Matzav

Classified files connected to the killings of Senator Robert F. Kennedy Sr. and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. are finally set to be made public, according to an announcement Thursday by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. The long-hidden documents are scheduled to be unveiled “in the next few days” after remaining untouched “for decades.”

The news came during a White House gathering where Gabbard sat just a short distance from Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.—son of the slain senator—as well as President Donald Trump and members of the presidential cabinet.

“We’ve been scanning — I’ve had over a hundred people working around the clock to scan the paper around RFK, Sen. Robert F. Kennedy’s assassination, as well as Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination,” Gabbard said during the meeting.

“These have been sitting in boxes in storage for decades, they have never been scanned or seen before. We’ll have those ready to release here in the next few days,” she added.

Trump reacted positively to the revelation, saying, “That’s great,” before turning to Kennedy Jr. and asking how he was feeling.

“I’m very gratified,” he replied.

“That’s hitting close to home,” Trump noted. “I’m thinking about Bobby when that statement was made.”

Kennedy Jr. went on to express his appreciation, adding that he is “very grateful.”

Kennedy Jr., who now serves as the Secretary of Health and Human Services, was in his teens when his father—President John F. Kennedy’s younger brother—was gunned down at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles shortly after claiming victory in the California Democratic presidential primary in June 1986.

“And you let Bobby see some of this because, you know, it’s very personal stuff. But it’s time,” Trump said to Gabbard. She confirmed that Kennedy Jr. had previously told her the importance of making the materials public, saying the “world needs to know the truth.”

Earlier this year, in January, Trump authorized an executive order to unseal records concerning the assassinations of JFK, RFK Sr., and Dr. King.

The files pertaining to JFK were made available on March 18, and according to Gabbard, “no redactions” were applied to those documents.

While campaigning in 2024, Trump promised to launch a commission to investigate presidential assassinations. The pledge came as a tribute to RFK Jr., and was made just one month after Trump himself survived an assassination attempt at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

{Matzav.com}

A newly released survey shows that Americans from different age groups and political affiliations are viewing Israel less positively now than they did before October 7, 2023. In addition, more than half of those polled expressed distrust in Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu’s ability to make sound decisions.

According to the Pew Research Center, 53% of respondents now hold an unfavorable opinion of Israel, a noticeable jump from 42% in 2022. Among Republicans, 37% now view Israel negatively, up from 27% two years ago. Among Democrats, that number rose from 53% to 69%.

Younger Americans in both political parties appear especially critical. The data shows that 50% of Republicans under the age of 49 have a negative perception of Israel, as do 71% of Democrats in the same age bracket.

The survey also revealed that most Americans reject the controversial idea of the U.S. seizing control of Gaza for redevelopment — a plan first floated by President Donald Trump back in February.

Pew’s findings show that 62% of Americans are opposed to the proposal, with nearly half — 49% — strongly rejecting it. Only 15% expressed support for the idea. Within Trump’s own party, 44% oppose the proposal, while 27% back it.

Despite the resistance, 46% of those surveyed believe it is either somewhat or very likely that Trump will move forward with the plan if elected again.

These numbers were released Tuesday, just before Trump’s meeting with Netanyahu this week, during which he reiterated his position on the issue.

Trump maintained that the reaction to his proposal has been mostly positive, even though the plan has been widely dismissed by global leaders and international observers.

“Having a peace force like the United States there controlling and owning the Gaza Strip would be a good thing,” Trump said, seemingly contradicting earlier efforts by his team to walk back his remarks about deploying American troops in Gaza.

The survey noted that Democratic attitudes toward Israel have worsened across generations, but especially among older Democrats, whose unfavorable views have risen 23 points. “Younger and older Democrats alike have turned more negative toward Israel over these three years, but negative views among younger Democrats have grown by 9 points, compared with a 23-point increase among older Democrats,” the poll states. “Among Republicans, much of the shift in attitudes has come among younger adults. Republicans under 50 are now about as likely to have a negative view of Israel as a positive one (50% vs. 48%). In 2022, they were much more likely to see Israel positively than negatively (63% vs. 35%).”

Among different religious communities in the U.S., only Jews and Protestants showed majority support for Israel, with 73% of Jews and 57% of Protestants expressing favorable opinions. Notably, 72% of white evangelicals view Israel positively. Catholics were divided, with 53% holding negative views and 45% positive. Among Muslims, 81% said they had an unfavorable view of Israel.

