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Israel’s Ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, spoke with CNN’s Jake Tapper in a candid interview, highlighting the extraordinary challenges facing the IDF and the complex ethical considerations shaping Israel’s military strategy.

“You got to ask yourself a question,” Leiter said. “A country that’s capable of taking out the control of all of Iranian airspace in 72 hours, allowing for the B-2s of the United States to come in and obliterate the nuclear weapons operations in Iran, is not capable of ending this war sooner? Of course we are. But it’s because we’re taking precautions that no other country has ever taken, had to face a situation of 450 miles of terror tunnels under an area that’s 24 miles long.”

Leiter described Hamas as a “ghoulish, fiendish organization,” emphasizing that it deliberately places civilians in harm’s way while exploiting them as human shields. “They enjoy this. This is a death cult. They say this. You have to read their stuff,” he said, referring to Hamas’s own words and propaganda.

The ambassador became emotional when discussing his personal loss during the conflict, revealing that his son, Moshe, was killed in the early days of the war. “We do everything we possibly can. My own son was killed because we do not kill innocent civilians. He went in on foot into Gaza and led the troops at the beginning of the war and was killed when he went into a Hamas booby trap.”

Leiter also responded to criticisms of Israel’s military tactics, suggesting that if Israel had operated without its current restrictions, fewer soldiers might have been lost. “If we were doing what we’re being accused of doing, maybe he’d be alive today. So many of our soldiers that have died would have been alive today.”

Addressing recent images of anti-war protests, Leiter stressed that the demonstrations represent a divided sentiment in Israel rather than a single prevailing view. “The demonstrations you showed are only half of the demonstrations. The other half of the demonstrations are families of soldiers who are saying to the Prime Minister, you have to end this war with the defeat of Hamas, because otherwise we’re going back to October 6th.”

{Matzav.com}

Former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio is urging Democrats to take a page from mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani’s playbook, arguing that the socialist’s focus on affordability and cost-of-living issues could be the key to electoral success across the country. In an interview Tuesday on Fox News’s Hannity, de Blasio praised Mamdani’s communication style, saying his straight talk about the struggles of working families propelled him to a decisive primary win. “If Democrats talked the way Zohran Mamdani does about everyday affordability and the cost of living … Democrats would be winning all over the country,” de Blasio said. Host Sean Hannity challenged de Blasio, highlighting Mamdani’s past statements and policy stances that skew further left than the average voter. But de Blasio pushed back, arguing Mamdani’s appeal transcended ideology. “The people in New York City … conservative ones, liberal ones, everyone in between — they voted overwhelmingly for him because they believed he was actually speaking to their reality,” de Blasio said. He singled out Mamdani’s push for free city buses as an example of a policy voters can immediately connect to. “That’s like a kitchen table issue,” de Blasio said. Mamdani currently leads the general election by a commanding margin. A Siena College poll released earlier this month showed him at 44%, nearly 20 points ahead of former Governor Andrew Cuomo at 25%. Republican Curtis Sliwa trailed with 12%, and incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, running as an independent after skipping the Democratic primary, polled at just 7%. Despite Cuomo’s loss in the Democratic primary and Adams’s decision not to run under the party’s banner, both remain registered Democrats as they mount independent campaigns. For de Blasio, Mamdani’s success proves that progressive populism framed around affordability resonates broadly — even in a city with a diverse Democratic base. “New York City is not affordable enough,” de Blasio said. “Here’s a guy who said, ‘I’m going to do something about it.’ And people listened.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) visited the Kerem Shalom crossing on Thursday, where he was given a comprehensive briefing on the inspection and coordination process used to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza. During the visit, he stressed the need to provide relief to civilians while preventing resources from strengthening Hamas.

“I visited the Kerem Shalom crossing and was briefed regarding the system in place to clear trucks to provide aid to Gaza. The goal is to feed the people of Gaza and not to empower Hamas,” Graham stated following the tour. “There have been episodes of cigarettes and other banned items included in shipments that allow Hamas to continue to make money on the black market. To some extent this is inevitable as all are operating under difficult circumstances.”

