Matzav

American intelligence agencies have intercepted encrypted communications believed to have originated from Iran that could potentially serve as a signal for sleeper cells operating outside the country, according to a federal alert circulated to law enforcement authorities.

The warning, which was reviewed by ABC News, cites “preliminary signals analysis” of a transmission described as “likely of Iranian origin.” The message was reportedly broadcast to several countries shortly after Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed.

Khamenei died on Feb. 28 during a coordinated U.S.-Israeli military strike.

Officials say the intercepted message was encrypted and appeared to be intended for “clandestine recipients” who already possess the necessary encryption key to decode it.

Communications of this type are commonly used to deliver instructions to “covert operatives or sleeper assets” without using internet networks or cellular systems that could be more easily traced.

According to the alert, analysts believe the signals may have been designed to “be intended to activate or provide instructions to prepositioned sleeper assets operating outside the originating country.”

“While the exact contents of these transmissions cannot currently be determined, the sudden appearance of a new station with international rebroadcast characteristics warrants heightened situational awareness,” the alert said.

Officials stressed that the warning does not point to any particular location or imminent attack. The alert notes there is “no operational threat tied to a specific location,” though it advises law enforcement agencies to closely watch for unusual radio-frequency activity.

If the communication is confirmed to be authentic, it could intensify concerns among Western security officials that sleeper cells positioned abroad might be activated in retaliation following the U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran.

{Matzav.com}

As Israel’s war with Iran continues, former Israeli National Security Adviser Maj. Gen. (res.) Yaakov Amidror said the fighting could last six to eight weeks and may extend into the Pesach holiday, while suggesting that dramatic developments may already be unfolding inside Iran.

In an interview on Radio 103FM with hosts Amichai Etali and Gideon Oko, Amidror said Israelis may have to prepare for the possibility of celebrating Pesach under wartime conditions, including spending time in protected shelters.

“We’ll reach Pesach. I don’t understand what the problem is if we have to hold our Seders in shelters. If in order to destroy Iran we need to sit in shelters on Pesach, I think that is a worthy price,” Amidror said.

He explained that U.S. military assessments indicate that a successful campaign against Iran would likely require several weeks of sustained operations.

“I believe the Americans calculated targets for six to eight weeks so that the blow to Iran will be very severe,” he said.

According to Amidror, the central objective of the war is not necessarily the immediate collapse of Iran’s ruling regime in Tehran, even if such an outcome would be desirable.

“It would be better if the regime were replaced, but I’m not sure that can be achieved from the air,” he explained. “If we cannot replace the regime, we must ensure only one thing — that the regime will not pose a threat. We cannot change their worldview.”

He added that while the Iranian regime is currently weak, there is no organized opposition capable of stepping in and assuming power.

“The Iranian regime is weak, but there is no opposition that can take power. We want a regime weak enough that we can return and destroy whatever we want,” he said.

Amidror also addressed concerns surrounding Iran’s enriched uranium stockpiles, saying that even the possibility of seizing the material cannot be ruled out, although such an operation would be complex.

“We can make sure there are no Iranians in the area and take it if we know where it is,” he explained. “You can create a bubble that you protect from the air, bring in a force with appropriate air support, and remove the material from there.”

He said the uranium itself does not currently pose an immediate danger in its present form.

“It is stored in containers that are not very large. From a rough calculation I made based on unofficial papers I read, it is something like between twenty and thirty containers.”

Amidror also commented on the possibility that Mojtaba Khamenei could emerge as Iran’s next supreme leader, warning that such a development could lead to further escalation.

“There is now a new ruler in Iran, and he will have to decide whether to sacrifice Iran for the sake of his rule or drink the cup of poison,” he said. “Based on his experience, I fear for the fate of the Iranians.”

At the same time, former figures in Israel’s intelligence community suggested that major covert operations may already be taking place inside Iran as part of the current campaign.

Shagiv Asoulin, a former senior Mossad official, said in a separate interview that some operations carried out inside Iran have not yet been revealed to the public.

“I can say that big things have happened in Iran, on the scale of the beepers and perhaps even more,” he said. “Maybe they don’t photograph as dramatically, but with time we will hear about them and they will be no less amazing.”

He added that additional significant moves may still be “up the sleeve” and could become known as the conflict continues.

Knesset member Zvi Succot, who chairs the Knesset Education Committee, traveled to Kiryat Shmona during the ongoing Hezbollah rocket attacks on northern Israel and spent the night in a public shelter alongside local residents.

While in the city, Succot met with Kiryat Shmona’s mayor at the newly established municipal emergency operations center for a security briefing. During the meeting, he was updated on the situation facing the community and the difficulties confronting the local education system as the fighting continues.

Following the briefing, Succot visited several shelters throughout the city and spoke with residents about the challenges of living under constant rocket threats and frequent sirens. Later that evening, he decided to remain in the city and sleep in one of the public shelters together with residents.

