Matzav

In one of the most destructive attacks since the current war with Iran began, a direct Iranian missile strike on the city of Bat Yam overnight left six people dead, over 100 injured, and sparked concerns for dozens still unaccounted for.

Massive damage was reported across the area, with rescue and emergency teams continuing to search the rubble into Sunday morning.

Among the fatalities were a 60-year-old woman, an 80-year-old woman, a 55-year-old woman, an 18-year-old boy, a 10-year-old boy, and a young girl. The injured included four people in serious condition, seven in moderate condition, and 88 with light injuries.

Rescue workers are continuing their efforts at the scene.

According to Bat Yam Mayor Tzvika Brot, “There are more than twenty people currently missing. We believe some may still be trapped under the rubble.”

He also reported that 61 buildings sustained damage, with six of them already marked for demolition due to structural collapse.

Emergency service spokesperson Nachman Touboul of United Hatzalah described the situation as “widespread destruction,” adding, “Unfortunately, two women and a 10-year-old boy were killed due to the severity of their injuries. Medical personnel treated over 120 people, most of them lightly injured, with some in moderate or serious condition. Our trauma response teams also supported numerous individuals suffering from anxiety and shock.”

United Hatzalah medics Yair Porush and Avichai Yisraelov, who were among the first responders, confirmed the scale of the devastation. “We arrived at a scene of widespread destruction. Sadly, a 60-year-old woman was pronounced dead. Together with other medics, we treated over 25 injured people. Most had light injuries, though some were in moderate condition,” they said.

Magen David Adom emergency medical technician Yosef Kurdi recounted: “After the missile barrage, the 101 emergency hotline received multiple reports of a direct hit on a building in Gush Dan, along with severe destruction to surrounding buildings. Large MDA teams arrived and began extensive searches throughout the area, including the 14-story building that took a direct hit, and neighboring structures.”

Kurdi added, “We provided medical care to about 65 injured people who were rescued from the buildings. One of them, a woman around 60 years old, was critically wounded, and we were forced to pronounce her dead at the scene. All casualties were transferred to a safe triage point and evacuated to area hospitals by ambulance and intensive care units.”

Photos from the aftermath show the harrowing scale of the destruction in Bat Yam.

{Matzav.com Israel}

President Donald Trump issued a stern warning to Iran, stating that any assault on the United States would trigger an unprecedented military response “at levels never seen before.”

He emphasized that the power unleashed by the U.S. Armed Forces would be unlike anything witnessed in the past.

In a message posted on his Truth Social account, Trump made it clear that the United States was not involved in the recent overnight strike on Iranian territory. He added, “we can easily get a deal done between Iran and Israel, and end this bloody conflict!!!”

{Matzav.com}

The IDF announced on Sunday morning the death of Sergeant First Class (res.) Noam Shemesh, a 21-year-old from Yerushalayim, who was serving as a squad commander in the Shimshon Battalion (92) of the Kfir Brigade. He was killed in action during fighting in the southern part of the Gaza Strip.

With his passing, the total number of Israeli military personnel who have died since the beginning of the war has reached 867. Of those, 424 soldiers have fallen since the ground operation in Gaza commenced.

{Matzav.com Israel}

A manhunt unfolded on Shabbos across the Minneapolis suburbs as authorities searched for a suspect accused of impersonating a law enforcement officer and murdering a sitting Democratic legislator. The shootings, described by Governor Tim Walz as “a politically motivated assassination,” resulted in the deaths of Democratic leader Melissa Hortman and her husband, and left Senator John Hoffman and his wife wounded. Officials believe the suspect attempted to flee following the attacks.

The victims were shot in two separate early-morning incidents—first in Champlin, where police responded to reports of gunfire and found Hoffman and his wife Yvette suffering from multiple bullet wounds, and later in Brooklyn Park, where law enforcement, acting on a welfare check, encountered the suspect as he was exiting the Hortman residence dressed in a police uniform and near a car resembling a squad vehicle.

“When officers confronted him, the individual immediately fired upon the officers who exchanged gunfire, and the suspect retreated back into the home,” said Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley. The man managed to escape on foot, triggering a region-wide lockdown and a massive response involving hundreds of armed officers, checkpoints, and tactical units.

Authorities have identified the suspect as 57-year-old Vance Boelter. A photo released by officials showed Boelter in a tan cowboy hat, and investigators obtained surveillance footage believed to show his movements. The FBI announced a reward of up to $50,000 for information that leads to his arrest and conviction.

