Matzav

The IDF is preparing to ask the Supreme Court for another postponement in submitting its official response to a petition concerning the Draft Law, according to a report from Galei Tzahal. The reason for the delay request is the current military campaign involving Iran, which is occupying the attention of the army’s top brass.

The military’s original deadline to respond was set for Tuesday. However, with the ongoing regional hostilities demanding the full attention of senior defense officials, the IDF is expected to seek an extension.

This comes after a planned meeting with the Attorney General to discuss the matter was already deferred at the army’s request. That meeting had been scheduled to include a detailed presentation from the Manpower Directorate on new strategies for cracking down on draft evasion—plans that have yet to be submitted.

Despite the evolving security situation and the likely delay in court proceedings, IDF officials stress that one key development remains unchanged: beginning next month, more than 50,000 draft notices will be sent to chareidi men who are of conscription age.

In a statement, the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit confirmed: “There is no change in the planned issuance of the summonses in the scope and timing previously presented. In addition, the plan for enforcing draft evasion will be presented transparently through the standard channels. Due to the security situation, a request for an extension may be submitted to the Supreme Court regarding the deadline for submitting the response. The IDF will continue to operate in accordance with the law.”

{Matzav.com}

The following letter was sent by Mr. Sol Werdiger, Chairman of the Board of Agudath Israel of America and Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel, Executive Vice President of Agudath Israel of America, to President Donald Trump:

Dear Mr. President:

We write on behalf of Agudath Israel of America, a 103-year-old national Orthodox Jewish organization, to convey our heartfelt appreciation to you for the bold and decisive actions you took on Saturday to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear bomb.

Iran has made no secret of its design to annihilate Israel – may it never come to pass! This has been its goal ever since the Islamic Revolution of 1979, when its leaders referred to Israel as a “cancerous tumor” that must be eliminated from the face of this earth. The threat to Israel posed by Iranian nuclear capacity would be existential.

Iran has no credibility with respect to its nuclear program. It has proceeded with impunity to violate its nuclear nonproliferation obligations, as the International Atomic Energy Agency recently detailed in a report where it described Iran’s “rapid accumulation of highly enriched uranium,” and Iran’s failure to provide “technically credible answers regarding the nuclear material at three locations.”

As you know, Mr. President, it’s not just Israel that has an interest in blocking Iran’s nefarious designs. The entire free world has a stake in a de-nuclearized Iran. As you said in your remarks on Saturday, Iran is “the world’s number one state sponsor of terror.” Your courageous actions struck a blow at the heart of global terror. Thank you.

We also thank you, Mr. President, for giving G-d such prominent mention in your moving remarks. Hashem is Master of the Universe, and we pray to Him that we will one day soon see everlasting peace in the Middle East and across the globe.

With our warmest wishes and deep appreciation,

Sol Werdiger

Chairman of the Board

Rabbi David Zwiebel

Executive Vice President

{Matzav.com}

Major General Yaniv Asor, who leads the IDF’s Southern Command, paid a visit on Monday to the troops of the 252nd Division. During his address, he spoke about the ongoing military campaign in Gaza and reiterated the central objectives of Operation Swords of Iron.

“Since October 7th, we have been at war — a war for our right to live as a free people in our country, a war to preserve the Jewish homeland. These are historic days in which we are initiating, we are surprising, we are daring, and we are striking Iran—the head of the snake,” Asor said.

He emphasized that Hamas cannot be allowed to remain in Gaza and that victory in this campaign is essential. “We cannot tolerate Hamas here — we will not end this war until the threat has been eliminated. It is this campaign which brings us closer to returning the hostages and the fallen. I fully believe that we will not stop until we bring our living brothers and sisters home. This mission lives deep within us,” he said.

Asor highlighted the determination of the IDF and the importance of holding strategic ground to defend nearby Israeli towns. “With a spirit of initiative and offense, determination and perseverance—unrelenting perseverance—we will not stop until you have taken these ridges, the ridge that overlooks Gaza and dramatically improves our ability to protect Netivot, Sderot, Ofakim, Sa’ad, Kibbutz Gaza, Alumim, and Nahal Oz.”

