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On Monday night, French President Emmanuel Macron endorsed President Donald Trump’s proposal to halt the fighting in Gaza, urging Hamas to accept the terms.

“I welcome President Trump’s commitment to ending the war in Gaza and securing the release of all hostages,” Macron declared.

“I expect Israel to engage resolutely on this basis. Hamas has no choice but to immediately release all hostages and follow this plan,” he continued.

“These elements must pave the way for in-depth discussions with all relevant partners to build a lasting peace in the region, based on the two-state solution and on the principles endorsed by 142 UN member states, at the initiative of France and Saudi Arabia,” Macron explained.

“France stands ready to contribute. It will remain vigilant regarding the commitments of each party,” he concluded.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also expressed her approval of Trump’s plan, saying Italy is prepared to work closely with Washington, European allies, and regional stakeholders.

“The proposal presented today by US President Donald Trump could mark a turning point, enabling a permanent cessation of hostilities, the immediate release of all hostages, and full and secure humanitarian access for the civilian population,” Meloni said.

“Hamas, in particular – having initiated this war with the barbaric terrorist attack of October 7, 2023 – now has the opportunity to end it by releasing the hostages, agreeing to have no role in Gaza’s future, and fully disarming,” she added.

{Matzav.com}

  When the story of Sharona reached HaRav Yitzchok Zilberstine shlit”a, his response was very passionate: “We can’t go into Yom Hadin without worrying about them!” Sharona is a fast-growing Israeli community in the big city of Kfar Yona that bustles with over 30,000 residents to date.  And it’s missing a mikvah taharah.  How could it be that in the heart of our homeland, a place has everything a young family needs, except for the pillar of Jewish life?   The Gedolei Hador are rallying behind the desperately-needed Mikvah Sharona, a space that will bring thousands of Jewish families to taharah for the first time, and for a lifetime.  Our Gedolim bentch all those who give $219 (the value of taharah) and have promised to daven for you during the most auspicious time of year:  “When we bentch our children Erev Yom Kippur, we will also bentch those who join with chaim and shalom” If you were looking for a zechus, look no further.  Give $219 for Mikvah Sharona and the Gedolei Hador will daven for you Erev Yom Kippur. CLICK HERE. Send your support to Mikvah Sharona and your kvitel now. Merkaz L’Taharas HaMishpacha
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Two young yeshivah bochurim were wounded on Tuesday afternoon in a ramming attack at a hitchhiking stop at the Al-Khader junction, near the tunnels road on Highway 60, on the way from Beitar Illit to Jerusalem. A 15-year-old boy in serious condition, with head and limb injuries, was evacuated to Shaare Tzedek Hospital. The second victim, a 16-year-old boy, was evacuated in moderate condition to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital. According to initial information, the terrorist rammed into the bochurim and then emerged from the car armed with a knife. An armed civilian neutralized the terrorist. Initially, searches were conducted for another terrorist who was apparently at the scene, but after a few minutes, the suspicion was ruled out. The terrorist who carried out the attack is from Beit Jala. The public is asked to daven for the refuah sheleimah of the injured bochurim, talmidim at the Ohr Elchanan yeshivah ketanah, Aharon Ben Avigayil and Chaim Gad ben Naomi b’toch sha’ar cholei Yisrael. The incident occurred near the tunnels checkpoint, one of the main traffic arteries connecting Gush Etzion to the capital. Army and police forces are currently at the scene, and additional forces have been rushed to the area as part of a pursuit after the terrorist. (YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump’s envoy to the Middle East, voiced confidence Monday night that Trump’s initiative to halt the fighting in Gaza and secure the release of hostages held by Hamas could realistically move forward.

During a conversation with Fox News anchor Bret Baier, Witkoff welcomed Hamas’s announcement that it would examine the proposal sincerely and issue a reply.

“I think that sounds like a very positive initial reaction for a group that hasn’t really had time to study our plan,” Witkoff observed.

Baier reminded viewers of the unpredictable nature of negotiations in the region, describing it as, “One step forward, two steps back.” Witkoff agreed, answering, “Yes,” but added, “I do [feel this one is different]. Because we have so much widespread support from all of the Gulf Coast Arab countries. We have widespread support from the Europeans.”

