Matzav

Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky, the zekan roshei hayeshivos and rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva of Philadelphia, remains hospitalized in critical condition.

While Rav Shmuel’s condition continues to be serious, there was a slight but hopeful improvement overnight. The yeshiva reported that, b’chasdei Hashem, the Rosh HaYeshiva had a more comfortable night and that “the numbers are good overall,” but he remains in critical condition.

All are asked to intensify their tefillos on behalf of Shmuel ben Itta Ettil.

{Matzav.com}

A confrontation erupted early Monday at the Kosel when members of the “Women of the Wall” group brought a Sefer Torah into the women’s section, defying the site’s established protocols. The Sefer Torah had reportedly been smuggled in by concealing it inside a baby carrier.

The Western Wall Heritage Foundation condemned the act, saying, “This morning, a small group from the ‘Women of the Wall’ blatantly violated the accepted procedures at the Western Wall plaza by bringing a Sefer Torah into the plaza in violation of the rules and in a disrespectful manner – concealed in a baby carrier.”

The foundation added that the situation escalated when members of the group physically assaulted security personnel who were attempting to enforce the regulations. “During the incident, some of the group’s members violently attacked employees of the Western Wall Heritage Foundation who were trying to maintain order and protect the sanctity of the site. One staff member required evacuation to the hospital medical treatment as a result of the assault.”

In a statement responding to the accusations, the “Women of the Wall” claimed they were the ones subjected to aggression. “The Western Wall Heritage Foundation ushers, along with Israel Police, acted violently against Women of the Wall and tried to forcibly take the Torah scroll was brought into the women’s section of the Western Wall. During the clashes, ushers pushed Women of the Wall to the ground and attempted to seize the scroll using violence and force.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu toured an IDF Intelligence Directorate base on Monday, where he was joined by the unit’s commander, Major General Shlomi Binder. During the visit, Netanyahu commended the intelligence personnel for their critical role in the execution of Operation “Am Kalavi” in Iran.

He lauded the precision and depth of the intelligence work, attributing much of the operation’s success to the high level of preparation and collaboration among agencies. “The focus, quality, scope, and depth of the intelligence you brought was simply astounding. It gave me and my fellow Cabinet members tremendous confidence. This is a tremendous achievement of historic proportions,” he said.

Netanyahu declared that the mission dealt a serious blow to Iran’s ambitions to harm Israel. “Essentially, what they saw in Iran was: there is no axis. This plan to destroy Israel is currently off the table,” he stated, emphasizing that the offensive had effectively dismantled a key component of the Iranian threat.

He continued by highlighting the seamless coordination between different elements of Israel’s defense apparatus. “This integration between the political and military leadership, and then between intelligence and the Air Force and other branches — this integration led to the result. It struck like an arrow aimed precisely at a target — and it hit. And it repeated itself again and again.”

Despite the success, Netanyahu underscored that the mission is not over. “We have a job to finish — eliminating Hamas, and we have a job to finish — bringing our hostages home. These are two interlinked goals,” he said, making clear that the current military objectives remain urgent.

He further stressed the importance of maintaining Israel’s edge against both nuclear and missile threats from Iran, while also remaining alert to new strategic threats on the horizon.

Concluding his remarks, Netanyahu expressed his gratitude to the personnel for their ongoing dedication and service. “You have played a huge part in our successes so far, and I wish for all of us that you continue to contribute to ensuring the eternity of Israel. I want to thank you.”

{Matzav.com}

President Trump announced on Monday that he is shortening the timeline he previously gave Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine. Just a day after telling Miranda Devine of the New York Post that waiting 50 days “doesn’t make sense,” Trump said he would now demand action in a much shorter window.

“I’m going to make a new deadline of about 10 to 12 days from today,” Trump told reporters during a meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at his Turnberry resort in Scotland.

On July 14, Trump had initially called for Putin to cease his military operation in Ukraine and finalize a peace agreement within 50 days, warning of heightened economic consequences if he failed to comply.

