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Israeli security forces announced on Wednesday that they had retrieved the remains of two people held captive in Gaza, among them was Yair (Yaya) Yaakov, who had been killed during the October 7 Hamas attack and taken into Gaza. The second victim has yet to be publicly identified, though the family has been notified. According to official estimates, 54 hostages are still being held by Hamas, with 20 of them believed to be alive.

Yair’s son, Or, who was also kidnapped during the attack and later released, shared a heartfelt message on Instagram. “Dad, I love you. I still don’t know how to react, I’m sad to say. I’m waiting for your funeral. I love you, I knew this day would come. Thank you to the IDF and Shin Bet forces for the recovery. I hope the rest of the hostages will be brought back with a deal so soldiers aren’t endangered.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the nation following the announcement, acknowledging the efforts of Israeli forces in recovering the two bodies. “In an operation carried out by the IDF and the Shin Bet in the Gaza Strip, the bodies of two of our hostages were returned to Israel — Yair Yaakov, of blessed memory, and another hostage whose name has not yet been cleared for publication (his family has been notified). Yair Yaakov was murdered and abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz by Islamic Jihad on October 7, 2023. Together with all the citizens of Israel, my wife and I extend our deepest condolences to the families who have lost their most precious loved ones. I thank the soldiers and commanders for yet another successful execution of the sacred mission to bring our hostages home. We will not rest or be silent until we bring all our hostages home — both the living and the fallen,” he said.

Yair Yaakov, known as Yaya, lived in Kibbutz Nir Oz and was among those captured and slain during the deadly rampage of October 7. His life partner, Merav, and their sons Or (16) and Yagil (12) were also taken hostage that day but were later released as part of the November 2023 prisoner exchange.

On the morning of the massacre, Merav managed to alert relatives that armed terrorists had stormed their home. During the invasion, they opened fire, wounding Yair. The attackers recorded every moment — from their entry into the house to the abduction of the family. The footage reportedly shows the terrorists dragging the family from the floor, with Yair visibly injured and attempting to show them his wound. He was later separated from Merav and the boys. The house sustained heavy damage from the gunfire, marking a tragic chapter in an already devastating event.

{Matzav.com}

A meeting of the Conference of European Rabbis (CER) that was scheduled to be held next week at a hotel in Sarajevo was cancelled after a Bosnian minister called to ban it, saying its presence in the “city of openness” would “morally humiliate our capital and country.” Chief Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, President of the Conference of European Rabbis (CER), wrote, “The CER’s biannual Standing Committee meeting was due to be held at the Swisshotel in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, next week. Chief Rabbanim from all over Europe, including France, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, were due to convene to discuss the most pressing issues facing European Jewish life today and matters of freedom of religion or belief. Shockingly, the hotel has suddenly cancelled on us.” Federal Minister of Labor and Social Policy Adnan Delic wrote an open letter stating, “Sarajevo is a city of ‘openness and hospitality’ and so should ban the European-Jewish event from its city.” He implored the organizers “to immediately cancel the conference in Sarajevo, and all relevant institutions to prevent its realization, and citizens and civil society organizations not to remain silent in the face of this attempt to morally humiliate our capital and our country.” He also excoriated Israel in the letter, calling it a “genocidal entity” that is committing “shameful crimes against humanity.” Chief Rabbi Goldschmidt continued, “No other Bosnian government official has contacted the Conference of European Rabbis. We have been made unwelcome, and this last-minute, ministerial boycott of Jewish European citizens, dedicated purely to promoting Jewish life in Europe and furthering dialogue and democracy across the continent, is disgraceful.” “CER events foster dialogue, boost interfaith activity, and promote public engagement. It is Sarajevo’s loss. We are delighted that the Bavarian Government will support our event’s relocation to Munich, and we, as an organization, will continue unfazed to be engaged in supporting the Jewish communities of Europe.” “However, a wider question looms. This decision to block a European-Jewish conference on European soil is not only alarming but also revealing. It is a clear violation of EU commitments and values (The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, Articles 10 and 22; The European Council Declaration on Antisemitism, 2020). Bosnia and Herzegovina should certainly be cancelled and barred from accession to the European Union following this disgraceful castigation of a European faith group. Sarajevo has proclaimed itself a ‘city of openness and tolerance’ for anyone but Jews.” (YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

LA Mayor Karen Bass suggests things won’t be “peaceful” in Los Angeles until the Trump Administration stops enforcing immigration law and removing violent criminal illegals from the streets.

