Matzav

President Donald Trump spoke by phone Thursday night with Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu to review the rapidly developing situation in Iran, according to a report published Friday by Axios, citing two individuals with knowledge of the discussion.

The call marked the second direct conversation between the two leaders within 48 hours, as Trump considers a range of responses that include possible U.S. military action as well as renewed diplomatic efforts with an Iranian regime under pressure from mass protests and internal instability.

Officials from both the White House and the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office declined to provide details or comment publicly on the calls.

According to Axios, during an earlier conversation on Wednesday, Netanyahu pressed Trump to hold off on any immediate military strike, arguing that Israel needed additional time to prepare for potential retaliation from Iran. The report said that this appeal was one of several considerations that contributed to Trump’s decision to delay authorizing U.S. military action.

U.S. officials have indicated that force remains on the table if Iran resumes the killing of protesters, while Israeli officials believe that a strike is still possible in the near term despite the current pause.

Axios also reported previously that Netanyahu sent Mossad Director David Barnea to the United States to coordinate closely with American officials on Iran-related matters. Barnea is expected to hold talks Friday in Miami with White House envoy Steve Witkoff.

The report detailing the second Trump-Netanyahu call appeared before Trump addressed reporters’ questions about whether pressure from Arab or Israeli leaders influenced his decision not to strike Iran. Trump dismissed that notion, saying, “No one convinced me. I convinced myself.”

He pointed to recent developments inside Iran as a key factor, adding, “You had, yesterday, scheduled, over 800 hangings. They didn’t hang anyone. They cancelled the hangings. That had a big impact.”

Later Thursday night, speaking at an Israeli-American Council conference in Miami, Witkoff expressed optimism that diplomacy could still avert conflict. He said any agreement with Iran would need to tackle multiple core issues, including its uranium enrichment program, its stockpile of ballistic missiles, the removal of roughly 2,000 kilograms of enriched uranium held by Tehran, and an end to Iran’s backing of proxy forces across the region.

Describing Iran’s internal economic crisis, Witkoff said, “I think if Iran, which is stumbling it its economy. It’s a pretty serious situation. Inflation is well north of 50%.” He added that Tehran still has a path toward a negotiated outcome, saying, “If they want to come back to the League of Nations, we can solve those four problems diplomatically and that would be a good resolution and the alternative will be a bad one.”

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump said Friday that Iran’s leadership had halted a large number of planned executions of anti-regime protesters, crediting the move with averting what he described as an imminent wave of hangings.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump publicly acknowledged the Iranian government’s decision, writing: “I greatly respect the fact that all scheduled hangings, which were to take place yesterday (Over 800 of them), have been cancelled by the leadership of Iran. Thank you!”

Later, while speaking with reporters, Trump was asked whether pressure from Arab or Israeli officials had persuaded him to refrain from launching a military strike against Iran. He rejected that suggestion, responding, “No one convinced me. I convinced myself.”

He went on to emphasize the significance of the reported reversal by Tehran, saying, “You had, yesterday, scheduled, over 800 hangings. They didn’t hang anyone. They cancelled the hangings. That had a big impact,” according to his remarks.

Trump’s comments followed earlier statements made two days prior, when he asserted that the killing of protesters in Iran had stopped at a moment when a potential U.S. military action appeared close. At that time, he told reporters in the Oval Office, “We have been notified pretty strongly that the killing in Iran is stopping, and there’s no plan for executions or an execution.”

He added that the information had come from reliable sources but cautioned that the situation would continue to be monitored. “I’ve been told that in good authority. We’ll find out about it, I’m sure. If it happens, we’ll be very upset.”

Additional details emerged Thursday night from Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, who spoke at the opening session of the 10th Israeli American Council National Summit in Florida. Witkoff said that, acting on Trump’s instructions, the United States had contacted Iranian officials on Wednesday to convey concerns over reports of impending mass executions. “And that’s been shut down, I think, as everyone knows, the President has announced that. He’s the only one in the world who has that indomitable strength that can bend people. I watch it happen. It’s quite remarkable to watch it happen.”

When asked whether he anticipated military action against Iran, Witkoff said he hoped diplomacy would prevail. “Well, I hope there’s a diplomatic resolution. I really do. There are four issues: Nuclear enrichment, missiles, they have to cut back on their inventory, the actual material that they have, which is roughly 2,000 kilograms which is enriched anywhere between 3.67% to 60%, and the proxies, of course.”

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump warned Friday that federal intervention in Minnesota would bring a swift end to unrest tied to immigration enforcement, declaring that state and local leaders are incapable of restoring order.

“In Minnesota, the Troublemakers, Agitators, and Insurrectionists are, in many cases, highly paid professionals. The Governor and Mayor don’t know what to do, they have totally lost control, and our currently being rendered, USELESS! If, and when, I am forced to act, it will be solved, QUICKLY and EFFECTIVELY! President DJT”

The statement was posted to Trump’s Truth Social account as protests continued to intensify in the Twin Cities following several high-profile encounters involving federal immigration agents.

