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In a significant legal breakthrough following years of courtroom battles, families of those who perished in the Meron tragedy are set to receive major financial compensation from the Israeli government and responsible entities, including the National Center for the Development of Holy Places and various insurance companies.

The development comes as part of an agreement formulated with the involvement of attorney Eran Becker, of the Eran Becker & Co. law firm, who represents several bereaved families. The deal has been endorsed by the Lod District Court under Judge Irit Cohen, and will soon be submitted for court approval with the consent of the families and the State Attorney’s Office.

According to the agreement, families of young victims—defined as those aged 24 and under—will receive substantial compensation. In one leading case handled by Becker, a bereaved family is expected to be awarded approximately 2.9 million shekels. Similar amounts have been proposed in other cases, scaled according to the age of the deceased.

For now, the compensation will be paid out by the State of Israel, the National Center for the Development of Holy Places, and the relevant insurance firms.

Attorneys Eran Becker and Moran Cohen Yonatan, representing some of the victim families, released a joint statement: “This compensation reflects not only the immense loss these families have endured, but also the responsibility that must be borne by the state and other involved bodies for the grave failures that contributed to this tragedy.
The warning signs were evident. Years of willful blindness led to a disaster that was tragically foreseeable. The agreement now awaiting court approval is a critical step—morally, legally, and publicly—in declaring that human life is not expendable, that the suffering of the victims matters, and that accountability must be upheld for the severe negligence that led to this catastrophe. We are proud of the families who chose not to remain silent, who fought for justice, and who stood firm in insisting that justice must not only be done but also seen to be done. No amount of money can bring back their loved ones, but this is an important milestone in the journey toward recognition, justice, and healing.”

The Meron disaster occurred on the night of Lag BaOmer 5781, during the annual hilulah of Rav Shimon Bar Yochai. Amid extreme overcrowding in a narrow passage near the Toldos Aharon bonfire area, 45 people were crushed to death, and over 150 were injured. It remains one of the deadliest civilian tragedies in Israel’s history. In its aftermath, a state commission of inquiry was established, which uncovered serious lapses in planning, oversight, and responsibility by various governmental and police authorities.

{Matzav.com Israel}

A major reversal has taken place in the UK’s World Zionist Organization (WZO) election process, as the World Zionist Congress has overturned a controversial ruling that had barred the chareidi Eretz HaKodesh UK list from participating in the elections. The Central Elections Committee (CEC) in Israel found that there was not enough proof to support claims of voter fraud.

The CEC criticized the decision made last month by the UK’s Area Election Committee (AEC), saying it was “extreme and disproportionate.” It also raised concerns that political motives may have influenced the suspension of EHK.

The UK committee’s initial decision was based on an advertisement circulated by EHK, which implied that men could register their wives and adult children to vote—a direct violation of WZO election procedures. The ad had read: “Husbands can register wives & any children 18+. Please bring their ID.”

EHK appealed the decision, prompting the CEC to conduct its own review. The committee ultimately ruled that the evidence presented did not demonstrate that any actual harm had occurred as a result of the advertisement. In its decision, the CEC wrote: “No one knows whether any person actually registered someone else. Thus, the damage is theoretical. The act of violation did not involve actual voting, nor the registration of ineligible voters. The registration process may be flawed, but not the registrants themselves.”

The CEC also acknowledged that EHK took prompt action once the issue was identified: “Shortly after the violation, Eretz HaKodesh realized the mistake and published correcting ads… The committee believes Eretz HaKodesh did what it could to minimize the damage.”

The committee further noted that the AEC had overstepped its role and failed to follow proper procedure. The CEC stated that it was “doubtful whether the regional election committee has the authority to disqualify a list for violating rules (as opposed to disqualifying ineligible voters or candidates).”

The CEC pointed out that disqualification is only permitted in specific scenarios, and violations involving how candidates register do not meet those criteria.

Moreover, the CEC criticized the UK committee for failing to conduct a proper inquiry: “The UK investigation committee should have summoned the relevant Eretz HaKodesh official to clarify the violation, its extent, and consequences. Since this was not done, and in absence of other evidence, it must be assumed the damage was theoretical.”

The committee’s conclusion was definitive: “The AEC UK took an extreme and disproportionate step of disqualification. The severity is emphasized by the fact that the decision was made by a political majority of rivals. AEC should have shown restraint in such matters.”

The CEC’s judgment, delivered by attorneys Mira Amsalem Beit-On and Chagai Siton, along with Judge Oded Mudrik, declared the UK committee’s disqualification of EHK to be “null and void.”

Despite the setback, the AEC still has the option of bringing the matter before the Zionist Supreme Court for further review.

