Matzav

President Donald Trump’s administration has approved the rapid sale of more than 20,000 bombs to Israel valued at roughly $650 million by invoking emergency powers to bypass the usual congressional review process, according to a Reuters report citing two U.S. officials familiar with the transaction.

In a statement released late Friday, the U.S. State Department said Secretary of State Marco Rubio determined that an emergency situation required immediate approval of the weapons transfer. Because of that determination, the administration waived the standard congressional review that typically accompanies arms sales of this scale.

According to Reuters, the weapons package includes 12,000 BLU-110A/B general-purpose bomb bodies weighing 1,000 pounds each, which Israel had previously requested.

The decision follows the launch of a joint U.S.-Israeli air campaign against Iran that began a week earlier.

“This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States,” the State Department said in its statement, noting that Repkon USA, a Texas-based company, will serve as the primary contractor.

A State Department official provided additional information on Saturday, explaining that the package also includes BLU-111 500-pound general-purpose bombs as part of an amendment to a previously approved sale.

The official also said Israel is expected to acquire an additional $298 million in essential munitions through direct commercial purchases.

The move drew criticism from some lawmakers. Democratic Representative Gregory Meeks objected to the decision to bypass Congress, arguing that the emergency declaration suggested the administration had not adequately prepared for the conflict.

“The Trump administration has repeatedly insisted it was fully prepared for this war. Rushing to invoke emergency authority to circumvent Congress tells a different story. This is an emergency of the Trump administration’s own creation,” Meeks said in a statement quoted by Reuters.

{Matzav.com}

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President Donald Trump sharply criticized British Prime Minister Keir Starmer today, saying the United Kingdom is only considering joining the military campaign against Iran after the United States has already achieved victory.

Trump made the remarks in a post on Truth Social, responding to reports that Britain may send naval forces to the region. “The United Kingdom, our once Great Ally, maybe the Greatest of them all, is finally giving serious thought to sending two aircraft carriers to the Middle East,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “That’s OK, Prime Minister Starmer, we don’t need them any longer — But we will remember. We don’t need people that join Wars after we’ve already won!”

His comments came after Britain’s Ministry of Defence confirmed that one of the country’s two aircraft carriers had been placed on heightened readiness at Portsmouth in preparation for a possible deployment to the Middle East, according to the BBC.

A British destroyer, HMS Dragon, is also stationed in Portsmouth and preparing to depart for Cyprus after earlier delays.

Starmer has emphasized that the United Kingdom did not participate in the recent strikes but said British forces are still active in the region in a defensive role.

In remarks to the British public on Sunday, Starmer condemned Iran’s response to the U.S. strikes and described Tehran’s actions as dangerous.

He criticized what he called “indiscriminate” attacks by Iran after the U.S. strikes, adding, “The only way to stop the threat is to destroy the missiles at source.”

Starmer also confirmed that Britain agreed to a U.S. request to allow American forces to use British military bases for what he described as a limited purpose.

Trump also voiced frustration in comments to the Telegraph in the U.K., saying he was unhappy with the timing of Britain’s decision.

He told the newspaper he was “very disappointed” in Starmer and argued that it “took far too long” for the prime minister to authorize the use of British bases for U.S. operations.

Meanwhile, Britain has increased its military presence across the region. According to the Ministry of Defence, British fighter aircraft are conducting flights over Jordan, Cyprus, and Qatar as part of regional defense efforts, and a Merlin helicopter is being deployed to support aerial surveillance operations.

Starmer said his government’s approach is focused on stability and responsible leadership during the crisis.

“While the region has been plunged into chaos, my focus is providing calm, levelheaded leadership in the national interest,” Starmer said this week. “That means deploying our military and diplomatic strength to protect our people.

“And it means having the strength to stand firm by our values and our principles, no matter the pressure to do otherwise. The longstanding British position is that the best way forward for the regime and world is a negotiated settlement with Iran where they give up their nuclear ambitions.”

Starmer said that position is why Britain chose not to participate in the initial joint strikes carried out by the United States and Israel on February 28.

Speaking in Parliament this week, he also stressed that any British military action must meet strict legal and strategic standards.

“We all remember the mistakes of Iraq, and we have learned those lessons. Any U.K. actions must ⁠always have a lawful basis, and a viable, thought-through plan,” Starmer said. “This government does not believe in regime change from the skies.”

Former British Prime Minister Liz Truss weighed in on the dispute, sharing Trump’s Truth Social comments on X and writing, “Justified and damning.”

{Matzav.com}

Iran’s ruling religious establishment may move within the next day to select a new supreme leader, according to reports indicating that members of the country’s Assembly of Experts could soon convene to make the decision.

