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On a Tuesday morning in March, 22 girls from Ahavas Bais Yaakov of Monsey stepped off a coach bus at the New York State Capitol. By the end of the day, they had sat in on a live Senate session, eaten lunch in a reserved Capitol room where several elected officials stopped by, received a tour of the Senate chambers, and been introduced from the floor by their district’s senator as the session opened.



It was not a typical school trip.



The man behind it is Shmulie Hartstein, an askan from Monsey who has been building a civic engagement operation largely under the radar.



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Through his organization Kol Yisroel, Hartstein has taken groups to Albany six times since January, with a seventh trip scheduled for Tuesday. He has developed a civics curriculum now running in at least two yeshivos, and has been pushing a state assembly bill to create a 100-foot buffer zone around houses of worship — a bill that has picked up 13 co-sponsors in the assembly, including members from districts that rarely intersect with frum community concerns. “My goal when I started this was that if next year I could get yeshivas and schools to buy into the education part of it, that’s a win,” Hartstein said. “But baruch Hashem, it happened way sooner.”



The education component, which Hartstein considers the foundation of everything else, began in earnest this winter when he started teaching a civics course to 12th-grade girls at Ahavas Bais Yaakov. The curriculum covers local and state government, the legislative process in Albany, and the history of civic engagement in America.



The students came in knowing little about how government works — and left with something more than information.



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“I explained to them that if their husbands want to go into klal work or elected office or any type of public service, a supportive wife makes a very strong husband,” he said. “The girls really got it.” The March trip to Albany tested the theory. Senators and assembly members didn’t just greet the class — they engaged it. Senator Jessica Scarcella-Stanton of Staten Island told the girls they held “a very special place” in her heart.



Assembly Member Nily Rozic, who was born in Jerusalem and represents a district in Queens, urged several of the students to consider summer internships in political offices. Two of them expressed serious interest.



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Then there was the moment in the Senate chamber. Senator Bill Weber, who represents Rockland County, introduced the class from the floor as the session opened. Every senator in the chamber applauded. The girls stood. “It was a very special moment,” Hartstein said simply.



The second school now running the program is Yeshiva Darchei Torah in Far Rockaway, where Hartstein has hosted four classes. The guest lecturers have included former State Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder and Maury Litwack of Jewish Voters Unite. On Monday, the class was addressed by Anthony D’Esposito, the Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Labor and a former congressman. A third yeshiva, in Monsey, is now in conversations to join the program.



On Monday&#8217;s class, Hartstein said D&#8217;Esposito&#8217;s visit was a &#8220;great finale.&#8221;



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&#8220;He spoke to the class his experience in the United States Congress; about the importance of advocacy, relationships, being a mentsch, and showing up. He spoke about his time in the NYPD and the boys asked him really good questions; it was great. He was there for an hour.&#8221;



The civics program is the part Hartstein talks about most, but the legislative piece has developed faster than he expected.



For months, Hartstein and his groups had been pressing Albany for legislation that would establish a 100-foot buffer zone around houses of worship — protecting houses of worship from protesters and harassment. The ask was considered a long shot. A competing bill already existed in the Senate, sponsored by Senator Sam Sutton, but it covered only 25 feet and was bundled with protections for health care clinics as well.



Hartstein kept showing up. January 20. February 4. Trip after trip to the office of Assemblyman George Alvarez, a Democrat from the Bronx’s 78th District who has no shuls in his constituency but carries a deep personal faith.



“We met with his chief of staff,” Hartstein recalled. “We didn’t even get to the member himself. But his chief of staff came back to him and said: these guys keep showing up. They mean it. It’s a good thing.”



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On March 13 — five weeks after that February visit — Alvarez’s office called. The assemblyman was introducing a House of Worship Protection bill. No healthcare facilities. No 25-foot compromise. A clean, 100-foot buffer, the language Hartstein had been pushing for. “This is a total House of Worship bill,” Hartstein said. “Straight what it is. It’s a prayer bill.”



Within days, Hartstein’s Albany trips shifted from relationship-building to co-sponsor recruitment. Within two weeks, the bill had picked up 13 assembly co-sponsors — stretching from District 4 on Long Island’s South Shore to District 127 in the Syracuse suburbs, including Assembly Judiciary Committee Chair Charles Lavine and the Assembly Republican Assistant Minority Leader.



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Assemblyman David Weprin, who represents Orthodox communities in Queens, is also on the bill. “We have people from Schenectady, from Syracuse — regular people who were just compassionate to the cause,” Hartstein said. “People that the frum community would have never targeted.”



The assembly picture is now strong enough that Hartstein has stopped chasing additional co-sponsors there. The remaining obstacle is the Senate, where he needs a Democratic moderate willing to introduce a companion bill. Senator Sam Sutton, the author of the earlier 25-foot measure, has declined to shift his position. With roughly six weeks remaining in the legislative session, Hartstein’s group has lined up ten meetings with senators across the state for next week’s trip.



“You’re never going to get a progressive senator to put this bill in,” he said. “You’ve got to go to a moderate, and it’s got to be a Democrat, otherwise the bill doesn’t move. So we have many meetings. We’re very hopeful.”



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Some of the most memorable encounters on these trips have had nothing to do with the buffer zone bill at all. On a recent visit, Hartstein’s group sat down with Assemblyman Al Stirpe, a veteran legislator from District 127 who represents farm towns in Onondaga County. Stirpe had questions about the bill, and the meeting was getting tense. Then he pivoted. “He turns to the boys and says: How do you guys feel about supermarkets being able to sell liquor?” Hartstein recalled. “They all said, great idea, why not?”



What followed was a 15-minute back-and-forth on New York’s liquor licensing laws and the small business owners who depend on them. By the end, the boys had changed their minds. Stirpe came on to the buffer zone bill.



“This is a guy who’s probably never seen a yarmulke before in his life, just schmoozing with the boys about worldly affairs,” Hartstein said. “And this is what happens every time.”



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The buffer zone bill in New York City — pushed by Council Speaker Julie Menin — was watered down under pressure from progressive groups before it could pass, ending up with no specific distance requirement at all.



“The DSA wing of the Democratic Party knows how to fight. They know how to stay focused on what they want,” Hartstein said. “The frum community knows how to give money. And what they don’t realize is that in today’s day and age, you have to show up for things to happen.” He called the city council’s toothless version “a joke and a loss.” The state bill, by contrast, would preempt any local weakening: under New York law, localities can pass stricter measures than the state, but cannot dilute them.



The activity has been expanding beyond what Hartstein originally planned. Men in their 40s, unaffiliated with any advocacy organization, have been calling to join upcoming trips. A large Orthodox summer camp has reached out about organizing a delegation to Washington.



“I never did Washington before,” he said. “So I have to see. But there’s a tremendous amount of momentum.”



The seventh Albany trip is Tuesday.



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Belaaz Interview: From Yeshiva Classrooms to the State Capitol – Shmulie Hartstein’s Advocacy Mission

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German prosecutors have filed charges against a 23-year-old Syrian national accused of planning a knife attack against “infidels” and Jews in Berlin, officials announced Tuesday.



According to prosecutors, the suspect purchased a knife and materials for assembling explosives online, while also consuming content related to “martyrdom” and “jihad” on platforms such as Telegram and TikTok.



He has been charged with preparing a terrorist attack, financing terrorism, and distributing propaganda linked to terrorist organizations. Authorities said the suspect was taken into custody on November 1 and has remained detained since. He has not been publicly named, but officials noted he entered Germany in December 2023 seeking asylum.



The case comes amid a broader rise in Islamic terror incidents across Germany in recent years. In one high-profile case, a Syrian man went on trial for a deadly knife attack at a “Festival of Diversity” in Solingen, where three people were killed and several others wounded. 



 The attacks, along with similar incidents involving immigrant suspects, has intensified national debate over migration policies and security concerns, particularly ahead of Germany’s recent elections.

Syrian Asylum Seeker Charged In Berlin Plot Targeting Jews And “Infidels”

A new bill introduced in New York City could significantly change how Americans use self-checkout, as lawmakers push to limit items and increase staffing at kiosks in an effort to curb theft and improve safety.



The proposal, introduced by Councilmember Amanda Farías, would require food retailers and pharmacies to cap self-checkout purchases at 15 items and assign at least one employee for every three kiosks. Stores that fail to comply could face civil penalties of at least $100 per day. While the bill does not name Costco directly, its rules could apply to large warehouse and grocery chains operating in the city, including Costco, Walmart, and Target locations that use self-checkout systems.



“We’ve seen the consequences of removing workers from these spaces: increased retail theft, less oversight, fewer protections for both workers and customers, and generally decreased safety,” Farías said while introducing the bill.



New York’s proposal is part of a broader trend across the United States, where cities and states are experimenting with limits on self-checkout. Long Beach, California, has already enacted a similar ordinance with item caps and staffing requirements, while Rhode Island and Massachusetts are considering comparable measures.



At the same time, retailers are adjusting their own strategies. Costco has begun testing a faster checkout system that relies on employees scanning items in carts before customers reach the register, aiming to reduce errors and speed up transactions as concerns over self-checkout theft continue to grow.

NYC Bill Would Cap Self-Checkout at 15 Items, Impact Costco and Major Retail Chains

Mossad chief David Barnea revealed Tuesday, during a memorial ceremony for fallen Mossad operatives, that an agent died abroad in 2023 and played a &#8220;key role&#8221; in covert operations against Iran. The operative, identified only as “M,” was killed in Italy while on duty, in a case that had not previously been publicly detailed.



Speaking at the ceremony, Barnea said that during “Operation Roaring Lion,” his thoughts returned to M and his work. “The operations he led combined creativity, deception and advanced technology, and significantly influenced the success of the campaign against Iran,” Barnea said.



Israeli reports identified M as the Mossad member killed in the May 2023 boat disaster on Lake Maggiore in Italy, during what media described as a meeting between Israeli and Italian intelligence personnel. He had served in the Mossad for around 30 years, and his funeral in Israel was conducted under unusual secrecy, with senior officials in attendance.



At the time of the incident, foreign reports suggested the gathering was tied to monitoring Iran-related activity, including efforts to prevent the transfer of strategic capabilities to hostile actors. Those claims were never officially confirmed by Israel.

Mossad chief reveals agent killed in Italy in 2023, says he led covert Iran operations

In response to a planned university student fundraiser designed to financially back the “Lebanese resistance,” U.S. Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division Harmeet Dhillon announced the launch of a federal investigation into the University of Washington’s handling of campus antisemitism.



The federal probe was triggered by an April 21 event organized by Students United for Palestinian Equality &amp; Return University of Washington (SUPER UW). The group’s promotional materials explicitly called on supporters to “materially support” the so-called Lebanese resistance, a term widely understood to reference the Iran-backed Hezbollah terror organization.



Condemning the event and the university’s environment, Dhillon issued a forceful public statement: “Tomorrow, a student group—SUPER UW—is holding a fundraising event for the ‘Lebanese resistance.’ This group has a history of violent antisemitic activity on University of Washington’s campus. On Friday, I authorized a Civil Rights investigation of UW’s handling of antisemitism!”



The federal intervention highlights a troubling escalation of radical, terror-affiliated activities on American college campuses. The SUPER UW event, scheduled at a Seattle interfaith community center, aimed to raise funds for “mutual aid in Lebanon” alongside a screening of a documentary that openly champions armed violence against Israel.



The alarming nature of the fundraiser is compounded by the student group’s deeply entrenched ties to international terror networks. SUPER UW operates in close coordination with the Tariq El-Tahrir Student Network, the youth arm of a political group directly linked to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) and Samidoun, a known terror-funding proxy.



Recent reports indicate that SUPER UW has facilitated direct connections between Seattle university students and recognized terrorists. During a recent online seminar series co-hosted by the group, students were addressed by Osman Bilal, a reported Hamas operative linked to a lethal bombing attack, who urged attendees that “armed struggle” and “violent work” must be employed to serve their cause. Another speaker included Khaled Barakat, an alleged member of the PFLP, a US-designated foreign terror group.



Despite this documented history of coordinating with terror operatives and engaging in aggressive campus disruptions, the university administration has shown leniency toward the group&#8217;s members. Last year, SUPER UW was responsible for an estimated $1 million in property damage during a building occupation inspired by the October 7 Hamas terror attacks.



While the university initially suspended 21 students and barred them from campus for their roles in the siege, officials confirmed recently that the suspended individuals have been quietly reinstated.

U.S. AAG Harmeet Dhillon Launches Civil Rights Probe as UW Student Group Hosts Pro-Terror Fundraiser

Newly released NYPD images capture several suspects — including individuals wearing keffiyehs — who are believed to have taken part in a chaotic weekend car &#8220;gathering&#8221; in Queens, as residents and local officials slammed the reckless disruption in a typically quiet neighborhood.



According to police, the crowd swarmed the intersection of Eliot Avenue and 69th Street along the Maspeth–Middle Village border, unleashing disorder around 1:50 a.m. Saturday.



Authorities are attempting to identify the group, which includes eight individuals — one woman and seven men — with three of the suspects seen wearing keffiyehs.



“We cannot tolerate this. I cannot tolerate this, not in my district, not in New York City,” Councilman Phil Wong (D-Queens) fumed during a press conference Monday.



Wong emphasized the need for increased police presence in his district, adding that he plans to “make that request” during a scheduled meeting with NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch on Tuesday.



Police also released photos of four vehicles tied to the incident — two BMWs, one silver and one white, along with a black Nissan and a blue car. Video from the scene shows a driver waving a Palestinian flag while spinning donuts, coming dangerously close to onlookers as the car circled a ring of fire set in the street.



At one point, flames shot up from the roadway as participants crowded around, recording the spectacle on their phones.



The NYPD said Monday that two men involved in the street chaos even jumped on the hood of a marked department vehicle, causing damage and cracking the windshield, before speeding off in the black Nissan.

Chaos In Queens: Fiery Street Stunt Sparks Outrage As Keffiyeh Wearing Mob Taunts Police

President Donald Trump is forcefully charting a path toward a new, comprehensive agreement with the Islamic Republic of Iran, declaring that his administration&#8217;s impending deal will be vastly superior to the 2015 accord and will firmly guarantee the security of Israel and the broader Middle East.



As a delicate two-week ceasefire nears its expiration, President Trump has maintained a highly visible public presence, outlining the administration&#8217;s ambitious goals ahead of talks scheduled to take place in Pakistan.



Taking to Truth Social, the President contrasted his current diplomatic efforts with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) signed under former President Barack Obama. He asserted that the 2015 deal “was a guaranteed road to a nuclear weapon, which will not, and cannot, happen with the deal we’re working on.”



“If a deal happens under Trump, it will guarantee peace, security, and safety, not only for Israel and the Middle East, but for Europe, America, and everywhere else,” the President wrote. The timeline for these negotiations has been fluid as the administration rapidly coordinates its strategy.



While the President initially announced a two-week truce on April 7 &#8211; which would place the deadline on Tuesday evening &#8211; he indicated in a Monday interview with Bloomberg that the ceasefire will expire on Wednesday night, Washington time. President Trump added that he is highly unlikely to agree to an extension of the truce, pushing instead to finalize a permanent, comprehensive agreement before the clock runs out.



The rapid pace of the President&#8217;s public communications has occasionally led to shifting messaging regarding the diplomatic mission itself. Over the weekend, the President stated that Vice President JD Vance would not attend the upcoming round of talks in Islamabad due to security concerns.



The White House subsequently clarified that Vice President Vance will, in fact, be leading the American delegation. Furthermore, while the President suggested earlier on Monday that Vance had already departed for Pakistan, the Vice President had not yet left Washington. President Trump also expressed optimism that a deal could be reached as early as Monday, though formal talks are not slated to commence until Tuesday.



Meanwhile, Tehran has yet to officially confirm its participation in the Islamabad negotiations, reacting defensively to the strong posture emerging from Washington.



Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian criticized what he termed “contradictory signals” from American officials. In a public statement,



Pezeshkian reiterated the regime&#8217;s longstanding obstinance, stating, “Honoring commitments is the basis of meaningful dialogue. Deep historical mistrust in Iran toward US gov conduct remains, while unconstructive and contradictory signals from American officials carry a bitter message; they seek Iran’s surrender.”



“Iranians do not submit to force,” Pezeshkian added, leaving the immediate future of the diplomatic talks uncertain as the administration&#8217;s Wednesday deadline rapidly approaches.

Trump Touts ‘Far Better’ Iran Deal As Crucial Ceasefire Deadline Extended By One Day

As part of his visit to Israel ahead of Independence Day celebrations, Argentine President Javier Milei made a special and historic stop at the prestigious Chevron Yeshiva in Yerushalayim, accompanied by his government colleagues and the Argentine Ambassador to Israel, Rabbi Shimon Axel Wahnish.



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 According to reports, President Milei specifically requested to visit a Frum (Charedi) yeshiva to witness the Bnei Torah learning from up close. 



Upon his arrival at the Yeshivah, President Milei was warmly welcomed by the Roshei Yeshiva of Chevron, Rav Dovid Cohen Shlita and Rav Yosef Chevroni, alongside Roshei Yeshiva from Ponevezh and other leading Yeshivos.



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 During the historic visit, the Argentine President delivered an address touching upon economic matters. 



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The Roshei Yeshiva expressed their profound gratitude to President Milei for his unwavering support of the Jewish people, particularly during these challenging times.



Below is some footage shared with Belaaz.



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RESPECT: Argentine President Javier Milei Visits the Chevron Yeshiva in Yerushalayim

Dozens of Israeli passengers arriving from Tel Aviv were detained on Sunday at Moscow’s Domodedovo Airport and questioned by Russian authorities over alleged connections to the ongoing war involving Iran. The group, estimated at around 40 people, was held for approximately five hours after landing, according to reports first published by Russian opposition outlet Mediazona.



During the detention, passengers were reportedly denied access to food, water, and bathroom facilities. Security officials demanded that individuals unlock their mobile phones, but passengers refused. Authorities then required that all devices be turned off, according to a source cited in the report.



Passengers were called in individually for what officials described as “conversations.” During questioning, some were told that “Iran is Russia’s ally, and Iran’s enemy is our enemy too.” Others said officials told them, “You are not welcome” and “You came for nothing.&#8221;



There were no indications that any of the passengers were formally accused of wrongdoing. Following the questioning, they were required to sign documents warning about potential violations of Russian law before being released. A source cited in the report said officials behaved “very politely and carefully” while distributing the documents, and no deportations were confirmed.



As of Monday, neither the Israeli Foreign Ministry nor Russian authorities had publicly responded to the incident. The detentions come as Russia and Iran maintain close strategic ties, including coordination on regional and military issues.

Russia Detains Dozens of Israelis at Moscow Airport After, Questions Them Over Iran War Ties

Two U.S. Embassy officials were killed early Sunday after helping dismantle clandestine methamphetamine labs in northern Mexico, when their vehicle plunged into a ravine as they returned from the operation. The crash in Chihuahua also killed two senior Mexican law enforcement officials.



The team had just taken part in a joint operation in the mountainous region between Guachochi and Morelos, where authorities located and destroyed two drug labs. Investigators seized large amounts of equipment and materials used in illegal substance production, with one site described by officials as among the largest found in the area.



As the convoy made its way back around 2 a.m., one of the vehicles reportedly skidded while navigating steep terrain and fell into a deep ravine. The car was traveling with several other units, but only the lead vehicle went over the edge. All four occupants were killed at the scene.



Mexican authorities identified the victims as Pedro Román Oseguera Cervantes, director of Chihuahua’s State Investigation Agency, and his bodyguard Manuel Genaro Méndez Montes. The two Americans, who have not been publicly identified, were U.S. Embassy instructors working alongside Mexican forces in a training and advisory role.



U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ronald Johnson said he was “deeply saddened” by the deaths, calling them “a solemn reminder of the risks” faced by those working to protect their communities. The incident comes as ongoing joint efforts between U.S. and Mexican authorities continue to disrupt cartel-linked drug production networks.

Two U.S. officials killed after anti-drug operation in Mexico

Iran’s hardline Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has effectively assumed control over Tehran’s military operations and negotiating posture over the weekend, according to analysts who spoke with the New York Post on Sunday.



Maj. Gen. Ahmad Vahidi, who leads the IRGC, along with close allies, has reportedly taken charge of key state decisions. Analysts point to recent Iranian attacks on vessels attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz and Tehran’s refusal to participate in peace talks with the United States this week as clear indicators, according to the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War.



The shift toward a more aggressive stance also indicates that relatively moderate figures within Iran’s leadership, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, have been pushed aside.



Araghchi had initially agreed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz over the weekend after reaching an understanding with the Trump administration. However, the IRGC intervened, insisting the strategic waterway remain closed in response to the American blockade on Iranian ports.



Vahidi is said to have secured support from Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and a longtime IRGC figure, further solidifying his control over decisions involving the strait.



Beyond the naval standoff, cooperation between Vahidi and Zolghadr has extended into diplomatic matters. Earlier this month, Vahidi reportedly brought Zolghadr into Iran’s negotiating delegation.



Zolghadr’s role was to ensure the delegation adhered strictly to IRGC directives and the authority of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who assumed leadership following his father’s death.



“Zolghadr sent a complaint to senior IRGC leaders, almost certainly including Vahidi, that Araghchi had surpassed his mandate during the negotiations by expressing flexibility regarding Iran’s support for the Axis of Resistance,” the ISW said of the initial peace talks.



That complaint triggered a response from senior figures in Tehran. According to the think tank, “Zolghadr’s anger caused senior leaders in Tehran, including former IRGC Intelligence Organization Chief and long-time member of Mojtaba’s inner circle, Hossein Taeb, to call the negotiating delegation back to Tehran.”



The alliance between Vahidi and Zolghadr has effectively positioned Vahidi as Iran’s primary decision-maker, second only to Khamenei, who has not appeared publicly since being injured in the opening US-Israeli strikes that killed his father and other senior officials.



As a result, figures such as Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf—despite their strong rhetoric against the United States—have been sidelined and are now viewed as lacking real authority.



According to the ISW, this dynamic weakens their ability to engage in meaningful negotiations, as they lack “leverage or formal executive authority to shape decision-making.”



The developments also cast doubt on claims from the Trump administration that it was dealing with a reformed Iranian leadership following the elimination of numerous senior officials during the conflict.



With no new date set for renewed US-Iran talks, uncertainty remains over whether the fragile cease-fire will hold beyond the Tuesday deadline.

Report: IRGC Tightens Grip on Iran, Derails US Peace Efforts

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A string of arson attacks targeting Jewish institutions across northwest London has been claimed by a little-known Islamist terror group with suspected ties to Iran, according to Sunday reports, as counter-terrorism police launched a widened investigation and communal security organizations urged heightened alertness throughout the Jewish community.



The Metropolitan Police said Sunday that counter-terrorism officers are probing fires at shuls and other sites linked to the Jewish community, as well as an attack on a Persian-language media company. In the most serious incident, four ambulances belonging to Hatzolah, the volunteer-led Jewish emergency medical service, were torched on March 23 in the Golders Green neighborhood.



The attacks have been claimed online by a group calling itself Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia &#8211; rendered in English as the Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right &#8211; commonly known as HAYI. The group emerged in March 2026 in the wake of the outbreak of the Iran war, and has taken credit for attacks against Jewish, Israeli, and Western targets it characterizes as &#8220;Zionist interests.&#8221;



In the most recent incident, in the early hours of Sunday, a bottle containing an accelerant was thrown through the window of Kenton United Synagogue in Harrow, causing smoke damage to a room inside. Video appearing to originate from HAYI shows a figure in dark clothing lighting an object and hurling it at the shul before fleeing the scene. No injuries were reported.



The Kenton attack marked the fifth incident attributed to HAYI in less than four weeks. Earlier incidents include an attempted arson attack on a Jewish temple in Finchley on April 15, an arson the same week at the former offices of the Jewish Futures educational organization in Hendon, and the torching of the four Hatzolah ambulances in Golders Green in late March. A burning object was also thrown at the offices of Iran International, a Persian-language broadcaster critical of Tehran&#8217;s government. 



British police are examining whether HAYI is a front for Iran&#8217;s security services. A British security source described the string of attacks as amounting to &#8220;psychological warfare&#8221; against Jews. Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner Matt Jukes warned that any &#8220;thugs for hire&#8221; who carried out such attacks would face justice. 



Israeli officials have characterized HAYI as a recently founded Iranian proxy. However, European authorities and independent analysts have questioned its authenticity, citing internal inconsistencies and a lack of evidence linking the group to any state or organized network. According to the Wall Street Journal, European authorities suspect that HAYI may be a fictitious entity created by Iran to claim credit for attacks orchestrated by Iranian intelligence, providing Tehran with plausible deniability and confusing investigators. Security experts cautioned that HAYI is likely a flag of convenience rather than a coherent organization, and that its claims should be treated carefully. 



