Matzav

Microsoft warned Friday that North Korean operatives are increasingly using artificial intelligence tools to pose as Western job applicants and obtain remote technology positions, allowing them to funnel salaries and access to corporate systems back to Pyongyang.

According to the company, the operation relies on fabricated or stolen identities that are used to apply for software development and IT positions at companies in Western countries.

Microsoft said the individuals involved rely on AI-generated images to create professional headshots, develop believable Western-sounding names and email addresses, and customize job applications to match specific postings. During job interviews, the company reported that some applicants employ voice-modification technology to disguise their accents.

The company also said the operatives continue using artificial intelligence after being hired, relying on it to draft emails, translate documents, and produce code while attempting to avoid suspicion. One network of North Korean operatives tracked by Microsoft under the name Jasper Sleet, the company said, “leverages AI across the attack lifecycle to get hired, stay hired, and misuse access at scale.”

Officials say the scheme is significant because it has evolved from simple payroll fraud into a broader security concern for companies.

U.S. authorities have previously said North Korean remote IT worker operations depend on stolen or falsified identities, facilitators located in the United States, and so-called laptop farms that allow workers located overseas to appear as though they are operating computers inside the United States.

In June 2025, the Justice Department said the schemes had infiltrated more than 100 American companies. The FBI has also warned that in some cases the workers have taken sensitive corporate data or attempted to extort companies using the information.

Microsoft said it shut down roughly 3,000 Outlook and Hotmail accounts last year that were connected to fraudulent North Korean IT worker operations.

The company advised employers to take additional precautions during hiring, including conducting interviews via video or in person and watching for potential signs of manipulated images such as irregularities around faces, eyes, ears, or glasses.

Federal investigators have issued similar recommendations, urging companies to strengthen identity verification procedures, closely examine employment histories, and carefully review remote hiring practices.

Upwork, one of the online job platforms mentioned as a site where software and IT roles are often posted, said it actively works to identify and remove fraudulent users from its marketplace.

{Matzav.com}

Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Friday that gasoline prices could begin declining within a matter of weeks despite a recent surge tied to the escalating conflict with Iran, arguing that the disruption affecting global oil markets will likely prove temporary.

Speaking in an interview, Wright blamed Iran’s leadership for decades of volatility in energy markets. “Look, Iran’s been an escalator of energy prices [for] 47 years, the whole history of their regime,” Wright said.

He added that the current turmoil reflects a short-term disruption tied to efforts to stop Tehran’s actions in the region. “We got a little bit of an interruption right now to finally put an end to their ability to wreak havoc, to kill Americans, and to terrorize their neighbors.”

Wright’s comments came as global energy markets reacted to a sharp rise in oil and gasoline prices following U.S. and Israeli military strikes on Iranian targets and Iran’s efforts to interfere with shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

The strategic waterway is considered one of the most critical oil transit routes in the world.

The narrow passage links the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and typically carries roughly one-fifth of the world’s petroleum liquids supply.

Because of its importance, any threat to vessels moving through the strait raises immediate concerns in global markets and among American drivers monitoring fuel prices.

According to AAA, the national average cost of regular gasoline reached $3.32 per gallon on Friday, compared with $2.98 just one week earlier, as crude oil prices climbed and traders assessed the possibility of extended supply disruptions.

Patrick De Haan, GasBuddy’s head of petroleum analysis, cautioned that prolonged interference with shipping could significantly worsen the situation.

“That means millions of barrels of oil that would normally flow to global markets simply aren’t reaching buyers,” De Haan said.

“Every additional day [of] the disruption continues compounds the problem. Even if the Strait reopened immediately, the market would still face the challenge of catching up on days’ worth of missing shipments — an increasingly difficult task as the backlog grows.”

Market analysts have warned that if the Strait of Hormuz were to remain closed or severely restricted for an extended period, oil prices could rise substantially, increasing inflationary pressures and potentially creating political challenges in Washington after several months during which fuel costs had remained below levels seen throughout much of 2024 and early 2025.

President Donald Trump, who emphasized reducing energy costs during his 2024 campaign, dismissed concerns Thursday about a long-term increase in gasoline prices.

“I don’t have any concern about it,” Trump told Reuters.

“They’ll drop very rapidly when this is over, and if they rise, they rise, but this is far more important than having gasoline prices go up a little bit.”

Administration officials have said that military and naval actions currently underway are intended in part to stabilize energy markets, though investors are closely watching how long the conflict continues and whether commercial shipping can safely move through the Gulf.

Wright expressed confidence that markets will rebalance more quickly than many consumers expect.

He said the period before prices begin to decline will likely be measured in weeks rather than months.

For American drivers, however, the direction of gasoline prices will likely depend less on domestic demand and more on developments in the Middle East.

Shipping routes, refinery output, and oil export flows are expected to determine fuel price movements from day to day.

{Matzav.com}

Two shuls in Toronto, Canada, were struck by gunfire overnight in separate incidents that are now under investigation by local authorities.

