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Delta Airlines announced on Friday that it has suspended its New York-to-Tel Aviv route through the end of August. The decision follows a dramatic escalation in hostilities, as Israel carried out a broad aerial offensive across Iranian territory.

This temporary suspension reflects growing concerns over a potential Iranian counterattack in response to Israel’s large-scale strikes.

Meanwhile, El Al also halted its operations on Friday morning, grounding all flights in response to the complete shutdown of Israeli airspace.

The airline requested that travelers scheduled to depart on Motzoei Shabbos or Sunday refrain from coming to the airport and instead wait for additional instructions.

“As of 9:30 a.m., and following the declaration of a special situation on the home front and the closure of Israeli airspace for takeoffs and landings as per the decision of security authorities, El Al has updated that all its flights are canceled,” the company said in a statement to media outlets.

El Al further advised passengers currently overseas to secure lodging and remain in place until updated security instructions are released.

{Matzav.com Israel}

BREAKING: The IDF says another barrage of dozens of ballistic missiles has been launched from Iran at Israel and will hit in around 10 minutes. It says civilians should continue to remain in bomb shelters as air defenses work to shoot down the threats.

TEL AVIV: Footage appears to show a fire in a high-rise building impacted by a ballistic missile.

Close-up footage showing the Iranian ballistic missile attack and Israeli air defense response

Air raid sirens blared throughout Israel as the country came under heavy fire from Iranian ballistic missiles in what is being described as a large-scale assault.

A source within the Israeli military reported that approximately 100 missiles were fired from Iranian territory toward Israel.

“The IDF identified that missiles were recently launched from Iran towards the territory of the State of Israel,” the military said in a statement. “The defense systems are working to intercept the threat.”

Israelis have been told to get to shelter and remain there until further notice.

{Matzav.com}

Another angle appears to show an impact in Tel Aviv. Confirmed hits have taken place in both Tel Aviv and Ramat Gan in Central Israel. Only 1 report of injury so far.

Livestreaming footage appears to show at least 2 impacts in Tel Aviv. 150+ ballistic missiles were fired by Iran, according to initial estimates.

More missile interceptors seen being launched from near Jerusalem in Central Israel. Reports state that over 100 ballistic missiles were fired at Israel, in what could be just the opening barrage.

As Israel grapples with heightened security concerns following the attack on Iran, a new statement from rabbonim of Yerushalayim’s Yishuv HaYashan communities calls on the ir people to completely ignore the government directives and continue life as usual.

In the sharply worded announcement, the rabbanim instructed members of their communities to maintain full schedules in yeshivos and Talmudei Torah, despite calls for altered routines or emergency adjustments from Israeli authorities.

They wrote, “Do not be misled by the calls and directives of a government that seeks to uproot the Torah.”

The statement echoes a posuk from Yirmiyahu, reinforcing the centrality of uninterrupted Torah study: “If not for My covenant [of Torah] day and night, I would not have established the laws of heaven and earth.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

TEHILLIM: Interceptor missiles seen soaring through Israeli skies as they head to counter incoming ballistic missiles from Iran

NEW TARGET: General Amir Khatami has been appointed as the new commander of the Iranian army.

U.S. Embassy Jerusalem: As a result of the current security situation, the U.S. Embassy has directed that all U.S. government employees and their family members continue to shelter in place until further notice.

During his press conference, IDF Spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin reveals that that the military has killed at least six top Iranian military commanders and nine nuclear scientists. The military officials include Iran’s chief of staff Mohammad Bagheri; IRGC chief Hossein Salami; head of the Khatam-al Anbiya Central Headquarters, Gholam Ali Rashid; IRGC Air Force chief Brig. Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh; IRGC Air Force drone unit commander Taher Pour, and IRGC Air Force air defense unit commander Davoud Shaykhian.

Map published by the IDF showing Iran’s missiles’ ranges. The map shows the entirety of Kashmir region as part of Pakistan.

In light of the severe and security situation facing Israel, Rav Dov Landau, rosh yeshiva of Slabodka, offered hadracha to the public in a video shared by Kikar HaShabbat.

The rosh yeshiva spoke with characteristic sweetness and calm, emphasizing that despite the fear and uncertainty, Hashem is fully in control. “This story—this entire situation—is very unusual,” Rav Landau said. “Hashem runs the world. He gives people different thoughts, so they think they’re doing things. But the steering wheel is in the hands of the Creator.”

Sitting beside him was Rav Ulman, who posed questions that reflect the concerns of many families across the country.

“What should a father say to his children? They’re afraid. How should he lead his home?”

