Author: AFSI Staff

Due to the fight against Iran’s proxy in Gaza, Hamas, living conditions in Gaza continue to deteriorate. A growing number of residents are desperately seeking a way out, with an Israeli initiative appearing to be one of the sole efforts working to quietly help Gazans reach a new life outside the war-torn enclave.

Since May, at least three flights carrying Gaza residents who signed up to leave have landed in destinations including Indonesia and South Africa, led by the Israeli “Ad Kan” organization, according to the findings of an investigation by the Associated Press published in the Washington Post. (WaPo account required to view this article.)

Ad Kan reportedly worked through another company, Al-Majd Europe a humanitarian organization supporting Palestinian communities in conflict zones.

Ad Kan founder Gilad Ach said he is proud to support Gazans who wish to leave the territory and seek safety elsewhere. He also said the flights were humanitarian in nature and organized to assist Palestinians looking to escape Hamas rule and the dangers of ongoing war. Some travelers, he said, contributed toward the cost of the journey.

Ach rejected claims from South African officials that the flights were part of an effort to “cleanse” Gaza of Palestinians, insisting that those who departed did so voluntarily after reaching out for assistance.

AFSI’s take:
AFSI is proud of its friends at Ad Kan. An operation like this is truly unique among the nations and Israel is a shining example. The Jewish Nation State has faced decades of terrorist attacks, resulting in the loss of countless Israeli lives, enduring significant PTSD, seeking refuge in shelters more times than one can remember and living with the understanding that the enemy wants to totally annihilate you. Nevertheless, Israel manages to extend a helping hand to the opposing side and with no publicity or spotlight expected. It is indeed perplexing, isn’t it? Only in Israel. It will be interesting to observe how the broader media covers this remarkable display of kindness and unselfish concern for the welfare of others.

Source:
Exposed: Israelis Quietly Help Gazans Escape the Iron Fist of Hamas, by Hana Levi Julian/The Jewish Edition, March 17, 2026

The Lod District Court on Monday released the “settler” who was detained by the Shin Bet about a week ago and prevented from meeting with a lawyer. In its decision, the court sharply criticized the police appeal. Attorney Nati Rom of the Honenu legal aid society commented, “The district court’s decision sends a message against the use of extreme investigative measures against settlers.”

Rom said, “The district court’s decision to reject the state’s appeal and release my client immediately should send a clear message against the excessive and disproportionate use of extreme investigative measures. The use of the system’s harshest tools – Shin Bet interrogations, solitary confinement, and preventing meetings with a lawyer – against “settlers” in Judea and Samaria in such a manner harms innocent people and undermines the sense of justice. Today’s release is warranted, but the path to reforming the system is still long.”

AFSI’s take:
Nati Rom’s contributions to the Israeli people to protect and preserve their rights to receive a fair judicial process deserves recognition and should never be undervalued. We firmly support the reform of Israel’s severely flawed justice system in Judea and Samaria.

Source:
Court Deals Blow to Shin Bet, Frees Settler, by David Israel/The Jewish Edition, March 17, 2026

The United States has opened a dialogue with Iran, President Donald Trump said overnight, even though the chances of reaching any kind of agreement in the near future are slim.

On Sunday night, Trump spoke with reporters on Air Force One regarding Iran and the Strait of Hormuz.

In response to questions regarding the possibility of a negotiated end to the current conflict with the Islamic Republic, the president said that the two countries are already engaged in talks, while downplaying the significance of the discussions.

“They want to negotiate badly, as they should. We’re talking to them. But I don’t think they’re ready,” Trump said, before condemning the regime as “violent and vicious,” denouncing its leaders as “horrible people” who have “destroyed the country.”

AFSI’s take:
One might assume that resuming dialogue is beneficial. Nevertheless, in this instance, there is no aspect concerning nuclear weapons that the United States or Israel will agree to. Iran’s Foreign minister claims the regime has never asked for a ceasefire. As Trump has indicated, if Iran’s arsenals and manufacturing are genuinely weakened, a complete disarmament, coupled with a change in regime, is the sole path to achieving successful negotiations with Iran. While this may not align with Iran’s desires, it is essential for Israel and the broader international community’s end goals.

Sources:
US in talks with Iran – Trump, by World Israel News Staff, March 16, 2026

Iran’s Foreign Minister Denies Seeking Ceasefire, Sees ‘No Reason’ to Talk to the U.S., by Nandika Chatterjee/Time, March 15, 2026

Israel is planning at least three more weeks of war against Iran, with “thousands of targets” slated to be eliminated, IDF Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Ephraim “Effi” Defrin told a news source on Sunday.

