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Newly released military footage is shedding light on a remarkable incident that occurred in the aftermath of the Chinese spy balloon controversy, when a U.S. fighter jet reportedly destroyed what was later identified as a Boy Scout research balloon using a missile worth roughly half a million dollars.

According to a report by the New York Post, the U.S. Air Force dispatched an F-16 over Lake Huron on February 12, 2023, to intercept what officials initially believed could be an unidentified aerial threat. The object was destroyed by what was likely an AIM-9 Sidewinder missile.

The footage, released last month by the Department of Defense as part of a new batch of declassified UFO-related records, shows a dark orb-like object with a string attached appearing briefly in the fighter pilot’s targeting system before being blown apart.

“The F16 shot at a balloon over Lake Huron. After the [Chinese spy] balloon embarrassment, DOD was shooting at every [Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena] they detected,” Tim Phillips, a former interim director of AARO, told The Post.

The object was later identified as belonging to a Boy Scout group, according to Sean Kirkpatrick, the former head of the Pentagon’s All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO).

“[The balloon] had circumnavigated the globe eight times before we shot it down with a half-million-dollar missile,” Kirkpatrick said at a conference on April 27.

“You can imagine the response on the Hill when I briefed that,” he said at that conference.

Kirkpatrick added that the balloon had been part of an ongoing research initiative, though he did not provide further details about the project.

The incident occurred just days after the Chinese spy balloon crossed the United States, a controversy that generated intense criticism of the Biden administration’s handling of the situation and led to heightened sensitivity regarding unidentified objects in American airspace.

The Lake Huron incident was not the only costly interception during that period. On February 11, 2023, a U.S. F-22 reportedly fired a missile costing approximately $439,000 to destroy a hobbyist research balloon over Alaska.

According to The Guardian, that balloon belonged to the Northern Illinois Bottlecap Balloon Brigade and reportedly cost just $12 to build.

Kirkpatrick also recounted another episode involving a military pilot who reported encountering an object with what appeared to be advanced stealth characteristics. After receiving authorization to engage, the pilot ultimately destroyed what turned out to be a star-shaped Mylar party balloon purchased at Walmart bearing the message “Happy Birthday.”

Many of the military videos depicting unidentified aerial phenomena, some of which have been released by the Trump administration, have ultimately been traced to ordinary man-made objects that were initially misidentified by drone operators and military personnel.

“They’ve been on mission and they’ve got to get back to base to rearm and refuel. And you’ve got a bored operator looking around. And they pick something up and aren’t sure what it is,” Phillips said.

Phillips argued that the reporting system has improved significantly in recent years and that military personnel are increasingly willing to document unusual sightings for further analysis.

“We’re actually seeing, good reporting coming out of the fleet, coming out of the operation wings and squadrons, where they’re willing to report this stuff. And this is part of that outreach where we get our scientists to talk to the Reaper operators and actually go side by side and try to do some education,” he said.

{Matzav.com}

Jewish communities in Canada were shaken over the weekend after two separate attacks targeted shuls in Toronto and Montreal within less than 24 hours, prompting strong condemnation from officials and renewed concerns about rising antisemitism across the country.

During the early hours of Shabbos, a window at Congregation Mishkan Avraham in Toronto’s North York neighborhood was shattered after an unidentified object was thrown at the building. The synagogue is located near the intersection of Bathurst Street and Glencairn Avenue.

No injuries were reported, but authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. According to Canadian media reports, Toronto Police’s Hate Crime Unit is leading the probe and has appealed to the public for information.

Israel’s Consulate General in Toronto condemned what it described as an antisemitic attack on the synagogue, calling the incident part of a troubling pattern of anti-Jewish hostility seen across Canada in recent days.

The Toronto attack came shortly after another serious incident in Montreal. On Friday, assailants allegedly hurled Molotov cocktails at a shul in an apparent attempt to set the building on fire.

“Within less than 24 hours, two Jewish houses of worship were attacked in two major Canadian cities,” the Israeli consulate said in a statement.

The incidents occurred amid growing concern over antisemitism in Canada. Earlier this week, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney warned about a significant increase in incitement and attacks directed at the country’s Jewish community.

In its statement, the Israeli consulate noted that “the Jewish community has heard countless condemnations over the past two and a half years, yet Jewish institutions continue to be targeted.”

The consulate also praised Toronto police for their swift response while urging authorities to take stronger action against antisemitic violence.

“A synagogue must never become a crime scene, and Jews in Canada should not have to live with the feeling that the only question is which Jewish institution will be targeted next,” the statement said. “Authorities must make clear through actions, not only statements, that antisemitic violence has no place in Canada.”

{Matzav.com}

New details emerging from the investigation into last week’s violent demonstration outside the home of Deputy Supreme Court President Justice Noam Sohlberg suggest that some participants allegedly intended to physically harm the judge, according to a report by Channel 12 News.

Senior officials involved in the investigation reportedly expressed surprise at both the level of planning and the brazenness of the operation. According to the report, police investigators have described the incident as displaying a “clear intention to carry out a pogrom.”

Investigators believe the disturbance was not a spontaneous protest that spiraled out of control but rather a carefully orchestrated operation that was carried out under the guise of a demonstration.