“I’m disappointed in him, I must be honest with you,” Trump told Devine in the latest episode of her podcast “Pod Force One,” scheduled to be released Wednesday.

“We’ve had great conversations, but it hasn’t been followed up with, you know, just some very bad things have happened. Very, very bad things have happened after we’ve had conversations. And I’d leave and I’d say, ‘Well, I really thought we had it settled’ three or four times.”

While Trump has not yet determined whether to introduce additional penalties on Russia or implement tariffs that could impact nations purchasing Russian oil and gas—such as China, Brazil, and India—he emphasized that “we just don’t see any progress being made” in putting an end to the conflict, the worst Europe has witnessed since World War II.

“I’m not so interested in talking anymore,” he added while standing alongside Starmer.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he’s willing to sit down with Putin for direct negotiations to bring an end to the war, now over three years long. However, the Kremlin has so far avoided sending Putin to the table, opting to delegate lower-level officials for discussions.

Speaking to The Post in a recent interview from Kyiv, Zelensky voiced appreciation for Trump’s endorsement of sanctions but cautioned that the original 50-day timetable could lead to excessive casualties.

“Fifty days, for us, is just — every day is scary,” Zelensky said on July 17 in an interview in Kyiv.

“Putin has wasted President Trump’s time,” the Ukrainian leader added. “I would very much like to see the United States, the Congress and the president put some pressure on this situation with sanctions and so the sooner, the faster it can be done, the better.”

Talks between Ukrainian and Russian envoys, hosted in Turkey over the past few months, have failed to result in a truce. While some prisoner exchanges have occurred, there’s been no breakthrough in ending hostilities.

The latest round of negotiations took place on July 23 but ended abruptly in under an hour. There was no indication that the sides were any closer to a cease-fire, despite Trump’s firm 50-day ultimatum.

During this time, Trump has taken a hands-on approach by speaking directly with Putin in an attempt to facilitate peace. Despite assurances from the Russian leader that he seeks to end the war, the attacks have persisted.

“We have wonderful conversations,” Trump told Devine Sunday. “And then I go home, I turn on the news, and I see that Kyiv has just been bombed. It’s just been ripped into. You can’t do that stuff. I mean, I said, ‘Wait a minute. I just spoke to him four hours ago, and now all of a sudden they’re sending bombs into Kyiv and other places.’”

{Matzav.com}

President Trump said on Monday that he would not be offering a stance on the question of Palestinian statehood, stating instead that his current concern is the urgent need to deliver food to the residents of Gaza as Israel’s military campaign continues.

“I’m not going to take a position. I don’t mind him [British Prime Minister Keir Starmer] taking a position,” the president said when questioned about Starmer’s recent comments suggesting that recognition of a Palestinian state could promote peace in the region.

“I’m looking for people getting fed right now,” Trump added as he stood alongside Starmer at his Turnberry resort in western Scotland.

“That’s the number one position, you have a lot of starving people,” he continued. “The United States recently, just a couple of weeks ago, we gave $60 million. It’s a lot of money. No other nation gave money.”

Starmer, for his part, has been vocal about the worsening humanitarian conditions in Gaza, joining other Western leaders in calling for action, including initiating aid drops to help those suffering in the Hamas-run area.

Trump took issue with Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu’s assertion that there is no hunger crisis in Gaza, doubling down on his own earlier condemnation of such statements.

“Based on television, I would say not particularly, because those children look very hungry, but we’re giving a lot of money and a lot of food, and other nations are now stepping up,” Trump responded when asked whether he agreed with Netanyahu’s denial.

Describing the situation in Gaza as dire, Starmer called it both “desperate” and a “humanitarian crisis,” noting that people in the UK are “revolted at what they’re seeing.”

“Nobody’s done anything great over there,” Trump said when asked whether Israel had done enough to relieve the suffering. “The place is a mess. It’ll get straightened out, but it’s a mess. They have to get … food and safety right now.”