The Metropolitan Police has deployed extra uniformed and plainclothes officers to northwest London, along with armed response vehicles and counter-terrorism resources. Shomrim London North &amp; East, the volunteer community patrol organization, announced Sunday evening that it has substantially increased its patrols across Stamford Hill, with enhanced coverage around shuls, schools, and communal locations. The organization&#8217;s 24/7 control room remains fully operational.



While noting that there is currently no intelligence indicating any specific threat to Stamford Hill, Shomrim urged community members to remain alert and take practical precautions. These include keeping shul entrance doors closed, refraining from posting zmanim notices outside shul entrances, being attentive to unfamiliar individuals near communal buildings, and reporting any suspicious activity immediately rather than assuming others will do so. Shomrim&#8217;s round-the-clock emergency line can be reached at 0300 999 0123.



The Community Security Trust similarly urged all Jewish institutions to strictly adhere to their security protocols in light of the attacks. 



Community leaders responded with alarm. Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis stated that a sustained campaign of violence and intimidation against British Jewry is gathering momentum, and warned that the country cannot afford to wait for lives to be lost before recognizing how dangerous the current moment is. 



Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was appalled by the attacks and pledged that those responsible will be found and brought to justice, adding that attacks on the Jewish community are attacks on Britain as a whole. 



Britain&#8217;s MI5 domestic intelligence service has reported that more than 20 potentially lethal Iran-backed plots were disrupted in the year through last October. The group has also claimed responsibility for synagogue attacks in Belgium and the Netherlands since the start of the Iran war.



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Islamic Terror Group Claims Responsibility for London Antisemitic Arson Spree; Shomrim Urges Vigilance

The Belzer Rebbe, shlit&#8221;a, has been in a weakened state in recent days, and leadership among the Chasidus called for tefilos on his behalf Sunday evening.



The Chasidus issued an announcement on behalf of the Rebbe&#8217;s son, Harav Aharon Mordechai Rokeach, calling on all Belzer chassidim worldwide to increase their tefillos for the Rebbe&#8217;s recovery.



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The Rebbe is reportedly suffering from pneumonia, but is still at home for the time being.



A source who spoke with Belaaz indicated that the Rebbe&#8217;s condition is serious, and he is receiving optimal care at home, having turned his residence essentially into a makeshift hospital.



The message from the Chasidus asked that each member of the kehillah recite several perakim of Tehillim, give tzedakah, and arouse Rachmei Shamayim, with the hope &#8220;that the Rebbe may lead us to greet  Moshiach tzidkeinu soon in our days in complete health.&#8221;



This past Shabbos, the Rebbe did not attend the regular tefillos and tischen, instead davening with a minyan at his home. On Erev Shabbos, however, the Rebbe was present at the bris of a grandson, where he served as sandak and remained through the entire seudah.



The&nbsp; tzibbur is urged to daven for the complete and speedy refuah shleimah of the Rebbe, (Harav) Yissachar Dov ben Miriam, b&#8217;soch she&#8217;ar cholei Yisrael.



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Belzer Rebbe Shlita in Need of Tefilos

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Argentine President Javier Milei signed a landmark diplomatic framework dubbed the “Isaac Accords” in Jerusalem on Sunday, inaugurating a broad new initiative aimed at deepening Israel’s strategic, economic, and security ties with Latin America. The signing ceremony, held during Milei’s fifth visit to the Israeli capital, marked one of the most significant diplomatic developments between the two countries in decades and drew widespread praise from senior Israeli officials and the United States ambassador.



The day opened with a conspicuously warm personal greeting between the two leaders. Netanyahu and Milei embraced on arrival, and the Prime Minister was quick with a characteristic quip: he noted the linguistic coincidence that “Javier” closely resembles the Hebrew word for friend, “chaver.” “It warms my heart that you’re here,” Netanyahu told his guest as the pair posed for photographers with a thumbs-up ahead of their one-on-one meeting. In a lighter aside, the leaders also joked about the blue-and-white ties each was wearing &#8211; both representing the national colors of their respective countries, though in distinct shades &#8211; a small sartorial detail that encapsulated the camaraderie between the two men.



Modeled on the Abraham Accords &#8211; the Trump-era normalization agreements between Israel and several Arab states &#8211; the Isaac Accords are designed to serve as a framework for expanding Israel’s relationships across Latin America. The name carries evident symbolic resonance, evoking Yitzchak Avinu and drawing a direct line from the Abraham Accords’ precedent, though the latter were forged with countries that were previously adversarial with Israel.



The Isaac Accords are designed as a multi-country expansion project rather than a bilateral agreement alone. The first phase targets Uruguay, Panama, and Costa Rica, with joint initiatives spanning agriculture, cyber defense, finance, water technology, energy, and healthcare. The nonprofit American Friends of the Isaac Accords (AFOIA), based in New York, is already eyeing a second wave of partners — Brazil, Colombia, Chile, and El Salvador — for later in 2026, contingent on political conditions and donor support. The timing is deliberate: as much of Latin America has distanced itself from Israel since October 7, with Bolivia and Colombia severing ties altogether, Argentina under Milei is moving emphatically in the opposite direction, positioning itself as the anchor of a pro-Israel bloc in a region where such allies have become increasingly rare.



Netanyahu and Milei held a private one-on-one meeting before proceeding to the formal signing ceremony, which was attended by senior ministers from both governments.



US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, representing President Donald Trump at the ceremony, opened his remarks by calling it “a distinct honor” to stand alongside “two of President Trump’s greatest friends.” Huckabee said that no two world leaders command more of President Trump’s respect or enjoy a closer personal relationship with him than Netanyahu and Milei.



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He described the Isaac Accords as “an extraordinary opportunity” for the two countries to accomplish something that would change “the Western Hemisphere, the Middle East, and the rest of the world,” and called the signing a moment of “great historic significance.”



Huckabee praised both leaders for what he described as their role in restoring the values and “Judeo-Christian foundations of Western civilization,” and said they demonstrate “moral clarity,” courage, and conviction.&nbsp;



Netanyahu, in his remarks, thanked Huckabee warmly, calling him “our great friend,” and expressed gratitude to his delegation, ministers, ambassadors, and all those who helped bring the day about. He also spoke about the broader geopolitical context, warning that the US-Israeli campaign against Iran is “not over yet” and that “any moment could bring us new developments.” “Who knows what tomorrow or the day after tomorrow will bring,” Netanyahu said. “But we shall achieve our objectives and achieve more hope, more light for the free peoples of the world.”



A centerpiece of the visit was the announcement of the first-ever direct El Al service between Ben Gurion Airport and Buenos Aires &#8211; the airline’s longest route to date. El Al Chairman Amikam Ben-Zvi confirmed the launch at the joint press conference. Milei indicated that the flights are expected to begin in December of this year. The route will be backed by a government support mechanism designed to ensure economic feasibility and long-term continuity, even amid ongoing regional security volatility.



Netanyahu said the direct connection would bring the friendship between the two countries “closer than ever,” expanding cooperation across technology, security, and tourism. Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich noted that the initiative forms part of a broader push to strengthen Israel’s strategic connections with international markets during a critical period, while Transportation Minister Miri Regev described the “open skies” policy as a national mission to ensure Israel remains connected to the world’s most vital hubs.



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Huckabee, in a lighter moment, joked that he intended to be the first passenger to buy a ticket on El Al to Buenos Aires, solely so he could return with Argentinian beef, which he called “world-known” and said there was “none better.”



Beyond the aviation breakthrough, the day’s proceedings included the signing of two Memoranda of Understanding by Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and his Argentine counterpart, Pablo Quirno. The first established a comprehensive counterterrorism cooperation framework.



Its nine articles aim, according to an official press release from the Government Press Office, “to contribute to the prevention and suppression of terrorist activities, to the fight against extremism and the ideology that fuels it, recognizing the countries’ shared concern about the rise in acts of terrorism and extremism and the importance of addressing them.” Practical cooperation under the agreement will include joint training and development for security forces and law enforcement, information sharing, courses, meetings, and the establishment of a joint working group empowered to promote and implement these areas.



A second memorandum addresses artificial intelligence, establishing a partnership between Israel’s National Artificial Intelligence Headquarters and Argentina’s Science, Technology, and Innovation Ministry. The GPO press release stated that “the partnership will address supercomputing infrastructure, application of artificial intelligence in critical civilian sectors, human capital, and joint research.”



Sa’ar also announced the opening of a $150 million credit line for Israeli businesses operating in Argentina, an additional measure intended to deepen economic ties between the two countries.



Sa’ar praised President Milei’s decision to formally designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its Quds Force as terrorist organizations, stating that Argentina thereby brings a “distinct moral dimension” to global foreign policy.



Milei grounded Argentina’s foreign policy alignment with Israel and the United States in the country’s own history with Iranian-sponsored terrorism. He reaffirmed his administration’s “firm support” for the joint US-Israeli campaign against the Iranian regime, citing the determinations made by Argentine courts regarding the 1994 bombing of the AMIA Jewish community center in Buenos Aires and the 1992 bombing of the Israeli Embassy there &#8211; both of which Argentine judicial authorities have attributed to Iran.



To this day we continue to seek justice,” Milei said. He characterized the current foreign policy shift as a continued pursuit of accountability and framed the modern security alliance as an extension of Argentina’s longstanding legal and moral case against the Islamic Republic.



Huckabee also addressed the Iranian threat directly, praising the US partnership with Israel and describing it as an “extraordinary opportunity” for the United States to stand with Israel against what he called “a menace that has plagued the world for 47 years.” He thanked Netanyahu for “extraordinary courage, leadership, and direction” while expressing hope that swords could “soon be put aside for the plowshares” &#8211; but only if adversaries were willing to lay down their own.



In a gesture heavy with symbolic weight, Netanyahu announced that Milei will be the first foreign head of state in Israeli history to light a torch at Israel’s official Independence Day ceremony, scheduled for Tuesday evening.



The honor, traditionally reserved for Israelis of distinction, underscores the depth of the personal and political bond between the two leaders and the exceptional nature of the relationship Argentina has cultivated with the Jewish state under Milei’s leadership.



Sunday’s visit marked Milei’s fifth trip to Jerusalem since taking office &#8211; an extraordinary frequency for a sitting head of government &#8211; and included the formal opening of Argentina’s embassy in Jerusalem.

Netanyahu, Milei Sign ‘Isaac Accords’ in Jerusalem, Hoping to Extend Partnership in Latin America

Following 10 grueling days of intensive searches, rescue workers recovered on Sunday what is believed to be the body of 17-year-old Avraham Yeshayahu Spiegel z&#8221;l, who went missing after a drowning incident in Netanya. The remains were transferred to the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Abu Kabir, where authorities are working to confirm the identification.



The incident began on Friday, April 10, when Avraham and his brother, Yissachar Dov Spiegel BD&#8221;E, 21, got into distress while in the water at Tzanz Beach in Netanya. Yissachar Dov was pulled from the sea in critical condition and rushed to Laniado Hospital, where he later passed away. Avraham was not located at the scene, triggering a large-scale search.



Over the following days, ZAKA volunteers, police forces, and rescue teams carried out an extensive operation using boats, divers, and aerial support. One volunteer described the effort, saying, “We never despaired for a moment… we knew that in the end we would find.” The body was reportedly found around 10 kilometers (about 6 miles) from the original site. The discovery comes days after the brothers’ funeral.



As of Sunday afteroon, official identification has not yet been publicly finalized, but the finding will to bring an end to days of uncertainty for the family and the teams searching the coastline.

“We Never Despaired for a Moment”: Body of Avraham Spiegel Z”L Found After 10-Day Search

Israel’s population stands at 10.244 million people, according to new data released by the Central Bureau of Statistics days ahead of the country’s 78th Independence Day (Yom Ha&#8217;atzmaut). The figure marks an increase of about 146,000 people, or 1.4 percent, compared to last year.



The report shows that 7.790 million residents, or 76 percent of the population, are Jews, while 2.157 million, or 21.1 percent, are Arabs. Another 296,000 people, representing 2.9 percent, are classified as “other,&#8221; a category that includes non-Arab Christians, people without a listed religion, and individuals not registered as Jews under religious law.



Over the past year, approximately 177,000 babies were born in Israel, while around 21,000 people immigrated to the country. The data also shows that four out of five Israelis are native-born, pointing to a largely homegrown population.



The latest figures follow last year’s milestone, when Israel’s population crossed 10 million for the first time, reaching 10.094 million. A year earlier, the population stood at 9.9 million. While the country continues to grow steadily, the pace has slowed slightly from 1.9 percent growth in 2024 to 1.4 percent in each of the past two years. Since its establishment in 1948, Israel’s population has grown more than twelvefold, reflecting decades of sustained demographic expansion.

Israel Population Reaches 10.24 Million Ahead of Independence Day

The U.S. is preparing to board and seize Iran-linked oil tankers and other commercial ships in international waters in the coming days, expanding its pressure campaign on Tehran.



U.S. officials said the operation would target Iranian-flagged vessels and “dark fleet” ships used to move sanctioned Iranian oil to pressure it to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz to normal shipping.



Iran escalated this weekend by tightening its control over the Strait of Hormuz, attacking commercial vessels and warning that ships trying to cross could be destroyed.



Tehran said it was doing so because the U.S. had not guaranteed free passage for ships traveling to and from Iran, and said it would keep the strait under tight control until that changed.

U.S. Ready to Board Iranian Tankers Globally While Iran Declares “Strict Control” Over Hormuz and Threatens Ships

On Erev Shabbos, a heavy downpour left local areas soaking wet. Looking for a way to entertain the children after a long afternoon, Yossi Rubinstein, a dedicated member of Bergen County Chaverim, originally planned to take his family to Secor Farms in New Jersey.



As they waited with their turn indicator on to enter the farm, a nearby park on the right side caught his eye. Hoping to find some playground equipment that wasn&#8217;t too wet from the rain, they decided to pull over and investigate. While the children played on the swings, the slide was too wet to use, but it quickly became the focal point of a remarkable discovery. Resting in the corner of one of the slide&#8217;s steps was a velvet embroidered tefillin bag. It was protected by plastic but had gotten a little wet from the rain.



Realizing what he had stumbled upon, Yossi called out to his companion, Bergen Chaverim Coordinator Sol Itzkowitz, and immediately opened the bag. They found a phone number embroidered inside, but to their dismay, the number was disconnected. Based on the park&#8217;s scenic pond, they deduced that a Bar Mitzvah boy had likely been there for a photo shoot the day prior and accidentally left his tefillin behind. They were deeply relieved the tefillin had not stayed out in the elements over Shabbos.



Knowing the urgency of the situation, Yossi and Sol collaborated with Rockland Chaverim to locate the boy&#8217;s family, as markers from the tefillin bag indicated he was likely from the Chasidish community. With the assistance of Rockland Chaverim, they used the name on the bag to successfully track down the very relieved family.



In the end, the family did make it to Secor Farms to purchase flowers for Shabbos. However, Yossi beautifully noted that being able to return the tefillin to the Bar Mitzvah boy was &#8220;the nicest flower&#8221;. Reflecting on the profound chain of events, Yossi shared, &#8220;The best feeling going into Shabbos was&#8230; doing a mitzvah of hashavas aveidah, especially with such a special and expensive mitzvah of tefillin.&#8221;

Heartwarming: Bergen and Rockland Chaverim Perform Hashavas Aveidah Just Before Shabbos

An IDF reservist was killed and nine others were wounded, including one seriously, after an explosive device detonated in southern Lebanon on Sunday, the military announced early Sunday.



The killed soldier was identified as Sgt. First Class (res.) Lidor Porat Hy’d, 31, of the 769th “Hiram” Regional Brigade’s 7106th Battalion, from Ashdod.



The incident occurred amid the ongoing ceasefire in Lebanon.



According to an initial IDF investigation, the battalion was operating in IDF-controlled territory in southern Lebanon when an engineering vehicle ran over a bomb planted by Hezbollah terrorists.



Troops positioned nearby to secure the heavy equipment were struck by the blast, resulting in Porat’s death and injuries to nine others; one seriously, four moderately, and four lightly.



Following the explosion, the IDF carried out strikes on multiple targets in the area.



The wounded soldiers were evacuated by helicopter to a hospital, and their families were notified, the military said.



The IDF added that further details of the incident remain under investigation.

IDF Reservist Lidor Porat Hy’d Killed, Nine Soldiers Wounded By Hezbollah Explosive In Southern Lebanon

On a recent morning in Borough Park, a man in his fifties walked into the Met Council’s Brooklyn hub &#8211; a 12,500-square-foot facility on 13th Avenue and 16th Street &#8211; and found David Greenfield, the organization’s CEO, on the floor. The man had come to thank him. He was nearing the end of a 16-week technology training course the organization offers free of charge, and for the first time in two years, he had started getting job interviews.



“He said, ‘I’m just finishing your 16-week course, and I haven’t gotten an interview in two years. I had a gap in my system that created a lot of issues, and this is the first time, because I took the tech course and I have the skills now, that I’m actually getting job interviews,’” Greenfield recounted, in an exclusive interview with Belaaz. “He hadn’t gotten a job yet. But he was getting job interviews. That, to me, is a great example of offering people skills and hope and how you turn people’s lives around.”



The Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty, known as Met Council, is a New York-based Jewish nonprofit that focuses on food, housing and helping people train for and find careers. It operates a large kosher food network, assisting more than 325,000 people last year. Under Greenfield, who became CEO in 2018, the organization has incorporated AI into its operations to expand capacity.



Greenfield says the organization has invested “well over a million dollars” in AI over the past year alone, structured across three distinct tracks: staff training, departmental AI budgets, and curated technology partnerships with outside companies.



A core component of this strategy focuses on employee training. Every week, the organization pays its staff for two hours of AI training on company time. By the end of this year, every Met Council employee will have accumulated 108 hours of training in tools including Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT, and Claude.



“We’re committed to giving them this tool so they can be better at their work,” Greenfield said, “less time on paperwork and more time actually helping clients.”



The stated goal is to reduce the time caseworkers spend on administrative tasks like benefits enrollment, allowing them to focus on direct client interaction. Met Council employs social workers, Yiddish and Russian speakers, and local community members.



“We shouldn’t be run like a traditional tzedaka organization,” he said. “We should be running like a business, and we should make sure we have the best tools like any other business would. Any Fortune 500 company today is investing in AI, and we think we should be doing the same.”



The organization notes that this technology is not being used to reduce headcount. “We are not laying off any of our staff, and we’re committed to keeping our staff,” Greenfield said flatly. “If we keep our staff and give them AI tools, we think we have superstaff. That’s really what our focus is on.”



Regarding efficiency, Greenfield notes that while AI handles a significant portion of certain tasks, human oversight remains necessary. “It doesn’t take you to zero time,” he acknowledged. “But it gets you pretty close.”



The organization has also updated its food pantry distribution model. “For literally thousands of years, the system of food is: you get what you get,” Greenfield said. “We’ve revolutionized that system.”



Through an online platform called Market by Met Council, clients are assigned a point allotment based on household size and can select specific foods. The orders are then packed at a fulfillment hub and delivered, reducing wait times and unwanted food waste.



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In late 2025, the organization opened a 22,000-square-foot warehouse in Brooklyn that utilizes AI for logistics.



“It’s so successful, Harvard Business School did a study that they published last year on Market Met Council,” Greenfield said. “They now teach it in their MBA classes -a class on how organizations can use technology and artificial intelligence to improve old-school processes.”



Software manages routing for the delivery of 20 million pounds of kosher food annually and monitors inventory across multiple pantry sites. “We can tell you which pantries need more food and less food, which have specific needs,” Greenfield said. “Different communities want different foods.”



A current pilot program incorporates dietary restrictions into the ordering system. “If you try to order something with high sodium and we know you’re on a low-sodium diet, we’ll flag it and say, ‘Hey, are you really sure you want this? Because last week you told us you wanted a low-sodium diet,’” Greenfield said.



A nurse reviews these nutritional flags to monitor for accuracy. “The best AI systems today are 95 percent accurate,” he said, “but you still need that five percent touch, which is human.” Met Council is also working with a Palo Alto-based company on a tool to streamline the benefits screening process.



“AI is very good at taking complicated data and distilling that information so that it could be readily usable,” Greenfield said. “That’s not a text tool. That’s really an AI usage.”



Met Council also partnered with DoorDash this Passover season to facilitate its Holocaust survivor food program, which serves over 2,000 individuals annually in the New York area. For homebound clients without internet access, staff place orders via iPad, and DoorDash drivers handle the deliveries.



“In the old days, or even what other organizations are doing, you probably drop off a box of food. What happened to the box? Nobody knows. In a multifamily house, did someone pick it up? Did the food get ruined?” Greenfield said. “This solves all of those questions. The entire experience is seamless, and it makes sure things are much more efficient.”



This partnership is part of a broader strategy of utilizing existing platforms, with each of Met Council’s ten service departments receiving a dedicated AI budget.



Greenfield projects the number of people served will increase from 325,000 last year to 400,000 this year.



“What we’re doing with the free time is we’re helping more people in more communities than ever before,” he said. “The AI has allowed us to have more reach and help more people, and to do it much faster than we ever were able to before.”



The organization has recently expanded services into Rockland County, Westchester, Long Island, and Albany, and reports reduced wait times for client service calls.



During Pesach, the Brooklyn hub used scanning technology for 1,700 families picking up food, lowering average wait times from an hour in previous years to under ten minutes. “It’s really all about treating people with dignity and respect,” Greenfield said. The organization also supplied food to twenty shuls in Borough Park for direct distribution.



The Brooklyn hub houses legal aid, free loans, and workforce training. Technology courses are offered to the community on kosher computers.



Greenfield shared an example of a 19-year-old bachur who took an advanced tech course at the hub and found employment shortly after. “He’s 19 years old, and now he’s doing something, and he’s productive,” Greenfield said.



Regarding the adoption of new technology in the frum Jewish community, Greenfield noted differing perspectives.



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“In our community, a lot of times when new tech comes, people are scared of it,” he said. “I think there tend to be two views: one is, let’s avoid AI; the other is, let’s completely embrace it. Our view is somewhere in the middle.”



The organization aims to balance technological efficiency with direct human interaction. “My goal is not to have an AI bot do all the work when you reach out to Met Council,” he said. “Most of our staff are trained social workers. They understand people who are going through a tough time. They understand what the challenges are like. They’re from the community. They’re appropriate. We have people who speak Yiddish, Russian. Different communities have different needs. We want to make sure we’re servicing everybody.”

Belaaz Interview: David Greenfield’s Met Council Uses AI to Feed, Train and Assist New Yorkers

An IDF reservist was killed and three other soldiers were wounded on Friday after an explosive device they encountered detonated in southern Lebanon, just hours after a ceasefire with Hezbollah took effect, the military said Saturday.



The murdered soldier was identified as Warrant Officer (res.) Barak Kalfon Hy’d, 48, of the 226th Reserve Paratroopers Brigade’s 7056th Battalion, from Adi in northern Israel. He worked as an engineer at Rafael and is survived by his wife and two daughters.



His death came Friday following the start of a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah that began at midnight. The reservists had been searching a building in the southern Lebanon village of Jebbayn for weapons.



During the operation, a Hezbollah explosive device detonated, killing Kalfon and wounding three other troops, two moderately and one lightly.



An initial IDF investigation found that the bomb was not remotely triggered and was likely activated automatically.



Kalfon was critically wounded in the blast and airlifted to Rambam Medical Center in Haifa. Despite emergency surgery and extensive life-saving efforts, his death was confirmed several hours after he arrived.



“Next week you would have celebrated 49 (birthday),” said Kalfon’s cousin, Sapir Kalfon, according to Ynet. “What did you achieve? A great deal. Lots. And you didn’t even need to be in uniform anymore. But even so, you insisted on volunteering for reserve duty. That’s who you were. Always with a bright face, always smiling, always embracing and including. Calm, with a heart bursting with goodness.”



The military said the incident remains under investigation. The wounded soldiers were evacuated to a hospital in northern Israel, and their families were notified.



Kalfon was the first Israeli soldier killed in Lebanon since the ceasefire brought a halt to more than six weeks of fighting with the Iran-backed Hezbollah terrorists.



“Barak was a courageous and dedicated fighter and exemplary family man,” Defense Minister Yisrael Katz said in a statement. “In his civilian work as an engineer at Rafael, he contributed significantly to the security of the State of Israel, and combined a first-rate professional sense of duty with significant reserve service and many years of defending Israel.”



