Matzav

In remarks to Sky News Arabia, Senator Lindsey Graham said that peace in the Middle East remains unattainable while Hamas continues to wield weapons, tying any rebuilding of Gaza to the group’s disarmament.

“I hope Hamas will disarm, but I see no effort in that direction. On the contrary, they seem focused on regaining strength and rearming,” he said, underscoring his view that the militant organization shows no readiness to relinquish its military might.

Graham further declared that eventually Hamas must be disarmed, and if it does not do so voluntarily, then Israel may have to take the lead. He noted the lack of Arab forces willing to enter Gaza for such a mission and emphasized that only Israel is capable of executing it: “We can support Israel in disarming Hamas, but Israel will be the one on the ground.”

He added that reconstruction of Gaza and areas in Judea and Samaria can only begin once Hamas abandons its power. “As long as Hamas holds power, there will be no peace in the Middle East,” he declared, making clear his belief that disarmament is the gateway to normalization.

Turning to nearby Lebanon, Graham described a split sentiment among the Shiite population: many support the notion that heavy weaponry should fall exclusively under the Lebanese Armed Forces, but an armed faction within Hezbollah refuses to lay down its arms—a stance he argues blocks Lebanon from fulfilling its regional role. “Israel will not accept a fully armed Hezbollah. My advice to my Lebanese friends is to disarm Hezbollah, which could open the door to discussing border security with Israel and integrating Lebanon into the region,” he said.

Discussing regional normalization, Graham predicted additional Arab states will join the Abraham Accords and flagged an anticipated move by Saudi Arabia in the coming year, encouraging Lebanon to prepare for inclusion in the regional shift.

On Syria, he signalled willingness to ease sanctions but stressed the need to maintain the capacity to re-impose them swiftly if necessary. “They must do the right things, like protecting religious minorities and controlling the Lebanon-Syria border,” he stated, and emphasised that his focus remains on isolating and disarming Hezbollah while cautiously supporting the new government in Damascus.

After more than eleven years in captivity, Lieutenant Hadar Goldin was brought back to Israel today and laid to rest. His family, gathered at their Kfar Saba home, issued their first public message following the burial, speaking of the long struggle to retrieve his remains and the values that guided them through the ordeal.

“Eleven years ago, we stood here in August after Hadar was taken from us, and we cried out that we must not leave Gaza without bringing Hadar back. We took it for granted that the State of Israel would not leave soldiers behind. It took us 11 years to bring him home through the IDF and security forces,” Hadar’s mother, Leah, stated.

Leah emphasized the principles that sustained the family and the campaign to recover him, and she appealed to the nation to treat the fate of hostages as a moral imperative.

“The first value is friendship and comradeship, the second is burial in Israel, and the third is human dignity. These are the values we fought for. Sadly, we faced many disappointments. We cannot give up on who we are, and we will prevail through our values. I hope Hadar will continue to be the symbol he has been until now. I’m not just fighting for Hadar-I’m fighting for the next hostage. And if October 7th didn’t become a wake-up call for everyone in the State of Israel, it’s time for you to look at us and let us explain why it’s important and imperative to fight for our children. Thank you for walking with us all the way.”

Reflecting on the role of the military in bringing their son home, the family credited the IDF and reiterated a commitment to the principle of not abandoning soldiers.

Simcha Goldin, Hadar’s father, added: “We brought Lieutenant Hadar Goldin, our son, a fighter, to be buried in Israel. We achieved this because our soldiers fought to bring warriors back from the battlefield. The IDF brought Hadar back to his homeland-no one else. So we hold fast to these values: that we don’t abandon soldiers on the battlefield, because this is a value, and we don’t compromise on values. And what this war has proven is that when we fight for our soldiers, we succeed. Victory means bringing home the hostages and bringing home our soldiers to Israel.”

{Matzav.com}

The head of the BBC has stepped down today following a scandal involving the broadcaster’s use of manipulated footage of Donald Trump from January 6.

After five years at the helm of Britain’s publicly funded media institution, Tim Davie issued a statement acknowledging that he was assuming “ultimate responsibility” for the broadcaster’s recent errors.

“Overall the BBC is delivering well, but there have been some mistakes made and as Director-General I have to take ultimate responsibility,” Davie said in the statement, which conspicuously did not mention the former President by name.

