Concerns are growing among Western leaders that Iran could deploy a radioactive “dirty bomb” in its confrontation with Israel, a move that might trigger direct U.S. military involvement, according to the chief foreign affairs commentator at the Financial Times.
Israel launched a sweeping aerial assault on Iranian territory early Friday, targeting senior military personnel and key sites tied to Iran’s missile and nuclear infrastructure. Israeli officials described the campaign as merely a first step, raising fears of a broader regional war between the longtime foes.
Since the initial strikes, Israel and Iran have continued to trade aerial attacks.

Amid growing alarm over Iran’s missile attacks, hundreds of Americans participating in Birthright trips to Israel were evacuated by sea, setting sail on a cruise ship bound for Cyprus.
The Israeli Navy accompanied the vessel, which carried 1,500 passengers, during its 10-hour journey on Tuesday to ensure their safety along the route.
To complete the evacuation effort, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis arranged for four planes to retrieve the travelers in Cyprus and bring them to Tampa, allowing the Americans to continue their journey back to the United States.
According to the nonprofit organization Birthright Israel, there are approximately 2,800 participants currently on trips in Israel—most of whom are young Americans.

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The past few days in Israel have been nothing short of devastating. A barrage of hypersonic missiles, explosive-laden drones, and relentless rocket fire launched by Iran and its proxies has rained down on cities across the country, leaving destruction, trauma, and heartbreak in its wake.

Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro launched a furious tirade against Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, labeling him “the Hitler of the 21st Century” over Israel’s military response to Iran. Maduro, who maintains a close alliance with the Iranian regime, made the comments during a session of his government’s “Seven Transformations” workshop, part of his regime’s blueprint for Venezuela through 2031, Breitbart reports.

In the wake of the Iranian missile that struck Bnei Brak, severely damaging a school for special-needs children, Gerer Rosh Yeshiva Rav Shaul Alter delivered a powerful and emotional reflection on the tragedy, questioning why such a vulnerable institution was targeted.
Speaking on the “Hi Sichasi” call-in line, where he regularly discusses Torah topics with the talmidei chachamim of his kehillah, Rav Shaul veered from his usual format to comment on current events. Referring to the heartbreaking strike that hit a facility for children with special needs, he remarked, “The Ribbono Shel Olam is awaiting the tefillos of those children in particular.”

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EMERGENCY CAMPAIGN: HELP ISRAELI FAMILIES NOW. Led by Harav Zev Leff Shlit”a

Millions of Israelis remain exposed to missile threats due to insufficient protective infrastructure, State Comptroller Matanyahu Engelman warned on Monday after surveying missile strike sites in Ramat Gan and Bat Yam, the Jerusalem Post reports.
Engelman recalled that “In 2020, we published an extremely severe report about the protection gaps in the State of Israel. At that time, it was found that close to 2.6 million residents were living without adequate protection. Moreover, budgets allocated to the issue were not utilized, and government plans were left unfunded.”

On Tuesday, the White House released a compilation of 15 separate statements made by President Donald Trump that reaffirm his unwavering policy regarding Iran’s nuclear ambitions. The administration emphasized that Trump has consistently maintained that Tehran must never be permitted to develop or obtain nuclear weapons.

The Israel Defense Forces are pressing forward with their offensive against Iranian targets under Operation Rising Lion. A senior defense source confirmed that the campaign remains in full force, stating that the Iranian regime has suffered “a hard blow on its home field.”
While specific results of the strikes remain classified, the source emphasized the breadth and depth of Israel’s operational capabilities. “We can’t give details yet about the achievements, but they are impressive. We know how to act in every part of Iran, not without dangers and challenges,” the official said, highlighting the risks involved in penetrating Iranian territory.

As with last year’s missile barrage from Iran, Israelis have once again turned to humor as a coping mechanism in the face of ongoing attacks during Operation “Am K’Lavi.” Between alerts and explosions, a wave of self-deprecating jokes and biting satire has swept through Israeli social media, offering some much-needed comic relief.
Since the start of the military operation, Israelis have found creative—and often hilarious—ways to laugh in the face of danger. Here’s a sampling of some of the wittiest posts making the rounds in recent days:
One user quipped that Iran should now be called “ARN,” a dark pun in Hebrew on Eru’a Rav Nifga’im—a mass casualty incident.