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Years after the debate over COVID-19’s origins first erupted, Dr. Ashish Jha, who served as the White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator under President Joe Biden, now says he believes the pandemic most likely began with an accidental laboratory leak rather than a natural outbreak—a notable shift from the position he held when he entered the administration.

Jha made the remarks during an interview with CNN’s Dana Bash, who pointed to a social media post he had shared from commentator Jamie Metzl arguing that the virus likely originated at the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

Although the lab leak theory was heavily disputed during the early stages of the pandemic and many social media platforms restricted related posts under COVID-19 misinformation policies, Jha wrote earlier this year, “I pretty much agree with everything here.”

Asked about that statement during the interview, Jha confirmed that it accurately reflected his current thinking, explaining that his assessment has changed since he first joined the White House.

“This is going to surprise some people. You know, when I went into the White House, my view was, ‘This was almost surely a natural outbreak, maybe a lab leak,’” he said. “Based on information I learned and based on information I‘ve seen, I have come to conclude that it is more likely to have been a lab leak.”

Jha emphasized that he was offering his personal assessment rather than claiming definitive proof, noting that Chinese officials remain the only people who could conclusively answer the question.

“Here‘s the bottom line. No one in the United States knows for sure. The only people who know for sure are people — officials in China — and we still need transparency and accountability on that. So that is my best assessment. I‘m not suggesting I know for sure, but I‘m saying my best assessment is that it probably was a lab leak,” he said.

Bash responded by acknowledging the significance of Jha’s revised position.

“That is definitely news to hear that from you for sure,” Bash replied. “And shows that we‘re just, we‘re still learning, which is really important.”

After the interview aired, Jha shared the exchange on X and elaborated on his position, saying he has held this view since his time in the White House.

“My view on COVID origins isn’t new — I’ve held it since my time at the White House,” he wrote. “Here’s the truth: no one in America knows for sure. Anyone telling you they do is selling you something Based on strong circumstantial evidence I’ve seen, I think lab leak is much more likely. Not engineered. Not deliberate. Accidental Reasonable people can look at the same evidence and disagree.”

The origins of COVID-19 became one of the most contentious issues of the pandemic, fueling broader debates over public trust in government agencies, scientific institutions, and the media. While the lab leak hypothesis has gained wider acceptance as a plausible explanation in recent years, many experts and public officials initially argued that the virus most likely emerged naturally, possibly through a wildlife market in China.

Several major news organizations, including CNN, MSNBC, The New York Times, and The Washington Post, at one point characterized the lab leak theory as a “debunked” conspiracy theory before later acknowledging that the possibility had not been ruled out. Media critics have argued that those early dismissals further eroded public confidence in the press.

National Public Radio was among the outlets that came under scrutiny. In April 2020, NPR published multiple reports portraying the lab leak theory as a discredited conspiracy associated with political conservatives. One article carried the headline, “Scientists Debunk Lab Accident Theory of Pandemic Emergence,” which critics later argued overstated the available evidence.

CNN also faced criticism over several aspects of its pandemic coverage, including reports citing Chinese government vaccination data and an article highlighting China’s centralized political system as an advantage in responding to the outbreak.

“For those still reluctant, China has a powerful tool in its arsenal: a top-down, one-party system that is all-encompassing in reach and forceful in action, and a sprawling bureaucracy that can be swiftly mobilized,” two CNN journalists based in Hong Kong wrote. “The top-down approach has been touted by officials as a strength of the Chinese system that helped curb the virus – and has again been deployed to accelerate inoculations.”

The pandemic also sparked intense disputes over free speech and online censorship. The Biden administration faced a major First Amendment lawsuit alleging that federal officials pressured social media companies to suppress posts questioning official COVID-19 narratives.

Under the resulting settlement, the Office of the Surgeon General, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency are prohibited for the next decade from threatening or coercing social media companies to remove or suppress constitutionally protected speech. The agreement also bars federal officials from directing or overruling platforms’ content moderation decisions.

{Matzav.com}

Senate Republicans scored a major victory Monday in their effort to prevent another government shutdown after Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer threw his support behind a short-term funding measure, giving the legislation crucial bipartisan momentum as lawmakers race to keep the government operating through the November midterm elections.

The Senate voted with bipartisan support to clear the first procedural hurdle for a continuing resolution that would extend government funding into early December. The move comes nearly two months before the Sept. 30 funding deadline and marks a significant step toward avoiding another shutdown battle.

For months, Republicans had warned that Democrats might once again force a government shutdown in an effort to gain political leverage ahead of the November elections. Monday’s vote, however, suggested a willingness from both parties to avoid another fiscal standoff.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune argued there was no reason to wait until the last minute, saying Congress should provide stability now instead of prolonging uncertainty.

“There’s been enough uncertainty this last year, and, you know, unfortunately, I think through two government shutdowns that extended for a long period of time, it’s better for everybody if there’s predictability, certainty,” Thune said.

Congress has already endured multiple shutdowns during President Donald Trump’s second term, including two of the longest government closures in American history while Republicans controlled Congress.

The first shutdown occurred last year and lasted more than 40 days, centering on a dispute over Obamacare tax subsidies that ultimately expired without a lasting resolution.

A second shutdown earlier this year stretched beyond 70 days after Democrats abandoned a bipartisan funding agreement following the killing of Renee Nicole Good in Minnesota by immigration enforcement agents. Republicans ultimately bypassed Democratic support and approved immigration enforcement funding on their own.

Despite those recent confrontations, senators from both parties are now signaling a desire to keep the government funded, at least through the upcoming elections.

Schumer announced Monday that he would support the continuing resolution, describing it as the best available option while broader budget negotiations continue.

He called the measure the “responsible path forward that allows continued bipartisan negotiations on a budget that delivers for American families.”

“For months, Democrats have been clear: we want to fund the government, avoid a shutdown and pass strong, bipartisan appropriations bills that improve people’s lives,” Schumer said in a statement.

Republican leaders are aiming to send the continuing resolution to the House before senators leave Washington for their final scheduled recess ahead of the midterm elections.

Even if the funding measure advances, Congress still faces a packed agenda. Republican leaders are also seeking to confirm more than 70 nominees, move forward with long-awaited sanctions targeting Russia, consider legislation establishing a regulatory framework for cryptocurrency markets, and hold a final confirmation vote on Todd Blanche, President Trump’s nominee to serve as attorney general.

“I think we have a bunch of stuff we have to finish and we’ll just stay until we finish it,” Thune said.

President Donald Trump is reportedly considering removing U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro after her office dropped a felony vandalism case tied to damage at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, a move that has reportedly left the president deeply frustrated and sparked a public rift over the high-profile prosecution.

