As the second anniversary of the October 7 attacks nears, Israel’s Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism has unveiled a new digital archive titled “The October 7 Files: Organized Evil.” The initiative seeks to document the Hamas-orchestrated massacre as “the product of years of indoctrination, meticulous planning, and systematic exploitation of civilians.”
The online platform, which cautions viewers about “sensitive material,” declares that its mission is to “reveal the engineered terror behind the massacre.” It does so through an array of Hamas “manuals, orders, and hidden intelligence” that, according to the site, “expose the organized evil that turned October 7 into one of the darkest days in modern history.”
The Gaza conflict began when Hamas launched its coordinated assault on October 7, sending thousands of terrorists across Israel’s borders by land, air, and sea. The rampage left roughly 1,200 people dead and 251 taken hostage — most of them civilians — amid acts of shocking violence and sexual brutality.
Today, 48 hostages remain captive in Gaza, with at least 20 of them thought to be alive.
An official from the ministry told Israel Hayom that while the global community “accuses us of genocide,” the site demonstrates that it was in fact Hamas “who committed genocide on October 7.”
The Hamas-run Gaza health ministry claims that over 67,000 people have been killed since the war began, though its figures make no distinction between terrorists and civilians and have not been independently verified.
Israel has consistently denied allegations of genocide in Gaza, as well as reports of widespread starvation, though it has acknowledged that “there are issues of access to food” in certain regions of the Strip.
Among the newly released materials are Hamas documents and maps identifying “kibbutzim, kindergartens, synagogues, youth centers, and other civilian locations” as primary targets. Attackers were instructed to “kill as many as possible” and to capture civilians as hostages.
A note found on the body of one of the terrorists described Israelis as “a disease immune to medicine” and declared that “the treatment is to slice off heads and to rip out hearts and livers.”
Also included in the trove is a “Fighter’s Guidebook – Jihad Version,” distributed by Hamas, which instructed operatives to “spread fear and chaos among the civilians, tie their hands and blindfold them, use electric shocks on the hostages and execute anyone who presents a threat or distraction.”
The site displays additional evidence such as Arabic-Hebrew phrasebooks used by Hamas fighters, containing phrases like “we will kill the hostages” and “take off your pants.” It even features directions for livestreaming the assault via cellphone.
According to the government’s translation of Hamas’s operational blueprint, the terrorists were ordered to prioritize “children and women” as captives. In one kibbutz operation, the mission’s objective was defined as “inflicting the maximum possible human losses, taking hostages, and establishing positions inside until further orders are issued.”
The publication also highlights Hamas’s “religious dispensations to murder and capture Jews or Israelis,” arguing that the terror group’s crimes were “normalized religiously by radical Islamist clerics, who provided a distorted interpretation of the Muslim religion.”
The ministry explained that such rulings “were issued in addition to historic fatwas written on this subject, effectively legitimizing the murder of Jews wherever they may be.”
One cited source, a 2015 Hamas text titled Fiqh al-Jihad w’al-Amman, “explicitly permits the deliberate killing of enemy women, children, and the elderly if they are considered to be ‘assisting in the fight’ through sedition, encouraging the fighting (tahrid), expressing opinions, or any other form of support.”
A fatwa quoted on the website states: “Zionist society is an armed society (‘musallah’) founded on land theft, desecration of holy places, and blood. Most of their youths — boys and girls — are conscripted. Therefore all occupiers from among the Jews are fighters, with no difference between men, women, the old or the young. They can be killed in battle, or regarded as prisoners of war if captured alive.”
“The October 7 massacre was not a spontaneous eruption of violence but the product of years of preparation, indoctrination, and systematic exploitation of civilians. Hamas combined military training abroad, religious decrees, and operational handbooks with detailed intelligence gathering to plan an unprecedented assault on Israeli communities,” the site states, condemning Hamas’s “use of hospitals, schools, mosques, and even humanitarian institutions as shields.”
“In the aftermath of October 7, Hamas sought to manipulate global perception while continuing to exploit Gaza’s civilians,” the ministry wrote, contrasting the terror group’s actions with those of Israel, which it said has worked alongside “international partners to expand humanitarian corridors, field hospitals, and aid delivery all while grappling with the rising toll of hostages, missing persons, and civilian deaths.”
{Matzav.com Israel}
A source told The Jerusalem Post on Monday that Turkey has recently succeeded in establishing contact with two Hamas factions responsible for holding hostages — groups with which there had been no prior communication.
The development follows Israel’s deportation of 137 flotilla activists to Turkey just two days earlier, a move that came amid heightened tensions between the two nations.
Earlier this month, Ankara announced that it had detained an individual accused of working for Mossad and had launched a criminal investigation into Israel’s interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which took place over Yom Kippur.
