Matzav

CBS News chief Washington correspondent Major Garrett sat down with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in Washington, D.C. They spoke about the state of the war with Iran, potential American casualties, what an Iranian surrender could look like, and more. The video below is an extended version of the interview that was broadcast on 60 Minutes on Sunday.

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President Trump holds a news conference at the Doral Ballroom in Miami on Monday.

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Family members, talmidim, and many who knew and respected Rav Yisroel Meir Feuchtwanger zt”l escorted him on his final journey today after he passed away at the age of 87 following a lifetime devoted to Torah, chesed, and ahavas Yisroel.

Rav Feuchtwanger was widely known as a yerei Shomayim and a man of refined middos who dedicated his time and energy to helping others.

He maintained a deep connection to Yerushalayim and the Old City’s Jewish Quarter, where he lived and remained active for many years. Family members recalled that he possessed the rare ability to see the good in every individual and radiated warmth, faith, and love to those around him.

Rav Feuchtwanger is survived by a large family of children amd grandchildren. Among his sons are Rav Alon Feuchtwanger, one of the prominent dayanim in Yerushalayim, and Rav Amitai Feuchtwanger, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Tel Tzion.

The levayah took place Monday at Kikar HaChurvah in the Jewish Quarter of Yerushalayim, with kevurah on Har Hamenuchos.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}

New details indicate that the injuries sustained by the son of Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich during military activity in Lebanon over the weekend were more severe than initially reported.

Smotrich’s son, whose father serves as both finance minister and a member of Israel’s security cabinet, was wounded while taking part in an IDF operation in Lebanon.

Initial reports from the minister’s office described the injury as minor. However, according to a report by Channel 14 News, the situation was more serious than previously disclosed. A missile fired toward the IDF unit reportedly exploded near him, and shrapnel penetrated his abdomen and back, causing internal injuries.

Smotrich’s son was evacuated to a hospital, where his condition was initially classified as serious.

During Shabbos, his condition stabilized, and he is now expected to undergo a period of recovery and rehabilitation.

{Matzav.com}

A group of roughly 25 Republican donors reportedly indicated that they favor Secretary of State Marco Rubio over Vice President JD Vance as the party’s presidential nominee in the 2028 race during a late-February gathering at Mar-a-Lago, according to a new report by NBC News.

NBC described the setting surrounding the discussion, noting that it took place the same night the United States and Israel launched major strikes on Iran. “In the early hours of Feb. 28, President Donald Trump and his administration joined Israel in launching a wave of strikes on Iran that would reverberate across the Middle East. That night, he was schmoozing at Mar-a-Lago with some of his top administration officials and political donors, with a pressing question: Marco or JD?” reported NBC.

According to two individuals present at the event, Trump asked those gathered whom they preferred as the Republican candidate in 2028. The response from the room strongly favored Rubio. Those in attendance “overwhelmingly indicated Secretary of State Marco Rubio through their cheering, according to two people who were at the event.”

“It was almost unanimous for Marco,” said one attendee.

“Yeah, that’s right. It was clear, at least that night,” said another.

A third person present challenged that account, saying the response was not quite as one-sided and describing the reaction as more “evenly split.”

Axios reporter Marc Caputo said Monday during an appearance on CNN that Trump has been informally sounding out opinions about the 2028 race and asking people which candidate they prefer.

“We wrote about this at Axios a little while ago, which is Donald Trump likes to poll people about, ‘Hey, what do you think about 2028? Who do you the candidate should be?’ And he asks, ‘Marco Rubio or JD Vance?’ He doesn’t want them to run against each other, he wants them to to run with each other,” said Caputo. “But he’s getting a lot of more positive feedback, Trump is, about Rubio at the top of the ticket than Vance. A lot that is just sort of recency bias, and the fact that Marco Rubio has a portfolio: secretary of state, it puts him in the front and center of global affairs, and national security advisor, it puts him directly in the White House. The vice president doesn’t quite have that.”

Despite the feedback described by some donors, Vance currently holds a significant lead in early polling for the 2028 Republican presidential primary, while Rubio trails behind in second place.

Observers say Trump’s endorsement—if he chooses to offer one—could have a major impact once the Republican nomination contest begins to take shape.

{Matzav.com}

Thousands of underground shelters and bunkers built in Greece before and during World War II have recently drawn renewed attention, as rising regional tensions prompt citizens to search for potential places of refuge.

