Matzav

China’s state-run Global Times published a commentary on Thursday placing full blame on the United States for the tensions surrounding Iran’s nuclear ambitions, insisting that Iran should not be held accountable for its advanced enrichment program, which violates international agreements.

Over the past week, China’s Foreign Ministry has strongly defended Iran’s regime, particularly in light of Israel’s military operation known as “Operation Rising Lion,” which targeted senior Iranian military figures. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu explained that the strikes were necessitated by Iran’s accumulation of enough nuclear material to produce multiple bombs. Iranian officials have consistently threatened Israel’s existence and vowed to annihilate the country.

Just prior to Israel’s launch of “Operation Rising Lion,” the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), a nuclear watchdog under the United Nations, adopted a resolution criticizing Iran’s covert nuclear work. It was the first such resolution in nearly twenty years. China, notably, chose not to support the measure.

The Global Times editorial, which denounced the U.S. for allegedly sparking the conflict despite no known American military involvement in the operation at the time, followed multiple remarks by China’s Foreign Minister urging Beijing’s participation in mediating between Iran and Israel. While China has been pushing to expand its diplomatic clout in the Middle East—especially since the October 7, 2023, Hamas assault on Israel—its attempts have thus far been ignored by both Iran and Israel.

Describing Washington’s role as destabilizing, the Global Times, an extension of the Communist Party, wrote that “the mere fact that the U.S. is contemplating involvement is itself a very dangerous signal.” The piece omitted any reference to Iran’s years-long enrichment of uranium to levels suitable for weaponization or its repeated public calls to destroy the State of Israel.

“The U.S. bears responsibility for the Iranian nuclear issue,” the editorial declared. “If Washington had not unilaterally withdrawn from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and if the agreement had been smoothly and effectively implemented, the issue very likely would not have deteriorated to its current state.”

Absent from the editorial was the context that President Donald Trump pulled the U.S. out of the JCPOA in 2018 after Iran was repeatedly found in violation of the deal’s terms.

The Global Times went on to argue that “Iran’s national sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity should not be violated, and the Iranian people and their property should be protected,” and insisted that “any reckless use of force against Iran is unacceptable and constitutes a blatant violation of international law.”

The commentary concluded by calling on the United States to “adopt an objective and impartial stance” and “stop fueling the war machine.”

President Trump, in contrast to China’s accusations, has continuously expressed his desire to see peace between Israel and Iran. Most recently, on Tuesday, he stated that reaching a peaceful resolution with Tehran was “achievable” and urged Iran to engage in discussions with both the United States and Israel. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, however, issued a defiant response, stating that no peace would be tolerated if it came from outside pressure.

“The Iranian nation will firmly stand against an imposed war, just as it will resolutely resist an imposed peace,” Khamenei said. “This is a nation that will never surrender to any form of imposition.”

China’s official Foreign Ministry response to the rising conflict struck a slightly more reserved tone on Wednesday, even as it continued to stress opposition to any American role in the matter.

“We oppose any actions that violate the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter and infringe upon the sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity of other countries,” said ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun. “Further escalation of tensions in the Middle East does not serve the interests of any party.”

Guo added that “countries with special influence on Israel” should “play a positive and constructive role in de-escalating the situation and preventing the conflict from expanding,” pointedly avoiding any mention of the United States by name.

Prior to the outbreak of hostilities in Iran, Beijing had already positioned itself as a staunch backer of Iran, raising questions about its neutrality in the crisis.

“The Chinese side supports Iran in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and national dignity, steadily advancing its own economic and social development,” Chinese leader Xi Jinping stated at last October’s BRICS summit, where he publicly aligned himself with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Iran’s inclusion into BRICS was secured in early 2024 with China’s backing.

During that meeting, Xi pledged that China would “firmly support each other, uphold the basic norms governing international relations such as non-interference in internal affairs, and safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of the two countries.”