His departure follows the disclosure that the BBC’s flagship investigative program, Panorama, edited two separate segments of Trump’s speech on January 6, 2021, and combined them to suggest that he had explicitly instructed supporters to attack the Capitol.

The long-anticipated publication of the proposed Giyus legislation, authored by MK Boaz Bismuth, has been put on hold — not for political reasons, but out of kavod for the gadol hador, Hagaon Rav Dov Landau, rosh yeshivas Slabodka, whose health has recently declined, Arutz Sheva reports.

Although the new version of the conscription bill has already been prepared and reviewed, its official release was deferred out of deference to the rosh yeshiva, according to Arutz Sheva. 

“In fact, a general green light was already given at the end of last week by Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch,” a source told Arutz Sheva.

The same source noted that “Degel HaTorah and Shas are waiting to hear the principled opinion of Rav Dov Landau, who has not been feeling well in recent days.”

Both parties have made clear that no steps will be taken until they receive clear direction from Rav Landau.

Earlier last week, Rav Landau, who is ninety-five years old, traveled to Switzerland to raise funds for Keren Olam HaTorah. During the trip, he began to feel weak and returned swiftly to Eretz Yisroel to rest and receive medical care.

When the agenda of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee was released last Thursday, observers immediately noticed the absence of the Draft Law from the list of topics, a clear indication that its discussion will wait until guidance is received from the rosh yeshiva.

{Matzav.com}

Shas chairman Aryeh Deri claimed that the recent downfall and arrest of Chief Military Prosecutor Maj. Gen. Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi stemmed from her own efforts to push for the arrest of yeshiva students who refused to enlist in the IDF.

During a private conversation with one of his party’s rabbanim, Deri reportedly remarked that “the true reason for her great downfall” was that “she was among those who led and pushed for the arrest of bnei yeshivos.”

As quoted in the party’s publication, Deri said: “See how the Creator runs the world. That same Military Advocate General was one of the foremost drivers behind arresting bnei yeshivos. She stood at the forefront of the fight against lomdei Torah, pressing the army authorities to detain more and more bnei yeshivos. She ended up, unintentionally, causing the great prayer rally to be organized. She herself created the power of public tefillah that pierced the heavens—and through that, she brought about her own downfall.”

Tomer-Yerushalmi was released from custody over the weekend and placed under ten days of house arrest by the Tel Aviv Magistrate’s Court. At the police’s request, she was also barred from contacting other suspects in the case for 55 days.

The embattled general, who admitted to involvement in leaking classified information, appeared at her hearing via Zoom from Neve Tirtzah Prison. She faces allegations of fraud and breach of trust, abuse of authority, obstruction of justice, and providing confidential information as a public official. She posted bail of 20,000 shekels but was not restricted from leaving the country or required to surrender her passport.

According to police testimony presented to the court, investigators have conducted dozens of actions and interviews in recent days. “Since the first remand extension, the investigative team carried out numerous measures and collected multiple statements,” a police representative said. “The suspicions against her have significantly strengthened. The concern over obstruction has hovered over the case throughout, even before her arrest.”

{Matzav.com}

Hitchhiking Israeli bochurim speak candidly to their driver about the current giyus/draft issue, a dignified conversation about one of the most divisive issues in Israel.

WATCH:

Federal authorities are examining a troubling outbreak of infant botulism that has surfaced in ten states, with investigators tracing the infections back to a recently recalled baby formula.

According to the Food and Drug Administration, at least thirteen infants have been diagnosed with the rare illness after consuming ByHeart Inc.’s Whole Nutrition Infant Formula. Each of the affected babies required hospitalization following exposure.

Officials said the cases were linked specifically to two production lots of the formula—identified by codes 206VABP/251261P2 and 206VABP/251131P2—that have already been pulled from store shelves.

The FDA emphasized that the investigation remains ongoing as they work with state health departments to determine how the contamination occurred and to prevent additional illnesses.

{Matzav.com}

After more than a decade in Hamas captivity, the remains of IDF officer Lt. Hadar Goldin, Hashem yikom damo, have finally been returned to Israel for burial. His body was brought to the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute, where experts confirmed his identity a short while ago.

