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By Rabbi Pinchos Lipschtuz

There are moments when life feels settled, when the world seems to be moving along familiar tracks and even its difficulties feel manageable because they fit into patterns we recognize. And then there are moments when that sense of order begins to loosen, when events seem to arrive faster than they can be processed, and the future feels less predictable than what came before it.

For the Jewish people, that feeling is not new.

It is the story of our history.

As we proceed through the Three Weeks, reflecting on the destruction of the Bais Hamikdosh and the long journey of golus that followed, we learn Parshiyos Mattos-Masei, which, at first glance, appears to be little more than a detailed record of travel stations in the wilderness. The Torah lists, one after another, the places where Klal Yisroel encamped during their forty-year journey from Mitzrayim toward Eretz Yisroel, seemingly offering a geographical itinerary that records where the nation stopped along the way.

Sifrei Kabbolah and drush explain that the forty-two encampments listed in the parsha correspond to the Sheim Mem-Bais, the Divine Name of forty-two letters, indicating that each stop was part of a deeply structured spiritual process, carefully guided and precisely arranged by Hakadosh Boruch Hu to prepare the Jewish people for their ultimate entry into Eretz Yisroel.

What appears to be a travel log is, in truth, a map of destiny. This explains the teaching of Chazal (Brachos 8b) that we are obligated to read and study the parsha each week shnayim mikra v’echod targum. Chazal add that this obligation extends to “afilu Ataros v’Divon,” the names of the places where the Jews camped in the midbar. Though the names of these places have no apparent significance and no targum, we are nevertheless obligated to recite them, because every stop and every name carries profound meaning.

Our ancestors were not wandering aimlessly in the desert for forty years. They were engaging in a Divinely orchestrated sequence of stages through which Klal Yisroel had to pass in order to become the nation capable of entering the Land promised to Avrohom Avinu. Some of those stages were elevated and uplifting, while others were marked by complaint, failure, or punishment. Yet, all of them together formed the continuous process of national formation.

One of the most profound messages of this week’s parshiyos is that life is not defined by isolated moments, but by movement through stages, each of which contributes – even when not immediately understood – to the unfolding of a larger story that becomes visible only when viewed in its entirety.

A person often imagines his life as a series of disconnected events – some meaningful and some confusing, some successful and others disappointing – as though each stands alone without necessarily being part of a unified structure. The Torah, however, teaches otherwise. Every stage is part of a journey, every experience is part of a direction, and every passage through life is part of an overarching design that is guided by the Ribbono Shel Olam with purpose and intention.

We are not static beings. We are travelers, and travelers, by definition, are always in motion, even when that motion is not immediately visible.

This is why Chazal emphasize that adam l’umal yulad, man was created for work, for effort, for striving, for movement toward something beyond his present state. The goal is not to stagnate, not to become too comfortable in one place for too long, but rather to pursue continual growth, continual refinement, and continual advancement through the various stages of life.

There are times when progress is visible and satisfying, and there are moments when it feels as though nothing is moving at all. There are times when a person feels elevated and inspired, and times when he feels weighed down by uncertainty or failure. Parshas Masei reminds us that the journey does not cease during those moments, even if it is no longer perceptible in the same way, because we are always in transit. Always moving.

This idea takes on deeper meaning when we consider one of the most frequently misunderstood descriptions of Klal Yisroel in the Torah: the phrase am k’shei oref, a stiff-necked people, used by Hakadosh Boruch Hu after the chet ha’Eigel. At first glance, it appears to be a rebuke, a criticism of stubbornness that led the nation to sin. Yet, Moshe Rabbeinu, in his plea for forgiveness, transforms this description into a defense, arguing that the same trait that can lead to rebellion can also be the source of extraordinary resilience and unwavering loyalty when directed toward the service of Hashem.

What appears to be a negative – obstinacy – becomes, in the context of Jewish survival, an essential strength.

It is this stubborn continuity that has carried Klal Yisroel through every stage of golus. History is filled with civilizations that rose and fell, empires that dominated the world only to vanish, and cultures that once seemed unshakable but ultimately disappeared into obscurity. Yet, Klal Yisroel, despite having been exiled repeatedly, persecuted relentlessly, and dispersed across continents, has continued forward without interruption.

The Romans thought that they had ended Jewish history with the destruction of the Bais Hamikdosh.

The Crusaders thought that they had broken the spirit of Klal Yisroel.

The Cossacks thought that they had extinguished Jewish life in Eastern Europe.

The Nazis declared with chilling confidence that they were implementing the “Final Solution.”

Each generation of our enemies believed that it had brought about the end of our story, and each time, boruch Hashem, they were mistaken.

What they perceived as endings were really transitions. They were simply another station in a journey that continued regardless of how final things appeared at the time.

This becomes particularly evident when we study the accounts of the Holocaust through the lens of those who lived through it with a world of emunah. While secular historians often emphasize helplessness and victimhood, the testimonies of frum survivors reveal something far more complex and far more profound. They describe Jews who clung to mitzvos under the most impossible circumstances, who risked their lives for tefillin, and who never gave up their emunah and bitachon, even under the most trying conditions.

They were not passive. They were defiant in their faith.

And when the war ended, their response was not to remain defined by destruction, but to begin again. Survivors rebuilt families, reestablished yeshivos, revived communities, and laid the foundations for the Torah world that exists today. They did so not because they had recovered from trauma in any conventional sense, but because they understood that Klal Yisroel does not remain in any one place indefinitely.

We move forward.

This pattern can be traced throughout Jewish history.

Take Telz, for example. To describe Telz merely as a town is to miss its significance. It was one of the great centers of Torah in Lithuania, home to a yeshiva that shaped generations of Torah leadership. Sunday was the 20th of Tammuz. On that date, in 5701 (1941), the Jews of Telz were murdered in the Rainiai Forest, and it appeared, at that moment, that an entire world of Torah had been extinguished.

The Nazis were driven not only to destroy lives, but to eradicate an entire spiritual civilization.

But they did not understand the nature of Klal Yisroel. Telz was not extinguished. It was relocated.

Its Torah was carried forward and rebuilt in new places by its leaders, who understood that destruction is never the final word.

Today, the sound of Torah in Yeshivas Telz is loud and strong. On Sunday, Selichos were recited and special shiurim were delivered l’illui nishmos the kedoshei Telz. Their memory lives on. Their sanctified lives are not forgotten.