In the wake of Israel’s bombing campaign in Tehran, China once again revived its calls to be involved in brokering peace. Reports indicated that Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke separately with Iranian and Israeli officials shortly after the strikes, although neither side appeared to show any interest in Beijing’s mediation.

“China will continue playing a constructive role in solving the ongoing Israeli-Iranian conflict,” Guo reiterated on Monday. However, no concrete actions or successful initiatives by China have been publicly acknowledged by the parties involved.

{Matzav.com}

As missiles continue to rain down on Eretz Yisroel our hearts are with the victims and everyone affected.

In addition to the teffilos added after davening as per the call of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of America in their Kol Korei released last Friday we must do our hishtadlus and advocacy. Agudath Israel’s office of government affairs has been in direct communication with the White House and members of Congress, thanking them for standing with Israel despite the pressure from voices on the right and left. Please join us in expressing our appreciation.

Call 202-456-1111 Monday – Thursday between the hours of 10-3 to leave a message at the White House comment line or use the online form here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/.

Personalize the following message template:

Dear President Trump,

As an Orthodox Jewish American I want to thank you for standing with Israel in its time of need. Israel currently faces an existential threat from a genocidal Iran. Our brothers and sisters in Israel, including hundreds of thousands of American citizens, keep heading to bomb shelters as Iran rains downs ballistic missiles on civilian neighborhoods. We appreciate the critical assistance of the United States in protecting innocent lives and your public support of Israel’s right to defend itself.

Thank you for everything you have done and are doing to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear bomb that would threaten Israel and the free world.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump appeared to ease tensions with Tucker Carlson this week, revealing that the media personality had reached out to make amends following critical comments about Trump’s role in the escalating situation between Israel and Iran. According to Trump, Carlson called to apologize for remarks he admitted “were a little bit too strong.”

“Tucker is a nice guy,” Trump told reporters during remarks at the White House. “He called and apologized the other day because he thought he said things that were a little bit too strong, and I appreciated that.”

Trump went on to say that when it comes to Iran, his base stands with him. “My supporters are America first,” he said. “They make America great again. My supporters don’t want to see Iran have a nuclear weapon.”

The discussion followed a reporter’s question referencing the fiery exchange between Carlson and Senator Ted Cruz on Carlson’s program. During the segment, Carlson pressed Cruz over his support for regime change in Iran.

“Ted Cruz is a nice guy,” Trump said. “I mean, he’s been with me for a long time, I’d say once the race was over.”

Still, Trump made it clear that anyone who believes Iran should be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons is fundamentally opposed to his position. “But nobody thinks it’s OK,” he added. “I don’t want to fight either. I’m not looking to fight. But if it’s a choice between fighting and them having a nuclear weapon, you have to. You have to do what you have to do.”

Trump also expressed skepticism that Cruz would truly endorse Iran having such capabilities, and said he doesn’t believe Carlson would support that either.

“The problem is then they get themselves into a thing,” Trump said. “They don’t want them to have nuclear. But then they say, well, we don’t want to fight. Well, they’re going to have to make a choice, because it’s possible that you’re going to have to fight for them not to have nuclear.”

Trump shared more details from his conversation with Carlson, including his direct question to the host about whether he was “OK with nuclear weapons being in the hands of Iran.”

“He sort of didn’t like that,” Trump said. “He didn’t want to, but he sort of didn’t like that. And I said, ‘well, if it’s OK with you, then you and I do have a difference,’ but it’s really not OK with him.”

Trump emphasized that the stakes are too high to ignore. “You may have to fight and maybe it will end and maybe it will end very quickly… you [can’t] allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon because the entire world will blow up. I’m not going to let that happen.”

Carlson, for his part, had ignited debate over U.S. intervention in the region with a social media post on June 13. In it, he drew a sharp distinction between those “who casually encourage violence, and those who seek to prevent it — between warmongers and peacemakers.”

He also argued that the advocates for military action included “anyone who’s calling Donald Trump today to demand air strikes and other direct U.S. military involvement in a war with Iran.”

