Matzav

The Satmar community in Yerushalayim is urging the public to daven for the complete recovery of their dayan, Rav Moshe Zev Zorger, Moshe Zev ben Sarah, who is currently hospitalized and in need of abundant rachamei Shamayim.

Rav Zorger suffered a stroke approximately two weeks ago. Although he had been discharged to a rehabilitation facility, he was readmitted to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Yerushalayim this past Friday.

In response, Satmar has put up signs in their batei medrash throughout Yerushalayim calling on the community to daven on his behalf.

Rav Zorger is the author of the seforim Vayeshev Moshe and serves as the dayan of the Satmar community in Yerushalauyim, as well as a moreh hora’ah under the Eidah HaChareidis.

All are asked to daven for a refuah sheleimah for Moshe Zev ben Sarah.

{Matzav.com}

Israel is reportedly hopeful that Hamas will respond favorably to the latest proposal for a hostage release deal, according to a report broadcast Sunday on Kan News. The optimism stems from what officials describe as substantial Israeli concessions included in the revised plan.

The new maps submitted by Israel to Hamas reflect a shift in Israel’s position, particularly in two key areas: a redrawing of the Morag corridor and a significant change in the deployment of IDF forces within Gaza. Sources close to the negotiations suggest that these modifications could help push the talks forward. “A breakthrough could be reached within days,” one source told Kan News.

A senior military official said there’s growing hope that a deal might be finalized this week. “I hope that this week we’ll have an agreement. The IDF is advising the political echelon to reach a deal—there is strong interest from both sides,” the official stated. According to him, the army has recommended keeping IDF forces stationed in positions overlooking Israeli communities surrounding Gaza, ensuring strategic oversight during the ceasefire.

The draft agreement, developed with the help of international mediators, outlines the release of 28 Israeli hostages—10 living and 18 deceased—over a 60-day ceasefire period. The plan also calls for an immediate and sufficient flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza, under the supervision of the United Nations and the Red Crescent.

On the first day of the truce, eight living hostages are to be released. On the seventh day, five deceased hostages would be returned. Another five bodies would be transferred on the 30th day, followed by two more living hostages on the 50th day. On the final day of the ceasefire, eight additional bodies would be released.

Following the initial release of hostages, Israel would begin a phased military withdrawal, first from northern Gaza and later from southern areas. According to the terms of the draft deal, Hamas would be obligated on the tenth day to provide information regarding the remaining captives in Gaza. In exchange, Israel would release details about over 2,000 Palestinians from Gaza who have been held in administrative detention since the war began. Israel would also agree to a broader release of Palestinian prisoners as part of the deal.

U.S. envoy Adam Boehler told CNN on Sunday, “After Israel defeated Iran, there’s now an opportunity to secure a deal. Israel wants this. I know them. Hamas has been very rigid. They’ve been offered many deals they should have accepted, and it’s time they release the hostages. I’m more optimistic than I was before. Now I want to see Hamas take action. If they don’t—Israel will launch military operations.”

Despite the growing optimism and what officials describe as a narrowing of the gaps between the sides, Israel currently has no plans to send a high-level delegation to Doha, according to a Ynet report. Sources familiar with the situation said that the idea of dispatching such a delegation “is completely off the table for now,” and there is no specific timeline for finalizing an agreement. “There are still unresolved issues, and talks are ongoing. It’s taking time,” they added.

Channel 12 reported that top Hamas leaders in Doha are leaning toward accepting the offer. However, a firm response has yet to be received from Hamas’s military leadership in Gaza. Egyptian and Qatari mediators are reportedly pressing Hamas to provide an answer quickly, sources close to the talks said.

A separate foreign source involved in the negotiations confirmed to Channel 12 that the main obstacle now lies with senior Hamas figures, who continue to delay a response while fixating on minor, less significant issues.

“Every day they delay this deal, more Palestinians are dying—whether from hunger or Israeli airstrikes. We can’t keep waiting for a few Hamas officials to make up their minds. Who do they think they are? Hundreds of Palestinians have died just since they received this new proposal last week,” said a source involved in the negotiations.

{Matzav.com Israel}

MK Benny Gantz, head of the Blue and White Party and a past Chief of Staff of the IDF, pushed back forcefully against allegations recently made by UNRWA about conditions in Gaza.

UNRWA took to social media to declare, “The Israeli Authorities are starving civilians in #Gaza. Among them are 1 million children. Lift the siege: allow UNRWA to bring in food and medicines.”

In response, Gantz firmly dismissed the accusations. “As someone who has spent over 40 years in Israel’s Security Establishment – both as IDF Chief of Staff & Minister of Defense, I can say this unequivocally: Not only has Israel never starved or targeted civilians, but it goes above and beyond to protect civilians in the most complex of war zones like Gaza.”