Although Trump did not spell out what steps he might take, his warning came as tensions rose over the expanding role of federal authorities in immigration-related operations across Minneapolis and surrounding areas.

Demonstrations escalated sharply after the Jan. 7 fatal shooting of Renee Good, a 37-year-old Minneapolis woman, during an incident connected to Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity.

The growing unrest has also placed renewed focus on the tactics used by immigration officers during vehicle stops and arrests, prompting public criticism and legal scrutiny.

The Associated Press reported Friday that Aliya Rahman, a U.S. citizen, was pulled from her car and detained by immigration officers in Minneapolis, an incident that further fueled anger among demonstrators.

Also on Friday, the AP reported that a federal judge ordered the release of a Liberian man arrested by immigration agents in Minneapolis, ruling that the detention violated Fourth Amendment protections.

Trump’s remarks followed earlier comments in which he suggested he could invoke the Insurrection Act, a rarely used law that allows a president to deploy military forces domestically under narrowly defined circumstances.

Minnesota officials have urged residents to remain calm while condemning what they describe as an expanded federal footprint, as protests continue and multiple investigations and court challenges move forward.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump said Friday that he could impose tariffs on other countries if they resist his effort to bring Greenland under U.S. control, tying the issue directly to what he described as American national security interests.

“If they don’t go along with” his push, Trump said, economic penalties could be used. Speaking at the opening of a White House healthcare roundtable, he added, “We need Greenland for national security. So I may do that,” referring to the possible use of tariffs.

Trump has repeatedly argued in recent months that the United States must control Greenland for strategic reasons. The island is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, a status that has been a central point of dispute in Trump’s remarks.

Inside the administration, officials have examined a range of approaches to the issue, including the idea of purchasing the territory, though no formal proposal has been announced.

Greenland and Denmark have consistently rejected the notion, stating that the island is not for sale and has no desire to become part of the United States.

Denmark’s position has been echoed by several European leaders, who have publicly backed Copenhagen and said Washington has no right to take control of the Arctic island.

Trump’s comments marked the first time he publicly suggested tariffs as a potential tool to advance his stance on Greenland.

{Matzav.com}

A senior commander in Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issued an explicit threat against President Donald Trump on Thursday, vowing violent retaliation in response to the president’s warnings about possible U.S. military action against Tehran.

Speaking publicly, Gen. Mohsen Rezaei warned that Iran would respond directly to Trump’s statements about the use of force. “Trump has said his hand is on the trigger. We will cut off his hand and his finger,” Rezaei said, according to Iran International.

Rezaei also made clear that Iran would reject any attempt at de-escalation once hostilities begin. “If we move forward, there will be no talk of a ceasefire anymore,” he said.

In his remarks, the general accused the United States of ignoring Iran’s restraint and cautioned against further escalation. “You do not pay attention to the restraint and strategic patience we have shown,” Rezaei added. “Stop right now. Step back, otherwise none of your bases in the region will be safe.”

The comments were delivered amid reports that the United States has begun repositioning military assets closer to the Middle East. Sources confirmed that at least one U.S. aircraft carrier has been moved toward the region as tensions between Washington and Tehran intensify.

Officials have not disclosed which carrier is involved. Military officials say the voyage could take roughly a week, with additional forces potentially deploying afterward, expanding the range of military options available to Trump.

Rezaei is a longtime powerbroker within Iran’s military and political establishment. He led the IRGC from 1980 until 1997 and currently holds several senior roles, including vice president for economic affairs and secretary of Iran’s Supreme Council for Economic Coordination. He is also a prominent figure within the Principlist Resistance Front of Islamic Iran.

Internationally, Rezaei has faced legal and financial consequences. In 2006, Argentine authorities issued an international arrest warrant for him over his alleged role in the 1994 bombing of the AMIA Jewish community center in Buenos Aires. The U.S. Treasury Department later sanctioned him in 2020, citing his involvement in advancing destabilizing activities.

The escalating rhetoric comes as Iran faces growing internal unrest. According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency, at least 2,677 people have been arrested, with another 1,693 cases currently under investigation.

{Matzav.com}

Mossad Director David Barnea arrived in the United States on Friday for discussions focused on developments in Iran, according to Israeli officials and others familiar with the visit.

The trip is part of ongoing coordination between Israel and the United States as large-scale protests continue inside Iran and Washington weighs possible military steps in response to the Iranian regime’s actions.

According to those familiar with the matter, Barnea is expected to meet in Miami with White House envoy Steve Witkoff, who has been managing a direct channel between the United States and Iran. Witkoff has remained in contact with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi throughout the unrest. It is still unclear whether Barnea will also meet with President Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago residence over the weekend.