Carlson reiterated his concerns during an appearance on Steve Bannon’s “War Room” podcast earlier in the week. He warned that American engagement in another Middle East conflict could mark “the end of the American empire,” and went so far as to claim it would “effectively end” Trump’s presidency. He compared the scenario to the fallout of George W. Bush’s invasion of Iraq.

Meanwhile, public opinion appears to be on Trump’s side. A poll published this week and cited by the New York Post found that Trump’s stance on Iran enjoys broad support among Republicans — especially those aligned with the MAGA movement.

According to a J.L. Partners survey, 65% of self-identified “MAGA Republicans” said they would support American strikes on Iran, compared to just 19% who opposed them.

Among Republicans who identify as “traditional,” 51% backed military action, while 28% were against it. Overall, Republican voters supported strikes by a margin of 58% to 25%, with 17% undecided or neutral.

“This poll makes clear: the Republican base is not isolationist,” said James Johnson, co-founder of J.L. Partners. “They back forceful U.S. and Israeli action to stop Iran, and see Israel’s fight as America’s fight.”

{Matzav.com}

A massive wave of 23 missiles fired from Iran on Friday afternoon left at least two people seriously injured—a teenage boy and a man in his 40s—amid widespread panic and destruction across Israel.

Air raid sirens were triggered in nearly every region of the country, from the northern Golan Heights and upper Galilee down to Eilat in the south, signaling the widespread reach of the attack.

Authorities confirmed at least five missile strikes that caused extensive physical damage in various areas.

Magen David Adom reported that one of the missiles struck Haifa, injuring 14 people. Emergency responders said a 16-year-old boy sustained a serious head injury, and a man in his 40s was also in serious condition after suffering heavy bleeding from a limb wound. Both were being transported to Rambam Hospital for urgent care.

In addition to those critical cases, a 40-year-old man was moderately hurt, a 54-year-old sustained injuries from shrapnel, and around ten more individuals were treated for minor wounds resulting from the blasts.

Among the damaged sites was a school located in central Israel, though details on injuries there were not immediately available.

Meanwhile, an El Al rescue flight returning from Bangkok was forced to remain airborne off Israel’s coast for nearly 50 minutes while the attack was underway. The aircraft circled repeatedly before receiving clearance to land safely.

Amid the assault, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei posted a message in Arabic on social media declaring, “The Zionist enemy is getting what it deserves, its punishment.”

{Matzav.com}

Israeli forces were given new directives on Friday to escalate their attacks on Iran, with the objective of significantly weakening the Islamic Republic’s regime. This escalation comes as the conflict between the two nations entered its second week, with both sides continuing to exchange strikes.

Defense Minister Yisroel Katz announced that he had instructed the Israel Defense Forces to expand their offensive, which included overnight airstrikes on a number of military sites across Iran, one of which targeted a facility associated with nuclear research.

“We must strike all symbols of the regime and its mechanisms of oppression, such as the Basij, as well as the base of the regime’s power, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps,” Katz declared.

He emphasized the importance of maintaining relentless pressure through ongoing bombardments “to destabilize the regime and increase deterrence in response to missile fire on Israel’s home front.”

According to Israeli military officials, over 60 fighter jets were deployed to attack facilities believed to be involved in missile production. These were described as key industrial centers linked to Iran’s weapons capabilities.

Among the sites reportedly hit was the headquarters of Iran’s Organization of Defensive Innovation and Research, which American officials have previously associated with secret Iranian work related to nuclear weapons development.

“A week has passed since the operation began,” said Brigadier General Effie Defrin, a spokesperson for the Israeli military, in a press briefing.

“We are strengthening our air control in the region and advancing our air offensive. We have more sites to strike in Tehran, western Iran and other places.”

This intensified campaign came on the heels of remarks from President Trump, who on Thursday reiterated that he would reach a decision within two weeks on whether to launch a U.S. strike on Iran. He noted that diplomacy might still be possible regarding Iran’s nuclear ambitions, and said he was not yet ready to abandon that hope.

