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Socialist mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani was forced to flee Lower Manhattan on Friday after being confronted by an irate protester who shouted accusations of antisemitism and clashed physically with one of Mamdani’s aides.

The man, identified by sources as 55-year-old Raul Rivera of the Bronx, followed Mamdani closely as the politician was escorted by security to his SUV, according to video footage of the altercation.

Rivera — who was arrested earlier this year for allegedly biting a Mamdani campaign volunteer — hurled insults and profanities while Mamdani ignored him and climbed into the vehicle, the footage shows.

Mamdani had been attending a rally in Foley Square in support of state Attorney General Letitia James, who is facing federal charges for bank fraud and making false statements to a financial institution. The event drew several progressive lawmakers and activists.

“Antisemite! Denounce Sharia law! Denounce Hezbollah! You can’t do it!” Rivera yells in the clip, as Mamdani, turning his back on him, walks toward the waiting SUV.

“Walk the narrow or you’re going to jail with Tish!” Rivera continues shouting as Mamdani enters the vehicle.

When Rivera moved too close to the SUV, one of Mamdani’s staffers pushed him back after he called Mamdani a “[profanity] rat.” Rivera, noticeably shorter and wearing a backward baseball cap, retaliated by shoving the aide several times while clutching what appeared to be a President Trump flag, repeatedly shouting, “Get the [profanity] off me, bro!”

Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, who was nearby but not part of the scuffle, stepped toward the cameras to make a statement.

“One of the good things is we’re out here to allow people like this to do this. In an authoritarian regime, they’d be thrown away, but we protect everybody — including them,” Williams said, flashing a peace sign before walking off.

As Mamdani’s vehicle pulled away, the driver could be heard yelling at Rivera to “get a job.” Moments later, the car sped off with Mamdani inside.

Rivera has long been a disruptive presence in New York politics, heckling both liberal and conservative officials at public appearances.

“He harasses everyone,” said one Democratic councilman. “He’s a loser.”

In June, Rivera allegedly bit a 29-year-old volunteer working for Mamdani during a Lower Manhattan news conference. The woman was hospitalized and Rivera was charged with assault, as first reported by PIX-11.

At that same event, Rivera accused Mamdani of being anti-Israel and allegedly attacked the volunteer when she stepped in to defend the candidate.

His latest confrontation came after Mamdani marked the second anniversary of Hamas’s October 7 terror massacre by accusing Israel of committing atrocities in Gaza.

During that post, Mamdani wrote that Israel was carrying out a “genocidal war” and that the United States “has been complicit through it all.”

Mamdani has also charged that Israel and Prime Minister Netanyahu are guilty of apartheid against the Palestinian people — comments that have sparked condemnation from both Democrats and Republicans.

The candidate declined to comment on Friday’s incident, and Rivera could not be reached.

Mamdani has faced repeated backlash for his refusal to disavow his past use of the slogan “globalize the intifada,” though he has since insisted that he supports Israel and condemns antisemitism.

The confrontation erupted shortly after Mamdani’s fiery defense of Letitia James, whom he portrayed as a victim of political persecution.

“This is a blatant miscarriage of justice. This is a shameless act of political retribution,” Mamdani seethed in response to the indictment.

“And instead of prosecuting Tish James for doing her job, Donald Trump should be doing his.”

James, who last year secured a civil judgment against Trump and the Trump Organization over inflated property valuations — a case that resulted in $355 million in penalties before being overturned on appeal — has long been a target of Trump’s public ire.

{Matzav.com}

A beautiful and uplifting Simchas Bais Hashoeivah was held in the sukkah of Rav Yehoshua Krupenia, rosh kollel at Bais Medrash Govoha in Lakewood, NJ.

The event drew a distinguished gathering of rabbanim, dayanim, and talmidei chachomim, many of whom consider themselves talmidim of Rav Krupenia, having studied Choshen Mishpat under his guidance over the years.

Among the attendees were Rav Chaim Meir Roth, Rav Yosef Fund, Rav Ari Marburger, Rav Yonasan Rubin, Rav Zafrani, Rav Mandelbaum, Dayan Hillel Fried, Rav Moshe Peretz Schwartz, Rav Mendel Weinberger, Rav Sharf, and others.

Rav Krupenia is one of Lakewood’s longtime senior talmidei chachomim and a revered figure in the world of halacha and Choshen Mishpat. He is a son of Rav Levi Krupenia zt”l, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Kamenitz, and a son-in-law of Rav Shneur Kotler zt”l, rosh yeshiva of Bais Medrash Govoha. His decades of dedication to harbotzas haTorah have produced many prominent dayanim and rabbanim across the Torah world.