Similarly, on Tisha B’Av, we mourn the loss of the residents of the ancient city of Beitar. The Rambam describes a city filled with tens of thousands of Jews, led by Bar Kochva, who was believed to be the potential Moshiach, a moment in history when Klal Yisroel stood at the threshold of geulah. And yet, that moment collapsed into catastrophe.

As the Rambam (Hilchos Taanis 5) writes: “A great city by the name of Beitar was captured. Inside it were many tens of thousands of Jewish people. They had a great king whom all of Yisroel and the rabbis believed was the king Moshiach. He fell into the hands of the gentiles and they were all killed. It was a great tragedy, as great as the destruction of the Bais Hamikdosh.”

Rav Moshe Shapiro explains that the depth of Tisha B’Av lies not only in what was lost, but in what could have been – in the recognition that Klal Yisroel has stood at the edge of redemption more than once, only to find that the moment slipped away.

And that realization becomes part of the mourning, for we mourn not only the destruction, but also the missed opportunities.

And so, the question naturally arises: How many times in history have we been closer than we realized? How many moments could have unfolded differently? And how often do we fail to recognize the significance of the place we are currently in while we are still standing within it?

These days, we are experiencing many moments that feel historically charged. It is easy to become overwhelmed by the pace of change, to gasp in awe as we perceive Hashem arranging the world for the period of the ultimate geulah.

The Satmar Rebbe would say that after the devastation of the Holocaust, Klal Yisroel stood at the precipice of the geulah. Hashem granted us a glimpse of what redemption would look like – a partial restoration of Jewish life in Eretz Yisroel that was not yet complete, not yet governed by Torah, and not yet accompanied by the rebuilding of the Bais Hamikdosh. It was, in that sense, a station along the way, but not the destination itself.

The Bais Hamikdosh was not returned. Halacha did not rule. It was merely a taste of what was to come.

However, the rebbe would say that because the Jewish people were satisfied with that small taste, Hashem determined that we were not yet deserving of the redemption, and therefore we were left with only a semblance of what could be.

And once again, we were left with yet another stop along the road, another station on the way to geulah.

And that is where we still are today. Moving. Waiting. Building. Continuing along the journey with clarity and faith.

This is the message of Ataros v’Divon, the reason we study every one of the stops in the midbar on the way to Eretz Yisroel. That is the message of Parshas Masei. Until the geulah, no place is the final stop. It is merely a station, and we are not meant to mistake the station for the destination.

We are not meant to settle where we are. We are meant to move. To climb. To grow. To improve. Not to become stationary, apathetic, or content.

People can cycle for miles on a stationary bike, sweating, raising their heart rate, feeling the strain in their legs as though they are accomplishing something significant, and yet they remain in exactly the same place where they began. There is motion, there is effort, there is even exhaustion, but there is no forward movement.

It is possible for a person to be very busy, very active, even very tired from all he is doing, and still remain essentially unchanged. He may feel that he is progressing because he is exerting effort, but if all that effort doesn’t translate into forward movement, then he is still standing in the same place where he started.

This is one of the subtle dangers of spiritual life as well. A person can become accustomed to his routines, his habits, and the way he goes about life, and, without realizing it, begin to mistake activity for advancement. If he becomes too comfortable with where he is, then his entire life can resemble a stationary bike: a great deal of motion without actually going anywhere.

The Torah carefully records each masa, each journey, each departure, and each arrival, emphasizing that the defining feature of those forty years was movement. Not permanence. Not settling. Not remaining in one place for too long, but constant transition from one stage to the next, in a precisely structured process of growth under the direct guidance of Hakadosh Boruch Hu, moving forward until Klal Yisroel reached Eretz Yisroel.

That is the fundamental difference between a journey and a routine.

A routine repeats itself. A journey goes somewhere.

And that is why the Torah does not refer to them merely as encampments, but as masa’os – journeys, departures, movement.

The Torah is telling us that life must always be measured not only by intensity, but by direction. Are we moving forward or are we circling in the same place? A person is not meant to define success by being busy or engaged, but by moving toward a higher destination. It is what yeshivos refer to as shteiging. We must always strive to shteig – not just to learn, not just to go through the motions, but to become better and to grow.

When a person understands that every stage of life is meant to move him forward, then even effort, struggle, and challenge become part of a forward-moving journey rather than an illusion of progress.

Even when we slow down in the summer and take a break for bein hazmanim, we don’t stop. We don’t lose sight of our goals and don’t take a vacation from Torah.

The parshiyos of Mattos-Masei teach us that we are not meant to become spiritually stationary, even if we are spiritually active. We are meant to be in motion, progressing from one masa to the next, never confusing where we are with where we are meant to go.

Because the difference between pedaling and a journey, between merely learning and shteiging, is not how much energy is expended, but whether you are actually going somewhere.

Klal Yisroel, from the midbar until today, has never been a people standing still. We have always been a people moving forward toward the fulfillment of the Divine promise that one day all of these journeys will be seen not as wandering, but as a single path leading home.

May we merit coming home with the geulah sheleimah bekarov.

{Matzav.com}

A New York City Housing Authority plumbing supervisor who earned one of the largest paychecks in city government is now under investigation after claiming nearly 2,600 hours of overtime while simultaneously being connected to two private plumbing companies, the NY Post reports.

Jakub Markowski, 41, has come under official scrutiny more than a year after he was identified as the city’s biggest overtime earner. During the 2025 fiscal year, he collected an eye-popping $332,000 in overtime alone, helping boost his total city compensation to approximately $465,000.

City officials confirmed that the Department of Buildings launched an investigation into Markowski after receiving a complaint regarding his “business practices.”

Markowski, who resides in a luxury apartment building near the Rockaway Beach boardwalk, did not respond to requests for comment. His wife, Elizabeth Markwowska, 63, said there was a simple reason for his absence.

“He works seven days a week,” she told The NY Post from their home Wednesday.

State records indicate that while employed by NYCHA, Markowski was also associated with two private companies, Super Plumbers Corp. NYC and Dynamic Blue Water Mechanical.

As part of the Department of Buildings’ inquiry, inspectors reviewed plumbing jobs for which Markowski was listed as the permit holder to ensure the work met safety requirements.

According to city officials, the inspection found no violations.

Payroll records compiled by the Empire Center show Markowski ranked as the fifth-highest-paid employee in all of New York City government.

His regular salary for fiscal year 2025 totaled about $118,000 before overtime. The remaining hundreds of thousands of dollars came from an extraordinary 2,558 hours of additional work.

