At a ceremony marking the graduation of the 191st pilot course at Hatzerim Airbase, IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir addressed the newest aviators and reflected on the responsibilities now resting on their shoulders. As the wings were pinned to their uniforms, Zamir told the graduates that from this moment forward, “the next operational mission – and with it the great responsibility of removing existential threats to Israel and ensuring the continued existence of the Jewish state – will be yours.”
Zamir urged the new pilots to look ahead with confidence, closing his remarks by encouraging them to “soar upward to the skies and return safely to your bases,” and charging them to go forth and succeed.
Turning to the broader picture, Zamir emphasized that the memory of fallen soldiers accompanies every mission and that the military remains committed to the rehabilitation of the wounded. He added that the task is not complete until SFC Ran Gvili is brought back to rest in Israel.
Addressing parents and families in attendance, Zamir described them as full partners in the achievement of the graduates, thanking them for standing by their children through years of demanding preparation. He also expressed appreciation to commanders, career and reserve personnel, and technical crews, crediting their leadership during what he called the longest and most complex war in Israel’s history.
Zamir congratulated Brig. Gen. Omer Tishler on assuming the role of incoming commander of the Israeli Air Force, voicing confidence in his ability to guide the force through future challenges. He likewise praised course commanders and staff who, he said, trained the next generation of pilots while simultaneously leading real-time operations during wartime.
Reflecting on the months since October 7, Zamir said the air force, together with ground forces, has operated “with unprecedented precision and scope” in both nearby and distant arenas. He noted that the IDF is conducting ongoing reviews and applying lessons learned, stressing that “we will learn from the failure, but we will not sink into it.”
Zamir added that the military continues to adapt even as operations unfold, declaring, “The Guardian of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps,” and reaffirming that Israel will act decisively against those who seek to do it harm, guided by the principle of striking those who rise to kill.
Only later in his remarks did Zamir recount the hours leading up to the strike on Iran. He said that during the night between June 12 and June 13, he presented the final operational plan to the Israeli cabinet, calling it “a dramatic meeting.” According to Zamir, the Cabinet Secretary offered a prayer for the safety of IDF troops, recalling that “the tension was palpable, and there was a feeling in the air of the crowded room that something historic was about to happen.” The plan, he said, was approved by a show of hands.
Once the decision was made, Zamir described how senior commanders rushed from Jerusalem to IDF headquarters, entering the command bunker as pilots were already in the air. Officers, he said, were “operating with composure and professionalism,” while dozens of aircraft circled, awaiting final instructions. Intelligence updates continued in real time, forcing mission changes mid-flight. “At 02:55, dozens of strikes hit their targets with great precision,” Zamir said, marking the launch of Operation “Rising Lion.”
He noted that the full scale of the operation — from aerial refueling and intelligence coordination to helicopters on standby, special forces deployment, and ground crews — would be recorded in history. Zamir said the air force “was at its very best,” describing it as Israel’s long-range strategic arm.
Zamir also recalled the briefings held with pilots ahead of the operation, when he warned them plainly of the dangers, telling them that “some aircraft will be shot down and some of you will not return.” He said the response was immediate and unified: “We are ready for the mission. You can rely on us!” According to Zamir, that moment captured the spirit that has enabled the IDF to confront threats on multiple fronts.
{Matzav.com}
A unique and inspiring Chanukah celebration took place this year in the main bais medrash of Yeshivas Rechasim, bringing together talmidim from across generations. The event was held under the leadership of Rosh Yeshiva Rav Yitzchak Sofer, alongside the yeshiva’s rabbinic faculty.
As in previous years, the Chanukah gathering opened with heartfelt singing and expressions of gratitude. Continuing a long-standing yeshiva tradition, the honor of lighting the Chanukah neiros was “sold,” not for money, but for commitments in Torah learning. This year, the custom was expanded and divided among the three candles to be lit by the Rosh Yeshiva.
The first candle was acquired through a commitment of 4,500 pages of Gemara. The second candle was taken through the acceptance of responsibility for 153 chaburos. The third candle followed a stirring moment, when Rav Sofer circulated among the talmidim and asked who would undertake the study of Bava Kamma. Hundreds of bochurim signed on, collectively committing to learn the masechta which is currently being studied in the yeshiva,four times.
Following the commitments, the Rosh Yeshiva lit the Chanukah neiros and offered heartfelt tefillos on behalf of the students, praying for their success and for the protection of the Torah world in the face of ongoing challenges. After the lighting, the students burst into spirited dancing.
{Matzav.com}
A legal petition filed by the Movement for Freedom of Information has led to the release of detailed data outlining the costs of flights and accommodations for Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu during his overseas visits since the beginning of 2025. The figures reveal extensive expenses tied to charter flights, luxury suites, and hotel rooms for large delegations and security teams during trips to the United States and Hungary.