These findings echo trends found in a Gallup poll from February, which also reported a decline in American support for Israel.

When respondents were asked about their view of Netanyahu, 52% said they had little or no trust in him to “do the right thing regarding world affairs,” compared with 32% who said they did have confidence. Pew pointed out that “the share of Americans with little or no confidence in Netanyahu rose significantly between 2023 and 2024.”

The poll also showed a partisan divide on Netanyahu: 51% of Republicans expressed confidence in his leadership, while just 15% of Democrats said the same.

Among American Jews, opinion was split: 53% said they lack confidence in Netanyahu, while 45% said they trust him. White evangelical Protestants were the only religious group in the U.S. where a majority expressed faith in Netanyahu.

Interest in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has declined slightly since the October 7, 2023, terrorist attacks. Currently, 54% of Americans say the war remains personally significant to them, down from 65% in January.

Among Jews, the war continues to resonate strongly. A full 93% say the conflict is important to them, with 74% describing it as “very important.”

The poll was conducted between March 24 and March 30, surveying a representative sample of 3,605 adults across the United States.

{Matzav.com}

The staff at Matzav.com, Matzav WhatsApp, and Matzav Status wishes all of our readers around the globe a chag kosher vesomeiach and a kosheren Pesach.

We are grateful to all those who have supported Matzav.com in this important endeavor to provide a kosher and informative Torah newscenter for the greater frum community. We express our gratitude to those who have encouraged and guided us. Of course, we thank our supporters, sponsors and advertisers, as well as our dedicated readers and contributors from countries around the world.

Thank you for making all Matzav.com platforms the #1 English-Language Torah news and inspiration choice for the frum community.

Have a wonderful and meaningful Yom Tov.

The Matzav.com Staff

{Matzav.com Newscenter}

A deal to secure the release of hostages appears to be nearing completion, based on updates delivered to the relatives of those still in captivity. Steve Witkoff, former President Donald Trump’s Middle East representative, assured families during a Thursday meeting that “a very serious deal is taking shape—it’s a matter of days.”

Insiders suggest that Trump has signaled to Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu that he has only a limited window—possibly just a few more weeks—to carry on military operations before a more extensive ceasefire agreement is expected to be pursued.

Speaking to the press during a Thursday cabinet session at the White House, Trump echoed this sentiment, stating, “We’re getting close to getting them back,” and adding, “We’re making progress, we’re dealing with Israel, we’re dealing with Hamas, and it’s a nasty group.” He offered no specifics on the pace or content of the negotiations.

In response, Netanyahu’s office announced that the prime minister had convened a meeting with Israel’s security team and negotiators to review developments related to the hostages.

During a Security Cabinet session held the previous night—noticeably without the participation of Israel’s top military brass—ministers reviewed Netanyahu’s recent trip to Washington and debated ramping up military efforts against Hamas. Transportation Minister Miri Regev argued that Israel’s current actions lacked sufficient intensity. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir urged Israel to take control of Gaza and encourage population movement “according to Trump’s plan.” Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich advocated launching a significant ground assault if Hamas fails to free all captives.

According to reports, American officials told relatives of hostages that the matter was front and center during Trump’s recent talks with Netanyahu at the White House. They relayed that Washington is pushing for a sweeping diplomatic resolution—ending hostilities in Gaza while advancing normalization talks with Saudi Arabia. This initiative also involves renewed negotiations over Iran’s nuclear activities.

Those familiar with the situation say Trump is prepared to allow the conflict to continue for only another two or three weeks at most before calling for it to stop. “There’s no end to this war without resolving the hostage issue,” one Israeli official commented.

Meanwhile, Karina Arayev—recently freed after enduring 477 days in Hamas captivity—issued a heartfelt plea ahead of Pesach: “Until they return, none of us are truly free.”

{Matzav.com}

The IDF, working in coordination with the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), has eliminated eleven operatives from Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad who took part in the brutal October 7 attacks, according to a military announcement issued Thursday. These targeted killings took place following the resumption of military activity in Gaza that began in mid-March.

The renewed offensive marked the official end of a two-month-long truce between Israel and Hamas.

