Matzav

President Donald Trump announced Thursday that nine countries have committed $7 billion toward rebuilding Gaza and that five nations have agreed to send troops as part of a new international stabilization force, marking a major step in his administration’s postwar plan for the Palestinian territory.

Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace in Washington, Trump said Indonesia, Morocco, Kazakhstan, Kosovo and Albania will contribute troops to the Gaza stabilization mission. Egypt and Jordan, he added, have agreed to assist by training police forces for the effort.

The initial deployment of forces is expected to focus on Rafah, a key population hub in southern Gaza, where U.S. officials intend to concentrate early reconstruction initiatives.

Trump identified Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan and Kuwait as the countries providing financial pledges for the relief package.

“Every dollar spent is an investment in stability and the hope of new and harmonious (region),” Trump said as he thanked participating nations. He added, “The Board of Peace is showing how a better future can be built right here in this room.”

Although the $7 billion in commitments represents a substantial sum, it falls well short of the roughly $70 billion experts estimate will be required to fully rebuild Gaza after two years of devastating conflict.

The President also revealed that the United States would contribute $10 billion to the Board of Peace, though he did not detail how those funds would be allocated.

Maj. Gen. Jasper Jeffers, who is heading the newly established International Stabilization Force, outlined the scope of the proposed security presence. He said the plan envisions 12,000 police officers and 20,000 troops operating in Gaza.

“With these first steps, we help bring the security that Gaza needs for a future of prosperity and enduring peace,” Jeffers said.

The Board of Peace was originally conceived as part of Trump’s 20-point framework aimed at ending the war in Gaza. Following the October ceasefire, the President broadened the body’s mandate to include wider international conflict-resolution initiatives.

Some observers have questioned whether the expanded mission of the Board could encroach on responsibilities traditionally handled by the United Nations.

Responding to those concerns, Trump argued that the new body would ultimately strengthen the U.N. rather than weaken it.

“Someday I won’t be here. The United Nations will be,” Trump said. “I think it is going to be much stronger, and the Board of Peace is going to almost be looking over the United Nations and making sure it runs properly.”

While most countries dispatched senior representatives to the event, several heads of state attended in person, including Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Argentine President Javier Milei, and Hungarian President Viktor Orbán.

More than 40 nations, along with the European Union, confirmed participation in Thursday’s session. Germany, Italy, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom were among more than a dozen countries that did not formally join the Board but took part as observers.

“Almost everybody’s accepted, and the ones that haven’t, will be,” Trump predicted. “And some are playing a little cute — it doesn’t work. You can’t play cute with me.”

The meeting came one day after the U.N. Security Council convened a high-level session to discuss the Gaza ceasefire agreement and Israel’s moves to expand its presence in the West Bank. That session, originally scheduled for Thursday, was moved up after Trump set the Board’s meeting for the same day, complicating travel arrangements for diplomats seeking to attend both gatherings.

Earlier in the week, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin said that “at the international level it should above all be the U.N. that manages these crisis situations.” The Trump administration responded Wednesday, rejecting concerns raised by the Vatican.

A central focus of the Board’s deliberations was the formation of an armed multinational force tasked with maintaining order in Gaza and ensuring the disarmament of Hamas, a key Israeli demand and a central element of the ceasefire agreement.

Hamas has offered little indication that it is prepared to relinquish its weapons. A U.S. official, speaking anonymously because they were not authorized to comment publicly, said the administration is “under no illusions on the challenges regarding demilitarization” but has drawn some encouragement from reports by mediators.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio underscored the scale of the task ahead in remarks to the assembly.

“We have a long ways to go,” Rubio said. “There’s a lot of work that remains that will require the contribution of every nation state represented here today.”

Iran has formally petitioned the United Nations, accusing the United States of issuing unlawful threats of force, as President Donald Trump considers potential military action if nuclear negotiations fail.

In an urgent letter sent Thursday to the UN Security Council and the UN Secretary-General, the Islamic Republic condemned what it described as the “persistent threat of the use of force” by Washington. The message was submitted by Iran’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, and focused on recent public remarks by President Trump regarding possible strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities.

Iravani said he wished to draw “urgent attention” to “the continued threats by officials of the United States to resort to the use of force, including the recent public statement by the President of the United States concerning the use of the Diego Garcia base in connection with a potential military attack against the Islamic Republic of Iran.” He argued that such statements “constitute a flagrant violation of the Charter of the United Nations and international law and risk plunging the region into a new cycle of crisis and instability.”

The complaint referenced a February 18, 2026, social media post in which Trump allegedly made an “explicit public threat.” According to the letter, the President wrote, “… Should Iran decide not to make a deal, it may be necessary for the United States to use Diego Garcia, and the Airfield located in Fairford, in order to eradicate a potential attack ….”

Iravani cautioned that the rhetoric, coupled with what he described as the “persistent movement and build-up of military equipment and assets by the United States,” points to a “real risk of military aggression.” He warned that any such move “would be catastrophic for the region and would constitute a grave threat to international peace and security.”

Despite longstanding tensions over its nuclear activities, Iran maintained in the letter that it “remains fully committed to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and to diplomatic solutions.” The ambassador said Tehran has taken part in negotiations “with a view to clearly conveying its concerns and demanding the full and verifiable lifting of the unlawful and inhumane unilateral coercive measures (UCMs) imposed against the Iranian nation.”

The communication further stated that Iran is seeking a “mutually acceptable, results-oriented solution fully consistent with the recognized inalienable rights of all States parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).” Iravani added that “should the United States likewise approach these talks with seriousness and sincerity and demonstrate genuine respect for the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and the peremptory norms of international law, the achievement of a durable and balanced solution would be entirely possible.”

Tehran called on the Security Council to “ensure that the United States immediately ceases its unlawful threats of the use of force” and to prevent steps that might “escalate tensions or lead to a military confrontation.” The letter stressed that “the Security Council and the Secretary-General must act without delay, before it is too late.”

While stating that Iran “neither seeks tension nor war,” the ambassador concluded with a warning that the country would respond if attacked.