“We have thousands of targets ahead,” Defrin said. “We are ready, in coordination with our US allies, with plans through at least the Jewish holiday of Passover, about three weeks from now. And we have deeper plans for even three weeks beyond that.”

According to the IDF, since the start of the Iran campaign on February 28, the Israeli Air Force has carried out roughly 400 waves of strikes in western and central Iran, focusing on dismantling infrastructure and targeting operatives in the fire, defense, and production units.

Defrin said the IDF is “not working according to a stopwatch, or a timetable, but rather to achieve our goals.”

AFSI’s take:
While the goal of ending the war quickly—within three weeks—and significantly weakening the Iranian regime is positive, achieving genuine transformation in the Middle East and for Israel requires a guaranteed regime change. We pray that this ultimate objective remains the focus as the war progresses.

Source:
IDF Spokesperson: Iran War Will Last Another 3 Weeks, by David Israel/The Jewish Edition, March 15, 2026

Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon stated that Israel’s military actions to stop Hezbollah’s rocket attacks were necessitated by the failure of diplomacy to disarm Hezbollah south of the Litani River under previous agreements and UN resolutions.

“Overnight, Israel expanded the forward defense area in southern Lebanon. This step was taken to remove immediate terrorist threats near our border and create an additional layer of security for the residents of northern Israel,” Danon said at a press briefing this morning.

He emphasized: “Israel did not choose this situation. Hezbollah did. For weeks, Hezbollah has been launching rockets at Israeli communities from southern Lebanon. It has been doing so from areas where it is not supposed to be present at all.”

Danon questioned the UN’s continued focus on diplomacy when Hezbollah has failed to abide by any diplomatic agreements until now. The UN continues to ignore any diplomatic commitments it made last year.

AFSI’s take:
Lebanon must immediately fulfill its governmental duty to curb Hezbollah, preventing the terrorist group from continuously dragging the nation into conflicts with Israel. Should the Lebanese government fail to take prompt action against Hezbollah, Israel will be left with no alternative but to intervene. Israel has declared that ground forces have already entered Southern Lebanon today to counter Hezbollah. Israel would undoubtedly welcome the Lebanese army’s collaboration in eliminating this existential threat.

Source:
Danon: ‘When rockets continue to be fired, Israel can’t pretend diplomacy is working’, by Israel National News, March 16, 2026

Israel and US launch strikes against the Iranian regime. The regime responds by attacking nations in the region, including Israel.

Missiles launched at north in last barrage, some intercepted, others fell in open areas

Trump: US makes a lot of money from high oil prices, but most important is stopping Iran

The international initiative to overthrow the Iranian regime:

At the initiative of MK Amit Halevi (Likud), dozens of members of parliament around the world have signed a public appeal to the leaders of the free world, headed by US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling for the full freedom of the Iranian people and the overthrow of the Ayatollah regime.

The initiative is “an extraordinary response from dozens of parliamentarians around the world to fulfill the primary mission of our generation,” Halevi said, adding that it shows the desire “to eliminate the regimes of radical Islam that pose an existential threat to Israel and the entire world.”

Recently, Halevi reached out to members of parliament in free and democratic countries around the world, urging clear and decisive international action to overthrow the murderous oppressive regime in Iran and to secure full freedom for the Iranian people.

AFSI’s take:
The objective of this significant and historic military initiative between Israel and the United States is aimed at neutralizing possible nuclear threats from Iran and ensuring global security. Even the UN Security Council (led by United States Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz) has condemned the Islamic regime’s attack on its neighbors. Many of these neighbors have been preparing to retaliate against the regime.

It is essential that a change in regime occurs; if not, the radical factions in Iran will adapt and perpetuate the same issues all over again. Our prayers are with all who are under attack from this desperate regime and its proxies.

Source:
Operation Roaring Lion: Live updates, by Israel National News, March 12, 2026

Israel has called on the United Nations Security Council to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization and publicly condemn Iranian attacks on civilians.

On Tuesday, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar penned a letter to US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz, who currently serves as president of the Security Council, urging the Security Council to respond to Iran’s attacks on more than a dozen countries across the Middle East.

“The Iranian regime’s recent actions underscore that its aggression constitutes a direct threat not only to Israel, but to regional and international peace and security. I urge the UN Security Council to condemn Iran and immediately designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization,” Sa’ar said in a statement Wednesday afternoon.

AFSI’s take:
Substantial evidence exists to denounce the IRGC. There should be no political, legal, or diplomatic justification for refraining from condemning this terrorist militia, particularly in light of the ongoing human rights violations and atrocious assaults on the Iranian people.