Rav Landau responded: “Hashem runs the world. He loves us and has mercy on us.”

When Rav Ulman added, “And everything will be for the good,” the rosh yeshiva affirmed, “Certainly.”

“Hashem loves us, and we will continue doing good things so that He will continue to love us and shower us with kindness,” Rav Landau added.

Rav Ulman asked, “Should we strengthen ourselves in Torah and mitzvos?”

“Only good things,” Rav Landau replied. “Only sweet things.”

“What does that mean—sweet things?” Rav Ulman asked.

“That it should be pleasant to hear,” the rosh yeshiva explained. “Speaking kindly to one another—that too. Everything should be sweet, not something sharp like a bitter drug. Sweet. Hashem will help…”

In a separate directive issued due to the current dangers, Rav Landau spoke with the Rav of Bnei Brak, Rav Shevach Tzvi Rosenblatt, and ruled that this time is to be considered an eis sakana, a period of danger. He instructed that the public increase their tefillos and tachanunim, even on Shabbos Kodesh, and recite chapters of Tehillim after each of the tefillos on Shabbos.

{Matzav.com}

IDF spokesman reveals that Israel targeted two Iranian nuclear sites today, one in Isfahan and the other in Natanz.

As Shabbos approached, IDF Spokesperson Avichay Adraee revealed that the Israeli military had begun mobilizing reservists from several branches as part of a broader initiative to strengthen both offensive and defensive capabilities across the country. This mobilization came in tandem with the launch of Operation Rising Lion.

Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu addressed the public as Israel’s campaign against Iran’s nuclear program continued to unfold.

“The first question people ask is, ‘Why now?’” Netanyahu said at the outset of his remarks. “But it’s not really ‘now’—this directive was issued over half a year ago, in November 2024. I ordered the elimination of Iran’s nuclear program.”

He explained that this decision came shortly after the targeted killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. “It was clear to me—and to others—that with the collapse of the Iranian axis, which formed one base for Israel’s destruction, Iran would rush to advance its nuclear program. That’s exactly what it did.”

Netanyahu elaborated on the urgency of action. “There was a need to act,” he said. “I set the operation date for late April 2025. For various reasons, that date was not feasible. The precise timing was ultimately determined based on IDF recommendations and my consultations with the Chief of Staff and Defense Minister. This wasn’t due to trivial factors—it was a clear necessity. I said: if Iran acquires nuclear weapons—we simply won’t be here.”

In Tehran, the newly instated commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Mohammad Pakpour—who took over following the death of Hossein Salami—delivered a stark warning in his first remarks since assuming the role. “A painful fate awaits Israel.” He added, “The gates of hell will soon open.”

{Matzav.com}

WATCH:

According to a report published by Axios today, Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu directed the country’s defense and intelligence branches to start preparing for an assault on Iran after Iran and its allied forces launched attacks on Israel in October.

Netanyahu’s urgency was reportedly driven not only by the events of October but also by Iran’s expanding missile capabilities and its compromised air defense systems following earlier Israeli counterstrikes. Intelligence also suggested that Iran was closer than ever to being able to develop a nuclear weapon if it chose to proceed.

While President Donald Trump has publicly stated that the United States had no part in Israel’s military operation against Iran, Israeli officials insist that coordination between the two allies did in fact take place.

To maintain the element of surprise, Israeli authorities deliberately downplayed any signs of an impending strike, hoping that key Iranian figures would not relocate.

“We had a clear U.S. green light,” one Israeli official told Axios.

In the aftermath of the operation, U.S. officials reiterated that they were not directly involved in the Israeli offensive and issued a strong message to Tehran warning against any retaliation targeting American personnel or assets. Nevertheless, Iranian leaders asserted that Washington would be held “responsible for consequences.”

Prior to the Israeli assault, Trump expressed optimism that a new agreement with Iran over its nuclear development was “fairly close,” though he cautioned that any Israeli military intervention could derail the diplomatic progress.

CNN reported that Netanyahu was expected to hold a conversation with Trump on Friday.

During a brief call with the network that morning, Trump voiced his full backing for Israel and described the strikes as “a very successful attack.”

“We, of course, support Israel, obviously, and supported it like nobody has ever supported it,” Trump said.

“Iran should have listened to me when I said — you know I gave them, I don’t know if you know, but I gave them a 60-day warning, and today is day 61.”

Posting earlier on Truth Social, Trump urged Tehran to come to terms with the United States on its nuclear ambitions, cautioning that “Israel’s attacks will only get worse.”

{Matzav.com}