According to the data made public on Tuesday, Netanyahu traveled to four international destinations this year, accompanied by dozens of staff members and security personnel. The expenses covered airfare, high-end hotel suites for the prime minister, and multiple rooms for his entourage.
In February, Netanyahu traveled to Washington for a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. He was accompanied by approximately 40 aides and security staff. The prime minister stayed at the Willard Hotel in a suite costing $5,000 per night, for a total of $25,000. The flight aboard Israel’s official aircraft, known as Wing of Zion, cost $434,000. Members of the delegation and security team stayed in hotel rooms costing $415 per night.
In April, Netanyahu visited Hungary, accompanied by 36 delegation members. Rooms for the entourage cost $417 per night. The prime minister and his wife stayed at the Four Seasons Hotel at a rate of $4,632 per night, with the total cost of their stay reaching $18,528. During the same trip, Netanyahu made an additional short visit to Washington lasting three days. Delegation members stayed in a hotel where rooms cost $520 per night, while the Netanyahu couple and additional staff occupied 14 rooms at Blair House.
In July, Netanyahu returned to Washington for another meeting with Trump, this time accompanied by 41 staff members. Hotel rooms for the delegation cost $375 per night, while the prime minister again stayed in a suite at Blair House.
The most recent trip disclosed took place in September, when Netanyahu traveled to New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly, accompanied by 38 delegation members. Rooms for the entourage cost $1,199 per night, while the prime minister’s suite cost approximately $6,000 per night. The total cost of that stay reached $41,993.
Netanyahu is expected to travel to the United States again next week. As with previous trips, the costs of that visit are likely to become public only through additional legal petitions and court rulings.
{Matzav.com}
Former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad reportedly left several of his closest associates stranded at a luxury hotel in Moscow with an enormous bill after fleeing Damascus, then stopped responding to their calls and disappeared, according to an investigative report published Tuesday in the United States.
Citing The New York Times, the report says Assad instructed three of his most trusted confidants to accompany him as he escaped Syria during what was presented as a trip to Moscow. Events unfolded so rapidly that the aides allegedly had no time to gather personal belongings, passports, or cash before leaving Damascus.
Once in Moscow, Assad arranged for the group to stay at the upscale Four Seasons Hotel Moscow. However, when the hotel presented them with a staggering bill for their stay, Assad reportedly cut off contact entirely and could no longer be reached.
The account adds another layer to earlier reporting by The Guardian, which described Assad as living a quiet, low-profile life in an affluent area on the outskirts of Moscow. According to sources close to the family, Assad has been attempting to return to his professional roots, studying Russian and refreshing his knowledge in ophthalmology—the field he practiced before entering politics and before the outbreak of Syria’s civil war.
The Assad family is believed to be residing in Rublyovka, a gated and prestigious enclave known for housing members of Moscow’s elite. Much of the family’s wealth was reportedly transferred to Russia during the early years of Western sanctions imposed in 2011, allowing them to safeguard assets and maintain a high standard of living even after the collapse of Assad’s regime.
Despite their comfortable surroundings, the family’s lifestyle is described as highly isolated. Sources say Assad maintains contact with only a small inner circle of longtime associates and former officials from the presidential palace. A source close to the Kremlin reportedly said that within Russian leadership circles, Assad is now viewed as entirely irrelevant and no longer a figure of political significance.
Russian authorities have also made clear that Assad’s public role is over. Russia’s ambassador to Iraq confirmed that Assad is barred from all political and media activity and is not permitted to give interviews or make public appearances, even though he continues to receive protection and security while in Moscow.
{Matzav.com}
A brief security scare unfolded Tuesday evening at Ben Gurion Airport when a vehicle bearing a forged license plate broke through a security checkpoint at the airport’s main entrance from Road 1 and continued inside the perimeter before the driver abandoned the car and fled on foot.
Police said an extensive manhunt was launched immediately after the incident, with ground units and aerial support searching the area for the suspect. Authorities emphasized that there is no indication of a terrorist incident and that the event is believed to be criminal in nature.
According to Israel Police, officers from the Ben Gurion Airport district, together with security personnel from the Airports Authority, are conducting coordinated searches for the driver. A police helicopter was deployed as part of the operation.
Investigators said the vehicle arrived at the main entrance gate and ignored instructions from security guards. After forcing its way past the checkpoint, the driver exited the vehicle and escaped on foot, leaving the car behind.
The abandoned vehicle was examined by a police bomb disposal unit as a precaution. Officials confirmed that no explosive device was found and that the inspection ruled out any security-related threat.
Airport operations continued as usual following the incident, and police said updates would be provided if the suspect is located.
{Matzav.com}
