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For the first time in a quarter century, Jews will be permitted to enter Kever Yosef in Shechem during daylight hours, following an announcement made Monday by Israeli Defense Minister Yisroel Katz.

Under the updated arrangement, visitors will be allowed to remain inside the compound until 8:00 a.m., replacing the long-standing requirement to exit by 4:00 a.m. The extended window will also make it possible to hold Shacharis at the site. Officials said that the possibility of allowing Jews to stay for even longer periods during the day will be reviewed at a later stage.

Until now, all Jewish access to Kever Yosef has been restricted to nighttime visits only, and solely under the coordination and protection of Israeli security forces.

The move represents a major shift from policy in place since 2000, when the Od Yosef Chai Yeshiva was evacuated from the compound. Since that time, no organized Jewish visits during daylight hours had been permitted.

The Od Yosef Chai Yeshiva welcomed the announcement, issuing a statement that read: “We praise the Defense Minister’s decision, which is correct from a moral, historical, and security standpoint. It is time that Jews be allowed to stay at Kever Yosef in daylight, proudly, and not [only] as thieves in the night. This is the first step towards the full return of Jews to Shechem and to the kever of Yosef Hatzaddik.”

The statement continued with a broader message of hope tied to the weekly Torah reading: “This past Shabbos, we read in the Torah about the reunion between Yosef Hatzaddik and his brothers, and we hope that soon, the entire nation of Israel will be able to reunite, with Kever Yosef under full and permanent Jewish control.”

{Matzav.com}

Israeli intelligence officials say a strategic analysis prepared by Hamas’ intelligence apparatus played a central role in the terror group’s decision-making ahead of the October 7, 2023 massacre, influencing the thinking of its now-deceased leaders, Yahya Sinwar and Mohammad Deif.

The document, which was recovered by Israeli forces during combat operations in the Gaza Strip amid the war, was written less than a month before the attack. It was later released in full by the Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center.

According to the assessment, Hamas believed Israel had no intention of overthrowing the group’s rule in Gaza. The authors argued that Israeli policy had evolved over time, moving away from decisive military outcomes toward what they described as conflict containment.

The paper stated that “Israel relied for years on a strategy of preemptive strikes, but the strengthening of Hamas and Hezbollah caused it to shift to a pattern of short rounds of limited-intensity fighting.”

The analysis pointed to Israel’s experience in Operation Cast Lead in 2008–2009, asserting that Israel failed to achieve its central aim of dismantling Hamas’ control of Gaza. As a result, the document claimed, Israel adopted imprecise war aims in later confrontations, prioritizing deterrence and conflict management over outright victory and regime change.

The authors also examined the events of Operation Guardian of the Walls in 2021, concluding that Hamas scored what they termed a psychological success by tying the fighting in Gaza to tensions in Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria, while also stirring unrest among Arab citizens of Israel.

In addition, the assessment argued that Israel “failed to implement the ‘war between wars’ policy,” and maintained that the prospect of a multi-front conflict represents the most severe test of Israeli military capacity. For that reason, the document asserted, Israel prefers to avoid simultaneous wars and instead engage adversaries in separate theaters.

Building on these conclusions, the paper asserted that “Israel has not abandoned the idea of a preemptive strike, especially following the failure in Operation Guardian of the Walls, but it is not in a position to build a new deterrence equation. Therefore, it focuses on conflict management, risk management, and neutralizing threats. Thus, the recommendation to Hamas leadership is to prepare for a new opening strike that will trigger a new round of fighting, but also to lead an ‘unexpected’ confrontation that will break the recurring pattern and put Israeli leadership in a state of uncertainty.”

Israeli officials say the document was formally presented to the leadership of Hamas’ military wing. Roughly a month later, the terror group launched the October 7 assault, with investigators assessing that the conclusions and recommendations outlined in the paper were among the factors that shaped the decision to carry out the attack.

{Matzav.com}

The head of Iran’s Central Bank resigned Monday as the biggest protests since 2022 erupted in Tehran and other cities after the country’s currency plummeted to a new record low against the U.S. dollar. The resignation of Mohammad Reza Farzin was reported by state TV, as traders and shopkeepers rallied in Saadi Street in downtown […]

