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Joe Kent, who served as director of the National Counterterrorism Center, stepped down from his position on Tuesday, stating that he could not continue in the role while supporting the Trump administration’s military campaign against Iran.

In a message posted on social media, Kent explained his decision, writing that he “cannot in good conscience” support the war effort. He further argued that Iran “posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby.”

Kent, who had been confirmed to the post last July by a 52-44 Senate vote, led the agency responsible for evaluating and identifying terrorist threats to the United States.

Before joining President Donald Trump’s administration, Kent had mounted two unsuccessful bids for Congress in Washington state. His background also includes extensive military service as a Green Beret, with 11 deployments, followed by work at the CIA.

His confirmation drew sharp criticism from Democrats, who highlighted his associations with controversial right-wing figures and promotion of conspiracy-related claims.

During his 2022 congressional campaign, Kent compensated Graham Jorgensen, identified as a member of the Proud Boys, for consulting services. He also maintained close ties with Joey Gibson, who founded the Christian nationalist group Patriot Prayer, and received backing from a range of right-wing activists.

At his Senate confirmation hearing, Kent declined to clearly reject claims that federal agents played a role in instigating the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, as well as assertions that Trump defeated former President Joe Biden in the 2020 election.

Lawmakers also questioned Kent about his involvement in a Signal group chat used by members of Trump’s national security team to exchange sensitive military information.

Despite the controversy, Republicans pointed to Kent’s national security credentials in supporting his nomination, emphasizing his background in both military and intelligence roles.

Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., who chairs the Senate Intelligence Committee, said in a speech on the Senate floor that Kent had “dedicated his career to fighting terrorism and keeping Americans safe.”

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu said Tuesday that Israel will continue its campaign against Iran’s leadership, indicating that additional actions are planned following the recent elimination of key figures in the regime.

His remarks came in response to the reported killing of senior Iranian officials, including Ali Larijani and the head of the Basij forces, which he described as part of Israel’s broader effort to weaken Tehran’s grip on power.

In a statement, Netanyahu detailed the operation and its targets: “”This morning, we eliminated Ali Larijani. Ali Larijani is the boss of the Revolutionary Guards, that group of gangsters that effectively runs Iran. Alongside him, we also eliminated the commander of the Basij – they are the gangsters’ assistants who are terrorizing the population in the streets of Tehran and other Iranian cities. We are operating there as well; operating from the air with Air Force jets and UAVs.”

He explained that Israel’s strategy is aimed at eroding the regime’s stability over time. “We are undermining this regime in the hope of giving the Iranian people an opportunity to remove it. It will not happen all at once, and it will not happen easily. But if we persist, we will give them the chance to take their destiny into their own hands.”

Netanyahu also pointed to close coordination with the United States in confronting Iran, describing ongoing joint efforts. “At the same time, we are helping our American friends in the Gulf. I spoke at length with President Trump on this matter yesterday. There is cooperation between our air forces and navies, between myself and President Trump and his staff. We will assist both through indirect attacks, which create immense pressure on the Iranian regime, and through direct actions. There are many more surprises. ‘By stratagems, you shall make war.’ We will not reveal all the stratagems here, but as I told you, there are many.”

Highlighting what he sees as the key to success, Netanyahu stressed the role of resolve at every level. “The most important thing for winning a war is determination: Determination, determination, determination. The determination of the leaders, the determination of the commanders, and the determination of the people. We are determined to win, and we will achieve these goals.”

Turning to the Israeli public, he urged citizens to remain confident and not be swayed by pessimism. “I ask you to simply ignore the ‘channels of gloom.’ We are achieving historical milestones. With G-d’s help, we have reached a point where, after October 7, when we were on the brink of an abyss, we are now a formidable power, almost a global one, fighting shoulder-to-shoulder with our friend, the global superpower. This is already a massive achievement in the face of all the threats coming our way. What other country has these capabilities? They are all under attack. Who else has these strengths of ours – the alliances, the IDF, the Air Force, and a strong nation? So, stay strong.”

He concluded by pledging continued government support for citizens affected by the ongoing situation. “We will also help you. Regarding everything related to compensation, I have instructed that the framework be presented to you and that it be expanded. We will help the North, and we will help everyone in need, just as we did previously in Operation Rising Lion and during COVID-19. We will do it even more vigorously this time,” he concluded.