Of the eleven terrorists identified, nine were neutralized in the most recent wave of strikes carried out in Gaza.

Among those killed was Hassan Na’em, who was involved in the abduction and killing of Sgt. Shaked Dahan. Ismail Shakash was also targeted; he had been responsible for murdering Israeli civilians, launching grenades at the Re’im junction checkpoint, and firing a small surface-to-air missile into Israeli territory. Jalal Qaraan played a role in murdering Inbar Haiman, attacking the Nova music festival and military installations, and killing two Israeli civilians while filming and sharing the atrocities online.

Muhammad Issa was identified as a perpetrator in the attack on Kibbutz Mefalsim and as a participant in the October 7 massacre. Muhammad Shabaki also infiltrated Israeli territory and took part in the mass killings that day. Fares Karshin, Yahya Estal, Muhammad Tzakar, and Muhammad Estal all crossed into Israel and took part in the coordinated October 7 assault.

In addition to these nine, two other terrorists were killed prior to the current campaign.

Muhammad Atsfur was involved in the assault against the IDF’s Southern Command’s 10th Brigade on October 7. Khaled Al-Din was implicated in the murder of Israeli civilians during the same attack and was found to have used the home of Erick and Ruth Peretz, both of whom were slain at the Nova music festival.

{Matzav.com}

Iran is reportedly weighing the possibility of presenting a temporary nuclear deal to the United States as a stepping stone toward a broader, more permanent arrangement, according to a report by Axios on Thursday. The outlet cited a European diplomat and a source with knowledge of the internal discussions in Tehran.

This development comes as the White House intensifies diplomatic pressure, with President Donald Trump giving negotiators a 60-day window to secure a renewed nuclear agreement with Iran. At the same time, the U.S. has increased its military presence in the region, a move widely interpreted as a contingency plan in case diplomatic efforts falter.

If talks fail to yield tangible results, Trump may consider launching a military offensive aimed at dismantling Iran’s nuclear infrastructure—or may support Israel in conducting such an operation.

Sources familiar with Tehran’s internal strategy told Axios that Iranian officials do not see a full, detailed nuclear agreement being finalized within Trump’s tight timeline. Instead, they are hoping to buy time and lower the chances of a swift escalation in tensions.

Ali Vaez, who heads the Iran Project at the International Crisis Group, told Axios, “The Iranians seem to believe that a sustainable deal is unlikely to be achieved in the timeframe that President Trump has in mind. It might therefore be necessary to consider an interim agreement as a way station toward a final deal.”

Iran’s diplomatic mission to the United Nations declined to provide a statement when asked about the possible proposal.

According to Axios, the temporary deal under consideration may include limited measures such as a reduction in uranium enrichment levels, a decrease in Iran’s stockpile of 60% enriched uranium, and broader access for international inspectors. While these changes would only slightly delay Iran’s ability to develop a nuclear weapon, some experts suggest they could create a more favorable environment for further negotiations.

The arrangement could also propose extending the “snapback” clause from the 2015 nuclear accord—the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)—which allows UN sanctions to be reinstated automatically if Iran fails to comply. That mechanism is set to expire in October.

France, Germany, and the UK have already issued warnings to Tehran that they will activate the snapback provision if no progress is made by the end of June.

Still, Tehran is expected to seek an end to the Trump-era “maximum pressure” sanctions campaign as part of any interim deal. Whether the White House would agree to that remains uncertain.

Some officials in Washington are wary that Iran might use a temporary deal to delay serious negotiations while continuing its nuclear development behind the scenes. That skepticism could make the administration reluctant to move forward, Axios reported.

This news emerges ahead of a meeting scheduled for Saturday in Muscat, where U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff will represent Washington and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi will attend on behalf of Tehran.

Although President Trump has said the talks would be direct, Iranian officials clarified that the discussions will be conducted indirectly, without face-to-face interaction.

On Wednesday, Trump told reporters that if military intervention becomes necessary to stop Iran’s nuclear ambitions, “Israel will be involved and even lead the effort.”

When asked about a specific deadline for reaching a deal with Iran, Trump responded, “I can’t really be specific, but when you start talks, you know if they’re going along well or not, and I would say the conclusion would be when I think they’re not going along well.”

