After the Israeli Forces withdrew from the “Netzarim Corridor” in Central Gaza today, American Private Military Contractors from UG Solutions have set up various checkpoints to inspect vehicles moving between Northern and Southern Gaza.
This week, two hostage releases are scheduled to occur. The families of the hostages released on Saturday have expressed gratitude towards President Trump and Steve Witkoff for their efforts in facilitating the return of the hostages.
Chinese AI DeepSeek is shaking US markets as a threat to American AI models. An interesting video shows how it refuses to answer a question about the infamous Tiananmen Square massacre
Israeli Border Police have ventured into Southern Lebanon for the first time in the conflict to secure areas along the border fence, after the Israel Defense Forces pulled back.
Eighty years ago today, over 7,000 prisoners of the German Nazi camp Auschwitz, including some 700 children, were liberated by the soldiers of the Soviet Army. 1,689 days of murder, pain, suffering, and humiliation were over.
Two IDF soldiers, Yuri Ilisupov and Georgy Andreev, were detained on charges of espionage for Iran. They are accused of leaking sensitive air defense details, including footage of the Iron Dome system, under the guidance of an Iranian operative. Yuri, who reportedly was paid $3,500, could face life in prison or the death penalty, while Georgy received a lesser amount.
Israel has verified the list given by Hamas, confirming that eight of the 26 hostages still slated for release in the initial phase of the hostage agreement are deceased.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth: “More Executive Orders are coming.. Removing DEI from the Pentagon, reinstating troops that were fired because of COVID mandates”
As this year’s mesivta acceptance debacle continues to dominate conversations, many are quick to point fingers. Unfortunately, those who are critical of Yiddishkeit often seize opportunities like this to claim that our chinuch system is broken. To such people, I am not addressing this. My message is directed toward those who genuinely want to understand the process and the challenges involved. Read more on Lakewood Alerts.
A Toms River restaurant has come under fire after adding a “Proud Boys Burger” to its menu, sparking outrage and leading to an apology from the owner, who said she was unaware of the far-right group’s association with hate and extremism. Aqua Blu Kitchen & Cocktails listed the burger with ingredients described on the menu as “white American cheese,” “layers of truth,” “cancel culture coleslaw,” and “liberty sauce.” A now-deleted Facebook post advertising the dish called it “layered with boldness and liberty.” Read more on Lakewood Alerts.
The Hamas terror group on Sunday provided Israel with an official list detailing the status of 33 hostages to be released in the first phase of the deal. According to the list, Hamas claimed that 25 of the 33 hostages already released or soon to be released are alive, and eight are dead. The list corresponds with the intelligence Israel already has. The list did not specify names but according to the intelligence it has, the IDF has informed the families of eight hostages scheduled to be released that “there is grave concerns about the fate of their loved ones.” However, the families were told that there is still no clear evidence that confirms the deaths of their loved ones and final identification will only be possible after their return to Israel. The Bibas family issued a statement after the publication of the list: “In the previous deal, during which Hamas announced that Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir had been killed, they were not released. We said then and we say now: we hold on to hope and wait for their return. We are waiting for certainty regarding their status. The list provided by Hamas to Israel regarding the status of the hostages is not a list of names and does not change our position. Even a list of names, Hamas’s statement, or any video — are not certain evidence for us. Since October 7, when the horrific abduction video was released, we fear for their fate every day and every minute.” “Your support gives us strength and encourages us. Please, help us return them along with the other hostages, both the living and the deceased, to their families. Please honor Shiri, Yarden, Ariel, Kfir and the entire family, and refrain from rumors and speculations that shake us. Until there is certainty — this is not the end for us. We will continue to hope. We are waiting for them and all the other hostages at home.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
An Air Force aircraft carried out a strike on a vehicle at the Nur al-Shams refugee camp in Tulkarm on Monday afternoon, as part of a joint operation by the IDF and the Shin Bet, killing a Hamas al-Qassam Brigades commander in the camp, Ihab Abu Atawiya. Three others were wounded and were evacuated to the government hospital in Tulkarm. Footage from the scene shows a vehicle engulfed in flames. Since the start of Operation Iron Wall at the start of last week, it has been reported that two al-Qassam Brigade commanders have been eliminated in the camp (Abu Atawiya being the second) as well as a commander of the Jenin Brigade associated with Islamic Jihad. Earlier on Monday, the Palestinian Ministry of Health announced one dead and two moderately injured as a result of IDF gunfire near the Qalandiya refugee camp. Meanwhile, Operation Iron Wall continues in Jenin. Locals have published videos of the homes of terrorists on fire or in rubble as a result of the forces’ activities. This is the seventh day of the IDF’s operation in the Jenin refugee camp and the surrounding villages, and so far, 16 people have been killed and about 50 injured. According to the IDF, the forces have destroyed around 20 roadside bombs and dozens of pipe bombs, among other methods via the use of D9 engineering vehicles that cleared paths around the camp. IDF forces continue house searches in the heart of the camp to locate weapons, explosive labs, command centers, and hideouts used for meetings of terrorist operatives. In recent days, the IDF has destroyed several bomb sites and terrorists’ command centers. Additionally, about 35 people have been arrested and taken for interrogation by the IDF and Shin Bet. Besides the detainees, numerous Palestinians are being interrogated on the ground by intelligence personnel. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