“However, in the event that it is subjected to military aggression, Iran will respond decisively and proportionately in the exercise of its inherent right of self-defence under Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations. In such circumstances, all bases, facilities, and assets of the hostile force in the region would constitute legitimate targets in the context of Iran’s defensive response. The United States would bear full and direct responsibility for any unpredictable and uncontrolled consequences,” he wrote.

The diplomatic exchange comes as Washington and Tehran continue talks over Iran’s nuclear program, even as Trump keeps military options on the table should negotiations collapse.

The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday that the President is considering a limited initial strike aimed at pressuring Iran to agree to his terms for a nuclear deal. Such an operation, according to the report, would be intended to compel compliance without escalating into a full-scale assault that could trigger major retaliation.

Earlier in the day, Trump cautioned that Iran must finalize an agreement over its nuclear program or “bad things” would follow. He said discussions were progressing positively but insisted Tehran must agree to a “meaningful” deal.

“Now, we may have to take it a step further – or we may not. Maybe we’re going to make a deal. You’re going to be finding out over the next, probably 10 days,” Trump added.

CBS News reported Wednesday that senior national security officials have informed Trump that U.S. forces are ready to carry out potential strikes against Iran as soon as Saturday. However, individuals familiar with the discussions told CBS that any action is more likely to occur after the weekend rather than immediately.

Meanwhile, a U.S. administration source quoted by The Telegraph said there is now a 90 percent likelihood of war in the coming weeks. An Israeli former intelligence chief cited in the same report said he believes a strike could take place within days.

Former Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett sharply criticized conservative commentator Tucker Carlson after Carlson’s short trip to Israel, accusing him of spreading falsehoods and branding him “a chicken [garbage]” who has been “spouting lies about Israel.”

In a post on X, Bennett charged that Carlson had misrepresented both his visit and his interactions in the country, claiming the media figure was attempting to create a misleading narrative about what transpired.

Bennett wrote that Carlson, “who’s been spouting lies about Israel for the past two years…took a quick picture” at Ben Gurion Airport’s logistics zone after landing, then posted the image on X and promptly departed the country, so that the personality could “later claim that he’s a serious reporter who toured Israel.”

He went on to assert that Carlson “didn’t even step foot in the country” yet “made up a story that he’s being supposedly harassed by our security.”

Bennett added that Carlson “whined” about his experience before flying out of Israel on his private aircraft.

“Next time he talks about Israel as if he’s some expert, just remember this guy is a phony!” Bennett concluded.

Carlson had reportedly come to Israel to meet with U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee, with plans to discuss the status of Christians in Israel and across the broader Middle East.

The discussion between Carlson and Huckabee took place inside the Ben Gurion Airport complex, and Carlson did not travel beyond airport grounds. He left the country at approximately 3 p.m., concluding a stay that lasted only several hours.

The rapid arrival and departure came after a public exchange between the two former Fox News personalities. Earlier in February, Carlson released an episode filmed at the Jordan River baptism site titled “Christian Persecution.” Carlson has on multiple occasions claimed that Israel discriminates against its Christian community and has argued that American Christians are, through U.S. assistance, unknowingly supporting such treatment.

Hundreds gathered Thursday at the military cemetery in Moshav HaYogev to bid farewell to Staff Sgt. Ofri Yaffe z”l, a 21-year-old fighter in the Paratroopers Reconnaissance Unit who was killed Wednesday in southern Gaza by IDF friendly fire.

The funeral was held in the community where Yaffe was born and raised, drawing large crowds of family members, friends, fellow soldiers, and residents who came to pay their final respects.

During the ceremony, his father, Yiftach, delivered emotional remarks, describing his son as a young man who “always gave of himself to everyone.” He also addressed the members of the reconnaissance unit directly, making clear that he harbored no anger or blame toward them.

The father expressed criticism toward the country’s leadership, saying his anger was directed at those who send “the best of its sons on missions without purpose.”

Yaffe’s mother delivered a tearful eulogy. “I still can’t grasp that you’re not with us. For me, this is a dark dream and any moment you’ll come and laugh at me,” she said, according to Maariv. She spoke about her son’s personality and warmth, saying, “You were everything for everyone, everyone clung to you like a magnet.”

Earlier in the day, Yaffe’s father was interviewed on Kan Reshet Bet, where he spoke with remarkable resolve about the soldier who fired the shot. He said he would give the sniper “a very big hug” if he came to the funeral.

“We want to save his soul,” the father said. “That he should feel that we have no anger toward him, not even the smallest. These are our very best children, they are all our children.”

{Matzav.com}

Israel’s Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, issued a pointed warning to the country’s enemies today, declaring that Israel’s military remains on high alert amid mounting tensions and the possibility that a U.S. strike on Iran could trigger retaliatory fire toward Israel.

Speaking at a graduation ceremony for new officers at the IDF’s Bahad 1 training base, Zamir made clear that Israel is fully prepared for rapid developments. “Anyone who seeks to test our determination will encounter power that will exact an immediate and heavy price,” he said.

His remarks come as the region braces for potential escalation tied to ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran. Israeli defense officials have indicated that any American military action against Tehran would likely increase the risk of attacks on Israeli territory.

Zamir said that more than two years after the failures of October 7, the military has undergone significant change. He emphasized that the IDF is defending the country, striking with force, and removing threats across multiple fronts. The multi-arena campaign, he said, is being led by IDF commanders at the head of their forces. “Our eyes are open in every direction, and our finger is more ready than ever on the trigger in the face of any change in the operational reality. Anyone who seeks to test our determination will encounter power that will exact an immediate and heavy price,” he added.

Addressing the newly commissioned officers, Zamir highlighted the diverse makeup of Israeli society reflected on the parade grounds — soldiers from cities and kibbutzim, secular and religious, alongside members of the chareidi community, representing a range of views and beliefs. He described the IDF as a bridge uniting the nation above internal divisions in pursuit of a shared mission. Internal strife at the expense of the military, he warned, would lead to disaster.

Zamir also referenced the launch of the IDF’s new five-year strategic plan, known as “Hosen,” which aims to strengthen cohesion among all branches of the military and across regular, career, and reserve personnel. He stressed that the country needs every segment of its population and cannot afford to forgo any part of the nation.

