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Hezbollah leader Naim Kassem reiterated Sunday the terror group’s refusal to lay down its weapons before Israel withdraws from all of southern Lebanon and stops its airstrikes. He spoke in a video address, as thousands gathered in Beirut’s southern suburbs to mark the Shiite holy day of Ashoura. Ashoura commemorates the 680 A.D. Battle of Karbala, in which the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, Imam Hussein, was killed after he refused to pledge allegiance to the Umayyad caliphate. In response to those who ask why the group needs its missile arsenal, Kassem said: “How can we confront Israel when it attacks us if we didn’t have them? Who is preventing Israel from entering villages and landing and killing young people, women and children inside their homes unless there is a resistance with certain capabilities capable of minimal defense?” His comments come ahead of an expected visit by U.S. envoy Tom Barrack to Beirut to discuss a proposed plan for Hezbollah’s disarmament and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the rest of southern Lebanon. Barrack posted Saturday on X that Lebanon is facing “a historic moment to supersede the strained confessionalism of the past and finally fulfill (its) true promise of the hope of ‘One country, one people, one army’” and quoted U.S. President Donald Trump saying, “Let’s make Lebanon Great again.” (AP & YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

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Israeli special forces carried out an operation overnight Sunday to arrest a terror cell activated by Iran’s Quds Force in southern Syria. This is the second time in a week that the IDF announced the arrest of an Iranian terror cell in Syria. The cell was actively planning an attack on northern Israel. (YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

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A senior Hamas official admitted on Monday morning that the terror organization has lost 80% of its control over the Gaza Strip and that armed clans are filling the remaining void. In an interview with the BBC, the official said that Hamas’ command and control system has collapsed following months of Israeli attacks that destroyed the organization’s political, military, and security leadership. The official, who requested to remain anonymous, said that he was wounded in the first week of the war in October 2023 and retired due to health reasons. He painted a picture of Hamas’ internal disintegration. “Let’s be realistic here — there’s barely anything left of the security structure. Most of the leadership, about 95%, are now dead… The active figures have all been killed,” he said. “So really, what’s stopping Israel from continuing this war?” The official continued that “logically, the war should continue until the end. All the conditions are aligned: Israel has the upper hand, the world is silent, the Arab regimes are silent, criminal gangs are everywhere, and society is collapsing.” “Regarding the security situation, let me be clear: it has completely collapsed. Totally gone There is no control anywhere,” he said, adding that when Gazan looted Hamas’s central headquarters, no one intervened.  “They looted everything, the offices, mattresses, even zinc panels – and no one intervened. No police, no security.” “So, the security situation is zero. Hamas’s control is zero. There’s no leadership, no command, no communication. Salaries are delayed, and when they do arrive, they’re barely usable. Some die just trying to collect them. It’s total collapse.” The official claims that Gaza is ruled today by six armed groups, which he described as criminal gangs. (YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

A “shadow” top command was prepared for the first time by the IDF during the war against Iran—in case the Chief of Staff and top generals were wiped out by Iran, Ynet reported on Monday morning. According to the report, the shadow staff, headed by Deputy Chief of Staff Tamir Yadai, operated in a highly secret and secure bunker. The staff members, senior present and past commanders, were trained in advance and briefed on the full operational war plans. During the war, the shadow staff was disconnected from the regular communication infrastructure to protect against cyber and physical attacks. The shadow staff would have allowed command continuity if, chalilah, the Chief of Staff and army generals were physically harmed. Iran learned this the hard way when, at the beginning of the campaign, their army’s top command was eliminated, which greatly hampered their response to Israel. During the war, Iran tried to attack the Kirya compound in Tel Aviv with precision missiles, and in one case, a missile even hit nearby. The UK’s Telegraph recently reported that five IDF bases were hit by missiles fired by Iran during the 12 days of the war. The report is based on satellite data analyzed by the University of Oregon in the United States. The IDF refused to comment on interception data or damage to bases, but told the newspaper that “all relevant units maintained functional continuity throughout the operation.” (YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

President Trump took to Truth Social on Sunday with a fiery message aimed squarely at Elon Musk, once seen as a powerful political ally. In the post, Trump expressed frustration over Musk’s recent behavior and his decision to form a new political movement in protest of the president’s latest legislative victory.

“I am saddened to watch Elon Musk go completely ‘off the rails,’ essentially becoming a TRAIN WRECK over the past five weeks,” Trump wrote Sunday afternoon.

The president continued his critique, referencing Musk’s new political group and blasting the broader idea of launching alternative parties in the U.S. political landscape.

