Feed aggregator

Speaking before global defense leaders at the International DefenseTech Summit in Tel Aviv, Brig. Gen. Benny Aminov, who heads the Defense Ministry’s Military R&D division within DDR&D, revealed that Israel has reached a major milestone in its battle against hostile unmanned aircraft. He reported that “drone challenges at Israel’s borders are moving toward a solution – we have achieved a technological breakthrough in enemy drone detection.”

Aminov described rapid progress on the next phase as well, explaining that “we are now working on interception solutions using drone-based systems that enable response to swarm scenarios while accelerating the development of new directed-energy weapons.” These capabilities are being designed specifically to cope with complex, fast-moving threats that traditional defense systems struggle to manage.

He emphasized that modern aerial dangers require a complete rethinking of how Israel adapts and deploys new tools, noting that “the issue of low-altitude threats is an example of a challenge that requires our defense establishment to change its operational approach fundamentally – responding within compressed timeframes, ensuring spiral development, accelerating testing during the development process, and bridging small defense-tech companies with major defense contractors.”

According to Aminov, Israel’s adversaries are constantly shifting their tactics, pushing the defense establishment to stay ahead. As he put it, “our enemies continue to evolve in this learning competition. This drives us to develop robust solutions, and it is here that directed-energy weapons demonstrate their unique strength. Their distinctive characteristics enable us to address even the unknown unknowns – threats we don’t yet know we face.”

The summit itself highlighted how combat experience and field lessons are shaping Israel’s next generation of military technology, as experts and innovators displayed cutting-edge work in areas expected to influence global defense strategies for years to come.

Among the high-profile attendees were Maj. Gen. (Res.) Amir Baram, Director General of the Defense Ministry; Brig. Gen. (Res.) Dr. Daniel Gold, head of DDR&D; Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Prof. Isaac Ben-Israel, who chaired the conference; Brig. Gen. Benny Aminov; Avi Berger, who leads DDR&D’s Space Program Office; Maj. Gen. (Res.) Nitzan Alon of Elements Venture Capital; Michael Dodd, U.S. Assistant Secretary of War for Critical Technologies and Acting Deputy Director of the Defense Innovation Unit; Dame Fiona Murray of MIT; Shaun Maguire of Sequoia Capital; Dr. Christian Steinborn of Rheinmetall AG; Francois Chopard of Starburst; along with numerous additional senior military, academic, and industry figures from Israel and abroad.

{Matzav.com}

Starting February 1, anyone flying within the U.S. without a REAL ID or another approved form of identification will have to pay a $45 non-refundable fee for TSA to verify their identity. REAL ID has technically been required since May, but travelers were only getting warnings until now. The TSA says the fee is meant […]

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday defended his Treasury chief against opposition claims that she misled the public and the markets about the state of the public finances before last week’s budget. Starmer said “there was no misleading” in the run-up to Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves’ tax-hiking budget, which the government hopes […]

Israel’s Transportation Minister Miri Regev unveiled an aggressive new enforcement plan on Monday aimed at curbing the mounting death toll on the nation’s roads, where 422 people have already lost their lives this year.

At the center of the initiative is a dramatic hike in penalties for motorists caught handling a mobile device behind the wheel. Under the proposal, drivers would be slapped with a 10,000-shekel fine, issued on the spot by police officers, with no preliminary legal process required. Regev’s office emphasized that the goal is to send a clear message about the severity of distracted driving.

Officials noted that repeat offenders will face even harsher consequences. If a driver is caught a second time within a short window, authorities would be able to impound the vehicle, pending a judge’s approval.

This represents a substantial jump from the current punishment structure, which imposes a 1,000-shekel fine along with eight points on the driver’s license.

The plan is now headed to the Economic Affairs Committee for deliberations, after which it is expected to be forwarded to the Knesset for a vote. The ministry indicated that the upgraded sanctions will likely extend beyond cellphone violations, targeting additional high-risk behaviors such as crossing a solid white line, ignoring red lights, and operating a vehicle under the influence.

{Matzav.com}

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said Monday that three of his New York offices were targeted with emailed bomb threats from an email address alleging the “2020 election was rigged.” Schumer said in a statement that local law enforcement received bomb threats referencing his offices in Rochester, Binghamton and Long Island with the email subject […]

Sen. Chuck Schumer says law enforcement notified him of bomb threats sent to several of his New York offices today. According to Schumer, the threatening emails had the subject line “MAGA” and came from an address claiming the 2020 election was rigged.

Hakeem Jeffries: Meanwhile, you have Trump posting erratically on Thanksgiving like this guy can’t even give us a break on Thanksgiving.

