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A ceasefire between Iran and Israel has not ended the threat of cyberattacks from hacking groups supportive of Tehran, the FBI and federal cybersecurity officials warned Monday. In a public bulletin, the authorities warned that hacking groups affiliated with or supportive of Tehran may still seek to disrupt or disable critical infrastructure systems in the U.S. such as utilities, transportation and economic hubs. Hackers may also target defense contractors or other American companies with ties to Israel, the agencies said. “Despite a declared ceasefire and ongoing negotiations towards a permanent solution, Iranian-affiliated cyber actors and hacktivist groups may still conduct malicious cyber activity,” the agencies warned. The warning of continued cyberthreats after a halt to conventional warfare reflects the often opaque nature of cyber conflict. Hacking groups may have only loose ties to a nation state, and may seek to retaliate as an alternative to traditional military action. The bulletin outlined recommendations, including the use of regular software updates and strong password management systems to shore up digital defenses. Hackers backing Tehran have targeted U.S. banks, defense contractors and energy companies following American strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities — but so far have not caused widespread disruptions. While it lacks the technical abilities of China or Russia, Iran has long used its more limited capabilities to steal secrets, score political points or frighten opponents. Analysts have tied some of these activities to groups working on behalf of Iran’s military and intelligence agencies. But in other instances, the groups appear to act independently. (AP)

A line of thunderstorms is bringing torrential rain – and flooding – to Lakewood, with people getting creative to avoid getting soaked, including this fellow outside BMG’s Bais Aharon bais medrash.

“The American people will remember the Republican betrayal and Americans will pay the price for this perfidy for generations.” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer held a press conference after Pres. Trump’s megabill passed in the chamber.

CNN reported on Tuesday that President Donald Trump enjoys an extraordinary level of support among Republican voters — greater than that of any GOP president in recent memory.

Harry Enten, CNN’s senior data analyst, explained in comments cited by the Independent Journal Review that polling shows a substantial portion of Republicans are not just supportive, but deeply enthusiastic about Trump. “Republicans love Donald Trump the way that Americans love Disney World. The bottom line is 63%,” he said. “That is a huge, huge base. And of course, it’s just part of the Republican base, in which about 90% of them overall approve of him, including the somewhat approves as well.”

Enten emphasized the intensity of the support, noting that it goes beyond mere favorability. “So this isn’t just Republicans who like Donald Trump. This is Republicans who love Donald Trump, and he’s up like a rocket.”

He pointed out the dramatic rise in those who strongly approve of Trump’s performance compared to earlier years. “Look at this. In July 2017, the strongly approved was 53%. That’s pretty good. But look at where he is now. Sixty-three percent of Republicans strongly approve of the job that Donald Trump is doing about five months into his presidency.”

When stacking Trump’s popularity against that of past Republican presidents, Enten said no one else comes close. “And I was looking even back since (Ronald) Reagan, and get this, Donald Trump beats Ronald Reagan when it comes to the strongly approved,” said Enten.

“The bottom line is, Donald Trump is making history with the Republican base. He is more beloved by this Republican base than any Republican base loved any GOP president at five months, and it is history making. It is a striking number.”

A June report by the Pew Research Center highlighted that Trump’s 2024 campaign succeeded in assembling a remarkably broad coalition, noting that 85% of those who voted for him in 2020 returned to support him again in 2024.

Pew’s analysis further revealed that 5% of those who had voted for Joe Biden in the last election switched sides in 2024, helping Trump capture every key swing state and secure a second term in the Oval Office by defeating Democrat Kamala Harris.

{Matzav.com}

After 14 years of civil war in Syria and a devastating earthquake, mountains of rubble clog the streets of Aleppo, hindering reconstruction and threatening public health

Trump on the One Big Beautiful Bill: “I felt the Senate was going to be tougher than the House — we got there. We got pretty much what we wanted. It’s the biggest bill ever passed if we get this done… This bill has something for everybody… We’re happy with the results.”

POTUS: “We have a moron at the head of the Fed. He’s a moron.”

NEW: Pres. Trump says he wants Lara Trump to run for North Carolina Senate seat “She’s a great person, Lara Trump. That would always be my first choice.”

Trump’s megabill squeaks through Senate, but House can still reject final version The Senate passed its version of President Donald Trump’s megabill after days of tense negotiations in the upper chamber. The House now has the reins on Trump’s domestic policy package, where questions remain about whether enough lawmakers will vote for it. Trump has repeatedly insisted that he wants the bill on his desk by July 4.

JUST IN: Trump announces Iowa event Thursday “to kick off the very beginning of our exciting Celebration of America’s 250th Anniversary…” “You are going to be very happy with what I say.”