“He even wants to start a Third Political Party, despite the fact that they have never succeeded in the United States – The System seems not designed for them,” he added. “The one thing Third Parties are good for is the creation of Complete and Total DISRUPTION & CHAOS, and we have enough of that with the Radical Left Democrats, who have lost their confidence and their minds!”

Before issuing his online statement, Trump fielded a question from the press regarding Musk’s newly announced “America Party” during a stop near Air Force One.

“I think it’s ridiculous to start a third party,” Trump said in response to a reporter’s question, adding later: “So he can have fun with it, but I think it’s ridiculous.”

The latest back-and-forth further illustrates the deteriorating relationship between the two influential figures. Musk had just announced his party yesterday, citing his strong opposition to a legislative package pushed by Trump and recently signed into law.

“By a factor of 2 to 1, you want a new political party and you shall have it!,” Musk wrote on X. “Today, the America Party is formed to give you back your freedom.”

Whether Musk will move forward with establishing the party remains unclear. But his announcement reignited tensions between the billionaire and the president, tensions that had only recently calmed after earlier disputes surrounding the same piece of legislation.

Trump has consistently claimed that Musk’s disapproval stems from the bill’s removal of subsidies for electric vehicles — a policy shift that directly impacts Musk’s businesses. He reiterated that point in his Truth Social post.

“It is a Great Bill but, unfortunately for Elon, it eliminates the ridiculous Electric Vehicle (EV) Mandate, which would have forced everyone to buy an Electric Car in a short period of time,” Trump wrote. “I have been strongly opposed to that from the very beginning.”

While the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act included tax credits for electric vehicle purchases, Trump’s newly signed legislation did away with those incentives — a change that has drawn significant attention from both political and industry leaders.

“I have campaigned on this for two years and, quite honestly, when Elon gave me his total and unquestioned Endorsement, I asked him whether or not he knew that I was going to terminate the EV Mandate – It was in every speech I made, and in every conversation I had,” Trump wrote on Sunday. “He said he had no problems with that – I was very surprised!”

In addition to founding the “America Party,” Musk has declared he will pour financial resources into campaigns aimed at unseating Republican lawmakers who supported the legislation. He also pledged to support Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky, who broke ranks with Trump by voting against the bill.

The tension between the two men has grown noticeably in recent months. Despite Musk’s vocal support for Trump during the last election cycle, disagreements over policy have repeatedly brought their relationship to the brink. After a temporary truce last month, their feud has reignited once more.

Some within the GOP are concerned about the fallout. With next year’s elections looming and the party’s House majority at risk, Musk’s third-party movement and threats to target fellow Republicans could pose a serious distraction.

“One of the most destructive behaviors that we’ve had in cycles where we’ve been unsuccessful in Senate races … are those in which we have expended massive resources in intraparty warfare,” one Republican consultant told The Hill, commenting on Musk’s emerging role in the primary landscape.

{Matzav.com}

Thousands gathered Sunday afternoon in the batei medrash of Beth Medrash Govoha for a mass atzeres tefillah on behalf of R’ Binyomin Kubani, a BMG avreich who has been held in Ocean County Jail since Thursday following what supporters say is a grave misunderstanding. Kubani was arrested by Lakewood police after a Hispanic teenager claimed he was being lured into Kubani’s vehicle. However, those close to the case insist Kubani, whose English skills are extremely limited, was simply attempting to hire a day laborer to clean his vehicle — a common practice in the area. Whether the accusation stemmed from a miscommunication or a deeper misunderstanding remains unclear, but the teen flagged down a police officer who then arrested Kubani on suspicion of luring. Yosef Jacobovitch, Kubani’s attorney, slammed police handling of the matter. “I call on the authorities to thoroughly investigate this matter and take necessary steps to address any wrongdoing or systemic issues that may have contributed to this potential miscarriage of justice,” Jacobovitch said. He added that he had immediately contacted the Lakewood Police Department to request they take Kubani’s statement, but Detective Charles Messer allegedly refused, telling Jacobovitch, “I will not let him muddy the water with his lies.” In response to Kubani’s detention, which is expected to last at least until a Tuesday hearing, hundreds of supporters, including the BMG roshei yeshiva, gathered Motzei Shabbos outside Lakewood Police Department headquarters on 3rd Street to protest his treatment. A second protest had been planned for Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. by local askanim, though the BMG roshei yeshiva later urged the community to refrain from attending, reportedly after discussions with askanim. However, the family of R’ Kubani still urged people to show up at the pre-planned demonstration – and they have, in the hundreds. A smaller protest took place a short time later outside the home of Lakewood Committeeman Meir Lichtenstein. Later in the day, Harav Malkiel Kotler and BMG CEO Yosef Heinemann visited R’ Kubani at the Ocean County Jail. Meanwhile, the roshei yeshiva met with Lakewood Mayor Ray Coles, Assemblyman Avi Schnall, Committeemen Meir Lichtenstein and Albert Akerman, BMG CEO Yosef Heinemann, and Lakewood Police Captain Steve Allaire to discuss the matter. The outcome of that meeting was not immediately clear. Notably absent from the developing crisis has been Lakewood Police Chief Greg Meyer, who has not made any public appearances or statements since the controversy began. THIS STORY WAS FIRST PUBLISHED ON LAKEWOOD ALERTS WHATSAPP STATUS AND GROUPS CLICK HERE SIGN UP TO THE LAKEWOOD ALERTS WHATSAPP STATUS TO BE INFORMED OF LAKEWOOD NEWS IN LIVE TIME (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., joins ‘Sunday Mornings Futures’ to give the latest on the investigation into former President Joe Biden’s health and autopen use as well as his subpoena of former Jill Biden aide Anthony Bernal.