He made it clear that the root of the suffering is Hamas itself. “We must be clear – culpability for harm inflicted on civilians rests on terrorist Hamas and Hamas only.”

Gantz didn’t hold back in his criticism of UNRWA either, accusing the agency of being tainted and untrustworthy. He stated that Israel is taking steps to strip Hamas of its influence over the delivery of humanitarian supplies, whether that control is exercised directly or through “compromised agencies like UNRWA.”

Turning to the international community, Gantz called on global actors to throw their support behind the American-led Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) plan and to reject what he described as “the manufactured claims of ‘genocide.'”

{Matzav.com Israel}

Last night, Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu was evaluated at his residence by Professor Alon Hershko, who heads the internal medicine department at Hadassah Ein Kerem, after experiencing health issues.

Professor Hershko diagnosed the Prime Minister with an intestinal infection, which was linked to the consumption of spoiled food. Subsequent assessments also revealed that he was suffering from dehydration as a result of the condition.

According to an update from the Prime Minister’s Office, his overall health status is stable, and he is currently being treated with intravenous fluids based on medical advice.

The statement added, “Following the doctors’ instructions, the Prime Minister will rest at home for the next three days and will oversee government affairs from there.”

Reacting to the news, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said, “I wish Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu a full recovery and robust health. The people of Israel need you strong so you can continue to lead, with courage and determination, all the good things we are doing together for the nation, the state, and security — on all fronts.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

Author Douglas Murray reacts to Democrat mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani vowing to arrest Bibi Netanyahu if he were to set foot in New York City.

WATCH:

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard joins ‘Fox & Friends’ to explain new findings alleging the Obama administration manufactured intelligence to frame a narrative that Russia was interfering in the 2016 election.

WATCH:

Andrew Cuomo issued a strong warning about the future of New York City if socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani comes out on top in the mayoral election—threatening that he’d pack his bags for the Sunshine State. Speaking at a breakfast event in the Hamptons on Saturday, the former governor, now running as an independent for NYC mayor, didn’t mince words. The gathering took place at 75 Main in Southampton, and according to the New York Post, Cuomo made it clear that the race has high stakes. “It’s all or nothing,” Cuomo stated. “We either win or even I will move to Florida. God forbid!”

At the same event, Cuomo criticized Mamdani’s ambitious housing proposals, especially his plan to freeze rents on stabilized apartments—ideas Cuomo dismissed as detached from economic reality. “The governor took plenty of shots at Mamdani’s pie-in-the-sky proposals to freeze rents on stabilized apartments, calling it a ‘death sentence’ for the housing market because it would likely lead to many landlords spending less money maintaining properties.”

In response to the media coverage, Cuomo’s spokesperson Rich Azzopardi clarified that the Florida remark wasn’t a literal threat to relocate. He insisted Cuomo’s commitment to the Empire State is unwavering. “Governor Cuomo would never give up on New York,” Azzopardi explained. “That said, the line underscored the stakes in the upcoming election and the risk of electing a dangerously inexperienced, hate-spewing 33-year-old socialist whose campaign consists of unrealistic bumper sticker slogans.”

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis didn’t waste the opportunity to respond. He chimed in on social media, writing, “Don’t New York our Florida!”

Mamdani, who clinched the Democratic nomination for mayor, has floated controversial proposals, including a plan for municipally run grocery stores. His idea is to reroute public funding away from large chain supermarkets to a new network of city-run food stores. “We will redirect city funds from corporate supermarkets to city-owned grocery stores whose mission is to lower prices, not price gouging,” Mamdani said in a video. “These stores will operate without a profit motive, or having to pay property taxes or rent, and will pass on those savings to you.”

Mamdani’s policy record has also drawn scrutiny. Critics, including advocates and survivors of domestic violence, have condemned past remarks he made opposing police intervention in domestic abuse cases, arguing that such views are dangerous.

He’s also faced backlash over a video clip that resurfaced recently, where he voiced support for the “abolition of private property,” further fueling concerns among his opponents.

{Matzav.com}

The political world was rocked Friday after Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard unveiled a trove of declassified documents exposing how top officials in the Obama administration allegedly orchestrated a false narrative of Trump-Russia collusion. According to the documents, intelligence was deliberately manipulated to suggest interference where none occurred—what one Republican described as a disinformation campaign that “makes Watergate look like amateur hour.”

