The Israel Defense Forces announced Thursday night that it had carried out a new round of strikes against Hezbollah positions and weapons depots across southern Lebanon. The coordinated assault, led by the IDF Northern Command and conducted by the Air Force, targeted the terror group’s Radwan unit, which has been attempting to rebuild its infrastructure in the region.
According to the IDF, the attacks focused on arms warehouses and terror sites deliberately embedded within civilian areas, illustrating Hezbollah’s continued use of the Lebanese population as human shields. The military noted that these operations were necessary to eliminate growing threats to Israel’s northern communities.
Prior to the strikes, the IDF issued Arabic-language evacuation warnings to residents of several Lebanese villages, urging them to keep a distance of at least 500 meters from buildings used by Hezbollah. The army said it took multiple precautions to minimize harm to civilians, including evacuations, real-time surveillance, and the use of precision-guided munitions.
In a meeting with northern municipal leaders, Northern Command Chief Maj. Gen. Rafi Milu addressed the ongoing security situation along the border, stressing that Israel’s campaign will not let up. “We will act decisively and in an offensive, sustained manner to preserve everyday life in the communities,” he said.
Milu emphasized that the IDF intends to maintain relentless pressure on Hezbollah to prevent the group from regaining strength or reestablishing itself near Israel’s border. “We understand that we must be resolute and continue to strike, hit, and destroy in order to keep Hezbollah weakened,” he said. “We will not allow the organization to reorganize along our borders or to recover. We will continue to operate in the security zone and on the front lines as a buffer for residents, tracking every threat and striking it.”
The general added that the IDF’s ongoing offensive efforts are designed to protect residents and enable normal civilian life in the north. “We will continue to act to ensure ongoing daily life and the continued growth of the north,” Milu said.
Earlier in the day, the IDF confirmed that its forces had conducted extensive strikes on Hezbollah command centers and military infrastructure in the Tyre region and surrounding southern Lebanese villages. The army reiterated that it would continue targeting any site posing a threat to Israeli citizens, declaring that “the war is not over — we will continue to strike and destroy.”
{Matzav.com}
In a pivotal development in the ongoing discussions surrounding the new Draft Law, Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, rosh yeshiva of Slabodka, gave his approval in principle to the proposal presented by MK Boaz Bismuth, who heads the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.
The endorsement followed a lengthy and detailed meeting held Wednesday with senior representatives of Degel HaTorah, including MKs Moshe Gafni, Uri Maklev, Yaakov Asher, and former MK Yitzchak Pindrus. During the session, the proposal’s key clauses and implications for the Olam HaTorah were reviewed at length.
While this represents an important step signaling the willingness of the chareidi leadership to engage constructively in the legislative process, sources close to the discussions indicated that Rav Hirsch expressed concern over several specific points within the bill. Degel HaTorah clarified that these matters would be further discussed and amended in upcoming deliberations of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.
Earlier that same day, Rav Hirsch met with several members of Degel HaTorah’s Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah, where he underscored the need to preserve the sanctity and centrality of full-time Torah study while maintaining achdus among the tzibbur hachareidi as the legislative process advances.
Insiders reported that throughout the discussions, Rav Hirsch reiterated the guiding principle that continues to serve as the foundation of Degel HaTorah’s position: ensuring that every ben Torah can continue his learning uninterrupted.
Meanwhile, the proposed law has sparked criticism from within the coalition itself. On Tuesday, the Knesset hosted an emergency gathering opposing the initiative, attended by former committee chair MK Yuli Edelstein, Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel, and representatives of soldiers’ organizations.
Edelstein condemned the legislation sharply, declaring, “We should not accept this decree of evil. The IDF cannot be a ‘small, smart army’—it must be a large, smart army.”
Haskel, for her part, announced her firm opposition, vowing to vote against the proposal. “The current conscription framework does not meet the IDF’s requirements,” she said. “I’m informing the coalition: You do not have a majority. Seven MKs will vote against the law, and it will not pass.”
{Matzav.com}
In a painful but long-awaited development, Israeli officials confirmed that the remains repatriated overnight from Gaza belong to 21-year-old Tanzanian agricultural intern Joshua Loitu Mollel.
Representatives of the Israel Defense Forces and the Foreign Ministry informed Mollel’s relatives that his body had been identified by forensic specialists. Hamas had murdered Mollel after abducting him from Kibbutz Nahal Oz during the October 7, 2023 massacre and carried his body into Gaza.
The young man had arrived in Israel less than three weeks before that day, eager to gain farming experience and one day start his own business back home. His family in Tanzania—his parents and four siblings—has now been notified of his return.
Israeli authorities stated that six hostages remain unreturned in Gaza, among them five Israelis and one foreign citizen: Meny Godard, Lt. Hadar Goldin, Master Sgt. Ran Gvili, Dror Or, Lior Rudaeff, and Sudthisak Rinthalak.
