Feed aggregator

The Orthodox Union’s Kashruth Division has issued an urgent directive to its nationwide network of mashgichim and staff, warning that disruptions in the kosher meat supply chain could create opportunities for fraud and calling for heightened vigilance when receiving meat products.

In a letter from OU Kosher CEO Rabbi Moshe Elefant, the organization said the kosher meat industry is facing significant supply challenges following two major setbacks: the temporary closure of a large kosher slaughterhouse in the Chicago area and the devastating fire at the Agri Processors facility in Postville, Iowa.

According to the OU, those developments have resulted in an unexpected shortage of kosher meat in the marketplace.

“Periods of limited supply can unfortunately create opportunities for dishonest practices,” Rabbi Elefant wrote. “It is therefore essential that every Mashgiach exercise heightened vigilance when receiving meat and meat products at restaurants, catering facilities, retail establishments, and food manufacturing plants under OU certification.”

The letter instructs mashgichim to carefully verify that all incoming meat and poultry bear the proper kosher identification and required seals before accepting deliveries. It also directs them to inspect packaging, labels, and certification markings for any irregularities.

In addition, the OU emphasized that certified establishments should receive products only from approved suppliers and distributors. Any discrepancies, suspicious circumstances, or irregularities are to be reported immediately to the supervising Rabbinic Coordinator before the products are permitted to enter inventory or production.

Rabbi Elefant stressed that maintaining the integrity of the kosher supply chain depends on the diligence and professionalism of every member of the OU’s kashrus team.

“The integrity of the kosher supply chain depends upon the diligence and professionalism of every member of our field and office staff. Your attention to these details is critical to maintaining the confidence that consumers place in the OU symbol,” he wrote.

Despite the current challenges, the OU sought to reassure its staff that it is actively working to stabilize the situation.

“We are working continuously with industry partners to identify qualified alternative slaughter facilities and to help ensure a reliable supply of kosher meat during this interim period. We will continue to keep you informed as developments occur,” Rabbi Elefant stated.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Defense Minister Yisroel Katz declared that Israel will continue confronting Iran and its regional proxies while making clear that any future Israeli participation in American military operations against Tehran would depend on a request from President Donald Trump.

Speaking at a conference of the Likud Group headed by Ofer Ayubi in Yerushalayim, Katz addressed a wide range of security, diplomatic, and domestic issues, emphasizing that Israel remains focused on achieving its strategic goals through military strength and close coordination with the United States.

“We want to continue moving forward, promote significant initiatives, and act in creative and unconventional ways to achieve the goals we have set,” he said.

Katz said Israel’s alliance with the United States remains one of the country’s most important strategic assets, noting that senior Israeli officials recently met with members of the Trump administration to deepen cooperation and strengthen coordination between the two governments.

He also praised President Trump for his continued backing of Israel and expressed confidence that the administration’s approach would ultimately be recognized as the correct one.

“I believe Trump will continue to lead the policy he has declared, and ultimately the world will understand that there is no real alternative to this path,” Katz said.

Turning to Iran, Katz said Israel remains committed to confronting threats wherever they emerge, whether directly from Tehran or through Iranian-backed terror proxies operating throughout the Middle East.

“In Iran, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, and everywhere else, there is no quiet. We continue to act to ensure the security of the State of Israel,” he said.

The defense minister said Israel’s two strikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities marked a historic turning point and significantly degraded the regime’s nuclear capabilities.

“We destroyed Iran’s nuclear program and removed an existential threat to the State of Israel. Now our responsibility is to ensure that they cannot rebuild it,” he said.

Katz revealed that long before those operations were launched, Israel’s defense establishment had already begun preparing for the possibility of carrying out additional strikes if Iran attempted to restore its nuclear program.

“We knew that Ali Khamenei would try to restore Iran’s nuclear program and military capabilities, and therefore we instructed the IDF to be prepared for another strike if necessary,” he said.

He praised the IDF for what he described as its highly effective performance during the campaign and credited the unprecedented military cooperation between Israel and the United States as a major strategic achievement.

“Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu succeeded in doing something no one before him had achieved-bringing the United States to act alongside Israel against Iran. Together we delivered a severe blow to the Iranian regime,” he said.

Katz said Israel continues monitoring developments across the region, including issues affecting maritime trade routes and the Strait of Hormuz.

“If the Iranians strike us, we will respond with full force. That is our policy, and it is absolutely clear. We inflicted severe damage on Iran’s military and strategic infrastructure. Anyone wondering what happened there-the answer is simple: Iran suffered a very heavy blow.”

He added that Israel would participate in any future American strikes against Iran only “if Trump asks.”

Reflecting on the October 7 massacre, Katz said the attack permanently transformed Israel’s national security doctrine and ended any possibility of returning to previous policies toward terrorist organizations.

“In the past, we were told that limited operations were enough, that we could allow workers from Gaza to enter Israel and continue with routine life. Today there are no longer any such dilemmas,” Katz said. “We see the reality on the ground-there is no going back to what existed before October 7.”

According to Katz, the IDF now follows a doctrine centered on maintaining security control over areas from which terrorist threats can emerge, rather than waiting to respond after attacks occur.

“The IDF’s role is to protect Israeli residents from the other side of the border, not to wait for the enemy to reach our communities. We protect Israel’s citizens and do not rely on anyone else’s guarantees.”

He said that strategy is now being implemented in Gaza, southern Lebanon, Syria, and throughout Judea and Samaria, stressing that Israel has no intention of withdrawing from strategically important areas where its military presence is needed to prevent terrorists from regrouping.

Discussing operations in Judea and Samaria, Katz noted that Israeli forces have conducted extensive operations inside the refugee camps of Jenin, Nur Shams, and Tulkarm—the first such large-scale operations there since the Six-Day War.

“We dismantled the terrorist infrastructure, evacuated a large portion of the population from the combat zones, and the IDF has remained on the ground to prevent the terrorists from returning,” he said.

Katz said the new strategy is already producing measurable results.

