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Israel’s security establishment is preparing for a possible sharp escalation along the northern front in the coming 48 hours, prompting the cancellation of classes in border communities and stricter Home Front Command directives across the region.

According to updated assessments, exchanges of fire with the Hezbollah terror organization are expected to intensify significantly following heavy rocket barrages launched into Israel over Shabbos, as reported by N12. In response to the heightened threat, officials decided to cancel planned school reopenings in communities along the border, where limited in-person learning had been scheduled to resume. Authorities determined that the risk to civilians remains too high.

At the same time, the IDF continues to apply military pressure on Hezbollah infrastructure in Lebanon. Over the past day, approximately 200 targets were struck across multiple locations in Lebanese territory as part of efforts to degrade the group’s capabilities.

Despite the ongoing operations, the political leadership has so far held off on approving several proposals presented by the military to expand both ground and aerial activity. In addition, reports indicate that Israeli airstrikes in the Beirut area have paused over the past two days, a move seen as potentially allowing space for diplomatic efforts.

The current tensions are unfolding alongside reports of intensive negotiations and mounting international pressure aimed at securing a ceasefire. Officials believe an agreement could be reached as early as Tuesday, though conditions on the ground remain volatile. These diplomatic efforts come as local leaders in northern Israel continue to demand a decisive military outcome against Hezbollah, rejecting temporary arrangements.

Municipal leaders from evacuated and frontline communities have expressed concern that authorities may attempt to present limited achievements—such as the creation of a buffer zone or partial removal of anti-tank and infiltration threats—as sufficient, without addressing long-term recovery. They have also stressed that any agreement must include a comprehensive economic and educational plan to rebuild the region after months of sustained fighting.

Against this backdrop, the Home Front Command issued updated and stricter guidelines for northern communities, reflecting the elevated state of alert. The directives, in effect through Monday evening, impose significant restrictions due to the expectation of heavy rocket fire.

In frontline areas, all educational activities have been suspended entirely. In the Golan Heights and Upper Galilee, schooling has been limited and is permitted only within properly protected spaces. The decision to cancel and scale back studies is intended to prevent risk to life during a period when attacks are expected to intensify.

Beyond the education system, new limits have been placed on public gatherings. In border communities, outdoor gatherings are restricted to no more than 10 people, and indoor gatherings to 100. In the bay area, Golan, and Galilee regions, outdoor gatherings are capped between 50 and 100 participants, with somewhat more flexibility indoors.

Officials also clarified that workplaces may remain open only if there is access to an approved protected space that can be reached within the required response time.

A unique and stirring maamad of biur ma’asros was held on the waters off the coast of Jaffa on the eve of Shevi’i shel Pesach, as rabbanim and participants gathered for a special seafaring observance organized by the Institute for Mitzvos HaTeluyos Ba’Aretz.

The annual tradition, conducted during the designated shnas biur, featured a large group boarding a vessel to carry out the mitzvah in the open sea. The event was led by Rav Shneur Zalman Revach, head of the institute, and included the presence of Rishon LeTzion Rav Shlomo Moshe Amar, along with Rav Yisrael Revach, president of Mosdos Mishkan HaTorah; Rav Micha Halevi, Rav of Petach Tikvah; Rav Yitzchak Yosef, Rosh Kollel and Rav of Kehillas Shaarei Rachamim; as well as other rabbanim, morai hora’ah, and public figures, including Elad Mayor Yehuda Butbul, together with a large crowd.

Following the formal chilulim, recitation of “l’shem yichud”, and study of the Rambam in the laws of maaser sheini, thousands of coins designated for maaser—collected from both the main branch in Eretz Yisroel and a branch in the United States—were cast into the depths of the sea in fulfillment of the mitzvah of biur ma’asros as prescribed in the Torah.

After completing the mitzvah, participants returned to shore uplifted, singing songs of geulah and longing, filled with hope that they will soon merit to observe the mitzvah in its full Biblical form once again, bimheirah b’yameinu.

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A federal appeals court on Friday temporarily prolonged a halt on a lower court order that had blocked construction of a proposed White House ballroom, while directing the case back to a district court for further clarification.