Graham dismissed claims that Israel is purposely using aid as a weapon or attempting to starve Gaza’s population.

“However, I want to make it clear I have never bought into the narrative that Israel is intentionally starving the people of Gaza as a tool of war. I blame Hamas for all the problems associated with the attack of October 7 and its aftermath,” he said.

The Senator also voiced his belief that Israel is cooperating with international relief organizations to ensure aid reaches those who need it.

“I do expect Israel to work with international organizations and I believe that they are,” he added.

As part of his visit, Graham toured a facility run by the Gaza Humanitarian Fund (GHF), an American-backed program focused on supplying food to civilians. He commended the work being done by GHF and its partners, including Samaritan’s Purse, led by Reverend Franklin Graham.

“I also visited a site run by the Gaza Humanitarian Fund (GHF), a food delivery system supported by the American government, and was impressed by what I saw. Samaritan’s Purse, Reverend Franklin Graham’s organization, is assisting GHF with food packages. I also support the World Food Program and many other organizations who are trying to provide humanitarian aid,” Graham said.

He highlighted that the GHF initiative had originally been supported by the Trump Administration and called for ongoing bipartisan backing to ensure its success.

“Supporting GHF was a decision made by the American government through the Trump Administration and I hope that decision will be respected. I’m not interested in engaging in efforts to tear one group down over the other. I found the accusations made against GHF not to be credible and I appreciate all they have done under difficult circumstances,” he concluded.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump has fired one of two Democratic members of the U.S. Surface Transportation Board to break a 2-2 tie before the body considers the largest railroad merger ever proposed. Board member Robert E. Primus said on LinkedIn that he received an email from the White House Wednesday night terminating the position he has held since he was appointed by Trump in his first term. The vacancy would allow Trump to appoint two additional Republicans to the board before its decision on the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger though the Senate would have to confirm them. Primus was the only board member to oppose Canadian Pacific’s acquisition of Kansas City Southern railroad when it was approved two years ago because he was concerned it would hurt competition. He was named Board chairman last year by former President Joe Biden and led the board until Trump, after his election, elevated Board member Patrick Fuchs to Chairman. This follows Trump’s previous firings of board members at the National Transportation Safety Board, Federal Reserve, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which are all supposed to be independent agencies. “Robert Primus did not align with the President’s America First agenda, and was terminated from his position by the White House,” White House spokesman Kush Desai said. “The administration intends to nominate new, more qualified members to the Surface Transportation Board in short order.” Primus said he doesn’t think the firing is valid because the White House didn’t offer any cause for it, and he plans to fight. He also rejected their explanation for the move because he has long tried to encourage railroads to serve every industry better and help them grow, but he has already been removed from the STB website. “I’ve been pro growth across the board in terms of encouraging growth in the freight rail network, which in turn will grow our national economy. So if that’s not being in line with America first, then I don’t know what America he’s saying is first,” Primus said to The Associated Press. He said the firings at all these agencies threaten their independence and credibility. Primus said in his tenure the STB always strove to be impartial and apolitical. The nation’s largest railroad union that represents conductors, SMART-TD, quickly condemned the firing. “The explanation provided for this decision — that his position has been “eliminated” — is nothing short of outrageous. Appointed bodies established through federal code are not designed to be erased at the whim of powerful corporate interests,” the union said. “This action is unprecedented, unlawful in spirit, and reeks of direct interference from hedge funds and the nation’s largest rail carriers.” The board is set to consider Union Pacific’s $85 billion acquisition of Norfolk Southern in the next two years before deciding whether to approve the nation’s first transcontinental railroad and reduce the number of major freight railroads in the U.S. to five. Primus said the biggest problems in the industry are the lack of growth and poor service after all the deep cuts railroads have made over the last decade in the interest of efficiency and improving profitability. He hasn’t taken a position on the UP-NS deal, but he doesn’t think mergers will necessarily improve competition. “We don’t need to merge to increase competition. We need to […]