The body of Yair Yaakov HY’D, has been recovered in Gaza, his family says. Yagil Yaakov says IDF troops recovered his father’s body during an operation in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli military has yet to issue an official statement regarding the operation. Yair Yaakov, 59, was abducted from his home in Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, 2023, alongside his partner, Meirav Tal, during the brutal Hamas terrorist assault on the community. That same day, Yaakov’s sons, Or and Yagil, were also taken captive from their mother’s nearby home in Nir Oz. Meirav Tal and the Yaakov brothers were freed in a November 2023 hostage exchange with Hamas. Tragically, Yair Yaakov was murdered during the initial October 7 attack, with his death confirmed by the IDF in February 2024. Yagil Yaakov expressed gratitude to Israel’s security forces for recovering his father’s body, while voicing his hope that the remaining hostages will be returned “through a deal that doesn’t endanger soldiers.”

With nuclear tensions mounting and the clock ticking toward a sixth round of high-stakes talks, U.S. President Donald Trump issued a grim assessment Tuesday, saying he’s “less confident” than ever that a deal can be reached with Iran — as Tehran threatened to unleash attacks on American military installations across the region. “I don’t know. I did think so, and I’m getting more and more — less confident about it,” Trump said on the Pod Force One podcast with New York Post columnist Miranda Devine. “They seem to be delaying… Something happened to them.” Trump said that regardless of whether a deal is ultimately reached or not, he won’t allow the regime to get a nuclear weapon. “If they don’t make a deal, they’re not going to have a nuclear weapon. If they do make a deal, they’re not going to have a nuclear weapon, too… So it’s not going to matter from that standpoint.” He added: “It would be nicer to do it without warfare… but we’ll see. Time will tell.” Trump’s remarks came as Iranian Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh escalated the rhetoric, warning that all U.S. bases in the Middle East are “within our reach” and vowing to strike them if talks fail. “If a conflict is imposed on us… we will boldly target them in host countries,” Nasirzadeh declared at a press conference. He also revealed Iran had recently tested a missile equipped with a massive two-ton warhead. The backdrop is a diplomatic standoff approaching a boiling point. Iran is expected to submit a counter-proposal to a U.S. draft agreement it previously rejected. Trump claimed Tehran is growing “much more aggressive” at the table, while Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in February had already called for further military buildup — including ballistic missile expansion. Talks are slated for this weekend, though confusion reigns over the schedule: Trump says they’ll be held Thursday, while Tehran claims Sunday in Oman. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee pushed back strongly against allegations accusing Israel of committing genocide or using disproportionate force in Gaza. In an interview with CBN, Huckabee derided the accusations, saying, “They’re doing a lousy job at genocide. If they wanted to do genocide, they could drop a few bombs and everybody would be dead.”

Huckabee praised Israel’s efforts to minimize civilian casualties during its operations in Gaza. “The fact that they are surgically going into Gaza, trying to move the civilians out of harm’s way. They announced to them with leaflets, with paging, with cell phone texts, with loudspeakers, and they’ve put it on every media outlet and social media and say, ‘If you’re in this area, get out. We’re going to attack it.'”

He pointed out the rarity of such extensive efforts to protect civilian lives during warfare. “Now who else does that on all of the Earth?” he asked. “Not even the US gives that kind of warning to civilians to try to protect them.”

Brushing aside speculation about a strained relationship between the U.S. and Israel, Huckabee made a lighthearted comparison, describing their alliance as inseparable. “We share intelligence and strategies more than with any other country. The reason this marriage will not dissolve is that neither side could afford to pay alimony,” he said with a smile.

Turning to the topic of Judea and Samaria, Huckabee responded to reports of American pressure by affirming that the U.S. backs Israel’s right to act independently when it comes to its policies in the region.

When asked about the negotiations surrounding Iran’s nuclear ambitions, Huckabee noted that Iran has been consistently uncooperative. “Iran has steadfastly said they will not agree” to President Trump’s condition that Tehran must completely halt uranium enrichment and its nuclear weapons program. “I don’t know that we take Iran at its word—they normally don’t keep their’s very well in the 46 years that they’ve ruled that country. But I would take Trump very seriously when he says they will not have a nuclear weapon.”

