Matzav

The U.S. State Department is urging Americans in parts of the Middle East to consider leaving the region and advising travelers to think twice before visiting, warning that rising tensions with Iran could quickly lead to airspace closures, flight disruptions, and attacks on American interests.

The advisory was issued through U.S. embassies in Iraq, Israel, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, cautioning that the regional security situation remains volatile.

“Due to heightened tensions in the Middle East, the security environment remains complex with the potential for unforeseen escalation.”

The State Department advised Americans already in the region to remain alert and be ready to leave if conditions deteriorate.

“Americans currently in the Middle East should exercise caution and heightened vigilance and should be prepared for flight cancellations, periodic airspace closures, and potential travel disruptions. Some airlines in the region have postponed resumption of earlier flight schedules; others have cancelled some routes. Americans in the region should consider departing, or be prepared to depart should there be escalation.”

The warning also extended to Americans planning future travel, encouraging them to avoid unnecessary trips to or through the Middle East.

“Americans outside the Middle East should seriously reconsider travel to and through the region. Those who do travel to or from the region should monitor information about airport and airline operations.”

The State Department also cautioned that U.S. diplomatic missions and other American interests could become targets of Iranian retaliation or attacks by Tehran’s allies.

“US diplomatic facilities, including outside the Middle East, have been targeted. Iran and groups supportive of Iran may target other US interests overseas or at locations associated with the United States and Americans throughout the world, including US businesses and other institutions.”

Officials emphasized that Iran’s recent actions have demonstrated the regime’s willingness to strike without warning and to expand its operations into areas previously untouched by the conflict.

“The situation in the Middle East remains fluid. The Iranian regime is unpredictable, as seen by its recent decisions to attack areas in the region without warning or provocations as well as to expand attacks to areas not previously targeted (such as Egypt). Americans should remain vigilant, as merely because US interests or businesses have not been attacked in a country in the past does not ensure their safety.”

Meanwhile, an Israeli source told Channel 12 that the region has reached a critical moment, with officials believing that “we are very close to the point of decision.” Although the White House has not yet made a final determination, the source said the possibility of a large-scale U.S. military operation against Iran is now under more serious consideration than at any previous point.

According to Israeli assessments, President Donald Trump is still evaluating both the scope of any potential military action and the manner in which it would be carried out. Officials remain uncertain whether Israel would participate from the beginning or whether the United States would initially act alone using American forces.

The source added that Trump has been presented with a proposal calling for precision strikes against key elements of Iran’s energy infrastructure. Israeli officials reportedly believe such an operation could place significant internal pressure on the Iranian regime while minimizing the impact on global energy markets.

{Matzav.com}

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman privately urged President Donald Trump to avoid launching large-scale airstrikes against Iran and instead pursue a path of de-escalation, according to a report by Axios citing U.S. officials and a source familiar with the discussions.

According to the report, the crown prince raised his concerns during a telephone conversation with Trump today as the president weighs possible military action against Iranian energy facilities. The deliberations follow Iran’s missile attack on a U.S. base in Jordan and continued threats to commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

Although speculation mounted Friday that military action was imminent, Axios reported that Trump has not yet given final approval for any retaliatory strikes.

Iran has warned that any large-scale U.S. attack would trigger retaliation against energy and infrastructure sites across Israel and neighboring Gulf states.

“The Saudis expressed concern and asked for clarity about the plan of action,” one US official told Axios.

A second source familiar with the phone call said Crown Prince Mohammed urged Trump to seek a diplomatic solution rather than authorize a broad military campaign.

Neither the White House nor Saudi Arabia’s embassy in Washington commented on the reported conversation.

The phone call came just days after Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman met with Trump on Wednesday. According to the report, the meeting was added to the defense minister’s schedule after he first met with Vice President JD Vance to communicate Riyadh’s desire to reduce tensions, despite the United States and Saudi Arabia carrying out joint strikes earlier in the week against Iranian-backed militias in Iraq.

A source familiar with the discussions said the meetings were intended to convey the crown prince’s assessment of the conflict and the broader strategic situation in the region.

Saudi Arabia remains one of Washington’s closest allies in the Middle East and has played an influential role in shaping President Trump’s approach toward Iran at several key moments since the latest hostilities began.

Axios also reported that several other regional governments—including Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, and Pakistan—have been urging both Washington and Tehran to avoid further escalation and return to diplomacy.

Today, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, who has reportedly served as an intermediary between the United States and Iran. Araghchi also held discussions with the foreign ministers of Turkey and Saudi Arabia regarding potential U.S. military action.

“Any hostile action by the US or Israel – or participation or cooperation by regional countries in such actions – would be met with a decisive and proportionate response from Iran’s powerful armed forces,” Araghchi told his Saudi counterpart, according to a statement on his Telegram channel.

{Matzav.com}

A one-of-a-kind miniature Sefer Torah, measuring just 26 centimeters (10 inches) tall and featuring letters inscribed by many of the generation’s leading gedolei Torah, was presented as a special gift to the family of Brazilian philanthropist Alberto Abraham Safra in honor of his son’s bar mitzvah.

The extraordinary gift, presented by Yeshivas Ateres Shlomo, also included an intricately crafted miniature replica of the magnificent Aron Kodesh that stands in the yeshiva’s main bais medrash at the Safra Campus in Rishon LeZion.

The presentation came during a series of lavish bar mitzvah celebrations held in Eretz Yisroel over the past several days for the son of Safra, a prominent supporter of Torah institutions around the world. Hundreds of family members, friends, rabbanim, roshei yeshiva, and benefactors traveled from across the globe to participate in the festivities, which featured multiple events honoring both the bar mitzvah bochur and the Safra family’s longstanding commitment to the Torah world.

The centerpiece of Yeshivas Ateres Shlomo’s gift was what it called the “Torah of the Gedolim”—an exquisitely written miniature Sefer Torah measuring only 26 centimeters in height. The Torah was handwritten by a master sofer, with numerous leading gedolim personally writing individual letters as a merit for the bar mitzvah bochur and his family.

The Sefer Torah was housed in a traditional Sephardic-style Torah case engraved with the handwritten blessings and signatures of many of the generation’s foremost rabbinic leaders, making it both a sacred Torah scroll and a lasting keepsake of their personal brachos.

The presentation was made even more remarkable by its display. The Torah and its ornate case were placed inside a meticulously crafted miniature Aron Kodesh, built as an exact scale replica of the famous ark that adorns the main beis medrash of Yeshivas Ateres Shlomo at the Safra Campus in Rishon LeZion.

{Matzav.com}

An emotional scene unfolded in Haifa as Rav Shaul Alter, Rosh Yeshivas Pnei Menachem, paid a nichum aveilim visit to one of his talmidim, Rav Yisrael Stern, who is sitting shivah following the passing of his wife, Mrs. Elisheva Stern, a”h, daughter of Rav Eliezer Menachem Braun, z”l.

During the visit, the grieving husband shared the final moments he spent with his wife, recalling her deep devotion to Birchos HaShachar.

“Every day she would call me so I could answer amen to her Birchos HaShachar,” he said. “On her final day, we recited Birchos HaShachar together, and then we said Shema Yisrael together.”

Deeply moved, Rav Shaul offered words of emunah and consolation to the bereaved family.

“We must continue thanking Hashem until our very last breath. The Healer of the brokenhearted—only He can bind up their sorrow. What can a human being possibly say? What words are there?” he said.

