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Two Israeli soldiers sustained moderate wounds today in separate operational mishaps amid ongoing combat in Gaza.

The first case involved a member of the Kfir Brigade, who was struck by shrapnel after an IDF grenade detonated nearby during fighting.

Medics provided urgent care on the ground before he was airlifted by helicopter to a medical center in central Israel.

In a second, unrelated episode, a soldier from Brigade 188 was hurt when he was accidentally shot during a maneuver, the result of a miscommunication between units.

That soldier was transported by helicopter to Wolfson Hospital in Holon for further treatment.

{Matzav.com Israel}

The Mossad issued an internal assessment just two weeks before the October 7, 2023 Hamas assault that downplayed the risk of an imminent attack, according to a Channel 12 report. The position paper, cited by the network, stated that Hamas leadership in Gaza “is not interested in military conflict with Israel at the present time, but will not be deterred if it is forced upon them.” The document also noted that Hamas was maintaining “a high degree of readiness out of concern for Israeli countermeasures,” but assessed that the group’s overall interest was to avoid escalation. The attack on October 7 left roughly 1,200 people dead and 251 taken hostage, making it the deadliest assault in Israel’s history. In response to Channel 12’s reporting, Mossad said it was not responsible for intelligence collection or operational activity in Gaza. “According to the distribution of responsibilities between the intelligence services… the Mossad has no responsibility for strategic alerts about the use of force in the Palestinian arena,” the agency said in a statement. It added that the paper was given “low significance” and clarified that it did not deal “operationally in the Gaza Strip — neither in intelligence gathering, nor in running agents, nor in conducting special operations.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Israel’s National Cyber Directorate said it is investigating a wave of suspicious phone calls targeting Israeli citizens with prerecorded Hebrew messages that appeared to come from Iranian intelligence operatives. According to Ynet, one recording introduced itself as a direct pitch from Tehran: “Iranian intelligence is looking for official agents — competitive salary, comprehensive security. Find us on Telegram and the internet.” One man told the outlet that both he and his wife received a call offering financial compensation if they agreed to enlist as agents for Iran. The cyber directorate urged the public not to answer calls from numbers beginning with 03-6817 or 03-3067, and to hang up immediately if connected. Officials stressed that simply answering the call would not compromise a device. Police instructed recipients to block the numbers and file reports with law enforcement. The calls add to a string of documented Iranian recruitment efforts in recent years, many of them run through the encrypted messaging app Telegram. Investigations have shown that Israelis drawn in online are often asked to perform simple, seemingly harmless tasks before being directed to gather intelligence or, in some cases, participate in assassination plots. The surge in arrests has been significant enough that Israel has opened a new wing in Haifa’s Damon prison to house suspected Iranian agents. Most operatives are ordinary Israeli civilians targeted by Iranian officers online. Israeli officials say the campaign is designed to build a grassroots spy network capable of collecting intelligence on nuclear and military facilities and tracking senior figures in the defense establishment and scientific community. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Senior Hamas leader Ghazi Hamad declared that the October 7, 2023, assault on Israel — one of the bloodiest days in the nation’s history — was a “benefit” to the Palestinian cause, even as the devastating war it triggered continues to grind on nearly two years later. In an interview aired Thursday on CNN, Hamad said the cross-border rampage, which left some 1,200 Israelis dead and 251 taken hostage, created a “golden moment” for Palestinians by putting what he described as Israel’s “brutality” on display before the international community. “You know what is the benefit of October 7 now?” Hamad asked. “If you look to the [UN] General Assembly yesterday, when about 194 people opened their eyes and looked to the atrocity, to the brutality of Israel, and all of them, they condemned Israel.” Hamad went further, claiming: “We waited for this moment for 77 years. I think this is a golden moment for the world to change history.” The remarks come as Gaza reels from unprecedented destruction and loss of life. According to figures released by Hamas, which cannot be independently verified, more than 65,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel launched its military campaign in response to the October 7 attack. Pressed by CNN on whether Hamas bears responsibility for the staggering death toll — given that the group instigated the war with its assault — Hamad rejected the premise outright. “I know the price [is] so high,” he said, “but I’m asking again, what is the option?” Hamad also dismissed the insistence by the U.S. and other Western powers that Hamas must play no role in any future Palestinian state. He argued that the world cannot “exclude” the terror group, asserting it is “playing a positive role” in advancing Palestinian aspirations. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Oregon’s Democratic governor firmly tells President Trump not to send troops to Portland.