{Matzav.com}

Health officials are sounding the alarm over a growing public health concern in New York City, where dangerous, drug-resistant infections — often referred to as “superbugs” — are becoming increasingly difficult to control and treat.

Among the most troubling is Candida auris, a highly resilient fungus that can persist on surfaces even after routine cleaning, often resists commonly used antifungal medications, and has the potential to cause deadly bloodstream infections.

Since its initial identification in New York in 2016, cases of Candida auris have continued to climb. In the past year alone, the state recorded 623 confirmed infections in patients who became ill, along with 849 additional cases involving individuals who tested positive but did not develop symptoms.

Research published last year found that the New York–New Jersey metropolitan region accounts for nearly one-fifth of all Candida auris cases in the United States. Investigators attributed much of the increase to extensive travel and commercial connections with South Asia, where the fungus is more widespread.

Candida auris is only one piece of a broader and growing problem. Medical professionals are increasingly concerned about a surge in highly resistant bacteria, often described as “nightmare bacteria,” driven in large part by the misuse and overprescribing of antibiotics.

“When somebody has a viral illness, they have a respiratory cold, [an] antibiotic [will] have zero benefit to them, but will have more potential toxicity, both in terms of side effects and reactions, but also in the development of resistance,” Dr. Aaron Glatt, professor and chair of the Department of Medicine at Mount Sinai South Nassau, told The Post.

“The entire opportunity here is for people to use the antibiotics appropriately.”

Antibiotics remain essential tools for treating bacterial infections such as strep throat, urinary tract infections, and bacterial pneumonia. However, they are ineffective against viral illnesses like colds, influenza, COVID-19, and most sore throats, and their misuse contributes significantly to the rise of resistant organisms.

Bacteria become resistant primarily through natural genetic changes, and once resistance develops, these traits can spread between different bacterial strains, compounding the problem.

Global data underscores the severity of the issue. The World Health Organization reported last fall that one out of every six bacterial infections no longer responds to standard antibiotic treatments. Between 2018 and 2023, resistance rates increased steadily, rising by an estimated 5% to 15% each year.

The COVID-19 pandemic worsened the situation, as many patients with mild or moderate illness were unnecessarily treated with antibiotics, accelerating the development of resistance.

“It’s a combination of patients requesting … antibiotics when they don’t need them,” Glatt said. “It’s also incumbent upon physicians to say, ‘No, this disease is not treated with an antibiotic.’”

Despite the concerning trend, experts note that Candida auris does not pose a major risk to the average person. The fungus is most commonly transmitted in healthcare settings such as hospitals and nursing homes.

“It is not something that is of great concern to the typical person on the street,” Glatt said, “but it is especially concerning for patients from nursing homes and … patients who receive multiple antibiotics and are very sick themselves and they’re immunocompromised.”

There are some positive developments. New medications have shown promise in combating certain resistant bacteria, including strains like E. coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae.

At the federal level, lawmakers are working to address the growing threat. Bipartisan legislation known as the Pioneering Antimicrobial Subscriptions to End Upsurging Resistance (PASTEUR) Act, first introduced in 2020 and recently brought back for consideration, aims to incentivize the development of new antibiotics.

The proposal introduces a subscription-style payment system, in which pharmaceutical companies would be compensated based on the value and innovation of their drugs rather than sales volume, with the goal of stabilizing the market and encouraging research.

“This Netflix model says the government will pay the pharmaceutical [companies] a flat fee for the access to these antibiotics, no matter how much is used or not,” Glatt explained.

“This way, the pharmaceutical industry would be adequately reimbursed with [research and development] that they do,” he continued, “and at the same time, if the drug gets used a lot, it won’t be as expensive.”

{Matzav.com}

Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio) said that Tucker Carlson should be prosecuted if investigators determine he acted against U.S. interests by working with Iran’s regime, escalating a growing controversy surrounding the former television host.

Miller’s comments came a day after Carlson claimed the Justice Department may soon bring charges against him for allegedly operating as an unregistered foreign agent. Carlson said the potential case stems from his communications with individuals in Iran before the war, which he believes were uncovered through government surveillance of his text messages.

The congressman said that if Carlson’s account is accurate and any wrongdoing rises to the level of treason, legal consequences must follow.