Boelter had previously served as a political appointee on Minnesota’s workforce development board—an entity on which Senator Hoffman also served. It remains unclear what level of interaction, if any, they had during their shared tenure. Boelter’s wife had also registered a private security company called Praetorian Guard Security Services LLC, which advertised armed patrol services using SUV-style vehicles that resembled police cruisers. Online images associated with the business show men in tactical gear with military helmets and ballistic vests.

A source close to the investigation told The Associated Press that Boelter’s car contained “No Kings” flyers—referencing a slogan used by anti-authoritarian protestors—and a collection of writings naming the victims and other political figures. The source added that some of the materials included threats directed at lawmakers who have publicly supported abortion rights. The same source requested anonymity due to the sensitive and ongoing nature of the investigation.

Governor Walz issued a somber message in response to the tragedy, saying, “We must all, in Minnesota and across the country, stand against all forms of political violence. Those responsible for this will be held accountable.” He ordered state flags lowered in tribute to Hortman.

Melissa Hortman, 55, had been a prominent Democratic voice in Minnesota politics since 2017 and had most recently held the honorary title of speaker emerita. She had taken a strong stance on reproductive rights, pushing through legislation in 2023 that enshrined abortion protections in Minnesota law, making it a haven for out-of-state patients and shielding providers from legal repercussions.

“She woke up every day, determined to make this state a better place,” said Walz. “She is irreplaceable.” Hortman and her husband, Mark, had two adult children. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner reported that she died at the scene from multiple gunshot wounds, while her husband was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Senator Hoffman, 60, was elected in 2012 and chaired the influential Senate Human Services Committee. He and his wife both underwent surgery after the attack, and Governor Walz stated, “We are cautiously optimistic they will survive this assassination attempt.”

Following the shootings, law enforcement urged state officials to exercise caution. The State Patrol advised Minnesotans to avoid attending “No Kings” protests out of an abundance of caution, even though there was no confirmed threat to the events. Despite the warnings and the official cancellation of organized protests, demonstrators still gathered at the Capitol and across the Twin Cities.

Boelter reportedly sent cryptic text messages to acquaintances before disappearing. According to the Star Tribune, he wrote: “I’m going to be gone for a while. May be dead shortly, so I just want to let you know I love you guys both and I wish it hadn’t gone this way. … I’m sorry for all the trouble this has caused.” David Carlson, a friend, read the texts aloud to reporters.

Neighbors in Inver Grove Heights, where Boelter once lived, recalled little about him personally but spoke kindly of his family. “It’s really sad for the kids, very, very nice kids,” said Michael Cassidy, who remembered the suspect’s daughters playing outdoors. He also mentioned that Boelter’s wife had once joined his family in prayer.

A source briefed on the investigation told AP that multiple AK-style rifles were recovered from Boelter’s vehicle. He is believed to still be carrying a pistol. Police said that, based on current intelligence, the suspect had likely left the immediate area, prompting them to lift a temporary shelter-in-place order.

Douglas Thompson, a Brooklyn Park resident, expressed outrage. “This is crazy, someone going after representatives. This is wrong. I’m hoping they’ll catch them.”

The killings added to a growing list of violent incidents targeting political figures. In recent years, politicians across the ideological spectrum have faced threats, assaults, and plots. These include the 2020 kidnapping scheme against Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, the 2022 hammer attack on Paul Pelosi, and the July 2024 attempted assassination of President Donald Trump, in which he was grazed by a bullet that fatally struck a supporter. More recently, a man with a rifle was arrested near Trump’s Florida residence.

In response to the Minnesota shootings, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he had requested an immediate security review for Democratic Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith. He also called for a bipartisan briefing on lawmaker safety. “Condemning violence is important but it is not enough,” Schumer wrote on X. “We must also confront the toxic forces radicalizing individuals and we must do more to protect one another, our democracy, and the values that bind us as Americans.”

Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, a Republican, called the events “evil” and said she was “heartbroken beyond words.”

President Donald Trump also issued a statement on the situation: “Our Attorney General, Pam Bondi, and the FBI, are investigating the situation, and they will be prosecuting anyone involved to the fullest extent of the law. Such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America. God Bless the great people of Minnesota, a truly great place!”

An Iranian government representative issued a stern warning that any nation offering support to Israel would become a direct target of Iranian retaliation.

“Iran reserves the right – under international law – to respond decisively to this regime,” the official told CNN. “Any country that attempts to defend the regime against Iran’s operations will, in turn, see its regional bases and positions become new targets.”

Iran leveled accusations at the United States, claiming it had aided Israel in its military operation. However, the Trump administration rejected the allegation and cautioned Tehran during a U.N. Security Council session on Friday that it should “be wise” and enter negotiations about its nuclear ambitions, according to The Jerusalem Post.

