Matzav

President Donald Trump on Monday unveiled a sweeping new law enforcement initiative in Washington, DC, ordering the National Guard onto city streets and taking direct federal control of the Metropolitan Police Department.

“We’re going to clean it up real quick,” Trump told reporters at the White House, citing rampant crime in the capital and pointing to the August 3 assault on a former Department of Government Efficiency employee who tried to thwart a carjacking by a group of 10 teenagers.

“You spit, and we hit,” Trump said, describing how police would respond under the newly-declared “public safety emergency.”

“They can hit real hard,” the president added, speaking about the officers’ ability to respond forcefully.

Trump said that if the situation demands it, active-duty military personnel could join both the National Guard and DC police on the streets.

While National Guard units in other parts of the country answer to their state governors, Trump has direct authority over DC’s contingent. Under the District of Columbia Home Rule Act of 1973, he also has the legal power to place the DC Metropolitan Police under federal control for up to 30 days.

“Washington, DC, should be one of the safest, cleanest and most beautiful cities anywhere in the world, and we’re going to make it that,” Trump said, outlining his plans to revitalize the city.

As part of the effort, homeless encampments will be cleared from all public areas, including parks and highway underpasses. Graffiti removal will be handled by the US Park Police, which reports to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum.

“It’s becoming a situation of complete and total lawlessness, and we get rid of the slums too,” Trump said.

“We have slums here. We get rid of them. I know it’s not politically correct. You’ll say, oh, so terrible. No. We get rid of the slums where they live, caravans of mass youth rampage through city streets at all times of the day.”

“You want to live in places like that? I don’t think so, I don’t think so,” Trump said.

DC Mayor Muriel Bowser has recently enforced curfews in certain neighborhoods, ordering some teens off the streets as early as 7 p.m.

While Bowser insists crime is declining in the city, Trump dismissed her figures as “phony” and said Attorney General Pam Bondi will be “looking into that.”

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu told reporters on Sunday that Israel might take legal action against The New York Times for defamation over a front-page photograph that falsely depicted a malnourished Palestinian child in Gaza.

Netanyahu examined three such images, pointing out that in each case, the child shown was actually suffering from a different illness, typically a genetic condition, while the adults and other children nearby appeared well-nourished.

He explained that the false accusation, claiming that Israelis were harming children, was rooted in medieval libels against Jews, which had historically led to violence against Jewish communities.

Netanyahu said: “The third one is the most celebrated one. This is a New York Times cover photo, it’s on the front page, of Muhammad Zakariya Ayyoub and his mother. Muhammad Zakariya Ayyoub is suffering from a genetic illness which we’re familiar with. It’s called cerebral palsy. His mother is well-fed and his brother is healthy. I’m looking right now into the possibility of a governmental suit against the New York Times because this is outrageous. Of course, the correction was postage-size — I don’t know where it was buried — but this is outrageous. These are the three most celebrated photos and they’re all fake. It’s the kind of malignant lies that were leveled at the Jewish people in the Middle Ages. We won’t suffer. We won’t allow it to go unchallenged. And this is the purpose of this press conference. I hope that you open your eyes to a simple fact: Hamas lies.”

Netanyahu also stood by Israel’s military actions in Gaza, emphasizing that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) were working to provide aid to the region, while also striving to eliminate Hamas and secure the release of the remaining Israeli hostages.

{Matzav.com}

This morning, Israeli Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich once again voiced sharp criticism of Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, expressing deep frustration over the cabinet’s decision regarding the Gaza operation.

“It could be that Netanyahu can’t stand the domestic and international pressure and make a correct decision. The Prime Minister makes the decisions, and after 22 months of following him and backing him, unfortunately, the decision he made does not lead us to victory. You can’t take the military, put it in this offensive, which could have a heavy price, and then stop in the middle,” Smotrich told Kan Reshet Bet in an interview.

He continued, “The proposal is meant to put pressure on Hamas and bring it back to the negotiating table to again go to a partial deal which would abandon half of the hostages and stop the war again. We have a diplomatic hourglass—international pressure on us is mounting, and even the very friendly US administration is beginning to lose patience.”

Smotrich described the behind-the-scenes debates that led to the final decision. “We had clear plans where this was going, and the Prime Minister made a 180-degree about face. He didn’t manage to get the military to take responsibility for the humanitarian zone.”

Outlining his own vision, the finance minister said, “My plan was that large territories in Gaza would remain under our control and sovereignty, we could even settle it, since that is the only way to ensure security. That is not the Prime Minister’s plan, I am aware of this, but in my opinion, now is not the time for that debate.”

When asked why he remains in the government despite his disapproval, Smotrich replied, “The train has derailed, but I’m staying on it since I believe we could change direction. I am trying to divert the agenda to discuss whether we’re going to win or just stammer.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

Over the weekend, the national headquarters of the Israeli-American Council (IAC) in Los Angeles, along with the surrounding vicinity, was defaced with antisemitic graffiti.