“We are seeing an approximately 80 percent decline in terrorist activity in Judea and Samaria. That is the result of a clear policy-not simply entering and leaving, but maintaining control of the area for as long as necessary. And if needed, we will act in additional locations as well.”

The defense minister also highlighted the government’s efforts to expand Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria, saying recent cabinet decisions reflected that commitment.

“We are strengthening not only security but also settlement. The government has approved the establishment of 104 new communities in Judea and Samaria, along with approximately 160 new farms. This is an unprecedented move that reflects our commitment to strengthening Israel’s presence in the region,” he said.

Closing his remarks, Katz vowed that Israel would continue implementing its post-October 7 security doctrine and would not permit terrorist organizations to regain footholds near its borders.

“We will not return to the reality that led to October 7. We will act wherever necessary to ensure the security of the citizens of Israel.”

Katz also turned briefly to domestic policy, saying the government remains committed to completing its judicial reform agenda.

“We will complete the judicial reform,” he said.

President Donald Trump on Friday rejected reports that Iran was likely behind the recent cyberattack on more than 30 Minnesota water systems, instead placing responsibility squarely on Minnesota officials and sharply criticizing Gov. Tim Walz.

Speaking at the opening of a Cabinet meeting at Camp David, Trump addressed the cyberattack that disrupted water facilities across the state and dismissed claims that Tehran was responsible.

“I just want to mention that we heard in Minnesota there was a cyberattack, and they blame it on Iran,” he said.

Trump argued that the real problem was Minnesota’s leadership rather than a foreign adversary.

“I don’t think so. I think I blame it on Minnesota because they’re grossly incompetent,” Trump said. “There was a cyberattack of 30 water plants, and I would blame it on Minnesota and the governor, the corrupt governor of Minnesota. They like to say, oh, is Iran? Iran should be so lucky. Iran’s got bigger problems than worrying about Minnesota.”

The president’s comments contradict preliminary findings reportedly shared by federal and state officials, who have indicated that Iranian hackers are the leading suspects. Security experts have also noted that Iranian cyber operations have previously succeeded by exploiting poorly protected internet-connected equipment at American water facilities, including systems secured with default or nonexistent passwords.

Walz fired back on X, accusing Trump of ignoring the available intelligence.

“Trump knows exactly who is responsible for this attack, and knows that other states were hit too. This is what modern warfare looks like, and it further illustrates there’s no plan to win a war with Iran.”

Trump has frequently criticized Walz since the 2024 campaign, repeatedly accusing the Minnesota governor of overseeing widespread fraud within the state’s publicly administered social services programs.

Walz, who served as the Democratic nominee for vice president in 2024, announced in January that he would not seek a third term as governor amid growing criticism over his administration’s handling of those fraud scandals. Although the controversies unfolded during his tenure, Walz has not been accused of personally participating in any fraudulent activity.

Minnesota IT Services said the attack was a coordinated operation that struck operational technology at more than 30 community water systems over the course of Sunday and Monday. State health officials emphasized that there is no indication residents need to alter their drinking water use, saying the Minnesota Department of Health is “not aware of any active requests from Minnesota cities to have their residents modify their drinking water usage.”

According to The New York Times, U.S. and Minnesota officials familiar with the ongoing investigation believe Iranian hackers were likely responsible for the coordinated attack.

Even so, Minnesota IT Services cautioned that investigators have not yet conclusively identified the culprit, saying officials have not determined whether a “specific actor” carried out the cyberattack and that the investigation remains ongoing.

The cyber intrusion temporarily disrupted automated operations in several municipalities. In Braham, malicious software disabled controls at the community’s well and water treatment plant, while Plymouth and South St. Paul switched portions of their systems to manual operation. Officials said there was no evidence that drinking water safety had been compromised.

Just days before the Minnesota incident, federal cybersecurity agencies warned that hackers linked to Iran were actively targeting the computerized control systems used by water utilities, power infrastructure, and local governments. The agencies said similar attacks had already interrupted operations at some facilities and caused financial damage, concluding that the campaign appeared designed to create disruption inside the United States.

Iranian cyber groups have previously targeted American water infrastructure.

In 2023, according to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, hackers connected to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps infiltrated programmable controllers at several U.S. water and wastewater facilities.

Those attacks generally succeeded because the targeted equipment was exposed to the internet and protected by default passwords—or no passwords at all. Although some utilities temporarily moved operations offline, officials said no public drinking water supplies were contaminated.

Federal prosecutors have also pursued Iranian hackers in earlier cases. In one incident dating back to 2013, the Justice Department charged an Iranian hacker with repeatedly accessing the control system of a small dam in Rye, New York. Prosecutors said the intrusion could have allowed him to remotely operate the dam’s sluice gate, but the gate had already been disconnected manually for maintenance, preventing any damage.

{Matzav.com}

A Reuters investigation alleges that a Dubai-based cryptocurrency exchange played a central role in a massive sanctions-evasion network, processing at least $4 billion in digital assets tied to Iranian interests, including entities linked to online gambling and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

According to the investigation, the exchange—identified as Shelbit—operates out of Dubai despite reportedly lacking a license and is managed by an Iranian expatriate. Reuters said its findings were based on transaction data supplied by two cryptocurrency investigative firms along with an independent blockchain analyst.

The report states that one of Shelbit’s largest clients is a sprawling Farsi-language online gambling operation consisting of more than 2,000 websites. The network is reportedly controlled by two Iranian social media influencers with ties to the Iranian government. Reuters noted that both men, along with Shelbit’s operator, were convicted in Iran in 2023 in an illegal gambling case.

Although gambling is outlawed in Iran and punishable under the country’s laws, Reuters reported that the gambling network nevertheless has access to Iran’s online payment infrastructure, which falls under the supervision of the Iranian central bank.

Investigators told Reuters that blockchain records traced tens of millions of dollars in cryptocurrency flowing from the gambling operation to Shelbit. Based on the available data, they estimate the exchange has handled at least $4 billion in digital assets since May 2024.