According to The New York Times, reaching that total would have required Markowski to average roughly seven hours of overtime every single day of the year.

When questions first arose about the enormous payout, NYCHA defended the overtime, saying it resulted from “extensive plumbing and heating demands that are mandated and monitored by law.”

The unusually large overtime payments, coupled with Markowski’s ties to two private plumbing businesses, eventually prompted the Plumbing Foundation of New York, a nonprofit trade organization, to file a formal complaint, according to The New York Times.

“Enabling one individual to run a private plumbing business while serving as a city plumbing supervisor and accruing more overtime than any other city employee is beyond wasteful, and it raises serious concerns about the integrity, safety and oversight of NYCHA’s building operations,” April McIver, the group’s executive director, told the Times.

The city’s Department of Investigation has also opened a probe involving Markowski but has not disclosed whether it is examining his overtime claims, his private business activities, or both.

“This is an ongoing matter at DOI and we decline further comment,” a spokesperson said.

A resident of the Maspeth building where both plumbing companies are registered said she knew little about the businesses. A sign displayed in the window for Super Plumbers Corp. identifies Markowski by name.

Markowski’s wife said her husband had placed someone else in charge of operating the two companies.

She also said she had no idea he was New York City’s highest-paid plumber and did not know what he did with his earnings.

“He comes home late. He works overtime. He works very hard,” she said.

“He treats me like a woman. Very nice guy.”

{Matzav.com}

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Demonstrators protesting construction of the Yerushalayim light rail once again disrupted service Wednesday night, blocking the tracks along Bar-Lev Boulevard before continuing their protest near Rechov Bar-Ilan. The demonstration temporarily halted rail operations and added to mounting delays and financial losses tied to the ongoing campaign against the project.

Protesters gathered along the route of the light rail on Bar-Lev Boulevard, preventing trains from passing and disrupting service for commuters.

Officers from the Yerushalayim District Police, along with Border Police personnel, responded to the scene. A police commander declared the gathering an unlawful disturbance and instructed demonstrators to clear the tracks. When they refused, security forces moved in to disperse the crowd, eventually reopening the route.

At the same time, a separate protest continued near Bar-Ilan, where demonstrators gathered along another section of the light rail construction zone. Police remained at the scene as the protest continued.

As a result of the demonstration, the Yerushalayim Light Rail announced that train service between the Yekutiel Adam Station and the Central Bus Station had been suspended. Approximately 30 minutes later, limited service resumed, operating only between Hadassah Ein Kerem and Givat HaMivtar Station in both directions.

Wednesday night’s protest was the latest in a series of recurring demonstrations targeting the light rail construction near Bar-Ilan Street. The area has repeatedly seen road blockages, confrontations with police, and damage to infrastructure and construction equipment.

The economic impact of the sustained protests has become increasingly significant. According to published estimates, vandalism, construction delays, and repeated disruptions have caused approximately 400 million shekels in losses to the Green Line project.

Those delays have also forced officials to revise the project’s timetable. Sections of the line where construction proceeded without disruption are expected to open later this year, while the Bar-Ilan Street segment has reportedly been pushed back by at least a year, with completion now projected for the end of 2027.

Despite the mounting financial losses and repeated delays, the nightly demonstrations have continued, and Wednesday’s protest once again succeeded in disrupting light rail service in Yerushalayim.

{Matzav.com}

President Trump said Wednesday night that Iran has reached out to the United States seeking a deal, but questioned whether Tehran could be trusted to honor any agreement as American forces continued a second straight night of military strikes against Iranian targets.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One while returning to Washington from Turkey, Trump said Iranian officials had recently contacted him in hopes of restarting negotiations.

“Iran called a while ago. They want to make a deal so badly,” said the President, who added, “I just don’t know if they are worthy. I don’t know if they are going to honor the deal. That’s the problem.”

Trump on Iran:

Iran called a while ago. They want to make a deal so badly.

I just don't know if they are worthy. I don't know if they are going to honor the deal. That's the problem. pic.twitter.com/yE63e3lfVP

— Clash Report (@clashreport) July 8, 2026

Trump’s remarks came after the U.S. military carried out another wave of attacks inside Iran, marking the second consecutive night of American strikes.

Discussing the latest operation, Trump vowed that the United States would continue responding forcefully to any Iranian aggression.

“We just hit them very hard. We hit them 20 to 1. Every time they hit us, we are going to hit them 20.”

When asked whether he had received intelligence about specific threats from Iran, Trump acknowledged that he remains a primary target.

“I hear threats all the time. I am number one on their list.”

Earlier Wednesday, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that American forces had begun launching additional military operations against Iranian targets.

The announcement followed reports of explosions in several locations across Iran, including Bandar Abbas, Chabahar, and Kharg Island.

“At the direction of the Commander in Chief, US Central Command forces have started conducting additional strikes against Iran to further degrade their ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz,” said CENTCOM.

“The United States is holding Iran accountable for recent unjustified aggression against commercial shipping and civilian crews freely navigating a vital international waterway,” it added.

Trump also addressed the military action in a post on Truth Social, framing the strikes as retaliation for Iran’s attacks on commercial shipping.

“This is in retribution for yesterday’s bombing of ships by Iran. If it happens again, it will get much worse!” he wrote.

At the same time, a U.S. official told CNN that the ceasefire between the United States and Iran “has at least temporarily ceased”.

The official said the situation remains highly fluid and warned that additional military action could follow beyond the strikes already announced. According to the official, U.S. forces are closely monitoring developments, while the latest attacks were directed at Iranian missiles and drones that could threaten American military assets, including aircraft carriers.

The newest round of strikes followed a large-scale operation the previous night, when CENTCOM said it attacked more than 80 targets across Iran using precision-guided munitions in what it described as “as an immediate response to Iran’s latest attacks on commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.”

{Matzav.com}

President Trump received a blunt threat from Iran on Wednesday after declaring that the U.S.-Iran ceasefire appeared to have collapsed and signaling that additional American military action—including possible strikes involving Iran’s vital Kharg Island oil terminal—could be on the table.

The warning came from Ebrahim Rezaei, spokesman for the Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, after Trump discussed the possibility of further military operations against the strategically important island during remarks at the NATO summit in Turkey.

Speaking to reporters, Trump revealed that American forces had already carried out an attack involving part of Kharg Island and suggested that additional action could follow.