According to CNN, Trump is “furious” over the Justice Department’s decision and it is “highly likely” that Pirro could lose her position after prosecutors filed court papers abandoning the administration’s earlier claim that vandals caused the damage.

CNN cited a senior administration official who said Trump was “blindsided” by the filing, which concluded that the damage resulted from a defective installation of the Reflecting Pool’s liner rather than an act of criminal vandalism.

Trump declined to say Monday whether Pirro’s job is in jeopardy when questioned by a reporter in the Oval Office.

“You’re fake news. Don’t ever talk again,” Trump said.

Later, the president openly criticized Pirro’s handling of the case, accusing her of backing down after prosecutors sought to dismiss the charges.

“She choked” and “folded like an umbrella,” Trump said.

“I’m really disappointed,” Trump told reporters.

Trump also maintained that the Reflecting Pool had been deliberately damaged, asserting that the administration possesses evidence showing individuals slicing the liner with a utility knife.

“We have photographs. We have tapes of people cutting it with a box knife,” Trump said. “Jeanine Pirro made a mistake. It was vandalism.”

On Friday, Pirro’s office formally asked the court to dismiss the felony vandalism charge against David Hearn, a 67-year-old former Olympic canoeist who had been accused of damaging the Reflecting Pool.

In its filing, the Justice Department explained that after Hearn was indicted, the Department of the Interior supplied additional information indicating the damage stemmed from a “rushed and flawed installation” of the pool liner rather than criminal conduct.

Prosecutors acknowledged that the original indictment relied on Interior Department information attributing the damage to vandals. However, later evidence pointed instead to defects associated with the renovation project.

“Had the Department of the Interior been forthcoming with the information clearly in its possession, the government would not have sought a grand jury indictment,” Pirro’s office wrote in the filing.

Trump responded forcefully on Truth Social, saying he disagreed “100%” with Pirro’s decision and insisting the damage was “a pure case of VANDALISM.”

The disagreement is the latest chapter in an ongoing controversy surrounding the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool renovation, a project that has faced persistent problems, including algae growth and sections of liner that have peeled away.

Trump has repeatedly insisted the damage was intentional, at various times claiming there was a 250-foot gash and later describing a 300-yard cut in the liner. Those assertions, however, have been challenged by outside reviews.

A Washington Post investigation, based on satellite imagery and interviews with experts, concluded that the liner appeared to be peeling in several locations, suggesting the issues were more likely related to installation problems than deliberate vandalism.

The restoration project has also attracted scrutiny over its escalating costs. Originally expected to cost about $1.8 million, the renovation reportedly grew to approximately $16 million, prompting Senate Democrats to question the project’s oversight, contracting procedures, quality control, and overall spending.

{Matzav.com}

The Palestinian Authority and the Palestine Liberation Organization suffered a major legal setback on Monday after US Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor refused to halt enforcement of a $656 million judgment awarded to American victims of Palestinian Arab terrorism. The ruling leaves the massive award in place while the PA and PLO continue their efforts to challenge its reinstatement.

According to The Associated Press, the decision comes after the US Supreme Court ruled last year in favor of the victims and the surviving relatives of those killed in the attacks, strengthening their long-running effort to collect damages.

Attorneys representing the PA and PLO had asked the nation’s highest court to temporarily block enforcement of the judgment while they pursued another appeal. In their filings, officials in Ramallah argued that requiring immediate payment of the hundreds of millions of dollars would severely impair the Palestinian Authority’s ability to provide essential public services in areas of Judea and Samaria under its control.

The lawsuit traces its origins to a series of deadly Palestinian Arab terror attacks carried out in Jerusalem during the early 2000s. Those attacks claimed the lives of 33 people and injured hundreds more. Families of the victims and survivors sought damages under the US Anti-Terrorism Act, which allows American citizens harmed by international terrorism to pursue civil claims in US courts.

The litigation has stretched over many years and taken several turns through the federal court system. A federal appeals court in New York had previously thrown out the jury’s verdict against the PA and PLO, but Congress later amended anti-terrorism laws to permit lawsuits of this kind. After reviewing the updated legal framework, the Supreme Court revived the related cases in 2025.

Building on that ruling, the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated the $656 million judgment in March. Lawyers representing the victims and their families welcomed the decision, saying it paved the way for “justice to be done” after decades of legal battles.

{Matzav.com}

The Hamas terrorist group must be fully disarmed before the second phase of U.S. President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan can commence, Israeli President Isaac Herzog said on Monday.

“I see a lot of positive elements in the efforts of the Board of Peace, under the auspices of President Trump and his leadership,” Herzog said as he received the diplomatic credentials of several ambassadors.

The Israeli head of state said the plan’s implementation would depend on “the clear caveat and undertaking that Hamas must be disarmed,” adding, “I hope Hamas will be disarmed fully.”

This, he continued, “is clearly the basis of moving forward to the next phase by bringing in the government of technocrats,” referring to the U.S.-backed National Committee for the Administration of Gaza.

“The efforts of the Americans, the Board of Peace, President Trump, and CEO of the Board of Peace Nickolay Mladenov can bring a certain vision of hope, also to the people of Gaza and to the people of Israel,” said Herzog.

“I sincerely hope and pray that we will find ways to move forward with our Palestinian neighbors on all fronts, to have a dialogue with our Palestinian neighbors,” he added.

Israel has conveyed “comments and concerns” to the White House after U.S. President Donald Trump last week announced an agreement to implement Hamas’s disarmament under the peace plan, an Israeli official told JNS on Monday.

Doron Spielman, a spokesman for the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office, told JNS that “the version that has been made public does not reflect Israel’s positions.”

“Over the past eight months, according to Israeli intelligence, Hamas has used the ceasefire to rearm, recruit thousands of additional terrorists, rebuild its military infrastructure, and prepare for further Oct. 7-style massacres,” he said, in reference to the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, massacre of 1,200 people in the Jewish state.

“The indispensable first step toward any lasting arrangement is the genuine, verifiable and irreversible demilitarization of Hamas,” Spielman continued. “Demilitarization means Hamas physically surrendering its weapons,” he emphasized.

“Anything short of full demilitarization will leave Hamas with the capability to threaten Israel again,” he added.

Trump announced on Thursday that the Board of Peace had reached an agreement with Hamas for the complete disarmament ‌of the terrorist groups that control the Gaza Strip.

It was a “major milestone in the implementation” of his 20-point plan to bring an end to the Israel-Hamas war and begin the recovery process in the enclave, he said.

The pact will be implemented in phases, as the Israel Defense Forces withdraws as disarmament progresses, according to Trump.