Barnea’s visit follows a phone call earlier this week between President Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that centered on the situation in Iran. During the conversation, Netanyahu reportedly asked the United States to hold off on any military action in order to give Israel additional time to prepare for a possible Iranian response.

Israeli officials have raised concerns that potential U.S. strikes, as currently under discussion, would focus primarily on Iranian security forces and might not significantly weaken the regime itself. U.S. officials, meanwhile, have said that military action remains on the table if Iran resumes deadly force against protesters. Israeli assessments suggest that even with a delay, a U.S. strike could still take place in the near future.

At the same time, U.S. military preparations are continuing, with additional forces and equipment being moved into the region. These reportedly include the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and its strike group, along with expanded air defense systems, fighter jets, and possibly submarines.

In parallel, Abbas Araghchi has suggested reviving nuclear negotiations during his contacts with Witkoff. Israeli officials are concerned that Tehran could use renewed talks to ease international pressure and buy time, though some believe the current crisis may push the Iranian regime to consider concessions it has previously refused.

{Matzav.com}

The body of Moshe Ludmir, a talmid at the Boyan Yeshiva in Modiin Illit, was recovered on Friday, bringing an end to a days-long search after he disappeared earlier in the week.

Moshe had gone to the Modiin Stream near his yeshiva on Tuesday together with another student in order to enter the water. During the outing, he was carried away by the strong current. The second boy was rescued later that same day and alerted authorities, prompting an extensive search effort that continued until Friday.

Sixteen years old, Moshe was from Beitar Illit and had only recently begun studying at the Tiferes Yisrael Ruzhin Boyan Yeshiva in Modiin Illit, marking his first year at the yeshiva.

Describing the operation, Lieutenant Commander Shlomi Harosh, who heads the Binyamin Region of the Israel Fire and Rescue Service, said: “This is a tragic event in which a young man lost his life. This was a complex and challenging search because there was a lot of drift in the stream and in the water crossings under the bridges along the stream, as well as the stormy weather that prevailed during the first days of the search.”

Police officials stated that search activity was carried out without interruption over the course of four days, involving close coordination among law enforcement, rescue services, and civilian volunteers.

A police spokeswoman provided further details, saying: “On the morning of the fourth day of searches conducted by the Judea and Samaria District police, along with numerous emergency security and rescue personnel, alongside hundreds of volunteers, the body of the missing young man who had been swept away in the Modi’im Stream was located.”

{Matzav.com}

Agudath Israel of America commends the Trump administration for easing restrictions on religious workers through a newly issued Interim Final Rule published today in the Federal Register. The rule removes longstanding limitations on religious worker visas (R-1), marking an important step in supporting faith-based institutions and the communities that rely on them.

Under prior regulations, non-citizens in the US serving in religious capacities on R-1 visas were required to leave the United States for a minimum of one year once their visa expired at the end of its five-year term before they could apply for and obtain a new R-1 visa. This requirement imposed significant hardships on religious workers as many of them serve in leadership positions such as rabbis and teachers causing serious disruptions for the schools and institutions they serve. The new rule eliminates this mandatory waiting period, allowing religious workers to apply for and receive a new R-1 visa without being forced to spend a fixed period of time outside the United States.

“Agudath Israel of America welcomes the Department of Homeland Security’s thoughtful and much needed rule change regarding religious workers.” said Mr. David Grunblatt, partner at Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP and chair of Agudath Israel of America’s Immigration Committee. “For too long, religious organizations have faced the painful loss of dedicated rabbis, ministers, teachers, and other essential religious workers simply because their temporary visas expired before the lengthy green card process could be completed. By removing the requirement for religious workers to leave the country for a full year after reaching the maximum period of stay, DHS is providing much needed stability for our institutions and the communities they serve. This interim final rule promulgated by USCIS, recognizes the vital role that religious workers play in American society and helps ensure that synagogues, churches, and other faith-based organizations can continue their sacred mission without unnecessary disruption. We commend DHS and USCIS for their commitment to supporting religious life in the United States.”

Agudath Israel of America has long advocated for reforms to the R-1 visa program and continues to urge Congress to pass the bipartisan Religious Workforce Protection Act. That legislation would eliminate the need for individuals on an R-1 visa to leave the US at all while further strengthening protections for people of faith in the workforce.

{Matzav.com}

FOX Business’ Madison Alworth reports cities in Florida and Texas are ready to attract businesses and individuals fleeing New York City’s increasing regulations, rent freezes, and expanded city-run services.

WATCH:

President Donald Trump revealed Thursday that a new governing body, described as a Gaza “board of peace,” has been established as part of the second phase of a U.S.-supported framework aimed at ending the war in Gaza.