Rav Shaul then reflected on the unique closeness to Hashem experienced by those whose hearts have been broken, citing the verse, “Karov Hashem l’nishberei lev—Hashem is close to the brokenhearted.”

“You don’t feel it,” he said, “but the brokenhearted are truly the ones closest to Him. ‘Karov Hashem l’nishberei lev‘—we have to make use of that.”

He added that this special closeness is not determined by pedigree, wealth, status, or public prominence.

“Karov Hashem l’nishberei lev—not grandchildren of great people, not wealthy individuals, not those with distinguished lineage, and not politicians,” Rav Shaul said.

His words were delivered in an atmosphere of profound grief, while offering the family comfort, faith, and encouragement to draw strength from their closeness to Hashem during their time of mourning.

{Matzav.com}

YERUSHALAYIM — A former employee at the Israeli Prime Minister’s Residence has filed a 300,000-shekel ($80,000) lawsuit against the Prime Minister’s Office, alleging that Sara Netanyahu subjected him to humiliation, verbal abuse, and workplace mistreatment throughout his employment.

The lawsuit, filed in the Regional Labor Court in Yerushalayim by Yechiel Ohev Ami, names the Prime Minister’s Office as the defendant and claims the alleged abuse was carried out by the prime minister’s wife.

According to the complaint, Ohev Ami, 61, who says he is the father of a son on the autism spectrum, began working in September 2025 as an operations assistant at the Prime Minister’s Residence. He alleges that from the outset he was instructed to follow Sara Netanyahu’s personal directives and that his workdays often began at 6:00 a.m. and continued until the early hours of the following morning.

The lawsuit claims that each morning he was required to wait in the security guards’ room until Sara Netanyahu woke up, prepare her breakfast exclusively in the guards’ kitchen on the lower floor, and serve it in multiple stages according to highly specific instructions. He alleges that even minor deviations—such as the plate used to serve an egg or the way vegetables were cut—resulted in yelling, insults, and verbal abuse.

Ohev Ami further alleges that he was instructed daily to clean the soles of dozens of pairs of shoes belonging to Binyomin and Sara Netanyahu using disinfectant wipes, while being careful not to place his hand inside the shoes, and to insert rolled-up paper into each pair. He also claims he was required to wipe down Sara Netanyahu’s handbag, suitcase wheels, dishes, and other household items. According to the lawsuit, he was also required to wash his hands and remove his shoes every time he entered the residence.

He alleges that whenever Sara Netanyahu hosted guests at the official residence on Balfour Street, he was required to remain on duty until the meetings concluded, even if they continued into the early morning hours. He also claims that she personally met with senior military and Shin Bet officials.

According to the complaint, the alleged verbal abuse intensified during the period of anti-government demonstrations outside the Prime Minister’s Residence. He claims Sara Netanyahu repeatedly shouted insults including, “Who’s the idiot?” “Who’s mentally disabled?” and “Who’s the fool?”

The lawsuit further alleges that he was required to crawl across the kitchen floor while cleaning it with small disinfectant wipes, wipe down silverware before washing it, and comply with numerous other highly detailed instructions. He claims that any mistake was met with shouting and profanity.

In one of the most serious allegations, Ohev Ami claims that on three separate occasions Sara Netanyahu physically shoved him against a wall. He also alleges that after he returned from a cigarette break, she told him, “I hope you get cancer,” and “I hope you die.”

According to the lawsuit, the most traumatic incident occurred when Sara Netanyahu allegedly told him: “I am the Prime Minister’s wife. I am the number one psychologist in Israel, and I have no competition. My treatment costs a great deal of money. I have diagnosed you—you are on the autism spectrum.”

Ohev Ami claims she then demanded that he pay her three months’ salary for the “diagnosis.” He argues that the remarks were especially devastating because he had previously shared with her that his son had been diagnosed with autism.

The lawsuit also alleges that the treatment he endured caused a significant deterioration in both his physical and emotional health. He says that on the day of the alleged incident, he attempted to file a complaint but instead was transported to the hospital by ambulance after experiencing severe emotional distress and chest pain. He later underwent surgery to receive a pacemaker.

According to the complaint, the final incident occurred on February 5, 2026, after Sara Netanyahu and her son, Yair Netanyahu, returned from the United States. Ohev Ami alleges that Sara Netanyahu criticized the way he swept leaves and shouted, “How does it feel to be the Prime Minister’s adviser like you tell everyone?”

He further claims that shortly afterward Yair Netanyahu approached him, grabbed his arm, and ordered him to “get out of the house immediately,” accusing him of failing to replace and wash his bed linens.

Ohev Ami says he was then removed from the residence and waited outside for approximately four hours, hoping to be allowed back to work. Two days later, on February 8, he was summoned to a pre-termination hearing, and on February 19 he officially received his dismissal letter.

The Prime Minister’s Office categorically denied all of the allegations.

“The Prime Minister’s Office completely rejects the claims raised in the lawsuit,” the office said in a statement. “These are baseless allegations that do not reflect reality, and the office will present its detailed response as part of the legal proceedings.”

The statement added that Ohev Ami was dismissed after a brief period of employment because of repeated professional shortcomings, poor performance, errors, difficulty working with colleagues, and failure to meet the demands of the position.

The Prime Minister’s Office further asserted that the allegations were raised only after his employment ended and after his request to return to work at the residence was denied. It described the lawsuit as “another attempt in the longstanding industry of extorting money from the state through false accusations against the Prime Minister’s wife.”

The office also noted that Sara Netanyahu recently prevailed in court against another former employee who had made similar allegations, saying the court ordered that employee to pay damages after rejecting the claims.

The Prime Minister’s Office said it is confident the facts will emerge during the legal proceedings and that it will provide a comprehensive response to every allegation in court.

{Matzav.com}

A new Maariv poll shows the Likud Party gaining strength following Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s visit to Washington and meeting with President Donald Trump, but the boost has not translated into a stronger coalition, which remains well short of a governing majority.

According to the survey, Likud rose by two seats to 22 mandates, while the coalition bloc as a whole remains unchanged at 49 seats.

The opposition bloc also falls short of a majority on its own, holding 57 seats. However, the newly formed Zionist Home Party, led by Chili Tropper and Yoaz Hendel, clears the electoral threshold with four seats, giving the anti-Netanyahu bloc a potential path to a 61-seat majority.

Among the Zionist opposition parties, the biggest losses this week were recorded by Beyachad and the Democrats, each dropping two seats. Yashar, led by Gadi Eisenkot, remains the largest party in the Knesset with 23 projected seats, while the Arab parties hold steady at a combined 10 seats.

Asked how they would vote if elections were held today, respondents produced the following results:

• Yashar – 23 seats
• Likud – 22
• Beyachad – 15
• Yisrael Beiteinu – 10
• The Democrats – 9
• United Torah Judaism – 8
• Otzma Yehudit – 7
• Shas – 7
• Hadash-Ta’al – 5
• Ra’am – 5
• Religious Zionism – 5
• Zionist Home – 4

Balad, with 1.8% support, and Blue and White, with 1.2%, would fail to cross the electoral threshold.

The poll also examined a scenario in which a new political party is formed by Benny Gantz, Ayelet Shaked, Yuli Edelstein, and Dedi Simchi. Under that scenario, the new party would receive 3.8% of the vote, enough for four Knesset seats.

Its entry into the race would push the Zionist Home Party of Tropper and Hendel below the electoral threshold, where it would receive only 2.4% support.