The vandal or vandals spray-painted a large yellow swastika, the Nazi-style “SS” lightning bolt insignia representing the infamous Schutzstaffel, and the word “burn” on the sidewalk directly outside the IAC’s Woodland Hills facility. A swastika was also marked on a cardboard snowman placed at the building’s entrance.

Nearby, at the entrance to Highway 101, a barrier was scrawled with the words “[Curse] Jews, BDS” — referencing the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement targeting Israel — along with other swastikas painted throughout the vicinity.

The facility, located on Winnetka Avenue and known as the Shepher Community Center, houses the IAC’s Los Angeles regional offices and serves as a hub for both Israeli-American and American Jewish residents in the area.

The IAC is working in coordination with the LAPD’s Topanga Community Police Station to investigate the crime. According to the organization, its surveillance cameras recorded images of a potential suspect, which are now being examined by law enforcement.

“We are appalled by this vile act of antisemitism at the doorstep of our own community and offices,” stated IAC CEO Elan S. Carr, who previously served as the U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism. “Around the world and across our country, we have seen an alarming and historic rise in antisemitism. We are working tirelessly to fight it and to ensure that history does not repeat itself. This incident will not intimidate or deter us — on the contrary, it fuels our determination to stand even stronger against antisemitism and to protect and strengthen our community for generations to come.”

{Matzav.com}

Mohammad Shtayyeh, the former Palestinian Authority Prime Minister, referred to Hamas’s October 7 massacre as a “courageous and unprecedented operation,” calling it “an important crossroad in the history of the Palestinian struggle.” He also called for Hamas to join the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), seeking a unified Palestinian leadership.

These comments, made in a July 29 interview on the Mazeej Podcast by Al-Arabiya Network, come as major European countries, including France, the UK, and Canada, plan to recognize a Palestinian state at the UN in September. Critics argue that such actions reward terrorism and endorse Hamas’s strategy of using violence for diplomatic gains.

Shtayyeh, who served as Palestinian Authority Prime Minister from 2019 to 2024, offered strong support for Hamas’s actions on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of nearly 1,200 Israelis, mostly civilians, and the kidnapping of over 250 individuals, many of whom remain held in Gaza. Although he praised the operation for its boldness, he also acknowledged that it was poorly planned, especially in terms of its impact on Gaza’s civilian population.

“October 7 was a courageous and unprecedented operation. Honestly, it is an important crossroad in the history of the Palestinian struggle,” Shtayyeh remarked in the interview, as translated by The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI).

“But I also say that we should look at where it led things. No person in the world goes on a [reckless] adventure and just jumps in the void, because if you jumped into the void, you’d fall on the ground and break your neck,” he continued.

The former Palestinian official criticized Hamas for its focus on protecting its members in underground tunnels while ignoring the welfare of Gaza’s citizens, labeling the October 7 attack as “miscalculated” despite his admiration for its audacity.

“Any adventure should take into consideration the consequences, because even if Hamas was prepared to protect its members in the tunnels – as brother [Musa] Abu Marzouk stated – it had taken no consideration for the [Gaza] citizens,” Shtayyeh explained. “Therefore, I can say, in one sentence, that October 7 was miscalculated.”

Shtayyeh’s comments also revealed the Palestinian Authority’s deeper alignment with Hamas’s violent tactics, advocating for the unification of Palestinian factions under one extremist banner. He emphasized the need for discussions between the PLO and Hamas to clarify the Palestinians’ goals, whether seeking a state within the 1967 borders or a more radical vision of a state “from the River to the Sea,” which implies the destruction of Israel.

“We want to reach an agreement [with Hamas] about our goals,” Shtayyeh stated. “Then, we need to agree on the way to achieve this goal. It can’t be that one side is making peace [with Israel] on its own, and the other side is going to war by itself. United we go to peace, and united we go to war, under the banner of the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, which is the PLO.”

In a striking public shift, Shtayyeh extended an invitation for Hamas to join the PLO without preconditions, suggesting that Hamas could change its political platform from within, without needing to renounce its extremist views immediately.

“We are not asking for anything from Hamas. We are not asking them to recognize Israel, or anything. All we are asking Hamas is to join the PLO,” he asserted. “Hamas is welcome to become a part of the PLO, and change its political platform from within.”

These remarks come as European governments push for Palestinian statehood recognition through the Palestinian Authority that Shtayyeh represented. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour government has indicated its intention to support Palestinian statehood, prompting Israeli officials to warn that such actions reward terrorism.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar recently cautioned European leaders that recognizing a Palestinian state under the current conditions would create “Hamastan,” equating it to appeasement of Nazi Germany in the prelude to World War II.