Following Israel’s launch of Operation Rising Lion late Thursday, which focused on Iranian nuclear and military infrastructure, Secretary of State Marco Rubio made it clear that the operation was solely an Israeli initiative.

“Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran,” Rubio said in a statement released by the White House. “We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region.

“Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense. President Trump and the Administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our regional partners. Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel.”

On Friday, President Donald Trump reportedly noted that the Israeli military had utilized “great American equipment” during the offensive.

According to information provided to CNN by American and Israeli officials, the U.S. military assisted in shooting down Iranian missiles aimed at Israel. An Israeli source also told CNN that other regional allies had contributed to bolstering Israel’s air defense systems.

{Matzav.com}

Israel has pressed the Trump administration to enter the conflict against Iran with the objective of dismantling the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program, according to two Israeli sources familiar with the matter, Axios reports.

While Israel has launched extensive strikes, it lacks the necessary firepower—such as long-range bombers and bunker-busting munitions—to effectively destroy Iran’s Fordow enrichment facility, which is fortified deep within a mountain, Axios claims. The U.S. military, on the other hand, possesses these capabilities and has them stationed within range of Iranian territory.

Despite the request, the Trump administration has, so far, opted not to involve itself in the Israeli operation, maintaining that any Iranian retaliation against American assets would not be justified. Officials have warned that even limited U.S. strikes on Iranian soil could lead to full American entry into the conflict.

Israel sees the destruction of Fordow as crucial. If that site remains intact, officials say, the mission to neutralize Iran’s nuclear threat will be deemed a failure.

One Israeli official told Axios that the U.S. may ultimately take part in the operation and claimed that President Trump recently told Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu that he would be willing to assist if the situation demands it.

However, a White House spokesperson denied that assertion on Friday. A second American official confirmed Israel’s appeal for U.S. involvement but stated that, for now, there is no active consideration of entering the war.

A senior White House source commented to Axios, “Whatever happens today cannot be prevented.” The official continued, “But we have the ability to negotiate a successful peaceful resolution to this conflict if Iran is willing. The fastest way for Iran to accomplish peace is to give up its nuclear weapons program.”

Speaking to Fox News on Friday, Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter emphasized, “The entire operation… really has to be completed with the elimination of Fordow.”

{Matzav.com}

Israeli military officials flatly rejected claims by Iranian state media alleging that two Israeli fighter jets had been shot down and one pilot captured. The IDF labeled the report a fabrication.

“This news being spread by Iranian media is completely baseless,” said Col. Avichay Adraee, the IDF’s Arabic-language spokesperson, dismissing the narrative as “fake Iranian media.”

At a press briefing today, IDF Spokesperson Brig.-Gen. Effie Defrin disclosed that more than 70 Israeli aircraft conducted a sustained two-hour operation over Tehran, targeting more than 40 strategic sites. He emphasized that this mission marked the IDF’s deepest incursion into Tehran’s airspace to date.

According to Defrin, Israeli forces maintained complete aerial freedom throughout the mission and no aircraft were lost, contradicting Iranian assertions that an Israeli jet had been taken down.

Following the press conference, the IDF confirmed that it had struck multiple missile systems and launchers inside Iran, specifically those positioned to threaten Israel.

This comes amid statements by Israeli defense officials earlier, asserting that the Israel Air Force can now operate deep into Iranian territory, including Tehran, due to the significant degradation of Iran’s air defense infrastructure.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli forces carried out an assault tonight that struck the Shahran oil depot located near Tehran, according to multiple reports confirming the incident.

In addition to hitting the fuel facility, the strike reportedly extended to multiple high-value locations in Tehran, including installations linked to Iran’s nuclear development efforts and key command and control infrastructures.

Iran’s Tasnim news agency stated that Israel also struck the main offices of the Iranian Defense Ministry. This claim was later corroborated by the Israel Defense Forces.

According to the IDF, the Israeli Air Force carried out a planned operation involving precision strikes based on extensive intelligence. These attacks hit a number of targets throughout Tehran.

Among the locations hit were the Iranian Defense Ministry headquarters, the command hub of the SPND—a covert nuclear weapons research organization—and several additional strategic sites.

Defense Minister Yisroel Katz shared a stark message online, writing, “Tehran is ablaze,” as images and videos depicting the aftermath of the attacks began to circulate widely on social media platforms.

Iran acknowledged that the Shahran depot was struck, though it attempted to downplay the severity of the situation by insisting that authorities had stabilized the area.

