Feed aggregator

Following the missile attacks in Arad and Dimona, Israel’s Education Ministry announced that all classroom instruction will be suspended, with schools across the country shifting entirely to remote learning.

Education Minister Yoav Kisch said that on Sunday and Monday, no in-person classes will take place anywhere in the country, and all instruction will be conducted online.

The ministry said the decision was made in response to the recent strikes and after consultations with the head of the Home Front Command. Kisch ordered that all previously approved exceptions be canceled, and no physical attendance will be allowed under any circumstances — including in special education programs.

Officials stressed that the directive applies to all schools without exception. Every prior allowance for in-person learning has been revoked, and the policy covers the entire education system nationwide.

The ministry added that a new assessment will take place ahead of Tuesday, after which additional updates and guidance will be provided.

{Matzav.com}

As previously reported, a ballistic missile that landed in a densely populated Gur chassidishe neighborhood in Arad caused widespread fear and confusion, as emergency crews rushed to the scene and officials worked to account for residents in the area.

The missile struck between residential buildings on Shimon Street, near the city’s shopping center, leaving behind significant destruction and uncertainty regarding missing individuals in the immediate aftermath.

The buildings that were hit are largely home to families affiliated with the Gur kehilla. B’chasdei Hashem, medical officials reported that, as of now, there have been no fatalities from the Iranian missile strike.

Following the incident, Knesset member Yitzchok Goldknopf, a representative of the chassidus, together with his chief of staff Moti Babchik, went in to brief the Gerrer Rebbe on the details of the incident.

The Rebbe instructed them: “It is an obligation on everyone to follow the guidelines. We must increase our tefillos for the recovery of the injured.”

As they made their way toward Arad after meeting with the Rebbe, the two officials were in contact with National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, as well as senior officials including the directors general of the Health and Interior ministries and MDA Director General Eli Bin.

Moshe Kovas, head of the ZAKA unit in Arad, said that at this point there are no confirmed fatalities. He noted that a three-year-old child had initially been reported missing but is believed to be safe and with family. He added that there is currently no need for additional emergency teams to arrive, though search efforts are still ongoing at the scene.

In response to the attacks in both Dimona and Arad, the Ministry of Education announced sweeping changes to the school schedule. Following consultations with the head of the Home Front Command, Education Minister Yoav Kisch said that on Sunday and Monday all previous exemptions are canceled, and in-person limudim will not take place anywhere in the country, including special education programs.

Instead, all instruction will be conducted remotely nationwide. Officials emphasized that all prior allowances for physical attendance — including for special education — are now suspended. A reassessment is planned ahead of Tuesday, after which further updates will be issued.

Two heavy Iranian ballistic missiles struck southern Israel within hours tonight after failing to be intercepted, hitting residential areas in Dimona and Arad and leaving large numbers of casualties, Israeli officials said.

The IDF has launched an investigation into what it described as a failure to intercept the incoming missiles, including one carrying a 450-kilogram warhead that directly hit a neighborhood in Arad.

The Israeli Air Force and Home Front Command are examining the circumstances surrounding the impacts. At this stage, officials say there are no clear answers, and some details remain restricted due to military censorship. The military stressed: “The defense is not hermetic.”

According to the IDF, interceptor systems failed twice within a short span of time to stop heavy ballistic missiles launched from Iran, resulting in direct hits in both Dimona and Arad. Both incidents are now under active investigation.

Initial assessments suggest that the missiles involved were not new types, but rather models that have previously been launched and successfully intercepted. This contradicts claims circulating in Iranian media that a new type of missile had been used. Military officials reiterated that Israel’s air defense systems are not foolproof and urged the public to continue strictly following Home Front Command instructions.

In Arad, 42 people were reported injured. According to Magen David Adom, six are in serious condition, 12 in moderate condition, and 25 sustained light injuries. The missile struck an area where many Gur chassidim reside. The blast caused extensive damage, and a fire broke out in one of the buildings before being brought under control.

In Dimona, 59 people were wounded and transported to Soroka Medical Center in Be’er Sheva. Among them, a 12-year-old boy is listed in serious condition, and a man in his 20s is in moderate condition. Hospital officials said the remaining victims suffered light to moderate injuries or were treated for shock.

Intelligence officials in the United States and Israel are struggling to determine the condition and whereabouts of Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not been seen publicly since the February 28 strike that killed his father, according to a report.