In response to the push for Palestinian statehood, President Donald Trump imposed sanctions on the Palestinian Authority and blocked PA officials from attending UN discussions regarding statehood efforts. This action marked a sharp departure from the Biden administration’s approach, signaling a renewed American stance against Palestinian statehood initiatives and reaffirming support for Israel.

Recent polling shows a significant shift in Israeli public opinion, with only 21 percent supporting a two-state solution and 80 percent backing Trump’s proposal for Gaza emigration. These results suggest that the events of October 7 have drastically altered Israeli views on Palestinian intentions and the possibility of peaceful coexistence.

Shtayyeh’s praise for the October 7 massacre as a “courageous and unprecedented operation” aligns with similar statements from Hamas leaders. Recently, Hamas political bureau member Ghazi Hamad openly credited the massacre with driving Western nations to recognize Palestinian statehood, claiming that “the fruits of October 7” forced the world to confront the Palestinian cause.

At the same time, Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu has outlined five key principles for Gaza’s post-war governance, including the disarmament of Hamas, the release of hostages, the demilitarization of Gaza, and the establishment of civilian leadership that is not hostile to Israel. Netanyahu has stated: “I don’t want to govern Gaza,” but seeks governance that can coexist peacefully with Israel and offer Gaza a better future. Netanyahu’s skepticism of the Palestinian Authority is deepened by Shtayyeh’s rhetoric and his invitation to Hamas to join the PLO.

{Matzav.com}

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The IDF announced that it had killed Anas Al-Sharif, a Hamas operative who also served as a correspondent for Al Jazeera in the Gaza Strip.

According to Al Jazeera, Al-Sharif died alongside five others, including another journalist, Mohammed Qreiqeh. The Qatari outlet also reported that three cameramen — Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal, and Moamen Aliwa — were among the dead.

The military stated that Al-Sharif had been involved in facilitating rocket attacks and had been an active member of Hamas since 2013.

Evidence released by the IDF included personnel rosters, training course lists, phone records, and salary documents tied to Al-Sharif.

“Prior to the strike, steps were taken to mitigate harm to civilians, including the use of precise munitions, aerial surveillance, and additional intelligence,” the IDF said in its statement.

Al Jazeera reported that the strike took place near Shifa Hospital.

Shortly before being targeted, Al-Sharif wrote on X/Twitter that “bombings had been going on for the last two hours.”

The Qatari network also said Al-Sharif had left a message to be posted after his death, reading, “…I never hesitated to convey the truth as it is, without distortion or misrepresentation, hoping that God would witness those who remained silent.”

In 2024, Al-Sharif had been part of a Reuters team that received the Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News Photography for its coverage of the Israel-Hamas war.

Press freedom organizations and Al Jazeera condemned the killings.

Al Jazeera noted that a UN expert had previously warned that Al-Sharif’s safety was at risk because of his reporting from Gaza. “UN Special Rapporteur Irene Khan said last month that Israel’s claims against him were unsubstantiated,” the network said.

While the IDF did not disclose the exact location of the strike, it said the documents it released proved “the integration of the Hamas terrorist within the Qatari Al Jazeera network.”

Hamas claimed the killing signaled the possibility of a major Israeli offensive. “The assassination of journalists and the intimidation of those who remain paves the way for a major crime that the occupation is planning to commit in Gaza City,” the group declared.

Last October, the IDF had named Al-Sharif as one of six Gaza-based journalists it accused of being members of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, pointing to documents it said contained lists of trained operatives and salary records.

“Al Jazeera categorically rejects the Israeli occupation forces’ portrayal of our journalists as terrorists and denounces their use of fabricated evidence,” the network said at the time.

The Committee to Protect Journalists, which in July urged world leaders to safeguard Al-Sharif, criticized Israel for not producing proof to support its claims. “Israel’s pattern of labeling journalists as militants without providing credible evidence raises serious questions about its intent and respect for press freedom,” said Sara Qudah, CPJ’s director for the Middle East and North Africa.

Moments before his death, Al-Sharif, whose X account had over 500,000 followers, posted that Israel had been heavily bombarding Gaza City for more than two hours.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Former head of Israeli military intel Ret. Maj. Gen. Amos Yadlin discusses the current state of the Israel-Hamas conflict on ‘Fox Report.’

WATCH:

A profound sense of mourning has descended upon the Olam HaTorah with the passing of HaGaon HaRav Baruch Shmuel Hakohein Deutsch zt”l, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Kol Torah and Yeshivas Be’er Mordechai. He was 82.

