Matzav

Degel Hatorah Chairman MK Moshe Gafni urged Shas leaders on Monday to establish additional schools for girls in response to severe overcrowding in Degel Hatorah institutions in Beit Shemesh.

Speaking at the inauguration of the new Derech Emuna school in the city, Gafni stated: “I know that there are problems here with city high schools, and therefore I call on Shas leaders from this honorable platform – ‘open new schools, as befits a quality population.’”

Gafni highlighted the strain on Degel Hatorah’s existing network, suggesting that the influx of Sephardi students has intensified the problem. “Our institutions cannot accommodate everyone,” he said, emphasizing that space limitations are affecting the community’s ability to serve all applicants.

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He further explained that while Degel Hatorah schools continue to expand, the current facilities are insufficient to house the growing student body. “Your girls need a place to study comfortably and spaciously, without having to crowd into our institutions,” Gafni stressed.

The Shas party issued a statement in response: “Shas’ mission in life is to establish excellent educational institutions for the Sephardi public, and it has been doing so with great success throughout the country for decades. Kudos to Rabbi Moshe Gafni, who made it clear how important it is that Shas continues to be strong and independent, and how much the Sephardi public cannot rely on any other party to take care of it.”

{Matzav.com}

Officers from the Yerushalayim Yasam, the Israel Police Special Patrol Unit, detained a Palestinian Arab after he drew their suspicion while walking along a street in the capital.

When they searched him, the police discovered a black yarmulka inside his pocket. Since the man failed to provide a satisfactory reason for why he was carrying it, he was brought to the Shalem Station of the Yerushalayim District for further questioning.

Investigators determined that the suspect had entered Israeli territory illegally, crossing the security barrier near a-Ram, located north of Yerushalayim.

During interrogation, the suspect confessed that his intention was to seize a soldier’s weapon and use it to carry out a terror attack. Police officials stressed that the alertness and swift response of the officers successfully prevented the planned assault.

{Matzav.com}

President Trump announced on Monday that Rudy Giuliani will be honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, just days after the New York City icon suffered serious injuries in a car crash.

“As President of the United States of America, I am pleased to announce that Rudy Giuliani, the greatest Mayor in the history of New York City, and an equally great American Patriot, will receive THE PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM, our Country’s highest civilian honor,” Trump shared in a statement posted to Truth Social.

Giuliani, 81, remains in the hospital while recovering from the accident, which occurred on Saturday in New Hampshire.

According to Michael Ragusa, Giuliani’s head of security, the former mayor is “in good spirits and recovering tremendously.”

{Matzav.com}

Over the Labor Day weekend, Chicago experienced a wave of violence as shootings surged across the city, leaving 54 people wounded and seven dead. The crisis has fueled a growing clash between President Trump and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker over deploying the National Guard to restore order.

According to ABC News, police reports show that at least 32 separate shooting incidents took place from Friday evening through midday Monday, marking one of the deadliest holiday weekends the city has faced in recent years.

Among the victims was a 17-year-old girl struck in the arm after a bullet ripped through the window of her home, ABC reported.

In another tragic case, a 25-year-old woman suffered two gunshot wounds to the stomach and one to her leg on Friday night. She was rushed to a nearby hospital but did not survive, ABC7 confirmed.

Authorities also reported that a 31-year-old man was injured when he was caught in crossfire between rival shooters firing from separate vehicles. Additionally, two other victims were hit while driving through the city during the weekend chaos.

Tensions escalated Saturday night when, just five hours after Trump criticized Pritzker’s handling of Chicago’s violence in a Truth Social post, a shooting in Bronzeville left at least seven people injured around 11:10 p.m. Fortunately, ABC7 noted that all the victims are expected to recover.

In his social media remarks, Trump blasted the governor as “weak and pathetic” for rejecting calls to bring in the National Guard to help curb Chicago’s spiraling crime.

The president also issued a warning, writing “we’re coming,” signaling potential federal intervention in Chicago if Pritzker fails to “straighten it out, FAST.”

Pritzker, however, rejected the idea outright, saying, “National Guard troops or any kind of troops on the streets of an American city don’t belong unless there is an insurrection, unless there is truly an emergency – and there is not.”

He further vowed to challenge any such move in court, warning the administration, “It’s an invasion with US troops, if they in fact do that. They’ll be in court pretty quickly.”

{Matzav.com}

Senior officials within Hamas dismissed U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to place the Gaza Strip under American trusteeship for a period of at least ten years.