The investigation also alleges that Shelbit moved hundreds of millions of dollars in cryptocurrency through major global platforms, including Binance. Reuters further reported that the exchange conducted transactions involving wallets that the Israeli government has linked to the IRGC, Iran’s central bank, and Nobitex, the Iranian cryptocurrency exchange that was sanctioned by the United States earlier this year.

According to Reuters, investigators also traced a portion of the cryptocurrency reaching Shelbit to what they identified as an Iranian bitcoin mining operation.

Reuters said its investigation drew on interviews with more than 30 sources, including former IRGC affiliates, a former Iranian government official, senior insiders familiar with the alleged network, and other individuals with firsthand knowledge of its operations.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump said Friday that Israel supports the newly announced Hamas disarmament agreement, describing it as a historic diplomatic achievement and expressing confidence that the proposal could reshape the future of the Middle East.

During a Cabinet meeting, Trump was asked whether the United States had secured commitments from Israel to move forward with the agreement. He responded, “We do have an understanding with Israel.”

Trump went on to portray Israel as fully supportive of the initiative, praising its cooperation throughout the negotiations. “Israel is very happy about it. Israel helped us, and they’ve been very good,” Trump stated, adding, “Most people said that would be a deal that would be undoable. Will it go through its ups and downs? It’s a very complex situation over there… But it’s a great breakthrough. Nobody’s ever thought that it would be be possible to disarm Hamas.”

Calling the development a milestone for the region, Trump said the agreement represents “a big step for the Middle East, and people are really impressed by it.”

When reporters asked who would ultimately take custody of Hamas’s weapons under the arrangement, Trump answered simply: “The Board of Peace.”

Despite Trump’s remarks, the Israeli government has not publicly endorsed the proposal. In fact, a senior Israeli diplomatic official said Thursday that Gaza was not discussed at all during this week’s meeting between Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Trump in Washington.

The official emphasized that Israel’s position remains unchanged, insisting that any political process must begin with Hamas’s complete military dismantling. “Israel is demanding the complete disarmament of Hamas, including the removal of all weapons from the Gaza Strip and the territory’s full demilitarization, as a precondition for any process. The reported 15-point document does not provide an adequate response to these demands, and Israel has conveyed its reservations on the matter to envoy Tony Blair.”

The official further made clear that Israel has no intention of altering its military posture until those conditions are fulfilled. “There will be no Israeli withdrawal from the Yellow Line in the Gaza Strip before Hamas is disarmed and the Strip is fully demilitarized.”

{Matzav.com}

A new report claims that Yesh Atid MK Yoav Segalovitz is preparing to leave his party and join Mansour Abbas’s Islamist Ra’am faction, a move that could reshape the party’s image and broaden its appeal ahead of Israel’s next Knesset elections.

According to the report, Segalovitz has been weighing a political alliance with Ra’am and is expected to run on the party’s slate in the upcoming national vote.

Ynet reported that Segalovitz is currently vacationing in Thailand and is due back in Israel next week.

Upon his return, he is expected to sit down with Abbas to finalize the terms of his entry into the party and complete the remaining details of the political agreement.

Polling conducted on behalf of Ra’am reportedly found that Segalovitz is the only Jewish politician who commands broad confidence among Arab voters. Party officials believe his addition could significantly strengthen Ra’am’s standing and expand its electoral support.

According to the report, Abbas has been working for some time to persuade Segalovitz to join the party, believing that the inclusion of a well-known Jewish lawmaker would help counter criticism from right-wing politicians and activists who have long targeted the faction.

The report also says Abbas is weighing a rebranding effort that would include changing the party’s name to one that would be more appealing and accessible to Jewish voters.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir blasted the reported move, saying: “The truth has finally come out. For years, I said that Segalovitz paid money to crime families and strengthened them, and today there is proof: he is joining Mansour Abbas on a joint list that will greatly please the crime gangs. We took away the money that Segalovitz and Bennett transferred to crime families under the Muslim Brotherhood government. Now Segalovitz and Mansour, in a joint comeback, want to give it back to them.”

President Donald Trump said Friday that the United States has not yet committed to allowing Ukraine to manufacture Patriot missile systems under U.S. license, signaling a possible reversal on what Kyiv has viewed as one of its most important defense objectives in the war against Russia.

Speaking during a Cabinet meeting, Trump explained that the sophisticated Patriot technology is not something Washington can hand over lightly. He warned that any nation granted access to such advanced systems could eventually become a threat to the United States.

“You have to be very careful,” Trump said. He added that discussions with Ukraine are continuing and emphasized that the two sides are still “talking about it.”

Trump’s remarks came just three days after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House. Following that meeting, Zelenskyy described the discussions as productive and said the two leaders had held a “good meeting” focused on securing licenses for Patriot missile production.

The latest comments appear to contrast with Trump’s position from less than three weeks ago, when he stated during the NATO summit in Turkey that the United States would provide Ukraine with the necessary licenses to produce the air defense system.

Further uncertainty emerged on Thursday, when Trump told the Financial Times he was “not sure” whether he would ultimately authorize Kyiv to manufacture the “extraordinary weapon.”

Ukraine has repeatedly argued that the Patriot system is essential to defending its cities from Russia’s ballistic missile attacks, with Zelenskyy describing it as a critical component of the country’s air defense strategy.

Following a phone conversation Friday with Vice President JD Vance, Zelenskyy said the licensing issue continues to be one of Ukraine’s most urgent priorities.

“We agreed that our teams will stay in touch and work through everything discussed today,” Zelenskyy wrote in an X post. “I thank the United States for its support of Ukraine and our people.”

{Matzav.com}

A new residence for lone Chareidi soldiers has opened in Yerushalayim’s Kiryat Moshe neighborhood, becoming the 34th apartment established through a joint initiative of the Shomer Yisrael National Association for Chareidi Service and the Netzach Yehuda organization. Together, the network now provides housing and support for approximately 250 lone soldiers serving in a wide range of IDF units.

The newly dedicated apartment is home to seven Chareidi soldiers serving in various military frameworks, including the Netzach Yehuda Battalion, the Yoav Project, Bina B’Yarok, and the Intelligence Corps.