“The fuel volume in the targeted tank was not high, and the situation is fully under control,” Iran’s oil ministry’s SHANA news agency reported.

The Shahran site is home to 11 storage tanks and plays a major role in Iran’s fuel infrastructure, generating approximately seven million liters of oil per day—totaling close to 260 million liters in stored capacity.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump presided over a massive military celebration tonight marking 250 years since the founding of the United States Army. The historic parade, staged in Washington, D.C., was filled with military fanfare, patriotic displays, and soaring tributes to American service members.

“Every other country celebrates their victories,” Trump declared during his remarks. “It’s about time America did too — that’s what we’re doing tonight.”

As he paid tribute to American military heroes past and present, Trump remembered those who gave their lives for the nation. “As we celebrate tonight, we also think of the hundreds of thousands of Army soldiers who have made the supreme sacrifice for our nation and selflessly laid down their lives in every war, from the revolution to the war on terror, to the Gold Star families with us today,” he said.

Trump highlighted the legendary leadership of Gen. George Washington, calling him an “indomitable commander.” He spoke of pivotal American battles—from the Revolution through modern conflicts—mentioning key sites like Gettysburg, Guadalcanal, and the Afghan mountains.

Through those trials, he said, “the Army has forged a legacy of unmatched courage, untold sacrifice, and unequaled and undying glory.”

The president then recalled the story of Gen. John Corse, who continued fighting at the Battle of Allatoona Pass in Georgia after taking a bullet to the face. “He fired off a message to his commander, ‘I am short a cheekbone and one ear, but I am able to whip the hell out of all of them’,” Trump recounted.

Another figure Trump honored was Gen. “Mad” Anthony Wayne, a fellow Pennsylvanian known for his daring combat feats.

Trump described Wayne’s bold ascent up the cliffs of the Palisades near Bear Mountain during the Revolutionary War. With only bayonets in hand and no ammunition, Wayne reportedly told Washington: “Issue the order, sir, and I will storm into hell for you.”

Throughout the parade, Trump remained either seated or stood frequently to salute passing troops. He was joined by First Lady Melania Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.

Thousands packed the National Mall in celebration, many decked out in red “Make America Great Again” hats and waving flags, despite hot temperatures and the threat of summer storms. Fathers celebrating Father’s Day, veterans, and families turned out in droves.

Crowds erupted with cheers and chants of “U-S-A!” when Trump arrived alongside the First Lady. A gun salute marked his appearance, and both Hegseth and Vice President JD Vance were warmly received by attendees.

Live music set the tone before the parade’s kickoff, and as it got underway, people could be heard singing “Happy Birthday” and chanting “We love Trump,” in recognition of the president’s 79th birthday.

The military march traveled down Constitution Avenue from the Lincoln Memorial to the Washington Monument, wrapping up around 9:30 p.m. The celebration fell on Flag Day and one day before the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

This event was part of Trump’s “Task Force 250,” created via executive order earlier this year to coordinate festivities commemorating the 250th anniversary of American independence in 2026.

The spectacle featured an impressive array of military hardware: Army Golden Knights parachutists descended from the sky, WWII-era Jeeps rolled by, and massive tanks rumbled down the avenue. As Vietnam War-era tanks passed, chants of “USA!” rang out and phones lit up to record the scenes.

But the event unfolded against a tense backdrop—both internationally and domestically. Israel’s recent preemptive strikes against Iran, targeting its nuclear and missile sites and reportedly killing four top military leaders, escalated tensions across the region.

Iran has declared that the attack amounted to a “declaration of war.”

“Two months ago I gave Iran a 60 day ultimatum to ‘make a deal.’ They should have done it! Today is day 61. I told them what to do, but they just couldn’t get there. Now they have, perhaps, a second chance!” Trump wrote on Truth Social Friday before a meeting with the National Security Council.

Meanwhile, cities across the United States, including Los Angeles, have erupted in protest—partly in response to a new wave of ICE raids aiming to deport illegal immigrants, and partly to oppose what critics view as authoritarian behavior from the Trump administration.

Today’s events in Washington drew counter-protests, including an “equity march,” a “Pro-Democracy Picnic,” and a Refuse Fascism rally, all scheduled near the parade route. Fox News Digital had previously reported on these plans.

Security was tight. Secret Service personnel, local police, and military officers manned checkpoints and walked the grounds. Attendees were screened with metal detectors and subjected to pat-downs to access the secured area.

One protest movement, dubbed “No Kings,” held demonstrations in surrounding Virginia cities, including Alexandria and Arlington, objecting to what they claim is Trump behaving like a monarch.