Among the most damning details in the release is a December 8, 2016 Presidential Daily Brief that stated Russian operatives had not tampered with U.S. election infrastructure. Despite this assessment, the Obama administration allegedly buried the finding and instructed agencies to fabricate a new storyline that contradicted their own intelligence. The revelations sent shockwaves through Washington.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) framed the news as confirmation of long-standing conservative claims that Trump had been targeted by the intelligence establishment for political reasons.

“DISMANTLING THE DEEP STATE! New evidence from @DNIGabbard confirms what we’ve long known: The Russia hoax was a political hit job manufactured by Obama officials and weaponized by intel agencies to take down President Trump,” Johnson declared. “Accountability is long overdue!”

Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) also weighed in, warning that the intelligence community’s reputation had been severely damaged by the politicization seen during both the Obama and Biden administrations.

“It will take decades for the Intelligence Community to recover from the damage done during the Obama and Biden presidencies,” Cotton wrote. “These partisan democrats were desperate to defeat and undermine President Trump,” he added.

Senator Jim Banks (R-IN) called out both the architects of the false narrative and the media outlets that amplified it.

“Confirming what we knew all along: Russian collusion was a fabricated hoax this entire time,” Banks wrote. “The media who echoed the Democrats’ lies should be ashamed. But they won’t be,” he added.

Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) tied the revelations directly to the former administration’s intent to cripple Trump’s presidency even before it began.
“Surprise, surprise. The Obama administration laid the groundwork for the Russia Hoax that was created to thwart President Trump during his first term,” Blackburn stated.

Representative Elise Stefanik (R-NY) pointed to her earlier warnings as now validated, saying the effort to portray Trump as compromised by Russia had originated from the highest levels of government.

“FLASHBACK: As I said YEARS AGO, the Russia hoax went ‘straight to the top’ with the manufactured 2016 Russian election interference hoax falsely casting @realDonaldTrump as a Russian asset,” Stefanik wrote.

Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) commended Gabbard for shining a light on what he called a massive abuse of power aimed at undermining the presidency.

“My friend @DNIGabbard brings receipts when calling the Deep State to account for what she fairly describes as a ‘years-long coup against Trump,’” Lee wrote. “Thank you, Tulsi. These tyrants are finally being called out for what they’ve done,” he added.

Representative Mike Collins (R-GA) didn’t mince words, asserting that the Obama administration colluded with intelligence agencies to fabricate the entire scandal.

“There it is. @DNIGabbard released a classified briefing that shows Obama and the intelligence community colluded to create the Russia hoax,” Collins declared. “Truth is being uncovered in the Trump Administration, and everyone responsible for this hoax should be held accountable,” he added.

Representative Pat Harrigan (R-NC) offered a historical comparison, saying the magnitude of this political manipulation dwarfed the Watergate scandal.

“Makes Watergate look like amateur hour,” Harrigan wrote. “Obama’s intel officials ran a disinformation campaign against the American people to take down a sitting president—this is absolutely disgraceful,” he added.

Representative Nancy Mace (R-SC) thanked the Trump administration for its commitment to transparency and its determination to expose deep-rooted corruption.

“Thank God for this cabinet the President assembled,” Mace wrote. “We will get to the bottom of all these hoaxes,” she added.

Representative Tom Tiffany (R-WI) went further, mapping out who he believes was involved in the deception and how the scheme unfolded.

“Joe Biden and Barack Obama knew about it. Hillary Clinton fabricated it. The FBI orchestrated it. And the mainstream media sold it,” Tiffany wrote. “Trump-Russia collusion was all a made-up HOAX. We NEED accountability,” he added.

Representative Troy Nehls (R-TX) reiterated the deep state accusations, praising the declassification as a turning point in the effort to bring justice.

“DNI Tulsi Gabbard declassified documents revealing the Obama Administration and intelligence community colluded to create the BOGUS Russia hoax,” Nehls wrote. “The corruption runs deep in the Swamp. Thank goodness we have a President and administration committed to truth and accountability,” he added.

Representative Greg Steube (R-FL), a member of the House Intelligence Committee, offered the most granular analysis of the plot. He accused Obama-era officials of deliberately removing evidence that disproved election interference before instructing agencies to craft a different narrative.

“As a member of the House Intelligence Committee, I take these revelations seriously. Obama’s team pulled a Presidential Daily Briefing that disproved claims that Russia tipped the election to Trump—then told intel agencies to flip the script and push the Russiagate hoax,” Steube wrote. “That lie became the basis for Mueller’s witch hunt. The intel community may have tried to take down a duly elected president. But their efforts failed. This is only the beginning. Much more will be revealed,” he added.

DNI Tulsi Gabbard described the release of the documents as an essential step in uncovering a calculated effort to subvert democracy, pledging that all involved would be brought to justice.