“Everyone has always known Tucker is in love with himself and happy to sell falsehoods for attention,” Miller posted on X. “The Left excels at this, when Tucker fully joined them it was just sad.”

He continued, “Now? Treason. If Tucker really worked with Iran against America’s interests, he is a traitor and should be prosecuted.”

As of now, no formal charges have been filed.

Carlson said in a video released Saturday that he was informed the CIA had recommended to the Department of Justice that he face prosecution based on his text messages in the period leading up to the Iran conflict. He did not specify who he had been communicating with or the content of those messages, but suggested that some within the intelligence community may be targeting him due to his positions regarding Israel.

“The CIA is preparing some kind of criminal referral against me, a crime report to the Department of Justice, on the basis of a supposed crime I committed,” Carlson said in his video explanation. “What’s that crime? Well, talking to people in Iran before the war. They read my texts.”

Carlson denied any wrongdoing.

Reports have indicated that Carlson had met with President Donald Trump in the period before the war and was among a small group urging caution and opposing military action against Iran, though the president ultimately moved forward with the strikes.

Since then, Carlson has sharply criticized the joint U.S.-Israel operation that resulted in the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other senior officials. He described the strikes as “absolutely disgusting and evil,” and argued that Operation Epic Fury was being “waged” solely for Israel’s benefit.

President Donald Trump later distanced himself from Carlson, making clear that he no longer considers him aligned with his political movement.

“Tucker has lost his way,” Trump told ABC’s Jonathan Karl on March 5. “I knew that a long time ago, and he’s not MAGA. MAGA is saving our country. MAGA is making our country great again. MAGA is America first, and Tucker is none of those things. And Tucker is really not smart enough to understand that.”

Trump has also rejected claims that the United States entered the conflict with Iran due to pressure from Israel, asserting instead that the decision was driven independently.

“If anything, I might’ve forced Israel’s hand.”

Carlson, for his part, suggested that elements within the U.S. intelligence community may be seeking to intimidate him through the threat of prosecution, saying the effort is meant to “humiliate and terrify” him with potential charges.

{Matzav.com}

Shrapnel from an intercepted missile impacted an open area in central Israel. No injuries have been reported.

Former Vice President Mike Pence said that President Donald Trump’s military campaign against Iran is intended to bring an end to a long-running conflict with Tehran, rather than ignite a new war.

Speaking during an appearance on NewsNation’s “The Hill Sunday,” Pence argued that successive U.S. administrations have responded to Iranian aggression over many years, and that the current operation represents the culmination of those efforts.

“One administration after another has slashed at the tentacles of Iran that have taken violence to American forces, to American citizens, to our allies in the region, most especially Israel, and making that case that this isn’t about starting a war, it’s about finishing a war that’s nearly 50 years in the making,” Pence said during an appearance on NewsNation’s “The Hill Sunday.”

Pence pointed to the origins of the conflict nearly five decades ago, when Iranian students seized the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and held American diplomats hostage for 444 days, marking a turning point in U.S.-Iran relations.

Iran’s current regime, which came to power in 1979, has remained a central focus of U.S. policy, particularly as the Trump administration carries out strikes under Operation Epic Fury.

The campaign has already dealt significant blows to Iran’s leadership. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed during the initial round of strikes on February 28, and Vice President Vance has indicated that his successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, may have been injured in subsequent attacks.

Pence suggested that the ongoing military pressure could open the door to internal change within Iran, especially following earlier waves of protests in which thousands were reportedly killed.

“We saw the threats this week, which to me sounded a lot like weakness by this regime, saying that they would treat anyone that took to the streets like those did in January as enemy combatants and had instructed their internal security to open fire,” Pence said of Iran’s warnings against large-scale demonstrations.

He continued by pointing to the regime’s history of violent repression and argued that weakening its capabilities could empower the Iranian people to act.

“Not surprising, they have murdered tens of thousands of their own people even in recent months. But I think hitting their military infrastructure and hitting their internal law enforcement security will then create the conditions where once degraded, the people of Iran would be able to step forward and reclaim their country. I think that’s step one,” he said of the military operation overseas.

Pence added that a renewed American presence in the Middle East, following the withdrawal from Afghanistan, would send a broader signal on the global stage.

He said it would “send a message” to Beijing, Moscow and “enemies of freedom around the world, that America remains the leader of all free nations.”

