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Israel on Friday evening took possession of a coffin containing the body of a murdered hostage, the Prime Minister’s Office confirmed in a statement. “Israel has received, through the Red Cross, the coffin of a deceased hostage which was handed over to IDF and Shin Bet forces inside the Gaza Strip. From there, it will be transferred to Israel, where it will be received in a military ceremony with a military rabbi,” the statement said.

Following the solemn ceremony, the remains were to be taken to the National Center for Forensic Medicine under the Ministry of Health, where experts would conduct identification procedures. Once confirmed, the family of the hostage would be officially notified.

“All families of the deceased hostages have been updated on the matter, and in this difficult hour, our hearts are with them. The effort to return our hostages continues uninterrupted and will not cease until the last hostage is returned,” the Prime Minister’s Office added. Officials also urged the public to avoid speculation or sharing unverified information, stressing, “The public is requested to respect the privacy of the families and to refrain from spreading rumors and information that is not official and verified. We will continue to update with reliable information as required.”

Before the government announcement, the IDF and Shin Bet confirmed that the Red Cross had taken custody of the coffin and was bringing it to Israeli troops stationed in Gaza. “The IDF requests that the public act with sensitivity and wait for the official identification, which will first be provided to the families. Hamas is required to uphold the agreement and take the necessary steps to return all the deceased hostages,” their joint statement read.

The development followed an earlier declaration by the Islamic Jihad terror group that it would deliver the body of a hostage to Israel through the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The group said the Red Cross would pass the body to Israeli security forces inside the Gaza Strip, after which it would be transported to Israel for forensic examination.

Authorities confirmed that six slain hostages remain in Gaza: Meny Godard, Hadar Goldin, Ran Gvili, Dror Or, Lior Rudaeff, and Sudthisak Rinthalak.

Under President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan, Hamas had been obligated to return all remaining hostages—alive or deceased—within 72 hours. While the terror group released all 20 living captives on schedule, it has delayed the repatriation of the bodies.

Earlier this week, on Wednesday night, Hamas returned the body of foreign student Joshua Loitu Mollel, who was among those killed and held in Gaza.

{Matzav.com}

James D. Watson, the scientist who forever changed biology with his discovery of the DNA double helix, has passed away at the age of 97, according to the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, where he spent much of his career.

In 1953, at just 24 years old, the young Chicago-born researcher and his partner Francis Crick revealed that DNA was composed of two intertwined strands forming a graceful, spiraling ladder — a revelation that reshaped modern science. The model not only explained how genetic information is encoded but also how life replicates itself, with the strands separating like a zipper to reproduce identical copies.

For this revolutionary insight, Watson shared the 1962 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Crick and Maurice Wilkins. The discovery became one of the most recognized symbols in science — immortalized in art, postage stamps, and classrooms around the world.

“The discovery of the century, that was pretty clear,” Watson once reflected. “There was no way we could have foreseen the explosive impact of the double helix on science and society.” His work paved the way for advances in genetic medicine, crime forensics, ancestry tracing, and the mapping of the human genome — but it also ignited complex ethical debates over the limits of genetic engineering.

Despite his scientific stature, Watson’s later years were marked by deep controversy. His public comments about race and intelligence sparked international outrage and overshadowed his achievements. In 2007, The Sunday Times Magazine quoted him saying he was “inherently gloomy about the prospect of Africa” and claimed that “all our social policies are based on the fact that their intelligence is the same as ours — where all the testing says not really.” He added, “people who have to deal with black employees find this is not true.”

Watson quickly apologized, but the backlash was swift. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory suspended him from his position as chancellor, and he retired soon afterward, ending nearly four decades of leadership at the institution. A decade later, in a 2019 PBS documentary, he doubled down when asked if his views had changed, replying, “No, not at all.” The lab responded by stripping him of all honorary titles, condemning his statements as “reprehensible” and “unsupported by science.”

His complicated legacy drew both admiration and condemnation. Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health, said in 2019 that Watson had shown “a regrettable tendency toward inflammatory and offensive remarks, especially late in his career.” Collins added, “His outbursts, particularly when they reflected on race, were both profoundly misguided and deeply hurtful. I only wish that Jim’s views on society and humanity could have matched his brilliant scientific insights.”

Outside his controversies, Watson continued to shape the field of biology through his teaching, textbooks, and leadership. He played a pivotal role in the early stages of the Human Genome Project, encouraged young researchers, and used his influence to advocate for government support of scientific research.