Rav Baruch Shmuel was born on 13 Cheshvan 5703 (1942) to his father, Rav Binyomin Ze’ev Hakohein Deutsch zt”l, a close confidant and trusted aide to the Ponevezher Rav, Rav Yosef Shlomo Kahaneman zt”l. Rav Binyomin Ze’ev played a central role in establishing and strengthening Yeshivas Ponevezh and its affiliated institutions in Eretz Yisroel, and also served as director of the Batei Avos of the yeshiva.

Rav Baruch Shmuel began his education at Yeshivas Ponevezh, first in the yeshiva ketanah and later in the yeshiva gedolah, where he quickly gained renown as an extraordinary iluy. His particular distinction lay in his remarkable diligence; it was his practice to learn straight through from the morning seder at 8 a.m. until the conclusion of second seder at 7 p.m., an uninterrupted stretch of eleven hours each day. In later years, when the Reshet Kollelim Retzufos learning program was founded, Rav Baruch Shmuel would often say that his primary kinyan in Torah came from that early period of hasmadah retzufah.

He was beloved by the roshei yeshiva of Ponevezh, particularly by Rav Elazar Menachem Man Shach zt”l, who already then regarded him as someone destined to illuminate the eyes of the Olam HaTorah.

Subsequently, he moved to Yerushalayim to learn in Yeshivas Brisk, where his name became synonymous with extraordinary mastery of both Bavli and Yerushalmi. Many current roshei yeshiva in the United States regard themselves as “talmid-chaver” to Rav Baruch Shmuel from those days, and even decades later, leading roshei yeshiva would call him to analyze difficult sugyos. Talmidim from Brisk in those years attest that he was considered the central pillar of the yeshiva.

Even though at times he voiced disagreement with aspects of the yeshiva’s conduct, the rosh yeshiva, Rav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik zt”l, treated his comments with respect and engaged with him in open discussion. Notably, even during later years when there were disagreements between Rav Shach and Rav Soloveitchik, Rav Baruch Shmuel’s allegiance to Rav Shach in matters of leadership did not diminish the warm relationship he maintained with Rav Soloveitchik until the latter’s passing. This ability to preserve respect and personal friendship despite differences of opinion was a hallmark of his conduct throughout life.

During those years, a select group of talmidei chachamim began gathering regularly at his home to learn with him. Through his father-in-law, Rav Shmuel Kibelovitz zt”l, one of the eminent figures of the old Yerushalayim, Rav Baruch Shmuel became well-known among the city’s senior talmidei chachomim as a young gaon to whom no secret of Torah was hidden.

In 1979, he was appointed as a R”M in Yeshivas Kochav MiYaakov–Tchebin. During that time, he formed a deep and enduring friendship with Rav Avrohom Genechovsky zt”l, a bond that lasted until Rav Genechovsky’s passing.

In the early 1980s, Rav Baruch Shmuel joined the hanhalah of Yeshivas Kol Torah, a position he would hold for nearly forty years. There, his power in guiding his talmidim became evident, and generations of Kol Torah talmidim were bound to him with ties of deep love. His dedication to his talmidim knew no bounds and he remained involved in their lives for decades, assisting and advising them at every stage, down to the smallest detail.

With the founding of Degel HaTorah, Rav Baruch Shmuel emerged in the public sphere as a close confidant of Rav Shach, who relied upon him in leading the community. One close associate remarked, “The relationship between Rav Shach and Rav Baruch Shmuel cannot be described in words to someone who didn’t see it. Rav Shach trusted his judgment as pure daas Torah, and in nearly every public matter, Rav Shach would summon him to discuss it before issuing guidance.” Similarly, during the leadership of Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv zt”l, it was well known that before any significant public decision, Rav Elyashiv would seek Rav Baruch Shmuel’s counsel.

In Rav Shach’s final years, as his strength waned, he asked Rav Baruch Shmuel to assume some of his responsibilities, such as the presidency of certain Torah institutions. Yet, following Rav Shach’s passing, Rav Baruch Shmuel deliberately sought to limit his involvement in public leadership, declining even Rav Elyashiv’s request to join the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of Degel HaTorah. He would still be consulted on major issues, but he kept a lower public profile.

After the passing of Rav Elyashiv and the subsequent split within the Lithuanian Torah world, Rav Baruch Shmuel gradually returned to a leadership role. One of his closest talmidim related that in the early years he tried to refrain from direct involvement, offering only his blessing and encouragement, but as the needs of the public grew—and as large crowds increasingly turned to him for guidance—he gradually accepted the mantle of leadership once again.

An extraordinary story illustrating the immense respect Rav Elyashiv had for him was told by a member of Rav Elyashiv’s household: At a gathering of roshei yeshiva in Rav Elyashiv’s home, the attendees were already seated when Rav Baruch Shmuel arrived late. Upon seeing him enter, Rav Elyashiv immediately rose to his feet in his honor—something those familiar with Rav Elyashiv’s conduct know was exceedingly rare.