Turning to the ongoing hostage crisis, Trump reiterated his view that Hamas committed a terrible atrocity on October 7 and that resolving the hostage situation remains extremely complex. “And ultimately, look, Hamas did a horrible thing [on Oct. 7, 2023,] and they paid a big price, but Hamas did a horrible thing,” he said. “I always said, when you get down to the final 20, they won’t release them, because it’s like their shield, very unfair, and so something’s going to have to be done.”

During their sit-down, Starmer emphasized the urgency of reaching a cease-fire, while Trump again brought the conversation back to humanitarian concerns. “We want to get the children fed,” he said.

“We have to help on a humanitarian basis before we do anything,” Trump added.

In a meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen the day before, Trump vented frustration over what he saw as a lack of gratitude for America’s aid efforts, saying the U.S. has not received the appreciation it deserves and that he’s faced political backlash for providing the assistance.

In recent days, Israel has begun facilitating the delivery of aid into Gaza by air and is moving to set up secure corridors so United Nations convoys can bring in additional supplies.

The Israel Defense Forces described this development as part of a broader effort “aimed at improving the humanitarian response” and as a way to “refute the false claims of deliberate starvation in the Gaza Strip.”

Despite this shift, the number of aid trucks entering Gaza on Saturday—over 250—was still far below the approximately 600 trucks per day that were arriving during the last cease-fire, which ended in March.

{Matzav.com}

Statute of limitations concerns are unlikely to interfere with possible legal action against Barack Obama and top intelligence officials over accusations they conspired to sabotage President Donald Trump’s initial term through the Russian collusion narrative, according to CIA Director John Ratcliffe.

“I don’t think statutes of limitations are going to impact because in the conspiracy, the statute of limitation doesn’t start to run until the last act and furtherance of that conspiracy,” Ratcliffe said in an interview on Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo. “Part of why this is so important is that the people behind this are still furthering the conspiracy. They’re refusing to admit or acknowledge what they did in 2016 and what they did in 2020 was wrong.”

Ratcliffe added that he is firmly convinced that Obama, along with then-CIA Director John Brennan, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, FBI Director James Comey, and other officials, were engaged in a coordinated effort to target Trump and deceive the American public.

“I’ll leave it to [Attorney General] Pam Bondi and our Department of Justice, and [FBI Director] Kash Patel and our FBI, to investigate the conspiracy and what charges that they’re capable of bringing,” he said.

Ratcliffe traced the roots of the Russia collusion allegations to the summer of 2016, when American intelligence services picked up chatter from Russian operatives referencing what he described as a plan by Hillary Clinton to falsely accuse Trump of colluding with Russia—a smear effort that ultimately became known as the Steele dossier.

According to Ratcliffe, Brennan shared this information with Obama, Comey, then–Vice President Joe Biden, and others on the national security team at the time.

“It wasn’t until more than four years later, in October of 2020, when I found, after an exhaustive search of John Brennan’s handwritten notes and the underlying intelligence behind it, that it revealed exactly what happened,” Ratcliffe said.

This delay, he explained, meant that for several years, “the truth about the origins of the Russia collusion hoax was hidden from the American people.”

When Biden won the 2020 election, Ratcliffe argued, it created another window of time in which efforts to conceal this information continued.

“It’s only now with Donald Trump having been reelected that through DNI [Tulsi] Gabbard, myself, Pam Bondi, Kash Patel, all of this intelligence, all of this evidence that’s been hidden and buried from the American people is finally coming to light,” said Ratcliffe.

He concluded by noting that both he and Gabbard have formally submitted evidence to the Department of Justice and will continue to present intelligence to back what he called their “fair and just claims against those who perpetrated this hoax against the American people and this stain on our country.”

{Matzav.com}

Secretary of State Marco Rubio made it clear over the weekend that he has no interest in pursuing the Republican nomination for president in 2028. Instead, he publicly backed Vice President JD Vance as a potential contender for the party’s future leadership.

“I think JD Vance would be a great nominee if he decides he wants to do that,” Rubio said in an interview with Lara Trump, which was broadcast on the Fox News Channel.

Rubio referred to Vance as one of his “closest friends in politics,” expressing deep personal admiration alongside his political support.

