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Italy has temporarily suspended its participation in its free-travel arrangement with Spain after an estimated 60,000 migrants surged into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, a dramatic move that has intensified pressure on European leaders as they confront a growing migration crisis.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced the decision after the mass influx of migrants from sub-Saharan Africa into Ceuta, saying Italy is acting to prevent secondary migration into its own territory following Spain’s immigration policies under socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.

Meloni described the decision as “an extraordinary measure, adopted to safeguard national security and prevent possible repercussions for our nation.”

Under the move, Italy will suspend the application of the Schengen Agreement with Spain for one month. The Schengen system ordinarily allows passport-free travel across 29 European countries.

Ceuta, a Spanish city of roughly 83,000 residents located on the Mediterranean coast and surrounded by Morocco, is one of only two land crossings connecting Africa to the European Union, making it a focal point for migrant traffic.

Images showing tens of thousands of migrants attempting to scale border fences and swim around coastal barriers to reach Ceuta have fueled fears across Europe that a new large-scale migration emergency may be unfolding.

Spanish authorities have responded by installing a 1,600-foot floating barrier designed to make it more difficult for migrants to bypass the land border by sea. Officials also said that the majority of those who successfully entered Ceuta were subsequently returned to Morocco.

While Italy has taken the strongest action so far, concern over Spain’s handling of the crisis has spread across Europe. The leaders of both Finland and Denmark publicly criticized Madrid for failing to adequately secure its borders, while France tightened inspections at crossings along its frontier with Spain.

The growing crisis has prompted the interior ministers of 22 European Union member states to schedule an emergency meeting Tuesday to discuss border security and the bloc’s response.

Prime Minister Sanchez rejected the criticism directed at his government and suggested that the crisis was being politically exploited.

“In the current international context, the European Union cannot afford this kind of selfish, polarizing and unlawful reaction,” he said.

Meanwhile, one of Sanchez’s political allies in Spain went even further, alleging that Israel and the Trump administration were responsible for the mass migration into Ceuta as retaliation for Sanchez’s outspoken criticism of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and his refusal to allow the United States to use Spanish air bases for flights connected to the war with Iran.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump announced Sunday that negotiations between the United States and Iran will resume Monday afternoon, one day after he halted what he described as a massive military strike in order to give diplomacy another chance.

Speaking with reporters, Trump confirmed that discussions with Tehran are set to restart following appeals from several Middle Eastern nations urging the United States to delay military action while negotiators pursue a broader agreement.

The president said he agreed to postpone the planned operation after receiving requests from regional allies as well as from Iran itself.

“I was asked to [call off the strikes] by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, by Qatar, and by Iran. We are all set to go, at about this time right now. It would have been a massive attack,” Trump said.

“When the allies asked to call it off, you gotta say, ‘Well, let’s see.’ The allies think there is a deal. There is a deal on Hormuz, and it will be a deal on the denuclearization of Iran.”

Asked what comes next, Trump said negotiations are expected to begin Monday and expressed hope that diplomacy can prevent further bloodshed.

Reporter: On Iran, what happens now?

Trump: We are talking to them. It begins tomorrow afternoon. It would save a lot of lives. pic.twitter.com/C29aQZBKLf

— Clash Report (@clashreport) August 2, 2026

“We are talking to them. It begins tomorrow afternoon. It would save a lot of lives.”

When questioned about whether Iran faces a deadline to reach an agreement, Trump declined to specify one.

“We will see. Would I rather make a deal? I am not looking to kill people. Because people die. A lot of people die. We don’t want that.”

Last night, Trump announced on Truth Social that he had decided to cancel a planned military operation against Iran after being informed that the outlines of a possible agreement had been reached. He stressed, however, that Tehran must move quickly to finalize the deal.

“The U.S.A. is locked and loaded and ready to go against the Islamic Republic of Iran, at levels of Military Terror, Strength, and Power not seen since World War II. Despite this, we have just been asked by Iran, and other Middle Eastern Countries, to hold off any attack in that the perimeters of a deal has been agreed to. This would include the Immediate, Complete, and Total OPENING OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT, and an end to Iran’s nuclear threat,” Trump wrote.

He added, “Based on this request, I have agreed, for the future benefit of the WORLD and, likewise, the survival of a successful and prosperous Iran, to cancel the attack, subject to being able to rapidly make a DEAL. The Country of Israel joins me in this commitment. Get to work, everybody, and get it DONE.”

Trump’s announcement came shortly after Axios reported that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke with the president by telephone on Shabbos to voice serious concerns about launching a large-scale military operation against Iran.

“The Saudis expressed concern and asked for clarity about the plan of action,” one US official told Axios.

A second source familiar with the conversation said the Saudi crown prince personally urged Trump to pursue de-escalation and avoid authorizing the planned strikes.

Just one day earlier, The Wall Street Journal reported that U.S. officials said Trump had approved preparations for a new military offensive against Iran that could begin as early as the weekend and continue for several days.

{Matzav.com}

American Airlines has pushed back its return to Israel once again, announcing that it will not resume service to Tel Aviv until late March 2027.

According to a report by Israel’s Channel 12, the U.S. carrier will not restart flights to and from Israel before March 27, 2027. A review of the airline’s booking system confirms that the earliest available nonstop flights are scheduled to begin on March 28, 2027.

The latest postponement means American Airlines will remain absent from the Israeli market for many more months as major international carriers continue to reassess operations in the region.

Other U.S. airlines have also delayed their return. Under their current schedules, United Airlines is not expected to resume flights to Israel before September 7, 2026, while Delta Air Lines has pushed its planned return to September 5, 2026.

{Matzav.com}

[Video below.] Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. sparred intensely with CNN anchor Dana Bash during a combative interview Sunday, with the two clashing over COVID-19, vaccines, measles, autism, and the media’s handling of the pandemic in an exchange that repeatedly devolved into shouting.

The tension first surfaced when Bash noted that Kennedy has repeatedly blamed Dr. Anthony Fauci for many of the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Fauci, who testified before a Senate committee last week, invoked the Fifth Amendment numerous times rather than answer lawmakers’ questions.

The confrontation escalated after Bash asked Kennedy how he would respond if another pandemic emerged. Kennedy argued that protecting Americans’ constitutional liberties must take precedence.

“We need to protect our constitutional rights. That is the primary obligation,” Kennedy said during CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday when asked about how he would deal with a pandemic in the future. “One of the mistakes we made in the last time was suppressing those rights so people weren’t being heard.”