Turning directly to the cadets, Zamir urged them to look at the landscape of Mitzpe Ramon, their families, and the commanders who shaped them, and to move forward to lead their soldiers. He invoked biblical imagery, recalling how King David sought divine guidance before pursuing the Amalekites who had burned Ziklag and taken captives. The answer he received, Zamir noted, became an enduring battle cry: pursue, overtake, and rescue.

He concluded by calling on the officers to be leaders of action rather than words, to uphold strong values and professionalism, and to be worthy of the trust placed in them by the people of Israel. Expressing full confidence in their ability to lead in future battlefields, he ended with a declaration of faith, perseverance, and determination, closing with the words: “The people of Israel live.”

Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, who also spoke at the ceremony, delivered a similarly forceful message. He said the Middle East stands at a crossroads, with extremist forces reorganizing to challenge Israel once again. Netanyahu stressed that Israel is working closely with its major ally, the United States, and that he had made clear to President Donald Trump the principles that, in Israel’s view, must guide any negotiations with Iran. Israel, he said, is prepared for every scenario, warning that if the ayatollahs make the mistake of attacking, they will face a response beyond what they can imagine.

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu sent a personal letter of condolence this week to Motti Babchik, senior aide to MK Yitzchak Goldknopf, following the passing of Babchik’s father, Rabbi Ben Zion Babchik, who died earlier this week.

Babchik is considered one of the influential figures within the Gur chassidus and is widely viewed in coalition and Likud circles as a leading force behind opposition to Netanyahu within the chareidi factions. Many believe he has played a central role, under the guidance of the Gerrer Rebbe, in pushing a hardline stance against the government over the failure to pass a draft law for three years, with some in the political system accusing him of working to bring down the coalition and force new elections.

In his letter, Netanyahu opened with words of sympathy: “I grieve with you, and with all your relatives, over the passing of the head of your family — your father, the man of many deeds, Rabbi Ben Zion Babchik, of blessed memory.”

He continued, reflecting on the pain of losing a parent: “Parting from a beloved and devoted parent is always a difficult moment. His arms embraced us. His concerns were devoted to us. He walked beside us along the paths of life, his heart swelling at the sight of our growth.”

“At this time, when you are wrapped in sorrow over the departure of your father from you, I extend to you my fullest condolences,” the prime minister wrote.

Netanyahu went on to praise the elder Babchik’s standing in the Gur community. “Alongside being a family man, Rabbi Babchik earned a name for himself as a Torah scholar faithful to the path of Gur chassidus. As one of the pillars of the Gur community in Kiryat Gat, your father devoted himself to his studies, published Torah insights, issued halachic rulings, engaged in acts of kindness, and gave generously to others.

“His ear was attuned to the needs of the community. The warmth of his personality and the light of his countenance left their mark on wide circles. I am certain that these important values of your late father will remain with you for years and generations. May you find comfort in this, as well as in the continued preservation of family unity. May the Omnipresent comfort you among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem, and may you know no further sorrow.”

At the bottom of the letter, Netanyahu added a handwritten note: “From the depths of my heart.”

{Matzav.com}

Rav Yigal Cohen, a member of the Council of the Chief Rabbinate and chairman of its Legislative Committee, has issued a sharp warning over the continued failure to repeal the kashrus reform enacted by former minister Matan Kahana.

In a formal letter sent to Israel’s Chief Rabbis and to leaders of the chareidi and religious political parties, Rav Cohen expressed concern that nearly three years after the current government was formed, the reform remains in place despite what he describes as clear election promises to overturn it.

The reform, which was passed in opposition to the stance of the Chief Rabbinate, significantly changed the structure of Israel’s kashrus supervision system. Rav Cohen wrote that the reform has weakened the authority of the Chief Rabbinate, disrupted the national kashrus framework, and created confusion among consumers who rely on consistent and reliable supervision.

He noted that at the time the legislation was enacted, the Chief Rabbinate warned that the changes would have damaging consequences. Those warnings, he said, were ultimately ignored.

In his letter, Rav Cohen stressed the urgent need to restore halachic authority and centralized oversight over kashrus to the Chief Rabbinate. He called for immediate legislative action to repeal the reform and reinstate a clear, unified national kashrus system.

Officials within the Rabbinate have also cautioned that the approaching election cycle makes the matter increasingly urgent. Once the political system formally enters campaign mode, advancing substantial legislative changes will become significantly more difficult.

According to these officials, there is real concern that the reform could become entrenched as a permanent reality, with the fragmentation of the kashrus system becoming irreversible. They warned that it may not be possible to reverse course in a future government.

Senior Rabbinate sources stated that anyone who fails to act now will find it much harder to do so later, emphasizing that the Council of the Chief Rabbinate unanimously determined when the reform was passed that it must be repealed immediately, that kashrus must be returned to a unified national framework, and that commercial competition undermining halachic standards must be prevented. They stressed that this position has not changed.

Rav Cohen concluded by urging immediate and decisive action to repeal the reform and restore kashrus authority to the Chief Rabbinate, citing both halachic responsibility and public accountability.

The British government is reportedly denying President Donald Trump permission to use UK military air bases for a potential strike on Iran, amid concerns within London that such action could violate international law and draw Britain into a broader conflict.

According to a report in The Times, the White House has been developing contingency plans for possible military action against Iran that would involve the use of Royal Air Force Fairford in England. The base serves as a forward operating location for U.S. heavy bombers and plays a key role in long-range missions.

Trump is said to have discussed the issue directly with Prime Minister Keir Starmer during a phone call Tuesday night. British officials were reportedly uneasy about authorizing the use of RAF facilities for an attack, fearing that doing so could breach international law and expose the UK to legal and diplomatic consequences.

In public comments, Trump specifically referenced both the U.S.-UK base on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean and RAF Fairford in England, arguing that the installations could be critical if Tehran refuses to reach a nuclear agreement with Washington.

“Should Iran decide not to make a Deal, it may be necessary for the United States to use Diego Garcia, and the Airfield located in Fairford, in order to eradicate a potential attack by a highly unstable and dangerous Regime,” Trump wrote on Truth Social Wednesday.

