separate message posted on social media, Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine should not be seen merely as a recipient of foreign assistance.

“I would like the U.S. not to perceive Ukraine as a country that merely asks for help,” he wrote on X. “That is not the case. Ukraine is defending interests and values.”

“Of course, the U.S. is right when it says it is farther from this war than Europe,” Zelenskyy continued. “That is understandable. But we see U.S. allies in the Middle East, and we see what – and who – threatens them.”

Zelenskyy also proposed a broader partnership, suggesting Ukraine could play a major role in drone production.

“We could build the world’s biggest drone factory,” he suggested. “The United States would provide production and financing. Ukraine would provide the technology and experience.”

“We can use it to defend American soldiers on bases,” the Ukrainian leader offered.

In additional comments to i24NEWS and The Jerusalem Post, Zelenskyy said Ukraine has effectively served as a proving ground for Iran’s drone capabilities.

“Ukraine was kind of an experiment place for these drones in the end,” Zelenskyy told The Jerusalem Post. “You can’t even compare the first class [of] Shahed, what was at the very beginning of the war, and today’s Shahed.”

President Trump, however, brushed aside the proposal from Kyiv.

“We don’t need help,” Trump told NBC News. “The last person we need help from is Zelenskyy.”

{Matzav.com}

Trump Says Iran Conflict Going “Very Well,” Signals No Immediate End but Says Conclusion Is Near

Matzav -

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the ongoing war with Iran is progressing successfully, emphasizing that Tehran now recognizes it cannot obtain nuclear weapons.

“We’re doing very well, I will say. We’re knocking them for a loop. They can’t have a nuclear weapon, and they now understand that very strongly,” Trump said during an appearance alongside Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin.

He continued by pointing to American military strength, saying, “But we have a great country, and we have an unbelievable military. We have the most powerful military in the world, and people see that,” he added.

TRUMP COMMENTS ON IRAN

“We're doing very well, I will say. We're knocking them for a loop. They can't have a nuclear weapon, and they now understand that very strongly. But we have a great country, and we have an unbelievable military. We have the most powerful military in the… pic.twitter.com/tIb0cEw6A2

— Real America's Voice (RAV) (@RealAmVoice) March 17, 2026

Speaking a day earlier, Trump told reporters that the conflict is unlikely to conclude within the week, though he expects it to end in the near future, describing it as something that will be “wrapped up soon”.

Later Monday, NBC News reported that U.S. military planners have already developed a range of options that could allow Trump to bring the war to a close, should he choose to act on them.

The report noted that, as of now, Trump has not made a decision to move forward with any of those plans.

In related developments, the United States over the weekend launched a significant round of airstrikes against Iranian targets on Kharg Island, a key hub for the country’s oil exports. Trump has also indicated that additional strikes could be directed at the island’s energy infrastructure.

A separate report by Axios on Sunday said Trump is considering a more aggressive step—taking control of Iran’s main oil storage facility on Kharg Island—if tankers continue to be stranded in the Persian Gulf.

{Matzav.com}

TRAGIC: Missile Barrage from Iran Kills Two in Ramat Gan; Additional Injuries Reported Across Central Israel

Matzav -

Two elderly residents were killed early Wednesday in Ramat Gan when missiles fired from Iran struck the area, part of a barrage that included submunition warheads and caused damage and injuries in multiple locations.

The victims, a man and a woman in their 70s, were discovered inside a fourth-floor apartment in a residential building. It is believed they were unable to reach a protected space in time. Emergency responders from Magen David Adom attempted lifesaving measures at the scene, but their efforts were unsuccessful.

Preliminary findings suggest that one of the victims had a physical limitation that may have prevented them from reaching shelter quickly.

MDA paramedic Inbar Green and MDA medic Naftali Halberstadt, who arrived at the scene in Ramat Gan, reported, “We saw smoke rising from a building with extensive damage, shattered glass. Among the debris, we found two unconscious victims, without a pulse and not breathing, with severe injuries to their bodies. We conducted medical assessments, but they showed no signs of life, and we had no choice but to pronounce them dead at the scene. Along with additional MDA teams, we are continuing to search for other injured individuals and are prepared to provide further medical treatment if needed.”

In addition to the fatalities, four individuals sustained minor injuries from the missile strike involving submunitions. In Bnei Brak, emergency teams treated a 25-year-old man who suffered shrapnel wounds to his hand and transported him to Ichilov Hospital. In Kafr Qassem, three others were treated for light injuries.