“We attacked Kharg Island last night, knocked out a piece,” Trump said.

“I said, ‘Don’t touch the oil, because maybe we’ll take over Kharg Island.'”

“I said, ‘Don’t hit the pipes, just hit everything else.'”

“And they hit it.”

“They may hit it again tonight.”

Trump also indicated that the ceasefire between Washington and Tehran was effectively finished following the latest exchange of military strikes.

Rezaei responded with a direct warning in a post on X.

“Come — we are waiting for you — and we promise that not a single American soldier will return alive,” Rezaei wrote, according to an English translation provided by X.

Situated in the Persian Gulf off Iran’s southern coastline, Kharg Island serves as the country’s primary oil export terminal and is widely viewed as one of Tehran’s most strategically valuable assets.

Roughly 90% of Iran’s crude oil exports typically pass through the island, making it a crucial source of government revenue and a prime target for any effort aimed at disrupting Iran’s ability to finance its activities.

Its proximity to the Strait of Hormuz further elevates its importance, as the narrow waterway is one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints for global energy shipments.

Earlier in the conflict, reports indicated that the Trump administration evaluated several military options involving Kharg Island, including possible operations to seize the island or strike facilities connected to Iran’s oil export infrastructure.

According to those reports, U.S. officials also examined potential military operations targeting other islands near the Strait of Hormuz as part of broader efforts to reduce Iran’s ability to threaten international shipping.

Kharg Island was also hit during fighting in April.

At that time, the Trump administration emphasized that the strikes were not directed at Iran’s oil production or export facilities.

{Matzav.com}

President Trump unexpectedly abandoned plans to depart Turkey aboard the new $400 million Air Force One on Wednesday, opting instead for the older presidential aircraft as tensions with Iran intensified. The sudden decision immediately fueled widespread speculation that security concerns — including the possibility of an Iranian attack — played a role, particularly after Trump repeatedly discussed Tehran’s alleged desire to assassinate him.

Rather than returning from the NATO summit aboard the lavish new aircraft that he had enthusiastically debuted last week, Trump boarded the previous version of Air Force One. The switch came just days after he had begun showcasing the new jet, which he has repeatedly praised as a major upgrade to the presidential fleet.

Although Trump publicly insisted the new aircraft was heading to England so American service members could tour it, many questioned that explanation after he spent much of the day highlighting threats from Iran against his life.

Asked directly during a press conference whether security concerns influenced the decision, Trump stopped short of dismissing the suggestion.

“I’m number one on the kill list for Iran. They’re lovely people,” Trump told a NY Post reporter who asked if security concerns motivated the switch.

Earlier Wednesday, Trump also warned of the danger posed by Tehran, saying, “They want to take out the US leader, me … And so far, I guess I’ve been a little bit lucky. But that maybe doesn’t last very long.”

When questioned by a New York Times reporter about why he wasn’t using the new aircraft, Trump responded: “It’s flying to Europe, to one of the big bases, two or three of the big bases, where we can show it to the people, and we’ll be going home by normal methods.”

The president had eagerly displayed the aircraft during its first official outings, including two domestic trips last week, and upon arriving in Ankara on Tuesday, he again praised the jet’s luxurious features.

The older Air Force One is widely believed to be equipped with advanced missile-defense systems, one reason officials have long restricted close-up photographs of the aircraft’s rear section. Whether the newly acquired presidential jet has been fitted with comparable defensive capabilities has not been publicly confirmed.

The aircraft change came as Trump dramatically escalated military pressure on Iran. Overnight, he ordered a new wave of American airstrikes, declared the recently brokered peace arrangement effectively finished, and warned that additional strikes could follow later Wednesday. He also floated the possibility of targeting Iran’s Kharg Island oil terminal and restoring a naval blockade.

In his initial social media announcement, Trump framed the decision as a tribute to American troops.

“We are sending the brand new, and truly spectacular, Air Force One to Mildenhall Air Force Base, in the United Kingdom, to give them a chance to tour the Aircraft — Everybody is so excited, and we thought that they should be the first,” Trump wrote.

He added, “For old time’s sake, we’ll be taking the former Air Force One, from Turkey to Mildenhall, a short trip that is totally worth doing in order to give our Great Military Heroes a chance to appreciate our beautiful new addition to the Air Force Fleet!”

Military analysts suggested the official explanation may not tell the whole story. Retired Army Gen. Robert Abrams told ABC News that security at Ankara’s airport “was probably a concern” and that “it had to be significant enough, I think, in this case for President Trump to agree not to fly out on it.”

Marc Polymeropoulos, a retired CIA official, also questioned whether the aircraft was fully prepared for overseas presidential missions, writing on X that he believed the plane was “not equipped with [an] appropriate comms/force pro[tection]/security package” for international duty and that “Secret Service and US [Air Force] pleas must have won out.”

{Matzav.com}

A construction worker was killed Wednesday after falling through an opening in the roof of a Sanzer yeshiva building in Netanya that is undergoing extensive renovations.

The victim, believed to be about 40 years old, was performing maintenance work on the roof of the mesivta building on Rechov Harav Saadia Gaon when, for reasons that remain under investigation, he apparently lost his footing and plunged through an opening intended for the building’s air-conditioning system.

The worker fell from a significant height into the floor below, suffering catastrophic injuries and immediately losing consciousness. Witnesses at the yeshiva campus quickly called emergency responders.

United Hatzalah medics Avrumi Yaakov, Elimelech Philip, and Ephraim Friedman, who were among the first to arrive, found the man unconscious and without a pulse or breathing. They immediately began advanced resuscitation efforts, including chest compressions and assisted ventilation.

Magen David Adom paramedic Omer Faker and EMT Yonatan Yankelevitz described the scene.

“We found the worker lying on the ground inside the construction site, unconscious, without a pulse and not breathing after falling from a significant height,” they said. “We provided advanced medical treatment, including prolonged resuscitation efforts, and transported him to the hospital in critical condition, where he was pronounced dead.”

The victim was evacuated by intensive care ambulance to Laniado Hospital while CPR continued throughout the transport. Despite prolonged efforts by medical teams both at the scene and at the hospital, doctors were unable to save his life.

Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the fatal accident.

The Sanzer yeshiva building has been undergoing renovations for an extended period, with students temporarily relocated to an alternate facility while construction is completed.

Earlier this week, noted mekubal Rav Yaakov Ades visited the yeshiva to offer words of encouragement after traveling to Netanya to pay a shivah call to the family of the late mekubal Rav Amos Guetta.