VP Vance on Kamala Harris: “I listen to Kamala Harris for 90 seconds and I actually feel like I’ve gotten dumber in the process.”

The FBI has fired the agents who were photographed kneeling at a 2020 George Floyd protest.

Emirati media released footage of last night’s meeting between Prime Minister Netanyahu and Emirati Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.

Yisrael Porush, son of United Torah Judaism MK Meir Porush, was arrested by police on Motzei Shabbos during a protest outside Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara in Tel Aviv. Porush, a member of the Elad city council for the Shlomei Emunim movement, a former mayor of the Chareidi city, and leader of the Magen u-Moshi’a anti-enlistment group, was protesting against the detention of Chareidim for refusing to report to IDF draft notices. A video posted on an official Shlomei Emunim WhatsApp group shows Porush, wearing a Tallis, entering a police vehicle. He states, “I am being arrested for blowing the shofar in the Land of Israel while there are a hundred young men in detention.” There are around 100 Chareidim in military prison as of last week. In a statement, Shlomei Emunim called the arrest “an outrageous violation of the right to protest,” while MK Porush stated that his son’s detention reveals the “hypocrisy” of those protesting the government. “That cannot be considered democracy,” he said, adding, “when people demonstrate against the attorney general, who demands mass arrests with governmental violence and the denial of the right to study Torah…that is forbidden, and the demonstrator must be arrested.” Porush strongly criticized authorities, saying, “Rabbi Porush exposed this hypocrisy tonight. Thanks to him, everyone now knows that the State of Israel is not a nation of law, but a dictatorship hostile to democracy. There are unelected rulers in the legal system against whom it is forbidden to protest.”

TRUMP: “I am pleased to report that we are having very inspired and productive discussions with the Middle Eastern Community concerning Gaza. Intense negotiations have been going on for four days, and will continue for as long as necessary.”

Ukraine has reportedly received a U.S.-made Patriot air-defense system from Israel, which officials say has been operational for a month.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries slammed President Donald Trump for attending Ryder Cup golf matches just days before a possible government shutdown, as Republicans push for a “clean” stopgap funding bill while Democrats demand it also extend ACA tax credits set to expire before 2026.

The Shin Bet and IDF say an airstrike in Gaza killed Hamas terrorist Muhammad Ahmad Yousef al-Jamal, who shot and killed Israeli officer Chief Inspector Arnon Zmora during the June 8, 2024, Nuseirat hostage rescue. Also killed in the strike was Sari Idris Muhammad al-Aqrab, another Hamas terrorist linked to the October 7 attacks.

The IDF says its troops demolished the home of one of the two Palestinian terrorists behind the Yerushalayim shooting attack earlier this month that left six people dead.

Federal prosecutors at the Department of Justice may be looking for more evidence against James Comey, as legal analysts warn the case accusing the former FBI director of lying to Congress is too fragile to guarantee a conviction.

Mike Davis, who previously served as chief counsel to Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and is a Trump ally, told The Post on Friday that he expects prosecutors to expand the charges. Comey was indicted Thursday on counts of making false statements to Congress and obstruction of justice.

“I imagine there will be a superseding indictment on this case, and I’m pushing very hard for the Crossfire Hurricane investigation to get moving,” Davis said.

The indictment was filed just before the five-year statute of limitations expired for Comey’s testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee on September 30, 2020.

The charges, brought by acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia Lindsey Halligan, center on testimony from Comey’s former deputy Andrew McCabe. McCabe told the Justice Department inspector general that Comey said it was “good” that he had passed information to The Wall Street Journal for an October 30, 2016 story about the Clinton Foundation probe.

“The case was strong enough for the grand jury to indict,” said Davis, who worked at DOJ during the George W. Bush years.

“Comey clearly lied twice. He lied in 2017 to Grassley. He lied again in 2020 to Ted Cruz, and this is just the beginning of Comey’s legal troubles.”

Still, Davis conceded the prosecution faces an uphill battle in Virginia, a Democratic stronghold, where Biden-appointed Judge Michael Nachmanoff is presiding.