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump told reporters on Sunday that negotiations for a potential agreement with Hamas were progressing and expressed optimism that a deal could be finalized within days, leading to the release of additional hostages.

Trump also noted that he intends to raise the topic of a long-term agreement concerning Iran during his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu at the White House on Monday. “We’re working on a lot of things with Israel. One of the things is probably a permanent deal with Iran. In other words, they have to give up all of the things that you know so well,” said Trump. He reiterated his view that the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear infrastructure amounted to “a complete and total obliteration.”

When asked specifically about the possibility of reaching an arrangement with Hamas, the President responded with confidence. “I think we’re close to a deal on Gaza. We could have it this week. I think there’s a good chance we have a deal with Hamas during the coming week, pertaining to quite a few of the hostages.”

Trump emphasized that a significant number of hostages could be released under this upcoming deal. “You know, we’ve gotten a lot of the hostages out, but pertaining to the remaining hostages, quite a few of them will be coming out. We think we’ll have that done this week,” he reiterated.

Earlier on Sunday, before departing for Washington, Netanyahu shared his appreciation for the American leader’s ongoing support. “I will thank President Trump for his strong support of Israel. There has never been such a friend in the White House. This support led to a tremendous victory over our rival, Iran,” he said.

Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel’s unwavering stance against Iran’s nuclear ambitions and highlighted the broader strategic opportunity in the region. “The commitment is to stand guard and prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. There is an opportunity to broaden the circle of peace. There is an opportunity and an ability to bring a great future for the people of Israel and the Middle East,” he added.

Turning to the conflict in Gaza, the Prime Minister emphasized that Israel’s mission remains unchanged. “There are great achievements and missions that must be accomplished. We freed hostages. There are 20 living hostages and 30 deceased ones left. I am determined to return them all, and for Gaza not to be a threat to Israel.”

He continued by underscoring the importance of eliminating the terrorist threat. “We will not allow the encouragement of hostage taking and murder – that means the elimination of Hamas’s military capabilities. I am committed to all the objectives, and we will achieve them with our soldiers and the correct and bold decisions that we’ve made,” stated the Prime Minister.

Hamas, for its part, announced Friday night that it had responded affirmatively to the latest ceasefire and hostage release proposal, while requesting several “minor amendments.”

However, last night, Netanyahu’s office made clear that the requested revisions were not acceptable to Israel. “The changes that Hamas is seeking to make in the Qatari proposal were conveyed to us last night and are unacceptable to Israel.”

The Prime Minister’s office added that Netanyahu had made a decision based on a fresh assessment of the evolving situation. “In light of an assessment of the situation, Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu has directed that the invitation to proximity talks be accepted and that the contacts for the return of our hostages — on the basis of the Qatari proposal that Israel has agreed to — be continued,” the statement added.

According to the statement, Israel’s negotiating team is scheduled to depart for Qatar on Sunday to continue the indirect negotiations.

{Matzav.com}

The Palestinian Authority has issued harsh condemnation of a group of sheikhs who have been quietly working with Israeli officials on a proposal aimed at forging peace and cooperation between Arabs and Israel.

The initiative, which has been kept out of the public eye until now, reportedly includes plans to create a “Hebron Emirate”—an autonomous Arab entity that would live peacefully beside Israel, formally recognize it as the Jewish state, and join the Abraham Accords. The proposal also includes a firm stance against terrorism from both Fatah and Hamas.