A fresh survey conducted by the Midgam Institute and broadcast Tuesday night on Channel 12 News examined how Gadi Eisenkot’s departure from the National Unity Party could influence the Israeli political landscape.

If elections were to be held now with the current parties in place, Likud would earn 26 seats in the Knesset, and Naftali Bennett’s faction would come in close behind with 24. The Democrats would secure 12, Yisrael Beytenu 10, Yesh Atid and Shas would each garner 9, United Torah Judaism would get 8, Blue and White and Otzma Yehudit would both receive 6, while Hadash-Ta’al and Ra’am would take 5 each. The Religious Zionist Party wouldn’t reach the minimum threshold required for representation.

In a case where Eisenkot launches his own party, it would gain 8 seats—overtaking both Yesh Atid and Blue and White. Under that scenario, Likud’s seat count would stay at 26, while Bennett’s faction would slip to 22. Support for the Democrats would decrease to 10, Yesh Atid would drop to 7, and Gantz’s and Liberman’s parties would each lose one seat.

If Eisenkot were to take the helm of Yesh Atid with Yair Lapid second on the list, their ticket would receive a boost, reaching 18 seats. Likud would still remain at 26 seats. Bennett’s party would slide to 21, Democrats would lose ground with just 9 seats, and Blue and White would be reduced to 4.

Alternatively, should Eisenkot align with Bennett as his deputy, the joint list would become the most powerful force in the Knesset, earning 32 seats. Likud would see a slight increase to 27. Democrats would dip to 11, Yesh Atid would fall to 8, and Blue and White would not manage to get any seats at all.

A different poll by the Maagar Mochot Institute, aired on Channel 13 News, showed that a new party led by Eisenkot would capture 9 seats—again pushing Blue and White out of the Knesset. According to that poll, Likud would win 25 seats, Bennett’s slate would take 21, Shas and Yisrael Beytenu would each get 10, Democrats would finish with 9, Otzma Yehudit would get 8, United Torah Judaism 7, and Yesh Atid 7. Ra’am and Hadash-Ta’al would each secure 5 seats. The Religious Zionist Party would just make it in with 4 seats.

This arrangement would give the current governing coalition 54 seats. Meanwhile, the opposition bloc, along with the Arab parties, would command a majority with 66 seats.

That same poll also analyzed what might happen if Eisenkot were to run on a joint ticket with Bennett. That partnership would again claim the top spot with 31 seats. Likud would secure 24, Democrats would climb to 10, and Gantz’s National Unity Party would barely scrape by with 4 seats.

The final scenario evaluated Eisenkot joining forces with Lapid. That version of Yesh Atid would bring in 14 seats. Likud would garner 26, Bennett’s party would collect 23, and the National Unity Party would fall below the threshold and be eliminated from the Knesset.

{Matzav.com}

A federal judge on Monday questioned when the Trump administration will try to enforce its birthright citizenship executive order and asked if the government would attempt to deport U.S.-born children of people who are in the country illegally or temporarily before restrictions on birthright citizenship might take effect in late July. Justice Department attorney Brad Rosenberg told U.S. District Judge Deborah Boardman that the administration doesn’t intend to deport any children covered by President Donald Trump’s executive while the Supreme Court has suspended its enforcement for 30 days. He called it a “hypothetical” question. The judge gave Rosenberg until Tuesday to submit a written summary of what the administration believes it “can and can’t do” after last Friday’s Supreme Court ruling. She asked if the government would be “seeking to deport babies” before July 26. The judge said her question referred to children who were born after Feb. 19 and are covered by Trump’s executive order but aren’t plaintiffs in litigation challenging the order. “No,” Rosenberg said. “I just want to be clear. I am responding to the court’s characterization of what it believes the United States might do after 30 days from the date of the Supreme Court’s decision. But, again, I would note that (federal agencies) have all been tasked with developing guidelines for implementation of the executive order. So I view that as a hypothetical.” “I take the government at its word that the United States does not intend to do that and it is not doing that,” Boardman said. Plaintiffs’ attorney William Powell said their clients are experiencing “incredible stress, anxiety and fear” after the Supreme Court’s decision. “They’re not lawyers. It is confusing to them exactly what these things mean,” Powell told the judge. “We can’t really assure them, ‘Oh, no, the order is fully blocked,’ because it’s not.” Powell said deportation isn’t the only “irreparable harm” that plaintiffs’ attorneys are concerned about. “We’re obviously also concerned about other potential ways in which the (executive) order could be enforced to deprive newborns of potential rights,” he said. Boardman, who sits in Greenbelt, Maryland, isn’t the only district court judge grappling with how to tailor their orders to comply with the Supreme Court decision written by Justice Amy Coney Barrett. Judges in Massachusetts and Washington state have issued a a separate orders on birthright citizenship, as has a judge in New Hampshire, though that order applied more narrowly and wasn’t nationwide. New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin, who along with other states and cities brought a case in Massachusetts federal court, said in a letter Monday he was seeking a hearing on whether a nationwide order blocking the president is warranted. Platkin said the nationwide injunction in New Jersey’s case doesn’t run afoul of the Supreme Court’s recent opinion but added the high court offered “alternative forms of relief” while leaving debate over what those could be to lower courts. The high court’s majority ruled that federal judges lack the authority to grant nationwide injunctions, but the decision left unclear whether Trump’s executive order on birthright citizenship could soon take effect in parts of the country. Birthright citizenship automatically makes anyone born in the United States an American citizen, including children born to mothers in the country illegally. The right was enshrined soon after the Civil […]

