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The IDF’s chief spokesman, Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin, spoke to reporters Friday after troops repositioned along the so-called “yellow line” as part of the operational phase tied to ending the Gaza war. He framed the move as a pivotal moment for both the nation and the soldiers who carried the fight over the past two years.

“This is an exciting moment for the people of Israel and for the fighters and soldiers of the IDF who fought and worked over the past two years with bravery, fortitude, and a sense of mission and dedication,” he stated.

Defrin stressed that the army will not accept lingering security threats and vowed strict, measured action to protect border communities. “IDF soldiers will act to remove any threat to their security – risks will not be taken. We will do everything necessary to defend the western Negev and southern Israel.”

Recalling the trauma of the October 7 attacks, the spokesman said the IDF’s campaign has been relentless and remains committed to shielding civilians. “On the morning of October 7th, two years ago, the most important contract with the citizens of Israel was desecrated. Since then, led by the Southern Command, we haven’t stopped for a moment, and that’s what we’ll always do. A brave generation of heroes and heroines of Israel stands strong as a buffer between the citizens of Israel and any enemy.”

Honoring the fallen, Defrin cited the operation’s heavy toll while affirming that the return of hostages is underway and defense efforts continue. “We remember the campaign’s 914 fallen who fought heroically, thanks to them and thanks to the servicemembers, the hostages are coming home. The war is not over, more challenges are expected in all arenas, and we are determined to defend Israel on all fronts,” he stated.

When pressed about reports of differing views within the military leadership, Defrin defended the chief of staff’s record and called the debate one of tactics, not intent: “The Chief of Staff never opposed the operation. He advocated for the decisive defeat of Hamas,” he said, noting there was disagreement about the method. “We cannot live with Hamas ruling the Gaza Strip, if these objectives are achieved through negotiations — fine. If not, we will know how to return to fighting. The IDF will be able to return to fighting Hamas. The campaign is not over; further challenges are expected on all fronts.”

On Hamas’s battlefield condition, Defrin was blunt: “Hamas today is not the Hamas of two years ago — Hamas has been defeated wherever we fought it.”

Addressing the difficult trade-offs in the deal that frees hostages in exchange for prisoner releases, he emphasized the cost but vowed accountability for any return to violence: “We are paying heavy prices for a noble goal. The IDF is strong and will know how to defend the State of Israel. We are aware of this price, and whoever among them returns to terror will pay the price.”

{Matzav.com}

Russia will take steps to strengthen its air defense network if President Donald Trump moves ahead with plans to supply Ukraine with Tomahawk cruise missiles, President Vladimir Putin said Friday.

Speaking to reporters in Moscow, Putin outlined his government’s intended reaction. “Our response is to strengthen the air defense system of the Russian Federation,” he said.

The Russian leader also claimed that Moscow is preparing to unveil a new generation of advanced weaponry, suggesting that testing of the systems is proceeding successfully. “Russia will soon unveil its new weapons. As for [Volodymyr] Zelenskyy’s threats to strike the Kremlin with Tomahawks — that’s not just blackmail, it’s showing off,” Putin added.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump said on Friday that he sees “no reason” to hold a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping during his planned trip to South Korea, following Beijing’s announcement of new restrictions on the export of rare earth minerals vital to American industries.

Trump, expressing clear frustration with China’s move, indicated that he is considering a significant escalation in trade measures. He suggested that a sharp rise in import duties on Chinese goods could be part of the United States’ response.

“One of the Policies that we are calculating at this moment is a massive increase of Tariffs on Chinese products coming into the United States of America,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “There are many other countermeasures that are, likewise, under serious consideration.”

Tensions between Washington and Beijing have been mounting over trade policy, with both sides seeking leverage in ongoing economic talks. Earlier this year, Trump’s administration implemented new import tariffs, prompting retaliatory measures from China and setting off a new round of trade hostilities between the two largest economies in the world.

While recent negotiations in Switzerland and the United Kingdom had reduced some tariffs, the relationship remains strained, especially as China has begun limiting U.S. access to the rare earth elements critical for advanced technologies.