The apartment was donated by David Friedman of Los Angeles in memory of members of his family who survived the Holocaust, including his father, Rav Yaakov ben Mordechai Friedman, his mother, Chana Leah bas Rav Yitzchak Dovid, and his father-in-law, Rav Shlomo Yechiel Halevi ben Rav Moshe.

Speaking at the dedication ceremony, Rav Tzvi Kalbenau, president and one of the founders of Netzach Yehuda, said the concept of a home for lone soldiers extends beyond the military’s official definition.

“It is important to explain what a ‘home for a lone soldier’ really means, because it is not something that should be taken for granted,” Rav Kalbenau said. “In the IDF, a lone soldier is officially defined as someone whose parents do not live in Israel, but our definition is somewhat broader. The Chareidi community is rich and complex, and like every community it has its own dynamics. Those dynamics do not always leave every soldier feeling that he has somewhere to go on Friday night, or that someone is waiting for him when he comes home on leave. Our goal is simple: no soldier should have to face that reality alone. Every one of them deserves a place to call home, and a place where he truly feels at home.”

Rav Kalbenau also highlighted the personal sacrifices made by Chareidi soldiers, saying the organization has a responsibility to ensure they always have a welcoming place to return to.

“Every lone Chareidi soldier who walks through this door is giving something extraordinary of himself—his time, his comfort, and his place in a world that does not always make room for what he is doing. The least we are obligated to do in return is make sure that he never has to wonder where he will sleep, or whether anyone is happy to see him. A warm meal, a bed of his own, and someone who asks how he is doing. Simply, a home.”

Yehuda Shapira, director of the Lone Soldiers Housing Division at Netzach Yehuda, welcomed the opening of the new residence and said each apartment represents far more than a place to stay.

“Behind every door in these apartments is the life story of a soldier who chose to serve and, in many cases, has paid a difficult personal price for that decision,” Shapira said. “Our responsibility is not simply to provide a key and a bed, but to ensure they are entering a place where they feel wanted, supported, and secure. This apartment in Kiryat Moshe is not just housing—it is a home in the fullest sense of the word.”

Israeli police issued nearly 6,000 traffic citations during a nationwide enforcement operation targeting dangerous driving violations, including drunk and drug-impaired motorists, suspended drivers, and even driving instructors caught using their cellphones while conducting lessons.

The large-scale operation took place Thursday, with hundreds of police officers and volunteers deployed across the country’s highways and city streets. Authorities said the campaign focused on violations that pose a serious threat to public safety, while thousands of additional tickets generated through automated cameras are expected to be mailed in the coming days.

As part of the operation, police utilized a range of digital enforcement tools, including tactical cameras, still cameras, and automated traffic enforcement systems. Authorities said they have already processed 1,599 violations involving excessive speeding and drivers running red lights. Another 103 offenses were documented by the “Road Guardians” camera unit. All of those citations are expected to be mailed to vehicle owners within the next day.

According to police, officers issued a total of 5,924 citations during the operation. The breakdown included 1,072 tickets for cellphone use and distracted driving, 211 for speeding, 116 for running red lights, 165 for failing to yield to pedestrians, and 332 for vehicle equipment and usage violations.

Police also caught 14 motorists driving while their licenses were suspended, identified 17 unlicensed drivers, suspended the licenses of 42 additional motorists, impounded 81 vehicles, arrested 11 suspects, and issued 154 citations to riders of motorcycles and other two-wheeled vehicles.

Among the more unusual cases highlighted by police were several driving instructors who were caught using their cellphones while teaching students behind the wheel. Police said the practice endangers not only the student driver but also everyone else sharing the road.

In one incident in the Coastal District, officers arrested a driver who was allegedly operating a vehicle while both under the influence of drugs and driving with a suspended license.

In a separate case, police arrested a motorist who allegedly refused to comply with officers after being caught using a cellphone while driving and is also accused of assaulting a police officer.

Police said the enforcement campaign is part of “Committed to Life,” a joint initiative between the Traffic Police Division and the National Road Safety Authority aimed at reducing traffic fatalities. As part of the program, additional traffic patrol units have been deployed on roads throughout Israel.

Economy and Industry Minister Nir Barkat says Israel will not return to relying on Palestinian labor, pledging instead to dramatically expand the country’s foreign workforce while declaring that the Palestinian Authority must ultimately be dismantled.

Speaking at a conference in Yerushalayim, Barkat recounted hosting soldiers from the IDF’s Force 100 prison unit at his home, where they described the emotional and personal toll of months spent on the battlefield. “Some lost their homes, others left the fighting with very difficult experiences. These are people who carried the security of the State of Israel on their shoulders,” he said.

Barkat also took aim at media reports scrutinizing Israeli soldiers, arguing that those serving in combat have been unfairly singled out. He pointed to a legal defense fund established under the leadership of Prof. Moshe Cohen-Eliya to represent IDF soldiers facing legal action overseas because of their military service. “The fund will stand by every soldier who finds himself in legal proceedings as a result of his military service. This is our duty toward those who defend the State of Israel,” he said.

Turning to Israel’s labor force, Barkat reaffirmed that he opposes allowing Palestinian workers back into the country. Instead, he said the government has focused on bringing in workers from nations that maintain peaceful relations with Israel. According to the minister, approximately 52,000 foreign workers are now employed across the country, replacing about 24,000 Palestinian laborers who had been working in Israel before the war. He added that the government is preparing to authorize the arrival of thousands more foreign workers to address ongoing labor shortages.

Barkat also highlighted what he described as the strength of Israel’s economy despite the prolonged conflict. He said Israeli exports totaled roughly $169 billion in 2025 and projected economic growth of about five percent. He added that Israel is expanding its commercial relationships throughout Asia, including negotiations on a free trade agreement with India, while advancing regulatory reforms aimed at boosting competition, increasing imports, and lowering the cost of living.

The minister argued that Israel’s military successes have enhanced the country’s global reputation, leading more governments to seek partnerships with Israel in areas such as security, innovation, high-tech, agriculture, and food technology.