Ayatollah Mozaffari, one of the members of the 88-member Assembly of Experts, said he hopes a meeting will be held in the coming 24 hours, although an official session has not yet been formally scheduled, according to Iranian International.

Because the Assembly’s regular meeting location was damaged in recent Israeli airstrikes, the selection process is expected to be conducted virtually.

The strikes earlier this week caused significant destruction to Iranian government and military facilities. According to The Jerusalem Post, the Tuesday attack “flattened” the IRGC’s compound in Qom, as well as a building in Tehran that served as the previous parliament site.

Under Iran’s political system, the Assembly of Experts is responsible for choosing the country’s supreme leader, and the next leader is expected to be selected from among the body’s 88 members.

Sources told the outlet that Mojtaba Khamenei had been expected to be announced as the next supreme leader on Saturday, but the vote did not proceed as planned after 14 members of the Assembly reportedly boycotted the session.

Mojtaba, the second son of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, is believed to have strong backing from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. However, some members of the Assembly have reportedly objected to the idea of transferring leadership directly to the son of the longtime ayatollah.

He has been widely associated with his father’s hardline ideological positions and strong anti-Western views.

President Donald Trump criticized the possibility of Mojtaba assuming the position, saying such a move would not resolve the current conflict.

“They are wasting their time. Khamenei’s son is a lightweight,” Trump said this week.

“We want someone that will bring harmony and peace to Iran.”

President Donald Trump said today that U.S. forces have inflicted major damage on Iran’s military in recent days, claiming that dozens of Iranian naval vessels have been destroyed as part of the ongoing conflict.

Speaking at the first Shield of the Americas Summit, Trump said the United States had achieved significant military successes in Iran while also hinting that Washington may take action against Cuba. The summit is being led by outgoing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

Trump described what he said were decisive blows against Iran’s military infrastructure. “we’ve knocked out 42 navy ships” in three days, adding that the US is doing “very well” in Iran.

He also said Iranian air and communications systems had been severely damaged during the campaign. “We knocked out their Air Force. We knocked out their communications, and all telecommunications has gone,” Trump said of Iran.

The summit reflects Trump’s broader push to expand U.S. influence in the Western Hemisphere under what his administration calls the “Donroe Doctrine,” a policy aimed at restoring stronger American leadership in the region. In recent decades, U.S. presidents have generally avoided asserting that level of control across the hemisphere.

Iran responded critically to Trump’s remarks. Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi wrote on X that Iran’s president had signaled a willingness to reduce tensions under certain conditions.

According to Araghchi, the Iranian president “expressed openness to de-escalation within our region-provided that our neighbors’ airspace, territory, and waters are not used to attack the Iranian People.”

He added that the effort at easing tensions “Gesture to our neighbors was almost immediately killed by President Trump.”

While Trump said the administration’s primary focus remains on Iran, he also suggested the United States could soon turn attention toward Cuba.

The administration has already indicated it may support political change on the island and is examining claims by the Cuban government that four people were killed aboard a Florida-registered boat near the Villa Clara coastline last month.

“Cuba’s at the end of the line,” Trump said. “They’re very much at the end of the line. They have no money. They have no oil. They have a bad philosophy. They have a bad regime that’s been bad for a long time.”

The summit takes place as Trump devotes much of his current term to reshaping global trade relationships while also pressing leaders in the Western Hemisphere to increase efforts to stop illegal immigration.

White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said the administration’s strategy is intended to strengthen stability and cooperation across the region.

“After years of neglect, President Trump established the ‘Donroe Doctrine’ to restore American preeminence in the Western Hemisphere,” Kelly said in a statement emailed to Axios.

“The President has successfully strengthened our relationships in our own backyard to make the entire region safer and more stable.”

{Matzav.com}

A familiar and beloved figure who welcomed countless visitors to the Kosel HaMa’aravi for decades has passed away. Reb Mordechai Levy z”l, widely known as the “Ish HaKosel – Man of the Kosel,” passed away at the age of 81. His levayah was held on Friday and kevurah took place on Har HaMenuchos in Yerushalayim.

Reb Mordechai had become one of the most recognizable and cherished presences at the Kosel. For years, he stood in the shadow of the ancient stones of the site, greeting thousands of mispallelim with warmth.

Reb Mordechai passed away at Shaarei Tzedek Medical Center in Yerushalayim after a period of suffering. He leaves behind a large family, as well as countless admirers and regular visitors to the Kosel who feel his absence deeply.

