Col. (res.) David Rokni, who for decades served as the commanding officer of Israel’s Independence Day torch-lighting ceremony at Mount Herzl, passed away at the age of 94.
Rokni, who was born in Iran and later married there, immigrated to Israel in 1950 and joined Kibbutz Ashdot Yaakov.
He served in the Golani Brigade for 35 years, holding various staff and training positions, and during the 1970s he served as the sergeant major of Training Base 11. During his military service, he was appointed commander of the traditional torch-lighting ceremony held each year on the eve of Israel’s Independence Day at Mount Herzl.
For this role he was granted officer rank and was called up to reserve duty each year for a period of 42 days. Over the course of his tenure, Rokni oversaw 34 Independence Day torch-lighting ceremonies. He was later succeeded by Lt. Col. Shimon Deri, who was eventually promoted to the rank of colonel.
President Isaac Herzog paid tribute to Rokni, saying, “I received with great sorrow the news of the passing of Col. (res.) David Rokni, the legendary commander of the torch-lighting ceremony at Mount Herzl for about 34 years. Rokni was the symbol of this national and unifying ceremony, always leading it with grace and the utmost precision. Rokni served in the IDF with dedication, professionalism, and great love for the State of Israel, and for many years led one of Israel’s flagship events – the torch-lighting ceremony on the eve of Independence Day. He was a model figure of statesmanship and love of the land, and his unique contribution will be remembered for many years. I send my heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones.”
{Matzav.com}
A large fragment from an intercepted projectile struck a residential home in the city of Lod last night, causing major damage to the structure but leaving the family inside unharmed after they followed safety instructions and quickly moved to a protected area.
The incident occurred shortly after an air raid siren sounded. According to reports, the family immediately evacuated their apartment and moved into the building’s stairwell, which was the safest available location in the limited time they had to take cover.
Only seconds later, a heavy interception fragment crashed into the home.
Lod Mayor Yair Revivo arrived at the scene later in the evening to support the family and assess the damage caused by the impact.
Revivo said, “This case is a sharp reminder to all of us how much the Home Front Command’s instructions save lives. The members of the family showed exemplary responsibility, and that is what saved them today.”
Officials from the Lod municipality and the Home Front Command again urged residents to strictly follow safety guidelines during alerts.
In a statement, authorities said, “Continue to follow the instructions and reach a protected area in time. Remaining in the protected space for 10 minutes is critical to preventing injuries from shrapnel and interception debris.”
{Matzav.com}
An Israeli reservist has been suspended from duty after being filmed vandalizing a memorial dedicated to the former Palestinian Authority chairman, arch terrorist Yasser Arafat, in the Samaria region. Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir sharply criticized the decision and called for it to be reconsidered.
According to a report by I24NEWS journalist Shlomi Heller, the reservist, who serves in a battalion of the Menashe Brigade, was suspended from reserve service after footage circulated showing him damaging the monument in the Palestinian village of Zababida in Samaria. The memorial commemorates Arafat, whom many in Israel hold responsible for numerous terrorist attacks.
Ben Gvir responded strongly to the suspension, arguing that the move was misguided. He said, “The decision to suspend the reserve fighter who smashed the picture of the arch-terrorist and mass murderer Yasser Arafat — whose hands are stained with the blood of many Jews — is, in my view, a mistaken decision.”
The minister added that the soldier is currently serving during wartime, noting that, in his words, “his brothers and sisters were slaughtered and murdered.”
Ben Gvir said the act reflected “the pain, anger, and sense of justice of someone who is fighting for the people of Israel.”
He further argued that suspending a reservist under such circumstances was “a step too far,” and urged authorities to reconsider the decision.
{Matzav.com}
Senior envoys from President Donald Trump’s administration are expected to travel to Israel this week as the United States and Israel continue their coordinated military campaign against Iran.
The visit would mark the first such trip since the launch of Operation “Roaring Lion,” which began more than a week ago and has involved extensive joint strikes against Iranian targets.
Despite the close cooperation between Washington and Jerusalem during the conflict, no in-person meetings between senior officials from the two countries have taken place since the fighting began.
However, Israel’s Channel 12 News reported Sunday evening that meetings are expected to occur this week with the arrival of Trump’s senior adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner, along with the president’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.
Kushner and Witkoff, both of whom have been involved in managing the war effort and coordinating closely with Israel, are expected to arrive on Tuesday. During the visit, they are scheduled to meet with senior Israeli political leaders.
The report noted that the two officials may also bring messages from President Trump.
It was also reported over the past week that President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu have been speaking daily since the start of the war in order to coordinate the next stages of the military campaign.
{Matzav.com}[Video below.] A behind-the-scenes Kremlin video showing Russian President Vladimir Putin briefly stopping during a prerecorded International Women’s Day message and mentioning that his throat was irritated has reignited online speculation about his health, though there is no verified evidence that he is seriously ill.
The footage, which The Moscow Times reported was mistakenly released before being replaced with an edited version, shows Putin interrupting his remarks, switching off the camera, and commenting: “You know, let me say that again, because… my throat’s a bit scratchy. Yes, a bit scratchy. I almost started coughing. I’ve been talking a lot today.”
Russia’s state news agency TASS also reported that Putin delivered a video greeting for the March 8 holiday.
The brief moment was enough to trigger a new wave of speculation on social media suggesting that the Russian leader may be concealing a more significant medical problem.
However, similar rumors about Putin’s health have surfaced repeatedly in the past without being backed by credible evidence.
In 2023, The Associated Press reported on viral claims circulating online that Putin had suffered a heart attack. Investigators found the allegation originated from an anonymous Telegram account that researchers who track misinformation said lacked credibility.
According to the report, the Kremlin dismissed the claim as a “hoax,” while Reuters said that same month that Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov rejected another round of health rumors, stating: “Everything is fine with him, this is absolutely another fake.”
By itself, the recently circulated clip does not indicate that Putin is dealing with any serious health condition.
A momentary cough or throat irritation can be caused by many routine factors. In 2021, Putin also coughed during a televised government session and responded to concerns by saying he was healthy and regularly tested for COVID-19 and other illnesses.
What remains clear is that even minor incidents involving Putin attract intense attention because of their potential political significance, especially as Russia continues its war in Ukraine and maintains tight control over the president’s public appearances.
The video attracted interest largely because it captured an unusual unscripted moment, rather than providing proof of the longstanding claims about Putin’s health that have circulated for years.
WATCH: {Matzav.com}