In that scenario, the coalition bloc would gain one seat, rising to 50 mandates, while the Zionist opposition would fall to 56 seats. The Arab parties would remain unchanged with 10 seats.

The survey also asked opposition voters who they believe should lead the center-left bloc in the next election. Among those respondents, 45% chose Gadi Eisenkot, 25% selected Naftali Bennett, 11% preferred Avigdor Lieberman, 10% backed Yair Golan, and 9% said they were undecided.

In head-to-head polling for prime minister, Bennett leads Netanyahu by five percentage points, 44% to 39%, widening his advantage by one point from the previous survey.

Eisenkot performs even better, leading Netanyahu by 48% to 38%—the largest margin recorded since the pollster began comparing the two.

Netanyahu fares better against Avigdor Lieberman, leading that matchup by 43% to 39%.

{Matzav.com}

ASHDOD, Israel — The community of Ashdod was plunged into mourning on Friday following the sudden passing of Rav Eliyahu Ezriel Greenwald z”l, a beloved Belzer chossid and one of the city’s foremost experts in the crafting of batim for tefillin. He was 55.

Rav Greenwald collapsed inside the Belzer Beis Pinchas beis medrash in Ashdod. His son, who happened to be in the building at the time, immediately began performing CPR, but despite the rescue efforts, Rav Greenwald was unable to be revived and returned his soul to his Creator.

Born on the 4th of Elul, 5731 (1971), Rav Greenwald was the son of Rav Chaim Greenwald, a distinguished Belzer talmid chochom renowned for his mastery of both the revealed and hidden dimensions of Torah, and Mrs. Sarah Greenwald, daughter of Rav Elazar Halevi Deitsch, one of the elder and respected Belzer chassidim in the United States and Yerushalayim.

His grandfather was Rav Yisrael Greenwald, the son of Rav Nachum Greenwald, brother of the Arugas HaBosem. Rav Chaim Greenwald also merited to spend time in the presence of his distinguished relative, the Pupa Rebbe, author of Vayaged Yaakov, during the Rebbe’s final days while studying in Serdahel.

In 1976, when he was just five years old, Rav Greenwald immigrated with his family to Eretz Yisroel. During his childhood, he received his early education directly from his father, who chose to teach his children personally rather than enroll them in a Talmud Torah.

As a bochur, he continued his studies in the Belzer yeshiva on Agripas Street in Yerushalayim. After marrying the daughter of Rav Berel Yakubovitz, he established his home in Ashdod, where he became a well-known and respected member of the Belzer community.

For many years, Rav Greenwald supported his family as a highly regarded batim-maker, producing tefillin batim that met the most exacting halachic standards. He earned a reputation as one of the leading craftsmen in the field, and his work was trusted by many seeking mehudar tefillin.

Friends and acquaintances remember him as a quiet, unassuming, and humble yungerman whose kindness matched his modesty. He was known for helping others whenever he could, performing countless acts of chesed without seeking recognition.

The levayah took place Friday afternoon, departing from his home on Yanai Street in Ashdod’s District 7 before passing through the Belzer Beis Pinchas beis medrash. He was laid to rest in the Kehillas Machzikei HaDas section of the Ashdod cemetery.

He is survived by his family, friends, and a grieving community that deeply valued his warmth, humility, and lifelong dedication to Torah and mitzvos.

Yehi zichro baruch.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Vice President JD Vance held a candid private meeting in Washington this week, using the face-to-face discussion to address growing tensions that have developed between them over Israel’s handling of the war and broader U.S.-Israel policy, according to American and Israeli officials, Axios reports.

The meeting, which took place Tuesday evening at Blair House, came after months of increasingly public disagreements. Vance has emerged as one of the most skeptical voices toward Netanyahu within President Donald Trump’s inner circle since the start of the war, becoming more critical of the Israeli prime minister as the conflict continued.

Vance also assumed a larger role in shaping U.S. policy on both the war and negotiations with Iran. He became one of the administration’s leading defenders of the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding, an agreement Netanyahu opposed privately while avoiding direct public criticism in hopes that it would eventually unravel. The agreement ultimately collapsed several weeks later.

Officials said friction between the two leaders had been building for months. Netanyahu was reportedly frustrated by Vance’s public remarks accusing him of encouraging opposition to the Iran agreement and questioning his loyalty to President Trump. At the same time, Netanyahu privately expressed dissatisfaction with Vance’s influence over U.S. policy during the war.

For his part, Vance believed Netanyahu’s political allies and supporters in pro-Netanyahu media outlets in both Israel and the United States were working to undermine him politically and launch attacks against him.

Tuesday’s meeting gave the two leaders an opportunity to address those disagreements directly.

According to a senior Israeli official, Netanyahu raised concerns with Vance about the vice president’s recent criticism of Israel’s government and his comments regarding Israel’s standing among Republican voters.

“It was a frank and candid conversation,” the Israeli official said.

A U.S. official confirmed that description, saying simply, “The conversation was direct.”

While Vance’s office declined to comment publicly, another U.S. official characterized the meeting in positive terms, saying the two leaders had a “cordial and productive conversation about Middle East issues that are important to both countries.”

“The Vice President and the Prime Minister agreed to continue pursuing opportunities for Israel and the United States to cooperate in areas of mutual interest and shared goals,” that person said, adding that the meeting was not confrontational and that Vance and Netanyahu have a productive working relationship.

The private discussion followed several months of increasingly strained exchanges. During a phone call in March, Vance reportedly challenged Netanyahu over what he viewed as overly optimistic assessments of the war, particularly predictions that the Iranian regime could be toppled by a popular uprising.

Since the April 8 ceasefire, Vance has become the administration’s most vocal advocate for pursuing diplomacy with Iran, repeatedly arguing that President Trump’s objective should be preventing Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon without drawing the United States into another prolonged military conflict.

In June, Vance publicly rebuked Israeli officials who criticized the Iran agreement, warning, “If I was in the cabinet of the Israeli government, I might not be attacking the only powerful ally that I have anywhere left in the entire world.”

The criticism intensified in July, when Vance told Joe Rogan that some members of Israel’s government were attempting to influence U.S. policy in order to steer Washington away from diplomacy and prolong the conflict.

During that same podcast appearance, Vance also alleged that Jeffrey Epstein had ties to “the highest levels of Israeli intelligence.”

{Matzav.com}

Spain raced Friday to respond to an unprecedented migration crisis after approximately 50,000 people poured into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from neighboring Morocco, leaving dozens dead and triggering political fallout across Europe. President Donald Trump called the situation “terrible” as European governments moved to tighten border controls.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez traveled to Ceuta, a small Spanish territory on Morocco’s northern coast, where he condemned the mass incursion as “a violation of Spain’s territorial sovereignty.”

Officials said the disaster claimed a heavy human toll. The Spanish government’s representative in Ceuta confirmed that 57 bodies had been recovered on the Spanish side of the border, while warning that additional fatalities may have occurred inside Morocco.

Spain’s Interior Ministry told NBC News that roughly 50,000 migrants crossed into Ceuta on Thursday—an astonishing figure that exceeds half the enclave’s normal population. By Friday, officials said approximately half of those migrants had already returned to Morocco.

The unprecedented surge placed enormous political pressure on Sánchez, whose pro-immigration policies have drawn criticism both at home and abroad. Trump, who has repeatedly clashed with the Spanish leader, described the unfolding crisis in blunt terms, calling it “terrible.” Vice President JD Vance also weighed in, describing the scenes as an “unfortunate reminder of the consequences of mass migration and the radical left-wing globalist policies.”