According to sources familiar with the investigation, many of those involved differed from the typical participants seen at public protests. Some reportedly arrived equipped with GoPro cameras, while others allegedly used false identities in an effort to avoid arrest and hinder law enforcement efforts.

A police source told Channel 12 that several of the suspects are believed to be military draft evaders and are not individuals usually associated with such demonstrations.

“These are people who came to carry out a pogrom and leave,” a source familiar with the investigation told the network.

Police officials reportedly believe they have identified the individual who organized and directed the event and expect to take further action as the investigation progresses.

According to the information gathered so far, the alleged organizer knew precisely that the target location was Justice Sohlberg’s residence, while some of those who took part in the protest were apparently told only that they were demonstrating outside the home of a senior public figure.

Investigators currently believe that the rapid arrival of a large police tactical force prevented the situation from escalating further. According to police assessments, had officers not intervened quickly and dispersed the crowd, some of the suspects may have carried out their alleged plan to physically attack Justice Sohlberg.

The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are continuing efforts to identify additional participants and determine who was responsible for organizing the demonstration.

{Matzav.com}

Opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot publicly rebuked Yair Lapid today, rejecting speculation that he is preparing to join a political alliance with Lapid and Naftali Bennett and revealing a significant breakdown in communication between the two camps.

In an interview with Channel 12 News, Eisenkot dismissed Lapid’s recent prediction that he would soon become part of a united opposition bloc, suggesting the comment stemmed more from political pressure than from any real discussions.

“That was a strange statement. I assume it came out of pressure,” Eisenkot said. He noted that he and Lapid have barely spoken in recent months, with only a brief phone conversation taking place during that period.

Eisenkot acknowledged that the two had worked together in the past but said those efforts ultimately failed. Looking ahead, he said his focus is on defeating Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu alongside a broad coalition of opposition figures, including Lapid, Bennett, Avigdor Lieberman, Yair Golan, and others.

The former IDF chief of staff also disclosed that relations between the parties have deteriorated sharply. According to Eisenkot, regular communication ended roughly three months ago following decisions made by Lapid’s camp.

He said he had spent months advocating for a meeting of opposition party leaders to coordinate strategy, establish a common platform, and potentially present what he described as a “shadow cabinet” to the public. However, he claimed other opposition leaders were unwilling to participate.

Eisenkot also poured cold water on growing talk of opposition mergers and joint electoral lists, arguing that such decisions are premature given the uncertainty surrounding the political landscape.

He said party leaders must first determine what new political movements may emerge and when elections will actually take place, adding that the situation should be reassessed regularly with one central question in mind: what is most likely to produce victory.

At the same time, Eisenkot raised eyebrows by refusing to rule out the possibility of sitting with Netanyahu under certain circumstances. When asked whether he would consider joining a Netanyahu-led government rather than sending Israel to another round of elections, he declined to give a direct answer.

Instead, Eisenkot turned his attention to criticizing the prime minister and expressed confidence that Netanyahu’s time in office is nearing its end.

“I’m focused 24 hours a day, six days a week — on Shabbat I rest — in order to defeat Netanyahu,” Eisenkot said. He added that he is convinced Netanyahu will lose the next election and argued that it would be unreasonable for him to remain prime minister after the October 7 attacks and more than two years of war.

The comments underscore growing tensions within Israel’s opposition camp, where leaders remain united in their desire to replace Netanyahu but increasingly divided over how to achieve that goal.

{Matzav.com}

A new public opinion survey indicates that a clear majority of Israelis would prefer to see a new prime minister after the next election, while confidence in the government’s handling of the conflict with Hezbollah remains low and President Donald Trump is widely viewed as the dominant influence on Israel’s security policy.

According to a poll published by Channel 12 News, 58% of respondents said they want someone other than Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu to lead the country following the next election. Only 32% said they would like Netanyahu to remain in office for another term.

The survey also revealed striking perceptions regarding Israel’s security decision-making. Fully 67% of respondents said they believe President Donald Trump is the person who effectively determines Israel’s security policy, while only 22% said Netanyahu is the primary decision-maker.

Even among voters who intend to support parties in the governing coalition, Trump was viewed as the more influential figure. Among that group, 47% said Trump sets Israel’s security policy, compared to 43% who credited Netanyahu.

Participants were also asked whether recent events had increased their concerns about the future of Israeli democracy. The question followed reports alleging that Likud lawmakers were pressured to photograph themselves while voting in the State Comptroller election, as well as protests and disturbances outside the home of Deputy Supreme Court President Justice Noam Sohlberg.

A majority of respondents expressed concern, with 53% saying they are worried about the future of democracy in Israel. By contrast, 38% said they are not concerned.

When asked to evaluate the leadership’s performance in the war against Hezbollah, respondents delivered largely negative ratings to senior political officials.

Netanyahu received a negative overall assessment from 56% of those surveyed, while 39% said his performance had been generally positive.

Defense Minister Israel Katz fared even worse. Sixty percent rated his performance negatively, while just 31% gave him a favorable assessment.

In contrast, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir received significantly stronger marks from the public. Fifty-nine percent said he has performed well during the conflict with Hezbollah, while 28% rated his performance negatively.