He added, “I offer condolences from the depths of my heart to his family at this difficult hour and wish to embrace them.”



Rafael mourned him as a “dedicated and professional employee who dealt with fields significant to the security of Israel, which he loved so.”



Hezbollah began attacking Israel on March 2, shortly after the outbreak of the US-Israeli war with Iran. Israel responded with extensive airstrikes and expanded ground operations deeper into Lebanon.



Including Kalfon, 13 IDF soldiers were killed in southern Lebanon during the fighting. Two civilians were killed by Hezbollah rocket fire, and another Israeli civilian was mistakenly killed in the north by Israeli artillery.



Kalfon was set to be buried Sunday afternoon at the Adi cemetery, according to reports.

IDF Reservist and Rafael Employee Killed in Lebanon Bombing Despite Cease-Fire

TEHRAN &#8211; Iranian officials have yet to bury Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei weeks after his Feb. 28 assassination, citing security fears and instability during the ongoing war.



Experts said Tehran is avoiding a mass funeral due to risks of Israeli strikes, anti-regime unrest, and questions surrounding new leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not appeared publicly.



Reports said Iran is now considering burying Khamenei in Mashhad, a heavily secured religious city, instead of Tehran as the temporary U.S.-Iran truce remains in place.

Weeks After Assassination, Khamenei Remains Unburied as Security Fears Grip Tehran

A non-Jewish hotel staff member captured the Kiddush of the Dushinsky Rebbe on Friday night at the Galei Tamar Hotel in Ashkelon.



The Rebbe was staying there together with a group of donors supporting the Dushinsky Mosdos.



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WATCH: Dushinsky Rebbe’s Shabbos Kiddush Filmed by Goy in Ashkelon Hotel

Conflicting statements from Washington and Tehran have cast doubt on the true status of nuclear negotiations, even as President Donald Trump said the two sides will meet this weekend to finalize a deal.



Trump told CBS News Friday that Iran has &#8220;agreed to everything,&#8221; including surrendering its enriched uranium stockpile and halting support for proxy terror groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas.



He said American personnel would travel to Iran to retrieve the nuclear material. &#8220;We&#8217;ll go down and get it with them, and then we&#8217;ll take it,&#8221; Trump said, adding it would be transported to the United States. In a separate interview with AFP, Trump declared there are &#8220;no sticking points at all&#8221; remaining. &#8220;We&#8217;re very close. Looks like it&#8217;s going to be very good for everybody,&#8221; he said, adding he is waiting to receive the agreement &#8220;in writing.&#8221;



Iranian officials offered a sharply different account. A senior Iranian official told Reuters on condition of anonymity that &#8220;significant differences&#8221; remain between the two sides, particularly on nuclear issues. &#8220;No agreement has been reached on the details of the nuclear issues,&#8221; the official said, warning that any claim to the contrary &#8220;is a misrepresentation of the situation.&#8221;



The contradictions extended to financial terms as well. Axios reported that negotiators are discussing a framework under which the U.S. would release $20 billion in frozen Iranian assets in exchange for Iran relinquishing its nuclear stockpile. Trump publicly rejected that framing, telling CBS, &#8220;No, we are not paying 10 cents,&#8221; and posting on social media that &#8220;no money will change hands.&#8221;



Gaps remain on other fronts as well. While Trump said the Strait of Hormuz is &#8220;already open,&#8221; Iranian officials maintain that keeping the critical shipping lane clear is contingent on U.S. adherence to ceasefire terms. Tehran is also demanding sanctions relief and war damage compensation. And while Washington is pressing for all nuclear material to be shipped out of the country, Iranian negotiators have thus far agreed only to &#8220;down-blend&#8221; the material inside Iran under international monitoring. Talks are being mediated by Pakistan, with officials from Egypt, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia also expected to participate in a &#8220;quad&#8221; meeting this weekend.

Trump Says Weekend Talks Will Finalize Iran Deal, Including Surrender of Uranium for Funds and End to Terror Support

Speaking at a chinuch conference Thursday evening hosted by the ‘Lev Shomea’ organization, HaRav Chaim Aryeh Chadash, the Rosh Yeshiva of Ohr Elchonon, issued a sharp statement regarding yeshiva bachurim volunteering for emergency services. 



The Rosh Yeshiva remarked, &#8220;Volunteering for the MDA is worse than serving in the army from what that i know and stories that i know&#8221;



<figure class="wp-block-video"><video controls src="https://api.belaaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/download-22.mp4"></video><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Video Credit: Daniel Grobeis</figcaption></figure>



Magen David Adom (MDA) is Israel&#8217;s national emergency medical, disaster, ambulance, and blood bank service.

Ohr Elchonon Rosh Yeshiva at Lev Shomea Conference: ‘Volunteering for MDA is Worse Than Serving in the Military’

Two cousins pleaded guilty this week to running a years-long scheme that exploited Airbnb and other rental platforms, using double-booking tactics to maximize profits at the expense of unsuspecting travelers. Shray Goel, 36, and Shaunik Raheja, 37, entered their pleas on April 14 in federal court in Los Angeles, admitting to their roles in the fraud operation.



According to prosecutors, the pair listed the same properties across multiple platforms, including Airbnb and Vrbo, then canceled lower-paying bookings at the last minute. Guests were often told of sudden maintenance issues or other excuses, while the defendants kept higher-paying reservations. The operation relied on fake host identities and profiles, sometimes posing as couples, to avoid detection.



Authorities say the scheme stretched across cities including Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, and Austin. Prosecutors alleged the operation generated more than $8.5 million and affected over 10,000 reservation. The indictment also claimed the defendants disproportionately targeted guests they believed to be Black, an allegation not included in the charges they admitted.



The case followed a federal investigation involving the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, with cooperation from Airbnb. “Airbnb is built on trust, and bad actors have no place in our community,” a company spokesperson said. Prosecutors noted that one platform had already banned the pair years earlier, but they continued operating using fake accounts.



Goel pleaded guilty to wire fraud and faces up to 20 years in prison, while Raheja pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice for lying to investigators and faces up to 10 years. Sentencing is scheduled for August and September 2026.

Cousins Plead Guilty in Multi-Million Airbnb Double-Booking Fraud Scheme

In a monumental development, U.S. President Donald Trump announced Thursday that Iran has agreed to hand over its supply of enriched uranium. The breakthrough comes as the administration prepares for a critical diplomatic push, with the President revealing that the next round of in-person peace talks with Tehran could take place as soon as this weekend.



The sweeping concessions follow a period of intense military and economic pressure on the Islamic Republic. Addressing the situation, President Trump credited the uncompromising U.S. strategy for bringing Tehran to the negotiating table, painting a stark picture of Iran&#8217;s current operational and economic devastation.



&#8220;The blockade has been incredible&#8230; They&#8217;re unable to do any business because of the blockade,&#8221; the President stated.



Detailing the extent of the damage inflicted upon the Iranian military apparatus and its former command structure, he emphasized that the regime has been entirely stripped of its defensive capabilities:



&#8220;The combination of having no Navy, having no Air Force, having no anti-aircraft equipment, they have nothing. Everything is gone, including their leaders.&#8221;



Following the systematic dismantling of Iran&#8217;s previous ruling echelon, the administration signaled optimism regarding the country&#8217;s newly formed government. The President suggested that the crushing economic sanctions and strategic strikes have paved the way for more pragmatic voices in Tehran.



&#8220;The blockade has been incredible &#8211; it&#8217;s held, they&#8217;re not doing any business&#8230; everything is gone, including their leaders. Now, they have a new set of leaders, and we find them very reasonable,&#8221; he remarked.



A central concern for the United States and its Middle Eastern allies &#8211; most notably Israel &#8211; has been the timeline of any nuclear restrictions placed upon Iran. Previous international frameworks drew heavy criticism for including &#8220;sunset clauses&#8221; that would eventually allow Iran to resume its nuclear ambitions.



When pressed on whether a 20-year minimum for Iran to halt uranium enrichment would be an acceptable parameter for the new deal, the President firmly rejected the premise of an expiration date. &#8220;We have a statement, a very powerful statement, that they will not have &#8211; beyond 20 years &#8211; that they will NOT have nuclear weapons. There&#8217;s no 20-year limit.&#8221;



Trump stated: &#8220;We have a very good relationship with Iran right now, as hard as it is to believe. And I think it&#8217;s a combination of about 4 weeks of bombing, and a very powerful blockade.&#8221;



Despite the promising developments regarding the uranium handover and the impending weekend peace talks, the administration made it unequivocally clear that the military option remains fully viable should negotiations collapse.



Delivering a blunt ultimatum to the new Iranian leadership, the President concluded: &#8220;If there&#8217;s no deal, fighting resumes.&#8221;

BREAKING: Trump Says Iran Agrees to Surrender Enriched Uranium Supply Ahead of Peace Talks

Despite public declarations from the United States suggesting an imminent, historic conversation between the leaders of Israel and Lebanon, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has informed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that he will not speak with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Lebanese news outlet LBCI reports.



The diplomatic confusion unfolded Thursday following a report by Lebanon’s Al-Jadeed that efforts were actively underway to arrange a trilateral phone call between Aoun, Netanyahu, and Rubio to discuss a possible ceasefire between the two nations. Aoun stated earlier today that a ceasefire would be a “natural starting point” for any such talks.



This directly followed remarks made&nbsp; Wednesday by US President Donald Trump, who publicly touted the prospective call. “Trying to get a little breathing room between Israel and Lebanon,” President Trump wrote on the Truth Social platform. “It has been a long time since the two leaders have spoken, like 34 years. It will happen tomorrow. Nice! President DJT.”



Israeli Intelligence Minister Gila Gamliel, a member of the security cabinet, had also indicated that the Prime Minister would be speaking to his Lebanese counterpart, according to Al Jazeera.



However, Israel has thus far not agreed to a ceasefire in its ongoing conflict with Hezbollah, the Iran-backed terror organization. Netanyahu’s security cabinet convened Wednesday,&nbsp; but no agreement was reached. In a recent video message, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated that the primary objective of Israel’s military campaign is to fully “dismantle” Hezbollah.



These high-level developments come on the heels of negotiations held in Washington on Tuesday between Israeli and Lebanese envoys. Yechiel Leiter, the Israeli Ambassador to the US, expressed optimism regarding the diplomatic track, noting he was encouraged by a “wonderful exchange” following Tuesday&#8217;s talks, even though a ceasefire has not yet materialized.



“The Lebanese government made it very clear that they will no longer be occupied by Hezbollah,” Ambassador Leiter stated. “Iran has been weakened. Hezbollah is dramatically weakened. This is an opportunity.”



Iran&#8217;s Parliament Speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, spoke with his Lebanese counterpart, Nabih Berri. According to a statement released on Telegram at 2:43 p.m. today, Ghalibaf asserted that a ceasefire in Lebanon is “as important” as one in Iran. Amidst ongoing talks to end the conflict between Iran and the United States, Ghalibaf stated that Tehran has “been striving to compel our enemies to establish a permanent ceasefire in all the conflict zones, in accordance with the agreement.&#8221;



On the ground, the IDF continues its operations to neutralize the terror threat. Israeli forces struck targets in southern Lebanon yesterday (Wednesday), resulting in at least 20 fatalities according to Lebanese state media cited by Al Jazeera. Attacks were also reported in the vicinity of Beirut, with strikes hitting the coastal town of Saadiyat and a highway in Jiyeh, located approximately 12 miles from the Lebanese capital.



The IDF has maintained its issuance of evacuation orders for residents in southern Lebanon to ensure civilian safety as it targets entrenched terror infrastructure. Lebanese sources claim that more than 2,000 people in Lebanon have been killed since the current hostilities began.



Meanwhile, Hezbollah terrorists have signaled their total rejection of the diplomatic process. Senior Hezbollah official Wafiq Safa declared that the terror group will not abide by any agreements stemming from the talks.



“As for the outcomes of this negotiation between Lebanon and the Israeli enemy, we are not interested in or concerned with them at all,” Safa said. “We are not bound by what they agree to.”

Report: Lebanese President Declines Trilateral Call with Netanyahu, Rebuffing Trump’s Announcement

A proposed New York City law would require businesses to allow customers to bring their own cups when ordering beverages, a move that is raising concerns among workers about potential challenges on the job.



Employees say the policy could lead to disputes, particularly when customers bring oversized containers. Potential kashrus concerns could also arise, as the norm among hashgachos is to not permit outside food and drinks into certified establishments.



The bill, introduced by City Council Democratic Majority Leader Shaun Abreu, aims to cut down on waste disposal costs and curb pollution by encouraging reusable alternatives.



“The city spends hundreds of millions of dollars on waste disposal each year, with single use plastics making up a significant portion. This bill will help reduce waste disposal cost,” Abreu told The New York Post.



“Businesses would have to spend less now on having to buy plastic cups.”



Under the proposal, businesses would be required to post signage informing customers of the reusable cup option, with penalties of up to $400 for failing to comply.



Workers would still be permitted to refuse cups that are dirty or do not meet size requirements, but some in the food service industry say logistical issues could arise, particularly for establishments that rely on specialized equipment.



At bubble tea shops, for example, machines are often designed to seal drinks using specific plastic lids, making it difficult to accommodate alternative materials like metal or glass.



Employees also noted that drink portions would continue to be measured according to standard recipes, regardless of the size of a customer’s cup.



Environmental advocates praised the legislation as a practical step toward reducing plastic use and giving consumers more sustainable choices.



“The idea behind it — that New Yorkers should have the choice to use their own reusable cups at restaurants and coffee shops —is a good idea and common sense. Each week it seems, we hear about another negative health impact from using plastics to package our food, especially hot food and drinks,” said Matt Gove of Reusable NYC. “Why shouldn’t New Yorkers have the choice?”



A hearing on the bill is expected in June.

NYC Reusable Cup Bill Draws Worker Concerns

TEL AVIV — EL AL Israel Airlines announced Thursday a massive $1.5 billion strategic deal with Boeing to expand its fleet, taking a major step in its long-term plan to increase capacity and dominate the Israeli market.



Under the agreement, EL AL is exercising options to purchase six additional Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. In a significant upgrade, the airline is also converting options for four planes into the 787-10 model—the largest and most efficient aircraft in the Dreamliner family. These new aircraft are scheduled for delivery between 2030 and 2032.



Furthermore, the airline has secured options for an additional six aircraft for delivery between 2033 and 2035. This will bring EL AL’s Dreamliner fleet from 17 today to a potential 34 aircraft, significantly boosting its presence on lucrative long-haul routes to the United States and Asia.



Kenny Rozenberg, Controlling Shareholder: &#8220;This is another chapter in EL AL&#8217;s history that will take it to new heights. We are placing EL AL on par with the world&#8217;s leading airlines, representing Israel with pride.&#8221;



Dina Ben-Tal Ganancia, CEO of EL AL:&nbsp;&#8220;We are making a focused investment in an advanced fleet that creates double value—for both our customers and our shareholders. Expanding the 787 fleet allows us to increase capacity, improve efficiency, and provide a flight experience of the highest standard. This is a central move in our strategy to build a modern, profitable, and market-leading airline.&#8221;



Amikam Ben-Zvi, Chairman of the Board:&nbsp;&#8220;Especially at this time, signing such a significant agreement with Boeing is tremendous news. We are building a strong company with a long-term vision. The company’s business resilience is better than ever, and it will continue to strengthen in the coming years.&#8221;



The airline said that the new fleet will feature an upgraded premium experience across all cabins, ensuring EL AL meets the highest international standards for comfort and technology as it seals its position as a major player in the global aviation market.

EL AL Signs $1.5 Billion Deal with Boeing to Massive Expansion of Dreamliner Fleet

The man who killed an Israeli woman in a hit-and-run and fled the country was shot dead Thursday morning near Paris. Éric Robic, 51, was killed at around 9:30 a.m. in Neuilly-sur-Seine, in what French media described as a targeted shooting.



According to reports, two helmeted gunmen on a scooter approached Robic on Boulevard Victor Hugo, opened fire, and fled within seconds. Emergency teams treated him at the scene, but he was pronounced dead about 40 minutes later.



French authorities have opened an investigation, led by prosecutors in Nanterre. At this stage, no motive has been identified, and there is no official indication linking the shooting to Robic’s past case in Israel.



Robic was convicted in France over the 2011 hit-and-run killing of Lee Zeitouni in Tel Aviv. Zeitouni, 25, was struck while crossing a street. Robic and another French national fled Israel shortly after the incident, leading to a prolonged legal process before they were eventually tried and sentenced in France.



Beyond that case, Robic was known to French police for other offenses, including fraud. In recent years, he had continued to face legal trouble, though it remains unclear whether Thursday’s shooting was connected to those activities.

Man Who Killed Israeli Woman and Fled Shot Dead in Paris

In a stark departure from decades of bipartisan consensus, support for Israel’s fundamental security requirements has plummeted among elected Democrats, reaching a nadir that has sent shockwaves through the pro-Israel community. Once a bedrock principle of American foreign policy, ensuring the survival and defense of the Jewish State is rapidly becoming a partisan litmus test, with the progressive wing of the Democratic party successfully mainstreaming opposition to even purely defensive aid.



The most glaring evidence of this shift materialized in the Senate this week, laying bare a deepening chasm. Out of the 47-member Senate Democratic caucus, a staggering 40 senators voted against supplying vital bulldozers to the Israeli military. Even more alarming, 36 out of the 47 Senate Democrats voted against supplying bombs to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), effectively endorsing an arms embargo during a period of acute existential threat to Israel.



Perhaps most indicative of the party&#8217;s future trajectory: not a single Democratic Senator considered to be weighing a presidential run voted in favor of arms sales to Israel. Support for Israel, it appears, is now viewed as politically fatal for national aspirations within the party.



This troubling phenomenon in the Senate is mirrored &#8211; and amplified &#8211; in the House of Representatives, where a steady drumbeat of anti-Israel sentiment is eroding support for life-saving defensive systems like the Iron Dome. Just four years ago, opposing American funding for the Iron Dome missile defense system was considered &#8220;insanely fringe,&#8221; as Representative Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.) candidly acknowledged to reporters recently. That is no longer the case. In 2021, when the House voted to fund the Iron Dome, it passed with overwhelming support; 207 Democrats and 210 Republicans backed the measure. Only eight Democrats voted against it, while two, including Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), voted &#8220;present.&#8221;



Today, the political landscape is unrecognizable. Ocasio-Cortez recently declared to the Democratic Socialists of America that she &#8220;will never&#8221; vote for funding to Israel, later confirming this unprecedented boycott includes defensive weaponry meant solely to intercept rockets aimed at civilian populations.



More concerning is the exodus of lawmakers who previously supported Israel&#8217;s defense. Representatives Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), and Mark Pocan (D-Wisc.)—all of whom voted to fund the Iron Dome in 2021—have reversed course. McGovern stated he &#8220;cannot support more military assistance,&#8221; citing a perceived lack of accountability, while Pocan bluntly declared, &#8220;they don&#8217;t need our money, period.&#8221;



Representative Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), who also abandoned his prior support for the Iron Dome, observed the chilling velocity of this trend: &#8220;I&#8217;ve never seen public opinion change as fast on any issue&#8230; as it has on the U.S.-Israel relationship.&#8221;



The abandonment of Israel by these lawmakers is not happening in a vacuum; it is the result of relentless, coordinated pressure from far-left activists, shifting base demographics, and a highly hostile social media environment.



Representative Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.), who remains a staunch defender of Israel, noted the immense strain his colleagues are under. They are &#8220;having to deal with it because of what&#8217;s happening on social media and people coming up to them all day with, &#8216;say it&#8217;s a genocide, say it&#8217;s a genocide,'&#8221; Moskowitz explained. &#8220;So, yeah, they feel pressure.&#8221;



For moderate and battleground-district Democrats, the threat of being flanked by an anti-Israel primary challenger is driving a wedge between them and the traditional U.S.-Israel alliance. One anonymous swing-district Democrat confessed to the raw political calculus driving this abandonment: &#8220;If this guy whittles away enough at my base where people are so pissed off about it that when they look at the congressional race they just don&#8217;t vote — when you win by 10,000 votes, you need every f*cking vote.&#8221;



This capitulation to the extremes is further fueled by the shifting stances of organizations that ostensibly operate within the pro-Israel tent. The progressive group J Street recently shifted its position to oppose Iron Dome funding—a move that Congressional Progressive Caucus chair Greg Casar (D-Texas) celebrated as &#8220;pretty significant.&#8221; It has provided political cover for further defections, echoing the sentiments of lawmakers like Representative Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), who accused Israel of expecting the United States to protect them with taxpayer dollars while &#8220;going to war whenever they want.&#8221;



There remains a shrinking, embattled faction of Democrats who refuse to cross the Rubicon of cutting off Iron Dome funding. Representative Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.), despite being highly critical of the current Israeli government, admitted he is &#8220;not prepared to go that far.&#8221;



Representative Brad Schneider (D-Ill.), chair of the center-left New Democrat Coalition, serves as a voice of traditional logic in an increasingly radicalized caucus. Questioning J Street&#8217;s shift, Schneider reiterated a fundamental, historically bipartisan truth: &#8220;Israel&#8217;s security is important to American security.&#8221;



&#8220;The United States has benefitted from every investment we&#8217;ve made in joint programs like Iron Dome, Arrow and David&#8217;s Sling,&#8221; Schneider noted.



Yet, as the recent Senate votes overwhelmingly demonstrate, voices like Schneider&#8217;s are being drowned out. The refusal to support bulldozers, the votes against arming the IDF, and the targeting of the Iron Dome all point to a harrowing new reality. The historic, ironclad bond between the Democratic Party and the State of Israel is fraying at an unprecedented pace, leaving Israel&#8217;s security caught in the crosshairs of domestic political survival.

Shocking Senate Vote: 40 Democrats Vote Against Supplying Bulldozers and Bombs to the IDF

A senior diversity staff member at a British school trust has been dismissed after an investigation revealed she published social media posts describing Hamas as &#8220;heroes&#8221; in the immediate aftermath of the October 7 attacks.



Saima Akhtar, who served as the inclusion and diversity co-ordinator for the Cabot Learning Federation &#8211; which oversees the Bristol Brunel Academy &#8211; was terminated following public scrutiny of her online rhetoric.



According to reports initially highlighted by The Times, Akhtar took to social media shortly after the October 7 massacres in Israel, during which more than 1,200 people were killed. In one post, she wrote: “This is an oppressed people standing up and fighting back… Heroes fighting for justice and their right to exist. Palestinians are no different. #FreePalestine.”



Furthermore, she urged individuals to ignore what she termed “media attempts to paint Israel as a victim.” She went on to accuse Western governments and mainstream media of being the “real problem,” claiming they enable “ethnic cleansing and genocide.”



The dismissal has brought renewed scrutiny to the Cabot Learning Federation. The trust previously drew concern when it postponed a scheduled visit by Damien Egan, a Jewish Member of Parliament, last year. That decision was made following threats of protests from pro-Palestinian activists and union members, who cited &#8220;safeguarding concerns&#8221; regarding his role as vice-chair of Labour Friends of Israel.



Akhtar, who also held a seat on the school’s academy council, had publicly promoted her professional approach as being “intersectional” and “trauma-informed,” ostensibly emphasizing inclusion across various races, faiths, and backgrounds.



The Cabot Learning Federation issued a statement confirming that while they would not comment on the specific details of individual cases, they require staff to strictly uphold the trust&#8217;s standards.



“The promotion of inclusion and rejection of discrimination are enshrined in the CLF’s core values,” a spokesperson for the trust stated. “All of our staff are expected to embody these values in their behaviour – both inside and outside of school.”

UK School Trust Sacks ‘Diversity Lead’ Over Pro-Hamas Comments

Five IDF soldiers were injured earlier today (Wednesday) following a Hezbollah rocket strike during operations in Southern Lebanon.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="900" height="599" src="https://api.belaaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/photo_5978931468215979301_y.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-25904" srcset="https://api.belaaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/photo_5978931468215979301_y.jpg 900w, https://api.belaaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/photo_5978931468215979301_y-300x200.jpg 300w, https://api.belaaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/photo_5978931468215979301_y-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo Credit: IDF Spokesperson</figcaption></figure>



According to the IDF Spokesperson, one soldier sustained serious injuries as a result of the attack. Four additional soldiers were lightly wounded in the same incident.



All the injured troops were promptly evacuated to a hospital for medical treatment. 