Rail service in the Tel Aviv area was disrupted after shrapnel struck near the Savidor Center station, damaging sections of the platforms. Israel Railways suspended train operations in the area and arranged for shuttle buses to run between Herzliya, Tel Aviv Savidor Center, and Ben Gurion Airport. No injuries were reported at the station, and crews are working to repair the damage and resume normal service.

The escalation followed an earlier round of attacks Tuesday evening, when Hezbollah fired at least 40 rockets toward northern Israel. Many of the projectiles were intercepted, and no casualties were reported.

Residents in the north reported hearing powerful blasts and identified several impact points in open areas. One structure in Karmiel sustained a direct hit.

The rocket fire targeted communities ranging from the Upper Galilee down to the Chadera region. Additional launches aimed at central Israel were also detected, though those attempts appear to have failed.

{Matzav.com}

Netanyahu To Iranians: ‘Celebrate, We’re Watching From Above’

Matzav -

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu delivered a message to the people of Iran on Tuesday from the Israeli Air Force command center at the Kirya, expressing support and encouragement as they mark the festival of Nowruz.

Speaking alongside senior Israeli defense officials, Netanyahu described recent military actions against top Iranian figures and emphasized Israel’s continued operations. “I’m here with Israel’s Defense Minister, our Chief of Staff, the head of the Mossad, the Chief of Air Force, our senior commanders. In the past 24 hours, we knocked out two of the terrorist chieftains, the top terrorist chieftains of this tyranny,” Netanyahu stated in reference to the assassination of Ali Larijani and the commander of the Basij.

He said Israeli forces are actively targeting operatives across various locations in Iran, framing the strikes as part of a broader effort connected to the holiday. “Our aircraft are hitting the terror operatives on the grounds, in the crossroads, in the city squares. This is meant to enable the brave people of Iran to celebrate the Festival of Fire,” he said.

Netanyahu concluded his remarks with a message directed to the Iranian public. “So celebrate and Happy Nowruz. We’re watching from above”, the prime minister concluded.

{Matzav.com}

EVIL PARTNERS: Report: Russia Supplying Iran With Intelligence and Drone Technology to Target U.S. Forces

Matzav -

Russia has been providing Iran with satellite intelligence and drone-related technology to help the Islamic Republic strike American military assets, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.

The report states that Moscow is interested in extending the conflict and stands to gain from its continuation. As part of its support, Russia has reportedly shared satellite imagery and assisted in enhancing the communications capabilities of Iran’s shaheed suicide drones—technology similar to that used by Russian forces in Ukraine.

According to a diplomat and a military official cited in the report, the intelligence being shared includes detailed information on the locations of U.S. forces stationed throughout the Middle East.

Analysts told the Journal that Iran has demonstrated greater effectiveness in targeting American military positions in the current conflict than it did during the 12-Day War in June 2025, noting that its methods closely resemble tactics employed by Russia in Ukraine.

Earlier in the conflict, The Washington Post reported that Russia was already supplying Iran with intelligence aimed at facilitating attacks on U.S. forces in the region.

That report added that since the outbreak of the war, Russia has transferred information to Iran identifying the positions of American military targets, including naval vessels and aircraft.

{Matzav.com}

IDF Spokesman: ‘We’ll Reach All Iranian Leaders, Anywhere, Anytime’

Matzav -

IDF spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin said Tuesday evening that Israel is bracing for significant rocket and missile fire from Lebanon, while simultaneously carrying out operations aimed at disrupting and preventing such attacks by striking Hezbollah positions.

Defrin also referenced the targeted killings of senior Iranian figures, including acting leader Ali Larijani and top Basij commanders, describing the developments as part of a broader escalation against Tehran. “We are in the midst of a very significant day in the war. With each passing day, we deepen the damage to the Iranian regime. We will reach all Iranian leaders, anywhere and at any time.”

Addressing speculation surrounding Iran’s newly named supreme leader, Defrin said Mojtaba Khamenei has not appeared publicly in recent days and has remained silent. He stressed that Israel intends to track him down regardless of his location. “Mojtaba Khamenei has not been seen recently and we have not heard from him. In any case, he is not immune – we will pursue him, find him and eliminate him.”