{Matzav.com}

Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner abruptly suspended his campaign Wednesday after a woman accused him of attacking her several years ago, bringing a dramatic end to a closely watched Senate bid that had already been overshadowed by a series of personal controversies.

Platner announced his withdrawal in an 11-minute video posted to social media. While emphatically rejecting the allegation and insisting it was fabricated, he said mounting pressure from Democratic leaders at both the state and national levels had left his campaign with no realistic path forward. He accused the political establishment of orchestrating his downfall.

“This is incredibly difficult, because I know that some will think it’s an admission of guilt, and it most certainly is not,” he said. “We’re not doing it because of the allegations, we’re doing it because of the structures that are being taken away from us by those in power.”

Platner said he intends to formally remove himself from the race by filing the required paperwork before the state’s Monday afternoon deadline.

His exit throws the high-profile Senate contest into turmoil as Democrats attempt to defeat Republican Sen. Susan Collins in a race viewed as critical to the battle for Senate control. Under Maine law, Democrats now have until July 27 to choose a replacement nominee.

Earlier Wednesday, the Maine Democratic Party announced plans to hold a nominating convention to select a new candidate, saying additional details would be released shortly. Party officials also made clear that Platner would play no role in the selection process, as several prominent Democrats have already expressed interest in the nomination.

In his video, Platner urged party leaders to conduct what he described as an “open, transparent and democratic” selection process rather than allowing “party apparatchiks” to handpick his successor.

“My name might be on the ballot right now, but that ballot line belongs to the people of Maine,” he said in his video Wednesday.

Announcing his decision to suspend his campaign, Platner argued that he was denied a fair opportunity to respond before political leaders and the media rushed to judgment.

In his video announcing the end of his campaign, Platner said he learned about the allegations through press inquiries “with no time to truly respond, no time for investigations before a corporate media system and the political establishment got to act as judge, jury and executioner.”

“Accusations are supposed to be the beginning of things, not the end,” he said.

“This was the last week to try to get me off of the ballot, and that’s why this is occurring,” he added.

The allegations quickly prompted top Democratic officials to call for Platner’s withdrawal, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, and the Maine Democratic Party. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee also announced it would withhold campaign support if Platner remained the nominee, while Senate Majority PAC redirected its resources elsewhere, severely damaging his chances of continuing the race.

Several of Platner’s most prominent supporters also distanced themselves, with Rep. Ro Khanna and Sen. Ruben Gallego withdrawing their endorsements shortly after the allegations became public.

Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders, who had been one of Platner’s most influential backers, revealed Tuesday that he personally advised the candidate to leave the race.

Late Tuesday, as the deadline to remove Platner’s name from the ballot approached, the Maine Democratic Party accused his campaign of attempting to “put their thumb on the scale” by influencing the process for selecting a replacement nominee. Platner’s campaign denied trying to control the outcome, saying only that he wanted the decision left to “voters and volunteers.” Some former allies argued the party should replace him with another progressive Democrat.

Republicans quickly seized on the controversy, suggesting the allegations would have lasting political consequences even after Platner’s withdrawal.

In a statement shortly after Platner’s withdrawal, Republican National Committee Chair Joe Gruters said: “Democrats rolled in the mud with Platner, and now they are completely stained by their association with this sick monster.”

Platner, a 41-year-old military veteran and oyster farmer from coastal Maine, emerged as an unexpected Democratic contender last year, earning endorsements from progressive leaders including Bernie Sanders. After Gov. Janet Mills opted not to run, Platner easily captured the Democratic nomination without facing significant opposition.

His campaign, however, was repeatedly hampered by revelations about his personal history. Reports last year uncovered controversial Reddit posts he had written years earlier, and Platner acknowledged receiving a tattoo during his Marine service that is widely recognized as a Nazi symbol. He later apologized for the online posts and said the tattoo had since been covered.

Additional controversies followed after Mills exited the race.

Responding to those earlier reports, Platner acknowledged struggling through a difficult chapter in his life.

Platner has said some of the allegations against him stemmed from a “very dark period of my life where I struggled with undiagnosed PTSD, too often self medicated with alcohol…”

Following those earlier revelations, several supporters—including his former political director—publicly suggested he should end his campaign, fearing the mounting controversies would jeopardize Democrats’ effort to defeat Collins, who has represented Maine in the Senate since 1997 despite the state’s increasingly Democratic electorate.

Just last month, however, Platner insisted he had no intention of leaving the race.

Platner told MS NOW last month that “not once” had he considered dropping out of the race.

“Amy and I knew early on that we were going to take lumps, and we just, we’re dedicated to this,” Platner said. “It has never crossed our mind to drop out of this thing. I am fully committed to this until the end.”

{Matzav.com}

Former IDF Chief of Staff and Yashar Party chairman Gadi Eisenkot says he supports exempting a small percentage of outstanding Torah scholars from military service, opposes proposals to revoke voting rights from chareidim, and would consider bringing Shas into a future coalition if it accepts his core governing principles.

In an extensive interview with Kikar HaShabbat’s Yishai Cohen, Eisenkot discussed the draft law, relations with the chareidi community, Israel’s security challenges, coalition politics, and his campaign to become Israel’s next prime minister.

Draft Law: ‘I’m a Ben-Gurionist’

Addressing the increasingly contentious debate over military service for yeshiva students, Eisenkot rejected calls for eliminating all exemptions.

“I am a Ben-Gurionist,” he said. “Unlike some of my colleagues, I will not say ‘zero exemptions.’ During the War of Independence, Ben-Gurion insisted that 400 yeshiva students continue learning despite the existential war.”

He said he supports granting exemptions to approximately 3% of each draft-age class made up of outstanding Torah scholars.

“I have great respect for the Torah world,” Eisenkot said. “Saying there should be ‘zero learners’ is a populist and unserious statement.”

He also criticized proposals to deny voting rights to chareidim who do not serve.

“Anyone who says chareidim should lose their right to vote is undermining the basic values of democracy.”

At the same time, Eisenkot argued that Israel can no longer tolerate widespread exemptions for those who are not engaged in full-time Torah study.

“There are tens of thousands of chareidim who are not learning in yeshivos. They should have enlisted immediately. The IDF desperately needs soldiers.”

Service Without Compromising Religious Life

Eisenkot pledged that, if elected, his government would ensure that chareidi soldiers can serve without sacrificing their religious lifestyle.

