Day 5 - Rising Lion: How The Mighty Have Fallen

Last night marked a milestone in this war: the first night since the Israel-Iran conflict began without Israeli deaths from Iranian missiles, with only six missiles fired during our sleep time. Fifteen people were reported lightly injured from the barrage overnight and later this morning when 20 missiles were fired -  a striking drop given the firepower Iran claims to possess.

So what changed?

According to the IDF, 40% of Iran’s missile launchers have now been destroyed  -  up from one-third just a day ago. Iran is struggling to mount large-scale attacks and has shifted to firing from individual trucks - more mobile, less effective, but also harder to track.

This shift led to a major change today from Pikud Haoref (Home Front Command): until recently, Israelis often received alerts up to 30 minutes before missile launches, thanks to early intelligence on mass attacks. That advance warning has now mostly been cancelled. From now on, alerts will come just 10 minutes before impact—only once the missile has already been launched. So if you hear the alert, don’t wait. Take shelter immediately. I know your wondering if this shift is a good or bad thing, and well it's a combo. It's leading to less attacks which could be due to incapability on their behalf, but there might also be some other factors for the relative quiet last night. Like the regime trying to re-enter nuclear talks, or just to mess with the Israeli people - something they are known to do. Get Israelis off their guard and then attack. It's probably a combination but regardless of the reasoning, make sure to take shelter. It literally saves life.

It's Not Just Military Achievements, It's Strategic.

As Iranian missile fire is weakening, Israel’s assault is intensifying. As of today, Israel has reportedly killed at least 11 senior Iranian generals, including Ali Shadmani, who had only taken over as Iran’s “war chief of staff” four days earlier. This is the second major replacement we have taken out, and its only day five. The IDF described him as Supreme Leader Khamenei’s closest surviving adviser. Talking about Khameini, according to Israeli officials, Khamenei is now isolated, shaken, and struggling to replace his inner circle. Just like Nassrallah was. According to Trump we know exactly where he is, but for now we are waiting. Time will tell why.

Beyond the assassinations, Israel continues to target UAV storage sites, missile bases, and radar systems  -  but one of its most critical strikes may have come quietly: the destruction of Iran’s nuclear archive backup.

Seven years after Mossad stole 100,000 classified Iranian nuclear documents from a warehouse in Tehran, the IDF has reportedly destroyed the digital backup  -  the Islamic Republic’s last organizational memory of how to build a bomb. Without its top scientists, and now without their knowledge base, Israel has literally made nuclear development impossible for now.

And there’s a psychological front, too. Yesterday, Israel bombed Iran’s state broadcaster (IRIB) live on air  -  forcing the anchor to flee the studio mid-sentence. Minutes later, Prime Minister Netanyahu gave an interview to Iran International, a banned opposition outlet, telling the Iranian people:

“A light has been lit  -  carry it to freedom. Your hour is near. It’s happening now.”

The bid to dismantle the Islamic Republic  -  militarily, ideologically, and digitally is happening as we speak. Hell hath no fury like Israelis on a mission.

Multiple Fronts, Same Enemy

As the war against Iran plays out its easy to forget that we are still in war on 6 other fronts.  In Gaza, we mourn the loss of Tal Movshovitz, 28, and Naveh Leshem, 20  -  both from the Golani Brigade  -  killed by an explosive device in Khan Yunis.  May their memory be a revolution. Four more soldiers were seriously injured in the same incident, we pray for their speedy recovery. They are still firing random rockets at us, and we continue to destroy their tunnel infrastructure. Today, tons of concrete was poured into the tunnel Mohamad Sinwar was found in, effectively shutting down the Hamas complex without destroying the hospital on top.

Meanwhile, confusion unfolded near an IDF force in Khan Yunis when Gazans crowded an aid truck stuck in the area. After repeated warnings, shots were fired; injuries were reported. The IDF has launched an investigation and reiterated its efforts to minimize civilian harm. Its been suspiciously quiet on the aid front, as it has been regarding the hostages. Lets hope for good news soon. 

In the north, the IDF intercepted around 30 UAVs before they reached Israel overnight. And just hours earlier, an Iranian UAV infiltrated the Galilee and northern Golan, intercepted by Israeli defenses.

Unity in Crisis: Israel Responds from Within

While the military takes the fight abroad, the home front continues adapting. Waze now offers a new “emergency shelter” feature, allowing drivers to instantly locate the nearest safe area during a missile alert  -  a small but significant step to help civilians stay safe.

At the same time, Magen David Adom is calling for blood donations, especially from type O donors. And despite it all, the Tel Aviv stock market is climbing, a surprising but symbolic sign of resilience.

There’s unity in leadership, too  -  at least for now. Netanyahu and Lapid met for a one-on-one security update, and the Knesset is preparing emergency legislation for war-related aid.

Internationally, the G7 leaders issued a rare joint statement backing Israel’s right to self-defense and calling out Iran as “the main source of instability and terror” in the region. They declared Iran must never be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons. Meanwhile, President Trump abruptly left the summit, flew back to Washington, and told reporters he expects “total surrender” from Iran  -  not negotiations. 

Trump, Tehran, and Tucker

Trump’s response to the Iran war has been anything but quiet  -  and now he’s made it clear he’s not interested in a ceasefire. On Truth Social, he posted:

“UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!” And: “Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran.”

Subtle. Trump has also claimed that “we now have complete and total control of the skies over Iran,” while praising Israel’s campaign as “excellent” and warning that future strikes will be “even more brutal” if Iran doesn’t back down.

Iran, through backchannels, has reportedly expressed interest in a ceasefire  -  but only if the U.S. stays out. That seems unlikely now that two American carriers are in the region and Trump is issuing open threats.

But some people in America don't like this, enter Trump vs. Tucker Carlson.

Tucker had aired a segment warning against American involvement and questioning the escalation. Trump fired back:

“Somebody please explain to kooky Tucker Carlson that, ‘IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON!’”

Tucker responded:

“We were promised peace through strength. Instead, we’re getting war through delusion.”

The Iran conflict has triggered this public fallout with MAGA loyalists choosing sides between pro-Israel full-force support and Carlsonian caution against joining. We have known that Tucker and his cronies are more and more anti Israel as the days pass, but now its reaching levels of delusion, literally not believing that Iran is a threat. As of now, Trump is very much on Israels side. Today, Mike Huckabee sent Trump a faith-filled message saying, “You did not seek this moment. This moment sought YOU,” calling him the most consequential president in a century. He urged Trump to ignore the noise and listen only to God’s voice. Trump shared the message publicly, signaling strong evangelical backing as he weighs his next move in the Israel - Iran conflict. Will he join? Time will tell. But it looks like the fake Netanyahu Trump feud is officially a thing of the past.

And whilst we, the Jewish people, do not put our faith in people but in Gd alone, it’s nice to finally feel that we have good messengers on our side. 

Stay safe. Stay sane. See you soon.

Meira

Under the Radar Highlights:

• Confirmed civilian casualties: Yaakov and Hadassah Belo, Danny Avraham, Avraham Cohen, Meir Vaknin, Igor Fradkin, Uri Yosef Levy and Daisy Yitzchaki. May their memories be a revolution.

• Basketball season canceled  -  no champion this year.

• School is also cancelled till the end of the year with many graduation ceremonies being planned on Zoom.

• Molotov-throwing suspects shot by police in East Jerusalem.

• Netanyahu petitions the High Court to override restrictions on appointing a new Shin Bet chief.

• Chabad emissaries hosted thousands of Israelis abroad over Shabbat. Go Chabad!

• Some people stranded have been returning to Israel by boat from Cyprus. Yup, boat.