Succot said, “I came here to experience firsthand what residents on the confrontation line are going through. The State of Israel must remain committed to the security and daily life of northern residents.”

He added, “We must not get used to a reality in which civilians live between sirens and shelters – our responsibility is to restore a full sense of security to the region’s residents.”

Addressing Israel’s security approach, Succot said, “The era of restraint is over; we have moved to initiating and striking our enemies until they are destroyed. Residents here are living in an unimaginable reality – there are people over the age of 60 who sat in shelters here as children.”

In closing, he declared: “All territory south of the Litani should be annexed. Woe to anyone who thinks about stopping before the threat from the north is completely eliminated.”

{Matzav.com}

Travelers arriving at Ben Gurion Airport on Monday hoping to depart after the airport reopened for outbound flights were stunned to learn that despite holding valid tickets, many were still unable to board their planes.

The unclear and shifting instructions triggered widespread frustration among passengers, with heated arguments, pushing, and confrontations breaking out in the terminal. Police were ultimately called in to restore order amid the turmoil.

כאוס בנתב"ג: באל על קיבלו אתמול אישור להעלות 200 נוסעים בחלק מהטיסות – אך היום המספר ירד חזרה ל-50 – נוסעים רבים נותרו זועמים בדלפקי הצ'אק אין לאחר שהגיעו לנתב"ג.

דיילי קרקע: "איבוד עשתונות – סגרו דלפקי צ'ק אין. יש אלימות בין המשטרה לנוסעים"@Dean_Fisher_ pic.twitter.com/VWNGoTxD3X

— החדשות – N12 (@N12News) March 9, 2026

The confusion was traced to a sudden overnight reversal of wartime travel regulations. Just a day earlier, authorities had approved an increase in the number of passengers allowed on each flight, raising the cap from 100 to 200 people. Following that decision, airlines began offering additional seats to hundreds of customers who had previously been placed on waiting lists.

But during the night, the policy was abruptly rolled back without prior notice. The passenger limit was restored to 100 people per flight, leaving hundreds of travelers holding confirmed tickets for flights that no longer had space for them.

When those passengers arrived at the airport and approached the check-in counters, airline staff were forced to determine on the spot which travelers would be permitted to board and which would be denied seats.

Footage circulating from inside the airport showed tense and chaotic scenes as stranded travelers confronted airline representatives. “There are elderly people here. Why are you doing this? Take responsibility,” one passenger could be heard shouting at an airline employee.

President Donald Trump said Monday that the United States is not close to deploying troops into Iran to secure nuclear material at the enrichment facility in Isfahan, while also declining to reveal how he plans to deal with Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei.

Speaking to The New York Post, Trump dismissed reports suggesting that Washington is preparing to send American forces to the underground nuclear site near the historic city of Isfahan.

“We haven’t made any decision on that. We’re nowhere near it,” Trump said of reported discussions about a US deployment to Iran’s underground enrichment facility near the ancient Persian capital.

Trump also reacted to the elevation of Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, who assumed leadership of Iran’s Islamic regime over the weekend following the death of his father, Ali Khamenei. The president made clear that he is dissatisfied with the development but avoided outlining any specific response.

“Not going to tell you,” Trump said about his plans for the younger Khamenei. “Not going to tell you. I’m not happy with him.”

Trump made the remarks during a phone interview from Trump National Golf Club in Doral, Florida, where he also attempted to temper speculation that the United States might soon launch a ground operation targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. His comments echoed what he told reporters Saturday aboard Air Force One, when he said that “we haven’t talked about” sending troops to Isfahan.

Nevertheless, several media outlets reported that the possibility of such a mission has been discussed among officials.

Trump’s guarded tone regarding Mojtaba Khamenei comes after stronger warnings he issued prior to the leadership transition in Tehran.

Shortly before the younger Khamenei was formally selected to succeed his father, Trump said during an interview with ABC News that the new Iranian leader would face consequences if he took power without American approval, saying he was “not going to last long” if “he doesn’t get approval from us.”

Trump also said in an interview last week that “Khamenei’s son is a lightweight” and “I have to be involved in the appointment, like with Delcy [Rodriguez] in Venezuela.”

{Matzav.com}

Global oil prices jumped sharply Monday as the ongoing war with Iran raised fears about energy production and shipping routes in the Middle East, sending shockwaves through financial markets before prices later eased.

Brent crude, the global benchmark for oil, climbed to nearly $119.50 per barrel earlier in the day before retreating and trading closer to $105 per barrel.

West Texas Intermediate, the main U.S. oil benchmark, also surged, briefly reaching $119.48 per barrel before slipping back to around $102.

Meanwhile, the conflict continued to impact civilian infrastructure. Bahrain accused Iran of targeting a desalination facility that provides essential drinking water supplies.