VIDEOS AND PHOTOS:

{Matzav.com}

Israeli forces have begun raiding the homes of Palestinian prisoners slated for release under the first phase of a Gaza ceasefire and hostage exchange agreement, according to Palestinian media reports Sunday. The IDF reportedly conducted searches and arrests across the West Bank, warning families not to hold public celebrations or hoist Palestinian flags upon the return of released inmates. Troops also cautioned relatives against organizing receptions that glorify terrorism or praise the prisoners as heroes, the reports said. According to the Palestinian Prisoners’ Media Office, IDF units entered the homes of eight prisoners in and around Nablus and three in the Hebron area overnight. All eleven are among the 250 security prisoners expected to be released in exchange for the 48 Israeli hostages still held captive in Gaza. The list of prisoners includes individuals serving life sentences for deadly terror attacks. Of the total, 115 are expected to return to their homes in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, while 135 will be deported to Gaza or sent abroad. In addition, roughly 1,700 Gazan detainees arrested during the war are to be freed as part of the agreement. Hebrew media reported that prisoners designated for release have already been transferred to two separate facilities. Those set to return to the West Bank are being held at Ofer Prison, north of Jerusalem, while those bound for Gaza or foreign countries were moved to Ketziot Prison in Israel’s southern Negev Desert. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Israel is “ready and prepared for the immediate reception of all our hostages,” amid mounting signs that the long-awaited release of captives held in Gaza could begin as early as tonight. A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that security and medical teams have completed the final phase of preparations to receive the hostages at designated bases and hospitals across the country. The announcement comes as negotiators work to finalize the first stage of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire deal with Hamas, which includes the release of roughly 48 remaining Israeli hostages in exchange for 250 Palestinian prisoners. An Israeli official told Kan that the IDF expect the hostages to be back on Israeli soil by the time U.S. President Donald Trump lands in Israel on Monday morning. “The IDF has completed its preparations for the release of the hostages and assesses that all of them will be released before Trump’s arrival,” the official said, adding that coordination with American and Egyptian mediators is ongoing to ensure the transfer proceeds without delay. If the timeline holds, the return of the hostages could coincide with Trump’s high-profile visit to Jerusalem, where he is expected to deliver a brief address to the Knesset before departing later in the day — marking a symbolic moment in the fragile truce’s implementation. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

The Justice Department is reportedly preparing to file criminal charges against John Bolton, who served as national security adviser under President Donald Trump, according to an exclusive MSNBC report.

Federal prosecutors in Maryland are said to be considering whether to present the case to a grand jury or to proceed more quickly by filing a direct criminal complaint, which could happen as early as next week.

Bolton, 76, worked in the Trump administration from 2018 to 2019 and has since become one of the president’s harshest detractors. A veteran Republican foreign policy hawk, he has repeatedly condemned Trump’s management of classified information and his foreign policy approach.

MSNBC correspondent Carol Leonnig reported that acting U.S. Attorney Kelly Hayes believes prosecutors have a strong case indicating that Bolton mishandled sensitive government documents found at his Maryland residence. According to the report, FBI agents spent several hours searching the home and left with multiple boxes of materials.

Bolton’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, argued that the documents were “decades old” and consistent with what senior officials commonly retain after leaving public service.

Both Reuters and The Washington Post confirmed that Bolton remains under federal investigation. Their reports cited court filings showing that during an August search, FBI agents confiscated cellphones, computers, and folders marked “Trump I-IV.”

According to The Washington Post, the inquiry centers on potential violations of the Espionage Act.

Should charges be filed, Bolton would become the third high-profile critic of Trump to be prosecuted in recent weeks, following former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James. MSNBC reported that both prior cases faced pushback within the Justice Department, whereas officials in Maryland appear unified in their pursuit of the Bolton case.

Legal experts interviewed by MSNBC expressed surprise at the development, describing Bolton as a disciplined, rule-abiding official with a longstanding reputation for caution.

Some analysts suggested that the recent spate of prosecutions against figures who have publicly opposed Trump could reflect a broader campaign of political retaliation. However, administration officials have maintained that all charges are based solely on evidence and legal merit, not political motives.