“Their goal was to usurp President Trump and subvert the will of the American people. No matter how powerful, every person involved in this conspiracy must be investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Gabbard wrote. “The integrity of our democratic republic depends on it. We are turning over all documents to the DOJ for criminal referral,” she added.

As Gabbard prepares to transfer the files to the Department of Justice for further action, the revelations have reignited the broader investigation into misconduct among senior intelligence officials—including former CIA Director John Brennan and former FBI Director James Comey—while placing renewed focus on accountability and transparency within the intelligence establishment.

{Matzav.com}

Despite the political crisis that prompted their withdrawal from the government, the chareidi parties have not given up on efforts to pass a giyus (IDF draft) law and are currently engaged in negotiations with senior officials from Likud and the Religious Zionism party. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is personally involved in the discussions, which aim to reach a mutually agreed-upon law that would secure the status of yeshiva students.

According to senior chareidi figures, Netanyahu is actively working to broker an agreement that would pave the way for the chareidi parties to rejoin the coalition. Notably absent from the talks is MK Yuli Edelstein, who is widely viewed by both Likud and chareidi lawmakers as chiefly responsible for the failure to pass a draft law during the current Knesset session.

One of the proposals being considered is transferring responsibility for the legislation to a different Knesset committee, thereby removing Edelstein from the process entirely.

“We are doing everything we can to ensure that we’ve done everything possible,” a senior chareidi official said. “Our goal is to pass a law that protects the status of yeshiva students—not to go to elections. But if we fail, elections are inevitable at the start of the Knesset’s winter session.”

It was reported here on Matzav.com that Edelstein, who chairs the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, decided not to present the draft bill he had prepared for a vote in the plenum. The legislation, which he had worked on for over a year in collaboration with chareidi representatives, was ultimately abandoned after Edelstein made unilateral changes that led to the chareidi factions quitting the coalition.

Edelstein reportedly concluded that without the support of the chareidi parties, there was no realistic chance of the bill passing, and thus opted to shelve it.

In a recent interview, MK Moshe Gafni, head of Degel HaTorah, emphasized the chareidi position: “Let me say one thing, and I’ve told this to the Prime Minister as well: you need to bring a proper law. If there is no law, we will not continue with this partnership at all.”

Gafni stressed that any new draft law must be fully approved by the gedolei Torah before moving forward. “Everything until now is irrelevant. The chareidi parties never agreed to it. We were supposed to review the final draft and bring it to the gedolim for their ruling—not just accept whatever Edelstein put forward.”

“There are no agreements on anything,” Gafni added forcefully. “Especially since the entire process was deceitful. None of the so-called targets or sanctions that were discussed are relevant. What matters is what is decided now, moving forward.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

A terrifying incident shook the city of Lucerne, Switzerland, on Shabbos afternoon, when an Arab man armed with a knife attempted to stab nine yeshiva students while shouting “Pro-Palestine” slogans. The students, who were from the local yeshiva, managed to escape unharmed. The attacker fled the scene before police arrived.

The incident took place around 8:30 p.m. local time, as the bochurim were walking through the city during the long summer Shabbos before heading back to seudah shlishis in the yeshiva. One of the bochurim described the ordeal, saying that the group had stepped out to enjoy the mountain air when they were suddenly attacked near the central train station.

The attacker reportedly lunged at one of the students, attempting to stab him in the stomach, while shouting pro-Palestinian slogans and anti-Jewish slurs. The commotion drew attention from bystanders, and as a crowd began to gather, the attacker fled the scene.

Police arrived shortly afterward and began collecting security camera footage and witness testimonies. However, the bochurim declined to sign any statements or travel to the police station until after Shabbos. Authorities later informed them that since Swiss police do not operate on Sundays, they would have to wait until Monday morning to formally file the complaint. Meanwhile, the suspect remains at large and may have already fled the country.

This shocking event has caused deep concern among the Jewish community in Lucerne, especially given Switzerland’s reputation for neutrality and relative calm. “Switzerland has experienced very few terror attacks in recent years,” noted a local resident, “which is why the shock and fear in the city—and especially among the chareidi community—is so great.”

{Matzav.com}

A remarkable discovery was made in the remote Russian city of Tomsk, where workers restoring a historic wooden shul uncovered a siddur believed to be around 100 years old. The ancient siddur was found hidden in the attic of the building, where it had likely remained untouched since the shul was shuttered by Soviet authorities in 1930.

The shul, located at 15 Frunze Avenue, is currently undergoing a comprehensive renovation project funded by the Russian government. The structure, which was returned to the Jewish community in 2018, was originally constructed in 1906 by Jewish soldiers—many of them Cantonists, young boys as young as eight who were forcibly conscripted into the czar’s army for 20-year terms.