Following an Iranian strike that ignited a major fire at one of its refineries, Bahrain’s national oil company declared force majeure on its shipments, invoking a legal clause that frees it from contractual obligations due to extraordinary circumstances.

In Tehran, oil storage sites were left burning after overnight Israeli strikes hit the area.

Energy markets have been increasingly rattled as the war, now entering its second week, spreads to regions and infrastructure central to the production and transport of oil and natural gas from the Persian Gulf.

Prices later eased somewhat after The Financial Times reported that several members of the Group of Seven industrialized nations were considering releasing oil from their strategic reserves to calm the markets. The report, which cited unnamed sources familiar with the discussions, has not been officially confirmed.

President Donald Trump addressed the issue Saturday and appeared to dismiss the need to tap into the United States’ Strategic Petroleum Reserve, saying domestic supplies remain sufficient and predicting that prices will decline soon.

The Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil shipping routes, normally sees about 15 million barrels of crude pass through daily — roughly 20 percent of global supply — according to research firm Rystad Energy.

However, the growing threat of Iranian missile and drone strikes has effectively halted tanker traffic carrying oil and gas from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Iran through the narrow passage, which lies along Iran’s northern coastline.

With exports slowed dramatically, Iraq, Kuwait and the UAE have begun cutting production as storage facilities fill up. At the same time, oil and gas infrastructure has been struck in attacks carried out by Iran, Israel and the United States since the war began, further tightening supply.

The sharp rise in oil and natural gas costs is already pushing fuel prices upward worldwide, with ripple effects spreading through industries and hitting Asian economies particularly hard because of their dependence on Middle Eastern energy imports.

Iran itself exports about 1.6 million barrels of oil each day, much of it destined for China. Beijing has urged an immediate halt to the fighting, and disruptions to Iranian exports could force China to secure alternative supplies, which could push energy prices even higher.

“All parties have their responsibility to ensure stable and smooth energy supplies,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said in a briefing Monday. “China will take necessary measures to safeguard its own energy security.”

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung also addressed the crisis Monday, warning that authorities would strictly punish oil refiners and gas station operators found hoarding supplies or manipulating prices. He also urged the country to explore alternative sources of energy that do not rely on shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.

Across Southeast Asia, motorists have already begun feeling the effects of the price spike, with long lines forming at fuel stations.

“Higher oil and gas prices will affect everyone and our economy,” said Le Van Tu, who was waiting outside a gas station in the Vietnamese capital Hanoi. “All activities, including those using petrol based transportation will be affected.”

The last time oil prices reached similar levels was in 2022, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, when Brent crude and U.S. oil futures climbed sharply.

Rising energy prices tend to push inflation higher, increasing costs for households and reducing consumer spending — a key driver of economic growth in many countries. These concerns have already spilled into financial markets, sending stock prices sharply lower.

In the United States, the average cost of a gallon of regular gasoline climbed to $3.48 early Monday, nearly 50 cents higher than a week earlier, according to data from AAA. Diesel prices also jumped, rising more than 80 cents over the past week to about $4.66 per gallon.

Some analysts warn that if oil prices remain above $100 per barrel for an extended period, the global economy may struggle to absorb the impact.

Natural gas prices in the United States have also risen during the conflict, though not as dramatically as oil. Early Monday, natural gas was trading at about $3.34 per 1,000 cubic feet, compared with $3.19 at Friday’s close.

{Matzav.com}

Dozens of American students studying in Tzefas returned to the United States on Sunday after an extended and complicated trip that took them through Jordan, following the shutdown of Israeli airspace at the start of the war with Iran.

The group included Chabad-Lubavitch yeshiva bochurim and seminary students from the Tze’irei Hashluchim–Mesivta yeshiva and Beis Rivka Seminary in Tzefas. Before the conflict erupted, the students had intended to travel to Georgia after completing an intensive learning program.

When the war broke out and Ben Gurion Airport was closed, those travel plans were abruptly canceled, leaving the students stranded in Israel.

According to a report published by the COLlive website, approximately thirty students reached out to a U.S.-based rescue organization, which arranged for them to cross into Jordan and then continue onward with flights to Europe and eventually back to the United States. On Purim, the yeshiva students departed for Jordan and were placed in a hotel there, where security concerns prevented them from leaving the premises.

Several days later, on Wednesday, roughly 35 seminary students joined the group. They too had been planning to travel to the United States for their Pesach break but were unable to leave once the war began. Until their departure, they had been staying with a local family in Tzefas.

Both groups eventually met in Jordan while waiting for a connecting flight to Athens. However, their departure was delayed by unexpected developments, including the temporary closure of Jordanian airspace due to missile activity and the tense security environment. The flight they had expected to take on Thursday was canceled, forcing them to return to their hotel and continue waiting.