According to a report from The Washington Post, the plan was designed to advance Trump’s vision of “taking control” of Gaza and transforming it into the “Riviera of the Middle East.”

The document outlined that more than two million Gaza residents would either be temporarily relocated to other countries or moved into secure, closed zones within the Strip until reconstruction and rehabilitation were completed.

Basem Naim, a member of Hamas’s political bureau, told French media: “Gaza is not for sale. Gaza is not a city on the map or a forgotten geographic strip, but part of the greater Palestinian homeland.”

Another Hamas leader condemned the proposal as “worthless” and “unjust,” adding that the organization had not received any official communication regarding the plan and only learned about it through media reports.

{Matzav.com}

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy addressed Parliament on Monday, delivering a statement in the House of Commons regarding the ongoing crisis in Gaza and Judea and Samaria while unveiling new humanitarian and diplomatic measures.

Lammy began his remarks by referring to what he called a “man-made famine” in Gaza, citing findings from a UN-backed IPC assessment. According to the report, famine had already been declared in Gaza City and surrounding areas. He claimed that since July, more than 300 people have died from malnutrition, including 119 children, and warned that over 132,000 children under the age of five were at risk of starvation-related deaths by the coming year.

He went on to criticize Israel, accusing it of preventing sufficient humanitarian aid from reaching civilians. Lammy stated that in recent months, “Over two thousand Gazans have been killed trying to feed their families.” At the same time, he condemned Hamas for intentionally depriving Israeli hostages of food, asserting that the group was exploiting them for political leverage.

Discussing the UK government’s response, Lammy said that Britain had reinstated funding to UNRWA, placed restrictions on certain arms exports, sanctioned “violent settlers and far-right Israeli ministers,” and suspended trade negotiations with Israel. He also announced an additional £15 million in humanitarian assistance and medical aid for Gaza and surrounding regions, including support for UK-Med field hospitals and World Health Organization programs in Egypt. Furthermore, he confirmed that plans were underway to transfer critically ill children from Gaza to the UK for treatment, contingent upon Israeli approval.

On the diplomatic front, Lammy reiterated his call for an immediate ceasefire, emphasizing that it must be linked to the unconditional release of hostages, expanded aid access, and the dismantling of Hamas’s military capabilities. He reaffirmed the UK’s intention to move toward recognizing a Palestinian state if Israel does not take what he called “substantive steps” toward a peace process. He tied this position to the legacy of the Balfour Declaration, stating that Palestinian rights are now “more under threat than at any point in the past century.”

Lammy also turned his attention to Iran, confirming that the UK, along with France and Germany, had triggered the United Nations Security Council’s snapback mechanism. This move could reinstate full sanctions on Tehran, including an arms embargo, due to violations of the nuclear agreement. He urged Iran to return to compliance but made clear that Britain would ensure the issue remains on the global agenda.

Concluding his address, Lammy pledged that Britain would remain committed to pursuing a ceasefire in Gaza, securing the release of hostages, and working toward a framework for lasting stability in the region.

However, Israeli officials have strongly rejected the IPC findings referenced in Lammy’s remarks. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused the organization of manipulating statistics and “adding fictitious deaths” to meet the technical definition of famine, while disregarding independent surveys showing otherwise. COGAT, Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, released its own report alleging that the IPC relied on politically biased sources and deliberately ignored Israel’s facilitation of aid deliveries. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the claims constitute “an outright lie” and “a modern blood libel,” emphasizing that since October 7, more than 101,000 aid trucks carrying over two million tons of supplies have entered Gaza — the equivalent of more than one ton per resident.

{Matzav.com}

Tensions ran high during a stormy Cabinet session on Sunday night, as Government Secretary Yossi Fuchs laid out the official stance of the political leadership: Hamas must be completely defeated, and the partial hostage deal currently on the table — as suggested by Hamas — is not an option.

Channel 13 reported that IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir launched a sharp rebuke at the ministers over their timing in addressing the issue. “Good morning, everyone. You are the Cabinet of the October 7th massacre — now you remember to talk about defeating Hamas?” he charged, highlighting what he viewed as the government’s delayed response following the attack.

Zamir pressed further, saying, “Where were you between October 7 and October 10? You’re only remembering this now, two years later. When I took office, Gaza hadn’t been defeated — today, 70 percent of it has been.”

In contrast, Mossad Director David Barnea urged the Cabinet to seize the opportunity to secure the release of Israeli captives. “Now is the time to pursue a partial deal. We must not lose momentum,” he stressed, echoing the position of certain factions within the security establishment.