Known for his sharp tongue and impatience with convention, Watson often spoke candidly about science and success. “A goodly number of scientists are not only narrow-minded and dull, but also just stupid,” he wrote in The Double Helix, his best-selling 1968 memoir. “You have to avoid dumb people. … Never do anything that bores you. … If you can’t stand to be with your real peers (including scientific competitors) get out of science. … To make a huge success, a scientist has to be prepared to get into deep trouble.”

{Matzav.com}

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has reportedly told allies that he believes Vice President JD Vance is the Republican Party’s clear frontrunner for the 2028 presidential race—and that he would stand aside to back him if Vance enters the contest, according to Politico.

“Marco has been very clear that JD is going to be the Republican nominee if he wants to be,” a source close to Rubio told the outlet. “He will do anything he can just to support the vice president in that effort.”

Rubio, who has long been seen as a potential contender himself, has publicly praised Vance in the past. In July, he declared that the Ohio vice president would be “a great nominee.”

Within the White House, Politico reported, the prevailing assumption is that the 2028 Republican ticket could feature “JD as [nominee] and Rubio as VP.”

Vance himself has leaned into that speculation with humor. During an interview last week on “Pod Force One,” he said, “I mentioned it to the secretary in jest, but it feels so premature, because we’re still so early,” referring to the possibility of running alongside Rubio. He also revealed that President Donald Trump “mentioned” the idea months ago.

Polls appear to back Rubio’s assessment. A recent Politico survey found that 35% of Trump’s 2024 voters want Vance to run for president in 2028, while only 2% named Rubio as their preferred choice.

For Rubio, the conversation marks a full-circle moment from his own presidential ambitions nearly a decade ago. The Florida senator’s 2016 campaign emphasized “a next generation of conservative leadership,” branding him as a youthful, optimistic alternative to both establishment figures like Jeb Bush and anti-establishment challengers such as Trump and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz.

After launching his campaign in April 2015, Rubio gained momentum with strong debate performances and respectable early finishes — third in Iowa and second in South Carolina. But Trump’s commanding dominance in the primaries soon overshadowed his rise.

When Rubio lost his home state of Florida to Trump by almost 20 points in March 2016, he ended his campaign. Trump went on to secure the Republican nomination and ultimately defeated Hillary Clinton in the general election.

Now, nearly a decade later, Rubio appears ready to play a different role — as a loyal ally helping to shape the next phase of Trump-era Republican leadership, with JD Vance at its helm.

{Matzav.com}

As previously reported, police are investigating whether a cellphone found Friday morning off the coast of Herzliya belongs to former Military Advocate General, Maj. Gen. Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, whose case has drawn national attention.

According to details released, the device was discovered powered on and half-charged in the shallow waters of Tzuk Beach. A source close to the investigation told Channel 12, “It’s definitely the former Military Advocate General’s phone.” However, police officials cautioned that “there are significant doubts,” noting the unusual condition of the device.

“The phone was turned on and partially charged despite supposedly being underwater for five days,” an officer explained. “Had it turned on at any point, we would have received a signal and located it ourselves during the search. That’s why we’re skeptical.” The phone has been transferred to the Cyber Unit for forensic analysis.

The device was found by a 50-year-old woman who was wading in the water and spotted something glinting beneath the surface. “I saw something in the shallow water, picked it up, and realized it was an iPhone,” she told Channel 12. “I turned it on, and the screen showed a picture of the former Military Advocate General. I immediately called the police.”

Police and municipal security forces arrived quickly to retrieve the phone, but not before chaos erupted on the scene. Several metal detector hobbyists who had gathered nearby clashed over who would hand the device to the authorities, leading to a brief scuffle that officers had to break up.

Meanwhile, the Tel Aviv Magistrate’s Court approved Tomer-Yerushalmi’s release to ten days of house arrest and barred her from contacting other individuals involved in the case for 55 days.

An investigative source told N12 that the probe continues to uncover new information: “We’re concerned about the circle of silence around her, but the evidence is aligning, and there has been significant progress.” The source added that eight officers had known about the leak for over a year but failed to report it, “likely because they feared her, as she was their commander.”

{Matzav.com}

President Trump has officially granted clemency to baseball icon Darryl Strawberry, a move that erases the federal stain from the slugger’s 1995 tax fraud conviction. Strawberry, who once dominated Major League Baseball as a star outfielder, previously served 11 months in a Florida prison for unrelated state drug charges.