Food presented another difficulty. With only a limited supply available, the students relied on small portions of food along with fruits and vegetables to sustain themselves. Rabbi Shalom Duchman of Colel Chabad attempted to send kosher food for Shabbos, but Jordanian border officials confiscated the shipment and discarded it. In the end, the group prepared their Shabbos meals themselves using basic ingredients they managed to purchase locally.

Despite the challenging conditions, the students observed Shabbos together, holding tefillah and meals while carefully maintaining halachic observance throughout the ordeal.

According to the report, senior American officials also intervened in the effort to help the students leave Jordan. Among those involved were Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun, a close associate of President Donald Trump, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Their involvement and the pressure applied helped facilitate the group’s departure.

On Motzoei Shabbos, the students finally boarded a Royal Jordanian flight. They arrived Sunday morning at Washington airport and from there traveled by bus to the Crown Heights neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York.

{Matzav.com}

New York City police are investigating whether men who brought improvised explosive devices to a protest near the mayor’s residence were motivated by ISIS ideology, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said Monday.

The explosive devices, which failed to detonate, were thrown during a heated confrontation outside Gracie Mansion. The disturbance took place during a rally called “Stop the Islamic Takeover of New York City,” organized by far-right activist Jake Lang. Tisch said the devices had the potential to cause severe injuries or fatalities.

Authorities have taken two individuals into custody in connection with the incident, though neither has yet been formally charged. Tisch said police are coordinating the investigation with federal prosecutors and the FBI. Agents from the bureau’s Joint Terrorism Task Force have also joined the inquiry.

“I can confirm this morning that this is being investigated as an act of ISIS-inspired terrorism,” Tisch said.

Despite the arrests, charges have not yet been filed against the suspects. Tisch reiterated that city investigators are working closely with federal officials and the FBI as they examine the case. She added that authorities have found no indication so far that the incident is linked to Iran or the ongoing war overseas.

“At this time, we do not have any information that connects this investigation to what’s going on overseas in Iran,” Tisch said.

The rally itself drew relatively few participants, but it attracted a much larger group of counterprotesters. During the confrontation, police say one individual threw a smoking object into the crowd. The device contained nuts, bolts, screws, and what Tisch described as a “hobby fuse.”

According to the commissioner, the device extinguished itself only a short distance from police officers stationed nearby. The same individual then dropped a second device that did not appear to ignite.

Police also reported that officers located a suspicious device inside a vehicle parked on East End Avenue between 81st Street and 82nd Street. The discovery prompted authorities to shut down surrounding streets and evacuate nearby buildings as a precaution.

At approximately 7 p.m., a flatbed truck removed a Honda Civic from the scene, after which police reopened the area to the public.

Lang, the organizer of the rally, previously faced charges including assaulting a police officer with a baseball bat, civil disorder, and other offenses connected to the Jan. 6 Capitol unrest. He was later released from prison following President Donald Trump’s broad clemency order. Lang has since announced a campaign for the U.S. Senate in Florida.

Earlier this year, Lang also staged a rally in Minneapolis supporting Trump’s immigration enforcement policies. That event quickly drew large numbers of counterprotesters, and he ultimately left the scene after being confronted by the crowd.

{Matzav.com}

A 22-year-old motorcyclist who suffered critical injuries in a traffic accident in Kiryat Motzkin has died, Rambam Health Care Campus in Haifa announced Monday morning.

Witnesses who were present at the scene said the crash occurred Sunday while a siren was sounding in the area, during which the rider reportedly lost control of his motorcycle.

The young man was transported to the hospital in extremely serious condition. Doctors rushed him into emergency surgery and placed him on an ECMO life-support system in an effort to stabilize him and save his life.

Emergency personnel from Magen David Adom treated the victim at the scene before transporting him to the hospital. He was described as semi-conscious and suffering from severe injuries affecting multiple systems in his body.

MDA motorcycle unit medics Gal Stavsky, Yoed Amar, and Natan Shachar said: “The injured man was lying in the middle of the road next to his motorcycle, semi-conscious after being involved in a traffic accident that occurred during a siren. We provided life-saving medical treatment and evacuated him to the hospital in unstable condition.”

{Matzav.com}

The Israeli military announced that Staff Sergeant Or Demry, 20, of Liman, a combat engineering soldier serving with the 91st Division, was killed in southern Lebanon after anti-tank fire struck during an operational mission near the northern border.

Demry was killed in the same attack that claimed the life of Staff Sergeant Maher Khatar, who also fell during the incident.

Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a statement honoring Demry and expressing condolences to his family.

“I send my deepest condolences to the family of Sergeant Or Demry, a combat engineer in the 91st Division of the Combat Engineering Corps, who fell in battle in southern Lebanon. Or fought bravely together with the late Staff Sergeant Maher Khatar, who also fell in the same incident, to protect the communities and residents of the north from the cruel terrorist organization Hezbollah. The State of Israel salutes our heroic soldiers who are standing on the front lines to protect the citizens of Israel.”