{Matzav.com}

The Mossad escalated its digital offensive against Iran on Tuesday, leveraging a report from Tasnim News Agency that the regime had decided to keep the identity of its new Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters commander under wraps. The Israeli intelligence agency took to its Persian-language X account to post: “We know exactly who he is and know him well. Unfortunately, such basic information is hidden from the Iranian people. Please send us your guesses about his name.”

This post was Mossad’s second prominent message of the day and followed closely on the heels of Tasnim’s announcement that the Iranian government would not release the commander’s name “for his protection,” referencing the recent assassinations of his two predecessors in airstrikes attributed to Israel.

Earlier in the day, the same Mossad social media account alleged that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, had “surrendered” and given the green light for direct talks with both Israel and the United States. The post framed the development as “the beginning of the end of the Islamic Republic” and added, “the countdown has begun.”

These statements are part of an ongoing Farsi-language psychological campaign that Mossad launched last month. The initiative has included mocking posts about top Iranian officials lurking on the account, advice on how to use VPNs, and cautionary messages telling Iranian citizens not to engage publicly with the content to avoid scrutiny from their government.

To date, Iranian state media has not officially confirmed the appointment of a replacement for Maj.-Gen. Ali Shadmani, who was killed in a recent strike. Meanwhile, Khamenei, now 86, made his last televised appearance on June 26, during which he insisted that Iran would “never surrender”—a declaration that directly contradicts Mossad’s narrative.

{Matzav.com Israel}

President Donald Trump sparked controversy after threatening legal action against Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani during remarks made in Florida, drawing a sharp rebuke from New York Governor Kathy Hochul. “He’s picking a fight with 20 million New Yorkers,” Hochul warned, in response to Trump’s remarks regarding Mamdani’s stance on immigration enforcement.

While speaking to reporters, Trump was asked about Mamdani’s pledge to block ICE agents who conceal their identities while conducting deportations. Trump replied, “Well then, we’ll have to arrest him.”

Referring to Mamdani, who has been vocal about his democratic socialist platform and immigrant protections, Trump added, “We don’t need a communist in this country, but if we have one, I’m going to be watching over him very carefully on behalf of the nation.”

Although Hochul has not endorsed Mamdani’s mayoral bid, she quickly stood up for the Queens legislator following Trump’s threat. “I don’t care if you’re the President of the United States, if you threaten to unlawfully go after one of our neighbors, you’re picking a fight with 20 million New Yorkers — starting with me,” she posted on X.

On Tuesday, Mamdani officially secured the Democratic nomination for mayor, prevailing over Andrew Cuomo with 56% to 44% in the final round of the city’s ranked-choice vote tally.

Following Trump’s comments, Mamdani released a statement saying, “The President of the United States just threatened to have me arrested.” He added defiantly, “We will not accept this intimidation.”

With great sadness, large crowds gathered late Monday night to accompany to his final resting place one of the most respected zekeinim of the Lelover chassidus, Rav Eliyahu Tikotsky zt”l. A revered talmid chacham, a remnant of a great generation, he passed away at the age of 85. His passing marks the end of an era and leaves a profound void in the streets of Bnei Brak and among the chassidim of Lelov.

Rav Tikotsky was born to his illustrious father, Rav Avraham Yehuda zt”l, a descendant of the Baal Shem Tov. As a child, he endured the bitter exile of World War II, surviving the harrowing chapter of the Holocaust and eventually escaping with the famed Mir Yeshiva to Shanghai.

In later years, he married the daughter of Rav Moshe Krasnianski zt”l and established his home in Switzerland. Eventually, he fulfilled his dream of making aliyah to Eretz Yisroel, where he became deeply attached to the Lelover Rebbes, to whom he remained loyally connected—heart and soul—until his final day. That devotion was warmly reciprocated, as the Rebbes valued and cherished him for his towering spiritual stature.

Rav Tikotsky was a talmid chochomof exceptional depth and breadth, immersed in Torah and avodah, his life illuminated by those twin pillars. He greeted every person with warmth and sincerity.

In his final years, he endured great suffering with remarkable faith and acceptance. On Monday night, shortly before midnight, he was niftar. Within hours, he was laid to rest in the Elad cemetery.

He leaves behind his wife, children, and grandchildren, all following in the path of Torah and mitzvos.

The family is sitting shivah at 9 Rechov Micha in Bnei Brak.

{Matzav.com Israel}

President Donald Trump on Tuesday toured a newly constructed immigration detention facility in the heart of the Florida Everglades, promoting it as a prototype for how states can scale up enforcement and deportation efforts. Republican leaders praised the site as a bold step in supporting Trump’s sweeping immigration crackdown.

Trump was joined by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and a group of federal and state officials as they walked through the compound, which was rapidly built by Governor Ron DeSantis’s administration. Completed in just over a week, the center is ready to begin holding migrants starting Wednesday. The facility currently has capacity for 3,000 detainees and can be expanded to hold up to 5,000. “We’re surrounded by miles of treacherous swampland and the only way out is, really, deportation,” Trump said. “This is an amazing thing that they’ve done here.”

Nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz” by Florida officials, the site sits on a remote stretch of land roughly 45 miles west of Miami, enveloped by mosquito-infested swamps home to alligators and invasive pythons.

Construction crews assembled the compound in just eight days using tents, trailers, and temporary buildings. Florida is initially footing the estimated $450 million annual cost, which officials say will be reimbursed by FEMA. The setup reflects Florida’s effort to become a central player in implementing Trump’s immigration policy.

Inside the complex, detainees will sleep in bunks arranged in fenced-off sections. Authorities say the center will provide continuous air conditioning, medical services, outdoor recreation, legal counsel, and religious support. While the facility is temporary, it plays a key role in Trump’s plan to increase detention capacity from 41,000 to over 100,000.

Its isolated location is also intended to discourage unlawful entry into the country. Trump joked about the site’s natural fortifications, saying, “You don’t always have land so beautiful and so secure. You have a lot of bodyguards and a lot of cops that are in the form of alligators. You don’t have to pay them so much.”

Backers of the initiative say the compound is a smart, efficient response to a national challenge, while critics view it as an unregulated prison camp hastily built under emergency powers. Still, officials insist it’s a vital piece of the enforcement strategy.

To help speed legal proceedings, DeSantis is proposing that members of the Florida National Guard be sworn in as immigration judges to hear cases onsite, aiming to relieve pressure from an already overloaded court system. “I would ask every other governor to do the exact same thing,” said Noem. “This is unique because we can hold individuals here. They can have their hearings, to get due process and then immediately be flown back home to their home countries.” She added, “I hope my phone rings off the hook from governors calling and saying, ‘How can we do what Florida just did?’”

DeSantis announced that Florida is already preparing another detention facility at Camp Blanding, a National Guard base southwest of Jacksonville. That location is expected to accommodate 2,000 more beds, with construction set to begin after July 4.

Despite the significant investment, some have pointed out that the state already has space available. A report shared with the Associated Press revealed that as of late March, Florida had over 7,500 unused beds in county jails that could have been allocated for immigration detention.

Using emergency authority from a previous executive order issued during President Joe Biden’s term, DeSantis bypassed regulatory obstacles to seize land and begin construction. Critics argue this use of power amounts to a legal overreach.

But state officials argue the urgency justifies the approach. Trump’s deportation campaign has pushed federal detention levels past 56,000 in June—the highest since 2019. “Governor DeSantis has insisted that the state of Florida, under his leadership, will facilitate the federal government in enforcing immigration law,” said a spokesperson for the governor. “Florida will continue to lead on immigration enforcement.”

Protests have erupted at the airfield, drawing a mix of immigration activists, environmental groups, and Native American communities. Demonstrators have gathered near the site, calling attention to the detention center’s environmental and cultural consequences.

Located within Big Cypress National Preserve, the airstrip is near sacred sites and villages belonging to the Miccosukee and Seminole tribes. As construction continued through Shabbos, protesters waved signs, and drivers honked in solidarity.

Concerns over ecological damage have prompted environmental groups including the Center for Biological Diversity and Friends of the Everglades to file a lawsuit last week aimed at stopping the project from moving forward.

WATCH:

Lebanese authorities have intercepted a staggering $8.2 million in cash at Beirut International Airport over the past week, according to a report in the Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper citing a judicial source. The money was found stashed in the luggage of three passengers: two had arrived from Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, via Ethiopia, while the third had flown in from Istanbul.

During interrogation, the suspects claimed they were simply transporting money on behalf of Lebanese businessmen based in Africa. They reportedly provided investigators with the names of those who had entrusted them with the funds as well as the intended recipients. Lebanon’s attorney general has ordered the money to be held at the country’s central bank pending the outcome of the investigation.

A banking source told the newspaper that Hezbollah has historically cooperated with Lebanese entrepreneurs working in Africa, facilitating cash transfers through private jets and commercial flights. In exchange, the terror group reportedly took a cut of the smuggled funds. For years, Hezbollah allegedly relied on a network of loyal collaborators at Beirut Airport to carry out such operations. However, the source noted that Hezbollah’s influence at the airport has significantly weakened in the wake of the recent war.

Reporter Roi Kais added that, according to Lebanese sources, Hezbollah typically pocketed around 20% of the money it funneled into Lebanon from abroad, especially from countries in Africa and Latin America. These smuggling proceeds served as a key source of income for the organization, supplementing the financial support it receives from Iran.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Lieberman delivered a stark message to the Knesset on Monday, cautioning that Israel has no more than three years before another, more severe confrontation with Iran is likely. He pressed the government to overhaul the national budget and mandate that defense expenditures be set at 8 percent of the country’s GDP.