{Matzav.com}

On Thursday night, Israeli leadership—including Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer—held a high-level meeting with members of the Trump administration. According to two individuals familiar with the discussions, the American delegation included Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The meeting was reported on exclusively by The Jerusalem Post.

This discussion came as Washington continued to weigh whether to participate directly in Israel’s military campaign against Iran. President Donald Trump indicated that he would reach a final decision on the matter within the next two weeks.

Citing the president’s position, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told the media: “Based on the fact that there’s a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks.”

Speaking at a routine press briefing, Leavitt reiterated that while Trump remained open to diplomacy with Tehran, his administration’s overriding concern was to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

In a parallel show of force, the United States is preparing to bolster its military presence in the region. Three aircraft carriers are expected to be deployed nearby, and ten U.S. military cargo planes are en route to American bases under U.S. Central Command in the Middle East.

{Matzav.com}

Iran declared on Friday that it would not engage in nuclear discussions with the United States while Israeli military actions against it continue, responding to President Trump’s recent remarks suggesting a two-week window to allow diplomacy to resume.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi firmly rejected any possibility of talks while hostilities persist, stating there would be no engagement “until Israeli aggression stops.”

“Americans want to negotiate and have sent messages several times, but we clearly said that as long as this aggression doesn’t stop, there’s no place for talk of dialogue,” Araqchi said in a televised speech aired on Iranian state TV.

He also leveled accusations against the United States, claiming Washington is complicit in the military attacks. He described America as a “partner to Israeli crime against Iran.”

General Jack Keane, a retired four-star U.S. Army commander, expressed skepticism that Iran’s highest authority, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, would ever fully commit to ceasing uranium enrichment activities.

“The Ayatollah going into this, and the reason why he has never made a deal, is because he had built an enterprise to survive an attack — and he believes they can absorb the attack, survive it, recover it, and then rebuild,” Gen. Keane said in an appearance on “Fox & Friends.”

“That is where this guy is. And I don’t see him, in the near term, making the deal here whatsoever,” he said, emphasizing his doubts about any imminent breakthrough.

At the same time, Israeli defense forces were instructed on Friday to ramp up their offensive operations against Iran, part of an effort to completely undermine the Islamic Republic’s leadership, following a wave of missile strikes launched the previous week.

These developments unfolded just a day after President Trump said he was weighing military action, while still holding out hope that Tehran might come back to the negotiating table.

“Based on the fact that there’s a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks,” Trump stated.

In a parallel diplomatic effort, Iran’s foreign minister traveled to Geneva on Friday for meetings with several European diplomats, with discussions expected to include the state of Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

Steve Witkoff, Trump’s designated envoy overseeing U.S. engagement with Iran, was not expected to participate in those Geneva meetings.

{Matzav.com}

Iran has yet to formally decide to pursue the construction of a nuclear weapon, but intelligence sources believe such a move could follow swiftly if the United States were to strike the Fordow uranium enrichment facility or eliminate Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to a report from The New York Times published Thursday.

While the article references anonymous American intelligence officials suggesting Iran is not currently aiming to build a bomb, this view is not shared by CIA Director John Ratcliffe. According to CBS News, Ratcliffe has privately cautioned that Iran is on the verge of possessing nuclear weapons capability and is not merely debating it. “Claiming Iran isn’t close to a bomb,” he reportedly said, “would be similar to saying football players who have fought their way to the 1-yard line don’t want to score a touchdown.”

The Biden administration stated Thursday that Iran could finalize a nuclear weapon in “a couple of weeks,” underscoring how little time remains should Tehran choose to move forward.

That same two-week period is also the window during which President Donald Trump is weighing whether to authorize a military strike on the Fordow facility, located near Qom and buried about 300 feet underground. Israel lacks the kind of deep-penetration bombs required to destroy a site fortified to that extent.

