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President Donald Trump indicated Wednesday that there is no set schedule for ending the ongoing standoff with Iran, making clear that his administration is not operating under any deadline as it maintains a ceasefire and continues economic pressure through a naval blockade.

In an interview with Martha MacCallum on Fox News, Trump emphasized that both the conflict and diplomatic efforts are proceeding without urgency. He said there is “no time frame” for the war and reiterated that there is likewise “no time pressure” tied to the ceasefire he extended Tuesday or to any potential negotiations.

Responding to questions about when hostilities might conclude, Trump repeated that there is “no time frame” and stressed that the administration is not rushing toward a resolution. He pushed back against political speculation, stating, “People say I want to get it over because of the midterms, not true,” Trump said, adding that the administration wanted to “get a good deal for the American people.”

Even as the ceasefire remains in place, Trump confirmed that the United States will continue enforcing its maritime blockade targeting Iranian ports. He did not outline any timeline for when those restrictions might be lifted.

A day earlier, Trump announced that the temporary ceasefire would be extended without a defined endpoint. At the time, he described Iran’s leadership as “seriously fractured” and said the country must “come up with a unified proposal” before meaningful progress can be made.

Trump later suggested that a diplomatic breakthrough would depend on continued pressure, including the possibility of renewed military action if the blockade were lifted prematurely. In a post on Truth Social, he wrote: “Iran doesn’t want the Strait of Hormuz closed, they want it open so they can make $500 Million Dollars a day (which is, therefore, what they are losing if it is closed!). They only say they want it closed because I have it totally BLOCKADED (CLOSED!), so they merely want to ‘save face,’”

He continued in the same post: “People approached me four days ago, saying, ‘Sir, Iran wants to open up the Strait, immediately.’ But if we do that, there can never be a Deal with Iran, unless we blow up the rest of their Country, their leaders included!”

Statements from the White House echoed the president’s position. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Wednesday that no deadline has been imposed on Iran to present terms for ending the conflict.

She explained that divisions within Iran are complicating the situation, saying, “There’s obviously a lot of internal division [in Iran]. This is a battle between the pragmatists and the hardliners in Iran right now, and the President wants a unified response. And so as we await that response, there’s a ceasefire with the military and kinetic strikes, but Operation Economic Fury continues,” she stressed, “and the effective and successful naval blockade continues as well of ships and vessels that are moving to and from Iranian ports. We are completely strangling their economy through this blockade. They’re losing $500 million a day.”

Leavitt underscored that the timeline remains entirely in the president’s hands, adding, “The President has not set a firm deadline to receive an Iranian proposal, unlike some of the reporting I’ve seen today. Ultimately, the timeline will be dictated by the commander-in-chief and the president of the United States.”

She also cautioned against relying on public messaging from Tehran, noting, “We all see a lot of different messaging and rhetoric coming out of Iran – and I would caution you against taking anything they say at face value. What they say publicly is much different than what they concede to the US and our negotiating team privately.”

According to Leavitt, the decision to prolong the ceasefire reflects Washington’s expectation that Iran must take the next step. “chose to extend the ceasefire because it’s Iran who needs to get their act together. The United States and President Trump have been very clear in our demands, and our red lines, and what we need to see…from the very beginning.”

Earlier in the day, a spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry said Tehran had agreed to the U.S. request for a ceasefire but has not yet determined whether it will enter formal negotiations.

At the same time, tensions remain high in the region, with Iran reportedly launching three separate attacks on vessels traveling south through the Strait of Hormuz.

{Matzav.com}

A planned Shabbos gathering with the Belzer Rebbe for major donors has been postponed due to his current medical condition, according to an update delivered to the chassidus.

Rabbi Pinchas Lerner, a Belzer askan, informed chassidim in a recorded message that the upcoming “Heichala D’Malka” Shabbos, which was scheduled for this weekend, has been delayed. The event was set to take place at the D-City complex in Maale Adumim and was expected to host approximately 200 donors, each of whom had contributed $100,000 to the Belzer institutions.