Skeptics argue that while evidence may exist showing Comey misled lawmakers, the case has serious weaknesses. Among them is a memo written by former U.S. Attorney Erik Siebert opposing charges against Comey, which could be introduced to support claims of political or vindictive prosecution, especially when paired with Trump’s repeated criticisms of the ex-FBI chief.

McCabe also testified that Comey approved the leak only after the fact, rather than authorizing it beforehand. McCabe himself was fired in 2018 by then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions after an inspector general report concluded he “lacked candor” with both Comey and other senior officials.

“Andrew McCabe, if it goes to trial and he testifies for the government, he will be eviscerated,” said Gene Rossi, a longtime federal prosecutor in the Eastern District of Virginia.

“If they go to trial — if it gets that far and it’s not killed or dismissed because of vindictive and selective prosecution, facts for which are abundant — they have got a proof problem at trial,” Rossi added. Rossi worked alongside Comey in Virginia between 1996 and 2001.

Former prosecutor Neama Rahmani predicted a similar outcome: “I think they lose this case,” he said of the Trump DOJ’s effort, noting, “If the DOJ cared about this leak, they would have prosecuted it during the first Trump administration.”

Comey testified to Congress in 2017 that he “never” served as an anonymous source about investigations into President Trump or Hillary Clinton and that “no,” he had not allowed subordinates to act as anonymous sources for reporters on those matters.

At a September 2020 Judiciary Committee hearing, Comey reaffirmed his earlier testimony, telling Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), “I stand by the [2017] testimony.” That reaffirmation extended the five-year statute of limitations, setting September 30, 2025, as the deadline for possible charges.

McCabe, however, told investigators in 2018 that he “did not recall discussing the disclosure with Comey in advance of authorizing it, although it was possible that he did.” Comey, on the other hand, told the inspector general that McCabe “definitely” had not informed him of the leak.

“The director and the deputy director of the FBI are the only two FBI officials who have the authority and the responsibility to authorize the release of information to the media,” McCabe later testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee in November 2020.

{Matzav.com

The IDF released footage of a drone strike in Gaza City targeting Hamas terrorists who were spotted attempting to plant bombs. The terrorists, seen digging while trying to conceal themselves under blankets, were identified by troops of the 188th Armored Brigade, who then called in the Israeli Air Force to carry out the strike, killing them, according to the military.

On the one-year anniversary of his assassination by Israel, the Hezbollah-affiliated al-Mayadeen network broadcast what it claims is the final image of the group’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah.

Thousands of travelers returning from Uman after spending Rosh Hashanah there are facing a chaotic ordeal, with many forced to spend Shabbos in makeshift tents across Romania.

Passengers who had hoped to be back in Israel in time for the weekend were instead stranded due to widespread delays at border crossings and airports, leaving them with no option but to rely on emergency accommodations.

Travel agencies announced that buses would pick up stranded passengers from Tulcea Airport, the waiting hall near the Orlivka border, and from Iasi, transporting them to temporary lodging sites prepared for Shabbos. Organizers promised that Shabbos meals would also be provided at these locations.

Many accused the chareidi Knesset representatives of neglecting the plight of Breslover chassidim, saying: “לחברי הכנסת החרדים לא איכפת כי זה חסידי ברסלב — The chareidi MKs don’t care because we’re Breslov.”

Since Rosh Hashanah, heavy congestion at Ukraine’s borders has caused significant hold-ups, leading to missed flights and confusion at airports across Europe. Countless passengers reported distressing experiences and blamed their representatives for failing to intervene.

The chaos resulted in the cancellation of four flights from Tulcea and Iasi after airline crews exceeded their permitted working hours under international aviation regulations, making it impossible for them to fly.

Two major agencies, Nativim Tours and Derech Tzaddikim, said they had tried to add extra flights immediately but were unable to do so. “In the meantime, we have been working since this afternoon to arrange sleeping areas and Shabbos meals for our clients who are stuck in Romania,” the agencies said. “Our buses will transport passengers from Tulcea Airport (including the waiting hall), from Orlivka, and from Iasi, and bring them to the designated lodging points, where we will provide Shabbos meals. Passengers making their own Shabbos arrangements should follow our updates regarding the new flights we have secured.”

Those left in Romania will be flown home on special flights organized for Motzoei Shabbos and Sunday morning, departing from several airports simultaneously.