The buildings hit were identified as the BAYT and Shaarei Shomayim shuls.

Police in Toronto and the neighboring York Region reported on social media that shots were fired at the two houses of worship around midnight. Authorities said that while bullets struck the buildings, no one was injured in either incident.

In a message posted on X, Toronto police acknowledged the fear such attacks create within the community. “We recognize that incidents like this are deeply concerning for members of the Jewish community. Synagogues in both Toronto and York region have been struck by gunfire this week,” the department said, noting that additional police presence has been deployed in Jewish neighborhoods throughout the area.

Jewish communities across Canada have experienced a sharp rise in antisemitic attacks in recent years. Incidents have included shootings and firebombings targeting Jewish institutions and community buildings.

Another shooting incident occurred earlier in the week when a shul was targeted on Tuesday. The attack took place shortly after the building had hosted Purim celebrations, with some individuals still present inside at the time.

Conservative opposition leader Pierre Poilevre reacted strongly to the latest incidents, saying he was “appalled” by the Friday night shootings at the Shaarei Shomayim and Beth Avraham Yoseph shuls and warning that the Jewish community “is under attack in Canada.”

According to CBC, police had already stepped up patrols and increased their presence across the greater Toronto area earlier this week due to heightened tensions connected to the ongoing war in the Middle East.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli commandos carried out a rare overnight raid deep inside eastern Lebanon in an effort to locate the remains of missing Israeli Air Force navigator Ron Arad, the military said, while accompanying Israeli airstrikes in the area reportedly killed dozens of people, according to Lebanese officials.

Helicopter-borne Israeli forces landed in the town of Nabi Chit in the Bekaa Valley during the operation. Israeli warplanes simultaneously conducted heavy strikes in the area. Local authorities in Lebanon said the bombardment resulted in at least 41 deaths. The Israeli military said none of its troops were harmed.

The Israel Defense Forces later stated that the operation did not uncover evidence connected to Arad’s remains. However, the military said the mission allowed it to eliminate one of the potential scenarios regarding where the navigator’s body might be located. Arad’s aircraft was shot down over Lebanon four decades ago.

According to the military, Arad’s relatives were informed about the developments following the raid. His widow later released a statement stressing that the family does not want Israeli soldiers placed in danger in efforts to retrieve his remains.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the issue tonight, reiterating that Israel remains committed to locating Arad and other missing Israelis.

“The operation carried out last night did not produce what we were looking for,” he says in a statement, “but the commitment of Israel, and my personal commitment, to completing all missions concerning our prisoners and missing persons is absolute.”

Reports about the raid first emerged overnight through Lebanese state media and Hezbollah outlets, which said Israeli troops attempted to land by helicopter in Nabi Chit, an area regarded as a Hezbollah stronghold near the Lebanese-Syrian border in the Baalbek district.

Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency, citing the country’s health ministry, initially reported that Israeli strikes in Nabi Chit left at least 16 people dead and 35 injured. Later updates from the ministry raised the toll to 41 killed and 40 wounded.

Hezbollah claimed that its fighters had spotted Israeli aircraft entering the area. In a statement, the organization said its operatives had “observed the infiltration of four Israeli enemy army helicopters from the Syrian direction.”

According to Hezbollah’s account, once Israeli forces landed, troops moving toward the Nabi Chit cemetery were confronted by Hezbollah fighters. The group said its members used light and medium weapons during the encounter.

Hezbollah also alleged that Israeli forces responded with intense airstrikes before extracting the troops and later claimed its fighters fired rockets during the Israeli withdrawal.

Video circulated on social media showed what appeared to be heavy gunfire in the area.

Additional footage published by Lebanese media purportedly showed Israeli helicopters and soldiers operating near the town. Later images and videos appeared to show a large hole dug near the edge of a cemetery, believed to have been excavated by Israeli troops during the operation.

Saudi broadcaster al-Hadath first reported, without citing sources, that the raid may have been aimed at recovering the remains of Arad.

The IDF later confirmed the operation on this afternoon but rejected Hezbollah’s claims of direct combat. The military said there had been no clashes with Hezbollah fighters and that Israeli forces had not come under fire.

According to the IDF, troops carried out their activity in Nabi Chit while heavy airstrikes were launched to seal off the area. The military said anyone approaching the forces during the operation was targeted.

The IDF said the raid followed an “operational opportunity” created after evacuation orders were issued in Nabi Chit the previous day, along with additional intelligence gathered during the ongoing fighting with Hezbollah.

Arad disappeared in October 1986 after his aircraft was shot down over southern Lebanon during the country’s civil war. At the time, it was believed that he had been captured by the Shiite Amal movement.

Over the years, Arad has widely been presumed dead, though his remains have never been recovered.

In remarks issued after the raid, Arad’s widow, Tami, reiterated the family’s long-standing position that Israeli soldiers should not be endangered in attempts to retrieve his remains.