The crisis quickly reverberated across Europe. France announced it would increase security checks along its border with Spain, while Italy temporarily suspended passport-free travel for flights arriving from Spain, citing security concerns.

Spanish authorities reinforced security throughout Ceuta, deploying military personnel to coastal areas and major roadways in an effort to restore order and manage the massive influx of migrants.

Dramatic footage from the scene showed thousands of people swimming around maritime barriers, floating on inflatable tubes, and forcing their way through border gates before sprinting into the Spanish territory.

Humanitarian organizations said most of those who died drowned during the crossing, while others were killed in crushing stampedes as crowds surged toward the border.

Although the majority of those arriving were young men, authorities also observed families crossing with women and young children.

Among them was 33-year-old Moroccan Ahmed Karim, who said he left his country in search of economic opportunity.

“Many people want to go to Europe, America, but they don’t have the opportunity,” Karim said.

Another migrant, Jadid Zacaria, expressed relief after successfully reaching Spain.

“It’s been a very tough experience to go from the ocean. It was very tough,” he said.

Spain has long served as one of Europe’s primary gateways for migrants seeking better economic prospects or fleeing violence. Ceuta and the nearby Spanish enclave of Melilla are the European Union’s only land borders with Africa. While both territories have periodically experienced migration surges, officials said the sheer scale of Thursday’s crossing was unlike anything seen in recent years.

Moroccan authorities did not immediately comment on the incident, and officials have not yet determined what sparked the sudden mass movement.

Spanish officials in both Madrid and Ceuta suggested the surge may have been fueled by a recent ruling from Spain’s Supreme Court holding that migrants arriving by sea cannot automatically be deported, unlike those who enter by land or scale the border fence.

Sánchez accused migrant-smuggling networks of exploiting and misrepresenting the court’s decision, while acknowledging that the ruling may have contributed to confusion and encouraged the massive crossing.

Some migration advocates in Morocco questioned that explanation, arguing that most migrants would likely have been unaware of a complex legal decision issued by Spain’s highest court.

The crisis has once again exposed Europe’s deep divisions over immigration, with several governments moving quickly toward stricter border enforcement while Spain has generally maintained a more welcoming stance.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced on X that suspending free-travel arrangements was necessary to “safeguard national security” and prevent the crisis from spreading beyond Spain.

France also signaled a tougher approach. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said he had ordered authorities “to immediately step up checks at the Spanish border,” although he did not specify what additional measures would be implemented.

French opposition leader Marine Le Pen argued that the events underscored the need for tougher immigration policies.

“In the face of the massive and coordinated influx of migrants into Spain — encouraged by the Spanish government — France must immediately strengthen its border controls,” she said on X.

In Britain, Nigel Farage warned that the consequences could soon extend across the English Channel, saying “before long many will be crossing the English Channel to enter Britain illegally,” while criticizing Spain’s recent immigration amnesty program.

Trump offered his first public remarks on the crisis during a phone interview with Fox News, characterizing the massive border breach as simply “terrible.”

Israel also entered the debate following repeated diplomatic disputes with Spain over the war in Gaza.

“Before it continues lecturing us, it’s time it explained to the world why it still maintains colonial enclaves in Africa,” Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon wrote in a post on X.

{Matzav.com}

The moment the Three Weeks comes to an end, the Chareidi world undergoes an annual transformation. Yeshivos and kollelim empty out, thousands of bochurim and avreichim head out with their families, and highways across Eretz Yisroel fill with minivans, buses, and carpools all heading toward the country’s beaches, hiking trails, and vacation spots. But beyond the obvious destinations are a handful of iconic locations that become the true heartbeat of bein hazmanim—places where, if you haven’t stopped by, you probably haven’t experienced the season in all its glory.

Here’s a look at the unofficial landmarks of the Chareidi summer in Eretz Yisroel, where chances are you’ll run into your neighbor, a cousin you haven’t seen in years, and half the people from your yeshiva.

1. The Itzkowitz Shul, Bnei Brak | The Spiritual Rest Stop

Even while much of Bnei Brak empties out, the city’s spiritual center never slows down. The Itzkiowitz shul, famous for operating around the clock, becomes the ultimate transit hub during bein hazmanim.

Every few minutes another Minchah or Maariv begins. Travelers wearing hiking boots and backpacks squeeze alongside locals in weekday attire, while conversations in the hallways revolve around hiking routes, bus schedules, traffic reports, and which northern streams still have water.

The contrast is unmistakable. One avreich walks in dressed impeccably for his regular evening tefillah, while beside him stands a yeshiva bochur whose bent hat has been stuffed into his backpack, wearing sandals with socks and carrying an oversized hiking pack that seems to occupy half the room.

Outside, the plaza has become an unofficial information exchange. People swap updates on overloaded night buses, dried-up hiking trails, and the current wait time at the nearest urgent care clinic.

2. The Kosel, Yerushalayim | The 2:00 A.M. Reunion

No Chareidi road trip feels complete without a stop at the Kosel. No matter where people spend the day, somehow everyone eventually finds themselves standing before the ancient stones.

During the late-night hours of Av, the plaza takes on an entirely different character. It resembles a massive gathering of yeshivos from across the country, with bochurim from Chevron, Ponovezh, the kibbutz yeshivos, and countless others all arriving by bus, hitchhiking, or whatever transportation they managed to find.

The cool mountain air creates a remarkable atmosphere—a blend of deep spiritual reflection and spontaneous yeshiva reunion.

One moment, someone is standing in heartfelt prayer or reciting Tehillim with tears. Thirty minutes later, that same person is catching up with old friends: “You’re in Teshuya now? What happened to Schwabitz? Are you heading through the shuk afterward?”

Only the Kosel can seamlessly combine profound deveikus with animated yeshiva conversations at two o’clock in the morning.

3. Rashbi’s Kever, Meron | The Summer Capital of the Chareidi World

If Yerushalayim is the heart, Meron becomes the summer home of the Chareidi community.

A visit to the resting place of Rav Shimon bar Yochai is more than a stop at a holy site. For many families and groups, it serves as either the launching point or the grand finale of a full day exploring northern Israel.

The mountain road becomes a fascinating crossroads where Chassidim, Litvaks, and Sephardim all converge in makeshift hiking attire—tzitzis fluttering in the breeze, faded baseball caps from old health plans, and the unmistakable look of people who’ve already logged plenty of miles.

Inside the complex, volunteers work nonstop distributing hot tea—even in sweltering weather—alongside ice-cold water and slices of cake.

Within the tziyun, the atmosphere is one of continuous prayer, crowded minyanim, and heartfelt supplication. Outside, groups of bochurim sit on the steps and rocks reviewing the Daf Yomi or passionately debating a difficult sugya beneath the shade of nearby trees.

4. Alonit Service Area, Highway 6 | Where Everyone Somehow Meets

If there is one place that deserves official recognition as the capital of Chareidi travel during bein hazmanim, it is the Alonit service plaza between the Nitzanei Oz and Iron interchanges on Highway 6.

Stopping there for “just a quick coffee” is almost guaranteed to result in running into the neighbor from upstairs, your cousin from Modiin Illit, and your son’s rebbi—all standing in the same checkout line.