Bash dismissed the response, saying he was focusing on constitutional issues rather than public health and attempted to steer the interview in a different direction.

Kennedy immediately fired back.

“Because you were part of the problem,” he fired back.

He then accused the media of abandoning its responsibility to challenge those in power.

“It was absolute press malpractice … your job is furious skepticism of authority, and you weren’t doing that.”

Bash responded by insisting that her goal was to prevent Kennedy from making what she viewed as false statements. She maintained that “factually true that the COVID vaccine worked.”

Growing frustrated, Bash asked Kennedy whether he intended to continue criticizing her instead of answering questions.

“Do you want to sit here and attack me, or do you want to have conversations?” Bashed vented.

Kennedy answered sharply.

“You’ve been sitting here and attacking me.”

The interview then shifted to the measles outbreak, but the argument quickly returned to the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines, including their use in children. Kennedy challenged Bash to identify a study proving her assertions, while Bash countered by citing research suggesting vaccine misinformation may have contributed to between 100,000 and 200,000 additional deaths in the United States.

Kennedy rejected her claims outright.

“You are saying nonsense. You are saying something that you cannot [prove],” the HHS boss fumed.

Bash interrupted during the exchange.

“I am not saying nonsense,” Bash interjected during some crosstalk. “Excuse me.”

When the discussion returned to measles, Kennedy argued that the outbreak is part of a broader international trend and contended that the United States has responded more effectively than any other nation. He also blamed the resurgence in measles on the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, along with a segment of the population that declines vaccination for religious reasons.

Bash then urged Kennedy to use his position as the nation’s top health official to directly encourage parents to vaccinate their children before the new school year.

“What I want you to do is please use your bully pulpit to right now, as we’re getting close to back to school, say … to parents who have not vaccinated their kids that they should vaccinate their kids for measles because it is safe and it will help them save their children’s lives?” Bash said.

She asked Kennedy to look directly into the camera and deliver that message, and he complied.

The interview then turned to autism, where Bash questioned Kennedy about continued investigations into a possible connection between vaccines and autism. Kennedy confirmed that President Donald Trump “certainly does” want him to continue exploring the issue.

“You are wrong when you say that this issue has been studied,” Kennedy said.

As the exchange grew more heated, Kennedy remarked to Bash, “I know you’re flustered now.”

He later challenged her role as a journalist.

“Do you see your job as ending vaccine hesitancy or telling the truth to the American people?” he later added, before bashing her for repeating her lines “like a parrot.”

After more than 20 minutes of back-and-forth, Bash ended the interview on a more conciliatory note, acknowledging the contentious nature of the conversation while defending her approach as an interviewer.

“I’m sorry that this turned into a very contentious conversation, and my job is to try to get the best information out there, and it concerns me when you come in and say things [that are wrong],” Bash concluded before ending the interview, which lasted over 20 minutes.

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

A dangerous drug-resistant fungus that has become a growing concern for hospitals across the United States continues to spread in 2026, with new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showing confirmed cases in 23 states despite ongoing efforts to contain the outbreak.

Candida auris, a highly resilient fungal infection, was first identified in the United States in 2016 and has steadily expanded its reach ever since. Health officials warn that some strains have evolved into true “superbugs,” making them resistant to all of the medications typically used to treat fungal infections.

Although healthy individuals often have little difficulty fighting off the fungus, Candida auris poses a far greater threat inside hospitals and long-term care facilities, where patients frequently have weakened immune systems or other serious medical conditions. The fungus is capable of surviving on surfaces for extended periods and can spread through medical equipment such as catheters, ventilators, and intravenous lines.

According to the CDC, nearly half of all U.S. states have reported Candida auris cases so far this year. Texas currently leads the nation, recording more than 700 confirmed infections by the middle of July.

Michigan, which is simultaneously dealing with a separate public health crisis, has reported the second-highest number of Candida auris cases, with 503 confirmed infections.

A recent review examining the fungus’s spread between 2022 and 2024 found that approximately 88% of clinical infections occurred in adults over the age of 45. The analysis also found that most patients were men and that the overwhelming majority of infections were identified in acute-care medical facilities.

Medical experts warn that once Candida auris gains a foothold inside a healthcare setting, it can be extremely difficult to eliminate, creating a potentially deadly situation for already vulnerable patients.

“If you get infected with this pathogen that’s resistant to any treatment, there’s no treatment we can give you to help combat it. You’re all on your own,” Melissa Nolan, an assistant professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at the University of South Carolina, previously told Nexstar.

The CDC has previously estimated that “based on information from a limited number of patients, 30–60% of people with C. auris infections have died. However, many of these people had other serious illnesses that also increased their risk of death.”

{Matzav.com}

A new report warns that antisemitic conspiracy theories falsely accusing Israel and the Jewish people of orchestrating the recent migrant surge into Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta exploded across X in a matter of days, reaching an estimated audience of more than 100 million people within 72 hours.

The findings, released by the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM), allege that fabricated claims tying Israel to the border crisis spread rapidly through influential accounts on the social media platform. According to the organization, the wave of misinformation quickly transformed a humanitarian emergency into a global campaign of antisemitic propaganda.

CAM’s Antisemitism Research Center (ARC) said it identified 173 posts from 119 influencer accounts that portrayed the migrant influx as part of a Jewish conspiracy. The organization estimated those posts generated 57.5 million views, reached approximately 103.1 million users, received 1.9 million likes, and were shared more than 368,000 times.

The migration crisis erupted on July 30, when an estimated 50,000 to 60,000 migrants crossed into Ceuta, prompting Spanish authorities to declare a state of emergency. The surge followed a domestic court ruling in Spain and occurred against the backdrop of ongoing tensions with Morocco, as well as years of strain on Europe’s asylum system.

Although the circumstances surrounding the migrant influx were publicly documented, CAM said social media users quickly circulated false claims alleging that Israel and the Jewish people had secretly engineered the crisis.

According to the ARC, its research focused only on identifiable influencer accounts that receive monetization benefits, rather than anonymous users or automated bot networks. The report noted that many of those accounts carried paid verification badges, which CAM argues increase their visibility through X’s recommendation algorithms.

Among the examples highlighted was an account known as “Forbidden HQ,” which CAM said published an image depicting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with migrants emerging from his mouth onto a Spanish beach. According to the report, the post was viewed 5.3 million times and included additional allegations portraying Morocco as an Israeli proxy.