Addressing lawmakers from the Knesset podium and later at his party’s weekly meeting, the former defense minister asserted that Iran is actively seeking retaliation for the recent direct conflict with Israel and is already making headway in restoring its nuclear capabilities. “These are not theoretical threats,” he said. “The next stage will be more complex and more difficult.”

He slammed the current budget process as reckless and said defense funding should not be entangled in political deal-making. “The defense budget must never become a bargaining chip,” he said. Lieberman suggested passing a law to permanently peg defense spending at 8 percent of GDP, insulating it from future coalition bargaining.

Shifting to Israel’s policy on Gaza, Lieberman accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration of helping Hamas stay afloat by approving daily shipments of aid.

“Hamas is alive, breathing and kicking only because the ‘October 7 government’ is pumping medicine, fuel and food into Gaza,” he told reporters. He added that reservists escorting these convoys feel endangered and are limited to firing warning shots, leaving them vulnerable.

He further claimed that reserve soldiers from engineering units were being forced to demolish structures manually due to the absence of heavy equipment and proper armored vehicles. Meanwhile, he said, hundreds of millions of shekels in humanitarian assistance are being funneled into Gaza, funded by Israeli taxpayers.

Lieberman pushed the government to negotiate a deal to free the 120 hostages still being held by Hamas. “If the military pressure has run its course, what are we still doing there?” he asked.

Once the captives return, Lieberman suggested Israel take a page from its approach to Lebanon, pointing to the targeted killings of approximately 200 Hezbollah members by the IDF since November’s ceasefire in the north. “We will hunt down every terrorist who took part in the October 7 massacre until his last day,” he vowed.

The longtime parliamentarian demanded that the government overhaul its entire list of national priorities in anticipation of an eventual clash with Iran. His comments come as the coalition remains divided over the upcoming 2026 budget and as discussions intensify regarding Gaza aid expenditures.

Lieberman acknowledged that his call to revisit the national budget is politically risky and unlikely to win favor among coalition partners. Still, he warned that postponing action would leave the country vulnerable. “Iran’s nuclear program was hit hard,” he admitted, “but it was not destroyed and can be rebuilt. That is what the regime is working on with all its might.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

President Trump announced on Tuesday that Israel has consented to the terms required to move forward with a proposed 60-day cease-fire agreement with Hamas.

“My Representatives had a long and productive meeting with the Israelis today on Gaza. Israel has agreed to the necessary conditions to finalize the 60 Day CEASEFIRE, during which time we will work with all parties to end the War,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

He emphasized the important role that regional mediators have played in pushing the deal forward, while issuing a clear message to Hamas. “The Qataris and Egyptians, who have worked very hard to help bring Peace, will deliver this final proposal. I hope, for the good of the Middle East, that Hamas takes this Deal, because it will not get better — IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE,” the president concluded.

Israel’s military campaign against Hamas has been ongoing since October 7, 2023, when the terror organization launched a deadly assault against the country.

The most recent truce between the two sides lasted from January 19 until March 18, marking the last time hostilities paused.

{Matzav.com}

Donald Trump stated on Tuesday that he intends to strongly press Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu to put an end to the Gaza conflict during the latter’s upcoming trip to Washington.

In remarks to the press, Trump said Netanyahu shares the desire to conclude the fighting through a hostage deal and ceasefire. “He wants it too,” Trump noted.

Reiterating what he said earlier in the day, Trump expressed confidence that a resolution is near. “I think we’ll have a deal next week,” he predicted.

Trump also mentioned that his discussions with Netanyahu will cover the Gaza situation as well as what he called “the great success we had with Iran,” saying, “We want to get the hostages back.”

These comments came shortly after Netanyahu publicly announced on Monday that he would travel to the United States for a meeting with Trump.

The Israeli leader is scheduled to depart for Washington on Saturday and is expected to meet Trump on Monday, July 7. On the day prior to his departure, Netanyahu’s office reportedly held internal deliberations on the ongoing negotiations for a hostage deal with Hamas, which insiders say are making headway.

“There is a positive dynamic and lively activity on the issue of negotiations,” one senior Israeli official told The Times of Israel.

Following Trump’s public remarks suggesting Netanyahu now supports reaching a ceasefire and hostage deal, Israeli ministers told Channel 12 on Tuesday evening that, for the first time, Netanyahu appears inclined to wrap up the war effort sooner rather than later.

The same report indicated that indirect communication channels with Hamas could resume while Netanyahu is in Washington.

Israeli officials, speaking to Channel 12, noted that Washington is applying considerable diplomatic pressure on Qatar, which in turn is pressing Hamas. “We are more optimistic. There are solutions being put together, and more positive approach to moving forward,” one official said.

According to the network, Israel is now showing increased willingness to compromise on the phrasing regarding how the war concludes—more so than in prior talks.

This came after a cabinet meeting on Tuesday regarding the war effort, where IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir reportedly had a heated exchange with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir about the military campaign’s direction.