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu issued a strong condemnation on Thursday in response to comments made by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who appeared to validate a protester’s allegation that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.

“Canada has always sided with civilization. So should Mr. Carney. But instead of supporting Israel, a democracy that is fighting a just war with just means against the barbarians of Hamas, he attacks the one and only Jewish state. Mr. Carney, backtrack your irresponsible statement!” Netanyahu wrote on X.

Netanyahu’s post came after video surfaced showing Carney at a Calgary rally on Tuesday. During the event, a protester shouted, “Mr. Carney, there is a genocide happening in Palestine,” to which Carney responded, “Thank you…I’m aware. Which is why we have an arms embargo.”

The next day, reporters asked Carney about the incident, prompting him to clarify his remarks. He claimed he had not heard the word “genocide” and had only meant to reference existing Canadian arms restrictions.

“I didn’t hear that word,” Carney said. “It’s noisy. If you’re up there you hear snippets of what people say and I heard Gaza, and my point was I’m aware of the situation in Gaza.”

Carney, who took over as Liberal leader last month following Justin Trudeau’s resignation, was quick to weigh in on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. He criticized the shutdown of electricity to the territory, though he stopped short of naming Israel.

“It has been more than two days that the supply of electricity to Gaza has been shut off,” Carney stated, adding, “It must resume. Essentials including food, electricity and medical supplies should never be used as political tools.”

He went on to assert that Canada should act in coordination with its allies to defend international legal standards, encourage long-term regional peace, and ensure humanitarian access to Palestinian civilians.

Carney also emphasized the need for both parties to advance toward “the return of all hostages and the completion of the ceasefire agreement.”

Former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau initially supported Israel’s military response to the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks and joined several global leaders in affirming Israel’s right to defend itself while calling for civilian protections.

However, Trudeau later took a markedly different stance, condemning Israel and insisting that the “killing of women, of children, of babies” in the Gaza Strip must end.

{Matzav.com Israel}

A federal judge ruled Thursday that the Trump administration can move forward with a controversial initiative requiring undocumented immigrants to enter their personal details into an online database — and face fines or jail time if they don’t comply.

The policy, first unveiled by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in February, is scheduled to go into effect on Friday.

Under the new rule, undocumented immigrants aged 14 and up — including minors — must provide details such as fingerprints and residential addresses. As reported by the Wall Street Journal earlier this year, noncompliance could result in penalties of up to $5,000 and a prison sentence of up to six months.

Several advocacy groups that serve immigrant populations, including the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights Los Angeles (CHIRLA), United Farmworkers of America, Make the Road New York, and CASA, filed a lawsuit last month seeking to stop the policy from being implemented.

“Plaintiffs have not shown that they are likely to succeed on the merits,” DC US District Court Judge Trevor McFadden ruled Thursday. “They have failed to demonstrate that they have standing to bring this suit.”

Judge McFadden, who was appointed by President Trump, dismissed the plaintiffs’ claims of harm as hypothetical and argued that the organizations had failed to present evidence that any individual had suffered the kind of injury recognized by the courts under Article III.

In his ruling, McFadden cited the long history of federal laws mandating non-citizen registration, beginning with the Alien Registration Act of 1940. The current iteration of that obligation is derived from the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952.

The directive to launch this registry was included in President Trump’s “Day One” executive order, titled Protecting the American People Against Invasion, which instructed the Department of Homeland Security to enforce the requirements of section 262 of the Immigration and Nationality Act and to prioritize penalties for noncompliance.

“Most aliens in the United States have already registered, as required by law,” according to USCIS. “However, a significant number of aliens present in the United States have had no direct way in which to register and meet their obligation under INA [section] 262.”

“In order that unregistered aliens may comply with their duty under INA [section] 262, USCIS is establishing a new form and process by which they may register. No alien will have an excuse for failure to comply with this law.”

The groups challenging the rule contended that it would ultimately serve as a mechanism for mass removals of undocumented immigrants and insisted that such a sweeping change should go through a full public comment period before being finalized.

{Matzav.com}

Former President Donald Trump revealed on Thursday that he has selected Yehuda Kaploun, a businessman, Chabad rabbi, and active Trump campaign supporter, to serve as his administration’s new special envoy charged with monitoring and fighting antisemitism.