The survey also examined which national leader Israelis view as the most trustworthy. Former IDF Chief of Staff and National Unity Party leader Gadi Eisenkot led the field with 38%, followed by Netanyahu at 27%. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett trailed with 12%.

Eisenkot also topped the list when respondents were asked who would best represent and care for the interests of his voters. He received 28%, followed by Netanyahu at 25% and Bennett at 16%.

On the question of who would best safeguard Israel’s security, Eisenkot again finished first with 36%, narrowly ahead of Netanyahu, who received 33%. Bennett remained far behind at 12%.

Economic issues produced a different result. Asked who would be most effective in addressing the economy and the rising cost of living, respondents placed Bennett first at 28%, followed by Netanyahu at 26% and Eisenkot at 16%.

The survey also found that Netanyahu received the weakest rating on the issue of healing divisions within Israeli society. Eisenkot led that category with 27%, Bennett followed with 21%, and Netanyahu came in at 20%.

{Matzav.com}

New reports from the United States have raised serious allegations that Israel has intensified intelligence-gathering efforts targeting senior members of President Donald Trump’s administration, claims that Israeli officials are strongly denying.

According to reports cited by Israeli media, American intelligence agencies believe Israel recently increased efforts to obtain information about high-ranking U.S. officials, sparking concerns within parts of the American security establishment.

A report in The New York Times stated that U.S. intelligence assessments allegedly point to surveillance activities involving several senior officials, including Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby, and his deputy, Michael DiMino.

According to the report, one intelligence assessment was prepared after American security personnel stationed in Israel reportedly discovered software installed on their devices that investigators suspected may have been used for monitoring purposes. Another assessment allegedly claimed that U.S. military intelligence officials recently elevated the threat level posed by Israeli intelligence activities from “high” to “critical.”

Earlier, NBC News reported that concern has been growing within the Pentagon over alleged Israeli efforts to gain insight into internal administration deliberations, particularly amid policy disagreements between Washington and Jerusalem regarding Iran, the regional conflict, and broader Middle East strategy.

Israeli officials swiftly rejected the allegations. In a statement, Israel’s embassy in Washington described the claims as “completely false” and insisted that Israel does not conduct intelligence operations against American officials or members of the U.S. government.

The embassy further stated that Israel’s intelligence resources are focused on hostile actors and security threats, not on allied nations.

The reports emerge at a particularly sensitive moment in U.S.-Israel relations. While the two countries continue to maintain close military and intelligence cooperation, tensions have surfaced in recent months over the handling of Iran, regional security challenges, and aspects of the Trump administration’s Middle East policies.

If the allegations gain traction in Washington, they could add a new layer of strain to one of America’s most important strategic alliances, even as Israeli officials continue to categorically deny any wrongdoing.

{Matzav.com}

In a dramatic move just days after taking office, newly appointed Mossad Director Roman Gofman has removed the agency’s deputy director from his position, signaling the beginning of a major leadership reshuffle at Israel’s premier intelligence service.

According to a statement issued by the Mossad through the Prime Minister’s Office, Gofman informed the official, identified only as “A.,” that his tenure as deputy director would be coming to an end. The statement added that the new Mossad chief intends to appoint a replacement from within the organization.

The Mossad emphasized that Gofman expressed deep appreciation for A.’s more than two decades of service and his substantial contributions to Israel’s national security.

During his 22 years with the agency, A. served on the front lines of some of the Mossad’s most sensitive operational activities. He held senior positions in three operational divisions, commanded two of them, and played a leading role in numerous groundbreaking missions. In recognition of his achievements, he was awarded the Israel Security Prize on five separate occasions.

The statement further noted that A. wished Gofman success in his new role and conveyed his readiness to continue making his experience and expertise available to the Mossad and the State of Israel whenever needed.

Officials described the move as part of Gofman’s effort to assemble the senior leadership team that will work alongside him as he confronts the strategic challenges and operational objectives facing the organization in the coming years.

Military correspondent Doron Kadosh of Army Radio characterized the decision as highly unusual, particularly given that it comes only days after Gofman assumed leadership of the agency and while he is still becoming familiar with its operations.

Kadosh pointed to a contrasting example within the Shin Bet. When David Zini recently took over as head of the domestic security service, he asked then-Deputy Director “Sh.” to remain in his position for several months to assist with the transition and orientation process. Sh. ultimately stayed on as deputy chief of the Shin Bet for approximately three months—after previously serving as acting director—before deciding to step down.

The swift dismissal of the Mossad’s second-in-command underscores Gofman’s determination to quickly shape the agency’s top leadership and could signal broader changes within the organization in the weeks ahead.

{Matzav.com}

The IDF on Motzaei Shabbos cleared for publication the names of two soldiers who lost their lives in southern Lebanon: Capt. Shachar Gamla, who succumbed to wounds sustained in combat, and Sgt. Ohad Yaari, who was killed during an operational incident that is now under investigation.

Capt. Shachar Gamla, 23, of Natur in the Golan Heights, served as deputy company commander in the elite Egoz Unit of the Commando Brigade. The IDF announced that he died from severe injuries suffered during fighting in southern Lebanon.

Sgt. Ohad Yaari, 21, of Rechovot, was a combat soldier in the Shaked Battalion of the Givati Brigade. He was killed during operational activity in southern Lebanon.