Most of the structures were constructed between 1936 and 1941, during the years leading up to the war and throughout the period of Nazi occupation.

According to a report citing figures presented to the Greek parliament, there are 2,892 bunkers from that era scattered across the country, capable of sheltering between two and three million people. In the Attica region alone — home to Athens and Piraeus — more than 900 bunkers are believed to exist, some concealed beneath city streets.

Despite their numbers, the precise locations of many of these shelters remain undisclosed. The Greek government has refused to release details about where they are situated, saying the information would only be made public if the country were to face a missile attack.

The secrecy has not stopped residents from attempting to locate the bunkers on their own. Interest in the underground shelters has intensified amid growing security concerns in the region and fears that American-related sites in Greece could become targets for Iran or Hezbollah.

Some individuals have already managed to enter a few of the bunkers. Panagiotis Doterios, a civil engineer and cave researcher, said he has visited two shelters in Piraeus. According to him, most of the facilities have not been maintained for years and suffer from severe dampness. “When you go inside them, you feel that these are places that have been abandoned for years,” he said.

One of the most notable bunkers is located on the island of Aegina, near Athens. The facility was built in 1937 deep underground at a cost considered enormous at the time — about two billion drachmas. The complex stretches across roughly 83 dunams beneath the surface and spans several levels, containing rooms, storage areas and communications stations. Large artillery pieces once stood above ground at the site. Today, most of the structure remains closed and under the control of the Greek military.

In another part of the country, calls for greater preparedness have emerged on the island of Crete, where a major American base operates at Souda Bay. The deputy mayor of Heraklion, Giorgos Karantinos, suggested that the island’s bunkers be opened and equipped for emergencies with basic supplies such as blankets, water and dry food.

However, the locations of the bunkers there have also not been made public, and the government in Athens has so far shown little interest in adopting the proposal.

For now, blocked entrances and old “No Entry” signs can still be seen on streets in Piraeus, marking sealed bunker entrances that have remained closed for decades. For millions of Greeks, this underground network lies directly beneath their feet — yet most have no idea exactly where it is.

{Matzav.com}

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Monday denounced the attempted bombing outside Gracie Mansion, calling it a “heinous act of terrorism” after criminal charges against two teenage suspects were unsealed.

In a statement released following the charges, Mamdani addressed the alleged actions of the two suspects and said they must face the consequences of their conduct.

“Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi have been charged with committing a heinous act of terrorism and proclaiming their allegiance to ISIS,” Hizzoner said in a statement — that stopped short of condemning radical Islam.

“They should be held fully accountable for their actions,” he said, adding, “We will continue to keep New Yorkers safe. We will not tolerate terrorism or violence in our city.”

Authorities say Balat and Kayumi were arrested in connection with homemade explosive devices that were thrown during a protest and counter-protest outside Gracie Mansion.

According to the criminal complaint, both suspects later told NYPD investigators that the attack was motivated by their loyalty to ISIS.

Investigators say Balat also expressed a desire for the attack to cause more casualties than the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing.

“No, even bigger. It was only three deaths,” he told a cop, according to the complaint.

Mamdani’s remarks mirrored comments he made earlier in the day, when he also described the attempted bombing as terrorism while simultaneously criticizing a planned protest organized by far-right activists, accusing them of promoting anti-Muslim rhetoric.

Earlier statements by the mayor did not reference the suspects as self-radicalized or as Islamic extremists.

Mamdani is the first Muslim mayor of New York City.

{Matzav.com}

The Israel Defense Forces announced Monday evening that Home Front Command restrictions will remain in place following a fresh assessment of the security situation, leaving current nationwide guidelines unchanged.

In a statement, the IDF said the existing directives will continue through Saturday night at 8:00 p.m. Military officials explained that the decision was based on the latest evaluation of security conditions and noted that the policy could be revised if developments on the ground require it.

Following the announcement, Education Minister Yoav Kisch said that schools throughout Israel will remain closed and will not resume classes before Sunday.

The government had previously planned to introduce the “Yellow Framework,” a program designed to begin reopening schools gradually in municipalities considered to be at lower risk. That plan has now been delayed.

The Ministry of Education said the framework was developed together with local authorities and is expected to begin early next week, pending approval from the Home Front Command and depending on the evolving security assessment.