Hamas announced in the morning that it was returning Goldin’s body as part of the ongoing ceasefire and hostage agreement. The group had claimed to have “located” his remains in Rafah the previous night. This development marks the end of an 11-year ordeal for Goldin’s family, who waged a tireless campaign for his return since his death and abduction in 2014.

Lt. Hadar Goldin was born in 1991 in the Galilee community of Ashchar, into a family of educators and scholars. He was a twin to Tzur and had two additional siblings. After graduating high school, he attended the Bnei David pre-military academy in Eli, where he strengthened his faith and sense of mission to serve Am Yisrael and Eretz Yisrael.

He later enlisted in the IDF and joined the elite Givati reconnaissance unit, quickly rising to command. His soldiers described him as both resolute and deeply compassionate — a leader who infused operational intensity with moral conviction. “He always sought to find meaning and humanity, even amid the battlefield,” one friend recalled.

On August 1, 2014, during Operation Protective Edge, Goldin led his unit in Rafah shortly after a humanitarian ceasefire was declared. A sudden Hamas ambush erupted, and during the battle, Goldin was killed and his body dragged into a terror tunnel. Despite extensive rescue operations, he was never recovered, and the IDF later declared him fallen with his remains held by Hamas.

For eleven years, his parents, Simcha and Leah Goldin, became a national symbol of moral clarity and persistence, demanding that Israel adopt a firm policy ensuring the return of all soldiers and hostages. Their advocacy shaped national discourse on the ethics of prisoner and hostage negotiations.

Beyond his military service, Hadar was known for his creativity and love of art. His journals and sketches, discovered after his death, were later exhibited and published, offering a glimpse into the inner world of a young man of faith, courage, and reflection. In one letter, he wrote of his belief that “light and love are the forces that drive the world forward” — a line that became the emblem of his parents’ campaign.

In his memory, educational programs and memorial initiatives have been established, including a pre-military academy near the Gaza border that bears his name.

After eleven long years, Lt. Hadar Goldin has finally come home.

Yehi zichro baruch.

WATCH:

Popular secular Israeli singer Miri Mesika opened up this week about her personal connection to faith and Judaism, saying that although she considers herself “very secular,” she is careful to recite the berachah of “Shehakol nihiyeh bidvaro” before taking the stage — a habit she maintains despite teasing from her friends.

Speaking to Shachar Tangy at the Tanya Study Center, Mesika said, “I’m very secular, but before I go on stage, I say ‘Shehakol nihiyeh bidvaro,’ because everything I have in life belongs to Hashem.”

She explained that her religious friends sometimes laugh when she mentions it. “When I say that berachah, what I mean is that I’m nothing — even my voice and everything I have, it’s not mine, it’s Yours. After that, I go on stage without ego. Ironically, it’s that place of not believing that brought me to a much stronger kind of belief.”

Several years ago, Mesika performed at a special evening of inspiration and song marking the yahrtzeit of Rochel Imeinu at Yerushalayim’s Sultan’s Pool. She shared the stage with Rebbetzin Yemima Mizrachi and fellow singers. The event drew thousands of women from across the religious spectrum.

Following the concert, Margalit Deri — daughter of Shas chairman Aryeh Deri — sent an emotional message to Mesika expressing how deeply the performance had moved her.

“Hi Miri, you don’t know me,” Deri wrote. “My name is Margalit Deri, I’m Aryeh Deri’s daughter — I’m sure you’ve heard of him. I have to tell you from my heart, I was at your concert last night, and the whole time I had chills. It was such a powerful, emotional evening — uniting and connecting. I feel like I’ve been your friend for years.”

She described the atmosphere of unity among women of all backgrounds: “We sat next to completely secular women and mainstream chareidi women, and everyone was together in such love. Next to me sat a totally secular woman, and I was so moved to put my hand on her shoulder and bless her, ‘May Hashem bless you and keep you…’ It was so special!”

Deri praised the collaboration between Mesika and Rebbetzin Yemima Mizrachi, calling it “perfect” and saying it gave chareidi women the confidence to attend. “When you and Eti sang ‘Tzama lecha nafshi,’ you broke us to pieces,” she wrote. “I think Hashem turned off Rebbetzin Yemima’s microphone at the end because He didn’t need her to speak — the whole evening itself was holy. Just seeing all my daughters together like that — there was no need for anything else.”