“The Israeli government shares in the deep sorrow of the Mollel family and all the families of the fallen hostages,” the Prime Minister’s Office said. Officials reaffirmed that Israel is “determined, committed, and working tirelessly” to recover the remaining bodies for proper burial, and that Hamas is “required to fulfill its commitments to the mediators and return them as part of the implementation of the agreement.”
The Foreign Ministry expressed its heartbreak on X, writing, “Heartbroken but relieved Joshua Loitu Mollel has been returned to Israel after 761 days in Hamas captivity. While Joshua wasn’t an Israeli citizen, over the past 2 years we Israelis adopted him into our hearts. While he will still travel home to his family in Tanzania, we feel like one of our own is back.” The ministry added that Mollel had been “kind, polite and hardworking,” describing him as someone who “embodied hope and curiosity on his very first trip abroad.”
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum extended condolences to Mollel’s relatives, saying, “The families of the hostages and the returned embrace the family of Joshua Loitu Mollel at this difficult time, following the return of their beloved Joshua yesterday so he may be laid to rest.” The organization continued, “Amid their grief and the knowledge that their hearts will never fully heal, Joshua’s return offers some comfort to a family that has endured unbearable uncertainty for over two years. We will not rest until every hostage comes home.”
Kibbutz Nahal Oz also issued a message of solidarity, saying it “is in pain and shares the deep sorrow of the family of Joshua Loitu Mollel.”
Hamas transferred the body to the Red Cross on Wednesday night, which then handed it over to IDF personnel inside Gaza. The army inspected and wrapped the casket in an Israeli flag before holding a brief military ceremony led by a rabbi. From there, police escorted the remains to the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute in Tel Aviv, where identification was finalized. Hamas had not disclosed the identity of the body before the transfer.
Mollel’s remains mark the 22nd hostage body returned by Hamas since the ceasefire took effect on October 10. The truce ended the first phase of the war that began when Hamas terrorists stormed into southern Israel, murdering 1,200 people and taking 251 captives to Gaza.
At the start of that ceasefire, Hamas still held 48 hostages—20 alive and 28 deceased—and was required to return all of them. Israel says the terror group has since freed all surviving captives but continues to stall the repatriation of those who were killed.
The 22 bodies recovered so far include 19 Israelis, one Thai citizen, one Nepali, and Mollel of Tanzania.
Reports indicate that on December 13, 2023, Israeli officials informed Mollel’s father, Loitu, who had come to Israel that day, that his son was confirmed dead. Initially, the family kept hope alive, as no remains had been found. That changed when footage from October 7 surfaced showing Mollel—first bloodied but standing, then shot multiple times by armed terrorists. His family learned the truth from those harrowing videos.
At the time of the attack, 36 Tanzanian agricultural students were living and training near the Gaza border; all others were later located safely.
{Matzav.com}
Authorities in Hanau, Germany, are investigating a disturbing case of antisemitic vandalism after dozens of cars and buildings were found defaced with swastikas made using human blood. The discovery came late Wednesday night when a resident reported seeing the symbol drawn on a vehicle’s hood, prompting police to launch an extensive search across the city.
Investigators soon uncovered nearly 50 vehicles, mailboxes, and building walls marked with the same blood-red symbol. Forensic experts later confirmed that the substance used in the graffiti was indeed human blood, deepening the sense of horror and disbelief among locals.
By Thursday morning, police had taken a suspect into custody—a 31-year-old Romanian man living in Hanau. His arrest came after a witness tip led officers to his residence. According to police, he appeared intoxicated and bore self-inflicted wounds at the time of his detention. He is now undergoing psychiatric assessment as part of the ongoing investigation.
Police spokesman Thomas Leipold said the man’s motive did not appear to be politically driven but rather linked to personal struggles. “He just snapped,” Leipold stated, while emphasizing that further details could not be released due to privacy laws.
The suspect’s name has not been made public, in accordance with Germany’s strict data protection regulations. Authorities noted that the display of Nazi symbols, including swastikas, constitutes a criminal offense under German law.
Hanau’s mayor, Claus Kaminsky, voiced outrage over the desecration, calling it particularly painful given the city’s tragic past. “Swastikas have no place in Hanau,” he said, describing the act as one that “crosses every boundary of decency and humanity.”
Kaminsky’s remarks reference the 2020 racist mass shooting in Hanau, where nine people of immigrant background were murdered, leaving deep scars on the community. City officials have since filed a formal criminal complaint, vowing to ensure justice is served and to reaffirm Hanau’s stance against hatred and extremism.