{Matzav.com}

A new round of talks between Israel and Hamas opened Sunday morning, with the terrorist group offering to advance the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza to today—one day earlier than planned—if Israel agrees to free at least two of seven prominent Palestinian prisoners it is demanding, according to a report from the BBC. The negotiations, mediated by regional and U.S. officials, are focused on resolving the final disputes over the prisoner list for the first phase of Washington’s Gaza ceasefire deal. A Palestinian official familiar with the talks told the BBC that Hamas is continuing to press for the release of seven long-term inmates serving multiple life sentences for orchestrating mass-casualty terror attacks, including Marwan Barghouti, a senior Fatah figure once viewed as a potential successor to Mahmoud Abbas, and Ahmad Saadat, the head of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. Israeli officials have repeatedly rejected releasing those figures since the earliest stages of the negotiations. But the BBC report says Hamas is now signaling flexibility—proposing that if Israel frees just two of the seven, the hostages could be released as early as tonight rather than Monday morning. It remains unclear how Israel will respond to the proposal, or what will happen if the demand is rejected. The talks are also addressing logistical questions surrounding the release of the roughly 20 surviving Israeli hostages still held in Gaza, as well as the recovery and repatriation of the bodies of hostages believed to have been killed. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Israeli military and intelligence officials say they recovered a handwritten six-page memo believed to be from Yahya Sinwar that lays out explicit orders to target Israeli soldiers and civilians and to broadcast atrocities to sow fear and instability. The document, dated Aug. 24, 2022, was discovered this spring on a standalone computer inside an underground compound used by Muhammed Sinwar, the senior Hamas commander whom Israel killed in May 2025, according to seven Israeli officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity. The New York Times obtained a copy of the memo and reviewed it with Israeli experts who say the handwriting matches other samples attributed to Yahya Sinwar. Israeli intercepts of battlefield communications from Oct. 7, 2023 — previously unreported hours of audio reviewed by The Times — contain commands that officials say echo the memo’s brutal directives. If authenticated, the memo would provide rare written evidence tying senior Hamas leadership to a campaign that explicitly targeted civilians, Israeli officials said — undercutting Hamas’s public claims about the nature and intent of the Oct. 7 assault that killed about 1,200 people and spurred a two-year long retaliatory war in Gaza that devastated large parts of the territory. “What the material shows is a deliberately planned, shock-value operation aimed at terrorizing the civilian population and destabilizing Israel,” said one Israeli official describing the memo and the intercepts. A confidential report prepared by the Gazit Institute, an Israeli military intelligence-linked think tank that reviewed the materials, concluded the leadership “planned and carried out an attack that featured acts of ‘extraordinary brutality.’” The memo — written in Arabic and found as an image file on a computer not connected to any online network — urges fighters to break through the Gaza-Israel fence, enter civilian neighborhoods, burn homes “with gasoline or diesel from a tanker,” and film violent acts to broadcast widely. It contains graphic language instructing commanders to “stomp on the heads of soldiers,” “slit their throats,” and “slaughter” at point-blank range. Israeli intercepts captured on Oct. 7 by Unit 8200, the military’s signals intelligence arm, include on-the-ground commands that mirror the memo’s language. In one passage cited by Israeli sources, a Gaza City commander identified only as “Abu Muhammed” is heard telling subordinates just before 10 a.m.: “Start setting homes on fire. Burn, burn. I want the whole kibbutz to be in flames.” Another interlocutor, “Abu al-Abed,” is recorded saying: “Set fire to anything.” Other messages recorded that day urged terrorists to take many hostages and to film and broadcast scenes of violence to mobilize sympathizers across the region. “Document the scenes of horror, now, and broadcast them on TV channels to the whole world,” a commander heard in the intercepts says. Hamas officials did not answer questions from The New York Times about the memo. Izzat al-Rishq, director of Hamas’s media office in Qatar, did not respond to a request for comment. A Palestinian analyst close to Hamas, Ibrahim Madhoun, told The Times he doubted the memo’s authenticity and said many of the acts described — such as burning entire neighborhoods — did not match his view of how the assault unfolded, even while acknowledging that many homes were set ablaze. Israeli authorities asked a former police document-expert, Sima Ankona, to compare the memo with samples collected over time that […]

President Donald Trump has been deemed in “exceptional health” following what he called a “semiannual physical” conducted on Friday at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, according to a statement from White House physician Dr. Sean Barbabella.

After undergoing a thorough medical evaluation that included imaging scans, laboratory testing, and a full preventive assessment, Trump was given a clean bill of health Friday night. Specialists found that his cardiac age measures an impressive 14 years younger than his actual age of 79.

Dr. Barbabella’s report also noted that Trump received multiple vaccinations during the visit, including his annual flu shot and a COVID-19 booster, in preparation for his upcoming trip to the Middle East.

“President Trump continues to demonstrate excellent overall health,” the physician stated.

“He continues to maintain a demanding daily schedule without restriction. President Donald J. Trump remains in exceptional health, exhibiting strong cardiovascular, pulmonary, neurological, and physical performance.”

Barbabella, a Navy captain, said Trump’s blood tests produced “exceptional” results, showing “stable metabolic, hematologic, and cardiac parameters.”

“These evaluations were performed in coordination with leading academic and medical consultants to ensure optimal cardiovascular health and continued wellness,” he added.

This latest assessment comes six months after Barbabella’s previous report in April, which described Trump as “fully fit” to serve as commander in chief and in “excellent cognitive and physical health.” That earlier evaluation credited Trump’s active lifestyle and his “frequent victories in golf events” as contributing factors.

At the time, Trump proudly told reporters that he had aced a cognitive exam, using the moment to contrast himself with Joe Biden, who was widely criticized for his noticeable mental decline before leaving office.

Barbabella confirmed that Trump achieved a “normal” score of 30 out of 30 on that test.

In July, three months after that report, Trump was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency—a circulatory condition—after experiencing “mild swelling” in his lower legs.

The condition, which often develops in people who sit or stand for extended periods, results when blood pools in the veins instead of efficiently returning to the heart. Doctors typically treat it with compression stockings and increased physical activity to improve circulation.

Throughout his political career, beginning with his 2016 campaign, Trump has consistently made his medical reports public—each declaring him to be in robust and vigorous health.

{Matzav.com}

A frightening incident occurred on Leil Shabbos in Bnei Brak when the sukkah of the Ziditchoiv-Veretsky Rebbe caught fire and was completely destroyed.

The blaze broke out during Kiddush at the Rebbe’s home on Tzirelson Street in the city’s Shikun Hei neighborhood. According to witnesses, several Shabbos candles that had been lit inside the sukkah apparently tipped over, igniting the structure within moments.

Members of the Rebbe’s household immediately called the fire department, but by the time firefighters arrived, the sukkah had already been consumed by the flames.

“It was a great miracle,” said one eyewitness. “The quick thinking of the Rebbe’s son prevented a serious tragedy. Together with other family members, he acted swiftly to extinguish the fire before it could spread to the house.”