In recent years, Rav Baruch Shmuel’s health declined, and many davened fervently for the refuah sheleimah of Rav Baruch Shmuel ben Leah. He relocated to Bnei Brak and, in the past month, was repeatedly hospitalized at Mayanei HaYeshua Medical Center, where he was niftar.

Rav Baruch Shmuel was niftar within the year of aveilus for his brother, Rav Asher Deutsch zt”l.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Idiot activist Greta Thunberg announced on Sunday through her Instagram that she will join yet another flotilla later this month, which is designed to challenge Israel’s naval blockade over the Gaza Strip.

“On August 31st we are launching the biggest attempt ever to break the illegal Israeli siege over Gaza with dozens of boats sailing from Spain,” she stated in her post.

“We will meet dozens more on September 4th sailing from Tunisia and other ports. We are also mobilizing more than 44 countries on simultaneous demonstrations and actions to break complicity in solidarity with the Palestinian people! Join this initiative on this decisive moment,” Thunberg added.

Earlier this June, Thunberg was part of the Madleen flotilla, which attempted to sail towards Gaza but was intercepted by IDF soldiers without any incidents.

The activists onboard were provided with food and water, even though many had prepared videos in advance claiming that they were being “kidnapped” by the IDF.

The ship involved in the flotilla was taken to the Ashdod Port, and Thunberg was deported from Israel.

According to the Foreign Ministry, the amount of aid intended for Gaza on the Madleen was minimal, less than a single truckload. The aid would be redirected through proper humanitarian channels to reach Gaza.

{Matzav.com}

New York Governor Kathy Hochul distanced herself from mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani during a live TV interview on Sunday, suggesting that she may not endorse him in the upcoming election despite his public praise for her.

“We still have many differences,” Hochul remarked, maintaining her separation from Mamdani, a fellow Democrat, during a Fox News Sunday interview. “I don’t know how you whitewash that away.”

Shannon Bream, the host, read aloud a statement from Mamdani in which he commended Hochul for her “courage” and for standing up to President Trump and Republicans over the redistricting battles that could determine control of Congress.

Mamdani described Hochul as showing “courage” and noted that she was “meeting the moment.”

Bream asked Hochul if she shared the same sentiment, and whether Mamdani was a suitable candidate for New York City mayor. In response, Hochul referred to their “many differences.”

“He can agree with me, and many people agree with me, and I think it’s not just Democrats who say, ‘New Yorkers stand up for our rights.’ We do that,” Hochul asserted. “We’re fighters. I’m a mom from Buffalo. I guess they’re not used to taking on a mom from Buffalo.”

Hochul, who is seeking re-election next year, has expressed opposition to Mamdani’s proposal to raise taxes by $9 billion on millionaires and corporations in the city to fund his affordability plan, which includes subsidized child care, fare-free bus services, expanded housing, and government-operated grocery stores.

These tax proposals would require approval from both the governor and state lawmakers, who also face re-election in 2026.

Despite the apparent criticism, Hochul did acknowledge her agreement with Mamdani’s focus on addressing New York’s high living costs and improving affordability for residents of the city and state.

“There’s many areas of disagreement,” she admitted. “But also there’s areas of alignment, including affordability. His election touched a nerve. And people said, ‘you know what, we’re just not getting ahead.’”

She further suggested that President Trump’s policies, particularly tariffs, have not been beneficial.

“There’s a sense that we need some change now,” Hochul remarked.

Hochul then indicated she may choose to remain neutral in the race and not offer her support to Mamdani, who is competing against two other Democrats running on independent party lines—Mayor Eric Adams and ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo, with whom she served as lieutenant governor. She ascended to the governorship after Cuomo resigned amid sexual misconduct allegations, which he denies.

“I already worked with two different mayors. I’ll continue to work with whomever the voters want me to and I’ll make it work out. I’m not going to go to war with the 8 million residents of New York I also represent,” the governor explained.

“My job is to calm things down,” Hochul continued. “Let’s see what the election results are. But people have to recognize that the candidate for mayor [Mamdani] has also touched a nerve and we need to respond to that. I’m aligned with him that we need to find ways to make life more affordable for New Yorkers.”

This wouldn’t be the first time Hochul has opted to stay out of a major mayoral contest. In 2021, democratic socialist India Walton defeated incumbent Mayor Byron Brown in the Democratic primary in Buffalo, but Brown, a moderate, ran as a write-in candidate and won re-election in a landslide. Hochul chose not to intervene in that race.

{Matzav.com}

On Monday, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese officially declared that his country will extend recognition to a Palestinian state when the United Nations General Assembly convenes in September.

“Australia will recognise the right of the Palestinian people to a state of their own, predicated on the commitments Australia has received from the Palestinian Authority,” Albanese announced.