{Matzav.com}

Footage from Yerushalayim shows an Iranian ballistic missile being intercepted a short time ago.

Large parts of Cuba were without power on Tuesday after its third blackout in four months underscored the island’s deepening energy and economic crises and rising political tensions with U.S. President Donald Trump. Electricity was slowly being restored to hospitals and some of the island’s 11 million residents, but officials warned that its crumbling power […]

Israel’s Finance Ministry issued a statement rejecting claims that there are delays in compensation payments to individuals and businesses affected by Operation “Shaagat HaAri.”

The clarification followed widespread reports on social media alleging that the government had not yet delivered promised financial assistance to those impacted.

In response, the ministry stated that the reports are inaccurate and that the compensation framework is progressing as planned.

“Contrary to the reports, there is no delay in the compensation framework for businesses and employees for the days of ‘Shaagat HaAri.’”

Officials explained that the compensation plan must first go through the formal legislative process before payments can be issued.

“The compensation framework must go through primary legislation in the Knesset. The Finance Ministry and the Tax Authority will complete preparation of the bill within a few days and publish it for public comment. After that, it will be submitted to the Ministerial Committee for Legislation and then proceed to Knesset approval.”

The ministry added that teams are working intensively to move the process forward as quickly as possible, even while preparing the state budget.

“The Finance Ministry is working around the clock, alongside preparations of the state budget for the Knesset, to ensure the proposal is advanced and comes into effect in the shortest possible time.”

Concluding the statement, officials emphasized that the current timeline is actually faster than in previous national emergencies.

“The timetable for preparing the framework for legislation is faster compared to previous events such as ‘Am KeLavi’ and ‘Cherevot Barzel.’”

{Matzav.com}

IDF airstrikes are taking out Basij commanders on the streets of Tehran.

The IDF says that following the elimination of the Basij commander, Israeli Air Force strikes are targeting Basij positions and operatives across Tehran.

Legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Avi Schnall that would require childcare centers to notify parents when a child is absent without explanation has been approved by the Assembly Children, Families and Food Security Committee, moving the bill one step closer to becoming law. The bill would require childcare centers, as a condition of receiving or renewing […]

Israeli aviation authorities have approved an increase in passenger capacity on certain flights in an effort to speed up the return of citizens still abroad, particularly those stranded in Bangkok, with the aim of completing the operation by the end of the week.

In a directive issued Tuesday, the Israel Airports Authority informed local airlines that, beginning the following day, narrow-body aircraft would be permitted to carry more passengers than previously allowed. The updated policy raises the cap from 100 travelers per flight to as many as 120.

As part of the ongoing effort, President Isaac Herzog visited Ben Gurion International Airport on Monday, joined by Israel Airports Authority Chairman Maj. Gen. (res.) Yiftach Ron-Tal, CEO Sharon Kedmi, and El Al CEO Levy Halevi.

During his visit, Herzog met with passengers who had just landed on a special El Al repatriation flight, personally welcoming them upon their arrival.

“We are very proud of the Israel Airports Authority and of all the activity taking place at Israel’s airport terminals. This is an especially challenging time, and I want to emphasize the civilian aspect-the return of Israelis home. Here is Israel’s main gateway, the place where Israeli citizens enter and exit, the gateway through which they come home.”

Reflecting on the broader significance of the effort, Herzog said, “This is an inspiring phenomenon-people want to come home, to enter Israel, and to bear the burden together, even amid shelling, sirens, shelters, reinforced rooms, and many threats. And yet, we overcome the challenges and succeed in doing so in an extraordinary way.”

{Matzav.com}

[COMMUNICATED]

by Rabbi Eliezer Sandler

The concept of the Yissachar-Zevulun Torah Learning Pact goes back well over 3,500 years, to the time of Yaakov Avinu and his sons. It is named for the Torah pact between two of his sons – Yissachar the scholar and Zevulun the merchant. Not only was it an equal pact but, Chazal explained, the deed of Zevulun/the Sponsor is considered even greater than that of Yissachar, because without the support of Zevulun, Yissachar would not have had the wherewithal to study Torah undisturbed.”