In a brief, unsigned decision, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit continued an administrative stay of the earlier injunction through April 17. The move gives federal officials time to consider seeking intervention from the Supreme Court and allows the lower court to address unresolved factual questions.

At the center of the legal battle is a plan announced by President Donald Trump in July 2025 to construct a 90,000-square-foot ballroom on the site of the East Wing, financed by private contributions.

Court filings indicate that although officials had pledged to account for historic preservation concerns, the East Wing was torn down within days of an October announcement that construction had commenced.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation filed suit, arguing that the project proceeded without congressional approval and violated federal statutes.

On March 31, a district court judge sided with the plaintiffs, finding they were likely to prevail and issuing a preliminary injunction stopping further work, except for measures required to ensure the safety and security of the White House.

The federal government challenged that ruling, arguing the injunction could itself create security risks by prolonging vulnerabilities caused by the demolition and ongoing construction.

Officials noted that the site currently includes a large excavation area and planned installations tied to security infrastructure, including protective features and military-related systems.

The appellate panel did not rule on the substance of those arguments, instead highlighting lingering uncertainties about how the injunction aligns with security considerations.

Judges also pointed to contradictions in the government’s earlier statements, including claims that certain underground work could continue regardless of the ballroom’s design.

The panel further questioned whether delaying the project would cause meaningful additional harm, given that completion of the ballroom is not expected until 2028.

Rather than issuing a sweeping stay, the appeals court sent the case back to the district court, instructing it to clarify how its order accounts for security concerns during the appeals process. It also dismissed the government’s broader request for a stay as moot.

In a dissenting opinion, Judge Neomi Rao wrote that the administration had shown it had the legal authority to move forward and that delaying construction posed significant security risks, which she said outweigh the plaintiffs’ objections related to preservation and appearance.

The case now returns to the district court for expedited review as the legal fight over the project continues.

A violent and unprovoked attack inside Grand Central Terminal left three elderly victims injured Shabbos morning, after a man wielding a machete slashed commuters before being shot and killed by police, authorities said.

The incident unfolded around 9:50 a.m. on the 4, 5, and 6 subway platform, where an 85-year-old man sustained a severe head wound, a 65-year-old man suffered cuts to his head, and a 70-year-old woman was slashed in the shoulder, according to police.

Images from the scene showed one victim with blood-soaked bandages wrapped around his head, while the attacker was later seen being transported on a stretcher.

Two NYPD detectives working overtime transit security detail responded to the scene and confronted the suspect, identified as 44-year-old Anthony Griffin. Officers ordered him repeatedly to drop the weapon.

“From the top of the stairs, they observed the individual on the platform, and they immediately ordered him to drop the knife,” Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at a press briefing. “The individual was armed with a large knife described as a machete and was behaving erratically, repeatedly stating that he was Lucifer.”

According to Tisch, Griffin ignored repeated commands from officers.

Griffin refused to comply “with at least 20 orders to drop the knife,” she said.

Police also attempted to calm the situation and offered assistance.

Officers also “attempted to deescalate” and offer assistance, saying “We are going to get you help,” Tisch told reporters.

Despite those efforts, Griffin advanced toward the officers with the weapon raised.

But Griffin advanced toward them with the blade extended, she said.

“One officer discharged his firearm striking the perpetrator twice,” Tisch said.

Emergency responders transported the three victims to area hospitals, where they were listed in stable condition.

Griffin was taken to Bellevue Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead, authorities said.

Police sources noted that Griffin had a prior arrest involving menacing with a sharp object.

The two officers involved in the shooting were also taken to a hospital for treatment of tinnitus following the incident.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani praised the response of law enforcement, writing that he was “grateful to the NYPD for their quick response and for preventing additional violence.”

He added that the department would follow standard procedure in reviewing the shooting.

“The NYPD is conducting an internal investigation and will release body-worn camera footage, as it does in all incidents involving the discharge of an officer’s firearm,” he said.

Witnesses described scenes of panic and confusion as the violence unfolded.

“I was coming from Connecticut when ‘Boom!’ everyone got down on the floor fast,” said Claudio Delgado, 53. “Then the police said, ‘Get outta here! Get outta here fast!’ They said it was somebody with a gun and police were involved too. It’s scary. This is how New York City is now. It’s too much violence in New York City now.”