Those who frequented the site knew that Reb Mordechai was far more than just another regular mispallel. He had become, in many ways, the living spirit of the Kosel plaza itself. Anyone who arrived at s’rid Beis Mikdasheinu, whether in the quiet hours before dawn or late at night, would likely encounter his radiant presence.

He was known for offering heartfelt brachos to anyone who approached him, greeting people with an unusually warm smile. His friendly words and encouragement made him a source of comfort for countless visitors.

Reb Mordechai had a particularly special connection with soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces. Whenever he noticed a soldier standing at the Kosel plaza in uniform, he would approach, place his hand gently on the soldier’s head, and shower him with brachos for protection and success.

Ali Larijani, one of the senior figures remaining in Iran’s leadership, issued a stark warning today that President Donald Trump would face consequences following the U.S. and Israeli military strikes that have severely weakened Iran’s top leadership.

Larijani, who currently serves as secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and previously held a position within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, made the statement in a post on X. “We won’t let #Trump off the hook; he must pay the price—he’s martyred our leader and our people. This isn’t a simple matter; we won’t let it go until we retaliate in kind.”

Iran has been carrying out retaliatory attacks since last Saturday’s large-scale strike on Tehran that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In response, Iran has launched missiles and drones toward American military facilities located in territories around the Persian Gulf.

Larijani’s message was posted as Trump attended a solemn dignified transfer ceremony at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, where the remains of six U.S. soldiers killed in an Iranian strike on an American installation in Kuwait were returned to the United States.

Larijani, who was born into a well-known family in Iraq, has played a prominent role in Iranian politics for years. He previously served as a representative for Iran in negotiations over its nuclear program and has long been viewed as a figure likely to continue playing an influential role within the regime.

Earlier Saturday, Trump issued a warning of his own in a post on Truth Social, declaring that Iran would face severe consequences and suggesting that additional targets were now under consideration.

In that message, Trump said Iran would be “hit very hard” and added that areas and groups not previously regarded as targets were now “under serious consideration for complete destruction and certain death.”

{Matzav.com}

Prediction market platform Kalshi is facing a class-action lawsuit accusing the company of refusing to pay out roughly $54 million to users who wagered that Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei would leave office before March 1, 2026.

Khamenei was killed on Saturday during joint U.S.-Israeli strikes that also killed hundreds of people, including several senior Iranian officials.

Those attacks came after months of military buildup by the United States in the region.

According to the lawsuit, many Kalshi users were attracted to the company’s “Khamenei Market” because of rapidly changing geopolitical developments surrounding Iran.

The complaint claims that only after the Iranian leader was killed did Kalshi invoke a contractual “death carveout” clause in order to avoid paying bettors.

“With an American naval armada amassed on Iran’s doorstep and military conflict not merely foreseeable but widely anticipated, consumers understood that the most likely—and in many cases the only realistic—mechanism by which an 85-year-old autocratic leader would ‘leave office’ was through his death. Defendants understood this as well,” the lawsuit said.

The lawsuit argues that the market language made clear that Khamenei leaving office could occur through any circumstance, including death.

The wording, according to the complaint, was “clear, unambiguous and binary,” and the plaintiffs describe Kalshi’s conduct as “deceptive” and “predatory.”

Filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, the lawsuit also alleges that trading in the market continued even as reports about Khamenei’s death were beginning to spread.

Kalshi disputed the claims. A company spokesperson said the firm’s policies were consistent and clearly stated from the outset, explaining that the market rules “included every precaution …. to make sure people could not trade on the outcome of death.”

The spokesperson also said the company reimbursed users for fees and losses connected to the market.

“We even reimbursed all fees and net losses out of pocket — to the tune of millions of dollars — to make sure not a single person lost money on this market,” the spokesperson said.

Prediction markets have surged in popularity since the 2024 U.S. presidential election, when the real-time probabilities on such platforms proved more accurate than many traditional polls in predicting Donald Trump’s victory.

These markets allow users to trade contracts tied to real-world outcomes, covering topics that range from sporting events to political developments and economic indicators.

Typically, users purchase “yes” or “no” contracts priced between zero and 100 cents, with payouts triggered once the relevant outcome is officially confirmed.

{Matzav.com}

Mojtaba Khamenei, widely viewed as a leading candidate to succeed Iran’s late supreme leader, was reportedly injured during an Israeli airstrike carried out as part of the large-scale military campaign against Iran.

According to a report Saturday by The Times of Israel, the son of the slain Ayatollah Ali Khamenei survived an assassination attempt during the opening phase of Israel’s Operation Lion’s Roar on February 28, which coincided with the United States’ Operation Epic Fury.