Zamir countered by asserting that the success of the recent Operation Gideon’s Chariots had already created leverage that could be used to bring hostages home without needing to compromise.

MK Orit Strock of the Religious Zionism party criticized the military’s posture, accusing its leadership of sowing unnecessary fear. Quoting from Deuteronomy, she said, “Any man who is fearful and fainthearted shall return to his home, and shall not make the heart of his brother melt as his own heart.”

Zamir shot back forcefully: “I came here for the two missions of my life — to prevent a nuclear Iran and to destroy Hamas. I’m the one who recommended action in Iran. Every morning, I review the Middle East map and authorize strikes across the region. No one here is fearful and fainthearted — not me, and not the generals beside me.”

He added, “I make decisive calls that no one else has made. I present all the implications and consequences to you. If you’re looking for blind obedience — bring someone else.”

Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu addressed Zamir’s remarks before closing the session. “I don’t want blind obedience,” Netanyahu clarified, “but I also don’t want a breach of the traditional framework.”

When some ministers requested that the government hold a vote on advancing a partial hostage deal, Netanyahu firmly dismissed the proposal, declaring, “A partial deal is not relevant.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

Hundreds of mourners gathered on Monday afternoon at the Kfar Ma’as cemetery to accompany Idan Shtivi to his final resting place. Idan was murdered during the October 7th Massacre, and his body was abducted by Hamas terrorists into Gaza. After months of waiting, the IDF and Shin Bet recovered his remains last week and brought him home. Later that day, at 5:00 p.m. (Israel time), the funeral of Ilan Weiss—whose body was recovered together with Idan’s—was scheduled to take place.

The procession began in Rishon Lezion and made its way toward the cemetery, passing through several locations where crowds of people stood silently to honor Idan and pay their last respects along the route.

Idan’s mother, Dalit Oron, spoke through tears as she bid farewell to her son: On September 27th, 2023, just a month after my birthday and ten days before he was abducted, Idan sent me a message with his birthday wishes. On my birthday this year, August 28th, 2025, his body was recovered and brought back to Israel; he came back to me. That is the Godly bond between us. A mother and son.

“This space, this large hole in my heart, it is the pain of a missing limb. Longing and tears accompany me at every moment. The phone call from him in the morning, the food that he liked that I made for him, a song that he liked, our deep conversations on the porch, and the phone call at the end of the day. A pure heart. He always saw others and cared for the weak. Full of giving. So sensitive and loving.”

“It wasn’t easy for Idan. He went through a long process and got to a good place,” she continued. “He loved his studies at Reichman, a good relationship, and personal achievements that finally gave him some peace of mind. But not really. Idan was taken from the world at his peak.

“Idani, you are G-d’s child. At a higher level of connection. Thank you for giving me 28 years of love and development. Thank you for the privilege. And sorry, my love, sorry that I couldn’t protect and defend you this time,” she concluded.

His father, Eli, also delivered a heartfelt eulogy: “My Idan, you were the strongest man in Israel, a powerful and brave man. You fought terrorists and gave your life to save others, even when they shot you in the back, because what’s more holy than saving the lives of Jews, in fire and water? Even when you stood before total evil, you taught us that there was nothing else. I believed that you were alive. I didn’t want to recite the Kaddish because to me, you were alive, not only in memory, but in the highest place, next to G-d’s throne.”

Eli went on to share his personal struggle with prayer since October 7th: “I asked G-d yesterday what happened to my daily prayers. I began to put on tefillin on October 8th. In my prayers, I begged that Idan would come home healthy and smiling. Did my prayers go to waste? They did not disappear; all my prayers went to the other hostages in Gaza, for them all to come home soon.”

{Matzav.com}

A global network of genocide experts has officially adopted a resolution asserting that Israel’s military campaign in Gaza fits the legal definition of genocide, the organization’s president confirmed on Monday.

Among the 500 members of the International Association of Genocide Scholars, 86% supported the resolution, which declares that “Israel’s policies and actions in Gaza meet the legal definition of genocide in Article II of the United Nations Convention for the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (1948).”

The resolution comes as the International Court of Justice (ICJ) continues hearing a case brought by South Africa, which accuses Israel of attempting to destroy the Palestinian population in Gaza. Filed in December 2023, the lawsuit alleges systematic violations under the Genocide Convention.

Momentum increased in May when South Africa submitted an extensive legal brief, prompting several nations to publicly back the proceedings and call for closer scrutiny of Israel’s military conduct.