Today, the restoration of this two-story architectural landmark is well underway. The effort, spearheaded by the Kaluga-based construction firm Stroitelnaya Alyans, includes foundational reinforcement and preservation of the shul’s original design. Russia’s Ministry of Culture has allocated roughly 60 million rubles (approximately $650,000) for the project, which has designated the building as a protected historical heritage site.

The shul stands as a singular monument: the only known surviving military shul of its kind in the world. Its original woodwork, frames, and ornamental features remain largely intact. Its story begins in 1865, when the Jewish military community of Tomsk purchased a Sefer Torah and established a temporary tefillah space in a rented building. In 1872, they acquired land and built the current wooden structure. After a devastating fire in 1906 damaged the shul and surrounding buildings, Jewish soldiers funded and led its reconstruction, reopening the shul in 1907.

In 1930, the shul was seized by the Soviet government. It was repurposed as a dormitory for staff at Tomsk State University and later used as general housing.

The building was finally returned to the Jewish community in 2013, following an agreement between then-mayor Nikolai Nikolaichuk, Russia’s Chief Rabbi Berel Lazar, and the local shliach, Rabbi Levi Kaminetzky. After the building was vacated in 2017, a formal agreement was signed in January 2018 between the municipality and Rabbi Lazar to establish a museum on the site dedicated to the history of Jews in Siberia.

Today, restoration efforts are progressing rapidly, with hopes that the work will be completed by January 2027. Upon completion, the building will house a museum telling the rich and storied legacy of Siberian Jewry.

{Matzav.com}

Avigdor Lieberman, Israel’s former defense chief and leader of the Yisrael Beytenu party, warned over the weekend that Iran remains fixated on exacting revenge after the recent 12-day conflict, and that Israel should be prepared to take preemptive military action once more.

During an appearance on Channel 12’s “Meet the Press,” Lieberman emphasized that Tehran’s leadership is entirely consumed by the desire for retaliation. “I could tell you the same thing that the intelligence assessments and officials say” about Iran’s nuclear capabilities in the wake of the Israeli and US strikes, he added, saying “they all speak of around one to two years” for Iran to reconstitute its nuclear program.

Though the long-term danger posed by Iran’s nuclear ambitions remains, Lieberman cautioned that the immediate threat is Iran’s hunger for revenge. “That’s the only thing that interests them right now. A war of revenge, that’s it,” he stated.

When asked whether Israel should consider launching another strike on Iran, Lieberman didn’t hesitate. “It would be worthwhile for us to strike first again,” he responded.

“This time, Iran wants to deliver the first blow,” he explained.

Lieberman stressed that Iran’s efforts to rebuild its nuclear infrastructure are not just speculative. “It’s not just theoretical” that Iran is working to revive its nuclear program.

His greatest concern, he said, lies in Iran’s missile arsenal. “And what worries me most are the ballistic missiles,” Lieberman said. “You saw what happened here when just 26 missiles landed inside Israel and the level of damage that it caused.”

He warned that a larger barrage could be devastating. “They are preparing for a major strike,” he continued, adding that Iran has thousands of missiles. “Imagine if it wasn’t just 26 missiles that impact Israel, what if it were 260 missiles? What kind of damage would that cause?”

As a result, Lieberman insisted that Israel cannot afford to wait. “We have no other choice” but to strike Iran first, he said. If he were in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s position, that’s what he would do. “I hope that is what they are planning.”

He added that Israel’s intelligence agency should have one mission. “And I would tell the Mossad to work toward one goal: regime change,” he said, asserting that the only way to neutralize the Iranian threat is to overthrow its leadership.

The recent flare-up began on June 13, 2025, when Israel launched a surprise assault targeting Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure. That strike triggered a 12-day war between the two nations.

Israel justified the operation by stating it was a necessary move to prevent the Iranian regime from carrying out its stated intention of eliminating the Jewish state.

Although Iran maintains that it does not seek to build nuclear weapons, it has enriched uranium far beyond civilian needs, blocked access to international nuclear inspectors, and expanded its missile capabilities. During the war, Israel accused Iran of moving even closer to actual weaponization.

In retaliation, Iran unleashed a massive barrage: more than 500 ballistic missiles and approximately 1,100 drones were fired at Israeli territory. According to Israeli health officials and hospitals, 29 people were killed and over 3,000 were injured. In addition, Iran targeted a U.S. military base in Qatar in response to America’s involvement.

Lieberman’s comments came shortly after President Donald Trump doubled down on his claim that the U.S. airstrikes had completely eliminated Iran’s nuclear facilities.

Using his Truth Social platform, Trump stated again that “all three nuclear sites in Iran were completely destroyed and/or OBLITERATED.”