Explaining the decision-making process, Rabbi Lerner said: “When I arrived in Eretz Yisroel on Sunday, I became aware of the Rebbe’s health condition. At that stage, it was not possible to make decisions, especially since on Monday encouraging reports began to arrive about a significant improvement in his condition. We waited until Tuesday, and with Hashem’s help, the situation indeed improved greatly.”

Leadership of the Belzer institutions convened to deliberate whether to proceed with the event as planned, weighing the Rebbe’s health and need for rest against the extensive preparations already made for the gathering.

The discussion was thorough, with strong considerations on both sides. On the one hand, there was a desire to move forward with the elevated Shabbos experience for the hundreds of chassidim who had already registered and prepared. On the other, the overriding concern was that the Rebbe had not yet fully regained his strength.

To reach a final decision, the matter was brought before the Rebbe himself, together with his son, Rav Aharon Mordechai Rokeach.

During the conversation, the option of canceling the Shabbos was presented. It was understood that if the Rebbe insisted on proceeding, the event would go ahead. However, if he agreed to postpone, it would indicate that he still required additional time to recover.

When the matter was presented, the Rebbe accepted the proposal and asked: “Do you agree to postpone the Shabbos?” The response was affirmative. Those present noted that the decision appeared to bring the Rebbe a sense of relief and that, at this time, it was not appropriate for him to undertake the effort required for such an event.

Rabbi Lerner also addressed the donors who had registered, saying: “We ask for the forgiveness of the public who registered and invested their resources and funds. However, there is no doubt that the Rebbe’s full health stands at the forefront of every chossid’s mind, and it takes precedence over any event.”

He added that an updated announcement regarding a new date for the gathering will be issued in the coming days, concluding: “We thank everyone for their understanding.”

An Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon has killed Maha Abu Khalil, an 80-year-old operative who was part of a terror cell that attempted to hijack an El Al flight in Athens in 1969, marking what officials describe as the closing of a decades-old account.

According to reports on Wednesday, Abu Khalil was killed in a strike carried out by the Israeli Air Force in the Tyre district in the western sector of southern Lebanon, just minutes before a cease-fire between Israel and Lebanon took effect.

Abu Khalil was a known member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and had long been associated with attacks targeting Israeli interests. Her death is being viewed as a significant moment in Israel’s long-standing conflict with figures linked to early-era Palestinian terrorism.

The incident that first brought Abu Khalil to prominence occurred in 1969 at Athens International Airport in Greece. She was part of a three-person cell from the Popular Front that sought to seize control of an El Al aircraft bound for Israel.

The objective of the hijacking attempt was to trigger an international crisis and pressure Israel into releasing Palestinian and Arab prisoners held at the time. The operation was foiled, and Greek authorities arrested the members of the cell and brought them to trial.

Despite her conviction, Abu Khalil did not serve her full prison sentence. In 1970, about a year after the failed hijacking attempt, another aircraft was hijacked by the same terror organization, which issued an ultimatum demanding the release of imprisoned operatives. As part of a prisoner exchange forced on the Greek government with international mediation, Abu Khalil and her associates were released.

Reports indicate that the Israeli strike that killed her targeted several buildings in Tyre believed to be used for terrorist infrastructure, and was carried out in the final moments before the cease-fire went into effect.

Her killing, despite her advanced age, is being described as symbolic, representing a reckoning with members of the earlier generation of Palestinian militants in Lebanon who were involved in hijackings and high-profile attacks against Israel in previous decades.

Separately, the IDF released details of another operation conducted earlier Wednesday deep inside Lebanese territory, shortly before the cease-fire began. Forces from the 769th Brigade under the 91st Division, working in coordination with the Israeli Air Force, carried out a raid on a Hezbollah compound in the village of Debin, approximately 12 kilometers from the border.

