The Israeli Navy seized 41 vessels and arrested 425 terror supporters aboard the ships after the Global Sumud Flotilla entered Israel’s territorial waters on Wednesday evening, Yom Kippur, with the aim of violating Israel’s blockade on the Gaza Strip. Shayetet 13 commandos simultaneously took control of the six leading ships. During the takeover, one of the vessels began to sink due to a technical malfunction, and the Navy fighters rescued the terror supporters who were on board. The “unprecedented operation” took over 12 hours. Israel’s Foreign Ministry stated: “The Hamas-Sumud provocation is over. None of the Hamas-Sumud provocation yachts has succeeded in its attempt to enter an active combat zone or breach the lawful naval blockade.” “All the passengers are safe and in good health. They are making their way safely to Israel, from where they will be deported to Europe. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu stated, “I commend the soldiers and commanders of the Navy who carried out their activity during Yom Kippur in the most professional and efficient manner. Their important activity prevented the entry of dozens of vessels into the war zone and repelled a campaign of delegitimization against Israel.” In the video below, Navy ships and seized flotilla vessels enter the Ashdod base: (YWN’s Jerusalem desk is keeping you updated on Motzei Yom Kippur in Israel)
Two Jews were killed and four were seriously injured in a ramming and stabbing attack outside a shul in Manchester, UK, on Yom Kippur at about 9:30 a.m. Witnesses said that the terrorist rammed his car into a group of Jews outside Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall, a suburb in the north of Manchester. He then stabbed anyone “wearing a kippah,” a witness said. The terrorist was shot and killed by police officers called to the scene. His identity has not yet been revealed. The police said that two other people were arrested in connection with the attack. One of the victims was the shul’s security guard. Local resident Chava Lewin said, “The moment he got out of the car, he started stabbing anyone nearby. He went for the guard and tried to break into the synagogue. Someone blocked the door. Everyone was in total shock.” According to UK media outlets, Rabbi Daniel Walker, the Rav of the shul, quickly locked the shul doors and prevented the terrorist from entering. “He was incredibly calm,” Lewin said. “He’s a hero. It could have been much worse.” Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar on Motzei Yom Kippur slammed British authorities for failing to take action to halt antisemitism. “The truth must be told: blatant and rampant antisemitic and anti-Israeli incitement, as well as calls of support for terror, have recently become a widespread phenomenon in the streets of London, in cities across Britain, and on its campuses,” he posted on X. “The authorities in Britain have failed to take the necessary action to curb this toxic wave of antisemitism and have effectively allowed it to persist,” he said, adding: “We expect more than words from the Starmer government. We expect and demand a change of course.” Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu stated, “Israel grieves with the Jewish community in the UK after the barbaric terror attack in Manchester. Our hearts are with the families of the murdered, and we pray for the swift recovery of the wounded. As I warned at the UN: weakness in the face of terrorism only brings more terrorism. Only strength and unity can defeat it.” Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli wrote: “I am horrified by this barbaric attack – yet sadly, not surprised. “The feebleness of the British government under Keir Starmer, pouring fuel on the flames with hollow proclamations for a Palestinian terror state, directly enabled this atrocity on the holiest day for the Jewish people. “Antisemitism in Britain stands at record highs, and today it claimed the lives of two worshippers. Only the resilience and courage of the synagogue’s rabbi prevented an even greater disaster. I pray the British people rise like lions, break the chains of political correctness, and purge their nation of radical Islamism.” (YWN’s Jerusalem desk is keeping you updated on Motzei Yom Kippur in Israel)
Hagaon HaMekubal Rav Abish Tzinewirt Issues Historic Letter in Support of Torah-24’s Kollel Kabbalah b’Chatzos YS GOLD In the stillness of the night in the holy city of Yerushalayim, a group of illustrious gaonim and mekubalim can be found delving into the secrets of Torah, the kabbalah of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, the Arizal, Rabbi Chaim Vital, and their successors. They do so in holiness and purity, with toil and with intensity, during these most auspicious hours of the day—following the tradition of the mekubalim of Yerushalayim of yore over the centuries. The Kollel is a golden link in the glorious chain—the network of Kollelim known as “Torah-24.” Founded by Hagaon Rav Avraham Eisen, shlit”a, the eleven kolelim in this network feature gaonim and talmidei chachomim who toil in all areas of Torah literally around the clock. Their Torah learning of the mekubalim at Kollel Kabbalah b’Chatzos has recently culminated in a siyum on the entire sefer haZohar and its commentaries, as well as the kabbalistic sefer Orchos Chaim from Rabbi Chaim Vital in the home of the great tzaddik Rav Yaakov Meir Schechter who greatly lauded their relentless toil in kabbalah in purity and in holiness. Following this event, the mekubal Rav Abish Tzinewirt, shlit”a—a personality who has himself engaged in the study of kabbalah with deep intensity for decades—issued a letter of endorsement for Kollel Kabbalah b’Chatzos. In it, he cites from obscure sources in Kabbalah about the greatness of those who engage in Torah study in the overnight hours, and the way their Torah pierces all the heavens, arriving directly at the Kisei HaKavod. Great is the lot of those who take part in this incredible endeavor—supporting the loftiest of Yerushalayim’s residents as they engage in the study of the loftiest Torah secrets with utter and complete mesirus nefesh. Join today in support of Torah-24 and Kollel Kabbalah b’Chatzos. https://www.torah-24.com/ The merit of supporting the Torah of esteemed mekubalim and talmidei Chachamim will surely stand by you and your family as we enter the exalted day of Yom Kippur.