According to details released about the event, the fatal incident occurred at a defensive position near the community of Margaliot along the Ramim Ridge. A combat engineering team had been dispatched to assist a tank from the 601st Battalion that had become immobilized in the area.

The engineering unit, which included two D9 armored bulldozers, was in the process of freeing the stranded tank when one of the bulldozers belonging to the 91st Division was struck. Initial assessments indicate that the vehicle was hit either by a mortar round that ignited its fuel tank or by a missile, resulting in the deaths of the two soldiers.

Following the deadly attack, Israeli forces responded with extensive firepower. Heavy barrages were launched toward the area, and Israeli Air Force fighter jets carried out strikes against multiple targets nearby.

{Matzav.com}

War Secretary Pete Hegseth said the United States is prepared to escalate its military campaign against Iran as Operation Epic Fury continues, including the possibility of deploying American ground forces into Tehran if necessary. In a televised interview Sunday night, Hegseth made clear that the Trump administration is willing to take whatever steps are required to remove the Iranian regime.

“We’re willing to go as far as we need in order to be successful,” Hegseth told CBS News’ Major Garrett during a “60 Minutes” sit-down interview that aired Sunday night.

He emphasized that the United States is deliberately keeping all military options open as the war unfolds.

“We reserve the right. We would be completely unwise if we did not reserve the right to take any particular option, whether it included boots on the ground or not boots on the ground.”

President Trump had previously indicated that such a move remains under consideration. Speaking to The New York Post last week, Trump said that American forces could be sent into Iran if military leaders determine it is required.

Hegseth also explained that any decision to deploy U.S. troops — whether openly or through covert operations — would not be publicly disclosed in advance.

“People ask, ‘Boots on the ground, no boots on the ground, four weeks, two weeks, six weeks? Go in, go in,’” he added.

“President Trump knows — I know — you don’t tell the enemy, you don’t tell the press, you don’t tell anybody what your limits would be on an operation.”

As the conflict intensifies, Hegseth acknowledged that additional casualties are expected. Iranian retaliatory drone strikes have already killed seven American service members.

Six Army Reservists were killed in Kuwait, while another service member later succumbed to wounds sustained in an attack in Saudi Arabia.

“The president’s been right to say there will be casualties,” the secretary said in his interview.

“Things like this don’t happen without casualties. There will be more casualties … especially our generation knows what it’s like to see Americans come home in caskets. But that doesn’t weaken us one bit. It stiffens our spine and our resolve to say this is a fight we will finish.”

The six reservists killed in the attack — Nicole Amor, 39; Cody Khork, 35; Declan Coady, 20; Robert Marzan, 54; Jeffrey O’Brien, 45; and Noah Tietjens, 42 — were returned to the United States in a solemn transfer ceremony.

The identity of the seventh service member, whose death was confirmed Sunday, has not yet been released publicly.

The developments followed another tragedy involving an American service member. NYPD Officer and decorated Army veteran Sorffly Davius died after suffering a medical emergency while deployed in Kuwait with the National Guard.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump said Sunday that the timing of when the war with Iran will conclude will be determined in coordination with Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu, emphasizing that the two leaders remain in close contact as the conflict continues.

Speaking to The Times of Israel, Trump explained that both leaders are communicating regularly and that the decision will be made with input from both sides.

“I think it’s mutual… a little bit. We’ve been talking. I’ll make a decision at the right time, but everything’s going to be taken into account,” Trump said when asked whether he alone would determine when the war ends or if Netanyahu would also have a say.

Although Trump indicated that Netanyahu would be involved in discussions, he also suggested that the ultimate decision would be his to make.

When asked whether Israel might choose to continue fighting even if the United States stops its military operations, Trump dismissed the scenario.

“I don’t think it’s going to be necessary.”

Trump’s comments came shortly after Iranian state media reported that the country’s Assembly of Experts had selected Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, to become Iran’s next Supreme Leader.

Earlier on Sunday, Trump told ABC News that whoever succeeds Iran’s current leadership would not remain in power long without approval from Washington. When The Times of Israel asked him to respond to reports about Mojtaba Khamenei’s selection, Trump offered a brief response.

“We’ll see what happens.”

During the conversation, Trump also spoke positively about Netanyahu and the way the two leaders have worked together during the ongoing conflict.

“We’ve done a great job together, like what we’ve done with Iran,” Trump said when asked whether his view of Netanyahu had changed since his previous term.

Trump also argued that Iran represented a direct danger to Israel before the war began eight days earlier.

“Iran was going to destroy Israel and everything else around it… and now look what we have – we have them being destroyed,” Trump said, while praising Netanyahu’s leadership during the conflict.

