News Update

Operation Lion’s Roar continues with waves of Israeli airstrikes against Iranian military and regime targets. Israel is tempering its hopes for regime fall and rather on the goal of degrading Iran’s military capabilities. Israeli officials say the war could last for weeks, but ultimately the decision as to when the war will end lies with President Trump.

Millions of Israelis in the center and north were in bomb shelters yesterday as Iranian missiles were fired, all of which were either intercepted on fell in open areas. The number of Iranian missiles being fired at Israel has dropped dramatically since the start of the conflict. During the first days of fighting, Iran launched dozens of missiles in a single wave. Over the past week, Iranian forces have typically fired only a handful at a time. Israeli security officials attribute the decline to the extensive damage inflicted on Iran’s missile launch infrastructure, factories and senior personnel responsible for operating the system. According to a military source, Iran still possesses numerous launchers hidden inside tunnels but is struggling to deploy them. But the threat still remains.

The Finance Ministry lowered its economic growth forecast for 2026, saying the war against Iran and Hezbollah is expected to last only a few weeks, though it will still weigh on economic activity. According to an updated macroeconomic outlook released Tuesday by the ministry’s chief economist division, the economy is now projected to grow 4.7% in 2026, down from a previous forecast of 5.2%. The updated forecast assumes short-term fighting on the northern front and against Iran lasting only a few weeks, the ministry said. If the conflict continues beyond that period or expands to additional fronts, the outlook may need to be revised again.

A new settlement named Ebal has been established in Samaria. The cabinet approved the move in May last year as part of a broader decision authorizing the establishment of 22 settlements in Judea and Samaria, some of them retroactively legalizing existing outposts. Officials in the Samaria Regional Council said the establishment of Ebal is part of the “One Million in Samaria” plan promoted by council head Yossi Dagan. The initiative, developed with planners, architects, geographers and other professionals, aims to bring the population of Samaria to one million residents by 2050.

News Update

Operation Roaring Lion (and Epic Fury) against Iran entered its 7th day today. U.S. and Israeli airstrikes continue to degrade Iran’s missile capabilities, which reportedly are already 90% less than they were at the start of the operation. Yesterday, the Israeli Air Force struck the Parchin complex, one of Iran’s largest and most sensitive defense industry sites. The facility houses major military industries, including the production and storage of warheads, engines and various systems used in Iran’s missile and munitions programs. It also contains facilities for the repair and maintenance of equipment used in the country’s heavy military industry. Iran managed to fire 9 missiles at Israel, all of which were intercepted.

Israel continues to strike Hezbollah targets in Lebanon and Hezbollah is firing rockets and drones at communities in the north. The IDF has expanded and reinforced positions in southern Lebanon. Defense Minister Katz said, “The concept that we defend the communities and the border from within enemy territory is clear, including inside Lebanon. There were five positions, and these positions have now expanded significantly. In addition, our forces are pushing forward so that the soldiers and the army serve as the shield protecting the communities from direct anti-tank fire.”

Let’s continue to pray for victory, the fall of the evil Iranian regime, and peace in Israel, the region and the world.

News Update

It’s Purim today, and the story of the downfall of the evil Persian regime is repeating itself in real time. Israeli jets just attacked the 88 member Assembly of Experts building, while they was holding their vote to choose a new Supreme Leader. Not everyone was reportedly there, but haven’t they learned their lesson yet, not to hold meetings in broad daylight, above ground!

The U.S. and Israeli attacks are continuing against military and regime targets. It looks like Saudi Arabia and some of the other Gulf States might get in on the offensive action too, considering that they are already getting hit by Iran.

Shrapnel from multiple Iranian missile strikes fell on at least three locations in central Israel, injuring 12.

In the north, the IDF strike dozens of Hezbollah rocket and munitions storage depots and terrorists in Lebanon. Thousands of IDF troops have moved into southern Lebanon, most likely to secure and buffer zone, but we don’t know the end goal yet.

Wishing you all a very happy and safe Purim!! And may this war end quickly with complete victory and peace for the entire region and the world.

News Update

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee warned his staff, “Anyone who wants to leave should do so today.” The U.S. government issued an advisory authorizing non-essential American embassy staff and their family members to leave Israel, citing potential disruptions in commercial flights and the evolving security situation. Negotiations between the U.S. and Iran in Geneva don’t seem to be getting anywhere.

Israeli Air Force and Defense Ministry personnel received new directives intended to limit predictable patterns in daily routines, including seemingly mundane activities like food orders, to reduce signals that could be picked up by adversaries. This unusual order was reportedly aimed at avoiding inadvertent intelligence leaks.

India and Israel signed a series of agreements Thursday capping Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit, deepening cooperation on defense, cyber, agriculture and advanced technology. Prime Minister Netanyahu called the partnership “strategic and long-term,” while Modi said the two countries would accelerate work toward a free-trade agreement and expand joint research and security initiatives. The visit included an address to the Knesset and meetings with Israeli business leaders.

The Knesset advanced a bill that would place the entire Western Wall plaza under the authority of the Chief Rabbinate, drawing criticism from liberal Jewish groups who argue it would further restrict mixed-gender prayer. Coalition lawmakers say the measure preserves the site’s traditional religious character. The proposal cleared a preliminary reading and will move to committee for further debate.

A former IDF soldier with dual Israeli-Turkish citizenship was released in Turkey following sustained diplomatic pressure from U.S. officials. The woman had faced criminal charges in Turkey before her release.

According to a recent Gallup poll, 41 percent of Americans say they sympathize more with the Palestinians in the Middle East conflict, while 36 percent sympathize more with the Israelis.

News Update

Israeli officials have issued warnings that they would strike Lebanese civilian infrastructure, including an airport, if Hezbollah intervenes in a potential U.S.–Iran conflict. The U.S. is evacuating non-essential embassy personnel from Beirut. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Netanyahu addressed the Knesset saying the country faces “very complex, difficult days” amid rising tensions with Iran and reaffirmed Israeli readiness to respond forcefully to any attack.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting Israel tomorrow, and will be given the rare honor of addressing the Knesset. The opposition is boycotting the speech, demanding the presence of Israeli Supreme Court President Yitzhak Amit, who was not invited. According to Israel’s ambassador to India, Reuven Ezer, the most significant part of the trip will be signing an “update of the security agreement,” aimed at enabling deeper defense cooperation between the two countries. According to Ezer, “There is a great acceleration in the relationship.” India has become Israel’s largest defense customer, accounting for 34 percent of all exports between 2020 and 2024.

The Knesset voted down Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s order to raise the VAT exemption on personal imports, with opposition and some coalition members joining forces against it. Smotrich vowed to propose new measures.

The Police announced the undercover agents had infiltrated crime gangs in the Negev, posing as criminals for months and leading to the arrest of dozens of suspects in a large-scale weapons crackdown. The Central Unit of the Negev region, operating under the Southern District, conducted a covert investigation over the past year in cooperation with the Border Police. During the operation, undercover agents were embedded within criminal networks operating in southern Israel and in Bedouin communities. Early today, National Guard fighters, alongside Southern District police, Unit 33, the police air unit and additional forces, raided the homes of suspects in Rahat, Lakiya, Hura and other locations across the Negev. Dozens were arrested and are expected to be brought before the Beersheba Magistrate’s Court for remand hearings.