Trump accused Beijing of weaponizing global supply chains, saying that China is “becoming very hostile” and is effectively holding the world “captive” by cutting off access to essential minerals and magnets used in electronics, semiconductors, lasers, and other critical products.

“I have not spoken to President Xi because there was no reason to do so,” Trump said. “This was a real surprise, not only to me, but to all the Leaders of the Free World.”

In his full Truth Social post, Trump expanded on his grievances, warning that China’s recent actions were deliberate and aggressive. “Some very strange things are happening in China! They are becoming very hostile, and sending letters to Countries throughout the World, that they want to impose Export Controls on each and every element of production having to do with Rare Earths, and virtually anything else they can think of, even if it’s not manufactured in China. Nobody has ever seen anything like this but, essentially, it would ‘clog’ the Markets, and make life difficult for virtually every Country in the World, especially for China.”

Trump said the move came as a shock, given recent improvements in relations. “We have been contacted by other Countries who are extremely angry at this great Trade hostility, which came out of nowhere. Our relationship with China over the past six months has been a very good one, thereby making this move on Trade an even more surprising one. I have always felt that they’ve been lying in wait, and now, as usual, I have been proven right!”

He accused China of long plotting to dominate key industries. “There is no way that China should be allowed to hold the World ‘captive,’ but that seems to have been their plan for quite some time, starting with the ‘Magnets’ and, other Elements that they have quietly amassed into somewhat of a Monopoly position, a rather sinister and hostile move, to say the least.”

Trump added that while the U.S. also controls strategic resources, he had previously avoided exploiting them — “UNTIL NOW!”

According to Trump, China sent detailed letters to world governments outlining its new export restrictions, which he called “especially inappropriate” given that they were issued on the same day that peace was achieved in the Middle East. “I wonder if that timing was coincidental?” he wrote.

Trump confirmed that his scheduled meeting with Xi in two weeks at the APEC summit in South Korea would likely not happen. “I was to meet President Xi in two weeks, at APEC, in South Korea, but now there seems to be no reason to do so,” he stated.

He concluded by signaling that a firm economic response is coming. “Dependent on what China says about the hostile ‘order’ that they have just put out, I will be forced, as President of the United States of America, to financially counter their move. For every Element that they have been able to monopolize, we have two. I never thought it would come to this but perhaps, as with all things, the time has come. Ultimately, though potentially painful, it will be a very good thing, in the end, for the U.S.A.”

Trump ended his message with a warning and a declaration of resolve: “One of the Policies that we are calculating at this moment is a massive increase of Tariffs on Chinese products coming into the United States of America. There are many other countermeasures that are, likewise, under serious consideration. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

{Matzav.com}

The head of the Nobel Peace Prize Committee sought to defend the group’s decision on Friday not to honor President Donald Trump, offering a veiled implication that the U.S. leader was not deserving of the award despite his historic diplomatic achievement in securing a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

Committee chair Jørgen Watne Frydnes was asked about the widespread calls for Trump to receive the prize after the deal’s announcement. Trump had previously stated that it would be “an insult to the US” if he were not awarded the honor.

However, the deadline for nominations closed on January 31 — only a few days into Trump’s second term — meaning that any nominations submitted for his recent peace efforts will instead be considered for the 2026 prize.

Even so, rather than attributing the decision solely to timing, Frydnes appeared to imply that Trump did not meet the standards of the award. “In the long history of the Nobel Peace Prize, I think this committee has seen many types of campaign, media attention,” Frydnes said, pointedly refraining from mentioning Trump by name.

“We receive thousands and thousands of letters every year of people wanting to say what, for them, leads to peace,” he continued.

“This committee sits in a room filled with the portraits of all laureates and that room is filled with both courage and integrity. So we base only our decision on the work and the will of Alfred Nobel,” Frydnes added.