Trump shared the announcement on Truth Social, stating: “I am proud to nominate Yehuda Kaploun as the United States Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, Ambassador-at-Large. Yehuda is a successful businessman, and staunch advocate for the Jewish Faith and the Rights of his people to live and worship free from persecution. With Anti-Semitism dangerously on the rise, Yehuda will be the strongest Representative for Americans and Jews across the Globe, and promote PEACE. Congratulations Yehuda!”

Kaploun played a central role in engaging Jewish voters on behalf of the Trump campaign during the 2024 presidential race. He was involved in organizing a major event in Washington aimed at mobilizing Jewish support, an event that received backing from Dr. Miriam Adelson.

Throughout the campaign season, Kaploun was deeply involved in outreach efforts targeting both the Orthodox and broader Jewish communities. He has said that his involvement stemmed from growing concern over rising antisemitic sentiment and the growing sense of unease felt by many Jews in America today.

“Just a year ago, no one would have believed that Jews would be afraid to be openly Jewish in the United States,” Kaploun told Mishpacha Magazine. “The fact that Jews are afraid in progressive universities shows that the United States is going down a dark path.”

{Matzav.com}

Agudath Israel of America presents a special Shailos Uteshuvos session on Hilchos Pesach and Erev Pesach Shechal B’Shabbos with Hagaon Harav Shmuel Kamenetsky, member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah and Rosh Yeshiva of Philadelphia Yeshivah. The discussion, originally conducted four years ago, is moderated by Rav Doniel Osher Kleinman, noted rov and author of Kovetz Halachos containing Rav Kamenetsky’s p’sakim. With clarity, Rav Kamenetsky addresses a range of practical halachic questions.

WATCH:

Lakewood, NJ – Lakewood, an area of 26 square miles, has 217 miles of Township streets. It also has thousands upon thousands of garbage receptacles – bins that, while serving town residents, belong to the Lakewood Public Works Department, which is responsible for the maintenance and repair of Township roads and sewers, Township parks and open space, snowplowing of Township streets, leaf and brush collection, and, of course, garbage and recycling collection.

It is because these bins belong to the township that several Lakewood poskim, notably Rav Shmuel Felder, a posek of Beth Medrash Govoha, have ruled that there is no halachic concern if town residents leave chometz in their trash cans on Yom Tov. Since the cans are in the reshus of the township, there is no issue of baal yeira’eh and baal yeimotzeh.

It should be noted that Pesach is a good time to clean out your bins and hose them down, which is also recommended during the warmer weather, when they bins tend to emit a foul odor when they are not cleaned or hose down.

{Matzav.com}

HaRav Meir Mazuz, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Kisei Rachamim, is in critical condition.

Rav Mazuz has been hospitalized at Beilinson Hospital for the past week due to severe heart failure, and his condition has continued to deteriorate.

Doctors have described the situation as life-threatening, and rachamei Shamayim merubim are needed.

Talmidim close to the rosh yeshiva say that the situation is dire.

In response, Rav Yitzchak Yosef, nosi of the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah of Shas, issued an urgent call to the public to daven and learn Torah as a zechus for a refuah sheleimah for Rav Mazuz, whom he referred to as “a giant of Torah whom the public greatly needs.”

Shas chairman MK Aryeh Deri also released a public statement: “Together with all of Am Yisrael, I daven for the complete and speedy recovery of my revered rebbi, HaGaon HaRav Meir Mazuz shlita, rosh yeshiva of Kisei Rachamim, who is in dire need of rachamei Shamayim.”

All are asked to daven for Rav Meir Nissim ben Kamasna.

{Matzav.com Israel}

New York City’s congestion tolling initiative is expected to stay active for at least several more months as legal battles between state leaders and the Trump administration continue to unfold.

A timeline proposed jointly in a legal filing on Friday outlines how the case may proceed, following threats made by President Donald Trump and his transportation secretary in February to halt the tolling system.

If approved by a federal judge in Manhattan, the proposed schedule would allow both parties to submit written arguments over several months, possibly extending into October or later. The toll would remain in operation during that time.

According to the filing, the federal government does not currently plan to seek a halt to the toll while the case plays out. The state has indicated it will continue running the system unless a judge issues an order requiring it to stop. However, the door remains open for either party—or others with a stake in the matter—to ask for a quicker decision on the program’s legality.