“An attack that would potentially be made on the United Kingdom, as well as other friendly countries. We will always be ready, willing, and able to fight for the U.K., but they have to remain strong in the face of Wokeism, and other problems put before them,” he added.

The dispute over the potential use of British bases is also said to be influencing Trump’s evolving stance on a separate agreement involving the Chagos Islands. The proposed deal would transfer sovereignty of the islands from the UK to Mauritius, while allowing Britain to retain control of the strategically vital Diego Garcia base under a 99-year lease.

The Chagos Islands arrangement is intended to resolve decades-old tensions tied to Britain’s colonial-era control of the territory. Diego Garcia, located nearly 6,000 miles from the UK, is one of the most strategically significant American military outposts, supporting bomber and aircraft operations across the Middle East and parts of Asia.

Earlier this month, Trump had praised the complex arrangement as the “best” outcome for Starmer, and the U.S. State Department expressed support for it earlier in the week. However, following his reported conversation with the British prime minister, Trump reversed course and withdrew his backing.

“Our relationship with the United Kingdom is a strong and powerful one, and it has been for many years, but prime minister Starmer is losing control of this important island by claims of entities never known of before. In our opinion, they are fictitious in nature,” Trump wrote.

“Prime minister Starmer should not lose control, for any reason, of Diego Garcia, by entering a tenuous, at best, 100-year lease,” he added. “This land should not be taken away from the UK and, if it is allowed to be, it will be a blight on our great ally.”

It is unclear whether Starmer, leader of the Labour Party and currently facing low approval ratings, will be able to secure enough backing in Parliament to advance the Chagos Islands agreement without Trump’s support.

The Chagos Archipelago consists of roughly 60 islands situated about 1,500 miles south of India. Its location provides Diego Garcia with significant strategic value due to its proximity to both the Middle East and South Asia. Britain has controlled the islands since 1814 and has been considering steps to return them to their original inhabitants.

{Matzav.com}

A 19-year-old resident of Beitar Illit was arrested Thursday on suspicion of taking part in the overturning of a police vehicle during protests that broke out earlier this week in Bnei Brak.

Four days after the disturbances that rocked the city on Sunday, police say the search for those involved in acts of vandalism is still ongoing. As part of the investigation, officers detained the young man for questioning and later placed him under arrest.

According to authorities, the suspect was identified after investigators gathered evidence and other findings linking him to the incident. He is being questioned on suspicion of intentionally damaging a vehicle, participating in an unlawful gathering, conspiracy to commit a crime, and blocking or disrupting a public roadway.

After being interrogated, he was remanded in custody. He is scheduled to appear Friday morning before the Tel Aviv Magistrate’s Court, where a judge will decide whether to extend his detention.

Police said they will continue to act decisively against anyone who attempts to harm officers, police vehicles, or public property, and vowed to bring those responsible for disorder and violence to justice.

Video footage from Sunday’s unrest, which quickly spread online, shows dozens of young men overturning a marked police car in the heart of Bnei Brak. Authorities say the investigation remains active as they work to identify additional suspects.

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Mrs. Sarah Zicherman a”h, the wife of noted philanthropist and marbitz Torah Rav Wolf Zicherman, rosh hakahal of the Munkatcher kehillah in the United States. She was 77 years old.

Mrs. Zicherman had battled a serious illness over the past two years.

She was born to her father, Reb Betzalel Farkash, who was counted among the prominent and respected chassidim of Satmar. Raised in a home of deep Torah values and chessed, she carried those qualities with her throughout her life.

Upon reaching marriageable age, she married Reb Zev Wolf Zicherman, author of the seforim Otzar Pela’os HaTorah. Throughout the decades of their marriage, she stood faithfully at her husband’s side in his many charitable endeavors and in his tireless work on behalf of the Torah world.

Mrs. Zicherman was known for her quiet dignity, generosity, and unwavering dedication to her family and community.

The levayah was held today at the Munkatcher Beis Medrash on 14th Avenue in Boro Park, Brooklyn. Kevurah took place in Kiryas Yoel.

She is survived by her husband and their wonderful family of children and grandchildren following in her ways.

Yehi zichrah boruch.

{Matzav.com}

Amid rising tensions with Iran and the ongoing month of Ramadan, concerns are mounting that several basic food items could quickly become scarce in Israeli supermarkets. According to a report in Maariv, the combination of heightened security concerns and a significant flow of food supplies into Gaza may lead to shortages of key staples in the coming weeks.

Among the primary products at risk are fresh chicken and poultry cuts. Israel’s poultry industry relies heavily on Muslim workers — both Israeli citizens and Palestinians — particularly in slaughterhouses. Any security incident that restricts movement along the Jerusalem–Hebron corridor or at entrances to communities in Judea and Samaria can directly disrupt the supply chain, reducing the amount of fresh chicken reaching store shelves each morning.

Eggs are also considered vulnerable. Israel has previously struggled to maintain sufficient production and imports during periods of heightened demand. Each year between January and April, emergency import quotas are typically opened to prevent sharp price increases. This year, with demand reportedly higher due to Ramadan and increased regional pressures, the risk of shortages is seen as more pronounced.

Fresh fruits and vegetables present another area of concern. Unlike dry goods, these items cannot be frozen or stored for extended periods. The war has already exposed structural weaknesses in the agricultural sector, including a reduced number of foreign laborers, restrictions on Palestinian workers, and the halt of agricultural imports from several countries that previously supplied produce to Israel.

Basic pantry staples such as flour, rice, oil, and sugar may also be affected. While Israel maintains what officials describe as a “living” reserve of wheat, the supply is not unlimited. The country remains highly dependent on grain and vegetable oil imports from Ukraine, other Black Sea nations, and South America. An escalation that disrupts maritime shipping routes — even if limited in scope — would not necessarily cause immediate shortages, but could result in a reduced variety of brands and gradual price increases within three to four weeks.

Industry analysts caution that while panic buying is not currently evident, the combination of geopolitical tension, seasonal demand, and supply chain vulnerabilities creates a fragile situation for essential food products.