It is well-known that when it comes to learning Torah, people who sponsor the learning, often do so, not just as a donation. By financially supporting specific Torah scholars, they enter into a binding, written, signed and sealed learning partnership pact whereby the Sponsor (the Zevulun) is deemed by Halacha as if he personally studied the Torah completed by the Scholar (the Yissachar). (See below.) 

Thus, those who support the Talmidei Chachomim at Shas Yiden via a Yissachar-Zevulun Pact merit a portion in every daf of the entire Talmud Bavli and associated texts that they study, and complete the entire cycle in the space of ONE year. Some of the Sponsors opt to continue sponsoring repeat cycles of Shas which accrue to them.

Sar Hatorah, Maran Hagaon Harav Chaim Kanievsky, zt”l, Nasi Shas Yiden, emphasized: The most mehudar Yissachar-Zevulun pact to support in our times is that offered by Shas Yiden – it comprises the entire Shas, Rashi and Tosfos – all in just one year!

Rav Chaim explained why this pact with Shas Yiden is the most mehudar. Chazal say that the highest level of learning is when one understands what he is learning b’iyun u’ve’amkus. However, even higher than that is when one remembers b’al peh all what he has learned. I have farhered the Shas Yiden avreichim geonim many times and can attest ZEI KENNEN SHAS (they know Shas)!

YES! YOU CAN MAKE

your OWN SIYUM on the ENTIRE Shas, Rashi & Tosfos IN JUST ONE YEAR!

The Yissachar-Zevulun Pact in Halacha

The Shulchan Aruch in Yoreh De’ah Chapter 246 regarding the efficacy of the Yissachar-Zevulun Sponsorship Pact for the Zevulun (the Sponsor) states clearly:  It is deemed as if he (the one sponsoring the learning) himself learned all the Torah studied under the pact. 

All the learning under the Shas Yiden Yissachar-Zevulun Pact is yours בעוה”ז ובעוה”ב (in both This World and the World to Come)! Concerning this, the Netziv of Volozhin comments that in Olam Habah, the Zevulun sponsor will sit together with the Gedolei Torah of the past and merit to participate in their discussions and pilpulim on all the Torah learned.

Achieve Almost 7 million Mitzvos in One Year

The Vilna Gaon in Shnos Eliyahu Pe’ah 41 states that one should hold precious every word of Torah that he learns because each word is considered a mitzvah of its own. 

Thus, since in Talmud Bavli, Rashi and Tosfos there are 6,608,891 words, that translates into almost 7 million mitzvos accruing through Yissachar-Zevulun at Shas Yiden. 

Official Shtar from Shas Yiden

Each Yissachar-Zevulun pact is confirmed by an official contract (shtar) from Shas Yiden specifying the learning of the entire Shas, and is witnessed by talmidei chachomim.

All who wish to enter into a Yissachar-Zevulun Pact for the entire Shas during ONE year should contact Shas Yiden to make arrangements: 718-702-1528.

The opportunity to complete the entire Shas has been a cherished way to honor family members and others as a prized achievement. It has also proven to be a source of comfort for mourners to obtain such a zechus for their dear ones during the year of mourning – a siyum of the entire Shas can be completed on the yahrzeit!

Yissachar-Zevulun Pact –

Beyond the Grave

The legendary visionary and “Father of Yeshivos”, Reb Chaim of Volozhin, was the founder of the famous yeshiva in the town of Volozhin and the beloved talmid of the Vilna Gaon. 

Reb Chaim had an ongoing Yissachar-Zevulun pact with a local shoemaker – a man who was not learned but who dearly valued Torah learning. They had a ‘deal’ whereby the shoemaker would pay the monthly financial support needed for Reb Chaim and his family. For this financial support, the shoemaker would have an equal share in all Reb Chaim’s daily Torah study – both in the mitzvah of Torah study בעוה”ז and that the knowledge of the Torah learned would continue to be his בעוה”ב (in the World to Come).

One day the shoemaker passed away suddenly. During the shiva period, Reb Chaim was facing a perplexing halachic question and researched high and low for a solution. That night the shoemaker appeared to him in a dream and gave him the full solution that he sought. Reb Chaim was amazed and commented, “Azoi gich, Azoi Gich – So quickly, so quickly has he acquired the zchus and knowledge of the Torah that I have studied!”