He concluded by describing the emotional and strategic significance of the high ground. “When civilians look up to this ridge, they see the Israeli flag, they see IDF posts, and they feel safe enough to return. We will not stop until we defeat Hamas and bring our hostages home,” the head of the Southern Command concluded.

{Matzav.com}

According to a report by Israel’s Channel 12, Israel has conveyed messages to Iran expressing its desire to bring the current exchange of missiles and aerial strikes to a conclusion within a matter of days.

High-ranking Israeli sources told the outlet that Israel believes it is on the verge of reaching its key military objectives. Nevertheless, they emphasized that Israel retains the ability to intensify its response by targeting thousands of strategic sites that could severely weaken Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s regime.

The report also noted that Israel is using its strategy in Lebanon as a blueprint to prevent Iran from reestablishing its nuclear and missile programs. Since Hezbollah agreed to a ceasefire in November, Israel has carried out numerous strikes against the group’s personnel and facilities, aiming to prevent the Iran-aligned organization from launching future attacks or restoring its military infrastructure.

{Matzav.com}

Yossi Dagan, who serves as the head of the Samaria Regional Council, has launched a global initiative urging the Nobel Peace Prize committee to recognize Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump for their leadership in dismantling Iran’s nuclear threat.

This proposal follows the coordinated US-Israeli strikes that neutralized Iran’s nuclear weapons infrastructure. These actions, conducted through Operations Rising Lion and Midnight Hammer, dealt a severe blow to Iran’s military strength and nuclear ambitions, which had long endangered regional and global peace, especially targeting Israel.

To support this initiative, banners and posters promoting the nomination of Netanyahu and Trump will be displayed across various locations in Israel, the United States, and Europe. The effort is being backed financially by Friends of Samaria organizations based in both countries. A key location where one of the signs will be placed is the Trump Lookout, situated at the Gutnik Center in Peduel, in the heart of Samaria.

Some months ago, Dagan revealed that the Israel Lookout in Peduel would be officially renamed in honor of Donald Trump. That announcement was later highlighted by President Trump himself, who posted about it on his Truth Social platform.

The signs will read in English: “Trump and Netanyahu: The Shomron nominates you for a Nobel Prize.”

דגן מציין כי פריצת הדרך ההיסטורית ביחסים בין ישראל למדינות ערב, יחד עם הגישה הבלתי מתפשרת כלפי מעשי הטרור והמלחמה של איראן, מבטאת שינוי מהותי ועמוק באזור, וכי יש להכיר בתרומתם של שני המנהיגים לכך.

“אני קורא לכולם, גם מימין וגם משמאל, להתאחד סביב ההכרה בהישג האדיר הזה שהביאו שני המנהיגים האדירים הללו. טראמפ ונתניהו פועלים בנחישות ובאומץ להתמודדות חזיתית עם האיום הגדול ביותר על יציבות המזרח התיכון והעולם המערבי כולו – איראן חמושה בנשק גרעיני”.

דגן המשיך, “זה הדבר היחיד שיכול להביא את השלום ולייצר מזרח תיכון חדש אבל הפעם באמת. עוד אמר דגן: נתניהו הוא הראש והוא האחראי לשינוי ההיסטורי שמתחולל כאן- אתם, טראמפ ונתניהו האחראים לשינוי הדרמטי במערך הכוחות במזרח התיכון שנותן סיכוי לשלום אמיתי באיזור. יש להוקיר את תעוזתם ואת חזונם שהביאו לשיתופי פעולה חסרי תקדים ולתקווה חדשה במזרח התיכון, שאינו מושתת על כניעה לטרור ולאלימות, אלא על אינטרסים משותפים. שלום אמת, ובלימת האיום החמור המסכן את שלום העולם – של איראן החמושה בנשק גרעיני. כל עמי האזור והעולם תומכים במעשיהם הנועזים של המנהיגים האדירים הללו בנימין נתניהו ודונלד טראמפ. ואת הדבר הזה יש להכיר ולהוקיר.”

{Matzav.com}

As Iranian and Russian officials convened Monday to revisit prior defense and security arrangements, President Donald Trump issued a sharp warning regarding any attempts by Russia to provide Iran with nuclear weapons.