Officials in the ministry added that coordination with the Home Front Command is ongoing as they prepare for a range of possible scenarios, with the goal of enabling students to return to classrooms safely and in stages once conditions allow.

{Matzav.com}

A senior Iranian official said Monday that Tehran is prepared for an extended confrontation with the United States, warning that Iran is willing to keep striking targets in Gulf countries in an effort to push regional governments to pressure President Donald Trump to halt the conflict.

The remarks were made by Kamal Kharazi, a foreign policy adviser to Iran’s supreme leader, during an interview with CNN in Tehran. His comments reflected a defiant posture from the Iranian leadership as the war entered its tenth day, while also dismissing the possibility of diplomatic talks in the near term.

“I don’t see any room for diplomacy anymore. Because Donald Trump had been deceiving others and not keeping with his promises, and we experienced this in two times of negotiations — that while we were engaged in negotiation, they struck us,” Kharazi told the outlet on Monday.

“There’s no room unless the economic pressure would be built up to the extent that other countries would intervene to guarantee termination of aggression of Americans and Israelis against Iran,” Kharazi said.

Kharazi suggested that economic fallout from the conflict could eventually force Gulf Arab states and other nations to push Washington toward ending the war.

“This war has been producing a lot of pressure — economic pressure — on others, in terms of inflation, in terms of lack of energy, and so if it will be continued, this pressure will be built up more, and therefore others have no choice to intervene,” he said.

Since the United States and Israel began their military campaign against Iran, Tehran has carried out attacks in several countries across the Middle East. Iranian officials claim the strikes are directed at American interests in Gulf states, though some of the missiles and drones have also struck residential areas and airports.

The fighting has sent shockwaves through global energy markets, threatening major oil infrastructure and shipping routes throughout the region. Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has sharply declined, while crude oil prices climbed above $100 per barrel on Monday, unsettling international markets and fueling concerns over rising energy costs.

Data compiled by Rapidan Energy Group indicates that roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply has been affected by the conflict — about twice the level of disruption recorded during the 1956–57 Suez crisis.

The war has also eliminated much of the oil market’s so-called spare capacity, the emergency production reserves that can typically be brought online quickly to stabilize supply during disruptions.

A spokesman for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said Sunday that Iranian forces are currently using about 60% of their military firepower to strike U.S. bases and what he described as “strategic interests” throughout the region.

{Matzav.com}

France and several international partners are planning a naval operation aimed at reopening the crucial Strait of Hormuz, President Emmanuel Macron said Monday, as the conflict with Iran moved into its second week and continued to disrupt regional stability.

Macron arrived by helicopter aboard the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, which had been deployed to the Mediterranean after the U.S.–Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28 ignited a broader conflict that has rattled the Middle East and raised fears of a wider regional escalation.

Earlier in the day, during a visit to Cyprus, Macron explained that the planned mission would focus on escorting cargo vessels and oil tankers so that maritime traffic through the strait could gradually resume “after the end of the hottest phase of the conflict.”

“This is essential for international trade, but also for the flow of gas and oil, which must be able to leave this region once again,” Macron said during a visit to the island to discuss regional security.

Standing alongside Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Macron emphasized that the planned effort would involve a coalition of countries and would serve strictly protective purposes, describing it as a “purely defensive, purely support mission.”

The Netherlands also announced that it plans to deploy a naval frigate to the Mediterranean at France’s request.

The European Union indicated Monday that it is prepared to expand its maritime security operations in the Middle East.

EU officials have been considering strengthening their naval presence in the Red Sea after the American-Israeli strikes on Iran sparked a wider regional confrontation.

Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz — the narrow waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to global markets and carrying roughly one-fifth of the world’s crude oil — has largely come to a standstill since the war erupted on February 28.

Macron’s trip to Cyprus followed a recent incident in which Iranian-made drones targeted the EU member island nation earlier this month.

The French president warned that any strike against Cyprus must be viewed as an attack against Europe itself.

“When Cyprus is attacked, it is Europe that is attacked,” he said.

“We will not accept that the slightest piece of European territory, like Cyprus, be exposed to danger,” added Mitsotakis.

Following the drone attack, France moved the Charles de Gaulle carrier to the Mediterranean and also dispatched a frigate and air-defense units to Cyprus.

French officials have repeatedly stressed that the country’s actions in the region are intended solely for defensive purposes.

While aboard the Charles de Gaulle, Macron was expected to meet with sailors serving in the carrier’s strike group, according to the Elysee Palace.