Zamir reportedly told them, “Hamas is dead,” citing the group’s minimal rocket fire—only one launched—during the recent 12-day conflict with Iran. The report said Smotrich and Ben Gvir responded by advocating for a more forceful application of Trump’s plan to relocate Gazans.

Zamir is also said to have warned against trying to seize full control of Gaza, arguing it would endanger the remaining hostages and expose Israel to serious legal risks on the international stage.

While the discussion was ongoing, Netanyahu repeated that the war would not end until Hamas is defeated. However, sources told the outlet he might redefine what “defeat” means in order to wrap up the conflict in the near term.

At a cabinet meeting on Monday, Netanyahu said he also plans to meet with Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and various congressional leaders.

Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, already in Washington preparing for the visit, was expected to meet with Witkoff, Rubio, and Vance.

Witkoff is currently brokering the ceasefire-hostage negotiations. A draft of his latest offer, confirmed by two sources to The Times of Israel, proposes a 60-day pause in fighting. During this time, Hamas would free 10 living Israeli hostages and return the remains of 18 others. If a lasting ceasefire is achieved, the rest of the hostages would then be released.

Sources close to Hamas told the London-based Al-Sharq Al-Awsat that the group’s reply to the Witkoff plan was largely positive, though it included several conditions.

A source involved in the mediation told The Times of Israel that Hamas’s response included a provision that would make it more difficult for Israel to resume military action if permanent ceasefire talks fail after the 60-day truce ends.

This source noted that Hamas also sought to alter other elements of the proposal, suggesting that a longer and more detailed negotiation process would now be necessary.

One of the changes submitted by Hamas involves spreading the release of the 10 hostages over the entire duration of the ceasefire rather than splitting them into two groups on days one and seven, as the American plan had proposed.

According to the source, Hamas introduced this modification to ensure Netanyahu would not exit the talks once the hostages were released, as they claim he did during a previous temporary ceasefire in January.

Back in May, Netanyahu told families of the hostages that he was, in principle, supportive of Witkoff’s outline.

{Matzav.com}

A pillar of the Sanz chassidus has been lost with the passing of Rav Yitzchok Eizik Meir Zalmanowitz z”l, devoted meshamesh bakodesh to the Sanz Rebbe who was niftar at the age of 72 after an illness.

His levayah is scheduled for Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. outside the Ohel Nechemia beis medrash in Kiryat Sanz, Netanya, and will continue to the Sanz section of the Shikun Vatikim cemetery, where he will be laid to rest.

Rav Zalmanowitz was born on 29 Av 5712 to his illustrious father, Rav Yisroel Aryeh Zalmanowitz zt”l, author of Chayei Nefesh, who served as the rov of Acco and was the founding rov of Kiryat Sanz in Netanya, as well as head of its institutions. His mother was Rebbetzin Leah a”h.

His bris took place on 6 Elul in the old village of Kefar Yavneh, where none other than the Chazon Ish zt”l served as sandek. He was named Yitzchok Eizik Meir.

Raised in a home steeped in Torah and communal leadership, Rav Zalmanowitz learned as a child in the local cheder in Yavneh, later continuing in Kiryat Sanz after the family moved there when he was eight years old. He quickly distinguished himself as an exceptional student in Torah, yiras Shamayim, and middos tovos. He also spent a year learning in the Tchebin Yeshiva in Yerushalayim, where he learned b’chavrusa with Rav Yosef Moshe Schneerson, who is now the rosh yeshiva.

As a young man, he married Rebbetzin Chaya Tova, the daughter of Rav Chaim Shlomo Rabinowitz zt”l, a beloved figure in Yerushalayim and a descendant of the Rebbe of Peshischa.

The couple lived in Yerushalayim, where Rav Zalmanowitz was counted among the outstanding avreichim in the famed Kollel Rav Acha. In 5738, he was called by the Rebbe, the Shefa Chaim of Sanz zt”l, to serve as mashgiach ruchani in the Kiryat Sanz yeshiva ketanah in Netanya. His warmth, compassion, and refined character left an indelible impression on the talmidim, who recall him as a fatherly figure and role model of avodas Hashem.

From his youth, Rav Zalmanowitz was deeply attached to the Shefa Chaim, serving him with total devotion and meriting rare affection and closeness from the Rebbe.

Over forty years ago, he accepted the role of personal assistant to the Rebbe—then still the young rov of Kiryat Sanz—and for nearly four decades became the closest confidant and most trusted aide in the Rebbe’s court.

He and the current Rebbe were classmates and shared a profound bond. The Rebbe entrusted him with the most sensitive and significant matters of the chassidus, and for many years Rav Zalmanowitz was the primary conduit for all matters entering and leaving the Rebbe’s private domain.