“Did I hear Former President Medvedev, from Russia, casually throwing around the ‘N word’ (Nuclear!), and saying that he and other countries would supply Nuclear Warheads to Iran?” Trump asked in a Truth Social post on Monday. “Did he really say that or, is it just a figment of my imagination? If he did say that, and, if confirmed, please let me know, IMMEDIATELY.”

Dmitry Medvedev, who held the Russian presidency from 2008 to 2012 during the interim between Vladimir Putin’s terms, now serves as deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council and remains closely aligned with Putin.

In recent years, Russia, China, and North Korea have increasingly aligned themselves in a geopolitical bloc. Medvedev reportedly stated on Sunday that “a number of countries” are “ready to directly supply Iran with their own nuclear warheads.”

“The ‘N word’ should not be treated so casually,” Trump’s post continued, criticizing the remarks and pointing to Putin’s ultimate authority. “I guess that’s why Putin’s ‘THE BOSS.’”

Trump also issued a caution to any actors considering the transfer of nuclear weapons to Iran, noting the unmatched capability and readiness of American military technology stationed in strategic zones.

“By the way, if anyone thinks our ‘hardware’ was great over the weekend, far and away the strongest and best equipment we have, 20 years advanced over the pack, is our nuclear submarines,” Trump’s statement concluded.

“They are the most powerful and lethal weapons ever built, and just launched the 30 Tomahawks — all 30 hit their mark perfectly. So, in addition to our Great Fighter Pilots, thank you to the Captain and Crew!”

Though Iran has threatened retaliation against U.S. troops, interests, and even civilians worldwide, those threats have not materialized into concrete actions so far.

Following the Trump administration’s targeted elimination of Qassem Soleimani, commander of Iran’s QUDs Force, Iran mistakenly shot down a commercial airliner within its own borders — a misstep that led to international outrage but no significant Iranian response against Trump at the time.

In the aftermath, Tehran publicly called for Trump and members of his administration to be assassinated.

Just prior to his recent order for strikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, Trump was overheard at a White House flag-raising event saying, “I was the hunted, now I am the hunter.”

{Matzav.com}

Iran retaliated on Monday for the United States’ recent strike on its nuclear infrastructure by launching a wave of missiles at American military installations across the Middle East.

An Israeli official reported that Iran fired over ten missiles targeting locations in Qatar, while at least one missile was directed at a site in Iraq.

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council confirmed the launch in an official announcement, asserting that the number of missiles fired matched the number of bombs dropped by the U.S. during Saturday’s operation.

“The base that was targeted in the attack by the powerful Iranian forces was far from urban facilities and residential areas in Qatar,” the statement said.

“This action did not pose any threat to our friendly and brotherly country, Qatar, and its noble people.”

In a separate declaration, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated it had carried out a “devastating and powerful missile attack” against the Al Udeid Air Base, located in Qatar.

“This base is the headquarters of the Air Force and the largest strategic asset of the US terrorist army in the West Asia region,” the IRGC statement said.

Iran “will not leave any attack on its territorial integrity, sovereignty, and national security unanswered under any circumstances,” the statement stressed.

Qatar’s Foreign Ministry responded by confirming that its air defense systems had intercepted the incoming missiles, and thankfully, no injuries or fatalities occurred.

Qatar, which often serves as a diplomatic go-between in the region, issued a strong condemnation of Iran’s missile barrage and urged all parties to return to the negotiating table.

The detailed response from Qatar was issued within minutes of the attack, indicating it may have been written ahead of time in anticipation of the event.

The intensity of Iran’s response—particularly whether any American personnel were harmed—will play a key role in determining President Trump’s next steps and whether the United States becomes more deeply involved in the broader conflict between Israel and Iran.

As the missile attack was taking place, President Trump was in a strategy meeting at the White House with senior national security officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine.

The president had previously cautioned that any counterattack would be answered with a level of force “far greater than what was witnessed” during the strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites.

“The White House and the Department of Defense are aware of, and closely monitoring, potential threats to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar,” a senior White House official told Axios.

{Matzav.com}

The Israeli military has struck the gates of Iran’s notorious Evin prison and damaged parts of the facility as Tel Aviv continues to target Tehran with missile strikes. Iranian state media claims the situation on the ground is “under control” following the attack, which Israel’s defense minister claimed sought to hit “regime targets and agencies of government repression.”

