Matzav

Israeli leaders held an emergency security discussion Wednesday evening following a major Hezbollah rocket barrage toward northern Israel, as senior officials warned that the terror group’s actions could lead to a dramatic expansion of Israel’s military campaign in Lebanon.

The meeting took place at the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after Hezbollah fired approximately 100 rockets at northern Israel as part of an ongoing series of attacks the organization has been carrying out in recent days.

A senior Israeli security official told the Saudi news channel Al-Hadath that the United States could potentially join the large-scale Israeli strikes currently targeting Hezbollah positions in Lebanon’s Beqaa Valley, including the city of Baalbek.

According to the official, Hezbollah’s current course of action is self-destructive. “Hezbollah is destroying itself and Lebanon along with it, and is acting as if it has nothing to lose.”

The official added that Israel’s military operations in Lebanon would not be limited to any single region.

“We will operate throughout Lebanon, from south to north, and all targets are legitimate. The military operation in Lebanon will not stop at the Litani River.”

Another senior Israeli official told Channel 12 News that the direction within the Israel Defense Forces is to significantly expand the military campaign against Hezbollah.

The official said the army is preparing for a wide range of scenarios. “They are not specifying how and whether it will also include ground forces, but preparations are being made for every possibility.”

According to the official, Lebanon’s government has demonstrated that it is unable to restrain Hezbollah’s activities. “The Lebanese state has proven that it is not a factor in restraining Hezbollah. They don’t take them into account.”

The official added that developments over the next day could have a major impact on how the campaign unfolds.

“The coming 24 hours will significantly shape the continuation of the campaign in Lebanon,” he said. “Hezbollah is bringing about its own end with its own hands.”

Meanwhile, IDF Arabic-language spokesman Lt. Col. Avichay Adraee issued an urgent warning Wednesday evening to residents of the Dahiyeh district in Beirut ahead of an expected wave of Israeli strikes.

“Due to the crimes of the Hezbollah terrorist organization, the IDF will soon operate with great intensity against its assets, operatives and weapons,” Adraee wrote.

“For your safety, the IDF urges you to evacuate immediately,” the spokesman added, stressing that residents should not return to the area “until further notice.”

{Matzav.com}

Hezbollah launched a large-scale assault on northern Israel Wednesday evening, firing rockets and deploying drones for several hours and forcing hundreds of thousands of Israelis into bomb shelters. The attack marked the most intense barrage by the Lebanese terror group since fighting escalated earlier this month amid the ongoing war between Israel, the United States, and Iran.

According to Israeli military assessments, the opening wave began shortly after 8 p.m., when Hezbollah fired roughly 100 rockets toward northern Israel. At the same time, Iran launched a ballistic missile toward central Israel, which the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps later described as part of a coordinated offensive. Additional Iranian missiles were subsequently fired toward both northern and southern parts of the country.

Footage shows Hezbollah's large rocket barrage on northern Israel this evening. Around 100 rockets were fired, according to IDF assessments. pic.twitter.com/8wuG6J8kgg

— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) March 11, 2026

Israel’s air defense systems intercepted the Iranian missiles and also engaged many of the rockets fired from Lebanon. Still, several impacts were reported in northern communities, sparking fires and causing minor injuries.

Magen David Adom said two people were hurt during the attack. A 35-year-old woman and a man in his 50s were struck by “flying objects” after a rocket impact and were transported to a hospital for treatment.

Rescue officials said one of the victims was wounded when a rocket struck a home in the northern town of Bi’ina. Emergency crews also treated four additional individuals at the scene who were suffering from severe anxiety following the strike.

الضاحية#ملحق pic.twitter.com/1LA6sfqneK

— Mulhak – ملحق (@Mulhak) March 11, 2026

As sirens sounded across northern Israel, including throughout the Galilee and in the Haifa region, the Israel Defense Forces instructed residents to remain near protected areas. Hezbollah continued launching rockets and drones toward Israeli territory, with alerts triggered in communities as far as 50 kilometers from the Lebanese border.

The military estimated that at least 150 rockets were fired at northern Israel over several hours during the barrage.

Some long-range rockets landed in open areas. Because those projectiles were not headed toward populated locations, warning sirens were not activated in those cases. Nevertheless, residents in central Israel reported hearing explosions during the attacks.

لحظة الغارات على الضاحيه الجنوبية لبيروت pic.twitter.com/WZCiZHot23

— Annahar النهار (@Annahar) March 11, 2026

The fighting continued into the early hours of Thursday. Alerts warning of possible drone infiltration were activated in Nahariya and other communities in the Western Galilee. Hezbollah also launched additional long-range rockets that triggered sirens in Tel Aviv and nearby towns.

During the same period, the IDF reported detecting an Iranian ballistic missile that activated warning systems in central Israel, the Jerusalem area, and parts of the south.

In response to the attacks, Israeli forces carried out major airstrikes against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, including positions in the group’s stronghold in southern Beirut. An Israeli official said the military may begin striking Lebanese civilian infrastructure if the government in Beirut fails to restrain the Iran-backed terror group.

The IDF had previously warned that Hezbollah could escalate its rocket and drone attacks as the broader conflict intensified.

Media reports indicated that Israel had been preparing for a possible expansion of attacks from both Iran and Hezbollah. According to Channel 12, Israeli cabinet ministers were informed earlier Wednesday that officials expected heavy missile and rocket fire later in the day.

Hezbollah said its initial rocket barrage was launched from multiple locations across Lebanon. In a statement, the group declared that “in response to the criminal aggression against dozens of Lebanese cities and towns and Beirut’s southern suburbs,” its fighters targeted sites in northern Israel “with dozens of rockets” as part of a new military operation announced shortly beforehand.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps also described the assault as a joint effort with Hezbollah. In a statement carried by the Tasnim news agency, the IRGC said the attack on Israel was a “joint and integrated operation.”

According to the statement, Iran launched several ballistic missiles while Hezbollah simultaneously fired rockets and drones at more than 50 targets inside Israel.

Earlier in the conflict, the IDF had said it did not have intelligence suggesting that simultaneous attacks by Iran and Hezbollah were coordinated.

Following the barrage, the Israeli Air Force carried out what the military described as an “extensive” wave of strikes targeting Hezbollah rocket launchers and infrastructure in Lebanon.

Israeli officials said the strikes were intended to prevent additional rocket fire toward Israeli territory.

Before launching strikes on Beirut, the IDF issued evacuation warnings to residents of the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital for the third time that day.