She concluded, “Thank you. Please keep doing more of this. I work for Kesher Yehudi, an organization that pairs secular and chareidi women to study together once a week. Seeing that kind of spontaneous connection last night made me so happy. You really moved me — thank you, dear.”

Mesika later responded warmly to Deri’s note: “Thank you, dear Margalit. Above all the wonderful women who filled the Sultan’s Pool, above all the different principles and beliefs, hovered the greatest principle of all: ‘Ve’ahavta l’rei’acha kamocha — love your fellow as yourself.’ Thank you for letting me be part of that immense display of love — a sisterhood of women like I’ve never experienced before. Shehechiyanu v’kiyimanu v’higianu lazman hazeh.”

{Matzav.com}

In a move expected this coming Monday, BBC chairman Samir Shah is set to apologize before the UK House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee for using an edited version of Donald J. Trump’s Jan. 6, 2021 address in its documentary. According to the Telegraph, the BBC acknowledges that viewers were misled by the way clips from Trump’s “Stop the Steal” rally were combined in the October-aired program.

The apology follows the publication of a comprehensive 19-page report by Michael Prescott, previously the BBC’s adviser on Editorial Guidelines and Standards. In it, Prescott alleges pervasive bias within the broadcaster and claims he issued warnings in May about the manipulated nature of the speech used.

Central to Prescott’s complaint is what he describes as the BBC’s “mangling” of Trump’s remarks in the documentary titled Panorama: “Trump: A Second Chance?” The whistleblower asserts that the network edited together multiple distinct parts of the rally to make it appear that the president urged the crowd to storm the Capitol.

One highlighted moment: footage was shown of Trump saying: “We’re gonna walk down to the Capitol and I’ll be there with you and we fight. We fight like hell and if you don’t fight like hell you’re not gonna have a country any more.”

In reality, the speech was cut. Trump originally stated: “We’re gonna walk down, and I’ll be there with you, we’re gonna walk down, we’re gonna walk down any one of you but I think right here, we’re gonna walk down to the Capitol and we’re gonna cheer on our brave senators and congressman and women.” The documentary omitted his words: “I know that everyone here will soon be marching over to the Capitol building to peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard.”

Further scrutiny found that what the BBC presented as a continuous sentence was actually stitched together from three separate portions of Trump’s speech with nearly an hour’s gap edited out, thereby altering context. Prescott calls this manipulative editing “shocking.”

He writes: “This created the impression that Trump said something he did not and, in doing so, materially misled viewers.”

Another major allegation contends that the program linked Trump’s rally to an advance by the Proud Boys toward the U.S. Capitol. The footage used, however, predates the speech itself—yet the documentary treated it as if the crowd was inspired by Trump’s remarks.

“It was completely misleading to edit the clip in the way Panorama aired it,” Prescott adds. “The fact that [Mr. Trump] did not explicitly exhort supporters to go down and fight at Capitol Hill was one of the reasons there were no federal charges for incitement to riot.”

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social Sunday that he intends to distribute a $2,000 “dividend” to most Americans, describing it as a reward funded by what he calls massive tariff gains from foreign nations.

“A dividend of at least $2000 a person (not including high income people!) will be paid to everyone,” he wrote, touting the plan as a direct benefit of his sweeping trade policies.

The announcement followed closely on the heels of a Supreme Court session questioning whether Trump’s broad use of emergency powers to impose tariffs on nearly every nation complies with constitutional limits.

Trump insisted that his aggressive tariff strategy has been a huge success, declaring that it has generated “trillions of dollars” while leaving the economy strong and prices stable. He also boasted that retirement savings were thriving, noting that 401(k) accounts are the “Highest EVER” and asserting there was “No Inflation” linked to the trade duties.

He took aim at critics of his economic approach, posting bluntly, “People that are against Tariffs are FOOLS!”

Government data, however, paints a more measured picture. Between April and October, the U.S. collected roughly $151 billion in import duties, according to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent projected that the nation could bring in “$500 billion or more” in tariff revenues annually as the program expands.