“We will work with the international community to make this right a reality,” he added.

Albanese made it clear that Hamas would not be allowed to play any role in the formation of a Palestinian state. He also harshly criticized Israel, accusing the country of “continuing to defy” international law and describing the situation in Gaza as “beyond the world’s worst dreams.”

Earlier, the Cabinet had convened in Canberra, where it officially approved the recognition, according to SBS News.

The confirmation followed a report from the Sydney Morning Herald, which stated that Albanese was preparing to announce Australia’s recognition of a Palestinian state in the near future.

Australia’s recognition may come with conditions, especially regarding the exclusion of Hamas from any Palestinian government and ensuring the security of Israel. According to the report, Foreign Minister Penny Wong has already briefed Israeli officials about the potential policy shift.

While historically viewed as a key step in the peace process, Australia’s stance has shifted over time. Earlier statements from Wong suggested a willingness to recognize Palestine sooner in order to push for leadership reform in Gaza and to urge Israel to refocus on peace negotiations.

This report follows Albanese’s earlier remarks in which he stated that his government had no immediate plans to recognize a Palestinian state. He emphasized that such recognition must be conditioned on a viable two-state solution and voiced concerns over the possibility of Hamas being involved in any future Palestinian state.

“We’ll make a decision based upon the time. Is the time right now? Are we about to imminently do that? No, we are not,” Albanese had said previously.

Australia’s move to recognize a Palestinian state would align with similar announcements made by the UK, Canada, and France.

The Palestinian Authority (PA) has long advocated for global recognition of “Palestine” as a way to circumvent direct negotiations with Israel.

While several countries have recently recognized “Palestine,” these actions have largely been symbolic, carrying little to no diplomatic impact.

{Matzav.com}

A potentially tragic incident ended without loss of life Monday when dozens of hikers — including several bochurim from various yeshivas — were rescued after venturing into northern and Carmel trails during the bein hazmanim break without proper equipment or adequate knowledge of the routes.

Despite official warnings of heavy to extreme heat expected over the coming days, many groups set out on hikes under scorching conditions. Rescue teams reported that most of these hikers lacked essential gear such as hats, sufficient water, and proper footwear, and were unfamiliar with the difficulty and length of the trails they had chosen.

Volunteers from the Galil-Carmel Search and Rescue Unit said they faced an unprecedented number of emergency calls in a single day. “This is a historic record for rescues in our unit, and it reflects the very high risk of hiking in these conditions,” the unit stated.

According to the team, “The volunteers, who themselves operated in exhausting and oppressive heat, worked nonstop for hours, reaching remote and hard-to-access areas. With determination, professionalism, and selfless dedication, they administered first aid to hikers who had suffered dehydration and collapse, extracted them from the field, and transferred them safely to medical teams. Only thanks to the rapid and professional action of our volunteers was disaster averted.”

The rescue unit reiterated its urgent safety message: always drink plenty of water, wear a hat, carry appropriate gear, and plan the route carefully. Avoid hiking during peak heat hours and choose trails suited to the physical abilities of all participants. “Human life is at stake, and it is far better to prevent a disaster than to face its consequences,” they warned.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Rav Moshe Maya, the senior member of the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah of Shas, has issued sharp criticism over the recent arrests of yeshiva students by the IDF and announced his intention to personally visit the homes of leading gedolim in the coming days to initiate a large-scale protest rally against the detentions.

According to those close to Rav Maya, the goal is to bring together gedolei Yisroel from across the Torah world for a mass gathering to cry out in a unified voice against efforts to draft yeshiva students — whose “only offense is their devotion to Torah study in Eretz HaKodesh.”

Matzav.com has learned that such a proposal had already been raised in recent days, but extreme heatwave conditions across the country led to its postponement. Organizers are now looking at holding the protest rally in the coming weeks. Associates of Rav Maya emphasized that he opposes blocking roads and favors instead a powerful, public outcry and protest.

Shas chairman Aryeh Deri is expected to visit Rav Maya at his home in the coming days to discuss and finalize the principles of the planned rally.

Earlier on Sunday, Rav Maya, along with Rav Avraham Salim, rosh yeshiva of Maor HaTorah, visited the Beit Lid military facility where two brothers, Raphael and Baruch Yitzchakov — yeshiva students from Tel Aviv — are being held after failing to report to the Draft Office.

In response to a question from Channel 12 about rabbinic visits to the military prison, the IDF said: “The rav‘s entry to the military prison last Thursday was done without authorization. Based on this error, rabbis arrived at the prison gates today as well and demanded entry to visit the detainees. To avoid unnecessary confrontations, it was decided to allow their entry beyond the letter of the law.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

Hours after briefing the foreign press, Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu appeared again before the cameras on Sunday to present details of the cabinet’s decisive meeting held the previous Thursday. Netanyahu said he had ordered the IDF to shorten its timetable for taking control of Gaza “to end the war as quickly as possible.” He addressed both the hostage issue and his commitment to passing the new draft law in the near future.