Speaking on “My View with Lara Trump,” Rubio praised Vance’s work as vice president and indicated he is content with his current responsibilities within President Donald Trump’s administration.

“I want to do this job as long as the president allows me to,” Rubio stated.

After Trump defeated Kamala Harris in the 2024 election, he appointed Rubio—who had previously served as a U.S. senator from Florida—as Secretary of State. Rubio was among the first appointees confirmed to the administration’s Cabinet.

“I believe that if I am able to be here, through the duration of this presidency, and we get things done at the pace that we’ve been doing the last six months, I’ll be able to look back at my time in public service and say I made a difference, I had an impact, and I served my country in a very positive way,” Rubio told Trump.

“And I would be satisfied with that as the apex of my career,” he added.

{Matzav.com}

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The battle for New York City’s mayoralty is intensifying, with current Mayor Eric Adams and Andrew Cuomo exchanging sharp criticisms over their respective histories. The rivalry between the two independents escalated Sunday, as each took the opportunity to attack the other’s record while appearing at public events.

The confrontational exchanges took place against the backdrop of city parades, as Adams and Cuomo both attended celebrations in different boroughs. At the Bronx Dominican Parade, Adams criticized Cuomo for resigning as governor in 2021 amid an investigation into misconduct.

“I hung in there. I made a commitment to the city, that I was gonna serve as their mayor. He did not. He abandoned the state, and he stepped down from his role and his responsibility,” Adams said, drawing a contrast between his handling of federal corruption allegations—later dismissed—and Cuomo’s decision to exit office.

Meanwhile, over in Queens, Cuomo served as the grand marshal at the Colombian Parade and used the platform to accuse Adams of political opportunism, claiming the mayor prioritized his own interests over those of city residents.

“During his personal strife, he went and made a deal with President Trump to save himself at the cost of New Yorkers, and he put himself over the interest of New Yorkers,” Cuomo stated.

Adams responded by pointing to the recent Justice Department lawsuit against New York City’s sanctuary policies, implying that Cuomo’s accusation was inconsistent with reality. “You don’t make deals with someone you eventually get sued by,” Adams said.

Still, Cuomo doubled down on his claim that Adams betrayed public trust by reaching out to Trump during the height of his legal troubles. “He turned his back on New Yorkers,” Cuomo said. “New Yorkers will never forget that.”

Both candidates are now competing to outmaneuver Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic contender in the upcoming November election. A recent poll conducted by Wick Insights shows Mamdani, a Muslim, socialist state assemblyman from Queens, with a commanding lead. According to the survey, Mamdani is polling at 39%, Cuomo trails with 21%, Republican Curtis Sliwa follows with 18%, Adams stands at 9%, and 13% of voters remain undecided.

The poll, carried out in collaboration with the “Next Up with Mark Halperin” podcast and based on responses from 500 likely NYC voters between July 18 and 20, suggests Mamdani’s lead may stem from his image as a reformer who prioritizes working-class concerns and represents a break from political convention.

However, the same poll indicates that the race could tighten under certain matchups. A head-to-head contest between Mamdani and Cuomo would be nearly even, while Mamdani would hold a 10-point edge over Adams in a direct showdown.

{Matzav.com}

Despite the release of most detainees, five Iranian Jews remain in custody in Iran following a wave of arrests that swept through the Jewish community after the outbreak of the Am K’Lavi war between Iran and Israel. Among those still imprisoned is a dual Iranian-American citizen from New York who had returned to Iran to visit relatives just as the conflict began.

According to sources familiar with the situation, the New Yorker—who had left Iran three decades ago—arrived shortly before the war began, accompanied by another Iranian-American Jew from Los Angeles. While both were arrested, the latter has since been released on bail. “They were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time,” said one individual involved in efforts to secure their release.

The remaining detainees were reportedly arrested for offenses ranging from visiting Israel in the past to liking or posting content on social media deemed critical of the Iranian regime.