In July 2024, the ICJ granted Israel additional time to file its counter-arguments. While analysts said the delay provided a short-term reprieve, they emphasized that it did not diminish the growing international and legal pressure on Israel.

By August, a group of countries, including Ireland, urged the court to adopt a broader interpretation of what constitutes genocide, seeking to expand the standards under which nations could face accountability.

Throughout 2024 and into 2025, Israeli officials have continued to criticize international legal bodies, insisting that both the ICJ and the International Criminal Court are being used for political purposes intended to delegitimize Israel’s right to defend itself.

Inside Israel, opinions remain divided on labeling the Gaza campaign as genocide.

Author David Grossman, whose son died while serving in Lebanon, stated in August that Israel’s conduct in Gaza amounts to genocide, making him one of the most prominent Israelis to embrace the term.

Others have strongly pushed back. In July, international law expert Nitsana Darshan-Leitner acknowledged the significant civilian casualties but maintained that the legal threshold for genocide had not been met. She cautioned that misusing the term could erode its seriousness and impact.

Military scholar John Spencer reviewed Israel’s targeting policies and concluded there was no evidence of genocidal intent. He characterized the accusations as politically driven rather than grounded in law.

Commentator Sherwin Pomerantz argued that while Israel’s operations have caused severe destruction, they lack the deliberate intent required to constitute genocide under international statutes.

The debate over the terminology surfaced earlier in 2024 as well. In June, political analyst Alon Ben-Meir warned that framing Israel’s actions as genocide risks fueling antisemitism by conflating criticism of Israeli policies with hostility toward Jewish communities worldwide.

Since its establishment in 1994, the International Association of Genocide Scholars has passed nine resolutions acknowledging past or ongoing instances of genocide.

Reaction to the group’s latest resolution has been sharply polarized. Supporters say it highlights the catastrophic human toll of the conflict and validates longstanding concerns about Israel’s conduct. Critics counter that it represents a misinterpretation of the world’s most serious legal accusation, undermining its credibility.

{Matzav.com Israel}

After Rudy Giuliani was seriously injured in a car accident on Sunday, his family and team shared an emotional message expressing their gratitude for the outpouring of support and assuring the public that he is determined to recover. They promised that he will “come back stronger than ever.”

“Thank you to everyone who has reached out since hearing the news about the mayor,” read a statement posted to Rudy Giuliani’s Instagram Stories on Monday morning.

“Your prayers, love, and support mean more than we can ever express.
As his family and team, we can tell you he’s the toughest fighter we know — resilient, determined, and already focused on recovery. We are proud beyond words, and we know he will come back stronger than ever. With gratitude, His Family & Team ”

According to his spokesperson, Giuliani is currently recuperating from a fractured vertebra and several other injuries sustained in the crash in New Hampshire, where he had been a passenger.

Michael Ragusa, Giuliani’s head of security, posted on X that the 81-year-old was taken to a local trauma center for treatment of a fractured thoracic vertebra, multiple cuts, bruises, and injuries to his left arm and lower leg.

Ragusa confirmed that Giuliani “sustained injuries but is in good spirits and recovering tremendously,” emphasizing: “This was not a targeted attack.”

Before the accident, Giuliani had stopped to assist a woman involved in a domestic violence situation, Ragusa said. After helping her and contacting the police, he left the scene. Moments later, his vehicle was struck shortly after merging back onto the highway in an incident “entirely unrelated” to the earlier domestic disturbance, Ragusa explained in a statement to The Associated Press.

At the time of the crash, Giuliani was a passenger in a rented Ford Bronco driven by his spokesperson, Ted Goodman. According to New Hampshire State Police, their vehicle was hit from behind late on Shabbos by a Honda HR-V driven by a 19-year-old woman.

State troopers witnessed the collision, which sent both vehicles into the highway median and left them “heavily damaged,” authorities said. Goodman and the teenage driver were treated for “non-life-threatening injuries” and transported to local hospitals.

Officials reported that the crash remains under investigation, and no charges have been filed.

New Hampshire State Police declined to confirm whether Giuliani had notified them about his earlier involvement in the domestic violence incident.

Goodman has not responded to requests for comment, and Giuliani’s team has not provided additional information regarding the circumstances surrounding the accident.

“Thank you to all the people that have reached out since learning the news about my father,” Andrew Giuliani, the mayor’s son, wrote in a post on X. “Your prayers mean the world.”