“We understand that our words until now have not been understood by the decision-makers and therefore it’s important for us to clarify: Our desire to know what happened to Ron stops as soon as there is risk to IDF soldiers,” she wrote on Facebook.

“In our eyes, the sanctity of life comes before the commitment to return the remains of a fighter for burial. This is our worldview also regarding our loved one who disappeared some 40 years ago,” she wrote.

“We have stated as a family on more than one occasion that we oppose actions that would endanger soldiers. That’s why we say to the prime minister of Israel: We thank everyone involved in the intelligence activity concerning Ron. We value the commitment of the State of Israel, yet we request in every way possible, do not carry out operations that have even minimal risk to the troops,” Arad wrote.

“For 40 years we have lived with the fact that Ron is missing, we want to know what happened to Ron, but not at any cost. The sanctity of life comes above the closing of a circle of certainty for us. We prefer to live with the painful possibility that Ron’s bones are in Lebanon rather than wake up in the morning to the news that an IDF soldier was injured, or God forbid, killed, in an operation to bring back his remains, if indeed they are his,” she wrote.

“We thank the IDF soldiers and security forces and appreciate those who worked for Ron, and we ask that our request to sanctify life be honored,” she said.

Israeli intelligence assessments have long suggested that after being held by Amal, Arad may have been transferred to Iranian custody. According to Israeli beliefs, he may have been moved from Lebanon to Iran and later returned.

During the first two years after his capture, Israel received several indications that he was alive, including photographs and letters. The last such communication arrived on May 5, 1988.

Since the mid-1990s, Arad has generally been presumed dead, although intelligence reports have differed regarding when, where, and how he may have died.

Israeli officials believe Arad may have been held in the Nabi Chit region following his capture, and the area has been searched in the past as part of efforts to locate his remains.

Lebanese reports also noted that in December, a retired Lebanese security official from Nabi Chit who had been linked to Arad’s capture disappeared.

The Israeli military said today that it would “continue to operate tirelessly, day and night, out of a deep commitment to bringing all our sons, the fallen and the missing, back home to Israel.” Three soldiers are still classified by the IDF as missing: Maj. Arad, Staff Sgt. Guy Hever, and Sgt. First Class Yehuda Katz.

The overnight raid represented the deepest Israeli incursion into Lebanon in recent years, following a 2024 operation in which Israeli special forces captured Hezbollah operative Imad Amhaz in the northern Lebanese city of Batroun.

{Matzav.com}

The official Facebook page of Jackson, NJ Councilman Chris Pollak has been suspended, according to a notice that now appears on the account.

A screenshot from the page shows a message stating that Facebook has taken action against the account. The notice reads: “We suspended your Page. This is because Chris Pollak goes against our Community Standards.”

The page, which was categorized on the platform as belonging to a “Politician,” is currently inactive and unavailable to the public.

Pollak recently appeared in a widely circulated YouTube video by Tyler Oliveira that drew significant attention and criticism for its anti-Jewish content focusing on Jackson and nearby communities. Prior to the suspension, Pollak had shared the video on his Facebook page.

It is not currently clear whether the posting of that video played any role in Facebook’s decision to suspend the account. Facebook has not publicly commented on the reason for the suspension beyond the message displayed on the page.

WATCH POLLAK’S RESPONSE:

{Matzav.com}

Britain has stepped up preparations for the possible deployment of a major naval asset to the Middle East as tensions continue to rise following U.S. and Israeli military operations against Iran, according to a report by Sky News.

The report said the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales has been placed on a higher state of alert, reducing the time required for the ship to deploy from 10 days to just five.

Stationed in Portsmouth and equipped to operate F-35 fighter jets, the carrier could be dispatched more quickly if British leaders decide to strengthen the country’s military presence in the region. Sailors assigned to the vessel have reportedly also been notified that a deployment may be forthcoming.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence said Britain has already been reinforcing its forces in the Middle East since the beginning of the year. The buildup has included the deployment of Typhoon and F-35 aircraft, air defense systems, and roughly 400 additional personnel to Cyprus.

British military aircraft have also been participating in efforts to intercept drones since the latest escalation began.

In a statement posted on social media Saturday, the Ministry of Defence confirmed that American forces have begun conducting what it described as “specific defensive operations” from British bases designed to block potential Iranian missile launches.

The ministry added that Royal Air Force Typhoon and F-35 jets continue to fly missions over Jordan, Qatar, Cyprus, and other parts of the region to safeguard British interests and support allied nations. Additional monitoring capabilities, including a Merlin helicopter, are also being deployed.

Separately, Sky News reported that a U.S. Lockheed C-5 military cargo plane landed at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire earlier today. The arrival marked the fifth U.S. military aircraft to land at the base in recent days, indicating an increase in American logistical activity in the U.K.

The developments come as Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces growing questions about Britain’s involvement in the conflict. Starmer has previously stated that the U.K. is not participating in offensive strikes against Iran and has emphasized that British operations are focused on defensive missions and supporting allies.