An International Stabilization Force under the auspices of the Board of Peace is to work in tandem with a newly built Palestinian police force to provide security. JNS

{Matzav.com}

Jews, who make up about 10% of New Yorkers, were the targets of nearly 70% of all hate crimes in the Big Apple last month, according to newly released city data, and anti-Jewish hate crimes, which the city said it confirmed, were up 53.3% compared to the same period last year.

The New York City Police Department said that it recorded 33 “confirmed” hate crimes in the city last month, of which 23 targeted Jews (69.6%). In July 2025, there were 15 anti-Jewish hate crimes in the city, it said.

Muslims were targets of five “confirmed” hate crimes last month in New York City, or 15% of all hate crimes, which was up from two such incidents last year in July.

After recording a 182% increase in anti-Jewish hate crimes in the Big Apple in January, in Zohran Mamdani’s first month as mayor, the city began publishing only “confirmed” hate crimes and not “reported” ones in February. That suggested a decline, although it was hard to compare 2026 statistics with those from 2025.

In March, the city said that it would publish both “confirmed” and “reported” statistics separately each month. The city provides a comparison between “confirmed” 2026 statistics and the prior year, but not of “reported” hate crimes.

Last month, 29 of 50 “reported” hate crimes in New York City (58%) targeted Jews, compared to six (12%) that targeted Muslims.

There have been 360 “confirmed” hate crimes so far in 2026, up 9.4% from the 329 in 2025, according to the NYPD.

Of the 360, 205 have targeted Jews (56.9%), and 26 have targeted Muslims (about 7%). Jews were targeted 8.5% more often so far this year compared to the 189 times in that span last year, and Muslims were targeted 62.5% more this year than the 16 times recorded in that span last year, the department said.

Julie Menin, the first Jewish speaker of the New York City Council, told JNS that “I remain deeply concerned and very troubled by the unacceptable spike in hate crimes, particularly driven by those targeting Jewish New Yorkers.”

The data underscores why her “very first initiative was a five-point plan to combat antisemitism,” Menin told JNS. “I will not waver in the fight to protect our communities from hatred.”

Brandon Pinsker, acting American Jewish Committee director for New York, told JNS that the rise of anti-Jewish hate crimes “should alarm every New Yorker.”

“Irresponsible rhetoric, selective condemnation and political indifference” have allowed anti-Jewish hate “to become normalized,” he said. “Antisemitism is not only a Jewish issue. It is an attack on the values and institutions of a democratic society.”

Pinsker told JNS that elected officials at every level should respond “with moral clarity,” condemning antisemitism unequivocally and taking “decisive action to make New York safer for its Jewish community.”

Rabbi Josh Joseph, executive vice president and chief operating officer of the Orthodox Union, told JNS that the statistics are “a dark stain on the city” that “only tell part of the story.”

“Each of these hate crimes has a victim that lives with the consequences of the crime,” he told JNS. “Their family, friends and broader community also feel the lasting effects.”

“We are not shocked by the rise in hate crimes, because it aligns with the rise in tolerance for hate,” he said. “We must return to a civil society that does not accept the singling out of any people. We count on our mayor who has time and time again committed to protecting us. It is beyond time for him to live up to his promises.”

Avi Posnick, executive director of StandWithUs Northeast, told JNS that “it is unfortunate but no surprise that since Mayor Mamdani took office, hate crimes, especially antisemitic ones, continue to skyrocket.”

“Mamdani’s dangerous lies about Israel and the destructive agendas he promotes fuel this continued rise,” he said. “Numbers show that New York City is a more antisemitic city this year than under the previous administrations. Change must start from the top to reverse New York City’s disastrous trajectory.”

The city stated that the NYPD hate crime task force probes “allegations of hate crimes and bias-motivated incidents.”

“After an incident is flagged as a possible hate crime,” the task force “investigates and determines, in consultation with the NYPD legal bureau, whether it constitutes a hate crime under New York state law,” it said. “If an incident is deemed a hate crime under the law, it will be categorized as a confirmed hate crime. The NYPD provides data on confirmed hate crimes along with all reported hate crimes regardless of whether they are ultimately confirmed as hate crimes by the HCTF.”

“The disclosure of both sets of numbers enhances transparency and reflects best practices in connection with hate crime reporting,” it said.

Jessica Tisch, commissioner of the NYPD, stated that there had been the fewest shootings and murders ever in the city last month and in the first seven months of the year.

“This summer, the NYPD was called upon to manage an unprecedented series of major and overlapping events, including the NBA Finals, the World Cup, Sail 250 and the largest Fourth of July celebration in the country,” the Jewish commissioner stated. “Through it all, even as the demands on this department reached historic levels, the men and women of the NYPD delivered double-digit declines in major crime and record lows in violent crime across the city.”

“For the first seven months of this year and in the month of July, New York City experienced the fewest murders, shooting incidents and shooting victims in recorded history,” she stated. “These incredible public safety achievements are the result of our data-driven precision policing strategy and the tireless work of the members of the NYPD whose long hours and dedication continue to make New York City safer.” JNS

{Matzav.com}

Knesset Finance Committee Chairman MK Chanoch Milwidsky warned that Israel’s upcoming election will center not only on politics, but on the country’s Jewish identity and the future of the Torah world, accusing the left and the opposition of seeking to undermine Torah learning, chareidi education, and religious institutions.

Speaking in an interview on Kol Chai Radio’s “Hamahadura Hamerkazit” with Avi Ravina, Milwidsky said the central question facing voters is whether Israel will remain a Jewish state rooted in Jewish tradition or move in a fundamentally different direction.

“The real question is whether the State of Israel will remain a Jewish state, where Judaism is the state’s guiding religion, a country built upon the values of mesoras Yisroel, or whether it will become something entirely different,” he said.

Milwidsky sharply criticized left-wing and opposition parties, arguing that their campaign is directed not only against Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu but against the broader concept of a Jewish state. He claimed they are targeting the Torah world, the independent chareidi school system, and media outlets identified with the religious and chareidi public.

Addressing suggestions that a left-wing government might ultimately cooperate with the chareidi parties and therefore leave the Torah world untouched, Milwidsky dismissed the idea outright.

“They are fighting Judaism, they are fighting the Jewish state,” he said. “They understand that the Torah world is the root, the connection between the Jewish people and the Ribbono Shel Olam.”

The Finance Committee chairman also discussed a committee meeting that had been planned to consider several significant budget requests, including funding related to chareidi education, teachers’ and kindergarten teachers’ salaries, as well as a proposal to allocate approximately one billion shekels to strengthen security protections for communities along Israel’s northern border.

According to Milwidsky, the opposition refused to allow the committee to convene during the Knesset recess to address those issues.

“They are politically exploiting the security of the residents of northern Israel,” he charged.