The IDF confirmed that the families of the soldiers have been notified. The sad news comes amid reports that a ceasefire with Lebanon is very near, possibly within the next 2 days, per Israel&#8217;s N12 News.

IDF Soldier Seriously Wounded in South Lebanon Rocket Attack

Several media outlets, including Bloomberg, are reporting that the U.S. and Iran are close to reaching a deal to extend the ceasefire for another two week.



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>A Pakistani delegation led by Army Chief has arrived in Tehran to deliver messages from Washington. </li>



<li>Axios reports that Washington and Tehran made progress in talks today, moving closer to a framework agreement to end the war, per two U.S. officials &#8211; &#8220;ran has no money. They&#8217;re broke. We know it. And they know we know it&#8221;, one official said. </li>



<li>HORMUZ: The US military says that during the first 48 hours of the Straight of Hormuz blockade, no ships passed through. </li>



<li>IN LEBANON: A senior Lebanese official says there are &#8220;positive indications&#8221; regarding the ceasefire, but they haven&#8217;t received an update yet. </li>



<li>N12 reports that a ceasefire with Lebanon is very near, possibly in the next 2 days.</li>
</ul>

US-Iran Talks Advance Toward Framework Deal to End War – Ceasefire Extension Imminent

The Foreign Ministry’s appointments committee, led by Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, approved two new diplomatic postings on Wednesday.



Michael Lotem, currently a non-resident economic envoy to Africa, was appointed as Israel’s first ambassador to Somaliland.



Lotem previously served as ambassador to Kenya, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan, and will initially take on the Somaliland role in a non-resident capacity.



Additionally, Yahel Vilan was named Israel’s ambassador to Singapore and East Timor, after previously serving in Kenya and Serbia.



Israel formally recognized Somaliland in December 2025, becoming the first country to do so, despite Somalia continuing to claim the territory as its own.



Less than two weeks after that recognition, Sa’ar traveled to Somaliland, marking an early step in strengthening ties between the sides.



In January, Israeli President Isaac Herzog met Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi during the World Economic Forum in Davos.



Following the meeting, Herzog wrote, “I welcome the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two nations and look forward to deepening our bilateral cooperation for the benefit of both our peoples.&#8221;



Abdirahman wrote, &#8220;Our discussions focused on strengthening and advancing bilateral relations between the Republic of Somaliland and the State of Israel.&#8221;

Israel Names First Ambassador To Somaliland

As the 14-day ceasefire in the seven-week conflict between the United States and Iran nears its expiration, a flurry of contradictory reports has emerged regarding the future of the negotiations and the possibility of renewed hostilities.



While some international outlets report that a framework agreement and a ceasefire extension are imminent, other reports suggest the U.S. is preparing for a military escalation, even as the administration publicly downplays the need for an extension altogether.



According to a report by Axios, the United States and Iran are steadily moving toward a “framework agreement” aimed at ending the war. The report indicates that an extension of the current ceasefire is highly likely to allow negotiations to continue. Pakistan, Turkey, and Egypt are reportedly acting as key mediators.



The U.S. negotiating team, spearheaded by Vice President JD Vance and Middle East envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, has been actively exchanging draft proposals with Iranian counterparts through these mediators. One U.S. official told Axios, “They were on the phone and backchanneling with all the countries, and they are getting closer.”



Bloomberg went a step further, reporting definitively that the U.S. and Iran have agreed to extend the ceasefire for an additional two weeks. However, these optimistic reports of an extension stand in stark contrast to public statements made by the White House. Speaking to ABC News’ Jonathan Karl, President Donald Trump stated that he is not considering extending the ceasefire, arguing that it will not be necessary.



“I think you’re going to be watching an amazing two days ahead. I really do,” the President said, injecting uncertainty into the timeline reported by multiple news agencies.



Further complicating the narrative is a report from The Washington Post, which directly contradicts the optimism of a looming peace deal. According to two U.S. officials cited by the Post, the United States is actively preparing for a possible escalation in the region, which includes planning for potential ground operations inside Iranian territory.



Despite the diplomatic ambiguity, the reality on the ground—and at sea—points to a heavily enforced U.S. strategy. The naval blockade ordered by President Trump on Iranian ports appears to be severely crippling the Islamic Republic&#8217;s economy.



U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that during the first 48 hours of the naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, not a single vessel successfully bypassed U.S. forces. According to the military update, nine ships complied with orders to turn back toward Iranian ports.



American officials believe this economic chokehold is the primary driver forcing Tehran to the negotiating table.



“Iran has no money. They’re broke. We know it. And they know we know it,” an American official told Axios. Another official emphasized the severity of the blockade on Iran&#8217;s primary export: “What does it say if Iran, a country the world knows for its oil, can’t produce oil? It’s going to be worse than Venezuela under Maduro.”



Meanwhile, regional actors are moving swiftly to prevent the collapse of the talks. A Pakistani delegation, led by army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, the country’s interior minister, and senior security officials, arrived in Tehran on Wednesday to mediate. Concurrently, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif traveled to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, accompanied by his foreign and information ministers, to discuss the regional crisis with senior Saudi leadership.

Conflicting Reports Emerge on U.S.-Iran Ceasefire as Diplomatic Push Intensifies

At the Wednesday levaya of Yissachar Dov Spiegel z&#8221;l, 21, his father mourned the loss of one son and pleaded for news of another still missing after the brothers entered the sea off Netanya on Friday.



Thousands gathered in the Ramat Shlomo neighborhood of Yerushalayim to give kovod acharon to Yissachar Dov, a yeshiva Bochur who passed away after drowning days earlier off the coast of Netanya. During the hesped, his father cried out, “Where is Avi? Where is he? Why both of them?”



The brothers had entered the water at Tzanz Beach on Friday afternoon. Emergency responders pulled Yissachar Dov from the sea in critical condition and rushed him to Laniado Hospital, where he later died overnight between Tuesday and Wednesday. His younger brother, Avraham Yeshayahu “Avi” Spiegel, remains missing, with search efforts ongoing for several days.



In his hesped, Rabbi Shlomo Spiegel described his son as deeply devoted, saying, “He was always drawn to daven, to learn, and to be good.” Framing the loss through faith, he added, “We are returning the deposit pure and complete,” before concluding with the anguished line, “Why should I be bereaved of both of you in one day?” (למה אשכל גם שניכם ביום אחד)? (A reference to Rivka&#8217;s statement about losing her two sons on the same day.)



Prominent rabbanim who spoke at the funeral echoed the sense of collective grief. One of the maspidim exclaimed “This is Torah and this is its reward?” (a reference to what the Malaachim expressed to Hashem during the tragedy of the Asarah Harugei Malchus, to which Hashem replied that he&#8217;d have to overturn creation to explain His reasoning to them) while others urged the public to strengthen unity and interpersonal conduct in the wake of the tragedy.



Rescue teams, including police and volunteer units, have continued searching the waters and shoreline near Netanya for Avi, leaving the family and community confronting an ongoing and unresolved loss.

“Why Should I Lose Both in One Day?” Father Mourns Son After Netanya Drowning

In an unusual event today (Wednesday) in Netivot, southern Israel. residents and business owners were surprised when a very large swarm — described as tens of thousands of bees, suddenly appeared in the commercial center during the afternoon hours.



<figure class="wp-block-video"><video controls src="https://api.belaaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Untitled-design-77.mp4"></video></figure>



Videos and photos taken by locals show a cloud of bees flying through the air, covering parked cars including completely blanketing a car&#8217;s driver-side window and mirror like a &#8220;carpet&#8221;, landing on buildings, and even reaching nearby residential balconies.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="634" height="818" src="https://api.belaaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/5978947033177459888_autoOrient_g.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-25879" srcset="https://api.belaaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/5978947033177459888_autoOrient_g.jpg 634w, https://api.belaaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/5978947033177459888_autoOrient_g-233x300.jpg 233w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 634px) 100vw, 634px" /></figure>



Frightened shop owners quickly locked their doors and closed windows to keep the bees out. No injuries have been reported so far.



The Netivot municipality urged residents to stay away from the area and avoid approaching the bees until professional beekeepers or pest control experts arrive to handle the rare situation safely.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="613" height="608" src="https://api.belaaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-15-123809.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-25882" srcset="https://api.belaaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-15-123809.jpg 613w, https://api.belaaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-15-123809-300x298.jpg 300w, https://api.belaaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-15-123809-150x150.jpg 150w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 613px) 100vw, 613px" /></figure>



Speaking with N12 news, one local beekeeper said he received dozens of calls about bees appearing not only at the shopping center but also in homes and other businesses across the city.



It is unclear what trigered this cloud, but bee swarms like this can occur naturally when a colony splits and looks for a new home, especially in spring. 



Experts often advise people not to panic honeybees are generally not aggressive when swarming unless provoked, but it&#8217;s still wise to keep a safe distance.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="599" height="830" src="https://api.belaaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-15-123750.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-25881" srcset="https://api.belaaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-15-123750.jpg 599w, https://api.belaaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-15-123750-217x300.jpg 217w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, 599px" /></figure>

WATCH: Massive Bee Swarm Invades Commercial Center in Israel

Israel’s Supreme Court on Wednesday began hearing petitions to dismiss National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, in a rare case that puts his conduct in office at the center of a major legal and political battle. The hearing, held before an expanded nine-justice panel, is examining whether he can remain in his position.



At the core of the case are claims by Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara that Ben-Gvir repeatedly crossed the line between policy and policing. Her position argues the case is based not on a single incident but on a pattern of conduct, including interference in operational police decisions, involvement in appointments, and actions that risk undermining the police’s independence and equal enforcement of the law.



Ben-Gvir has openly defended those actions, arguing they reflect the mandate he received from voters. “Gali Baharav-Miara wants to take your voice from you,” he said ahead of the hearing. He added, “She says I set policy and change the police — she’s right,” and insisted, “I was elected to govern.” He framed the case as an attempt to override the will of right-wing voters.



The hearing quickly took on broader political significance, with coalition figures rallying behind the minister. Justice Minister Yariv Levin said the proceedings were “contrary to the law” and warned that any ruling would have “no validity,” signaling potential resistance to court intervention.



Judges during the session raised concerns about the implications of political involvement in policing, calling it a potential “danger to democracy.” The court is now expected to decide whether it can compel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to remove Ben-Gvir, a decision that could define the limits of ministerial power and judicial authority in Israel.

Supreme Court hears case to dismiss Ben-Gvir over police interference

President Donald Trump has indicated that the seven-week conflict with the Islamic Republic of Iran is nearing its conclusion, stating in a soon-to-be-aired interview with Fox News that the war is “close to over.”



Expanding on the timeline for peace, the President revealed to the New York Post that a second round of direct negotiations between the United States and Iran “could be happening over the next two days.” While initial assessments suggested the diplomatic meetings might convene in Europe, the President confirmed that the talks are now highly likely to take place in Islamabad, Pakistan.



President Trump attributed the choice of venue to his confidence in Pakistan’s Field Marshal Gen. Asim Munir, with whom the administration worked closely last year to broker a rapid peace agreement during Pakistan’s brief conflict with India.



“You should stay there, really, because something could be happening over the next two days, and we’re more inclined to go there,” the President said regarding Islamabad. “It’s more likely, you know why? Because the field marshal is doing a great job.”



He further praised the Pakistani military leader, adding, “He’s fantastic, and therefore it’s more likely that we go back there. Why should we go to some country that has nothing to do with it? &#8230; You know he ended the war with India, saved 30 million people.”



While President Trump confirmed he will not personally attend the prospective talks, he remained resolute on the administration&#8217;s core demands regarding Iran&#8217;s nuclear program.



Following unsuccessful talks over the past weekend, reports surfaced suggesting the U.S. had asked Iran to suspend its uranium enrichment program for a period of two decades. The President strongly dismissed this framework.



“I’ve been saying they can’t have nuclear weapons,” President Trump stated. “So I don’t like the 20 years.” When asked if a temporary moratorium might provide Iranian leadership with a face-saving diplomatic &#8220;win&#8221; to present to their populace, the President was unequivocal: “I don’t want them to feel like they have a win.”



The administration&#8217;s firm posture has garnered support from nuclear nonproliferation experts.



Andrea Stricker, deputy director at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, warned in an interview with the Post that a two-decade suspension would introduce severe verification challenges and heighten the risk of deception by the Iranian regime. Stricker emphasized that only &#8220;full, verified, and permanent nuclear disarmament&#8221; can definitively eliminate Iran&#8217;s weaponization capabilities.



However, regional analysts and Iranian delegates indicate that reaching such an absolute agreement remains a complex hurdle. Retired Pakistani Lt. Gen. Muhammad Saeed, drawing on diplomatic experience with Iran, noted that Tehran requires an outcome that can be framed to its citizens as a compromise rather than a capitulation.



Meanwhile, Iranian officials have signaled strict opposition to total disarmament. Professor Mohammad Marandi, who accompanied Tehran’s delegation to the initial talks in Islamabad, maintained a rigid stance, declaring that the current U.S. blockade will not alter Iran&#8217;s position and asserting that “ending enrichment will not be accepted.”

President Trump Declares Iran Conflict ‘Close to Over,’ Anticipates Imminent Talks in Pakistan

Yissachar Dov Spiegel Z&#8221;L, 21, son of Rav Shlomo Spiegel of Yeshivas Mir, has sadly passed away at the Laniado Hospital in Netanya. 



He drowned together with his brother Avraham Yeshayahu (17–18) on Friday at the Sanz Beach in Netanya. His brother sadly remains missing, with search efforts continuing. 



The family and community are asking Klal Yisroel to storm the heavens with tefillos for Avraham Yeshayahu ben Shoshana.



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 B&#8217;suros Tovos

TRAGIC: Yissachar Dov Spiegel Passes Away After Drowning Incident in Netanya; Brother Still Missing

As the kosher food industry continues to expand with record-breaking speed, Belaaz is launching a dedicated monthly report to track the newest products reaching store shelves. Our goal is to provide a central feed for the latest industry releases, keeping the community informed on new flavors, brands, and innovations as they debut in the global kosher market.



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Chewzy Swizzies</h3>



Chewzy has introduced Swizzies, a new line of sour-filled candy straws in Strawberry &amp; Grape and Apple &amp; Orange varieties. The individually wrapped treats come in shareable packs, combining tangy coatings with sweet centers to deliver a bold punch of flavor in every bite.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="900" height="506" src="https://api.belaaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Belaaz-post-Swizzies.jpg.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-25827" srcset="https://api.belaaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Belaaz-post-Swizzies.jpg.jpeg 900w, https://api.belaaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Belaaz-post-Swizzies.jpg-300x169.jpeg 300w, https://api.belaaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Belaaz-post-Swizzies.jpg-768x432.jpeg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /></figure>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
In the confectionery sector, a new brand has also launched a full lineup targeting the premium chocolate market.
</blockquote>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Romema Elevated Chocolate</h3>



New chocolate brand Romema has introduced a range of bars, including dark, milk, white, and praline-filled varieties, in addition to semi-sweet chocolate chips. These elevated chocolates are super rich in taste and sold at a great price, making it the ideal choice for all chocoholics.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="900" height="506" src="https://api.belaaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Romema.jpg.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-25828" srcset="https://api.belaaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Romema.jpg.jpeg 900w, https://api.belaaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Romema.jpg-300x169.jpeg 300w, https://api.belaaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Romema.jpg-768x432.jpeg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /></figure>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
Rounding out this month’s new releases is a new entry in the snack and cracker category focused on versatile pairing options.
</blockquote>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Keizer Foods Flat Crax</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="900" height="506" src="https://api.belaaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/flat-crax.jpg.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-25829" srcset="https://api.belaaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/flat-crax.jpg.jpeg 900w, https://api.belaaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/flat-crax.jpg-300x169.jpeg 300w, https://api.belaaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/flat-crax.jpg-768x432.jpeg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /></figure>



Keizer Foods has introduced Flat Crax, a new line of crisp flatbread crackers available in Sea Salt, Everything, and Salt &amp; Pepper. The new cracker is very flavorful and crunchy, and it was designed for pairing, topping, or just everyday snacking.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"> Unger’s Organic Coconut Oil</h2>



With their recent release of organic coconut oil, Unger&#8217;s is seeking to fill the growing demand for healthy baking alternatives. It is available in multiple sizes for everyday cooking and baking.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="900" height="506" src="https://api.belaaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/WhatsApp-Image-2026-04-14-at-3.06.47-PM.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-25834" srcset="https://api.belaaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/WhatsApp-Image-2026-04-14-at-3.06.47-PM.jpeg 900w, https://api.belaaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/WhatsApp-Image-2026-04-14-at-3.06.47-PM-300x169.jpeg 300w, https://api.belaaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/WhatsApp-Image-2026-04-14-at-3.06.47-PM-768x432.jpeg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /></figure>



Belaaz&#8217;s Kosher Food Desk will continue to monitor new arrivals and industry shifts to track the latest products hitting the shelves across the kosher market.

Kosher Food Desk: This Month’s 4 Newest Arrivals

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani took to East Harlem on Tuesday for a press conference celebrating his first 100 days in office, utilizing the occasion to unveil one of his controversial campaign promises: the city’s first government-run grocery store.



Standing outside La Marqueta, a historic, Depression-era site established by Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia in 1936, Mamdani pitched the project as a necessary &#8220;grand experiment&#8221; to combat inflation, noting that local grocery prices surged 66% between 2013 and 2023.



The self-described Democratic Socialist intends to allocate $70 million to the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) to build five city-run grocery stores, one in each borough, by the end of his term in 2030. The inaugural La Marqueta store alone carries an eye-watering estimated construction cost of $30 million. 



During the briefing, Mamdani argued that corporate grocery chains have maintained high prices even as supply costs dropped post-COVID. Citing a recent report that beef prices jumped 16% over just six months, Mamdani asserted that working-class New Yorkers can no longer budget for basic food.



His proposed solution involves contracting a private operator to run the store, but with a strict mandate that the city&#8217;s subsidies on a &#8220;core basket of staples&#8221; be passed directly to the consumer. “We are not hoping for affordability. We’re guaranteeing affordability,” Mamdani declared, contrasting this effort with the city&#8217;s previous &#8220;City Fresh&#8221; program, which invested `$30 million without successfully passing on savings to New Yorkers.



Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su added that the store would provide union-level standards for workers and cater its inventory directly to the neighborhood&#8217;s tastes. City officials emphasized the site&#8217;s strategic location, noting that nearly 40% of area residents are on public assistance and 5,000 NYCHA residents live nearby.



Despite the administration&#8217;s enthusiasm, the initiative is facing intense scrutiny. Fiscal conservatives and economic experts argue the plan is a massive misuse of taxpayer funds.



Daniel Di Martino of the Manhattan Institute warned, in an interview with Fox, that the project will fail &#8220;like every other socialist experiment&#8221; due to a fundamental lack of profit incentive to cater to consumer needs. Di Martino also highlighted the city&#8217;s &#8220;opportunity cost&#8221; of forfeiting real estate and rent revenue that could have been collected from private entities.



Furthermore, the government-subsidized store threatens to unfairly siphon business from local grocers; currently, an Aldi, a Costco Wholesale, and at least three other grocery stores operate within a one-mile radius of La Marqueta.



The public reaction has echoed these concerns. Following the press briefing, online commentators heavily mocked the price tag. Users pointed out that private companies can open stores for a fraction of the cost, branding Mamdani&#8217;s $30 million endeavor a &#8220;food giveaway not a STORE&#8221; that requires &#8220;raising taxes on everyone&#8221; and will ultimately run actual businesses out of the city.



History bolsters these fiscal and operational concerns. Past attempts at municipal grocery ventures have faced steep challenges. While a newer project just launched in Atlanta in September 2025, a similar venture in Kansas City that opened in 2018 ultimately collapsed, unable to keep its shelves stocked amid rising crime.

The $30 Million ‘Experiment’: Mamdani Pushes Socialist City-Run Grocery Stores Amidst Skepticism

The US State Department has announced a $10 million reward for information leading to the capture of a senior figure in an Iran-backed terror group operating in Iraq.



The bounty targets Ahmad al-Hamidawi, the secretary general of the Iran-backed Kataeb Hezbollah militia.



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In a post on X alongside al-Hamidawi’s image, the State Department’s Rewards for Justice program stated that the group is “responsible for attacks on US diplomatic facilities in Iraq, the kidnapping of US citizens, and the killing of innocent Iraqi civilians.”



Last month, Kataeb Hezbollah abducted American journalist Shelly Kittleson in Baghdad, releasing her several days later on the condition that she leave the country. At the time, officials from the group told The Associated Press that the arrangement included the Iraqi government freeing several detained members of the militia.



The group was also behind the kidnapping of Israeli researcher Elizabeth Tsurkov, who was released last year after spending approximately two and a half years in captivity.

US Offers $10 Million Reward For Head Of Iran-Backed Iraqi Terror Group

Far-right Polish parliamentarian Konrad Berkowicz ignited widespread backlash after referring to Israel as the “new Third Reich” and presenting a doctored Israeli flag featuring a swastika during a speech in parliament.



Addressing lawmakers just hours before the annual March of the Living at Auschwitz-Birkenau, Berkowicz accused Israel of carrying out “genocide” in Gaza and echoed unverified allegations regarding the use of phosphorus weapons against civilians. He also drew comparisons between child casualties in Gaza and the war in Ukraine, while recounting graphic depictions of suffering before revealing the altered flag.



Fellow lawmakers quickly condemned the act, with Deputy Speaker Włodzimierz Czarzasty stating that displaying a swastika in the Polish parliament is “in no way justified.”



Another legislator, Sławomir Ćwik, urged that the matter be referred to prosecutors, pointing to Polish laws that prohibit the promotion of Nazi symbols and incitement to hatred.



The controversy also prompted a response from US Ambassador Thomas Rose, who wrote “SHAME SHAME SHAME on YOU!!” on social media.



Berkowicz has drawn criticism in the past for inflammatory and antisemitic rhetoric, including multiple social media posts in recent years accusing Israel of “murder.”



 In a separate incident in October 2025, Berkowicz was fined by Polish police after attempting to steal from an IKEA store in Krakow.

Polish Lawmaker Sparks Outrage With ‘Third Reich’ Smear Against Israel And Swastika Flag Display In Parliament

A report published by the Atlantic said Joe Biden privately preferred Gretchen Whitmer as his 2020 running mate but ultimately chose Kamala Harris due to pressure during the Black Lives Matter protests.



According to The Atlantic, Biden “wanted it to be Whitmer,” with one source saying “the moment called for a Black running mate,” influencing the final decision at the height of nationwide unrest in summer 2020.



Whitmer, who was vetted and said she would have accepted the role, remained publicly supportive and campaigned for the Biden-Harris ticket throughout the 2020 election.

Biden Chose Harris as VP Due to Pressure During BLM Protests

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz delivered a speech today, Tuesday, marking the Holocaust Remembrance Day, in which he addressed the close cooperation between Israel and the US, as well as the goals of the war.



Minister Katz stated: &#8220;On this Holocaust Remembrance Day, the State of Israel is stronger and safer, and for the first time in many years, it is not threatened by an existential threat of annihilation. This is a direct result of the elimination of Ali Khamenei, who conceived and led the plan to destroy Israel by virtue of his status, capabilities, and religious authority.&#8221;



Regarding Iran, Katz said: &#8220;Operations &#8216;Am K&#8217;Lavi&#8217; and &#8216;Sha&#8217;agat Ha&#8217;Ari&#8217; have destroyed Iran&#8217;s nuclear program and its ability to produce nuclear weapons.&#8221;



Addressing the ongoing goal of the war, he added: &#8220;The issue of the enriched material remains as a potential foundation to restart the operation. Therefore, the US and Israel have defined the removal of the material from Iran as a non-negotiable condition for ending the campaign.&#8221;



Katz also delivered a firm message regarding the wider region: &#8220;Iran&#8217;s proxies in the region, from the collapsed Syrian regime to Hezbollah and Hamas, have also been severely battered and have lost their ability to pose a strategic threat to Israel. It remains to deal with the remnants of their power, and we are doing, and will continue to do so, with full commitment and in full force.&#8221;

Israeli Defense Minister: The US and Israel Have Defined the Removal of Enriched Nuclear Material From Iran as a Precondition for Ending the War

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed legislation on Tuesday, introducing criminal penalties for antisemitism, in a move officials and Jewish leaders described as completing the country’s legal framework to combat anti-Jewish hate.



The law amends Article 161 of Ukraine’s criminal code, formally establishing punishment for “manifestations of antisemitism.” Penalties include fines, restrictions of liberty, and prison sentences of up to three years for standard offenses. More severe cases involving violence, threats, or abuse of authority can carry sentences of up to five years, while organized or aggravated offenses may result in prison terms of up to eight years.