No injuries were reported, but the sukkah itself was reduced to ashes. Local residents who heard of the event expressed deep gratitude to Hashem for what they described as a clear act of hashgachah pratis, noting that the timing—just as Kiddush was being made—could easily have resulted in far worse devastation.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado said that her Nobel Peace Prize victory is not only a moment of triumph for her nation’s struggle for freedom but also a tribute to President Donald Trump, whose actions she credits with advancing democracy throughout the Americas.

“I dedicated this award to the Venezuelan people and President Trump because I believe that’s absolutely fair,” Machado told The NY Post in an interview. “We, the Venezuelan people, are absolutely grateful to President Trump for the way he has supported democracy and freedom in the Americas.”

Machado spearheaded the national grassroots campaign that defeated Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro in the 2024 election. Despite that resounding loss, Maduro declared himself the winner and has clung to power through violence and intimidation.

Speaking from a hidden location inside Venezuela, Machado — who has been in hiding since the disputed vote — said Trump’s “courage and clarity” played a vital role in isolating and crippling what she described as Maduro’s “narco-terrorist criminal enterprise” that continues to dominate her homeland.

Trump has intensified his campaign against the Maduro regime since returning to office, deploying U.S. naval forces to disrupt drug smuggling operations, reinstating sanctions lifted under the Biden administration, and increasing the bounty for Maduro’s arrest to $50 million — the highest reward in American history.

“From the very beginning, President Trump understood this wasn’t a conventional dictatorship,” Machado said. “He treated it as what it is — a criminal network tied to drug cartels, terrorist groups, and foreign regimes that threaten both the Venezuelan people and the security of the United States.”

Machado described the devastation Maduro’s rule has inflicted on daily life in Venezuela: schools functioning only a few days each week, hospitals with no medicine, elderly citizens surviving on pensions worth less than a dollar a month, and nearly nine out of ten Venezuelans living in poverty.

“This regime has destroyed everything,” she said. “They torture, they kill, they imprison family members just because someone posts about inflation online.”

Even amid that oppression, Machado said the spirit of the Venezuelan people remains unbroken and that millions who fled abroad are ready to return once Maduro is overthrown.

“We are living through a spiritual fight — between good and evil,” she said. “Ninety percent of our people, including the military, want the same thing: freedom, dignity, and our children back home.”

Machado said she hopes that the global attention from her Nobel recognition will focus renewed international pressure on Maduro’s government, continuing the firm stance first led by the Trump administration.

“I was looking forward to thanking him directly,” Machado said, noting that she spoke with Trump earlier in the day. “He’s determined to dismantle the narco-terrorist structure that’s done so much harm to both our peoples.”

She credited Trump for targeting the criminal financial networks propping up Maduro’s power, including drug trafficking, illicit gold trading, and the underground oil market.

“For years we begged the international community to see this as a law enforcement issue,” she said. “President Trump was the first to act. He called them what they are — narco-terrorist organizations — and used the full weight of the law to cut their money flow.”

According to Machado, these measures — combined with U.S. naval patrols and sweeping sanctions — have left Maduro’s regime on the brink.

“Even within the regime, there are fractures and betrayals,” she said. “They know time is over.”

Machado predicted that Maduro’s downfall would spark a wave of democratic change across the region.

“Once Maduro goes, the Cuban regime will follow, and the Nicaraguan regime will follow as well,” she declared. “For the first time in history, we will have the Americas free of communism, dictatorship and narco-terrorism. And that will be President Trump’s legacy.”

She expressed hope that her Nobel win would signal that lasting freedom for Venezuela is within reach.

“This prize belongs to the people of Venezuela, but it also recognizes the vision of a leader who understood that our freedom is tied to the freedom of the entire hemisphere,” she said.

“President Trump gave us hope. And now, finally, we’re turning that hope into history.”

Trump himself is seen as a strong contender for next year’s Nobel Peace Prize, having already received several nominations for his diplomatic efforts to end multiple global conflicts during 2025. The deadline for the 2025 prize passed on January 31, only days after Trump returned to office.

{Matzav.com}

Joe Biden is now receiving radiation and hormone treatments in what doctors describe as a new stage of care for the aggressive prostate cancer discovered after he left the White House, his spokesperson confirmed today.

“As part of a treatment plan for prostate cancer, President Biden is currently undergoing radiation therapy and hormone treatment,” said Biden aide Kelly Scully.

The 82-year-old Democrat stepped down from office in January, months after ending his reelection campaign. His decision followed a widely criticized debate performance against Republican Donald Trump that intensified concerns over Biden’s advanced age, health, and cognitive condition. Trump went on to defeat Democrat Kamala Harris, who had served as Biden’s vice president.

In May, Biden’s post-presidency office disclosed that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer, which had already metastasized to his bones. The diagnosis came after he sought medical attention for urinary complications.

Doctors measure the aggressiveness of prostate cancer using the Gleason scoring system, which ranges from 6 to 10. Scores of 8, 9, or 10 indicate a more dangerous and rapidly advancing form of the disease. Biden’s team revealed that his cancer was graded at 9, identifying it as one of the most severe types.

