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Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu declared tonight that Israel had secured a “historic achievement” with the newly signed framework agreement with Lebanon, saying the U.S.-brokered accord preserves Israel’s security interests, weakens Iran and Hezbollah, and opens the door to a future peace agreement between the two countries.

Speaking at a press conference following Friday’s signing ceremony in Washington, Netanyahu praised the breakthrough and said it marked a turning point in Israel’s northern security strategy.

“Yesterday before the start of the Shabbos, we achieved a historic accomplishment for the State of Israel,” Netanyahu said. “Following direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon, mediated by the US, we have reached a framework of understandings that allows us to move forward toward ending the conflict, and, G-d willing, eventually reaching a peace agreement between the two countries.”

Netanyahu emphasized that the agreement formally recognizes Israel’s right to remain inside the security zone in southern Lebanon until the threat from Hezbollah has been eliminated.

“Under these understandings, the US and Lebanon have recognized Israel’s right to maintain the security zone inside Lebanon for as long as it is required for our security. We will continue to hold it until Hezbollah and the rest of the terrorist organizations are disarmed, and until no further threat to Israel is posed from Lebanon.”

The prime minister argued that the agreement represented a major strategic defeat for both Tehran and Hezbollah, saying Israel had resisted international pressure to withdraw from southern Lebanon.

“I want you to know – this is a massive blow to Iran and Hezbollah. Iran tried to force a withdrawal from southern Lebanon upon us. You heard these demands all the time, and you also heard their disappointment and their criticism of the agreement – both theirs and Hezbollah’s. I stood firm on our vital interests and forcefully opposed the notion of forcing a withdrawal upon us.”

He added that the agreement effectively sidelines Iran from any future role in Lebanon.

“Lebanon, Israel, and the US are essentially saying to Iran: This is none of your business. You have no status here. You have no involvement and no role, not you, not Hezbollah, and not any terrorist organization.”

During the briefing, Netanyahu displayed a map of the newly established Yellow Line and outlined the two pilot areas where Israeli forces are expected to begin a phased withdrawal. He stressed that both sectors lie primarily outside the security zone.

“Israel and Lebanon have agreed on two adjacent areas near the Yellow Line, recommended by the IDF, where there will be a pilot program for disarming Hezbollah and transferring the territory to the control of the Lebanese army,” he explained. “This is a tremendous achievement, because what were they trying to do? They tried to get us out of there through all kinds of means and pressures. That, of course, will not happen.”

Under the framework, Israel and Lebanon recognize each other’s sovereignty and commit to pursuing a permanent resolution to the conflict. Israel reaffirmed that it has no territorial ambitions inside Lebanon and stated that once Hezbollah and its terrorist infrastructure are dismantled throughout the country, there will no longer be a need for an Israeli military presence there.

The agreement also provides for a gradual Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory, beginning with the two designated pilot zones, which will be transferred to the control of the Lebanese Armed Forces once Hezbollah and its infrastructure have been removed.

Netanyahu expressed gratitude to President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for helping broker the agreement, while also thanking Lebanon’s leadership and Israel’s negotiating team.

“I thank President Trump and Secretary of State Rubio for their involvement, their contribution, and for achieving these understandings. I thank the government of Lebanon and the people of Lebanon; they showed great courage. I thank Israeli Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter, and our team, they faithfully represented Israel in the talks.”

He said the agreement not only weakens Iran militarily but also dismantles its diplomatic influence in the region.

“We are breaking the Iranian axis of terror, but we are also breaking the Iranian diplomatic axis.”

Netanyahu credited Israel’s battlefield successes for making the diplomatic breakthrough possible.

“We managed to reach this framework of understandings for a simple reason: Because we struck Hezbollah hard. And Hezbollah, which expected assistance from Iran, did not receive it, because we struck Iran hard. All of this was done thanks to the heroism of our fighters, and also thanks to the wise and courageous decisions we made.”

Reviewing the military campaign in southern Lebanon, Netanyahu said Israeli forces would continue dismantling Hezbollah’s infrastructure while maintaining control of key strategic positions.

“We took control of the Beaufort and we are staying in the Beaufort; we took control of the Ali Taher ridge, and of Bint Jbeil – they are under our control. We are eliminating their terrorist infrastructure throughout the entire area, in the entire Yellow Zone; we are simply wiping out the terrorist infrastructure. There are bunkers there, there are tunnels there, there are terrorist villages there; we are wiping the, all out. We are not done yet, we still have work to do, especially regarding the global problem of explosive drones, and in this too, we will be the first in the world to find a solution.”