Homayoun Sameh, the Jewish representative in Iran’s parliament, stated that after a two-hour meeting with the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Tehran, an agreement was reached to release most of those arrested. “The charge of espionage against all the detainees in Tehran has been dropped,” he noted.

Sameh added, “We also held a meeting with the president of the court in Alborz Province regarding the situation of the other detainees. We hope that through continued cooperation, the remaining issues will be resolved soon.”

He continued, “I, along with the president of the Jewish community in Shiraz, am closely monitoring the situation and hope to see positive developments shortly. All of these achievements are the result of ongoing, diligent efforts on my part in constant cooperation with law enforcement officials.”

Sameh concluded by saying, “We hope to see a swift release of all detainees and a complete resolution to this matter.”

At the height of the crackdown, at least 35 Jews from the communities of Tehran and Shiraz were taken in for questioning on suspicion of ties to Israel. While most have been released, five remain behind bars, and efforts are being made to obtain their freedom.

In addition to the Jewish detainees, Iranian authorities reportedly arrested members of other minority groups during the operation, including Azeris, Kurds, and Baha’is, on suspicion of collaborating with Israel.

These arrests stand in stark contrast to the Islamic Republic’s official narrative, which claims to offer equal rights and protection to its Jewish citizens. While Iranian authorities have long sought to promote an image of tolerance and civil inclusion for the Jewish community, sources within that community describe the recent weeks as a time of “unprecedented pressure” being applied to Iranian Jews.

{Matzav.com}

As thousands of chareidi vacationers prepare to visit the northern city of Tiveria for bein hazmanim, they’ll find one key site shuttered: the city’s main shtieblach complex on Rechov Harav Verner in the Kiryat Shmuel neighborhood is closed and will likely remain so until after Tishah B’Av.

The closure stems from an ongoing dispute surrounding the practice of Birchas Kohanim in the shtieblach, a conflict that has effectively paralyzed a hub that once served both residents and tourists around the clock.

For years, under the leadership of the city’s late mara d’asra, Rav Avraham Dov Auerbach zt”l, Birchas Kohanim was not recited in the shtieblach—not only in his own central minyan but in any of the satellite minyanim held in the various rooms of the facility.

Since Rav Auerbach’s passing, however, the long-standing practice has come under challenge. Many of the local mispallelim—nearly 99% of whom are from Sephardic backgrounds—have pushed to restore Birchas Kohanim to the daily tefillos, following their own customs, which include reciting the brocha even in the Galil.

This shift has led to physical altercations between mispallelim at various minyanim, prompting Rav Aharon Yosef Auerbach, the late rav’s son and his successor at the main minyan, to shut down the shtieblach operations. While a single minyan continues to function three times daily, the signature 24-hour schedule of rotating minyanim has been suspended.

The impact is significant. The shtieblach was a central shul, open at all hours, enabling locals and visitors from across the spectrum to find a minyan at any time of day or night. Now, in its absence, people are forced to daven on sidewalks, in parks, and even in parking lots.

In response, city council members David Chaziza and Shimon Cohen, with the help of local donors, have organized a temporary solution: a tent complex in the municipal parking lot. But the makeshift space is hot, cramped, and lacks air conditioning. It cannot withstand the demand and is ill-suited for regular use.

Councilman Shimon Cohen voiced sharp criticism, stating, “This is a disgrace. We cannot welcome thousands of chareidi guests without a proper shul. A city like Tiveria, which breathes tradition, cannot conduct itself this way. I expect the mayor and the city administration to act immediately.”

The demand from local officials and residents alike is clear: the immediate reopening of the shtieblach, or the provision of a proper, organized, clean, and air-conditioned alternative that can serve the entire community. They emphasized that with full cooperation between the municipality and chareidi representatives, a workable solution can and must be found.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Authorities say a man from Long Island, New York, used artificial intelligence to help him construct homemade explosives that he intended to detonate in Manhattan.

According to federal prosecutors, 55-year-old Michael Gann relied on AI tools to assist in creating several bombs, claiming that the process was “easier than buying gun powder,” as stated in court documents reviewed by NBC News.