Another worker at the station recounted seeing the aftermath as emergency crews rushed to treat the suspect.

“I saw them [paramedics], they came up with somebody on the stretcher, and they were pumping his chest,” he said. “It’s crazy. You could be on the platform minding your business, and someone had a machete, it’s scary, scary, scary.”

Jessica Munoz, who works at a nearby bakery, described the fear as people fled the station.

“I was scared, we don’t know what we can do, we just see the people running, and I asked the guy and he said there was a shooting downstairs,” she said. “It’s scary, we didn’t know what we could do. It’s crazy.”

Israeli Defense Minister Yisroel Katz sharply criticized Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan tonight, responding to Ankara’s legal action against senior Israeli officials and accusing Erdogan of hypocrisy for failing to respond to Iranian attacks on his own country.

In a post on X, Katz lashed out at Erdogan, claiming the Turkish leader is deflecting attention by targeting Israel instead of addressing security threats closer to home.

“Turkish President Erdoğan, who did not respond to missile fire from Iran into Turkish territory and was revealed as a paper tiger, is fleeing to the realms of antisemitism and declaring field trials in Turkey against Israel’s political and military leadership,” Katz wrote.

He continued by accusing Erdogan of hypocrisy and aligning with hostile elements, stating, “What an absurdity. The Muslim Brotherhood man, who massacred Kurds, is accusing Israel of genocide for defending itself against his Hamas partners.”

Katz concluded with a blunt warning, asserting Israel’s determination to continue its military efforts regardless of outside criticism.

“Israel will continue to defend itself with strength and determination – and he had better sit quietly and shut up.”

Turkish prosecutors have brought sweeping charges against dozens of senior Israeli figures, including Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, over last year’s naval interception of a Gaza-bound flotilla, seeking severe penalties that include life sentences and thousands of years in cumulative prison terms.

The indictment, submitted over the weekend by the Istanbul public prosecutor’s office, targets 35 high-ranking officials in connection with the seizure of the vessel “Sumud” in October. Authorities are pursuing punishments ranging from life imprisonment to combined sentences exceeding 4,500 years.

Among those listed in the case are Defense Minister Yisroel Katz, former defense minister Yoav Gallant, Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, and Navy Commander David Salama. The document also names former IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari, Knesset member Tali Gottlieb, and former Mossad chief Yossi Cohen.

Prosecutors argue that stopping the flotilla does not qualify as a lawful security measure and instead amounts to a “deed with serious consequences” under international legal standards.

Turkish Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc described the case as a reflection of Ankara’s legal stance, writing that the indictent was “a tangible expression of the determination of the Turkish judicial system, operating on the basis of international law.” He further stated that Netanyahu and the other defendants would “bear legal responsibility” for what he characterized as serious offenses, including genocide, torture and looting.

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu issued a recorded address tonight, declaring that Israel has already secured major gains in its campaign against Iran, even as a ceasefire remains in place and fighting with Hezbollah continues.

“The campaign is not yet over, but it is already clear that we have achieved historic accomplishments,” Netanyahu said. “I want to remind everyone where we were: Iran tried to encircle Israel in a stranglehold. They sought to choke us, and now we are choking them. They threatened our destruction, and now they are fighting to survive.”

Netanyahu described a series of actions taken under his leadership to counter Iran’s progress, including operations that were not publicly disclosed at the time, emphasizing that Israel took steps others could not see.

“We hit them, [but] we have more to do. I approved all sorts of actions, most of them covert, in order to delay Iran, and we did delay them, but the world didn’t hear it. Many said, ‘It’s not so bad. It wouldn’t even be that terrible if Iran had nuclear weapons.’ I heard those voices not only abroad but also within Israel. And I, as the Prime Minister of Israel, only Jewish state, could not accept that.”

He pointed to a turning point during a major military operation, highlighting what he described as a breakthrough moment when Israeli forces directly struck inside Iran.

“The biggest change was made on the evening of Operation Rising Lion, when I informed you that our daring pilots were flying in Iranian skies and striking targets all across Iran. We were the first to break the barrier of fear and act inside Iran itself.”