In the words of Gedolei Torah:

Maran Hagaon Harav Chaim Kanievsky, zt”l, Nasi Shas Yiden:

“In just ONE year, through Yissachar-Zevulun at Shas Yiden, you can be zoche to the entire Shas forever – בעוה”ז ובעוה”ב (in olam hazeh and olam habah).

“Moreover, whoever supports Shas Yiden is zocheh to fulfill both Yissachar-Zevulun and support of aniyei (the poor of) Eretz Yisroel in the fullest sense of the word.

“Those who support Shas Yiden will be saved from chevlei (the travails of) Moshiach – spiritually and materially, and will be zoche to have ehrlicher bonim u’vanos yir’eishomayim ”

Maran Hagaon Harav Dov Lando, shlit”a, Rosh Yeshiva, Slabodka:

“Who compares to the Shas Yiden? Incredible talmidei chachomim geonim who raised the bar in limud Hashas b’iyun u’v’amkus. Blessed are those who enter a Yissachar-Zevulun pact with them.”

Hamashpia Hagadol Reb Meilech Biederman, shlit”a:

 “Yissachar-Zevulun at Shas Yiden – best possible deal, and in just 1 year! 100% partnership! 100% Shas x 5 times! 100% Shisha Sidrei Mishna – בעוה”ז ובעוה”ב”

Sanzer Rebbe, shlit”a:

“A first in 2000 years of Jewish history! Until Shas Yiden, never a Torah institution where ALL the avreichim metzuyonim v’geonim know the entire Shas by heart”

Harav Yaakov Hillel, shlit”a:

“Therefore, the great mitzvah to support the efforts [of the Talmidei Chachomim] with generous donations in order that they should continue diligently with their studies to enhance the greatness of the Torah and its glory. 

ShasYiden.com

The IDF announced that a group of terrorists who had taken part in the October 7 massacre and were planning another imminent attack against Israeli forces were eliminated in a targeted strike.

According to the military, Israeli forces identified an armed terror cell from Hamas on Sunday that was preparing to carry out an attack against IDF troops operating in the Gaza Strip.

The IDF carried out a strike on the group, successfully neutralizing the threat.

Military officials later confirmed that several of those killed were directly involved in the October 7 massacre. The individuals were identified as Rami Ibrahim Harb and Musab Ziyaz Dara, both members of Hamas’ Nukhba unit who infiltrated Israeli territory during the October 7 attacks and were actively planning additional terror operations against IDF forces in the immediate timeframe.

Also eliminated was Abd Muhammad Amtsi, a terrorist affiliated with the Popular Resistance Committees, an organization that operates in coordination with Hamas to advance terror activity.

Another operative killed in the strike was Taufik Khaldi, a member of Hamas.

In addition to those named, three other Hamas terrorists were killed in the operation.

The IDF stated that forces under Southern Command remain deployed in accordance with operational directives and will continue working to eliminate any immediate threats.

“IDF forces in the Southern Command are deployed in the area in accordance with the agreement and will continue to act to remove any immediate threat,” the military said.

{Matzav.com}

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said during a visit to the Northern Command that Israeli forces have eliminated more than 400 Hezbollah terrorists and are preparing to strengthen operations in the region with additional troops.

The visit, which was only cleared for publication afterward by the IDF, included Northern Command head Maj. Gen. Rafi Milo and other senior officers. Zamir toured the area, held a situational assessment, approved future operational plans, and met with division commanders involved in the fighting.

Speaking during the visit, Zamir emphasized that Iran remains the primary arena, noting that weakening the regime and its capabilities has a direct impact on Hezbollah as well.

“Iran is the main arena. Weakening the regime and its capabilities will weaken the entire radical axis, including the Hezbollah terrorist organization. The campaign against Hezbollah is another central front. Every blow to Iran’s military buildup and the Revolutionary Guards also harms Hezbollah’s weapons supply and funding. The impact of the strikes against the radical regime in Iran is also being felt in the campaign against Hezbollah.”

He added that in recent weeks, Israeli forces launched a targeted ground operation in southern Lebanon aimed at pushing threats away from the border and ensuring long-term security for residents of northern Israel.

“In the past two weeks, we initiated a focused ground operation in southern Lebanon with the goal of removing the threat from the border and ensuring long-term security for northern residents. Northern Command is conducting a determined campaign against Hezbollah, during which more than 400 terrorists have been eliminated so far, including senior figures in the organization.”