While the five-member Norwegian Nobel Committee had already made its selection on Monday, Trump’s supporters made an eleventh-hour push to have the committee recognize him after he brokered the groundbreaking ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas just days later.

Among those calling for Trump to be honored was Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, who shared an AI-generated image of Trump wearing a Nobel medal, writing: “Give @realDonaldTrump the Nobel Peace Prize – he deserves it!”

Trump has also been widely credited for his peace initiatives in other regions, including mediating efforts between Russia and Ukraine and helping to defuse several other long-running international conflicts.

Ultimately, the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado.

{Matzav.com}

Shas party leader MK Aryeh Deri spoke Friday morning about the newly finalized agreement securing the release of all hostages, calling it an extraordinary and historic accomplishment for Israel.

According to Deri, “No one dreamed we would achieve such an agreement for the return of the hostages. Until now, the proposals on the table involved a full withdrawal from the Strip, leaving Hamas in control, and raising the white flag.”

Reflecting on the outcome, Deri said the current deal went far beyond what anyone thought possible. “Who would have prayed that we would receive all the hostages, both the living and the fallen, while IDF soldiers remain in the territory, controlling over 50% of the Strip until Hamas is dismantled and another force enters? This is a great miracle and immense divine assistance.”

{Matzav.com}

The four high-profile terrorists Hamas had pushed to include in the ceasefire exchange — Marwan Barghouti, Ahmad Saadat, Abbas al-Sayyid, and Hassan Salameh — have been removed from the final list of prisoners set for release under the agreement that took effect early Friday morning.

Also excluded from the deal are Hakim Awad, the terrorist who brutally murdered five members of the Fogel family in 2011 and is serving five life sentences, and Mahmoud Atallah, who assaulted female prison guards.

The finalized roster of those to be freed includes a number of notorious figures — several of them individuals who were previously released in past prisoner swaps and later re-arrested for renewed terrorist activity during the current Gaza conflict.

Among those expected to be freed are perpetrators of the 2000 Ramallah lynching, one of the most shocking and savage terror attacks in Israel’s history. The list also names Baher Dar, serving 11 life sentences for orchestrating the 2004 Tzrifin suicide bombing and other deadly attacks in Tel Aviv.

One of the prisoners to be released is a terrorist who had been freed in the Gilad Shalit deal but was later captured again at Gaza’s Shifa Hospital after returning to terrorist activity.

Also on the list is Ibrahim Alikem, the terrorist who ambushed and murdered Ita Tzur and her 12-year-old son Efrayim near Ramallah in 1996. He had already served a life sentence before being re-arrested roughly a decade later.

Fares Ghanem, sentenced to nine life terms for eight murders, will also be among those released. Joining him are the kidnapper and killer of Israeli civilian Yuri Gushchin and Atiyah Abu Samhadga, who raped and murdered a Jewish woman.

Other names slated for release include Jafar Al-Zaatari, a senior Hamas operative responsible for organizing multiple suicide bombings; the murderer of Dalia Lemkus; and Iyem Kammamji, who was arrested in 2006 for his role in the kidnapping and murder of Eliyahu Asheri and later escaped from Gilboa Prison in 2021. Another, Hussein Jawadrah, was convicted for killing IDF soldier Eden Attias when he was just 16.

Riyad Al-Amour, a top Tanzim commander convicted of killing nine Israeli civilians and soldiers — among them Brigadier-General Yehuda Edri — as well as three Palestinians accused of collaborating with Israel, will also be freed.

In addition, the deal includes Nabil Abu Hadir, who murdered his sister, and the Tanzim chief in Tulkarm, implicated in dozens of shootings and bombings.

Also expected to go free is the terrorist responsible for the 2002 Neve Yaakov attack that left policewoman Galit Arviv dead and eight others wounded, along with those who murdered Shin Bet coordinator Haim Nachmani, and the handlers behind the Carmel Market suicide bomber. The list further includes Iyad Abu Al-Rub, the former head of Islamic Jihad’s military wing in Jenin.