“Any U.K. actions must always have a lawful basis and a viable, thought-through plan,” Starmer said in the House of Commons on Monday.

President Donald Trump was quick to express his dismay at Britain’s perceived lack of commitment.

“It’s very sad to see that the relationship is obviously not what it was,” Trump said this week regarding the frail relationship between the two nations.

Some critics have pointed to what they view as contradictions between those statements and the government’s acknowledgment that American forces are operating from British territory, as well as Britain’s increased military deployments in the region.

Opponents argue that allowing U.S. military activity from U.K. bases could draw Britain further into the conflict.

British officials maintain that the steps taken so far are defensive in nature and aimed at protecting British personnel, allies, and regional stability. Still, the decision to shorten the deployment readiness of HMS Prince of Wales highlights that London is leaving open the possibility of a larger military role should the crisis deepen.

{Matzav.com}

Before the recent U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran, American intelligence officials assessed that even a large-scale military campaign would probably not lead to the collapse of the country’s ruling clerical regime, according to individuals familiar with the findings who spoke to The Washington Post.

The evaluation was prepared by the National Intelligence Council and examined how Iran’s political leadership might react if the country faced a major military offensive.

According to officials who were briefed on the document, analysts concluded that Iran’s governing structure is designed to endure significant outside pressure, including attacks that might eliminate high-ranking leaders or damage central state institutions.

The report was finalized shortly before the United States and Israel began launching strikes against targets inside Iran, the officials said.

Those military operations have primarily targeted strategic locations and military facilities as tensions between Israel and Iran have escalated.

Intelligence officials determined that Iran’s system of government—which blends religious leadership with powerful military and security organizations—contains several built-in safeguards intended to ensure the regime’s survival during periods of crisis.

Even if senior figures within the leadership were killed or removed, analysts concluded that the broader governing structure would likely remain functioning.

One element highlighted in the report is Iran’s established method for replacing top officials. The political system includes procedures for appointing a new supreme leader and maintaining stability within the country’s religious and political hierarchy.

The intelligence review also explored whether internal dissent might weaken the regime if Iran were subjected to prolonged military pressure.

However, analysts concluded that opposition movements inside and outside Iran remain divided and lack the cohesion needed to quickly unite behind a viable alternative government, according to officials familiar with the findings.

The conclusions raise questions about whether military operations alone could bring about sweeping political change in Iran. U.S. officials have said the strikes are meant to weaken Iran’s military capabilities and address concerns over its nuclear program.

At the same time, some political leaders in Washington and Israel have suggested that intensifying pressure on Tehran could eventually destabilize the regime.

Despite those views, intelligence officials noted that Iran’s political system has historically proven resilient during previous periods of conflict and international pressure.

The classified analysis represents the shared judgment of several U.S. intelligence agencies and was distributed to senior policymakers before the strikes began, officials said.

American officials declined to discuss the assessment publicly because the report remains classified, but individuals who reviewed it said the key conclusion was that even a significant military campaign would not necessarily cause the Iranian leadership structure to collapse.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli President Isaac Herzog met yesterday in Yerushalayim with U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, where the two discussed the ongoing coordination between Israel and the United States in military operations against Iran.

The meeting had been scheduled earlier in the week and focused largely on the strategic partnership between the two countries during the current conflict. Their discussion highlighted the continued cooperation between Washington and Israel as both governments work closely together on military and intelligence efforts connected to the war.

The meeting took place shortly after President Donald Trump publicly criticized Herzog, calling him a “disgrace” for not granting a pardon to Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu in connection with the case involving “wine and cigars.”

Following the meeting, Herzog spoke about the strong ties between the two countries and expressed appreciation for the ongoing partnership. “I had a wonderful meeting with Ambassador Mike Huckabee, who is a dear friend. This meeting was prearranged. I called Ambassador Huckabee a few days ago, and I said we should meet to discuss the incredible partnership and this unique force of good in the partnership between the United States and Israel in the war that is aimed to change the future of the region towards peace.”

He continued by thanking both governments and their leaders for their cooperation during the war. “I’m very grateful for this partnership. I want to thank President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu and their teams for working day in and day out with the heroes on the frontier who are working all the time in order to change the course of history.”

Herzog also described the emerging regional alignment as a positive development for the Middle East. “I believe that the coalition that we are seeing now emanating in the Middle East is a force of good. It’s a coalition of nations who want to seek a better future for the children of the Middle East. And I utterly believe that once you undermine this empire of evil emanating from Tehran, we will be able to offer avenues of peace, goodwill, and a prosperous future for the people of the Middle East.

“So thank you, Ambassador, for your steadfast support and for the wonderful, wonderful friendship and intimate, close cooperation between our nations.”

Ambassador Huckabee responded by expressing appreciation for Herzog’s outreach and for the relationship that has developed since he arrived in Israel. “Mr. President, thank you very much, first of all, for reaching out to me several days ago and saying, ‘Let’s get together and visit.'”