Milwidsky also argued that chareidi teachers face discrimination specifically when they teach in chareidi educational institutions. He said those same educators would receive full benefits if they worked in non-chareidi schools, but when employed within the chareidi system, they are denied equal conditions.

He went on to connect the issues of chareidi education and government funding to the broader debate over judicial reform, asserting that the future of the Torah world depends on changes to Israel’s legal system.

According to Milwidsky, the High Court of Justice and the attorney general’s office have repeatedly blocked legislation and government policies dealing with the draft law, daycare funding, and budgets for the chareidi community.

“Until we deal with these bodies and carry out comprehensive judicial reform, we can continue passing laws, and the High Court will continue blocking them,” Milwidsky said.

He added that the next government will have to confront the High Court directly and establish clear limits on judicial intervention in matters decided by the elected branches of government.

More than 4 million Americans have already dropped off the nation’s food stamp program as President Donald Trump’s sweeping overhaul of SNAP begins to take effect, according to preliminary U.S. Department of Agriculture figures cited in an NPR report.

Before Republicans approved the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provided monthly benefits to approximately 42 million people. USDA data indicate that enrollment had declined to about 37 million recipients by April.

The Trump administration has said the changes are designed to return SNAP to its original role as a temporary safety net, tighten work requirements for able-bodied adults, reduce improper payments, and ensure benefits are reserved for those who meet eligibility requirements.

The White House has argued that SNAP had become “bloated” and was no longer serving its intended purpose of helping people through temporary financial hardship. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has also attributed the declining enrollment to a stronger economy as well as efforts to remove ineligible recipients from the program.

“A lot of it is people taking the program that shouldn’t have been, and then a lot of it is just a better economy,” Rollins said during an April interview on Fox Business.

Opponents of the overhaul contend that the drop in participation reflects tougher eligibility standards and additional administrative barriers rather than an actual decline in need.

The Congressional Budget Office has projected that expanded work requirements alone will reduce average monthly SNAP participation by approximately 2.4 million people over the next decade.

Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, work requirements now apply to additional categories of recipients, including certain veterans, homeless individuals, adults between the ages of 55 and 64, some parents of children ages 14 through 17, and young adults who have aged out of foster care. Most affected beneficiaries must document at least 80 hours each month of employment, job training, or volunteer work to remain eligible.

The legislation also eliminates SNAP eligibility for several categories of noncitizens, including many refugees, asylees, and certain victims of human trafficking or domestic violence who had previously qualified.

According to NPR, the left-leaning Center on Budget and Policy Priorities estimates that Arizona has experienced one of the nation’s largest declines in SNAP participation, with more than 400,000 fewer recipients than a year ago. The organization also estimates that more than 1 million children across 19 reporting states have lost benefits.

The USDA has cautioned against attributing the enrollment decline to any single policy, noting that participation in the program naturally rises and falls over time.

Another significant change is scheduled to take effect in October.

Beginning then, states will be responsible for a substantially larger share of SNAP’s administrative costs, as the federal government’s contribution will fall from 50% to 25%. Starting in October 2027, states with payment error rates exceeding federal thresholds may also be required to help cover the cost of benefits themselves.

Supporters of the law argue the changes will increase accountability and incentivize states to reduce improper payments, which the USDA estimated reached approximately $10 billion last year.

NPR reported that anti-hunger advocacy groups and state officials warn the additional financial burden could force some states to tighten eligibility even further, reduce benefit levels, or make cuts in other areas of their budgets.

The National Grocers Association estimates that lower SNAP enrollment could reduce grocery sales by nearly $88 billion through 2034, while food banks warn they do not have the capacity to replace the lost assistance if participation continues to decline.

The IDF says chareidi enlistment rose sharply during the 2025 recruitment year, with new figures presented to Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara showing that 4,298 chareidim joined the military—a 53% increase over the previous year.

The updated statistics were presented Monday during a follow-up meeting convened by the attorney general, where military officials outlined the latest enlistment data and trends regarding the chareidi community.

Brig. Gen. Shay Taib, head of the IDF’s Planning and Personnel Management Division, reported that 4,298 chareidim enlisted during the 2025 recruitment year, compared with 2,811 during the 2024 recruitment year—an increase of 53%.

According to the IDF, the figures continue a steady upward trend. Annual chareidi enlistment totaled approximately 1,700 to 1,800 recruits between 2018 and 2022, climbed to roughly 2,200 in 2023, and increased again to about 2,800 in 2024 before reaching this year’s total.

The military said that 69% of those who enlisted entered programs designated specifically for chareidim, representing an increase of approximately 1,200 recruits over the previous year. The breakdown further showed that 22% were assigned to combat units, 58% entered technological positions, combat support roles, and other military training programs, while roughly 20% have not yet received permanent assignments.

The IDF noted that this year’s total brings the military close to the target of 4,800 chareidi recruits that had been included in the coalition’s proposed draft framework. The new figure also exceeds Brig. Gen. Taib’s estimate given to the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee in late June, when he projected that only about 3,500 chareidim would enlist.

Despite the increase in enlistment, military officials reported that approximately 72,000 chareidim are currently classified as draft evaders. According to the data presented, the 4,298 recruits represent roughly 30% of the average annual chareidi draft-age population, estimated at about 14,000 18-year-old young men.

The IDF also reiterated that its manpower needs remain significant, estimating that it requires an additional 12,000 soldiers each year, with approximately 60% of those positions needed in combat units.

Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey on Monday sharply criticized Israel over continued IDF strikes against Hamas terrorists in Gaza, claiming the operations jeopardize the current ceasefire and threaten efforts to advance the next phase of President Donald Trump’s peace initiative.

In a joint statement, the three mediating nations accused Israel of escalating tensions through what they described as “the ongoing Israeli violations in the Gaza Strip.” They further alleged that Israel was responsible for “particularly the targeting of healthcare facilities and medical infrastructure, and the resulting civilian casualties, including women and children, which constitute a flagrant violation of international law and international humanitarian law.”

The three countries also argued that Israel must adhere to both international law and the ceasefire commitments already in place. “The mediators stress the need for Israel to comply with all of its obligations under international law and to fully uphold its commitments under the ceasefire agreement, affirming that the continuation of these violations constitutes a breach of the agreement and undermines the efforts aimed at implementing its second phase, particularly following Hamas and the Palestinian factions’ announcement of their acceptance of the roadmap, especially the provision concerning the confinement of weapons,” the statement read, adding that “these violations threaten the path toward de-escalation and exacerbate the suffering of civilians in the Gaza Strip.”