The report also pointed to a post by internet personality Dan Bilzerian that CAM said attracted 2.7 million views. According to CAM, Bilzerian falsely claimed that Prime Minister Netanyahu had threatened Spain with “the ultimate price” over its criticism of Israel, while pairing that allegation with an unrelated Israeli Foreign Ministry holiday greeting directed to Morocco.

CAM further alleged that an account using the name “China Times,” despite having no connection to any Chinese news organization, falsely asserted that Israel had acknowledged using the Mossad to orchestrate the migration, relying on a parody account as its supposed source.

The report found that reposts greatly exceeded comments on the material it analyzed, leading ARC researchers to conclude that users were far more likely to circulate the claims than to dispute them.

Researchers also said the same conspiracy theories spread across accounts representing widely different political camps, including far-right, far-left, and Islamist voices.

According to CAM, far-right users promoted longstanding antisemitic “Great Replacement” theories claiming that Jewish elites are deliberately reshaping Europe’s demographics. At the same time, the report said far-left figures—including author Susan Abulhawa—asserted that the migrant surge had been “completely engineered by the US, Israel, and Morocco,” while other accounts linked Spain’s support for the Palestinians and other international developments to what they described as an Israeli plot.

The organization also cited fabricated posts falsely attributing comments to Spanish actor Javier Bardem claiming Israel orchestrated the migration in retaliation for Spain’s criticism of the Jewish state. CAM said Bardem never made such remarks, but the false claim was later amplified by commentator Mia Khalifa.

According to the report, other posts attempted to use Morocco’s military cooperation with Israel as supposed proof that Israel was behind the migrant crossings, while others recycled longstanding antisemitic narratives accusing Jews of manipulating migration in order to weaken European society.

“A humanitarian emergency at Europe’s border was turned into a global antisemitic campaign in under 72 hours, and X did nothing to slow it down. This is not a story about a few bad actors. It is a story about a platform whose design rewards the fastest and most inflammatory explanation available, and on X that explanation is increasingly a Jewish conspiracy,” said CAM CEO Sacha Roytman Dratwa.

CAM urged X to implement what it described as algorithmic safeguards for keywords associated with well-known antisemitic tropes during humanitarian crises. The organization also called on the platform to strip accounts spreading such material of advertising and verification privileges and to work with organizations, including CAM, to provide expert Community Notes offering historical context in real time.

The report concludes by arguing that X’s recommendation systems are helping amplify antisemitic content and calls on the platform to take stronger action against what CAM describes as the growing online demonization of both the Jewish people and the State of Israel.

{Matzav.com}

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie launched a blistering attack on President Donald Trump during a Sunday appearance on ABC’s “This Week,” arguing that verbal commitments made by the president cannot be trusted and accusing him of treating the Justice Department as though it exists to serve his personal interests.

The discussion began when host George Stephanopoulos reflected on the president’s priorities.

“I guess one thing you can say for certain, as the president showed this week, is what he cares about most,” Stephanopoulos said.

Christie responded by arguing that revenge has become the driving force behind Trump’s actions while accusing him of using the Justice Department for his own benefit.

“Yeah, look, it’s revenge. Revenge, revenge. And owning the Justice Department as if it’s his own private law firm, George. And so you start off with the weaponization fund. Here’s what John Cornyn and Thom Tillis thankfully, finally have learned is no deal that Donald Trump gives you with his mouth is ever worth anything. And so why didn’t they go to a writing to get rid of the weaponization of funds and maybe some degree of the immunity he’s getting and his family from the IRS? Because Trump was waiting for plans to get confirmed, and that he was going to enforce the written deal that he had, and Blanche knew it. And that’s why Blanche wouldn’t put it in writing, because the president wouldn’t be permitted to, because he doesn’t work for us.”

Christie went on to argue that comments made by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche underscored what he believes is an improper relationship between Trump and the Justice Department.

“He said it very clearly in a real Freudian moment when he said, I’m his lawyer. I mean, oh, I was his lawyer. He’s still his lawyer. The Justice Department is Donald Trump’s professional legal firm. That’s what they’re doing for him. And what happened this week in all these other matters as well, is just another indication of that fact.”

{Matzav.com}

Newly disclosed documents indicate that Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates held one of the federal government’s highest security clearances for seven years, a revelation that has sparked fresh scrutiny as congressional investigators continue examining Dr. Anthony Fauci’s actions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to a letter obtained by Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Gates, despite serving only as a private citizen, was granted a Department of Energy “Q security clearance” from 2014 through 2021. The clearance was issued during the Obama administration and remained active during the same years Dr. Anthony Fauci led the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), according to reporting by the Daily Caller.

Paul asked that the letter be formally entered into the Congressional Record during Wednesday’s Senate committee hearing, where Fauci, now retired, repeatedly invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination, declining to answer questions more than 100 times.

A “Q” top secret clearance is generally reserved for individuals whose work involves highly sensitive national security matters. According to the National Security Law Firm (NSLF), it “typically applies to positions involving nuclear weapons design, national laboratories, critical energy infrastructure and classified scientific research.”

The disclosure that Gates possessed such a clearance has fueled questions about why it was granted. As a longtime advocate for vaccines, Gates’ access has prompted speculation over whether he participated in classified scientific research, research involving potential virus weaponization, or other highly restricted government programs—or, at minimum, what information required him to receive such a clearance.

The Daily Caller News Foundation said it requested comment from both the Department of Energy and the Gates Foundation regarding the matter but had not received a response as of Sunday. The outlet also reported that Sen. Paul’s office had not yet commented.

During Wednesday’s hearing, Fauci repeatedly declined to answer questions by invoking the Fifth Amendment. Among the topics lawmakers sought to explore were his management of the COVID-19 pandemic and whether NIAID played a role in financing research that may have contributed to the creation of the virus at a laboratory in China.

The Daily Caller also reported that “emails showed Fauci communicating with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, an executive at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and a Chinese health official whom Fauci told that the two countries would ‘get through this together.’”

Since the early days following the pandemic, Paul, who is also a physician, has led efforts to investigate Fauci’s handling of COVID-19 policies, including mask mandates, social distancing recommendations, and widespread government shutdowns implemented during the outbreak.

Attention has also remained focused on the Wuhan laboratory, which many believe may have been the source of the COVID-19 leak. Researchers there were conducting so-called “gain of function” experiments, a type of research that involves modifying viruses to make them more transmissible or more dangerous in an effort to better understand potential future threats and develop vaccines.