Evin prison has been used for decades to house political prisoners and opponents of the Iranian regime as well as acting as the headquarters of the country’s powerful Basij militia and its Revolutionary Guard Corps. Family members of those imprisoned at Evin say the strike puts their loved ones in “mortal danger.”

WATCH:

“This strike is completely irresponsible. … This is really the worst thing that could have happened,” French national Noemie Kohler, whose sister is jailed there, told Agence France-Presse. “We have no news, we don’t know if they are still alive, we’re panicking.” Power infrastructure in northern Tehran was also damaged by the strikes. Read more at BBC.

Israel’s Defense Minister, Yisroel Katz, responded Monday to a series of missile attacks launched toward Israel by announcing that the Israeli Air Force had initiated major strikes on high-level targets within Tehran.

“The IDF is now striking with unprecedented force at regime and suppression entities deep in Tehran,” Katz stated. “At the command center, I watched the impressive performance of the Air Force closely, along with the Chief of Staff. Soon, images will be released illustrating the depth of the damage.”

He went on to stress that any attack on Israeli civilians would come at a steep cost for Iran’s leadership. “For every missile fired at the Israeli home front, the Iranian dictator will be severely punished, and the strikes will continue with full force. We will keep working to protect the home front and defeat the enemy until we achieve all our war objectives,” he said.

One of the locations reportedly hit during the strikes was the front entrance of Evin Prison, a notorious penitentiary in Tehran known for imprisoning political dissidents, academics, dual nationals, and members of the press. The facility has long been a symbol of the regime’s repressive tactics and has drawn international condemnation for its treatment of detainees.

According to reports from Iran International, a dissident media outlet, the objective of the strike might have been to damage the prison’s perimeter and potentially enable prisoners to escape. Both the United States and the European Union have sanctioned the facility for its involvement in widespread human rights abuses.

In a broader campaign to establish air dominance over Iran, the IDF also launched overnight strikes on six separate airports located in the western, eastern, and central regions of the country.

These coordinated attacks led to the destruction of key infrastructure, including airport runways, underground hangars, a refueling aircraft, and multiple warplanes—specifically F-14s, F-5s, and AH-1s—that were operated by the Iranian regime.

According to intelligence briefings, these aircraft had been designated for countering Israeli incursions. The Air Force’s offensive reportedly crippled Iran’s ability to launch aircraft from those bases, significantly impairing the country’s military response capabilities.

{Matzav.com Israel}

New York is moving ahead with plans to construct a new nuclear power plant — the first large-scale project of its kind in the U.S. in over a decade and a half — with the capacity to supply electricity to a million households, Governor Kathy Hochul announced.

In a Monday interview with the Wall Street Journal, Hochul disclosed that she had instructed the New York Power Authority to expand the state’s nuclear generation by at least 1 gigawatt.

According to Hochul, the Power Authority will take the lead in identifying a suitable location in upstate New York and will oversee the development of a new nuclear reactor design.

She also noted that the agency could choose to move forward independently or bring in private-sector partners for the project.

“I’m going to lean into making sure that every company that wants to come to New York and everyone who wants to live here will never have to worry about reliability and affordability when it comes to their utility costs,” Hochul told the outlet.

{Matzav.com}

At the direction of President Trump, Israel carried out a series of airstrikes targeting Iranian air defense systems in the two days leading up to the United States’ assault on Iran’s underground Fordow nuclear facility, according to three officials from both the U.S. and Israel who spoke to Axios.

Trump’s groundbreaking decision to engage militarily alongside Israel against Iran was the product of long-standing collaboration between the two nations. Though the relationship had its challenges, the coordination around Iran’s nuclear threat intensified in the lead-up to the strike.

In the critical moments before the operation, Israel played a hands-on role in preparing the battlefield for the American military.
“I want to thank and congratulate Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu,” Trump declared in a televised address on Saturday following the strike announcement.
“We worked as a team like perhaps no team has ever worked before, and we’ve gone a long way to erasing this horrible threat to Israel.”

