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Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett discusses freed hostage Edan Alexander’s return home to New Jersey and Israeli’s conflict with Iran on ‘The Story.’

WATCH:

Fox News host Sean Hannity breaks down the latest on the Israel-Iran conflict and what to take away from the ‘Trump doctrine’ on ‘Hannity.’

WATCH:

Israeli Air Force fighter jets struck several Hezbollah military sites in southern Lebanon a short while ago, the IDF says. According to the military, the sites included rocket launchers and caches of weapons.

China’s state-run Global Times published a commentary on Thursday placing full blame on the United States for the tensions surrounding Iran’s nuclear ambitions, insisting that Iran should not be held accountable for its advanced enrichment program, which violates international agreements.

Over the past week, China’s Foreign Ministry has strongly defended Iran’s regime, particularly in light of Israel’s military operation known as “Operation Rising Lion,” which targeted senior Iranian military figures. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu explained that the strikes were necessitated by Iran’s accumulation of enough nuclear material to produce multiple bombs. Iranian officials have consistently threatened Israel’s existence and vowed to annihilate the country.

Just prior to Israel’s launch of “Operation Rising Lion,” the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), a nuclear watchdog under the United Nations, adopted a resolution criticizing Iran’s covert nuclear work. It was the first such resolution in nearly twenty years. China, notably, chose not to support the measure.

The Global Times editorial, which denounced the U.S. for allegedly sparking the conflict despite no known American military involvement in the operation at the time, followed multiple remarks by China’s Foreign Minister urging Beijing’s participation in mediating between Iran and Israel. While China has been pushing to expand its diplomatic clout in the Middle East—especially since the October 7, 2023, Hamas assault on Israel—its attempts have thus far been ignored by both Iran and Israel.

Describing Washington’s role as destabilizing, the Global Times, an extension of the Communist Party, wrote that “the mere fact that the U.S. is contemplating involvement is itself a very dangerous signal.” The piece omitted any reference to Iran’s years-long enrichment of uranium to levels suitable for weaponization or its repeated public calls to destroy the State of Israel.

“The U.S. bears responsibility for the Iranian nuclear issue,” the editorial declared. “If Washington had not unilaterally withdrawn from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and if the agreement had been smoothly and effectively implemented, the issue very likely would not have deteriorated to its current state.”

Absent from the editorial was the context that President Donald Trump pulled the U.S. out of the JCPOA in 2018 after Iran was repeatedly found in violation of the deal’s terms.

The Global Times went on to argue that “Iran’s national sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity should not be violated, and the Iranian people and their property should be protected,” and insisted that “any reckless use of force against Iran is unacceptable and constitutes a blatant violation of international law.”

The commentary concluded by calling on the United States to “adopt an objective and impartial stance” and “stop fueling the war machine.”

President Trump, in contrast to China’s accusations, has continuously expressed his desire to see peace between Israel and Iran. Most recently, on Tuesday, he stated that reaching a peaceful resolution with Tehran was “achievable” and urged Iran to engage in discussions with both the United States and Israel. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, however, issued a defiant response, stating that no peace would be tolerated if it came from outside pressure.

“The Iranian nation will firmly stand against an imposed war, just as it will resolutely resist an imposed peace,” Khamenei said. “This is a nation that will never surrender to any form of imposition.”

China’s official Foreign Ministry response to the rising conflict struck a slightly more reserved tone on Wednesday, even as it continued to stress opposition to any American role in the matter.

“We oppose any actions that violate the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter and infringe upon the sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity of other countries,” said ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun. “Further escalation of tensions in the Middle East does not serve the interests of any party.”

Guo added that “countries with special influence on Israel” should “play a positive and constructive role in de-escalating the situation and preventing the conflict from expanding,” pointedly avoiding any mention of the United States by name.

Prior to the outbreak of hostilities in Iran, Beijing had already positioned itself as a staunch backer of Iran, raising questions about its neutrality in the crisis.

“The Chinese side supports Iran in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and national dignity, steadily advancing its own economic and social development,” Chinese leader Xi Jinping stated at last October’s BRICS summit, where he publicly aligned himself with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Iran’s inclusion into BRICS was secured in early 2024 with China’s backing.

During that meeting, Xi pledged that China would “firmly support each other, uphold the basic norms governing international relations such as non-interference in internal affairs, and safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of the two countries.”

In the wake of Israel’s bombing campaign in Tehran, China once again revived its calls to be involved in brokering peace. Reports indicated that Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke separately with Iranian and Israeli officials shortly after the strikes, although neither side appeared to show any interest in Beijing’s mediation.

“China will continue playing a constructive role in solving the ongoing Israeli-Iranian conflict,” Guo reiterated on Monday. However, no concrete actions or successful initiatives by China have been publicly acknowledged by the parties involved.