He concluded that the agreement marks a major turning point for the region.

“But what is clear is one thing: There is a historic achievement here. This agreement strengthens Israel and Lebanon, and weakens Iran and Hezbollah. And G-d willing, this is a sign of things to come.”

Netanyahu also pledged to restore security and economic growth to Israel’s northern communities.

“We will continue to do everything necessary to restore security to the residents of the North, just as we successfully did in the South. We did it once again thanks to the heroism of the fighters and commanders, and also thanks to your steadfast resilience, residents of the North. We are bringing you not only security assistance, but also over 20 billion shekels to restore prosperity to the North.”

Looking toward the future, Netanyahu said his vision is for the northern border to become one of peace and prosperity.

“This is what I want to see: A quiet border between us and Lebanon, a border of peace. And in the North, I want to see security, peace, and prosperity. What happened in the South, which is currently prospering in the western Negev, will also happen in the North. This is my goal, and with your help and G-d’s help, we will achieve it.”

Asked about the upcoming elections, Netanyahu said he intends to build a broad national unity coalition rather than govern through a narrow political alliance.

“I believe there are forces within our society that want to create division among the people,” he said. “They want to deepen misunderstandings and disagreements, and I think that is a terrible mistake. We must make every effort to resolve our internal disputes through consensus, because we have enemies outside. I say this clearly: There will not be a civil war here.”

He said such a government would require ending political boycotts and focusing on shared national priorities.

“To achieve that, I intend to form a broad national government – not a narrow one, and not a left-wing government that will be dependent on Arab parties. Rather, a broad national government, because I think that is the only way that we can reach agreements among ourselves.

“What does that mean? It means an end to political boycotts. I am not boycotting anyone. Everyone is welcome to join, they simply need to agree on our fundamental principles.”

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir sharply criticized the new framework agreement between Israel and Lebanon on Motzoei Shabbos, calling it a dangerous mistake and revealing that he has asked Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu to bring the accord before the cabinet for a formal vote.

Ben Gvir said he has opposed the agreement for weeks and argued that Israel should not rely on the Lebanese government to dismantle Hezbollah’s military capabilities.

“The agreement with Lebanon is a serious mistake,” Ben Gvir said. “I contacted the prime minister this evening and requested a cabinet vote. I have been fighting against this agreement for weeks. At the moment, we remain in control of most of the area, but the state of Lebanon will not disarm Hezbollah of its weapons. There is no reason to trust Lebanon to take Hezbollah’s weapons away. I will demand a cabinet vote. Only IDF soldiers will destroy Hezbollah. No other body will do it for us.”

His remarks followed the signing of a framework agreement by Israel, Lebanon, and the United States outlining the initial stages of an Israeli withdrawal from parts of southern Lebanon. Under the agreement, however, Israeli forces will continue operating inside the security zone until Hezbollah has been fully disarmed.

The deal emerged after extensive negotiations in Washington, where the parties reached understandings on launching a limited pilot program in two separate areas. As part of the arrangement, the IDF would pull back from designated sectors, allowing the Lebanese Armed Forces to move in and assume responsibility there.

One of the pilot zones is located south of the Litani River, while the other lies to the north. Although the IDF is expected to scale back its footprint within the security zone, it will not completely withdraw from Lebanese territory at this stage.

The pilot initiative is narrowly focused, with Israeli troops remaining deployed throughout the area while repositioning their forces to enable the Lebanese army to enter the agreed-upon locations.

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem launched a fierce attack on the newly signed framework agreement between Israel and Lebanon, denouncing the U.S.-brokered accord as a national humiliation and accusing the Lebanese government of abandoning the country’s sovereignty.

Condemning Beirut’s decision to sign the agreement in Washington, Qassem questioned the government’s commitment to protecting Lebanon’s independence and honoring previous ceasefire commitments.

“Where is the government’s responsibility for Lebanese sovereignty and its commitment to the ceasefire?” Qassem demanded.

Qassem argued that the agreement should never have been approved, insisting that it lacks any legitimacy. At the same time, he urged all parties to implement the terms of the memorandum of understanding reached between Iran and the United States.

According to Qassem, Hezbollah will continue employing every available avenue—including diplomatic efforts in the Arab world and the international community—to pressure Israel into complying with the first provision of the U.S.-Iran memorandum and withdrawing its forces from Lebanon.

He also appealed to Lebanon’s leaders to reverse what he described as a dangerous decision, warning that allowing the agreement to stand would ultimately bring devastation upon the country.