“President Trump has approved a pardon for Darryl Strawberry, three-time World Series champion and eight-time MLB All-Star,” a White House official said.

The statement noted that “Mr. Strawberry served time and paid back taxes after pleading guilty to one count of tax evasion.”

Now 63, Strawberry was originally sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to repay $350,000 in back taxes as part of his plea deal nearly three decades ago.

The White House underscored that Strawberry’s life took a dramatic turn after his baseball and legal troubles. “Following his career, Mr. Strawberry found faith in Christianity and has been sober for over a decade – he has become active in ministry and started a recovery center which still operates today.”

Although the presidential pardon clears his federal record, it does not extend to his state-level convictions related to drug offenses, which were prosecuted separately in Florida courts.

The decision, celebrated by fans and faith-based supporters alike, recognizes Strawberry’s transformation from a troubled sports legend into a symbol of redemption and recovery.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump unleashed a barrage of criticism on Friday following Nancy Pelosi’s announcement that she would step down at the end of her current term, accusing her of corruption and celebrating her exit from Congress.

On Truth Social, Trump wrote: “Nancy Pelosi, the old and broken political hack who impeached me twice and lost, is finally calling it ‘quits.’ She illegally made a fortune in the Stock Market, ripped off the American Public, and was a disaster for America. I’m glad to see the stench of Nancy Pelosi go!!!”

Trump, who has long accused Pelosi of unethical financial behavior, again suggested that her investment gains were not coincidental. “Crooked Nancy Pelosi, and her very ‘interesting’ husband, beat every Hedge Fund in 2024. In other words, these two very average ‘minds’ beat ALL of the Super Geniuses on Wall Street, thousands of them,” he wrote in a post from August. “It’s all INSIDE iNFORMATION! Is anybody looking into this??? She is a disgusting degenerate, who Impeached me twice, on NO GROUNDS, and LOST! How are you feeling now, Nancy???”

The New York Post, citing Bloomberg data, previously reported that Paul Pelosi’s trading activity earned a 54% return in 2024—far outpacing the S&P 500’s 25% gain. Trump has pointed to this performance as evidence of what he calls “inside information.”

Pelosi, 85, revealed Thursday that she will not run again when her current term ends in 2026, ending more than forty years in Congress. Her departure marks the close of one of the most consequential and controversial political careers in modern history.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump didn’t hold back. “I think she’s an evil woman. I’m glad she’s retiring. I think she did the country a great service by retiring,” he said. “I think she was a tremendous liability for the country.”

Their bitter rivalry has defined years of Washington politics, from her leadership of the two impeachment efforts against him to her dramatic gesture of tearing up his 2020 State of the Union address on live television.

Pelosi’s decision comes amid growing calls within the Democratic Party for generational change. Younger figures, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, are increasingly seen as the party’s future.

As the first woman to serve as Speaker of the House, Pelosi led her caucus through two nonconsecutive tenures—from 2007 to 2011 and again from 2019 to 2023. She was instrumental in passing President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act and became a symbol of her party’s progressive agenda, something critics like Trump blame for economic and border crises.

Trump, however, framed her retirement as a relief for the country and another personal victory. “She was rapidly losing control of her party,” he said Thursday. “I’m very honored she impeached me twice and failed miserably twice. Nancy Pelosi is a highly overrated politician.”

{Matzav.com}

The U.S. Army is preparing for a historic leap in unmanned aerial power, setting its sights on acquiring at least one million drones within the next two to three years. The plan represents a dramatic expansion from its current pace—roughly 50,000 drones annually—and is aimed at ensuring American forces are never outmatched in future conflicts.

Army Secretary David Driscoll explained that the overarching goal isn’t just to stockpile drones, but to establish a self-sustaining U.S. manufacturing base capable of meeting wartime demands. “His priority is getting the United States into a position where it can produce enough drones for any future war, stimulating domestic production of everything from brushless motors and sensors to batteries and circuit boards,” officials said.

That mission faces a formidable obstacle: much of the global drone component supply chain currently runs through China. From camera sensors to critical flight-control chips, Chinese factories dominate the industry—a vulnerability the Pentagon now views as a national security risk.