{Matzav.com}

[COMMUNICATED]

Nearly 500 talmidim and friends filled Bell Works this past Sunday for the Rav Nissan Kaplan Yarchei Kallah — a full-day gathering of connection, learning, and inspiration. Participants came from across the tri-state area and from as far as Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, and even London. Participants described the experience as “epic,” with talmidim reveling in the opportunity to learn from Rav Nissan and experience his trademark personal warmth.

The learning program opened with first seder, followed by a shiur from Rav Nissan on the sugya of יחלוקו. Participants then enjoyed a Business Networking Luncheon — a chance to connect, network, and talk Torah and business. The highlight of the day was a profoundly insightful Q & A session moderated by Rabbi Yitzchok Hisiger, where R’ Nissan’s wisdom on ahavas haTorah, chinuch, and shalom bayis sparked both laughter and reflection. The evening culminated in an uplifting dinner program — from the spontaneous dancing as Rav Nissan was introduced, to his moving keynote address and the musical presentation that followed.

Talmidim left uplifted, recharged, carrying the warmth and inspiration of their Rebbi well beyond the day itself. This Yarchei Kallah was more than an event — it was a boost that talmidim will carry with them for months to come.

Israeli forces transferred a casket from Gaza today believed to contain the remains of an Israeli soldier held by Hamas.

The body was handed over to the police, who are now accompanying it to the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute in Tel Aviv, where specialists will carry out a formal identification process expected to take as long as two days.

According to Hamas, the remains belong to Lt. Hadar Goldin, who was killed and taken by the terror group during the 2014 Gaza War. Israeli officials have not yet confirmed this claim, pending forensic verification.

Should investigators verify that the body is indeed Goldin’s, it would mean that four Israeli hostages are still being held in Gaza—Meny Godard, Master Sgt. Ran Gvili, Dror Or, and Sudthisak Rinthalak.

{Matzav.com}

Hamas’s military arm announced on Sunday that it would return the body of IDF officer Lt. Hadar Goldin, ending an agonizing, years-long wait for his family, who have fought tirelessly to bring him home for burial. Goldin was killed during the 2014 Gaza conflict, and his body was seized by Hamas amid the fierce fighting in Rafah.

“The (Izz a-Din) Al-Qassam Brigades will deliver the body of officer Hadar Goldin, which was found yesterday in a tunnel in the city of Rafah, at 2 pm Gaza time,” the group declared on its Telegram channel.

Goldin’s death occurred during Operation Protective Edge, and his remains have been held for 4,118 days. He is the only hostage from before the October 7, 2023 Hamas invasion — when 1,200 Israelis were massacred and 251 others taken captive — who has remained in Gaza since.

Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu informed his Cabinet that Israel expects to receive Goldin’s remains. Israel will first conduct comprehensive forensic examinations to confirm the identity of the body before making an official announcement.

If verification confirms the IDF’s expectations, Goldin will become the 24th fallen hostage whose remains have been returned by Hamas since the start of the October 10 ceasefire that paused the two-year war.

Four more bodies are still being held in Gaza: Meny Godard, Master Sgt. Ran Gvili, Dror Or, and Thai national Sudthisak Rinthalak.

The return of Goldin’s remains reportedly comes amid complex negotiations over a cluster of Hamas fighters trapped in a Rafah tunnel located within an area controlled by Israeli forces. According to reports, Hamas has sought to connect the recovery of Goldin’s body to an arrangement ensuring safe passage for these operatives.

Hamas issued a defiant statement warning that it would not capitulate: “The occupation bears full responsibility for the clash with our fighters in Rafah,” the group said, vowing that surrender was not an option.

It further emphasized, “In the lexicon of the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades there is no place for the principle of surrender or handing themselves over to the enemy. The mediators must find a solution that will ensure the continuation of the ceasefire.”

Reports suggest that Washington has been pushing Jerusalem to approve safe passage for the trapped terrorists as part of a U.S.-backed plan for Goldin’s return. Citing Channel 12, the proposal calls for the militants to hand over their weapons and be granted a pardon by Israel before relocating to Hamas-controlled areas or into exile. The tunnel sheltering them would then be destroyed.

Netanyahu, however, has made clear he will not strike any such deal. A statement issued Monday from an “Israeli official,” widely understood to represent the Prime Minister’s Office, reiterated that Netanyahu “is not allowing safe passage for 200 Hamas terrorists.”