The Times report also contradicts Israel’s assessment, which prompted it to initiate an offensive a week ago, based on information suggesting Iran had already enriched sufficient uranium for nine nuclear devices.

“All they had to do was weaponize them. We stopped that by attacking their nuclear scientists,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday.

Israel’s actions have continued beyond that initial strike.

“We control the skies over Tehran. We are striking with tremendous force at the Ayatollah regime. We are hitting the nuclear program, the missiles, the headquarters, the symbols of power,” Netanyahu declared in a video message on Wednesday.

{Matzav.com}

A prominent Orthodox Jewish advocacy organization has rolled out a bold digital campaign in the heart of Times Square, directly equating the popular anti-Israel phrase “Free Palestine” with incitement to genocide and warning that the ideology behind it poses a growing threat to the United States.

The initiative, launched earlier this week by the Coalition for Jewish Values (CJV), features a striking 10-second message on one of Times Square’s most heavily trafficked digital billboards. The ad reads: “Free Palestine = Support for Hamas = Calling for Genocide of Jews. America, Wake Up. It Never Ends With the Jews!” It will air dozens of times per day over the course of a month.

CJV, which represents over 2,500 Orthodox rabbis engaged in matters of public policy, explained that the goal of the campaign is to expose what it describes as the true danger of the movement to the broader American public.

This effort comes in response to a surge in antisemitic incidents following Hamas’s October 7, 2023 massacre in Israel. The group notes that antisemitism has jumped by more than 200% nationwide in the months since the attack, with Jews continuing to account for the majority of hate-crime victims in New York City.

According to CJV, the phrase “Free Palestine” has been linked to several violent attacks in recent weeks. Among them were a firebomb attack at the Pennsylvania governor’s mansion, the murder of two individuals outside a Jewish museum in Washington, D.C., and an assault involving a homemade flamethrower targeting pro-Israel demonstrators in Boulder, Colorado. Witnesses in each case reported that the attackers shouted “Free Palestine” as they carried out their acts.

At a vigil on Capitol Hill last Tuesday honoring the two Israeli embassy employees who were killed, House Speaker Mike Johnson voiced his alarm. “The ‘Free Palestine’ call has become a violent movement that collaborates with Hamas,” he said, accusing universities of abusing free speech protections to justify support for terrorism and genocide.

Rabbi Yaakov Menken, Executive Vice President of CJV, issued a sharply worded statement in conjunction with the billboard campaign. “Too many Jewish organizations are afraid to say what Speaker Johnson finds obvious: the cry of ‘Free Palestine’ is the call of domestic terrorists.”

“Israel is the only free country in the Middle East,” Menken said. “The one thing Israel is not free of is Jews, and that is what ‘Free Palestine’ aims to correct, in the model of Hitler’s Final Solution.”

He went on to say, “They have no interest in building a nation, but destroying one. They do not want to elevate Palestinian Arabs, but to eradicate Jews. This is classic antisemitism, and history proves that there is no greater danger to the continuity of a civilization.”

Rabbi Menken concluded with a call to action for Americans of all political leanings to confront what he called a “bloodthirsty” movement. “When students on college campuses chant ‘From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be free,’ America itself is at risk,” Rabbi Menken warned.

“We call upon all Americans to join us in speaking clearly about who and what the ‘Free Palestine’ movement stands for — and the need to stamp it out,” he added.

 

 

In a video message released this week, Rav Yaakov Shapiro, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Merkaz HaRav, offered reflections on Operation “Am K’Lavi,” framing it as a moment of profound elevation for the Jewish people.

“This is an extraordinary time,” Rav Shapiro declared. “Hakadosh Baruch Hu is raising the stature of Am Yisrael—the pride of the nation and the honor of Hakadosh Baruch Hu Himself.”