The renewed dialogue between Turkey and Hamas coincides with escalating international pressure on the terror group. Just a day earlier, President Donald Trump warned Hamas that it faced “complete obliteration” if it refused to relinquish power in Gaza, a necessary step for the advancement of his ceasefire proposal.
Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu stated on Sunday that no component of Trump’s peace framework would be carried out until every one of the 48 hostages is safely returned to Israel. Netanyahu’s comments came after Trump acknowledged having personally urged the Israeli leader to accept his 20-point plan.
Meanwhile, on Sunday, a Hamas representative told the Saudi-owned Al Arabiya network that the organization had begun gathering the remains of deceased Israeli hostages as part of preparations for implementing the proposal.
{Matzav.com Israel}
Preparations are nearing completion for a massive gathering of bnei yeshivos that will take place immediately after Sukkos at Yerushalayim’s Pais Arena, under the banner “Amudei Olam” (“Pillars of the World”).
The event, organized by Ichud Bnei HaYeshivos, is being held with the blessing of gedolei Yisroel, led by Rav Dov Landau and Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, and is expected to draw tens of thousands of yeshiva bochurim from across Eretz Yisroel.
The goal of the event is to inspire and fortify the bnei yeshivos during this pivotal time, emphasizing their role as the spiritual pillars upon which the Jewish nation stands.
Senior roshei yeshiva, members of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah, marbitzei Torah, and community rabbonim will all participate.
The highlight of the gathering will be the arrival and addresses of the gedolim, who will deliver words of chizuk and inspiration about the importance of Torah learning and the unique mission of bnei Torah in today’s generation.
A central feature of the evening will be a joint learning session, in which tens of thousands of participants will simultaneously learn the same sugya, creating an atmosphere of rishcha d’Oraisa and spiritual elevation throughout the arena.
The event will also include a special presentation announcing the winners of the second annual “Talmudo Beyado” program, which honors over seventy-five authors of outstanding Torah chiddushim selected from thousands of submissions reviewed by a panel of roshei yeshiva.
Seating will be arranged by yeshiva, with each institution designated its own section in the arena to ensure orderly participation. Alongside the addresses of the gedolim, the evening will feature a major musical production combining classic batei midrash melodies from past generations with new arrangements. Performing on stage will be singers Mordechai Ben David, Beri Weber, Rav Hillel Paley, and Bentzi Stein, accompanied by a large orchestra conducted by Yehuda Galili and the Malchus and Neshama choirs.
In recent days, a delegation of rabbonim from Ichud Bnei HaYeshivos has been visiting the homes of leading gedolim, members of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah, and roshei yeshiva to receive their blessing and participation.
The decision to hold the event followed consultation with the Vaad Rabonei HaIchud, headed by Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch and Chevron Rosh Yeshiva Rav Dovid Cohen. The gedolim instructed that the gathering be held under the slogan “Vayigbah libo b’darchei Hashem” — to strengthen the resolve of yeshiva students in their sacred mission.
Registration is currently underway through the Ichud’s online portal or via the organization’s phone center. Attendance will be by advance registration only, with tickets including organized transportation from all parts of the country.
{Matzav.com Israel}
A high-ranking Palestinian Arab official revealed to al-Arabiya that Hamas is demanding the release of six of the most dangerous and senior terrorists imprisoned in Israel as part of a potential deal to free the hostages still in its hands.
The official explained that ahead of the upcoming negotiations between Israel and Hamas in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, the terror group presented a list of names that includes some of the most notorious figures in the Palestinian terror world. Among them are Marwan Barghouti, founder of Fatah’s al-Aqsa Brigades; Ahmad Sa’adat, leader of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) who orchestrated the assassination of Israeli Minister Rehavam Ze’evi; Hassan Salameh, a Hamas operative tied to multiple suicide bombings; Ibrahim Hamad, a senior Hamas commander who led an extensive terror network; and Abdullah Bargouti and Abbas a-Said, Hamas leaders from Ramallah and Tulkarm who directed suicide attacks against Israeli civilians.
In addition to those prisoner demands, Hamas is also expected to insist that 400 aid trucks be allowed to enter Gaza daily. The group further seeks to relax restrictions on movement for residents traveling between the southern and northern regions of the Gaza Strip.
Separately, a Palestinian Arab source told Algeria’s al-Khaber newspaper that a letter written by Hassan Salameh from his Israeli prison cell to Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar had a direct impact on Sinwar’s decision to carry out the October 7 attack.
According to the report, Salameh reached out from prison to his longtime ally, expressing frustration that Hamas’s earlier strategy—using the remains of fallen Israeli soldiers as leverage—had failed to secure the release of imprisoned terrorists. The message reportedly urged Sinwar to pursue a more aggressive course of action to achieve that goal.