{Matzav.com}

ELIMINATED: The IDF confirms it has eliminated the chief of finance for Hamas’ military wing, and aide to eliminated deputy military commander Marwan Issa, Ibrahim Abu Shumala, in an airstrike in the central Gaza Strip earlier this week.

Dramatic video captures two Israeli interceptor missiles colliding head-on with an Iranian ballistic missile above Tel Aviv.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir says Israelis must prepare for a “prolonged campaign” against Iran, in order to “eliminate a threat of this magnitude.” In a video statement, Zamir says that Iran has been “building for years a clear plan to destroy the State of Israel” and that in recent months, “the plan reached the point of no return, where the capabilities reached operational capability.”

Four individuals plead guilty in connection with a $550 million USAID fraud scheme.

LAKEWOOD: Today, Reb Itche Rosenbaum gathered the team at “Madison Title” to deliver a powerful and emotional announcement: the hopeful return of glory to the company. With the humility and strength of a true Ben Torah, Reb Itche delivered the news not as a corporate executive, but as someone whose life is rooted in emunah and dedication to the klal. Through his Adopt-a-Kollel initiative and unwavering support for Toraso B’Umnaso, Reb Itche has championed limud haTorah and chesed for decades. Even as Madison Title faced significant challenges over the past two years, he never wavered in his commitment to what truly matters.

The Israeli Air Force carried out strikes against Iranian air defense batteries in southwest Iran a short while ago, the IDF says.

The IDF Home Front Command, after a recent assessment, has maintained its guidelines, allowing gatherings of up to 30 people in most areas if a shelter is accessible, and up to 50 outdoors and 100 indoors near Israel’s borders. Workplaces nationwide can operate under these conditions, but schools remain closed, with the guidelines in effect until Saturday night when a new assessment will be conducted.

As missiles continue to rain down on Eretz Yisroel our hearts are with the victims and everyone affected.

In addition to the teffilos added after davening as per the call of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of America in their Kol Korei released last Friday we must do our hishtadlus and advocacy. Agudath Israel’s office of government affairs has been in direct communication with the White House and members of Congress, thanking them for standing with Israel despite the pressure from voices on the right and left. Please join us in expressing our appreciation.

Call 202-456-1111 Monday – Thursday between the hours of 10-3 to leave a message at the White House comment line or use the online form here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/.

Personalize the following message template:

Dear President Trump,

As an Orthodox Jewish American I want to thank you for standing with Israel in its time of need. Israel currently faces an existential threat from a genocidal Iran. Our brothers and sisters in Israel, including hundreds of thousands of American citizens, keep heading to bomb shelters as Iran rains downs ballistic missiles on civilian neighborhoods. We appreciate the critical assistance of the United States in protecting innocent lives and your public support of Israel’s right to defend itself.

Thank you for everything you have done and are doing to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear bomb that would threaten Israel and the free world.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump appeared to ease tensions with Tucker Carlson this week, revealing that the media personality had reached out to make amends following critical comments about Trump’s role in the escalating situation between Israel and Iran. According to Trump, Carlson called to apologize for remarks he admitted “were a little bit too strong.”

“Tucker is a nice guy,” Trump told reporters during remarks at the White House. “He called and apologized the other day because he thought he said things that were a little bit too strong, and I appreciated that.”

Trump went on to say that when it comes to Iran, his base stands with him. “My supporters are America first,” he said. “They make America great again. My supporters don’t want to see Iran have a nuclear weapon.”

The discussion followed a reporter’s question referencing the fiery exchange between Carlson and Senator Ted Cruz on Carlson’s program. During the segment, Carlson pressed Cruz over his support for regime change in Iran.

“Ted Cruz is a nice guy,” Trump said. “I mean, he’s been with me for a long time, I’d say once the race was over.”

Still, Trump made it clear that anyone who believes Iran should be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons is fundamentally opposed to his position. “But nobody thinks it’s OK,” he added. “I don’t want to fight either. I’m not looking to fight. But if it’s a choice between fighting and them having a nuclear weapon, you have to. You have to do what you have to do.”

Trump also expressed skepticism that Cruz would truly endorse Iran having such capabilities, and said he doesn’t believe Carlson would support that either.

“The problem is then they get themselves into a thing,” Trump said. “They don’t want them to have nuclear. But then they say, well, we don’t want to fight. Well, they’re going to have to make a choice, because it’s possible that you’re going to have to fight for them not to have nuclear.”

Trump shared more details from his conversation with Carlson, including his direct question to the host about whether he was “OK with nuclear weapons being in the hands of Iran.”

“He sort of didn’t like that,” Trump said. “He didn’t want to, but he sort of didn’t like that. And I said, ‘well, if it’s OK with you, then you and I do have a difference,’ but it’s really not OK with him.”