Khamenei resurfaced only through a written statement released Friday for Nowruz, offering no video or audio appearance, further deepening uncertainty surrounding his status.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has asserted that Mojtaba may have been seriously injured in the same strike, saying he was “wounded and likely disfigured.”

His continued absence has led some observers to mockingly refer to him as “the cardboard ayatollah.”

Israeli officials say there is still no confirmation that he is actively leading the regime. “We have no evidence that [Mojtaba] is really the one giving orders,” a senior Israeli official told Axios.

A U.S. official echoed the uncertainty, questioning the unusual situation. “It’s beyond weird. We don’t think the Iranians would have gone through all this trouble to choose a dead guy as the supreme leader, but at the same time, we have no proof that he is taking the helm,” the official said.

President Donald Trump said Friday that there is effectively no leadership left in Iran to engage with diplomatically, as military operations continue to target key figures in the regime.

In his written message, Mojtaba Khamenei claimed that Iran has already dealt a serious blow to its adversaries, writing that Iranians have “dealt him (the enemy) a dizzying blow so that he now starts uttering contradictory words and nonsense.

“At the moment, due to the particular unity that has been created between you our compatriots — despite all the differences in religious, intellectual, cultural and political origins — the enemy has been defeated.”

He further argued that expectations by the United States and Israel that the Iranian government would collapse quickly were misguided, calling it a “gross miscalculation.”

According to Khamenei, the campaign against Iran was launched under “the delusion that if the pinnacle of the regime and certain influential military figures were to attain martyrdom, it would instill fear and despair in our dear people … and through this means, the dream of dominating Iran and subsequently dismembering it would be realized”, he said.

Instead, he maintained that “a fracture has emerged in the enemy,” he added.

U.S. officials say the lack of any visual appearance is troubling and out of the ordinary. One official described it as a “big red flag.

“We would have expected to see Mojtaba too in some form. He didn’t take advantage of the opportunity and tradition,” the person added.

Some analysts, however, caution against jumping to conclusions. Raz Zimmt, who heads the Iran Program at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv, said there is no clear evidence that Khamenei is unable to function.

“Under the current exceptional circumstances, one should not expect him to appear in public, and it is possible that his injury does not even allow him to release a recorded video in order not to expose to the public the severity of his condition,” Zimmt said.

Political analyst Dick Morris delivered sharp criticism of New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Democratic leadership during an appearance today on Newsmax TV’s “The Count,” arguing that recent fiscal and immigration decisions point to deeper problems in governance.

His remarks followed a report showing that New York City spent roughly $81,000 per individual on homeless services last year, a figure that has sparked concern as residents face rising costs and ongoing budget strain.

“She’s not using money, currency. She’s using votes,” Morris said of Hochul.

Morris contended that spending decisions are being shaped more by political strategy than by responsible budgeting.

He said the governor’s policies are designed to maintain support by expanding programs, even if they do not align with taxpayer preferences.

“Her goal here is to try to get enough people to cough up enough money so that she can continue to spend it on programs that they don’t want,” he said.

Expanding his critique beyond New York, Morris tied the issue to broader Democratic policies on immigration and national security.

He argued there is an inconsistency between confronting global threats and limiting enforcement measures at home.

“We’re reaching a historic moment here with the Democratic Party standing up and saying, in the middle of a war on terror against the chief terrorist country in the world, we’re closing down Homeland Security,” Morris said.

He also criticized policies related to illegal immigration, suggesting they are influenced by political calculations during an election season.

Morris said the overall messaging sends a problematic signal both to taxpayers and to those considering entering the country.

“We’re telling people, stay away, come home, and we’ll tax you and put up with it and smile,” he said.

He went on to argue that these decisions reflect broader dysfunction within the party.

“This Democratic Party has lost its collective mind. Just absolutely lost it,” he said.

“And if you ever wanted a display of the Democrats’ inability to govern, this is it.”

Hochul’s office did not issue a direct response to Morris’ remarks, though state officials have previously defended spending on homelessness, saying it is necessary to address growing demand for shelter and to meet legal requirements to provide housing.

John Bolton, who previously served as national security adviser, said Friday that the United States made the correct decision in launching strikes against Iran, arguing that Washington should not wait for an immediate nuclear threat before taking action.

Speaking during an appearance on “Bianca Across the Nation” on Newsmax, Bolton said the administration acted at the appropriate moment rather than allowing Iran’s capabilities to advance further.

“I think it was the right time to go in,” he said. “I don’t think the nuclear threat was imminent, but I don’t think the United States is required to risk the imminent destruction of our people before we take preventative action to remove the threat.”