{Matzav.com}

Herzog Tells Estonian Foreign Minister: Iranian Leadership Strikes Could Open Door for Protests

Matzav -

President Isaac Herzog met Tuesday with Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna during the minister’s visit to Israel, expressing appreciation for Estonia’s show of support during the ongoing war and highlighting the close relationship between the two countries.

Herzog thanked Tsahkna for coming to Israel at a time of conflict, saying the visit reflects the strength of ties between the two nations.

During the meeting, Herzog addressed recent strikes targeting senior Iranian figures, including the Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Ali Larijani, and Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani. “It seems that Ali Larijani was removed and incapacitated, and so was the Commander of the Basij. This is a very important step, because the people of Iran need to have the lid open so that they can protest.”

He went on to recount Larijani’s alleged role in past regional conflict, pointing to events surrounding the Second Lebanon War. “I will remind people about Ali Larijani. In 2006 there was the Second Lebanon War. How did it start? By the kidnapping of two Israeli soldiers who were doing their patrol on the border. Ali Larijani, that morning took a flight out of Lebanon. He was there as head of the National Security Council of Iran – he came to plan with Nasrallah this operation, give him the okay, because that’s how they operate with proxies. And that was one of the most brutal wars we had. That was the first in a series of wars.

“So, Ali Larijani spread terror and hate in the worst kind of decision making processes throughout the history in the last generation. And so is the head of the Basij. I hope, sincerely, that the Middle East will see a new horizon out of this conflict. And I hope that also the benefit of the world and Europe will be the same,” the President concluded.

{Matzav.com}

Over 100 UNRWA Employees Under Investigation For Hamas Links

Matzav -

A federal oversight body in the United States is broadening its inquiry into suspected connections between employees of a United Nations aid organization and Hamas, including potential involvement in the October 7 massacre.

The Office of the Inspector General for the now-closed U.S. Agency for International Development is reviewing more than 100 staff members from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency amid concerns that some may have ties to Hamas or may have taken part in the October 7 attack, according to individuals familiar with the investigation.

According to a report by The New York Post, investigators have already flagged at least 14 UNRWA employees for alleged links to Hamas. Two others have been recommended for debarment, a step that would prevent them from receiving U.S. funds, while one former staffer has already been permanently barred from federal support.

Officials say the probe remains active, with the number of individuals being examined continuing to rise. The deputy inspector general of USAID is expected to brief members of Congress on the findings, emphasizing the continued importance of the oversight office even after the agency’s shutdown and amid discussions about transferring its functions to the State Department.

{Matzav.com}

Trump Furious With Europe: ‘We’re Not Interested In Your Help’

Matzav -

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that while many U.S. allies support Washington’s actions against Iran, they are unwilling to take part militarily, renewing his criticism of NATO and other partner nations.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote that several allied countries have expressed agreement with the U.S. campaign but are declining to join the fighting. “The United States has been informed by most of our NATO ‘Allies’ that they don’t want to get involved with our Military Operation against the Terrorist Regime of Iran, in the Middle East, this, despite the fact that almost every Country strongly agreed with what we are doing, and that Iran cannot, in any way, shape, or form, be allowed to have a Nuclear Weapon.”

Trump said he was not taken aback by the response, arguing that the alliance has long placed a disproportionate burden on the United States. He pointed to the scale of American defense spending and accused partner nations of failing to reciprocate in moments of crisis. “I am not surprised by their action, however, because I always considered NATO, where we spend Hundreds of Billions of Dollars per year protecting these same Countries, to be a one way street – We will protect them, but they will do nothing for us, in particular, in a time of need. Fortunately, we have decimated Iran’s Military – Their Navy is gone, their Air Force is gone, their Anti-Aircraft and Radar is gone and perhaps, most importantly, their Leaders, at virtually every level, are gone, never to threaten us, our Middle Eastern Allies, or the World, again!” he stated.

He went on to say that the United States does not require assistance from its allies, citing what he described as significant battlefield gains against Iran. Trump extended that point beyond NATO to include key U.S. partners in Asia as well. “Because of the fact that we have had such Military Success, we no longer ‘need,’ or desire, the NATO Countries’ assistance – WE NEVER DID! Likewise, Japan, Australia, or South Korea. In fact, speaking as President of the United States of America, by far the Most Powerful Country Anywhere in the World, WE DO NOT NEED THE HELP OF ANYONE! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DONALD J. TRUMP,” his Truth Social post concluded.