Following Hamas’s announcement yesterday that it had recovered Goldin’s body, Israeli diplomats insisted the remains must be returned immediately under the terms of the ceasefire. “Israel demands his return immediately,” one diplomatic source stressed, condemning the group’s delay as a serious breach of the agreement.

On Saturday night, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir personally visited the home of Goldin’s parents, Leah and Simcha, who said they were waiting for official word confirming their son’s return to Israel.

Israeli outlets also reported that, in the hours leading up to the announcement, Israel permitted Hamas and Red Cross teams to search a tunnel under Israeli control in Rafah in order to locate the missing officer’s remains.

{Matzav.com}

Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, rosh yeshiva of Slabodka, is departing today for a three-day chizuk journey spanning several cities throughout France. The visit marks one of the most significant Torah gatherings seen in France in recent decades.

During the trip, Rav Hirsch is scheduled to deliver divrei chizuk in communities across Paris, Drancy, and other French cities. Thousands of members of the French kehillos are preparing to greet the rosh yeshiva. Rabbonim and public figures from across the country have requested private meetings with Rav Hirsch to seek his counsel on pressing communal and educational issues affecting French Jewry today.

In recent days, local communities have finalized extensive preparations for the historic visit.

French authorities have also been actively preparing for the visit. Heavy security arrangements have been deployed by French police in the areas where the rosh yeshiva and his entourage are expected to stay, ensuring smooth and safe travel for the massive crowds expected to attend the various events.

{Matzav.com}

Deep shock and revulsion spread through the Sanzer Chassidus after it was discovered on Motzaei Shabbos that the holy resting place of the Shefa Chaim of Sanz, Rav Yekusiel Yehuda Halberstam zt”l, had been desecrated over Shabbos.

According to sources, vandals broke into the ohel of the rebbe at the Netanya cemetery during Shabbos Parshas Vayeira, wreaking havoc on the site. The intruders smashed the ner tamid, damaged the fans and electrical cabinet, and destroyed the seforim cabinet containing siddurim and Tehillims.

Signs of forced entry were also found on the tzedakah box stationed near the tziyun.

The scene was discovered by Chassidim who arrived after Shabbos to daven at the kever.

Sources reported that there are no security cameras inside the ohel itself, though other areas of the cemetery are under surveillance. Police and cemetery officials are expected to review footage from nearby cameras today to determine whether the perpetrators can be identified.

NEWARK, NJ — The upcoming Agudah National Action Summit, taking place on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at the Newark Marriott Hotel, will feature a unique and important Rabbonim Session addressing one of the most complex and sensitive areas of rabbinic leadership today: “Case Studies in the Hashkafah and Halacha of Conflict Resolution: Shalom Bayis and Family Alienation.”

The closed-door session, open exclusively to rabbonim, will run from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m. and will present real-world case studies exploring the intersection of halachah, hashkafah, and mental health. These discussions will highlight the challenges faced by rabbonim and mental health professionals in navigating issues of shalom bayis and family estrangement, seeking to bring clarity and guidance rooted in Torah values.

The distinguished panel will include:

• Hagaon Rav Sholom Kamenetsky, Rosh HaYeshiva, Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia
• Dr. Shmuel Mandelman, Ph.D., Founder and Clinical Director, The C.L.I.N.I.C.

Following introductory remarks, a series of case studies will be reviewed and discussed. The session is designed to be fully interactive, allowing participating rabbonim to share their experiences and insights in a collaborative and respectful forum.

The panel will be moderated by Rav Shlomo Gottesman, Editor of Yishurun.

In addition, at 2:00 p.m., preceding the session, rabbonim will join a special simulcast presentation by Hagaon Rav Dovid Cohen, Rosh Yeshiva of Chevron Yeshiva in Yerushalayim, who will address hashkafic considerations in the field of mental health.

For more information about the Agudah National Action Summit, please contact Agudath Israel of America or visit the Summit website.

{Matzav.com}

Yemen’s Houthi movement announced on Saturday that it had broken up what it described as a “joint espionage network” run by multiple foreign intelligence services, including the CIA, Mossad, Saudi intelligence, and Israel’s Military Intelligence Directorate, according to a report from Ynet. The group asserted that several people connected to the alleged operation were apprehended and accused of conducting activities in Yemen under Saudi supervision.