The Israeli Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed a petition that sought to cancel enlistment orders sent to approximately 5,500 yeshiva bochurim. The petition had been filed by the organization Emes LeYaakov, which argued that the draft notices were issued through an improper process, relying on information allegedly obtained unlawfully from the National Insurance Institute. The group maintained that the procedure was both illegal and discriminatory, and it requested that the original enlistment orders be annulled and reissued through proper channels. The justices rejected the claims, noting that the IDF has since altered its policy and no longer uses data from the National Insurance Institute when issuing draft notices. Instead, the army is now sending enlistment orders to approximately 54,000 candidates for military service without relying on outside data. Because of this change in procedure, the Court ruled that the petition was no longer relevant and ordered it dismissed. A hearing that had been scheduled for September 11 was canceled. Each side was ordered to bear its own legal expenses. Despite the ruling, Emes LeYaakov voiced concern over the fate of the thousands of yeshiva bochurim who already received enlistment orders under the earlier system. According to the organization, many of those bochurim are now classified as “draft evaders,” exposing them to potential arrest or penalties from military police. The petitioners emphasized that if the court had canceled the original orders, those affected would have received a temporary reprieve—shielding them from being labeled as evaders for several months, even if new orders were issued right away. Emes LeYaakov said they will continue pursuing the matter through additional petitions in the near future, seeking to protect the rights of bnei yeshiva facing the draft issue. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Israeli fighter jets carried out airstrikes on Thursday against targets in Sanaa, the capital of Yemen.

The operation coincided with a speech being delivered by Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi.

According to a security source, the main objective of the strike was a high-level meeting involving senior figures within the Houthi organization, described as a cabinet-style gathering that included both top military commanders and government ministers. The official said, “We estimate that we succeeded.”

Israeli intelligence assessments indicate that among those likely killed in the strike were the Houthi Defense Minister and the group’s Chief of Staff, the latter of whom had already been injured in a previous Israeli-attributed attack. However, the organization’s leader was reportedly not at the scene.

The IDF confirmed that its forces struck a Houthi military installation in the Sanaa region.

“The Houthi terrorist organization has been operating under the Iranian direction and funding in order to harm the state and its allies since the beginning of the war, undermining regional stability and disrupting global freedom of navigation,” the IDF stated.

The statement continued: “The IDF is operating decisively against the Houthi terrorist regime, while simultaneously intensifying strikes against the Hamas terrorist organization in Gaza, and will continue to act to remove any threat to the citizens of the State of Israel.”

Foreign media reports said the Israeli strike focused on safe houses where top Houthi leaders were believed to be hiding. A defense source confirmed that several high-ranking officials were inside one of the targeted locations.

Hezbollah-linked al-Mayadeen reported that more than ten separate strikes were launched across Sanaa during the operation.

Defense Minister Israel Katz, together with IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir and senior military leadership, consulted with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu before authorizing the strikes.

Katz declared: “As we warned the Houthis in Yemen, after the Plague of Darkness comes the Plague of the Firstborn. Whoever raises a hand against Israel — his hand will be cut off.”

This marks the second time in a week that Israeli forces have struck targets in Yemen.

On Sunday, Israeli warplanes conducted a large-scale assault involving 14 fighter jets that dropped around 40 munitions on multiple Houthi positions in the Sanaa area.

Those strikes targeted several key facilities, including the presidential palace complex, the Asar and Hizaz power stations, and a fuel storage depot utilized by Houthi forces.

In its statement following Sunday’s attacks, the IDF explained that “the strikes were conducted in response to repeated attacks by the Houthi terrorist regime against the State of Israel and its civilians, including the launching of surface-to-surface missiles and UAVs toward Israeli territory in recent days.”