Citing the verse, “V’ra’u kol amei ha’aretz ki sheim Hashem nikra alecha v’yar’u mimeka,’” Rav Shapiro emphasized that the shame endured by the Jewish people on Simchas Torah is being reversed. “Hakadosh Baruch Hu is turning the wheel and raising the glory of the Torah and of Eretz Yisrael,” he said.

The Rosh Yeshiva pointed to a powerful awakening among Jews around the world toward Eretz Yisroel. “Hundreds of thousands of Israelis are seeking any way to return to Eretz Yisrael. Jews outside the land are yearning for it as well. And in Parshas Shelach, where the meraglim diminished the spirit of emunah, we are now in a time of uplift—hein am k’lavi—we resemble a lion,” he stated.

Quoting the Shulchan Aruch, Rav Shapiro invoked the directive to “rise like a lion to do the will of your Father in Heaven,” and explained, citing Rav Kook zt”l, that “a lion’s strength is innate—when the moment arrives, it knows how to harness that strength.”

Rav Shapiro concluded with a call to the entire nation to rise to this spiritual occasion: “All of us—students, the wives of students, soldiers and their families, and every Jew who bears the name Yisroel—are partners in this historic moment. And with Hashem’s help, we will merit to fulfill Moshe Rabbeinu’s final words: ‘Ve’atah al bamoseimo tidroch’—‘And you shall tread upon their high places.’”

{Matzav.com Israel}

El Al has announced that it will carry out special medical repatriation flights this Shabbos after receiving halachic authorization from Israel’s chief rabbis.

“In light of numerous cases of pikuach nefesh, or life and death medical life-saving cases that require immediate arrival of passengers to Israel, El Al has decided to operate special flights during this upcoming Shabbos,” the airline said in a statement. “These flights will be defined as pikuach nefesh or medical emergency flights.”

With rabbinic consent secured, El Al has scheduled three emergency flights for Shabbos, with departures from Larnaca, Cyprus, and Athens, Greece, all bound for Israel.

According to the airline, passengers include not only El Al ticket holders but also individuals from other airlines, all of whom were cleared for travel by a senior medical expert, an Israeli doctor who previously headed major medical institutions and categorized their situations as critical pikuach nefesh emergencies.

{Matzav.com Israel}

In a moving encounter, Rav Gavriel Zinner, author of Nitei Gavriel, and Rav Yitzchok Yosef, author of Yalkut Yosef, met face-to-face for the first time after years of written correspondence.

The meeting took place this week in Flatbush, where Rav Yosef is currently staying due to the ongoing war that has shuttered Israeli airspace.

Though they come from different worlds—one raised in the Sefardic home of Rav Ovadia Yosef, and the other born and raised in the chassidic enclaves of Hungarian Jewry in America—the two rabbonim share a deep and lifelong commitment to halacha. Their respective works are staples of Torah scholarship: Yalkut Yosef now spans over 40 volumes, while Nitei Gavriel is widely used throughout chassidic circles across the world.

They frequently cite one another in their seforim, sometimes agreeing, sometimes respectfully disagreeing, always with reverence and depth.

On Wednesday evening, this long-standing relationship culminated in an emotional encounter. Rav Zinner visited Rav Yosef at his host in Flatbush, and those present described an instant connection.

“It felt as though they had known each other for decades,” shared one observer. “Within moments, they were immersed in halachic discussion—citing the Rashba, the Chazon Ish. Though Rav Zinner speaks primarily Yiddish, the language of halacha, Lashon Hakodesh, bridged all gaps.”

During the meeting, Rav Zinner expressed interest in acquiring the most recent volumes of Yalkut Yosef. Smiling, he remarked, “I already have the Rav’s address”—explaining that it appears in the earlier volumes of Yalkut Yosef, which he has long possessed and studied.

The two discussed various differences between Sefardic and Ashkenazic minhagim, examining the rulings of the Beis Yosef and the Rama, delving into how halachah has developed in their respective communities.