Investigators allege that Gann transported the explosives from Long Island into Manhattan, where he placed five bombs and four shotgun shells on the rooftop of a building in the SoHo district.

The documents say Gann told law enforcement he had purchased two common household chemicals online and combined them to produce the explosive material. Authorities believe he planned to use the shotgun shells in conjunction with at least one of the devices.

One of the bombs reportedly contained around 30 grams of explosive powder—an amount roughly 600 times greater than what’s legally permitted in consumer fireworks, according to officials.

In an incident described in the criminal complaint, a military veteran said Gann confronted him while mixing the explosives, demanding, “What kind of veteran are you?” and then saying, “You see a problem going on in the neighborhood and you do nothing about it.” The complaint notes that Gann pointed toward a Jewish school during this exchange.

On June 5, a second individual contacted Gann while the FBI listened in on the call. During the conversation, Gann mentioned he had already tested one of the devices by setting it off near the East River along FDR Drive, and that the explosion frightened him, the complaint says.

That same day, federal agents observed Gann walking with a shoulder bag. After identifying themselves, he reportedly told them he was on his way to hand the devices over to the fire department.

The two witnesses had also told authorities that Gann discussed ways to dispose of the remaining bombs, either by tossing them into the river or surrendering them to the New York City Fire Department.

When taken into custody, Gann admitted to officials that he was attempting to make pyrotechnics and had used AI to research which chemicals to buy and how to combine them.

Officials say Gann originally built four bombs and hurled three from the Williamsburg Bridge—two landed in the river, while the third fell onto nearby train tracks and was recovered.

“Gann allegedly produced multiple improvised explosive devices intended for use in Manhattan,” said Christopher Raia, who leads the FBI’s New York field office. “Due to the successful partnership of law enforcement agencies in New York, Gann was swiftly brought to justice before he could harm innocent civilians.”

Authorities believe Gann acted alone and was not affiliated with any organization or group.

{Matzav.com}

Amid growing political tension over Israel’s new humanitarian aid policy for Gaza, Israeli Finance Minister and Security Cabinet member Bezalel Smotrich sent a cryptic message to his party’s Knesset members late Sunday night. The message came just hours after he was excluded from a government decision to implement a “humanitarian pause” in fighting to allow more aid into Gaza.

In the message, first reported by journalist Amit Segal, Smotrich did not elaborate but hinted at a major political development on the horizon. “In war, it is not right to make political calculations. We will be judged by the outcome—defeating Hamas,” he wrote.

Smotrich added, “We are advancing a good strategic move. It’s not worth elaborating on right now. In a short time, we’ll know if it succeeds and what direction we’re headed.”

The timing of the message is significant. On Sunday night, Israel’s public broadcaster Kan 11 reported on a growing rift in the government following the approval of an expanded humanitarian aid plan for Gaza—an approval that took place without consulting Smotrich or other ministers until Motzaei Shabbos. The delayed notification reportedly enraged some ministers, who noted that security discussions typically continue over Shabbos but, in this case, were deferred “so as not to violate Shabbos observance.”

The move triggered a sharp political crisis between Prime Minister Netanyahu and Smotrich, with those close to the finance minister warning that the government could be headed for collapse. Cabinet members have demanded an urgent meeting to reassess the decision to facilitate humanitarian relief to Gaza.

Meanwhile, journalist Amit Segal quoted a senior right-wing source who criticized the pattern of internal threats: “The tactic of constant ultimatums weakens not only those making the threats but the government as a whole—especially now, on the eve of historic decisions.”

The source continued, “It cannot be that both the Israeli public and the world view everything as the product of extortion by Smotrich and Ben Gvir. If this continues, it would be better to agree on early elections and use the time until then to act decisively on the fronts of Gaza, the hostages, and normalization.”

As previously reported, the IDF has begun a series of steps to improve humanitarian access to Gaza per the directives of the political echelon. These include renewed airdrops of food and medical supplies and the establishment of secure corridors for UN and NGO convoys to deliver aid.