Just last month, Biden underwent a procedure to remove skin cancer spots from his forehead, his office added.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump is expected to arrive in Israel on Monday morning for a brief but highly symbolic visit, during which he will deliver an address at the Knesset and meet with recently freed hostages before departing about four hours later. His trip is timed to align with the first group of Israeli hostages being released from Hamas captivity under the ceasefire agreement he helped broker.

An Israeli government source confirmed to The Times of Israel that Trump will both speak in the Knesset and meet hostages who were released. The source added that a coordination call between U.S. and Israeli officials took place on Friday, during which Trump’s aides said the trip “would be an in and out” visit.

Channel 12 reported that Trump is scheduled to touch down at Ben Gurion Airport at 9:20 a.m. and depart around 1:00 p.m. Upon landing, a brief welcoming ceremony will take place before he proceeds to the Knesset, where his address to the full plenum is slated for 11:00 a.m.

Before speaking, Trump is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Knesset’s official office. The two will then join relatives of hostages for a meeting in the Chagall Hall, according to the network.

The visit’s timing coincides with the beginning of Simchas Torah on Monday evening, which also marks, according to the Hebrew calendar, the second anniversary of the October 7, 2023 Hamas invasion and massacre that ignited the ongoing war.

Following his address, Trump will return to Ben Gurion Airport for his flight out of Israel. Later that day, he is expected to co-chair a “peace summit” in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, alongside several world leaders.

An Israeli official said that Trump will not visit Hostages Square in Tel Aviv despite being invited by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum to speak there, citing security considerations.

According to the Kan public broadcaster, Trump had originally planned to arrive on Sunday, but the visit was delayed by one day because of the logistical hurdles of arranging it so quickly.

Trump announced on Thursday that Israel and Hamas had accepted the “first stage” of his proposed peace plan, explaining that he would travel to the Middle East on Sunday and aimed to be in Israel as the first hostages were freed on Monday or Tuesday.

The first phase of the agreement, approved by Israel’s cabinet on Thursday night, calls for an initial withdrawal of IDF forces from Gaza. Within 72 hours of that move, Hamas is to release the hostages. In exchange, Israel will free nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including 250 serving life sentences for terrorism-related offenses.

The IDF confirmed that the pullback was completed by noon on Friday, which would mean the hostage releases are anticipated by midday Monday.

Preparations for Trump’s visit began on Thursday, when Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana extended a formal invitation for him to address the Israeli legislature.

This trip marks Trump’s first visit to Israel since resuming the presidency in January. His previous visit occurred in 2017 during his first term, when he made Israel one of the first stops on his inaugural foreign tour.

The upcoming visit has drawn broad acclaim, with both supporters and opponents of Israel’s government praising Trump for his pivotal role in securing the ceasefire and facilitating the hostage exchange agreement.

As of now, terrorist factions in Gaza are still holding 47 of the 251 hostages abducted during Hamas’s bloody October 7 assault. The IDF has verified that at least 26 of those captives are dead. Hamas also retains the remains of an Israeli soldier killed in 2014 and claims that due to battlefield conditions, recovering and returning the bodies of slain hostages will take more than 72 hours.

{Matzav.com}

Project Veritas revealed a major development after its investigation resulted in the capture of two Brazilian nationals accused of plotting to bomb a Chabad Center in Orlando, Florida.

“Following evidence uncovered by Project Veritas, the FBI and Florida police raided the hotel rooms of two illegal immigrants, Janaina Toledo (32) and Leonardo Corona Ramos (42), today,” Project Veritas wrote on social media. “The Brazilian nationals, linked to Tren de Aragua, face charges of underage *** trafficking and planning a terrorist attack on Chabad South Orlando, a Jewish synagogue and school.”

Authorities have confirmed that both suspects are being held in the Orange County, Florida jail. Investigators reportedly believe that the information provided by Project Veritas played a crucial role in stopping what could have been one of the most devastating terror plots in the state’s history.

{Matzav.com}

Degel Hatorah leader MK Moshe Gafni unleashed fierce criticism against his coalition partners on Motzoei Shabbos, as disputes intensified over legislation to exempt all yeshiva students from military service.

“We made four requests of the Prime Minister over the past two years: One – bring back the hostages. Two – end the war. Three – avoid uncoordinated actions with the United States. Four – ensure that Torah scholars can continue their studies. This is the directive we received from our rabbis, and this is the path of Degel Hatorah,” Gafni declared.

Though he refrained from naming specific individuals, Gafni’s comments were clearly directed at National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

“We see now that we were right. Who was right? The one wearing a kippah, ascending the Temple Mount, inciting the entire Muslim world against us—did that help anyone?” he said.

“And the other one, also with a kippah, who, along with his associates, constantly incites against Torah scholars. Had we listened to these irresponsible voices, the hostages wouldn’t have been released—and I’m not even sure they care.”

Continuing his address, Gafni stated, “Despite the judges being against us, the senior officials opposing us, and the media inciting against us—the people are with us. Representatives of Degel Hatorah have come from across the country, and I’ve gone city to city—there is a growing closeness to religion everywhere. The public stands with us.”

In response, sources close to Minister Smotrich fired back sharply: “If Gafni weren’t afraid of losing his grip on the majority of the chareidi public—who are tired of his petty, divisive politicking and his persistent attacks on the religious Zionist community, which sacrifices for Torah, the nation, and the land in sanctity and purity—he wouldn’t need to align himself with Yair Golan and Yair Lapid. His rhetoric spreads hatred and division against religious Zionism, especially during the Sukkos holiday.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said the organization faces “very great complexity” in its efforts to recover the remains of Israeli hostages killed in Gaza.