He went on to praise Herzog’s leadership and spoke about the close personal ties between their families. “President Herzog has been one of the most important friends that I have had since I have arrived here as Ambassador, and his leadership in this role has been not just important to us as a US government, but on a personal level, he and his wife have become very, very close to my wife and myself.”

Huckabee said both countries share a deep appreciation for the cooperation taking place between their governments and militaries. “Right now, we’re sharing a real sense of gratitude to both of our governments, to President Trump, Prime Minister Netanyahu, the Israeli people, the American people, and both of our militaries for showing extraordinary precision in carrying out something that, frankly, has to be done.

“And I think most people in the world who understand this realize that for 47 years, the United States has been under the threat of this regime. They wish to destroy us, but they know they have to destroy Israel first. So that’s why for all of these many years, they’ve been consistent in their message: ‘Death to Israel, Death to America.’ And I’m just grateful that President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu decided that enough is enough.”

He acknowledged the seriousness of the moment but said the actions being taken are necessary. “This is not a pleasant time, but it is an important and a necessary time for us to say to the regime that you can’t keep killing Americans, Israelis, and frankly, people all over the world, not just directly, but through your proxies that have unleashed havoc around the globe.”

Huckabee added that the partnership between the United States and Israel remains exceptionally strong. “For all of those reasons today, President Herzog and I are able to sit and share the combined sense of appreciation that our governments are working in lockstep in intelligence, military capability, as well as in the political relationships-second to none in any relationship that we have in the United States, and for that, I’m certainly grateful.

“And President Herzog, I’m grateful to you and the Israeli people for the resilience and the resolve to make this finally the end of this threat to the US and to Israel.”

Herzog concluded the meeting by emphasizing the strength and determination of Israel and other countries in the region facing Iranian aggression. “Our nation is very strong and resilient. I must say that also the nations around us in this region being attacked by Iran are showing immense resolve and resilience.”

He called on the public to remain steadfast during the current period. “Now is the time for resilience, and we tell the people: this moment will be judged in history as a moment of change that will bring a better future for all, so now is the moment to be resilient. Thank you very much, Ambassador.”

Trump had sharply criticized Herzog on Thursday, saying the Israeli president should immediately pardon Netanyahu and rebuking him for failing to do so sooner.

In a phone conversation with Axios, Trump said he speaks frequently with Netanyahu about the war and believes the Israeli prime minister should not have to deal with the pressures of an ongoing corruption trial during the conflict.

“Every day I talk to Bibi about the war,” Trump said, according to Axios reporter Barak Ravid. “I want him to focus on the war and not on the …. court case. I want the only pressure on Bibi to be the fighting against Iran.”

Trump also asserted that Herzog had previously suggested he would issue the pardon but had not done so. “He told me he would give it to him. But he has held it over Bibi’s head for a year. Tell him I am exposing him. That president better damn well give him the pardon right now – and stop using it as leverage for his own political career.”

A senior Israeli official rejected Trump’s claim in comments to Axios, saying Herzog had never promised to pardon Netanyahu.

Trump also said he would not meet with Herzog until the issue is resolved. “I refuse to meet him until this thing is done,” Trump said.

{Matzav.com}

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Israel will begin allowing a gradual resumption of outbound international flights from Ben Gurion Airport starting Sunday, as authorities carefully reopen air travel while continuing efforts to bring Israeli citizens home.

The departing flights will be operated by Israeli carriers that are already running inbound rescue flights returning Israelis to the country as part of the national effort known as “Safe Return – Wings of the Lion.”

Under the current framework, each departing aircraft will carry only about 70 passengers. Roughly 15 percent of the seats on each flight will be set aside for humanitarian or security-related cases, as well as for tourists and diplomats who remain in Israel and need to leave.

Individuals seeking to depart Israel are instructed to contact Israeli airlines directly to confirm availability, register for flights, and receive their flight assignments.

The Home Front Command has issued special guidelines for passengers using the airport during this period.

Travelers should arrive at Ben Gurion Airport approximately two hours before departure instead of the usual three hours.

Checked baggage will not be permitted. Passengers may travel only with carry-on trolley bags.

All travelers must complete the check-in process ahead of time before arriving at the airport.

Israeli citizens who depart the country during this period will be required to sign a declaration stating that they will not return to Israel for 30 days following their departure.

Those seeking exceptions for humanitarian, security, tourism, or diplomatic circumstances may submit requests to the inter-ministerial steering committee responsible for reviewing special cases.

In addition to the limited flight departures, people may also leave Israel through land border crossings, which remain open and operating under normal procedures subject to security authorization. Officials urged the public to monitor announcements from airlines for the latest updates on flight schedules.