Announcing the move on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “It is my Great Honor to announce that THE BOARD OF PEACE has been formed,” adding that the names of those appointed to the body would be released “shortly.”

Trump went on to praise the new panel in sweeping terms, declaring, “I can say with certainty that it is the Greatest and Most Prestigious Board ever assembled at any time, any place.”

The announcement follows the recent unveiling of a separate 15-member Palestinian technocratic committee that is intended to oversee the daily administration of Gaza once major combat operations conclude.

According to Trump, that committee will operate under the authority of the newly created board of peace, which he said he will personally chair.

The broader plan also envisions the arrival of an International Stabilisation Force that would be tasked with maintaining security in Gaza and assisting in the training of approved Palestinian police units.

Reacting to the developments, senior Hamas official Bassem Naim said Thursday, “The ball is now in the court of the mediators, the American guarantor and the international community to empower the committee.”

The U.S.-backed initiative originally took effect on Oct. 10, leading to the release of all hostages held by Hamas and bringing an end to active fighting between Israel and the Palestinian terrorist organization in Gaza.

While the second phase of the plan has now begun, it is unfolding amid continued claims of humanitarian aid shortages and sporadic violence.

For Palestinians, a central unresolved issue remains the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, a provision included in the framework but one that lacks a specific implementation schedule.

At the same time, Hamas has declined to publicly agree to full disarmament, a condition Israel has stated is non-negotiable.

Addressing the issue earlier this week, Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff wrote on Truth Social that Washington expects Hamas to “comply fully with its obligations.”

Separately, Hamas has begun preparations for internal elections intended to reconstitute its leadership, much of which has been eliminated during the war.

A Hamas official told AFP on Monday that the vote is expected to take place “in the first months of 2026.”

Trump shared Witkoff’s remarks on Thursday and added his own endorsement of the transitional leadership, writing, “These Palestinian leaders are unwaveringly committed to a PEACEFUL future!”

He also outlined broader regional backing for the initiative, stating, “With the support of Egypt, Turkey and Qatar, we will secure a COMPREHENSIVE Demilitarization Agreement with Hamas, including the surrender of ALL weapons, and the dismantling of EVERY tunnel.”

{Matzav.com}

A major Siyum HaShas and Hachnasas Sefer Torah were held at Yeshiva Lev Eliyahu in the Ramat Shlomo neighborhood of Yerushalayim, drawing leading rabbonim and roshei yeshiva from across the spectrum of the Torah world.

The event took place in the yeshiva’s main beis medrash with the participation of Rav Yitzchak Yosef, alongside senior roshei yeshiva and rabbanim. The talmidim completed the study of the entire Shas in memory of the late rosh yeshiva, Rav Yaakov Zechariah zt”l, and in memory of a close supporter of the yeshiva, Raphael Halevi ben Esther.

Among the speakers were Rav Yitzchak Yosef; Rav Yechiel Chaim Sofer, rosh yeshiva of Kaf HaChaim; Rav Shlomo Yedidya Zafrani; Rav Ovadia Chazan; Rav Elchanan Sharabani, rosh yeshiva of Lev Eliyahu LeTze’irim; members of the yeshiva’s staff; and the yeshiva’s director-general, Meir Zechariah.

Speakers recalled the mesirus nefesh of the late rosh yeshiva zt”l for Torah learning and teaching, and offered words of chizuk to the bochurim during a period they described as one of mounting pressure on those dedicated to Torah study.

In a forceful address, Rav Shlomo Yedidya Zafrani told the bochurim: “If they come to arrest you, tell them that you are already detained by the Torah. Why is the Yom Tov called Atzeres? Because we received the Torah and we are ‘held’ by the Torah. If you want not to be detained, be detained by the Torah. Give yourselves over to Torah learning. Fortunate are you that you merit completing the entire Shas together.”

Following the remarks, a formal Siyum HaShas was conducted by Rav Eliyahu Moshe HaKohen Saban, one of the yeshiva’s rabbeim who spearheaded the initiative and encouraged the bochurim throughout their intensive learning of the masechtos. The evening concluded with the writing of letters in a new, beautifully crafted Sefer Torah, which was brought into the yeshiva in a celebratory procession marked by song and dance in honor of the Torah.