“Never has the State of Israel been stronger and more in demand,” Barkat said. “When I meet economy ministers around the world, they tell me they cannot understand the Israeli phenomenon-while in other countries citizens flee during wartime, Israelis have asked to return home even under fire.”

{Matzav.com}

A newly released peace framework lays out a sweeping plan for ending the war in Gaza, calling for Hamas to disarm, Israeli forces to withdraw in stages, a new Palestinian governing authority to take control of the Strip, and a long-term political process that could ultimately culminate in the creation of a Palestinian state.

The Peace Council published the comprehensive proposal on Friday, detailing a phased strategy that envisions Hamas surrendering its military capabilities, Gaza’s civilian and security administration being transferred to a newly established Palestinian body, and a gradual Israeli withdrawal, all under international oversight.

Known as the “Roadmap of July 30, 2026,” the document is presented as the implementation blueprint for President Donald Trump’s Comprehensive Plan. Its stated purpose is to convert the broader 20-point political proposal into a practical process with measurable benchmarks and international verification.

The roadmap says its mission extends beyond ending the current conflict. It declares that the process is intended to “advance a credible political pathway leading to self-determination and statehood.” Later, it identifies its ultimate objective as “creating the conditions for a credible pathway to self-determination and a Palestinian state.”

Under the proposal, Hamas and all other Palestinian factions would formally endorse President Trump’s plan as well as UN Security Council Resolution 2803 (2025), accepting them as the governing framework for the transition. The agreement calls for complete demilitarization, de-radicalization efforts, and the transfer of all civilian and security authority in Gaza to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG).

The document makes clear that Hamas and other armed organizations would be barred from holding any governing authority, whether in civilian institutions or security forces. Instead, responsibility for running Gaza would be placed entirely in the hands of the NCAG, a technocratic Palestinian administration established specifically to govern the territory.

One of the plan’s guiding principles is summarized as “One Authority, One Law, One Weapon.” Under that standard, every weapon inside Gaza would ultimately fall under the sole control of the NCAG. The proposal specifically includes police firearms, heavy weaponry, manufacturing sites, ammunition depots, tunnel networks, privately held weapons, and militia stockpiles.

According to the roadmap, Hamas’ disarmament is viewed as one step within a much broader political process rather than the final objective. Eliminating the group’s military infrastructure is intended to pave the way for reconstruction, civilian governance, and renewed diplomatic negotiations.

Implementation of the agreement would proceed in carefully monitored phases. Advancement from one stage to the next would not occur automatically or according to fixed deadlines, but only after the International Verification Committee (IVC) certifies that all required commitments from the previous phase have been fulfilled.

Israel’s military withdrawal from Gaza would follow the same conditional structure. Rather than leaving according to predetermined dates, Israeli forces would withdraw gradually as verified progress is made in the demilitarization effort. The roadmap also states that no actions would be taken to compel Gaza residents to leave the territory.

The proposal also calls for the deployment of an international stabilization force to work alongside the verification committee. That force would act as a buffer between IDF troops and areas transferred to Palestinian administration, safeguard humanitarian aid operations, and assist in building a new Palestinian police force.

Responsibility for rebuilding Gaza would rest with a joint reconstruction mechanism involving both the Peace Administration and the newly established Palestinian governing authority, according to the plan.

The roadmap further states that each transition between phases will require formal approval from the International Verification Committee. Once every stage has been completed, the stated political goal is to establish the conditions necessary to move forward with a pathway toward Palestinian statehood.

Overall, the proposal links Hamas’ surrender of military control to a much larger package of measures, including Israel’s phased withdrawal, Gaza’s reconstruction, the installation of a new civilian administration, comprehensive security reforms, and the eventual pursuit of a political settlement that could lead to a Palestinian state.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump is moving his Cabinet meeting out of the White House on Friday, bringing his top officials to the presidential retreat at Camp David for high-level discussions focused on a wide range of domestic and international issues.

The session will be the 13th Cabinet meeting of Trump’s second term and comes as his administration confronts a full slate of priorities, including the conflict with Iran, military operations, federal spending, economic policy, and preparations for the November midterm elections.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the change of venue would give Cabinet members a unique opportunity to meet together at the historic retreat. According to ABC News, she described the gathering by saying it “will be a lot of fun and something different for the Cabinet to experience together.”

Friday’s meeting marks Trump’s first Cabinet session at Camp David during his second term. A similar gathering had been planned in May but was called off because of unfavorable weather.

Administration officials have said the secluded presidential compound offers an ideal environment for lengthy policy discussions away from Washington, allowing the president and his senior advisers to focus on major national security and governmental issues.

Iran is expected to be at the center of Friday’s agenda as Trump considers the next phase of the conflict, which has now entered its fifth month.

The administration is also closely tracking energy prices, with rising gasoline costs remaining a significant political issue as Republicans prepare for the upcoming midterm elections.

Trump has repeatedly pledged to keep maximum pressure on Iran while ensuring the security of international shipping routes and safeguarding American interests throughout the Middle East.

Senior administration officials have consistently argued that maintaining a strong military posture is essential to discouraging further aggression by Tehran and the terrorist groups it supports across the region.

Since returning to office, Trump has made comparatively few trips to Camp David, choosing instead to spend many weekends at his golf clubs.

Friday’s visit will be only his third trip to the presidential retreat during his second term.

Camp David has long served both as a private presidential retreat and as one of the nation’s most secure locations for sensitive diplomatic negotiations and national security meetings.

Every president since Franklin D. Roosevelt has used the Maryland retreat, which occupies 180 wooded acres in the Catoctin Mountains.

Roosevelt established the facility in 1942 and originally named it Shangri-La, inspired by the fictional paradise in James Hilton’s novel Lost Horizon.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower later renamed the retreat Camp David in honor of his grandson.

The compound is perhaps best remembered as the site of the 1978 Camp David Accords, where President Jimmy Carter successfully brokered a landmark peace agreement between Israel and Egypt.

Trump’s Cabinet meetings have drawn attention for both their length and their openness to media coverage.

Unlike many previous administrations, Trump has routinely allowed television cameras to remain throughout the public portion of Cabinet meetings as department heads brief reporters on the work of their agencies.