Two IDF reserve soldiers from northern Israel were arrested for spying for Iran, the Shin Bet and Israel Police announced on Monday. The suspects, Yuri Eliasfov and Georgi Andrayev, both 21-year-old residents of the Krayot (suburbs of Haifa), were arrested earlier this month for suspected severe security offenses. Their interrogation revealed that Yuri, the main suspect, was contacted by an Iranian operator on social media while he was searching for a job. The agent suggested that he carry out tasks for financial compensation. Among other things, he spray-painted graffiti, writing the message “Children of Ruhollah” [Ruhollah Khomeini was the first leader of Iran after the Islamic Revolution] in various locations across the country. Months later, Yuri suggested to his friend Georgi that he also contact the Iranian operator to carry out tasks for financial reward, despite his awareness that the operator was an enemy of Israel, telling him that it was “easy money.” Georgi accepted Yuri’s offer and began to communicate with the handler, also spraying graffiti under his direction and assisting Yuri in hanging a sign under the agent’s directives. At one point, the two friends exchanged articles from the media in Israel about Iranian espionage over the past year, including an article about the previous Israeli spy who was caught. They talked about the possible penalties, and Georgi – who was serving at that time as a reserve soldier at the Kirya in Tel Aviv – became frightened and stopped cooperating with the handler. Yuri began spying during his regular IDF service and continued during his reserve duty. He served in the Iron Dome air defense unit and was exposed to classified information. At the request of his operators, he filmed and transmitted a video about the Iron Dome system which conveyed information at the highest classification level. Until he was caught, Yuri received $2,500, while Georgi received only $50. Both admitted to the charges against them during the investigations, and recounted the missions assigned to them, the information they provided, and the rewards they received. Major Sarit Peretz, an investigation officer in the National Unit for Serious and International Crime (Yahbal) at Lahav 433, explained that “Yuri Eliasfov is charged with aiding the enemy in wartime, the most severe offense in the law book, with a penalty of life imprisonment or death. Whoever received the video from Yuri and understands these systems could act against the state of Israel, which is very dangerous. The video contained very sensitive information.” “Yuri claims he transmitted part of the video and not the whole thing. But even the part he claims he sent posed a significant danger. Their connection with the foreign entity began at the end of September, they have been under investigation for two weeks, and of course, we detained them beforehand. We conducted a joint investigation with Yahbal, the Shin Bet, and the Military Police. They were in regular service, were discharged, and immediately after that enlisted in reserves and stayed in the army continuously.” The investigation by the police and Shin Bet indicated that Yuri and Georgi understood they were in contact with an Iranian operator, among other things based on the media reports were exposed to at that time regarding the arrest and investigation of Israeli citizens who had been in touch with Iranian intelligence […]
Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli, who was scheduled to visit the European Parliament in Brussels to participate in the events marking International Holocaust Remembrance Day, was ordered to cancel his flight by security officials. The Prime Minister’s Office stated on Sunday: “In light of concrete threats, and based on directives from security officials, Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli has to to cancel his trip to the European Parliament in Brussels.” Chikli stated: “It is regrettable that the heart of Europe, Brussels, has become an unsafe place for Jews and Israelis.” The chairman of the European Jewish Associations (EJA), Rabbi Menachem Margolin, said in response: “This evening, we were informed that Israel’s Minister of Diaspora Affairs, Amichai Chikli, who was scheduled to attend a special event in Brussels co-organized by the EJA on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, to address the indoctrinated hatred of Jews, had to cancel his arrival due to concrete security concerns and threats to his safety.” “The fact that in 2025, an Israeli minister was forced to cancel his visit to a Western European country for security reasons is more evidence than anything else that all the leaders’ “never again” declarations are hollow. This year, International Holocaust Remembrance Day is more regrettable than ever—the worst since the Holocaust.” It was also reported on Sunday that the Shin Bet ordered Israeli airlines not to fly to Paphos in Cyprus on Sunday. Channel 12 reported that El Al, Arkia, and IsraAir were instructed to cancel all flights to Paphos “due to security reasons that cannot be publicized.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
Moussa Abu Marzouk, a senior member of Hamas’s political bureau, has indicated that the terrorist group might not insist on governing Gaza after the war it initiated with Israel on October 7, 2023. Speaking to the Saudi Al Arabiya news outlet, Abu Marzouk acknowledged the need for regional and international backing, including the involvement of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, in administering postwar Gaza. Last month, Hamas and Fatah agreed to establish a joint committee to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction. According to a draft obtained by AFP, this committee would consist of 10-15 independent figures tasked with managing the economy, education, health, humanitarian aid, and rebuilding efforts. However, Israel has opposed any continued Hamas role in Gaza governance and expressed distrust in the Palestinian Authority’s ability to lead the enclave. Despite this stance, Abu Marzouk dismissed Israel’s input on the matter, stating that Hamas is “open to dialogue with all parties besides Israel” on future governance arrangements. He also expressed willingness to engage the U.S. on the issue, crediting President Donald Trump as a “serious president” for his role in securing the ongoing ceasefire and hostage release agreement. Nonetheless, Abu Marzouk criticized Trump’s recent suggestion that Gaza’s population should be relocated to Jordan and Egypt. “No Palestinian or Arab will accept Trump’s idea of displacement,” he said. “It will not succeed.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