Transportation Minister Miri Regev said, “After we launched the national operation to bring Israelis home, we are now continuing to act in a gradual and responsible manner to also allow departures from the country. Every step is being carried out in full coordination with the security authorities and the Home Front Command, while strictly ensuring the safety of passengers and crews. Our goal is to return aviation activity to normal as quickly as possible, while responsibly managing the airspace even during this challenging period.”

Transportation Ministry Director-General Moshe Ben Zaken added, “The Transportation Ministry and the Airports Authority are working around the clock together with all security agencies and the airlines in order to manage air activity in a gradual and safe manner. Alongside the continued rescue flights bringing Israelis back to Israel, starting tomorrow we are also allowing controlled departures from the country, in accordance with the framework established in advance by Minister Regev and the guidelines of the Home Front Command.”

IDF Spokesperson Brig.-Gen. Effie Defrin provided an update tonight on the ongoing war against Iran, saying Israeli and American forces continue to strike key Iranian and Hezbollah targets as the military campaign moves forward.

Addressing the public, Defrin noted that the operation has now been underway for a full week. “A week has passed since we launched Operation Roaring Lion,” Defrin began. “The IDF is striking the Iranian regime with great force together with the US military. We are exacting a heavy price from the Hezbollah terrorist organization.”

He said Israeli forces have recently focused significant attention on Hezbollah strongholds in Beirut. “In recent days we have evacuated the Dahieh area [of Beirut]. We are striking there with great force, hunting the Hezbollah terrorists there. We will not compromise on disarming Hezbollah. The IDF will continue to advance in the stages of the operation, and we will not stop until the existential threat is removed.”

Defrin also revealed that Israeli forces have struck major ballistic missile production facilities inside Iran over the past several days, specifically in the Parchin and Shahroud regions. According to the military, these operations involved hundreds of Israeli Air Force fighter jets acting under intelligence guidance and in coordination with the IDF Operations Directorate.

The strikes followed earlier attacks against Iran’s missile infrastructure and were part of a broader effort to disrupt the regime’s weapons manufacturing capabilities, including factories and facilities used to develop missiles and other military equipment.

Throughout the past week, hundreds of Israeli fighter aircraft, operating on intelligence gathered by the IDF, targeted two of the Iranian regime’s most important ballistic missile production complexes and related weapons facilities located in the Parchin and Shahroud areas.

During Thursday’s attack on Parchin, Israeli forces targeted infrastructure used to manufacture critical components required for the regime’s weapons programs.

Among the facilities hit were factories producing explosive materials used in ballistic missile warheads, complexes responsible for producing specialized raw materials for missile engines, a facility used for mixing and casting missile engines, and a site dedicated to the research, development, assembly, and production of advanced cruise missiles.

In a separate overnight operation roughly 2,000 kilometers from Israel, Israeli forces also struck a ballistic missile production facility belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in the Shahroud region.

According to the IDF, Iranian forces had recently been working to rebuild and expand missile production capabilities at the Shahroud site after it had previously been targeted during Operation Rising Lion.

“The site in Shahroud is responsible for producing a significant portion of the missiles fired toward the State of Israel and the region,” the IDF stressed. “The strike severely damages the Iranian terror regime’s ability to continue producing missiles at this site.”

“The IDF will continue expanding strikes against the regime’s weapons production sites in order to cut off its ability to manufacture weapons and to thwart attempts to rebuild its infrastructure.”

The IDF carried out airstrikes tonight against Iran’s national oil infrastructure, marking the first time since the war began that Israel has targeted the country’s energy facilities.

The operation reportedly hit 30 oil storage tanks as part of the strike.

An official from Iran’s Oil Ministry said the attacks struck several fuel depots across the country. “Israeli fighter jets attacked three oil depots this evening – in Kohak, Shahran, and Karaj.”

The IDF later confirmed the operation, saying Israeli aircraft acted based on intelligence information to hit fuel storage sites in the Iranian capital.

“The Israeli Air Force, with the guidance of IDF intelligence, struck a number of fuel storage facilities in Tehran a short while ago.”

The Israeli military said the targeted infrastructure plays a key role in supporting Iran’s military activity.

“The military forces of the Iranian terrorist regime make direct and frequent use of these fuel tanks to operate military infrastructure. Through them, the Iranian terrorist regime distributes fuel to various consumers, including military entities in Iran.

“This is a significant strike that constitutes an additional step in deepening the damage to the military infrastructure of the Iranian terrorist regime. The IDF will continue to operate with determination in order to significantly degrade the regime’s capabilities and remove threats to the State of Israel.”

Opposition leader Yair Lapid also responded to the development, voicing strong support for the operation and calling for even broader strikes against Iran’s energy sector.

Writing on X, Lapid said, “Israel must destroy all of Iran’s oil fields and the Iranian energy industry on Kharg Island.”

“This is what will crush Iran’s economy and bring down the regime,” he added. “This war must end with the fall of the regime in Iran, the destruction of the nuclear facilities, the destruction of the entire ballistic missile industry, and the destruction of Hezbollah in Lebanon.”