He added that rebuilding the sites would take significant time and effort. It would “take years to bring them back into service and, if Iran wanted to do so, they would be much better off starting anew, in three different locations.”

The American strikes, launched on June 22, focused on three key nuclear sites: Fordo, located south of Tehran, and the facilities in Isfahan and Natanz.

These bombings were conducted alongside Israel’s military campaign and were described by Washington officials as a major setback to Iran’s nuclear weapons program.

Despite Iran’s repeated denials, it has long been suspected of using its civilian nuclear program as a cover for weaponization.

But while Trump praised the success of the attacks, several U.S. news agencies reported conflicting information from intelligence sources suggesting that the outcome was less conclusive.

NBC News, in a report published Friday, cited a classified military analysis which found that only one of the three nuclear facilities had been largely destroyed.

According to five current and former U.S. officials familiar with the assessment, the other two sites were deemed repairable and could resume operations within “the next several months.”

NBC also reported that the Pentagon had drafted an alternate strike plan that would have involved several weeks of bombing, designed to deal a more definitive blow to Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. That plan was ultimately set aside.

Two officials—one currently in government and another who previously served—told NBC that Trump opted against the extended campaign due to concerns about potential casualties and getting drawn deeper into a regional war.

Meanwhile, at a meeting on Friday at the Pentagon, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth praised Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz for Israel’s actions during the conflict. According to a U.S. summary of the meeting, Hegseth described Israel’s performance during the war as “remarkable.”

“Hegseth applauded Israel’s willingness to take bold action to lead in its own defense,” the readout said.

The defense secretary also reaffirmed America’s ongoing commitment to supporting Israel’s security. Hegseth told Katz that the US will “continue to enable Israel’s ability to defend itself,” the report added.

Following the meeting, Katz posted on X, saying that he and Hegseth covered a range of key regional and strategic matters. He said both sides agreed to take specific steps to promote the safety and prosperity of both nations. Katz wrote that the two “discussed a wide range of regional and strategic issues, and agreed on concrete steps to ensure that Israel thrives and the Middle East becomes a better, safer place for both Israeli and American interests.”

He also publicly thanked Trump for his leadership during the operation. “I expressed Israel’s deep gratitude for the historic Operation Midnight Hammer, which struck a devastating blow to Iran’s nuclear program,” he wrote, adding that he thanks President Trump “for his bold decision and unwavering leadership in authorizing the operation.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

Palestinian Authority chairman Mahmoud Abbas has released a formal order mandating that elections for the Palestinian National Council (PNC) be conducted no later than the end of 2025, according to a report by Xinhua on Saturday.

This announcement comes in the wake of a resolution adopted last Thursday by the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), which called for the initiation of the electoral process for the PNC.

As reported by WAFA, the PA’s state-run news outlet, the PLO Executive Committee resolved to hold the elections during the current year. The exact date for the vote will be determined and announced soon by the chairman of the committee.

The decree outlines that the restructured PNC will include 350 representatives. Of those, two-thirds will be selected from within the Palestinian territories, while the remaining one-third will represent Palestinians living abroad across the global diaspora.

In addition, the PLO’s Executive Committee has been assigned the responsibility of forming a preparatory body tasked with organizing the logistical framework necessary to carry out the elections.

The Palestinian National Council operates as the legislative branch of the PLO and brings together representatives from various sectors—including political parties, national movements, labor unions, and civic organizations—both inside the Palestinian territories and from abroad.

Elections within the PA were originally slated for 2021, but Abbas later announced their postponement.

While Abbas claimed that the delay was due to Israel’s refusal to allow voting in eastern Jerusalem, many observers suspect that the real motivation was his concern over potentially losing to Hamas.

Though his term was officially supposed to end in 2009, Abbas has continued to serve as PA chairman without any new elections being held.

Since 2006, no elections have taken place within the PA, and previous attempts to initiate the process have consistently failed to bring about an actual vote.

{Matzav.com Israel}

For nearly a year and a half—482 excruciating days—Arbel Yehud was imprisoned deep inside Gaza, held in absolute seclusion and subjected to physical torment, deprivation, and abuse. In an emotional interview aired Friday night on Channel 12 News, she described the despair she felt during her captivity, the slivers of hope she clung to, and the inner strength she found through thoughts of her loved ones—especially her boyfriend, Ariel Cunio, who is still being held hostage.

“There? The loneliest,” Arbel responded when asked how isolated she felt. “First, you wake up and realize you’re still alive. All that’s left is to hold on to hope and pray that one day you’ll get out. There are very, very, very tough moments when you briefly want to end it yourself, and those are truly terrifying moments.”