Highlighting the role of Trump himself, Witkoff said, “With that indomitable spirit of his, everyone’s going to be pushed by him. And I think we’re going to get to the finish line.”

When pressed about how much effort it took to bring Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on board, Witkoff answered, “I think Bibi is strong for his country. And the president has a great respect for that.” He went on to acknowledge Jared Kushner and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, pointing out, “We’ve been working all weekend on this.”

“The Israelis are bought into this,” Witkoff said firmly. “They want to do it the easy way first. So no threats. Let’s see if we can peacefully get everybody home on both sides.”

Asked to give his assessment of the likelihood of success, Witkoff closed with, “I’d say I’m very optimistic… I really am hopeful because I’ve met people on both sides and this needs to end.”

{Matzav.com}

Hamas and other Palestinian terrorist factions are moving toward accepting President Donald Trump’s proposal to end the war in Gaza, with a formal response expected to be delivered to Egyptian and Qatari mediators on Wednesday, according to a source close to the talks who spoke with CBS News. The plan, unveiled at the White House on Monday alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, outlines a 20-point framework that would implement an immediate ceasefire, secure the release of all remaining hostages and a number of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel, and expand humanitarian aid deliveries. Control of Gaza would eventually shift to an interim administration of Palestinian technocrats overseen by an international “Board of Peace” chaired by Trump, with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair also serving on the panel. Israel would retain security control along Gaza’s perimeter. A diplomatic source said that Egyptian and Qatari officials have already shared the proposal with Hamas representatives. The Palestinian Authority (PA), which governs parts of the West Bank, publicly endorsed the plan in a statement released by the PA-linked WAFA news agency. The PA emphasized its partnership with Washington in advancing regional peace and reiterated commitments to reforms, including holding presidential and parliamentary elections within a year after the conflict ends. “We have affirmed that we desire a modern, democratic, non-militarized Palestinian state that is committed to pluralism and the peaceful transfer of power,” the statement read. While Trump’s plan does not grant the PA an immediate role in Gaza’s administration, it leaves open the possibility of eventual control once reforms are implemented. Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar issued a joint statement welcoming Trump’s “sincere efforts to end the war in Gaza,” voicing confidence in his ability to advance peace. The statement underscored the importance of U.S. partnership in rebuilding Gaza, preventing displacement, and halting the annexation of the West Bank. European leaders also signaled support. European Council President Antonio Costa said he was “encouraged by Prime Minister Netanyahu’s positive response” and urged all parties to “seize this moment to give peace a genuine chance,” according to the BBC. At the United Nations, High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk called the plan a welcome step: “Anything that brings us to a ceasefire, to the release of hostages, to an end to the carnage that we see, and an end to the incredible suffering, and a pathway for peace is welcome,” he told CBS News. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East and point man in the Gaza ceasefire talks, is preparing to leave his post at the end of the year, according to a U.S. official familiar with the matter. Witkoff, a longtime Trump ally and real estate executive, has served as a Special Government Employee — a temporary designation typically capped at 130 days but subject to renewals. While his role has already stretched past that window, officials say he is planning an exit, particularly with a potential breakthrough on Gaza now in sight. Trump announced Monday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accepted the latest U.S. proposal for a ceasefire, with mediators now awaiting Hamas’s official response. If a deal is sealed, Witkoff would likely “bow out gracefully,” the official said. People inside Witkoff’s office are already preparing for the transition, scoping out “the next thing” as the envoy eyes the door, the official added. Witkoff’s pending departure would mark the latest shift in Trump’s foreign policy team, which has seen a string of unconventional envoys tapped for high-stakes roles. His appointment raised eyebrows at the outset — a real estate mogul navigating one of the world’s most combustible conflicts — but Trump has leaned on personal loyalists rather than career diplomats in much of his Middle East strategy. Whether Witkoff leaves on a high note hinges on the Gaza talks, which remain fragile. But if the ceasefire sticks, he could walk away with something rare in this conflict: a diplomatic win. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

The Palestinian Authority on Monday voiced approval for President Donald Trump’s initiative aimed at bringing an end to the conflict in Gaza.

In comments carried by AFP, the PA declared it “welcomes the sincere and determined efforts of President Donald J Trump to end the war on Gaza, and affirms its confidence in his ability to find a path toward peace”.