“Do not return to the southern suburb until further notice,” said army spokesman Col. Avichay Adaree.

Journalists in Beirut reported hearing explosions across the city, and footage showed large blasts sending smoke billowing over the southern districts. Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported at least “six heavy strikes” in the area.

Earlier in the war with Iran, the IDF said it had already targeted more than 70 Hezbollah sites in southern Beirut, including the demolition of 50 multi-story buildings used by the terror group.

Israeli officials warned that the situation could soon expand into a broader conflict in Lebanon.

A senior security official told Hebrew media outlets that the fighting may be approaching a critical stage. “We are on the eve of a fateful campaign in Lebanon which will determine the future of both countries.”

“There is a security discussion right now,” the official said. “The campaign in Lebanon is going to expand significantly.”

According to the official, the escalation could involve mobilizing additional reservists.

“Hezbollah, in its calculations, wants to turn our attention away from Iran, and thinks that if it draws us in, we will take our foot off the gas in the campaign against Iran,” the official said. Hezbollah, the official continued, “wants to create a new balance in which Israel’s enforcement policy in Lebanon ends, and we don’t attack at all. That won’t happen. Therefore, this is heading toward a serious escalation.”

“We have more capabilities and tools, and we can conduct campaigns in parallel against Iran and against Lebanon,” the official added.

The official also told Ynet that Lebanon’s government has not taken steps to curb Hezbollah’s activity.

According to Channel 12, Israel conveyed a warning to Beirut through the United States and other Western governments that if Lebanon does not restrain Hezbollah, Israel could begin striking national infrastructure across the country.

{Matzav.com}

Spain has announced that it is permanently recalling its ambassador from Israel and eliminating the ambassadorial post altogether, signaling a deepening rift between the two countries over Israel’s military actions against Iran and the Hamas terrorist organization.

Spain’s Foreign Ministry said the country’s diplomatic mission in Tel Aviv will continue to operate, but it will now be led by a charge d’affaires rather than a full ambassador.

The decision marks an escalation in a dispute that began months ago. In September, Spain had already pulled its ambassador from Israel amid mounting tensions after Madrid barred ships transporting arms and ammunition destined for Israel from docking at Spanish ports.

U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham sharply criticized Spain’s latest move, warning that it sends the wrong message as Israel and the United States confront Iran’s regime.

“I was just informed that the Spanish government has permanently recalled their ambassador to Israel. This is hard for me to absorb. Spain is a member of NATO, and the United States and Israel are in joint operations against the Iranian regime who openly calls for the destruction of the Jewish State, attacks against the West, and seeks to purify Islam in its own image. The religious Nazi regime in Iran is the problem, not the Jewish State. I hope Spain’s actions will not encourage the tyrannical, fanatical regime in Iran – that abuses its own people – to hang on. Time will tell.”

Spain has also publicly criticized the recent U.S. and Israeli strikes targeting Iran’s leadership and military infrastructure.

The diplomatic friction between Jerusalem and Madrid intensified further in September after remarks by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez during the war that followed the October 7 massacre.

During those comments, Sanchez appeared to lament that Spain lacked the capability to deter Israel militarily, stating that “Spain does not have nuclear weapons” that could stop Israel’s campaign against Hamas.

Israel’s government strongly condemned the remarks, accusing Sanchez of invoking dangerous rhetoric.

“Spanish PM Sanchez said yesterday that Spain can’t stop Israel’s battle against Hamas terrorists because ‘Spain does not have nuclear weapons.’ That’s a blatant genocidal threat on the world’s only Jewish State,” the Prime Minister’s Office said.

“Apparently, the Spanish Inquisition, the expulsion of the Jews of Spain and the systematic mass murder of Jews in the Holocaust, is not enough for Sanchez. Incredible,” it added.

{Matzav.com}

Travel out of Israel remains significantly disrupted, and observers are anticipating an even greater surge of passengers seeking to depart as yeshiva and seminary semesters draw to a close.

The limited number of flights operating out of Ben-Gurion Airport – constrained both by reduced airline schedules and government-imposed passenger caps – have not been sufficient to meet current demand. With large numbers of students expected to seek departure in the coming days, those limitations are projected to become even more acute.

Egypt Remains Key – But With Challenges

As previously reported by Chaim V’Chessed, travel through Egypt has until now been the most viable route for those seeking to exit Israel. However, the vast majority of flights have departed from Sharm el-Sheikh – a journey of several hours from the Israeli border through the Sinai Peninsula, terrain that some travelers have been hesitant to traverse.

Dramatic New Development: Flights for Students and Others

In a significant new development, the Igud of Yeshivas and Seminaries, together with Eretz HaKodesh, have announced plans to operate flights from Taba Airport.

Taba Airport is located just minutes from the Eilat border crossing, making it a far more accessible and attractive option. Even individuals who have been reluctant to travel deep into the Sinai Peninsula have indicated a willingness to consider departures from Taba due to its proximity to the border.

The first of these flights is scheduled to depart on Sunday, March 15. Organizers state that if the initial flights are successful, they are prepared to add numerous additional flights in the days that follow.

The current route being offered is from Taba to Milan, with an option to continue onward to New York. Transportation is being arranged from Jerusalem to the Taba border crossing, providing a streamlined solution from Jerusalem to the airport itself.

For the many students currently seeking viable exit options, this new route appears to offer a potentially significant solution. Chaim V’Chessed has arranged that a limited number of seats will also be made available to members of the general public.

Click here for more information about these flights.

State Department Flights Continue – Officials Stress Immediate Departure Only

State Department evacuation flights continue, though they remain limited and face logistical challenges. Following consultation with State Department officials, Chaim V’Chessed is able to share the following important information:

The officials expressed strong commitment to assisting American citizens seeking to exit Israel, while acknowledging operational challenges. They shared that efforts are underway to improve efficiency and service. At the moment, charter flights will travel only to Athens, Greece, and passengers will need to make their own way home from there.

Officials emphasized that these flights are intended only for individuals who are ready, willing, and able to depart Israel immediately. Many people have submitted the Crisis Intake Form despite only  wishing to travel in the coming days or weeks. When such applicants are contacted and indicate they are not prepared to leave immediately, they may be removed from the lists. These additional names can slow processing and delay urgent assistance. The State Department therefore requests that only passengers ready to depart immediately complete the Crisis Intake Form.

Additionally, it is crucial to include information for all immediate family members on the same form. Officials also request that travelers who filled out the form but have already found alternate plans should notify the State Department, by phone or email, so that others in need of assistance will be helped.