As the meeting came to a close after more than an hour of heartfelt discussion, Rav Zinner’s grandchildren stepped forward to receive a berachah from the Rishon LeTzion. Rav Yosef personally escorted his guest to the door, parting with warmth and admiration.

{Matzav.com}

The Zutchka Rebbe convened his chassidim and talmidim this week for a special event titled “Vatelamedeim” in the Zutchka Bais Medrash, where he announced the founding of a new chaburah called “Kvi’in,” dedicated to committed and structured Torah learning.

Opening the event was Rav Chaim Yaakov Safrin of Yerushalayim, who warmly welcomed the participants and shared his personal experiences learning within this unique and focused framework.

The Rebbe then entered and opened the gathering with divrei chizuk. Despite the tension of the times, he noted that while logic might suggest every person should stay home and calm their families, the current moment calls for something greater. “Even the tyrant from Iran,” the Rebbe declared, “has come to recognize that his real adversaries are the Torah learners in Bnei Brak.” Therefore, the Rebbe asserted, this is precisely the time to strengthen ourselves and form a powerful chaburah for Torah study.

The Rebbe elaborated on the immense value of not just learning Torah but acquiring and retaining it—to the point where one’s entire being is immersed in Torah. He lamented how painful it is when Torah is learned and then forgotten, likening such forgotten knowledge to the shattered luchos.

Following the Rebbe’s remarks, Rav Menachem Greenbaum delivered an impassioned presentation, laying out the practical aspects of the program in a clear and inspiring manner. He emphasized the importance of learning in a way that ensures long-term retention and internalization of Torah knowledge.

{Matzav.com Israel}

In a Thursday interview with Israel’s Kan public broadcaster, Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu said that any potential regime change in Iran must come from within, though he implied that Israel is working to weaken the regime’s grip.

The Times of Israel reports that Netanyahu declined to confirm whether eliminating Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was under consideration. He reiterated that “regime change lies with the Iranian people alone,” but acknowledged, “We’re also striking government targets, symbols of the regime. You’ve seen it — the broadcast station and others. And there’s more to come.”

Netanyahu emphasized that Israel’s military efforts are ongoing and expanding. “We are doing everything necessary — and there will still be much more,” he said, noting that Israel has been hitting the Basij, the internal security arm of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps known for quelling protests.

“We’re also striking the Basij… this kind of internal police force of a million people. We’ve inflicted heavy damage, and we will continue to strike their targets,” Netanyahu stated.

In the United States, some critics of the conflict have voiced concern over the possibility of American involvement turning into a prolonged military entanglement, similar to what happened in Iraq or Afghanistan. They warn against launching a so-called “regime change” war.

Although Netanyahu has urged Iranians to rise in defense of their liberty, he has not advocated for, nor requested, that the Trump administration take direct action to topple the Islamic Republic’s leadership.

{Matzav.com Israel}

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Early Friday morning, around 5:50 a.m., the IDF identified several missiles that had been launched from Iran in the direction of Israel.

In response, warning sirens echoed across parts of southern Israel, including Be’er Sheva and areas in Judea. Reports later indicated that a total of three missiles had been launched during this attack.

One of the projectiles struck Be’er Sheva, resulting in multiple vehicles being set ablaze. A nearby residential apartment also sustained extensive structural damage due to the explosion.

According to Magen David Adom, the incident left one individual with light injuries, while about 30 others were treated for anxiety stemming from the attack.

By 6:05 a.m., the Home Front Command announced that the immediate threat had passed and instructed residents that it was safe to leave their secure rooms.

Earlier in the night, air raid sirens went off several times near the Dead Sea region amid concerns of an unmanned aerial vehicle breaching Israeli airspace. The IDF later confirmed that the Israeli Air Force had successfully intercepted three UAVs launched from Iran.

This latest attack followed a heavy missile barrage on Thursday morning, when Iran fired roughly 30 rockets toward Israeli territory. The assault triggered air raid sirens across central Israel, the coastal region, and the south.