{Matzav.com}

A string of recent cyberattacks and data breaches involving the systems of major retailers have started affecting shoppers. United Natural Foods, a wholesale distributor that supplies Whole Foods and other grocers, said this week that a breach of its systems was disrupting its ability to fulfill orders — leaving many stores without certain items. In the U.K., consumers could not order from the website of Marks & Spencer for more than six weeks — and found fewer in-store options after hackers targeted the British clothing, home goods and food retailer. A cyberattack on Co-op, a U.K. grocery chain, also led to empty shelves in some stores. Cyberattacks have been on the rise across industries. But infiltrations of corporate technology carry their own set of implications when the target is a consumer-facing business. Beyond potentially halting sales of physical goods, breaches can expose customers’ personal data to future phishing or fraud attempts. Here’s what you need to know. Cyberattacks are on the rise overall Despite ongoing efforts from organizations to boost their cybersecurity defenses, experts note that cyberattacks continue to increase across the board. In the past year, there’s also been an “uptick in the retail victims” of such attacks, said Cliff Steinhauer, director of information security and engagement at the National Cybersecurity Alliance, a U.S. nonprofit. “Cyber criminals are moving a little quicker than we are in terms of securing our systems,” he said. Ransomware attacks — in which hackers demand a hefty payment to restore hacked systems — account for a growing share of cyber crimes, experts note. And of course, retail isn’t the only affected sector. Tracking by NCC Group, a global cybersecurity and software escrow firm, showed that industrial businesses were most often targeted for ransomware attacks in April, followed by companies in the “consumer discretionary” sector. Attackers know there’s a particular impact when going after well-known brands and products that shoppers buy or need every day, experts note. “Creating that chaos and that panic with consumers puts pressure on the retailer,” Steinhauer said, especially if there’s a ransom demand involved. Ade Clewlow, an associate director and senior adviser at the NCC Group, points specifically to food supply chain disruptions. Following the cyberattacks targeting M&S and Co-op, for example, supermarkets in remote areas of the U.K., where inventory already was strained, saw product shortages. “People were literally going without the basics,” Clewlow said. Personal data is also at risk Along with impacting business operations, cyber breaches may compromise customer data. The information can range from names and email addresses, to more sensitive data like credit card numbers, depending on the scope of the breach. Consumers therefore need to stay alert, according to experts. “If (consumers have) given their personal information to these retailers, then they just have to be on their guard. Not just immediately, but really going forward,” Clewlow said, noting that recipients of the data may try to commit fraud “downstream.” Fraudsters might send look-alike emails asking a retailer’s account holders to change their passwords or promising fake promotions to get customers to click on a sketchy link. A good rule of thumb is to pause before opening anything and to visit the company’s recognized website or call an official customer service hotline to verify the email, experts say. It’s also best not to reuse the same passwords across multiple […]

BREAKING IN FALLSBURG: Catskills Hatzolah and other emergency personnel are on the scene at Estate Drive and Laurel Park Road, where a child was struck by a vehicle. The child is reportedly unconscious, and a medevac has been requested. Catskills Scoop will share a name for Tehillim once it becomes available. Updates to follow.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has approved the voluntary departure of military dependents from multiple locations across the Middle East.

The Trump administration has called on nations to steer clear of an upcoming United Nations conference in New York that will focus on the possibility of a two-state resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, according to a report by Reuters.

A classified diplomatic message, dated June 10, warned that any country taking steps against Israel following the conference could be viewed as acting in opposition to American diplomatic objectives. The cable suggested that such actions might carry consequences for those countries’ relationships with the United States.

The communication made it clear that Washington remains strongly opposed to any move to recognize a Palestinian state outside of a negotiated process.

As of now, the State Department has not issued any public statement in response to the report.

This advisory from Washington coincides with growing international activity surrounding the conference. French President Emmanuel Macron recently revealed that France intends to officially recognize a Palestinian state at the same UN event in New York. Speaking to France 5 television after returning from a trip to Egypt, Macron declared, “We must move towards recognition, and we will do so in the coming months.”

Macron also disclosed that France and Saudi Arabia are working jointly to organize the conference, which could serve as a coordinated platform for several countries to announce recognition of Palestinian statehood. He framed the move as part of a strategy to promote peace and mutual legitimacy in the Middle East.