The tolling system charges most drivers $9 to access Manhattan south of 60th Street. It was created to ease traffic congestion and reduce pollution while generating funds for New York’s transit network, including subways, buses, and commuter trains operated by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. The MTA projects $500 million in annual revenue from the toll, after costs, and reported that it brought in $100 million in just the first two months of 2025.

Since implementation, vehicle volume in the congestion zone has gone down. The MTA reported that March saw a 12% drop in cars entering the area compared to previous figures.

Still, critics have voiced concern about the financial burden the toll places on everyday drivers. The initiative is also being challenged in separate legal actions by the state of New Jersey—which claims the toll merely redirects traffic and emissions across the river—and by various organizations representing commuters from the suburbs, trucking companies, and other opponents.

Meanwhile, support for the toll among New Yorkers appears to be growing. A Siena College survey released March 10 showed that 42% now favor keeping the toll in place, while 35% think it should be scrapped. Back in December, only 32% supported it, with a 56% majority opposing it.

In mid-February, US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced plans for the Federal Highway Administration to revoke a previous agreement with the MTA, which had allowed the state agency to start tolling drivers entering central Manhattan.

That announcement prompted the MTA to file a lawsuit against the Trump administration, arguing that pulling back approval after the program had already launched would be illegal. The federal government initially set a March 21 deadline to end the tolling program but later moved that deadline to April 20.

{Matzav.com}

On Thursday, Israeli Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich brought together the top officials of the Finance Ministry for a further, more comprehensive meeting focused on how the Israeli government should address the newly introduced tariff policy announced by President Donald Trump.

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu appointed Smotrich to head the Israeli side of the negotiations with the American administration on the matter.

During the discussion, senior ministry experts outlined a variety of strategic options that could be pursued collaboratively with the US, aiming to strengthen economic ties while avoiding or reducing any harmful repercussions for both nations.

The Finance Ministry emphasized that it is engaged in ongoing and in-depth communication with key players in Israel’s private sector, particularly those in manufacturing and export, who are expected to feel the effects of the proposed tariffs.

Concurrently, Israeli officials are working hand-in-hand with American counterparts to try and limit the range of products affected by the new tariffs and to cushion the blow to Israeli manufacturers and exporters.

A decision was made that once Pesach concludes, Smotrich will lead an official Israeli team to Washington, where they will begin detailed and focused negotiations with relevant US government representatives, with the goal of formulating agreements that will curb the potential fallout from the tariff plan.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Officials from the Trump administration reportedly engaged in three rounds of direct talks with Hamas leaders inside a secure location in Qatar during the month of March, according to a New York Times article published Thursday.

The discussions were centered around efforts to negotiate the release of American hostage Edan Alexander. Despite multiple meetings, all attempts to reach an agreement ultimately collapsed.

Four individuals with knowledge of the negotiations revealed that Adam Boehler, the U.S. special envoy for hostage affairs, pushed for Hamas to free Alexander so that President Trump could include the announcement in his recent address to Congress. Talks were still ongoing as Trump arrived at the Capitol, but without a breakthrough, the president only made a brief mention of hostages in Gaza during his speech.

These meetings reflect the Trump administration’s strategy of pursuing diplomatic channels and potential deals to secure hostage releases. However, the talks reportedly fell apart due to “furious Israeli opposition, Hamas’s hesitation and the Trump administration’s shifting position.”

In addition to discussing the hostage issue, officials also held conversations on the broader Arab-Israeli conflict and the October 7 massacre—over a meal of knafeh paired with freshly squeezed orange juice.

Today, the Israeli Supreme Court dismissed a petition seeking to reinstate the flow of electricity to the Gaza Strip.

Justice Alex Stein, writing on behalf of the court, stated, “From a legal perspective, it is clear that the State of Israel is not obliged to provide electricity to the Gaza Strip, for money or for free.”

He further elaborated: “Israel does not have legal sovereignty over the Strip,” and added, “our enemies, who claim sovereignty over the territory of the Strip, have launched a brutal war against us, partly fueled by electricity, which has claimed many victims among us.”