Speaking to the Qatari network Al Araby, Qassem asserted, “There are very great complexities in the matter of the hostages’ bodies. Israel has destroyed homes, there are entire areas in the Gaza Strip which were completely erased. As a result, you cannot easily reach the bodies of all the hostages there.”

His comments echoed earlier statements by Hamas this month, when the group claimed it could “take months” to locate and recover all of the deceased hostages’ remains.

Shortly after making that declaration, reports surfaced that Hamas had begun searching for the bodies in the ruins left behind from the fighting.

Among those whose bodies are still being withheld by Hamas is IDF soldier Hadar Goldin, who was killed and abducted during Operation Protective Edge in 2014. While the remains of his comrade, Oron Shaul, who fell in the same battle, were recovered earlier this year, Goldin’s body remains in Gaza.

In a statement released earlier this week, Goldin’s parents, Leah and Simcha, expressed anguish over the prolonged wait and urged the government not to allow history to repeat itself. “This war was born 11 years ago, when it was decided to leave hostages behind in Gaza. Our Hadar symbolizes determination for a true victory, and until he is brought home, we are still at war. Israel has 28 deceased hostages without a solution, and we are standing guard. We call on the Israeli government to bring in search teams and bring everyone back before Hamas receives anything in exchange.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

A massive rally filled Hostages Square in Tel Aviv this evening as Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and Ivanka Trump took the stage to address a crowd of thousands gathered in unity and gratitude.

Standing before an ocean of waving flags and candles, Witkoff opened his remarks with emotion. “I dreamed of this night for a long time. This is the most powerful sight,” he said, estimating that over 100,000 people had come together “with hearts beating as one, gathered here in Tel Aviv for peace, for unity, and for hope in this sacred place we call Hostages Square. I only wish the president were here.”

He continued by emphasizing the rare spirit of solidarity in the crowd. “We stand here tonight, Jews, Christians, Muslims, with one shared goal, peace. Tonight we celebrate something extraordinary – a peace born not out of politics but out of courage – the courage of those who refuse to give up.”

Witkoff credited the accomplishment to the relentless efforts of key figures who, he said, “would not rest until the world saw what could be achieved.” Pointing to the man beside him, he added, “One of them is standing right here with me, Jared Kushner.” He went on to commend President Trump, Prime Minister Netanyahu, and several Arab leaders for their vital roles in bringing the agreement to fruition.

Closing his remarks, Witkoff paid tribute to the families of the hostages and to the soldiers who gave their lives defending Israel, praising them for “carrying the weight of the nation” throughout the war.

As the rally came to an end, participants lifted a massive banner stretching across the square that read, “Nobel President Trump,” drawing loud cheers and applause from the crowd.

{Matzav.com Israel}

A specialized Israeli military team uncovered a digitized version of a six-page handwritten memorandum attributed to Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leader, which explicitly directed operatives to strike Israeli civilians in the lead-up to the October 7 assault, The New York Times reported Thursday.

Investigators found the file on an offline computer inside an underground hideout linked to Sinwar, discovered after the killing of his brother Mohammed Sinwar, a Gaza-based Hamas field commander. The device had not been connected to external networks, officials said.

Dated August 24, 2022, the document contained Arabic instructions that ordered attacks on both military and nonmilitary targets, according to seven Israeli officials who reviewed the memo and spoke with the newspaper.

The New York Times reported that the memorandum urged Hamas to deliberately record and publicize the violence during the massacre to sow terror and instability throughout Israel.

“It needs to be affirmed to the unit commanders to undertake these actions intentionally, film them, and broadcast images of them as fast as possible,” the memo read.

Intercepted communications from Gaza commanders further showed explicit calls to capture and air gruesome scenes. In one intercepted instruction, a Gaza City commander known as Abu al-Baraa told fighters operating near Kibbutz Sa’ad: “Document the scenes of horror, now, and broadcast them across TV channels for the whole world to see.”

Other intercepted messages captured horrific slogans and orders. “Slaughter them. End the children of Israel,” one recording stated.

Additional intercepted exchanges between field leaders and their subordinates—previously unreported—also contained parallel orders that Israeli intelligence intercepted during the offensive and later shared with The New York Times.

In the war’s initial days, Hamas publicly denied directing attacks at civilians and maintained that women and children taken captive were held for their safety.

Many children were released in a November 2023 agreement, but some families fared worse: Ariel and Kfir Bibas and their mother Shiri remained captive for more than a year and were later found to have been killed in custody; their father, Yarden Bibas, was freed alive in an exchange.

Although Sinwar’s memorandum did not explicitly call for taking civilians hostage, it did instruct fighters to torch residential areas using fuel from tankers and other sources.

“Two or three operations must be planned to burn down an entire neighborhood, kibbutz, or something similar,” the memo stated.

Israeli intercepts indicate that operatives followed these orders on October 7. One Gaza City commander, Abu Muhammed, was recorded telling his forces: “Start setting homes on fire.”

“Burn, burn,” he urged, according to the intercepted exchanges. “I want the whole kibbutz to be in flames.”