A suspected Palestinian ramming attack near Chevron has triggered a major response from the IDF, after a vehicle struck a female soldier standing at the Alon Road junction on Route 60 and fled the scene. According to initial reports, the soldier was hit without warning and left on the roadside as the driver sped away. […]

The son of senior Hamas official Ghazi Hamad was reportedly killed in Rafah on Sunday while attempting to flee an underground tunnel system targeted by the IDF, according to family statements circulating on social media and reports in Palestinian media outlets. Abdullah Hamad was among several terrorists killed as IDF forces struck operatives emerging from […]

A violent ramming attack near the Judea Junction on Highway 35 left a female soldier lightly injured on Monday night, adding to a string of recent assaults across the region. Security officials say the attacker sped his car toward troops stationed in the area before escaping toward Hebron.

Eyewitness reports indicate that the terrorist abandoned the scene immediately after the impact, racing his vehicle into Hebron as responding forces arrived. Emergency medical teams quickly reached the injured soldier and stabilized her before transferring her for further care.

The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit stated, “Following the report that was received regarding a ramming attack at Judea Junction, a terrorist accelerated in his vehicle toward IDF soldiers, and injured a female IDF soldier. The soldier was evacuated to the hospital to receive medical treatment, and her family has been notified.”

According to the military, troops opened fire at the vehicle as it sped away. A direct hit was confirmed, prompting an intensive pursuit. Soldiers have since launched broad sweeps across the area, establishing roadblocks and combing nearby terrain in an effort to locate the suspect.

This incident comes on the heels of another attack earlier in the week near the Samaria Crossing on Highway 5. In that case, a terrorist hurled a heavy iron rod at a passing vehicle belonging to a central-Israel resident, with the rod smashing into and becoming lodged in the windshield.

The shaken driver, overwhelmed by anxiety, received treatment from Magen David Adom and was able to return home shortly afterward. Merav, who had been in the passenger seat during the assault, described the harrowing moment: “We left Kedumim toward Petah Tikva. Three minutes before the Shomron Crossing, we heard a boom. At that moment I didn’t understand what was happening. We reached the checkpoint and forces arrived there.”

In response, the IDF initiated a search of the surrounding area. Troops from the Ephraim Brigade entered the village of Mas-ha, seized surveillance cameras, and gathered additional evidence. The iron rod was transferred to police experts for detailed forensic analysis.

The Shin Bet has joined the investigation as well. A security official emphasized the determination of the agencies involved, saying: “The police, through intelligence and investigative efforts in cooperation with the Shin Bet, will use every tool available – including the forensic laboratories – to bring about the arrest of those responsible for the terror attack.”

{Matzav.com}

UPDATE: The IDF says its forces rushed a short time ago to the Yehuda Junction area, following reports of a suspected ramming attack. The IDF sayd soldiers opened fire at the suspect’s vehicle, and forces are now conducting wide-scale searches for the terrorist.

A Saudi Al-Hadath broadcast reported that American envoy to Turkey Tom Barrack recently delivered a blunt message to Iraqi officials, cautioning them about an “imminent Israeli operation in Lebanon” and making clear that the campaign would continue “until the organization is stripped of its weapons.”

In the communication, Barrack urged Baghdad to steer clear of any confrontation, insisting that Iraq must stay “outside any possible escalation in the region” and advising its leaders to take whatever actions are necessary to avoid being drawn into the tensions.

This warning surfaced amid dramatic developments in Beirut, where Hezbollah’s chief of staff, Ali Tabatabai, was eliminated in an airstrike. The attack — the first in five months to hit the Dahiyeh district, the group’s main stronghold — removed a figure widely viewed as Hezbollah’s second-in-command and the man overseeing the organization’s efforts to rebuild its capabilities.

{Matzav.com}

Donald Trump’ s doctor says the president had MRI imaging on his heart and abdomen in October as part of a preventative screening for men his age, according to a memo from the physician released by the White House on Monday. Sean Barbabella said in a statement that Trump’s physical exam included “advanced imaging” that […]

BREAKING: A suspected Palestinian ramming attack occurred moments ago near Hebron, when a vehicle struck an Israeli woman standing at the Alon Road junction on Route 60. The vehicle fled the scene immediately after the impact. Large IDF forces are heading to the area and have launched a manhunt for the suspect. The victim is […]

NYPD’s Harbor Unit rushed to a 911 call about someone struggling in the water, diving into the freezing cold without hesitation. They pulled the person to safety, and the individual is now in stable condition.

Airbus said that most of its fleet of 6,000 A320 passenger jets have received an update to fix a software glitch that could have affected flight controls. Travelers had faced minor disruptions heading into the weekend as airlines around the world scrambled to push the software updates out to the widely used commercial jetliner. Airbus […]

Dear Matzav Inbox,

Recently, a respected rabbi returned from a trip to Eretz Yisroel and shared his impressions with his followers. Some of his remarks—specifically those expressing concern about yeshiva bochurim seen walking the streets of Yerushalayim during hours typically devoted to learning in the Beis Midrash—were subsequently quoted on the Matzav website. The Rabbi cautioned parents of boys studying in Israel, stating, “I want to tell the people here who have boys in Eretz Yisroel that their children are roaming the streets of Eretz Yisroel.”