According to the IDF, Gamla was critically wounded on Thursday when a Hezbollah explosive drone struck forces operating in southern Lebanon. News of his serious condition emerged shortly before Shabbos, as doctors fought to save his life. Despite extensive medical efforts, he passed away on Shabbos, and his family was subsequently notified.

The Golan Regional Council issued a statement mourning the loss of one of its sons. “It is with great sorrow that we announce the fall in battle in Lebanon of Capt. Shachar Gamla, of blessed memory, from Natur, an officer in the Egoz reconnaissance unit. Shachar, 24, was the son of Yishai and Leah (Leah’leh), director of the Children and Youth Department at the Golan Community Center, and the older brother of Rotem and Nitzan. He was severely wounded in battle on the night between Thursday and Friday, and sadly passed away from his injuries this morning.”

The council added that “Shachar’s roots were planted deep in the soil of the Golan that he loved.” It continued: “At this difficult hour, the Golan community embraces Leah’leh, Yishai and the children, the extended family in Moshav Keshet, and the community of Natur. The council and all of the Golan salute the soldiers of the IDF who continue, even during these days, to defend the State of Israel. We hope and daven for good news and besuros tovos for all of Klal Yisroel.”

Meanwhile, details emerged regarding the death of Sgt. Yaari. According to initial reports, he was killed Friday afternoon at approximately 1:00 p.m. after being struck by a bullet discharged from a fellow soldier’s weapon in the village of Kfar Zutar al-Sharqiya in southern Lebanon.

The incident reportedly occurred inside a building being used as the forward command post of the Givati Brigade commander, from where the brigade’s operations in the area were being directed.

Military officials said the circumstances surrounding the accidental discharge remain under investigation. The Military Police Criminal Investigation Division has opened a probe, and its findings will be forwarded to military prosecutors upon completion.

Defense Minister Israel Katz paid tribute to the two fallen soldiers, saying: “With deep sorrow I mourn the fall of Sgt. Ohad Yaari, a fighter in the Givati Brigade, and Capt. Shachar Gamla, deputy company commander in the Egoz Unit, who fell in southern Lebanon.

“Ohad and Shachar, among the finest of our sons, fought to defend the State of Israel and its citizens with a profound sense of mission, responsibility and love of the land. I send my heartfelt condolences to their dear families, embrace them in this difficult hour, and pray for the complete recovery of all those wounded, in body and spirit.

“IDF soldiers continue at this very hour to operate courageously in Lebanon against the Hezbollah terrorist organization in order to eliminate threats, protect the communities of the north, and ensure the security of Israel’s citizens. The price is heavy and painful, but the determination and heroism of our soldiers to complete the mission is stronger than anything. May the memories of Ohad and Shachar be a blessing.”

{Matzav.com}

Vice President JD Vance triggered a sharp dispute between Washington and London on Friday after linking the killing of a British teenager to what he described as the destructive consequences of mass migration and the decline of Western civilization.

His remarks focused on the murder of 18-year-old Henry Nowak and drew an immediate response from the British government, which accused outside figures of attempting to meddle in the country’s internal affairs and deepen social divisions.

In a post on X, Vance wrote, “Henry Nowak died the same way a civilization dies: abandoned, handcuffed by authorities who neither trusted nor cared for him, and accused of hate crimes he did not commit.”

“His murder is as tragic as it is enraging.”

Vance, who has frequently criticized immigration policies across Europe, argued that the case should provoke what he called “righteous anger” among the public.

The death of Nowak has become a major flashpoint for conservatives and anti-migration activists internationally. The teenager was handcuffed by police while gravely wounded after being stabbed by Vickrum Digwa in Southampton in December. The case fueled widespread outrage and was followed by riots in parts of Britain.

Authorities said Digwa, 23, falsely claimed to police that he was the victim and alleged that Nowak had directed racial insults toward him.

The case has also attracted significant attention from Elon Musk, who has repeatedly criticized the police response on social media.

On Thursday, the U.S. State Department entered the controversy as well, condemning what it described as “ideological conditioning and two-tiered policing” connected to the incident.

Vance became the highest-ranking member of President Donald Trump’s administration to publicly address the case.

Expanding on his criticism, Vance stated, “He should still be alive today, and he would be if the last few generations of European elites had stood their ground against the politics of self-hatred and the mass invasion of migrants, many of whom despise the West and the people who love it.”

“Henry was far from the first to so needlessly lose his life, and I fear he won’t be the last.”

The vice president has been one of the administration’s most outspoken advocates of the view that large-scale migration is contributing to the erosion of Western societies and institutions.

British officials quickly pushed back against the American criticism.

In a statement issued by the office of Prime Minister Keir Starmer, a spokesperson said, “We have seen people trying to interfere in our democracy and seeking to stir up division on our streets.”

The spokesperson also noted that Henry Nowak’s relatives had publicly stated that they did not want his death “to be used to create further division, hatred or tension.”

Starmer himself took aim at Musk a day earlier, accusing the billionaire of “trying to whip up division” in Britain.

{Matzav.com}

Texas officials are racing to contain a growing outbreak of a dangerous flesh-eating parasite after a second case was confirmed in the state, prompting emergency measures and a temporary Canadian ban on livestock imports from Texas.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Friday that another case of the New World screwworm (NWS) had been identified in a calf in southern Texas. The infected animal was found roughly 5.5 miles (nine kilometers) from the location of the first confirmed case, which was reported just a day earlier.