“Bibi’s done a great job. He’s been a wartime prime minister. We’ve worked together. We’ve destroyed a country that wanted to destroy Israel. Would have destroyed Israel if I wasn’t around. And [if] Bibi wasn’t around, Israel would not exist today.”

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump said he continues to support granting a pardon to Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, repeating his call for Israeli President Isaac Herzog to take action on the matter.

In an interview Sunday with Libby Alon of Channel 14 News, Trump addressed the controversy surrounding Netanyahu’s legal situation and the possibility of a presidential pardon in Israel.

When asked whether he is troubled by the conduct of Israel’s judicial system and whether he might consider sanctions against the country’s Attorney General or the President of the Supreme Court, Trump signaled his strong backing for Netanyahu.

“I don’t want to say it, but I’m all for Bibi.”

Trump was also questioned about regional diplomacy, including whether a deal might be possible between Israel and Qatar and whether Qatar could shift its position regarding support for Hamas.

“Anything is possible, who knows, they have been very helpful, the Qataris are very supportive and that’s great,” the President replied.

The remarks follow sharp criticism Trump directed last week at Herzog during an interview with Axios reporter Barak Ravid, in which he expressed frustration that the Israeli president had not yet granted Netanyahu a pardon.

“The president … should give Bibi the pardon today. I don’t want anything on Bibi’s mind other than fighting against Iran,” Trump said, arguing that Herzog had previously suggested he might issue a pardon but had not acted on it.

“He told me he would give it to him. But he has held it over Bibi’s head for a year,” Trump said. “Tell him I am exposing him. That president better damn well give him the pardon right now – and stop using it as leverage for his own political career.”

Herzog responded to Trump’s criticism in an interview with Fox News on Saturday, emphasizing that any decision regarding a pardon must follow Israel’s legal procedures.

“I said that I will consider everything seriously, but I’m obliged under the process and under Israeli law to await opinions that must be given to me by the relevant authorities. And that is why, of course, everything is on the table, but it has to be done according to Israeli law,” Herzog stressed.

He also expressed respect for Trump while noting that the issue involves Israel’s internal legal system.

“I respect President Trump tremendously, honestly. And I take the brunt with a lot of affection and respect to him because he’s the leader of the free world who’s changing history. But on the merits of a case, which is an internal case in Israel, I am obliged, I’m sworn in, and I’m the President of the state of Israel,” he added.

{Matzav.com}

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has declared its allegiance to Mojtaba Khamenei following his selection as the country’s new supreme leader, a move that also drew praise from several Iranian-backed groups across the Middle East.

Mojtaba Khamenei was chosen as successor to his father by Iran’s Assembly of Experts, placing him at the helm of the Islamic Republic during a period of intense conflict involving the United States and Israel.

In a statement released after the appointment, the Revolutionary Guard Corps said it stands fully prepared to serve under the authority of the new leader.

“The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps… is ready for complete obedience and self-sacrifice in carrying out the divine commands of the Guardian Jurist of the time, His Eminence Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei,” the Guards said.

Organizations aligned with Iran throughout the region also issued statements welcoming the development.

Yemen’s Houthi movement offered congratulations to Iran’s leadership and citizens after the selection of Mojtaba Khamenei, describing the appointment as a major milestone during the ongoing regional conflict.

“We congratulate the Islamic Republic of Iran, its leadership and people, on the selection of Sayyid Mojtaba Khamenei as Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution at this important and pivotal juncture,” the Houthis said in a statement on Telegram.

The group characterized the decision as a significant achievement for the Iranian regime and its allies.

The Houthis said the appointment represented “a new victory for the Islamic Revolution and a resounding blow to the enemies of the Islamic Republic and the enemies of the nation.”

In Iraq, the pro-Iran militia Kataib Hezbollah also voiced strong support for the leadership transition, praising Mojtaba Khamenei’s qualifications.

The group said in a statement that he is “a figure possessing the leadership qualifications and competence necessary to shoulder the responsibilities of this great trust in these critical times.”

It further argued that the decision by Iran’s Assembly of Experts demonstrated careful judgment about the challenges facing the country.

According to the statement, the appointment “is further proof of the vigilance of the Assembly of Experts and their deep foresight regarding the existential challenges facing the nation in confronting global arrogance,” describing him as “the best successor for the best predecessor.”

For many years, Mojtaba Khamenei has been viewed as one of the most influential figures within Iran’s security establishment and widely seen as a preferred choice of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Despite that backing, his path to leadership faced significant hurdles.

Reports over the weekend indicated that Mojtaba Khamenei was wounded during the initial stage of Operation Roaring Lion last Saturday morning but survived the assassination attempt. His father, mother, wife, and son were killed in the same strike.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has publicly opposed Mojtaba Khamenei’s elevation to supreme leader.

