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Israel’s decision to formally recognize the Armenian Genocide triggered a furious response from Turkey on Sunday, with Ankara accusing Israel of exploiting history for political purposes and attempting to divert attention from the ongoing war in Gaza.

The dispute erupted after Israel’s Cabinet unanimously approved a resolution recognizing the mass killings of Armenians by the Ottoman Empire during World War I as genocide. Turkish officials swiftly condemned the move, dismissing it as a politically motivated maneuver.

In a sharply worded statement, Turkey’s Foreign Ministry alleged that Israel was using the recognition to distract the world from its military campaign in Gaza.

“The Israeli government, which has systematically persecuted the Palestinian people before the eyes of the entire world and is being tried at the International Court of Justice on charges of committing genocide against the people of Gaza, is seeking to cover up its own crimes through the political decision it has adopted regarding the events of 1915,” the Ministry said, as quoted by AFP.

“Turkey will continue to work resolutely to bring an end to Israel’s expansionist and destabilizing policies in the region,” the statement added.

Turkey, which succeeded the Ottoman Empire, has long rejected the characterization of the 1915 killings, forced deportations, and imprisonment of Armenians as genocide, maintaining that the historical events should not be described by that term.

Israel’s latest move follows a significant shift that began last August, when Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu publicly recognized the Armenian Genocide for the first time. Ankara angrily rejected those remarks at the time, insisting they were politically driven and lacked historical basis.

The question of officially labeling the atrocities as genocide has long been diplomatically sensitive. For years, the United States avoided using the term out of concern for its strategic relationship with Turkey. That changed in 2021, when President Joe Biden formally referred to the Ottoman Empire’s actions against Armenians as “genocide,” prompting a fierce backlash from the Turkish government.

Sunday’s announcement also comes against the backdrop of steadily worsening relations between Israel and Turkey. Although the two countries appeared close to restoring ties shortly before Hamas’ October 7, 2023, terrorist attack on Israel, relations have sharply deteriorated since then, with Turkish leaders—led by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan—repeatedly launching harsh attacks against Israel.

Among the most pointed exchanges came in March of last year, when Erdogan denounced Israel as a “terror state” following Israeli strikes against terrorist targets in Gaza.

Months later, Erdogan escalated his criticism further, asserting that Netanyahu’s government posed the greatest threat to stability and security throughout the Middle East.

{Matzav.com}

Senior commanders in the IDF are warning that Hamas is rapidly rebuilding its military capabilities and preparing for another large-scale conflict with Israel, according to a report aired Sunday by Kan News. The assessment was presented last week to IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir and reportedly paints a troubling picture of the terrorist organization’s renewed strength.

According to the report, senior officials from the IDF Intelligence Directorate and Southern Command told Zamir that Hamas has significantly accelerated its military production, manufacturing hundreds of explosive devices and anti-tank missiles every month. They also said the group has launched an aggressive recruitment campaign targeting young men between the ages of 18 and 22 and has resumed training members of its elite Nukhba force.

The briefing reportedly stated that Hamas is also working to smuggle drones and advanced communications equipment into Gaza through the Sinai Peninsula while continuing to rebuild its extensive underground tunnel network across the Strip.

Military officials further warned that Hamas remains firmly entrenched in Gaza, faces no meaningful internal opposition, and has shown no willingness to surrender its grip on the territory.

Kan News reported that Israeli defense officials have concluded that renewed military operations against Hamas are necessary and that this position has already been conveyed to American officials. However, the United States reportedly opposes restarting the fighting, preferring instead to preserve the current arrangements established under the recent agreement while continuing efforts to advance President Donald Trump’s broader regional peace initiative and the Board of Peace.

According to the report, Israeli security officials have expressed deep concern over Hamas’ military buildup, but renewed operations have not moved forward because of what was described as an American veto on resuming the war.

In a separate development, Kan News reported that a senior Hamas delegation headed by Mousa Abu Marzouk traveled to Moscow on June 10 for meetings with senior Russian government officials.

A Palestinian Arab source familiar with those discussions told the broadcaster that much of the meeting centered on Clause 8 of the proposed peace framework, which deals with the removal and storage of weapons in Gaza and addresses the issue of Hamas disarmament.

According to the source, Hamas indicated that it is prepared, in principle, to accept the provision, but only if several conditions are met. The terrorist group reportedly wants implementation to be handled exclusively by the “National Committee for the Administration of Gaza,” insists that any international stabilization force coordinate directly with Palestinian factions, and demands guarantees that weapons removed from Gaza will not be transferred to Israel or any other outside entity.