“The presidential palace in the Sanaa area is located within a military site from which the military forces of the Houthi terrorist regime operate,” the IDF added. “In addition, the Hizaz and Asar power plants, which served as a significant electricity supply facility for military activities, were struck.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) has announced the discovery of a massive dam dating back nearly 2,800 years, to the days of Malchei Yehudah. The dam, unearthed just outside the Old City walls in Ir Dovid, is believed to have been built during the reign of King Yoash or King Amatziah. Standing some 40 feet tall, over 25 feet wide, and stretching nearly 70 feet long, the monumental structure was excavated over the last two years. Researchers from the Weizmann Institute of Science, working with the IAA, used advanced carbon-dating methods to confirm its age. The dam was designed to hold back and raise the level of water flowing from the Gichon Spring and the valley runoff leading to Nachal Kidron. Experts say it served a dual role: preventing dangerous flooding while also channeling water to sustain the growing city. According to the IAA, this structure was central to the building of the Shiloach Pool described in Tanach. “This is one of the most impressive and significant remains from the period of the First Beis Hamikdash to be found in Yerushalayim,” said Eli Eskusido, director of the IAA. “Its preservation is extraordinary, and it allows us to better understand the wisdom and sophistication of Yerushalayim in that era.” The discovery joins two other water systems from the same period in Ir Dovid, underscoring the advanced urban planning of the time. The findings will be presented publicly at the annual City of David Conference in Yerushalayim.   (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Several dozen Jewish activists rallied outside the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) headquarters in lower Manhattan, accusing the city’s most powerful teachers union of ignoring antisemitism in public schools and abandoning Jewish educators, parents, and students. Protesters, some of them UFT members themselves, carried signs reading “UFT leadership: Failing Jewish students. Failing New York” and “Educate against hate,” while chanting “Enough is enough.” A number of participants wore official union shirts but scrawled on the back: “UFT doesn’t represent me.” The demonstrators accused UFT leadership of a “pattern of silence and inaction” on antisemitic incidents, pointing to the union’s political endorsements — including that of Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani — as emblematic of the union’s betrayal. Karen Feldman, a co-founder of the New York City Public School Alliance, said she had been a dues-paying union member for 26 years before leaving over growing antisemitism in the school system. Organizers called on the UFT to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, ban classroom content that demonizes Jews, Zionism, or Israel, provide mandatory antisemitism training to members, withdraw endorsements of politicians who use or condone antisemitic slogans such as “Globalize the intifada,” and conduct a full audit of union materials for antisemitism. The demonstration was organized by a coalition of groups fighting antisemitism in schools and on campuses, including the New York City Public School Alliance, the Lawfare Project, EndJewHatred, Parents Against Antisemitism, and SAFE Campus for Equality. The UFT has not yet issued a response to the protesters’ demands. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

VP: “If you are a politician & two beautiful babies just got murdered while praying, & your politics force you to condemn prayer in response to it, you ought to get new politics because something very wrong has gone on inside your soul.”

WATCH: Father of 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel, killed in Minneapolis school shooting, gives statement. “Please remember Fletcher for person he was, not act that ended his life…Give your kids an extra hug & kiss today. We love you, Fletcher. You’ll always be with us.”

Bicur Joilim (Bikur Cholim), the oldest shul in Santiago, Chile, was vandalized on Friday while mispallelim were still inside, as three masked vandals spray-painted anti-Israel graffiti, splashed red paint, and hung posters depicting Netanyahu with a bullet hole in his head and messages accusing Jews of complicity in “genocide.” The Jewish community noted this was the fourth such attack on the shul since the October 7 massacre.

Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota Joe Thompson: “The shooter expressed hate toward black people.” “The shooter expressed hate toward Mexican people.” “The shooter expressed hate toward Christian people.” “The shooter expressed hate toward Jewish people.”

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey calls for a ban on “assault weapons.” “There is no reason that someone should be able to reel off 30 shots before they even have to reload.”

Itamar Bibi, a young chareidi activist who has become a frequent guest on Israeli news panels regarding the chareidi draft, has once again ignited a storm, drawing fierce backlash from secular, religious-Zionist, and chareidi circles alike.