Earlier reports described the return journey from Uman as a grueling and drawn-out saga. With long backups at crossings between Ukraine, Romania, Hungary, Poland, and Moldova, many travelers attempted to find alternate routes to Israel. Some, however, chose to remain in place until after Shabbos to avoid being stranded on the road without a safe place to stay.

{Matzav.com}

Federal prosecutors are moving ahead with charges against James Comey, who led the FBI during President Donald Trump’s first term, but the case lacks real strength, according to retired Judge Andrew Napolitano. Speaking Friday on Newsmax, Napolitano said the government is essentially “striking back” at Comey over his actions involving Trump.

Napolitano, who serves as Newsmax’s chief judicial analyst, said on National Report that Comey’s treatment of Trump while he was in office was “illegal, reprehensible, and politically motivated,” but added, “It’s too late to prosecute him for that.”

“Many of the things he did in the first term, and then he was fired in the beginning of the first term,” said Napolitano. “Many of the things he did in the tail end of President [Barack] Obama’s presidency could have formed the basis for criminal prosecutions in the first Trump term. They didn’t do that. The statute of limitations has expired.”

Comey had overseen high-profile inquiries into Trump and his circle — cases the president has frequently slammed as “lawfare.” These included the investigations into alleged Russian election interference, questions about campaign contacts with Moscow, and surveillance matters tied to Trump associates. Most of these probes ultimately collapsed without convictions.

Napolitano noted that prosecutors are now on their third attempt to bring charges against Comey after two earlier grand juries rejected indictments. The current case involves two separate counts.

The first charge claims Comey gave false testimony when Senator Ted Cruz asked him if he had authorized another FBI official to disclose details of the Trump-Russia probe to the media. Comey replied simply, “No.” But former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe has testified that Comey did, in fact, give that go-ahead.

Comey is “being prosecuted for this one-word answer as a way of striking back at him for the other things that he did,” Napolitano explained. “That’s not really permissible under the law, but prosecutors do it.”

He pointed out that the evidence is shaky, essentially boiling down to conflicting statements. The Justice Department’s inspector general had previously determined that McCabe was dishonest while Comey had told the truth. That conclusion, Napolitano said, is why past prosecutors and grand juries declined to pursue charges.

The second count stems from the first, accusing Comey of obstructing justice by hindering Congress’ investigation through his supposed false statement.

Napolitano cast doubt on that allegation too, saying, “If he’s found not guilty on the lie, or if the lie part is dismissed by a federal judge, then the obstruction of justice part goes away as well.”

He underscored that the government faces an uphill battle. “I think it’s a very weak case, and I think it’s a very difficult one to prove,” Napolitano said, noting that McCabe presents a serious hurdle. “He’s Jim Comey’s friend and former colleague who does not want to see him convicted. I don’t think the government is going to get out of him what they want, other than what he already told Congress.”

In the end, Napolitano said, jurors will have to wrestle with one basic issue: “Did he or didn’t he lie?”

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu sat down with New York City Mayor Eric Adams following Netanyahu’s address at the United Nations General Assembly.

“For decades, world leaders have convened in New York City for the United Nations General Assembly to pursue diplomacy and peace,” Adams says in a statement. “Allowing everyone to speak freely is who we are as a city and as a nation — and while many may try to reject that notion today, I will continue to embrace it.”

“That is why, of all the world leaders we have greeted this week, I was particularly proud to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after his address to the United Nations, to thank him for defending the Western world and our way of life,” Adams says. “Prime Minister Netanyahu laid out a clear case that those who call for the death of Jews across the globe are also calling for the death of Americans.”

“At a time when much of the world is turning its back on the Jewish State of Israel, the mayor of the largest Jewish community outside of Israel must remain steadfast in our support for Israel, its right to defend itself, eliminate Hamas, and bring every single one of their hostages home,” Adams says.

Adams, who has long aligned himself with pro-Israel causes, is also in the middle of his reelection campaign with the mayoral vote approaching in November.

Current polling shows Adams holding third place in the race, trailing Zohran Mamdani, the far-left candidate who is sharply critical of Israel, and Andrew Cuomo, the former governor who has backed Israel while also expressing some disapproval of the military campaign in Gaza in recent weeks.

{Matzav.com}