At the hearing, Paul alleged that Fauci’s NIAID financed research at the Wuhan laboratory, which he also claimed was involved in developing biological weapons technology. He noted that the years during which Gates held his Department of Energy clearance—from 2014 through 2021—coincided with the period in which Fauci was funding gain-of-function research.

Appearing on Fox News late last month, Paul argued that responsibility for the pandemic extends beyond the Chinese government.

“The blame equally should go not only to Chinese authorities, but to Anthony Fauci and all those who advocated for this,” Paul said. “Look, Bill Gates has been over there recently. Bill Gates is the largest funder of trying to find these viruses in remote caves and bring them to big cities.”

Paul added, “What happened in China is they went 8 to 10 hours south of Wuhan, 2 to 300 feet deep into a cave, found viruses and took them back to a city of 15 million.”

{Matzav.com}

Radio host and author Michael Savage argued Sunday that New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani could face deportation under a decades-old federal law, claiming the mayor’s political views and policies fall within the scope of legislation enacted during the Cold War to combat communism.

Appearing on Newsmax’s “Sunday Agenda,” Savage pointed to the Communist Control Act of 1954, contending that the statute remains in force and could provide a legal basis for removing Mamdani from the country.

“Mamdani can be deported under the Communist Control Act of 1954,” Savage said. “That law is still on the books from the Eisenhower era, when this country was riddled with communists.”

Savage made the remarks while denouncing Mamdani’s proposal to create five municipally owned grocery stores in New York City, arguing that the plan represents another move toward communist-style government.

Drawing a comparison to Greek mythology, Savage said Mamdani’s political rise would ultimately end in failure.

“He’s acting like the Greek mythological figure Icarus,” Savage said. “Icarus was a young man who thought he was great and could fly to the sun. He collected bird feathers and put wax on the feathers and made wooden wings. He started flying to the sun. The closer he got to the sun, the hotter the air got. Eventually, the wax melted, the feathers fell off his fake wings, and he crashed to Earth. That’s Icarus. Let us pray that Mamdani’s wax will melt, and he will eventually fall to Earth.”

Savage also maintained that Mamdani’s governing philosophy closely follows the ideas laid out by Karl Marx.

“He is enacting one step after another of the Communist Manifesto,” Savage said.

Turning to another issue, Savage criticized Mamdani’s decision to publish a database identifying owners of properties that could be impacted by a proposed tax on second homes, saying the move reflects a gradual effort to reshape the city’s economic system.

“He is doing it by degree,” Savage said. “He’s doing it slowly and by degree. The people are suddenly understanding what they elected.”

Savage went on to blame Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., for helping normalize democratic socialism in American politics, arguing that Sanders laid the groundwork for politicians like Mamdani.

“The man behind it all is Bernie Sanders,” Savage said. “He created all of these monsters with his big lie about democratic socialism. It’s just a cover for communism.”

Concluding the interview, Savage called on federal authorities to take action against the New York City mayor.

“The ACLU will disagree with me,” Savage said. “I say deport him along with them and let them all go to Cuba. This man is a clear and present danger to the survival not only of New York, but of the entire nation.”

{Matzav.com}

The Yerushalayim District Court has temporarily halted the government’s controversial plan to place Nile crocodiles around Ketzi’ot Prison as an added security measure for imprisoned Hamas terrorists, putting the initiative on hold while legal challenges move forward.

In a decision issued Sunday, the Yerushalayim District Court froze the state’s proposal to transfer crocodiles to Ketzi’ot Prison, suspending a plan championed by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman.

The ruling came shortly after the animal rights organization Let Animals Live filed an administrative petition together with an emergency request seeking to stop the project. Judge Avraham Rubin ordered that, until further notice, the state may neither relocate the crocodiles nor make preparations for their transfer. The temporary order will remain in place until the court considers whether to issue a longer-term injunction after receiving the state’s response, which is due by Aug. 16.

Ben-Gvir blasted the court’s decision, declaring, “Once again, during wartime, the judicial system sides with the terrorists and blocks important steps for Israeli deterrence. We know the terrorists are trembling at the arrival of the crocodiles, but the court today came to their aid. Cleaning up the corrupt judicial system is the most critical task immediately after the elections, and we will not compromise on this.”

The unusual proposal first became public several weeks ago after construction crews began building a network of water channels at Ketzi’ot Prison intended to house the reptiles. At the time, the National Security Ministry authorized the work, with Ben-Gvir’s office explaining the rationale behind the project by stating, “Those who massacred, raped, murdered, and behaved like an animal should have his own kind watch over him.”

Officials in the region said the channels are being constructed inside the prison complex around one of its maximum-security wings and will extend roughly 170 meters. The project advanced after Silman signed an order designating the Nile crocodile as a “domesticated wild animal,” a classification requested by Ben-Gvir that would allow security agencies, including the Israel Prison Service, to launch the pilot program.

Under the government’s plan, the crocodile-filled waterways would serve as an additional security barrier surrounding prison wings that house security prisoners. Supporters of the proposal argued that the reptiles could provide another layer of protection around the facility while discouraging any attempts to escape.

{Matzav.com}

As previously reported, President Donald Trump announced yesterday that he has suspended planned U.S. military strikes against Iran after what he described as significant progress toward a new agreement that could reopen the Strait of Hormuz, revive negotiations, and reduce tensions after months of conflict.

In a post on social media, Trump said the emerging framework would restore free navigation through one of the world’s most strategically important waterways while addressing concerns over Iran’s nuclear program.

The developing agreement “would include the Immediate, Complete, and Total OPENING OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT, and an end to Iran’s nuclear threat,” Trump wrote.

“Based on this request, I have agreed, for the future benefit of the WORLD and, likewise, the survival of a successful and prosperous Iran, to cancel the attack, subject to being able to rapidly make a DEAL,” Trump said.

The announcement marks the latest in a series of pauses ordered by Trump since the United States and Israel launched military operations against Iran on Feb. 28. Previous ceasefire efforts have repeatedly collapsed, leading to renewed fighting.

According to Israel’s Channel 12, mediators are working to restore the memorandum of understanding signed by Washington and Tehran last month. The reported proposal would keep the Strait of Hormuz open for international shipping for 60 days without transit fees while also renewing a ceasefire between the two sides.