Itamar first rose to prominence after a Channel 12 News feature spotlighted working chareidim — young men who are employed rather than fully devoted to Torah learning but still refuse to enlist in the IDF, publicly declaring their stance at every opportunity. Since then, Itamar has become a recurring media figure, known for his confrontational style and controversial statements.

The latest uproar began when Itamar , during a televised panel, claimed that reservist soldiers continue fighting in Gaza “for a 20,000-shekel paycheck.” The remark drew widespread condemnation, forcing Itamar to later clarify that his comments were directed only at the soldier sitting across from him in the studio, not at all reservists.

However, the tension escalated further last night when Itamar clashed live on-air with a chareidi combat soldier serving in the IDF’s newly established Chashmonaim Brigade. Itamar accused the soldier of being “not really chareidi,” calling him a “Chabadnik” who ignores the guidance of gedolim who have openly opposed the brigade’s creation.

While Itamar’s remarks have angered secular and religious-Zionist audiences, they have also triggered outrage within the chareidi community itself. Many prominent voices are distancing themselves from him, insisting that he does not represent mainstream chareidi views and accusing him of causing a massive chillul Hashem.

Chareidi journalist Mendy Rizel posted on X:
“שמישהו כבר יסתום לאיתמר ביבי את הפה. כמה חילול ה’.”
“Someone please shut Itamar Bibi’s mouth already. What a disgrace.”

Yossi Elituv, editor of Mishpacha Magazine, also weighed in, criticizing the phenomenon of young chareidim who are not committed to Torah learning but remain on yeshiva registries to avoid the draft: “כאשר נערים שאינם מקיימים את הבסיס ההלכתי נשארים ברשימות הישיבה, לא רק שהדבר מחלל את מהות בית המדרש, אלא הוא גם פשע חברתי־מוסרי כלפי האומה כולה: במקום למלא את חובתם האזרחית ולשרת בצה״ל, הם משמשים כעלה תאנה. על המגזר להבהיר במעשים: מי שתורתו אינה אומנותו, שילך לשרת את עמו.”

“When young men who do not follow the fundamentals of halacha remain listed as yeshiva students, it not only desecrates the essence of the beis medrash, but it is also a social and moral crime against the entire nation. Instead of fulfilling their civic duty and serving in the IDF, they are being used as a fig leaf. The chareidi community must make it clear in action: anyone whose Torah is not his life’s occupation should go serve his people.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

The CDC is looking into a Salmonella outbreak that has affected 95 people and led to 18 hospitalizations across multiple states. According to an update from the agency, the illnesses occurred between January 7 and July 26 and have been connected to eggs supplied by a distributor in Southern California. Officials warned that the actual number of cases is likely higher, as it often takes time for health departments to confirm and link individual infections to the outbreak.

Salmonella infections usually spread through foods like poultry and dairy products. Most individuals who become sick recover on their own without antibiotics, but symptoms commonly include diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration. In more severe instances, the bacteria can move beyond the digestive system and pose life-threatening complications.

Country Eggs LLC, the distributor tied to the contaminated eggs, announced on Wednesday that it is recalling its “Sunshine Yolks” brand eggs, which were distributed in both California and Nevada. While the majority of cases have been reported in California, infections have also been identified in 13 additional states.

This announcement came just two days after NBC News revealed that one of the CDC’s primary programs for monitoring foodborne illnesses is undergoing significant cutbacks, a move that public health experts say could affect future outbreak responses.

{Matzav.com}

A remarkable yeshuah occurred for an older bochur who, against all odds, became engaged after years of unsuccessful attempts at shidduchim. The turnaround came in the merit of a special segulah advised by the tzaddik Rav Dov Kook of Tiveria: intensive learning of the sefer Mesilas Yesharim.