The measure closes a gap in Ukraine’s existing legislation. A 2021 law defined and banned antisemitism but did not include clear criminal enforcement mechanisms. Lawmakers passed the follow-up bill establishing criminal liability in February 2022, just weeks before Russia’s invasion, but it remained unsigned until now.



Vitally Komzin, chairman of the United Jewish Community of Ukraine, called the signing a milestone. “This is a historic decision which completes the formation of a comprehensive legislative framework to combat antisemitism in Ukraine. Thank you to everyone who was involved and helped at every stage,” he said. He added, “I approached Member of Parliament Maksym Buzhansky with this proposal, who supported the initiative, drafted the bill and did everything possible to pass it in 2021.”



The legislation has been welcomed by Jewish organizations as providing a long-missing enforcement tool, transforming earlier declarations into actionable law and strengthening Ukraine’s ability to prosecute antisemitic acts.

Ukraine Adds Criminal Penalties Including Prison and Fines for Antisemitism in New Law

The Belgian Prime Minister recently met with Jewish community leaders amid growing concerns over potential attacks on Jewish communities in Europe. A central focus of the discussions was the proposed appointment of a special envoy to combat anti-Semitism.



Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever recently dedicated time from his demanding schedule to meet with a broad representation of Jewish organizations.



He held extensive discussions with leaders of the religiously observant communities, as well as with representatives of prominent Jewish umbrella organizations, including the FJO, CCOJB, and JID.



The meetings addressed a wide array of issues currently affecting the Jewish community, with a particular focus on the alarming rise in anti-Semitism and the increasingly hostile environment confronting many community members.



In recent weeks, amid an elevated threat level and growing concerns regarding potential attacks against Jewish communities across Europe, the Belgian government has deployed military personnel to stand guard outside Jewish institutions.



Michael Freilich, a Jewish member of the Belgian parliament and a special envoy for the European Jewish Association (EJA), attended the meeting alongside the Prime Minister. He noted the significance of the visit, stating: &#8220;Even in difficult times, it is heartening to see that the country&#8217;s most senior political leader is personally committed to the future of his Jewish citizens.&#8221;



A primary issue on the agenda was the potential appointment of a special governmental envoy dedicated to combating anti-Semitism—a proposal that still requires a consensus among the government&#8217;s coalition partners. Addressing this interim period, the Prime Minister declared: &#8220;Until then, I will be your envoy to combat anti-Semitism!&#8221;



This supportive statement was met with widespread agreement and appreciation by those in attendance.



Concluding the meeting, the Prime Minister confirmed his acceptance of an invitation to deliver the keynote address at the annual memorial ceremony commemorating the deportation of the Jewish community during the Holocaust. The event is scheduled to take place in Antwerp on May 6.

Belgian Prime Minister Assures Jewish Community: “I Will Be Your Envoy to Combat Anti-Semitism”

The United States announced Monday that it has begun enforcing a sweeping naval blockade along Iran’s entire coastline, expanding beyond the Strait of Hormuz. The move follows President Donald Trump’s earlier vow to shut down the critical shipping lane, after Iran effectively halted most maritime traffic there in response to joint U.S.-Israeli strikes. The blockade comes after negotiations failed to end the war that began February 28, despite a temporary two-week truce.



U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said the operation began at 10:00 a.m. ET and places all Iran-linked maritime traffic under its control.



“The blockade will be enforced impartially against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas, including all Iranian ports on the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman,” CENTCOM said. “CENTCOM forces will not impede freedom of navigation for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports.”



According to Reuters, U.S. forces issued a warning to mariners outlining enforcement measures.



“Any vessel entering or departing the blockaded area without authorization is subject to interception, diversion, and capture,” the message said. “The blockade will not impede neutral transit passage through the Strait of Hormuz to or from non-Iranian destinations.”



Officials have not yet detailed how the blockade will be carried out, though reports indicate more than 15 U.S. warships are already involved.



At the same time, the U.K. Maritime Trade Operations center issued guidance noting that the restrictions cover Iran’s entire coastline, including ports and energy infrastructure. While passage through the Strait of Hormuz for non-Iranian destinations is technically allowed, vessels may encounter military oversight, communications checks, or inspections. Neutral ships currently docked in Iran have been given limited time to leave.



On Sunday, Trump announced the move on Truth Social, declaring that the U.S. Navy would begin “BLOCKADING any and all Ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz.”



“I have also instructed our Navy to seek and interdict every vessel in International Waters that has paid a toll to Iran. No one who pays an illegal toll will have safe passage on the high seas,” Trump said.



“Any Iranian who fires at us, or at peaceful vessels, will be BLOWN TO HELL!” he continued.



Maritime intelligence firm Lloyd’s List confirmed that shipping traffic through the strait effectively stopped following Trump’s announcement, with at least two vessels turning back mid-transit.



Although a ceasefire allowed limited ship movement in recent days, traffic has remained minimal and exposed to risk.



Trump also addressed concerns about Iranian sea mines, telling Fox News, “it won’t take long to clean out the strait” and that “numerous countries are going to be helping us,” including the United Kingdom, though foreign involvement has not been confirmed.



Previously, Iranian authorities issued routing instructions to vessels, warning that straying from designated paths could result in striking mines. A Lloyd’s List spokesperson told the BBC: “We know Iran is essentially still in control of the strait, and the assumption is that ship owners will still need to seek permission from the IRGC… and how that’s going to work is still not clear.”



Despite Trump’s claim of international cooperation, NATO allies said Monday they will not participate in the blockade, indicating they may only reconsider after the conflict ends.



Israel, however, expressed full support. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday that Israel is coordinating closely with Washington.



“Iran violated the rules [of the peace talks in Pakistan], President Trump decided to impose a naval blockade,” Netanyahu said.



Iran responded sharply, with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warning that foreign military presence in the Strait of Hormuz violates the ceasefire. An Iranian military spokesperson called the blockade illegal and “amounts to piracy.”



Iran also warned of broader consequences.



“Security in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman is either for everyone or for NO ONE,” the military said. “NO PORT in the region will be safe.”



Separately, a commercial vessel reported witnessing an explosion and fire at the Fateh Oil Field off the UAE coast, though no casualties or damage to shipping infrastructure were confirmed.



Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf mocked the blockade’s economic impact, posting: “Enjoy the current pump figures. With the so-called ‘blockade’, soon you’ll be nostalgic for $4–$5 gas.”



He also warned: “If you fight, we will fight … We will not bow to any threats.”



Trump, meanwhile, claimed U.S. forces have already “obliterated” 158 Iranian vessels.



“Iran’s navy is laying [sic] at the bottom of the sea,” he said.



However, analysts note that while Iran’s conventional navy has taken heavy losses, the IRGC’s fleet of smaller, fast-attack boats remains largely intact. Experts estimate more than 60 percent of these vessels are still operational.



Trump dismissed their threat, saying they are not “much of a threat,” and suggested they could be neutralized using tactics similar to anti-drug trafficking operations.



Since the war began, Iran has leveraged the narrow Strait of Hormuz to restrict access and drive up global oil prices, even demanding payments from some ships for safe passage.



The blockade could cut off a major revenue stream for Tehran but also risks pushing energy prices higher worldwide, raising concerns among U.S. officials and business leaders about economic fallout.



Some analysts question how effective the blockade will be. Shipping expert Lars Jensen said it may only stop “a very tiny trickle of vessels” in the near term, noting that ships paying Iran were already under sanctions.



Trump signaled indifference to renewed negotiations.



“I don’t care if they come back or not,” he said. “If they don’t come back, I’m fine.”



China’s role is becoming increasingly significant, as it relies heavily on Iranian oil. Chinese Defense Minister Adm. Dong Jun said Beijing is monitoring the situation.



“We have trade and energy agreements with Iran. We will respect and honor them and expect others to not meddle in our affairs. Iran controls the Strait of Hormuz, and it is open for us,” he said.



CENTCOM declined to clarify how it would handle Chinese vessels attempting to transit the strait.



Reports indicate the U.S. is also considering renewed limited strikes inside Iran, though a broader campaign is viewed as unlikely due to escalation risks.



Separately, talks in Pakistan revealed major disagreements over Iran’s nuclear program. The U.S. reportedly demanded a 20-year halt to uranium enrichment, while Iran proposed a much shorter timeline.



Trump said Iran is seeking a deal but insisted any agreement must prevent it from obtaining nuclear weapons.



“They’d like to work a deal,” he said.



Meanwhile, the USS George H.W. Bush is heading toward the eastern Mediterranean to replace the USS Gerald R. Ford, which is undergoing repairs.



British Prime Minister Keir Starmer reaffirmed Monday that the U.K. will not join the blockade, emphasizing the need to reopen the strait.



“All the time the strait is shut or not free for navigation in the way it should be, that means oil and gas is not getting to market, that means the price is going up, and everybody listening to this is facing higher energy bills,” Starmer said. “I don’t want that to happen. I want their energy bills to be stabilized and lower.”



On the diplomatic front, Russia signaled willingness to accept Iran’s enriched uranium as part of a future deal, while mediators from Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey continue efforts to revive negotiations.



At the same time, Israel confirmed it has launched targeted ground operations in southern Lebanon, with Netanyahu stating there is “no ceasefire in Lebanon” and vowing continued strikes against Hezbollah.



Analysts suggest the blockade is primarily economic pressure rather than a step toward broader war.



“The blockade is a pressure tactic, to be sure, but not primarily a military one,” wrote David Ignatius. “Trump has no appetite for further armed conflict… His aim instead is to put a severely battered Iran into an economic vise.”

US Naval Blockade Of Iran Fully In Effect As Tensions Escalate

A small red berry known as “miracle fruit” is drawing growing interest for its unusual ability to turn sour flavors sweet, and for offering relief to cancer patients struggling with a common side effect of chemotherapy.



Many patients undergoing treatment experience “chemo mouth,” a condition that causes food to taste metallic, bland, or spoiled. This can lead to reduced appetite, weight loss, and poor nutrition.



The fruit, scientifically called Synsepalum dulcificum, is now being explored as a way to help patients better tolerate food and regain a sense of normal eating.



“A lot of side effects from cancer treatments are underreported,” Dr. Mike Cusnir, a board-certified oncologist and co-director of gastrointestinal malignancies at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach, Florida told the New York Post on Monday.



He explained that taste disruption can worsen over time and significantly affect a patient’s well-being.



“The alteration in taste will end up giving the patient the sensation that everything is absolutely bland,” Cusnir said.



“And we may think that that’s negligible, that it’s not that important — but with time it becomes bothersome to the point where the patient doesn’t eat, then there’s weight loss.”



While the severity varies, the consequences can be serious. Poor nutrition and weight loss may interfere with ongoing cancer treatment, he noted.



In his research, Cusnir found that common strategies — such as switching utensils, adjusting food temperature, or adding spices — often fail to provide meaningful relief.



He first encountered miracle fruit when a patient introduced it to him, demonstrating its effects with a lemon.



“I’m like, ‘That’s going to be tangy,&#8217;” Cusnir recalled. “He’s like, ‘OK, try it.’ So I tried it. It was tangy. Then he said, ‘Now, try the fruit and then squeeze it again.’ And it tasted like lemonade.”



The berry contains a compound called miraculin, which temporarily alters taste perception. Its effects typically last between 30 and 40 minutes, though researchers are still studying how it works and why results differ among individuals.



In a small clinical study, about half of the patients who used the fruit reported improved taste and overall quality of life, while 14% experienced weight gain.



However, the fruit was not effective for everyone, and experts caution that the findings are still preliminary.



Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center notes that while some small studies suggest potential benefits, the overall evidence remains limited and inconsistent.



More comprehensive research is needed to determine how effective the fruit truly is and which patients are most likely to benefit.



Because the berry is delicate, it is often sold frozen or in tablet or powder form, as it can quickly lose potency after being harvested. Availability has increased in recent years, though product quality may vary.



Cusnir said there have been no clear safety concerns observed so far, and there is no strong evidence that the fruit interferes with cancer treatments. Still, patients are advised to consult their doctors before trying it.



Researchers are also exploring whether the fruit could help people with diabetes by making low-sugar foods more appealing.



For patients dealing with taste changes, even small improvements can make a meaningful difference in daily life.



“If a meal becomes a challenge for the patient, and they just don’t want to be there because they’re bothered by the food, they may isolate,” Cusnir said.



He added that this isolation can deepen the emotional toll of cancer treatment.



“Patients are tired, fatigued, and the time they spend with their family — if food is bothering them — it creates more isolation,” he said.



Helping patients enjoy even part of a meal again can have a significant impact, he said.



“Patients are with us maybe 15 minutes every few weeks,” Cusnir said.



“But they’re at home, with their family, three meals a day.”

‘Miracle Fruit’ Shows Promise In Helping Chemo Patients Regain Taste And Appetite

The House returned Monday facing the prospect of multiple expulsion battles at once, a scenario almost without precedent in modern Congress. The most immediate pressure is on Rep. Eric Swalwell, after Rep. Anna Paulina Luna moved to force action following a weekend wave of misconduct allegations against the California Democrat.



Swalwell’s crisis escalated after reports said four women accused him of misconduct, including a former staff member. Swalwell suspended his campaign for California governor over the weekend, apologized for what he called “mistakes in judgment,” and insisted the allegations are false.



The broader turmoil extends beyond Swalwell. Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas is under ethics scrutiny after admitting to an affair with a former aide, with House Republican leaders had already urged him not to seek reelection. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick of Florida is facing one of the most advanced cases, with the Ethics Committee finding multiple violations and a federal criminal trial expected next year. Rep. Cory Mills, also of Florida, remains under investigation over allegations including misconduct, campaign finance issues, and gift violations, which he denies.



Still, expulsion remains difficult. The House has expelled only six members in its history, most recently George Santos in 2023, and doing so requires a two-thirds vote.

U.S. House Faces Rare Wave of Several Expulsion Threats This Week

A federal judge in Miami on Monday dismissed President Donald Trump’s $10 billion defamation lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal, which stemmed from a controversial report about an alleged lewd letter he sent to Jeffrey Epstein for his 50th birthday.



US District Judge Darrin Gayles ruled that Trump’s legal team had “not plausibly alleged that the Defendants published the Article with actual malice,” though he granted the president the opportunity to submit a revised complaint.



“President Trump will follow Judge Gayles’s ruling and guidance to refile this powerhouse lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal and all of the other Defendants,” a spokesman for Trump’s legal team told The New York Post shortly after the ruling. “The President will continue to hold accountable those who traffic in Fake News to mislead the American People.”



Defamation claims brought by public figures have historically been difficult to win, as legal precedent requires proof that false information was knowingly published with malicious intent. The judge noted that the Journal had contacted Trump, 79, and his administration for comment before publishing the article.



While the Journal did not publish the letter itself, it described its contents. House Democrats later released the document publicly, which included a lewd image. The House Oversight Committee had obtained the letter from a birthday book discovered in Epstein’s estate. “Happy Birthday—and may every day be another wonderful secret,” read part of the letter, which bore Trump’s signature.



Trump’s lawsuit, filed in July 2025, asserted that “no authentic letter or drawing exists” between the two.



“We are pleased with the judge’s decision to dismiss this complaint. We stand behind the reliability, rigor and accuracy of The Wall Street Journal’s reporting,” a spokesperson for its publisher, Dow Jones, told The Post.



The controversy intensified weeks before the Journal’s report, when backlash grew over a joint FBI and Justice Department memo stating there was no evidence Epstein maintained a “client list” and that his 2019 death in a Manhattan jail cell was likely a suicide.



The uproar ultimately led to Congress passing the Epstein Files Transparency Act in November, compelling the DOJ to release more than 3 million pages of documents related to Epstein.



Trump’s lawsuit named Dow Jones, its parent company News Corp &#8211; which also owns The Post &#8211; as well as CEO Robert Thomson, Chair Emeritus Rupert Murdoch, and two reporters.



“President Trump’s conclusory allegation that Defendants had contradictory evidence and failed to investigate is rebutted by the Article and is insufficient to establish actual malice,” Gayles wrote. “President Trump’s allegation that Defendants acted with ill-will is insufficient to plead actual malice.”



The judge did not determine whether the article’s claims were true and declined to award legal fees, citing the possibility that Trump may file an amended complaint.



Trump had been photographed with Epstein years ago but has said their relationship ended badly in the mid-2000s. He has stated that he banned Epstein from Mar-a-Lago and claimed he “stole people that worked for me.” Trump has also said he cut ties with Epstein before his 2006 arrest on Florida child prostitution charges.



Last week, First Lady Melania Trump issued a public statement from the White House rejecting claims about her past connection to Epstein, stating, “I am not Epstein’s victim.”



Since the 2024 election cycle, Trump has filed multiple lawsuits against media outlets, securing $16 million settlements with ABC News and CBS News over their coverage.



In September, a judge dismissed Trump’s $15 billion lawsuit against The New York Times related to its reporting on the 2024 election.



Trump is also pursuing a $10 billion lawsuit against the BBC, accusing the outlet of deceptive editing of his January 6, 2021 speech at the White House Ellipse, with the network seeking to have the case dismissed.

Judge Tosses Trump’s $10B Lawsuit Against Wall Street Journal Over Epstein Letter Report

The Chief Rabbinate Council of Israel approved a special resolution on Monday expressing gratitude for “the great miracles that we see during these times.”



Chief Rabbi Kalman Ber, who heads the council, presented the resolution during its official session.



The text of the resolution extends appreciation to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, IDF soldiers, and US President Donald Trump “for being eloquent ambassadors for the defense of the people of Israel,” while also offering wishes for their continued success.



“The Chief Rabbinate Council sees the providence of the One who dwells in Shamayim over His nation who sits in Eretz Hakodesh, and gives thanks for the miracles that we see during these difficult days of war,” the resolution states.



The council praised IDF soldiers and commanders “for fighting with dedication and for standing steadfast for acheinu kol Beis Yisrael,” and voiced encouragement for the Prime Minister and government ministers “who guide the policy of protecting the people.”



It also conveyed condolences to bereaved families, stating: “Both families of IDF soldiers gave their lives&#8230;and for the families who lost their loved ones in attacks that aimed to harm the citizens of Israel.” The council further offered prayers for the recovery of those wounded.



In addition, the resolution expresses gratitude to US President Donald Trump, “and all those who surround him who defend our land and the world, as well as the soldiers of the US Military who are also in full cooperation with Israeli soldiers fighting against evil and wickedness.”



The resolution concludes with a prayer: “May the bracha be granted: ‘And I establish peace in the Land and the world, and eternal joy on all its inhabitants’.”

Chief Rabbinate Council Praises Trump, Netanyahu, And IDF In Wartime Resolution

A new report released Monday by Tel Aviv University found that 2025 was the deadliest year for antisemitic violence in more than three decades, with 20 Jews killed in attacks across three continents. The annual “Antisemitism Worldwide Report for 2025” warns that severe violence surged even as overall incident levels remained far above pre–Oct. 7 figures.



The fatalities stemmed from four major attacks, including a mass killing at a Chanukkah event in Sydney, a deadly shooting outside a Jewish museum in Washington, and a firebombing in Boulder, Colorado. Data in the report also show sharp increases in antisemitic incidents in Canada, Australia, Britain and New York, even as countries like France and Germany saw overall declines that remained well above historic norms.



“The data raise concern that a high level of antisemitic incidents is becoming a normalized reality,” said Professor Uriya Shavit, the report’s editor-in-chief. “The peak in the number of incidents was recorded in the immediate aftermath of the Oct. 7, 2023, attack, after which we began to see a downward trend—but unfortunately, that trend did not continue in 2025.”



The study also found that many attackers acted as “lone wolves,” often emerging from white supremacist or anti-Zionist Muslim milieus, complicating prevention efforts. Researchers further warned of the normalization of antisemitic rhetoric, particularly in the United States, as part of a broader shift from crisis-driven spikes to a sustained pattern.



Despite some localized declines, the report emphasizes that incident levels in many countries remain significantly higher than before the Oct. 7 attacks. The findings suggest that global antisemitism has not returned to baseline, even as the immediate trigger events have faded.

Study Finds 20 Jews Killed in 2025 Attacks, Deadliest Antisemitic Violence in Over 30 years

The Jewish community was plunged into mourning on Sunday evening following the tragic news that Habachur Yehoshua Ram, z”l, a 17-year-old resident of Bnei Brak, lost his life after drowning in the Ain Ekev spring.



The heartbreaking incident occurred during a Bein Hazmanim trip with his friends.



As reported earlier, a massive search and rescue operation was launched Sunday afternoon. Specialized teams from the Lehava rescue unit were called to the Ain Ekev spring following a report of a missing bochur who was believed to have fallen into the water. Upon arrival, search teams located his clothing near the spring.



Tragically, after several hours of intense searching, rescue divers recovered his body. ZAKA volunteers were immediately dispatched to the scene to ensure kavod hameis.



Aharon Fischer, a ZAKA volunteer who responded, and Gili Tugandaft of the ZAKA Negev-Dimona team, stated: &#8220;We arrived at the scene after receiving a report of a boy missing in the spring. After hours of activity, the 17-year-old boy was located at the scene. This is a very difficult scene. Together with other ZAKA volunteers, we are handling the difficult scene with respect for the deceased, accompanying the family in these difficult moments.&#8221;



Yehoshua, z”l, was born to his parents, Harav Yisroel and Mrs. Sarah (nee Glick) Ram, ybl”c, who reside on Ben Zakkai Street in Bnei Brak.



In his childhood, he valiantly battled a severe illness. He had just recently begun his studies this past Elul in Shiur Aleph at the Grodna Yeshivah in Be&#8217;er Yaakov, before his life was tragically cut short.



The body of the niftar is being transferred for an external examination at the Abu Kabir Institute. Askanim are working to ensure a prompt release so the levayah can take place as soon as possible, which will most likely be held on Monday.



Yehi zichro baruch.

BDE: Tragedy in the Negev as Habachur Yehoshua Ram, Z”l, 17, Found After Drowning at Ain Ekev

The Mirrer Yeshiva in Brooklyn lost one of its most unique figures Sunday with the sudden and tragic petirah of Harav Yeruchim Leshinsky, zt&#8221;l, a maggid shiur for 65 years and, in the truest sense, a talmid chacham who never left the walls of the Beis Medrash. He was 89.



Rav Yeruchim born in Mir, Poland before World War 2,&nbsp; where his father, Harav Dovid Leshinsky, zt&#8221;l, had learned. He came to America together with the historic flight of the Mirrer Yeshiva through Japan, and from the moment he arrived, the yeshiva became his world.



He was the first person named after the famed Mirrer Mashgiach, Harav Yeruchim Levovitz zt&#8221;l.



For decades, he served as a beloved marbitz Torah to generation after generation of talmidim. But his role extended far beyond the shiur. He spent long hours giving chizuk to bochurim,sitting with them, learning with them, guiding them with a patience and warmth that left a permanent imprint. He offered hadrachah to fellow rabbeim as well, serving as a quiet pillar of guidance within the yeshiva&#8217;s walls.



In his later years, Rav Yeruchim stepped back from giving shiur and could be found each day in the back of the beis medrash — second row from the last, last seat — learning with the same intensity as a bochur on his first day. He learned yomam v&#8217;layla. He was up before five in the morning, and those who knew him believe he was niftar early Sunday morning as he was preparing to make his way to yeshiva, as he had done every day of his life.



Mordy Weinreb, a talmid who learned in the Mirrer Yeshiva and merited a close relationship with Rav Yeruchim, shared his recollections exclusively with Belaaz.



&#8220;In tenth grade I didn&#8217;t have a chavrusa,&#8221; Mordy recalled, &#8220;and the Rebbe asked me if I had one. I said no. He said, &#8216;Neither do I&#8217; — and we learned together for the entire year.&#8221;



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That gesture, offered without fanfare, was characteristic of the Rebbe. Rav Yeruchim had a quiet radar for bochurim who needed a hand, and his response was never a referral or a suggestion — it was his own time, his own presence.



When Mordy entered twelfth grade, he approached the Rebbe and asked if he could have the zchus of continuing to learn with him. The Rebbe&#8217;s response stopped him in his tracks. &#8220;He told me he would love to learn with me,&#8221; Mordy said, &#8220;but that it&#8217;s not a zchus.&#8221; The humility was not performative. It was simply who he was.