The mediators also called on the international community to increase pressure on Israel. They urged world powers “to assume its responsibilities and exert the necessary pressure on Israel to fulfill its obligations under international law and the ceasefire agreement, in a manner that ensures the completion of President Trump’s peace plan”.

The statement concluded by stressing “the need to prevent any undermining of the efforts aimed at achieving a sustainable de-escalation, leading to a permanent ceasefire and an end to the humanitarian suffering in the Gaza Strip.”

The diplomatic criticism came shortly after senior Israeli officials met with representatives of the Board of Peace for extensive discussions on implementing the next stage of the Gaza framework. According to the board, the talks focused on dismantling Hamas’ terrorist infrastructure, transitioning Gaza to civilian administration, and creating long-term security for both Israeli citizens and Gaza’s Arab population.

Following the meeting, the Board of Peace described the discussions as productive and said all sides remain committed to the same ultimate objective.

“The goal is clear and is not in question: the complete decommissioning of weapons in the Strip and the transition away from rule by the gun to civilian governance. Reaching it will be a process. And that process will be set out in the next phase of the work,” the board stated.

The board also sought to clarify reports regarding a future Israeli military withdrawal, stating, “Contrary to inaccurate reports, we note that the withdrawal of the IDF beyond the Yellow Line will take place only once decommissioning is complete, as Hamas committed to the mediators. This applies to light weapons, heavy weapons, and the tunnels alike.”

According to the framework, supervision of Hamas’ disarmament would be carried out by the International Stabilization Force together with the Implementation Verification Committee, whose members include representatives from the United States and the Board of Peace.

Meanwhile, Israeli forces have continued carrying out counterterrorism operations across Gaza. In recent days, the IDF announced that it eliminated several senior Hamas terrorists who were involved in the Oct. 7, 2023, massacre and in holding Israeli hostages.

Those operations have coincided with the broader U.S.-backed initiative unveiled by President Trump, which seeks the complete disarmament of Hamas and all other terrorist organizations operating in Gaza.

Speaking on Friday, Trump expressed optimism that the initiative has Israel’s full support, saying, “Israel is very happy about it. Israel helped us, and they’ve been very good”.

He added, “Most people said that would be a deal that would be undoable. Will it go through its ups and downs? It’s a very complex situation over there… But it’s a great breakthrough. Nobody’s ever thought that it would be possible to disarm Hamas.”

{Matzav.com}

Dozens of kannaim gathered Monday evening outside the home of Hershy Landau in the moshav of Komemiyus to protest reports that he is expected to assume leadership of the Maalos Tzur program following the passing of its founder, R’ Yaakov Aharon Farber z”l.

The demonstration took place just one day after the conclusion of the shivah for R’ Yaakov. Protesters claim that Landau, who currently works with Maalos Tzur, is expected to become the organization’s new director.

Organizers of the protest issued a statement saying, “In light of the information received that Maalos Tzur intends to appoint Hershy Landau of Moshav Komemiyus as the new CEO of the Maalos Tzur military track, a massive protest, the likes of which has never been seen before, is being held outside his home with the participation of masses from across the country.”

According to reports, members of the Landau family appealed to the rav of the community, Harav Mendelson, asking him to intervene and use his influence to stop the protests, but their request was reportedly declined.

R’ Yaakov Aharon Farber, one of Belz’s prominent askanim, was niftar last week after a prolonged illness at the age of just 32.

He had battled a serious illness over the past year and was the subject of widespread tefillos for his recovery. In his final days, his condition deteriorated, and he was niftar late Sunday night as family members stood at his bedside reciting Pesukei Yichud and Shema Yisroel.

R’ Yaakov was widely respected and admired throughout the tzibbur. In recent years, he became especially well known for founding the Maalos Tzur program, an initiative designed to enable chareidim to serve in specially tailored military frameworks while maintaining a Torah-true lifestyle, including regular tefillah and shiurim.

Friends and acquaintances describe him as a deeply yerei Shomayim individual with boundless energy who devoted his life to serving the klal with extraordinary mesirus nefesh, humility, and warmth toward every person.

{Matzav.com}

Police announced Monday that 16-year-old Efrat Menachem of Kochav Ya’akov has been found safe after being missing for 11 days, bringing an extensive search effort to a successful conclusion.

In a statement, police confirmed that the teenager had been located “safe and sound” and said she is doing well. Authorities also thanked the public for widely sharing the missing-person alerts and assisting in the search.

Efrat was last seen on the morning of July 24 at approximately 8:00 a.m. near the community of Beit Elazari. After all contact with her was lost, police launched an intensive search amid growing concern for her safety.

Throughout the operation, officers from the Binyamin Police Station in the Judea and Samaria District worked together with additional security agencies while repeatedly asking the public for information that could help locate the missing teen.

Following her safe recovery, police announced that the search has officially ended and expressed appreciation to everyone who participated in the efforts to find her.

A new Channel 12 poll released Monday night shows the political map remaining highly unfavorable for Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s coalition, with Likud and Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar party tied as the country’s largest factions at 23 seats each. The survey also found Shas slipping to just seven seats, while the coalition would secure only 50 Knesset seats compared to 70 for the opposition.

According to the poll, Likud gains one seat compared to last week’s survey, reaching 23 mandates and tying Yashar, which also stands at 23.

Yachad halts its recent decline and remains steady at 14 seats. The Democrats also hold their ground with 10 mandates, while Yisrael Beytenu remains unchanged at nine.

United Torah Judaism maintains its strength with eight seats. Shas and Otzma Yehudit each lose one seat, dropping to seven mandates apiece, while Religious Zionism gains one seat to reach five.

At the lower end of the Knesset standings, Hadash-Ta’al and Ra’am each receive five seats, while the new party led by Chili Tropper and Yoaz Hendel again clears the electoral threshold with four mandates.

Failing to cross the electoral threshold are Blue and White, polling at 1.4%, and Balad, with 0.8%.

The overall bloc picture remains unchanged from last week’s poll. Parties opposed to Netanyahu would control 70 seats, including 60 held by Zionist opposition parties and 10 by the Arab parties. The coalition, by contrast, would command only 50 seats.

The survey also examined a scenario in which Hadash, Ta’al, and Balad run together on a joint list while Yoav Segalovich joins Mansour Abbas’ Ra’am party, following recent reports of such discussions.

Under that scenario, only minor changes occur within the anti-Netanyahu bloc. The Democrats would fall by one seat to nine, while Ra’am would rise to six seats, shifting one mandate from Zionist opposition parties to the Arab parties. No other changes were projected.

The poll also measured public preference for prime minister. After leading Netanyahu in several recent surveys, Eisenkot is now tied with him, with each receiving 37% support. Another 21% said neither candidate is suitable for the position, while 5% were undecided.