Israel has conducted an unprecedented surveillance campaign over Iran, capturing tens of millions of images via its satellites before and throughout the recent conflict, according to a statement from the Defense Ministry.

The ministry reported that its sophisticated satellite network covered tens of millions of square kilometers through continuous day-and-night monitoring, gathering over 12,000 high-resolution images of Iranian territory.

With Iran’s landmass covering roughly 1.6 million square kilometers, and the focus of the Israeli surveillance centered around the Tehran region and western parts of the country, large portions had to be photographed repeatedly to ensure comprehensive coverage.

This level of observation meant that Israeli satellites were keeping tabs on hundreds of different locations each day, the ministry noted.

Altogether, the satellite fleet was monitoring hundreds of thousands of square kilometers across Iran every single day.

Thanks to major advancements in Israel’s satellite capabilities—both in quality and in volume—the Jewish state has transitioned from relying on occasional snapshots for general intelligence to being able to track numerous sites throughout Iran in real time with tactical and operational precision.

These real-time capabilities enabled satellites to provide data that directly influenced Israel Air Force missions mid-operation, particularly by identifying missile launches and changing flight plans accordingly.

The technology also allowed for rapid evaluation of strike effectiveness, offering immediate insight into whether a target had been successfully neutralized.

Additionally, this intelligence helped determine whether further aerial missions were needed for specific targets, especially when dealing with complex sites, by identifying which parts of a structure had been damaged and which required follow-up strikes.

Throughout the confrontation with Iran, Israel benefited from newer satellite technologies, most notably the Ofek 13, which began operations in March 2023 and delivered clearer, more accurate surveillance than previous models.

The Ofek 13 was jointly developed by the Defense Ministry and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), and was launched via a Shavit 2 rocket from a site in central Israel.

At the time of the launch, Avi Berger, who heads the Defense Ministry’s Space Directorate, stated, “The launch was successful. It went according to plan. The first indications from the satellite are also excellent. In the coming weeks, we will complete the technical tests and receive the first images.”

Beyond the Defense Ministry and IAI, the Ofek 13’s development was a collaborative effort that included various units of the Israel Defense Forces, notably the 9900 intelligence unit and the air force.

At the time, Berger had also remarked, “Ofek 13 is a radar-based observation satellite with the most advanced capabilities of its kind in the world, all of which are the result of Israeli development.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee made a bold statement on Tuesday, suggesting that America’s B-2 stealth bombers should be deployed to Yemen following a missile attack aimed at Yerushalayim by the Iran-backed Houthis.

“We thought we were done with missiles coming to Israel, but Houthis just lit one up over us in Israel,” the ambassador wrote on X/Twitter.

“Fortunately, Israel’s incredible interception system means we go to the shelter & wait until all clear. Maybe those B2 bombers need to visit Yemen!”

His remarks came after the Israeli military successfully intercepted the projectile launched from Yemen. The launch triggered air raid sirens across Yerushalayim and parts of central Israel, prompting residents to seek shelter.

Shortly afterward, Israeli Defense Minister Yisroel Katz warned that Yemen would face consequences for the attack.

“The law of Yemen is the law of Tehran,” he wrote. “After we strike the head of the serpent in Tehran, we will also strike the tail of the serpent in Yemen.”

The B-2 bombers Huckabee referenced were most recently utilized in Operation Midnight Hammer, a precision strike mission against Iranian nuclear targets. According to U.S. officials, the mission involved dropping over 30 tons of munitions using the advanced aircraft.

US President Donald Trump called the strikes a “historic military success,” claiming the facilities were “completely obliterated.”