ישיבת לב אליהו (42) ישיבת לב אליהו (1) ישיבת לב אליהו (2) ישיבת לב אליהו (3) ישיבת לב אליהו (4) ישיבת לב אליהו (5) ישיבת לב אליהו (6) ישיבת לב אליהו (7) ישיבת לב אליהו (8) ישיבת לב אליהו (9) ישיבת לב אליהו (10) ישיבת לב אליהו (11) ישיבת לב אליהו (12) ישיבת לב אליהו (13) ישיבת לב אליהו (14) ישיבת לב אליהו (15) ישיבת לב אליהו (16) ישיבת לב אליהו (17) ישיבת לב אליהו (18) ישיבת לב אליהו (19) ישיבת לב אליהו (20) ישיבת לב אליהו (21) ישיבת לב אליהו (22) ישיבת לב אליהו (23) ישיבת לב אליהו (24) ישיבת לב אליהו (25) ישיבת לב אליהו (26) ישיבת לב אליהו (27) ישיבת לב אליהו (28) ישיבת לב אליהו (29) ישיבת לב אליהו (30) ישיבת לב אליהו (31) ישיבת לב אליהו (32) ישיבת לב אליהו (33) ישיבת לב אליהו (34) ישיבת לב אליהו (35) ישיבת לב אליהו (36) ישיבת לב אליהו (37) ישיבת לב אליהו (38) ישיבת לב אליהו (39) ישיבת לב אליהו (40) ישיבת לב אליהו (41)

A storm has been brewing behind the scenes within the Israeli Agudas Yisroel’s Chassidishe leadership as pressure mounts over Israel’s proposed draft legislation. According to a report in Hamodia, the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of Agudas Yisroel in Eretz Yisroel has decided to reissue a formal resolution originally adopted in 5779 (2019), declaring firm opposition to any draft law that includes sanctions or mandatory enlistment targets and signaling an intention to vote against such legislation.

The decision follows intense internal deliberations within the Moetzes, against the backdrop of political pressure and looming legal threats related to yeshiva deferments. Senior Chassidic leaders made clear that, in their view, there can be no compromise at the expense of full-time Torah learners.

Israeli media reports describe sharp disagreements during recent discussions. While several Chassidic courts pushed for a strongly worded, updated declaration, Belz reportedly worked to block the publication of a new resolution, citing concerns over internal unity.

The solution ultimately adopted was described by insiders as principled: Rather than issuing a new text, the Moetzes chose to republish its 5779 resolution and reaffirming it as the binding and official position of UTJ’s Chassidic leadership.

In its original—and now renewed—language, the Moetzes expresses deep anguish over what it describes as an escalating campaign by state authorities against bnei yeshivos. The resolution calls for the formal regulation of the status of Torah learners, while insisting that this be done without personal or institutional sanctions, without arrests, and without any numerical enlistment targets.

The document further states that any legislation harming those engaged in Torah study, or setting compulsory goals for enlistment, is unacceptable and must be opposed “with all force.”

{Matzav.com}

Russia has granted citizenship to former Gaza hostage Maksim Harkin, 36, shortly after his release in the most recent deal, the Russian Embassy in Tel Aviv announced on Thursday.

According to the embassy, Russian Ambassador Anatoly Viktorov met this week with Harkin and his mother, Natalia, and informed them of the decision. The report was first disclosed by Itamar Eichner on Kan 11.

In its statement, the embassy said that “Ambassador Viktorov emphasized that, on the instruction of Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin, focused efforts were undertaken to ensure Maksim’s swift return from captivity in Gaza. Russian diplomats maintained continuous contact with their Israeli counterparts and with all relevant parties on this issue, which was of the highest priority for us.”

Following his release, Harkin reunited with his five-year-old daughter Monica, who lives in Russia, as well as with his mother. Speaking to Ynet, he described the reunion as deeply emotional, saying, “It gives so much strength — a dream that came true. I promised my daughter that I am with her, and I will stay with her.”

Shortly after his release, Harkin’s mother told the Russian news agency RIA that her son had expressed a strong desire to receive Russian citizenship and had planned to complete the process upon his return from captivity.

In his conversation with Ynet, Harkin also addressed the public response to his ordeal, saying, “I’m in an emotional storm from the love I’m receiving from you, the people. It’s important for me to say that unity is an insane achievement — preserve it. Be together, and that’s how we’ll live happily, as we deserve. You see people, what they’re doing for us. I try to hold on to the hope that people gave us.”

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump was overcome with emotion when a group of freed hostages and their families came to the White House last October, according to his Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, who shared the account Thursday night at a major pro-Israel gathering.

Speaking at the opening session of the Israeli-American Council National Summit, Steve Witkoff described a moment that followed the release of 20 hostages, saying the experience struck Trump on a deeply personal level.

“It was deeply personal to President Trump. When we got the 20 hostages home, the last 20, and their families came to the White House, the President pulled me aside. I saw the tears. He doesn’t like anyone to see tears. And he said to me, ‘This is the greatest day I’ve ever had in the White House,’” Witkoff said.

Witkoff then reflected on his own personal connection to the mission, explaining how the loss of his son shaped his perspective and his work alongside the families of the hostages.

“I’m a member of that really bad club that has lost a child. So, for me, it was very personal, and I think the President knew that. And so, when he allowed me to take this job, it was the greatest blessing of my life, because my son’s death then got to mean something for me. I got to meet these incredible families and work with them and meet the most incredible people I ever had the privilege of working with. It was a very special experience.”