Trump’s directive to Netanyahu came in the past week, following his final determination to proceed with military action unless an unexpected diplomatic breakthrough presented itself.

“How can we help?” Netanyahu asked during their exchange, according to Israeli sources.

Trump’s response was a clear call to action: he requested that Israel’s air force disable as many air defense systems in southern Iran as possible to ensure safe passage for American B-2 bombers.

Following that request, the U.S. handed over a list of the specific targets it wanted Israel to neutralize before the strike, an Israeli official revealed to Axios.

Two days before the operation, Netanyahu and Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz held a joint call with Vice President Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to finalize their operational coordination.

“They made it clear to us in that call that they were moving forward with the operation,” said an Israeli official involved in the discussion.

“In the 48 hours before the U.S. operation, the IDF conducted several strikes in the area to degrade Iranian defenses,” the official added.

Those Israeli airstrikes were concentrated in Iran’s south and specifically aimed at weakening Tehran’s air defense network, reducing the danger faced by incoming U.S. bombers carrying massive 30,000-pound bunker-buster munitions for use against the heavily fortified Fordow site.

“We didn’t push the U.S. into this conflict. We were cautious not to give the impression that we were steering them into war,” one Israeli official emphasized in comments to Axios.

“But luckily for us, God hardened Pharaoh’s heart — [Iran’s Supreme Leader] Khamenei acted like an idiot and refused any proposal from the U.S.,” the official continued.

After the American bombers completed their mission and began flying back to the U.S., Trump personally phoned Netanyahu to provide a briefing on the strike’s outcome, officials from both nations confirmed.

During the call, Trump made clear that with Iran’s nuclear infrastructure now eliminated, his administration’s objective is to negotiate a deal with Tehran and bring about a stable peace.

“The president doesn’t want to continue strikes on Iran,” a U.S. official said. “He’s ready to do it if the Iranians retaliate against U.S. forces, but he told Netanyahu that he wants peace.”

That sentiment was echoed by an Israeli official, who acknowledged receiving the message from Trump, but noted the uncertainty of what lies ahead. “We still don’t know how the Iranians are going to respond — and that could change everything.”

“But the Americans made it clear to us they want to close this round. They don’t mind if we continue our strikes, but when it comes to them, they’re done.”

{Matzav.com}

Kamala Harris is seriously weighing a bid for governor of California, according to individuals familiar with her current thinking, who spoke to The Hill.

Although no final decision has been made, sources say Harris is actively exploring the option and appears motivated by a desire to continue serving in public office. Her interest in the race, they say, is genuine and growing.

Those close to Harris describe her response to the idea as enthusiastic. “A glimmer in her eyes” is how one insider put it, describing how the prospect has seemingly reinvigorated her politically.

“She has a lot of people in her ear telling her that it makes the most sense and she can do the most good,” said a source who has spoken directly with her about the possibility.

Still, not everyone in her orbit believes she’s leaning toward running. One individual close to Harris downplayed that characterization, explaining that much of the discussion surrounding the race stems from the rapidly approaching 2026 election cycle.

Regardless of her final decision, those familiar with the matter say Harris has given herself a firm deadline: she plans to decide by the end of the summer whether she’ll enter what is already shaping up to be a competitive race. The list of contenders currently includes former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and former California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, who also served as secretary of Health and Human Services in the Biden administration.

Harris is expected to take some time off in July, which, according to sources, will provide her space to seriously consider her next political move.

{Matzav.com}

The danger posed by sleeper cells operating within the United States is at an all-time high, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), though officials say there are currently no specific or credible threats.

A memo circulated by CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott, and obtained by NewsNation, sister outlet to The Hill, highlighted concerns about unauthorized Iranian entries into the U.S. “Thousands of Iranian nationals have been documented entering the United States illegally and countless more were likely in the known and unknown got-a-ways,” Scott wrote.

He continued, “Though we have not received any specific credible threats to share with you all currently, the threat of sleeper cells or sympathizers acting on their own, or at the behest of Iran has never been higher.”

CBP agents were urged in the memo to remain “vigilant” amid the rising concerns.

On Saturday, President Trump confirmed that the United States carried out airstrikes on three of Iran’s nuclear facilities, escalating its involvement in the ongoing hostilities between Iran and Israel. Iran’s representative to the United Nations denounced America’s actions, warning that Tehran’s military will determine an appropriate response.