Chaim V’Chessed expresses gratitude to State Department officials for their assistance. We remain in ongoing contact and will share updates as further information becomes available.

{Matzav.com}

Operation “Shaagas HaAri” caught hundreds of families in the midst of wedding preparations, forcing many to scramble for last-minute solutions as air-raid sirens and security restrictions disrupted planned celebrations. With event halls canceling bookings and gatherings restricted, families across Israel have found creative ways to hold weddings—conducting chuppahs in school buildings, shelters, and even private apartments offered by neighbors.

The military operation began unexpectedly on Shabbos morning, Parshas Tetzaveh–Zachor, at around 8 a.m. A piercing siren shattered the quiet at a time when many homes were filled with excitement. In numerous families, the fathers of chassanim had just accompanied their sons to shul for the traditional aliyah the Shabbos before the wedding.

Within moments, the mood shifted dramatically. What had been a week of joy and anticipation leading up to the chassan and kallah’s big day quickly turned into days filled with uncertainty, pressure, and urgent problem-solving. While historians may one day view that siren as the opening moment of a wider military confrontation between the United States, Israel, and Iran, for hundreds of families it marked the start of a deeply personal ordeal.

After Shabbos ended, new Home Front Command directives began circulating: events were canceled, large gatherings restricted, and families were told to seek alternative arrangements. Many mechutanim received calls from wedding halls informing them that the celebrations could not proceed as scheduled. Some venues canceled outright, while others said they could not guarantee that weddings would be able to take place on the planned date.

“Suddenly we found ourselves without a place to marry off our child,” one parent recalled. “It’s hard to describe the feeling. Beyond the financial burden, there’s tremendous anxiety. Until the last moment you don’t know where the chuppah will be held, what will happen with the catering, whether the photographer can come if the wedding is moved to another city, and what about the band. Everything has to be rebuilt within days—and sometimes within hours—without knowing where things will end up.”

For many, the situation felt like a return to the days of the coronavirus pandemic, when weddings were often held in homes or improvised spaces. At the time, some people believed that smaller daytime weddings might become a long-term model that would save families significant expenses. But once normal life resumed, the modest celebrations quickly gave way again to large events in major wedding halls.

Few imagined how quickly circumstances would force a return to those improvised arrangements. As the current conflict intensified, nearly any available space became a potential wedding venue: underground parking garages, neighborhood shuls, public shelters, and small halls typically used for brissim.

“On Monday I married off my daughter,” said S., the father of a kallah. “Until Sunday afternoon I still had no idea where the wedding would take place. Only at the last moment did we find a hall that had a protected area. I started calling everyone I knew—friends, acquaintances. I don’t even use WhatsApp or those kinds of advertising tools. Baruch Hashem, in the end the wedding took place properly. Everyone came, and even many guests.”

Neta Shefer, manager of the “Hakeramim” event hall in Beit Shemesh—part of the “Baninu” organization founded by chessed activist Rabbi Yaakov Eliezer Shisha—said that during the war his team has continued working to assist orphans and families in need while also helping couples whose weddings were suddenly canceled.

Speaking about the hectic days since the operation began, he described scenes of parents desperately searching for solutions. “We saw parents who were helpless,” he said. “Families who didn’t know where their children’s weddings would take place. We made every effort to find solutions. Other hall owners also went above and beyond to help families celebrate their simchos.”

“At the same time,” he added, “there were also difficult cases: phones that were hung up, requests that went unanswered, and sometimes even refusals to help families or return their deposits.”

The crisis has also produced moments of creativity and kindness. In one case, an office room in a building was converted into a makeshift yichud room. In another instance in Ashdod, when no suitable space could be found, a neighbor opened his private apartment for the newly married couple.

“None of us had ever seen such a luxurious yichud room,” participants joked. “A spacious apartment, private facilities—the entire community stepped forward to help.”

Even amid the stress, unusual stories have emerged. The wedding of the granddaughter of the Toldos Avrohom Yitzchok Rebbe, originally scheduled to take place in an auditorium in Beitar, was ultimately held in the Karlin beis medrash in Givat Ze’ev. The kallah insisted that singer Aharale Samet perform at the celebration, but he in turn would not sing accompanied by drums—the traditional Yerushalayim-style “poiker.” In the end, a new arrangement was found to ensure the couple’s simchah went ahead.

“Mi ke’amcha Yisroel,” Shefer said, reflecting on the past days. “It’s incredible to see how willing families are to adapt so that a chassan and kallah can celebrate their wedding on the right day despite all the challenges.”

He recalled visiting a small hall one morning where a bris milah was being held. Guests were heard blessing the infant with the traditional words, “Kesheim shenichnas…. Just as he has entered the covenant, so may he enter Torah, chuppah, and maasim tovim.” Only hours later, in that very same hall, a glass was broken under the chuppah as a chassan and kallah were married there.

{Matzav.com}

Opposition leaders are celebrating after Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu and Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich announced that the government will not advance the draft law concerning yeshiva students at this time, saying the decision was made with the agreement of the chareidi parties.

Following the announcement, opposition figures quickly claimed credit for the delay, arguing that sustained political pressure prevented the legislation from being approved.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid said that from the moment discussions began on what he called the controversial draft exemption law promoted by Netanyahu, he pledged it would not pass. Lapid said his Yesh Atid party led the parliamentary fight against the proposal, which he described as an attempt to exempt tens of thousands of young men from military service, and added that after months of political battles the government has now effectively acknowledged that the legislation cannot move forward.

Former prime minister Naftali Bennett also declared victory, saying the decision represented a win for the Israeli public after a lengthy struggle led by reserve soldiers’ organizations and others who opposed the bill. Bennett said the outcome showed that Israeli society expects everyone to share the burden of military service.

The reactions came after Netanyahu and Smotrich said Tuesday evening that the coalition intends to prioritize passing the state budget by the end of the current month while putting the draft law and several other disputed reforms on hold.

Smotrich said the government had decided to set aside controversial issues during wartime in order to focus on national responsibility and unity, adding that the budget will concentrate on funding needed for security and achieving victory in the war.

Despite shelving the draft law, chareidi parties signaled they will continue supporting the government during the current wartime period.

A senior chareidi source related that the chareidi parties will vote in favor of the budget and do not intend to bring down the government while the country is at war, acknowledging that the effort to pass the draft law has failed for now but emphasizing that the parties have secured important gains in the state budget.

{Matzav.com}

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned Wednesday that global oil prices could surge to $200 per barrel as the Strait of Hormuz—the key route for a large portion of the world’s exported oil—remains shut during the ongoing U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran.