In a head-to-head matchup between Netanyahu and Naftali Bennett, Netanyahu narrowly leads with 38%, while Bennett receives 37%. Twenty-one percent said neither man is fit to serve as prime minister, and 4% were undecided.

Against Avigdor Liberman, Netanyahu holds a wider advantage, leading 38% to 27%. Thirty percent said neither candidate is suitable for the position, while 5% responded that they did not know.

The survey also examined public reaction to Defense Minister Yisroel Katz’s televised announcement that he intends to replace Central Command chief Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth. Overall, 34% rated Katz’s performance positively, while 57% gave him negative marks. Among coalition voters, 75% approved of Katz’s performance, compared to just 11% of opposition voters.

A majority of respondents also believe Katz’s actions were politically motivated. According to the poll, 52% said his conduct was driven by political considerations, while 28% believed he acted for professional reasons. Another 20% were undecided.

Asked specifically about Katz’s decision to dismiss Bluth, 47% said the move was inappropriate, compared with 17% who supported it. Thirty-six percent said they did not know. Among coalition voters, roughly one-third (32%) said the dismissal was justified.

Respondents were also asked whether Israel’s security situation has changed since the Oct. 7 massacre. Thirty-six percent said Israel’s security has deteriorated, while 35% believe it has improved. Another 23% said the situation has remained unchanged.

The poll found widespread skepticism about whether Israel has achieved victory after nearly three years of war. Sixty-two percent said Netanyahu has not led the country to victory, while 28% said he has. Among coalition voters, however, 68% said Netanyahu has led Israel to victory.

Asked which national leader they trust most on security matters, Eisenkot ranked first with 30%, followed by Bennett at 17% and Liberman at 13%. Thirty-three percent said they trusted none of the three, while 7% were undecided.

The survey also found that most Israelis do not believe the country will ever achieve the often-stated goal of “complete victory” in Gaza. Sixty-two percent said they do not believe such an outcome will be reached, compared with 25% who said they do. Among coalition voters, 55% still believe Israel will ultimately achieve “complete victory,” while 34% do not.

Similarly, the public expressed little confidence that Hamas will ever disarm or cease posing a threat to Israel. Seventy-two percent said they do not believe Hamas will lay down its weapons, while only 18% said they believe it will. Among coalition voters, 59% said they do not believe Hamas will disarm, compared with 31% who said they do. Among opposition voters, 87% expressed disbelief that Hamas would ever disarm.

Regarding Lebanon, 63% of respondents said they do not believe the U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon will ultimately lead to peace or to Hezbollah giving up its weapons. Twenty-three percent said they believe it will, while 14% were undecided.

On Iran, 35% of respondents believe Netanyahu’s handling of the various rounds of fighting has reduced the Iranian threat to Israel. By contrast, 27% believe the threat has actually grown, while 28% said it has remained unchanged.

Finally, the survey found majority support for renewing military action against Iran. Overall, 51% favor resuming the war, while 34% oppose doing so. Support is especially strong among coalition voters, where 74% back renewed military action, while 48% of opposition voters also expressed support.

Energy Minister Eli Cohen, a member of Israel’s Diplomatic-Security Cabinet, reaffirmed his support for Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s position on the enlistment of the chareidi community, saying that only those whose full-time occupation is Torah learning should remain in yeshiva. He also discussed the proposed Draft Law, the war against Iran, the future of Gaza, and the question of a Palestinian state.

Speaking in an interview with Kan Moreshet, Cohen said the Likud’s position has been consistent for years, declaring, “Anyone whose Torah study is not their full-time occupation should enlist.” He said the Draft Law should have been approved during the current Knesset but expressed hope that it will be passed after the elections in a manner that both protects the value of Torah learning and addresses the IDF’s operational needs.

Cohen argued that if the legislation had moved forward earlier, it could have prevented disputes surrounding related proposals, including the Basic Law: Torah Study. He attributed the delay to the prime minister’s focus on leading the country throughout the war.

Addressing the chareidi community’s position, Cohen said that based on his conversations with gedolei Yisroel and chareidi leadership, he believes there is agreement that those who are not learning in yeshiva should perform military service.

Turning to the upcoming elections, Cohen defended Likud’s decision to allow the prime minister to reserve several places on the party’s slate while noting that the overwhelming majority of candidates will still be selected through party primaries. He described the election as one of historic importance because of the battle against the creation of a Palestinian state and the effort to complete judicial reform.

Cohen also said he believes the Israeli public has moved significantly to the right since the Oct. 7 massacre, even if current polling does not fully reflect that shift. He criticized Yashar! chairman Gadi Eisenkot, Yisrael Beytenu leader MK Avigdor Liberman, and former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, while urging right-wing voters to unite behind Likud.

Discussing Iran, Cohen said the regime has refrained from launching direct attacks against Israel because it understands the consequences of an Israeli military response. He added that President Donald Trump is still allowing diplomacy another opportunity but stressed that Israel does not trust agreements reached with the Iranian regime.

Cohen also expressed confidence that the United States would take action if Iran continues violating its commitments, adding that lasting stability throughout the Middle East will only come after the current regime in Tehran is no longer in power.

“A regime that oppresses its own people and drives them into economic collapse cannot continue to exist,” he warned.

On the war in Gaza, Cohen said Israel remains willing to pursue a diplomatic solution if it includes Hamas laying down its weapons, though he said he believes the terrorist organization is unlikely to agree voluntarily.

“If that doesn’t happen, we have the ability to do it ourselves,” he said.

Concluding the interview, Cohen discussed plans for Gaza after the war, saying Israel has learned an important lesson from past experience. “Experience has proven that where there is no settlement, there is no security.”

Referring to proposals to reestablish Jewish communities in northern Gaza, Cohen pledged, “There will be only one state between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea – the State of Israel.”

A widespread power outage struck the American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Monday afternoon, bringing amusement rides to an abrupt stop and forcing visitors to evacuate several attractions while crews worked to restore electricity.

The outage began at approximately 3 p.m. Although the exact cause has not yet been determined, PSE&G said the disruption stemmed from “an issue with equipment internal to American Dream’s electrical system” and stated that crews are working to restore service.

Mall officials said all guests were safely removed from the affected rides. Firefighters from the East Rutherford Fire Department assisted in evacuating several riders who had initially been stranded. One individual reportedly experienced difficulty breathing during the incident.

In a statement, American Dream said, “Due to a localized power outage, some areas of the center are currently without power. We are working closely with the utility company to restore service as safely and quickly as possible.”

Videos shared on social media showed a relatively orderly scene inside the mall, with shoppers walking through dimly lit corridors and visitors calmly waiting near the pool area after being instructed to exit the water. One witness said the largest crowd formed near customer service, where many people appeared to be seeking refunds.