Speaking on NewsNation Friday, correspondent Rich McHugh noted, “experts that we’ve talked to said that should the U.S. join these strikes against Iran, they may try to activate these sleeper cells in the U.S. and the West.”

Retired General Frank McKenzie, who previously led U.S. Central Command, expressed concern Sunday about potential retaliation. He stated that American forces stationed in Iraq and Syria are “certainly vulnerable” to counterattacks by Iran.

{Matzav.com}

A newly emerging COVID-19 strain spreading in the United States is being blamed for a particularly painful sore throat, which some have started calling “razor blade throat.”

The variant, dubbed “nimbus” and formally designated NB.1.8.1, is a descendant of the omicron lineage and is under active observation by the World Health Organization.

“Your throat is so dry, so cracked, it’s so painful, it’s even hard to drink sometimes,” said Dr. Muhammad Azam of Sharp Community Medical Group in California, speaking to ABC 10.

This version of the virus was initially detected back in January and has since been identified in countries around the world, including Canada and at least 13 states across the U.S.

Beyond the intense sore throat, the nimbus variant presents with symptoms similar to other omicron offshoots, including cough, fever, fatigue, muscle aches, nasal congestion, headache, nausea, vomiting, and loss of taste or smell, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Sore throat has been a part of the spectrum of COVID from the beginning,” said Amesh Adalja, senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security.

“It is something that we know occurs just like it occurs with many other respiratory viruses.”

Currently, the dominant strain in the U.S. remains LP.8.1, which accounts for 38 percent of reported COVID-19 cases. However, the NB.1.8.1 variant is close behind, now responsible for 37 percent of infections, based on CDC tracking.

The CDC does caution, however, that due to a low number of virus sequences being submitted, the accuracy of these estimates is limited.

The World Health Organization has stated that NB.1.8.1 does not appear to pose a greater global threat than other circulating strains.

The WHO also maintains that current COVID-19 vaccines continue to offer solid protection against severe outcomes, including hospitalization, from the new variant.

Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease expert and professor at the University of California, San Francisco, told ABC News that sore throat is now a prevalent complaint among patients.

“I think it’s certainly amongst the spectrum of symptoms that you can get, and we know that sore throat is reported by about 70% of patients now with COVID, so it’s not unusual, and like with everything in medicine, there’s always a spectrum,” he said.

{Matzav.com}

A wave of excitement has swept through the Torah world following the discovery of a remarkable passage in a centuries-old sefer that appears to allude to current events in the Strait of Hormuz, potentially linking them to the war of Gog uMagog.

Sunday morning, Rav Moshe Chaim Schneider, a close talmid and confidant of the tzaddik Rav Dov Kook of Tiveria, visited the home of his rebbi. Rav Schneider, editor of the Torah bulletin Sifsei Kohen, presented Rav Kook with a rare manuscript excerpt from the sefer Kli Paz, authored over 500 years ago by the renowned mekubal Rav Shmuel Laniado, also known as the Ba’al HaKelim for his series of works, including Kli Paz, Kli Chemdah, and Kli Yakar.

Rav Shmuel Laniado, who lived in Aram Tzovah (modern-day Aleppo, Syria), penned a comprehensive commentary on Sefer Yeshayah. The original manuscript was printed posthumously in Venice nearly four centuries ago and became known as Kli Paz.

The passage Rav Schneider shared with Rav Kook generated tremendous excitement due to its astonishing relevance to recent geopolitical developments. In his commentary on the verse “Ki zevach laHashem b’Botzrah” (Yeshayah 34:6), Rav Laniado writes chilling words: “There is a country far from Bavel called Botzrah, situated between the border of Ashur and Paras and the border of the land of Edom—‘Hormuz.’ It is currently under the control of the Yishmaelim, and blessed is He who knows the truth of these matters. Perhaps the war of the End of Days will pass through there.”

These words have taken on dramatic new significance in light of the current tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime artery that links Iran to global trade and military interests. As has been widely reported, Iran has recently threatened to attack any American vessel attempting to pass through the strait. The Kli Paz‘s identification of Hormuz as a potential flashpoint for the war of Acharis HaYamim raises chilling implications, potentially casting modern-day conflicts in the region in a prophetic light.