As concerns mounted over the possibility of a wider outbreak, Texas Governor Greg Abbott declared a statewide disaster emergency on Friday in an effort to mobilize resources and strengthen containment efforts.

State authorities have also established a 12-mile quarantine zone around the affected area. Under the restrictions, all warm-blooded animals—including household pets—must undergo inspection before they can be moved out of the zone.

In response to the outbreak, Canada’s Food Inspection Agency announced a temporary prohibition on livestock imports from Texas. The ban applies to any livestock that has been in the state within the previous 21 days.

The New World screwworm was believed to have been eliminated from the United States in 1966 after an extensive eradication campaign.

A limited resurgence occurred in Florida in 2016, primarily affecting deer populations. That outbreak was successfully contained and eradicated the following year, according to federal officials.

Although absent from the United States for decades, the pest has continued to exist in parts of South America and has gradually expanded its range northward in recent years.

The initial Texas case, discovered near the Mexican border, raised immediate concerns among livestock producers, particularly cattle ranchers who could face significant losses if the parasite spreads.

The adult flies deposit eggs in open wounds or in the mucous membranes of warm-blooded animals. Once the eggs hatch, the larvae burrow into living tissue and begin feeding on flesh.

Without prompt treatment, infestations can become fatal. The parasites are also capable of spreading rapidly among animal populations.

Beyond livestock, the screwworm can infect wildlife, domestic pets, and even humans under certain circumstances.

The United States originally succeeded in wiping out the pest largely through the release of vast numbers of sterile male flies, which mated with wild females and prevented reproduction.

Federal officials said that effort is once again being deployed aggressively. Approximately four million sterile flies are currently being released from aircraft each week, while another four million sterile insects in the pupal stage are being distributed through ground-based release systems.

The economic stakes are substantial. A USDA analysis published last year estimated that a renewed screwworm infestation in Texas could inflict approximately $1.8 billion in damage on the state’s economy.

{Matzav.com}

Over the weekend, siblings Rika and Aharon Razel released a video message from Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Yerushalayim, where their brother, renowned singer and composer Yonatan Razel, remains hospitalized following a medical emergency.

In the video, Rika expressed heartfelt appreciation to the many people who have reached out with concern and have been davening for Yonatan’s recovery. She thanked the public for the outpouring of support, tefillos, and care shown to the family during this difficult time.

Aharon then presented a detailed letter he wrote in response to the numerous reports and rumors that have circulated since Yonatan’s hospitalization, seeking to provide an accurate picture of the situation.

Opening his message, Aharon wrote: “First, a huge thank you for all the prayers, concern, and love. It is moving, strengthening, and truly not taken for granted.”

He went on to clarify that many of the reports published in recent days had significantly overstated the severity of the situation. “It is important for me to clarify first of all: The reports published the day before yesterday in the media were somewhat exaggerated and completely out of proportion,” he wrote. “It was written there that he had suffered a stroke and was in life-threatening condition, which caused unnecessary hysteria. In reality, thank G-d, the story is calmer.”

Aharon emphasized that while Yonatan remains in need of the public’s tefillos, his condition is currently stable. “Yonatan indeed needs all of our prayers, but his condition is completely stable and he is under good supervision.”

Describing the sequence of events, Aharon explained, “During a performance, Yonatan felt very strong headaches. He thought it was just a migraine.” However, he credited a quick-thinking emergency responder with recognizing that the symptoms required immediate medical attention. According to Aharon, “an alert and resourceful paramedic who was there understood that this required examination and immediately ordered an ambulance.”

Upon arrival at the hospital, doctors discovered the cause of the pain. “they diagnosed him with a brain hemorrhage,” Aharon wrote, explaining that this is “a situation in which a blood vessel opens, and the blood, having nowhere to exit, creates pressure and severe pain.”

He stressed that the outcome could have been far worse and pointed to the rapid diagnosis as a tremendous siyata d’Shmaya. “The great miracle: Thanks to the rapid and early diagnosis, Yonatan was not harmed at all, thank G-d!” he wrote. Aharon added that his brother “is fully conscious, speaking, eating, drinking, and communicating normally.”

Providing a further update, he noted that Yonatan continues to be closely monitored by medical staff. He wrote that Yonatan “is hospitalized in the intensive care unit at Shaare Zedek for observation and close monitoring, to ensure that the situation remains stable and normal,” and that “he will probably remain there under observation for at least the next two weeks.”

Concluding his letter, Aharon invited people to remain in contact and continue showing their concern. “You are warmly invited to speak with me!” he wrote. He explained that he issued the statement so that he would not need to repeat the details of the incident numerous times, while emphasizing that he remains “available and would be very happy for you to approach, take an interest, and ask.”

He ended with a request that Klal Yisroel continue davening on Yonatan’s behalf: “Please continue mentioning him in your prayers for a complete and speedy recovery: Yonatan Adi, the son of Chaya Rachel. Thank you very much for the warm heart and partnership, [may we share] good news!”