Sanzer chassidim recounted that Rabbi Zalmanowitz never treated the role casually, even after decades of service. Each day, he would prepare himself with awe, purity, and reverence, approaching the Rebbe’s door with trembling respect as though it were his first day on the job. Despite the tremendous closeness he enjoyed with the Rebbe, his sense of awe never diminished.

In his later years, after falling ill, he asked the Rebbe for permission to retire from his position. However, the Rebbe instructed him to continue, and he remained in his role until just before his final hospitalization, from which he did not recover.

Rabbi Zalmanowitz was known for his boundless kindness, offering a listening ear and understanding heart to all who came to him, even during difficult periods in his own life. His signature smile warmed everyone he encountered.

He leaves behind a remarkable legacy of children, sons-in-law, and grandchildren who follow in his path.

He was predeceased a decade ago by his brother, Rav Eliyahu Zalmanowitz zt”l, who served as rosh kollel of Gorlitz in Bnei Brak.

Yehi zichro baruch.

{Matzav.com Israel}

The Islamic Republic of Iran came “very close” to assassinating Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, Hebrew media reported, citing details from the criminal investigation into Israeli citizens accused of assisting the thwarted terrorist plot.

Roi Mizrahi, who was arrested two months ago by Israeli security forces on suspicion of committing security-related offenses on behalf of Iran, is accused of planting a “powerful” explosive device near Katz’s home in Kfar Ahim, according to Channel 12 News. Mizrahi allegedly carried out the act in coordination with a second suspect, Almog Atias.

Initial reports indicated that the suspects had come into contact with Iranian-linked operatives through a Telegram chat group for swingers. They were first believed to have been arrested for installing Iranian-operated security cameras on a road near Katz’s residence.

Sunday’s report, citing interrogation records and videos recovered from the suspects’ phones, revealed that Mizrahi and Atias transported an explosive device they had picked up from a separate location.

The device—allegedly described to Mizrahi as containing drugs or soaps, though he reportedly understood it was a bomb—detonated as the defense minister passed by. The explosion failed to cause any casualties. The report described the attempted assassination as what “could have been the greatest Iranian revenge.”

During interrogations, Mizrahi told officers from the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) and Israel Police that he had suspected he would be transporting a bomb even before carrying out the mission. However, he admitted being driven by “curiosity” and the lure of the money he was promised in return.

The two suspects are reportedly scheduled to appear in court in the coming days, where prosecutors are expected to request their detention be extended until the end of legal proceedings. They are facing serious charges, including aiding the enemy during wartime—a crime that carries severe penalties under Israeli law, including life imprisonment or, in extreme cases, the death penalty.

Since the outbreak of the war triggered by Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023, cross-border massacre from the Gaza Strip, Israeli security forces have uncovered approximately two dozen cases of Tehran attempting to recruit citizens of the Jewish state.

In May, an Israeli citizen from Haifa was arrested on suspicion of spying for the Islamic Republic, the Shin Bet revealed on June 23.

Dimitri Cohen, 28, who immigrated to Israel a few years ago, transferred “sensitive information” to his Iranian handlers for cash, investigators said. The suspect allegedly gathered information on military bases, strategic sites and homes linked to senior Israeli public officials.

Israel Police Chief Superintendent Yoni Hajaj, head of the Central Unit in the Coastal District, warned that this was a widespread phenomenon.

“Unfortunately, it has become a trend,” he said. “There are several dozen individuals operating on behalf of Iran. [Before the war], taking a photo of a military base may have seemed harmless, but now—as missiles are falling [on Israeli cities]—we understand the devastating consequences of Iranian-directed targeting of sensitive sites,” the officer said. JNS

{Matzav.com Israel}

CNN reported on Tuesday that President Donald Trump enjoys an extraordinary level of support among Republican voters — greater than that of any GOP president in recent memory.

Harry Enten, CNN’s senior data analyst, explained in comments cited by the Independent Journal Review that polling shows a substantial portion of Republicans are not just supportive, but deeply enthusiastic about Trump. “Republicans love Donald Trump the way that Americans love Disney World. The bottom line is 63%,” he said. “That is a huge, huge base. And of course, it’s just part of the Republican base, in which about 90% of them overall approve of him, including the somewhat approves as well.”

Enten emphasized the intensity of the support, noting that it goes beyond mere favorability. “So this isn’t just Republicans who like Donald Trump. This is Republicans who love Donald Trump, and he’s up like a rocket.”

He pointed out the dramatic rise in those who strongly approve of Trump’s performance compared to earlier years. “Look at this. In July 2017, the strongly approved was 53%. That’s pretty good. But look at where he is now. Sixty-three percent of Republicans strongly approve of the job that Donald Trump is doing about five months into his presidency.”

When stacking Trump’s popularity against that of past Republican presidents, Enten said no one else comes close. “And I was looking even back since (Ronald) Reagan, and get this, Donald Trump beats Ronald Reagan when it comes to the strongly approved,” said Enten.

