Matzav

The IDF reported on Wednesday that Staff Sergeant Stav Halfon, 20 years old and a resident of Petach Tikva, was killed during active combat in the southern region of Gaza.

Halfon served in the 603rd Combat Engineering Battalion, which is part of the IDF’s 7th Brigade. He sustained life-threatening injuries from sniper fire and later succumbed to his wounds.

As of now, the total number of IDF soldiers who have fallen since the outbreak of the war stands at 871.

On Tuesday, the IDF made public the death of Staff Sergeant Naveh Leshem, also 20 years old, from Nokdim. Leshem, a member of the Golani Brigade’s 12th Battalion, was also killed in combat operations in southern Gaza.

The day before that, the IDF lifted the publication ban regarding the death of Captain (Res.) Tal Movshovitz, 28, from Reut. He served as a Deputy Company Commander in the 7086th Combat Engineering Battalion of the Golani Brigade and was killed in battle in the southern Gaza Strip.

{Matzav.com}

Qatar, Egypt, and the United States recently reached out to Israel with a proposal to send representatives to Sharm El-Sheikh for discussions focused on a potential prisoner swap, according to a source with direct knowledge of the situation, who spoke to i24NEWS.

The source explained that logistical complications involving flights prevented the Israeli team from traveling to the original venue, prompting the suggestion to relocate the talks to Sharm El-Sheikh. Despite this, a high-ranking Israeli official pushed back on the claim, asserting, “There was no such request, and when the conditions for talks are met, they will be held in an agreed-upon location.”

According to individuals familiar with the mediation efforts, negotiations over a hostage agreement have stalled ever since Israel launched airstrikes against Iran. “Both sides are waiting to see what will happen,” two sources explained, noting that the evolving geopolitical landscape is also having an effect on Hamas.

These sources also indicated that the strong coordination between the United States and Israel has created uncertainty for Hamas regarding the reliability of American assurances tied to the agreement. “Hamas is asking itself what will happen with the U.S. guarantees for this deal,” the sources said.

In the last several weeks, three significant obstacles have emerged in the negotiation process. One of those hurdles—the timeline involving the release of eight captives on the first day and another two on day 55—appears to have been successfully addressed.

Nonetheless, two major points of contention remain unresolved: the extent to which Israeli forces will pull back as part of the agreement, and what course of action will be taken on day 61. At issue are demands to cease military operations and continue diplomatic talks for the remaining hostages.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Based on an updated security evaluation, new instructions from the Home Front Command will go into effect starting at 18:00 today (Wednesday).

Under the revised guidelines, most regions across the country will shift from “Essential Activity” status to “Limited Activity.” This excludes several specific zones, including the Confrontation Line areas, both the northern and southern Golan Heights, Beit She’an Valley, the Jordan Valley, the Dead Sea region, the Arava, Eilat, and towns adjacent to the Gaza Strip.

In a separate decision, it was also established that the Confrontation Line, the northern and southern Golan Heights, the Beit She’an Valley (excluding certain designated communities), the Jordan Valley, the Dead Sea, Gaza border communities, the Arava, and Eilat will be reclassified from “Essential Activity” to “Partial Activity.”

These adjustments are scheduled to be in force from Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at 18:00 through Friday, June 20, 2025, at 20:00.

Citizens are urged to adhere strictly to the official instructions provided by the Home Front Command. Complete details can be found through the National Emergency Portal and the Home Front Command’s dedicated mobile app.

{Matzav.com Israel}

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Sirens are sounding, schools and jobs are shut, and families’ expenses are soaring while income has vanished. Our Rabbinic board has ordered a large crisis fund to keep food on tables and hope in hearts.

El Al completed its first return mission from Larnaca to Israel this morning, piloted by Captain Nechama Spiegel, a chareidi woman from Beit Shemesh.

The flight touched down in Israel as part of a broader effort by the Ministry of Transportation to bring home Israeli citizens who were left overseas after commercial air travel was halted due to Operation Rising Lion.