Al Jazeera reported that Qatar and Egypt, the two states acting as intermediaries, formally presented Trump’s proposal to Hamas.

The outlet noted that Hamas informed the go-betweens that it would give Trump’s plan a thorough evaluation.

Islamic Jihad’s head, Ziyad Nakhala, dismissed Trump’s approach, saying, “What was announced at the press conference of Trump and Netanyahu is an American-Israeli agreement that fully reflects Israel’s position and serves as a recipe for continued aggression against the Palestinian people.”

He further asserted, “Through this, Israel is attempting, via the US, to impose what it failed to achieve in the war. Therefore, we consider the American-Israeli declaration a recipe for igniting the region.”

{Matzav.com}

Google’s YouTube has agreed to pay $24.5 million to settle a lawsuit by President Donald Trump over his 2021 account suspension following the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. According to documents filed in federal court in California, $22 million of the settlement will be contributed to the Trust for the National Mall to help pay for the construction of the White House State Ballroom. The rest will go to other plaintiffs, including the American Conservative Union. Google is the latest big tech company to settle lawsuits brought by Trump. In January, Meta Platforms agreed to pay $25 million to settle a lawsuit over his 2021 suspension from Facebook. Elon Musk’s X agreed to settle a similar lawsuit brought against the company then known as Twitter for $10 million. The settlement does not constitute an admission of liability, the filing says. Google confirmed the settlement but declined to comment beyond it. The disclosure of the settlement came a week before a scheduled Oct. 6 court hearing to discuss the case with U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez-Rogers in Oakland, California. (AP)

WATCH:

A Minnesota man accused of trying to join the Islamic State group pleaded guilty Monday to attempting to provide material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization. Abdisatar Ahmed Hassan, 23, changed his plea to guilty during an appearance before U.S. District Judge Donovan Frank in St. Paul. When Hassan was charged in February, prosecutors said he had expressed admiration on social media for the man who carried out a Jan. 1 truck attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans that killed 14 people. That attacker was killed by police. His truck bore the flag of the militant Islamic State group. Prosecutors say Hassan tried twice in December to travel from Minnesota to Somalia to join the group and fight on its behalf but failed both times. The FBI had been tipped beforehand about a social media user who had expressed support for the Islamic State group and the Somali militant group al-Shabab, and agents conducted surveillance of Hassan on both attempts. The first time Hassan tried to travel to Somalia, according to court documents, the airline denied him boarding because he lacked the proper travel documents. He missed the second flight while federal officers questioned him, but he wasn’t detained until his arrest in February. The FBI said it observed Hassan driving with the group’s flag the day before his arrest. “There is no margin for error when it comes to terrorism,” Acting U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson said in a statement. “Hassan flew the ISIS flag, venerated attacks on the homeland, and wanted to kill Americans. We are not taking chances. We will not let Minnesota become a safe haven for terrorists.” Hassan, a naturalized U.S. citizen, remains in custody. A sentencing date has not been set. Under a plea agreement, the government agreed not to seek a sentence longer than 17 years, while the defense is free to recommend anything it wants. The final decision is up to the judge. A New York man accused of plotting an attack on behalf of the Islamic State group in 2019 was sentenced last week to nine years in prison. Hassan was the latest of several Minnesotans suspected of leaving or trying to leave the U.S. to join the Islamic State group in recent years, along with thousands of fighters from other countries. In 2016 nine Minnesotans were sentenced on charges of conspiring to join the group, and one who actually fought for the group in Iraq was sentenced last year to 10 years in prison. (AP)