Yossi Dagan, the governor of Samaria, disclosed in an interview with the Wall Street Journal that this effort has been underway for over a decade. Dagan said he first met Sheikh Jabari and his father 13 years ago, describing the elder Jabari as a courageous figure and praising the current sheikh for following in his father’s footsteps.

“It is necessary to correct 32 years of terror and corruption of the Palestinian Authority since the Oslo Accords, of those terrorists who were brought here from Tunisia to be murderous and corrupt dictators over Arabs of Judea and Samaria, harming — more than Jews — first of all their own people. These sheikhs are brave and strong leaders, and they are a real answer for the well-being of their residents and an alternative to the path of terror of the Palestinian Authority,” Dagan declared.

The group of sheikhs involved in the plan seeks to establish a new industrial zone that would connect their communities with the Israeli economy. They’ve pledged to guarantee personally that no members of their tribes would take part in terrorist activity. The goal is to implement a governance structure inspired by the business-friendly model of the United Arab Emirates, offering a peaceful and productive alternative to what they describe as the terror-fueled governance of the Palestinian Authority.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Every frum parent knows the crushing burden of yeshiva tuition. Even with the new federal tax credit for private school scholarships, tuition bills will not magically vanish. There will still be thousands of families struggling to pay thousands of dollars per child, per year, in what amounts to a 15-year financial blitz that can bankrupt families and discourage young couples from having larger families. But think about this: yeshiva tuition is not actually more expensive than public school. In New York City, for example, public school spending exceeds $30,000 per student annually. The difference is that public education is funded through property taxes, spread out over a lifetime. You pay those taxes whether you are 25 or 75, whether you have children in school or not. Yeshiva tuition, on the other hand, is crammed into the 15 critical years when you’re raising kids and building your financial life. What if we changed that? Imagine if, instead of paying $15,000 per child per year, you bought a 50-year tuition bond when your child entered nursery. That bond would pay the school the full tuition amount immediately, guaranteeing the yeshiva the funds it needs to function and plan ahead. Meanwhile, you — the parent — would pay off the bond gradually over 50 years, just like you pay your property taxes to fund public schools over your lifetime. Let’s do some rough math. Suppose your child’s total tuition from age 5 to 20 is about $225,000 (after adjusting for modest inflation). Spread over 50 years, that would be roughly $4,500 per year. Suddenly, that crushing $15,000 bill looks a lot more manageable. Of course, a system like this would need safeguards. Wealthy donors could back the bonds to ensure solvency, and insurance policies could be built in to cover parents who lose their jobs or pass away. But the core idea is sound: yeshiva tuition is not impossibly expensive — it’s impossibly concentrated. By spreading tuition costs over a lifetime, just like public school is paid for, we could transform chinuch from a crushing 15-year crisis into a sustainable, long-term investment in our children. Signed, S.A. The views expressed in this letter are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of YWN. Have an opinion you would like to share? Send it to us for review. 

The initial phase of indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas regarding a possible ceasefire and the release of hostages concluded late Sunday night in Qatar without any concrete results, according to a Reuters report citing two Palestinian Arab insiders familiar with the talks.

According to these sources, Israel’s representatives lacked the necessary authority to commit to any binding deal with Hamas. “After the first session of indirect negotiations in Doha, the Israeli delegation is not sufficiently authorized and is not authorized to reach an agreement with Hamas, as it has no real powers”, the sources told Reuters.

The discussions followed an announcement by Hamas on Friday evening in which the group said it had responded favorably to the latest ceasefire framework. However, it also noted that it had proposed what it referred to as “minor amendments” to the terms.

Shortly after, on Saturday night, the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made clear that these proposed adjustments would not be accepted. “The changes that Hamas is seeking to make in the Qatari proposal were conveyed to us last night and are unacceptable to Israel,” the statement said.

Nevertheless, Israel still chose to dispatch a delegation to Doha on Sunday to participate in the mediation efforts.

The negotiations also coincided with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu’s departure for Washington, where he is scheduled to meet President Donald Trump on Monday.

Before boarding his flight, Netanyahu addressed the press, reiterating that Israel would remain steadfast in its war aims. “There are great achievements and missions that must be accomplished. We freed hostages. There are 20 living hostages and 30 deceased ones left. I am determined to return them all, and for Gaza not to be a threat to Israel.”