The warning came from Ebrahim Zolfaqari, a spokesperson for the IRGC’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, who blamed the conflict for threatening stability in global energy markets.

“Get ready for oil to be $200 a barrel, because the oil price depends on regional security, which you have destabilized,” Ebrahim Zolfaqari, a spokesperson for the IRGC’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, told Reuters.

Tensions in the region escalated further after the U.S. military announced Tuesday that American forces had destroyed 16 vessels used to lay naval mines near the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian officials have since warned that vessels connected to the United States or Israel could be targeted, with the IRGC stating that such ships “will be considered a legitimate target,” according to Al Jazeera.

Energy markets have already shown sharp volatility. West Texas Intermediate crude, the main benchmark for North American oil prices, is currently trading near $87 per barrel. Earlier this week, however, the price spiked to nearly $120. Meanwhile, the national average cost of gasoline in the United States has climbed to $3.57 per gallon, according to data from AAA.

In response to rising energy prices triggered by the conflict, the International Energy Agency announced that its 32 member nations will release 400 million barrels of oil from strategic reserves in an effort to stabilize global markets.

“This is a major action aiming to alleviate the immediate impacts of the disruption in markets,” Fatih Birol, executive director of the IEA, said in an address from Paris. “But to be clear, the most important thing for a return to stable flows of oil and gas is the resumption of transit through the Strait of Hormuz.”

Birol said the emergency reserves would be distributed gradually in a way that fits the needs and timelines of participating countries. Among the nations that have already indicated they will take part are Japan, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

The United States has not yet announced whether it will contribute oil from its own strategic petroleum reserve.

President Trump previously criticized a decision by President Joe Biden to release 180 million barrels from U.S. strategic reserves following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Trump argued that those reserves should be preserved for military needs rather than used to bring down fuel prices.

Trump has also downplayed the significance of rising fuel costs during the current conflict, saying that higher gasoline prices are a “very small price to pay” as the administration continues its military campaign against Iran.

The president has offered varying estimates about how long the fighting might continue. At one point he suggested the war could last as long as five weeks, though on Monday he said the conflict would end “very soon.” On Tuesday, Trump said the U.S. “excursion” in Iran was “nearly complete.”

{Matzav.com}

Tens of thousands of Israelis who were stranded abroad when the war began have already returned home, according to new figures released Wednesday by the Israel Airports Authority.

The data was published as part of Operation “Wings of the Lion,” the effort launched to bring back large numbers of Israelis who were overseas when Operation “Shaagas HaAri” began.

According to the Airports Authority, between March 5 and March 10 a total of 215 flights landed at Ben Gurion Airport, carrying approximately 38,867 passengers returning to Israel.

Officials said that additional arrivals are expected throughout the day. Around 40 more flights are scheduled to land Wednesday, bringing roughly 6,250 more passengers back to the country. During the same period, about 13,000 travelers departed from Ben Gurion Airport on flights operated by Israeli airlines.

Passenger traffic has also increased significantly at Israel’s land border crossings since the war began. Between February 28 and March 10, crossings through Begin (Taba), Rabin (Arava), the Jordan River crossing, and Allenby Bridge saw heavy movement.

During that time, approximately 26,500 travelers entered Israel through those crossings, while about 33,000 people exited the country.

Officials said that operations at Ben Gurion Airport as well as the land crossings are continuing around the clock in order to facilitate the safe return of Israeli citizens while also assisting passengers who need to leave the country.

The Israel Airports Authority said in a statement that it will continue to update the public with any relevant information as needed.

{Matzav.com}

A political dispute erupted Wednesday after senior coalition officials, including Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich, made statements opposing the advancement of legislation regulating the draft status of yeshiva students, prompting Degel HaTorah representatives to respond with a retaliatory move in the Knesset Finance Committee.

Members of Degel HaTorah on the committee voted Wednesday morning against a coalition request to separate the property tax issue from the Arrangements Law and instead supported removing the matter from the committee’s agenda.

In a statement explaining the unusual vote, Degel HaTorah said the decision came in response to comments made the previous night by senior coalition figures criticizing coalition agreements reached between the chareidi parties and the government.

As previously reported, chareidi representatives had agreed to support passage of the state budget even though, before the war began, they had insisted they would not back the budget until a draft law regulating the status of yeshiva students was approved.

Chareidi lawmakers explained that during wartime it would be inappropriate to destabilize the government. As a result, they agreed to support the budget while pointing to several achievements included in the spending plan that benefit the chareidi community.

Tensions escalated, however, after Smotrich declared publicly in the presence of the prime minister that the draft law would not be advanced at this time, a statement that reportedly surprised chareidi representatives and was viewed by them as contradicting earlier understandings.

Smotrich said that in order to focus on the war effort, disputed issues are being set aside for now, including the draft law and several reforms that have not yet gained broad agreement, emphasizing that wartime requires unity and national responsibility.

In addition to the finance minister’s remarks, chareidi representatives were angered by statements from other coalition partners who criticized both the proposed draft law and budget allocations directed to the chareidi sector.

The vote in the Finance Committee is being interpreted as an early signal of growing tensions within the coalition if the dispute over the draft law and related issues continues.

{Matzav.com}

The Israel Defense Forces on Wednesday published recordings capturing radio communications between Israeli and American pilots who took part in a joint flight operation over Iran.

According to the IDF, the recordings highlight the close coordination between the Israeli Air Force and the United States Armed Forces during ongoing military activity connected to Operation Roaring Lion.

In a statement accompanying the audio, the military emphasized that the two countries are working together closely as part of a broader effort to weaken the Iranian regime.

“The Israeli Air Force and the US Air Force continue to operate with full aerial freedom over Iranian skies,” the IDF stated.

WATCH:

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Approximately 100 rockets were fired at Israel Wednesday evening by the Hezbollah terrorist organization, prompting interception efforts and retaliatory strikes by the Israeli Air Force against launch sites and other Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.

The Israel Defense Forces confirmed the attack shortly after 8:20 p.m., reporting that multiple communities came under rocket fire within a short period of time.

Shortly after 8:20 pm, the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit stated: “In the past few minutes, the Hezbollah terrorist organization launched rockets toward several areas in Israel. Along with the intercepting effort, the Israeli Air Force is currently striking ready-to-launch projectile launchers and additional infrastructure sites belonging to the Hezbollah terrorist organization across Lebanon.”