{Matzav.com}

Pesach 2026 Chol Hamoed Planning Guide:

Yeshiva World News -

How to Make the Most of Your 3 Trip Days This year’s calendar crunch means you’ve got exactly three days to work with. Here’s how to plan them without losing your mind. Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. Pesach 2026 starts Wednesday night, April 1. The first two days of Yom Tov (Thursday […]

Grey Bull Rescue Flight from Eretz Yisroel Cancelled After Dr. Lauren Hofstatter Complains

Matzav -

Dozens of Americans who were evacuated from Israel through the nonprofit Grey Bull Rescue have come forward to defend the organization after a viral social media post accused it of misconduct, with many describing their experiences as positive and expressing strong appreciation for the group’s efforts.

Grey Bull Rescue, a donor-supported organization led by military veterans, specializes in extracting Americans from dangerous environments. The group says it has carried out 808 missions and helped rescue 8,739 people. It reports experience in areas such as special operations, counter–human trafficking, evacuations from war zones, and hostage situations. The organization was established by combat veteran Bryan Stern.

The controversy began after Dr. Lauren Hofstatter, known online as @theorthodoxtherapist, posted a video describing her daughter’s evacuation experience with Grey Bull. In the video, she alleged that her daughter’s group was left stranded in Jordan unless their parents could raise $1 million.

Hofstatter said her daughter called her Friday morning, just before the conflict with Iran escalated, expressing fear. Hofstatter then booked her on a Motzoei Shabbos flight to the United States, but the flight was canceled once Iranian attacks on Israel began.

According to Hofstatter, her daughter departed Yerushalayim on Tuesday at midday with roughly 150 people in the Grey Bull group. She said they were told they would travel through Jordan and then fly to Europe, from where they would arrange their own return home.

Hofstatter claimed that upon arriving at the airport in Amman Tuesday evening, the group waited until 3 a.m. for a flight that never came. She said they returned to a hotel and tried again the next day, but still were unable to leave.

Hofstatter told the Jerusalem Post that she later received a heter from a rabbi allowing her daughter to eat bread in Jordan, and subsequently another ruling permitting her to fly on Shabbos if necessary.

She added that on Motzoei Shabbos, several boys on the trip contacted their parents, who then used connections to reach the State Department, prompting Ambassador Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun to get involved.

“I don’t think her safety was compromised, but I do think she was held hostage, and I do think it is embezzlement and extortion,” Hofstatter alleged.

Grey Bull founder Brian Stern dismissed Hofstatter’s claims, describing them to the Post as “silly” and “wildly debunked.”

He explained that a chartered flight had already been arranged and funded, but missile attacks caused delays that resulted in the group missing its departure window. By the time arrangements could be reset, Shabbos had begun, and religious members of the group could not travel, leading to a decision to remain in place and resume efforts afterward. During that time, the group stayed in a five-star hotel in Amman under heavy security, including 60 armed guards and Jordanian special forces.

“When you dissect her statements, if you go data point by data point, they’re either misrepresented or patently false,” he told the Post. “She says on there that I asked everyone for a million dollars for a plane. That’s not what happened.”

Stern emphasized that no one was required to contribute funds, explaining that he simply informed participants about the financial needs of arranging flights.

“It’s kind of strange to see someone say, how dare you get my daughter out of the war zone, keep her safe, feed her kosher food, which you can’t do in Jordan. There’s no kosher food in Jordan. I’m the first and only person to establish a kosher kitchen in Jordan.”

The Post reviewed a video of Hofstatter’s daughter stating she “felt so safe the entire time” and describing Grey Bull as “taking care of everything and was organized.” She was also seen eating kosher food.

Despite the criticism, most accounts gathered were strongly supportive of Grey Bull’s work. One individual said, “My brother was on that mission. Brian was in charge of a group of [seminary] girls. He was not asked for any money; he said it was excellent.”

Another parent emphasized the outcome, stating, “At the end of the day, they all came back, safe, happy, healthy, and no parent had to spend a penny for it. There is no merit to creating a slap in the face that completely denies the work, networking, and hustling that went in on behalf of Greybull to make this whole thing work. Nobody was happy that it took days, however OUR KIDS ESCAPED A WAR ZONE IN A WAY THAT’S ALMOST ABOVE NATURE. Also, the reason why GreyBull started fundraising was because of mounting costs of purposely delaying the flight so that the airplane can take off without danger as the airspace opens.”

{Matzav.com}

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