The United Torah Judaism faction has decided to boycott all votes in the Knesset plenum this week, deepening tensions within the governing coalition. While the final decision is expected to be formally approved at an upcoming faction meeting, the move already signals a significant coalition crisis. The dispute follows a sharp confrontation between Aryeh Deri, chairman of Shas, and Moshe Gafni, head of Degel HaTorah, alongside what UTJ officials describe as coalition intervention in favor of Shas. During the faction meeting, UTJ faction chairman Uri Maklev outlined the background to the decision, explaining that relations between Shas and Degel HaTorah deteriorated further over the appointment of the chairman of Yerushalayim’s religious council. According to Maklev, the recent conduct surrounding the issue left United Torah Judaism with no choice but to refrain from supporting coalition votes this week. UTJ chairman Yitzhak Goldknopf voiced sharp criticism during the discussion, directing his remarks at Maklev. Goldknopf questioned why voting boycotts were not pursued earlier, saying: “Didn’t you always say we need to keep a ‘wick’ connected to the coalition? Yeshiva students are being arrested, the Ofek Chadash framework is being stalled, and that still didn’t lead you to halt votes in the plenum.” {Matzav.com}

TRUMP: “Every hostage that’s been released was released because of me and my team…NONE were released in the Biden Administration”

Two chareidi women in their 20s from central Israel were arrested Sunday at Prague’s international airport on suspicion of attempting to smuggle a large quantity of khat, according to a report by mako.

During a search conducted by customs officials and local police, authorities discovered 96 kilograms of khat hidden in the women’s luggage — 48 kilograms in each suitcase. The seized shipment is estimated to be worth tens of thousands of euros. Following the discovery, the two were taken into custody and transferred to a local detention facility in Czech Republic for questioning.

Preliminary findings indicate that the women were not acting independently. Investigators suspect they were recruited as couriers in an organized smuggling operation. According to the probe, the pair allegedly acted on behalf of an Israeli khat dealer known to police and were tasked with delivering the shipment to local distributors in the Czech Republic.

Law enforcement officials noted that khat smuggled into Prague is typically intended for buyers within African immigrant communities, where the plant is considered highly sought after.

Family members of the detainees, expressing deep concern over their situation, have reached out to Israel’s Foreign Ministry for assistance. The Department for Israelis Abroad said the case is known and is being handled by the Israeli consulate in Prague, which is in contact with local authorities to monitor the women’s condition and provide assistance within the limits of its authority.

Earlier reports recalled a similar case from 136 days ago, when two 19-year-old Israeli men from chareidi families were arrested in Germany at the French border after allegedly attempting to smuggle 50 kilograms of khat in a rented vehicle. One of those detained was Nechemia Epstein, the brother of social media activist Yedidia Epstein. The two were released today, one day before Yedidia’s wedding.

After their release, the two issued a warning to others who may be tempted to engage in khat smuggling. “This was a mistake. We call on everyone not to be tempted to smuggle khat. It is dangerous and can end in a long prison sentence,” they said.

Members of the Jewish community in Germany have also voiced alarm over the phenomenon, warning of severe consequences and damage to the community’s reputation. “From time to time, young chareidi men are arrested with suitcases full of khat, and the punishment can be very harsh. Many times, chareidi youths end up spending very long periods in European prisons,” community representatives said.

{Matzav.com}

Trump at Mar-a-Lago: “This is a very good group. We made a lot of progress already. We had about a five minute meeting, and we’ve already settled about three of the difficulties.”

Trump was caught on a hot mic venting to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about missing out on the Nobel Peace Prize, saying he doesn’t get credit despite claiming he brokered eight peace deals, adding, “They gave the Nob— I did eight of them. How about India and Pakistan? So I did eight of them. […]

Trump on Maduro: “You have to understand what he’s done. They’ve sent billions of dollars of drugs in. But maybe just as bad, they’ve sent hundreds of thousands of people in — from jails, from prisons… the drug lords, the drug dealers.”

President Donald Trump has indicated that the U.S. has “hit” a facility in South America as he wages a pressure campaign on Venezuela, but the U.S. offered no other details. Trump made the comments in what seemed to be an impromptu radio interview Friday. The president, who called radio host John Catsimatidis during a program […]

“A Yissachar-Zevulun shutfus (partnership) with Shas Yidden is MEHADRIN MIN HAMEHADRIN”   The words of Maran Hamashpia Hagadol, Hatzadik Harav Elimelech Biederman, shlit”a   Do More Than Just Save On Taxes, “BUY TORAH” Maximize Your Tax Deduction By Donating to the Shas Yiden Network   Your tax credit will bring endless brochos and yeshuos into your home!   The 2025 […]

Netanyahu on Trump being the best friend Israel has ever had in the White House.

President Trump says a pardon for Netanyahu is “on its way.” “How do you not give a pardon?”

A Utah court is set to unseal records from a previously secret proceeding in the criminal case against Tyler Robinson, who is accused of assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

During a brief video hearing on Monday, Tony Graf said that a transcript from an Oct. 24 closed-door session will be released later in the day with limited redactions. He also authorized the release of the audio recording from that hearing, though he cautioned that it may take up to two weeks before the audio becomes publicly available.

Robinson did not appear on camera during the virtual proceeding, but confirmed his attendance when the judge asked if he was present, replying, “Yes, your honor.”