{Matzav.com}

A federal judge dealt a significant setback to the Trump administration’s immigration agenda on Friday, ruling that a policy effectively blocking asylum applications from dozens of countries violated federal law.

U.S. District Judge John McConnell invalidated the administration’s decision to stop accepting or responding to asylum requests from individuals originating in 39 nations, finding that the policy exceeded the government’s legal authority.

In his ruling, McConnell sharply criticized the actions of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, writing, “In enacting its latest immigration policies, USCIS: claims statutory and regulatory authority that it does not possess; makes decisions without the reasoned explanations that it must provide; acts without regard for the reliance interests of applicants that it must consider; and justifies its actions with pretextual concerns of ‘national security’ that mask anti-immigrant sentiments that it is forbidden from letting influence its decision-making. In legal terms that means USCIS’s actions are contrary to law and arbitrary and capricious.”

The judge further argued that the policy had left the futures of “countless immigrants living in the U.S. into an undefined state of legal limbo.”

Reports indicate that the restrictions primarily targeted migrants from countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. The policy was introduced after a November incident in which an Afghan migrant allegedly shot and wounded two members of the National Guard in Washington.

In the aftermath of that attack, President Donald Trump announced on social media that he would permanently suspend immigration from all “Third World” countries in order to “allow the American system to fully recover.” Soon afterward, federal agencies halted the processing of asylum claims from 39 countries.

The Department of Homeland Security had not publicly responded to the court ruling as of Friday. According to various reports, the decision could have sweeping implications for hundreds of thousands of migrants seeking either entry into the United States or permission to remain in the country.

{Matzav.com}

The Golan Regional Council announced the heartbreaking passing of Capt. Shachar Gamla, who died from wounds sustained during combat operations in southern Lebanon late Thursday night.

According to the IDF, Gamla, 23, a resident of Moshav Natur in the Golan Heights, served as deputy company commander in the Egoz Unit of the Commando Brigade. He was critically wounded during fighting in southern Lebanon and later succumbed to his injuries.

Shachar was the son of Yishai and Leah (Leah’leh), who serves as director of the Children and Youth Department at the Golan Community Center, and the older brother of Rotem and Nitzan. The Regional Council described him as someone whose roots were deeply connected to the Golan Heights, a region for which he held a profound love and attachment.

In an act of extraordinary generosity amid tragedy, Gamla’s family elected to donate his organs, enabling others to receive life-saving treatment. The Golan Regional Council stated that “the Golan community embraces Leah’leh, Yishai and the children, the extended family in Moshav Keshet, and the Natur community.”

“The Council and all of the Golan salute the IDF soldiers who continue, even in these days, to defend the country,” the statement added.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also paid tribute to the fallen officer, saying, “It is with heavy sorrow that we received the news this evening regarding Egoz commando fighter Captain Shahar Gamla, of blessed memory, who was severely wounded in battle in Lebanon and passed away this morning from his injuries, and Givati fighter Sergeant Ohad Yaari, of blessed memory, who fell during operational activity in southern Lebanon.”

Reflecting on their sacrifice, Netanyahu continued: “Shahar and Ohad, of blessed memory, were among our finest sons. They fought with supreme heroism to protect the communities of the north and the citizens of Israel, and their sacrifice and courage will be forever etched in our hearts.

“My wife and I, together with all citizens of Israel, send our condolences to the Gamla and Yaari families and embrace them in this hour of their profound grief. May their memory be a blessing.”

Gamla will be laid to rest on Sunday in Moshav Keshet.

{Matzav.com}

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Heed the call of the gedolim. Become a shutaf in the historic mission today.  https://www.rayze.it/olamhatorah

In a rare and unusual proceeding rooted in ancient segulos, a beis din in Teveria conducted the symbolic sale of the illness afflicting noted mekubal Rav Dov Kook to a non-Jew, following a practice cited in the writings of earlier poskim.

The ceremony was carried out under the supervision of the local beis din and was reportedly performed in accordance with the well-known segulah mentioned in classical seforim, including works of the Chida and the Chasam Sofer.

The development comes as the Torah world continues to daven for Rav Kook’s recovery amid concerns about his health.

As previously reported here on Matzav, earlier in the day, consultations were held regarding the possibility of adding a name to Rav Kook’s name for tefillah. Following deliberations on the matter, the mashgiach, Rav Dan Segal, advised that the name “Chizkiyahu” be added as a segulah.

All are asked to daven for Rav Chizkiyahu Dov HaKohen ben Shoshana.

{Matzav.com}

The Vizhnitzer chassidus in Bnei Brak has announced a major gathering scheduled for this Motzaei Shabbos for young men and avreichim affected by Israel’s military draft requirements, as the chassidus continues its campaign against efforts to enlist yeshivah students and kollel members.

According to an official announcement released today, the asifa is intended for all members of the chassidus classified as draft-eligible, including bochurim and avreichim between the ages of 17 and 30.

Organizers said the gathering will focus on the challenges posed by the draft issue and the proper course of action for those facing interactions with military authorities.

The program is expected to feature addresses by the Strikover Rebbe and attorney Menachem Stauber, who will discuss both the legal and spiritual dimensions of the current situation.

The upcoming event follows a similar gathering held approximately six months ago that was geared toward yeshivah students. At that assembly, Rav Shimon Shisha provided participants with detailed guidance regarding interactions with the military establishment and the procedures surrounding draft offices.