The move to supercharge domestic drone production follows lessons learned from the ongoing war in Ukraine, where small, low-cost drones have proven to be devastatingly effective on the battlefield. These cheap devices, capable of reconnaissance and precision strikes, have reshaped modern warfare.

Driscoll noted that Ukraine and Russia are each producing around 4 million drones annually. “China is probably able to produce more than double that number,” he warned—underscoring the urgent need for the U.S. to close the gap before the next major conflict tests its readiness.

{Matzav.com}

The Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror organization announced today that it will transfer the body of an Israeli hostage to Israel later tonight.

In a brief statement released this evening, the group said it intends to hand over the remains through mediators but did not identify the hostage by name.

According to Israeli authorities, the bodies of six slain hostages are still being held in Gaza.

{Matzav.com}

A major terror plot orchestrated by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards to assassinate Israel’s ambassador to Mexico, Einat Kranz Neiger, has been successfully disrupted, Israel’s Foreign Ministry revealed on Friday.

The ministry announced that the scheme was exposed and dismantled through the swift intervention of Mexican security services. “We thank the security and law enforcement services in Mexico for dismantling a terrorist infrastructure directed by Iran that sought to harm Israel’s ambassador in Mexico,” the Foreign Ministry said in its statement.

Officials noted that the attempted attack was part of a broader campaign by Iran and its proxies to target Israeli and Jewish representatives around the world. “The Israeli security and intelligence community will continue to operate tirelessly and in full cooperation with security and intelligence agencies around the world to thwart terrorist threats from Iran and its proxies against Israeli and Jewish targets worldwide,” the statement continued.

According to intelligence assessments, the cell behind the assassination plot operated out of Iran’s embassy in Venezuela, using diplomatic cover to coordinate its efforts. U.S. sources told Reuters that the attempted strike had been planned for execution in the first half of 2025.

“The plot was contained and does not pose a current threat,” a U.S. official told Reuters, describing the failed operation as part of a troubling pattern. “This is just the latest in a long history of Iran’s global lethal targeting of diplomats, journalists, dissidents, and anyone who disagrees with them, something that should deeply worry every country where there is an Iranian presence.”

The official did not disclose the specific details of how the conspiracy was thwarted but emphasized that the rapid response by international security agencies prevented what could have been a deadly act of Iranian-sponsored terror on foreign soil.

{Matzav.com}

A new survey has revealed that a large segment of Israelis are reconsidering travel to New York City following the election of Socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani as mayor. Conducted by Direct Polls for i24NEWS, the poll found that 46% of Israelis said they would steer clear of the city under Mamdani’s leadership. Meanwhile, 34% said they would continue visiting as usual, while 20% were undecided about whether the election would influence their travel choices.

Jewish residents in New York are expressing unease about Mamdani’s record and positions, citing his consistent hostility toward Israel and his endorsement of movements widely regarded as antisemitic. “The city with the United States’ largest Jewish population will now be led by a man whose record and rhetoric reflect hostility toward Israel and the Jewish people,” said Betsy Berns Korn, Chair, and William C. Daroff, CEO, of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, in a statement Wednesday.

The organization described Mamdani’s election as a deeply troubling turning point. “Zohran Mamdani’s elevation to Gracie Mansion reminds us that antisemitism remains a clear and present danger, even in the places where American Jews have long felt most secure. There can be no compromise with an ideology that demonizes or ostracizes Jews and Israelis.”

They further pledged to respond to this “ominous moment” with unity and determination: “We remain unwavering in our commitment to the safety and dignity of the Jewish community. Our response to this ominous moment will be to strengthen activism, advocacy, and coordination across New York’s Jewish communities, ensuring that every institution and family feels supported and protected.”

In the same statement, the Jewish leaders vowed to demand “moral clarity and decisive action from every level of government, mobilizing Jewish leadership and civic partners to ensure that New York remains a place of safety, strength, and solidarity for our people.”

The shockwaves of Mamdani’s election were felt across the city’s institutions. Just a day after his victory, New York City Fire Commissioner Robert Tucker — who is Jewish — announced his resignation. Sources close to Tucker indicated that his decision was tied to concerns about Mamdani’s stance on Israel, with one insider noting that Tucker’s steadfast support for the Jewish state “does not align with the new mayor.”

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) announced that it is launching an extensive monitoring effort of Mamdani’s administration. The organization said it is deeply alarmed by his history of inflammatory statements and ties to groups that propagate antisemitic narratives and anti-Israel sentiment.