“The public is requested to follow the Home Front Command’s defensive guidelines. The IDF will not tolerate any harm to Israeli civilians and will forcibly respond against any threat posed to the State of Israel.”

Reports from the field indicated that several rockets struck in different areas, with initial information suggesting that people were injured in the attacks.

Earlier in the evening, Mate Asher Regional Council chairman Moshe Davidovich issued an urgent message to residents urging heightened caution. Davidovich, who also heads the Confrontation Line Forum, advised residents of the Mateh Asher region to remain near protected spaces and limit unnecessary activity outside their homes.

The warning came after what he described as a series of alerts from security officials, leading him to instruct residents to be prepared to reach shelters or safe rooms quickly if necessary.

Across a number of northern communities, local authorities announced that extracurricular programs, public gatherings, and social events scheduled for the evening would be canceled as a precaution.

At the same time, numerous messages circulated widely on social media and WhatsApp groups claiming that a “significant missile barrage” could be imminent.

Despite those reports, the IDF Home Front Command stated that it had not issued any warning of unusual incoming fire expected overnight, and that no changes had been made to official civilian defense guidelines.

Responding to the growing speculation, IDF spokesman Brigadier General Efi Defrin addressed the public.

“I am aware of the public discourse in recent hours regarding the possibility of increased shooting. I want to emphasize that there is no change in the Home Front Command’s defense policy as of this moment. The IDF is prepared for strong defense and will do whatever is necessary to protect the citizens of Israel.”

He added that the situation continues to be closely monitored and emphasized the importance of following official safety instructions.

“We continue to conduct ongoing situation assessments and will update you on any changes, if any. I emphasize – continue to obey the Home Front Command’s instructions. They save lives.”

{Matzav.com}

Israeli defense officials are examining a significant change to the way missile alerts are issued to civilians, potentially distinguishing between areas at risk of a direct ballistic missile strike and areas where the main danger comes from falling interceptor debris.

The proposal is currently being reviewed by the IDF Home Front Command as authorities search for ways to reduce the ongoing disruption to civilian life caused by frequent alerts during the conflict with Iran.

According to a report Wednesday by Channel 12 News, the Home Front Command is considering revising how warning zones are defined when ballistic missiles are launched from Iran.

Under the proposal being studied, authorities could issue different types of warnings depending on the level of threat in a particular area. Regions facing the danger of a direct hit from a ballistic missile carrying a 400–500 kilogram warhead could receive stronger alerts than areas where the primary risk is falling fragments from intercepted missiles.

While interceptor debris remains a serious hazard, military officials note that during nighttime hours most residents are already inside their homes. In some cases, they believe remaining indoors may provide sufficient protection.

Home Front Command officials are aware that millions of Israelis are being awakened repeatedly throughout the night by incoming alerts. As a result, the military is exploring ways to ease the strain on daily life if the current situation continues for several more weeks.

According to defense assessments, the goal is to allow some level of normal routine and economic activity to continue while minimizing the impact that constant nighttime alarms are having on sleep and everyday life.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump said Wednesday that the joint American-Israeli campaign against Iran has inflicted devastating damage on the regime’s military capabilities and warned that the offensive is not yet finished.

Speaking to reporters before departing the White House for Cincinnati, Trump discussed the progress of the military operation and praised the performance of U.S. forces.

Trump declared that “we’re doing something that nobody ever thought was possible to do. Our military is the best; it’s the most powerful in the world, and they’re hitting them very hard. This is 47 years of abuse – and killing lots of people.”

The president said the combined U.S. and Israeli strikes have already dismantled key elements of Iran’s armed forces, including its naval power, air force, air defense systems, and senior leadership.

Still, Trump indicated that the campaign could escalate further if necessary.

The President told the press that while the US and Israel have eliminated Iran’s navy, air force, anti-aircraft apparatus, and leaders, “We could do a lot worse.”

He also suggested that certain Iranian assets have intentionally been left untouched for now, though they could be destroyed quickly if the decision were made to do so.

According to the President, “We’re leaving certain things, which if we do, and we could take them out by this afternoon, in fact, within an hour, they will never be able to build that country back.”

Trump emphasized that the strikes so far have already been extraordinarily severe and warned that further action could still follow.

He added: “We have hit them harder than virtually any country in history has been hit, and we’re not finished yet.”

Despite threats from Iran targeting shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, Trump urged energy companies not to avoid the crucial waterway, saying Iranian naval capabilities have largely been wiped out.

“We took out just about all of their mine ships in one night. We’re up to boat number 60. I didn’t realize they had such a big navy. I would say it was big and ineffective. Just about all of their navy is gone, on the bottom of the sea,” he claimed.

Turning to developments in Lebanon, Trump said the country and its people deserve relief from Hezbollah’s influence, which he described as destructive.

Asked about the situation in Lebanon, the President declared, “We love Lebanon. We love the people of Lebanon. We’ve gotta get rid of Hezbollah, it has been a disaster for many years.”

Trump also took aim at Spain’s government, accusing it of failing to support the effort against Iran and criticizing its record within NATO.

Trump also criticized the Spanish government for its lack of cooperation with the operation against Iran. “They’re not cooperating at all. I think they’ve been very bad. We may cut off trade with Spain. They’ve been very bad to NATO. They don’t want to pay their fair share, and they’ve been that way for many years.”

{Matzav.com}

With tensions mounting around the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, analysts say President Donald Trump is confronting three realistic paths in dealing with Iran — two that involve significant dangers and a third that would carry heavy political and military costs.

Iran’s move to effectively shut down the strait has sent shockwaves through international markets. On Wednesday, Iranian forces struck at least three vessels in waters near the narrow passage.

According to an assessment published by Eurointelligence, the administration’s initial goal — forcing a change of government in Tehran without committing American ground troops — is no longer considered achievable.

Instead, officials in Washington now face a decision among three alternatives: withdrawing from the conflict sooner rather than later, continuing a limited military effort aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz, or launching a full-scale invasion involving ground forces.

The first option would involve adhering to a previously discussed operational timeline of roughly four to five weeks, declaring success, and pulling U.S. forces out of the region.

Analysts warn that such a move could leave the vital waterway exposed and fail to resolve the deeper conflict between Washington and Tehran.

The Strait of Hormuz — a narrow maritime corridor linking the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman — is among the world’s most critical oil transportation routes.

About one-fifth of the planet’s oil supply passes through the channel each day. If the United States withdraws before the route is fully secured, experts caution that Iran could quickly regain the upper hand.

Even a brief interruption in shipping through the strait could create serious economic consequences worldwide.