The October hearing was conducted in private so the court could consider whether Robinson would be permitted to appear at future proceedings without jail-issued clothing and without restraints. Graf ruled that Robinson may wear civilian attire but must remain shackled in court due to security concerns.

Earlier this month, Robinson, 22, appeared in court in person for the first time while his attorneys argued that cameras should be barred from the courtroom. Defense counsel maintained that televised coverage could taint the jury pool and undermine Robinson’s right to a fair trial. Portions of that hearing were also held behind closed doors, excluding both the public and the press.

During that appearance, defense attorney Staci Visser sharply criticized media outlets, accusing them of violating court orders by filming Robinson while he was restrained.

“We don’t want the chaos that is out in the media in this courtroom,” Visser claimed at the time.

Prosecutors have charged Robinson with seven felonies, including aggravated murder, discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, obstruction of justice, two counts of witness tampering, and committing a violent offense in the presence of a child.

Kirk, 31, was fatally shot with a single bullet to the neck on Sept. 10 while addressing a crowd of thousands at Utah Valley University. He was appearing as part of his American Comeback Tour. A co-founder of Turning Point USA, Kirk was widely regarded as a rising MAGA figure. He is survived by his wife, Erika, and their two young children.

Erika Kirk has publicly supported allowing cameras in the courtroom, saying transparency would allow the public to see the man accused of killing her husband and would help dispel conspiracy theories surrounding the murder. She has been formally designated as the official victim representative in the case.

If convicted, Robinson could face the death penalty by firing squad, a method still permitted under Utah law, making it one of only five states that allow that form of capital punishment.

{Matzav.com}

Energy Minister Eli Cohen appeared to criticize the handling of the so-called “Qatargate” affair in the Prime Minister’s Office, saying that anyone working on behalf of a foreign country while employed there should face criminal consequences. Speaking to Kan Reshet Bet, Cohen, a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud, said, “If someone in the […]

Trump says the U.S. will support strikes on Iran if they continue with their ballistic missile and Nuclear program.

A 40+ vehicle pileup has been reported on I-75 between 6 Mile and 8 Mile in Detroit, Michigan, during a fast-moving snow squall.

A document authored by the intelligence arm of Hamas helped persuade the group’s leadership to carry out the October 7, 2023, massacre in southern Israel, according to research published this week by the Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center. The document, written less than a month before the attack and later uncovered during an […]

Likud MK Moshe Saada delivered a sharp warning Monday night, arguing that Israel has effectively lost control over parts of the seam zone due to what he described as years of neglect and failed enforcement.

Speaking in an interview on Kol Chai Radio, Saada said the scale of illegal entry into Israel has reached staggering proportions. “The state talks about 20,000 illegal infiltrators entering every day. Twenty thousand! It’s unbelievable. And every one of them is a potential security threat,” he said.

According to Saada, the danger is not theoretical. “Four terror attacks have already been carried out by people who came out of there. Anyone who enters Barta’a can go anywhere in Israel and attack,” he warned, describing the area as an active transit point for terrorists, including operatives from Gaza.

Saada recently toured the Barta’a area and described a reality of near-total lawlessness. “The place is divided into two: Israeli Barta’a and Palestinian Barta’a. There is no fence at this point, anyone who wants can enter and exit freely,” he said, referring to the border-adjacent settlement located near Ma’aleh Iron, Shaked, and Hinanit.

He argued that the ongoing failure to address the situation is part of a broader pattern that predates recent events. “This has been going on since the Oslo [Accords]. Just like we ignored it before October 7 – we’re ignoring it the same way now,” Saada said.

Placing blame squarely on Israel’s enforcement bodies, Saada said responsibility is shared across multiple agencies. “First of all, the police, but it’s a combination – the IDF is also part of the failure,” he stated, pointing to the lack of a permanent and visible security presence in mixed areas where fencing is incomplete or nonexistent. His remarks referenced both the Israel Police and the Israel Defense Forces.

Saada accused enforcement authorities of only reacting after blood has already been spilled. He described what he called a pattern of complacency across the system, saying the military, police, and courts engage in “Israeli bluff,” adding, “They wake up only after an attack, make some noise, and then everything goes back to normal.”

He also rejected economic arguments often raised in favor of looser enforcement. “We let the Palestinian economy breathe, and in return, they murder us,” Saada said. “All the terror attacks are carried out by illegal infiltrators who entered through these gates.”

Concluding his remarks, Saada called for a fundamental shift in policy, urging authorities to adopt uncompromising enforcement measures. “We need to target the employers as well – every infiltrator has an employer who allows them to stay,” he said, arguing that only a zero-tolerance approach would restore security in the seam zone.

{Matzav.com}