“The responsibility belongs to the IDF,” he said. “A chareidi should enlist as a chareidi and be discharged as a chareidi.”

He pointed to the establishment of dedicated military facilities during his tenure as IDF chief of staff and voiced support for expanding frameworks such as the Hashmonaim Brigade.

“I fully support separate bases, separate units, and missions designed specifically for chareidim. Those who prefer integrated service can choose that, but it should be a personal decision.”

Asked whether he still supports the principle that those genuinely learning Torah should continue studying while those who are not should serve, Eisenkot replied, “Absolutely. We need to define who qualifies as a full-time learner and how many there should be. Those who are not learning should enlist.”

Opposition to Coercion, But Support for Enforcement

When reminded that he previously told Kikar HaShabbat that chareidim could not be drafted through force alone, Eisenkot reiterated that dialogue remains important but emphasized that Israel already has a mandatory service law.

“The basic rule is that there is a compulsory military service law for Israel’s young people,” he said. “Given the existential threats facing the country, everyone must contribute.”

He again stressed that the military must provide all necessary accommodations for religious observance.

Open to Shas Joining His Government

Although often viewed as part of the political opposition to the chareidi parties, Eisenkot declined to rule out Shas as a coalition partner.

“Shas has broad Zionist components,” he said. “Many of its voters serve in the army. I see Shas as a potential partner—provided it accepts my three core principles.”

He noted that his own mother voted for Shas for 30 years.

“I’m the son of a mother who voted Shas for three decades,” he said with a smile. “I’ve finally convinced her to vote for Yashar.”

Asked about his relationship with Shas chairman Aryeh Deri, Eisenkot described him as someone who has often made meaningful contributions on security matters.

“I saw Aryeh Deri contribute significantly in many security cabinets,” he said.

However, he criticized Deri’s opposition to a stronger military response following Iran’s first direct missile attack on Israel.

“I believed we should have responded much more forcefully. Unfortunately, his position prevailed, and the response was far too weak.”

Eisenkot also said Deri should have taken a stronger stand in favor of hostage deals instead of allowing Ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir to dominate the debate.

Despite those disagreements, he said Deri could serve in a future war cabinet under his leadership.

“Absolutely—provided he accepts the three basic principles.”

Calls for Justice Minister’s Dismissal

Eisenkot sharply criticized the justice minister after recent comments urging noncompliance with a High Court ruling.

“This is unprecedented,” he said. “It’s like a defense minister telling soldiers not to obey the chief of staff.”

He argued that Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu should have dismissed the minister immediately.

“A serious prime minister would have fired him this afternoon.”

Although critical of the current judicial controversy, Eisenkot said he supports meaningful reforms to Israel’s legal system.

“The fact that only 42% of Israelis trust the judiciary requires deep examination and reform.”

Security Challenges

Turning to regional security, Eisenkot argued that despite significant military successes against Iran, Israel has not yet achieved its strategic objectives.

“The enriched uranium is still in Iran. The missile program has been rebuilt. Hezbollah has recovered. Those are facts.”

He warned that Israel and the United States must continue working together to ensure Iran never acquires nuclear weapons and to sever Tehran’s ties with Hezbollah.

Asked whether Israel has won the war that began with Hamas’ October 7 attack three years ago, Eisenkot answered bluntly.

“No. Victory is measured by achieving the objectives of the war and improving Israel’s strategic position. We achieved important accomplishments, but we did not complete the political dimension in Gaza, Lebanon, or Iran.”

Rejects Allegations of Weakness on Security

Responding to Likud campaign videos portraying him as weak on national security, Eisenkot dismissed the attacks as misleading.

Regarding claims that he opposed eliminating Iran’s supreme leader, he said critics had deliberately omitted the rest of his remarks.

“I said clearly that eliminating Khamenei would have been entirely justified, and I would have approved eliminating him and the entire Iranian military leadership.”

He also rejected claims that he sought to reduce the size of the IDF or opposed the Rafah operation, calling both allegations false.

Coalition Plans

Eisenkot expressed confidence that his party can emerge as the largest faction in the next election and assemble a governing majority.

If his bloc falls short of 61 seats, he said he would first seek partners from Zionist parties rather than relying on Arab parties.

When asked whether he would choose Arab parties or chareidi parties if forced to decide, Eisenkot said any party willing to accept his three foundational principles would be welcome.

Those principles, he said, are recognition of Israel as a Jewish state with a solid Jewish majority, acceptance of the Declaration of Independence, and support for national or military service.

Concern Over Election Integrity

Eisenkot concluded the interview by expressing concern over the integrity of Israel’s upcoming elections, saying recent attacks on the judiciary undermine public confidence.

“I am very concerned,” he said. “When the justice minister calls for ignoring a High Court ruling signed by the chairman of the Central Elections Committee, that raises a red flag.”

He urged Israelis to remain vigilant against intimidation or attempts to undermine the electoral process.

“Anyone who harms the integrity of the elections will find the people of Israel standing against them like a fortified wall.”

Asked whether he expects to return for another interview in six months as prime minister, Eisenkot replied, “I’m doing everything I can to make that happen. I work hard, not because I’m chasing power, but because I believe I can lead the country, and I’ll do everything possible to achieve that.”

{Matzav.com

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Wednesday strongly condemned the attack on Israel Tax Authority inspectors during an enforcement operation in Bnei Brak, pledging his full support for the officials and calling for those responsible to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

The confrontation erupted after a team of Israel Tax Authority inspectors arrived in the Vizhnitzer neighborhood of Bnei Brak to conduct a planned surprise audit of local businesses. During the inspections, the officials reportedly demonstrated an unusual command of Yiddish as they carefully examined business records, including bank accounts, appointment books, and transactions made through the Bit payment app.

As the inspections continued, hundreds of bochurim and children gathered around the inspectors, surrounding them, shouting insults, and throwing eggs at the government officials.

In a statement posted on X, Smotrich denounced the incident, writing: “I strongly condemn the violence carried out today against Israel Tax Authority personnel by lawless thugs in Bnei Brak.”

He expressed full support for the inspectors, adding, “Such violence against law enforcement officials who carry out their duties faithfully and professionally is completely unacceptable.”

Smotrich concluded by urging law enforcement authorities to act swiftly against those involved.

“I stand behind the employees and all members of the Israel Tax Authority, and I call on the Israel Police and the relevant enforcement agencies to act decisively and without delay to bring the rioters to justice with the full force of the law,” he said.