Trump emphasized that the stakes are too high to ignore. “You may have to fight and maybe it will end and maybe it will end very quickly… you [can’t] allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon because the entire world will blow up. I’m not going to let that happen.”

Carlson, for his part, had ignited debate over U.S. intervention in the region with a social media post on June 13. In it, he drew a sharp distinction between those “who casually encourage violence, and those who seek to prevent it — between warmongers and peacemakers.”

He also argued that the advocates for military action included “anyone who’s calling Donald Trump today to demand air strikes and other direct U.S. military involvement in a war with Iran.”

Carlson reiterated his concerns during an appearance on Steve Bannon’s “War Room” podcast earlier in the week. He warned that American engagement in another Middle East conflict could mark “the end of the American empire,” and went so far as to claim it would “effectively end” Trump’s presidency. He compared the scenario to the fallout of George W. Bush’s invasion of Iraq.

Meanwhile, public opinion appears to be on Trump’s side. A poll published this week and cited by the New York Post found that Trump’s stance on Iran enjoys broad support among Republicans — especially those aligned with the MAGA movement.

According to a J.L. Partners survey, 65% of self-identified “MAGA Republicans” said they would support American strikes on Iran, compared to just 19% who opposed them.

Among Republicans who identify as “traditional,” 51% backed military action, while 28% were against it. Overall, Republican voters supported strikes by a margin of 58% to 25%, with 17% undecided or neutral.

“This poll makes clear: the Republican base is not isolationist,” said James Johnson, co-founder of J.L. Partners. “They back forceful U.S. and Israeli action to stop Iran, and see Israel’s fight as America’s fight.”

{Matzav.com}

A massive wave of 23 missiles fired from Iran on Friday afternoon left at least two people seriously injured—a teenage boy and a man in his 40s—amid widespread panic and destruction across Israel.

Air raid sirens were triggered in nearly every region of the country, from the northern Golan Heights and upper Galilee down to Eilat in the south, signaling the widespread reach of the attack.

Authorities confirmed at least five missile strikes that caused extensive physical damage in various areas.

Magen David Adom reported that one of the missiles struck Haifa, injuring 14 people. Emergency responders said a 16-year-old boy sustained a serious head injury, and a man in his 40s was also in serious condition after suffering heavy bleeding from a limb wound. Both were being transported to Rambam Hospital for urgent care.

In addition to those critical cases, a 40-year-old man was moderately hurt, a 54-year-old sustained injuries from shrapnel, and around ten more individuals were treated for minor wounds resulting from the blasts.

Among the damaged sites was a school located in central Israel, though details on injuries there were not immediately available.

Meanwhile, an El Al rescue flight returning from Bangkok was forced to remain airborne off Israel’s coast for nearly 50 minutes while the attack was underway. The aircraft circled repeatedly before receiving clearance to land safely.

Amid the assault, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei posted a message in Arabic on social media declaring, “The Zionist enemy is getting what it deserves, its punishment.”

{Matzav.com}

Israeli forces were given new directives on Friday to escalate their attacks on Iran, with the objective of significantly weakening the Islamic Republic’s regime. This escalation comes as the conflict between the two nations entered its second week, with both sides continuing to exchange strikes.

Defense Minister Yisroel Katz announced that he had instructed the Israel Defense Forces to expand their offensive, which included overnight airstrikes on a number of military sites across Iran, one of which targeted a facility associated with nuclear research.

“We must strike all symbols of the regime and its mechanisms of oppression, such as the Basij, as well as the base of the regime’s power, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps,” Katz declared.

He emphasized the importance of maintaining relentless pressure through ongoing bombardments “to destabilize the regime and increase deterrence in response to missile fire on Israel’s home front.”

According to Israeli military officials, over 60 fighter jets were deployed to attack facilities believed to be involved in missile production. These were described as key industrial centers linked to Iran’s weapons capabilities.

Among the sites reportedly hit was the headquarters of Iran’s Organization of Defensive Innovation and Research, which American officials have previously associated with secret Iranian work related to nuclear weapons development.

“A week has passed since the operation began,” said Brigadier General Effie Defrin, a spokesperson for the Israeli military, in a press briefing.

“We are strengthening our air control in the region and advancing our air offensive. We have more sites to strike in Tehran, western Iran and other places.”

This intensified campaign came on the heels of remarks from President Trump, who on Thursday reiterated that he would reach a decision within two weeks on whether to launch a U.S. strike on Iran. He noted that diplomacy might still be possible regarding Iran’s nuclear ambitions, and said he was not yet ready to abandon that hope.

{Matzav.com}

On Thursday night, Israeli leadership—including Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer—held a high-level meeting with members of the Trump administration. According to two individuals familiar with the discussions, the American delegation included Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The meeting was reported on exclusively by The Jerusalem Post.