Captain Spiegel, a trailblazer as El Al’s first chareidi female pilot and a mother of seven, carried out the flight as part of a government-authorized repatriation initiative. According to an official statement by the airline, all passengers were assigned their seats in advance at no additional charge.

El Al had announced on Tuesday that it would begin operating emergency return flights from several European cities including Larnaca, Athens, Rome, Milan, and Paris. The company clarified that “the flights will be carried out gradually, subject to state approvals” and that eligible passengers would receive direct notifications from El Al.

These special flights are available to individuals who hold valid El Al or Sun d’Or tickets to Israel and had their original flights canceled. The order of priority for boarding is determined by the date of the canceled flight, with special consideration given to urgent medical or humanitarian cases. The airline also advised travelers still abroad to secure lodging and reminded them that they may be entitled to compensation under existing legal guidelines.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Iran’s top authority, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is reportedly experiencing an unprecedented psychological strain, according to a Reuters report released Wednesday morning.

The report indicates that the recent Israeli strikes inside Iran have significantly unsettled Khamenei, raising deep concerns for him about the potential for critical misjudgments in the wake of the deaths of numerous senior officials in his inner circle.

Sources familiar with Khamenei’s situation say that the sweeping blow delivered to Iran’s high-level security figures at the onset of Operation “Rising Lion,” along with the swift replacement of those lost, has created instability that could result in grave miscalculations by Tehran’s leadership.

In recent days, the Iranian opposition outlet Iran International revealed that Khamenei and his family had been relocated by security personnel to a heavily protected, undisclosed bunker situated in the mountainous region north of the capital, Tehran.

Earlier in the week, reports emerged that Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu had not dismissed the possibility of targeting Khamenei directly.

In a conversation with ABC, Netanyahu responded to concerns that such a move would escalate tensions, saying, “On the contrary, he argued, it would lead to de-escalation and regime change within the Islamic Republic.”

Meanwhile, according to international media coverage, President Donald Trump recently blocked an operation aimed at assassinating Ayatollah Khamenei.

{Matzav.com}

Residents of the Pardes Katz neighborhood in Bnei Brak are sharing a powerful story of Hashgocha and a narrowly averted tragedy after an Iranian missile struck a local school building in the early hours of Monday morning, Matzav.com has learned.

The missile made a direct hit on the Beis Yaakov Otzar HaChaim school, a mosad for Sephardic girls in the area, reducing it to rubble. Just days ago, the building had been bustling with hundreds of students. Recently renovated, the school had been fully operational until the missile strike.

According to accounts from locals, the shelter in the school had been meticulously prepared for emergency use only hours earlier by devoted staff members who came in the evening to clean and arrange it. Once they finished, they locked the shelter and handed the key to a neighbor who lives adjacent to the building.

At 4:15 a.m., an air raid siren blared across the city, waking residents and sending them scrambling for cover, as instructed by Home Front Command. Many residents who live near the school ran to the designated shelter—only to find it locked.

With no time to spare, they quickly turned back and rushed to alternate nearby shelters. Moments later, the missile struck the school with a massive explosion, destroying the entire structure and damaging nearby buildings. Windows shattered, and debris was scattered in all directions.

In a chilling twist, it was revealed that the neighbor who had the shelter key had not woken up during the siren. Had the shelter been unlocked and used, it could have ended in unspeakable tragedy. Although the shelter itself remained structurally intact, the surrounding area was strewn with wreckage and hazardous debris that would have made any rescue operation extremely difficult.

“The missile landed in the front section of the building,” one resident explained. “Had it hit the rear, where the shelter is located, we might have faced a devastating loss of life.”

Now standing in the shadow of the destroyed school, residents are overwhelmed by the clear string of miracles that unfolded. “Chasdei Hashem ki lo samnu ki lo chalu rachamav. It is only by Hashem’s mercy that we were not harmed,” one neighbor said emotionally. “We hope the day comes soon when we can return to this building that our daughters loved so dearly.”