According to the military, the operation followed intelligence indicating militant activity at the site and plans to carry out attacks against Israeli forces and civilians. Troops from the Sabra Battalion raided the compound and destroyed extensive terrorist infrastructure.

During the operation, Israeli forces struck more than 70 separate targets, including engaging in close-quarters combat with Hezbollah operatives alongside precision airstrikes. More than 20 militants were reported killed in the assault.

{Matzav.com}

An Israeli court has ordered Sheba Medical Center to pay approximately 3.5 million shekels in compensation to a woman who was left permanently disabled following childbirth, ruling that medical negligence during a prolonged labor directly caused severe and irreversible harm.

The decision concludes an eight-year legal battle stemming from a 2018 delivery that began as a routine hospital admission but ended with lasting neurological damage. The court found that failures by the medical team during critical hours in the delivery room led to the woman’s condition.

According to the ruling, one of the central failures was the staff’s lack of appropriate response to a stalled labor that continued for many hours. The court described this as a clear breach of the duty of care. The patient testified that she remained in the delivery room for an extended period without being examined by a doctor, despite the complexity of her situation.

In her testimony, the woman described a sudden shift in the atmosphere after hours of relative calm. “From a calm room it became a full room and everyone was stressed, and I don’t understand what’s happening,” she said, recounting the moment when multiple doctors rushed in as the situation deteriorated.

The judge determined that the medical team’s failure to intervene in a timely manner left the patient in a dangerous condition for too long, directly resulting in permanent nerve damage. The compensation awarded is intended to cover lost earning capacity, ongoing medical treatment, and the profound impact on the woman’s life.

While cases of medical malpractice are not uncommon, the severity of this ruling and the size of the compensation stand out, underscoring the critical importance of close monitoring and timely intervention during childbirth, particularly when warning signs emerge.

Legal experts have noted that successful malpractice claims require clear proof of a direct causal link between negligence and injury, which the court found to be established in this case.

Sheba Medical Center has not issued a formal response to the ruling. The hospital, widely regarded as one of Israel’s leading medical institutions and recently ranked among the top hospitals globally, now faces renewed scrutiny over patient safety standards.

In a statement, the hospital said: “The Sheba Medical Center is known for a significantly lower-than-average rate of perineal tears worldwide. This is due to a professional approach practiced at Sheba, of exhausting all possible actions to avoid the use of instruments and unnatural means during childbirth, and with the goal of allowing the mother an optimal birth experience — while maintaining uncompromising attention to the safety and well-being of both the mother and the newborn. We will continue to provide the most professional, safe, and optimal care to all our patients.”

A moving image released on Memorial Day morning shows Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu donning the tefillin of Staff Sgt. Nissim Sean Carmeli, a lone soldier who was killed during Operation Protective Edge.

The photograph captures a powerful moment as Netanyahu puts on the tefillin of the Golani fighter, whose story deeply moved the nation. Carmeli, originally from Texas, immigrated to Israel and enlisted in the IDF as a lone soldier. He was killed in combat in Gaza at the age of 21.

Carmeli’s story became a symbol of dedication and love for Israel. After news of his death spread, his friends feared that few would attend his funeral, as most of his family remained in the United States. However, calls spread across social media urging the public to come honor the fallen soldier.

The response was overwhelming. According to police estimates, more than 20,000 people attended his funeral at the military cemetery in Haifa. “Listen, this is really not what we thought,” said Dori, a friend of the fallen soldier. “Despite the call on Facebook, I thought maybe a few dozen would come. When I suddenly saw more and more people arriving, it surprised me.”

During this year’s Memorial Day ceremonies, Netanyahu also addressed the ongoing war, saying: “In the past two and a half years, we have been engaged in a multi-front war unlike anything since the War of Independence.” He added that “25,648 fallen soldiers of Israel’s wars are now joined by Barak Kalfon and Lidor Porat — the most recent casualties from the fighting in Lebanon.”

{Matzav.com}

Hodaya Cohen, who was crowned this year’s International Tanach Quiz champion for youth, said she nearly gave the wrong answer to the final, decisive question before securing first place in the competition.