More recently, however, the president has encouraged Cabinet members to keep their remarks concise after several earlier meetings extended for hours.

After the meeting concludes, Trump is expected to head to his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, where he plans to spend the weekend.

{Matzav.com}

The IDF announced that it has killed Mohammed Kafina, a senior terrorist who participated in the October 7 massacre, helped abduct Noa Argamani and Avinatan Or, and oversaw the kidnapping of Sudthisak Rinthalak.

According to the military, Kafina was eliminated in a targeted airstrike carried out Tuesday in southern Gaza. He served as the commander of the central Gaza sector for the terrorist organization Kataeb al-Mujahideen.

The IDF said Kafina crossed into Israel during the October 7 attack, leading the group of terrorists who infiltrated alongside him. During the assault, he personally took part in the abduction of Noa Argamani and Avinatan Or and directed the kidnapping of Sudthisak Rinthalak.

Israeli officials added that throughout the war, including in recent weeks, Kafina continued planning and advancing terrorist attacks targeting both IDF forces and Israeli civilians.

The military said intelligence indicated that Kafina posed an immediate threat to Israeli troops. As a result, he was killed in what the IDF described as a precise aerial strike.

{Matzav.com}

The IDF announced that its forces arrested more than 200 wanted terror suspects across Judea and Samaria over the past week, thwarted an imminent terrorist attack, confiscated weapons and explosives, and sealed the home of a terrorist ahead of its planned demolition.

Israeli troops carried out dozens of counterterrorism raids throughout Judea and Samaria as part of an intensified campaign targeting terrorist networks and their infrastructure.

According to the IDF, those taken into custody included suspects accused of inciting and promoting terrorism, operatives affiliated with the Hamas terrorist organization, an individual who was allegedly preparing to carry out an imminent terrorist attack, suspects involved in smuggling illegal residents into Israel, illegal arms traffickers, and a wanted suspect connected to the production of explosive devices.

During the operations, security forces also seized dozens of weapon-manufacturing components, airsoft guns, hunting rifles, a handgun, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), and tens of thousands of shekels that authorities said were earmarked for terrorist activity. Troops additionally located and dismantled five explosive devices.

The military also completed the mapping of the homes belonging to the two terrorists responsible for last weekend’s attack. One of the residences has already been sealed in preparation for its demolition, the IDF said.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is leaving the door open to cash reparations for descendants of those harmed by slavery, saying he will wait for the recommendations of a city-appointed commission before deciding whether to support direct payments.

During an interview with Charles Blow for The Root, Mamdani was asked whether he would back financial reparations if the city’s reparations commission ultimately recommended them for New Yorkers affected by slavery.

Blow referenced remarks Mamdani made during his mayoral campaign, when he declared, “New York City participated actively in the slave trade and furthered its legacy through racist institutions, policies, and laws. The city should reconcile and repair this legacy of slavery, stolen wealth and discrimination.”

Responding to the question, Mamdani reaffirmed that position but declined to commit to any specific proposal before the commission completes its work. “First, I want to say that I stand by what I submitted. It’s the truth. It’s not a personal assessment. And we often think about slavery and the complicity in slavery as being exclusively to certain geographic areas of the country. Here in New York City, we were very complicit. So I look forward to whatever those findings are. I can’t give you an answer in advance of them, but I can tell you that this is critically important because this is also what it looks like to acknowledge what history truly was,” Mamdani responded.

The commission examining the issue, known as the New York City Commission on Racial Equity (CORE), was established in 2024 under Local Law 92. Its mandate is to investigate the city’s historical involvement in slavery and evaluate the lasting consequences of that history. A companion measure, Local Law 91, created a separate Truth, Healing and Reconciliation initiative intended to provide a public process for acknowledging slavery’s legacy and its continuing effects on New Yorkers.

According to the commission’s timeline, the Truth, Healing and Reconciliation planning report is expected in June 2027, followed by the commission’s final reparations report the next month. If adopted, implementation of the Truth, Healing and Reconciliation initiative is scheduled to begin by June 18, 2028.

Linda Tigani, chair and executive director of NYC CORE, praised Mamdani for publicly recognizing New York City’s role in slavery while emphasizing that the commission believes acknowledgment alone is insufficient. “We would like to thank the Mayor for using his platform to acknowledge New York City’s complicit history in chattel slavery. New York was home to the second-largest slaveholding population in America, after Charleston, South Carolina. The first commodities traded on Wall Street included the buying and selling of enslaved Black people, and their brutal forced unpaid labor built one of the most powerful economic engines in the world. Recognizing this history is an important step toward understanding the enduring legacy of slavery and its impact on our city and nation,” Tigani told Fox News Digital.

She continued by arguing that the city must move beyond recognition and address what she described as the long-term economic consequences of slavery. “We must repay the longstanding debt owed and truly tackle the racial wealth gap in New York City which is directly correlated to the stain of slavery in New York City. Since the passing of Local Law 91 and 92, the NYC Commission on Racial Equity has reached thousands of New Yorkers to formulate recommendations to pay the debt and advance permanent structural change to end racist practice in our city.”

Despite welcoming Mamdani’s comments on slavery, the commission has also publicly criticized his administration. Earlier this year, after the mayor unveiled his Preliminary Citywide Racial Equity Plan, CORE argued that the proposal failed to satisfy requirements laid out in the New York City Charter.

At the time, Tigani warned that the city could not afford to retreat from racial equity efforts, particularly in the current national political climate. “At a moment when communities across the country are deeply concerned about the direction of racial justice and equity under Donald Trump’s national political climate, New Yorkers made clear through our five-borough town halls that city government has a responsibility to lead with accountability and investments in communities most impacted by inequity,” she said.

CORE’s assessment concluded that the mayor’s proposal lacked several key elements, including a comprehensive citywide racial equity strategy, race-disaggregated data standards, neighborhood accountability measures, a meaningful response to concerns raised during community outreach, and transparent funding specifically tied to racial equity goals.