Mordy described sitting across from Rav Yeruchim as a study in awe. &#8220;You could stand in front of him for fifteen minutes before he&#8217;d even notice you were there. He was so engrossed in his learning — and then when he finally looked up, he&#8217;d jump, like, &#8216;Oh! someone&#8217;s here!&#8217; He simply did not realize anyone was standing there.&#8221;



When a question in learning was brought to him, Rav Yeruchim had a telling habit. &#8220;He would open the sefer and put his finger on the page,&#8221; Mordy said, &#8220;and then breathe heavily, searching — as if he couldn&#8217;t find it. Six minutes of this. And every single time, he had opened directly to the right place. He knew everything. But he would never let on.&#8221;



That anavah extended to every corner of his life. A story Mordy tells captures it perhaps better than any other.



&#8220;I remember him walking through the gym in the Mirrer Yeshiva. Someone was playing basketball, and a pass hit him square in the head. He must have been 85 at the time. He picked up his hat, didn&#8217;t look back, didn&#8217;t say a word — he just kept walking. He would never hurt a bochur&#8217;s feeling.&#8221;



A Home Built on Torah Rav Yeruchim&#8217;s wife, Rebbetzin Libby Leshinsky, is the daughter of Hagaon Harav Avigdor Miller, zt&#8221;l, one of the preeminent marbitzei Torah of the previous generation. Rav Miller was known for his daily walks, which he used as dedicated time for thinking about Hashem — a practice he would not forgo under any circumstances. Rebbetzin Leshinsky absorbed this deeply from her father, and to this day maintains her own daily walk in that spirit, using the time for avodas Hashem.



The home they built together reflected both of their worlds. Rav Yeruchim was generous in inviting bochurim for Shabbos and weekday meals, and Mordy was among those who sat at his table many times. What struck him was not only the warmth of the welcome, but something he witnessed between the Rebbe and Rebbetzin themselves.



&#8220;Every single bite of food, he would say l&#8217;kovod Shabbos,&#8221; Mordy said. &#8220;Every bite, every time, throughout every Shabbos seudah.&#8221;



And in the way Rav Yeruchim and his Rebbetzin related to one another, Mordy saw something that moved him deeply. &#8220;I saw between them the same fresh energy you see by a young couple just starting their Jewish home in their shana rishona. That&#8217;s what it looked like — every day.&#8221;



Rav Yeruchim had previously lost his sister, Rebbetzin Rivka Kreiser, a&#8221;h, the wife of Harav Aharon Kreiser, zt&#8221;l; his brother, Harav Yaakov Leshinsky, zt&#8221;l, of Yerushalayim; and another sister, Rebbetzin Rochel Brudny, a&#8221;h.



He is survived by his Rebbetzin and his children — Reb Shmuel, Reb Avrohom, Reb Yitzy, Mrs. Avigail Klein, Mrs. Batsheva Alpert, and Mrs. Shulamis Fischoff — along with a distinguished family of marbitzei Torah and talmidei chachomim.



The levayah was held at 12:30 p.m. at the Mirrer Yeshiva in Brooklyn, with kevurah to take place in Yerushalayim.



Yehi zichro baruch.

BDE: Harav Yeruchim Leshinsky, zt”l: A Lifetime of Learning

The most consequential diplomatic encounter between the United States and Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution ended in failure on Sunday, as Vice President J.D. Vance departed Islamabad without an agreement after more than 21 hours of marathon negotiations — leaving a fragile two-week ceasefire in a precarious state, global energy markets on edge, and the specter of renewed large-scale hostilities once again looming over the Middle East.



The breakdown, which set off a cascade of urgent military and diplomatic activity on Sunday afternoon, laid bare the central and seemingly unbridgeable divide between Washington and Tehran: Iran&#8217;s insistence on retaining its right to enrich uranium, which the United States and Israel regard as an intolerable pathway to a nuclear weapon.



The backdrop to Sunday&#8217;s drama was a six-week-old war — launched by the United States and Israel on February 28 — that has reshaped the strategic landscape of the Middle East. Iranian military infrastructure, missile capabilities, and leadership networks have sustained severe damage. Iran&#8217;s traditional naval forces have been significantly degraded. The regime&#8217;s proxy networks in Lebanon and Gaza have been battered. Yet Iran&#8217;s theocratic leadership, battered as it is, walked into the Islamabad talks with a posture of defiance rather than submission.



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The talks, which lasted 21 hours, were the first face-to-face engagement between the U.S. and Iran at this level since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The American delegation was an unusually high-powered one: Vice President Vance led the U.S. side, accompanied by special envoy Steve Witkoff, presidential son-in-law Jared Kushner, Deputy National Security Adviser Andrew Baker, and Michael Vance, special advisor for Asian affairs. The Iranian delegation, by contrast, numbered some 70 officials and experts spanning diplomatic, military, and economic fields — a show of bureaucratic mass that signaled Tehran&#8217;s intent to complicate rather than expedite.



The Iranian side was led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Ghalibaf&#8217;s inclusion was itself telling: a hardliner and former IRGC commander, he had arrived in Islamabad declaring that Iran would negotiate in &#8220;goodwill&#8221; while simultaneously voicing deep skepticism. Upon arrival, he expressed mistrust of the United States, saying: &#8220;Unfortunately, our experience of negotiating with the Americans has always been accompanied by failure and breaches of commitments.&#8221;



From early in the talks, it became apparent that the central issue — Iran&#8217;s nuclear program — would prove intractable. The American position was unambiguous: any settlement required Tehran&#8217;s firm, verifiable, and permanent commitment to forgo the pursuit of nuclear weapons, and to surrender not merely the weapons themselves but also the enrichment capabilities that would allow Iran to reconstitute its program at a moment of its choosing.



Vance said at a press conference in Islamabad before boarding Air Force Two: &#8220;The simple fact is that we need to see an affirmative commitment that they will not seek a nuclear weapon, and they will not seek the tools that would enable them to quickly achieve a nuclear weapon.&#8221;



The Iranians refused. An Iranian official, speaking anonymously, attempted to reframe the impasse as a mischaracterization: &#8220;It is false. Iran is not seeking to acquire nuclear weapons, but it has the right to nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. This right is undeniable and must be recognized.&#8221; The official added that Iran was willing to limit enrichment levels as a confidence-building measure — but did not elaborate on why the talks ultimately failed.



That framing strains credulity. The UN nuclear watchdog IAEA, as of December 2024, had reported Iranian enrichment to levels approaching weapons-grade, along with an unprecedented stockpile of highly enriched uranium with no credible civilian application, giving Iran the capacity to produce enough fissile material for multiple bombs on short notice. Enrichment at such levels has no legitimate peaceful use. The Iranian claim to be merely pursuing &#8220;nuclear energy&#8221; rings hollow against that documented record.



Following his debriefing from Vance, Witkoff, and Kushner, President Trump cut through the diplomatic fog with characteristic directness. &#8220;There is only one thing that matters,&#8221; he posted on Truth Social. &#8220;IRAN IS UNWILLING TO GIVE UP ITS NUCLEAR AMBITIONS!&#8221; He acknowledged that some areas of agreement had been reached, but noted that Iran would not relinquish its claimed right to enrich uranium. Trump called Iran&#8217;s leadership &#8220;volatile, difficult, unpredictable people&#8221; while noting, with apparent irony, that his negotiators had nonetheless come away with personal respect for their Iranian interlocutors. His bottom line, rendered in capital letters, was unequivocal: &#8220;IRAN WILL NEVER HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON!&#8221;



Trump has not confined himself to rhetoric. In remarks on Fox News Sunday, he spelled out with unusual specificity what a return to hostilities would mean for Iran. He described the potential targeting of Iran&#8217;s power grid, water desalination plants, and bridges, and made clear that such a campaign would leave Iran unable to recover. &#8220;In one half of a day, they wouldn&#8217;t have one bridge standing. They wouldn&#8217;t have one electric generating plant standing. And they&#8217;re back in the stone ages,&#8221; he said, adding: &#8220;If I do it, it takes you ten years to rebuild. They&#8217;ll never be able to rebuild it.&#8221;



He also referenced a prior demonstration of that resolve. During the war, after Iran made a public statement Trump characterized as false — one the Iranians themselves subsequently retracted — Trump ordered the destruction of a specific Iranian bridge as a direct consequence. &#8220;I say, I&#8217;m going to take out a bridge. And I took out a bridge. And that was the end of that. Now they&#8217;ve been really behaving quite well,&#8221; he said.



The episode was not merely a boast. Trump has shown a willingness to translate threats into action with precision and speed when he judges the moment requires it.



Trump also defended his earlier warning — issued last week — that &#8220;a whole civilization will die&#8221; if Iran refused to negotiate. He said flatly: &#8220;I&#8217;m fine with it. That statement brought them to the table.&#8221; He reminded his audience of what the other side has said for decades: &#8220;For years, I&#8217;ve had to listen to them say &#8216;Death to America&#8217;&#8230; &#8216;America is the Satan. We will destroy America. Death to America.'&#8221; The asymmetry, in Trump&#8217;s framing, is not a moral equivalence.



Israeli media outlet News 13, whose correspondent Neria Kraus has cultivated an unusually direct line to President Trump, provided an illuminating account of the negotiations&#8217; inner dynamics. According to Kraus, Trump was personally invested in the talks to a degree not publicly acknowledged — monitoring developments closely and sending his team back to the table repeatedly in search of a viable compromise formula. &#8220;He cares very, very much, he is very involved,&#8221; she reported. &#8220;He is all for it.&#8221;



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The tensions inside the negotiating rooms were not limited to diplomatic friction. Reports emerging from the talks indicated that at one point, a confrontation between Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi and American envoy Steve Witkoff escalated to the edge of physical altercation — an extraordinary moment that illustrated just how raw the mutual hostility between the two sides remained, even within the formal structure of a high-stakes diplomatic setting.



Kraus painted a portrait of Vice President Vance as the delegation&#8217;s hard-liner — a man who genuinely wanted an agreement but who ultimately drew the line when it became clear none was achievable. Interestingly, Iranian officials reportedly viewed Vance as a more acceptable interlocutor than either Witkoff or Kushner, given his distance from the earlier failed diplomatic rounds. Iranian officials told the Guardian that they were more open to engaging with Vance than with other senior figures tied to earlier, unsuccessful negotiations.  That perceived openness made his ultimate announcement of failure all the more definitive — if even Vance, the Iranians&#8217; preferred American counterpart, could not find common ground, then there was genuinely no deal to be had.



Kraus raised another dimension that colored the delegation&#8217;s rapid departure: a potential security concern. According to her reporting, there was an assessment within the American delegation that Iran might attempt some form of retaliation against Vance personally during the Islamabad talks. &#8220;There could be an Iranian revenge attempt here,&#8221; she said. &#8220;So as soon as the talks end, we announce it and immediately cut it out.&#8221;



The White House did not confirm this assessment, but the speed of the delegation&#8217;s departure — boarding Air Force Two within minutes of Vance&#8217;s announcement — was consistent with a pre-planned security protocol. A U.S. official confirmed at a refueling stop at Ramstein Air Base in Germany that no members of the negotiating team, including Witkoff, Kushner, or any technical staff, remained in Pakistan.&nbsp; The message was clear: Washington was not leaving a back channel open for informal continuation of the talks.



Complicating the nuclear impasse is a second front that carries enormous economic weight: Iranian control over the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 20 percent of the world&#8217;s oil supply passes. Iran has used this leverage aggressively since the war began six weeks ago, mining the waterway and effectively halting commercial shipping.



Iran, under its ten-point negotiation plan, demanded an end to Israeli attacks on Hezbollah, the release of $`6 billion in frozen assets, guarantees around its nuclear program, and the right to charge ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz as part of any permanent agreement. The demand to charge tolls on an internationally recognized waterway was a non-starter for Washington.



Trump has framed the Strait of Hormuz in strikingly commercial terms. According to the Kraus report, Trump told her he &#8220;wants to see his money from the Strait of Hormuz&#8221; — he wants American strategic investment in the conflict to yield tangible economic dividends, not merely an abstract diplomatic win. In his Fox News interview, Trump confirmed that minesweepers — including vessels from the United Kingdom and other allies — are being deployed to clear Iranian mines from the waterway.&nbsp; Following the breakdown of talks, Trump announced a full naval blockade of the Strait.



The challenge is formidable. The Wall Street Journal reported that more than 60 percent of the IRGC&#8217;s small-boat naval fleet used to patrol and mine the Strait of Hormuz remains intact after six weeks of war.&nbsp; Unlike Iran&#8217;s conventional navy — which sustained significant losses to U.S. and Israeli strikes — the IRGC relies on fast attack craft and speedboats that are difficult to target from the air, often stored in underground pens that evade satellite detection. U.S. and Israeli strikes primarily targeted Iran&#8217;s traditional naval forces, leaving the IRGC&#8217;s small-boat capability largely undisturbed — precisely the capability most relevant to mining and controlling the strait.



On Saturday, in what appeared to be a deliberate show of American resolve, two U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyers, the USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. and the USS Michael Murphy, transited the Strait of Hormuz — the first passage of American warships through the waterway since the war began six weeks ago.



The IRGC Navy responded with menacing radio communications, warning the USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. to &#8220;alter course and go back to the Indian Ocean immediately&#8221; or face being &#8220;targeted.&#8221; An IRGC serviceman escalated further, warning nearby commercial vessels to maintain distance from any warships &#8220;because I&#8217;m ready to open fire on them without any warning.&#8221; The American ship responded by invoking its right of &#8220;transit passage in accordance with international law&#8221; — and continued through. The vessels were not fired upon.



In Israel, the collapse of talks triggered immediate military action. IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir instructed the military to move to a &#8220;heightened state of readiness&#8221; and to prepare for a resumption of hostilities with Iran. Citing military officials, the Ynet news site reported that the IDF has begun a full &#8220;combat readiness procedure,&#8221; with all units ordered to maintain maximum operational preparedness. The move underscores what Israeli leaders have said publicly throughout the ceasefire period. Last week, during a visit to southern Lebanon, Zamir stated that the IDF is &#8220;prepared to return to combat with full force if required at any given moment.&#8221;



Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a televised address, did not mention the Islamabad talks directly, but declared that &#8220;the battle is not yet over&#8221; while defending the war effort against domestic critics. Netanyahu said Israel had &#8220;crushed&#8221; Iran&#8217;s nuclear program, missile capabilities, and leadership networks — though U.S. intelligence assessments have raised questions about the full extent of that damage.



Israel&#8217;s economic toll from six weeks of war is now becoming clearer. Israel&#8217;s Finance Ministry released initial estimates placing the total budgetary cost of the conflict at roughly NIS 35 billion — approximately `$9.5 billion. The bulk comprises an estimated NIS 22 billion in defense and military spending. Civilian compensation for missile damage, business losses, and employee leave accounts for NIS 12 billion, with an additional NIS 1 billion in civilian infrastructure and social services costs.



Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich framed the expenditure not as a burden but as an investment in national survival, saying that &#8220;responsible management of the country&#8217;s economy was a critical factor in the great operational success.&#8221;



Sunday&#8217;s failure triggered immediate international reaction. Russian President Vladimir Putin called his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian, offering Kremlin mediation for a political settlement — a move widely interpreted as Moscow seeking to reassert regional relevance as American power is projected more assertively across the Middle East. The European Union called the use of diplomacy &#8220;essential&#8221; and praised Pakistan&#8217;s mediation role.



Pakistan itself — which had locked down Islamabad under an extraordinary two-day security closure to facilitate the talks — expressed continued willingness to serve as an intermediary. Pakistan&#8217;s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar urged both sides to keep talking, saying Islamabad would &#8220;continue to play its role to facilitate engagement and dialogue between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States.&#8221; Iran&#8217;s official media sought to characterize the failure as Washington&#8217;s fault, with state broadcaster IRIB declaring that &#8220;the excessive demands by America prevented any agreement.&#8221; 



Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei acknowledged that &#8220;the talks ended with gaps between the sides on several major issues&#8221; while declining to specify what those issues were — a notable contrast to the American delegation&#8217;s explicit and direct identification of the nuclear issue as the deal-breaker.



What emerges from Sunday&#8217;s events is a portrait of a regime that understands its moment of maximum danger, yet cannot bring itself to make the concessions that would end it. Iran arrived in Islamabad believing it held leverage — that its control of the Strait of Hormuz and Trump&#8217;s desire for a deal gave Tehran negotiating power it could exploit. That calculation appears to have been correct in a narrow sense: the talks did last 21 hours, and significant ground was reportedly covered on several issues. But on the single issue that matters most to both Washington and Jerusalem — nuclear weapons — Iran&#8217;s position remained unchanged. The near-physical confrontation between Araghchi and Witkoff captured in microcosm a relationship built on decades of mutual contempt, in which even the act of sitting across a table from each other requires enormous effort and carries the constant risk of collapse.



Trump&#8217;s implicit threat is one that few leaders would deliver so plainly. He claimed the United States &#8220;could take out Iran in one day,&#8221; described specific civilian infrastructure as potential targets, and made clear that the aftermath would leave Iran unable to rebuild for a decade or more — perhaps ever. He was not speaking abstractly. He had already demonstrated his willingness to strike a specific Iranian bridge as a punitive measure, and Iran had acknowledged the error that prompted it. The regime knows what American firepower can do.



Vance, for his part, did not slam the door entirely. He left Islamabad with what he described as a &#8220;final and best offer&#8221; — a framework the Iranian government may yet accept. &#8220;We&#8217;ll see if the Iranians accept it,&#8221; he said. The ceasefire technically remains in place, though its durability now depends entirely on whether Tehran concludes that its long-term survival requires a genuine decision to abandon nuclear ambitions — or whether it continues to gamble that time, leverage, and international pressure will eventually produce terms more favorable to the regime.

Trump Issues Stern Warnings, Reports Indicate Iranian Control of Strait of Hormuz Unabated Despite Heavy Strikes

[CLEARED FOR PUBLICATION] Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited southern Lebanon today (Sunday), alongside Defense Minister Israel Katz and IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir.



 Netanyahu arrived at an IDF outpost near the border, where he received a briefing on the division&#8217;s activities from the Commander of the Galilee Formation, Brig. Gen. Yuval Gaz.



 During the visit, the Prime Minister told the soldiers: &#8220;The war continues, including within the security zone in Lebanon, where I was just a short while ago. What we are seeing is that we have thwarted the threat of invasion from Lebanon thanks to this security zone, distancing the danger of anti-tank missile fire and also dealing with indirect fire [rockets], but there is still work to do. We have done immense work, tremendous achievements; there is still more to do—and we are doing it.&#8221;



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 The visit took place in the shadow of the collapse of negotiations between the United States and Iran.



 Addressing this issue in his remarks, the Prime Minister stated: &#8220;One of the things we see here is that we have essentially changed the face of the Middle East. Our enemies—Iran and the axis of evil—came to destroy us, and now they are simply fighting for their survival. We see this in every single arena. This is a tremendous achievement for the State of Israel and the Israel Defense Forces, our regular and wonderful reserve soldiers. The people of Israel salute you.&#8221;



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PM Netanyahu Visits Lebanon: “The War Continues”

Heavy rescue forces and emergency personnel are currently scouring the Ain Ekev spring in the Negev desert following frantic reports of a yeshiva bochur who went missing in the water on Sunday afternoon.



The terrifying incident occurred during a Bein Hazmanim trip. Initial reports indicate that the bochur entered the spring and subsequently disappeared from view, raising severe fears that he may have drowned, Rachmana litzlan.



Upon receiving the distress call, a massive search and rescue operation was instantly launched. Specialized teams from the Lehava rescue unit, led by their commander, were dispatched to the remote area. The team includes expert divers who are specially trained and certified in underwater search and recovery operations.



They are operating in close coordination with local police forces on the ground. Additionally, an Israel Air Force (IAF) helicopter was deployed to transport the specialized dive teams to the scene as rapidly as possible, and to assist with sweeping aerial searches of the surrounding rugged terrain.

Grave Concern in the Negev: Extensive Search Underway for Missing Yeshiva Bochur at Ain Ekev Spring

The Lakewood community was plunged into deep grief and mourning early Sunday morning upon receiving the tragic news of the petirah of Habachur Eli Shepansky, z”l, following a devastating car accident. He was 18 years old.



The horrific incident occurred in Hamilton, New Jersey. According to local reports, Eli, the son of Reb Moshe and Mrs. Leah Shepansky, ybl”c, had traveled to Philadelphia in the early hours of Sunday morning alongside a friend. The two bachurim were returning from a special chesed project on behalf of a mutual friend.



On their way back home to Lakewood, their vehicle was involved in a severe collision with a commercial truck.



Tragically, Eli passed away, and his friend sustained serious injuries and remains hospitalized. The tzibbur is urgently requested to storm the heavens with tefillos for a refuah sheleimah for Mordechai Zelig ben Lima, b’soch shaar cholei Yisroel.



Dedicated askanim have been on the scene and are working tirelessly around the clock with the local authorities in Hamilton to ensure kavod hameis. They are handling all necessary arrangements to expedite the release of the niftar so that the levayah can take place without delay.

BDE: Lakewood Bachur Eli Shepansky, Z”l, 18, Niftar in Fatal Accident

Two yeshiva bachurim sadly were involved in a drowning incident on Friday at a Netanya beach. The victims, Yissachar Dov and Avraham Yeshayahu, are sons of Harav Shlomo Spiegel, shlita, who leads a famous chaburah in the Beis Yisroel neighborhood of Yerushalayim.



The family had been staying in Netanya for a bein hazmanim vacation when the tragedy struck.



As news of the tragedy spread after Shabbos, the communities where the boys reside and learn immediately mobilized for mass tefillah. The boys, who are students at the esteemed Tifrach Yeshiva, reside with their family in the Ramat Shlomo neighborhood of Yerushalayim.



To storm the heavens for the brothers, multiple urgent tefilah gatherings have been scheduled for Motzei Shabbos:



 • The Central Shul (Harav Kahaneman Street, Ramat Shlomo): A massive atzeres tefillah will take place at 11:00 PM.



 • Chazon Ish shul (Ramat Shlomo): Gatherings will commence at 10:30 PM.



 • Spiegel-Beis Yisroel Yeshiva Hall: A mass tefilah will be held at 10:30 PM.



 • The Kosel: Thousands are expected to gather for Tehillim at 10:30 PM.



Following the incident on Friday, rescue forces immediately launched a massive search and rescue operation. While Yissachar Dov was pulled from the water, his brother Avraham Yeshayahu remains missing.



Given the life-saving nature of the situation, ZAKA Rabbis issued direct rulings instructing divers and special units to continue their search operations unabated throughout Shabbos.



 Central District police officers from the Netanya station, under the leadership of the station commander and Mayor Avi Salama, worked alongside the Coast Guard, fire department commanders, the flame unit, and maritime policing systems.



 Following a Motzei Shabbos situational assessment, dozens of ZAKA volunteers and diver units are utilizing advanced technological means and dedicated equipment to conduct coordinated scans along the coastline and underwater, working in full cooperation with maritime police to locate the missing bachur.



Yissachar Dov is currently hospitalized in the intensive care unit at the Sanz Laniado Hospital. Medical personnel describe his condition as extremely serious, and he is in desperate need of a complete and speedy recovery.



Throughout Shabbos, local Sanzer Chassidim provided close assistance and hospitality to the distraught family members keeping vigil near the hospital. Harav Spiegel was also brought in to receive a bracha&nbsp; from the Sanzer Rebbe.



The tzibur is requested to daven for Yissachar Dov ben Shoshana, and for the safe and swift locating of his brother, Avraham Yeshayahu ben Shoshana.

Urgent Tefillos Across Klal Yisroel Over Tragic Netanya Drowning

Five suspects were arrested in Damascus, Syria, after an attempted assassination of Rabbi Michael Khoury was, b&#8217;chasdei Hashem, thwarted, local authorities reported Saturday.



The terror cell responsible for the plot is believed to be affiliated with Hezbollah.



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According to a statement from the Syrian interior ministry, security personnel intervened after observing a woman attempting to plant an explosive device outside a residence in the Bab Touma neighborhood of the capital. The bomb was successfully dismantled and neutralized before it could be detonated.



Following the discovery of the device, all five members of the cell were taken into custody.



The ministry noted that preliminary investigations revealed the group&#8217;s connection to Hezbollah and indicated that the suspects had received specialized military training abroad.



While official Syrian government reports referred to the intended target only as a religious figure, the Kan public broadcaster later confirmed that the explosive was placed at the residence of Rabbi Khoury.



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Syrian Security Forces Foil Hezbollah Assassination Plot Against Rabbi in Damascus

Shortly before departing back to the US, Vice President JD Vance declared early Sunday morning in Islamabad that the current round of US-Iran negotiations had ended without an agreement, saying the Iranian delegation had refused to accept American terms despite what he described as a flexible and good-faith American effort.