Speaking after her victory, Cohen described the tense moment that determined the outcome, revealing how close she came to an error. The question asked where Yaakov Avinu was born, and after several long seconds that felt like an eternity, she answered “Be’er Lachai Roi,” clinching the title.

In an interview on the program “Yatza Chag” with Liat Regev on Kan News Radio, she reflected on the moment, saying: “At that moment I didn’t process it, it took me time. I almost said a wrong answer, I almost answered Be’er Sheva.”

She went on to describe her thought process under pressure: “I simply ran through the places that were a few chapters earlier, and moved forward to that chapter, and suddenly the posuk about Be’er Lachai Roi popped into my mind, and right after that passage it speaks about the birth of Yaakov.”

Cohen is an 11th-grade student at Ulpanat Rabbi Beharan in Gedera and a resident of Moshav Nir Akiva in southern Israel. This year’s competition featured 16 participants from seven different countries and was held at the Yerushalayim Theater under the theme “To Build and to Plant.”

Akiva (Jack) Schreier, a 10th-grade student from the United States, finished as runner-up, while Yehoshua Applebaum of Israel, a student at the Berman Hebrew Academy, placed third.

{Matzav.com}

Israel’s Supreme Court has ordered limits on public access to a key hearing set for Thursday on petitions demanding the establishment of a state commission of inquiry into the failures surrounding the October 7 attacks, citing concerns over possible disruptions.

The hearing follows a conditional order issued by the High Court of Justice in November, requiring the government to explain why it has not acted to establish a commission under the Commissions of Inquiry Law, which would examine “independently, professionally, and impartially the full scope of events related to the attack.”

In their decision, the justices said there is a substantial risk that the proceedings could be disrupted, justifying restrictions on entry to the courtroom. “There is a well-founded concern that the hearing scheduled in these proceedings may be accompanied by disturbances, unrest, or outbursts of a degree that is expected to significantly hinder its proper conduct,” the ruling stated.

Accordingly, attendance will be limited to attorneys, members of the press, and individuals granted special authorization. At the same time, the court stressed that in order to preserve the principle of open proceedings, the hearing will be broadcast live to the public.

The case will be heard before an expanded panel of seven justices, led by Deputy Supreme Court President Noam Sohlberg.

A young man injured in a stone-throwing attack near the community of Ofra on Wednesday recounted the moments he says he was assaulted by a mob, describing how he lost consciousness during the incident. He was evacuated to Shaare Zedek Medical Center, where he is expected to undergo a CT scan.

Speaking from his hospital bed, the victim described the attack that took place near the nearby village of Deir Dibwan. The legal aid organization Honenu, which is assisting those injured, called on authorities to take action against those responsible.

“Today in the afternoon we were walking, a few friends, near the community of Ofra. Suddenly Arabs come toward us and start a lynch. They throw stones at us. I was also hit by several stones. I lost consciousness and fell to the ground immediately,” the injured man said.

He added that initial rescue attempts by his friends were unsuccessful due to the ongoing assault. “Friends of mine who tried to get me out of there were also hit by stones. The Arabs were throwing stones and getting closer. They eventually got me out, brought me to the hospital, and now I’m going in for a CT scan of my head,” he said.

Earlier in the day, a group of hikers traveling from Ofra toward Givat Asaf was attacked, with several individuals reported injured.

According to reports, dozens of attackers emerged from the direction of Deir Dibwan and hurled rocks at close range at members of the group. Several people were struck, including one victim who suffered a head injury and received treatment at the scene from Magen David Adom before being transported to the hospital.

Honenu called on the IDF and police to apprehend those involved in the attack and pursue legal action against them.

{Matzav.com}

Lakewood has once again topped all municipalities in New Jersey for the number of births, marking the fifth year in a row that the township has held this position.