“The supply of electricity to the Strip is entirely at the discretion of the government. In my opinion, the manner in which such discretion is exercised is inherently non-justiciable.” Deputy Supreme Court President Noam Sohlberg echoed this view, commenting, “It is doubtful whether the issue is justiciable; the very discussion of the petition creates the impression that it is justiciable.”

The legal proceedings followed a directive issued last month by Energy Minister Eli Cohen, who signed an order cutting off electricity to Gaza with immediate effect.

Before the implementation of Cohen’s order, Israel had only been supplying electricity to a desalination facility located in central Gaza.

{Matzav.com}

[COMMUNICATED]

The widespread distribution of kimcha depischa to hundreds of kollel students studying through the Migdal Oz Torah network, headed by the distinguished Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Yechezkel Etrog Shlita.

The Kollel network distributed generous food baskets and checks to allow the students to celebrate Pesach in comfort.

The investigation into the events that unfolded in Kibbutz Re’im on October 7 has shed light on the extraordinary courage shown by the local civilian defense team, who fought off a massive terrorist assault with no outside assistance for hours.

At the time of the attack early that morning, eight members of the kibbutz’s ten-man emergency response unit were on duty. When the initial sirens went off, the squad’s security coordinator instructed them to report to a designated meeting location. By 7:20 a.m., they had assembled and split into three groups, each assigned to a different area to observe and defend.

Roughly ten minutes later, survivors fleeing the massacre at the Nova music festival began reaching Kibbutz Re’im. At 7:51 a.m., between five and ten terrorists breached the kibbutz’s southern gate. A firefight broke out between the attackers and the security team, resulting in one terrorist being neutralized while the others pulled back.

By 8:01 a.m., a much larger wave of roughly 40 armed terrorists stormed in through the northern entrance, some of them riding in vehicles as they made their way toward the HaTza’irim neighborhood. It was during this stage that the kibbutz was subjected to widespread violence, including murders, kidnappings, looting, and fires. At 8:14 a.m., five residents were abducted, and five others were killed.

The local squad continued to resist with immense bravery, repositioning themselves constantly to counter infiltrating terrorists. They set up makeshift barriers at the northern and western gates in an attempt to stop further incursions. At 9:00 a.m., another group of 20 terrorists entered the western part of the kibbutz and set homes ablaze.

Soon after, specialized units from the Israel Police’s Special Patrol Unit arrived and joined forces with the defenders. IDF troops also began to reach the area via Route 234. By 9:30 a.m., security personnel had killed at least six more terrorists at the kibbutz gate and the nearby Re’im junction.

As the morning wore on, the battle intensified. At 9:47 a.m., local defenders and police regrouped at the southern entrance to confront yet another round of attacks. They heroically pulled residents from burning buildings in HaTza’irim, repelled new infiltrations, and intercepted terrorists attempting to move toward the center of the community.

Even after these clashes, and until the IDF arrived around 11:40 a.m., the kibbutz’s defenders continued to operate with courage and resolve. They helped survivors of the Nova festival reach shelter, aided residents trapped in their homes, and fired on terrorists from within residential buildings.

All told, 80 terrorists infiltrated Kibbutz Re’im. When the dust settled, 49 terrorist bodies were found in the area. It is believed that those who were not killed managed to retreat to Gaza.

The attack resulted in the deaths of seven kibbutz residents and 15 members of Israeli security forces. Five civilians were abducted and taken to Gaza, but all have since been returned.

The investigating team concluded that the IDF did not succeed in protecting Kibbutz Re’im in the initial critical hours. The civilian response team stood alone at first, and their actions were crucial in preventing a far worse tragedy. Reinforcements from the IDF and police arrived later, some unprepared or lacking proper coordination, but still acted to contain the threat and stop it from spreading further.

The battle at Re’im stands as both one of the most brutal encounters during the Hamas-led invasion and one of the most remarkable examples of heroism shown by ordinary civilians and security forces alike.

{Matzav.com Israel}

President Donald Trump stated that efforts are underway to secure the release of the remaining hostages being held in Gaza and mentioned that he is engaged in discussions involving both Israel and Hamas, though he refrained from offering further specifics about the negotiations.

“We’re getting close to getting them back,” Trump told reporters during a cabinet meeting.