According to reports, the inspectors had been conducting a routine audit as they moved from one business to another throughout the Vizhnitzer neighborhood. Witnesses said the officials appeared highly familiar with the local community and even seemed to understand conversations conducted in Yiddish.

“It looked like they understood the Yiddish spoken in the neighborhood,” one resident said. “They knew exactly where to look.”

Local business owners were reportedly surprised by the thoroughness of the inspections. One shopkeeper said the auditors went far beyond reviewing cash registers, requesting access to bank accounts, examining transfers made through the Bit payment platform, reviewing computerized bookkeeping systems, and even cross-checking information with appointment calendars and mobile phone schedules in an effort to identify projects and income that had not been reported.

{Matzav.com}

A new poll conducted by the Associated Press in partnership with the NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani enjoys a higher favorability rating among American Jews than Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, despite Mamdani’s outspoken criticism of Israel.

According to the survey, 44% of Jewish respondents expressed a favorable opinion of Mamdani, while just 32% viewed Netanyahu favorably. At the same time, 59% of respondents said they held an unfavorable view of Netanyahu, compared with 39% who viewed Mamdani negatively. The poll did not ask respondents to choose between the two figures directly; rather, each was rated independently as part of a broader list of public personalities.

The survey also found significant divisions among American Jews over Israel’s war in Gaza. Thirty percent of Jewish respondents said they believe Israel committed “genocide” against Palestinians in Gaza, a figure nearly identical to the 31% recorded among the broader American public. By contrast, 49% of Jewish respondents rejected that characterization.

While support for Israel’s initial response to Hamas’ October 7 attack remained strong, opinions were sharply divided over the continuation of the military campaign. Nearly three-quarters of Jewish respondents—73%—said they supported Israel’s immediate military response following the Hamas attack. However, views on the ongoing war were almost evenly split, with 42% saying the continued military operation is justified and 43% saying it is not.

The poll also highlighted the political makeup of the American Jewish community, which may help explain many of the findings. Fifty-nine percent of respondents identified as Democrats or leaned Democratic, while only 27% identified as Republicans or leaned Republican. Ideologically, 42% described themselves as liberal and 41% as moderate. Additionally, 83% of Jewish respondents said they do not support the MAGA movement associated with President Donald Trump.

{Matzav.com}

For the first time in years, the Stoliner Rebbe will not conduct the traditional yahrtzeit tish marking the yahrtzeit of Rav Shlomo of Karlin zt”l, a longstanding annual gathering that has become a central event for Karlin-Stolin chassidim.

The yahrtzeit, observed on the eve of 22 Tammuz, commemorates Rav Shlomo of Karlin, one of the towering figures of early Chassidus, who was murdered by a Russian Cossack in 1792. In Chassidic tradition, Rav Shlomo is often associated with Moshiach ben Yosef, based on a longstanding tradition that he was killed by a non-Jew named Armilus, paralleling descriptions connected to Moshiach ben Yosef.

Each year, the Stoliner Rebbe leads a large yahrtzeit tish in Givat Ze’ev attended by hundreds of chassidim. According to the custom observed in Karlin-Stolin, the Rebbe recites a Shehecheyanu over a new fruit during the tish, even though the yahrtzeit falls during the Three Weeks, when it is customary to refrain from reciting Shehecheyanu on weekdays. In recent years, the fruit traditionally used for the brocha has been a lychee.

This year, however, Karlin-Stoliner chassidim were surprised to learn that the annual gathering would not take place. Notices posted in the chassidus’ batei medrash throughout Eretz Yisroel informed chassidim that they should hold their yahrtzeit seudos locally, rather than travel to the customary central tish.

According to sources, the Stoliner Rebbe departed for Europe on Tuesday morning. While there has been no official confirmation, it is believed that the Rebbe intends to visit the kever of Rav Shlomo in Ludmir, Ukraine, on the day of the yahrtzeit—a visit that, if it takes place, would reportedly mark the first time he has done so.

No official announcement has been made regarding the trip. The Stoliner Rebbe is known for traveling with exceptional modesty, often flying without attendants, aides, or public notice.

{Matzav.com}

An unusual scene unfolded Wednesday in Israel’s Supreme Court when Michael Fuah, chairman of the “Choosing Family” organization, appeared before the justices wearing tefillin during a hearing on his organization’s petition concerning posthumous sperm extraction.

Justice Noam Solberg took note of Fuah’s appearance, observing that it is “not a routine occurrence” for petitioners to appear before the court wearing tefillin. Fuah explained that two months earlier he had accepted upon himself the practice of wearing tefillin throughout the day.

Justice Solberg responded that the practice was noteworthy, pointing out that wearing tefillin all day requires a person to maintain an atmosphere of holiness. Fuah replied that only engaging in frivolous or inappropriate activities would interfere with the mitzvah.

Chief Justice Yitzchok Amit also commented on the uncommon sight, calling the practice “very unusual” and adding that he was pleased Fuah regarded the Supreme Court as a holy place.

{Matzav.com}

Israel’s aviation industry is making a remarkable comeback, with Ben Gurion Airport on track to record one of the busiest months in its history. According to the Israel Airports Authority, passenger traffic is expected to approach 100,000 travelers in a single day by the end of July, reflecting a rapid recovery following Operation Rising Lion.

Figures released on Wednesday show that approximately 85,500 passengers are expected to pass through Ben Gurion Airport on Thursday, July 9, aboard roughly 520 arriving and departing flights. Airport officials say those numbers are only a preview of even heavier travel expected later this month.

Beginning Sunday, July 12, daily passenger traffic is projected to exceed 80,000 travelers on every weekday throughout the remainder of the month. An interim high is expected on Thursday, July 16, when about 91,000 passengers are scheduled to travel through the airport.

The busiest day of the month is forecast for Thursday, July 30, when approximately 94,000 passengers are expected to pass through Ben Gurion Airport on around 560 flight movements. The figure comes close to the 100,000-passenger mark and represents the airport’s busiest day since Operation Rising Lion.

Another particularly busy travel day is expected on Sunday, July 26, when roughly 90,000 passengers are forecast to use the airport.

Overall, approximately 2.3 million passengers are expected to travel through Ben Gurion Airport during July, representing a 25 percent increase compared to the same period last year. The Airports Authority said the figures reflect renewed confidence among both Israeli travelers and international airlines operating in Israel.