When asked if she personally experienced such despair, she quietly affirmed, “Yes. But I never lost that one percent of hope, even if it was just the last fumes.”

Recounting the horror of being kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, she shared the painful memory of being torn apart from Ariel: “In the vehicle. We held hands the whole time. He said a sentence, I said a sentence. ‘Our lives are gone.’ And then, they just… tore him away. I didn’t even get to say goodbye. I didn’t get to look into his eyes. I remember screaming for him, trying to move toward him, but they silenced me very quickly.”

Toward the end of her captivity, Arbel caught brief glimpses of the outside world through Al Jazeera broadcasts: “In the last month and a half to two months, a TV arrived… Suddenly, I saw that it was so many people from the kibbutz.”

She finds it difficult to piece together the details of her release: “At first, we were close to the Red Cross vehicle, then we turned right and moved away… There was fear, you know, because of the chaos, that there might be shooting in all directions. Later, in the crowd, I was in complete shock. There are parts I don’t remember.”

Even though she has physically returned home, Arbel says her soul remains shackled to her time in captivity: “Physically, yes, but not in my heart or mind. I’m there. You can’t leave a place like that. Knowing you got out, and others didn’t.”

Asked whether she thinks Ariel knows she survived, her response was somber: “To be honest, I don’t know. But I think… maybe, for the sake of psychological terror, they probably told him.”

And when asked how isolated she feels now, she answered with quiet intensity, “Not as alone as I was there, but I feel alone.”

Rather than focus on her own pain, Arbel has turned her attention to advocacy for the remaining hostages. On Ariel’s birthday, she organized a soccer match to honor him. Speaking about her current emotional state, she said, “I feel like I’m still restrained, like in captivity. As if everything is inside.”

When asked what she would say to national leaders, Arbel didn’t hold back: “The military pressure endangers the hostages, kills them, harms them physically and mentally.” And with unmistakable anguish, she concluded, “I don’t know if they don’t understand. I think they just don’t care.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

An Israeli source has indicated that a potential deal with Hamas—one that includes both a ceasefire and the release of hostages—might come together as soon as the upcoming week.

“The talks are progressing slowly, but they are progressing. The direction is positive, we have overcome a significant obstacle and we are continuing, hoping to achieve a breakthrough,” the official shared with Channel 12 News.

The source further noted that discussions have been moving at a high pace, and if Hamas refrains from introducing additional hurdles, there’s a strong chance that U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff could be on his way to Doha within days. “The negotiations are very intensive, and if Hamas does not create new obstacles, it is possible that US envoy Steve Witkoff will arrive in Doha in the coming days.”

Still, the official emphasized that this isn’t the first time the talks appeared to be reaching their final stage—only to be derailed by new demands from Hamas. According to him, this pattern repeated itself multiple times over the past two weeks.

At this point, Minister Ron Dermer is not expected to be joined by a high-level team when he travels to Doha for the upcoming round of talks.

The same official also addressed President Donald Trump’s recent remarks regarding headway in the negotiations, clarifying that several complex issues still remain unresolved. These include the status of Palestinian security detainees and how humanitarian assistance will be allocated.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a pointed appeal to the Syrian regime on Saturday, urging them to take decisive steps to stop jihadist forces from committing atrocities in the country’s southern region.

“The US has remained heavily involved over the last three days with Israel, Jordan and authorities in Damascus on the horrifying and dangerous developments in southern Syria. The rape and slaughter of innocent people which has and is still occuring must end,” Rubio stated in a message shared on X.

He emphasized that if the Syrian government is truly interested in fostering a stable, united nation free of extremist groups and foreign interference, they must act decisively to block ISIS and other militant jihadists from entering the area and committing brutal acts. “If authorities in Damascus want to preserve any chance of achieving a unified, inclusive and peaceful Syria free of ISIS and of Iranian control they must help end this calamity by using their security forces to prevent ISIS and any other violent jihadists from entering the area and carrying out massacres. And they must hold accountable and bring to justice anyone guilty of atrocities including those in their own ranks,” he continued.

Rubio also demanded an immediate halt to internal violence among sectarian groups within the region. “Furthermore the fighting between Druze and Bedouin groups inside the perimeter must also stop immediately,” he declared.

His remarks came shortly after Tom Barrack, the U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy for Syria, revealed that both Israel and Syria had reached a ceasefire agreement.

“We call upon Druze, Bedouins, and Sunnis to put down their weapons and together with other minorities build a new and united Syrian identity building peace and prosperity with their neighbors,” Barrack posted on X when he shared news of the ceasefire.