Source:
Israel calls on UN Security Council to condemn Iranian attacks on civilians, by World Israel News Staff, March 11, 2026

The Israel Defense Forces said Tuesday it carried out a new wave of airstrikes targeting financial assets linked to Hezbollah, hitting about 30 sites connected to the Al-Qard Al-Hassan Association (AQHA) over the past week.

“The Air Force fighter jets, under the direction of the Military Intelligence Directorate, yesterday completed another series of attacks against assets and warehouses of funds of the ‘Al-Qarch Al-Hassan’ Association, which were used to finance the activities of the terrorist organization Hezbollah,” the IDF said in a statement.

The IDF said that funds held by AQHA were used by Hezbollah to support its operations, including purchasing weapons, operating weapons factories, and paying salaries.

AFSI’s take:
We’ve known for a very long time that “follow the money” was the target to getting to the root of the problem. With that said, the source of this terrorist network’s evil is financial wealth, and it has undoubtedly been addressed. Degrading the military arsenal capabilities of the enemy is one aspect, but halting the financial support for it is the more significant of the two.

Source:
Israel Targets Hezbollah Banking Network in Latest Airstrikes, by Pesach Benson/TPS-IL, March 10, 2026

Ground operation in Lebanon expands. Forces from a brigade combat team under the command of Division 36 launched a targeted raid Sunday night in southern Lebanon, striking terrorist infrastructure belonging to the Hezbollah terrorist organization.

Among the forces participating in the raid are tanks from the IDF’s 7th Brigade. The IDF said the troops are operating in the area to locate and destroy terrorist infrastructure and eliminate terrorists.

Two people were killed Monday when an Iranian missile with a fragmentation warhead fell on a construction site in the central city of Yehud.

At a separate site in the city of Or Yehuda, Magen David Adom paramedics provided medical treatment to a man of about 30 who suffered serious injuries from missile shrapnel. The victim was evacuated to Sheba Tel Hashomer Medical Center.

In Holon, a building collapsed due to a missile strike; no one was injured.

This campaign shows that serious damage to Iran’s military infrastructure has been achieved for the short term, but it would not permanently solve the nuclear issue. The long-term result would depend on what comes after the strikes—diplomacy, regime changes in policy are highly unlikely. The US and Israel are using extreme force to avoid prolonged confrontation.

However, Iran boasted of 60% enriched uranium sufficient to weaponize 11 nuclear weapons. In a short time, this could reach weapons grade levels of enrichment. Nuclear enrichment by the fascist theocracy must be eradicated before total victory can be declared. It might be that ground troops will be needed to remove this capability. Kurdish ground troops have been considered but several sources maintain that they have been rejected by the US President.

This war has is far from over. But the promise of a safer Israel and a safer US is in sight. Our prayers are with this blessed partnership.

Sources:
Operation Roaring Lion: Live updates, by Israel National News, March 10, 2026

We are not mercenaries: Will Kurds become the boots on the ground against Tehran? – opinion, by Susan Quitaz/Jerusalem Post, March 8, 2026

Iran lost about 70% of its launch capabilities during Operation “Lion’s Roar,” Kan11 reported Saturday night. Israeli military assessments have indicated that a majority of Iran’s missile launchers have been destroyed during the ongoing campaign, significantly reducing Tehran’s ability to carry out large-scale missile barrages.

So far, Israel and the United States have completely destroyed about 150 missile launchers in Iran. Approximately 150 additional launchers have been struck from the air, buried in underground facilities, and rendered temporarily inoperable.

According to estimates, on the eve of “Lion’s Roar,” Iran had about 420 missile launchers. Now, only around 100 active launchers remain.

IDF sources reported that by Saturday, the number of missiles fired continued to decline, dropping to fewer than 15 and possibly closer to 10 per volley. On the first day of the war, Iran fired about 100 missiles each, but in recent days the rate had already fallen to 20–25 per day.

It is crucial to recognize a significant distinction in this context. The oil storage reservoirs serve as a financial resource for Iran’s regime, enabling it to support its military endeavors and operations. The intention behind this is not to incapacitate Iran’s capacity to operate as a nation in the future. Rather, the objective is to cut off the financial support that the regime relies on to finance terrorism, missile development, and regional hostilities. For those who criticize this military action, it is important to take a step back and reflect on this point.

Source:
Iran’s Strike Power Gutted: 70% of Launchers Gone, by David Israel/The Jewish Edition, March 8, 2026