“The bottom line is, Donald Trump is making history with the Republican base. He is more beloved by this Republican base than any Republican base loved any GOP president at five months, and it is history making. It is a striking number.”

A June report by the Pew Research Center highlighted that Trump’s 2024 campaign succeeded in assembling a remarkably broad coalition, noting that 85% of those who voted for him in 2020 returned to support him again in 2024.

Pew’s analysis further revealed that 5% of those who had voted for Joe Biden in the last election switched sides in 2024, helping Trump capture every key swing state and secure a second term in the Oval Office by defeating Democrat Kamala Harris.

{Matzav.com}

A fresh survey conducted by the Midgam Institute and broadcast Tuesday night on Channel 12 News examined how Gadi Eisenkot’s departure from the National Unity Party could influence the Israeli political landscape.

If elections were to be held now with the current parties in place, Likud would earn 26 seats in the Knesset, and Naftali Bennett’s faction would come in close behind with 24. The Democrats would secure 12, Yisrael Beytenu 10, Yesh Atid and Shas would each garner 9, United Torah Judaism would get 8, Blue and White and Otzma Yehudit would both receive 6, while Hadash-Ta’al and Ra’am would take 5 each. The Religious Zionist Party wouldn’t reach the minimum threshold required for representation.

In a case where Eisenkot launches his own party, it would gain 8 seats—overtaking both Yesh Atid and Blue and White. Under that scenario, Likud’s seat count would stay at 26, while Bennett’s faction would slip to 22. Support for the Democrats would decrease to 10, Yesh Atid would drop to 7, and Gantz’s and Liberman’s parties would each lose one seat.

If Eisenkot were to take the helm of Yesh Atid with Yair Lapid second on the list, their ticket would receive a boost, reaching 18 seats. Likud would still remain at 26 seats. Bennett’s party would slide to 21, Democrats would lose ground with just 9 seats, and Blue and White would be reduced to 4.

Alternatively, should Eisenkot align with Bennett as his deputy, the joint list would become the most powerful force in the Knesset, earning 32 seats. Likud would see a slight increase to 27. Democrats would dip to 11, Yesh Atid would fall to 8, and Blue and White would not manage to get any seats at all.

A different poll by the Maagar Mochot Institute, aired on Channel 13 News, showed that a new party led by Eisenkot would capture 9 seats—again pushing Blue and White out of the Knesset. According to that poll, Likud would win 25 seats, Bennett’s slate would take 21, Shas and Yisrael Beytenu would each get 10, Democrats would finish with 9, Otzma Yehudit would get 8, United Torah Judaism 7, and Yesh Atid 7. Ra’am and Hadash-Ta’al would each secure 5 seats. The Religious Zionist Party would just make it in with 4 seats.

This arrangement would give the current governing coalition 54 seats. Meanwhile, the opposition bloc, along with the Arab parties, would command a majority with 66 seats.

That same poll also analyzed what might happen if Eisenkot were to run on a joint ticket with Bennett. That partnership would again claim the top spot with 31 seats. Likud would secure 24, Democrats would climb to 10, and Gantz’s National Unity Party would barely scrape by with 4 seats.

The final scenario evaluated Eisenkot joining forces with Lapid. That version of Yesh Atid would bring in 14 seats. Likud would garner 26, Bennett’s party would collect 23, and the National Unity Party would fall below the threshold and be eliminated from the Knesset.

{Matzav.com}

Israel has conducted an unprecedented surveillance campaign over Iran, capturing tens of millions of images via its satellites before and throughout the recent conflict, according to a statement from the Defense Ministry.

The ministry reported that its sophisticated satellite network covered tens of millions of square kilometers through continuous day-and-night monitoring, gathering over 12,000 high-resolution images of Iranian territory.

With Iran’s landmass covering roughly 1.6 million square kilometers, and the focus of the Israeli surveillance centered around the Tehran region and western parts of the country, large portions had to be photographed repeatedly to ensure comprehensive coverage.

This level of observation meant that Israeli satellites were keeping tabs on hundreds of different locations each day, the ministry noted.

Altogether, the satellite fleet was monitoring hundreds of thousands of square kilometers across Iran every single day.

Thanks to major advancements in Israel’s satellite capabilities—both in quality and in volume—the Jewish state has transitioned from relying on occasional snapshots for general intelligence to being able to track numerous sites throughout Iran in real time with tactical and operational precision.

These real-time capabilities enabled satellites to provide data that directly influenced Israel Air Force missions mid-operation, particularly by identifying missile launches and changing flight plans accordingly.

The technology also allowed for rapid evaluation of strike effectiveness, offering immediate insight into whether a target had been successfully neutralized.

Additionally, this intelligence helped determine whether further aerial missions were needed for specific targets, especially when dealing with complex sites, by identifying which parts of a structure had been damaged and which required follow-up strikes.