Justifying the proposed recognition, Macron said, “Such recognition would allow France to be clear in our fight against those who deny Israel’s right to exist, which is the case with Iran – and to commit ourselves to collective security in the region.”

The Palestinian Authority applauded Macron’s remarks. Varsen Aghabekian Shahin, identified as the PA “minister of state for foreign affairs,” described the planned recognition as “a step in the right direction.” On the other hand, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar condemned the idea, cautioning that acknowledging what he described as a “fictional Palestinian state” without negotiations would serve to reward violence and empower Hamas.

Recently, several European nations—including Spain, Ireland, Norway, and Slovenia—have already recognized a Palestinian state, fueling further debate on the issue.

{Matzav.com}

BREAKING: IDF troops recovered the body of slain hostage Yair Yaakov during an operation in the Gaza Strip, his son Yagil says. The military has not yet commented on the operation.

U.S. officials stated that the State Department will order nonessential personnel to leave the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and allow nonessential staff and dependents to depart from U.S. diplomatic facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait due to heightened regional tensions and potential unrest.

Rav Aharon Teitelbaum, the Satmar Rebbe of Kiryas Yoel, is preparing to visit Israel this week, marking a decade since his last trip to the country.

He will be flying in on a privately arranged charter, joined by a large group of Chassidim traveling from the U.S. and various other countries to accompany him.

The itinerary for the trip features several major milestones, including the dedication of a new girls’ school in Bnei Brak, along with an event connected to the ongoing development of a Satmar complex in Yerushalayim.

The centerpiece of the visit will be a special Shabbos in Meron. Thousands of participants, both local and international, are expected to converge for the occasion. In anticipation of the crowds, event planners have already secured more than 80% of the available apartments and guest accommodations in the area to avoid inflation of prices and to ensure smooth arrangements. In an official notice distributed to the community, the organizers emphasized that no one should handle their own lodging plans, stating that “all arrangements must go through the official organizing committee.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

That perfect slice of Jersey pizza. Garden State puns about putting down roots. A whirlwind lesson on Navy helicopters. And diners, lots of diners. If you’re paying attention to New Jersey’s race for governor between Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli and looking for signs about the national mood on President Donald Trump’s agenda and how voters are reacting to Democrats’ messaging, getting to know the candidates might help decode things for you. Both Sherrill and Ciattarelli emerged from competitive primaries and began the general election campaign Wednesday with efforts to unify their parties. And they both found subtle (and overt) ways to broadcast their backgrounds to voters during the campaign: Ciattarelli turned up at a pizzeria — a classic wood-paneled joint — in his hometown with supporters casting him as a homegrown guy. Sherrill leans into her military service as a Navy helicopter pilot; her campaign signs have little choppers hovering above her name, for instance. They’re both campaigning at the state’s famed diners. Here’s a closer look at each of the candidates. New Jersey, my home Giacchino “Jack” Ciattarelli (Chit-a-REL-ee), 63, has made being a lifelong New Jersey resident part of his campaign pitch and put his hometown of suburban Raritan at the center of some key campaign events. He conceded the close 2021 loss to Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy there and said he’d run again. “New Jersey is my home. Always has been, always will be,” he said Tuesday. “Unfortunately New Jersey is broken. Make no mistake, it can be fixed.” Four years after his defeat, he’s the GOP nominee again. A Trump critic during his first run for governor in 2017, he’s come to support the president, who endorsed Ciattarelli as “ALL IN” on the MAGA agenda. Ciattarelli attended Seton Hall University for undergraduate and graduate school, eventually getting an MBA at the South Orange school and becoming a certified public accountant. He founded Galen Publishing, which produces medical literature, and served in elected office at various levels. He was a member of the Raritan Borough Council before becoming a Somerset County Freeholder (now called commissioners). He was elected to the state Assembly in 2011 and served until 2018 after not seeking reelection because of his first run for governor. The father of four adult children, Ciattarelli said in 2023 he and his longtime wife Melinda had separated. ‘Grow your dreams’ Rebecca Michelle “Mikie” Sherrill, 53, is a Montclair resident who first ran for political office in 2018, when she won in the long-time GOP-held 11th District in northern New Jersey’s wealthy suburbs. She was born in northern Virginia and attended the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, where she met her husband Jason Hedberg. Alluding to her later-in-life arrival to New Jersey, she invoked New Jersey’s Garden State nickname on primary night. “This is where you plant your family and you grow your dreams,” she said. Sherrill served for a decade in the Navy, piloting Sea King helicopters, an ever-present part of her story on the campaign trail. She attended Georgetown for law school after her military service and worked as an assistant U.S. attorney in the District of New Jersey. She and her husband also have four children, and she’s put motherhood at the center of her campaign, frequently pointing to being the mom of four kids along with her […]