New figures presented during a follow-up discussion with the Israeli Attorney General reveal an unprecedented number of individuals obligated to military service in Israel who have failed to report. The data show a significant increase in those classified either under “Order 12” status or as draft evaders.

According to the figures, more than 43,000 candidates for security service are currently listed under “Order 12” status, while approximately 32,675 individuals are formally defined as evading military service. In total, 75,675 potential recruits are registered under either “Order 12” or draft evasion status — an increase of 4,675 compared to the previous report.

During the discussion, the Attorney General called for immediate action, stating that “all state bodies must intensify criminal and civil-economic enforcement efforts in the immediate time frame.” She emphasized the need to move away from a policy focused on exhausting procedures and toward one centered on effective enforcement.

At the same meeting, the Military Advocate General updated participants that three primary measures aimed at strengthening enforcement against draft evaders had been presented to the IDF Chief of Staff.

The first proposal calls for raising the maximum penalty that can be imposed in disciplinary proceedings for absence from service. The second would shorten the minimum period of evasion required before initiating criminal proceedings, reducing it from 540 days to 365 days. The third measure would advance legal action against individuals who were previously tried for evasion and then failed to report again, in order to prevent delays and drawn-out repeat proceedings.

{Matzav.com}

The Skverer community in New York is mourning the petirah of Rabbi Yitzchak Surkis z”l, a respected chassid and longtime cook in the Skverer mosdos, who fed thousands of young talmidim over the years. He was 63.

Rabbi Surkis passed away Thursday morning in the Skverer shtetel, leaving behind family members and fellow chassidim who recall his warmth, dedication, and unwavering commitment to Torah and avodah.

He was the son of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Surkis, who came to Skve from Poland and helped establish the foundations of the chassidus in its American home. Raised in the ways of Skver, Reb Yitzchak carried that heritage forward, instilling the same values in his children and descendants.

Upon reaching marriageable age, he married the daughter of Rav Reuven Shmelzer z”l of the Skverer community.

Rabbi Surkis was widely known as a remarkable masmid; in every spare moment he could be found with a Gemara in hand. Alongside his diligence in learning, he was remembered for his ready smile, sense of humor, and kind words for everyone he encountered.

For many years, he served as the cook in the Skverer educational institutions, preparing meals for thousands of tinokos shel beis rabban. Generations of children were nourished by his devoted work behind the scenes, a role he carried out with quiet pride and responsibility.

Over the past decade, he faced significant health challenges. Despite his yissurim, he never relinquished his commitment to Torah or his responsibilities, and he maintained his characteristic smile throughout. He succumbed to medical complications Thursday morning.

Among his relatives is his brother-in-law, the well-known singer Lipa Shmelczer.

The levayah will take place today at the Skverer beis medrash in New York.

Yehi zichro boruch.

The wedding of Ariel Shamai, a talmid of Yeshivas Ateres Shlomo whose arrest made him one of the most widely recognized figures in the public struggle surrounding the draft issue in the Torah world, will be held tonight.

The chasunah is scheduled to take place at the Armonot Chen Hall in Bnei Brak, drawing leading rabbanim, roshei yeshiva, public figures, and large numbers of bnei Torah who are expected to participate in the celebration.

Ariel rose to national attention after he was arrested for failing to report to the draft office, an event that ignited intense reaction within the chareidi street. His detention quickly became a flashpoint in the broader debate over the status of yeshiva students and military service.

The arrest triggered a series of unprecedented protests, culminating in the historic “Million Man Atzeres,” a massive gathering of tefillah at the entrance to Yerushalayim. Hundreds of thousands of bnei Torah from across communities and backgrounds attended at the direction of leading gedolei Yisroel.

Rav Shalom Ber Sorotzkin, who was en route to the United States at the time of Shamai’s arrest, returned to Eretz Yisroel and spearheaded a protest movement of a scale not previously seen.

Shortly thereafter, Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch arrived at the gates of Military Prison 10, where he delivered a shiur klali marking the beginning of the winter zeman to thousands of talmidim of Yeshivas Ateres Shlomo.

The following day, the yeshiva arranged for a helicopter to circle above the military prison, carrying protest banners and broadcasting messages over powerful loudspeakers. Days later, a special tefillah gathering was held at the prison gates, attended by 5,000 young children from the Talmudei Torah affiliated with the yeshiva.

In a dramatic turn of events, Shamai was unexpectedly released during the levayah of the mother of Rav Sorotzkin. Within hours, the leadership of Ateres Shlomo organized a large-scale reception in his honor. Shamai was carried on a horse and carriage through the celebration and received a gift from leading gedolei Yisroel in recognition of what supporters described as his steadfastness.

Now, as he builds his new bayis ne’eman b’Yisroel, the wedding is expected to serve not only as a personal simchah, but as a symbolic moment for many within the yeshiva world.

{Matzav.com}{

President Donald Trump said Thursday that his newly established Board of Peace will cooperate closely with the United Nations on Gaza’s future, while also ensuring that the global body “runs properly.”

Speaking at the first gathering of the Board of Peace at the Donald J. Trump U.S. Institute of Peace, the president said the U.N. holds “tremendous potential” but argued that it has “not lived up to that potential.”

Trump presented the Board of Peace as a proactive alternative to what he characterized as decades of ineffective international discussions.

“We’re going to be working with the United Nations very closely,” Trump said in opening remarks broadcast live on Newsmax. He added that the Board of Peace will “almost be looking over the United Nations and making sure it runs properly,” while the United States continues to assist the U.N. “moneywise” and seeks to bolster its facilities and operational capacity.

According to Trump, the board is intended to serve as a practical, results-focused body designed to help establish a long-term framework for Gaza following the ceasefire reached last fall.

The inaugural meeting was held even as significant challenges remain unresolved, including the question of Hamas disarmament, the withdrawal of Israeli forces, the coordination of humanitarian aid, and the creation and management of a reconstruction fund expected to require tens of billions of dollars.