The aircraft carrier is the centerpiece of a broader French naval deployment that will include eight frigates and two amphibious helicopter carriers operating across a wide zone stretching from the eastern Mediterranean to the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz.

One French frigate is already participating in the European Union’s Operation Aspides, a mission launched in the Red Sea in 2024 to protect commercial shipping from attacks carried out by Iran-backed Houthi forces.

Macron said France plans to maintain a long-term contribution to Operation Aspides by assigning two frigates to the mission.

“What we want to do is to ensure freedom of navigation and maritime security,” he said.

Separately, Macron also spoke Monday morning with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu to discuss developments in the Middle East and the situation in Lebanon, the Elysee Palace said.

{Matzav.com}

Chaim V’Chessed continues to be inundated with calls relating to the ongoing Iran crisis. Below is a roundup of the latest developments regarding travel to and from Israel, evacuation options, and government services.

Inbound Travel to Israel

Israeli airlines – primarily El Al,  but also Israir, Arkia, and Air Haifa – have begun operating flights back to Israel.

At this stage, the overwhelming majority of seats are being allocated to passengers who previously held tickets on these airlines. These passengers are being proactively contacted and offered new reservations.

Those wishing to travel to Israel who did not previously hold tickets – or who held tickets on foreign airlines that are currently not flying – have extremely limited options. While some seats are being sold, available dates are often far off.

Passengers unable to secure flights in the coming days and who have the flexibility to travel may consider entry via Egypt – see below.

Outbound Flights from Israel

The Israeli airlines listed above have also begun operating outbound flights. However, flights are officially limited to approximately 70 passengers per flight.

Passengers who previously held tickets on these airlines are being contacted and offered alternative departure dates. Passengers are being assigned to flights in a fashion that those whose original departure dates were earlier are generally being prioritized for the earliest available flights.

Those without existing tickets – or who had tickets on airlines that remain suspended – face very limited availability. Although tickets are being sold, departure dates are often weeks away.

Chaim V’Chessed has been flooded with inquiries from passengers facing genuine emergency situations who urgently need to travel to or from Israel. Due to the extremely limited number of seats and the overwhelming volume of requests, we are unable to assist with placement on flights. It is somewhat possible, however, that after the initial bottleneck of delayed passengers clears this week, it may become easier to obtain seats.

U.S. Embassy Evacuation Flights

The United States Department of State is arranging no-cost departure options for American citizens seeking to leave Israel. Flights may be to the United States or to third countries outside the region.

Flights are being offered in a somewhat unpredictable manner to those who have registered through the Department of State’s Crisis Intake Form, as well as to those who have registered via Chaim V’Chessed’s evacuation interest list (which has been shared with the Department of State). Individuals are welcome to complete both forms.

It is important to note that these are not standalone charter evacuations. Rather, American citizens are being placed on flights that are already scheduled to depart Israel.

Those who have indicated that they wish to depart Israel immediately may receive very short notice – at times being instructed to report to Ben Gurion Airport on short notice. Passengers report significant confusion and a lack of organization at the airport for the State Department flights.

The “30-Day Rule”

Due to the severe flight limitations, the Israeli government has sought to condition departure on an agreement not to return in the near future.

El Al has indicated that passengers may not return for 30 days, while other airlines have referenced a 21-day restriction.

There is little doubt that should hostilities cease, such commitments would not be enforced. Additionally, numerous passengers have reported that despite public discussion of this policy, they were not asked to sign any such document prior to departure.

Travel Through Egypt

For those unable to obtain outbound flights, travel through Egypt remains an option.

While there is an official travel warning regarding entry into Sinai, thousands have successfully utilized this route in recent days.

For those traveling via Egypt, Chaim V’Chessed strongly recommends only traveling with organized groups, such as Lelechet, Emes Travel or Plan It Rite. (Please note: Chaim V’Chessed does not endorse any group or travel package.)

Government Offices

The majority of government offices across Israel remain closed, creating significant challenges for citizens requiring services.

The Israel Population and Immigration Authority (Interior Ministry) has opened limited branches, including the Mevaseret  and Har Homa Branches.

United States Embassy

The United States Embassy in Israel remains closed for routine services.

However, embassy officials have informed Chaim V’Chessed that emergency passport services will be available this week from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at both the Jerusalem and Tel Aviv locations, for those requiring passports in order to depart Israel. No appointments are needed; applicants are strongly encouraged to arrive early.