He continued, emphasizing Israel’s uncompromising stance against Hamas. “We will not allow the encouragement of hostage taking and murder – that means the elimination of Hamas’s military capabilities. I am committed to all the objectives, and we will achieve them with our soldiers and the correct and bold decisions that we’ve made,” stated the Prime Minister.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Explosions shook the Hodeidah region in Yemen late Sunday evening, not long after the IDF issued a warning that the Israeli Air Force had launched strikes aimed at Houthi rebel targets in the area.

Defense Minister Yisroel Katz confirmed the military operation, stating, “As part of Operation ‘Black Flag,’ the IDF has now powerfully struck terrorist targets of the Houthi terror regime in the ports of Hodeidah, Al-Salif, and Ras Issa, the Ras Katib power station, and the ship Galaxy Leader which was hijacked by the Houthis about two years ago and is currently being used for terrorist activities in the Red Sea.”

Katz further warned of severe consequences for those who seek to harm Israel, saying, “As I warned: The fate of Yemen is the same as that of Tehran. Anyone who tries to harm Israel will be harmed, and anyone who raises a hand against Israel will have their hand cut off. The Houthis will continue to pay a heavy price for their actions.”

In a statement released shortly after the strikes, the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit provided more details about the mission: “IAF fighter jets, guided by intelligence from the IDF Intelligence Directorate and the Israeli Navy, struck and destroyed terror infrastructure belonging to the Houthi terrorist regime. Among the targets were the ports of Al Hudaydah, Ras Isa, and Salif.”

“These ports are used by the Houthi terrorist regime to transfer weapons from the Iranian regime, which are employed to carry out terrorist operations against the State of Israel and its allies,” the statement explained.

The IDF clarified the reason for the strike, noting it was a direct reaction to repeated attacks: “The strike was carried out in response to the repeated attacks by the Houthi terrorist regime against the State of Israel, its civilians, and civilian infrastructure, including the launching of UAVs and surface-to-surface missiles toward Israeli territory.”

According to the IDF, the Houthi rebels have been exploiting the sea for terrorist operations. “The Houthi terrorist regime exploits the maritime domain to project force and conduct terrorist activity against passing vessels and global maritime commerce. The targets struck demonstrate the regime’s systematic use of civilian infrastructure for terrorist purposes,” the statement read.

The military also singled out one particularly notable target: “Among the terror targets struck at the port of Ras Isa was the Galaxy Leader, a commercial vessel seized by the Houthi terrorist regime in November 2023. Houthi forces installed a radar system on the ship and have been using it to track vessels in the international maritime arena to facilitate further terrorist activities.”

The strikes also included a facility used by the Houthis to power their military efforts. “Additionally, the Ras Kanatib power plant, which served as a significant electricity supply facility for the Houthi regime’s military operations, was struck. This is another example of how the Houthi regime uses civilian infrastructure.”

Highlighting the broader threat, the IDF underscored Iran’s backing of the Houthis. “The Houthi terrorist regime serves as a central proxy of the Iranian regime and receives funding and weaponry for its operations. It is a partner in Iran’s global terrorist activity. The IDF is determined to continue operating decisively against any threat to the citizens of the State of Israel, wherever required,” the statement concluded.

Before the strikes, IDF Arabic-language spokesperson Avichay Adraee had issued a warning urging people to vacate the targeted areas. “An urgent warning to those present in the ports of Hodeidah, Ras Issa, and Al-Salif, and to those in the Hodeidah-Ras Al-Khatib power station, which are under the control of the Houthi terror regime.”

He stressed the importance of taking immediate action to avoid harm: “In the near future, the IDF will carry out strikes in these areas due to military activities taking place there. For your safety, we call on all those present in the designated areas, as well as vessels anchored nearby, to evacuate immediately. Remaining in these areas puts you in danger,” Adraee emphasized.

Earlier Sunday morning, at approximately 2:50 a.m., the IDF announced that a missile had been launched from Yemen toward Israeli territory, prompting air defense systems to engage and attempt an interception.

Just moments after that report, warning sirens were heard in the Judean Desert and the Dead Sea region.

The military confirmed that the incoming missile had been successfully intercepted. Magen David Adom reported that there were no injuries or damages related to the incident.

Again on Tuesday evening, another missile launch from Yemen was detected by Israeli defense forces. Air defense systems acted quickly and neutralized the threat. As a precautionary measure, Israeli airspace was temporarily shut down to flights.

Magen David Adom once more reported no casualties as a result of the incident.