The commission has continued holding public events throughout the city to build support for its work. One of its largest efforts came during this year’s Juneteenth observance, which Forbes described as New York City’s biggest reparations gathering to date.

Political strategist Tyrik Washington, who has worked with CORE on its reparations research, said the event was intended to blend community celebration with policy discussions. “The goal of the event for NYC CORE was to create a space where joy, community, and civic engagement were at the center of both commemorating Juneteenth and advancing the conversation around reparations and racial equity,” he told the outlet in June.

Washington also expressed confidence that reparations could produce measurable economic improvements if enacted. “If reparations policies were implemented in New York City today, I believe that within five to ten years we would see measurable reductions in occupational segregation and meaningful progress toward pay equity for Black New Yorkers.”

Earlier this year, CORE released a progress report highlighting that $500,000 had been designated for community organizations participating in a Reparations, Truth, Healing, and Reconciliation Network during 2026.

According to the report, more than two dozen organizations are expected to receive grants worth tens of thousands of dollars to organize discussions about the city’s reparations study and gather public input as officials develop the Truth, Healing and Reconciliation plan.

The report also states that the funding is intended to compensate participants for the time they spend taking part in the discussions and to cover meeting expenses, including refreshments.

{Matzav.com}

An Israeli man convicted of carrying out espionage and sabotage missions on behalf of Iranian intelligence has been sentenced to seven years in prison after accepting thousands of dollars in payment for completing assignments inside Israel.

The Nazareth District Court on Thursday sentenced 35-year-old Artyom Zolotarev, an Israeli citizen from Nof HaGalil, to seven years behind bars after convicting him of contact with a foreign agent, espionage, and property damage.

According to the court, Zolotarev maintained ongoing contact with Iranian intelligence operatives over a period of several months. During that time, he carried out multiple assignments across Israel in exchange for cumulative payments totaling several thousand dollars.

In addition to the prison sentence, the court imposed a 12-month suspended sentence, a fine of 10,000 shekels, and ordered Zolotarev to pay 10,000 shekels in compensation to each of the four vehicle owners whose cars were directly damaged in the arson attacks he carried out.

Zolotarev was originally arrested in December 2024 after Israeli security authorities accused him of maintaining contact with intelligence operatives working for the Iranian regime and performing security-related missions in Israel under their direction in return for financial compensation.

Investigators said he was taken into custody after carrying out numerous acts of graffiti in Nof HaGalil, Haifa, and Migdal HaEmek, as well as setting fire to a vehicle in Haifa.

According to the investigation, Zolotarev spray-painted dozens of pieces of graffiti in the three cities, documenting each act with photographs and videos that he forwarded to his Iranian handler. After sending the material, he erased the graffiti because he did not want members of the public to see the messages he had written. In exchange for completing those assignments, he received $2,800 in cryptocurrency.

{Matzav.com}

Canada’s government is refusing to disclose whether it authorized Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s official aircraft to pass through Canadian airspace on its way to the United States, despite Prime Minister Mark Carney’s earlier pledge to honor the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant against the Israeli leader.

According to a report by CBC, Netanyahu’s official aircraft, Wing of Zion, flew toward the United States, where he attended the funeral of Sen. Lindsey Graham. Under Canadian regulations, any foreign government aircraft must receive prior approval before entering the country’s airspace.

The Israeli government confirmed that it submitted a formal request for Wing of Zion to transit Canadian airspace. However, Israeli officials declined to say whether that request was ultimately approved.

Canada’s Prime Minister’s Office also refused to confirm whether authorization had been granted. In a statement, the office said, “Canada does not currently link its overflight authorization policy to law enforcement considerations, except in cases where there is an immediate security threat. This policy is reviewed regularly.”

Canada’s Foreign Ministry likewise declined to answer whether the aircraft had received clearance, stating only that it does not comment on the flight paths selected by the Israeli prime minister.

CBC reported that because Canadian officials continue to withhold an answer, it remains impossible to determine whether the flight was formally authorized. The report noted that if permission had not been granted and the aircraft nevertheless crossed Canadian airspace, it could potentially constitute a violation of Canada’s sovereignty. Canadian authorities, however, declined to address that possibility.

The report added that international law experts interviewed by CBC said that, regardless of which scenario occurred, the incident raises significant questions concerning international law, Canada’s sovereignty, and its obligations in light of the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant.

{Matzav.com}

A growing petition signed by roughly 50,000 people is urging organizers of New York City’s 25th anniversary commemoration of the September 11 terrorist attacks to limit Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s participation, even as the mayor insists he will attend the solemn event.

By this morning, the petition had amassed over 57,000 signatures. Those behind the effort cite concerns over Mamdani’s public comments and some of his associations, although several of the claims referenced in the petition remain disputed.

Mamdani has consistently voiced strong support for Palestinians, arguing that Israel has subjected them to disproportionate military action during its war against Hamas. His critics counter that Hamas’ October 7 attack left Israel with little alternative. While Mamdani has repeatedly described the September 11 attacks as an act of terrorism—reaffirming that position again on Wednesday—some critics say they remain unconvinced about his broader views regarding Islamic terrorism.

The petition concludes by stating, “We respectfully ask that the organizers carefully consider whether Mr. Mamdani’s participation would align with the intention of the ceremony and the expectations of the families most directly affected by the tragedy.”

Among those who signed is Meryl Mayo-Marshall, whose husband, Robert Mayo, was killed during the attacks.

“I spoke with him that morning twice,” Mayo-Marshall told NewsNation’s “Morning in America.” “And I pleaded with him to please leave this space, and he said, ‘I can’t live with myself, I’m trained in evacuation and I have to stay and save as many lives as I can,’ and that’s what he did.”

In the days that followed, Mayo-Marshall provided DNA samples to investigators to assist in identifying her husband’s remains.

She said the pain of losing him has never faded despite years of trying to move forward.

“I’ve done everything I could to rebuild my life, but it feels like yesterday,” she said. “It’s still extremely painful, and I think what’s going on with certain people who represent others makes it harder.”

Mayo-Marshall said she would not object if Mamdani quietly attended the ceremony without taking part in the program. However, she said she would find it difficult to be present if he were scheduled to speak.