Mamdani has long courted controversy over his statements regarding Israel. On October 8, 2023 — one day after Hamas’s brutal massacre in southern Israel — he publicly criticized the Jewish state. He has also refused to condemn the slogan “globalize the intifada,” a phrase widely understood as an incitement to violence against Jews worldwide.

In addition, Mamdani has repeatedly accused Israel of committing war crimes during its war against Hamas in Gaza. He has gone so far as to declare that he would order the arrest of Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu should he set foot in New York City.

{Matzav.com}

A confidential memo from the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) detailing its expectations for New York City’s incoming mayor, Zohran Mamdani, has triggered widespread outrage after surfacing online for its singular focus on anti-Israel measures.

The internal paper, originating from the DSA’s Anti-War Working Group, was inadvertently shared with Just the News reporter Jerry Dunleavy. It outlines a sweeping list of policy directives the group hopes Mamdani will implement once in office, almost all centered around punishing Israel economically and politically.

Mamdani, who secured victory in Tuesday’s election by defeating Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa, is a prominent DSA member. He is also one of nine socialists currently holding elected office in New York under the organization’s banner.

The leaked list calls on Mamdani to “divest City pension funds from Israeli bonds and securities,” “withdraw City funds from banks that lend money to Israel or do business in Israel,” and “end City contracts with companies that do business with Israel.” The document further demands the city “operate City-run grocery stores free from Israeli products,” “evict weapons manufacturers and transporters from the NYC Metro Area,” and “remove non-profit status from charities that raise funds for IDF [Israel Defense Forces].”

Among its more extreme points, the DSA urges the city to “arrest [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu and active IDF soldiers for war crimes,” “dismantle Eric Adams’ NYC-Israel economic council,” “end NYPD training with IOF,” and “investigate real estate agents hosting illegal sales of stolen lands in the West Bank.” The term “IOF,” used throughout the document, is a derogatory term referring to the Israeli Defense Forces as the “Israeli Occupation Forces.”

The online reaction to the revelations was swift and blistering. “The DSA finally has a sympathetic mayor in NYC, and almost every single one of their policy demands is tied explicitly to Israel,” wrote Isaac Saul, founder of Tangle News, on X. “This is weird, scary, and insanely stupid stuff.”

Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., who chairs the Middle East and North Africa subcommittee in Congress, blasted the platform as “complete and utter insanity.” He warned that he “will be watching closely and will conduct hearings if @ZohranKMamdani and New York City engage in policy detrimental to US Foreign Policy.”

Joel Petlin, superintendent of the Kiryas Joel school district and a columnist, suggested that the “DSA anti-Israel to-do-list will likely be implemented by Mayor Mamdani.” He added pointedly, “To be clear, singling out only one country in the entire world for economic ruin, and that country is inhabited by a majority of Jews, is the textbook definition of Antisemitism.”

An X user known as Insurrection Barbie cautioned that the DSA’s ambitions extend far beyond New York City. “As someone who spends a lot of time, researching the DSA… they have big plans for this country and they have the money to implement them,” she said. “Anybody who ignores the rise of this sub sect of the Democratic Party does so at their own peril.”

{Matzav.com}

Mexican authorities, working closely with U.S. and Israeli intelligence, have foiled an Iranian plot to assassinate Israel’s ambassador to Mexico, Einat Kranz-Neiger, officials confirmed Friday — a brazen plan allegedly orchestrated by Tehran’s elite Quds Force as part of its global campaign against Israeli and Jewish targets. According to U.S. and Israeli officials who spoke […]

Rep. Elise Stefanik kicked off her 2026 bid for New York governor on Friday with a fiery promise to “clean up Kathy Hochul’s catastrophe” and restore safety and affordability to the Empire State.

“Kathy Hochul is the worst governor in America,” Stefanik declared in a post on X. “Under her failed leadership, New York is the most unaffordable state in the nation with the highest taxes, highest energy, utilities, rent, and grocery bills. When New Yorkers were looking for leadership from our governor, she bent the knee to the raging defund the police, tax hiking communist causing catastrophe for New York families.”

Stefanik’s campaign launch video, titled “From the Ashes” and first obtained by The Post, opened with grim images of New York under Hochul’s watch—skyrocketing costs, rampant crime, and an exodus of middle-class residents. “Kathy Hochul’s failed policies are to blame,” the narrator says, adding that the governor’s agenda has made New York “the most unaffordable state in the nation, crushing families with sky-high taxes, unaffordable rent, soaring energy costs and record-high grocery bills.”