According to statewide figures, a total of 99,721 babies were born throughout New Jersey last year, with 5,355 of those births occurring in Lakewood. That total not only places the township at the top statewide, but also accounts for over half of all births in Ocean County, where 10,715 babies were born overall.

Despite its size, Lakewood has outpaced significantly larger cities such as Newark and Jersey City, highlighting a continuing demographic trend that shows no signs of slowing.

What stands out most is the disproportion between the township’s geographic footprint and its birth numbers. Lakewood is not typically listed among the state’s largest urban centers, yet its birth totals rival—and exceed—those of cities with far larger populations and more varied demographics.

The sustained growth is largely driven by the expansion of Lakewood’s Orthodox Jewish population, which today makes up the overwhelming majority of residents. With population estimates now surpassing 140,000 and more than 80 percent identified as Orthodox Jewish, Lakewood has become a central hub for one of the fastest-growing communities in New Jersey.

A new controversy has erupted in Poland after a series of provocative actions targeting Israeli leadership, intensifying tensions just days after a lawmaker displayed an Israeli flag marked with a swastika inside parliament.

Tomasz Grabarczyk, a member of the far-right “New Hope” party and a former candidate for the European Parliament, ignited outrage with a social media post timed to coincide with Israel’s 78th Independence Day. The post featured an altered image of Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, portraying him with Adolf Hitler’s distinctive moustache, along with a caption drawing a direct comparison between the two.

“Today, a state begins to celebrate its independence, which was built on the tragedy of millions of innocent people,” the post read. It went on to accuse Israel of decades of “murder, oppression, persecution and expulsion,” adding: “Israel is a criminal state. Netanyahu is to be considered a modern Hitler until they answer for their crimes.”

The incident is part of a wider uptick in inflammatory rhetoric circulating online in Poland in recent days, much of it aimed at Israel and its government. At the same time, Polish MP Konrad Berkowicz—who previously drew condemnation after waving a defaced Israeli flag bearing a swastika—has continued to accuse Israel of “genocide.” He has also directed criticism toward the U.S. ambassador to Poland and the Israeli embassy in Warsaw, both of which strongly denounced his actions.

The controversy has extended into diplomatic exchanges as well. Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski recently criticized Israeli military conduct following the circulation of footage showing an IDF soldier damaging a statue of Yoshkah in southern Lebanon, asserting that Israeli troops had “admitted to committing war crimes” and even killing captives.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar responded forcefully, rejecting Sikorski’s remarks and pointing instead to the earlier incident in Poland’s parliament. “Your words show ignorance. Instead of preaching morality to others, it would have been better if you had condemned the antisemitic act we saw in the parliament.”

{Matzav.com}

A Virginia court has barred state officials from finalizing the results of a closely contested congressional redistricting referendum, ruling that both the measure and the legislation that set it in motion violate the constitution, according to an order issued Wednesday.

Attorney General Jay Jones said his office will challenge the ruling, confirming to 7News that an appeal is already underway.

The decision was handed down by the Tazewell Circuit Court, which has previously intervened in the matter, repeatedly finding both the referendum itself and the resolution behind it unconstitutional. The court’s position aligned with arguments made in lawsuits filed by Republican plaintiffs.

Earlier efforts to stop the referendum had been overturned by the Virginia Supreme Court, allowing the vote to proceed.

Voters narrowly approved the measure on Tuesday, advancing a plan to redraw Virginia’s congressional districts. The proposed changes could shift the state’s representation to 10 Democrats and one Republican in the U.S. House, compared to the current split of six Democrats and five Republicans.

State Democrats had backed the mid-cycle redistricting effort in response to President Donald Trump, who had previously encouraged Republican-led states to pursue similar moves ahead of the midterm elections.

Legal challenges to the referendum remain ongoing.

The Republican National Committee, which was among the plaintiffs in the case and prevailed in this ruling, praised the court’s decision and sharply criticized the redistricting push.