Other leaders issued comparable commands. “Set fire to anything,” a commander identified as Abu al-Abed was recorded saying around the same time.

In another intercepted message, a field officer named Abu Muath told his fighters to show no mercy: “kill everyone on the road… Kill everyone you encounter.”

“Men, take a lot of hostages… Take a lot of hostages,” he continued, repeating the call.

Sinwar’s memo also advocated extreme violence against Israeli soldiers, urging acts that would be both symbolic and brutal.

“Stomp on the heads of soldiers,” the document declared.

It listed brutal examples—shooting soldiers at close range, slaughtering them with knives, and blowing up tanks—as the types of atrocities to be carried out by Nukhba fighters.

Izzat al-Rishq, who directs Hamas’s media office from Qatar, declined to respond to The New York Times’ account.

{Matzav.com}

Roei Shalev, a survivor of the Nova music festival massacre, ended his life on Friday, leaving behind a farewell message on social media that has shaken the nation.

Shalev was among the attendees of the Nova festival on October 7, 2023, when Hamas terrorists invaded border communities near Gaza, killing roughly 1,200 people. He was shot in the back but lived through the attack. His partner, Mapal Adam, and his close friend, Hili Solomon, were both murdered that day.

The tragedy deepened just a week later when Shalev’s mother, Raffaela, also took her own life, unable to bear the loss.

On Friday, Shalev was discovered in a burning vehicle near a highway exit outside Netanya. Police said they have launched an investigation into the circumstances, though Shalev’s Instagram farewell post made clear his intent.

The haunting message, expressing anguish and emotional collapse since the massacre, reflected what friends had long feared—that he never recovered from the deaths of his partner and friends. “I’m truly sorry. I can’t bear this pain any longer. I’m burning inside, and I can’t contain it anymore. Never in my life have I felt such pain and suffering – deep, burning, eating me from within,” Shalev wrote.

“I truly can’t go on. Dad, Lior, and Ido – I love you more than anything in the world. I’m so sorry. My friends in Israel and around the world – I love you. Keshet, I love you. Please don’t be angry with me. No one will ever understand me, because you can’t. I
Please remember the good in me. Anyone who knew me knows that all I ever wanted was good. I’m sorry.”

The Nova Tribe Community Association, representing survivors of the festival, issued a somber statement mourning his death. “Unfortunately, many of the PTSD victims of October 7 are still experiencing terrible and complex moments since that day. We ask everyone to be constantly vigilant and maximally sensitive to the mental state of the victims of October 7 in general, and to the survivors and the bereaved families in particular.”

After Shalev’s post appeared online, friends and members of the Nova Tribe launched a frantic search when he stopped answering his phone. Security footage showed him at a gas station filling a container with fuel. Soon after, his car was discovered engulfed in flames, with his body inside. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

In a statement, Shalev’s family confirmed his passing and requested privacy. “We ask to refrain from contact,” they wrote, adding that “details of the funeral will be provided separately.”

Nova Tribe described Shalev as one of the central figures in their circle and called his loss “incomprehensible.” The group urged people to remember “his courageous support of the community, his leadership as captain of the Nova Tribe basketball team, and his devotion to helping friends in their most difficult times.”

Basketball trainer and YouTuber Barak Swarttz shared his grief online, recalling a powerful interview he recorded with Shalev last year in Los Angeles. During that conversation, Shalev had recounted his survival story in vivid detail—how he was shot twice, pretended to be dead as terrorists roamed the festival grounds, and watched loved ones die beside him.

In the same interview, Shalev described how he and his late partner, Mapal Adam, had often spoken about their dreams together—planning their wedding, naming their future children, and envisioning their lives ahead. “They send me signs,” he told Swarttz. “After the biggest nightmare of my life, I am here today. On a basketball court with a smile on my face,” he said, acknowledging that the memories and tears still haunted him.

Following confirmation of Shalev’s death, Swarttz added a pinned comment to the video: “Dear YouTube community – Roei took his life… October 10th. He couldn’t take the pain anymore. Please send your wishes to his family and loved ones. Gutted,” accompanied by emojis of angel wings, a candle, and a broken heart.

Shalev’s passing follows a tragic pattern among survivors. Other Nova attendees have also taken their own lives, including 22-year-old Shirel Golan, who died by suicide a year after the massacre, reportedly on her birthday.

In April 2024, Nova survivor Guy Ben Shimon told Knesset members that “almost 50 suicides among the Nova survivors” had occurred. The Health Ministry rejected that figure, stating it had no data or records supporting such a number and reported fewer than ten known suicides among survivors at that time. Officials have not released updated statistics, citing privacy concerns.

Despite his pain, Shalev had become an advocate for mental health awareness. Israeli nonprofit ELEM: Youth in Distress honored him with its “LifeSaver Award” for his efforts to help others cope with post-traumatic stress following October 7. Accepting the award last year, he said, “I’m determined to help rebuild our community, to offer hope and support to those whose lives have been shattered by similar tragedies. And so, I humbly ask for your assistance. Together, we can make a difference. Whether through donations or spreading awareness, every act of kindness matters. And amidst the pain and sorrow, I hold onto one truth: we will dance again. We’ll reclaim the joy that was stolen from us and build a brighter future for all.”