Notably, the agreement also covers several Israeli Arab terrorists. Among them is the perpetrator of the 2002 Line 20 Jerusalem bus bombing that killed 11 Israelis. Others include Emad Shahada, who raped and murdered a teenage girl; Arafat Zeer, who planned the At-Taniel suicide attack; and Iman Kurd, sentenced to 35 years for stabbing two police officers in 2016.

Additional prisoners set to be released are Ahmad Mahmoud Ali Ka’abna, who murdered Hagit Zavitzky and Liat Kastiel; senior Hamas official Hamdallah Ali, released in the Shalit deal and later recaptured at Shifa Hospital; and Hazam Awad, a senior Fatah operative tied to multiple deadly terror plots.

Also being released are Taleb Mahamrah, a senior Fatah member convicted of killing five Israelis and several Palestinians, as well as Ismail Hamdan and Adnan Abi’at, head of the Tanzim branch in Bethlehem. Included too is Musa Safen, who murdered his own mother for marrying a Jewish man, and the killer of Chief Sergeant Moshe Dayan.

The list further names Nader Abu Turki, previously freed in the Shalit swap and later recruited a suicide bomber before carrying out a shooting attack. After his earlier release, he served as a key liaison between Hamas leadership in Turkey and operatives in Judea and Samaria — and notably, he will not be deported under the new deal. Also being freed are Ahmad Siyag, who stabbed a female soldier four years ago, and Zaid Ghanidi, who led a Chevron-based terror cell recently uncovered by the Shin Bet.

{Matzav.com}

SING Entertainment has announced that sales for this Sunday’s concert starring Benny Friedman have soared beyond 90%, with tickets expected to be bought out by Motzei Shabbos. Anticipation is through the roof for this Sunday’s mega concert starring Benny Friedman, with sales topping 90% already.  “Benny & Friends” will include an unparalleled lineup of surprise guest singers, promising an afternoon of Simchas Yom Tov like no other. On Sunday, October 12 “Benny and Friends” will take the stage for an afternoon concert titled “Whee Want To Sing With You” live at the Newark Symphony Hall brought to you by Whee, a product of SR. The afternoon concert will also feature a top-notch band led by musical director Gershon Freishtat. October 12 at the Newark Symphony Hall. Doors open at 2:00, show begins at 3:00. Final tickets are available here : https://t.ly/sing.ywn 

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu addressed the Israeli public on Friday, speaking shortly after the implementation phase of the historic plan to free the remaining hostages and bring an end to the Gaza war officially began. He described the moment as “a tremendous achievement” for the nation.

“We mark today one of our tremendous achievements in the War of Redemption: the return of all of the hostages, both the living and the deceased,” Netanyahu said in his televised remarks. “This is a crucial goal which we have insisted upon throughout the war.”

Netanyahu underscored that Israel’s government had delivered on its pledge to bring every captive home. “Throughout the two years that have passed since the beginning of the war, I have promised to the families of the hostages – and also promised to you, the citizens of Israel – that we will return everyone, with no exceptions. We made that promise and we are keeping our promise.”

He emphasized that even in the face of immense pressure from both within Israel and the international community to halt military action, he refused to waver from the mission. “I had to face enormous pressure, both domestic and foreign… yet, I steadfastly resisted all that pressure, because my focus was on one single consideration: Israel’s security.”

The Prime Minister attributed the success of the deal to a combination of sustained military operations, diplomatic leverage, and close collaboration with President Donald Trump. “I believed that if we apply heavy military pressure on Hamas, combined with heavy diplomatic pressure, we will indeed be able to return all of our hostages. And that’s exactly what we did,” Netanyahu said.

He noted that before President Trump took office, 158 hostages had been brought back, including 117 who survived. After Trump’s involvement, another 49 hostages — both living and deceased — were returned. Netanyahu explained that the final phase now underway would secure the return of the remaining 48 captives, consisting of 20 living and 28 deceased.