“Last night, Democrats only managed to squeak out a narrow 3-point victory despite burning tens of millions in cash and manipulating voters with misleading ballot language,” a spokesperson for the RNC wrote. “Every step of the way, Democrats lied and deceived Virginians to push forward what has always been illegal under state law, and today’s decision once again reaffirms that.”

Jones, however, pushed back against the ruling, emphasizing the legitimacy of the vote.

“As I said last night, Virginia voters have spoken, and an activist judge should not have veto power over the People’s vote. We look forward to defending the outcome of last night’s election in court,” Attorney General Jones said in his statement to 7News.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Wednesday that President Donald Trump has not imposed a specific timeline on Iran to present a proposal to end the ongoing conflict, even as a temporary cease-fire remains in place.

Her remarks followed Trump’s announcement a day earlier that the cease-fire with Iran would be extended without a defined end date, allowing additional time for diplomatic developments.

Leavitt said the President is “maintaining and generously offering a bit of flexibility to a regime who has been completely tarnished because of Operation Epic Fury.”

She added that the situation inside Iran remains unsettled. “There’s obviously a lot of internal division [in Iran]. This is a battle between the pragmatists and the hardliners in Iran right now, and the President wants a unified response. And so as we await that response, there’s a ceasefire with the military and kinetic strikes, but Operation Economic Fury continues,” she stressed, “and the effective and successful naval blockade continues as well of ships and vessels that are moving to and from Iranian ports. We are completely strangling their economy through this blockade. They’re losing $500 million a day.”

Addressing reports suggesting a deadline had been set, Leavitt pushed back, saying, “The President has not set a firm deadline to receive an Iranian proposal, unlike some of the reporting I’ve seen today. Ultimately, the timeline will be dictated by the commander-in-chief and the president of the United States,” Leavitt stressed.

She also warned reporters not to rely too heavily on statements coming out of Tehran. “We all see a lot of different messaging and rhetoric coming out of Iran – and I would caution you against taking anything they say at face value. What they say publicly is much different than what they concede to the US and our negotiating team privately.”

Leavitt said the decision to prolong the cease-fire was intentional, placing the burden on Iran to respond. She explained that Trump “chose to extend the ceasefire because it’s Iran who needs to get their act together. The United States and President Trump have been very clear in our demands, and our red lines, and what we need to see…from the very beginning.”

Earlier in the day, an Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson indicated that Tehran had agreed to the American request for a cease-fire but has yet to decide whether it will formally engage in negotiations.

.@PressSec on Iran: "There's a ceasefire with the military and kinetic strikes, but Operation Economic Fury continues and… we are completely strangling their economy through this blockade. They're losing $500M/day… He's satisfied with that as we await their response." pic.twitter.com/SdtLveF1ZH

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 22, 2026

At the same time, tensions persisted in the region, as Iran carried out three attacks on vessels traveling southbound through the Strait of Hormuz, underscoring the fragile nature of the current pause in hostilities.

{Matzav.com}

Rep. Ilhan Omar reacted sharply to questions this week about major inconsistencies in her financial disclosure filings, which dramatically revised her reported net worth downward.

According to filings from last year, Omar (D-Minn.) had initially stated that she and her husband, Tim Mynett, possessed assets ranging from $6 million to $30 million. However, a revised disclosure submitted more recently placed their combined wealth at between just $18,004 and $95,000.

Omar attributed the earlier figures to accounting mistakes, saying the original filing contained significant errors.

During an exchange on Tuesday, a reporter from Lindell TV pressed Omar on the discrepancies. “Congresswoman Omar, the last time I spoke to you, you said I was stupid for asking about your financial disclosure, but there’s some discrepancies on there. Would you like to explain that? How did you make such a big mistake?” the reporter asked.

“I think you’re stupid for asking me anything,” Omar responded, appearing irritated while offering a sarcastic smile.

“I don’t want to tell you. How about that? Have a good day.”

Earlier reporting had highlighted the apparent jump in Omar’s wealth, with figures suggesting a dramatic increase in her net worth based on the now-revised disclosure.