The earlier memorandum unraveled because of conflicting interpretations over control of the Strait of Hormuz. Trump maintained that the agreement guaranteed unrestricted passage through the waterway, while Iranian officials believed it gave Tehran authority over the routes used by commercial vessels.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei indicated Sunday that Tehran has no intention of returning to the prewar status quo.

He stated that the Strait of Hormuz “will in no way return to the status it was before February 28th,” the date the conflict began.

Speaking with Iranian state television, Baghaei said Iran is holding discussions with Oman regarding maritime traffic through the strait but emphasized that there are currently no negotiations underway concerning a full reopening of the vital shipping lane.

Despite Trump’s latest announcement, the president has previously declared suspensions of military action only to see negotiations break down and hostilities resume.

Iran’s defense minister responded on X by saying the country was “neither surprised nor passive” following Trump’s remarks and insisted Iran remains fully prepared to respond to any concrete military threat from the United States.

Even as Iranian leaders publicly project unity and resolve, reports suggest an internal struggle is developing within the regime between hardliners who reject any negotiations with Washington and officials who believe continued military pressure could strengthen Iran’s bargaining position.

A regional official involved in the mediation efforts said the proposal announced by Trump envisions the United States and Iran returning to direct negotiations while continuing discussions over the issues that have repeatedly blocked a broader agreement.

According to the official, the proposal also calls for reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ending attacks throughout the region, including strikes by Iranian-backed militias operating in Iraq against Gulf Arab states and Jordan.

In return, the United States would lift its naval blockade of Iran and permit Tehran to resume oil exports, consistent with the tentative ceasefire framework currently under discussion, the official said.

The same official stressed that no final agreement has been reached and that negotiations remain ongoing. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the talks publicly.

Trump also stated that Israel has agreed to join his effort to end the conflict by implementing the proposed ceasefire arrangement. Israeli officials have not publicly commented on that assertion.

Meanwhile, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke by telephone with Trump on Saturday and expressed concern over the possibility of further U.S. military escalation against Iran, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

A person familiar with the conversation said Saudi leaders fear Tehran could retaliate by targeting critical energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations. According to that source, the call took place before Trump’s social media announcement.

The crown prince reportedly sought clarification regarding what additional military options Trump was considering against Iran before the president announced the suspension of planned strikes.

A White House official, speaking anonymously because he was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly, confirmed that Trump and the Saudi crown prince spoke Saturday but declined to provide further details.

Throughout the conflict, Iran has repeatedly targeted vessels attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz without Tehran’s authorization, underscoring the strategic importance of any agreement aimed at restoring normal shipping through the waterway.

TRENTON, N.J. — A long-running federal lawsuit between Bais Brucha and the Township of Toms River took a significant turn during a July 1 court hearing, as a federal judge ordered top township officials—including Mayor Daniel Rodrick—to surrender their government-issued electronic devices as part of the discovery process.

The litigation, which centers on Bais Brucha’s efforts to construct a legally permitted shul in Toms River, has been mired in discovery disputes for more than two years. According to Bais Brucha, the discovery phase has stretched for 26 months, delaying progress in the case and prompting increased scrutiny from the court.

The hearing, held in federal court in Trenton before Judge Zahid N. Quraishi and Magistrate Judge Tonianne J. Bongiovanni Quinn, focused largely on the prolonged delays in discovery and the Township’s compliance with court-ordered obligations.

During the proceeding, the judges directed the Township’s legal counsel to immediately notify Mayor Rodrick and other senior township officials that they were required to turn over their government-issued electronic devices for forensic discovery. The devices are expected to be examined as part of the ongoing litigation.

According to Bais Brucha, however, Mayor Rodrick has not complied with the court’s directive and has yet to produce the requested devices.

Representatives of Bais Brucha say they are now evaluating their legal options in light of what they characterize as the Mayor’s failure to comply with the federal court’s order. They contend that the Township has repeatedly resisted discovery throughout the course of the litigation, contributing to the lengthy delays that have stalled the case.

The dispute over the electronic devices could become a pivotal issue in the lawsuit, with the court expected to determine what consequences, if any, should follow if the discovery order is not obeyed.

The underlying lawsuit concerns Bais Brucha’s efforts to move forward with the construction of a shul, a project the organization maintains fully complies with applicable law. The outcome of the discovery battle is expected to play a significant role in determining how quickly the broader case proceeds toward resolution.

{Matzav.com}

The family of 16-year-old lifeguard Ryder Williams says they are working with the White House to arrange a visit after President Donald Trump announced that he intends to personally honor the California teenager for his courageous rescue of a 10-year-old boy caught in dangerous surf.

According to Ryder’s father, retired firefighter Shane Williams, members of the president’s staff have already reached out, although no official schedule has yet been finalized.

“The White House has contacted us but there’s been no official date or time,” Ryder’s father, retired firefighter Shane Williams, 54, told The California Post.

Trump extended the invitation after dramatic footage of Ryder’s rescue at Seabright Beach spread across social media, drawing nationwide attention. The president said he wants to welcome Ryder and his family to Washington, D.C., where he plans to personally present the young lifeguard with a prestigious civilian award recognizing his heroism.

Despite the sudden national spotlight, Shane Williams said the family is eager to return to everyday routines as Ryder gets ready to begin the school year on Aug. 6.

“We just want to get back to normal life and let him start high school and start playing water polo,” he said.

Ryder’s father also expressed appreciation for the recognition his son has received from President Trump.

“I would love to take my son there and I think he deserves that.”

Shane said Ryder is currently limiting media appearances to interviews coordinated through California State Parks. He added that so many people have been contacting the family since the rescue that he could not even recall which White House official had called because his phone had been “blowing up.”

He also declined to discuss when the family expects to travel to Washington or whether Ryder will meet again with the 10-year-old boy he rescued, explaining that any future announcements will come through California State Parks.

Ryder’s act of heroism took place on July 25, when an unexpected 8-to-10-foot sneaker wave swept 10-year-old Nathaniel Rai, of Dallas, into deep water off Seabright Beach.

The teenage lifeguard fought through pounding waves for approximately two minutes before reaching the unconscious boy in the water.

Another lifeguard, Aaron Bohnen, swam out to assist, and together the two rescuers brought Nathaniel back to shore, where lifesaving efforts successfully revived him.

Nathaniel is expected to make a full recovery from the terrifying ordeal.