While the building lies in ruins, the story of its locked shelter—an obstacle that turned out to be a brocha—continues to serve as a moving reminder of Hashem’s protection in the face of danger.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Steve Bannon sounded the alarm, cautioning that if the United States enters the intensifying conflict between Israel and Iran, it could not only destroy President Donald Trump’s political alliance but also lead to disastrous consequences for Israel itself.

During an appearance on The Tucker Carlson Show, Bannon reacted to the weekend’s dramatic surge in violence, which saw Israeli strikes hit sensitive nuclear and military targets. In response, Iran launched retaliatory attacks that killed dozens of people in Israel and wounded over 500.

WATCH:

Bannon expressed deep unease—not just over the geopolitical risks but also the internal political fallout. He said this war could unravel the carefully built MAGA coalition that has powered Trump’s comeback and jeopardize the policies that defined his presidency.

According to Bannon, that political alliance is unified around three central goals: pulling the U.S. out of endless foreign wars, taking control of immigration and removing illegal entrants, and renegotiating trade to bring manufacturing back to American soil.

“They’re trying to shut all three down,” he said. “But the one that they’re obsessed with the most… is the forever wars.”

Bannon argued that efforts pushing the U.S. toward deeper involvement in the Middle East are coming from within Trump’s own circles, with the intent to fracture his political base. He and Carlson have publicly criticized Trump-aligned figures like Sean Hannity and Mark Levin in recent days, accusing them of advocating for war. Carlson slammed them as “warmongers,” while Bannon charged that their positions play directly into the hands of the entrenched Washington elite that Trump vowed to fight.

Looking back on Trump’s accomplishments, Bannon said the administration had already achieved major victories on border security and trade. “Now we’re really going down and actually having the deportation, see the fight [in Los Angeles]. And then out of nowhere comes a war with Persia. It’s like a shooting war with Persian, a massive shooting war of Persia, and it’s like, how did this happen?”

Bannon warned that if Trump’s team becomes consumed by foreign conflict, the movement’s focus on America-first policies could evaporate—and with it, key support for Israel might collapse.

He added: “And that’s why I’ve been up as a defender of Israel, and someone that’s very pro-Israel. I’ve been saying, ‘Hey, this is going to be the end of Israel because of the way these decisions have been made.’ And you have, I think, shockingly, today early when we had you on the show, you bring up a point that we have to address, which I think it’s the thing itself. What is it about this apparatus?”

Bannon drew parallels to the lead-up to the Iraq war, describing the current drive toward conflict as being manufactured by insiders in Washington, D.C.

Bannon said: “It’s like what’s happened over the last 72 hours? How do we even get to this point? How did this actually happen? Who made these decisions when we had the intel out there that this was not like a thing?”

He pressed the issue further, saying: “The question before us is not simply the Israel-Persia situation, it’s what the fuck is going on in this city that just drives this city, whether you’re Barack Obama or Donald Trump. And if we don’t sort it out now, and I mean right now, that’s what we have to have a throwdown,” he continued,”… We’re prepping for a major shooting war.”

He argued that unless the so-called deep state is purged more aggressively, the movement will continue to face sabotage. He warned that even under Trump, MAGA-friendly leadership had only a shaky hold on the bureaucracy.

“Now’s the time we got to lance the boil,” he said.

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., on the escalating Israel-Iran conflict, Democrats’ push to block U.S. military force against Iran, ‘No Kings Day’ protests and deportation efforts in America’s largest cities.

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

Israel would need access to the U.S.’s most formidable non-nuclear weapon—a 15-ton “bunker buster” bomb—in order to destroy Iran’s heavily fortified Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant, the last major nuclear site believed to be untouched.

The Fordow facility, buried nearly 300 feet beneath a mountain near the city of Qom, poses a challenge that requires more than conventional weaponry. Its hardened location means that only the U.S.-made GBU-57A/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator, the largest conventional bomb in America’s arsenal, would be capable of reaching it.