The Embassy will implement an important leniency for parents with recently born newborns. Due to government offices being closed, many have been unable to obtain birth certificates from the Interior Ministry. Parents will be permitted to present the Hodaa al Leida from the hospital, in lieu of an official birth certificate.

Chaim V’Chessed continues to monitor developments closely and remains available during regular business hours to assist the English-speaking community in navigating this rapidly evolving situation.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump said Monday that the military campaign against Iran is largely finished, describing the conflict as nearly concluded more than a week after the United States initiated Operation Epic Fury, a major offensive aimed at Iran’s political leadership and military infrastructure.

In a phone interview with CBS News, Trump indicated that the fighting may soon come to a close.

“I think the war is very complete, pretty much,” he said. “They have no navy, no communications, they’ve got no air force.” He added that the U.S. is “very far” ahead of his initial four-to-six-week timeline.

The American operation began on Feb. 28 and was carried out in coordination with Israel. During the opening phase of the campaign, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed.

Asked about Iran’s new leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the late supreme leader, Trump said he had no message for him. “I have no message for him. None whatsoever.” He added that he has someone in mind to replace Khamenei but did not elaborate.

Trump also addressed developments in the Strait of Hormuz, the vital shipping lane used by a large portion of the world’s oil tankers. He said vessels are continuing to pass through the strait despite earlier Iranian threats to target ships in the area, adding that he is “thinking about taking it over.”

The president concluded with a warning directed at Iran.

“They’ve shot everything they have to shoot, and they better not try anything cute or it’s going to be the end of that country,” he said.

Air raid sirens blared across central Israel and the Shephelah region on Monday evening after rockets were fired from Lebanon without advance warning, sending residents rushing to protected areas. Security officials reported multiple sites where fragments from interceptions and shrapnel fell. The Israel Defense Forces later said that one missile hit in central Israel while several others landed in open areas.

Magen David Adom said four people sustained light injuries in the attack on central Israel. The wounded included a 32-year-old man who was struck by a flying object and a 38-year-old woman who suffered an injury to her leg. All four casualties were transported to Kaplan Medical Center and Shamir Medical Center, where they were treated for blast-related trauma and injuries from shattered glass.

The IDF reported that Israeli Air Force aircraft quickly responded to the attack, destroying the launcher in Lebanon from which the rockets had been fired.

In a statement, the Hezbollah terrorist organization claimed responsibility for the strike, saying: “We attacked the satellite communications station belonging to the communications and cyber defense corps of the Israeli enemy army, in the Elah Valley in central occupied Palestine.”

Earlier Monday, a separate Iranian missile strike hit a construction site in Yehud, killing one person and critically wounding another. The injured victim was transported by intensive care ambulance to Sheba Medical Center.

Another incident occurred in Or Yehuda, where a missile strike left one individual seriously injured. That victim was also taken to Sheba Medical Center for treatment. The municipality reported that another woman suffered anxiety and received care at the scene, while three additional locations were identified where cluster munitions had struck, causing damage to property.

Or Yehuda Mayor Liat Shohat addressed the attacks, stating, “These events remind us once again how life-saving it is to follow the instructions of the Home Front Command. I wish the injured a speedy recovery and ask residents to remain vigilant and avoid approaching the impact sites so security forces can complete their work safely.”

Meanwhile, reports indicated that roughly 650,000 residents have fled the Dahiya district of Beirut, along with approximately half a million people who have left areas in southern Lebanon.

Defense Minister Yisroel Katz emphasized Israel’s determination to defend its communities, saying, “The decision to move forward immediately and defend the communities is morally and operationally correct, and it enables what comes next while giving residents the confidence that what happened will not return. There will be no evacuation, no abandonment-everyone remains on their land, in their home, wherever they are. The number one mission is to defend the communities and provide them security against raids and anti-tank fire.”

He continued, “From this point we should not only avoid retreating in the face of Hezbollah, but seize the opportunity to strike it. We are striking it and will continue to strike it. Prepare operational plans to hit it, impose costs, and neutralize its capabilities. The fact that a million Lebanese have evacuated their homes in southern Lebanon and in Dahiya demonstrates the strength of the IDF and its deterrence capability.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

{Matzav.com}

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

{Matzav.com}

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

{Matzav.com}

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

{Matzav.com}

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

{Matzav.com}