Following his remarks, the Prime Minister’s Office announced that Netanyahu had spoken with U.S. President Donald Trump about Israel’s plans to capture Hamas’s last strongholds in Gaza in order to end the war through the release of hostages and Hamas’s defeat. Netanyahu thanked Trump for his “steadfast support of Israel since the start of the war.”

“The cabinet made a dramatic decision,” Netanyahu began, “after the IDF took control of 75% of the Strip, we instructed the IDF to complete the mission.” He outlined five guiding principles: dismantling Hamas’s military capabilities, returning all hostages, establishing full Israeli control over the Strip, maintaining Israeli security authority there, and creating a civilian administration that is neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority.

Netanyahu detailed Hamas’s “impossible” conditions for a hostage deal, including a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, allowing weapons smuggling along the Philadelphi Corridor, the release of all nukhba operatives, and binding international guarantees that would prevent the IDF from resuming combat. “These were terms of surrender that no responsible government would accept — and I will not accept them,” he said. “Hamas deceived us, and that’s why I decided the right path is to defeat Hamas.”

He said the cabinet had considered an alternative of besieging Hamas’s remaining positions and conducting raids, but “the overwhelming majority” concluded that this would not achieve either victory or the return of the hostages. “From the start of the war, a very senior security official told us we should get used to the idea we won’t get even one hostage back alive. I thought otherwise,” Netanyahu said, adding that under his approach, 205 of the 255 hostages had been returned, 148 of them alive.

“We are committed to bringing back the 20 living hostages still in Gaza, as well as the 30 who are no longer alive,” he stressed, noting his and his wife’s constant contact with the families. “We see their suffering, we feel their suffering. It tears at the heart. I am determined to bring them all home.”

Netanyahu framed the moment as “a historic crossroads,” claiming Israel had already broken the Iranian axis, dealt a blow to Hezbollah in Lebanon, toppled Assad in Syria, taken the Mount Hermon crown, and neutralized threats to the Druze community. He also said Israel had foiled two “existential threats” from Iran — nuclear and ballistic missile programs — despite intense internal and external pressure to stop the war.

“In Gaza, too, we’ve achieved major gains — control over most of the territory, elimination of many commanders and terrorists, and destruction of rocket production and launch capabilities,” Netanyahu said. But he emphasized that victory was not yet complete and that eliminating Hamas was “a condition for Israel’s security and our future.”

He reiterated his directive to the IDF to accelerate operations to seize Gaza City, countering voices calling for concessions: “What they tell us is, ‘there’s no choice — we must surrender to Hamas.’ I say, there’s no choice — we must defeat Hamas. I do not intend to preserve Hamas. I intend to defeat Hamas.”

Political Reactions

Opposition leader Yair Lapid blasted Netanyahu’s remarks, calling them “a horror show of a failed prime minister who replaced reality with a presentation,” and warning that his plan would result in the deaths of hostages and soldiers, economic collapse, and a loss of international standing.

Families of hostages also condemned the statement, accusing Netanyahu of spinning “unrealistic” conditions that would effectively sacrifice those in captivity and continue risking soldiers’ lives “for no purpose.” They urged a comprehensive deal to bring all 50 hostages home and end the fighting.

Benny Gantz, chairman of Blue and White, dismissed the speech as “too many words, too little action — for too long.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

In a fiery address marking the end of the summer zeman at Yeshivas Or Yisroel in Petach Tikvah, Rosh Yeshiva Rav Yigal Rozen spoke sharply about current events, issuing scathing remarks against political and judicial leaders. His comments were published by journalist Avi Ravina.

Referring to Naftali Bennett as well as the leadership of Israel’s judicial and military systems, Rav Rozen said, “Like in the Holocaust, they are suspected that they could kill us in gas chambers. Also the brother from Ra’anana. They are suspected of this. If they want, let them sue me in court. They don’t count us. Resha’im, antisemites — they are worse than the Germans, yimach shemam.”

Turning to the issue of the draft law, Rav Rozen declared, “Dissolving the Knesset and going to elections now over the draft law is the worst thing; it will hurt Shas at the ballot box. There is no situation in the world to bring a draft law. Those lowlifes in the Supreme Court will not agree to it. There is no reason to be encouraged right now. And if we go to elections, the situation will be much worse. All those antisemites will already be in Gehinnom when Moshiach comes.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

On Friday afternoon, the Satmar Rebbe was taken to the Ellenville Regional Hospital in the Catskills after not feeling well.

The Rebbe, who has been staying at his residence in Camp Divrei Yoel in Swan Lake for a period of rest along with Satmar yeshiva bochurim, experienced discomfort that required medical evaluation.