Manufactured by Boeing for the U.S. Air Force, the GBU-57A/B is so massive that it can only be deployed using a B-2 Spirit stealth bomber—an aircraft not in Israel’s inventory.

“The United States controls the bomber and the bomb,” John Spencer, chair of urban warfare studies at the Modern War Institute at West Point military academy, told The Post. “It would be an American plane and an American munition.”

Developing the Massive Ordnance Penetrator cost the U.S. military more than $500 million. A 2013 Wall Street Journal report noted that it was engineered to breach the kind of fortifications found at Fordow, with 20 such bombs reportedly built at the time for the Pentagon.

Should the U.S. choose to provide the weapon to Israel, the bomb’s capabilities would likely allow it to crush the Fordow facility, which is shielded by layers of steel and granite.

“By weight and kinetic force, the GBU-57A/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator is designed to penetrate a certain amount of distance into the ground before it blows,” said Spencer.

“That’s why these bunker busters are called Penetrators. They penetrate the ground before they explode. The explosion is strategically delayed.”

Although Israel has received smaller bunker buster munitions from the U.S. in the past, Washington has never transferred the Massive Ordnance Penetrator to any other nation, reportedly to maintain strategic superiority.

Describing the potential impact, Spencer noted, “I’ve seen 500 pounders, and they’ll shake your teeth when they go off. It’s like an earthquake. This will be much more than that.”

Still, Spencer emphasized that a strike from this weapon would likely avoid triggering a nuclear event. “This [explosion] is pretty contained,” he said. Since the detonation occurs deep underground, surrounded by dense materials, it’s unlikely to set off a nuclear chain reaction. Rather than an outward blast, the surrounding area would collapse inward. “The risk is for leakage, not an explosion.”

American intelligence agencies have consistently identified Fordow as a crucial component of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.

“If you don’t get Fordow, you haven’t eliminated their ability to produce weapons-grade material,” Brett McGurk, who served as Middle East coordinator for several American presidents of both parties, recently told the New York Times.

While deploying the GBU-57A/B is arguably the cleanest solution, there are improvised alternatives.

Spencer explained that Israel might try a multi-step approach if it cannot obtain the bomb. “Israel has cornered the market on what they call drilling,” said Spencer. “They drop one bomb that reaches a certain depth, then another and another, at different angles, within seconds, to get to where they want to go. But you put multiple people and multiple aircraft at risk. The GBU is one and done.”

Reflecting on the best path forward, Spencer said, “There are many ways to destroy the nuclear program in Iran. But this is the effective and efficient one. It gets to the objective quicker and is the perfect solution.”

{Matzav.com}

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Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., discusses how President Donald Trump is handling conflicts in the Middle East on ‘Hannity.’

WATCH:

President Trump announced Wednesday that Iranian representatives have approached the U.S. about holding a peace summit, claiming they are now desperate due to the punishing blows they’ve suffered—but that he rebuffed the idea, warning them it might be too late and that “there’s a big difference between now and a week ago.”

While he has alternated between pushing for negotiations and supporting Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear assets, Trump signaled a clear pivot away from diplomacy for the time being, pointing out that after nearly a week of intense fighting with Israel, the window for talks had nearly closed.

“I said, it’s really late. You know? I said it’s very late to be talking. … There’s a big difference between now and a week ago,” the president told reporters as he oversaw the installation of a new flagpole on the White House lawn.

Though he appeared skeptical of Iran’s timing, Trump threw in a jab at Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell, suggesting the only thing that’s truly beyond saving is Powell’s economic policy. “Nothing’s too late. The only thing too late is [Federal Reserve chairman Jerome] Powell,” he quipped.

According to Trump, Iranian envoys floated the idea of visiting the White House, and even Russian President Vladimir Putin tried to step in to facilitate the process.

“I said, ‘Vladimir, let’s mediate Russia first. You can worry about this later’,” Trump said.