For many visitors, the unexpected outage turned an anticipated day of entertainment into a frustrating experience.

One guest recalled that all the lights suddenly went out, followed by a “really loud noise,” after which the amusement rides immediately stopped operating.

Tourist Tony Rodgers, who had traveled from Florida, expressed his disappointment, saying, “I go to the mall and there’s no power. Everything’s all blacked out. I’m like, there’s no way. I came all the way from Florida and today is the day there is no power.”

Another visitor said, “We were waiting for a ride. We were about to get on when the power went out.”

{Matzav.com}

Simon & Schuster is facing mounting criticism after one of its publishing imprints signed a Palestinian author who has repeatedly posted inflammatory anti-Jewish rhetoric online, praised acts of terrorism, and made statements celebrating violence against Jews and Christians.

According to the Washington Free Beacon, author Susan Abulhawa has reached an agreement with Atria Books, a Simon & Schuster imprint, to republish two of her novels this September. Abulhawa has previously referred to Israelis as “Jewish Supremacist Vampires” and described Hamas’ Oct. 7 massacre as “a spectacular moment.”

Jessica Laino, a spokeswoman for Simon & Schuster, announced the publishing deal in a July press release sent to the Free Beacon, praising Abulhawa’s “signature lyrical voice” and “nuanced characters.”

Under the agreement, Atria Books will republish Abulhawa’s novels Mornings in Jenin and The Blue Between Sky and Water on Sept. 29, 2026.

Atria is one of Simon & Schuster’s flagship publishing imprints and is known for releasing books by bestselling authors including Colleen Hoover, Brad Thor, Janet Evanovich, and Philippa Gregory.

Abulhawa drew renewed public attention after the Free Beacon reported that Rama Duwaji—the wife of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who has faced criticism over past remarks about Israel—created illustrations for an essay included in Abulhawa’s book Every Moment Is a Life.

That essay appeared in February through Everything Is Political, a project affiliated with Slow Factory, an organization that describes itself as an “environmental & social justice nonprofit organization.”

Long before that collaboration, Abulhawa had established a lengthy record of incendiary social media posts targeting Jews and Israel.

In one post published on X in December 2025, she described Israelis as “rootless, soulless ghouls.” Months earlier, in September, she called Israel a “cultureless, rootless human aberration in the form of a manufactured ‘nation,'” and added that “we live in the time of jewish supremacist demons.”

That same month, Abulhawa referred to a pro-Israel commentator as a “lying Jewish supremacist cockroach” and criticized what she called “Dual loyalty zionists.”

In other posts, she labeled Israelis “demonic parasite[s],” declared that “Israel must be dismantled if humanity is going to have any chance at a moral future,” and wrote that “we will have our revenge someday” against the “sons of satan.”

The rhetoric became so controversial that even Mamdani, a frequent critic of Israel, publicly distanced himself from Abulhawa after questions arose regarding his wife’s artistic collaboration with the author.

“I think that that rhetoric is patently unacceptable. I think it’s reprehensible,” Mamdani said of Abulhawa at a March 13 press conference, when asked about his wife’s artistic collaboration with the writer. Mamdani has maintained that Duwaji was unaware of the author’s social media posts.

The criticism has continued even after Simon & Schuster announced the publishing agreement. In a July 31 post on X, Abulhawa wrote that the Holocaust had “lost its meaning” and claimed that “the whole world is sick of hearing about it.”

She continued, “These clowns invoke that genocide with every perceived slight,” adding, “There is an extreme overrepresentation of Jews in every branch of government, media, and culture.”

Earlier in July, Abulhawa also suggested that Jews bore responsibility for the circumstances that led to the Holocaust and implied history could repeat itself.

In a July 24 post on X, she wrote, “The way zios keep boasting about the extraordinary power they wield reminds me of how they also boasted and took credit for Germany’s defeat in the First World War that culminated in the Treaty of Versailles and led to the rise of extreme anti-Jewish sentiment. History will rhyme.” The post has since been accompanied by a community note stating that it repeats the Nazi-era “stab-in-the-back” blood libel against Jews.

The following day, Abulhawa praised Kozo Okamoto, writing, “Rest in power Comrade Kozo Okamoto. You were an inspiration to all who knew you and all who knew of your heroic life. You were an embodiment of solidarity and love of the people.”

Okamoto was the last surviving participant in the 1972 Lod Airport Massacre, in which 26 people were murdered, including 17 Christian pilgrims from Puerto Rico. Lod Airport, where the attack took place, is now known as Ben Gurion International Airport.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration has approved a massive extension of the city’s hotel shelter program, renewing a contract worth as much as $1.86 billion that will allow hotels throughout the five boroughs to continue housing homeless individuals and families through 2029.

According to the New York Post, the renewed agreement with the Hotel Association of New York City Foundation, which represents nearly 300 hotels, covers the period from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029. The arrangement allows the city to place people seeking emergency shelter in hotel rooms when additional space is needed to comply with New York City’s legal right-to-shelter requirement.

A spokesperson for the Department of Homeless Services said, “Over the last 15 years, DHS has faced numerous crises that forced it to rely on commercial hotels to temporarily house clients.”

The spokesperson continued, “DHS is focused not only on upholding New York City’s right to shelter but improving outcomes for all the New Yorkers we serve. As such, we continue to work to transform the city’s shelter system by opening new, high-quality shelters while gradually phasing out the use of commercial hotels for families with children.”

City officials said the extension is intended to preserve enough emergency shelter space while the city transitions to more permanent housing facilities. Under New York City’s right-to-shelter law, officials are required to provide housing to anyone who requests it.

As of July 31, the Department of Homeless Services reported that 82,929 adults and children were staying in shelters across New York City.

Explaining the decision, the department said, “By exercising the renewal option of the agency’s master contract with HANYC, DHS will be able to retain critical hotel capacity, as needed, while we work to bring more traditional capacity online, reduce reliance on hotels, and rightsize our shelter footprint over the coming years.”

Officials emphasized that while the agreement authorizes spending of up to $1.86 billion, the city is not expected to necessarily use the full amount because hotel rooms will only be utilized when additional shelter capacity is required.

New York City dramatically expanded its reliance on hotels during the COVID-19 pandemic in an effort to reduce overcrowding in traditional shelters. The same approach was later used during the migrant crisis, when thousands of asylum seekers arrived in the city.

At the height of that influx, approximately 150 hotels, motels, and inns were converted into temporary shelters.

The Hotel Association of New York City Foundation said it was awarded the original contract in January 2025 after prevailing in a competitive bidding process.

