Shabbos Zachor a Shabbos to Remember.....as Israel estimates Khamenei eliminated

Israel and the US on Shabbos morning struck in Iran, attacking hundreds of targets, including senior Iranian officials.

Among the officials targeted are Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

In addition to the heads of state, other senior figures were also targeted in the joint operation by the IDF and the US Army, including Iranian Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh, Iranian Chief of Staff Abdulrahim Mousawi, and Military Intelligence Chief Salah Asadi. According to Israeli estimates, IRGC commander Mohammad Fokhapour, who took office after June 2025's Operation Rising Lion, was killed in the Israeli strike.

Ali Shamkhani, the close advisor to the Ayatollahs' leader who survived an assassination attempt during Operation Rising Lion, was one of the targets of the strikes in Iran. His condition is unknown.

Israeli sources told Reuters that they believe a large number of Iranian officials were killed in the attacks.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in an interview with NBC that his country may have "lost a few commanders" in the Israeli strikes, but he claimed: "This is not a big problem." According to him, the number of senior casualties in Iran is "one or two," and "most officials are healthy and safe." Araghchi noted that "as far as he knows," Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was not killed, despite cautious optimism expressed by Israeli officials that the assassination was successful.

IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir spoke with the Air Force commander and pilots during the opening strike against Iran on Saturday morning, telling them: "At dawn on Saturday, Operation 'Lion's Roar' is underway. You are authorized to execute, hit your targets - you are making history. I trust you, and wish all of us success."

Major GPS jamming across Iran

 

Major GPS jamming has been reported across Iran, including the entirety of Tehran.

 Additional disruptions have also been observed across several Middle Eastern countries, and these incidents remain ongoing.

State Department Authorizes Departure From Israel

 The U.S. State Department has authorized the departure of nonessential personnel and family members  from its mission in Israel, citing security risks.

Zera Shimshon Parshat Tezave

 

Hodu ve'ad Kush ....Modi of Hodu in Israel and Herzog in Ethiopia

 

Israeli President Herzog Arrives in Ethiopia for State Visit

Israeli President Yitzhak Herzog has arrived in Addis  Ababa for a state visit to Ethiopia, meeting with Ethiopian officials to strengthen ties between the nations.

 He thanked Foreign Minister Gadi Hessebon and Ambassador Avraham Neguesse for the warm welcome.

Mody Day: Historic Farewell

Netanyahu and his wife warmly bid farewell to Prime Minister Modi at the end of his visit.

OUTRAGEOUS: French Condo Manager Demands Mezuzah Be Removed from Apartment Door

 A Jewish family in a Paris suburb was told by their condo management to remove a mezuzah from the outside of their front door on the grounds that it was placed in a shared area without permission,  and threatening legal action if the object is not taken down.

Modi Addresses Knesset, Vows Solidarity With Israel After Oct. 7 Attack

 Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Knesset Wednesday, condemning the Oct. 7 attack on Israel and expressing support for Israel. 

He tied his empathy to India’s own experience of terrorism.

 In his address, he also praised the Abraham Accords, stressed the strong and deepening ties between Israel and India and noted India’s long history of tolerance toward Jews.

 The Israeli Knesset erupted in synchronized clapping and “Modi!” chants as India’s President Modi began to speak in Jerusalem. 

Iranians confront Christiane Amanpour over her support for Islamist terrorism.

 

BREAKING: Iranians confronted Christiane Amanpour over her support for Islamist terrorism.

“Shame on you! You piece of filth! You’re a fake news journalist! You’re a lobbyist for the Islamic Republic! You are the microphone for Ayatollah Khamenei!”

pic.twitter.com/IfcfJKHQ7h

— Eyal Yakoby (@EYakoby) February 18, 2026

This Year 5786 ! Is this the Year of Mashiach???

Rabbi Yossi Saadeh shared a powerful message about the times we’re in and the year 5786

Trump's advisers suggest Israel strike Iran first

 Senior advisers to US President Donald Trump reportedly favor an Israeli strike on Iran before the United States launches an assault on the country, according to two sources familiar with ongoing discussions who were quoted by Politico on Wednesday.

These Trump administration officials privately argue that an Israeli attack would provoke retaliation from Iran, helping to generate support among American voters for a US strike. The political strategy hinges on the idea that more Americans would accept a war with Iran if the US or one of its allies were attacked first.

“There’s thinking in and around the administration that the politics are a lot better if the Israelis go first and alone and the Iranians retaliate against us, and give us more reason to take action," one of the sources told Politico. Both individuals spoke on condition of anonymity to describe private conversations.

With diplomatic hopes fading in Washington, the primary question is now when and how the US will act. Despite the desire for Israel to take the lead, the most likely scenario may involve a joint US-Israel operation, the sources indicated.