In a statement, SafeHeart, an organization providing trauma therapy for Nova survivors, mourned deeply. “Our hearts are broken alongside Roei’s family, friends, and the entire survivor community. This terrible tragedy is a painful reminder that for many survivors, the trauma of October 7 has not ended. It continues to live within them, day by day, moment by moment. The pain does not simply fade with time; in many cases, it grows stronger.

“Two years later, we as a society must recognize that survivors need long-term, professional, and accessible support. They need to be seen, heard, and understood, not only on anniversaries or during public events, but every single day. The path to healing is long, complex, and deeply personal. It requires compassion, treatment, and community.

“SafeHeart will continue to provide trauma-informed care to survivors of the Nova festival and all those affected by the events of October 7. Our mission remains unwavering: to ensure that no survivor ever feels alone in their struggle.

“We urge any survivor, family member, or loved one in distress to reach out to SafeHeart, to their therapists, or to other support networks. You are not alone, and you never will be. May Roei rest in peace, and may his memory be a blessing.”

Post-traumatic stress has now claimed the lives of at least 41 people in Israel, leaving families shattered. Many of those lost were soldiers who entered the massacre sites at Nova and nearby kibbutzim, where they witnessed unspeakable horrors committed by Hamas terrorists.

Mental health professionals continue to warn that the emotional toll of October 7 has reached the level of a national emergency, and that countless others remain at risk unless long-term psychological aid and intervention are expanded.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Beri Weber at a Simchas Bais HaShoeva in Beitar on Motzei Shabbos Chol Hamoed Sukkos.

Israeli authorities are on standby for the return of 48 hostages—both living and deceased—following reports that the transfers could happen “at any time,” according to The Jerusalem Post. Despite that readiness, officials expect the process to begin on Monday.

Preparations are already underway for the reception of 20 surviving hostages and the remains of 28 others under the terms of the ceasefire arrangement between Israel and Hamas. With IDF forces having pulled back from parts of Gaza, medical and forensic personnel have been mobilized to handle the delicate task of identifying the victims.

Reports suggest that the first hostages could be handed over as early as Sunday under the peace framework advanced by US President Donald Trump. Trump himself said on Friday that he anticipates the return to be completed by Monday.

Brig.-Gen. (res.) Gal Hirsch, Israel’s Coordinator for Hostages and Missing Persons, told families tonight that he expects the releases to begin Monday morning. He noted that all arrangements for receiving the deceased have been finalized and emphasized that the process will be carried out respectfully and with full forensic documentation.

“We demand, expect, and are working to ensure that Hamas, with the assistance of the international force, makes a full (100%) effort to complete the mission and return all deceased hostages so they may be laid to rest in Israel,” he affirmed.

Under the ceasefire terms, Hamas was granted a 72-hour window to release the captives once Israeli troops withdrew from designated areas in Gaza on Friday. A senior Hamas official told Agence France-Presse that the first releases would indeed take place Monday.

President Trump is expected to make a brief visit to Israel on Monday morning. He is scheduled to meet with hostage families upon arrival and address the Knesset before departing later that day.

In anticipation of the hostages’ return, Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu visited Sheba Medical Center on Friday to inspect preparations. At the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute, teams have completed detailed readiness plans to identify 28 sets of remains, marking one of the most sensitive missions in Israel’s medical history.

The Abu Kabir process will use advanced scientific methods—CT scans, DNA matching, dental records, and anthropological comparisons—to ensure accurate identification.
Arab media reported that Hamas had started gathering the bodies of deceased hostages for repatriation, though Israeli officials are skeptical that all remains can be located quickly, which could result in delays.

Following the ceasefire’s activation, the IDF redeployed its forces along the agreed lines inside Gaza on Friday. By today, thousands of Palestinians were seen moving northward—on foot, in cars, and on donkey carts—trying to return to the homes they abandoned during the fighting.

Meanwhile, about 200 American military personnel have arrived in Israel to assist in overseeing the Trump peace agreement, an official familiar with the operation told ABC News. These troops are specialists in logistics, transportation, planning, and security coordination.

On Friday, Israel’s Justice Ministry published the official list of Palestinian prisoners who will be freed as part of the deal to recover the hostages. The roster includes 250 inmates serving life sentences, along with 1,700 additional detainees—among them women and minors—who were arrested since Hamas’s October 7 massacre.

Among those slated for release are Ra’ad Sheikh, a Palestinian police officer involved in the infamous Ramallah lynching, and Iyad Abu al-Rub, a senior Islamic Jihad commander from Jenin linked to multiple suicide bombings, including the Shdei Terumot grocery attack in 2003, the Sting Club bombing in 2004, and the 2005 Hadera market attack.

According to Walla, the ratio of Palestinian prisoners to Israeli hostages in this exchange is the lowest Israel has agreed to in decades.

Tonight, approximately 400,000 people assembled at Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square ahead of the anticipated returns. Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, along with Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump, addressed the crowd.

“I dreamed of this night,” Witkoff began. “It’s been a long journey.” Gazing out at the massive audience, he continued: “You have carried the weight of hope on your shoulders for the entire world. You’ve prayed, you’ve persevered. And you’ve shown the world that peace is not weakness. It is the highest form of strength. Through heartbreak and fear, you have never let go of the faith,” Witkoff said.

{Matzav.com}