Upon being shown the passage by Rav Schneider, Rav Kook was visibly moved. Turning to his talmid, he said, “Fortunate are you to have merited such a revelation—one that may awaken thousands of Jews to teshuvah. The merit of publicizing it is immense.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

A travel ordeal late Friday night left a group of Israelis stranded between borders after unexpected flight delays prevented them from entering Israel via Jordan.

The situation unfolded around 8:00 p.m., when MK Moshe Roth of United Torah Judaism received a distress call from an Israeli citizen among a group stuck at Larnaca Airport in Cyprus. The travelers, which included several families with young children, were originally scheduled to fly to Aqaba, Jordan, and then cross into Israel. However, repeated flight delays pushed their departure to 11:00 p.m.

By the time their flight landed, the Jordanian border had already closed at its usual hour of 8:00 p.m., leaving the group stranded in an unsecured and unfamiliar location during the night.

Since the border was not scheduled to reopen until late the next morning, the group faced long hours of vulnerability and discomfort. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, MK Roth quickly took action to seek a resolution.

He reached out to Deputy Minister Uri Maklev, the Foreign Ministry’s Situation Room, and senior members of Israel’s security establishment to begin coordinating an urgent response. The Israeli officials worked diplomatic channels to contact Jordanian authorities and request an exceptional reopening of the border.

After intense efforts, the Israeli team was able to contact and wake the Jordanian officer in charge of the crossing. That officer agreed to open the border for the stranded group. A senior official on the Jordanian side took possession of the Israelis’ passports, and the local police provided a secure escort from the airport to the border.

The operation was carried out under strict security protocols, given the threats in the region. At 3:00 a.m., after several hours of high-stakes coordination, the group finally crossed safely into Israeli territory.

Individuals familiar with the overnight operation highlighted the active involvement and dedication of MK Roth, who remained in touch with the group throughout the night and worked closely with different agencies to coordinate the complex logistics.

“In the end, the ones who took action, made the effort, and cared were the Knesset members from United Torah Judaism,” said one member of the rescued group. “It didn’t matter to them who was stranded — religious, secular, young people, or families. They gave us genuine help without asking questions; their only concern was to help Jews in distress.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

With tensions running high and the global community on edge over Iran’s anticipated response to the recent U.S. strikes on its nuclear facilities, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has harshly criticized Israel’s actions in the region.

In a statement posted to social media early this morning, Khamenei condemned Israel’s June 13 bombing campaign, calling it “a big mistake” and “a big crime.”

“The Zionist enemy… is being punished right now,” he wrote, accompanying the message with a graphic image showing missiles descending on an Israeli city, beneath a large skull.

Khamenei’s post appeared to be a reference to the most recent missile incident targeting Israel, in which a single rocket was fired but successfully intercepted by the country’s defense systems.

{Matzav.com}

In a heartfelt address transmitted to thousands of Bobover chassidim across Israel, including hundreds of yeshiva students, the Bobover Rebbe delivered words of encouragement and urgency amid the ongoing war, stressing the imperative to adhere meticulously to all safety directives.

The Rebbe opened his message with hoda’ah l’Hashem for the many chassodim bestowed upon the residents of Eretz HaKodesh. “Nevertheless,” he continued, “we are still in a situation that demands tefillah—hoshanah nefesh mi’behala.”

Speaking with deep personal connection, the Rebbe said, “I speak to each and every one of you individually. I do not remove you from my thoughts—day or night. I daven constantly for loyal and beloved ovdei Hashem, and I daven that we merit peace and calm, and that we should hear only besuros tovos.”

Recalling a poignant moment from the recent wedding of his granddaughter, the Rebbe shared: “Last week under the chuppah, I expressed the thought that while standing beneath the chupah in the open skies of Eretz Yisroel, our brethren were seeking shelter in bunkers. Rachmana litzlan. We find in the Gemara that Rav Shmuel bar Yitzchok danced with three myrtle branches, and we explained that he was alluding to Eretz Yisroel, which is referred to in Yirmiyahu as ‘eretz eretz eretz, hear the word of Hashem,’ which Rashi explains refers to the three regions within Eretz Yisroel.”