{Matzav.com}

The Israeli Air Force carried out an overnight strike in Beirut early Sunday, reportedly hitting a hotel in the city’s Raouche neighborhood and causing casualties, according to regional media and security sources.

The Lebanese television station Al-Mayadeen, which is linked to Hezbollah, reported that the attack took place in the Raouche district in central Beirut and involved an Israeli airstrike targeting a hotel in the area.

A security official told the Reuters news agency that the strike was aimed at a specific room inside the hotel building.

Initial reports indicated that the attack left at least two people dead and wounded several others. Further details about the identities of those killed or injured were not immediately available.

WATCH:

استهداف اوتيل رمادا، منطقة الروشة – بيروت. pic.twitter.com/NRgnSh3obC

— Yumna Fawaz (@yumnafawaz) March 7, 2026

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump said today that he has ruled out allowing Kurdish forces to enter the war against Iran, explaining that he does not want the conflict to become more complicated or place Kurdish fighters in danger.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said the United States values its relationship with Kurdish forces but does not want them drawn into the fighting.

“We’re not looking at the Kurds going into Iran. We’re very friendly with the Kurds. We don’t want to make the war anymore complex.”

Trump said Kurdish forces had expressed willingness to participate in the conflict but that he personally decided against allowing it.

“I have ruled it out – I don’t want the Kurds going in. They’re willing to go in, but I told them not to.”

He emphasized that expanding the war by involving additional forces could create further instability and lead to unnecessary casualties among Kurdish fighters.

“We don’t want to make the war more complicated than it already is. We don’t want to see the Kurds harmed or killed. We had a good relationship with them. They were willing to go in, but I told them I didn’t want them to.”

Earlier in the day, Trump attended a solemn ceremony honoring six U.S. Army soldiers who were killed in Iranian attacks. The president saluted as the flag-draped coffins of the fallen service members were carried off the aircraft.

{Matzav.com}

[COMMUNICATED]

As the matzav in Eretz Yisroel weighs heavily on our hearts, some have asked whether the upcoming Shuvu Dinner should be postponed. After consulting with our Daas Torah the guidance was clear: this is precisely the time to continue.

For 35 years, Shuvu has provided Torah education to children across Eretz Yisroel, many from homes with little prior exposure to authentic Torah learning. Today, more than 6,000 children attend Shuvu schools, where they are being prepared for lives of Torah, mitzvos, and Yiras Shamayim.

Shuvu was founded by Rav Avrohom Pam zt”l, whose vision was to bring Torah to Jewish children throughout Eretz Yisroel. That mission continues today under the leadership of our nesiim, Rav Reuven Feinstein shlita and Rav Elya Brudny shlita. 

Especially in difficult times, the learning of these children carries profound meaning. Strengthening their Torah is not separate from the moment – it is part of our response.

For this reason, Shuvu will move forward with its 35th Annual Dinner, be’ezras Hashem, on Sunday, March 15 at Bell Works in New Jersey.

Many members of our team in Eretz Yisroel must remain with their families and may not be able to travel to assist with fundraising. We therefore turn to you to help ensure that Shuvu’s schools and the thousands of children that depend on them remain strong.

Please join our dinner campaign at shuvuusa.org/dinner or call 718-692-3434.

In this zechus, may we be zoche to see yeshuos and nechamos for Klal Yisroel.

The White House said Friday that U.S. forces are moving steadily toward gaining control of Iranian airspace, with officials estimating that key military goals could be achieved within the next month to six weeks.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that the United States believes its military objectives in the campaign against Iran are within reach on that timeline.

Leavitt also indicated that discussions are underway regarding potential leadership in Iran following the conflict. She said that “there are a number of people who we are looking to lead Iran.”

.@PressSec: "What I will tell you is what @POTUS has already laid out, which is that the achievable objectives of Operation Epic Fury we expect to last about 4-6 weeks, and we are well on our way to achieving those objectives." pic.twitter.com/AHqlKamYBp

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) March 6, 2026

She further announced that President Donald Trump is scheduled to host a meeting at the White House with major defense contractors together with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.

According to Leavitt, the meeting is intended to focus on expanding domestic weapons production and strengthening the country’s defense manufacturing capacity.

“The purpose is to discuss the president’s aggressive and fierce support for rapidly increasing the ability of US manufacturers to produce American-made weapons,” she said, stressing, “We have more than enough ammunition and weapon stockpiles to achieve the objectives of Operation Epic Fury and beyond.”

Later in the day, speaking during an appearance on Fox News, Leavitt addressed remarks President Trump made earlier regarding Iran’s future.

She clarified a social media post by Trump that read, “There will be no deal with Iran except unconditional surrender!”

Leavitt explained that the statement referred to eliminating Iran’s ability to threaten the United States.

“What President Trump means when he says ‘unconditional surrender’ is when he, as Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Military and the leader of the free world – determines that Iran can no longer pose a threat to the United States,” Leavitt explained.