During his remarks, Rav Shisha outlined how young men should conduct themselves when summoned to military induction centers. He emphasized the importance of understanding precisely what information they may hear, what materials they may view, and how they should respond to military representatives.

Following those instructions, participants were advised not to engage in discussions or maintain contact with military authorities unless they had first received detailed direction from qualified professionals experienced in handling draft-related matters.

{Matzav.com}

In a dramatic address, Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, Rosh Yeshivas Slabodka, warned that the chareidi community is facing an existential struggle over the future of Torah learning in Eretz Yisroel.

Speaking at the Ichud Bnei HaYeshivos conference in Yerushalayim, Rav Hirsch focused on the ongoing battle surrounding the draft law and the status of yeshivah bochurim, urging organizers and educators to impress upon bochurim the gravity of the current situation.

At the outset of his remarks, Rav Hirsch described the challenge confronting the Torah community as a genuine war requiring sacrifice and determination.

“We are literally at war, and one must make sacrifices for a war,” Rav Hirsch said. “I am not speaking about the war with Iran, but about the war being waged against us by those within our own midst. We have no way out of this situation unless there is special siyata d’Shmaya. We must explain the situation to the bochurim.”

In what observers described as one of his most candid public discussions of the draft-law negotiations, Rav Hirsch revealed details of proposals that were advanced during talks over military service requirements for yeshivah students.

“They wanted a law under which fifty percent of yeshivah bochurim would go to the army,” he declared. “That was not going to happen. They want to destroy the Torah world, and we must fight against it.”

Addressing the broader community, Rav Hirsch called for intensified tefillah and urged Klal Yisroel to focus on specific passages during Shemoneh Esrei that speak of the downfall of those who seek to harm Torah observance.

“One should have in mind during the tefillos of ‘V’lamalshinim Al Tehi Tikvah’ and ‘V’chol Harishah K’rega Toveid,’” he said. “If all of Klal Yisroel will have the proper intentions, HaKadosh Baruch Hu will do what needs to be done.”

{Matzav.com}

Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed a proposal from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for a face-to-face meeting aimed at ending the nearly four-year war, declaring that such a summit would be pointless until negotiators first reach concrete agreements.

Speaking Friday at an economic conference in St. Petersburg, Putin made clear that Moscow has no intention of altering its military course and said Russia will continue fighting until it secures the objectives it set when the conflict began. His remarks came one day after Zelenskyy publicly called for direct talks between the two leaders in an effort to break the diplomatic deadlock.

According to Putin, a meeting with Zelenskyy would serve no useful purpose at this stage.

“I see no point in meeting. It only makes sense for the Ukrainian side to stop the advance of our armed forces. That’s it. And we need agreements,” Putin told Russia’s flagship economic forum.

“Let the experts work, develop some solutions, and then we can meet,” Putin added.

Moscow has continued to insist on sweeping concessions from Ukraine, including recognition of Russian control over the Donbas region and major political and military limitations on Kyiv. Ukraine and its Western allies have rejected those demands, arguing that they amount to surrender. Efforts by the United States to broker a settlement have so far failed to narrow the divide between the two sides.

In his appeal Thursday, Zelenskyy urged Putin to engage directly in an effort to end the conflict.

“Ukraine proposes ending this war through direct engagement between us — and you. I am proposing a meeting,” Zelensky said in an open letter. “I propose to set a clear date for such a meeting.”

Following Putin’s rejection, Zelenskyy accused the Russian leader of deliberately prolonging the war and avoiding meaningful negotiations.

“Unfortunately, the Russian side is choosing war again. Everyone heard today’s response — a weak response. He simply doesn’t want to end the war,” he said after Putin rejected the call.

Zelenskyy has argued that only a summit between the two leaders can resolve the central disputes standing in the way of peace. His proposal received backing from several key Western leaders, including President Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron.

The Ukrainian president is scheduled to meet Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in London on Sunday as he seeks to revive international diplomatic efforts and increase pressure on Moscow.

Meanwhile, Putin reiterated that Russia’s military campaign will continue until its objectives have been fulfilled.

“Military actions will end someday, we assume. Without a doubt, they will end once we have achieved the goals we have set for ourselves,” Putin told the audience of business leaders and visiting dignitaries from Russia’s allies.

The war, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives, devastated large portions of eastern and southern Ukraine, and displaced millions of civilians. What Moscow initially expected to be a rapid operation has evolved into a prolonged and costly conflict.

Russian attacks continued Friday, with Ukrainian officials reporting that four civilians were killed and seven others wounded in strikes on the Donetsk-region communities of Mykolaivka and Druzhkivka.

Putin also sought to push back against growing concerns over the state of Russia’s economy, which has been burdened by soaring military expenditures, inflation, tax increases, and elevated borrowing costs.

“We, of course, hear criticism from all sides that everything has collapsed,” Putin said.

“We have descended to the same level at which eurozone countries have been living through for the past few years,” the Russian leader said, adding that Russia was pursuing a “sovereign” economy.

The day before, when asked about concerns that Russia could be approaching a severe economic crisis, Putin invoked a famous quote often attributed to author Mark Twain.

“Rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated,” he said, rejecting the idea that Russia was on the brink of a full-blown crisis.

Putin’s comments came just days after the opening of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), an event once known as the “Russian Davos,” was overshadowed by Ukrainian drone attacks targeting the city.

Ukraine has increasingly focused on striking Russian energy infrastructure, including oil depots, refineries, and export facilities, in an effort to undermine one of Moscow’s most critical sources of revenue.

The atmosphere at SPIEF reflected how dramatically circumstances have changed since the early years of Putin’s rule, when Western executives and investors regularly attended the gathering to pursue business opportunities in Russia’s expanding economy.

This year, displays of military technology were far more prominent. Reporters at the event observed Russian-made humanoid robots moving through the exhibition halls, while numerous exhibits promoted investment in territories Russia annexed from Ukraine.

Among the attendees were actor Steven Seagal, conservative commentator Candace Owens, Trump’s ballroom commissioner, and lawmakers from Germany’s right-wing Alternative for Germany party.

{Matzav.com}

Retired four-star General Jack Keane argued that continued negotiations with Iran have reached a dead end, contending that Tehran is merely buying time and that renewed military action offers the most effective path forward.

Speaking on Fox News on Friday, the former Army vice chief of staff and current chairman of the Institute for the Study of War criticized the past eight weeks of talks, saying Iran’s leadership has no genuine intention of reaching an agreement.

“We have to accept the reality that’s just not going to happen,” Keane said on Fox News. “They have one motive: Stretch out negotiations as much as possible, get as close to the political situation in terms of midterm elections, and there will be less likelihood that President Trump would ever pull the trigger and go back to military operations. I believe that is their unstated strategy.”

Keane also expressed skepticism about any future agreement with Tehran, warning that even a signed deal would fail to produce lasting results and could strengthen the regime.

“We can’t throw them a financial lifeline … because then they’ll systematically reverse everything,” he said. “They’ve always cheated in the past, and they’ll cheat in the future.”

While praising President Trump’s decision to begin military operations against Iran on February 28, Keane maintained that the campaign was halted before its objectives were fully achieved.

“Look, in close to 50 years, only one president has taken consequential action against Iran and their predator behavior — and that’s President Trump,” Keane said. “Five weeks of Epic Fury and a naval blockade devastated this regime militarily and economically. They’re down, but they’re not out.”

According to Keane, U.S. and Israeli forces were only a short time away from completing critical objectives when combat operations were suspended. He added that the pause has allowed Iran time to regroup, but has also provided the United States with additional intelligence and a larger target set.

“If we go back to military operations — and I believe that’s the preferred option — we should return to full combat operations,” Keane said.

Keane dismissed suggestions that a limited military response could effectively deter Iran, arguing that Tehran would retaliate regardless of the scale of an attack.

“Iran is going to retaliate regardless of whether you go small or go big. Let’s go big,” he said. “Take down as much of their capability as we possibly can and get these guys as close to collapse as military operations can possibly achieve.”

“And then with economic pressure, we can put this regime truly on the path to collapse.”

His comments came as some U.S. military officials reportedly told The New York Post that a broader strategy targeting Iran’s most influential hardline figures may ultimately be required. Those officials reportedly questioned whether additional conventional military strikes alone would be enough to force meaningful policy changes from the regime.

The sources pointed to the deeply entrenched ideology of Iran’s hardline leadership and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, whose loyalty is centered on preserving the Islamic Revolution rather than addressing the broader interests of the Iranian population.

One source indicated that such a strategy could involve Israeli participation in targeted leadership strikes, while American forces would focus on remaining weapons infrastructure, launch sites, and other strategic targets near the Strait of Hormuz.

Meanwhile, Israeli officials have reportedly expressed support for renewed military operations. Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu publicly reiterated his support for regime change in Iran during an interview with CNBC on Thursday.

“We’ve wreaked a lot of damage to this regime, not destroyed it, but weakened it. We see the cracks propagating in the regime,” he said. “We have to help the Iranian people to bring down this regime, and that hasn’t changed.”

The Palestinian Authority’s Health Ministry alleged Friday evening that a seven-month-old Palestinian Arab infant was killed by IDF gunfire in the Tel Rumeida section of Chevron, while the child’s parents reportedly sustained moderate injuries.

According to Palestinian officials, the infant and his parents were traveling in a vehicle when Israeli soldiers opened fire, resulting in the fatality and injuries.

The IDF acknowledged the incident and announced that it has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

In an official statement, the military said, “Earlier today, during operational activity in the area of Hebron, IDF soldiers perceived a vehicle accelerating toward them.”

According to the IDF, one soldier responded to what was viewed as a potential threat by firing a limited number of rounds at the approaching vehicle.

“An IDF soldier responded with single shots toward the vehicle. As a result, three Palestinians were injured and evacuated for medical treatment,” it added.

The military said a preliminary review indicated that those who were struck were not involved in any hostile activity.

The statement further noted that “an initial inquiry found that those injured were uninvolved civilians. The incident is under review, and the findings will be submitted for review by the relevant authorities.”

The IDF also expressed regret over the outcome of the incident as the investigation continues.

“The IDF expresses deep sorrow for any harm caused to uninvolved individuals,” the statement concluded.

{Matzav.com}