He acknowledged the challenges Iran faces in making such overtures, remarking that it took bravery on their part despite their severe vulnerability.

“That’s, you know, courageous but it’s not easy for them to do,” he added.

“They’re totally defenseless. They have no air defense whatsoever.”

Trump went on to compliment the Iranian population, saying he had encountered many in New York and admired their intellect, even as he noted their current suffering.

“They can be difficult, but so can you… they’re smart people, and those people are getting the h— beaten out of them,” he said.

{Matzav.com}

Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) issued a scathing statement in response to Israel’s military strikeS on Iran, denouncing the operation as “illegal” and warning the United States against becoming entangled in what he described as “another of Netanyahu’s wars.”

“Netanyahu started this war with a surprise unilateral attack against Iran, which has already killed hundreds of people and wounded many more,” Sanders stated. “This attack was specifically designed to sabotage American diplomatic efforts: Israel assassinated the man overseeing Iran’s nuclear negotiating team, despite the fact that further talks with the United States were scheduled for Sunday.”

The Vermont senator sharply criticized the legality of the operation, calling it a blatant breach of international norms. “Whatever you think of the corrupt and authoritarian Iranian regime, this attack clearly violates international law and the United Nations Charter,” he said.

Sanders also emphasized that the U.S. must refrain from engaging militarily or financially in the conflict without proper Congressional authorization. “The United States must not be dragged into another of Netanyahu’s wars — not militarily or financially,” he said. “The U.S. Constitution is crystal clear: there can be no offensive use of military force — against Iran or any other country — without an explicit authorization from Congress. No such authorization exists, and any such involvement would be illegal. Congress must not yield on this issue of enormous consequence.”

In one of the most pointed sections of his remarks, Sanders launched a personal broadside against Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu. “Let’s remember who Benjamin Netanyahu is: He is a war criminal under indictment by the International Criminal Court for the use of starvation as a method of warfare and directing attacks against the civilian population in Gaza.”

Sanders continued, “At this very moment, in Gaza, Israel continues to prevent the U.N. and other aid groups from delivering desperately needed humanitarian aid to starving civilians. In just the last two weeks, Israeli forces have killed hundreds of civilians trying to reach the few militarized aid distribution sites the Israeli government has permitted to operate.”

He concluded by portraying Israel’s government as increasingly isolated and dangerous under Netanyahu’s leadership. “Netanyahu’s illegal, unilateral attack on Iran is just his latest violation of international law. Under his extremist government, Israel is increasingly becoming a rogue state and a pariah among nations. The United States must not be a part of this war.”

{Matzav.com}

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, struck a defiant tone on Wednesday, insisting that Tehran will not yield to President Trump’s demands or be intimidated by his threats regarding Iran’s role in the war with Israel.

“The US President threatens us. With his absurd rhetoric, he demands that the Iranian people surrender to him. They should make threats against those who are afraid of being threatened. The Iranian nation isn’t frightened by such threats,” Khamenei wrote in a post on X.

He went on to issue a stern warning that Iran would not retreat under pressure and cautioned that any military move by the United States would bring about catastrophic repercussions.

“The US entering in this matter is 100% to its own detriment. The damage it will suffer will be far greater than any harm that Iran may encounter,” he raged.

Khamenei also suggested that Washington may have played a direct role in the Israeli offensive, stating that the connection between the United States and Israel’s latest actions appears increasingly evident.

“It was already suspected that the US was involved in the malicious move carried out by the Zionist regime, but considering their recent remarks, this suspicion is growing stronger day by day.”

His comments mirrored sentiments expressed earlier in a prerecorded address broadcast on Iranian state TV, shortly after President Trump called for Iran’s “unconditional surrender” and issued a sharp personal warning to Khamenei.

“We know exactly where the so-called ‘Supreme Leader’ is hiding. He is an easy target, but is safe there – We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

“But we don’t want missiles shot at civilians, or American soldiers. Our patience is wearing thin. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

{Matzav.com}

Iran delivered a stark warning to Washington on Wednesday, declaring that any U.S. participation in the escalating conflict with Israel would provoke a full-scale regional war.