The dramatic rescue occurred during an exceptionally busy day for Santa Cruz district lifeguards, who responded to 34 separate rescues along the coastline.

Nathaniel’s father, Sumit Rai, previously praised Ryder’s actions, telling The NY Post he was “so grateful” to the young lifeguard for saving his son’s life.

{Matzav.com}

Calls to prosecute Dr. Anthony Fauci have intensified following his dramatic appearance before a Senate committee, where he repeatedly invoked the Fifth Amendment rather than answer lawmakers’ questions. While many conservatives are demanding criminal charges, legal experts say sending the former White House chief medical adviser to jail may be far more difficult than his critics believe.

In the hours after Wednesday’s hearing, prominent MAGA figures and Republican allies argued that Fauci should face immediate legal consequences for refusing to testify.

“Why, when Fauci walks off of there today, is he not cuffed?” Steve Bannon, a former adviser to President Donald Trump, asked on his War Room podcast on Wednesday. “People are furious today to cut on this and see Fauci hiding behind the Fifth Amendment … He should die in prison.”

Conservative commentator Matt Walsh echoed that frustration in a post on X.

“Why isn’t he under arrest?” far-right podcaster Matt Walsh wrote on X. “Why isn’t he facing any real consequences? Why aren’t you actually doing anything?”

Appearing before the Senate committee investigating the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Fauci invoked his constitutional right against self-incrimination more than 100 times. In prepared remarks, he argued that the hearing was designed to trap him rather than uncover the truth.

“The only conclusion I can reach is that the sole reason he is calling me before this committee is to get me to say something, anything, that could vindicate his repeated public pledges that I end up, in his words, ‘behind bars,’” Fauci said.

Sen. Rand Paul, who chaired the hearing, has long maintained that Fauci played a role in concealing information about the possible origins of COVID-19.

As demands for Fauci’s prosecution grew louder, WIRED asked constitutional scholars and former federal prosecutors whether Congress could realistically put the longtime public health official behind bars.

One major complication is the preemptive pardon issued by President Joe Biden before leaving office. The pardon covers potential federal offenses committed by Fauci between 2014 and 2025, shielding him from prosecution for conduct during that period. It does not, however, apply to anything Fauci may have said or done after receiving the pardon.

Paul has argued that accepting a presidential pardon eliminates a witness’s ability to invoke the Fifth Amendment for matters covered by that pardon, citing an 1896 Supreme Court ruling.

“I think there is a very real chance that he could be prosecuted for that,” Paul told CBS News after the hearing. “A court ultimately would have to determine: Does the Fifth Amendment apply to someone who already has a pardon?”

Paul also announced that his committee intends to vote next week on whether to hold Fauci in contempt of Congress. A contempt conviction carries a possible penalty of up to one year in prison and a $100,000 fine. Even if the committee approves the measure, it would still require 60 votes on the Senate floor—a threshold viewed as highly unlikely without significant Democratic support.

Legal scholars note that similar constitutional questions have arisen before. Before leaving office in 2020, President Donald Trump granted pardons to several allies, including former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn and former campaign chairman Paul Manafort. At the time, constitutional experts suggested those pardons could affect whether recipients could later refuse congressional testimony.

Steve Bannon himself offers another example. Although Trump pardoned him in 2021 on federal fraud charges connected to the “We Build the Wall” fundraising effort, that pardon did not shield him from contempt of Congress charges after he refused to comply with subpoenas issued by the House committee investigating Jan. 6. Bannon was later convicted and served a four-month prison sentence.

Legal experts interviewed by WIRED, however, believe Fauci’s circumstances differ significantly because he carefully limited his Fifth Amendment claims to statements he might make during Wednesday’s hearing—not to actions covered by Biden’s pardon.

“Pardons cannot apply to future conduct,” constitutional scholar Aziz Huq told WIRED. “Ergo, to the extent the concern was a prosecution for perjury or material omissions in statements to Congress, then those offenses would be a basis for Fifth Amendment invocation, and so not amenable to contempt.”

Former U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade agreed that Fauci appears to be on firm constitutional footing.

“The answer is no. Each of us has a constitutionally guaranteed right against self-incrimination as long as we have a reasonable fear of criminal prosecution,” McQuade tells WIRED. “Just because Fauci got a pardon for crimes he ‘may’ have committed in the past does not give him a get-out-of-jail free card for any crimes he might commit after the date of the pardon.”

McQuade argued that because Fauci could reasonably fear being accused of perjury during the hearing, invoking the Fifth Amendment was legally justified. She noted that Supreme Court precedent protects even “innocent men” who fear being “ensnared by ambiguous circumstances.”

Huq cautioned that he could not offer a definitive opinion because he does not know the precise legal basis behind each instance in which Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment.

McQuade also pointed out that Congress has another option if it wants Fauci’s testimony. Lawmakers could grant him immunity, preventing his testimony from being used against him in future criminal proceedings.

“That immunity would be binding on the Justice Department as well,” McQuade added.

Although Biden’s pardon protects Fauci from federal prosecution for covered conduct, it does not shield him from potential state investigations. Just hours after the Senate hearing concluded, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that his office would begin investigating Fauci.

“office is launching an investigation into Dr. Fauci. It’s past time we get the truth of what happened during Covid.”

Uthmeier’s office did not provide additional details about the scope of the investigation.

Fauci’s attorney, David Schertler—who was escorted out of the hearing by security at Paul’s direction—declined to comment to WIRED but defended his client’s decision in remarks to CBS.

“We are completely confident that Dr. Fauci has a valid Fifth Amendment privilege here and is on solid legal ground in asserting it.”

{Matzav.com}

Former Vice President Kamala Harris identified the presidents she considers the most effective in American history during an appearance at the National Urban League Conference—but notably omitted President Joe Biden, despite having served as his vice president for four years.

During a conversation with National Urban League President Marc Morial, Harris was asked to “rank the top 3 most effective American presidents in history.”

Harris began by praising Franklin Delano Roosevelt, crediting him with helping the country through periods of extraordinary hardship by expanding government investment in the American people.

She then highlighted Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson, explaining that Kennedy laid the foundation for major initiatives that Johnson later carried forward.

“I credit Kennedy, of course, in terms of what he laid the groundwork for,” Harris continued. “And then Johnson followed up on.”

Harris rounded out her list by praising President Barack Obama, pointing specifically to his healthcare reforms and other accomplishments during his administration.

“What he did with the Affordable Care Act and many things.”