In the two-and-a-half-minute video, Stefanik accuses Hochul of aligning herself with far-left figures like New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, calling him a “defund-the-police, tax-hiking, antisemitic Communist.” The narrator vows that “New York will rise, like we always do,” with Stefanik leading the way.

“The spirit of the Empire State cannot be broken. All we need is a courageous leader ready for the fight,” the ad proclaims. “Elise Stefanik will make New York affordable and safe.”

The video portrays Stefanik as a “working mom, congresswoman and fighter,” describing her as someone who “knows families need more help.” It highlights her record of supporting law enforcement, battling “woke insanity in our schools,” advocating for small businesses, and fighting antisemitism on college campuses. “She fought woke insanity in our schools, stood proudly with law enforcement, championed small businesses and will never back down from fighting for New York families,” the narrator says.

Among her legislative achievements, the ad points to her role in raising the state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap to $40,000 and her high-profile grilling of university presidents on Capitol Hill over antisemitic incidents. “She’ll make New York affordable,” the narrator promises. “Elise will reduce your energy utility and grocery bills.”

“We have crisscrossed the state. The overwhelming outpouring of support from Republicans, independents and Democrats is that we need a new governor to save our state,” Stefanik told The Post on Thursday.

In her statement announcing the run, she added, “I am running for Governor to make New York affordable and safe for all.”

The campaign video closes with a rallying message: “With everything on the line, we need someone who will deliver results and make New York affordable and safe for families and small businesses, to not just survive, but thrive.” It concludes with the slogan, “Elise Stefanik for governor. It’s time to save New York.”

Behind the scenes, Stefanik has been quietly assembling what insiders call an “all-star” team of New York political strategists as polls show her running neck and neck with Hochul in early matchups. The upstate congresswoman, a close ally of President Trump, hopes to become the first Republican to lead New York in two decades.

New York GOP Chair Ed Cox hailed her entrance into the race, describing Stefanik as “a unifier and party builder with the brains, the guts and the resources to win.” He praised her as “the warrior we need to lead the fight against Democrats’ corrupt Albany machine,” adding, “She has fought for our principles every day of her career and never backs down.”

“Thanks to Kathy Hochul and Democrats, New York leads the nation in outmigration as the most taxed, least free, least affordable state in America,” Cox said. “There will not be a Republican primary and a year from now, Elise will lead our team to victory over Kathy Hochul, end one-party Democrat rule, and make New York affordable again.”

{Matzav.com}

Heartbreaking tragedy in Beit Shemesh: Rabbi Yaakov Steinberg zt”l, beloved Maggid Shiur, passed away suddenly at just 44 years old. Now, his *eight young children are left without a father — and their mother is struggling to provide even the most basic needs. *There’s no food in the house, no stability, no hope for tomorrow. […]

Police investigators are still working to determine whether the cellphone discovered early Friday on Hatzuk Beach actually belongs to ex-Military Advocate General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, who was released to house arrest.

Although a senior police source initially claimed that “all signs indicate” the device is hers, doubts have since emerged as investigators weigh several inconsistencies. One puzzling issue is how the phone’s battery, found in airplane mode, managed to remain charged for nearly a week. Another mystery is how the device stayed intact after being submerged in the salty waters of the Mediterranean.

Complicating matters further, older photos of Tomer-Yerushalmi show her holding a phone that appears to be of a different make and model than the one recovered from the beach.

Tomer-Yerushalmi, who has admitted to leaking the Sde Teiman video to the press, is facing serious accusations including fraud, breach of trust, obstruction of justice, and misuse of her public office.

Earlier Friday, she posted a financial bond of 20,000 shekels as part of her release conditions. Notably, the police did not request that her passport be confiscated, nor did they impose any travel restrictions.

{Matzav.com}

In what insiders describe as one of the stormiest weeks the Degel HaTorah party has seen in years, deep tensions have erupted following the decisive ruling of Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, rosh yeshivas Slabodka, on the contentious draft law.

According to sources, Rav Hirsch informed the party’s Knesset members that it was permissible to move forward with the legislation — a ruling that did not sit well with certain figures who sought to undermine his authority.