“Any American intervention would be a recipe for an all-out war in the region,” cautioned Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei during an interview with Al Jazeera.

Baghaei did not specify further actions, but Iran has access to numerous U.S. military installations scattered throughout neighboring nations, all within reach of its missiles.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, reinforced the warning, stating that any American offensive would have “serious irreparable consequences.”

He also rejected Trump’s insistence on unconditional surrender, stating that Iran would never submit to intimidation and stressing that his country would remain defiant.

“Intelligent people who know Iran, the Iranian nation, and its history will never speak to this nation in threatening language because the Iranian nation will not surrender,” Khamenei declared in a message read on Iranian state media.

“The Americans should know that any U.S. military intervention will undoubtedly be accompanied by irreparable damage.”

These aggressive declarations followed reports from U.S. officials who told the New York Times that Iran had begun arming missiles in preparation for potential strikes on American bases in the region, starting with those in Iraq.

Officials also indicated that Iran could attempt to block the Strait of Hormuz, potentially trapping U.S. naval forces inside the Persian Gulf and drastically escalating the situation.

Tensions spiked further after Trump’s statement on Tuesday evening in which he warned Iran’s leader that the U.S. was aware of his exact location and demanded Tehran surrender.

“We know exactly where the so-called ‘Supreme Leader’ is hiding. He is an easy target, but is safe there – We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now,” Trump posted on Truth Social.

“But we don’t want missiles shot at civilians, or American soldiers. Our patience is wearing thin. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

Responding to Trump’s message, Iran’s representative to the United Nations in Geneva strongly condemned the remarks, labeling them inflammatory and unacceptable.

“The remarks made by Donald Trump are completely unwarranted, are very hostile. We cannot ignore them. We are vigilant about what Donald Trump is saying. We will put it in our calculations, in our assessments,” the ambassador told members of the press.

“There is a line, which if crossed, there should be a response on our side. Once the red line is crossed, the response will come.”

The ambassador also accused the United States of enabling Israel’s actions, stating, “We will not show any reluctance in defending our people, security and land. We will respond seriously and strongly, without restraint.”

Meanwhile, panic gripped Iran’s capital as large numbers of residents fled Tehran on Wednesday morning in the aftermath of an Israeli aerial assault on the city.

According to the Israeli military, 50 warplanes targeted approximately 20 strategic sites in Tehran, focusing on facilities tied to the production and assembly of missile components and materials.

In response, Iran launched a limited round of missiles at Israel, escalating the already tense and volatile confrontation.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Defense Minister Yisroel Katz said moments ago that Israeli Air Force fighter jets just “destroyed the headquarters of the Iranian regime’s internal security, the main arm of the Iranian dictator’s oppression,” Emanuel Fabian reports for the Times of Israel.

“As we promised, we will continue to target symbols of [Iran’s] rule and strike the Ayatollah regime wherever it may be,” he added.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Agudath Israel of America will be presenting, along with Chazaq and MDY, a grand Daf Yomi siyum on Maseches Shevuos Wednesday night, June 18.

The event will feature divrei chizuk from Rav Tzemach Mazuz, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Kisseh Rachamim.

The evening will feature powerful divrei chizuk, heartfelt tefillah, and celebration.

Location:
Yeshiva Ohel Simcha
141-41 72nd Avenue
Flushing, NY 11367

The program will begin at 8:30 PM. Men and women are invited to attend.

For those who cannot attend in person, the event will be streamed live at: TorahAnytime.com/Chazaqlive

To listen in to the program, call 718-820-7284 ext. 46.

May we continue to come together for such occasions and hear besuros tovos for all of Klal Yisroel around the world.

{Matzav.com}

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Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, issued a provocative statement on social media, just hours after President Trump demanded Iran’s “unconditional surrender.”