The broader wave of strikes during the joint operation killed his father along with roughly 40 other senior officials in the Islamic Republic’s leadership.

Among those killed in the attack was Mojtaba’s wife, Zahra Haddad Adel, who came from a prominent family closely tied to Iran’s ruling religious establishment.

It remains unclear whether Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, was inside his father’s compound when it was struck by Israeli airstrikes or whether he was targeted separately in another strike against regime leadership.

Reports have also not clarified the severity of the injuries he sustained.

Following the attack, Mojtaba is believed to have gone into hiding as Israel and the United States continue launching strikes against targets linked to the Iranian regime.

Within Iran’s power structure, Mojtaba has long been viewed as the preferred candidate of the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to replace his father. However, some members of the 88-member Assembly of Experts—the body responsible for selecting the next supreme leader—have reportedly expressed reservations about transferring the country’s leadership to the late ayatollah’s son.

Mojtaba Khamenei has been known for strongly embracing the same hardline conservative ideology and anti-Western outlook that defined his father’s leadership of the Islamic Republic.

President Donald Trump criticized the possibility of Mojtaba taking power, saying such a move would be unacceptable to the United States and would not resolve the ongoing conflict.

“They are wasting their time. Khamenei’s son is a lightweight,” Trump said this week.

“We want someone that will bring harmony and peace to Iran.”

According to reports, the Assembly of Experts may convene within the next 24 hours to discuss and potentially select the country’s next supreme leader.

Because the Assembly’s usual meeting location was destroyed in Israeli airstrikes earlier this week, the leadership vote is expected to be conducted remotely.

Whoever ultimately assumes the position will gain authority over the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a powerful military force that has played a dominant role in governing the country for decades.

{Matzav.com}

Biden Draws Attention With Remark During Jesse Jackson Memorial Service

Joe Biden drew notice Friday during a memorial service for Rev. Jesse Jackson when he made a pointed remark while reflecting on his childhood experiences with a speech impediment.

The comment came as Biden spoke to mourners about being mocked as a young person for his stutter and how speech disorders are often misunderstood as a sign of lower intelligence.

“If I told you I had a cleft palate or clubfoot, none of you would have laughed,” Biden said.

“But it’s OK to laugh at stuttering. … It’s the one place where people think you’re stupid.

“Oh, really? I’m ….. a lot smarter than most of you,” he added, before quickly pivoting back to his broader point.

“But all kidding aside, it makes you feel really small.”

Biden delivered the remarks during a memorial gathering in Chicago attended by many prominent Democratic political figures and civil rights leaders who came to honor Jackson’s decades of activism and influence.

Among those present were former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, along with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former Vice President Kamala Harris, and Rev. Al Sharpton.

The service took place at the 10,000-seat House of Hope arena, where hundreds of attendees assembled to commemorate Jackson’s life and contributions.

Jackson, who passed away at the age of 84, first gained national recognition as a close associate of Martin Luther King Jr. during the Civil Rights Movement.

He later established the Rainbow PUSH Coalition and ran two campaigns for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1984 and 1988, efforts that helped expand Black voter participation and reshape the Democratic Party’s political coalition.

Speakers throughout the memorial highlighted Jackson’s talent for forging alliances across political lines and bringing attention to the concerns of marginalized communities.

During his remarks, Biden also revisited his personal experiences with overcoming a stutter, using the story to speak about resilience and the emotional toll of being ridiculed as a child.

At another point in his speech, Biden spoke about Africa’s future population growth while recalling a past conversation involving Jackson.

“I remember telling Jesse that I knew I knew a guy, in South Africa,” former President Biden recalled.

“I was going to go see name is Nelson Mandela. And, I’m Jesse saying, how are you going? You guys actually see him, by the way? You know, the continent of Africa is going to be the largest continent in the world in terms of population of the year 2050, the largest in the entire world. Watch, man. Watch.”

The line in which Biden said he was “a lot smarter than most of you” quickly spread online and was added by critics to a list of remarks that have drawn attention on social media.

Under one repost of the viral moment from user Libs of TikTok, one commenter wrote, “That’s a strange line to deliver at a memorial service.”

Another quipped, “Never ending comedy from this guy. So happy he’s back in public.”

Aside from Biden’s remarks, the event largely centered on remembering Jackson’s long career as a civil rights leader and his role in shaping the modern Democratic Party while encouraging broader political participation across the United States.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

{Matzav.com}

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

{Matzav.com}

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

{Matzav.com}

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

{Matzav.com}

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

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

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

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

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

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{Matzav.com}

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

{Matzav.com}

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

{Matzav.com}

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

{Matzav.com}

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