Asked about these protests during a bill-signing event earlier in the week, Trump responded: “I don’t feel like a king. I have to go through hell to get stuff approved. A king would say, ‘I’m not gonna get this.’ A king would have never had the California mandate to even be talking. He wouldn’t have to call up (Speaker) Mike Johnson and (Senate Majority Leader John) Thune and say, ‘Fellas you got to pull this off’ and after years we get it done.”

He added, “No, no we’re not a king. We’re not a king at all.”

Trump had earlier warned that any violent demonstrations would be dealt with severely.

“If there’s any protest once they come out, they will be met with very big force,” he told reporters on Tuesday. “I haven’t even heard about a protest. But people that hate our country … they will be met with very heavy force.”

The parade has been celebrated by the administration as a milestone event—unprecedented in scale.

“We love our military and take great pride in honoring our warfighters,” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in May. “In celebration of 250 years of the U.S. Army, we will throw the biggest and most beautiful military parade in our nation’s history.”

White House Domestic Policy Council Director Vince Haley echoed that sentiment. “The president is planning an historic celebration of the Army’s 250th birthday that will honor generations of selfless Americans who have risked everything for our freedom,” he said in a statement to Fox Digital.

“Exactly 250 years ago, the first American patriots died for the cause of Independence. We owe our freedom to them and to every solider who has given their life for our nation in the 2½ centuries since.”

The Army fielded roughly 6,600 troops for the parade, supported by 150 vehicles, including the Abrams tank, and 50 aircraft, such as Black Hawks. Reenactments and airborne displays rounded out the celebration, cementing the event as a powerful expression of military pride in the nation’s capital.

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

In light of the current security crisis with the Iran war, Rav Dov Landau, rosh yeshiva of Slabodka, has issued new instructions for the chareidi education system, outlining which institutions should remain open and under what conditions.

The directives, released from Rav Landau’s home on Motzaei Shabbos, were shared with administrators of ganim, talmudei Torah, and yeshivos, and are based on the current situation as of Motzaei Shabbos.

According to the instructions:

• Children below the age of limud Gemara should not attend school at all on Sunday.

• Girls of all ages are also instructed not to attend school.

For older boys and yeshiva students, Rav Landau allowed for continued learning under strict conditions:

• From the age of Gemara learning and up, institutions may operate only if the building has a proper mamad (protected shelter) and there is sufficient space for all students to reach it calmly and safely, without panic.

• In such cases, it is preferable to learn continuously until the afternoon without sending students home for lunch breaks.

• Yeshivos ketanos may also remain open under the same safety requirements.

• Parents whose children feel anxious or frightened should not send them to school.

For yeshiva gedolah students, the rosh yeshiva instructed them to remain in the confines of the beis medrash, increase their learning, and not venture outside. “Torah magnah umatzlah,” he emphasized — Torah protects and saves — and under no circumstances should they go out to view the situation. “Zeh pikuach nefesh!” he warned.

Following the announcement of these guidelines, Rav Landau added a heartfelt message to the broader public:

“על כולנו מוטל בימים אלו להתחזק בתורה ובתפילה ובאמונה וביטחון וביראת שמים ולהשרות אוירה נעימה ורגועה בבית ובזמן פורענות מקובלנו ממרן החזו”א שאמירת פרק צ”א יושב בסתר מסוגלת מאד. ושומר ישראל הוא ישמור שארית ישראל. חבי כמעט רגע עד יעבור זעם.”

“In these days, it is incumbent upon all of us to strengthen ourselves in Torah, in tefillah, in emunah, bitachon, and yiras Shamayim, and to create a calm and pleasant atmosphere in our homes. In times of crisis, we have a tradition from the Chazon Ish that reciting Perek 91, Yoshev B’Seser, is especially potent. The Shomer Yisroel will safeguard the remnant of Yisroel. ‘Hide yourself for a short moment until the fury passes.’”

{Matzav.com Israel}

RECHOVOT — The Weizmann Institute of Science, widely regarded as Israel’s premier center for civilian scientific research, was struck directly during Iran’s overnight missile and drone onslaught targeting central Israel.

The attack marks a significant and symbolic escalation in the conflict, as the institute is considered one of the nation’s most prestigious academic institutions.

According to sources, at least one of the research laboratory buildings on campus caught fire as a result of the impact. Emergency crews responded swiftly to the scene and are currently working to locate and rescue individuals believed to be trapped inside the damaged structure.

The conditions at the site are described as dangerous, with firefighters battling both flames and the structural instability of the building. Rescue personnel are proceeding with caution as they attempt to gain access to the affected areas.