The parking lot becomes a nonstop performance of sliding minivan doors opening simultaneously. Out tumble crushed snack boxes, folding strollers, coolers, beach bags, children searching for missing sandals, and one exhausted father trying to remember where he put the car keys.

Meanwhile, beneath the nearby trees, a giant impromptu Minchah-Maariv minyan quietly forms without anyone officially organizing it.

5. The Separate Beach at Sheraton, Tel Aviv | Gush Dan’s Public Air Conditioner

Not everyone manages to reserve a cabin in the north. For those who decide that sitting in traffic for four hours isn’t worth thirty minutes in the water, Tel Aviv’s separate beach becomes the perfect alternative.

Though relatively small, it draws thousands throughout the summer.

Morning hours belong almost entirely to fathers juggling colorful flotation devices, building sandcastles, and answering the same enthusiastic cry every few seconds: “Tatty, another wave!”

By late afternoon, the atmosphere changes completely. The beach transforms into an outdoor yeshiva fitness center, with spirited swimming races to the distant buoy, energetic paddleball games, and lengthy discussions about Maseches Chullin while floating effortlessly on the Mediterranean.

Eventually, the lifeguard announces over the loudspeaker that the men’s hours have ended, while a handful of determined swimmers plead for “just another thirty seconds” because, naturally, “the water only became perfect now.”

6. Shikmim Beach, Kinneret | The City of Tents and Barbecues

On the shores of the Kinneret, the separate Shikmim Beach becomes an enormous temporary city each bein hazmanim.

Thousands descend on the lake almost immediately after vacation begins. Tents somehow go up in minutes—only to require hours of frustration when it’s time to squeeze them back into their original carrying bags.

Every patch of shade disappears almost instantly. Anyone arriving late quickly discovers that all the prime real estate has already been claimed.

The air is permanently scented with charcoal smoke, grilled kebabs, and marinated chicken transported from home inside oversized coolers.

The soundtrack is uniquely Chareidi. One area echoes with Chabad niggunim, another blasts lively Mizrachi music, while somewhere in between someone is attempting an afternoon nap atop an oversized inflatable raft drifting gently across the lake.

As darkness falls, the grills cool down and campfires come alive. Conversations stretch late into the night, covering every imaginable topic—from Israeli politics and world affairs to housing prices in Afula and Nesivos.

And eventually, every discussion arrives at the same timeless family debate:

“Why… why didn’t we bring one more case of water from home?”

{Matzav.com}

Investigators on Friday released the complete text of two alleged ransom notes tied to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, marking six months since the 84-year-old grandmother vanished from her Tucson home as authorities renew their appeal for information that could finally crack the high-profile case.

According to the Pima County Sheriff’s Office, the emails were sent to the newsroom of Tucson television station KOLD-13 on Feb. 2 and Feb. 6 by someone claiming to be holding Guthrie captive. Along with releasing images of the messages, investigators said they hope the writing style may help identify the person responsible.

The first email, sent just one day after Nancy was reported missing, was addressed directly to her daughter, “Today” show anchor Savannah Guthrie.

“Hello Savannah, We have your mother Nancy. She is safe but scared. She will be held for ransom and once payment is received she will be released unharmed,” the message began.

The note demanded millions of dollars in Bitcoin and set strict payment deadlines, threatening increasingly severe consequences if the money was not delivered.

“We will be holding her for a maximum of 7 days. You will need to send bitcoin in the amount of $4 million USD before 5PM on Thursday the 5th. If payment is not received, the ransom will be increased to 6 million USD which will need to be paid by 5PM on Monday the 9th.

“Once payment is received to the bitcoin address below she will be released within 12 hours of deposit to a safe drop off location back in Tucson. If payment is not recieved [sic] by the last deadline on Monday the 9th at 5PM, she will be killed,” the note warned.

The message continued by insisting there would be no further communication or negotiations and warned the family against involving law enforcement.

“Your mother is aware of this and her life is in your hands. It is in the best interest of everyone to have this completed as soon as possible. You will not be able to contact me from here on out, there will be no negotiation. Do not play games, law enforcement will not be able to help you,” the note continues, followed by a redacted line.

The email concluded with a chilling reference to details from inside Guthrie’s property.

“She had a white smart watch on the floor of the foot of her bed and the white flood light in backyard was destroyed,” the chilling message concludes.

A second email, sent four days later, claimed that Guthrie had died while in captivity.

“Guthrie Family, We did not fully grasp the seriousness of her physical condition. We never intended to hurt her, that was not our intention. She perished shortly after she was taken. We believe it was heart related. She is buried in nature now. Nothing you could have done could have changed the outcome. We want your family to know this and hope you all can find peace. We are truly sorry,” it read.

Authorities redacted the sender’s name, email address, and date of birth from both messages before releasing them publicly.

The sheriff’s office said investigators believe the wording of the emails may prove just as valuable as physical evidence.

The notes reveal “distinctive patterns of word choice, syntax, and phraseology that reflect the writer’s unique linguistic style.

“They also provide valuable insight into the person’s mindset, motives, and the evolution of their tone over time,” the office’s X post reads.

Investigators said those linguistic traits may be familiar to someone who knows the writer, just as they hope someone will recognize the unidentified man captured in surveillance footage outside Guthrie’s home.

“As with the unidentified male depicted in the video, we believe these distinctive linguistic characteristics may be recognizable to someone who knows or has interacted with the notes’ writer,” reads the post, which also implores anyone who may recognize the masked man seen in haunting surveillance camera footage taken from Nancy’s home to contact authorities.

“A friend, family member, coworker, classmate, or acquaintance may recognize these patterns of expression and possess information that could help identify the individual responsible,” it continues.

Authorities also disclosed that surveillance footage showing a man dressed entirely in black outside Guthrie’s home may have been recorded on two different days. Detectives believe the videos are essential to understanding the suspect’s actions before the disappearance.

“They indicate he took steps to prepare for the event on the night of January 31 to February 1.”

The sheriff’s office is also urging the public to think back to any unusual behavior displayed by acquaintances around the time Guthrie disappeared. Investigators say warning signs could include sudden nervousness or irritability, unexplained injuries, changes in appearance, abrupt travel, unusual vehicle cleaning or repairs, or an unexpected fascination—or complete lack of interest—in the widely publicized case.

Friday’s appeal came exactly six months after Nancy Guthrie was last seen by her daughter and son-in-law on the evening of Jan. 31.

“Investigators continue to pursue every available technological and investigative lead,” the sheriff’s office insisted Friday.

“However, community members remain a vital resource as we seek to provide answers for Nancy’s family.”

The FBI continues to offer a $1 million reward for information leading to Nancy Guthrie’s recovery, and anyone with information is urged to contact the FBI or local authorities.

Earlier this week, Savannah Guthrie issued another emotional plea, this time speaking directly to those she believes are holding her mother.

“The world can be a cruel and unforgiving place, and I know that you have tried to do things the right way,” she said Monday, appearing to address the kidnappers directly.

“So I am asking you, begging you, to do the right thing now,” she added.

{Matzav.com}

Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Yashar Party and a former IDF chief of staff, sharply criticized reports of an emerging agreement between Israel and Hamas over the next phase of the war in Gaza, arguing that any deal should be judged solely by whether it achieves Israel’s war objectives.

Responding Thursday evening to reports of a possible agreement, Eisenkot insisted that Israel cannot accept any arrangement that leaves Hamas intact.