Overnight, a fire erupted at Russia’s fifth-largest refinery, Slavneft-YANOS, in Yaroslavl. Governor Evraev said the blaze was man-made and confirmed no drone strikes were involved.
French President Macron: We want to be more competitive to have growth, create jobs, finance our social model and the future of young people. We want to be more sovereign because we experienced the cost of і dependencies, COVID, war in Ukraine, and instabilities of this world.
Large numbers of Gaza City residents are continuing to evacuate south as the IDF blocks northbound movement on coastal Al-Rashid Street, while allowing southward passage for those who were previously unable to leave the city.
Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY): “When I was majority leader, we never had one shutdown in four years. Not one. You know why? Because we worked with our Republican colleagues to find a way to keep the government funded.”
All donations today are matched 2X! In a few hours, we will stand before Hashem as everything for the year ahead is decided, stamped, and sealed. We are all looking to maximize our zchusim. Your donation to Kupas Zichron Moshe will enable over 700 families to celebrate Yom Tov with dignity and simcha. These families may not have much, yet they radiate a precious glow found only among those born and raised in Yerushalayim’s oldest neighborhoods. Their bank accounts are empty, yet their days are full, dedicated entirely to Torah and Avodas Hashem. By supporting Kupas Zichron Moshe, you are not only covering their Yom Tov needs — you are partnering in their extraordinary way of life — a zechus that will surely stand by your side. Wishing you and your family a Gmar Chasima Tova CLICK HERE TO JOIN: https://www.kupaszichronmoshe.org/?ref=YWNarticle
German authorities have arrested three suspected Hamas members in Berlin, SPIEGEL reports. The suspects— a German man of Lebanese origin, a Lebanese-born man of uncertain nationality, and a German man from Syria—are accused of procuring weapons in Germany for attacks on Jewish and Israeli institutions.
AOC told Senate Republicans that they are “free to negotiate with me directly” on reopening the government, even though she is not a senator and the House has already passed a spending bill.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the IDF’s takeover of the Netzarim corridor will tighten the siege on Gaza City, adding that anyone moving south must go through IDF checkpoints, while those remaining in the city will be considered terrorists or terror supporters.
A massive explosion at a weapons depot near Al-Qusayr on the Syrian-Lebanese border killed one Syrian General Security officer and injured three, amid increased Hezbollah arms-smuggling activity in the area.
A gas explosion in a Bronx apartment building on Wednesday morning caused a partial collapse, reportedly bringing down the building’s incinerator shaft. The rest of the 17-story building remained stable, no apartments were affected, and no injuries were reported.
Speaker Johnson: There’s nothing new in this legislation. The only difference today is the man who is sitting in the Oval Office. Rather than work with President Trump and Republicans to get this job done… Democrats want to play political games with the livelihoods of Americans.
Leader John Thune: “Unfortunately, we are here this morning in a government shutdown that the Democrats wanted. Chuck Schumer, at the behest of a bunch of liberal, far-left activist groups, has walked his Democrat colleagues into a boxed canyon. There’s no way out, folks.”
A short time ago, the Israeli Air Force intercepted a Houthi-launched drone from Yemen off the coast of Eilat, the military said, noting that no sirens were sounded because the drone posed no threat.