Due to their limited number—just 20 aircraft—the B-2 bombers are typically reserved for high-priority missions requiring precision and stealth.

{Matzav.com Israel}

The Royal Train will soon leave the station for the last time. King Charles III has accepted it’s time to decommission the train, whose history dates back to Queen Victoria, because it costs too much to operate and would have needed a significant upgrade for more advanced rail systems, Buckingham Palace said Monday. “In moving forwards we must not be bound by the past,’’ said James Chalmers, the palace official in charge of the king’s financial affairs. “Just as so many parts of the royal household’s work have modernized and adapted to reflect the world of today, so too the time has come to bid the fondest of farewells, as we seek to be disciplined and forward-looking in our allocation of funding.’’ The train, actually a suite of nine railcars that can be hitched to commercial locomotives, will be decommissioned sometime before the current maintenance contract expires in 2027. That will bring to an end a tradition that dates back to 1869, when Queen Victoria commissioned a pair of special coaches to accommodate her travels. The decision was announced during the palace’s annual briefing for reporters on the royal finances. The royal family will for the fourth consecutive year receive public funding of 86.3 million pounds ($118 million), including 34.5 million pounds to fund the remodeling of Buckingham Palace, in the 12 months through March 2026. This money comes from a mechanism known as the Sovereign Grant, which sets aside 12% of the net income from the Crown Estate to fund the official duties of the king and other members of the royal family. The Crown Estate is a portfolio of properties that are owned by the monarch during his reign. The properties are professionally managed and the king cannot dispose of the assets. The Crown Estate is one of the many relics of Britain’s feudal past. King George III, who ruled during the American Revolution, surrendered management of the crown lands to Parliament in 1760 in return for a fixed payment from the Treasury. The royal finances remain a topic of public debate, with Charles pledging to slim down the monarchy and cut costs as he seeks to ensure the institution’s survival. Buckingham Palace was quick to point out that while the Sovereign Grant has been unchanged for the past four years, inflation has eroded its value. If the grant had increased in line with inflation, it would have been about 106 million pounds this year, the palace said. The basic grant was supplemented with 21.5 million pounds ($29.5 million) of income generated by properties outside the Crown Estate. This income increased by 1.7 million pounds, driven by a record year for visitors to Buckingham Palace and special tours of the newly renovated East Wing. Craig Prescott, a constitutional law expert at Royal Holloway, University of London who focuses on the political role of the monarchy, said funding for the royals is relatively small when compared to the overall cost of the British state and it provides tangible benefits for the country. “It’s something that puts Britain on the world stage in a way that few other things do,’’ he said, noting that Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral was the largest gathering of world leaders in history and the coronation was broadcast around the world. “It’s one of those things […]

Qatar has put forward a new offer to Israel proposing a two-month truce, during which eight living hostages would be freed on the very first day, and an additional two would be released on the 50th day of the ceasefire.

According to two diplomats familiar with the proposal, the deal outlines a 60-day pause in fighting. On day one, eight living captives would be released, followed by two more on day 50 of the truce period.

Kan News provided further details, reporting that the plan also includes the phased return of the remains of 18 hostages who are confirmed dead. The plan would unfold in three stages. As part of the broader outline, the IDF would withdraw from the Morag axis, and the level of humanitarian assistance allowed into Gaza would be expanded significantly.

Those close to the ongoing talks suggest that the chances of reaching a deal have improved, though some disagreements between the involved parties have yet to be resolved.

Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu has been conducting several rounds of high-level security meetings in recent days, with a strong focus on the hostages. Families of those still in captivity have voiced fears that during the conflict with Iran, their loved ones would be pushed off the national agenda and that efforts to secure their return might stall.

Negotiations had been largely frozen for several weeks, with no notable movement. But recently, President Donald Trump has shared a more hopeful tone, indicating that a breakthrough could be imminent. Earlier today, he said, “There may be a ceasefire next week.”

There are currently 50 hostages believed to still be in Gaza. Of those, roughly 20 are thought to be alive.

{Matzav.com}

Saudi Arabia is making it clear that any potential normalization agreement with Israel hinges on the complete removal of Hamas from power in Gaza, according to a report from i24NEWS. A source with direct ties to the Saudi royal court conveyed this position to Middle East correspondent Ariel Oseran.

“Without removing Hamas, there will be no peace,” the source emphasized, underscoring Riyadh’s firm stance that Hamas must be dismantled entirely before any diplomatic breakthrough with the Jewish State can occur.