The Ad Kan organization and Israel’s Foreign Ministry published statements this week revealing that Hamas is directly involved in the Global Sumud Flotilla, which is expected to reach Israel on Yom Kippur. Ad Kan published a photo of flotilla participant and avid terror supporter Greta Thunberg with the head of the Hamas branch in Europe. The organization stated: “Look closely at the photo—on the right, Greta Thunberg, human-rights and environmental activist. On the left, the head of Hamas’s command in Europe, Zaher Birawi. What are both of them doing on the deck of the Madeline ship moments before it set out ‘to break the siege on Gaza?'” “Tonight, we expose the truth. This is not a human-rights flotilla—it’s a flotilla of Hamas in Europe! Since 2018, we have been tracking the flotilla industry. Behind the headline ‘aid for Gaza’ stands a well-oiled international propaganda apparatus led by Hamas. These flotillas rarely carry commercial goods or relief supplies; they mainly carry communications and filming equipment. “About three weeks ago, a new organization was formed, the Global Sumud Flotilla. Activists, including Greta, are preparing for what they call ‘the biggest attempt ever to break the siege on Gaza’— a flotilla of dozens of ships with participants from 44 countries which set sail from ports in Spain at the end of August. So who is behind it? “In recent years, Hamas has become more sophisticated. They put well-known ‘human-rights activists’ at the forefront, some of them social-media influencers, but behind the scenes, the people running it are Hamas operatives. “One of these Hamas operatives is Zaher Birawi, head of Hamas’s command in Europe. A resident of London, he was born in a village near Shechem in 1961, and in the 1990s was sent by none other than Sheikh Ahmed Yassin—to establish Hamas Europe in London. He has previously supported suicide bombings.” “Birawi is one of the founders of the ‘Freedom Flotillas Coalition,’ which leads the flotillas. As early as 2013, the Israeli Justice Ministry defined Birawi as a member of a terror organization because of his affiliation with Hamas’s European headquarters. Birawi also heads the ‘International Coordination Committee for the Great Return March,’ and his name was even mentioned on Hamas’s website in connection with the 2018 ‘Great Return’ marches — those violent riots on the Gaza-Israel border. Birawi is also a member of the ‘International Committee to Break the Siege on the Gaza Strip.’ “Another leading figure is Muhammad Qutash, who replaced Amin Abu Rashad as Hamas’s leader in the Netherlands. According to the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs, Qutash was one of the leaders of the pogrom against Maccabi Tel Aviv fans in Amsterdam in 2024. In our research, we found documentation of Qutash together with one of the flotilla participants, Tiago Avila, at one of the flotilla’s stopovers. “Alongside them operates Amin Abu Rashad himself, who grew up in Lebanon and now lives in the Netherlands. Rashad has been dubbed a Hamas goodwill ambassador. You know him well from the sting investigation in which he supported the destruction of Israel. He was detained following our activity in the Netherlands on charges of transferring funds to Hamas, and a few months ago, he was designated in the United States as a Hamas operative and terrorist. “Another figure is Rashad al-Baz, one of […]

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Religious Zionism chairman Betzalel Smotrich on Tuesday morning slammed Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s acceptance of US President Donald Trump’s 21-point plan to end the war in Gaza. Smotrich called the plan “a historic failure,” saying that it is a dangerous resumption of perceptions that have failed in the past and a surrender of significant strategic achievements. “To return after October 7…to the old conception of abandoning our security to foreign elements and illusions that someone else will do the work for us, to political tunes of ‘two states,’ ‘Palestinians will rule Palestinians,’ the establishment of a Palestinian police force to be trained by Egypt and Jordan and the normalization of the conflict, Qatar as a central player—this whole mess is so ‘old fashioned’ and a return to the Oslo concept.” He emphasized that this is “a historic missed opportunity of the most justified opportunity in the world to finally break free from the shackles of Oslo, a resounding political failure,” and the “turning of a blind eye to all the lessons of October 7.” Smotrich added, “And in my assessment, this will also end in tears. Our children will be forced to fight in Gaza again. This is what Einstein defined as utter stupidity: repeating the same action over and over and expecting a different result.” Behind the scenes, senior party officials are examining the discrepancy between Netanyahu’s public statements and the comprehensive content of the plan. Two clauses are at the heart of the dispute: immunity for those involved in terror-related acts, and a clause that paves a path to a Palestinian state “if reforms in the Authority are completed,” according to Channel 12 News. National Security Minister Ben-Gvir has made clear his opposition to pardons for terrorists, arguing that the proposed clause concerning immunity for murderers is a red line for him. Several opposition leaders, including Yair Lapid, Benny Gantz, and Avigdor Liberman, expressed support for Trump’s plan. (YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