He concluded by describing how he feels guided by his late son as he continues this work, portraying the experience as both painful and profoundly meaningful.

“I feel that my boy puts his hand on my shoulder and leads me to these places. And his death now feels like it counts for something. Like that was his purpose. God took him back at 23, but asked me through him or asked him through me to meet these wonderful families. It’s the blessing of my life. I don’t know how to describe it any more than that.”

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump has been cautioned by senior advisers that a broad military assault on Iran would probably fail to bring down the regime and could instead trigger a far-reaching regional conflict, according to U.S. officials cited by The Wall Street Journal.

The report said the administration is currently watching closely how Tehran responds to ongoing unrest, with officials weighing the regime’s treatment of protesters before deciding whether any military action is warranted and, if so, how extensive it should be.

U.S. officials said a large-scale operation would require a significant buildup of American forces in the Middle East, both to conduct a sustained strike and to protect U.S. troops and allies, including Israel, from retaliation. American and regional officials warned the White House that even an intense bombing campaign was unlikely to topple Iran’s leadership and could instead ignite a wider war. Limited strikes, they added, might encourage protesters but would not stop the regime’s violent crackdown.

According to the officials, Trump has not yet reached a final decision, but has ordered military resources to be positioned in the region should he choose to authorize a major attack.

“The president and his team have communicated to the Iranian regime that if the killing continues, there will be grave consequences,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Thursday.

“Only President Trump knows what he’s going to do and a very, very small team of advisers are read into his thinking.”

At one point Wednesday, tensions appeared to peak, with U.S. military action against Iran seeming increasingly likely. The situation later eased after Trump said he had been informed that the killing of protesters had come to a halt.

“We have been notified pretty strongly that the killing in Iran is stopping, and there’s no plan for executions or an execution,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.

He added, “I’ve been told that in good authority. We’ll find out about it, I’m sure. If it happens, we’ll be very upset.”

By Thursday morning, Iranian authorities had reopened the country’s airspace, which had been shut for several hours. The regime also announced it would not carry out the execution of Erfan Soltani, a 26-year-old man detained during the recent protests whose case had become a rallying point for demonstrators.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump said Thursday night that the second phase of his 20-point peace initiative for Gaza is now underway, describing it as a major step following the ceasefire and expanded humanitarian access to the territory.

“As Steve Witkoff announced, we have OFFICIALLY entered the next phase of Gaza’s 20-Point Peace Plan!” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social, citing remarks made Wednesday by Steve Witkoff.

Trump said his administration has already made significant progress since the ceasefire took effect. “Since the Ceasefire, my team has helped deliver RECORD LEVELS of Humanitarian Aid to Gaza, reaching Civilians at HISTORIC speed and scale. Even the United Nations has acknowledged this achievement as UNPRECEDENTED. These results have set the stage for this next phase,” he wrote.

The president said the next stage of the plan would involve a new governing structure inside Gaza during a transition period. “As Chairman of the Board of Peace, I am backing a newly appointed Palestinian Technocratic Government, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, supported by the Board’s High Representative, to govern Gaza during its transition. These Palestinian leaders are unwaveringly committed to a PEACEFUL future!” Trump stated.

Trump said regional support would be central to enforcing security provisions in Gaza, particularly the dismantling of Hamas’ military capabilities. “With the support of Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar, we will secure a COMPREHENSIVE Demilitarization Agreement with Hamas, including the surrender of ALL weapons, and the dismantling of EVERY tunnel. Hamas must IMMEDIATELY honor its commitments, including the return of the final body to Israel, and proceed without delay to full Demilitarization. As I have said before, they can do this the easy way, or the hard way. The people of Gaza have suffered long enough. The time is NOW.”

Trump ended his message with a familiar slogan: “PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.”

Earlier Thursday, Trump separately announced the formal establishment of the “Board of Peace for Gaza,” describing it as a cornerstone of the broader initiative and saying details about its membership would follow.

“It is my Great Honor to announce that THE BOARD OF PEACE has been formed. The Members of the Board will be announced shortly, but I can say with certainty that it is the Greatest and Most Prestigious Board ever assembled at any time, any place. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” he wrote on Truth Social.

Witkoff’s declaration that Phase Two had begun came even as the body of Ran Gvili, the final hostage, remains in Gaza.

Under the terms of the ceasefire, Hamas was required to return all hostages during the first phase, but it continues to hold Gvili’s body while claiming it does not know its whereabouts.

Israeli officials have said they provided Hamas with specific information regarding Gvili’s burial location, but the group has disregarded the details.

The Israeli government has repeatedly stated that it opposes moving forward with the second phase of the agreement until Hamas fully complies with all commitments from Phase One, including the return of Gvili’s body.