She argued that the Affordable Care Act addressed one of America’s most persistent problems.

“If we had one issue that’s been ailing America for generations, which is a healthcare system that has failed anyone other than the rich,” she stated.

Absent from Harris’ list was President Joe Biden, under whom she served after the two won the 2020 election.

The omission comes after Harris publicly criticized Biden’s decision to seek reelection in her 2025 memoir, 107 Days, where she argued that his decision to remain in the race proved to be a mistake.

“I knew it would come off to him as incredibly self-serving if I advised him not to run. He would see it as naked ambition, perhaps as poisonous disloyalty, even if my only message was: Don’t let the other guy win,” Harris wrote.

She also reflected on Biden’s age and declining stamina during the campaign.

“But at 81, Joe got tired,” she continued in the memoir. “That’s when his age showed in physical and verbal stumbles.”

Biden initially launched a campaign for a second term in 2024 but came under mounting pressure from Democratic leaders to withdraw after his widely criticized debate performance against President Donald Trump.

When Biden ultimately exited the race, he endorsed Harris, leaving her just 107 days to mount a presidential campaign before Election Day.

Harris has also criticized Biden’s decision to seek another term during a separate appearance on MSNBC’s The Rachel Maddow Show, where she said she believed she had a “certain responsibility” to push back against his 2024 reelection bid.

{Matzav.com}

While the horrors of the October 7 massacre were largely associated with the thousands of Hamas terrorists who stormed Israeli communities by land, a senior Israeli officer who investigated the attack says an equally dangerous battle was unfolding off Israel’s coastline. Brig. Gen. (res.) Oren Solomon now says Hamas came dangerously close to carrying out a devastating maritime strike that, had it succeeded, could have triggered an unimaginable catastrophe. “Half of Ashkelon could have been vaporized,” he warned.

The world watched as terrorists breached the Gaza border fence and overran communities throughout southern Israel. But Solomon, who led the investigative team examining the Gaza Division’s performance during the war, says the naval front has received only limited attention despite the extraordinary danger it posed.

Speaking with Arutz Sheva, Solomon disclosed details from the Israeli Navy’s internal investigation, arguing that much of what occurred at sea has never been fully presented to the public. He said that while Hamas launched its assault on land with thousands of terrorists, drones, UAVs, and paragliders, it simultaneously activated a sophisticated naval force equipped with elite commandos, high-speed attack boats, and unmanned submarines carrying massive explosive payloads.

According to Solomon, Hamas spent years building what he described as one of its most advanced military capabilities. “These weren’t just naval commandos,” he said. “These were forces trained in diving, amphibious landings, and carrying out attacks by sea. In addition, Hamas developed unmanned submarines with remote navigation capabilities, carrying substantial explosive charges.”

He said that as the attack began at approximately 6:30 a.m., seven commando boats carrying roughly 45 terrorists departed the Gaza coast, each assigned to a separate objective. Two vessels were reportedly dispatched to attack an Israeli offshore natural gas platform, while others targeted strategic sites, including EAPC facilities. Another boat reached Zikim Beach, where terrorists murdered civilians who had sought refuge inside a bomb shelter and a public restroom.

Solomon believes the greatest disaster was narrowly prevented. “If the boats assigned to the gas platform had succeeded,” Solomon said, “we would have faced an event on an entirely different scale. A successful strike on an active gas platform could have caused an enormous disaster.”

He added that the danger did not end with the initial morning attack. Later that afternoon, Hamas launched an unmanned underwater explosive craft toward Israel, but the Israeli Navy intercepted it before it could reach its target.

“This is an incident that has barely been discussed,” he said. “Had that submersable struck the gas platform, half of Ashkelon could have been vaporized. It was a great miracle.”

Beyond recounting the events of that day, Solomon sharply criticized the official investigations that followed the war. In his view, they fail to accurately reflect what happened, placing the blame primarily on commanders in the field while shielding more senior military leaders from responsibility.

As one example, Solomon highlighted the actions of Ashdod Naval Base commander Col. Eitan Paz. He said that at approximately 4:30 a.m., Paz was informed by the Gaza Division commander that unusual developments had been detected overnight. At the same time, commanders were instructed not to alter normal military activity out of concern that visible preparations might alert Hamas.

Rather than relying exclusively on those orders, Solomon said Paz contacted Navy Headquarters to confirm the intelligence before independently raising the alert level. He mobilized reserve personnel, sent naval vessels to sea, reinforced security around strategic installations, and personally returned to command the base.

“These were tactical actions intended to balance the directive not to disrupt routine with the need to be prepared,” Solomon said. “The forces had also conducted an exercise just one month earlier that simulated an infiltration by commando boats, so when the attack began, they knew exactly how to respond.”

Despite those decisions, Solomon said Paz ultimately became the one held accountable.

“The commander of Ashdod Naval Base left his position, while the entire chain of command above him remained in place. That’s a question that needs to be asked.”

Solomon also contended that the Israeli Navy had gathered unusual intelligence in the days before October 7 that was never passed along to the Ashdod base commander. Additional warning signs received during the night, he claimed, likewise failed to result in the operational preparations that should have followed.

“What is no less serious than the failure itself,” he said, “is the attempt to cover it up. Some of the information simply did not appear in the investigations. A narrative was created that shifts responsibility downward while protecting the senior command. In my view, that is one of the gravest problems.”

According to Solomon, a separate review committee led by Maj. Gen. (res.) Sami Turgeman rejected the Navy’s investigation, along with several other central investigative reports, concluding that they fell short of the professional standards expected.

Solomon closed by warning that Israel cannot afford to learn only part of the lessons from October 7.

“There are incidents the public knows nothing about,” he said. “If we don’t study them thoroughly and present the full picture, they could happen again. We must not cover things up. We have to understand what really happened in order to prevent the next disaster.”

{Matzav.com}

As the busy bein hazmanim travel season reaches its peak, aviation officials are warning that flight disruptions at Ben Gurion Airport could worsen in the coming days, with additional delays—and even last-minute schedule changes or cancellations—becoming increasingly possible.

As Matzav previously reported, security officials estimate that roughly 10 more U.S. Air Force aerial refueling aircraft are expected to arrive in Israel in the near future, with most of them likely to be stationed at Ben Gurion Airport.

More than 30 American refueling aircraft are already parked at the airport. In the past, the Israel Airports Authority warned that even the presence of more than 20 aircraft of this type could significantly disrupt airport operations. This week, travelers have already begun experiencing the impact.