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A planned bombing attack at a bus station in Akko, targeting IDF soldiers, was foiled in recent weeks, a joint statement from the Shin Bet and Israel Police revealed on Tuesday. Security forces arrested Issa Madi, an 18-year-old Israeli-Arab from Akko who identified with ISIS and maintained contact with the terror group’s operatives abroad. During his interrogation, Madi admitted he intended to bomb a bus station near Akko’s train station, and had already begun preparing explosives. He planned to carry out the attack in the name of ISIS and for nationalist motives. The Shin Bet noted that since the beginning of the war in Gaza, the threat posed by ISIS and its supporters in Israel has significantly increased, including greater involvement of Israeli-Arabs in terror activity. The Haifa District Attorney’s Office is expected to file an indictment against Madi on Tuesday. (YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

President Donald Trump welcomed a group of Chabad-Lubavitch rabbis from around the United States to the White House in Washington, DC, on Monday.

The gathering was originally set for April in honor of the 11th of Nissan, the birthday of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson. Each year, the President issues a proclamation for Education and Sharing Day USA to mark the occasion.

Although Trump’s schedule included high-level talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the meeting with the Chabad delegation remained in place.

The 14 rabbis joined the President for about twenty minutes in the Oval Office, where they presented him with a silver tzedakah box in recognition of Education and Sharing Day.

Leading the group was Rabbi Abraham Shemtov, Chairman of Agudas Chassidei Chabad International and the Rebbe’s Shliach to the White House, along with his son Rabbi Levi Shemtov, Executive Vice President of American Friends of Lubavitch-Chabad and senior Shliach in Washington, DC.

Other participants included Rabbi Yossi New of Chabad Lubavitch of Georgia; Rabbi Mendy Herson, Dean of the Rabbinical College of America in Morristown, New Jersey; Rabbi Shea Harlig of Chabad of Southern Nevada; Rabbi Aaron Lipskar, CEO of The Aleph Institute in Surfside, Florida; Rabbi Mendel Feller of Chabad Lubavitch Upper Midwest in Minnesota; Rabbi Ovadia Goldman of Chabad of Oklahoma City; Rabbi Mendel Lifshitz of Chabad Lubavitch of Idaho; Rabbi Kasriel Shemtov of Chabad Lubavitch of Michigan; Rabbi Eitan Webb of Chabad on Campus International in Princeton, New Jersey; Chaplain (Maj) Mendy Stern; Rabbi Mendel Alperowitz of Chabad Lubavitch of South Dakota; and Rabbi Eli Shemtov of Chabad Young Professionals in Washington, DC.

Also taking part were government figures such as EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, Staff Secretary Will Scharf, Paula White and Jennifer Korn from the Faith Office, and Martin Marks, who serves as White House liaison to the Jewish community.

In a particularly emotional moment, the delegation presented Trump with a reproduction of a 1956 plaque from the Beach Haven Jewish Center in New York. The original plaque paid tribute to his father, Fred Trump, for providing critical support to Holocaust survivors, including free housing until they could become self-sufficient.

During the Oval Office discussion, Trump expressed his strong feelings of solidarity with the Jewish people, his commitment to the State of Israel, and his respect for the work Chabad-Lubavitch carries out across the globe. He voiced appreciation for their contributions to Jewish education and community life in America.

While waiting in the Roosevelt Room before the Oval Office session, the rabbis also encountered Vice President J.D. Vance, House Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

Afterward, Trump posed for a group photograph with the delegation, and then invited senior administration members to join him for another picture. Among those included were his son-in-law Jared Kushner and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.

{Matzav.com}

National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett: Since President Trump took office, “capital spending — equipment spending, which is the stuff that really drives wage growth — is up 7%… There’s a massive investment boom, and that’s why we’re seeing this GDP growth.”

After meeting with President Trump, PM Netanyahu released a video stating, “This was a historic visit. We turned the tables and isolated Hamas. The entire world—including Arab and Muslim nations—is now pressuring them to accept the conditions we set with President Trump: the release of all our hostages while the IDF maintains control over most of the Gaza Strip.”

SPEAKER MIKE JOHNSON: Chuck Schumer “is willing to force the government to shut down, just to oppose President Trump for temporary political cover for himself — and he will abandon the American people just to do that. It’s really something to watch.”

Sec. Marco Rubio: “POTUS has always been clear about his priorities regarding the Gaza conflict: bring the hostages home and end the war.”