The Rebbe emphasized that in times of war, Klal Yisroel has a sacred tradition from our avos and gedolei hadoros how to behave: “To claim there is nothing to fear or to ignore the events unfolding around us is not our way. The Rambam states it is a mitzvas asei min haTorah to cry out and sound the alarm when tragedy strikes. That is what removes calamity.”

He continued, “It is critical to view the reality soberly. U’shemartem me’od lenafshoseichem—we must take great care of our lives. Even in a situation of safek sefeika, a distant doubt, we must strictly follow all instructions. As the pasuk says, ‘Chavi me’at rega ad ya’avor za’am’—hide for a brief moment until the wrath passes. The Ramban explains that the Torah records how Yaakov Avinu was saved to teach us that Hashem redeems His servants, even from mighty forces. Just as it happened to Yaakov, so will it be for us. Yaakov prepared for battle—with gifts, tefillah, and by fleeing to save himself. Likewise, each of us must be scrupulous not to disregard the rescue protocols.”

The Rebbe also urged his followers to engage in introspection and repentance: “We must strengthen ourselves in teshuvah and cheshbon hanefesh. V’haya machanecha kadosh—our camp must be holy. We must ensure that we are not, chas v’shalom, pushing away the Shechinah. We must safeguard all our spiritual vessels, so that middah k’neged middah, protection is granted to us from Above. Strengthen your tefillah… Our emunah must remain strong: ‘If Hashem does not guard the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.’ Only through faith can we persevere.”

At the same time, the Rebbe warned against falling into despair: “We must not be overtaken by despondency. As my grandfather, the Kedushas Tzion, wrote in a holy letter, ‘Who permitted you to worry or grieve?’ Rather, we must strengthen ourselves, and every individual should uplift their family, despite all the stress and distractions.”

He offered particular encouragement to the yeshiva bochurim and kollel yungeleit who continue to persevere in their Torah learning: “They are fulfilling the verse, ‘Mah ahavti Sorasecha kol hayom hi sichasi.’ In their merit, we will be saved from exile and distress.”

{Matzav.com}

The Israel Airports Authority announced Sunday evening that it will be significantly broadening the scope of Operation “Safe Return” beginning Monday.

As part of the expanded effort, Ben Gurion Airport will now handle up to 24 incoming flights per day from various international destinations. Outbound flights will also resume, in coordination with the Civil Aviation Authority, the Ministry of Transportation, and national security officials, and under the guidance of Transportation Minister Miri Regev.

According to the updated plan, each departing flight will be capped at 50 passengers. This restriction is intended to alleviate airport crowding and limit passengers’ time spent in the terminal, in line with enhanced safety and security procedures.

All outbound passengers will be required to comply with new protocols. Flights will depart exclusively from Terminal 3, and only ticketed travelers will be permitted entry. Exceptions will be granted only to necessary escorts of minors or passengers needing assistance. Entry into the terminal will be through Gate 02 on the ground floor (Floor G), as the terminal’s upper levels will be closed to the public.

Security screening and check-in will be conducted on Floor G. Afterward, passengers will proceed to Floor 3, where carry-on baggage inspection, border control, and boarding will take place. To ensure a smooth process, the Airports Authority advises travelers not to arrive more than two hours before their scheduled departure and strongly recommends using public transportation.

For passenger convenience, cafés will be open in the departure areas and concourses. However, duty-free shops will remain closed to discourage unnecessary delays inside the terminal.

Inbound flights under Operation “Safe Return” will proceed as scheduled, with plans to gradually increase both the number of flights and passenger intake. Travelers who made advance purchases through the “Shop and Store” duty-free service will be able to collect their items upon arrival. Only passengers arriving directly at Ben Gurion Airport will be allowed to pick up purchases, and duty-free operators will contact those ineligible for pickup to arrange alternate delivery.

In addition, individuals who parked their vehicles at Ben Gurion Airport prior to the launch of Operation Swords of Iron will now be able to retrieve their cars. Parking charges will apply only for the period between the car’s entry date and June 13.

{Matzav.com Israel}

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