{Matzav.com}
The Trump Administration is poised to unveil a new addition to the Abraham Accords on Thursday evening, according to Reuters. U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff announced during the America Business Forum in Miami, “Tonight, we will announce the joining of an additional country to the Abraham Accords and normalization with Israel.”
Reports out of Israel suggest that the nation in question is Kazakhstan. Channel 12’s Amit Segal noted that while Kazakhstan already maintains diplomatic relations with Israel, the move would serve as an important symbolic gesture reinforcing the expanding reach of the accords.
Israel and Kazakhstan have enjoyed formal ties for more than three decades. The Israeli embassy in Kazakhstan was established in 1992, followed by Kazakhstan’s embassy in Tel Aviv in 1996. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the Central Asian nation in December 2016, and a year later, Kazakhstan lifted visa requirements for Israeli citizens, easing travel between the two countries.
The Abraham Accords, first brokered in 2020 near the conclusion of the first Trump Administration, represented a groundbreaking step in Middle East diplomacy. They created official peace and normalization agreements between Israel and four Arab and Muslim-majority nations — the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan.
If confirmed, Kazakhstan’s inclusion would mark the first new member of the accords in five years, underscoring continued momentum for regional cooperation and a growing alignment with Israel across the Muslim world.
{Matzav.com}
Israel is poised to launch one of its most ambitious immigration incentives in years, as Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich rolled out a new tax reform aimed at easing the financial burden for olim chadashim (new immigrants). The plan, part of the upcoming state budget, is expected to receive swift approval and deliver major tax benefits to Jews moving to Israel.
At its core, the reform seeks to make aliyah more attractive by offering generous tax relief while fostering smoother integration into the workforce and business landscape. The initiative arrives at a time of intensifying global antisemitism and shifting tax climates abroad, such as in the United Kingdom. Israel’s economic planners view this as a golden opportunity to draw skilled professionals, entrepreneurs, and investors who can strengthen the nation’s economy and deepen its Jewish character.
The reform was presented at a joint event organized with Nefesh B’Nefesh and attended by top officials across the finance and aliyah sectors. Among them were Minister Smotrich, Aliyah and Integration Minister Ofir Sofer, Tax Authority Director Shay Aharonovich, Finance Ministry Director-General Ilan Rom, Aliyah and Integration Ministry Director-General Avichai Kahana, Jewish Agency aliyah head Eran Berkowitz, and Nefesh B’Nefesh CEO Rabbi Yehoshua Fass. Speakers at the gathering described the new policy as a powerful expression of Zionism in action — one that would not only bolster Israel’s economy but also renew the national mission of bringing Jews home.
Under the proposed tax framework, benefits will start at up to 0% in 2026 and 2027, rise to 10% in 2028, 20% in 2029, and reach 30% by 2030. The exemptions will apply to income of up to ₪1 million annually.
In addition to the new tax brackets, olim will continue to enjoy existing incentives — including a 10-year exemption on foreign income and the established tax credit points already available to new immigrants and returning residents.
Smotrich, who has repeatedly framed economic reform as part of a broader Zionist vision, praised the initiative in bold terms. “Zionism has always been built on three pillars: settlement, security, and aliyah. Over the past two years, we have invested heavily in security, and thank God, Israel is in a different place today. In settlement, we are leading a revolution – in Judea and Samaria, the South, the North, the Negev, the Galilee, and the Golan.”
He continued, “The year 2026 will bring a revolution in aliyah – not as a slogan, but as a practical plan of action.” Calling on Jews abroad to take advantage of the opportunity, he added, “I call upon Jews in the Diaspora and Israelis abroad: come home. My thanks to Minister Ofir Sofer for his partnership, to Tax Authority Director Shay Aharonovich for leading the professional work, and to Nefesh B’Nefesh for its years of dedication to encouraging Aliyah and strengthening Israel’s Jewish identity.”
Aliyah and Integration Minister Ofir Sofer echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the long-term national impact of the move. “Over the past three years, we have strengthened and rebuilt Israel’s aliyah and integration infrastructure. Today we are adding a major and meaningful component to our national effort to encourage aliya.”
He went on to thank his colleagues, adding, “I am grateful to Minister Smotrich and all our partners for their productive collaboration. This is a data-driven and comprehensive initiative, designed to ensure optimal absorption for new olim, create real opportunities for their integration into Israeli society, and contribute to economic growth.”
Sofer concluded by underscoring the broader purpose of the reform: “Aliyah holds profound Zionist, social, and economic significance for the State of Israel. It strengthens our social fabric, brings high-quality human capital, and boosts growth, innovation, and national development.”
With this landmark reform, Israel is not merely adjusting its tax code — it is signaling a new chapter in the country’s historic commitment to building a homeland for every Jew who wishes to call it home.
{Matzav.com}