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu reaffirmed night that he rejects any proposal for a partial Gaza hostage agreement, making his position clear during a lengthy security cabinet meeting focused on Israel’s ongoing military operation to seize control of Gaza City. Outside the IDF headquarters in Tel Aviv, families of hostages staged protests, urging the government to pursue a deal.

During the meeting, Netanyahu informed the cabinet that the U.S. administration shares his opposition to a limited agreement. “Forget the partial deals. Go in with full force. Finish it,” Netanyahu quoted U.S. President Donald Trump as saying. He further warned that Israel’s “window of legitimacy” from the international community is narrow, and halting operations for a partial deal would undermine the objective of eliminating Hamas.

“Our impression is that Netanyahu’s opposition is genuine. He will not agree to a partial deal,” several ministers said following the meeting.

The discussion primarily revolved around the IDF’s strategy for fully capturing Gaza City, with top military officials presenting detailed operational plans. A senior Israeli source had earlier told The Jerusalem Post that the cabinet’s session would not be focused on debating whether or not to pursue a partial deal.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir issued a warning to the cabinet during the session, saying, “You are heading toward military rule. Understand the implications.”

Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs immediately disputed that assessment, responding, “That’s not true.”

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir offered an alternative approach, suggesting: “Instead of military rule, we can encourage voluntary emigration.”

When Zamir repeated his warning about the risks of imposing direct military governance in Gaza, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich cut in sharply, declaring, “We have made a decision.”

The meeting, which lasted nearly six hours, also saw Ben-Gvir push for a formal vote on a statement rejecting any possibility of a partial deal. Netanyahu refused to allow it, responding, “That’s irrelevant — we are only going for a full deal. We need to defeat Hamas.”

While the majority of ministers echoed Netanyahu’s stance, a smaller group voiced support for considering a limited agreement. Among them were Intelligence Minister Gila Gamliel and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, who pointed to Israel’s growing diplomatic challenges and mounting international calls at the United Nations for unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state as reasons to reconsider.

Several of Israel’s top security chiefs — including Zamir, acting Shin Bet director “S,” and Mossad director David Barnea — backed the idea of a partial arrangement. However, Deputy Chief of Staff Maj.-Gen. Tamir Yadai argued firmly that Hamas would only surrender under conditions of complete military defeat, regardless of the cost.

“I hear your positions, but ultimately, I decide — and you must fall in line,” Netanyahu told the gathered ministers and security officials, making clear where the final authority lies.

After the meeting, officials told The Jerusalem Post that even cabinet hardliners, such as Smotrich and National Missions Minister Orit Strock, were convinced that Netanyahu had fully ruled out the possibility of a limited deal. “Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz have fully internalized the principles and arguments against a partial deal, and have become the most effective advocates for the approach of ‘decisive victory in Gaza, without stopping for a partial deal.’”

Given the strong resistance within the cabinet to a limited arrangement, Zamir closed the meeting by stating: “Whatever the Cabinet decides, the army will execute it with excellence.”

The meeting concluded at around 1:45 a.m. Monday morning. Notably, Maj.-Gen. (res.) Nitzan Alon, head of the IDF’s Hostages Directorate, was excluded from the session because the agenda did not involve direct negotiations for a hostage agreement.

Meanwhile, outside the IDF headquarters, families of hostages continued their protests, urging Netanyahu and the cabinet to act decisively to secure the captives’ release.

“Your refusal to discuss the details of the deal currently on the negotiation table represents an irreversible loss,” a statement from the families said.

“Sit down at the negotiating table now and don’t get up until a viable agreement is reached for the return of every last hostage.”

Einav Zangauker, the mother of hostage Matan Zangauker, expressed her frustration directly: “What exactly is this Cabinet convening for? I really want to ask you, Benjamin Netanyahu. Your Cabinet members boast — they actually boast — about thwarting deals that were on the table.”

“Now there is a deal on the table. Instead of taking it and leveraging it into a comprehensive agreement that would guarantee the return of the hostages — both the living and the deceased — and end the war, what are you convening for now?”

{Matzav.com Israel}

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Israeli forces fighting in southern Gaza’s Khan Yunis over the past few months have killed dozens of terrorists, including those who participated in the Oct. 7, 2023, massacre, and destroyed five miles (eight kilometers) of terror tunnels, the IDF said on Monday.

The Kfir Infantry Brigade’s combat team, operating under the command of the 36th Armored Division, also destroyed Hamas “military” infrastructure, uncovered and neutralized large amounts of weaponry and advanced the establishment of the Magen Oz Corridor, designed to separate eastern and western Khan Yunis.