Global energy markets remain extremely sensitive to developments in the area, and a prolonged disruption could push oil prices sharply higher.

Such increases would ripple across the global economy, driving up fuel costs, feeding inflation, and slowing economic activity across many countries.

The second approach — which analysts currently view as the most likely — would involve continuing the present military operations until the Strait of Hormuz is reopened and secure enough to allow commercial shipping to pass safely.

Under this plan, the United States would put aside the immediate objective of toppling the Iranian government and instead concentrate on restoring maritime stability and safeguarding international trade routes.

Financial markets appear to believe this is the course the administration is presently following. Still, analysts say the strategy comes with major complications.

Iran has already demonstrated that it can interfere with maritime traffic through asymmetric warfare tactics. Iranian forces have launched drone and missile strikes against ships and oil facilities in Gulf countries.

Reports from U.S. intelligence and various media outlets also indicate that Iranian units have begun deploying naval mines in the waters of the strait.

These developments illustrate the strategic imbalance involved in protecting the shipping lane. Maritime historian Salvatore Mercogliano has noted that defending the passage is considerably harder than disrupting it.

If the United States manages to reopen the channel, it would then carry the burden of protecting every tanker traveling through the narrow waterway. Iran, meanwhile, would only need one successful attack to cause widespread disruption.

Even a single incident could have dramatic consequences. If a large oil tanker were sunk in the confined channel, the problem would extend beyond the loss of the vessel itself, as a massive oil spill could physically block the passage.

Removing such an obstruction could require weeks or even months, halting shipping traffic and potentially triggering a major global energy crisis.

The financial costs of compensation and environmental cleanup would likely be enormous, adding further complications to efforts to restore normal maritime activity.

The third option facing Washington would involve deploying ground troops into Iran to overthrow the current regime and eliminate the threat to the strait entirely.

Analysts say that step would be politically difficult and militarily costly.

A land war inside Iran would almost certainly involve significant casualties and could lead to a long and uncertain occupation. Public support in the United States for such an operation is also unclear, particularly after years of war in the Middle East.

For that reason, many observers view the second scenario — a sustained effort to secure the shipping lanes without attempting to remove Iran’s leadership — as the most practical option currently available.

Even so, analysts caution that the standoff surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, and its potential impact on global oil markets, could remain a persistent source of economic instability in the months ahead.

{Matzav.com}

Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky said Tuesday that he has not seen any proof that would justify the United States becoming involved in the ongoing war with Iran, arguing that those calling for American intervention should take responsibility for bringing about change themselves rather than expecting the U.S. military to do it.

During an appearance on Newsmax’s “Ed Henry The Big Take,” Paul said Congress must first determine whether the United States is actually facing a direct and immediate threat before supporting any military action.

“Is it in our national interest to go to war?” he asked host Ed Henry. “Is there a benefit that the country needs? Are we imminently going to be attacked?”

Paul said he has not come across intelligence suggesting that Iran posed an urgent danger that would require the United States to enter the conflict.

“And I don’t see any imminent nature of being attacked or an imminent sense that it is in our best interest to be at war in the Middle East,” he said.

He also expressed skepticism about longstanding warnings that Iran is on the brink of producing a nuclear weapon, noting that similar claims have circulated for many years without being backed by conclusive evidence.

“I’ve seen no intelligence information to say, ‘Oh, yes, they were putting the final screws on the nuclear weapon that they were about to launch,'” Paul said.

“Our intelligence agencies have not produced anything that things have changed.”

Paul further pointed to previous attacks on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, saying there is little sign that Tehran is currently close to completing a nuclear device.

“Well, the Trump administration told us last summer they obliterated their nuclear weapons; they destroyed them,” Paul said.

He suggested that Iran may instead still be attempting to restore elements of its enrichment capabilities following those strikes.

“If anything, they would be struggling to restart their enrichment program,” Paul said.

The senator also criticized some of the strongest advocates for U.S. military involvement, arguing that many of them would not be the ones sent into combat.

“I see these expatriates over here, some of them that want to go back and rule Iran,” he said.

“They’re saying we have to have American GIs on the ground. We’ve got to have the Americans do it.”

Paul said that if Iran’s leadership is to be replaced, the effort must come from within the country rather than through outside military intervention.

“If you want to be the leader of Iran, you go back, raise an army, and fight the ayatollahs,” he said.

While expressing hope that the Iranian people will ultimately gain freedom from their rulers, Paul said it is not the role of the United States to impose that outcome through war.

“I wish for the best for the Iranian people. I just don’t think we can be at war everywhere to free oppressed people and that, ultimately, if you want your liberty, you have to fight for it,” he said.

“There would have to be fighting in the streets, and the Iranians will have to fight for their liberty; we can’t give it to them,” Paul added.

{Matzav.com}

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An unprecedented conference bringing together more than 1,200 mesadrei kiddushin from across Israel was held at the Achuza Halls in Modiin, marking the first time such a large number of rabbonim who officiate at wedding ceremonies assembled under one roof. The event, organized by the Techeiles organization, drew participants from communities throughout the country, from the north to the south, and served as a powerful display of unity, responsibility, and public mission.

The large turnout reflected the importance these rabbonim place on their role and their ongoing commitment to improve, study, and develop their professional skills for the benefit of the broader public.

The gathering was attended by Israel’s Chief Rabbi, Rav Kalman Ber, the Rishon Letzion Rav Yitzchak Yosef, members of the Moetzet HaRabbanut HaRashit, city rabbonim, dayanim, government ministers, public officials, and other distinguished guests. Their presence lent the event national and public significance and underscored its importance as a milestone in the development of Israel’s marriage system.

Throughout the day, participants heard professional lectures, received practical guidance, and were presented with halachic and educational direction, along with insights drawn from real-world experience. These sessions were designed to strengthen the mesadrei kiddushin and enhance their preparation for their sensitive and important role.

At the same time, the Techeiles Center was formally launched. The initiative aims to provide ongoing support, guidance, and assistance for rabbonim who serve as mesadrei kiddushin.

In remarks delivered during the conference, Rav Kalman Ber emphasized the importance of personal meetings with couples before their wedding and spoke about the profound responsibility resting on the shoulders of the mesader kiddushin. He stressed the need to carefully prepare and thoughtfully choose the words spoken during the brief moments beneath the chuppah, noting that those moments can have a lasting impact on the couple, their families, and even the wider public, helping bring hearts closer to Torah and tradition.