Despite his criticism, Qassem said Hezbollah remains willing to work with Lebanese authorities “for the sake of Lebanon’s sovereignty, the liberation of its land, and the expulsion of the Israeli occupier.”

He said such cooperation could extend to efforts aimed at securing the release of prisoners, enabling displaced residents to return home, rebuilding damaged areas, and reaching agreements on Lebanon’s long-term national security strategy.

The IDF and Israel Security Agency (ISA) announced that they have eliminated Walid Haniyeh, a senior Hamas terrorist who helped lead the October 7 massacre and was responsible for recruiting and training operatives in the organization’s elite Nukhba force.

According to the military, Haniyeh served as the deputy commander of a Nukhba company within Hamas’ military wing. In recent years, he played a key role in expanding the terrorist organization’s ranks by recruiting additional operatives and overseeing the military training of fighters under his command.

The IDF said Haniyeh personally commanded a terrorist cell that infiltrated Israeli territory during the October 7 attack and also participated in the cross-border assault. Officials said he directed the operation and provided operational instructions to the terrorists responsible for abducting Israeli civilians and taking them into the Gaza Strip as hostages.

The military also noted that Walid Haniyeh was the nephew of Ismail Haniyeh, the former head of Hamas’ Political Bureau.

Following the operation, the IDF emphasized that its forces remain on high alert in southern Israel and will continue taking action against emerging threats.

“Troops under the Southern Command are deployed in the area in accordance with the agreement and will continue to operate to remove any immediate threat,” the IDF said.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump announced today that he is nominating retired Oklahoma State Trooper Lance Schroyer to serve as the next director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, praising the longtime law enforcement officer as a proven leader with decades of experience combating crime and working alongside federal immigration authorities.

Sharing the announcement on Truth Social, Trump highlighted Schroyer’s nearly three decades in law enforcement and pointed to his own electoral success in Oklahoma as he introduced his nominee.

”Lance has over 29 YEARS of Law Enforcement experience in Oklahoma,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, noting he won all of the state’s counties in three successive elections.

If confirmed, Schroyer would become the first Senate-confirmed ICE director since 2017. The position has remained vacant due to years of partisan disputes in Washington over immigration enforcement policy.

Trump praised Schroyer’s record, describing him as a “PATRIOT with real operational experience, and proven leader with DECADES of experience locking up the worst of the worst, including spearheading 287g Law Enforcement partnerships with ICE!”

The president also emphasized Schroyer’s hands-on role in immigration enforcement, saying he has firsthand experience removing illegal immigrants from American communities and enjoys strong support among ICE personnel.

He noted Schoyer’s firsthand experience getting “Illegal Aliens OFF our streets” and said just like Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin, “he LOVES the men and women of ICE.”

Mullin assumed leadership of the Department of Homeland Security after winning Senate confirmation following President Trump’s decision to remove his predecessor, Kristi Noem.

The ICE director’s position has been vacant since former acting director Todd Lyons stepped down in April. His resignation followed the January shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti during anti-ICE demonstrations.

Trump urged senators to act swiftly on Schroyer’s nomination despite Congress currently being in recess through the week of July 4.

Trump called on the Senate — in recess through the week of July 4th — to confirm Schroyer immediately.

Schroyer has maintained a minimal public profile online. A LinkedIn page bearing his name contains no posts or personal information beyond his job title, while local news reports from 2015 and 2016 documented his response to several serious highway traffic accidents during his tenure with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

{Matzav.com}

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani officially opened the city’s public pool season today by jumping into an East Harlem swimming pool fully dressed in a business suit—while apparently violating the very rules swimmers are expected to follow.

Mamdani made the splash at the Thomas Jefferson Pool, where he joined dozens of children for the ceremonial kickoff to the summer season. Instead of changing into swimwear, however, the mayor entered the water in his suit, despite regulations requiring all swimmers to wear proper bathing attire.

He even left his black socks on before making what spectators described as a modest cannonball into the pool.

The stunt delighted many of the children in attendance.

“It was so fun. I didn’t think he would do it! And then he shook my hand. That felt amazing,” said Mila Mader, 12.

“I told my brother, Leo, I was like, ‘Oh my God, the mayor shook my hand.’ He shook my brother’s hands, too.”

Mamdani’s jump revived a tradition that had largely disappeared in recent administrations. Earlier this year, The City reporter Katie Honan asked whether he planned to bring back the custom of mayors taking an opening-day plunge.