“Khamenei’s son is unacceptable to me, we want someone who will bring harmony and peace to Iran. I have to be involved in the appointment,” he told Axios last Thursday.

Trump later reiterated his position in remarks to ABC News, suggesting that the next Iranian supreme leader would need American approval to maintain power.

“He’s going to have to get approval from us,” Trump told the American news outlet. “If he doesn’t get approval from us, he’s not going to last long.”

Trump said the objective is to prevent future confrontations tied to Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

“I don’t want people to have to go back in five years and have to do the same thing again, or worse, let them have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said.

{Matzav.com}

Tucker Carlson drew widespread criticism online after describing Israel as “one of the single ugliest countries in the world” while discussing the current Middle East conflict.

The remarks gained rapid attention after conservative activist Laura Loomer posted a video clip of Carlson’s comments. The clip spread quickly across social media and accumulated more than one million views within roughly 16 hours.

In the video, Carlson spoke about Israeli military operations in Beirut while expressing regret over what he characterized as the destruction of “beautiful places” in different parts of the world.

Carlson highlighted the appearance of Lebanon’s capital city before turning to Israel for comparison.

“When you say that the Israelis are destroying Beirut, which is, having been to a lot of places in the world, one of the prettiest places on the globe,” Carlson said. “Beirut is just a marvel. It’s beautiful.”

He then pivoted to a harsh critique of Israel. “It’s being destroyed by Israel, which is one of the single ugliest countries in the world,” Carlson said.

“Nothing of beauty has been built there since 1948. Sorry. I’ve been everywhere in that country.”

Carlson continued by arguing that other locations in the region had historically been visually striking before suffering destruction during conflicts.

“Europe, right? Beirut. Parts of Syria, the holy sites, parts of Iran are apparently beautiful, totally blown up. It does seem like a war on beauty as well,” he added. “Beautiful things wind up being destroyed.”

Loomer sharply criticized Carlson’s comments when she shared the clip online, accusing him of hostility toward Jews.

“Today, Tucker Qatarlson said, ‘Israel is one of the ugliest countries in the world, which has built nothing of beauty since 1948,’” Loomer wrote.

She also rejected Carlson’s comparison between Israel and neighboring countries.

“He said all of Israel’s Islamic neighbors are beautiful and Israel is waging a war on beauty,” she wrote. “He said Israel wants to bomb Iran because Iran is pretty and Israel isn’t.”

“Tucker is consumed by his hatred of Jews,” Loomer added, pointing out that she had traveled to Israel numerous times and considers it “a beautiful country.”

The video quickly triggered a flood of responses from social media users reacting to Carlson’s remarks.

Machon Bnos Yehuda Seminary has warned parents not to route their daughters through Egypt after receiving reports of disturbing incidents involving women traveling through the country while trying to leave Eretz Yisroel.

In a letter sent to parents, Moishe Bak of Machon Bnos Yehuda said the seminary had received verified information describing frightening situations encountered by women attempting to travel through Egypt.

The message began by reassuring parents that the students currently at the seminary are safe.

“A Gut Voch. I am happy to be able to share with you that the Eim Bayit reported that Shabbos at Machon Bnos Yehuda (for those who chose to stay) was a beautiful and uplifting experience. Baruch Hashem, the girls are doing well and are safe.”

Bak explained that the school felt obligated to inform parents about troubling developments affecting women who had tried to leave the region through neighboring countries.

“It has been brought to our attention that a number of girls and women who attempted to travel through Egypt experienced very frightening situations, and in some cases may have been harmed or assaulted.”

According to the seminary, verified reports received recently described incidents in which women traveling in groups were separated from men who were accompanying them, including husbands.

“Just this evening we received verified information describing extremely distressing incidents. In certain situations, groups of women were separated from the men traveling with them — including married women being separated from their husbands — and were subjected to very troubling experiences.”

Bak noted that many of the people involved in the incidents have chosen not to speak publicly but asked that others be warned.

“Many of the individuals involved have chosen not to speak publicly about what happened, but they have specifically asked that others be warned.”

The seminary urged parents to avoid sending daughters through Egypt or nearby countries under any circumstances.

“For this reason, we are begging parents: please do not even consider sending your daughters through Egypt or any of the neighboring countries.”

At the same time, the school indicated that alternative travel options may soon become available as the situation evolves.

“Baruch Hashem, other options are beginning to present themselves. We are starting to hear that the skies are slowly reopening, airport operations are expected to resume tomorrow, and flights are gradually beginning to take passengers out of Eretz Yisrael. Igud HaYeshivos is also working on arranging flights, and we expect to have more information from them very soon.”

Bak also cautioned parents against making travel decisions based on information circulating in messaging groups or social media.

“At a time like this, decisions based on WhatsApp groups, group chats, or by people who do not truly understand the matzav on the ground should be avoided.”