Golani Infantry Brigade troops are also operating in Khan Yunis. The unit’s commander, Col. Adi Ganon, addressed soldiers on Sunday to mark the start of the school year on Monday.

“Five months of maneuvers in Rafah and Khan Yunis. A long way remains ahead of us. In contrast, the Israeli students are at home, preparing their bags for school, filling their bottles with water, buying rolls for their morning sandwich, taking a hot shower,” the colonel said.

“They will go to sleep excited. Tomorrow, they will wake up, put on a white shirt, and happily go to school. If you are looking for a reason why you’re here today—here it is. Thanks to your spirit and way, dear Golani soldiers and IDF troops in all sectors, the people of Israel are in routine.”

Israeli forces are continuing to located and dismantle terrorist infrastructure in northern Gaza as well. Over the past 24 hours, the IDF said that artillery struck several terrorist infrastructure and observation posts that were used by terrorists to observe troops. In addition, soldiers struck a structure that was used to fire an anti-tank missile at troops; no injuries were reported.

Artillery troops also dismantled a camera that was used by terrorists to observe troops.

Furthermore, over the past week, IDF troops operating in Jabalia killed terrorists and dismantled underground infrastructure and explosive sites.

The northern Gaza activities come ahead of a major operation in one of the last Hamas strongholds, Gaza City. JNS

{Matzav.com Israel}

The Viznitz and Rachmastrivka communities, along with the broader chassidic world, were struck by profound sorrow this morning upon learning of the passing of Rebbetzin Feiga Shifra Hager a”h, the beloved Viznitzer Kiamesha Rebbetzin and daughter of the late Rachmastrivka Rebbe zt”l. She was seventy years old and had been facing health challenges for several months.

Born in New Square, the Rebbetzin grew up in the shadow of greatness, as her father, the Rachmastrivka Rebbe, was living there at the time. Her formative years were deeply influenced by the spiritual warmth and holiness surrounding the home of her esteemed grandfather, the previous Skverer Rebbe. From an early age, she absorbed an atmosphere of purity and dedication to avodas Hashem that would define her life’s path.

She later married the Viznitz-Kiamesha Rebbe, the third son of the Toras Mordechai of Viznitz-Monsey. Together, they built a home of kedusha and raised generations devoted to Torah and avodah. The Rebbetzin stood faithfully at her husband’s side, serving as a true eizer k’negdo and playing an integral role in supporting his tireless avodas hakodesh. Her influence extended beyond her immediate family, as she became a source of warmth and guidance to the chassidim of Kiamesha, embodying the role of a nurturing and devoted matriarch.

The news of her passing has plunged her children into deep mourning, as well as her brothers, the Admorim of Rachmastrivka. Among them is the Rachmastrivka Rebbe of Oak and Vine in Lakewood, who, despite the grief, is scheduled to marry off a child in New Square this evening.

The Rebbetzin’s legacy will endure as one of extraordinary dedication, modesty, and mesirus nefesh. She was instrumental in shaping the thriving chassidic community of Kiamesha, pouring her heart into its growth and spiritual vibrancy. Her kindness, wisdom, and unwavering commitment to others left an indelible mark on all who knew her.

The levaye is scheduled to take place this afternoon in Boro Park, outside the home of the Rachmastrivka Rebbetzin on 45th Street, beginning around 2:00 p.m. Following that, the levaye will continue to Monsey, with a stop at the Viznitzer Bais Medrash, and the kevurah will take place in the Viznitzer Beis Hachaim.

Yehi zichrah baruch.

{Matzav.com}

A Gaza-bound flotilla of dozens of boats, including one carrying Swedish anti-Israel activist Greta Thunberg, was forced to turn back to port in Barcelona due to stormy weather, organizers said on Monday.

The Global Sumud (“steadfastness” in Arabic) Flotilla posted a statement to its Telegram channel that mission departure was “delayed to prioritize safety amid strong Mediterranean winds.”

“We conducted a sea trial and then returned to port to allow the storm to pass. This meant delaying our departure to avoid risking complications with the smaller boats,” adding that the vessels were facing 30 knot winds (35 mph, or 56 kph).

The organizers did not say when the journey would resume.

Thunberg and hundreds of other anti-Israel activists departed from Spain and other countries on Sunday, in what Reuters described as the largest Gaza flotilla to date, in an attempt to break Israel’s blockade of the Strip.