&#8220;We just could not get to a situation where the Iranians were willing to accept our terms,&#8221; Vance told reporters at a press conference at around 9:40pm Eastern Time Saturday night; Sunday morning in Pakistan. He pushed back against any suggestion that Washington had been inflexible, insisting the delegation had followed President Donald Trump&#8217;s explicit direction. &#8220;I think that we were quite flexible, we were quite accommodating. The president told us, you need to come here in good faith and make your best effort to get a deal. We did that, and unfortunately, we weren&#8217;t able to make any headway.&#8221;



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Vance characterized the breakdown as a failure of Iranian willingness rather than American resolve. &#8220;They have chosen not to accept our terms,&#8221; he said, describing the outcome as &#8220;bad news for Iran.&#8221; It remains unclear whether the collapse of this round forecloses further diplomacy entirely, or whether additional negotiations could resume. The two-week ceasefire declared by Trump continues to hang in the balance.



The talks in Islamabad had represented the highest-level direct contact between Washington and Tehran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, bringing together a senior American delegation led by Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and presidential son-in-law Jared Kushner, facing off against an Iranian delegation of more than 70 members headed by Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. The meeting marked the first time a sitting American Vice President had engaged directly with Iranian officials since the Revolution.



The talks in Islamabad had stretched across some 15 hours of marathon negotiations before breaking down. Iran&#8217;s semi-official Tasnim news agency reported after 3 a.m. local time that the third round had concluded with &#8220;serious disagreements&#8221; still unresolved. Earlier in the evening, Tasnim had struck an even more dire tone, describing the third round as the &#8220;last opportunity&#8221; to reach a common framework — a characterization it attributed to what it called &#8220;excessive US demands.&#8221;



A White House official had briefed reporters around 5 a.m. Islamabad time that the talks were still ongoing at that point: &#8220;15 hours and counting.&#8221; A Pakistani official told AFP that discussions had been &#8220;progressing in the right direction&#8221; and that &#8220;the overall atmosphere is cordial&#8221; — though the official spoke on condition of anonymity.



The opening rounds of direct talks had lasted roughly two hours before the delegations broke for rest. Pakistan&#8217;s army chief was also present. The format represented a departure from prior practice, in which the two sides had communicated through mediators in separate rooms. A White House official confirmed the talks were proceeding as trilateral direct negotiations, with Pakistan playing a hosting and facilitation role.



Before direct talks could begin, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spent Saturday morning personally mediating between the two delegations as Iran laid down a series of red lines it said Washington had to accept as preconditions before face-to-face negotiations could take place. Tehran&#8217;s demands included formal acknowledgment of its authority over the Strait of Hormuz and a full ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.



The Iranian delegation arrived in Pakistan dressed in black, in mourning for former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and others killed in the war. In a pointed symbolic gesture, they carried shoes and bags belonging to students killed during the US bombing of a school adjacent to a military compound.



As the third round was underway, President Trump told reporters in Washington that he was unconcerned about the outcome. &#8220;Whether we make a deal or not makes no difference to me,&#8221; he said. &#8220;The reason is because we&#8217;ve won. We&#8217;re in very deep negotiations with Iran. We win regardless. We&#8217;ve defeated them militarily.&#8221; Trump also issued a stark warning to Beijing, saying China would face &#8220;big problems&#8221; if it shipped arms to Iran — a signal that Washington was watching for outside powers seeking to bolster Tehran&#8217;s position amid the ongoing negotiations.



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Trump acknowledged what he called &#8220;very deep negotiations&#8221; but appeared to downplay the urgency of the Vance-led diplomatic effort — even as the two-week ceasefire he declared on Tuesday was set to expire in the coming days with the core objectives of the six-week war left unfulfilled. Those stated goals had included preventing Iran from attaining nuclear weapons, destroying its missile program, and fostering conditions for regime change.



The two sides had entered Islamabad with sharply divergent frameworks. Iran published a 10-point proposal demanding a guaranteed end to the war, a halt to future attacks, lifting of economic sanctions, Iranian control over the Strait of Hormuz, and an end to Israeli strikes on Hezbollah in Lebanon. The United States submitted a 15-point counterproposal focused on restricting Iran&#8217;s nuclear program and reopening the strait.



Vance had signaled cautious optimism before departing the US, saying that if Iran was &#8220;willing to negotiate in good faith, we&#8217;re certainly willing to extend the open hand.&#8221; But he added a firm warning: &#8220;If they&#8217;re going to try and play us, then they&#8217;re going to find that the negotiating team is not that receptive.&#8221;



Iran&#8217;s Foreign Minister Araghchi acknowledged entering negotiations with &#8220;deep distrust&#8221; stemming from prior strikes on Iran during earlier rounds of diplomacy, and said his country was prepared to retaliate if attacked again. Ghalibaf, speaking shortly after landing in Pakistan, was blunt: &#8220;Our experience in negotiating with the Americans has always been met with failure and broken promises.&#8221;



A senior Iranian source told Reuters that the US had agreed to release frozen Iranian assets held in Qatar and other foreign banks — a claim swiftly denied by a US official. Qatar&#8217;s Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Iranian state television&#8217;s correspondent at the talks said progress had been made on several Iranian demands, giving Tehran confidence to proceed.



The Strait of Hormuz remained the central flashpoint of the negotiations. Iran&#8217;s closure of the waterway — through which roughly one-fifth of the world&#8217;s oil and liquefied natural gas passes in peacetime — has proven to be Tehran&#8217;s most potent strategic card in the conflict. Brent crude was trading above $`94 a barrel on Saturday, up more than 30% since the war began.



Iran demanded formal recognition of its authority over the strait, including the right to collect transit fees and regulate access — a position the United States and neighboring Oman have both rejected. Trump accused Iran of using the strait for extortion, and said on Friday the waterway would be opened &#8220;with or without them.&#8221;



Trump said the US had already begun &#8220;clearing out&#8221; the waterway. &#8220;We have minesweepers out there. We&#8217;re sweeping the strait,&#8221; he said, claiming all 28 of Iran&#8217;s minelaying ships had been sunk. He added that the US was acting for the benefit of other nations: &#8220;We&#8217;ll open up the strait even though we don&#8217;t use it, because we have a lot of other countries in the world that do use it that are either afraid or weak or cheap.&#8221;



 A US official told Axios that two Navy warships had passed through the strait. Iranian state television and a Pakistani source disputed the claim, saying no American vessels had entered.



Iran&#8217;s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that any military vessels attempting to transit the strait would face &#8220;a strong response,&#8221; declaring that only civilian vessels would be permitted passage under specific conditions. Complicating the picture further, The New York Times reported Saturday, citing US officials, that Iran itself had struggled to locate all the mines it laid — the result of what officials described as careless mining operations. Some mines are capable of drifting, and it is unclear whether Iran fully documented the location of each one, leaving the scope of any clearing operation deeply uncertain.



Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing data from Lloyd&#8217;s List Intelligence, that 100 ships have crossed the strait over the past month — with non-Iranian vessels reportedly negotiating toll payments with Iranian authorities that can reach as high as `$2 million per ship, compared to more than 100 ships per day transiting the waterway before the conflict.



Israel, which jointly launched the military campaign against Iran six weeks ago, was not represented at the Islamabad talks. Host Pakistan has no diplomatic relations with Israel and does not recognize its sovereignty. The ceasefire has already come under strain, notably from Israel&#8217;s continued strikes on Hezbollah in Lebanon. Both Iran and Pakistan have insisted those strikes violate the current truce; Israel and the US maintain otherwise.



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Lebanese authorities said Israeli strikes on the country&#8217;s south on Saturday killed 18 people, bringing the total death toll from Israeli strikes since the war began past 2,000. Vance had stated flatly before the talks began that Lebanon would not be on the table in Islamabad.



Egypt, Turkey, and China have also been involved in broader mediation efforts alongside Pakistan.



The security footprint in Islamabad was extraordinary, with roads sealed off, a heavy police and paramilitary presence throughout the capital, and authorities urging residents to stay indoors — leaving the normally bustling city resembling a ghost town.

US Delegation Leaves Pakistan Without Deal With Iran; Further Negotiations Uncertain

The first 100 days of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration have been defined by a push for massive tax increases and a rapid retreat from several of his most prominent campaign promises, leaving both supporters and critics questioning the direction of his mayoralty. Despite campaigning on a platform of heavily taxing the wealthy to fund a variety of city programs, the socialist mayor has introduced proposals that would exact a combined `$23 billion in new taxes, with significant portions threatening middle-class New Yorkers.



Initially claiming a budget shortfall of 12 billion, later revised down to 5.4 billion, Mamdani shocked many by threatening a 9.5 percent across-the-board property tax increase if his proposals to &#8220;tax the rich&#8221; were not met. The property tax hike, which would affect an estimated three million residential units owned by New Yorkers earning an average of $122,000 a year, was projected to generate 3.7 billion annually. Facing swift backlash from the public and the City Council, the mayor has since largely stopped mentioning the proposal.



 In Albany, Mamdani’s administration has circulated a wish list of tax hikes that require state approval. These include a controversial plan to slash the estate tax exemption threshold from $7 million down to just 750,000, while raising the top rate from 16 percent to 50 percent. Critics warn this measure would heavily burden middle-class families whose homes often sell for well over the new six-figure threshold, generating an estimated $`4 billion a year for the city.



The mayor is also seeking a two percent income tax hike for New Yorkers earning $1 billion or more, alongside corporate tax increases to 10.8 percent for financial firms and 10.62 percent for non-financial companies. While Democratic leaders in the state legislature have shown symbolic support, Governor Kathy Hochul has voiced opposition, citing fears of driving wealth and businesses out of the state.



Beyond taxation, the mayor’s first three months have been characterized by a sharp pivot away from his progressive campaign promises. A heavily promoted pledge to open five city-owned grocery stores to provide wholesale prices has yet to materialize. Instead, the administration has proposed $70 million for the city’s Economic Development Corporation merely to scout locations and build the stores. Similarly, Mamdani’s promise to create a $1.1 billion Department of Community Safety to replace police with social workers on non-violent 911 calls has fallen short. It has been reduced to a &#8220;Mayor’s Office of Community Safety&#8221; staffed by two people with a $260 million budget.



 On public safety and quality-of-life issues, the realities of governing have forced further reversals:



Law Enforcement: Mamdani campaigned on disbanding the NYPD’s Strategic Response Group (SRG) and abolishing the department&#8217;s gang database. Today, both remain operational, with NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch defending their use. Mamdani recently noted the SRG remains under &#8220;active conversation.&#8221;



Homeless Encampments: After promising to end his predecessor’s practice of clearing homeless encampments, Mamdani reversed course following severe winter storms that resulted in at least 29 outdoor deaths. The city has now returned to clearing encampments, provided workers attempt to move individuals into housing for seven consecutive days first.



Housing Vouchers: Seeking to capitalize on progressive anger against former Mayor Eric Adams, Mamdani promised to drop lawsuits blocking the expansion of the CityFHEPS housing voucher program. Once in office, he formally filed an appeal to keep the anti-expansion lawsuit alive.



Libraries: Mamdani pledged to allocate 0.5 percent of the city’s budget to the library system and end the practice of using it as a budget negotiating tactic. He instead slashed library funding by `$30 million in his preliminary budget, allocating only 0.39 percent.

Mamdani’s First 100 Days Marked by $23 Billion in Proposed Taxes, Reversal on Campaign Pledges

The IDF confirmed on Friday that troops have eliminated more than 1,400 Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon since the current conflict escalated on March 2. Included in that total are hundreds of operatives from the terror group’s elite Radwan Force.



The military noted significant progress in its ongoing operations in southern Lebanon, having dismantled approximately 4,300 pieces of Hezbollah terror infrastructure and seizing more than 1,000 weapons during ground maneuvers.



In the past 24 hours alone, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) struck 120 Hezbollah sites in the south to neutralize immediate threats to ground troops. However, a noticeable operational pause has taken place in the Lebanese capital. More than 24 hours after the IDF issued a fresh evacuation warning for Beirut’s southern suburbs &#8211; a known Hezbollah stronghold &#8211; no strikes have been carried out.



The delay coincides with mounting diplomatic pressure from Washington. On Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly appealed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to scale back Israeli strikes in Lebanon, the Times of Israel reported Friday. The American administration is reportedly seeking to prevent the collapse of a fragile ceasefire agreement with Iran.



While the IAF continues its campaign against Hezbollah targets throughout Lebanon, the overall intensity of the strikes has been slightly reduced compared to previous days. Meanwhile, Lebanon’s health ministry, which typically does not distinguish between terror operatives and civilians, stated that over 1,800 people have been killed since the hostilities escalated, claiming that over 300 were killed on Wednesday alone.

U.S. Urges Israeli Restraint in Beirut; IDF Says 1,400 Terrorists Eliminated in Current Campaign

Islamabad was placed under an extensive lockdown on Friday, as Pakistan prepares to host high-stakes talks between the United States and Iran set to begin later in the day. Authorities blocked major roads with shipping containers and barbed wire, while deploying heavy security forces across the capital ahead of the expected arrival of delegations.



The area surrounding the Serena Hotel, where the talks are scheduled to take place, was sealed off in a radius of more than 2 miles. The hotel was cleared of guests and placed under government control, with checkpoints, patrols, and access restrictions extending across the city. Even hiking trails in the hills overlooking Islamabad were closed, while officials declared public holidays in the capital to limit movement.



The United States delegation is expected to be led by Vice President JD Vance, while Iran’s team is headed by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Pakistani officials confirmed the talks will focus on stabilizing a fragile ceasefire and addressing broader regional tensions, including disputes tied to the Strait of Hormuz and ongoing military activity.



The negotiations mark a major diplomatic push by Pakistan, which has positioned itself as a mediator amid escalating tensions. Analysts warned the effort carries significant risk, with one noting that Pakistan has “publicly invested political capital in mediation; if talks collapse, it risks being seen as overpromising and underdelivering.”



The buildup to the talks included the arrival of an advance U.S. security team earlier in the week, as authorities intensified preparations.

Islamabad Completely Locked Down Ahead of High-Stakes US-Iran Talks

Iran-linked hacking group “Handala” claimed this morning it breached devices of former IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and released thousands of alleged sensitive images and videos.



The group said it collected over 19,000 files, including footage of military briefings, base visits, and undisclosed meetings, including with Jordanian General Yousef Huneiti and U.S. CENTCOM commander Michael Kurilla.



Some personal materials, including family photos and ID cards, were also leaked, with no immediate response from the IDF as concerns grow over repeated cyber breaches targeting senior Israeli officials.

Iran-Linked Hackers Claim Breach of Former IDF Chief Herzi Halevi’s Devices; Thousands of Sensitive Files Leaked

The IDF announced Wednesday that Tuval Yosef Lipshitz, 20, a Golani Brigade soldier from Beit She’an, was killed during combat in southern Lebanon.



 Five additional soldiers were wounded in the same clash with Hezbollah terrorists and evacuated to hospitals.

Golani Soldier Killed in Southern Lebanon Combat

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday evening that Israel will begin direct negotiations with Lebanon “as soon as possible,” even as US President Donald Trump pressed him to scale back military operations. According to NBC News, Trump urged Netanyahu in a phone call to reduce strikes on Lebanon to prevent the fragile ceasefire with Iran from collapsing. The talks are expected to begin next week under full American auspices, with a focus on disarming Hezbollah and establishing peaceful relations.



Despite the pressure, Israel continued its largest bombing campaign in Lebanon since the start of the Iran war, alongside additional strikes on Thursday at slightly reduced intensity. The IDF said it targeted weapon depots, rocket launchers, and Hezbollah headquarters in southern Lebanon. Earlier, Netanyahu stated that Israel “will continue to strike Hezbollah wherever necessary,” underscoring the gap between diplomatic efforts and battlefield operations.



US Vice President JD Vance said Israel had agreed to “check itself” in Lebanon to support negotiations with Tehran. However, a core dispute remains unresolved: whether the US-Iran ceasefire applies to the Hezbollah front. Israel and Washington have rejected that interpretation, maintaining that operations against Hezbollah are not restricted by the truce.



Defense Minister Israel Katz said the campaign delivered a decisive blow. “Operation Eternal Darkness was a very powerful blow to Hezbollah, leaving it stunned and confused by the depth of the penetration and the scale of the strike. More than 200 terrorists were eliminated yesterday, bringing the number of those eliminated in this campaign to over 1,400, more than double the number in the Second Lebanon War,” Katz said. He added that Hezbollah is “pleading for a ceasefire,” while outlining plans for a new Israeli security zone extending to the Litani River.



International pressure mounted throughout the day. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned that “the severity with which Israel is waging war there could cause the peace process as a whole to fail.” Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said, “We hope that the ceasefire will be fully implemented on the ground, including in Lebanon,” while Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that the agreement has a “regional dimension.” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned Israeli actions are putting the ceasefire under “severe strain.” Additional statements from France, Britain, Italy, Spain, and China echoed calls to include Lebanon in the truce.



Meanwhile, Hezbollah resumed rocket fire toward northern Israel, with the IDF reporting approximately 3,000 projectiles launched from south of the Litani River since March 2, highlighting the ongoing escalation even as diplomatic efforts move forward.

Netanyahu Announces Lebanon Talks After Pressure From Trump

A report revealed today that Hungary offered to share intelligence with Iran following the 2024 Hezbollah pager explosions that wounded thousands across Lebanon.



 According to leaked transcripts, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto told Iran’s Abbas Araghchi that Hungarian intelligence had already made contact and would share “every possible document” from its investigation.



Separate leaked audio also suggested Hungary offered Russia sensitive EU-related documents, highlighting growing concerns over Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s alignment with Moscow and Tehran.

REVEALED: Hungary Offered Pager Attack Intelligence to Iran, Leaked Transcripts Show

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Thursday evening that Israel is preparing to enter direct negotiations with Lebanon &#8220;as soon as possible,&#8221; with the primary goals of disarming the Hezbollah terror organization and establishing a comprehensive peace agreement between the two nations.



The diplomatic development follows significant international pressure and occurs on the heels of the most intensive wave of Israeli airstrikes against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon since the current conflict escalated.



While Lebanese officials have advocated for a ceasefire prior to any talks, Jerusalem has maintained that negotiations will take place while military operations continue.



“In light of Lebanon’s repeated appeals to open direct negotiations with Israel, I instructed the cabinet yesterday to begin direct negotiations with Lebanon as soon as possible,” Prime Minister Netanyahu stated. He emphasized that the discussions will focus heavily on disarming Hezbollah and fostering peaceful relations. Addressing the displaced residents of northern Israel, Netanyahu provided reassurance that military pressure will not cease during the preliminary talks. “There is no ceasefire in Lebanon,” he said, adding that Israel will &#8220;not stop until we restore your security.”



According to Israeli officials, the initial meetings are scheduled for next week at the State Department in Washington, D.C. 



The delegations are reportedly set as follows: Israel&#8217;s will be led by Yechiel Leiter, Israel’s Ambassador to the United States. (Former minister Ron Dermer is not currently slated to lead the talks due to internal disagreements regarding whether to link the fight against Hezbollah with a broader ceasefire with Iran).



The Lebanese delegation will be led by Nada Hamadeh-Moawad, Lebanon’s Ambassador to Washington. Michel Issa, the U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon, will head the American delegation.



A source within the Israeli security cabinet told the Times of Israel that Jerusalem expects Lebanon to remove Hezbollah-affiliated ministers from its government as an initial confidence-building measure.



Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated that a ceasefire leading to direct negotiations is &#8220;the only solution&#8221; for his country, noting that the Lebanese proposal is gaining international traction. Furthermore, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam directed security forces to ensure that weapons in Beirut are held exclusively by legitimate state institutions. Netanyahu publicly praised this call to demilitarize the Lebanese capital.



Hezbollah, however, has firmly rejected the prospect of direct negotiations. The terror group&#8217;s representatives reiterated demands for an Israeli withdrawal and a complete cessation of hostilities.



The push for negotiations is heavily influenced by a fragile, Pakistan-brokered ceasefire between the United States and Iran. Both Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Hezbollah have asserted that this truce encompasses Lebanon; a claim firmly rejected by both Washington and Yerushalayim.



Following Wednesday&#8217;s intensive airstrikes in Lebanon, which drew international condemnation, U.S. President Donald Trump requested that Prime Minister Netanyahu scale back the military campaign. Trump confirmed in an interview that he asked the Prime Minister to &#8220;low-key it&#8221; to prevent the collapse of the broader Iranian ceasefire agreement. U.S. officials reportedly expressed concern over the scale of the strikes, prompting direct intervention from U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff.



Despite the diplomatic maneuvering, the security situation remains highly volatile. Shortly after the negotiation announcements, sirens sounded across central Israel and parts of the south due to a Hezbollah missile attack launched from Lebanon.



Alerts were activated in Tel Aviv, surrounding towns, and the southern coastal city of Ashdod, confirming earlier warnings from the Home Front Command that the terror group might attempt to strike deeper into Israeli territory as pressure mounts.

Israel to Enter Direct Negotiations with Lebanon; Aims to Disarm Hezbollah as Fighting Continues

A fragile two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran is showing significant signs of strain ahead of negotiations in Pakistan, while Israel concurrently pushes forward with plans for direct talks with Lebanon. Despite the diplomatic maneuvering, intense cross-border fire continues to threaten the region.



The Pakistan-brokered truce between Washington and Tehran &#8211; which came just hours before a deadline where U.S. President Donald Trump threatened attacks on Iran’s power plants and the destruction of &#8220;a whole civilization&#8221; &#8211; is already facing steep hurdles.



Washington has accused Tehran of breaching promises regarding the Strait of Hormuz. Daily shipping traffic through the critical waterway has plummeted to less than 10% of its historical average since the start of the war. In the first 24 hours of the truce, only one oil products tanker and five dry bulk carriers passed through.



President Trump expressed deep dissatisfaction late Thursday, stating on social media that Iran is doing a &#8220;very poor job&#8221; of allowing oil through. &#8220;That is not the agreement we have!&#8221; he wrote. Complicating the upcoming talks in Islamabad, Iran released a 10-point proposal on Wednesday outlining its terms for a permanent settlement.



The demands include maintaining Iranian control of the Strait of Hormuz, acceptance of Iran&#8217;s right to nuclear enrichment, the lifting of all sanctions, and an end to the war against Hezbollah in Lebanon. In a separate regional development, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a statement denying any connection to recent drone strikes targeting Gulf Arab states.



A core point of contention threatening the U.S.-Iran talks is the status of Lebanon. Iran and Pakistani mediators assert that Lebanon is explicitly included in the truce. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that violations of the truce in Lebanon would bring severe consequences, while



Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam personally phoned Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to praise Islamabad’s mediation and explicitly ask him to ensure Lebanon’s inclusion in the ceasefire to prevent further Israeli strikes.



However, the U.S. and Israel remain adamant that military operations against Hezbollah are not covered. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stressed Wednesday night that the agreement does not include Lebanon and that all parties are well aware of this fact. &#8220;I think the Iranians thought that the ceasefire included Lebanon, and it just didn’t,&#8221; U.S. Vice President JD Vance told reporters. &#8220;We never made that promise&#8230; If Iran wants to let this negotiation fall apart, in a conflict where they were getting hammered, over Lebanon&#8230; that’s ultimately their choice.&#8221;



In Yerushalayim, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced instructions for the cabinet to pursue direct negotiations with Lebanon aimed at disarming Hezbollah and securing a historic peace agreement. According to a report by the Kan public broadcaster, officials in Jerusalem believe a deal with Lebanon can be finalized before the upcoming Knesset elections, currently slated for October. Mr. Netanyahu praised the recent military successes, stating, “Our significant achievements both in Iran and against the axis of evil have brought about a historic change in Israel’s standing in the region. They have also led to changes in our relations with countries we did not have relations with before.”



Despite the push for talks, the Prime Minister clarified that military pressure will continue. &#8220;There is no ceasefire in Lebanon,&#8221; he declared. The intense Israeli operations earlier in the week drew international scrutiny; Lebanese authorities claimed over 300 people were killed in Wednesday&#8217;s strikes—without differentiating between combatants and civilians—while Israel confirmed it had eliminated over 200 Hezbollah terrorists.



On the ground, Hezbollah continues its daily barrages. Early Friday morning, sirens sounded in Tel Aviv and surrounding cities. The IDF reported that one missile was intercepted while another fell in an open area, with b&#8217;chasdei Shamayim no injuries reported. The day prior, Hezbollah fired over 50 rockets toward northern Israeli communities, and an Iranian missile reportedly fell in the Jordan Valley. In response, the IDF struck 10 Hezbollah rocket launchers and reportedly eliminated the nephew of the Hezbollah chief.