At the conclusion of his remarks, Rav Ber warmly praised the organizers and initiators of the conference—Rav Yisroel Maal, Rav Moshe Pizem, and Rav Menachem Klafman of the Lema’an Yilmedu organization—as well as the conference chairman, Rav Chizkiyahu Samin, director of the Marriage and Rabbinate Department at the Ministry of Religious Services. He commended their investment, dedication, and vision in bringing the large-scale event to fruition.

The conference served as a powerful expression of Torah values, communal responsibility, and unity, marking a significant milestone in the continued development of the field of officiating at weddings in Israel. The strong turnout and enthusiastic response reflected a genuine need in the field and a deep commitment to empowering rabbonim with the professional tools needed to strengthen their mission on behalf of Klal Yisroel.

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רבנים עורכי חופות בכנס מטעם ארגון ‘תכלת’ (צילום: יעקב כהן)

רבנים עורכי חופות בכנס מטעם ארגון ‘תכלת’ (צילום: יעקב כהן)

רבנים עורכי חופות בכנס מטעם ארגון ‘תכלת’ (צילום: יעקב כהן)

רבנים עורכי חופות בכנס מטעם ארגון ‘תכלת’ (צילום: יעקב כהן)

רבנים עורכי חופות בכנס מטעם ארגון ‘תכלת’ (צילום: יעקב כהן)

רבנים עורכי חופות בכנס מטעם ארגון ‘תכלת’ (צילום: יעקב כהן)

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רבנים עורכי חופות בכנס מטעם ארגון ‘תכלת’ (צילום: יעקב כהן)

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רבנים עורכי חופות בכנס מטעם ארגון ‘תכלת’ (צילום: יעקב כהן)

רבנים עורכי חופות בכנס מטעם ארגון ‘תכלת’ (צילום: יעקב כהן)

רבנים עורכי חופות בכנס מטעם ארגון ‘תכלת’ (צילום: יעקב כהן)

רבנים עורכי חופות בכנס מטעם ארגון ‘תכלת’ (צילום: יעקב כהן)

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רבנים עורכי חופות בכנס מטעם ארגון ‘תכלת’ (צילום: יעקב כהן)

רבנים עורכי חופות בכנס מטעם ארגון ‘תכלת’ (צילום: יעקב כהן)

רבנים עורכי חופות בכנס מטעם ארגון ‘תכלת’ (צילום: יעקב כהן)

רבנים עורכי חופות בכנס מטעם ארגון ‘תכלת’ (צילום: יעקב כהן)

רבנים עורכי חופות בכנס מטעם ארגון ‘תכלת’ (צילום: יעקב כהן)

רבנים עורכי חופות בכנס מטעם ארגון ‘תכלת’ (צילום: יעקב כהן)

רבנים עורכי חופות בכנס מטעם ארגון ‘תכלת’ (צילום: יעקב כהן)

רבנים עורכי חופות בכנס מטעם ארגון ‘תכלת’ (צילום: יעקב כהן)

רבנים עורכי חופות בכנס מטעם ארגון ‘תכלת’ (צילום: יעקב כהן)

רבנים עורכי חופות בכנס מטעם ארגון ‘תכלת’ (צילום: יעקב כהן)

רבנים עורכי חופות בכנס מטעם ארגון ‘תכלת’ (צילום: יעקב כהן)

רבנים עורכי חופות בכנס מטעם ארגון ‘תכלת’ (צילום: יעקב כהן)

רבנים עורכי חופות בכנס מטעם ארגון ‘תכלת’ (צילום: יעקב כהן)

רבנים עורכי חופות בכנס מטעם ארגון ‘תכלת’ (צילום: יעקב כהן)

רבנים עורכי חופות בכנס מטעם ארגון ‘תכלת’ (צילום: יעקב כהן)

רבנים עורכי חופות בכנס מטעם ארגון ‘תכלת’ (צילום: יעקב כהן)

רבנים עורכי חופות בכנס מטעם ארגון ‘תכלת’ (צילום: יעקב כהן)

רבנים עורכי חופות בכנס מטעם ארגון ‘תכלת’ (צילום: יעקב כהן)

רבנים עורכי חופות בכנס מטעם ארגון ‘תכלת’ (צילום: יעקב כהן)

רבנים עורכי חופות בכנס מטעם ארגון ‘תכלת’ (צילום: יעקב כהן)

רבנים עורכי חופות בכנס מטעם ארגון ‘תכלת’ (צילום: יעקב כהן)

רבנים עורכי חופות בכנס מטעם ארגון ‘תכלת’ (צילום: יעקב כהן)

רבנים עורכי חופות בכנס מטעם ארגון ‘תכלת’ (צילום: יעקב כהן)

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{Matzav.com}

Amid a recent halachic debate circulating in the batei medrash of the kollelim over whether the wife of a kollel avreich may use sick days from work when a child is ill, a comprehensive halachic opinion has now been issued permitting the practice in most cases.

The ruling was authored by Rav Tzvi Braverman, who concluded that in the vast majority of situations a wife of an avreich may legitimately receive sick-leave pay when she remains home to care for a sick child.

The issue arose because Israeli law allows workers to use sick days to care for an ill child only when both spouses are defined as “workers.” Under the strict wording of the law, the wife of a kollel avreich would seemingly not qualify for such leave, since her husband is not formally classified as an employee.

In his halachic analysis, Rav Braverman identifies three central factors that allow such payments to be permitted.

The primary consideration, he writes, is the principle of minhag hamedinah — the accepted practice in the marketplace. In practice, most employers do not enforce the technical legal requirement in such situations. As explained in the Shulchan Aruch, established custom in employment arrangements is binding and can even override strict legal formulations, certainly those found in civil law.

Another factor involves the declaration employees sometimes submit after an absence, stating their spouse’s occupation. When an employer does not request such a declaration, it is considered a waiver of that requirement. Moreover, in many cases employers are already aware that the employee’s husband is an avreich through information provided in employment forms or salary records, yet they still allow the use of sick days.

Nevertheless, Rav Braverman notes that if an employer explicitly insists on strict adherence to the law, the matter may require consultation with a competent posek in each individual case.

By contrast, government employees who work under the taksheer regulations do not face this dilemma. Within that framework, the wives of avreichim are explicitly recognized as having spouses who are considered “workers” for the purpose of using sick days to care for an ill child.

The teshuvah also notes that chareidi members of the Knesset previously attempted to formalize this status through legislation that would define avreichim as workers for this purpose, but the initiative never advanced into binding law.