Later, a statement was released by the Houthi military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, claiming responsibility for the attack and revealing their targets. “We launched a ballistic missile of the ‘Palestine 2’ type toward Ben Gurion Airport and three additional drones toward sensitive Israeli targets in the areas of Jaffa, Ashkelon, and Eilat,” claimed Saree.

{Matzav.com Israel}

As Guatemalan authorities continue the dismantling of the radical Lev Tahor cult, it has emerged that ten families—comprising approximately 20 children under the age of 18—have already arrived in Israel. While the children are currently under partial care, primarily with one of their biological parents, Israeli officials acknowledge that a full and coordinated response is still lacking.

The Israeli Health Ministry noted that the returning families harbor deep mistrust toward government institutions, which is complicating efforts to provide comprehensive care.

On Sunday, the Knesset’s Aliyah, Absorption and Diaspora Affairs Committee convened its 22nd follow-up meeting, including both open and closed sessions, to discuss Israel’s efforts to extract children from the Lev Tahor cult in Guatemala.

In recent months, Israel has been working with Guatemalan authorities to dismantle the cult. Many of its members have since fled to the United States and Canada, but, as it turns out, a significant number have also made their way to Israel.

Dr. Tamar Rozmarin Ze’ev of the Prime Minister’s Office explained, “We are operating on two fronts…efforts to bring back the minors, and support for those already in Israel and their families. A formal agreement has been signed between the Foreign Ministry and the Jewish Agency to return the children from the cult to Israel. The Welfare Ministry is responsible for overseeing the absorption of the survivors. We are monitoring the services being provided across various government offices, and working to create a full support framework together with all relevant ministries. These services are defined under the legal classification of ‘cult survivors.’”

Ilan Avitan, head of the Welfare Ministry’s unit for children harmed by the Lev Tahor cult, said, “We’ve made significant progress. We’ve assembled a task force that includes representatives from every relevant government agency. Every issue we address requires thorough preparation. At this point, we’ve made contact with all the families currently in Israel. There is one family that has been less cooperative, but they are in contact with their local municipality. We’re drilling down into each family’s specific needs to identify the most suitable framework for every survivor who arrives in the country. All children who have returned are currently with one of their biological parents. As mentioned, ten families, including around 20 children under the age of 18, are already in the country, and all are living with a biological parent.”

Dr. Yuval Reva from the Health Ministry added, “There’s a clear distrust of the system among these families. We’ve created a support structure around them, and we’re working closely with the health funds to share relevant information about the children. Four hospitals are on standby for acute admissions if needed. In the meantime, the children are receiving supportive medical services like dental care. However, the families are still refusing to allow the children to undergo mental health treatment.”

Orit Cohen Amir, representing the families, voiced a pressing concern: “Until now, the Israeli government has not issued any formal document for the families still in Guatemala. We need to actively communicate to the children and families in Guatemala the support they’ll receive once they arrive in Israel. There are competing efforts by various groups to bring them to other countries. There must be a clear and pre-defined system to ensure their rights are upheld, so they don’t end up elsewhere.”

Committee Chairman MK Gilad Kariv concluded the meeting by noting, “It feels like the work with these families is very fragmented at the moment. In terms of an overall strategy, each family needs one point person who is responsible for helping them navigate the bureaucracy and access their rights across government ministries. The next wave of children arriving in Israel will present even greater challenges, as they may not have biological parents in the picture. I’m pleased to see that families are receiving an absorption package from the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, but unfortunately, I don’t see sufficient financial support from the rest of the government.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

Maj. Gen. Tal Kelman, the former head of the IDF’s recently dissolved Strategy and Third-Circle Directorate, was among the combat pilots who took part in the Israeli Air Force’s intensive strikes inside Iran last month, according to a report by Walla News. Kelman, 57, had previously overseen Israel’s strategic planning against the Iranian regime and its nuclear program before the directorate, which focused on Israel’s Iran portfolio, was shuttered earlier this year by IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir. During last month’s Operation Rising Lion, Kelman is reported to have not only helped plan the offensive but also actively flown missions during the 12-day air campaign. Joining him was Maj. Gen. Aviad Dagan, 52, the current head of the IDF’s Computer Service Directorate, who also served as a combat pilot during the extensive strikes. Kelman and Dagan are now the highest-ranking officers publicly known to have participated directly in the air assault, Walla said. The two generals were reportedly accompanied by several other senior officers at the brigadier general rank, who helped lead the coordinated wave of airstrikes aimed at strategic Iranian targets. Throughout the nearly two-week operation, Israel is believed to have maintained consistent control of Iranian airspace, enabling its aircraft to strike high-value infrastructure with precision. The involvement of such senior Israeli officers underscores the strategic priority placed on the mission and the importance Israel continues to attach to countering Iranian military and nuclear capabilities. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

By Rabbi AD Motzen, National Director of Government Affairs, Agudath Israel of America

On Friday, I shared the good news about the new national school choice law that will help students across the country.