Approximately two months ago, a prominent supporter of Torah institutions from the United States reached out to close talmidim of Rav Dov Kook — the editors of the widely circulated “Shivtei Kohen” publication, Rav Moshe Chaim Schneider and Rav Yaakov Brizel. The request came on behalf of a business partner, himself a well-known baal tzedakah, who had reached an advanced age without yet finding his zivug.

Despite investing tremendous efforts, offering large sums to top shadchanim across the U.S., and trying numerous known and hidden segulos, the long-awaited shidduch had not materialized. In his deep distress, the businessman asked that Rav Kook be consulted for a clear eitzah to bring about a salvation.

Upon hearing the situation, Rav Kook immediately provided his advice: the yeshuah lies within the holy words of the Ramchal’s classic, Mesilas Yesharim. He instructed that seven talmidei chachamim be enlisted to learn the entire sefer thoroughly — cover to cover — with depth and clarity, dedicating the merit of the learning to the bochur in need of a shidduch.

The supporter acted without delay, arranging for seven avreichim to complete the limud on the bochur’s behalf. Roughly two weeks later, Rav Schneider and Rav Brizel returned to their rebbi with the joyous report that the learning had been completed in full.

In a rare and striking gesture, Rav Kook took a piece of paper and wrote the words: “מזל טוב מזל טוב,” expressing his absolute confidence that a yeshuah was imminent.

Astonishingly, just two weeks after the completion of the limud, the long-awaited news arrived: the bochur became engaged to a kallah described as possessing yiras Shamayim, refined, and full of exceptional qualities.

On Wednesday, the talmidim personally visited Rav Dov Kook to deliver the joyous update. The tzaddik was visibly uplifted, offering heartfelt brachos to the new couple. In honor of the occasion, Rav Kook made a heartfelt l’chaim, expressing deep satisfaction over the yeshuah.

Those close to him noted that Rav Kook often laments when people approach him with their hardships and request his brachos but fail to return to inform him when the yeshuah arrives. This time, his simcha was described as “doubled and redoubled” upon hearing the outcome directly.

{Matzav.com Israel}

A deeply moving encounter took place this morning at the home of Rav Yigal Cohen, a member of the Chief Rabbinate Council and the head of Yabia Omer institutions, as he met with Agam Berger, who survived Hamas captivity. Berger was accompanied by askan Mr. Shai Graucher.

During the meeting, Rav Cohen expressed his profound admiration for Agam’s extraordinary inner strength during her time in captivity. He praised her unwavering commitment to Torah values despite the immense suffering and challenges she faced, noting her dedication to Shabbos observance, kashrus, and steadfast emunah.

“Zechus gadol nafal bechelkech,” Rav Cohen told her. “You succeeded in strengthening the entire Jewish nation during a time of crisis and hardship, and you spread the name of the Ribbono Shel Olam throughout the entire world.”

At the conclusion of the meeting, Rav Cohen presented Agam and Graucher with copies of his new siddur and the sefer Chovos HaLevavos.

{Matzav.com Israel}

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir released a new policy document addressing the government’s approach to handling demonstrations, setting a five-day deadline for Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara to issue a formal response.

The four-page document identifies what it refers to as “critical roads” that must remain open under all circumstances. These include routes to hospitals, roads connecting to Ben-Gurion Airport, highways whose closure would cut off access to certain communities, designated emergency paths, and other primary thoroughfares.

“The right to demonstrate is not an inherent right, but rather a relative right,” the document states.

Ben-Gvir’s office said that the attorney-general had received a copy of this policy months earlier but had yet to provide any feedback. The minister declared that if a response is not delivered within the allotted five days, the new rules will be enforced immediately.