{Matzav.com Israel}
As reports surface of progress toward a potential hostage deal and Hamas’s mounting demands as conditions for its approval, Israeli media report that Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu has pledged that Marwan Barghouti and other high-profile terror leaders will not be included among those released.
According to a report by Moti Kastel on Channel 14, the assurance came during a meeting held in Yerushalayim on Motzoei Shabbos between Netanyahu and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir. The meeting lasted over two hours and focused on Israel’s stance ahead of the possible implementation of the emerging hostage agreement.
Sources who were present at the meeting told Channel 14 that Netanyahu made it clear to Ben Gvir that “symbolic terror figures,” particularly Marwan Barghouti, would under no circumstances be part of the exchange — a promise reportedly conveyed explicitly to the minister.
Earlier in the day, reports indicated that Hamas is demanding the release of members of its elite Nukhba unit — the same terrorists who carried out the Simchas Torah massacre on October 7 and were captured either that morning or in the days that followed. According to the report, Hamas is insisting that between 100 and 200 of these operatives, currently held in Israel and not yet brought to trial, be freed as part of the deal.
Israel has made clear its staunch opposition to the release of these perpetrators, responsible for what officials have described as “the worst slaughter of Jews since the Holocaust.” The issue is expected to become one of the central points of contention between Israel and Hamas during the final stages of negotiations.
In addition, Hamas is said to be demanding the release of several senior prisoners from the Second Intifada, including Marwan Barghouti — one of the most prominent figures in the Palestinian Fatah movement — who is currently serving five life sentences plus forty additional years in an Israeli prison.
{Matzav.com Israel}
Dear Matzav Inbox,
It’s now less than 24 hours to Yom Tov.
I’m your neighbor.
Baruch Hashem, our sukkah is built. Baruch Hashem, my children — and there are many of them — have new clothes for Yom Tov. Baruch Hashem, I got a new suit and hat for Pesach, so I’m good to go. Baruch Hashem, there are a few small roasts in the fridge waiting for Yom Tov.
Baruch Hashem, my daughter found out last night while shopping that our government benefits card isn’t working. We probably need to recertify or something. That’s not happening before Yom Tov.
Baruch Hashem, I bought several bottles of wine l’kavod Yom Tov. Baruch Hashem, we’ll be buying Arba Minim tomorrow at the shuk — one set for the whole family, including myself because that’s all I can afford.
Baruch Hashem, we’ll somehow figure out how to pay our several-thousand-dollar credit card balance, our mortgage, and tuition.
Nobody has asked me how I’m managing. Nobody has asked if I’m okay. Nobody has offered to help. Not the big organizations, not my Rav, not the neighborhood fund. Because Baruch Hashem, nobody knows that I’m struggling financially.
On the outside, I look the same as always. I still have the same job, and my wife has picked up a few tutoring jobs on the side. But our family has doubled in size. My income hasn’t. And now, I’m drowning.
I don’t know what could be different. I just know that I’m struggling, deeply, quietly, and alone.
Gut Yom Tov.
Embarrassed to Sign My Name
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{Matzav.com}
[COMMUNICATED]
by Rabbi Eliezer Sandler
The concept of the Yissachar-Zevulun Torah Learning Pact goes back well over 3,500 years, to the time of Yaakov Avinu and his sons. It is named for the Torah pact between two of his sons – Yissachar the scholar and Zevulun the merchant. Not only was it an equal pact but, Chazal explained, the deed of Zevulun/the Sponsor is considered even greater than that of Yissachar, because without the support of Zevulun, Yissachar would not have had the wherewithal to study Torah undisturbed.”
It is well-known that when it comes to learning Torah, people who sponsor the learning, often do so, not just as a donation. By financially supporting specific Torah scholars, they enter into a binding, written, signed and sealed learning partnership pact whereby the Sponsor (the Zevulun) is deemed by Halacha as if he personally studied the Torah completed by the Scholar (the Yissachar). (See below.)
Thus, those who support the Talmidei Chachomim at Shas Yiden via a Yissachar-Zevulun Pact merit a portion in every daf of the entire Talmud Bavli and associated texts that they study, and complete the entire cycle in the space of ONE year. Some of the Sponsors opt to continue sponsoring repeat cycles of Shas which accrue to them.
Sar Hatorah, Maran Hagaon Harav Chaim Kanievsky, zt”l, Nasi Shas Yiden, emphasized: The most mehudar Yissachar-Zevulun pact to support in our times is that offered by Shas Yiden – it comprises the entire Shas, Rashi and Tosfos – all in just one year!
Rav Chaim explained why this pact with Shas Yiden is the most mehudar. Chazal say that the highest level of learning is when one understands what he is learning b’iyun u’ve’amkus. However, even higher than that is when one remembers b’al peh all what he has learned. I have farhered the Shas Yiden avreichim geonim many times and can attest ZEI KENNEN SHAS (they know Shas)!