“Any agreement will be judged solely by whether it achieves the objectives of the war—the destruction of Hamas’ military and governing capabilities or its complete dismantlement,” he wrote. “Anything less than that is a total failure.”

Eisenkot also criticized Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu for not publicly presenting the reported agreement, suggesting the lack of transparency raises serious concerns about Israel’s role in shaping it.

“The fact that the prime minister has chosen not to present the agreement to the Israeli public raises serious questions about whether Israel is actually a partner to it—or whether, once again, an agreement is being imposed on Israel without its involvement,” he said.

His comments came after President Donald Trump announced what he described as a historic agreement calling for the complete disarmament of Hamas, while Israeli officials strongly denied that any agreement regarding Gaza had been reached and insisted that the issue was not discussed during Netanyahu’s meeting with Trump.

Eisenkot painted a bleak picture of the current security situation in Gaza, arguing that nearly three years after the October 7 massacre, Hamas has largely rebuilt its military capabilities despite Israel’s battlefield successes.

“Nearly three years have passed since the morning of October 7, and Hamas has rebuilt its strength, with a number of terrorists similar to what it had on the eve of October 6,” he wrote. “Aside from the return of the hostages, the objectives of the war have not been achieved, despite the military successes the IDF has accomplished and the heavy price that has been paid.”

He concluded with a stinging attack on Israel’s leadership, declaring: “The blindness of the cabinet that failed on October 7 will haunt it forever.”

Eisenkot’s statement followed Trump’s overnight announcement of what he called a landmark Peace Council agreement providing for the complete disarmament of Hamas and the other terrorist organizations operating in Gaza.

According to Trump, “This agreement is a critical step toward a future in which Gaza will finally be governed by a new Palestinian administration that will work closely with the Peace Council to assist its residents. At the same time, Israel will receive the security it deserves, with Gaza no longer serving as a base for terrorist attacks.”

Trump added, “The agreement will be implemented in carefully planned stages. Once the disarmament process is completed, Israeli forces will withdraw, and an international stabilization force will work alongside a new Palestinian police force to ensure that Gaza is safe for both its residents and its neighbors.”

A senior Israeli official stressed Thursday night that Israel continues to insist on Hamas’ complete disarmament, including the removal of all weapons from Gaza and the full demilitarization of the Strip before any political process can move forward.

The official added that the reported 15-point framework does not adequately address those demands and said Israel has conveyed its reservations to envoy Tony Blair.

Meanwhile, IDF operations in Gaza continue. The 188th Armored Brigade Combat Team recently completed eight months of operations in southern Gaza, during which troops destroyed more than ten major underground Hamas facilities, including a tunnel that had been used to hold hostages.

{Matzav.com}

BAT YAM, Israel — A 60-year-old man is fighting for his life after being pulled unconscious from the Mediterranean Sea at a Bat Yam beach on Friday afternoon.

The man was rescued from the water near Sunset Beach by lifeguards after apparently getting into distress while swimming. When emergency personnel arrived, they found him without a pulse and not breathing.

United Hatzalah medics immediately began advanced resuscitation efforts in an attempt to revive him before transporting him to the hospital. CPR continued throughout the evacuation.

Shmuel Malka, head of United Hatzalah’s Bat Yam branch, together with EMTs Yaakov Ladkani and Orel Zada, described the incident.

“We were informed at the scene that he had drowned and was pulled from the water by the lifeguards. We performed resuscitation efforts on him, and he was then evacuated to the hospital while CPR continued. He is in critical condition.”

Emergency crews worked quickly to stabilize the victim before he was rushed to the hospital. He remains in critical condition as medical teams continue efforts to save his life.

{Matzav.com}

Growing frustration within the Chareidi community over recent court rulings and government policies has fueled calls for new faces to replace veteran representatives in the Knesset. But during a discussion on Kol Chai Radio, commentator Shimon Breitkopf and Rav Yosef Shwinger argued that simply electing a new member of Knesset is unlikely to produce the sweeping changes some activists envision.

The conversation centered on mounting dissatisfaction over High Court decisions and rulings by Israel’s attorney general affecting issues such as military conscription and government funding, prompting some voices within the Chareidi public to push for new candidates to join the Chareidi parties’ Knesset slates.

Rav Shwinger dismissed the notion that replacing veteran lawmakers would fundamentally alter the political or legal landscape.

“The Chareidi public is in a state of tremendous frustration, but anyone who thinks a new representative will solve the problems with the High Court and the attorney general is either naïve or selling land in Nigeria,” Shwinger said. “I understand the frustration that gave rise to these campaigns, but this is not the solution.”

He went on to criticize what he described as unrealistic expectations among those leading the initiatives.

“I envy their enthusiasm. They’re convinced that until they came along, nothing existed—it was a complete desert. And now, if one new representative enters United Torah Judaism and another joins Shas, suddenly everyone will say, ‘Ladies and gentlemen, a revolution.’ In the end, it’s a little funding and a lot of naïveté. I saw their advertisements and campaign. They claim that Chareidi Judaism must not be trampled upon. Do you really think they’re closing the windows in Attorney General Baharav-Miara’s office out of fear? Do you think Justice Amit or Justice Solberg are saying, ‘Everyone, a new representative has arrived—everything is about to change’? In my opinion, there’s a level of naïveté here that’s almost pitiful.”

Breitkopf, for his part, emphasized the traditional Chareidi approach to political participation.

“We don’t really choose,” he said. “We only have the right to vote, not the right to choose. That’s how we were raised, and that’s how we were educated.”

At the same time, Breitkopf argued that the identity and conduct of elected representatives still matter, even if they cannot singlehandedly reshape Israel’s legal system.

“Every Jew who serves in the Knesset or in the public arena has the ability to change the entire balance,” he said. “Even if it’s not through legislation, and even if the High Court ultimately strikes it down, the mere fact that the Israeli public sees what bnei Torah look like—their refined character and the example they set—is itself an enormous Kiddush Hashem.”

The discussion also touched on the enormous responsibilities shouldered by Chareidi lawmakers, who are expected not only to fight major ideological and legislative battles but also to help constituents with everyday concerns ranging from public transportation and municipal taxes to daycare issues and government funding.

The participants concluded that there is a significant gap in public understanding, particularly within the Chareidi community itself, where frustration over judicial decisions is often directed at elected representatives even when those issues are largely beyond their control.

{Matzav.com}

The IDF has handed down severe punishments to the soldiers identified as the leaders of this week’s protest at the Sde Teiman military base, sentencing 14 members of the Givati Brigade’s Tzabar Battalion to 30 days in military prison and removing them from combat service.

The disciplinary action comes one day after dozens of soldiers and commanders staged a walkout from the base in protest, prompting a swift response from the military.

According to the IDF, the 14 soldiers deemed to have led the protest were each sentenced to 30 days in military prison. In addition to their jail terms, they will be permanently removed from combat duty and reassigned to non-combat roles.

Roughly 80 additional soldiers who left the base but later returned will not face imprisonment. Instead, they and their commanders will participate this Shabbos in a command-led educational and disciplinary program intended to reinforce military discipline, values, and the standards expected of IDF soldiers.

The investigation into the incident is still ongoing. Two additional soldiers identified as organizers of the protest reported overnight and will face disciplinary proceedings at a later date. Another soldier who has not yet appeared for his hearing will be dealt with separately once he reports.

The disciplinary hearings were conducted by Givati Brigade commander Col. Netanel Shamka.