According to information obtained by Matzav.com, the Rebbe underwent a full series of tests at the hospital. B’chasdei Hashem, the examinations revealed no cause for concern.

He was discharged before the start of Shabbos and returned to his residence at the camp. In order to make it back in time for Shabbos, the Rebbe was accompanied by a police escort.

{Matzav.com}

Vice President JD Vance said Sunday that he believes “a lot of people [to] get indicted” as the Department of Justice investigates Barack Obama and members of his administration over the now-disproven allegations of Trump-Russia collusion.

The investigation was launched last week by Attorney General Pam Bondi, who convened a grand jury after receiving a criminal referral from Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard concerning the origins of the collusion narrative, which had claimed that Moscow interfered in the 2016 presidential election.

Following Gabbard’s account that the so-called “road map” of the Russian collusion story pointed directly to Obama, President Donald Trump accused the former president of being “guilty” of “treason.”

Appearing on Fox News with host Maria Bartiromo, Vance was asked whether he “wanted to see indictments.” The vice president replied, “I absolutely want to see indictments. Look, of course, you’ve got to have the law follow the facts here. You don’t just indict people to indict people. You indict people because they broke the law.

“But if you look at what Tulsi and [FBI Director] Kash Patel have revealed in the last couple of weeks, I don’t know how anybody can look at that and say that there wasn’t aggressive violations of the law.”

Vance alleged that documents show Obama and members of his administration “defrauded the American people, in order to take Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign talking points and turn them into intelligence by defrauding the American people, defrauding the intelligence agencies, lying about what the intel said.”

“They would take something that supported a Hillary Clinton campaign talking point and they would overemphasize it and exaggerate it,” Vance explained. “They took anything that actually contradicted that narrative, and they buried it deep. And through that they actually laundered Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign talking points through the American intelligence services.”

The vice president made clear he shares President Trump’s view. “I absolutely think they broke the law. You’re gonna see a lot of people get indicted for that,” Vance said. “Here’s the thing that should really bother the American people. What do you want our intelligence community to be doing? I want them to be catching bad guys. I want to be making sure that terrorists aren’t gonna kill innocent American civilians.

“I don’t want them laundering Hillary Clinton’s campaign talking points into the American media and giving them this air of legitimacy. It is sick and it’s disgusting.”

{Matzav.com}

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said on Sunday that he hopes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will be involved in the effort to reach a peace agreement with Russia, though he acknowledged that the resolution would likely require the exchange of territory between the two nations.

President Donald Trump is set to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday for high-stakes peace talks, according to reports from Friday.

Yesterday, Zelenskyy rejected any suggestion that Ukraine would cede territory to bring an end to the war, responding to Trump’s earlier remark that a peace deal could involve “some swapping of territories.” That same day, the Ukrainian leader dismissed the planned Trump-Putin meeting outright, insisting that no negotiations to end Europe’s largest conflict since World War II should take place without Kyiv’s participation.

“I do hope that Zelenskyy can be part of the process,” Graham told Kristen Welker, host of NBC’s “Meet the Press.” “I’ll leave that up to the White House.”

When asked whether Ukraine “should sign a deal that includes giving up any part of their territory,” Graham replied, “I want to be honest with you. Ukraine’s not going to evict every Russian, and Russia’s not going to Kyiv. So, there will be some land swaps at the end. But what would a good deal look like? Make sure that 2022 doesn’t happen again. On [former President Joe] Biden’s watch and [former President Barack] Obama’s watch, Russia invades. The goal for me, and I think President Trump, is to end it forever.”

Russia seized Crimea in 2014 and launched its full-scale assault on Ukraine in February 2022. Trump has maintained that the war would never have begun if he had been in the White House and has emphasized his goal of stopping the bloodshed.

“I think everybody knows that how this war ends can be a good thing or a bad thing,” Graham told Welker. “If it ends in a way that looks like that Putin’s overly rewarded, there goes Taiwan [to the Chinese]. You can’t end a war without talking.”

He expressed full faith in Trump’s approach, saying, “I have every confidence in the world that the president is going to go to meet Putin from a position of strength, that he’s going to look out for Europe and Ukrainian needs to end this war honorably.”

“It’s time to end this war honorably,” Graham added. “But how we do it will be historical. And I’m confident President Trump will get a good deal for all.”

Graham also said the U.S. must help ensure that Putin will not launch another invasion of Ukraine. “Militarily, we need to keep Ukraine strong, keep flowing them strong and modern weapons, and security guarantees with European forces on the ground as trip wires to prevent a third invasion,” he said.

“We want to end this with a sovereign, independent, self-governing Ukraine, and a situation where Putin cannot do this the third time without being crushed.”

{Matzav.com}