{Matzav.com Israel}

The U.N. Security Council voted unanimously on Thursday to terminate the U.N. peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon at the end of next year after nearly five decades, bowing to demands from the United States and its close ally Israel. The United States, which initially demanded the force be ended in six months and later sought a one-year final extension, voted in favor of a final 16-month mandate to continue its activities near Lebanon’s U.N.-drawn border with Israel until Dec. 31, 2026. The multinational peacekeeping force has played a significant role in monitoring the security situation in southern Lebanon for decades, including during the Israel-Hezbollah war last year. But it has drawn criticism from both sides and officials in President Donald Trump’s administration, which has moved to slash U.S. funding for the operation as Trump remakes America’s approach to foreign policy. “The security environment in Lebanon is radically different than just one year ago, creating the space for Lebanon to assume greater responsibility,” said the acting U.S. ambassador, Dorothy Shea. A longtime peacekeeping force will wind down The peacekeeping force, known as UNIFIL, was created to oversee the withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon after Israel’s 1978 invasion. Its mission was expanded following the monthlong 2006 war between Israel and the militant group Hezbollah. Following last fall’s Israel-Hezbollah war, Lebanese officials have called for UNIFIL to remain, saying the country’s cash-strapped and overstretched army is unable to patrol the full area on its own. In a statement, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam welcomed the decision to extend UNIFIL’s mandate through 2026 and thanked “all friendly countries in this Council that expressed their understanding of Lebanon’s concerns.” Israel’s U.N. ambassador, Danny Danon, told the Security Council that “we are at a decisive moment for Lebanon, Israel and the region, on what comes next.” The U.N. resolution, sponsored by France, gives the force a year starting on Dec. 31, 2026, to withdraw its 10,800 military and civilian personnel and all U.N. equipment. During this period, UNIFIL was authorized to carry out a few limited activities. The resolution says the aim is to make the Lebanese government “the sole provider of security” in southern Lebanon north of the U.N.-drawn border with Israel known as the Blue Line. It calls on Israel to withdraw its forces from north of the Blue Line. Danon made no mention of a pullout in his remarks. Trump administration pushed for end to UNIFIL Trump administration political appointees had sought to shut down UNIFIL as soon as possible and secured major cuts in U.S. funding. They regard the operation as a waste of money that is merely delaying the goal of eliminating Hezbollah’s influence and restoring full security control to the Lebanese armed forces. European nations, notably France and Italy, objected to winding down UNIFIL too quickly. They argued that ending the peacekeeping mission before the Lebanese army was able to fully secure the border area would create a vacuum Hezbollah could easily exploit. France’s deputy U.N. ambassador, Jay Dharmadhikari, welcomed the unanimous vote, saying last November’s cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah placed Lebanon on a path to regain sovereignty over its entire territory and toward regional stability. He said UNIFIL’s ongoing operations are still vital, stressing that its mandate until the end of 2026 will give the force “precious time … to work alongside the mounting capabilities of the Lebanese army so […]

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Thursday sketched out his vision for Israel’s endgame in Gaza, aligning himself with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s pledge to bring the war to a close by year’s end while making clear he expects nothing short of permanent Israeli control of the territory. Speaking at a press conference, Smotrich said the government must project clarity and strength, warning that Hamas would be faced with a stark choice: surrender on Israel’s terms or face continued fighting. “I am here to create order, to show the people of Israel that we need to win… and we can win. We can do it quickly,” he said. Smotrich spelled out what surrender would look like: the release of all hostages, a full handover of weapons, the exile of Hamas’s leadership and the complete demilitarization of the Strip. Anything less, he argued, would fall short of the decisive victory he believes the country owes its citizens and the Jewish people more broadly. Smotrich went further than Netanyahu in calling for a postwar framework that cements Israel’s role indefinitely. “Israel must completely hold control of the entire strip, forever. We will annex a security perimeter, and open the gates of Gaza for voluntary immigration,” he said. Framing the war as a generational and even global struggle, Smotrich cast his plan as an obligation to those killed and captured since October 7, to Israel’s southern communities and to what he described as the broader security of the Western world. “We owe this to the fallen and their families, to the hostages and their families, to the heroic reservists, to the residents of the south, for the security of Israel, for the future of our children, for justice, for the Jews of the world, and for the security of the entire Western world. A decisive victory,” he said. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)