The diplomatic atmosphere surrounding the Islamabad talks was further poisoned by severe antisemitic remarks from Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, who referred to Israel as a &#8220;cancer&#8221; and wished for its destruction in a social media post.



Foreign Minister Gideon Sa&#8217;ar and the Prime Minister&#8217;s Office swiftly condemned the comments. &#8220;Israel views these blatant antisemitic blood libels very gravely from a government claiming to &#8216;mediate peace,'&#8221; Mr. Sa&#8217;ar stated, noting that Israel will continue to defend itself against terrorists who vow its destruction.



In a positive development for Israeli travel amidst the conflict, British Airways announced it will resume service to Israel beginning July 1, becoming the first airline to declare a return to the route since the outbreak of the war with Iran.

Fragile US-Iran Ceasefire Strains Over Hormuz Blockade

​WASHINGTON In a dramatic move to pull the Middle East back from the edge of total conflict, US President Donald Trump has announced a two-week ceasefire with the Islamic Republic of Iran.



​The President confirmed in a Truth Social post that he has ordered a halt to the regular strikes and the &#8220;destructive force&#8221; that was slated for deployment tonight, opting instead for a 14-day window to finalize a diplomatic breakthrough. This suspension is strictly conditional: Iran must guarantee the &#8220;COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING&#8221; of the Strait of Hormuz to avoid a resumption of hostilities, Trump said.



​Citing a breakthrough 10-point proposal and successful mediation by Pakistani leadership, Trump declared that the U.S. has already &#8220;met and exceeded&#8221; its primary military objectives, clearing the path for a definitive peace agreement.

CEASEFIRE: President Trump Orders Two-Week Ceasefire With Iran to Finalize “Longterm Peace” Deal

US President Donald Trump said he is delaying a planned large-scale bombing campaign against Iran for two weeks, adding that Washington has agreed to a temporary ceasefire with Tehran, contingent on Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz.



“Based on conversations with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir, of Pakistan, and wherein they requested that I hold off the destructive force being sent tonight to Iran, and subject to the Islamic Republic of Iran agreeing to the COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING of the Strait of Hormuz, I agree to suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks,” Trump writes on Truth Social, less than two hours before his 8 p.m. deadline for Iran to reopen Hormuz and agree to a US proposal for ending the war was set to expire.



“This will be a double sided CEASEFIRE! The reason for doing so is that we have already met and exceeded all Military objectives, and are very far along with a definitive Agreement concerning Longterm PEACE with Iran, and PEACE in the Middle East,” Trump writes.



Trump says the US has received a detailed proposal from Tehran that could form the foundation for negotiations.



“We received a 10 point proposal from Iran, and believe it is a workable basis on which to negotiate.”



He adds that most major disputes between the two sides have already been resolved, and that the pause will allow time to finalize a comprehensive agreement.



“Almost all of the various points of past contention have been agreed to between the United States and Iran, but a two week period will allow the Agreement to be finalized and consummated,” he adds.



Trump concludes by expressing optimism that a long-standing conflict is nearing resolution.



“On behalf of the United States of America, as President, and also representing the Countries of the Middle East, it is an Honor to have this Longterm problem close to resolution,” Trump says.

Trump Announces Two-Week Halt To Iran Strikes As Ceasefire Talks Advance

Iranian state-affiliated media reported early Tuesday that an early morning airstrike targeting a nearby building severely damaged the Rafi Nia Synagogue in central Tehran. While authorities blamed an Israeli strike, there has been no independent confirmation of the claim.



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Footage from the scene showed Sifrei Kodesh being removed from the debris as senior Jewish figures, including Iran&#8217;s leading Rabbi Younes Hamami Lalehzar and parliamentary representative Homayoun Sameh, inspecting the ruins. Sameh noted that &#8220;the Zionist regime did not spare this community during the Jewish holidays&#8221; and reported that Sifrei Torah were buried under the rubble.



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 Homayoun Sameh described the Rafi Nia Synagogue as one of the community&#8217;s &#8220;oldest and most sacred synagogues&#8221;



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Jewish community figures sharply criticized the attack, stating, “From the enemy, no other ‘gift’ could be expected for the holiday”. 



In an official statement, the community condemned the “brutal attacks carried out by the American-Israeli enemy against our beloved homeland&#8221;. Vowing total support for the government, they declared, “We will stand by the people and the regime until our last breath to defend our homeland”.



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Tehran Synagogue Destroyed: Iran’s Jewish Community Condemn Strike and Pledge Loyalty to Regime

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hosted Rabbonim from the country’s major cities at his office in Kyiv in honor of Pesach, marking the fifth Pesach since the Russian invasion began in 2022.



During the gathering, which was organized by the Federation of Jewish Communities of Ukraine (FJCU), the Rabbonim presented the president with a package of matzos baked in Dnipro. They also gifted him a historic new Ukrainian-language translation of the Torah, the first of its kind.



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The hour-long meeting focused heavily on the Yom Tov&#8217;s central theme of freedom. According to an attendee, the discussion centered on the fight against evil, the victory of light, and the hope that Pesach symbolizes. Notably, the president eschewed contemporary political grievances; making no mention of U.S. President Donald Trump or Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with whom he has strained relationships and hasn&#8217;t spoken to in over a year. Instead, he emphasized that both Ukraine and Israel are praying for freedom and victory over the “axis of evil.”



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Reflecting on the meeting, President Zelensky released the following statement: “On the occasion of Passover, I met with rabbis from Ukrainian cities and representatives of Jewish communities. Passover is about the triumph of freedom. This is exactly what all of Ukraine is fighting for today. I thanked the Jewish community for standing united with us in this struggle – for supporting people, helping communities, and praying for our state. I am grateful for a special gift – the first Torah translated into Ukrainian and printed at a Kharkiv bookstore that the Russians tried to destroy.”



An FJCU source noted to reporters that the reception was originally scheduled for Sunday, March 29, a date corresponding with the birthday of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Harav Menachem Mendel Schneerson, zt&#8221;l. The event was ultimately rescheduled due to President Zelensky’s diplomatic visit to Jordan in the Middle East last week.



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Zelensky Hosts Rabbonim for Pesach Reception in Kyiv

As the deadline hour approaches, Tehran rejects a temporary truce and counters with sweeping demands Washington will not accept; the President celebrates a historic rescue mission while warning of catastrophic escalation



President Donald Trump strode to the White House podium on Monday in a mood of barely contained triumph, flanked by CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine — but even as he celebrated one of the most audacious combat rescues in American military history, the clock was ticking toward a Tuesday evening deadline that could tip the U.S.-Iran war into a far more devastating phase.



The press conference, called primarily to mark the successful recovery of two U.S. Air Force crewmen shot down over Iranian territory last week, was quickly overtaken by the looming diplomatic crisis: Iran had officially rejected a ceasefire proposal brokered by Pakistan, and Tehran&#8217;s state news agency IRNA reported that Iran had conveyed to Pakistani intermediaries its insistence on a permanent end to the war rather than any temporary pause. The response set the stage for what Trump threatened could be a sweeping assault on Iran&#8217;s civilian infrastructure beginning Tuesday night.



Trump opened the conference with an extended account of what he called &#8220;one of the largest, most complex, most harrowing combat searches ever attempted by the military.&#8221; An American F-15E Strike Eagle had gone down deep inside Iran on Thursday night during Operation Epic Fury. Both crewmembers ejected and survived. The pilot, designated &#8220;Dude 44 Alpha,&#8221; was recovered within hours in a daylight operation involving A-10 Warthogs, Jolly Green helicopters, and Air Force Special Warfare airmen flying seven hours over hostile territory under fire.



The weapons system officer — &#8220;Dude 44 Bravo,&#8221; described as a &#8220;highly respected colonel&#8221; — was a more harrowing case. Injured, he evaded capture for nearly 48 hours, scaling cliff faces while bleeding, treating his own wounds, and transmitting his location through a personal emergency beacon. The CIA, using what Ratcliffe described as &#8220;unique capabilities&#8221; including a deception campaign to mislead Iranian searchers, eventually spotted movement on a mountainside from 40 miles away and confirmed the officer&#8217;s location.



A second rescue mission involving 155 aircraft — including four bombers, 64 fighters, and 48 refueling tankers — descended on his position under cover of darkness on Easter Sunday and extracted him with no American fatalities. &#8220;Shot down on a Friday, hidden in a cave all of Saturday, rescued on&#8230;Sunday,&#8221; said Hegseth. &#8220;A pilot reborn. God is good.&#8221;



Trump acknowledged that not everyone in the military had supported either rescue attempt. &#8220;There were military people that said you don&#8217;t go into the heart of a very powerful military,&#8221; he said. &#8220;Hundreds of people could have been killed.&#8221; He said he overruled the dissenters. &#8220;I decided to do it.&#8221;



The President was visibly moved describing the moment the contingency aircraft — brought in when the primary transports bogged down on a muddy, impromptu airstrip deep in Iran — landed and extracted the team with textbook precision. &#8220;Boom, boom, boom,&#8221; he said. &#8220;Right after another, like genius.&#8221;



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Beneath the ceremony, the diplomatic picture was deteriorating rapidly.



A draft proposal formulated by Egypt, Pakistan and Turkey calling for a 45-day ceasefire and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz had been sent to both Iran and the U.S. The framework, sometimes referred to as the &#8220;Islamabad Accord,&#8221; was described as a last-ditch effort ahead of Trump&#8217;s deadline. Pakistan&#8217;s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, was reported to have been in contact throughout the night with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi as negotiators worked to avert catastrophe.



But Iran&#8217;s response, when it came, was a rejection. According to the official IRNA news agency, Iran delivered its response to the U.S. proposal via Pakistan, rejecting a ceasefire and underscoring the need for a permanent conclusion to the war. The response outlined 10 provisions, including ending regional hostilities, lifting sanctions, and supporting reconstruction efforts.



Iran&#8217;s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei called the earlier 15-point U.S. proposal &#8220;excessive, unusual and illogical,&#8221; and said Tehran was seeking &#8220;an end to the war and to prevent its recurrence.&#8221; He added that any diplomatic talks are &#8220;absolutely incompatible with ultimatums, crimes, and threats to commit war crimes,&#8221; a reference to Trump&#8217;s threat to bomb Iranian infrastructure.



A source familiar with the details told The Jerusalem Post: &#8220;The gaps are very significant.&#8221;



When asked about the Iranian response at the press conference, Trump acknowledged it without satisfaction. &#8220;They made a proposal, and it&#8217;s a significant proposal,&#8221; he said. &#8220;It&#8217;s not good enough, but it&#8217;s a very significant step.&#8221;



He confirmed the Tuesday evening deadline stands. &#8220;They have till tomorrow at 8:00 Eastern Time,&#8221; he told reporters. &#8220;After that, they&#8217;re going to have no bridges, they&#8217;re going to have no power plants. Stone ages.&#8221;



At the center of the impasse is the Strait of Hormuz, which Iranian forces have kept closed or threatened since the war&#8217;s opening weeks. Trump warned that attacking civilian infrastructure was something he hoped not to have to do, but added that he believed the Iranian public was willing to suffer more bombing in order to gain freedom, citing what he described as intercepted communications from Iranian citizens pleading for continued strikes.



When asked whether such targeting might constitute a war crime, Trump was direct: &#8220;No. I hope I don&#8217;t have to do it.&#8221;



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Legal experts quoted in multiple outlets have warned that strikes on power plants and bridges with no direct military function would violate international law and U.S. military doctrine. Iranian officials, for their part, accused Trump of threats to commit atrocities. A spokesman for Iran&#8217;s president, Seyyed Mehdi Tabatabai, called Trump&#8217;s rhetoric a reaction of &#8220;sheer desperation and anger,&#8221; and said the Strait of Hormuz &#8220;will open when all the damage caused by the imposed war is compensated through a new legal regime.&#8221;



Iran&#8217;s 10-point counteroffer — a permanent ceasefire, full sanctions relief, reconstruction guarantees, and a new framework governing the Strait — represents terms the United States has shown no willingness to entertain. Mediators are attempting to work on partial confidence-building measures, but sources told Axios that the two core issues — the Strait and Iran&#8217;s uranium stockpile — are not ones Iran will fully concede in exchange for a 45-day pause.



Iranian mediators have made clear they do not want a situation &#8220;where there is a ceasefire on paper but where the US and Israel can attack again whenever they want to,&#8221; the Jerusalem Post reports.



Ranging widely during the conference, Trump took aim at NATO — calling it &#8220;a paper tiger&#8221; — for declining to join Operation Epic Fury, and listed South Korea, Japan, and Australia alongside European allies as countries that had failed to provide meaningful support. &#8220;They said, &#8216;Sir, we&#8217;d rather wait till you win,'&#8221; he said of British overtures. &#8220;I don&#8217;t need help after we win.&#8221;



He defended the military campaign&#8217;s scale, noting that U.S. forces had conducted more than 10,000 combat flights over Iran in 37 days and struck more than 13,000 targets. He credited the destruction of Iranian radar, air defenses, and naval capacity, though he acknowledged the Strait&#8217;s closure remained a vulnerability that airpower alone cannot easily resolve. &#8220;All you need is one terrorist with a truck full of water mines,&#8221; he said.



Trump expressed a measure of optimism about the changed Iranian political landscape following what he described as &#8220;regime change&#8221; — emphasizing that he considers the current Iranian leadership less radical than its predecessors — but warned that he would not allow any Iranian government to obtain a nuclear weapon.



He connected the current campaign to his first-term withdrawal from the Obama-era nuclear deal and the 2020 killing of General Qassem Soleimani, which he portrayed as foundational to the current military position.



&#8220;If I didn&#8217;t terminate the Obama Iran nuclear deal, they would have had a nuclear weapon,&#8221; he said. &#8220;Israel would have been extinguished. Large portions of the Middle East would have been extinguished.&#8221;



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Axios reported that the chances for reaching a partial deal in the next 48 hours are &#8220;slim,&#8221; but that this last-ditch effort may be the only chance to prevent a dramatic escalation that would include massive strikes on Iranian civilian infrastructure and potential retaliation against energy and water facilities in Gulf states. As of Monday evening, the diplomatic channel remains Pakistan, the sole intermediary with lines open to both sides. A White House official said Trump had not signed off on the mediators&#8217; 45-day proposal, describing it as &#8220;one of many ideas,&#8221; and confirmed the military operation was continuing apace.



The two rescued airmen were back on American soil. The two governments were farther apart than the framework documents suggest. And by Tuesday at 8 p.m. Eastern Time, the world will know whether the gap proved bridgeable — or whether Operation Epic Fury enters its next, and most destructive, chapter.

‘Complete Demolition’ or a Deal: Trump’s Tuesday Ultimatum Hangs Over Iran as Ceasefire Talks Collapse

As first reported by Belaaz, President Trump just hosted a Pesach greeting event with Frum Jewish community leaders, including Moshe Dovid Niderman of Satmar Williamsburg, Chaim Dovid Swibell of Agudah, Antisemitism Envoy Yehuda Kaploun, Moshe Margeretten and Mayor Spitzer from New Sqaure / Skver, at the White House.



 An attendee tells Belaaz that the meeting focused on strengthening relationships with the Jewish community and discussing the topic of redemption



Belaaz is also told that during the meeting with the Jewish leaders, President Trump spoke at length about the pardon he granted to R’ Shalom Mordechai Rubashkin. 



The discussion came up after Tzedek founder Reb Moshe Margaretten thanked President Trump for the First Step Act and criminal justice overall. President Trump then put on Ivanka and Jared Kushner on speaker phone when the discussion of criminal justice came up. Trump told Jared and Ivanka that he is hosting Jewish leaders for Passover. 



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Rabbi Soleveichik gave a speech about Pesach with all the others chiming in. Yisroel Meir Spitzer, the Mayor of New Square, gave special regards from the to the President from the Skverer Rebbe.



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TRUMP HOSTS PESACH GREETING WITH FRUM LEADERS AT WHITE HOUSE

Two senior Iranian leaders — including one of the country’s top spies and the head of its undercover forces — were killed in overnight airstrikes on the capital, Tehran, state media and Israel’s defense minister said Monday, shortly before the Islamic Republic rejected a Pakistani-brokered ceasefire deal.



Israel and the United States carried out a wave of strikes on the regime, killing more than 25 people.



The joint strikes successfully targeted Maj. Gen. Majid Khademi, the head of intelligence for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Khademi was effectively Number two within the IRGC, one of the few senior commanders who managed to survive multiple waves of Israeli and American targeting over the past year. He oversaw an intelligence apparatus that repeatedly failed to detect or prevent major Israeli and US operations, exposing deep vulnerabilities inside Iran’s security system. Khademi was deeply involved in attempts to penetrate US systems, including efforts to breach the Pentagon.



The second high-ranking official was Ashgar Bakeri, leader of the Revolutionary Guard’s undercover unit in its expeditionary Quds Force, the Israel Defense Forces said. Bakeri was directly involved in recruiting agents across the Middle East and orchestrating attacks against American targets in Iraq and Syria, including operations that led to US casualties.



The elimination of two high-profile targets by Israel is the latest in a series of attacks aimed at wiping out the Iranian military and political leadership. On March 16, Ali Larijani, head of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, was killed in an Israeli airstrike, just days after he issued a warning to President Trump. Larijani had told Trump he could be “eliminated” if the US-Israeli bombings of Iran didn’t cease. The 67-year-old had been acting as Iran’s de facto leader since the assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Feb. 28 in the early hours of Operation Epic Fury.



In tandem with the targeting of military personnel, the IDF has continued a widespread assault on Iranian infrastructure:



Defense Minister Yisrael Katz said earlier that the IDF has been instructed to continue striking with full force the national infrastructure of the Iranian terror regime. A second petrochemical facility in Iran, the Marvdasht Petrochemical Complex, was targeted by a US-Israeli attack, Iranian media reports.



The Fars news agency reports that a fire that sparked at the complex was brought under control, and no casualties were caused.



Earlier, Israel confirmed striking Iran’s largest petrochemical facility in Asaluyeh. Over the weekend, Israel also struck petrochemical facilities in southern Iran.



Amidst the military operations, discussions regarding a potential ceasefire have emerged, though a diplomatic breakthrough remains stalled by firm opposition from Tehran. Pakistani Proposal: The Pakistani-brokered plan emerged from intense overnight contacts and proposes an immediate ceasefire, followed by negotiations on a broader peace settlement to be concluded within 15 to 20 days.



US Stance: US President Donald Trump will speak about a Pakistani ceasefire proposal at a press conference at 1 p.m. local time (8 p.m. in Israel). A White House official states that this is one of many ideas, and Trump has not signed off on it, adding that Operation Epic Fury continues. Additionally, Washington was not ready for a permanent ceasefire.



Iran has sent to Pakistan its response to the U.S. proposal to end the war, IRNA reports. Tehran’s response, which consists of ten paragraphs, rejects a ceasefire, and includes a set of demands, including an end to conflicts in the region, a protocol for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, reconstruction, and lifting sanctions. Meanwhile, a senior Iranian official earlier told Reuters that Iran will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz as part of a temporary ceasefire, nor would it accept deadlines or pressure to reach a deal. In a related development, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi discussed the Iran conflict and other developments in a call Monday.

Top Iranian Commanders Eliminated; Islamic Republic Rejects Pakistan-Brokered Ceasefire Deal

The names of four people murdered in a Haifa home by an Iranian missile on Sunday night were released Monday evening.



Vladimir Gershevich and his wife Lena (nee&#8217; Ostrovsky) Hy&#8217;d, both in their 80s, their son Dmitry Gershevich Hy&#8217;d, 40, and a Philipina woman named Lucille-Jean, 30.



Mrs. Gershevich, a veteran voice coach, taught at the Nissan Nativ acting school in Jerusalem and spent three decades shaping the careers of actors. In a statement cited by Kan, the Israeli Actors Association said she “nurtured generations of actors with dedication, professionalism and foremost a great love for the work and for her students,” as it mourned her death.

Haifa Missile Attack Victims Identified

In a harrowing night of terror, millions of citizens across Israel were awakened by sirens and forced into bomb shelters as Iran launched multiple waves of heavy missiles targeting the northern, central, and Yerushalayim regions.



While b’chasdei Hashem air defense systems intercepted many of the projectiles, direct hits and falling shrapnel caused immense devastation, tragically claiming two lives in Haifa and leaving several others in serious condition.



The widespread barrage, which unfolded over the course of four terrifying hours on Sunday night into early Monday morning, marks a severe escalation in regional hostilities.



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The most devastating impact of the night occurred in the northern port city of Haifa, where a direct hit severely damaged a residential building. Following agonizing, night-long rescue efforts by emergency teams, two individuals trapped beneath the rubble were tragically located lifeless.



As of early Monday morning, rescue personnel remain at the scene, continuing their frantic and complex search efforts to locate two other individuals who are still missing.



Throughout the north, alarms blared across Haifa, the Carmel region, the Galilee, and Wadi Ara. At least one of the Iranian missiles reportedly carried a fragmentation warhead. Emergency firefighting teams responded to over ten scenes of destruction where interception fragments caused significant damage to property and infrastructure, setting several vehicles ablaze.



Earlier in the night, four individuals in the north sustained light injuries.



The central region absorbed a heavy blow during a subsequent wave of attacks, with alarms echoing from the Sharon area down to the Shfela. Over 20 crash sites were identified across Gush Dan, leaving a trail of destruction in major population centers.



In Petach Tikva, a 34-year-old woman sustained serious injuries when her vehicle was struck by heavy shrapnel. Magen David Adom (MDA) paramedic Noam Dahan, who arrived at the scene, recounted: &#8220;We saw a vehicle with shattered windows. Inside was a conscious 34-year-old woman suffering from serious bodily injuries from the impact. We provided life-saving medical treatment and evacuated her to the hospital in serious condition.&#8221;



In Tel Aviv, the impacts caused significant structural damage. A man was moderately wounded by shrapnel, and another sustained light injuries from shattered glass.



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The sudden and overwhelming nature of the alarms also resulted in indirect casualties as residents raced to protected areas. MDA teams handled numerous calls of individuals injured on their way to shelters.



In Tel Aviv, a woman was found unconscious and in critical condition outside of a public shelter. Emergency personnel estimate that she collapsed or was severely injured while attempting to reach safety during the sirens. Several others across the country were treated by medical personnel for severe shock and anxiety.



The unprecedented assault was carried out in at least three distinct waves, with the initial barrages launching over a dozen heavy missiles, some carrying cluster munitions. The first wave triggered sudden alarms in the Yerushalayim and Dead Sea areas; regions where advance warning had not initially been activated.



While the first wave of projectiles was largely intercepted by Israel&#8217;s air defense arrays, subsequent waves saw missiles bypass the defense systems, falling into open areas and populated neighborhoods.

Heavy Iranian Missile Barrage Strikes Across Israel; Two Fatalities in Haifa, Several Seriously Injured

Rescue forces on Sunday night continue racing to reach four people trapped beneath a collapsed residential building in Haifa, hours after an Iranian missile struck the city. The four — an elderly couple, their 40-year-old son and their caregiver — have not made contact since the impact, and officials say there are serious fears for their lives.



The missile directly hit the lower level of a terraced residential structure, causing multiple floors above to collapse downward. Emergency teams say the unique structure of the building has made access to the trapped victims especially difficult, with large sections of debris blocking direct entry points.



Rescuers are using heavy engineering equipment to carve a “tunnel” through the rubble in an effort to reach the missing. At the same time, operations are being slowed by concerns that the missile’s warhead may still be intact. Police Commissioner Danny Levy said, “It is possible that the missile did not explode,” raising fears that hundreds of kilograms of explosives could remain buried at the scene.



Authorities evacuated nearby buildings as bomb disposal units examined the site alongside rescue crews. A senior MDA medic described arriving to “a multi-story building that had been hit” with “extensive destruction,” adding that teams were forced to move large concrete slabs by hand in the initial stages of the rescue.



Residents described a powerful blast that shook the area. “It was a huge explosion, a crazy blast. It was clear this was an impact,” said one witness. Another added, “We heard something flying, and very quickly there was a massive explosion.”

Belaaz Interview: From Yeshiva Classrooms to the State Capitol – Shmulie Hartstein’s Advocacy Mission

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Belaaz Interview: From Yeshiva Classrooms to the State Capitol – Shmulie Hartstein’s Advocacy Mission

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