Despite these outstanding issues, Trump signaled confidence that progress is being made. He declared that the war in Gaza “is over” and cited what he described as an expanding roster of countries committing financial resources, personnel, and training to support an international stabilization mission. He also cautioned that any refusal by Hamas to disarm would be “harshly met.”

During the event, Trump also commended members of his diplomatic team for what he described as major achievements.

“I want to thank Steve and Jared for an amazing job,” he said, referring to special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, whom he credited with playing a key role in securing the Abraham Accords during his first term.

The president then suggested an expanded role for Kushner, stating that Kushner “will also now be an envoy for peace.”

That statement was later clarified. I24 News correspondent Mordechai Wagenheim reported on X that a State Department official said Kushner “will not become ‘an envoy for peace’ in an official sense,” despite Trump’s remarks.

The broader effort has attracted both attention and skepticism internationally, in part because it intersects with the United Nations’ traditional position as the primary forum for global diplomacy.

Several American allies have chosen not to participate, while others have joined only as observers, prompting questions about the initiative’s legitimacy and long-term viability.

Still, Trump’s message at Thursday’s session was clear: the United States intends to take the lead, demand accountability, and press institutions such as the United Nations to produce tangible outcomes. The president emphasized that the ultimate objective should be lasting peace rather than prolonged bureaucracy within the international system.

By Natalie B. Compton

The last time I renewed my passport, about a decade ago, I spent the day fighting for parking and waiting in lines as I bounced between a Walgreens (for photos) and a dreary government building in Los Angeles. The time before that had also been a chore; I remember sitting in a Fresno, California, post office with my mom, poring over our paper documents to make sure we filled out everything perfectly.

But since those applications, the State Department has brought the process up to speed for the digital age.

In 2021, President Joe Biden signed an executive order to allow Americans to renew their passports online, eliminating the need for physical documents and paper checks to be sent through the mail. Over the next few years, the government experimented with a pilot program before officially launching online renewals in 2024. More than 6 million Americans have used the option, and last year more than 43 percent of all renewal applications were made online.

Last month, it was finally time for me to try the new system myself. It took six minutes to fill out the renewal form online, and 17 days later my fresh booklet showed up in my mailbox. No expediting fees, no lines. I even took my own photo from the privacy of my living room. Now I can’t stop spreading the good word: Renewing your passport has never been easier – you just have to do it online.

Here’s how.

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Who’s eligible for online renewal?

To use the online renewal system, applicants must be U.S. citizens or nationals at least 25 years old, among other requirements listed on the State Department website, including:

– Applicants must have already had a passport with 10-year validity.

– Applicants must be applying for a regular passport, and they must possess their current passport. (It cannot be lost, stolen, damaged or mutilated.)

– Applicants can’t request a change to their name, gender, date of birth or place of birth.

– Applicants can’t be traveling internationally for at least six weeks from the day they submit their application.

– Applicants must have a U.S. state or territory mailing address.

– Applicants can pay with a credit card or debit card, and must be able to upload a digital passport photo.

– The applicant’s recent passport must have been issued between nine and 15 years before the application date.

– The applicant’s passport must be expiring within 1 year or have expired less than 5 years ago.

If you don’t meet these criteria, you may still be able to renew by mail or in person at a passport agency or center.

Also important: Through the online system, you can renew only the type of passport you already have. For example, you can’t be the holder of a passport book but request a passport card instead. You’ll have to request new document types by mail.

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How much does it cost?

The cost of a passport book is $130. A passport card costs $30. Applicants can also pay for faster mailing of their finished passport (one- to three-day delivery for $22.05).

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What do you need?

To streamline the application process, have your current passport handy as well as a credit or debit card, a digital photo of yourself that meets the State Department requirements, your Social Security number, and information for an emergency contact. And before you get started, double-check you are on the official .gov website – there are impostor websites out there that will charge you extra fees.

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How long does it take?

You can apply only for a routine passport renewal online; there is no expedited service (yet – that could change in the coming months). The processing time estimate is four to six weeks, and the actual application process can be done in about 10 minutes.

I submitted my application for renewal on Jan. 21 and got an email saying I should receive my passport on March 9. It actually came in the mail 17 days later, on Feb. 7. My husband applied the same day I did, and his passport arrived the same day as mine.

You may get yours back even faster. I’ve heard from dozens of travelers who have used online renewal, and most said they got their passports in about two weeks. Many said their wait time was even shorter, sometimes within a week of applying.

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How do you take your photo?

I have a checkered history with ID photos – some flattering, some more mug shot – and was delighted to have the option to take them myself. (Or rather, take 50 myself and pick the best one.) Before you do a DIY photo shoot, take a look at the State Department website for best practices. The main tips include:

– Your photo must be in color and have a white background (such as a white wall).

– Your photo must have been taken within the last six months.

– You can’t wear glasses or hats, but you can wear head coverings for religious or medical purposes.

– You can smile, as long as it looks natural.

– Your photo must be high resolution, not blurry or pixelated.

– Your photo must have a file size between 54 kilobytes and 10 megabytes, and it must be saved as a JPG, JPEG or HEIF file (if you use a mobile device to take your photo, it will automatically save in one of these formats).

– You cannot use any kind of filter or retouching tools to alter your appearance.

The agency also says you should ask someone else to take the photo for you. What this really means is: Don’t take a selfie with your phone’s front-facing camera. Selfies often turn out with the wrong angle and don’t capture the proportions of your face quite right. If you’re using a phone to take the photo, you’ll have to use the back camera, which is more accurate.

I used a tripod and a self-timer to take my own photo after studying the “good” and “bad” examples the State Department provides (and watching a few TikTok videos about posing; pro tip: crane your neck forward and smize!). The agency also offers a tool that evaluates your photo before you submit your application and flags any glaring errors. If your photo is denied by the passport specialist after you apply, you’ll be notified by email and given the opportunity to submit a new photo.

A last word of warning: Don’t go too hard on the glam. You could have a problem at the airport if your post-redeye reality does not resemble the hot doppelgänger in your passport photo. Seriously.

Alternatively, you can visit a professional to take your passport photo (for example, at a camera shop, AAA office, the post office, UPS or FedEx, or drugstores like CVS); just ask them to share a digital file to upload with your application.