Netanyahu reflected on the emotional impact of that moment, noting both his own reaction and what he believed was felt across the country.

“I remember the feeling I had the emotion, the pride, the goosebumps. I know that you all experienced it. But if I had told you a year ago that our pilots would be flying over Iran, who would have believed it?”

He concluded by asserting that Israel’s actions eliminated what he described as an immediate existential threat, saying the country had successfully blocked Iran’s path to nuclear weapons.

“We had to remove two existential threats. Had we not launched these two operations, Iran would already have nuclear bombs. We have prevented that existential danger.”

President Donald Trump said today that the United States has already prevailed, regardless of the outcome of negotiations with Iran, as high-level talks in Islamabad concluded without a deal.

Speaking to reporters while discussions were still underway, Trump projected confidence in the U.S. position, insisting that the outcome of the negotiations would not change what he described as a decisive American advantage.

“We’re going to see what happens. We’re in very deep negotiations with Iran. We win regardless,” Trump said, adding, “We’ve defeated them militarily. They’ve dropped a couple of water mines.”

.@POTUS: "They have no navy. They have no radar. They have no air force. Their leaders are all dead. Khamenei is gone. For many years he ruled; he's gone. With all of that, let's see what happens — but from my standpoint, I don't care." pic.twitter.com/mdOLlNVEiG

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 11, 2026

He went on to detail what he described as the extent of Iran’s military losses, emphasizing that the U.S. holds the upper hand no matter how diplomacy unfolds.

“Let me just tell you, we win, no matter what. We’ve defeated their military, they have no Navy, 158 ships are underwater, undersea, all of their minesweepers and all of their, they call them mine droppers. Can you imagine, a country has 28 mine droppers, you think that’s nice? With all of that being said, they’re all defeated, by the way, they’re all at the bottom of the sea.”

Trump continued by describing what he said was a complete collapse of Iran’s military infrastructure and leadership.

“They have no Navy, they have no radar, they have no air force, their leaders are all dead. Khamenei is gone. For many years, he ruled, he’s gone. With all of that, let’s see what happens, but from my standpoint, I don’t care.”

Addressing reports that China may provide Iran with defensive weaponry, Trump issued a warning to Beijing.

“If China does that, China is gonna have big problems.”

His remarks followed intelligence reports cited by CNN indicating that China could be preparing to transfer shoulder-fired anti-aircraft systems, known as MANPADs, to Iran through intermediaries in an effort to conceal the transaction.

After the talks wrapped up, Vice President JD Vance confirmed that negotiations had ended after nearly a full day without any agreement, placing the responsibility on Tehran for rejecting U.S. terms.

“We’ve been at it now for 21 hours, and we’ve had a number of substantive discussions with the Iranians. That’s the good news,” he said. “The bad news is that we have not reached an agreement. And I think that’s bad news for Iran much more than it’s bad news for the United States of America.”

He added, “So we go back to the United States having not come to an agreement.”

Vance stressed that Washington’s position had been clearly laid out throughout the negotiations and that Iran chose not to accept the terms.

“We’ve made very clear what our red lines are, what things we’re willing to accommodate them on, and what things we’re not willing to accommodate them on. And we’ve made that as clear as we possibly could, and they have chosen not to accept our terms,” the Vice President said.

Fresh negotiations in Cairo today brought together Hamas representatives, a Gaza-linked figure from the so-called “Peace Council,” and international mediators, as efforts continued to push forward the ceasefire arrangement, according to a senior Arab official cited by Asharq Al-Awsat.

During the discussions, Hamas made clear that it will not move on to any second phase of the agreement until all elements of the initial stage are fully carried out. That includes postponing any conversation about disarmament of Hamas and other Palestinian Arab terror groups until those first commitments are met.

The group is also pressing for firm assurances regarding implementation and is calling on mediators to step in and resolve lingering disputes, amid fears that the ongoing impasse could trigger a renewed Israeli military campaign in Gaza aimed at dismantling its weapons infrastructure.