This discussion came as Washington continued to weigh whether to participate directly in Israel’s military campaign against Iran. President Donald Trump indicated that he would reach a final decision on the matter within the next two weeks.

Citing the president’s position, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told the media: “Based on the fact that there’s a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks.”

Speaking at a routine press briefing, Leavitt reiterated that while Trump remained open to diplomacy with Tehran, his administration’s overriding concern was to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

In a parallel show of force, the United States is preparing to bolster its military presence in the region. Three aircraft carriers are expected to be deployed nearby, and ten U.S. military cargo planes are en route to American bases under U.S. Central Command in the Middle East.

{Matzav.com}

Iran declared on Friday that it would not engage in nuclear discussions with the United States while Israeli military actions against it continue, responding to President Trump’s recent remarks suggesting a two-week window to allow diplomacy to resume.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi firmly rejected any possibility of talks while hostilities persist, stating there would be no engagement “until Israeli aggression stops.”

“Americans want to negotiate and have sent messages several times, but we clearly said that as long as this aggression doesn’t stop, there’s no place for talk of dialogue,” Araqchi said in a televised speech aired on Iranian state TV.

He also leveled accusations against the United States, claiming Washington is complicit in the military attacks. He described America as a “partner to Israeli crime against Iran.”

General Jack Keane, a retired four-star U.S. Army commander, expressed skepticism that Iran’s highest authority, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, would ever fully commit to ceasing uranium enrichment activities.

“The Ayatollah going into this, and the reason why he has never made a deal, is because he had built an enterprise to survive an attack — and he believes they can absorb the attack, survive it, recover it, and then rebuild,” Gen. Keane said in an appearance on “Fox & Friends.”

“That is where this guy is. And I don’t see him, in the near term, making the deal here whatsoever,” he said, emphasizing his doubts about any imminent breakthrough.

At the same time, Israeli defense forces were instructed on Friday to ramp up their offensive operations against Iran, part of an effort to completely undermine the Islamic Republic’s leadership, following a wave of missile strikes launched the previous week.

These developments unfolded just a day after President Trump said he was weighing military action, while still holding out hope that Tehran might come back to the negotiating table.

“Based on the fact that there’s a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks,” Trump stated.

In a parallel diplomatic effort, Iran’s foreign minister traveled to Geneva on Friday for meetings with several European diplomats, with discussions expected to include the state of Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

Steve Witkoff, Trump’s designated envoy overseeing U.S. engagement with Iran, was not expected to participate in those Geneva meetings.

{Matzav.com}

YWN UPDATE: ISRAEL AT WAR – THE NUMBERS AS OF FRIDAY AT 3:00PM • Over 520 ballistic missiles launched. • About 400 Drones. • More than 50 impact sites. INJURIES: • 24 people were murdered. • 1,217 people injured: 12 in serious condition, 49 in moderate condition, 1,156 with light injuries. DAMAGES: 30,735 damage claims received by Israel Tax Authority: • 25,040 related to buildings. • 2,623 related to vehicles. • 3,006 related to other property. • 8,190 people were evacuated from their homes.

Iran has yet to formally decide to pursue the construction of a nuclear weapon, but intelligence sources believe such a move could follow swiftly if the United States were to strike the Fordow uranium enrichment facility or eliminate Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to a report from The New York Times published Thursday.

While the article references anonymous American intelligence officials suggesting Iran is not currently aiming to build a bomb, this view is not shared by CIA Director John Ratcliffe. According to CBS News, Ratcliffe has privately cautioned that Iran is on the verge of possessing nuclear weapons capability and is not merely debating it. “Claiming Iran isn’t close to a bomb,” he reportedly said, “would be similar to saying football players who have fought their way to the 1-yard line don’t want to score a touchdown.”

The Biden administration stated Thursday that Iran could finalize a nuclear weapon in “a couple of weeks,” underscoring how little time remains should Tehran choose to move forward.

That same two-week period is also the window during which President Donald Trump is weighing whether to authorize a military strike on the Fordow facility, located near Qom and buried about 300 feet underground. Israel lacks the kind of deep-penetration bombs required to destroy a site fortified to that extent.

The Times report also contradicts Israel’s assessment, which prompted it to initiate an offensive a week ago, based on information suggesting Iran had already enriched sufficient uranium for nine nuclear devices.

“All they had to do was weaponize them. We stopped that by attacking their nuclear scientists,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday.

Israel’s actions have continued beyond that initial strike.

“We control the skies over Tehran. We are striking with tremendous force at the Ayatollah regime. We are hitting the nuclear program, the missiles, the headquarters, the symbols of power,” Netanyahu declared in a video message on Wednesday.

{Matzav.com}