{Matzav.com}

Gasoline prices across the United States have climbed sharply since the war with Iran began, increasing by more than 55 cents per gallon over the past two weeks, according to data cited by MarketWatch.

The national average for regular gasoline has risen from roughly $2.98 per gallon on Feb. 28 to $3.539 as of March 10, based on figures compiled by AAA. The rapid increase comes as crude oil prices jumped amid concerns that fighting in the Middle East could disrupt global energy supplies.

Industry analysts say the upward trend may continue as gas stations adjust their prices to reflect rising wholesale fuel costs tied to the surge in oil markets.

“It’s extremely rare to see such a fast-paced increase,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, noting that the recent jump ranks among the fastest weekly increases in more than two decades of gasoline price data.

The spike in fuel costs follows a series of escalating military strikes across the Middle East that briefly pushed global oil prices above $100 per barrel, forcing energy markets to react quickly to the possibility of prolonged supply disruptions.

“Oil prices did rise beyond the $100 mark sooner than I thought,” De Haan said, adding he had hoped there would be “a tangible and cohesive plan to execute on for the Strait of Hormuz that obviously has not happened.”

Experts say gasoline prices may continue to rise in the days ahead as fuel retailers pass along higher supply costs to consumers.

GasBuddy projects that prices in many parts of the country could rise another 20 to 50 cents per gallon this week, potentially bringing the nationwide average close to $3.70 and possibly approaching $4 per gallon if crude oil prices remain elevated.

The increase has been particularly dramatic in California.

According to AAA, the average cost of regular gasoline in California is currently about $5.29 per gallon, making it the highest in the nation and nearly $1.75 above the national average.

In some locations, the prices are even more extreme.

Reports from Los Angeles indicate that at least one station has charged as much as $8.21 per gallon, illustrating how quickly retail fuel prices can spike in California’s tightly constrained gasoline market.

Fuel prices in California are typically far higher than in most other states due to several factors, including higher gasoline taxes, specialized environmental fuel requirements, and limited refining capacity, all of which can intensify price swings when global oil markets tighten.

Energy analysts caution that prices could keep rising if the conflict in the Middle East continues.

“The longer the Iran conflict goes on, the more susceptible the market becomes to incredible price spikes,” said Denton Cinquegrana, chief oil analyst at OPIS.

Economists say gasoline prices tend to influence consumer behavior more strongly than many other costs.

“At $4 a gallon, the consumer starts to figure out how to use less gasoline,” said Andy Lipow, president of Lipow Oil Associates, noting that drivers often respond by traveling less, combining errands or carpooling.

Studies show motorists typically begin adjusting their driving habits when gasoline prices exceed the levels they have grown accustomed to over the previous year.

“We’re definitely in that territory,” said Clemson University economist Matthew Lewis. “Now drivers are paying attention.”

{Matzav.com}

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr said Tuesday that federal investigators uncovered widespread fraud in the Lifeline subsidy program, including tens of thousands of deceased individuals who were reportedly enrolled for benefits in California.

Carr addressed the issue during a policy discussion with Breitbart News. During the conversation, Breitbart News Washington Bureau Chief Matt Boyle asked Carr about steps being taken to combat fraud, referencing the administration’s announcement that JD Vance would lead a national initiative targeting fraudulent activity following directives issued by President Donald Trump.

In response, Carr explained the structure of the Lifeline program and why the FCC has taken a closer look at how it has been administered in California under Governor Gavin Newsom.

“The Lifeline program is a federal program that you pay for,” Carr explained. “It is effectively an assessment that appears on your monthly telephone bill. We collect that money, and it goes to do a lot of things, but one of the things it does is to provide subsidies for phone or internet service for low income households.”

Carr said that over the years the program has repeatedly drawn the attention of individuals seeking to exploit it.

“Well, turns out, over the years, it has been very attractive to fraudsters,” he stated. “And the FCC’s inspector general did a report and advisory and found that in California alone, over 94,000 dead people were signed up for and getting Lifeline in California — itself was in charge of vetting to see who’s eligible for Lifeline or not.”

According to Carr, the FCC has already moved to change how eligibility is verified in California.

“So we’ve now revoked California’s authority to conduct its own vetting,” Carr remarked. “We now make California join almost every other state to go through a federal vetting process for Lifeline and we’re putting in place a very simple two-part test.”

He explained that recipients must meet two basic criteria in order to qualify.

“To get these federal subsidies, you must be both a lawful and living beneficiary,” he continued. “Some people say we were setting the bar too high by a lawful and living beneficiary standard.”

Carr added that the FCC plans to strengthen verification procedures by making greater use of national databases that track deaths.

“There’s death registries, death databases that should be doing a much better job of vetting and checking. So we are starting a proceeding where we’re going to make sure that there’s a much better job being done of that,” Carr added.

The chairman also argued that problems with fraud extend beyond the Lifeline program, pointing to issues in California’s emergency response system.

“The fraud goes much beyond that,” he commented. “There’s also a recent story where Gavin Newsom came in, and I think in his first week in office, said he was going to improve the state’s aging 911 systems. You call 911 that’s a call that you always want to go through.”

Carr said the state invested heavily in an effort to modernize the system but that the upgrade ultimately failed.

“There’s an antiquated, outdated system in California,” Carr continued. “Gavin Newsom pledged $450 million to solve that antiquated, outdated 911 system. Once they upgraded the system, they turned it on, it didn’t work. So they’ve shut it down. Apparently, as best as I can tell, the $450 million is gone, and California is still stuck on the old, antiquated 911 system.”

Carr said the FCC has created a specific initiative aimed at identifying misuse of federal funding programs.

“So we are working hard at the FCC,” he said. “Again, we have a very specific work stream, just looking at instances of waste, fraud and abuse, and we’re going to continue to direct change. But again, millions and millions of dollars is just going up in smoke all across the country.”

When asked about consequences for individuals who participate in fraudulent schemes, Carr said regulators are exploring stronger penalties that would prevent offenders from receiving benefits from any federal program.

“There’s a whole — we call it debarment process, where if you’re caught violating one federal program, you should be kicked out from all federal programs,” he noted. “There’s been some holes in how that’s worked at the FCC, and we’re looking to close that out.”

Carr concluded by saying the commission is considering tougher enforcement measures to ensure that those involved in fraudulent activities face broader restrictions.

“So if you’re participating in a bad scheme at the FCC, you’re not just kicked out of FCC programs, but potentially all federal benefit programs,” he concluded. “And so we’re looking to be much more aggressive there with the bad actors.”

{Matzav.com}