Bolton emphasized that, more broadly, the United States should not tolerate living under the long-term danger posed by a nuclear-capable Iran.

“We don’t have to live under the threat,” he said. “That’s just simply unacceptable.”

He argued that current conditions inside Iran make this a particularly opportune moment to apply pressure, describing the regime as weaker and more unpopular than it has been in decades.

“I do think that the moment was right,” he said. “I think the regime in Tehran is as unpopular, as weak, as it’s been at any point since it took power in 1979.”

Bolton pointed to growing dissatisfaction within the country, saying economic hardship and public frustration have spread widely across Iranian society.

“There’s dissatisfaction all across the country,” he said. “The economy is in the tank.”

He noted that much of this unrest is especially pronounced among younger Iranians, who make up a large share of the population and are increasingly aware of opportunities beyond their current circumstances.

“The young people who constitute under 30, or two-thirds of the population, know they could have a different life,” he said. “They can see it across the Gulf and on the internet when the regime lets it operate.”

Bolton added that opposition to the regime is also strong among women and various ethnic groups, highlighting additional internal pressure points.

“Women have been opposed to the regime ever since at least the murder of Mahsa Amini,” he said. “Ethnic groups like the Kurds, the Azeris, the Baluchis, Arabs are dissatisfied.”

Taken together, he said, these internal challenges have left the regime vulnerable, especially as external pressure continues to mount.

“This regime is very weak, and it can be pulled apart at the top,” he said. “And that’s what, in effect, what we and Israel are doing right now.”

At the same time, Bolton stressed that internal opposition will ultimately play a decisive role, calling for greater American support to those inside Iran seeking change.

“We should be aiding them, giving them communications, assistance, money, weapons if they wanted,” he said. “I think this is a time where we’ve staked a lot on this. We need to win.”

He also pointed to Iran’s threats against neighboring Gulf countries as further evidence of the regime’s danger.

“If they needed any convincing or further proof of how risky, how dangerous the regime of the ayatollahs is, this is it,” he said, adding that the regime “must be removed.”

The Trump administration has taken the unusual step of briefly relaxing sanctions on Iranian oil that is already en route on tankers, marking the first time such restrictions have been loosened since they were imposed after the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent explained that the measure is limited strictly to shipments that have already been loaded and are currently at sea, and does not apply to any new oil production. The move is intended to help bring down surging energy prices linked to the ongoing conflict involving Iran.

Officials estimate that the decision could allow approximately 140 million barrels of oil to enter global markets, at a time when disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and continued fighting in the region have driven prices sharply upward.

“This is a narrowly tailored, temporary step,” Bessent said, emphasizing that the broader sanctions framework remains fully intact as part of the administration’s maximum pressure strategy.

Sanctions targeting Iran’s oil industry have long been a central pillar of U.S. policy, designed to restrict revenue flowing to the regime following the 1979 revolution and the hostage crisis that followed. In recent years, those restrictions have been tightened further in an effort to push Iranian exports down to near zero.

According to administration officials, the current move is meant to calm volatile global markets without offering Iran any sustained economic benefit.

Critics, however, contend that even a limited waiver could still provide Tehran with additional funds during a time of heightened tensions, despite assurances from officials that the effect will be minimal since the oil was already in transit.

President Donald Trump said on Erev Shabbos that the United States is nearing the fulfillment of its military aims in its campaign against Iran, indicating that operations could soon begin to wind down after a broad offensive targeting the regime’s military strength and strategic assets.

“We are getting very close to meeting our objectives as we consider winding down our great Military efforts in the Middle East with respect to the Terrorist Regime of Iran,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, where he laid out what he described as five central goals of the operation.

According to Trump, those goals include “completely degrading Iranian Missile Capability, Launchers, and everything else pertaining to them,” along with “destroying Iran’s Defense Industrial Base” and “eliminating their Navy and Air Force, including Anti Aircraft Weaponry.”

He said the campaign is also focused on “never allowing Iran to get even close to Nuclear Capability,” while ensuring the United States can act “quickly and powerfully” if such a threat emerges.

Trump further stressed the importance of safeguarding key allies in the region “at the highest level,” specifically naming Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, and other partners.

On the issue of global energy routes, Trump wrote that “the Hormuz Strait will have to be guarded and policed, as necessary, by other Nations who use it — The United States does not,” adding that while American assistance would be available if requested, “it shouldn’t be necessary once Iran’s threat is eradicated.”