It is the second protest flotilla for the Swedish climate activist, who has pivoted to anti-Israel extremism since the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. She is joined by far-left Portuguese parliamentarian Mariana Mortágua, Irish actor Liam Cunningham, who has supported a cultural boycott of the Jewish state, and activists from 44 countries, who departed from Barcelona, Sicily, Greece and Tunisia.

The Global Sumud Flotilla is described by the Barcelona Radical Book Fair, which broadcasted the departure live, as “history’s largest international civil humanitarian movement to break the siege on Gaza, open a maritime humanitarian corridor and denounce the genocide against the Palestinians.”

A restricted meeting was held Sunday at the official residence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem to discuss operational strategy against the more than 200 people participating in the flotilla. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and security personnel participated.

Ben-Gvir propose to Netanyahu tougher measures as part of a deterrent strategy to prevent future flotillas. This strategy was reportedly formulated at a preparatory meeting hosted by the minister on Aug. 28 with top police and Prison Service personnel.

The strategy includes “detaining the activists in terrorist-level conditions at Ktzi’ot and Damon (for females) facilities—lacking television or radio, without superior-quality meals, and involving prolonged custody rather than merely overnight,” Israel Hayom reported.

“The foundation for custody in these conditions, it was stated during the meeting, is their arrival to violate a restricted military area, plus creating documentation on each individual using photographs with terrorists and links to terror groups,” the report continued.

In addition, under the proposal, Israel will seize the vessels and turn them into police assets to establish a maritime force for police operations, which a judicial assessment has already shown would allow seizure of these types of boats.

Israel Hayom cited sources close to Ben-Gvir as saying that the “gentle” handling of previous protest flotillas failed to deter activists from trying again. The sources added that if the strategy is approved, “following several weeks at Ktzi’ot and Damon, they’ll be sorry about the time they arrived here. We must eliminate their appetite for another attempt.”

In June, Thunberg was detained by the Israeli Navy during an attempt to reach Gaza aboard the Madleen, and subsequently deported.

Of the 12 people aboard the Madleen, four, including Thunberg, agreed to be deported from Israel voluntarily, while all were banned from the Jewish state for 100 years, according to their attorneys.

Upon touching down at Charles de Gaulle Airport near Paris, Thunberg held a press conference in which she claimed she had been “kidnapped” by Israel.

The Israel Defense Forces Spokesperson’s Unit told JNS on Aug. 11 that the military “enforces the security naval blockade on the Gaza Strip and is prepared for a wide range of scenarios, which it will act upon in accordance with the directives of the political echelon.” JNS

{Matzav.com}

Delta Air Lines is resuming flights to Israel on Monday, becoming the latest carrier to restore service to Tel Aviv following the 12-day war with Iran in June.

The move, which comes six weeks after Delta rival United Airlines renewed service to Israel, highlight the resurgence of the Israeli aviation sector and the reemergence of Tel Aviv as an international travel hub as an ever-increasing number of foreign carriers resume flights to Israel.

The Atlanta-based carrier is restarting daily nonstop service from its hub at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport to Ben-Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv.

Delta will also operate a second daily flight from New York to Tel Aviv during the peak winter holiday season from Nov. 30, 2025, through Jan. 19, 2026, a spokeswoman told JNS this weekend.

In contrast to the two other U.S. legacy carriers, American Airlines has stayed away from Israel entirely since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack.

The lucrative transatlantic route will now be operated by four companies: El Al, Arkia, United and Delta, bringing down airfares on scarce seats after months when the Israeli carriers held a virtual monopoly on the flights.

Service to Tel Aviv from additional U.S. cities including Chicago, Washington, D.C., and San Francisco, previously operated by United, along with Boston and Atlanta once run by Delta, has yet to resume.

With fewer flights available and demand strong, airfares to the New York area remain notably higher than before the Gaza war.

Other international carriers planning to restore service to Israel in September include Latvian flag carrier Air Baltic, Dutch low-cost airline Transavia, Swiss and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, while Air Canada, Italy’s ITA Airways, British Airways and Irish budget carrier Ryanair are scheduled to resume operations in October. JNS

{Matzav.com}

Gaza captivity survivor Tal Shoham told Israel’s Channel 14 on Sunday night that Hamas is deliberately starving the hostages to pressure the Israeli public into backing a ceasefire deal.

“They starved us on purpose, in a sadistic and cruel way,” Shoham told Channel 14‘s “The Patriots” show. According to the former hostage, “it wasn’t about a humanitarian aid shortage. Right beyond the iron door that shut us in, we heard them boasting that they had supplies for the months ahead—supplies they had stolen from their own population.”