“Hamas only agreed to this deal when it felt the sword on its neck – and the sword remains on its neck,” Netanyahu asserted, crediting Israel’s ongoing military presence in Gaza and its diplomatic efforts to isolate the terror group for compelling Hamas to accept the terms.

Growing visibly emotional, Netanyahu recalled his personal encounters with families of the hostages. He said he and his wife had been profoundly touched by their strength and anguish, pledging that the remains of the fallen would be laid to rest according to Jewish tradition — calling this “a sacred duty of communal responsibility.”

He went on to express heartfelt appreciation for the bravery and determination of Israel’s soldiers and security forces who fought throughout the conflict. Netanyahu also extended thanks to President Trump and his envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, for their leadership and partnership in advancing the plan.

In closing, Netanyahu referenced the biblical prophecy of consolation to Rachel, linking it to the mission’s name. “The name of the operation, ‘Returning Home’, is a paraphrase of the promise given to Our Mother Rachel… ‘and your children shall return to their own border.’ Our sons and daughters shall return home.”

“Together, we will overcome the challenges; together, we will fulfil the opportunities; together, we will complete our missions; together, we will expand the circle of peace around us,” Netanyahu concluded.

{Matzav.com}

After two years, a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas terrorists officially took hold Friday at noon local time, marking the first step toward ending the devastating war started by Hamas. Under the agreement, Israeli troops will begin a partial withdrawal and all fighting is to halt completely within 24 hours. As part of the deal, Hamas terrorists must release every Israeli and foreign hostage—both living and deceased—within 72 hours, by Monday evening. In exchange, Israel will free hundreds of Palestinian terrorists from its jails.

The following are the hostages believed to be alive:

Matan Angrest, 22

A young Israeli soldier, Matan was taken on October 7 from his tank stationed near the Nahal Oz base. Survivors later reported that he was kept underground in grim conditions. His mother, Anat Angrest, told The Times of Israel in April 2025 that fellow hostages described her son as “starving and being held in a little cage in the dark.”
“He doesn’t see the daylight,” she said. “He is exposed to torture and violence and never sees the Red Cross.” A Hamas video from March 7 showed Matan frail and disfigured. “Matan’s face is not symmetric anymore,” Anat said. “His hand that was badly injured wasn’t treated, and we know it doesn’t function anymore. He will be disabled his whole life.”

Gali and Ziv Berman, 28
Twin brothers from Kibbutz Kfar Aza, the Bermans were taken during the October 7 assault. For months, their family received no word until February 2025, when freed hostages confirmed the twins were alive but in poor health and held separately. Their family released a statement saying, “We know you don’t understand how you can still be there, or when you will be free again. We promise you this will happen – you will return to the safe embrace of your mother. Hold on just a little longer, survive, and dream of a happy ending.”

Elkana Bohbot, 36
An Israeli-Colombian logistics manager and father of a five-year-old, Elkana was abducted at the Nova festival. His family last spoke to him by phone as he helped evacuate the wounded. Hours later, Hamas published a video showing him bloodied and bound. Two later propaganda clips in March and May depicted him weak and silent, with fellow hostage Yosef-Chaim Ohana speaking on his behalf. His aunt, Ruth Amiel, told i24 News, “In our hearts, we know he is there, that he is alive. We hope he will not lose hope and confidence and that he knows we are doing everything we can to see him return to us.”

Rom Braslavski, 21
A security guard at the Nova festival, Rom stayed behind to help others escape. According to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, he was shot while rescuing a wounded person. His family has not heard from him since.

Ariel and David Cunio
Brothers aged 28 and 35, they were taken from Kibbutz Nir Oz along with relatives. Another brother, Eitan, escaped and said Ariel’s last words were: “We are in a horror movie.” Ariel’s partner, Arbel Yehud, was freed in January 2025; David’s wife, Sharon, and their twin daughters were released in November 2023. Sharon’s sister, Daniele, and niece, Emilia, were also freed that month.

Evyatar David, 24
Evyatar was at the Nova festival when he texted that the site was under attack. Later, his family received a video of him handcuffed in a dark room. “He was emaciated, skin and bones,” his brother Ilay told ABC News. “We know that the only thing keeping Evyatar alive is his faith – and you can see it in his eyes.”