Many of you had questions about how it works and what are the next steps.

What does it mean?

1. Beginning in 2027, donors in all 50 states can receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit for contributing to nonprofit scholarship organizations. These nonprofits will then provide K-12 scholarships to eligible students.
2. The maximum contribution amount is $1700 per taxpayer, but there is no overall cap, allowing communities to raise money from any taxpayer across the country .
3. The credit is now permanently in the tax code so the only reason we have to go back to Congress is to make it bigger and better.
4. Most families in our communities will be able to benefit from a scholarship thanks to the generous income threshold which is determined by the family’s place of residence (see here for chart)

To learn more about this exciting opportunity and hear some of the inside story of how we got there, please watch Tuesday’s livestream here.

For a simple summary of the bill please click here. We will be creating an FAQ that will be updated as questions come in.

What’s Next?

Agudah is already working with our regional offices and coalition partners to ensure that each state chooses to participate and that every community will be able to benefit from this new tax credit opportunity. There is more work to be done to ensure that Treasury’s rules will help maximize participation and ease implementation. We will also continue our work to expand school choice on the state and federal levels including making this law bigger and better in the future.

Thank you to those who offered their thoughts and many prayers – this was nothing short of a miracle so the tefilos really helped! We saw the hand of Hashem many times throughout this process and while many people served as His messengers, we are truly grateful to the One above for this great breakthrough for families.

P.S. What else is in the bill?

The nearly 900-page One Big Beautiful Bill Act contains many policies that will affect Americans in different ways and we will be providing more information about some of the highlights of the bill and how they may affect you and your community in the days ahead.

Some of the new tax policies that benefit families with young children include:

• enhanced Child Tax Credit
• increased Child and Dependent Care Credit
• “Trump accounts” of $1000 per child
• doubling of annual withdrawal limits for 529 accounts from $10,000 a year to $20,000
• widening the definition of 529 “qualified expenses”

Additional changes include increased deductions for seniors and a new “above the line” charitable deduction of up to $2,0000 (if married filing jointly) for those who don’t itemize.

The IDF carried out a series of airstrikes on targets belonging to the Houthi terrorist regime in Yemen. The strikes targeted key locations, including the ports of Al Hudaydah, Ras Isa, Salif, and the Ras Kanatib power plant. According to the IDF, the operation was conducted by Israeli Air Force fighter jets, with intelligence support from the IDF Intelligence Directorate and the Israeli Navy. “The IDF struck military targets belonging to the Houthi terrorist regime at the ports of Al Hudaydah, Ras Isa, Salif, and the Ras Kanatib Power Plant,” an IDF statement read. The targeted ports have been used by the Houthis to transfer weapons supplied by Iran, which are then used in attacks against Israel and its allies. The IDF stated that the operation was in response to ongoing aggression, including the launching of UAVs and surface-to-surface missiles toward Israel. “These ports are used by the Houthi terrorist regime to transfer weapons from the Iranian regime, which are employed to carry out terrorist operations against the State of Israel and its allies,” the IDF said. “The strike was carried out in response to the repeated attacks by the Houthi terrorist regime against the State of Israel, its civilians, and civilian infrastructure, including the launching of UAVs and surface-to-surface missiles toward Israeli territory.” The IDF emphasized that the Houthis routinely use civilian infrastructure for terrorist purposes. One of the most notable targets was the Galaxy Leader, a commercial ship seized by the Houthis in November 2023. The Houthis had installed a radar system on the vessel to track maritime activity and aid in future attacks. Also struck was the Ras Kanatib power plant, which was reportedly used to support the Houthi regime’s military infrastructure. The IDF reiterated that the Houthis act as a proxy of Iran and are deeply involved in its global network of terror activity. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Kiryas Yoel, NY — In a continued effort to address the skyrocketing cost of housing, the Satmar Rebbe, Rav Aharon Teitelbaum, announced a new initiative to reduce apartment prices not only within the city of Kiryas Yoel, but also in the surrounding neighborhoods.

The announcement was made during a seudas bris held last Thursday for the Rebbe’s great-grandson, the son of his grandson Rav Chaim Tzvi Ashkenazi. Speaking at the celebration at the Rav Tov Satmar Beis Medrash in Kiryas Yoel, the Rebbe declared that homes built outside the formal city limits—referred to as geliliyos Kiryas Yoel—must now be sold at a maximum price of $250 per square meter, $50 less than the already-capped $300 per meter price for housing within the city itself.