“They also admitted that they were starving us so that we would send a message,” Shoham revealed. “They wanted us to come out broken, to shock the Israeli public and pressure the government to reach a deal.”

After the release of emaciated hostages Eli Sharabi and Ohad Ben Ami, the terrorists tasked with guarding Shoham expressed their frustration over the global criticism Hamas received, he claimed. “They admitted their goal was to pressure and shake Israeli society,” Shoham stated.

Shoham described the 505 days in captivity as a “psychological war,” noting that his captors alternated between optimism about the war’s end and deep frustration, but were unequivocal about starving him.

“Down below, in the tunnels, we hardly received any information from the outside, only small anecdotes,” he said. However, “when they spoke about starvation, they were clear: the goal was to make us suffer, just as they claimed their people are suffering,” he added.

Shoham, a dual Israeli–Austrian citizen, was abducted on Oct. 7, 2023, during the Hamas-led attack on Kibbutz Be’eri, alongside his wife Adi and the couple’s two children. Shoham’s in-laws were among the approximately 1,200 people murdered by terrorists that day.

Adi, daughter Yahel, 3, and son Naveh, 8, were released after 50 days in captivity as part of the first ceasefire agreement with the terrorist group.

Tal was only freed from Gaza 455 days later as part of the most recent hostage deal with Hamas on Feb. 22, alongside fellow hostages Eliya Cohen, Avera Mengistu, Hisham al-Sayed and Omer Shem Tov.

Speaking with the Associated Press in April, Shoham revealed that after his wife was freed, an individual identifying himself as a member of Hamas called to warn her not to talk about what she’d been through.

If she did, the terrorist said, her husband would be murdered, Shoham told the Associated Press, noting there are still details of his captivity he cannot discuss due to fear of endangering the remaining hostages.

Fifty-eight hostages are still being held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip after almost 700 days, some 20 of whom are believed by Israel to be alive. JNS

{Matzav.com Israel}

President Donald Trump on Monday urged pharmaceutical companies to provide clear explanations for the effectiveness of their COVID-19 treatments.

He stated that there is ongoing debate about whether these medications were truly responsible for saving lives.

“With CDC being ripped apart over this question, I want the answer, and I want it NOW,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “I have been shown information from Pfizer, and others, that is extraordinary, but they never seem to show those results to the public.”

{Matzav.com}

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Israel on Monday morning inaugurated the first kindergarten in the northern Samaria Jewish community of Chomesh, 20 years after its residents were forcefully evicted during the 2005 disengagement.

The festive ceremony was attended by Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan, deputy council head Davidi Ben Zion, Chomesh Yeshivah head Rabbi Elishama Cohen, Education Ministry representatives, parents, children, and former and current kindergarten teachers.

Dagan recited a Shehecheyanu, saying: “The disengagement is dead. The people of Israel live.”

“This is a moment of sweet victory for the Jewish people and Zionism,” the Samaria leader declared. “There will be many more kindergartens, here in Chomesh and in the other communities that were uprooted.”

Israeli Education Minister Yoav Kisch said the opening signified “new roots of education and future” in Chomesh. “This is not only an educational act but a Zionist one, of building and settlement,” he stated, pledging support for schools throughout the Land of Israel.

Ayala Levy, who taught at the kindergarten in the community until 2005, said she never imagined returning to Chomesh after the disengagement. “It’s very emotional,” she said. “I began with five children and ended with 25 before the evacuation. I pray this will only be the beginning.”

Atara Rubin, who will be in charge of the new kindergarten in the town, told INN on Monday morning: “For years, we have been coming here with the children in tents, on holidays and on Shabbat. To now open a kindergarten run by the Ministry of Education is a great privilege.”

The Israeli government’s unilateral disengagement in 2005 entailed the destruction of four Jewish communities in northern Samaria: Chomesh, Sa-Nur, Ganim, and Kadim, in addition to 21 towns in the Gaza Strip.

In March 2023, the Knesset voted 31-18 to repeal parts of a 2005 law banning Israeli civilians from entering and residing in the villages.

It took several more months for the Israel Defense Forces to green-light the return.

Meanwhile, Israel’s Security Cabinet in May approved 22 new Judea and Samaria villages, including the re-establishment of Chomesh and Sa-Nur.

Monday morning’s ceremony in Chomesh coincided with the first day of the new school year in the Jewish state, as more than 2.5 million children returned to classrooms and kindergartens nationwide. JNS

{Matzav.com}