Former Mayor Michael Bloomberg was the last New York City mayor to participate in the ritual, while both Bill de Blasio and Eric Adams opted not to continue the tradition.

“I’m gonna be honest, I may do it. I may commit to it,” Mamdani said in March, though he did not officially announce his plans until this week.

City regulations require everyone using public pools to wear bathing suits. Male swimmers must also wear trunks with mesh lining unless they choose to wear Speedos, which are permitted under the rules.

According to the Parks Department, those requirements are intended to help maintain proper chemical balance and sanitary conditions in the pools.

This was not the first time Mamdani has made a public splash while dressed in formal clothing.

During last year’s mayoral campaign, he ran into the frigid waters off Coney Island in a business suit during the annual Polar Bear Club Plunge, using the event to promote his pledge to freeze rents if elected.

That campaign promise moved closer to reality on Thursday, when the New York City Rent Guidelines Board approved a freeze on both one-year and two-year leases for approximately one million rent-stabilized apartments across the city.

{Matzav.com / Photo: NY Post}

The United States carried out a large-scale wave of airstrikes against multiple Iranian military targets on Saturday after Tehran allegedly violated the ceasefire agreement with another attack on a commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting President Donald Trump to warn that Iran’s continued aggression could threaten the country’s very existence.

Announcing the operation on Truth Social, Trump said the strikes were directed at Iranian military assets responsible for recent attacks.

“United States aircraft just struck Iranian missile and drone storage location, and costal radar sites, for violating the Cease Fire Agreement, AGAIN!” President Trump posted on Truth Social after ordering the attack.

He followed with an even sharper warning to Tehran.

“It is very possible that they will never learn!” he wrote. “There may come a point when we are no longer able to be reasonable, and will be forced to militarily complete the job that we very successfully started. If that happens the Islamic Republic of Iran will no longer exist!”

According to U.S. Central Command, the latest military action followed another alleged Iranian violation of the ceasefire. Officials said Iran had been given an opportunity to halt its attacks after Friday’s U.S. response to the drone strike on the M/V Ever Lovely, but instead launched another one-way attack drone.

CENTCOM says that after the US struck Iran Friday in response to an Iranian attack on a ship called the M/V Ever Lovely, the Iran “was given a chance to honor the cease-fire agreement but elected not to when its forces launched a one-way attack drone that hit M/T Kiku this morning at 4:30 a.m. ET.”

Military officials said Saturday’s operation focused on key components of Iran’s military infrastructure.

Military officials said the new today attacks “targeted Iranian military surveillance infrastructure, communication systems, air defense sites, drone storage facilities, and minelayer capabilities.”

Despite the escalating conflict, the U.S. military indicated that maritime traffic through the strategic waterway remained active.

The military also said that “commercial vessel transits through the Strait of Hormuz continue.”

CENTCOM added that the strikes were launched under direct presidential authorization.

The message from CENTCOM said attack began “at the Commander in Chief’s direction.”

Iran swiftly denounced the operation. The country’s Foreign Ministry, speaking through the semi-official Tasnim news agency, accused the United States of carrying out unlawful military aggression.

The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs told its semi-official news agency counterpart Tasnim that Iran condemns the “savage attacks, which targeted Iran’s coastal surveillance facilities,” adding that they constitute violations of international law.

Iran also urged neighboring Gulf states not to assist Washington in future military operations.

The Ministry also called upon its neighbors in the Persian Gulf “to adhere to the principles of good neighborliness” and to “observe the fundamental principle of international law” by preventing the US from using their territories and facilities.

Senior U.S. officials told Fox News that Saturday’s operation represented a significant escalation over the previous night’s strikes.

Senior US officials told Fox News that the barrage was “It’s a larger strike than last night.”

“It’s a larger strike than last night,” the official told Fox News.

The officials said Iran had an opportunity to de-escalate but instead chose further confrontation.

“Iran had a chance to stop shooting … and they didn’t take it,” the official said, adding, “instead, they attacked another ship in Hormuz this morning, the MT Kiku.”

The latest exchange marked another major setback for the already fragile ceasefire between Washington and Tehran, which has unraveled rapidly following a series of military incidents in and around the Strait of Hormuz.

Friday’s U.S. strikes had been launched after Iran targeted the cargo ship M/V Ever Lovely, while Tehran later responded with a retaliatory drone attack aimed at U.S.-linked facilities in Bahrain.

The renewed fighting now threatens to derail the broader diplomatic initiative spearheaded by Vice President JD Vance.

Meanwhile, commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz continues to face major disruptions as tensions remain high.