The incident began Thursday when dozens of soldiers and officers from the Givati Brigade’s Tzabar Battalion walked out of the Sde Teiman base after leaving behind their weapons and absenting themselves without authorization.

According to reports, the protest was triggered by the battalion commander’s decision to destroy the battalion’s metal “pogim” plaques—symbols bearing the motivational slogans and traditions of the unit’s companies and platoons—which many of the soldiers viewed as an affront to the battalion’s identity and esprit de corps.

https://matzav.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/VIDEO-2026-07-31-13-37-23.mp4 {Matzav.com}

The Orthodox Union’s Kashruth Division has issued an urgent directive to its nationwide network of mashgichim and staff, warning that disruptions in the kosher meat supply chain could create opportunities for fraud and calling for heightened vigilance when receiving meat products.

In a letter from OU Kosher CEO Rabbi Moshe Elefant, the organization said the kosher meat industry is facing significant supply challenges following two major setbacks: the temporary closure of a large kosher slaughterhouse in the Chicago area and the devastating fire at the Agri Processors facility in Postville, Iowa.

According to the OU, those developments have resulted in an unexpected shortage of kosher meat in the marketplace.

“Periods of limited supply can unfortunately create opportunities for dishonest practices,” Rabbi Elefant wrote. “It is therefore essential that every Mashgiach exercise heightened vigilance when receiving meat and meat products at restaurants, catering facilities, retail establishments, and food manufacturing plants under OU certification.”

The letter instructs mashgichim to carefully verify that all incoming meat and poultry bear the proper kosher identification and required seals before accepting deliveries. It also directs them to inspect packaging, labels, and certification markings for any irregularities.

In addition, the OU emphasized that certified establishments should receive products only from approved suppliers and distributors. Any discrepancies, suspicious circumstances, or irregularities are to be reported immediately to the supervising Rabbinic Coordinator before the products are permitted to enter inventory or production.

Rabbi Elefant stressed that maintaining the integrity of the kosher supply chain depends on the diligence and professionalism of every member of the OU’s kashrus team.

“The integrity of the kosher supply chain depends upon the diligence and professionalism of every member of our field and office staff. Your attention to these details is critical to maintaining the confidence that consumers place in the OU symbol,” he wrote.

Despite the current challenges, the OU sought to reassure its staff that it is actively working to stabilize the situation.

“We are working continuously with industry partners to identify qualified alternative slaughter facilities and to help ensure a reliable supply of kosher meat during this interim period. We will continue to keep you informed as developments occur,” Rabbi Elefant stated.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Defense Minister Yisroel Katz declared that Israel will continue confronting Iran and its regional proxies while making clear that any future Israeli participation in American military operations against Tehran would depend on a request from President Donald Trump.

Speaking at a conference of the Likud Group headed by Ofer Ayubi in Yerushalayim, Katz addressed a wide range of security, diplomatic, and domestic issues, emphasizing that Israel remains focused on achieving its strategic goals through military strength and close coordination with the United States.

“We want to continue moving forward, promote significant initiatives, and act in creative and unconventional ways to achieve the goals we have set,” he said.

Katz said Israel’s alliance with the United States remains one of the country’s most important strategic assets, noting that senior Israeli officials recently met with members of the Trump administration to deepen cooperation and strengthen coordination between the two governments.

He also praised President Trump for his continued backing of Israel and expressed confidence that the administration’s approach would ultimately be recognized as the correct one.

“I believe Trump will continue to lead the policy he has declared, and ultimately the world will understand that there is no real alternative to this path,” Katz said.

Turning to Iran, Katz said Israel remains committed to confronting threats wherever they emerge, whether directly from Tehran or through Iranian-backed terror proxies operating throughout the Middle East.

“In Iran, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, and everywhere else, there is no quiet. We continue to act to ensure the security of the State of Israel,” he said.

The defense minister said Israel’s two strikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities marked a historic turning point and significantly degraded the regime’s nuclear capabilities.

“We destroyed Iran’s nuclear program and removed an existential threat to the State of Israel. Now our responsibility is to ensure that they cannot rebuild it,” he said.

Katz revealed that long before those operations were launched, Israel’s defense establishment had already begun preparing for the possibility of carrying out additional strikes if Iran attempted to restore its nuclear program.

“We knew that Ali Khamenei would try to restore Iran’s nuclear program and military capabilities, and therefore we instructed the IDF to be prepared for another strike if necessary,” he said.

He praised the IDF for what he described as its highly effective performance during the campaign and credited the unprecedented military cooperation between Israel and the United States as a major strategic achievement.

“Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu succeeded in doing something no one before him had achieved-bringing the United States to act alongside Israel against Iran. Together we delivered a severe blow to the Iranian regime,” he said.

Katz said Israel continues monitoring developments across the region, including issues affecting maritime trade routes and the Strait of Hormuz.

“If the Iranians strike us, we will respond with full force. That is our policy, and it is absolutely clear. We inflicted severe damage on Iran’s military and strategic infrastructure. Anyone wondering what happened there-the answer is simple: Iran suffered a very heavy blow.”

He added that Israel would participate in any future American strikes against Iran only “if Trump asks.”

Reflecting on the October 7 massacre, Katz said the attack permanently transformed Israel’s national security doctrine and ended any possibility of returning to previous policies toward terrorist organizations.

“In the past, we were told that limited operations were enough, that we could allow workers from Gaza to enter Israel and continue with routine life. Today there are no longer any such dilemmas,” Katz said. “We see the reality on the ground-there is no going back to what existed before October 7.”

According to Katz, the IDF now follows a doctrine centered on maintaining security control over areas from which terrorist threats can emerge, rather than waiting to respond after attacks occur.

“The IDF’s role is to protect Israeli residents from the other side of the border, not to wait for the enemy to reach our communities. We protect Israel’s citizens and do not rely on anyone else’s guarantees.”

He said that strategy is now being implemented in Gaza, southern Lebanon, Syria, and throughout Judea and Samaria, stressing that Israel has no intention of withdrawing from strategically important areas where its military presence is needed to prevent terrorists from regrouping.

Discussing operations in Judea and Samaria, Katz noted that Israeli forces have conducted extensive operations inside the refugee camps of Jenin, Nur Shams, and Tulkarm—the first such large-scale operations there since the Six-Day War.

“We dismantled the terrorist infrastructure, evacuated a large portion of the population from the combat zones, and the IDF has remained on the ground to prevent the terrorists from returning,” he said.

Katz said the new strategy is already producing measurable results.

“We are seeing an approximately 80 percent decline in terrorist activity in Judea and Samaria. That is the result of a clear policy-not simply entering and leaving, but maintaining control of the area for as long as necessary. And if needed, we will act in additional locations as well.”

The defense minister also highlighted the government’s efforts to expand Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria, saying recent cabinet decisions reflected that commitment.

“We are strengthening not only security but also settlement. The government has approved the establishment of 104 new communities in Judea and Samaria, along with approximately 160 new farms. This is an unprecedented move that reflects our commitment to strengthening Israel’s presence in the region,” he said.

Closing his remarks, Katz vowed that Israel would continue implementing its post-October 7 security doctrine and would not permit terrorist organizations to regain footholds near its borders.

“We will not return to the reality that led to October 7. We will act wherever necessary to ensure the security of the citizens of Israel.”

Katz also turned briefly to domestic policy, saying the government remains committed to completing its judicial reform agenda.