The sharp recovery has been fueled by the return of numerous foreign airlines and the reopening of Terminal 1 for international flights. In recent months, the terminal had been operating on a limited basis, with many flights redirected to Terminal 3.

In anticipation of the heavy summer travel season, the Israel Airports Authority issued several recommendations for passengers:

• Arrive at the airport three hours before departure.
• Complete online check-in through your airline before arriving.
• Verify in advance which terminal your flight departs from and its scheduled departure time.
• Use the airport’s self-service kiosks to tag and check baggage.
• Travelers who have already checked in and are flying with carry-on luggage only are encouraged to use the airport’s W fast-track complex for quicker processing.
• Whenever possible, use public transportation to reach the airport.

The Airports Authority also recently opened a designated waiting lot that offers one hour of free parking for drivers picking up arriving passengers. The initiative is intended to reduce congestion around the terminal and discourage illegal roadside stopping.

Airport officials say the strong passenger numbers point to a full return to normal operations for Israel’s aviation sector. During the height of the recent security situation, the airport operated on a limited schedule, with flights provided primarily by Israel’s domestic carriers—El Al, Israir, Arkia, and Air Haifa.

With international airlines now returning in force, the record-breaking passenger forecasts for July signal renewed confidence in air travel to and from Israel, as Israelis once again head abroad in large numbers during the peak summer vacation season.

{Matzav.com}

A matzeivah has been erected at the kever of the mekubal, Rav Amos Guetta zt”l, following the conclusion of the shivah after his tragic murder. Hundreds of talmidim, admirers, and community members gathered at the cemetery in Netanya for the dedication ceremony, while preparations are already underway for an ambitious project that will transform the site into a major center of tefillah and Torah.

As Netanya continues to mourn the loss of Rav Amos Guetta zt”l—a figure renowned for his extraordinary avodas Hashem and known for not sleeping in a bed for nearly 40 years—hundreds visited his kever at the Veterans Cemetery immediately after the shivah concluded. The gathering included the formal unveiling of the matzeivah, accompanied by heartfelt tefillos, Selichos, and the sounding of shofaros.

The inscription on the matzeivah reads: “Here rests Rabban Shel Kol Bnei HaGolah, the father and savior of Yisroel, who endured great suffering, Rosh Yeshiva of ‘Rav Chai Taieb Lo Mes,’ the holy mekubal Rabbeinu Amos Kamos Guetta ztz”l, son of Rabbi Avraham and Fortuna a”h. A lover of Hashem, a lover of Torah, a lover of Yisroel, who drew hearts close to our Father in Heaven with self-sacrifice. He was taken from this world on the 16th of Tammuz 5786. May his soul be bound in the bond of eternal life. His soul shall dwell in goodness, and his descendants shall inherit the land.”

Images from the site show that the kever has already become a major destination, with crowds arriving throughout the day and night to daven. To accommodate the growing number of visitors, organizers have installed lighting, tents, and refreshment stations, providing food and drinks around the clock.

Throughout the shivah, Rav Guetta’s yeshivah in Netanya hosted continuous hespeidim and inspirational gatherings attended by many rabbanim. Those who participated included the Sephardic Chief Rabbi, Rav Dovid Yosef; the Yenuka; Rav Benyahu Shmueli; the mekubal Rav Yaakov Ades; Rav Chaim Yosef Abergel; as well as Rav Yaakov Cohen, Rav Yosef Delouya, Rav Avraham Amrami, and many other rabbanim and marbitzei Torah.

A source at the yeshivah said the gatherings of chizuk and spiritual inspiration will continue long after the shivah. In the coming weeks, the institution plans to host a full schedule of shiurim delivered by prominent rabbanim from morning until night, modeled after the renowned Musayoff bais medrash in Yerushalayim.

Matzav.com has also learned that plans are in their final stages for a major expansion of the site. According to the proposal, a large bais tefillah will be constructed above the kever, alongside a spacious bais medrash, a public mikveh, and a kollel for avreichim, creating a permanent center for Torah, tefillah, and spiritual growth.

{Matzav.com}

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made a striking assertion this week, claiming that Ukraine has video documentation for every Russian soldier it kills, wounds, or captures on the battlefield. Speaking at a NATO defense forum in Turkey, Zelensky said Ukrainian forces are inflicting roughly 30,000 Russian casualties each month, with drones accounting for the overwhelming majority of those losses.

Addressing the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Defence Industry Forum in Ankara on Tuesday, Zelensky said Ukraine is currently “eliminating” approximately 30,000 Russian troops every month and has visual evidence confirming every casualty. His comments highlight how dramatically modern warfare has evolved, with tiny digital cameras now integrated into nearly every aspect of combat—from helmet-mounted and rifle-mounted cameras carried by infantry to the countless first-person-view drones dominating the battlefield. As a result, today’s conflicts generate an unprecedented volume of recorded footage, with traditional artillery among the few weapons not routinely producing visual documentation.

Zelensky’s estimate of Russian losses aligns with a recent assessment released by the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Earlier this month, the think tank concluded that “Russia’s monthly casualty rates of over 30,000 per month in 2026Russia’s monthly casualty rates of over 30,000 per month in 2026.” According to the report, the staggering pace of soldiers killed, wounded, or missing has driven the overall toll of Russia’s invasion to roughly two million casualties, including an estimated 1.4 million Russians and about 600,000 Ukrainians.

Seeking to emphasize that his remarks were not intended as a celebration of battlefield success, Zelensky said the figures instead reflect the grim reality of a war Russia chose to launch. He told the forum: “… in Ukraine as we defend our positions on the frontline, and do so in a fully justified war of self-defense, we are now eliminating around 30,000 Russian soldiers every month… and we have video confirmation for every single one of them. The overwhelming majority were struck by drones. And frankly we take no pride in this. We are saying it to show what modern war looks like, not a war we started, but one we are forced to fight.”

If the casualty estimates are accurate, Russia could face increasing pressure to sustain its military campaign, as battlefield losses may now be exceeding the country’s ability to replenish its forces. The CSIS report estimates that Russia is recruiting roughly 27,000 new soldiers each month—slightly fewer than the number reportedly becoming casualties. Supporting Ukraine’s broader claims about the changing nature of combat, the report added: “According to some estimates, over 90 percent of Russian casualties are from drone attacks rather than a result of human-to-human engagements. Casualty rates are extremely high for soldiers that enter the kill zone.”

{Matzav.com}