Palestinian Arab political analyst Hossam al-Dajani argued that any meaningful progress must be tied to a broader political framework addressing the wider Palestinian issue, along with international protections for Judea and Samaria, Jerusalem, and Gaza, citing what he described as “daily Israeli violations.”

He added, “It is impossible to agree to the start of the second stage without implementing the first stage, and it is also unacceptable to accept the ‘victory image’ that Netanyahu seeks, which is expressed in the surrender of resistance weapons in exchange only for Gaza’s reconstruction, as this is a proposal that is unacceptable to the Palestinian side.”

Under the terms of the first phase, Israeli forces are expected to pull back to designated positions. However, repeated violations of the ceasefire by Hamas have made such a withdrawal unworkable for now. Israeli officials maintain that removing Hamas’ weapons capabilities would prevent further breaches and allow for meaningful rebuilding efforts in Gaza to proceed.

Four astronauts safely returned to Earth late Friday, splashing down in the Pacific Ocean and completing NASA’s first crewed journey beyond low Earth orbit in more than half a century, a mission seen as a major step toward sending humans back to the moon.

After a 10-day voyage that carried them around the moon and back, the Artemis II crew reentered Earth’s atmosphere at extreme speeds before landing off the coast of San Diego inside NASA’s Orion capsule. The successful return marked the conclusion of a mission that tested critical systems needed for future lunar landings.

“We are back in the business of sending astronauts back to the moon. This is just the beginning,” NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said from the deck of the USS John P. Murtha, the Navy vessel that served as the recovery ship.

Reflecting on the moment, he added, “I’m honestly still at a loss for words,” and said, “The childhood Jared right now can’t believe what I just saw.”

The capsule splashed down at 8:07 p.m. EDT, following a high-risk descent through Earth’s atmosphere. During reentry, the spacecraft reached speeds approaching 25,000 miles per hour, placing the astronauts among the fastest-traveling humans in history. On board were NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch, along with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen.

“What a journey,” Wiseman said as he floated in the Pacific Ocean inside the Orion capsule shortly after landing.

Recovery teams from the U.S. Navy quickly moved in, removing the astronauts from the capsule and transporting them by helicopter to the USS John P. Murtha. From there, they are expected to return to Mission Control in Houston for debriefing and evaluation.

The mission, launched on April 1, sent the crew on a lunar flyby without landing, allowing NASA to test life-support systems, propulsion, and navigation capabilities in deep space. Artemis II is the first crewed mission in NASA’s Artemis program to travel beyond Earth orbit, and its success is expected to pave the way for a planned moon landing later this decade.

With the mission now complete, attention is already turning to Artemis III, which NASA hopes will land astronauts on the lunar surface as early as 2028.

Following the successful splashdown, NASA officials expressed enthusiasm about what lies ahead and emphasized the significance of the mission’s achievements.

“It’s good to be NASA, it’s good to be an American today,” said Shawn Quinn at a post-mission news conference.

Lori Glaze, a senior NASA official overseeing exploration systems development, highlighted the broader impact of the mission, saying, “Welcome to our moonshot,” and adding, “NASA has shown that ambitious goals are worth pursuing and can inspire the world.”

Rick Henfling, the Artemis II entry flight director, pointed to key metrics that underscored the mission’s precision and success.

“Integrity and her crew of four astronauts flew 700,237 miles,” he said. “We reached a peak velocity of 24,664 miles per hour. We hit our flight path angle target within .4 percent. We flew an entry range of 1,957 miles and we landed within less than a mile of our target. What a tremendous day.”

He also described the tense moments surrounding reentry, widely regarded as one of the most dangerous phases of the mission.

“We all breathed a sigh of relief once the side hatch opened up,” he said. “We turned around to the families and waved to the families and gave them a thumbs up.”

NASA leadership framed the mission as the beginning of a new era in space exploration, with a long-term goal of sustained human presence beyond Earth.

“Fifty three years ago humanity left the moon,” said Amit Kshatriya. “This time we return to stay. Let us finish what they started. Let us focus on what was left undone. Let us not go to plant flags and leave but to stay with firmness in our purpose.”

Howard Hu, Orion program manager, said the agency will now study the mission’s data closely as it prepares for future flights.

“This is the start of a new era of human space.”