The IDF also announced the launch of daily humanitarian pauses in specific areas where it is not operating—Al-Mawasi, Deir al-Balah, and parts of Gaza City—until further notice. In addition to Israeli Air Force airdrops, other countries such as Jordan and the United Arab Emirates also delivered aid to Gaza over the weekend.

Prime Minister Netanyahu addressed the shift in policy for the first time Sunday, stating, “Along any path we choose, we must continue to allow minimal humanitarian supplies to enter. We’ve done that until now.” He criticized the UN for “creating excuses and lies about Israel,” adding, “They say: ‘You don’t allow humanitarian supplies in.’ We do. There have always been secure corridors. But now it’s official. There will be no more excuses.”

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir responded later with a video message attacking Netanyahu for the aid transfer. “This is a moral failure. While our hostages are still in Gaza, our prime minister is transferring humanitarian aid to Gaza,” he said.

Ben Gvir continued, “At this stage, the only thing that should be sent to Gaza is one thing—bombs. Bomb, conquer, encourage emigration, and win the war.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

Ghazi Hamad, a senior official in Hamas’s political bureau and a member of its negotiation delegation, denounced President Donald Trump following the president’s recent claims that Hamas was blocking a hostage deal and his vocal endorsement of efforts to destroy the organization.

Speaking to Al-Araby, Hamad argued that Hamas had taken a “positive and realistic” approach during the talks in Doha. He said the group had expressed a willingness to reach an agreement that would include both humanitarian relief and a commitment to continued negotiations after a proposed 60-day ceasefire. He described Trump’s comments as “baseless” and said they had come as a surprise to mediators from both Qatar and Egypt.

Hamad accused Israel of using the negotiation process to try to enforce conditions it could not secure through military action, especially with regard to the distribution of humanitarian aid in Gaza. He emphasized that Hamas demanded that aid be administered by neutral international agencies like the UN, the Palestinian Red Crescent, and other groups that were already active in Gaza before March.

According to Hamad, Israel was pushing for control over approximately 40% of Gaza, including the humanitarian city and the Morag Corridor—areas that, he said, would allow the IDF to resume combat operations in the future. He claimed that Hamas, by contrast, was focused on securing guarantees against renewed conflict, demanding a full IDF withdrawal and dismantling of aid centers tied to Israeli interests.

Hamad further stated that Hamas had put forward proposals, which he referred to as “keys,” for a potential prisoner swap. This exchange would involve the release of Israeli hostages in return for Palestinian Arab prisoners—likely including those involved in the October 7 attacks.

{Matzav.com}

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The apartment complexes in Cholon that were struck by Iranian missiles during Operation Rising Lion are scheduled for demolition on Monday, with city officials planning a formal event to mark the occasion.

Rather than opting for a quiet or solemn farewell to the buildings that once housed hundreds, the Cholon Municipality has opted for a media-friendly gathering that includes celebrity presenters, cameras, and a celebratory tone.

Channel 14’s Maggie Tabibi and longtime journalist Ofer Petersburg will host the proceedings. Expected guests include Defense Minister Yisroel Katz, Cholon Mayor Shay Kenan, and Gal Kastel, CEO of Oron Real Estate, the firm overseeing the demolition project.

Beneath the polished exterior of the event lies a harsh reality. The missile strike that devastated the area left 38 people injured—four in serious condition, three with moderate wounds, and 31 with lighter injuries. A total of 746 residents were evacuated from their homes and temporarily relocated to hotels after their buildings were declared uninhabitable.

To many of those who lived through the traumatic attack, the festive atmosphere of the event feels jarring and inappropriate.

“It feels like a PR show, not something meant to commemorate what we went through,” said Dafna, a mother of two who was displaced by the attack. “People here lost everything, and we still haven’t returned to normal. We expected an event with more respect and fewer cameras.”

Uri, another evacuee, echoed her frustration. “Instead of spending time and energy on ceremonies with media and presenters, I’d like to see real action—swift recovery aid and help for families left homeless. That’s what really matters,” he said.