Argentinian President Javier Milei delivered remarks to the Knesset on Wednesday evening, during which he revealed that Argentina plans to move its embassy to Yerushalayim in 2026.

Knesset Speaker Amir Ochana formally greeted President Milei, calling his presence in the Knesset a “historic moment” for bilateral ties between the two nations.

“It is a tremendous honor for me to host, together with you, dear Members of Knesset, the greatest friend the State of Israel and the Jewish people have ever had in the Casa Rosada and in Argentina – President Javier Milei,” Ochana said.

He went on to emphasize the importance of the occasion, noting that this was the first time an Argentinian head of state had addressed a full session of the Knesset. “This is a historic moment in Israel-Argentina relations, as it marks the first time the Knesset has hosted an Argentine President to address the full plenum. During our meeting in Buenos Aires, I believed there was no one more fitting than you, Mr. President, to enter the annals of Israeli and Jewish history as the first Argentine leader to speak to the people of Israel from their house of representatives. I thank you for accepting my invitation. Welcome to the Knesset and welcome to Jerusalem!”

Ochana also praised Milei’s commitment to timeless principles and his willingness to go against popular trends, highlighting how the president draws inspiration and ethical direction from his weekly Torah learning. “These, as you’ve said, have given you ‘a moral compass lacking in the modern political world.’”

“You searched, you deepened, you found your roots. And in doing so, you discovered the truth that connects our people across millennia to our ancient homeland and to our one and only eternal capital.”

Ochana commended Milei for his outspoken support of Israel on the international stage. “It is no surprise that you have become one of Israel’s most passionate friends and defenders on the world stage. Your words have resonated far and wide and have been received by the people of Israel like cold water to a parched soul – words backed by actions.”

He specifically pointed to Milei’s vocal opposition to the Iranian regime, which he described as fueling the war currently waged against Israel from multiple fronts. “You have stood against Iran – the regime of evil funding the current war against Israel on seven fronts.”

Ochana cautioned that Iran continues to pursue nuclear capabilities, even as Israel is engaged in what he described as a justified and ongoing military effort, while still fighting to bring back 55 hostages being held in Gaza. “The Iranian regime presses forward with its nuclear ambitions. The Jewish people have learned from history – when our enemies declare their intent to destroy us, we take them seriously and act accordingly. Mr. President, we will prevail.”

He concluded by expressing gratitude on behalf of the Knesset and the Israeli public. “By standing with Israel, you have woven yourself and the Argentine people into the eternal story of the Jewish nation. On behalf of the Knesset, representing all citizens of Israel – thank you. Long live the State of Israel, long live Argentina, long live liberty!”

Opposition Leader Yair Lapid, speaking to applause from the coalition benches, then addressed Milei warmly. “Sir, since the Prime Minister does not know Spanish, I can tell you in secret that we disagree on almost nothing. But there are two things on which we agree. The first is that Jews have the right to defend themselves. Israel will not surrender or bend. Neither in the face of terror nor in the face of lies. The second is that your friendship and support for Israel moves us all, and we welcome you on your visit to the Holy Land.”

{Matzav.com}

Karoline Leavitt sends a strong warning to any rioters across the country: “Let this be a message to left-wing radicals in other parts of the country thinking about copycatting the violence to stop mass deportation, you will not succeed.”

WH PRESS SECRETARY: “The Trump administration is going to continue the mass deportation effort that the President promised the American public… It’s part of the reason we do need the One, Big, Beautiful Bill to pass… The bill provides funding to hire more ICE agents and Border Patrol agents.”

WH PRESS SECRETARY: “The latest consumer price index inflation report came in today below expectations again. Since President Trump took office, inflation has come in below economists’ expectations every single month… Under President Trump’s strong leadership, America is beating Joe Biden’s record-high inflation crisis.”