“It is a continuation of HANYC’s well-documented role as a responsible stakeholder since the COVID crisis when the organization moved, pro bono, over 18,000 people from shelters to hotels on an emergency basis from May 2020 to December 2021,” said the organization’s chief executive officer, Vijay Dandapani.

Beyond the hotel agreement itself, the Department of Homeless Services also approved more than $87 million in contracts through its Integrated Commercial Hotels Program to provide services for homeless residents housed in those facilities.

Housing Works received a $47.2 million contract, while Neighbors 4 Neighbors was awarded $40.28 million to provide on-site support and assist homeless individuals and families with their daily needs.

The city’s continued use of hotels as shelters has sparked criticism from those who argue that removing thousands of hotel rooms from the tourism market contributes to New York City’s already high lodging prices.

Homelessness advocates, however, contend that the program remains necessary because the city still lacks sufficient shelter space and affordable housing to meet existing demand.

Nine people, including seven children, were injured Monday afternoon after a vehicle transporting students from a special education school crashed into a tree on the Palisades Interstate Parkway between New York and New Jersey.

The accident occurred at approximately 1:15 p.m. local time in the southbound lanes of the Palisades Parkway near Exit 11, prompting a large emergency response from multiple agencies.

Numerous emergency personnel responded to the scene, including Hatzalah volunteers, Spring Hill EMS, Rockland County paramedics, and several law enforcement units. First responders treated the injured, secured the crash site, and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident.

According to sources, the vehicle was transporting seven children and two adults from a special education school when it veered off the road and struck a tree. One child sustained serious injuries, while the remaining passengers were reported to be in stable condition.

All nine occupants of the vehicle were transported to Westchester Medical Center for treatment. No additional information has been released regarding the condition of the child who was seriously injured.

The accident caused major traffic delays in the southbound lanes of the Palisades Parkway, and motorists were advised to avoid the area and use alternate routes while emergency crews remained on the scene.

Authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of the crash.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace is calling on Israel to stop its ongoing air campaign in Gaza, arguing that the continued strikes are putting a U.S.-backed peace initiative at risk. The appeal comes after Hamas agreed to a proposed framework, though Israel has not fully accepted the plan.

According to the Washington Examiner, Israeli warplanes continued carrying out airstrikes throughout the Gaza Strip over the weekend despite Hamas’ acceptance last week of a framework that would require the terrorist group to demilitarize in exchange for a broader ceasefire and political agreement.

The Examiner reported that Board of Peace Director-General Nikolay Mladenov met with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Monday in an effort to persuade Israel to immediately halt the military operation.

Mladenov argued that the continued strikes are damaging prospects for peace while further worsening the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

“The Israeli strikes have killed civilians and destroyed medical supplies that people depend on,” Mladenov said Sunday.

He further stated that both Israel and Hamas remain bound by the Comprehensive Plan and the Sharm El Sheikh agreement, which led to the release of the remaining hostages and established the foundation for the current diplomatic process.

The Board of Peace maintains that Israel is obligated to follow the framework because of commitments made during last year’s Gaza peace summit.

Israeli officials, however, have voiced concerns about key elements of the proposal, citing questions about security guarantees, how the agreement would be implemented, and whether Hamas will actually fulfill its obligations before Israel is expected to take additional steps.

The disagreement comes as renewed fighting has cast fresh doubt on hopes of reaching a lasting ceasefire.

Although the United States and regional mediators continue working toward a diplomatic resolution, Israel has pressed ahead with strikes against what it says are Hamas military targets. Israeli leaders have insisted that operations will continue until the country’s security objectives are achieved.

Hamas has said it is willing to proceed with the demilitarization framework, provided Israel also carries out its commitments under the proposed agreement.

The Board of Peace has cautioned that further military action by either side could derail implementation of the broader peace plan and postpone efforts to rebuild Gaza.

For its part, Israel has given no indication that it plans to suspend military operations, maintaining that Hamas must first prove it is fully complying with the agreement before Israel considers making additional concessions.

Iran on Monday denied President Donald Trump’s assertion that negotiations with the United States were about to begin, insisting that no meetings are planned and that no diplomatic contacts with Washington are currently taking place.

The denial came after Trump announced that he had decided against authorizing military strikes on Iran and instead would pursue a diplomatic path.

Speaking aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump said, “Would I rather make a deal? I’m not looking to kill people.”

He also declared, “Now what we’re doing is talking to them, in the form of a negotiation. It begins tomorrow afternoon,” though he did not specify where the discussions would take place or who would participate.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei dismissed Trump’s statement, saying there are no negotiations underway with the United States and no meetings scheduled. He added that Iran has no intention of receiving foreign delegations or sending its own negotiators abroad in the coming days.

Baghaei said all of Iran’s negotiating officials are currently inside the country, with the exception of Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, who is on a religious pilgrimage in Iraq. He added that the only ongoing diplomatic discussions involve Oman and are focused on issues related to the Strait of Hormuz.

A senior Iranian official also told Reuters that no negotiations with the United States are planned and said Araqchi is expected to remain unavailable until at least the end of the week.

The latest exchange follows a pattern that has emerged since Trump launched “Operation Epic Fury” alongside Israel more than five months ago, in which threats of U.S. military action have repeatedly been followed by renewed efforts to pursue diplomacy.

Despite those efforts, Iran has consistently refused to resume negotiations with Washington since a memorandum of understanding intended to end the conflict fell apart in early July.

The Trump administration has said its goals include dismantling Iran’s nuclear program, weakening Tehran’s ability to threaten neighboring countries, and creating conditions that could lead to political change within the Islamic Republic. Analysts continue to debate how much progress has been made toward those objectives.

The military confrontation has produced repeated cycles of escalation and retaliation involving U.S. forces, Iran, America’s Gulf allies, and commercial shipping, with periods of fighting alternating with diplomatic outreach.

One of the central sticking points remains the Strait of Hormuz. The United States maintains that the June memorandum required Iran to keep the strategic waterway open, while Iranian officials contend the agreement explicitly preserved Tehran’s authority over maritime traffic through the strait.

Some analysts believe such an interpretation would leave Iran with greater influence over the shipping lane than it had before the conflict, a result they argue would represent a setback for the Trump administration.

Iran has continued to reject U.S. demands concerning the Strait of Hormuz, and the uncertainty surrounding the vital waterway has contributed to rising global oil prices and politically sensitive increases in gasoline prices in the United States.

Oil markets reacted positively on Monday after Trump opted not to proceed with military action, with Brent crude prices falling by more than 4% to roughly $84 per barrel.

Meanwhile, the British maritime security agency UKMTO reported that the captain of a vessel traveling through the Strait of Hormuz observed an explosion in the water near the ship overnight. No injuries were reported.