{Matzav.com}

Large-scale protests across Iran have largely vanished not because the unrest has been resolved, but because heavily armed security forces have effectively confined residents to their homes, according to accounts shared with The New York Post.

After weeks of demonstrations against the regime that reportedly left thousands dead, an overwhelming security deployment has brought public dissent to a halt, with many Iranians now too frightened to leave their homes.

“There were tanks out — there’s tanks everywhere,” one source told The Post after speaking with relatives in Tehran about conditions on the ground.

“There’s trucks that are covered, with 10 people inside with machine guns just aiming them at everyone on the street.”

Another Tehran resident described a city paralyzed by fear, as police and security forces flood major roads, set up checkpoints, and stop vehicles at will.

The source said the relative quiet seen in Tehran on Thursday followed widespread killings of demonstrators, estimating that more than 2,600 people have died since the protests erupted, citing figures from the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency.

“There are no protests anymore because of massive killings. With 12,000 dead, people are terrified,” the local said, referring to higher casualty estimates cited by activist groups.

The source urged President Trump to intervene immediately, despite Trump’s statement Wednesday that “the other side” had suggested Iran had stopped killing protesters.

“We are waiting for Trump’s action, he promised to support Iranian protesters if the regime killed them! It is the time to attack this brutal regime!” the local said.

Trump had previously warned that military action was possible if the Iranian government continued to massacre demonstrators.

Photographs from Tehran on Thursday showed residents cautiously moving through the city, attempting to resume daily routines amid burned-out vehicles and other wreckage left behind by the unrest.

Some people were seen traveling to hospitals and morgues in an effort to retrieve the bodies of relatives killed during the protests. One source told The Post that authorities had threatened to dispose of unclaimed bodies in a mass grave if families failed to collect them quickly.

Iranian security forces have been accused of carrying out one of the most severe crackdowns on dissent in the history of the Islamic Republic, with nearly 17,000 arrests reported by HRANA.

Video footage circulating online has shown mass shootings of civilians, as well as a violent assault on the Imam Khomeini Hospital in Ilam, where armed forces reportedly injured patients and medical staff.

According to witnesses cited by DW, security personnel opened fire inside the hospital and deployed tear gas while searching for individuals wounded during earlier protests, with approximately 11 patients taken away by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

“We knew the security agents were coming to arrest the wounded or record their identities,” a nurse, who did not reveal her real name, told the outlet.

“People gathered at the entrance to stop them,” she added. “At the same time, we were desperately short of blood, so calls for donors went out on social media.

“But the IRGC [Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps] and special units prevented donors from reaching us.”

Human rights organizations reported that the siege of the hospital lasted more than a day, leaving patients, doctors, nurses, and even children injured in the violence.

“Security forces allegedly raided the Imam Khomeini Hospital in Ilam, deploying tear gas and beating patients and medical personnel,” the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said in its latest Fact-Finding Mission report.

The true scale of the crackdown remains unclear, as a nationwide communications blackout has prevented independent verification of events across Iran.

The violence and suppression of protesters were addressed during an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Thursday.

Iranian-American activist Masih Alinejad warned UN members that the Islamic Republic must not be treated as a normal state, comparing its actions to those of the Islamic State terrorist organization.

She argued that Iran’s leadership must be “treated like” ISIS to prevent further bloodshed.

“Millions of innocent, unarmed Iranians have been silenced through bullets, mass arrests, imprisonment and a total communications blackout — no internet, no mobile phones and no landlines,” she said in an emotional speech. “Iran is in total darkness.”

Alinejad, who lives in exile and is known for urging Iranian women to defy mandatory hijab laws, was the target of a regime-directed assassination attempt at her Brooklyn home in July 2022.

That plot failed due to multiple mistakes by the Russian gang members involved, who were later sentenced to 25 years in federal prison in October.

{Matzav.com}

California Governor Gavin Newsom appeared to distance himself from the language used by his own communications staff during a contentious interview Thursday with conservative commentator Ben Shapiro, signaling internal disagreement over recent political messaging.

Newsom sat down with Ben Shapiro on Shapiro’s podcast, “This is Gavin Newsom,” where the two sparred over immigration enforcement, political discourse, education policy, and gender identity in a wide-ranging and often combative exchange.

A central moment of tension arose when Shapiro challenged the governor about statements issued by Newsom’s office following the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE officer in Minneapolis, language that described the incident as “state-sponsored terrorism.”

The shooting has ignited a nationwide debate, fueling sharp disagreements over federal immigration enforcement, police conduct, and the rhetoric used by elected officials when discussing actions by law enforcement agencies.

“Your press office tweeted out that it was state-sponsored terrorism,” Shapiro said, before pushing back on the characterization of federal agents.

“Our ICE officers obviously are not terrorists,” Shapiro added.