(c) 2026, The Washington Post 

Amazon.com Inc. has officially dethroned Walmart Inc. as the biggest global company by revenue, a milestone attesting to the massive scale the e-commerce and cloud-computing giant has achieved since its humble beginnings in 1994 as an online bookseller in Jeff Bezos’ Seattle-area garage.

Walmart, which had been the largest company by revenue for more than a decade, on Thursday reported sales of $713.2 billion for the 12 months ending Jan. 31. Amazon, which operates on a fiscal year ending in December, earlier this month reported 2025 sales of $717 billion.

Bezos carefully studied Walmart founder Sam Walton, embracing many of his business strategies while building his company. Over the past decade, Amazon’s revenue has increased at almost 10 times the pace of Walmart’s, fueled by a shift in consumer spending from stores to websites and its rapidly growing cloud-computing business, Amazon Web Services.

Amazon and Walmart compete head-to-head for shoppers’ dollars. Amazon is the biggest online retailer, with its website and mobile apps attracting 2.7 billion visits each month. Walmart is the biggest physical retailer in the world, with more than 10,000 stores and shopping clubs globally. Both companies generate most of their revenue in the US.

Walmart is having more success developing its e-commerce operation than Amazon is having in creating a physical stores business despite its 2017 acquisition of Whole Foods Market.

But the revenue story is more about Amazon’s dominance in cloud computing, a business Walmart doesn’t compete in. Without AWS, Amazon’s 2025 revenue would have been $588 billion. So its ascendance rests largely on the importance of data centers as critical infrastructure in the age of artificial intelligence.

“This is a hollow victory,” said Kirthi Kalyanam, executive director of the Retail Management Institute at Santa Clara University. “Amazon didn’t beat Walmart in the retail game. It just beat them in revenue by launching a new business Walmart doesn’t operate in.”

Being the biggest company by revenue mostly represents scale and consumer reach, and isn’t necessarily valued by investors. Before Walmart, Exxon Mobil Corp. and General Motors Co. had the distinction, which brings with it greater political scrutiny and customer expectations. Nvidia Corp. is the world’s most valuable company, with a market capitalization of $4.5 trillion, more than double Amazon’s and more than four times larger than Walmart’s.

Bezos, who first overtook Microsoft Corp. co-founder Bill Gates as the world’s wealthiest person in 2017, currently ranks fourth richest, with estimated assets of $228 billion that are largely tied to his Amazon stock holdings, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

(c) 2026, Bloomberg 

The Trump administration is moving forward with plans to construct a large-scale military installation in Gaza designed to accommodate up to 5,000 personnel across more than 350 acres, according to contracting documents from the Board of Peace reviewed by the Guardian.

The proposed facility would serve as an operational headquarters for a planned International Stabilization Force (ISF), a multinational force made up of pledged foreign troops. The ISF falls under the authority of the newly formed Board of Peace, an entity created to oversee governance in Gaza. The Board of Peace is chaired by President Donald Trump and is led in part by his son-in-law, Jared Kushner.

Documents examined by the Guardian outline a phased development plan for the base, which at full scale would span approximately 1,400 meters by 1,100 meters. The compound would be secured by 26 trailer-mounted armored watchtowers and would include a small arms firing range, protective bunkers, equipment storage facilities, and other operational infrastructure. Barbed wire fencing is planned to surround the entire installation.

The selected site lies in a dry, open expanse in southern Gaza characterized by saltbush and white broom vegetation, as well as debris from years of Israeli airstrikes. The Guardian reported reviewing video footage of the area. According to a source familiar with the project, a limited number of international construction firms with experience operating in conflict zones have already toured the proposed location.

Indonesia has reportedly offered to contribute up to 8,000 troops to the stabilization force. The country’s president was scheduled to join three other Southeast Asian leaders at an inaugural Board of Peace meeting in Washington on Thursday.

The United Nations Security Council authorized the Board of Peace to establish the temporary International Stabilization Force. According to the UN mandate, the ISF would be responsible for securing Gaza’s borders, maintaining order, safeguarding civilians, and training and assisting “vetted Palestinian police forces.”

However, key operational questions remain unresolved. It is unclear how the ISF would respond in the event of renewed fighting, Israeli airstrikes, or attacks by Hamas. The force’s potential involvement in disarming Hamas — a condition Israel has set for advancing reconstruction efforts — has also not been defined.

Although more than 20 nations have joined the Board of Peace, many countries have declined to participate. While the body was established with UN backing, its governing charter appears to grant President Trump ongoing leadership and authority.

“The Board of Peace is a kind of legal fiction, nominally with its own international legal personality separate from both the UN and the United States, but in reality it’s just an empty shell for the United States to use as it sees fit,” said Adil Haque, a professor of law at Rutgers University.

Analysts have raised concerns about the transparency of the initiative’s funding and management structure. Several contractors told the Guardian that communications with U.S. officials have frequently taken place via Signal messaging rather than through formal government email systems.

According to an individual familiar with the matter, the military base contracting document was issued by the Board of Peace and drafted with assistance from U.S. procurement officials.

The construction plans specify the creation of multiple reinforced bunkers measuring six meters by four meters and standing 2.5 meters tall, equipped with advanced ventilation systems to provide protection for personnel.

“The Contractor,” says the document, “shall conduct a geophysical survey of the site to identify any subterranean voids, tunnels, or large cavities per phase.” The provision appears to reference the extensive underground tunnel network built by Hamas in Gaza.

Another section outlines a “Human Remains Protocol.” “If suspected human remains or cultural artifacts are discovered, all work in the immediate area must cease immediately, the area must be secured, and the Contracting Officer must be notified immediately for direction,” it says. Gaza’s civil defense agency has estimated that roughly 10,000 Palestinian bodies remain buried beneath rubble across the territory.

Ownership of the land designated for the base has not been clarified, though much of southern Gaza is presently under Israeli control. The United Nations estimates that at least 1.9 million Palestinians have been displaced since the start of the war.