Guy Gilboa-Dalal, 24
Abducted with his friend Evyatar David, Guy appeared briefly in a Hamas video in September. “It’s so hard, missing him all day every day,” his brother Gal told The Guardian. “And as time goes by it’s getting harder and harder [to bear], and harder and harder to see the light at the end of the tunnel.”

Maxime Herkin, 37
A Russian-Israeli and father of one, Maxime had relocated to Israel after leaving Ukraine. He was captured at the Nova festival and later appeared in Hamas footage covered in bandages, seemingly forced to claim injury from an Israeli airstrike.

Eitan Horn, 38
An Argentine educator who worked at Nir Oz, Eitan was taken with his brother Yair, who was freed in February. He had dedicated his life to helping new immigrants integrate into Israeli society.

Bipin Joshi, 24
A Nepalese agriculture student, Bipin was interning at Kibbutz Alumim when he was kidnapped. “We just want him back,” his sister told The Times of Israel. “It’s too much for me and my family.”

Segev Kalfon, 27
Segev tried to flee the Nova festival on foot but was captured. His mother said he worked in a bakery and studied finance, noting that he struggled with anxiety even before his abduction.

Bar Kuperstein, 23
Bar worked at the Nova festival and was seized while aiding the wounded. His family recognized him in a Hamas video released in April but have received no updates since.

Omri Miran, 48
Taken from Kibbutz Nachal Oz, Omri appeared in a Hamas video in April. His brother-in-law, Moshe Lavi, told NPR, “Roni just celebrated her fourth birthday – a second without her father. Alma is two years old. Never celebrated a birthday with her father.”

Eitan Abraham Mor, 25
A security guard at the Nova festival, Eitan was last seen assisting others to safety. His father said the family’s “last sign of life” was months earlier.

Tamir Nimrodi, 20
A soldier stationed near Gaza, Tamir was captured at 18. “He always said I was his best friend,” his mother, Cherut Nimrodi, told The Jerusalem Post. “The emptiness in my heart is indescribable.”

Yosef-Chaim Ohana, 25
Set to leave for the U.S. to train as a pilot, Yosef-Chaim was kidnapped at the Nova festival after staying to help others flee. The IDF later confirmed he was alive in Gaza.

Alon Ohel, 24
A pianist with dual Israeli-German citizenship, Alon was filmed in a Hamas video pleading for a deal. His mother, Idit Alon, told The Jerusalem Post, “There’s still something of him, his smile – in one moment it gives a lot of hope.”

Avinatan Or, 32
Abducted from the Nova festival alongside his partner, Noa Argamani—who was freed in June 2024—Avinatan’s fate was confirmed in March 2025. “We always knew he was alive. Now it’s officially confirmed,” said his brother Moshe.

Matan Zangauker, 25
Taken from Nir Oz with his partner, Mexican national Lana Gritzewsky—released after 55 days—Matan’s mother, Einav, wrote in Haaretz: “My Matan, stay strong. I will never give up on you.”

Hamas has told mediators that locating the bodies of hostages who died in captivity could take longer than releasing the survivors.

The International Committee of the Red Cross urged that all transfers under the ceasefire be conducted “safely and with dignity.” The organization said it has helped facilitate the release of 148 hostages and 1,931 Palestinian detainees since October 2023, as well as the repatriation of human remains.

Israeli authorities have confirmed the deaths of 26 hostages, including Itay Chen, Inbar Hayman, Arie Zalmanowicz, Lior Rudaeff, Eliyahu Margalit, Meny Godard, Amiram Cooper, Tamir Adar, Muhammad Al-Atarash, Sahar Baruch, Uriel Baruch, Ronen Engel, Hadar Goldin, Ran Gvili, Tal Haimi, Guy Illouz, Eitan Levi, Joshua Loitu Mollel, Omer Neutra, Dror Oz, Oz Daniel, Daniel Peretz, Yossi Sharabi, Asaf Hamami, Sonthaya Oakkharasri, and Sudthisak Rinthalak.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Witkoff and Jared at the Kosel: Witkoff says “We are very happy and blessed that the hostages will hopefully out on Monday,” he says, adding that “there will be peace, and lots of lives saved.”