{Matzav.com}

Chaim V’Chessed has learned that the U.S. government is working toward arranging evacuation flights for American citizens seeking to return to the United States from Israel. In the coming days, the U.S. Embassy hopes – if conditions permit – to operate flights from Ben Gurion Airport. At this stage, details are still being worked out, and seats will be extremely limited.

State Department officials have been reviewing the names submitted to Chaim V’Chessed’s extensive evacuation interest list and cross-referencing them with the State Department’s Crisis Intake Form. In fact, most names submitted through the Chaim V’Chessed list have already been added to the Crisis Intake Form system.

Those who wish may also submit their information directly through the State Department’s Crisis Intake Form. Some individuals who do so may discover that they are already listed in the system.

At present, no schedule or final procedures have been announced. Embassy officials stress that travelers should not contact the embassy or Chaim V’Chessed regarding these flights. Instead, individuals should ensure that their information is submitted through the appropriate registration links. If and when seats become available, travelers may be contacted – possibly with short notice.

Chaim V’Chessed has also learned that, as opposed to the U.S. evacuation flights following October 7 attacks, these flights will likely be provided at no charge.

{Matzav.com}

Qatar’s energy minister is warning that the ongoing war in the Middle East could drive oil prices above $150 per barrel, a surge he says would send shockwaves through the global economy.

Saad al-Kaabi cautioned in an interview with the Financial Times that such a sharp rise in crude prices could devastate economies around the world as supply disruptions deepen and energy markets grow increasingly unstable.

The price of oil has already climbed roughly 7 percent to more than $90 per barrel after spending much of the year trading between $60 and $70. The current surge has oil on track for its largest weekly gain since 2022, with Brent crude jumping nearly 30 percent this week as fighting in the region escalates.

Al-Kaabi said the economic consequences will quickly spread if the conflict continues for an extended period.

“If this war continues for a few weeks, GDP growth around the world will be impacted,” he said. “Everybody’s energy price is going to go higher.”

“There will be shortages of some products, and there will be a chain reaction of factories that cannot supply,” al-Kaabi added.

He also indicated that energy producers in the Gulf region might be forced to suspend production in certain circumstances, a move that would likely push prices even higher. Even if hostilities stop soon, he noted that restoring normal production could take weeks or even months.

The warning comes after an Iranian drone strike earlier in the week targeted Qatar’s largest liquefied natural gas facility.

The conflict, now entering its seventh day, has already sent energy markets into turmoil. Concerns intensified after Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most critical shipping lanes for oil worldwide. Approximately 21 million barrels of oil per day—about one-fifth of global oil trade—pass through that narrow waterway.

Qatar, the world’s second-largest exporter of liquefied natural gas, is also cautioning that the disruption could ripple across global gas markets.

Al-Kaabi said buyers in Asia are likely to rush to secure available supplies, a development that could push gas prices higher internationally. He also told the Times that he expects additional Gulf nations to declare force majeure in the coming days.

“In addition to energy, there will be a halt on all other trade in between the [Gulf] and the world, which will have a significant effect on the economies of the [Gulf] and all the trading partners around the world,” al-Kaabi said.

Economists say rising oil and gas prices could also reignite inflation and place new financial pressure on households already coping with high living costs.

Ruth Curtice, chief executive of the Resolution Foundation, a nonpartisan British think tank, told the financial website This Is Money that sustained increases in oil and gas prices could push inflation back up to 3 percent “by the summer.”

Helen Miller, director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, added, “If war in the Middle East drags on, that will be unambiguously bad news for all of us.”

The wife of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is facing criticism after reports surfaced that she interacted with social media posts praising the Hamas assault on Israel on October 7, 2023.

According to Jewish Insider, Rama Duwaji had liked several Instagram posts tied to the attack carried out that day. One of the posts included images showing Palestinians breaking through Israel’s border barriers and described the incursion as “breaking the walls of apartheid.”

Another post she reportedly liked featured Palestinians sitting atop a captured Israeli military vehicle and included the caption, “Resisting apartheid since 1948.”

Both of those posts appeared online on the same day Hamas carried out its attack.

The report also states that Duwaji liked two additional posts the following day that expressed support for protests against Israel.

Neither Duwaji nor Mamdani has issued a response to the report. The couple began their relationship in 2021 and were married last year.

The revelations come shortly after The New York Times reported on controversial social media activity involving the wife of US Rep. Dan Goldman, who is Jewish. According to that report, Goldman’s wife had liked posts soon after the October 7 attack that criticized Jews who supported Palestinians, suggested that people backing the Palestinian cause should be sent to Gaza, and labeled Black Lives Matter a “terrorist organization” because one of its chapters praised the Hamas attack.

New York City Council member Inna Vernikov, a Jewish Republican, sharply criticized The New York Times coverage, arguing that the paper has not applied the same scrutiny to Mamdani. “Will the ‘paper of record’ ask [Mamdani] a single question on this? THEY WON’T.”