The widespread missile attack inflicted damage on Soroka Medical Center in Be’er Sheva, as well as on structures located in Tel Aviv, Holon, and Ramat Gan. Over 200 people were injured in that assault, including four listed in serious condition and 16 with moderate injuries.

{Matzav.com Israel}

The Israeli Defense Forces announced on Thursday that both the Air Force and the Navy have successfully brought down a large number of drones that had been directed at Israel.

According to the military, more than 95% of the aerial threats that came close to breaching Israeli airspace were eliminated before they could cause harm.

Personnel from the Air Force and Navy have been working in close coordination with Israel’s aerial defense systems, fighter jets, missile-equipped ships, and other defense teams to ensure the protection of the country’s skies at all times.

While simultaneously carrying out strikes meant to weaken the Iranian regime’s offensive capabilities, Israeli forces have been actively intercepting the recent waves of surface-to-surface missiles and drones, many of which were launched with the clear intent of striking residential areas and endangering civilian lives.

{Matzav.com Israel}

On Thursday, Bat Yam Mayor Tzvika Brot shared a deeply emotional update: the tefillin belonging to Michael (Miki) Nachum had been discovered by Home Front Command teams amid the ruins of the residential building struck by an Iranian missile earlier this week.

Brot personally contacted Nachum’s daughters to let them know the tefillin had been recovered. “The bag is partially torn,” he wrote, “but the tefillin itself is intact, and it will serve to strengthen the daughters during this incredibly difficult time.”

He offered heartfelt thanks to the Home Front Command personnel working tirelessly at the site. “Thank you to the men and women of the Home Front Command’s National Rescue Unit, who are doing everything possible to recover what they can from the rubble and to honor the memory of those killed.”

Miki, 61 years old, was a father of four and a beloved longtime resident of Bat Yam. He was among the nine city residents who tragically lost their lives in the deadly missile strike.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Hezbollah’s deputy leader, Naim Qassem, made clear on Thursday that the group will not be dictated to, vowing that Hezbollah will “act as we see fit,” in a strong show of alignment with Iran, the AFP reports.

His comments were a direct retort to remarks made by Tom Barrack, the U.S. Special Envoy for Syria, who had issued a warning urging Hezbollah not to get involved in the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran.

In a defiant message, Qassem declared, “Tyrannical America and criminal Israel will not be able to subjugate the Iranian people and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.” He went on to reaffirm Hezbollah’s loyalty to Tehran, saying the group remains bound by “the responsibility to stand by Iran and provide it with all forms of support that contribute to putting an end to this tyranny and oppression.”

Barrack, who also serves as U.S. ambassador to Turkey, visited Beirut for the first time in his current role on Thursday. During the trip, he met with leading Lebanese officials, including Nabih Berri, the Parliament Speaker and a political ally of Hezbollah.

After his discussion with Berri, Barrack relayed a pointed warning from the Trump administration. Responding to questions about Hezbollah possibly entering the fray, he remarked, “I can say on behalf of President (Donald) Trump… that would be a very, very, very bad decision.”

Last year, Hezbollah suffered notable casualties during its confrontation with Israel, which ended in a ceasefire in November. After Israel carried out an airstrike in Iran last week, Lebanon’s foreign ministry said it was “continuing its contacts” to ensure Lebanon does not become entangled in the broader regional war.

Earlier in the week, leaders from Hezbollah and the Shiite movement Amal met to assess the unfolding regional crisis, focusing on the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict and its potential impact on Lebanon.

According to Al Akhbar, both groups issued a joint denunciation of Israeli actions in Lebanon, characterizing them as “desperate attempts to attack the Axis of Resistance and harm the will of free states.”

In a statement released after their meeting, the two organizations asserted that Iran remains the central pillar in confronting what they described as a strategy of domination and colonialism.

On the domestic front, the groups highlighted the urgency of reconstructing Lebanese regions damaged by “Israeli aggression,” and labeled this effort as a matter of national significance.

{Matzav.com Israel}