“Importantly, it will be an easy Military Operation for them,” Trump added.

The conflict has intensified in recent weeks, with the United States expanding its strikes on Iranian military positions and facilities tied to its nuclear program, signaling a broader and more sustained campaign against Tehran’s infrastructure.

What began as targeted operations has since developed into a wider regional confrontation, with the U.S. reinforcing its presence through additional troop deployments, naval assets, and air power.

Iran, for its part, has responded with missile and drone attacks across multiple fronts, targeting American forces, allied nations, and key commercial shipping routes.

Energy infrastructure across the Gulf region has come under threat or direct attack, raising concerns about supply disruptions and fueling anxiety in global energy markets.

Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz — a critical chokepoint for roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply — has faced repeated threats, leading some vessels to reroute and causing insurance costs for shipments to climb.

These developments have led to sharp swings in oil prices, with markets reacting to the possibility of a prolonged disruption to global supply.

The scope of the conflict has also expanded beyond strictly military targets, with warnings from Iranian officials and affiliated outlets suggesting that additional sites, including civilian and tourism-related locations, could be at risk.

At the same time, Trump has worked to rally support from allied nations. The United Kingdom has reportedly cooperated with U.S. operations, including providing access to bases and logistical resources used in strikes against Iran.

That involvement has drawn warnings from Tehran that facilities connected to American operations could themselves become targets.

Still, not all allies have embraced a broader role in the campaign. Some NATO members have pushed back against expanding the mission, particularly when it comes to securing the Strait of Hormuz.

Countries such as Germany and Italy have signaled reluctance to participate, emphasizing that the conflict does not fall under NATO’s mandate and resisting calls to commit forces to patrol the vital shipping corridor.

President Donald Trump said Friday that he has no interest in pursuing a ceasefire with Iran at this stage, arguing that the current military campaign is achieving decisive results.

Speaking to reporters, Trump made clear that he believes halting operations now would be premature. “I don’t want to do a ceasefire. You know you don’t do a ceasefire when you’re literally obliterating the other side,” he said.

https://twitter.com/i/status/2035083049180782939

He pointed to the intensity of recent U.S. strikes, describing the damage inflicted on Iranian targets in stark terms. “We’ve been hitting them awfully hard. I don’t know if you can possibly get hit harder. These are thugs, and animals, and horrible people… but I’m not surprised, they executed 3 young people for protesting,” added Trump.

When asked whether Israel would align with his timeline for ending the conflict, Trump expressed confidence that both countries remain closely coordinated. “I think so, yes…the relationship is a very good one. We want more or less similar things. You know what we want? We want victory.”

Trump also asserted that, from a military perspective, Iran’s capabilities have been effectively neutralized. “I think we’ve won. We’ve knocked out their navy, their air force, we’ve knocked out their anti-aircraft, we’ve knocked out everything. We’re roaming free. From a military standpoint, all they’re doing is clogging up the Strait [of Hormuz]. But from a military standpoint, they’re finished.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a message to Iran’s leadership marking the Nowruz holiday, reaffirming that Moscow continues to stand with Tehran as a dependable ally during a period of heightened regional tensions.

Despite the statement of support, questions remain about how far Russia is willing to go. Some sources within Iran have suggested that Moscow has offered limited practical assistance during what many describe as the country’s most serious crisis since the 1979 revolution.

The Kremlin said Putin conveyed his greetings to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian in honor of the Iranian New Year.

“Vladimir Putin wished the Iranian people to overcome the harsh trials with dignity and stressed that in this difficult time Moscow remains a loyal friend and reliable partner of Tehran,” the Kremlin said. Russia says the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran have thrust the entire Middle East into the abyss and triggered a major global energy crisis, while of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as a “cynical” murder.

At the same time, reports have circulated about a possible proposal from Moscow to Washington. According to those reports, Russia suggested it would halt intelligence-sharing with Iran if the United States agreed to stop providing intelligence to Ukraine. The proposal was reportedly rejected, and the Kremlin has denied the claim, calling it false.

Russia’s position has also been influenced by broader geopolitical shifts. The fall of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro cost Moscow an ally, though rising oil prices tied to the current conflict have provided economic benefits for Russia, particularly given its ties to Iran.

Even with their close relationship, the agreement between Russia and Iran does not include a mutual defense commitment. Moscow has also repeatedly stated that it opposes Iran developing nuclear weapons, warning that such a move could trigger a wider nuclear arms race across the Middle East.