Diana Buttu, a Palestinian-Canadian attorney and former peace negotiator, criticized the initiative, saying the construction of a foreign military installation on Palestinian land without formal authorization constitutes occupation. “Whose permission did they get to build that military base?”

Officials at U.S. Central Command directed all inquiries about the base to the Board of Peace.

A Trump administration official declined to comment on the reported contract details, stating: “As the President has said, no US boots will be on the ground. We’re not going to discuss leaked documents.”

President Trump said Thursday that he expects to determine within the next 10 days whether the United States will launch military action against Iran, following the deployment of a second aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East.

Speaking at a Board of Peace meeting in Washington, Trump indicated that both diplomatic and military options remain under consideration. “We may have to take it a step further, or we may not. Maybe we’re going to make a deal. You are going to be finding out over the next, probably, 10 days,” he said.

The president pointed to US airstrikes carried out in June against three Iranian nuclear facilities, arguing that the operation reduced tensions in the region. His comments come as some US-aligned Arab governments have expressed concern that another round of strikes could destabilize the area.

“It totally decimated the nuclear potential, and when it did, when it decimated that, all of a sudden we had peace in the Middle East, because there was a black cloud hanging over the Middle East. And if that wasn’t done, that cloud would have been there,” Trump said.

In early January, Trump warned that military action could follow if Iranian authorities violently crushed anti-government demonstrations. The regime subsequently carried out a harsh crackdown that reportedly resulted in thousands of deaths. Since then, discussions led by Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have centered on Iran’s nuclear activities.

The president urged Tehran to accept US terms. “Now is the time for Iran to join us on a path that will complete what we’re doing. And if they join us, that’ll be great. If they don’t join us, that’ll be great too, and it’ll be a very different path,” he said.

“They cannot continue to threaten the stability of the entire region. And they must make a deal or if that doesn’t happen … bad things will happen.”

Last month, Trump ordered the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group into the Arabian Sea, positioning US forces for potential operations. A second aircraft carrier group is now heading to the region, further strengthening the American naval presence.

In addition to naval deployments, the Pentagon has moved fighter aircraft and other military assets to bases in Europe and the Middle East.

Trump recently described the prospect facing Iran as “traumatic” if it refuses to yield to US pressure.

He also met last week at the White House with Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, where the two leaders discussed possible military scenarios. Netanyahu has reportedly advocated targeting Iran’s long-range ballistic missile capabilities.

Trump has publicly supported the idea of regime change in Tehran, even as he has long criticized previous US administrations for interventions that destabilized parts of the Middle East, including Iraq.

While raising the possibility of a new political order in Iran, the president has not identified a preferred successor to the current leadership. He has also dismissed exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi as a realistic alternative.

Iran has joined forces with Russia for a new round of naval exercises in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman, even as the Trump administration has urged Tehran that it would be “very wise” to reach an agreement with Washington.

The joint maneuvers, which have been conducted annually since 2019, come at a particularly tense moment. This year’s drills coincide with an expanding US military presence in the region and growing speculation that American strikes could be under consideration.

According to RadioFreeEurope, Iranian navy Rear Adm. Hassan Maqsudlu said the exercises are meant to “prevent any unilateral action in the region.”

The maritime show of force follows warnings from the White House that military action remains on the table. Officials have indicated that “there are many reasons one could make for a strike against Iran.”

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt reiterated that diplomacy remains Washington’s preferred path but stressed that Tehran should take the opportunity seriously. “The president has been very clear with respect to Iran or any country around the world, diplomacy is always his first option,” she told reporters Wednesday.

“Iran would be very wise to make a deal with President Trump and with this administration.”

Earlier in the week, Iran temporarily shut portions of the Strait of Hormuz — a narrow waterway through which roughly 20 percent of global seaborne oil shipments pass each year — as part of its military activity in the area.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has also issued pointed remarks directed at Washington, suggesting that Iran possesses the capability to destroy US naval vessels operating nearby. “Of course, a warship is a dangerous piece of military hardware. However, more dangerous than that warship is the weapon that can send that warship to the bottom of the sea,” Khamenei posted on X.

In response to the escalating tensions, the United States has deployed the USS Gerald R. Ford — the largest aircraft carrier in the world — to the Middle East. It will operate alongside the USS Abraham Lincoln and other naval assets already stationed in the region.

President Trump has publicly floated the prospect of regime change in Iran. When asked whether the United States might once again target Iranian nuclear facilities, he responded, “If we do it, that would be the least of the mission.”

According to CNN, US military plans for a potential strike on Iran could be executed as soon as this weekend. It remains uncertain whether Trump has made a final decision, with a source close to him saying he “is spending a lot of time thinking about this.”

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), a close ally of the president, suggested that the visible military buildup signals seriousness. “The decision hadn’t been made, but all these ships are not coming here because it’s nice this time of year,” he told Sky News Arabia.

Meanwhile, diplomatic channels remain open. American and Iranian representatives met Tuesday in Geneva for a second round of negotiations. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the discussions as showing “good progress,” and US officials also expressed cautious optimism.

Even so, Leavitt acknowledged that the two sides are still “very far apart on some issues” as talks continue over Iran’s nuclear activities.

Senior Iranian officials have indicated publicly that Tehran may be willing to consider adjustments to its nuclear program. However, the Trump administration has signaled that any agreement would also need to address Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities and its backing of armed proxy groups across the Middle East.

Iranian naval officer Mohammad Parsi characterized Russia’s role in the recent exercises as limited. He described Moscow’s participation as “small” and “symbolic,” according to RadioFreeEurope.

“I cannot imagine Russia offering real support in a direct confrontation between Iran and the United States,” Parsi said, suggesting that the Kremlin is using Tehran as “leverage” in its broader dealings with Western nations.

In recent years, Russia has faced mounting challenges, particularly as it remains deeply engaged in its war in Ukraine. Observers have noted Moscow’s limited response when allied governments came under pressure, including during last year’s 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel, the detention of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, and the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria.

Ukraine, despite lacking a conventional navy, has claimed responsibility for crippling at least one-third of Russia’s Black Sea fleet, underscoring the strains on Moscow’s military capacity as it navigates multiple geopolitical flashpoints.