Mynett, who previously worked as a political consultant, is connected to multiple business ventures, including the Washington-based investment firm Rose Lake Capital and a winery located in Santa Rosa, California.

In the original 2024 filing, the winery was listed with assets estimated between $1 million and $5 million, while Rose Lake Capital was reported to hold between $5 million and $25 million in assets.

At one point, Rose Lake Capital had also claimed on its website that it managed approximately $60 billion in assets.

Following questions from the Office of Congressional Conduct, Omar submitted an amended disclosure that reflected the businesses as having no net value once liabilities were taken into account.

“The amended disclosure confirms what we’ve said all along: The congresswoman is not a millionaire,” Omar spokeswoman Jacklyn Rogers told the Journal. “The congresswoman amended her disclosures voluntarily as soon as the discrepancy was identified.”

Republican leaders have seized on the issue, calling for further scrutiny. House GOP Whip Tom Emmer told reporters Tuesday, “Ilhan cannot escape accountability much longer. Investigations are ongoing in House committees. The Trump administration has waged war on fraud.”

“If Ilhan Omar is discovered to have been involved in any or to have benefited in any way from any fraud, she must be held accountable,” he added. “By the way, that includes marriage fraud.”

A major dispute has erupted over preparations for the annual Lag BaOmer gathering in Meron, with police issuing a stark warning that, at this stage, the mass event cannot be approved due to serious safety concerns.

In a formal letter sent by the Northern District Police to the “Committee of Five,” officials expressed deep alarm over ongoing delays in preparing the site. According to the police, the current situation poses a significant risk to public safety and prevents proper authorization of the event.

Police say that professional teams, production companies, and contractors have been unable to access the area to carry out critical infrastructure and safety work. These restrictions, they stress, are preventing the completion of essential preparations ahead of the expected large crowds.

Authorities emphasized that there can be no compromise on key safety measures, including the installation of fencing, the paving of emergency access routes, the arrangement of lighting, the establishment of fire safety infrastructure, and the deployment of technological systems designed to protect attendees. Without these steps, police say, it is impossible to safely conduct a mass gathering.

In a sharply worded message to the committee, police warned that full responsibility for any loss of life resulting from insufficient preparation would fall solely on those overseeing the event. They added that even if individuals attempt to reach the site through alternative routes, the area will not be deemed fit to receive visitors until all required work is completed.

Police are calling on the committee to act immediately to remove all obstacles preventing professionals from entering the site, cautioning that any further delays could jeopardize the event entirely.

In response, the Committee of Five pushed back, sending a letter in which its director, Uri Vizubovsky, rejected the claims and accused the police of providing inaccurate and misleading information.

According to Vizubovsky, the Ministry of Jerusalem and Heritage holds sole responsibility for organizing the Lag BaOmer celebration, and the committee has never been, and is not currently, in charge of the event. He added that the matter has been in the ministry’s hands for some time, despite the committee having submitted all required documentation, yet no response has been received.

Vizubovsky stated that, from the committee’s perspective, there is no barrier to allowing professional teams to enter the site, placing responsibility for the delays squarely on the Ministry of Yerushalayim and Heritage. He concluded by urging the ministry to provide an immediate response.

President Trump has made a leadership change at the Department of the Navy, announcing the departure of Navy Secretary John Phelan as U.S. forces maintain a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.

Phelan is stepping down effective immediately, and Undersecretary Hung Cao will assume the role of Acting Secretary of the Navy, according to a Pentagon announcement. No explanation was provided for the sudden change.

“Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan is departing the administration, effective immediately,” Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell announced. “We wish him well in his future endeavors.”

Phelan, known as a prominent art collector, previously led a large private investment firm before entering government service.

He has also been a major Republican donor, contributing more than $1.8 million to support GOP candidates.

Cao, a Navy veteran who previously ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate in Virginia, is viewed as a favored figure by the president.

{Matzav.com}

President Trump said Wednesday that Iran has backed away from executing eight women, describing the development as a positive outcome following his public appeal a day earlier.