The report adds that Saudi Arabia envisions the Palestinian Authority, under the leadership of Mahmoud Abbas, taking over governance in Gaza once Hamas is ousted. This transition is seen as a necessary step for the region’s future stability and for progress toward formal ties with Israel.

This marks the first public indication that halting military operations before Hamas is fully defeated could undermine broader regional diplomacy—particularly efforts by the Trump administration to broaden the Abraham Accords and secure new normalization deals with additional Arab and Muslim countries.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump commented on Tuesday that a ceasefire agreement might be achievable as early as next week. He also reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that every remaining Israeli hostage is brought home safely.

Trump added that he plans to be “very firm” with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu about bringing the conflict in Gaza to a close when they meet in Washington next week.

{Matzav.com}

Air raid sirens echoed throughout Yerushalayim and across central regions of Israel on Tuesday evening following the launch of a missile from Yemen aimed at the country.

According to the IDF, the missile was successfully neutralized in mid-air by the Israeli Air Force using the Arrow missile defense system. Authorities reported that no injuries occurred as a result of the attempted strike.

In response to the incident, Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu is set to gather the political-security cabinet in Yerushalayim on Motzoei Shabbos. The meeting will focus on ongoing discussions surrounding the proposed hostage agreement and the continued military campaign in Gaza.

Reacting to the missile threat, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee shared his thoughts on social media: “We thought we were done with missiles coming to Israel, but Houthis just lit one up over us in Israel. Fortunately, Israel’s incredible interception system means we go to the shelter & wait until all clear. Maybe those B2 bombers need to visit Yemen!”

{Matzav.com}

In honor of the upcoming July 4th holiday, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee visited the Kosel on Tuesday morning alongside his wife, Janet Huckabee, for a time of reflection and prayer.

The visit began with a heartfelt prayer of thanks, recited together with Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, rov of the Kosel, and Mordechai (Suli) Eliav, director of the Western Wall Heritage Foundation. They gave thanks to God for the miracles bestowed upon the Jewish people and the State of Israel during Operation Rising Lion.

During their time at the site, a special prayer was offered for the continued success and welfare of President Donald Trump, as well as for peace and security in both Israel and the United States.

After the prayers concluded, the ambassador joined Rav Rabinowitz for a more personal conversation in the rov’s office. The rov used the opportunity to express appreciation for the ambassador’s unwavering backing—and that of President Trump—of Israel and the Jewish people, especially during recent events.

Rav Rabinowitz handed the ambassador a personal letter addressed to the President, expressing heartfelt thanks and admiration. He also extended an invitation for the ambassador to return soon for an official visit to the Kosel.

Concluding his time at the site, Ambassador Huckabee toured the archaeological excavations beneath the Kosel.

{Matzav.com}

Federal authorities have charged two Chinese nationals with operating as unregistered agents of Beijing in an alleged effort to spy on U.S. military facilities and recruit American military personnel on behalf of Chinese intelligence services. The complaint, unsealed Monday in federal court in San Francisco, outlines a range of covert activities carried out by the pair, including photographing a naval base, coordinating a cash dead-drop, and seeking to identify Navy recruits who might be willing to collaborate with Chinese intelligence. Attorney General Pam Bondi described the charges as further evidence of China’s “sustained and aggressive effort to infiltrate our military and undermine our national security from within.” Bondi vowed that the Justice Department would expose foreign operatives and hold them accountable. According to prosecutors, the defendants are Yuance Chen, 38, who arrived in the United States on a visa in 2015 and later obtained legal permanent residency, and Liren “Ryan” Lai, 39, who lives in China but traveled to Texas this spring to oversee the espionage scheme on behalf of China’s Ministry of State Security (MSS). The two were arrested on charges of acting as agents of a foreign government without registering with the Justice Department as required by law. It was not immediately known if they had obtained legal representation. The Chinese embassy in Washington did not respond to a request for comment on Tuesday. An FBI affidavit filed with the case states that Lai had been cultivating Chen as an intelligence asset since at least mid-2021. Prosecutors allege that together they organized a dead-drop payment of $10,000 in cash to another operative, and carried out surveillance at a Navy recruiting station in California and a naval base in Washington state, including taking photographs and videos sent to Chinese intelligence. Investigators say Chen also obtained the names and hometowns of recent Navy recruits while touring a Navy installation. Many recruits listed China as their hometown, and the FBI believes that information was transmitted to Chinese authorities. The arrests are the latest in a string of prosecutions targeting Chinese intelligence activities on American soil. In recent years, U.S. officials have charged Chinese nationals in several espionage-related cases, including five students accused of surveilling a Michigan military site in 2022, and two Navy sailors charged last year with providing classified naval operations data to Chinese handlers. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)