YES! YOU CAN MAKE
your OWN SIYUM on the ENTIRE Shas, Rashi & Tosfos IN JUST ONE YEAR!
The Yissachar-Zevulun Pact in Halacha
The Shulchan Aruch in Yoreh De’ah Chapter 246 regarding the efficacy of the Yissachar-Zevulun Sponsorship Pact for the Zevulun (the Sponsor) states clearly: It is deemed as if he (the one sponsoring the learning) himself learned all the Torah studied under the pact.
All the learning under the Shas Yiden Yissachar-Zevulun Pact is yours בעוה”ז ובעוה”ב (in both This World and the World to Come)! Concerning this, the Netziv of Volozhin comments that in Olam Habah, the Zevulun sponsor will sit together with the Gedolei Torah of the past and merit to participate in their discussions and pilpulim on all the Torah learned.
Achieve Almost 7 million Mitzvos in One Year
The Vilna Gaon in Shnos Eliyahu Pe’ah 41 states that one should hold precious every word of Torah that he learns because each word is considered a mitzvah of its own.
Thus, since in Talmud Bavli, Rashi and Tosfos there are 6,608,891 words, that translates into almost 7 million mitzvos accruing through Yissachar-Zevulun at Shas Yiden.
Official Shtar from Shas Yiden
Each Yissachar-Zevulun pact is confirmed by an official contract (shtar) from Shas Yiden specifying the learning of the entire Shas, and is witnessed by talmidei chachomim.
All who wish to enter into a Yissachar-Zevulun Pact for the entire Shas during ONE year should contact Shas Yiden to make arrangements: 718-702-1528.
The opportunity to complete the entire Shas has been a cherished way to honor family members and others as a prized achievement. It has also proven to be a source of comfort for mourners to obtain such a zechus for their dear ones during the year of mourning – a siyum of the entire Shas can be completed on the yahrzeit!
Yissachar-Zevulun Pact –
Beyond the Grave
The legendary visionary and “Father of Yeshivos”, Reb Chaim of Volozhin, was the founder of the famous yeshiva in the town of Volozhin and the beloved talmid of the Vilna Gaon.
Reb Chaim had an ongoing Yissachar-Zevulun pact with a local shoemaker – a man who was not learned but who dearly valued Torah learning. They had a ‘deal’ whereby the shoemaker would pay the monthly financial support needed for Reb Chaim and his family. For this financial support, the shoemaker would have an equal share in all Reb Chaim’s daily Torah study – both in the mitzvah of Torah study בעוה”ז and that the knowledge of the Torah learned would continue to be his בעוה”ב (in the World to Come).
One day the shoemaker passed away suddenly. During the shiva period, Reb Chaim was facing a perplexing halachic question and researched high and low for a solution. That night the shoemaker appeared to him in a dream and gave him the full solution that he sought. Reb Chaim was amazed and commented, “Azoi gich, Azoi Gich – So quickly, so quickly has he acquired the zchus and knowledge of the Torah that I have studied!”
In the words of Gedolei Torah:
Maran Hagaon Harav Chaim Kanievsky, zt”l, Nasi Shas Yiden:
“In just ONE year, through Yissachar-Zevulun at Shas Yiden, you can be zoche to the entire Shas forever – בעוה”ז ובעוה”ב (in olam hazeh and olam habah).
“Moreover, whoever supports Shas Yiden is zocheh to fulfill both Yissachar-Zevulun and support of aniyei (the poor of) Eretz Yisroel in the fullest sense of the word.
“Those who support Shas Yiden will be saved from chevlei (the travails of) Moshiach – spiritually and materially, and will be zoche to have ehrlicher bonim u’vanos yir’eishomayim ”
Maran Hagaon Harav Dov Lando, shlit”a, Rosh Yeshiva, Slabodka:
“Who compares to the Shas Yiden? Incredible talmidei chachomim geonim who raised the bar in limud Hashas b’iyun u’v’amkus. Blessed are those who enter a Yissachar-Zevulun pact with them.”
Hamashpia Hagadol Reb Meilech Biederman, shlit”a:
“Yissachar-Zevulun at Shas Yiden – best possible deal, and in just 1 year! 100% partnership! 100% Shas x 5 times! 100% Shisha Sidrei Mishna – בעוה”ז ובעוה”ב”
Sanzer Rebbe, shlit”a:
“A first in 2000 years of Jewish history! Until Shas Yiden, never a Torah institution where ALL the avreichim metzuyonim v’geonim know the entire Shas by heart”
Harav Yaakov Hillel, shlit”a:
“Therefore, the great mitzvah to support the efforts [of the Talmidei Chachomim] with generous donations in order that they should continue diligently with their studies to enhance the greatness of the Torah and its glory.