“I have just been informed that the eight women protestors who were going to be executed tonight in Iran will no longer be killed. Four will be released immediately, and four will be sentenced to one month in prison,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

“I very much appreciate that Iran, and its leaders, respected my request, as President of the United States, and terminated the planned execution.”

The announcement came shortly after Trump agreed to extend a temporary cease-fire with Iran for an additional two weeks, as American negotiators continue waiting for Tehran’s response to a proposed framework aimed at ending nearly two months of fighting.

Iranian authorities, however, disputed the premise of Trump’s claim, insisting that the women were never facing execution in the first place. The country’s judiciary said that “Trump was misled once again by fake news” and that “some of them have been released, while others face charges that, if convictions are upheld, would at most result in imprisonment.”

That account has been challenged by activists and human rights groups. According to those organizations, at least one of the women, Bita Hemmati, had been sentenced to death over her alleged role in protests earlier this year.

Her case drew attention in recent days after being highlighted by advocacy groups monitoring developments inside Iran. Reports indicated that Hemmati and several others were accused of taking part in demonstrations in early January.

Hemmati, along with four men, was found guilty of “participation in protest gatherings on January 8 and 9, 2026,” including “chanting protest slogans,” “throwing objects including bottles, concrete blocks, and incendiary materials from rooftops,” and “destruction of public property,” the activist news agency said.

At the same time, not all of the women remain in custody. Two of them — Golnaz Naraghi, 37, and Venus Hosseininejad, 28 — have reportedly been free on bail since late March, according to a Norway-based human rights organization.

The cases gained wider visibility after Iranian dissident Masih Alinejad, who resides in the United States, shared details about the women on social media, including their identities and which among them were believed to face capital punishment.

The developments come against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran, which began Feb. 28 after Trump warned earlier in the year that Washington would take action if Iranian authorities violently suppressed protests — a crackdown that reportedly resulted in thousands of deaths.

While the fate of the detainees has drawn attention, diplomatic efforts have largely centered on broader strategic issues. Trump has emphasized that his primary objective in negotiations is to secure an agreement ending Iran’s nuclear enrichment program and to recover an estimated 1,000 pounds of highly enriched uranium.

{Matzav.com}

Chaim Galbut, a 6-foot-7 forward known for playing basketball while visibly maintaining his Orthodox Jewish identity, has committed to Duquesne University, where he hopes to become the first observant Orthodox Jew to complete a full four-year career in Division I college basketball.

The commitment drew attention after basketball analyst Jonathan Givony reported that Duquesne first discovered Galbut through social media, where clips of him dunking while wearing a yarmulka began circulating. Those videos quickly set him apart—not only for his athleticism, but for the unusual combination of high-level play and open religious observance.

Galbut’s path to Division I basketball has been anything but typical. Instead of following the standard recruiting pipeline of AAU tournaments and showcase circuits, he spent time learning in yeshiva while continuing to develop his game. That unconventional route limited his exposure to college programs, making his eventual recruitment through social media all the more striking.

Standing at 6-foot-7 with length and mobility, Galbut profiles as a versatile forward who can run the floor, finish at the rim, and contribute on both ends. His size and athletic ability have drawn attention.

Chaim is a son of Rabbi and Mrs. Elchonon Boruch Galbut of Miami Beach, Florida. He is one of seven children. He has attended Mechinah of South Florida and Yeshiva Bais Yisroel.

Observing Shabbos presents a major challenge at the Division I level, where games, practices, and travel frequently take place on Fridays and Saturdays. However, Matzav.com has learned that Duquesne has already arranged for the first 15+ games not to be held on Shabbos.

Duquesne University is a private, Catholic university located on a 49-acre hilltop campus in Pittsburgh. The school competes in the Atlantic 10 Conference.

While there have been Orthodox Jewish athletes in college and professional basketball, none have completed a full Division I career while maintaining full observance.

{Matzav.com}