“In the name of #Haider, the battle begins. Ali returns to #Khaybar with his Zulfiqar,” Khamenei wrote in Farsi on X, referencing Imam Ali and his legendary sword used in the historic Battle of Khaybar.

His post coincided with warnings broadcast by Iranian state outlets, which alluded to a dramatic escalation expected between Tuesday night and Wednesday, calling it an event that “the world will remember for centuries.”

In a televised speech, Khamenei directly addressed Trump’s warnings, emphasizing that Iran would not give in to coercion or military intimidation.

“Intelligent people who know Iran, the Iranian nation, and its history will never speak to this nation in threatening language because the Iranian nation will not surrender,” he said.

He continued with a stark warning aimed at Washington, stating, “The Americans should know that any US military intervention will undoubtedly be accompanied by irreparable damage.”

Early Wednesday, Israel’s military detected unauthorized aerial activity, prompting air raid alerts across the northern region.

According to the Times of Israel, sirens sounded throughout the Golan Heights as the Israel Defense Forces announced they had intercepted three Iranian drones.

Not long after, roughly 30 missiles were launched from Iran in two waves targeting Israeli territory, with blasts being heard in Tel Aviv.

Reports indicated that Israel’s defense systems intercepted most of the incoming missiles, and no injuries were reported as a result of the attacks.

In retaliation, the IDF deployed 50 fighter jets to strike Iranian military sites, including a centrifuge production center and multiple arms factories near Tehran, according to statements posted on X.

“These strikes directly degrade Iran’s ability to threaten Israel and the region,” the IDF stated through its official account.

As tensions heightened, Israeli officials advised civilians in parts of southwestern Tehran to evacuate in anticipation of further attacks.

Iranian government media reported that the Israeli offensive targeted numerous locations, such as a university affiliated with the Revolutionary Guard and the Khojir missile development complex near Tehran.

Israel confirmed that the strikes were aimed at critical elements of Iran’s nuclear and missile operations during the overnight assault on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Khamenei’s X account ramped up its output of incendiary content, showcasing propaganda posters of Iranian missiles launching at Israel and firestorms engulfing its cities.

This current phase of hostilities, now lasting six days, was triggered by Israel’s launch of Operation Rising Lion, which involved preemptive strikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.

As a result of these attacks, Israeli forces succeeded in dismantling much of Iran’s air defense network, effectively securing dominance over Tehran’s airspace.

Trump announced that Iran’s aerial defense systems had been mostly neutralized, but he refrained from elaborating on the specifics.

“We now have complete and total control of the skies over Iran. Iran had good sky trackers and other defensive equipment, and plenty of it, but it doesn’t compare to American made, conceived, and manufactured ‘stuff,’” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Nobody does it better than the good ol’ USA.”

He followed that up with a forceful call for “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER” from Iran and disclosed that U.S. intelligence was aware of Khamenei’s whereabouts.

“We know exactly where the so-called ‘Supreme Leader’ is hiding. He is an easy target, but is safe there – We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now. But we don’t want missiles shot at civilians, or American soldiers. Our patience is wearing thin. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” Trump wrote.

In response, Iran threatened consequences should the U.S. choose to intervene militarily on Israel’s behalf.

“The U.S. is complicit in what Israel is doing,” said Ali Bahreini, Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations office in Geneva, speaking on Wednesday.

According to the Times of Israel, Israeli forces have targeted over 1,100 Iranian sites since launching Operation Rising Lion.

IDF spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin told journalists, “We are operating systematically to neutralize the nuclear threat.” He added that the operations were “deepening the significant damage” to Iran’s missile and air defense infrastructure.

Military analysts believe that Israel’s continuous bombardment has significantly depleted Iran’s weapons stockpile, especially its missile and munitions facilities.

Initially, Iran launched over 200 missiles across six waves. However, its recent offensives have dropped to about three dozen per attack, according to updated analysis from the Institute for the Study of War, a U.S.-based research organization monitoring the conflict.

{Matzav.com}