While I do not share the Rabbi’s perspective, he is certainly entitled to express his views to his own audience. However, I believe that Matzav should have exercised greater discretion and refrained from amplifying these remarks to a wider public. The journalistic ethos of the early 1900s—“Not everything said should be printed”—ought to have guided the editorial decision in this case. One can reasonably argue that such negative statements may border on lashon hara.

The large majority of our sons who learn in Eretz Yisroel are sincerely striving for both deeper Torah knowledge and growth in yiras Shomayim. When they return to our batei kenisios, their elevated level of hasmodah and their care in tefillah are clearly visible. These exemplary bnei Torah, the pride of Klal Yisroel, are sought after for the most promising shidduchim. Chazal taught that not every student achieves the same outcome—“elef nichnas v’echad yotzei l’ho’ro’oh.” The pre-marriage learning system in Eretz Yisroel allows bochurim to make meaningful spiritual strides. And while no system is perfect and not every student succeeds equally, this does not justify broad public criticism. Constructive suggestions for improvement should be directed privately to those responsible for the system, not broadcast in respected forums such as Matzav.

It is equally important to remember that many bochurim who travel to Eretz Yisroel are still developing in their Yiddishkeit and searching for inspiration. In time, many indeed become inspired. Their growth is gradual, and perhaps some seemingly aimless walks through the streets of Yerushalayim Ir HaKodesh, together with the hashkafah and mussar shiurim they hear in specially designed yeshivos, will ultimately guide them toward genuine transformation.

I offer these remarks in a constructive and respectful spirit. May our most precious accomplishment as Klal Yisroel—the nurturing of our bnei Torah—be protected from comments that risk diminishing their true achievements.

F. B.

To submit a letter to appear on Matzav.com, email MatzavInbox@gmail.com

DON’T MISS OUT! Join the Matzav Status by CLICKING HERE. Join the Matzav WhatsApp Groups by CLICKING HERE.

The opinions expressed in letters on Matzav.com do not necessarily reflect the stance of the Matzav Media Network.

Doctors at Rambam Medical Center in Haifa are weighing an extraordinary decision: leaving a live bullet embedded in the heart of an IDF reservist wounded during a high-risk overnight raid in southern Syria last week. The soldier is one of six reservists hit by heavy gunfire during the Nov. 27–28 operation targeting operatives from Jaama […]

A senior investigator examining the security collapse of October 7 says the Israel Air Force (IAF) suffered “severe failures” at nearly every critical moment of the Hamas massacre—missed intelligence, rigid command structures, and hours-long delays in striking terrorists as thousands poured across the Gaza border. Brig.-Gen. (res.) Oren Solomon, one of the top officials probing […]

The White House moved to quiet persistent speculation on Monday by releasing the full medical findings from the MRI President Trump received earlier this fall. After reviewing the test, presidential physician Dr. Sean Barbabella concluded that the 79-year-old president is in “excellent overall health.”

Dr. Barbabella issued a memo describing the October imaging as routine for an annual executive physical, emphasizing that everything observed during the exam was “perfectly normal.” He explained, “As part of President Donald J. Trump’s comprehensive executive physical, advanced imaging was performed because men in his age group benefit from a thorough evaluation of cardiovascular and abdominal health.”

Expanding on the purpose of the test, Barbabella noted, “The purpose of this imaging is preventative: to identify issues early, confirm overall health, and ensure he maintains long-term vitality and function. President Trump’s cardiovascular imaging is perfectly normal.”

He added further detail regarding the condition of Trump’s heart and blood vessels: “There is no evidence of arterial narrowing impairing the blood flow or abnormalities in the heart or major vessels. The heart chambers are normal in size, the vessel walls appear smooth and healthy, and there are no signs of inflammation, or clotting. Overall, his cardiovascular system shows excellent health.”

The MRI itself became a topic of discussion only after Trump mentioned it in passing on Oct. 27, describing the procedure as “perfect” when speaking about his Oct. 10 visit to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. His remark triggered a flurry of follow-up questions because the original readout of the physical omitted any reference to the MRI.

The White House memo also addressed the abdominal portion of the imaging. “His abdominal imaging is also perfectly normal,” Barbabella wrote. “All major organs appear very healthy and well-perfused. Everything evaluated is functioning within normal limits with no acute or chronic concerns. Summary: This level of detailed assessment is standard for an executive physical at President Trump’s age and confirms that he remains in excellent overall health.”

Earlier this summer, on July 17, officials disclosed that Trump had been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency after noticing “mild swelling in his lower legs.” Medical experts said the condition is generally managed with compression stockings to reduce the risk of clotting.

Trump has also displayed a recurring bruise on his hand, which aides have attributed to his daily aspirin regimen—intended for heart health—and the large number of hands he shakes at public events.

{Matzav.com}