In a statement released by the Houthi-controlled Interior Ministry, the rebels claimed the alleged network had its central “operations room” inside Saudi Arabia. From there, it supposedly coordinated smaller intelligence cells throughout Yemen. The Houthis said these units were provided with sophisticated monitoring devices and surveillance systems, alleging that both Israeli officers and IDF intelligence personnel were directly involved in managing their activities.

The statement went on to accuse the United States, Israel, and Saudi Arabia of jointly training the operatives on Saudi soil. According to the Houthis, the recruits were instructed to collect classified information about Yemen’s military and security infrastructure, focusing on missile platforms, drone facilities, and weapons manufacturing locations. They also allegedly gathered details about the movements and offices of both military and civilian officials.

The Interior Ministry urged citizens to “remain vigilant against enemy movements aimed at undermining internal security and stability and weakening the military front supporting Gaza.”

Alongside their announcement, the Houthis released footage showing several men they identified as captured members of the spy ring. In the videos, the detainees appeared to read from prepared scripts, admitting that they had taken “international and local training courses,” traveled repeatedly, and used humanitarian organizations as cover for intelligence-gathering operations. The Houthis claimed the group employed encrypted communication tools and advanced technologies to relay data to their foreign handlers.

The rebel organization has a long record of accusing humanitarian workers and UN employees of espionage. Many of those allegations, particularly those involving supposed cooperation with Israel, have never been substantiated. The Houthis have previously boasted about uncovering “Israeli spy networks” in Yemen, yet no credible, independent evidence has confirmed such claims.

Since the Gaza war erupted in October 2023, the Iranian-backed Houthis have launched waves of drones and missiles toward Israel, framing their attacks as acts of solidarity with the Palestinians. Israel, in turn, has targeted Houthi military infrastructure in Yemen, including an August strike that killed or wounded several of the group’s senior figures, among them Military Chief of Staff Muhammad Abd Al-Karim al-Ghamari, who later died from his injuries.

{Matzav.com}

Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte announced over the weekend that President Trump’s administration is preparing an unprecedented plan to launch 50-year mortgage terms for American homebuyers.

“Thanks to President Trump, we are indeed working on The 50 year Mortgage – a complete game changer,” Pulte posted on X, calling the proposal one that could dramatically alter housing affordability across the nation.

The statement came just hours after President Trump highlighted the idea on Truth Social, where he shared an image comparing himself with Franklin D. Roosevelt. Roosevelt’s administration had introduced the 30-year mortgage as part of the New Deal to stabilize the housing market after the Great Depression — a move that redefined homeownership for generations.

Trump has made housing affordability one of his administration’s focal points, repeatedly emphasizing the need to make homes attainable for younger families. However, high interest rates and escalating property values have presented significant challenges in that effort.

Recent data reflects the strain on American homeowners. Google searches for “help with mortgage” reached their highest level since 2009, signaling financial pressure among borrowers. Adjustable-rate mortgages, meanwhile, accounted for about 10 percent of all mortgage applications in September — nearly double the post-recession norm, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Despite these adjustments, housing costs remain burdensome. Redfin reported that the typical American household now spends roughly 38.4 percent of its monthly income on mortgage payments — one of the highest proportions in decades.

Earlier this year, Trump revealed that he was weighing the possibility of taking Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac public once again. The two government-sponsored enterprises, created by Congress to support the housing finance system, were privately operated before being placed under Treasury Department control during the 2008 financial collapse.

“I am giving very serious consideration to bringing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac public,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, noting that a decision would come in the “near future.”

“Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are doing very well, throwing off a lot of CASH, and the time would seem to be right. Stay tuned,” he added.

Pulte later confirmed that Trump is “opportunistically evaluating” when to return the enterprises to private hands, potentially as soon as late 2025.

Aside from his policy work, Pulte has also made headlines for his outspoken social media campaigns, often taking aim at Trump’s political adversaries. Among them is New York Attorney General Letitia James, who is now facing mortgage fraud allegations tied to evidence uncovered by the agency he oversees.

{Matzav.com}