“I want it to be clear of the politics,” Mayo-Marshall said. “When I see the mayor it’s a trigger of those that he’s sympathetic to terrorists and prisoners. He appears to be disrespectful to law and order, especially NYPD.”

Despite the petition, Mamdani has made clear that he intends to participate in this year’s memorial observance.

Speaking Wednesday, the mayor reaffirmed his condemnation of the terrorists responsible for the attacks and said he plans to stand alongside victims’ families, survivors, and first responders during the ceremony.

“I will proudly honor the families, the survivors, the first responders forever impacted by that horrific terror attack by standing alongside them at this year’s 9/11 commemoration,” Mamdani said at a news conference. “Reaffirming that we will never forget the solemn day felt by all of us who calls this city home and, frankly, all of us who call this country home.”

For years, New York City’s annual 9/11 memorial has remained largely free of partisan politics, with mayors from both major parties participating in the observance. In 2024, the event drew national attention when President Joe Biden and Donald Trump stood side by side during the ceremony.

{Matzav.com}

Sen. Bernie Moreno blasted Dr. Anthony Fauci following the former NIAID director’s repeated invocation of the Fifth Amendment before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, accusing him of exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic to conduct what amounted to a nationwide experiment on the American people.

Speaking on Breitbart News Daily after Wednesday’s hearing, the Ohio Republican was asked whether there had been any point during the pandemic when Fauci may have been sincerely trying to navigate an unprecedented crisis. Moreno said he was willing to give Fauci the benefit of the doubt—but only at the very beginning.

“I think the first month of the pandemic — that was probably something you could say because you just didn’t know, right? Like all of us didn’t know. You remember that, you know, February, March, April time frame. Everything was surreal. It was happening so fast. It was unprecedented,” Moreno said.

According to Moreno, whatever uncertainty existed in the early days quickly gave way to something far more troubling.

“Things we were being asked to do, but then it took a very dark turn. It became an experiment for this megalomaniac to treat the American public like lab rats,” Moreno said. “He was talking about rules that just intuitively made no sense.”

Moreno pointed to the six-foot social distancing rule as one example, arguing that it lacked any scientific basis and was simply invented by Fauci. He also criticized what he described as inconsistent mask policies, saying they defied common sense.

“You have to wear a mask. If you’re on the airplane, you can take it off while you’re eating. You have to put it back on, and just continue to do more and more harm. Now that was intuitively what a lot of — I say most Americans felt, but then we read the diaries,” the senator said, referring to journal entries in which Fauci allegedly documented COVID-19 fatalities before writing about his own celebrity and public recognition.

Moreno argued that the diary entries painted a disturbing picture of Fauci’s mindset.

“These are the diaries of a very, very sick man. This guy would write down how many people died that day, and then right afterwards would put entries like, ‘Got to meet Kim Kardashian today.’ ‘People say I’m the sexiest man alive.’ ‘I’m the most powerful person on the planet,’” Moreno said, adding, “This is a sick, sick, depraved human being.”

The senator also claimed that investigators were able to obtain the diary because Fauci had stored it on government computer systems.

“So the guy actually wrote the diary entries in the government computer systems. So thanks to RFK, he went in and and Tulsi Gabbard did a deep dive of all the systems, and they found the entire diary,” Moreno revealed. “He had put it on a government server.”

Moreno went on to reference allegations raised by Sen. Josh Hawley, claiming Fauci directed federal employees to pursue honors and monetary awards on his behalf while overseeing the nation’s pandemic response.

“And remember the other parts that my colleague Josh Hawley [R-MO] pointed out. This guy would have federal employees go out and solicit awards for him to receive cash awards, would nominate him for prizes. And by the way, let me ask you a question: When you’re busy all day managing this incredible pandemic, when do you have time to go home and say, ‘Dear diary, today…’ I mean, this is so crazy what this guy did,” Moreno pointed out.

He concluded by crediting Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and Sen. Rand Paul for bringing the material to light.

“But thanks to RFK, Tulsi Gabbard, and the entire intelligence operation to be able to uncover this, and obviously to Rand Paul for putting it out to the public to see. I mean, it just confirms what so many of us thought. I mean, we knew this guy was absolutely awful,” he added.

Sen. Bernie Sanders is refusing to back away from his support for progressive Democratic candidates despite criticism from Sen. John Fetterman, vowing to continue campaigning for candidates he believes will challenge powerful financial interests and fight for working Americans.

The clash began after Fetterman questioned Sanders’ involvement in several key Democratic primaries during an interview with CNN’s Manu Raju on Tuesday. Referring to Sanders’ endorsement of progressive Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, Fetterman remarked, “maybe sit a few out,” before adding, “Maybe sit a few out, Bernie,” and, “You’re not helping.”

Sanders dismissed the criticism during an interview with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, while alluding to ongoing speculation that Fetterman may eventually leave the Democratic Party.

“John — not going to take your advice,” Sanders replied.

He added, “We’re going to work as hard as we can not only to elect El-Sayed, but Peggy Flanagan in Minnesota and strong congressional candidates across the country who have the guts to start taking on big money and representing workers,” the senator continued.

Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary is set for Tuesday, when El-Sayed will face Rep. Haley Stevens for the party’s nomination. The winner will advance to the November general election against former Rep. Mike Rogers as the candidates compete to replace retiring Sen. Gary Peters.

A new Emerson College Polling/WLNS/WOODTV survey released Thursday showed El-Sayed holding a sizable advantage over Stevens. The poll found the progressive candidate with 54 percent support, compared with 39 percent for Stevens, giving him a 15-point lead heading into the final days of the campaign.

Collins also asked Sanders whether he would support Stevens if she were to defeat El-Sayed in the primary. Sanders and El-Sayed have both criticized Stevens over her backing of Israel and her acceptance of campaign donations from super PACs.

“I don’t know that she’d want me. I’d support her,” Sanders responded. “I want Democrats to control the Senate. I think both Haley and Abdul have made it clear that if the other candidate wins they will be supportive. So will I.”

{Matzav.com}