Joey Newcomb and band farbreingin at K’hal Mevakshei Hashem in Lawrence last night.

Trump warns that China is imposing new export controls on rare earths and other materials, calling it a hostile move to monopolize global markets. He says the U.S. will respond with major new tariffs on Chinese goods to “financially counter” Beijing’s actions.

Jared Kushner, Ivanka Trump, and Steve Witkoff davening at the Kosel today as the fragile permanent ceasefire in Gaza goes into effect.

The U.S. and Qatar have agreed to establish a Qatari Air Force base at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho.

US envoy Steve Witkoff seen shaking lulav and esrog at the Kosel this morning, as President Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, the rabbi of the kosel, look on.

The Israeli military says its troops demolished a building in Ayta ash-Shab, southern Lebanon, where a weapons cache belonging to the Hezbollah terror group was stored.

Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado praises President Trump and dedicates her award to him.

President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff joined Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner in visiting and davening at the Kosel on Friday, just days after helping broker a historic ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Speaking from the Kosel plaza, Witkoff told reporters he was “very happy” about the truce, which he said would “hopefully” see hostages released as early as Monday. “There will be peace, and lots of lives saved,” he added. Witkoff and Kushner arrived in Israel on Thursday, a day after finalizing the ceasefire and hostage-release agreement in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. Trump is expected to join his daughter and son-in-law in Yerushalayim on Monday for a brief “in and out” visit, during which he will address the Knesset before returning to the United States, officials confirmed. The visit will coincide with the deadline for Hamas to release hostages under the U.S.-backed Gaza ceasefire deal. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

There will be no permanent ceasefire in Gaza unless Hamas surrenders all 48 hostages—both living and deceased—and completely disarms as required under the terms of the newly finalized agreement between Israel and Hamas, Israel’s ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, told Fox News Digital on Thursday.

The Israeli government is set to ratify the peace accord initially introduced by President Donald Trump late last month and subsequently accepted by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Despite the optimism surrounding the deal, questions persist regarding Hamas’ capacity and willingness to deliver the bodies of all deceased hostages within the 72-hour period beginning Friday night, as stipulated in the agreement.

“They have an obligation to return everyone in 72 hours. Hopefully we’re going be able to keep everything within that framework,” Leiter said when asked about concerns over Hamas’ readiness to return the remains of the captives. “There are some glitches that we have to deal with, and this issue is one of them.

“But we need to see all the bodies back, and I don’t think we’re going to be able to move forward until we do have everyone,” he added.

Leiter explained that one of the key difficulties is that Hamas failed to document where some of the bodies were buried or left. He stressed, however, that Israel will not pull back its forces from Gaza until every hostage—living or deceased—is accounted for.

An international task force composed of representatives from the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt has been formed to assist Israel in locating and recovering the bodies. The White House, however, did not respond to Fox News Digital’s inquiry about whether American personnel would participate directly in the recovery efforts.

The agreement was finalized overnight after intensive mediation involving officials from the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar, who worked with both Hamas and Israeli negotiators to finalize the remaining details. It remains uncertain whether any modifications were made to Trump’s original 20-point peace plan.

Reports over the weekend indicated that Hamas had objected to the disarmament clause, even though the agreement would grant its members amnesty and allow them safe passage to a third country if they chose to leave Gaza. Leiter declined to comment on whether Hamas had ultimately accepted that condition.

“We hope it proceeds according to the president’s plan,” Leiter said. “We assume, having long experience with Hamas and Islamic Jihad and these terrorist organizations, that there are going to be glitches along the way.