He explained that many hostages had already returned and acknowledged the deep gratitude of those affected. “A lot came back. A lot of people are very grateful. Some came back in pretty bad shape. They’re okay. I think they’re going to be scarred mentally for a long time because if you sit down and talk to them, as I have, what they went through is incredible,” he said.

Despite the difficult circumstances, he emphasized that progress was being achieved. “But we’re making progress,” he added. “We’re dealing with Israel, we’re dealing with Hamas, and it’s a nasty group.”

{Matzav.com}

A group of at least six congressional representatives from New York and New Jersey were on a plane Thursday afternoon that was hit by another aircraft while taxiing at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport — the same airport where a deadly mid-air crash claimed 67 lives on January 29.

“Serving in Congress has come with some once in a lifetime experiences … like just now while stationary on the runway at DCA, another plane just bumped into our wing,” Suffolk County Rep. Nick LaLota (R-NY) wrote on X Thursday. “Heading back to the gate, but thankfully everyone is ok!”

“(And ⁦@RepGraceMeng is handing out grapes!)” he added, giving a shout-out to his colleague, Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY) from Queens.

Joining them on the flight were four other Democratic lawmakers from the region — Reps. Adriano Espaillat, Ritchie Torres, and Gregory Meeks from New York, as well as Rep. Josh Gottheimer from New Jersey. The trip coincided with the beginning of a two-week congressional recess for Passover and Easter.

Meng, speaking to The New York Post, said she was “still hoping” to attend a memorial later that day honoring former Hudson Valley Rep. Nita Lowey, who passed away on March 15 at the age of 87.

The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed it has launched an inquiry into the incident, which occurred at 12:45 p.m. on a taxiway. The American Airlines plane carrying the legislators, en route to JFK, was clipped by another American Airlines-operated aircraft — a Bombardier CRJ900 headed to Charleston, SC.

“American Eagle flight 5490, operated by PSA Airlines, made contact on a DCA taxiway with American Eagle flight 4522, operated by Republic Airways. Safety is our top priority, and we apologize to our customers for their experience,” said a spokesperson for American Airlines.

Following the incident, both planes were removed from service due to winglet damage. They underwent inspections and maintenance before being cleared for future flights, according to the airline.

No passengers were hurt, and airport operations continued without further disruption, a DCA official confirmed.

There were at least 143 people on board the two aircraft involved.

Meng later recounted her experience over Zoom, saying, “I’ve been flying for over ten years to Washington. This has never happened to me.”

“We suddenly felt some shaking. The staff and the crew were very professional and kept everything orderly, calm and safe,” she said. “Some of the passengers said that they literally saw it clip the plane. And a little piece fell off, as you can see in the back. They’re fixing it right now. And they’re providing a different, new plane for us to fly back to New York.”

Gottheimer used the event to criticize what he described as dangerous budget reductions at the FAA. “Recent cuts to the FAA weaken our skies and public safety,” he posted on X after the accident.

“While waiting to take off on the runway at DCA just now, another plane struck our wing. Thankfully, everyone is safe,” he wrote.

Meng also weighed in on the broader implications of the event, referring to growing concerns about air safety and the FAA’s staffing levels following the January tragedy at the same airport.

“Glad my colleagues and I are okay! We are safely waiting on the tarmac, but we may need more snacks,” she joked in a post on X. “I’m grateful no one was hurt today, but this incident underscores this urgent need [to] restore all FAA jobs that keep our runways safe.”

A spokesperson for LaLota said the congressman “intends to bring this firsthand experience to his work in Congress, advocating for stronger aviation oversight and enhanced public safety to help prevent similar incidents in the future.”

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is considered one of the busiest and most intricate airspaces in the country. Experts say this complexity contributed to January’s devastating crash between a commercial jet and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter — the deadliest American aviation disaster since 2001.

In the aftermath of that tragedy, officials implemented some changes, including altering a helicopter route that previously crossed the airport’s landing approach. Yet since then, DCA has continued to see a number of troubling close calls.

On March 29, a Delta flight carrying 136 people nearly collided during its departure with four Northrop T38 Talons — a military aircraft group scheduled to perform a ceremonial flyover at Arlington National Cemetery.

Just one day later, a United Airlines jet struck a kite upon landing. Aviation experts warned that if the kite had been sucked into the engine, the consequences could have been severe.

{Matzav.com}