This move is the latest in the Rebbe’s months-long campaign to restore affordability in the growing chassidic enclave. A year ago, he shocked the real estate world by announcing a halt to all building permits within Kiryas Yoel unless the homes would be sold for no more than $300 per square meter—well below the market rate, which had climbed as high as $600 per square meter at the time.

That landmark decision followed a sharp increase in property values in Kiryas Yoel over the past decade. Whereas a square meter of residential space cost approximately $180 just ten years ago, prices had nearly tripled, placing the dream of home ownership out of reach for many families.

In response, the Rebbe convened a special committee of city officials and askanim to explore legal avenues to stem the tide of real estate inflation. Leveraging municipal control over infrastructure approval, the community enacted a new law restricting building permits to developers committed to offering affordable pricing.

Since that regulation was implemented last year, more than 3,000 units have already entered the market under the $300/m² cap. However, because the rule applied only within official city boundaries, developers began flocking to adjacent lands beyond the jurisdiction of the new ordinance. There, high-end projects resumed, and prices continued to soar—prompting the Rebbe to act again.

At the bris, the Rebbe made clear that this loophole would not stand. He announced that in these outer areas as well, including the recently developed Or HaChaim neighborhood—where 1,000 new apartments are planned—homes must now be sold at no more than $250 per square meter.

He urged the public to stand united and not fall into the trap set by those who seek to exploit the housing crisis for profit. “Only through the strength of achdus,” the Rebbe said, “can we succeed in bringing down the prices.”

{Matzav.com}

The Israeli government is considering a new approach to rehabilitate neighborhoods ravaged by Iranian missiles, a win-win initiative that could not only provide swift compensation to displaced families but also earn significant financial returns for the state, Ynet reported. According to a proposal submitted by the Israel Builders Association to the inter-ministerial task force for rehabilitating missile impact zones, homeowners whose apartments were destroyed would receive immediate and full compensation, enabling them to purchase a new apartment elsewhere. In exchange, the state would inherit developmental rights to the original sites of the apartments, redesign the neighborhoods, and sell the land to developers via competitive bid, likely at a hefty profit. As families whose homes were reduced to rubble continue to live in hotels, the path forward remains unclear. Efforts to advance urban renewal projects on the destroyed blocks are underway, but the Justice Ministry has expressed concerns over the legality of infringing on property rights by imposing urban renewal projects. In a letter addressed to the inter-ministerial team—made up of representatives from the Finance, Housing, Interior, and Justice ministries—Builders Association Vice President Tomer Tzali’ach presented a practical, fast, and cost-effective strategic plan. For urban renewal projects already in progress, the association proposes giving homeowners a choice: either accept a cash payout and relocate or stay in the development under improved terms. To make staying more appealing, developers would be required to offer more generous compensation. If a resident chooses to opt out, the state would take over their property rights and assume their position in the project. However, rebuilding involves more than just financial compensation. Property rights must be addressed directly. Under current law, homeowners whose properties are destroyed can receive either monetary compensation equivalent to their apartment’s value or a rebuilt unit with modern upgrades such as secure safe rooms and elevators. Still, this provides limited motivation for homeowners to support urban renewal efforts—especially when such projects might add new units to existing buildings or even replace them with high-rise towers. Many residents oppose what they perceive as unnecessary disruption to their neighborhoods. To address these challenges, the Builders Association recommends expanding building rights for existing units and ensuring that urban renewal projects do not compromise current property entitlements. In situations where a project lacks majority support—or where residents’ opposition could block progress—the association suggests granting the state authority to expropriate ownership rights. In such cases, homeowners would receive fair compensation based on the projected value of a newly built apartment with enhanced rights. Once the state acquires these rights, it could expedite the creation of a new master plan for the area, optimizing both density and development potential. Permits could then be issued without delay. The subsequent sale of the land to developers would allow the state to recover—and likely exceed—its initial investment. In projects where a majority of residents are already in favor, the state would only need to expropriate the units of remaining holdouts—who would still receive compensation—clearing the way for developers to move forward. To further support displaced residents, the state could offer government-backed mortgages to help them purchase new homes. “Our proposed model gives homeowners maximum flexibility,” Tzali’ach wrote. “They can rent, purchase a replacement apartment, or wait for new construction in their original neighborhood. We believe this not only protects property rights but […]