City officials maintain that the event is meant to symbolize recovery and renewal, a forward-looking gesture that honors the city’s perseverance. But some residents believe the timing is off and the message is muddled—fearing that their pain is being put on display rather than properly acknowledged.

The debate surrounding the ceremony has attracted wider attention, including sharp commentary on the airwaves. During her broadcast on 103FM, Walla economic analyst Liat Ron offered a sarcastic invitation to her audience.

“Where will you be tomorrow at 9:30 a.m.?” she asked. “If you’re free, you’re invited to the corner of Bialik and Lavon streets in Cholon. You don’t want to miss this—the demolition ceremony for the buildings damaged in Operation Rising Lion.”

Ron questioned the relevance of such a high-level political figure at the event: “What is the defense minister doing at this event? What’s so urgent in the very busy schedule of a defense minister that he needs to attend a building demolition?”

{Matzav.com Israel}

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to convene his cabinet next week to discuss the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, as political pressure mounts on his administration to formally recognize a Palestinian state, according to a report published Sunday by the Financial Times.

The decision was confirmed by Downing Street following a surge of support among lawmakers — more than 200 Members of Parliament, including high-ranking Labour Party officials — demanding immediate recognition of Palestinian statehood. Prominent voices among them include Health Secretary Wes Streeting, Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood, and London Mayor Sadiq Khan.

Despite the rising demands, Starmer has so far refrained from endorsing the move. Speaking on Friday, the British Prime Minister emphasized that any such recognition must be integrated into a broader framework aimed at securing long-term peace and stability for both Israelis and Palestinian Arabs.

His comments came just one day after French President Emmanuel Macron declared that France would officially recognize “the State of Palestine” during the UN General Assembly session in September.

Macron had previously issued a public call for the United Kingdom to align with France in granting official recognition to a Palestinian state.

As reported by the Financial Times, Starmer intends to use his upcoming meeting in Scotland with US President Donald Trump to urge the American leader to reengage with efforts to broker a peace deal between Israel and Hamas.

Although Britain has provided humanitarian assistance through coordinated airdrops and operations with Jordan, Foreign Secretary David Lammy sharply criticized Israel’s private aid efforts, describing them as “a grotesque spectacle.”

Back in May, the UK made headlines by suspending free-trade discussions with Israel and summoning the Israeli ambassador to its foreign office in protest of Israel’s actions in Gaza.

Subsequently, the UK joined Canada and France in issuing a formal warning to Israel, demanding an end to its military campaign in Gaza or face the imposition of sanctions.

Most recently, Starmer escalated his stance, delivering a pointed warning to Israel and pledging “further concrete actions” should the country fail to halt its offensive and ease restrictions on the flow of humanitarian aid.

{Matzav.com}

The Houthi rebels in Yemen have announced a renewed wave of aggression targeting Israel, citing worsening humanitarian conditions in Gaza as justification. On Sunday night, Yahya Saree, the group’s military spokesman, stated that the Houthis would intensify their efforts.

Saree proclaimed that their group would now target any ship operated by companies that either offer services to, or work with, Israeli ports—no matter the ship’s nationality or where it is located.

“We warn all companies to cease dealings with Israeli ports starting from the date of this statement,” he said.

Earlier this year, the United States conducted military strikes against Houthi positions, following a statement from President Donald Trump that he had authorized “decisive and powerful military action against the Houthi terrorists in Yemen.”

Following this campaign, Trump declared that the U.S. would halt further attacks after the Houthis conveyed their intent to stop targeting commercial vessels navigating the Red Sea.

Despite ending their attacks on American ships, the Houthis emphasized that they would persist in striking Israeli targets, a pattern they have maintained since the onset of the conflict in Gaza.

Their campaign against vessels suspected of Israeli ties has also continued. Just weeks ago, they launched an assault on the Eternity C, a cargo ship owned by a Greek company, while it was sailing in the Red Sea near the port city of Hodeidah. According to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), the attack was carried out by several small boats that used rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) against the ship.

{Matzav.com Israel}