{Matzav.com}

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani brushed aside speculation about a future White House campaign on Sunday, insisting he has no interest in changing the Constitution to make himself eligible for the presidency, even as he celebrated the growing influence of his political movement within the Democratic Party.

“No,” Mamdani told ABC News’ “This Week” when asked whether the Constitution should be amended so he could one day run for president. “I think the Constitution looks good the way it is.”

Under Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution, only natural-born U.S. citizens who are at least 35 years old are eligible to serve as president.

Mamdani, who is 34, was born in Uganda and immigrated to the United States when he was about seven years old. He became a naturalized American citizen in 2018.

“I’m very excited to focus on New York City, but thank you for reminding me of my upcoming mortality,” Mamdani added after ABC News anchor Jonathan Karl noted that his 35th birthday is approaching.

Throughout the 2025 New York City mayoral race, Mamdani frequently criticized former Governor Andrew Cuomo, suggesting Cuomo’s political ambitions extended well beyond City Hall.

Although he rejected talk of a presidential run, Mamdani projected confidence about his growing influence within Democratic politics nationwide.

“Let them,” Mamdani snapped back when asked about Republican efforts to portray him as the face of today’s Democratic Party.

“We don’t have to ask ourselves what life looks like if a socialist wins. I won last November, and over the course of these last 6 months, what we’ve delivered.”

His comments came just days after three candidates he endorsed—Brad Lander, Claire Valdez, and Darializa Avila Chevalier—won competitive Democratic primary contests, marking another significant victory for the party’s progressive wing.

The trio campaigned on an aggressively left-wing platform. Avila Chevalier, in particular, has drawn attention for past remarks and activism that included boasting about wiping her dirty hands on the American flag, advocating for the abolition of prisons and national borders, and accusing President Joe Biden of rape.

“I think we are seeing a hunger that is not just felt by New Yorkers, but frankly by Americans from coast to coast, for a new kind of politics, one that puts working people at the heart of it,” Mamdani said in explaining the success of the candidates he backed.

When questioned specifically about Avila Chevalier’s more controversial positions, Mamdani argued that her campaign centered on improving the lives of working-class Americans.

“The focus of her candidacy was about the struggle that working people are facing,” he insisted, when pressed about her call to abandon prisons and borders.

Asked directly whether he supports abolishing prisons, Mamdani responded, “There are prisons.”

“Safety is not something that’s up for debate.”

President Bill Clinton is downplaying concerns over the Democratic Party’s leftward shift after three Democratic Socialists of America-backed candidates captured major victories in New York’s primary elections, insisting he remains optimistic about the party’s chances in this fall’s midterm elections.

“I think we’re in good shape for the fall,” Clinton told Fox News Digital when asked about the results of Tuesday’s primaries.

The victories by Darializa Avila Chevalier, Brad Lander, and Claire Valdez have intensified an already heated debate within Democratic circles over whether the party’s increasingly socialist wing represents its future. Supporters argue the candidates have energized voters and demonstrated a successful electoral strategy, while critics question whether such an agenda can appeal to a broader national electorate.

Clinton, however, appeared unconcerned by the outcome, signaling confidence that Democrats remain well positioned heading into November.

The president has traditionally aligned himself with the party’s more centrist wing in New York politics.

That was evident last year when he endorsed former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic mayoral primary instead of socialist New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Mamdani ultimately defeated Cuomo in the June 2025 primary before securing the party’s nomination for mayor.

The latest primary victories have once again exposed the ongoing ideological divide within the Democratic Party, as its progressive and moderate factions continue to compete for influence over the party’s future direction.

While many Democrats have embraced the party’s growing socialist movement and its candidates, others have warned against allowing socialism to become the party’s defining national identity, arguing instead for a continued embrace of capitalism.

Fox News Digital also sought Clinton’s reaction to the escalating situation involving Iran, but he declined to address the topic.

His refusal to comment came as the United States and Iran continue navigating a fragile peace agreement announced recently amid lingering regional tensions.

Although the two countries reached a ceasefire arrangement, U.S. forces carried out strikes against Iranian targets on Friday after Tehran attacked a commercial vessel transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

Before those military strikes, President Donald Trump said on Thursday that the United States was negotiating with Iran from a “position of pure strength.”

{Matzav.com}

A massive explosion echoed across northern Israel on Sunday evening as the IDF demolished one of Hezbollah’s largest and most heavily fortified underground terrorist installations in southern Lebanon. The sprawling tunnel complex, described by the military as one of Hezbollah’s most significant strategic assets, contained hundreds of weapons, approximately 80 tons of explosives, launch shafts, drones, and other military equipment intended for attacks against Israel.

Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yisroel Katz announced that the operation, dubbed “Operation Closing Verse,” targeted Hezbollah’s underground infrastructure near the southern Lebanese village of Majdal Zoun. They said the mission dealt a significant blow to the terrorist organization while reaffirming Israel’s determination to continue eliminating threats along its northern border.

According to the Israeli leaders, the underground network stretched for more than 200 meters and reached a depth exceeding 25 meters beneath the surface. The facility housed hundreds of weapons and multiple launch shafts aimed at Israeli territory and civilian communities.

The IDF later revealed additional details about the sophisticated complex. Beyond its four launch shafts, the tunnel contained 12 fortified rooms that served as terrorist living quarters and weapons storage facilities. Reinforced blast doors had also been installed throughout the underground network in an effort to protect the site from military attack.

Troops discovered dozens of dismantled drones, aircraft components, explosive warheads, and approximately 80 tons of explosives inside the complex. Military officials said the tunnel represented one of Hezbollah’s most important strategic assets in the sector and had been constructed using technology and engineering expertise supplied by the Iranian regime.

During the operation, Israeli forces eliminated more than 20 Hezbollah terrorists in the area, including approximately ten members of the organization’s elite Radwan Force.

Netanyahu and Katz also disclosed that Israel informed the United States and the U.S. envoy to Lebanon in advance of the operation.

“IDF commanders and troops will remain in the southern Lebanon security zone and will continue to destroy terror infrastructure, eliminate threats to northern communities, and ensure the safety of Israel’s citizens,” the military said in a statement.

The IDF said troops from the 551st Brigade Combat Team, together with elite Yahalom combat engineers operating under the 91st Division, located and destroyed the underground complex during ongoing operations inside the security zone.

Ahead of the controlled detonation, regional councils across the Western and Upper Galilee alerted residents that an unusually powerful explosion would be heard as the IDF completed the destruction of Hezbollah’s terrorist infrastructure.

Military officials also warned that the force of the blast could activate independent earthquake detection systems that are not connected to the Home Front Command’s warning network.

In a message distributed to residents before the explosion, authorities wrote: “Due to the sheer force of the blast, local, independent earthquake alerts—which are not connected to Home Front Command systems—may be triggered. There is no danger to residents in the north.”

The controlled blast was heard across wide areas of northern Israel, marking the destruction of what the IDF described as one of Hezbollah’s largest and most strategically important underground military installations along the Lebanese border.

{Matzav.com}

The French Jewish community, both in Eretz Yisroel and throughout the Diaspora, is mourning the passing of Rav Ron Chaya zt”l, one of the most influential figures in French-speaking kiruv and harbotzas Torah, who was niftar at the age of 67 after suffering a stroke several weeks ago.

Rav Chaya, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Yeshuos Yosef in Yerushalayim, had been hospitalized at Hadassah Ein Kerem Medical Center in recent weeks following the stroke. His condition deteriorated significantly during the day and he was niftar overnight.

Widely regarded as one of the foremost mekarvei rechokim among French Jewry, Rav Chaya devoted decades of his life to bringing thousands of Jews closer to Torah and Yiddishkeit. Through his inspiring lectures, infectious joy, and deep love for every Jew, he transformed countless lives, helping thousands of individuals and families reconnect with their heritage.

His unique speaking style earned him an enormous following throughout France, Israel, and beyond. Rav Chaya was known for presenting the timeless truths of the Torah with passion, clarity, and conviction, never hesitating to publicly articulate the Torah’s perspective, regardless of prevailing public opinion.

Over the course of many decades, he produced thousands of talmidim and played a pivotal role in spreading Torah throughout the French-speaking Jewish world. His influence extended far beyond the walls of his yeshivah, reaching communities across Europe and Israel.

Among those paying tribute was his former student, Knesset member Yossi Taieb, who mourned the loss of his revered mentor.

“The Torah mourns tonight. It is with profound sorrow that I learned of the passing of one of the greatest benefactors of the French Jewish community, our teacher Rav Ron Chaya, zt”l.

“Rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Yeshuos Yosef, the rav educated thousands of students and brought them closer to the Creator.

“Over the years, I merited to seek his counsel, appreciate the depth of his Torah wisdom, and receive his blessing.

“The rav, of blessed memory, welcomed everyone with a radiant smile, humility, selfless devotion, and love for every Jew.

“‘And the entire House of Israel shall weep over the burning that Hashem has kindled.'”

The levayah is scheduled to take place on Monday at 12:00 p.m. at Yeshivas Yeshuos Yosef on Chizkiyahu Shabtai Street in the Ramot Daled neighborhood of Yerushalayim.

Tehei nishmaso tzrurah bitzror hachaim.

{Matzav.com}