Instead of welcoming the clarity his decision provided, these individuals reportedly summoned Degel HaTorah MKs for what was described as a “reprimand meeting,” insisting that they also visit Rav Dov Landau. Their alleged motivation: “to ensure that tomorrow Yated Ne’eman can publish a picture and set its own narrative.”

Rav Hirsch’s Careful Deliberation

Since the passing of Rav Gershon Edelstein zt”l, who had long guided the chareidi approach to the draft issue, Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch has been the leading authority on the matter. Known for his deep understanding of the legal and political complexities surrounding the law, he has been entrusted by the senior Torah leadership to decide how the Litvishe world should proceed.

On Tuesday night, the Degel HaTorah MKs — Moshe Gafni, Uri Maklev, and Yaakov Asher — met with Rav Hirsch to review the latest draft of the law. The meeting lasted nearly two hours, during which the Rosh Yeshiva examined each clause, consulting with legal experts and policy advisers by phone to ensure a full understanding of the implications.

Rav Hirsch did not issue an immediate ruling. He deliberated throughout the night and morning before notifying the MKs on Wednesday afternoon that, in his view, they could proceed with advancing the legislation.

Internal Power Struggles and Media Manipulation

However, the announcement triggered an internal uproar. According to multiple sources, a small group within the Litvishe establishment — connected to the Israeli Yated Ne’eman newspaper — was displeased that Rav Hirsch had been portrayed as the final arbiter.

“The person behind the backlash,” a senior insider said, “is apparently a grandson of one of the late Torah leaders who wields influence over Yated Ne’eman. He decided that only he would determine who the ‘gadol’ is. Because the public statement after the meeting mentioned Rav Dov Landau together with other members of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah — rather than portraying him as the sole authority — he took revenge by ordering the Yated to completely ignore the meeting.”

The same source added that this individual later “summoned the three MKs to a rebuke session in an apartment in Bnei Brak and demanded they go to Rav Dov Landau that evening — all so he could have a photo for Yated Ne’eman the next morning, creating the false impression that Rav Landau was the one who issued the ruling.”

The Coming Court of Public Opinion

Despite what was described as “shameful political maneuvering,” the MKs agreed to visit Rav Landau, and may later also meet Rav Meir Tzvi Bergman, the senior member of the Moetzes. “The MKs now understand better than ever that they cannot let a handful of power brokers dictate the narrative,” said one source, adding that the lawmakers intend to consult both rabbonim directly rather than through intermediaries.

Anger Among Rav Hirsch’s Followers

The decision by the Israeli Yated Ne’eman to censor mention of the pivotal meeting with Rav Hirsch sparked outrage among his thousands of talmidim and supporters. In a sharply worded protest letter circulated in yeshiva circles, they condemned the “blatant erasure” of the Rosh Yeshiva’s role at a time when Klal Yisroel faces a fateful moment for the future of Torah learning.

“The entire Torah world was speaking about the consultation between Degel HaTorah’s MKs and our master, Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch shlit”a, to receive his direction alongside his close friend Rav Dov Landau shlit”a and the members of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah,” the letter stated. “For Yated Ne’eman to intentionally censor this historic consultation is not only a breach of public trust but a grievous affront to the honor of Torah leadership at a time that calls for unity.”

What Comes Next

Since Rav Gershon Edelstein’s passing, the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of Degel HaTorah has not convened. Rav Hirsch reportedly intends to call a formal session soon so that the Torah leadership can issue a joint position on the draft law.

Meanwhile, insiders say this episode has exposed long-simmering tensions between certain parties.

May shalom prevail.

{Matzav.com}

Trump unloads on “old broken political hack” Pelosi after she announced yesterday that she won’t be seeking reelection

Edan Alexander, the 21-year-old U.S.-Israeli IDF soldier freed after 584 days in Hamas captivity through a Trump-brokered deal, delivered a remote acceptance speech for the Fox Nation Patriot Awards’ Honor Award. He thanked Trump for securing his release, saying, “Serving Israel and standing for America remains the greatest privilege of my life.”

President Xi Jinping has officially commissioned the Fujian (CV-18), China’s first aircraft carrier equipped with an electromagnetic catapult system.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced that the Department of War conducted a lethal strike on a vessel operated by a “designated terrorist organization” in the Caribbean. The vessel, which was trafficking narcotics, was targeted in international waters. Three male narco-terrorists aboard were killed, and no U.S. forces were harmed in the operation.