Throughout the confrontation with Iran, Israel benefited from newer satellite technologies, most notably the Ofek 13, which began operations in March 2023 and delivered clearer, more accurate surveillance than previous models.

The Ofek 13 was jointly developed by the Defense Ministry and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), and was launched via a Shavit 2 rocket from a site in central Israel.

At the time of the launch, Avi Berger, who heads the Defense Ministry’s Space Directorate, stated, “The launch was successful. It went according to plan. The first indications from the satellite are also excellent. In the coming weeks, we will complete the technical tests and receive the first images.”

Beyond the Defense Ministry and IAI, the Ofek 13’s development was a collaborative effort that included various units of the Israel Defense Forces, notably the 9900 intelligence unit and the air force.

At the time, Berger had also remarked, “Ofek 13 is a radar-based observation satellite with the most advanced capabilities of its kind in the world, all of which are the result of Israeli development.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee made a bold statement on Tuesday, suggesting that America’s B-2 stealth bombers should be deployed to Yemen following a missile attack aimed at Yerushalayim by the Iran-backed Houthis.

“We thought we were done with missiles coming to Israel, but Houthis just lit one up over us in Israel,” the ambassador wrote on X/Twitter.

“Fortunately, Israel’s incredible interception system means we go to the shelter & wait until all clear. Maybe those B2 bombers need to visit Yemen!”

His remarks came after the Israeli military successfully intercepted the projectile launched from Yemen. The launch triggered air raid sirens across Yerushalayim and parts of central Israel, prompting residents to seek shelter.

Shortly afterward, Israeli Defense Minister Yisroel Katz warned that Yemen would face consequences for the attack.

“The law of Yemen is the law of Tehran,” he wrote. “After we strike the head of the serpent in Tehran, we will also strike the tail of the serpent in Yemen.”

The B-2 bombers Huckabee referenced were most recently utilized in Operation Midnight Hammer, a precision strike mission against Iranian nuclear targets. According to U.S. officials, the mission involved dropping over 30 tons of munitions using the advanced aircraft.

US President Donald Trump called the strikes a “historic military success,” claiming the facilities were “completely obliterated.”

Due to their limited number—just 20 aircraft—the B-2 bombers are typically reserved for high-priority missions requiring precision and stealth.

Qatar has put forward a new offer to Israel proposing a two-month truce, during which eight living hostages would be freed on the very first day, and an additional two would be released on the 50th day of the ceasefire.

According to two diplomats familiar with the proposal, the deal outlines a 60-day pause in fighting. On day one, eight living captives would be released, followed by two more on day 50 of the truce period.

Kan News provided further details, reporting that the plan also includes the phased return of the remains of 18 hostages who are confirmed dead. The plan would unfold in three stages. As part of the broader outline, the IDF would withdraw from the Morag axis, and the level of humanitarian assistance allowed into Gaza would be expanded significantly.

Those close to the ongoing talks suggest that the chances of reaching a deal have improved, though some disagreements between the involved parties have yet to be resolved.

Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu has been conducting several rounds of high-level security meetings in recent days, with a strong focus on the hostages. Families of those still in captivity have voiced fears that during the conflict with Iran, their loved ones would be pushed off the national agenda and that efforts to secure their return might stall.

Negotiations had been largely frozen for several weeks, with no notable movement. But recently, President Donald Trump has shared a more hopeful tone, indicating that a breakthrough could be imminent. Earlier today, he said, “There may be a ceasefire next week.”

There are currently 50 hostages believed to still be in Gaza. Of those, roughly 20 are thought to be alive.

{Matzav.com}

Saudi Arabia is making it clear that any potential normalization agreement with Israel hinges on the complete removal of Hamas from power in Gaza, according to a report from i24NEWS. A source with direct ties to the Saudi royal court conveyed this position to Middle East correspondent Ariel Oseran.

“Without removing Hamas, there will be no peace,” the source emphasized, underscoring Riyadh’s firm stance that Hamas must be dismantled entirely before any diplomatic breakthrough with the Jewish State can occur.

The report adds that Saudi Arabia envisions the Palestinian Authority, under the leadership of Mahmoud Abbas, taking over governance in Gaza once Hamas is ousted. This transition is seen as a necessary step for the region’s future stability and for progress toward formal ties with Israel.

This marks the first public indication that halting military operations before Hamas is fully defeated could undermine broader regional diplomacy—particularly efforts by the Trump administration to broaden the Abraham Accords and secure new normalization deals with additional Arab and Muslim countries.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump commented on Tuesday that a ceasefire agreement might be achievable as early as next week. He also reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that every remaining Israeli hostage is brought home safely.

Trump added that he plans to be “very firm” with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu about bringing the conflict in Gaza to a close when they meet in Washington next week.

{Matzav.com}