“We will complete the judicial reform,” he said.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump on Friday rejected reports that Iran was likely behind the recent cyberattack on more than 30 Minnesota water systems, instead placing responsibility squarely on Minnesota officials and sharply criticizing Gov. Tim Walz.

Speaking at the opening of a Cabinet meeting at Camp David, Trump addressed the cyberattack that disrupted water facilities across the state and dismissed claims that Tehran was responsible.

“I just want to mention that we heard in Minnesota there was a cyberattack, and they blame it on Iran,” he said.

Trump argued that the real problem was Minnesota’s leadership rather than a foreign adversary.

“I don’t think so. I think I blame it on Minnesota because they’re grossly incompetent,” Trump said. “There was a cyberattack of 30 water plants, and I would blame it on Minnesota and the governor, the corrupt governor of Minnesota. They like to say, oh, is Iran? Iran should be so lucky. Iran’s got bigger problems than worrying about Minnesota.”

The president’s comments contradict preliminary findings reportedly shared by federal and state officials, who have indicated that Iranian hackers are the leading suspects. Security experts have also noted that Iranian cyber operations have previously succeeded by exploiting poorly protected internet-connected equipment at American water facilities, including systems secured with default or nonexistent passwords.

Walz fired back on X, accusing Trump of ignoring the available intelligence.

“Trump knows exactly who is responsible for this attack, and knows that other states were hit too. This is what modern warfare looks like, and it further illustrates there’s no plan to win a war with Iran.”

Trump has frequently criticized Walz since the 2024 campaign, repeatedly accusing the Minnesota governor of overseeing widespread fraud within the state’s publicly administered social services programs.

Walz, who served as the Democratic nominee for vice president in 2024, announced in January that he would not seek a third term as governor amid growing criticism over his administration’s handling of those fraud scandals. Although the controversies unfolded during his tenure, Walz has not been accused of personally participating in any fraudulent activity.

Minnesota IT Services said the attack was a coordinated operation that struck operational technology at more than 30 community water systems over the course of Sunday and Monday. State health officials emphasized that there is no indication residents need to alter their drinking water use, saying the Minnesota Department of Health is “not aware of any active requests from Minnesota cities to have their residents modify their drinking water usage.”

According to The New York Times, U.S. and Minnesota officials familiar with the ongoing investigation believe Iranian hackers were likely responsible for the coordinated attack.

Even so, Minnesota IT Services cautioned that investigators have not yet conclusively identified the culprit, saying officials have not determined whether a “specific actor” carried out the cyberattack and that the investigation remains ongoing.

The cyber intrusion temporarily disrupted automated operations in several municipalities. In Braham, malicious software disabled controls at the community’s well and water treatment plant, while Plymouth and South St. Paul switched portions of their systems to manual operation. Officials said there was no evidence that drinking water safety had been compromised.

Just days before the Minnesota incident, federal cybersecurity agencies warned that hackers linked to Iran were actively targeting the computerized control systems used by water utilities, power infrastructure, and local governments. The agencies said similar attacks had already interrupted operations at some facilities and caused financial damage, concluding that the campaign appeared designed to create disruption inside the United States.

Iranian cyber groups have previously targeted American water infrastructure.

In 2023, according to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, hackers connected to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps infiltrated programmable controllers at several U.S. water and wastewater facilities.

Those attacks generally succeeded because the targeted equipment was exposed to the internet and protected by default passwords—or no passwords at all. Although some utilities temporarily moved operations offline, officials said no public drinking water supplies were contaminated.

Federal prosecutors have also pursued Iranian hackers in earlier cases. In one incident dating back to 2013, the Justice Department charged an Iranian hacker with repeatedly accessing the control system of a small dam in Rye, New York. Prosecutors said the intrusion could have allowed him to remotely operate the dam’s sluice gate, but the gate had already been disconnected manually for maintenance, preventing any damage.

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A Reuters investigation alleges that a Dubai-based cryptocurrency exchange played a central role in a massive sanctions-evasion network, processing at least $4 billion in digital assets tied to Iranian interests, including entities linked to online gambling and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

According to the investigation, the exchange—identified as Shelbit—operates out of Dubai despite reportedly lacking a license and is managed by an Iranian expatriate. Reuters said its findings were based on transaction data supplied by two cryptocurrency investigative firms along with an independent blockchain analyst.

The report states that one of Shelbit’s largest clients is a sprawling Farsi-language online gambling operation consisting of more than 2,000 websites. The network is reportedly controlled by two Iranian social media influencers with ties to the Iranian government. Reuters noted that both men, along with Shelbit’s operator, were convicted in Iran in 2023 in an illegal gambling case.

Although gambling is outlawed in Iran and punishable under the country’s laws, Reuters reported that the gambling network nevertheless has access to Iran’s online payment infrastructure, which falls under the supervision of the Iranian central bank.

Investigators told Reuters that blockchain records traced tens of millions of dollars in cryptocurrency flowing from the gambling operation to Shelbit. Based on the available data, they estimate the exchange has handled at least $4 billion in digital assets since May 2024.

The investigation also alleges that Shelbit moved hundreds of millions of dollars in cryptocurrency through major global platforms, including Binance. Reuters further reported that the exchange conducted transactions involving wallets that the Israeli government has linked to the IRGC, Iran’s central bank, and Nobitex, the Iranian cryptocurrency exchange that was sanctioned by the United States earlier this year.

According to Reuters, investigators also traced a portion of the cryptocurrency reaching Shelbit to what they identified as an Iranian bitcoin mining operation.

Reuters said its investigation drew on interviews with more than 30 sources, including former IRGC affiliates, a former Iranian government official, senior insiders familiar with the alleged network, and other individuals with firsthand knowledge of its operations.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump said Friday that Israel supports the newly announced Hamas disarmament agreement, describing it as a historic diplomatic achievement and expressing confidence that the proposal could reshape the future of the Middle East.

During a Cabinet meeting, Trump was asked whether the United States had secured commitments from Israel to move forward with the agreement. He responded, “We do have an understanding with Israel.”

Trump went on to portray Israel as fully supportive of the initiative, praising its cooperation throughout the negotiations. “Israel is very happy about it. Israel helped us, and they’ve been very good,” Trump stated, adding, “Most people said that would be a deal that would be undoable. Will it go through its ups and downs? It’s a very complex situation over there… But it’s a great breakthrough. Nobody’s ever thought that it would be be possible to disarm Hamas.”

Calling the development a milestone for the region, Trump said the agreement represents “a big step for the Middle East, and people are really impressed by it.”

When reporters asked who would ultimately take custody of Hamas’s weapons under the arrangement, Trump answered simply: “The Board of Peace.”

Despite Trump’s remarks, the Israeli government has not publicly endorsed the proposal. In fact, a senior Israeli diplomatic official said Thursday that Gaza was not discussed at all during this week’s meeting between Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Trump in Washington.

The official emphasized that Israel’s position remains unchanged, insisting that any political process must begin with Hamas’s complete military dismantling. “Israel is demanding the complete disarmament of Hamas, including the removal of all weapons from the Gaza Strip and the territory’s full demilitarization, as a precondition for any process. The reported 15-point document does not provide an adequate response to these demands, and Israel has conveyed its reservations on the matter to envoy Tony Blair.”

The official further made clear that Israel has no intention of altering its military posture until those conditions are fulfilled. “There will be no Israeli withdrawal from the Yellow Line in the Gaza Strip before Hamas is disarmed and the Strip is fully demilitarized.”

{Matzav.com}