According to Ben Gurion Airport’s congestion index, average delays this week reached approximately 65 minutes at Terminal 3 and about 61 minutes at Terminal 1. On Thursday alone, more than 90,000 passengers passed through the airport, creating exceptionally heavy congestion.

Passengers also reported lengthy waits to retrieve their luggage, with some waiting more than two hours before their bags arrived.

In an unusual public statement, the Israel Airports Authority said the large number of military refueling aircraft has created substantial operational challenges. Officials described the situation as a “domino effect” that is slowing airport operations and disrupting flight schedules at one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

Authorities are now concerned that the arrival of additional military aircraft could further strain airport operations, leading to more delays and even last-minute changes to flight schedules.

For the many families traveling during bein hazmanim, that could mean extended waits, gate changes, delayed departures, or even canceled flights.

The airport has also been dealing with unrelated operational challenges. Earlier this week, officials reported a communications failure involving an air traffic radar system in Greek airspace, creating congestion in regional air traffic that affected flights to and from Israel.

The Israel Airports Authority is urging travelers to check directly with their airlines before leaving for the airport, arrive well in advance of their scheduled departure times, and be prepared for the possibility of additional delays over the coming days.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir confronted a convicted terrorist during a visit to an Israeli prison after the inmate complained about her prison conditions, telling her that the days when security prisoners enjoyed comfortable treatment were over.

During the tour, Ben Gvir met with the imprisoned terrorist, who voiced a series of complaints about conditions inside the facility.

Pinned to the minister’s shirt was a gold lapel pin shaped like a hangman’s noose, symbolizing his support for legislation that would authorize the death penalty for terrorists.

Because the inmate spoke Arabic, Ben Gvir communicated through an interpreter, who translated the minister’s remarks into Arabic and the prisoner’s responses into Hebrew.

The terrorist complained that prison conditions had become difficult, alleging that the food was poor, the water was unclean, inmates were not receiving proper medical treatment, and that they were not being allowed out of their cells. She also claimed that the conditions had caused her to suffer from depression.

Ben Gvir dismissed the complaints, responding that prison was never intended to provide comfort for terrorists.

“The food does not need to be good. This is not a hotel.”

He went on to say that those who commit serious crimes against the State of Israel and the Jewish people should expect to face the consequences of their actions.

“Once this place was a hotel. Today it is no longer a hotel,” the minister told the inmate. “The hotel is over. This is the State of Israel.”

Ben Gvir concluded the exchange with a direct message to the prisoner.

“Anyone who commits a crime against the Jewish people should think about what they did. Don’t come back here.”

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu has reportedly made it clear that the legislation suspending the arrest of bnei yeshiva who have not reported for military service will not return in the next government, saying the measure failed to accomplish its intended purpose. Stressing that a new approach will be taken after the elections, Netanyahu stated, “Whoever does not study Torah will enlist – or go to prison.”

Speaking during a private discussion, Netanyahu said the temporary law halting the arrests of yeshiva bochurim who had not complied with draft orders did not produce the increase in Chareidi enlistment that the government had hoped to see. According to him, the arrangement has run its course and will not be reinstated.

According to a Kan News report, Netanyahu explained that the legislation—approved during the coalition’s intensive legislative push—was designed as a short-term measure to “lower the flames and increase the number of haredi recruits.” He acknowledged, however, that the initiative ultimately failed to deliver the desired results.

Netanyahu went on to say that once the elections are over, “a broad national government will be established that will immediately pass a full enlistment law that meets the IDF’s needs.” He said the new legislation would replace the current arrangement after the effort to resolve the issue through the arrest-freeze law proved unsuccessful.

The report follows earlier claims, published about two weeks ago, that Netanyahu has been attempting to create greater political distance between himself and the Chareidi parties as Israel heads toward elections. Sources close to the prime minister reportedly believe that, as the campaign intensifies, he will continue widening that gap while taking care not to undermine the overall strength of his political bloc.

The developments also come in the wake of a July 15 ruling by Israel’s Supreme Court, which issued a conditional order preventing implementation of the law that suspended the arrest of bnei yeshiva who failed to report for military service. The justices said the legislation conflicted with previous court decisions concerning equal burden-sharing, as well as the opinions of legal and professional officials who argued that such a policy encourages draft avoidance. The matter is expected to be reviewed by an expanded panel of justices at a later date.

{Matzav.com}

Just two weeks before the start of zman Elul, Yeshivas Ner Zerach in Moshav Otzem is facing an unprecedented crisis after Israel’s Fire and Rescue Authority issued a closure order for the campus over alleged fire safety deficiencies, throwing the yeshiva’s opening for the new zman into serious doubt.

The order has raised major concerns about whether the yeshiva will be able to welcome its incoming first-year talmidim and begin the new academic term on schedule.

Kikar HaShabbos has learned that a critical meeting is scheduled for today between yeshiva representatives and officials from the Fire and Rescue Authority in an urgent effort to reach an agreement that would postpone the closure order and allow the yeshiva to continue operating while preparing for the upcoming zman.

In response to the unfolding situation, the yeshiva’s Roshei Yeshiva, together with current talmidim and alumni, gathered on Motzoei Shabbos for a special atzeres tefillah at the kever of Rav Aharon Leib Shteinman zt”l.

During the emotional gathering, participants recited Tehillim, Avinu Malkeinu, and additional tefillos, davening that the decree be rescinded and that efforts to resolve the crisis prove successful.

Yeshivas Ner Zerach operates under the umbrella of Yeshivas Orchos Torah and is headed by Rav Yaakov Virzhbinski. The yeshiva remains hopeful that a solution can be reached within the next 24 hours that will delay the closure order and enable zman Elul to begin as planned.

“This is a genuine gezeirah,” members of the yeshiva said. “It is impossible to open a new school year and receive the incoming first-year talmidim under these circumstances. If the order takes effect, it will deal a severe blow to our ability to open zman Elul in the normal manner.”

A source within the Fire and Rescue Authority said that if a closure order was issued, it was likely because inspectors identified deficiencies that could place lives at risk.

“If a closure order was issued for the building, there are apparently deficiencies there that could endanger human life.”

Despite the seriousness of the situation, yeshiva officials remain optimistic that today’s meeting will produce an arrangement allowing the required safety issues to be addressed while the yeshiva continues functioning uninterrupted.

{Matzav.com}