He said the seminary administration is closely monitoring developments and will continue to update families.

“We are monitoring the situation very carefully and will continue to share reliable updates as they become available. I have a scheduled conference call with the hanhala at 2:00 AM to discuss plans for the coming days, and I will, b’ezras Hashem, send another update tomorrow morning.”

The letter concluded with further reassurance that the students currently in Yerushalayim are safe and coping well under the circumstances.

“Baruch Hashem, your daughters are safe and doing well. In general, they are calm, happy, and adjusting to life in Yerushalayim under the current circumstances. With a steady stream of calm, supportive, and positive messages coming from home, we believe they will continue to handle this situation with the strength and resilience they have already shown.”

{Matzav.com}

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the passing of Mrs. Geraldine Schottenstein a”h, the respected matriarch of a family long known for its steadfast support of Torah and Jewish education. She passed away this past week.

Geraldine was the wife of Jerome Schottenstein z”l. Together with her husband, Mrs. Schottenstein was part of a family whose generosity and loyalty helped strengthen Torah institutions and Jewish educational initiatives in Columbus, Ohio, and in communities far beyond. Through their quiet but significant support, countless Jews were given the opportunity to receive a strong foundation in Torah and Yiddishkeit.

Geraldine was born in New Orleans on Feb. 1, 1933, to her parents, Eva and Joseph. She and Jerome were married in 1953, when she joined him in Columbus, Ohio.

The Schottenstein family has for decades been recognized for its dedication to the growth of Jewish education and communal life. Geraldine shared in that commitment, standing alongside her husband in supporting schools, yeshivos, and organizations devoted to the transmission of Torah values to future generations.

Her life reflected the ideals of devotion to family, community responsibility, and a deep appreciation for the importance of Jewish continuity through education.

She is survived by her brother, Marc Hurwitz; her four children; her 10 grandchildren; and her 22 great-grandchildren: Her children are : Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein; Ann and Ari Deshe; Susan and Jon Diamond; and Lori Schottenstein.

After Jerome’s untimely passing at the relatively young age of 66 in 1992, Geraldine married Marty Hoffman, who passed away in 2013.

The levayah was held on Shushan Purim at Lakeside Cemetery in Miami.

Yehi zichroh boruch.

{Matzav.com}

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Air raid sirens sounded repeatedly across Israel early Monday after several rounds of missile launches from Iran were detected, sending residents in many regions rushing to shelters.

The first alerts were activated shortly after 1:15 a.m., when warning sirens were heard in northern and central Israel following the detection of launches from Iran. Roughly twenty minutes later, additional missiles were identified, prompting sirens across central Israel, the Shfela region, the Lachish area, and parts of Samaria.

Another set of sirens sounded around 1:45 a.m. in northern Israel. Later, at approximately 4:00 a.m., residents in the north were again alerted after Israeli defense systems identified yet another round of missiles launched from Iran.

תיעוד: שברי יירוט במודיעין עילית@hadasgrinberg pic.twitter.com/upNjzfjHx5

— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) March 9, 2026

Authorities reported that fragments from interceptor missiles fell in several locations, including Lod, Rishon Letzion, and Modi’in Ilit. Israel Fire and Rescue Services said teams were dispatched to multiple sites in central Israel after debris from the interceptions caused substantial damage.

At one of the impact locations in Rishon Letzion, a woman in her 50s was injured. According to Magen David Adom, stones thrown into the air by the blast struck her head, causing a head injury.

A Magen David Adom EMT who arrived at the scene said, “We arrived quickly at the scene and saw a crater in the road, with broken rocks scattered on the ground all around. At the scene there was a woman who was injured in the head by rocks that flew towards her. We provided her with life-saving medical treatment and evacuated her in an MDA Mobile Intensive Care Unit to the hospital while in stable condition.”

The woman was transported to Shamir Hospital, where officials reported that her injuries were light and that she remained in stable condition.

At roughly the same time, warning sirens also sounded in Kiryat Shmona and nearby communities after rockets were launched from Lebanon. No casualties were reported from that incident.

The Israel Defense Forces said that in response it carried out strikes targeting Hezbollah infrastructure in Beirut while also launching a new round of attacks on Iranian regime terror infrastructure in central Iran.

The overnight attacks followed a separate incident on Sunday in which a man in his 40s was seriously wounded by shrapnel in Tel Aviv during another missile barrage fired from Iran toward central Israel.

Emergency responders from Magen David Adom treated the man at the scene before transporting him to Ichilov Hospital’s emergency department.

In addition, MDA crews provided treatment to six other individuals injured at several locations throughout central Israel. Among them were two people in Petach Tikva: a 25-year-old man who sustained moderate injuries and a 56-year-old man who was lightly hurt.

{Matzav.com}