“Yeah, I think that’s fair,” Newsom agreed. The governor also said he “disagreed” that ICE should be abolished.

Clips of the exchange quickly circulated online, with critics pointing to the moment as proof that Newsom was walking back statements made by his own press team.

Later in the interview, the conversation shifted to public education and gender identity, with Shapiro repeatedly pressing Newsom on whether biological sex can be changed and how the topic should be addressed in schools.

“There are certainly cases in which kids are being socially transitioned at school without parents knowing about it,” Shapiro said. “The fundamental question… is whether boys can become girls.”

Newsom appeared uncomfortable and failed to offer a clear response, saying, “Yeah… well, I think… for the grace of God… yeah.”

Shapiro questioned why the governor seemed unable to answer directly.

“We’re talking about so few people,” Newsom said, adding that the issue was surrounded by “so much hate, and bigotry, so much condemnation.”

Shapiro rejected that characterization outright, insisting his position was rooted in biology rather than animus.

“It is not an act of bigotry to say that a boy cannot become a girl, nor should my children be taught in K-12 public schools that a boy can become a girl,” he said. “That’s not an act of bigotry; that’s an act of rationality and biological simplicity.”

Even after multiple follow-up questions, Newsom declined to give a definitive answer, instead returning to broad and noncommittal language.

The governor also appeared uneasy when Shapiro praised Donald Trump as the most effective foreign policy president of his lifetime and challenged Newsom on why he would not “radically” cut California income taxes.

Shapiro further criticized Newsom’s repeated warnings that Trump might attempt another presidential run in 2028, calling the claim reckless and suggesting the governor did not truly believe it. Newsom, however, insisted that he did.

{Matzav.com}

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado said Thursday that she handed President Trump her Nobel Peace Prize during a meeting at the White House, confirming a highly symbolic gesture that followed weeks of public discussion about the award.

“I presented the president of the United States the medal, the Nobel Peace Prize,” Machado told reporters on Capitol Hill.

An image obtained by The Post showed Trump standing in the Oval Office with the framed medal, while Machado stood beside him during the meeting.

The inscription on the medal read: “To President Donald J. Trump. In gratitude for your extraordinary leadership in promoting peace through strength, advancing diplomacy, and defending liberty and prosperity.”

It continued, “Presented as a personal symbol of gratitude on behalf of the Venezuelan people in recognition of President Trump’s principled and decisive action to secure a free Venezuela.”

“The courage of America, and its President Donald J. Trump, will never be forgotten by the Venezuelan people. “

Trump publicly acknowledged the gift shortly afterward, thanking Machado in a post on social media.

“It was my Great Honor to meet María Corina Machado, of Venezuela, today,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “She is a wonderful woman who has been through so much.

“María presented me with her Nobel Peace Prize for the work I have done. Such a wonderful gesture of mutual respect. Thank you María!”

Machado, who received the Nobel Peace Prize last October for her campaign to restore democracy in Venezuela and challenge the authoritarian rule of Nicolás Maduro, said the presentation of the medal was accompanied by a message rooted in shared history.

“I told him this: 200 years ago, Gen. [Marquis de] Lafayette gave Simon Bolivar a medal with George Washington’s face on it. Bolivar kept that medal the rest of his life,” Machado said.

“It was given by Gen. Lafayette as a sign of the brotherhood between the people of the US and the people of Venezuela in their fight against tyranny. 200 years on in history, the people of Bolivar are giving back to the heir of George Washington a medal, in this case a medal of the Nobel Peace Prize,” she continued.

Known among supporters as Venezuela’s “Iron Lady,” Machado said she offered Trump the prize “in recognition of his unique place with our freedom.”

Earlier Thursday, Trump hosted Machado for a private lunch at the White House, marking the first time the two had met in person.

Machado remained at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue for approximately two and a half hours during the visit.

Trump, who has spoken openly about his interest in the Nobel Peace Prize and has received multiple nominations, told Fox News host Sean Hannity last week that it would be a “great honor” to receive the medal from Machado.

In previous remarks, Machado had indicated she was prepared to give the prize to Trump or share it with him.

“I certainly would love to be able to personally tell him that we believe — the Venezuelan people, because this is a prize of the Venezuelan people — certainly want to, to give it to him and share it with him,” Machado said Monday.

“What he has done is historic. It’s a huge step towards a democratic transition.”

Before the White House meeting took place, the Nobel Prize Committee weighed in on the discussion surrounding the medal, stating: “A medal can change owners, but the title of a Nobel Peace Prize laureate cannot.”

Despite the cordial meeting, Trump has previously expressed skepticism about Machado’s ability to govern Venezuela following the capture of Maduro and has instead voiced support for interim president Delcy Rodríguez. He referred to Maduro’s former vice president as a “terrific person” after speaking with Rodriguez by phone on Wednesday.

{Matzav.com}

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