“Look, they’re going down. This is basically a surrender on Hamas’s part. They don’t like it one bit, and they’re going to do whatever they can to try to show that they’re still relevant,” the ambassador warned.

The disarmament clause is not included in the first stage of the deal, which focuses on the release of all hostages, Israel’s partial withdrawal to a predetermined line, and the liberation of about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including 250 convicted of terrorist acts and murders.

The second stage is expected to address Hamas’ complete disarmament and the demilitarization of Gaza, alongside an international rebuilding initiative to be directed by a “peace body” led by President Trump.

“We’ve put all the focus now on the first phase,” Leiter noted, acknowledging that Hamas statements hinting at resistance to disarmament could jeopardize the second phase of the peace plan.

“But that’s part of the plan – that’s very clearly part of the president’s plan. That was the goal set out by Prime Minister Netanyahu from the outset, that Hamas is disarmed, that Gaza is de-radicalized and demilitarized.

“We can’t go back into a situation where we have Jihadi militants sitting at our border, or else we haven’t accomplished anything,” the ambassador said. “This is performance-based. They disarm, they are disarmed if necessary, and then Israel withdraws.”

{Matzav.com}

The Internal Revenue Service announced on Thursday a wide range of annual inflation-related adjustments for dozens of tax provisions, incorporating the updates mandated by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA).

The newly released figures will primarily take effect for the 2026 tax year.

For most taxpayers who take the standard deduction rather than itemizing, the deduction will rise to $16,100 for single filers and $32,200 for married couples filing jointly. The OBBBA had already raised the standard deduction for 2025 to $15,750 for individuals and $31,500 for joint filers.

The agency also updated its marginal tax brackets, increasing the income thresholds to reflect inflation.

The highest tax rate will remain 37% in 2026, applying to single earners making over $640,600 and to married couples filing jointly with incomes above $768,700. The revised brackets and rates for 2026 are as follows:

• 35% for incomes over $256,225 for single filers and $512,450 for married filers.

• 32% for incomes over $201,775 for single filers and $403,550 for married filers.

• 24% for incomes over $105,700 for single filers and $211,400 for married filers.

• 22% for incomes over $50,400 for single filers and $100,800 for married filers.

• 12% for incomes over $12,400 for single filers and $24,800 for married filers.

• 10% for incomes up to $12,400 for single filers and $24,800 for married filers.

Among other OBBBA-related changes, the federal estate tax exclusion will rise to $15 million for individuals who die in 2026, up from $13.99 million in 2025.

The adoption tax credit will increase slightly to $17,670 for 2026, compared to $17,280 in 2025, with up to $5,120 of that credit refundable.

For the alternative minimum tax, the exemption will be $90,100, beginning to phase out at $500,000 for individuals and $1 million for married couples filing jointly.

The OBBBA also significantly raised the employer-provided childcare tax credit, increasing the maximum benefit from $150,000 to $500,000 — or up to $600,000 for qualifying small businesses.

Inflation indexing will also impact several other provisions. The earned income tax credit will now have a maximum benefit of $8,231 for eligible families with three or more children, up from $8,046 in 2025.

Employee contributions to health flexible spending accounts will rise to $3,400 in 2026, an increase of $100. Cafeteria plans that permit unused funds to carry over will now allow up to $680 to be rolled over, up $20 from 2025.

For individuals with self-only medical savings account coverage, the minimum deductible will increase to $2,900 (up $50) and the maximum deductible will rise to $4,400 (up $100). The maximum out-of-pocket cap will be $5,850, a $150 increase.

For families with medical savings accounts, the deductible range will be between $5,850 and $8,750, and the total out-of-pocket limit will reach $10,700 for 2026.

Transportation-related benefits will also see a small boost, with the monthly limit for qualified commuter and parking expenses climbing by $15 to $340.

The annual gift tax exclusion will remain unchanged at $19,000 for 2026.

Several provisions that were once adjusted annually for inflation will remain fixed going forward, including personal exemptions, itemized deduction thresholds, and the income level used to phase out the lifetime learning credit.

{Matzav.com}