Barrack’s statement followed several days of fierce confrontations in the Sweida area, where conflict between Druze and Bedouin factions escalated, prompting Syrian military involvement.

On Thursday, Israeli airstrikes targeted key Syrian government sites, including the main regime compound and the presidential residence in Damascus, after which Syrian troops exited the Sweida region.

Before Barrack’s ceasefire announcement, hostilities resumed in Sweida on Friday, compelling Syrian officials to declare that they would be sending forces back into the conflict zone.

Syrian official Al-Sharaa delivered a televised address early Thursday morning, blaming Israel for attempting to destabilize the country from within.

“The Israeli entity has always accustomed us to attempts to harm our stability and create fratricidal wars – since the fall of the Assad regime,” he alleged.

He went on to accuse Israel of seeking to fracture Syria by encouraging chaos and sowing division among its people.

Despite what he described as an option for direct confrontation with Israel, Al-Sharaa claimed the Syrian leadership chose to prioritize its citizens’ welfare and instead handed over local security responsibilities in Sweida to regional militias and Druze leaders.

{Matzav.com}

[COMMUNICATED]

On Sunday, the Los Angeles community lost a true gem. Mr. Ido Giat Z”L, only 57 years old, was tragically niftar after a painful and courageous battle with a dreadful illness.

Ido was known to many by his warm, infectious smile and his genuine love for every person he encountered. Others knew him through the flower shop he lovingly built and ran with his wife, La Florista Flowers. But above all, Ido wished to be remembered as a devoted father to his three beautiful children and a loving husband to his beloved aishes chayil, Sarit.

The moving story of Everett Fortune was education in its truest form—not a lesson from a textbook, but real-life chinuch. It was about teaching children how to care, how to show respect, and how to recognize moments of Kiddush Hashem in everyday life. “It’s not enough to preach it,” Rabbi Yaakov Bender often says. “The children have to see it lived.” And they did.

WATCH:

Join the Living Kiddush Hashem Whatsapp Group! https://chat.whatsapp.com/DWNyGpYYlfz5MM5h12iyZi

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rabbi Sholom Yosef Tennenbaum zt”l, who was niftar over Shabbos.

A talmid chochom of quiet greatness, Rabbi Tennenbaum was a man whose life embodied pashtus, humility, and pure avodas Hashem, wrapped in a gentle and gracious spirit.

He was a son of Rav Tzvi Tennenbaum, rov in Chelsea, MA. He was a son-in-law of Rav Yaakov Yitzchok Eichorn, R”M in Yeshiva Toragh Vodaas.

Originally from Flatbush, where he lived for many years, Rabbi Tennenbaum later moved to Lakewood, settling in the Pine River Village community.

Throughout his life, he remained wholly immersed in Torah. With no fanfare or pretense, he sat and learned day and night, happy to live in the shadows while quietly achieving spiritual greatness. Though he hid his hasmadah, those privileged to know him recognized the depth of his yedios Torah and the sincerity of his yiras Shamayim.

While his wife, Mrs. Shaindy (Judy) Tennenbaum, ran a successful travel agency over the years, R’ Sholom Yosef remained entirely devoted to his learning. He didn’t seek accolades. He never demanded attention. He simply lived a life of quiet truth and nobility, with Torah as his anchor and humility as his crown.

R’ Sholom Yosef is remembered as one of the kindest, most pleasant people one could ever encounter. He was the epitome of middos tovos. He radiated warmth, his demeanor humble, and his character sterling.

He leaves behind a beautiful family who carry his legacy: his sons, R’ Tzali Tennenbaum and R’ Gershon Tennenbaum, his daughters, Mrs. Sari Nagel and Mrs. Leah Greher, and grandchildren.

The levayah will take place on Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m. at the Pine River Village Shul in Lakewood. Following the hespedim, the aron will be flown to Eretz Yisroel for kevurah.

WATCH THE LEVAYAH LIVE HERE.

Yehi zichro baruch.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump announced Friday evening that another group of 10 hostages is expected to be freed from Gaza in the near future, though he did not offer any further specifics regarding the timeline or identities involved.

Trump shared the update during a dinner at the White House attended by members of Congress, where he praised the work of his special envoy, Steve Witkoff. Witkoff has been playing a central role in the latest efforts to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, with negotiations currently underway in Doha. Talks resumed on July 6 and center around a U.S.-backed proposal that calls for a 60-day halt to the fighting.

“We got most of the hostages back,” Trump said. “We’re going to have another 10 coming very shortly, and we hope to have that finished quickly.”

According to Israeli officials, around 50 hostages remain in Hamas custody out of the roughly 250 people the group abducted during its brutal assault on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. Of those still being held, 27 are believed to have died in captivity.

{Matzav.com}