Zamir stressed that the military intends to continue intensifying its efforts until all objectives are achieved, while simultaneously strengthening defensive measures.

“We are determined to deepen the operation until all our objectives are achieved. At the same time, we are reinforcing our defenses and strengthening Northern Command with additional forces. Hezbollah is currently fighting a war for its very existence. It is paying a heavy price for entering this conflict, and the pressure on it will only increase.”

Concluding his remarks, the chief of staff praised the troops for their efforts and underscored the need to remain focused on eliminating threats and protecting Israeli communities.

“In the past week, the forces in Northern Command have been operating with determination and strength—I greatly appreciate that. Now we must focus on removing threats, strengthening the defense of the communities, and continuing to intensify the damage to Hezbollah.”

{Matzav.com}

At a joint press briefing in Jerusalem on Tuesday with Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar addressed the recent killing of two senior Iranian figures, presenting the strikes as part of a broader effort to counter regional threats posed by Tehran.

“Last night, the IDF took out Commander of the Basij Gholamreza Soleimani, and his deputy and Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani,” Sa’ar said.

He continued by asserting that their removal also benefits Iranian civilians, pointing to their roles in suppressing dissent. “the Iranians are also safer without them,” he said.

Brilliant speech by @gidonsaar – take a listen.

“He had a $10 million price on his head in the US, we did it for free any how” – referencing Ali Larijani

The part where he turns to the Estonian Minister and says:

“We still haven’t seen anything from Mojtaba, wouldn’t you… pic.twitter.com/0e7QgnYr46

— Kosher (@koshercockney) March 17, 2026

Expanding on their records, Sa’ar described both men as key enforcers of internal repression. “The Basij, under Soleimani’s command, was responsible for the brutal repression of the Iranian people seeking their freedom. Soleimani was under US and EU sanctions for his role in repressing Iranians. Larijani was also under US sanctions, for the same reason, with a 10 million dollar prize on his head. We did it for free, anyhow. Our actions are weakening its repression mechanism. The regime can only be toppled by the Iranian people. Yet without external help, the Iranian people can’t liberate themselves,” Sa’ar said.

Sa’ar characterized Iran as a central destabilizing force worldwide. He referred to the regime as “the number one source of regional and global instability,” and accused it of exporting “extremism, terror and bloodshed” since 1979.

He further outlined Iran’s network of allied militant groups across the Middle East. According to Sa’ar, Tehran has established “a proxy network of terror states across the region,” including Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, and the Houthis in Yemen.

Discussing recent violence, Sa’ar claimed the regime intentionally targets civilians. He pointed to specific incidents, stating that it “deliberately attacks civilian populations,” including what he described as a strike near a major Christian site in Jerusalem. “Yesterday, it hit by the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Old City of Jerusalem,” he said, adding that he spoke with the Patriarch to express solidarity.

He also cited attacks affecting both Muslim and Jewish communities, referencing “a Mosque on Ramadan” in the village of Zarzir and “a synagogue in Beit Shemesh, killing 9 Jews.”

Turning to Iran’s military capabilities, Sa’ar said ongoing efforts by Israel and the United States are aimed at dismantling key components of Iran’s strategic arsenal. “Israel and the United States are taking out Iran’s nuclear program,” he said, along with its missile infrastructure and broader military production capacity.

He emphasized that these threats extend beyond Israel. “These don’t just threaten Israel, but also other countries in the Middle East and Europe,” he said, adding that such operations would “directly impact European security for the better.”

Sa’ar also warned about disruptions to global shipping routes, attributing them to Iranian-backed forces. He described the situation as “modern piracy,” stating, “The Houthis… crippled the freedom of navigation in the Red Sea,” and added, “Now, the Iranian regime is blocking international shipping and the flow of energy through the Strait of Hormuz.”

He cautioned that if left unchecked, these tactics could spread to other parts of the world.

{Matzav.com}

IDF Spokesperson Effie Defrin: In recent hours, the IDF has identified expanded Hezbollah preparations to launch rocket barrages toward Israel in the coming hours and is operating to thwart the threat.

Kevin Hassett: We’re moving towards a world where the energy in the Middle East is accessible through free markets, without extortion, and that’s going to be a place where there’s more investment and more oil, and it’s going to drive oil prices down in the long run.