Matzav

The National Center for Forensic Medicine in Abu Kabir has verified that the two bodies returned to Israel on Wednesday night are those of Inbar Hayman and Master Sergeant Muhammad al-Atarash, according to an announcement released Thursday morning by the Prime Minister’s Office.

“The Government of Israel shares in the deep sorrow of the families of Hayman and al-Atarash and all the families of the fallen abductees,” the statement read.

The forensic team determined that Hayman was murdered during the October 7, 2023, terrorist assault, and her remains were subsequently taken into Gaza. At 27 years old, she was among those attending the Nova music festival that day. She was officially declared dead on December 15, 2023, and is survived by her parents and brother.

Master Sergeant al-Atarash served as a tracker in the IDF’s Gaza Brigade. He was killed while fighting on October 7, 2023, at the age of 39, leaving behind his parents, siblings, two wives, and thirteen children.

Authorities said the identification process was carried out jointly with the Israel Police and the Military Rabbinate.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum issued heartfelt tributes for both victims on Thursday morning.

Hayman was described as “talented, loving and inclusive, with a spirit of infinite generosity.”

Family members remembered her as “brimming with creativity and full of joy for life.” She had studied film in high school and later gained recognition as a “respected graffiti artist with a unique style.”

Her artistic identity was known through the tags “Pink” and “Raven,” which inspired supporters to rally behind the slogan “Free Pink” while she was missing.

Friends said she had attended the Nova festival as a volunteer “helper,” assisting dancers who became unwell during the event.

Atarash, meanwhile, was remembered as a “serious guy who cared for everyone,” who especially loved animals and devoted time to caring for the horses he raised.

His long-term goal, the forum said, was to open a horse farm of his own.

Defense Minister Yisroel Katz also paid tribute to the two on social media.

Katz called Hayman “a true heroine who fought Hamas’s murderers,” noting that her family “fought desperately for her return.”

He said her relatives had spoken of her skill as a graffiti artist, her time as a commander in the IDF’s Caracal Battalion, and her plans for the future that were tragically cut short.

Katz added that al-Atarash’s father and brother joined him in several meetings with world leaders both in Israel and abroad to recount Muhammad’s story.

He recalled that during a visit by Belgium’s foreign minister to Kibbutz Nir Oz, al-Atarash’s brother appealed to her to ensure the hostages’ release and “nobly” asked that kidnapped women be freed first, even before knowing for certain that his brother had been killed.

Concluding his message, Katz reaffirmed that Israel remains “committed to bringing home all the hostages and the fallen.”

“The Government and the entire Israeli Public Security Bureau are determined, committed, and working tirelessly to return all of our fallen abductees for a proper burial in their own country,” the Prime Minister’s Office added, emphasizing that Hamas must uphold its obligations under the ongoing ceasefire and hostage deal.

The terror group is required to hand over every hostage, whether living or deceased. Yet to date, 19 deceased hostages are still being held in Gaza.

The confirmation of Hayman and al-Atarash’s identities followed earlier reports that two sets of remains had arrived Thursday night at Abu Kabir for examination.

The Red Cross had delivered the bodies to Israel after Hamas’s Izzadin al-Qassam Brigades announced that it would return them.

Including these, Hamas has now returned the remains of nine deceased hostages in addition to releasing living captives.

Before Hayman and al-Atarash, the remains of Guy Illouz, Yossi Sharabi, Bipin Joshi, Daniel Peretz, Uriel Baruch, Staff Sergeant Tamir Nimrodi, and Eitan Levi had been recovered.

{Matzav.com}

A federal grand jury gathered Wednesday afternoon to deliberate whether to indict John Bolton, who served as national security adviser, on charges stemming from the alleged mishandling and transmission of classified information through a private email account.

The move follows a pair of FBI raids conducted two months earlier at Bolton’s residence in Maryland and his Washington, DC office, as investigators sought evidence related to what officials described as the unauthorized possession of “highly sensitive national security” materials.

Justice Department insiders told The Post that prosecutors expect charges to be filed as soon as Wednesday or Thursday. One official described the case against the 76-year-old as “air tight.”

According to sources who spoke to The NY Post in August, Bolton is suspected of using a personal AOL email address to send classified messages and maintain diary-like records of his daily briefings and observations throughout his tenure in President Trump’s first administration.

Court filings reveal that this private email account was later compromised by an unknown foreign hacker, according to a probable cause warrant unsealed last month. Officials believe that some of the top-secret information could have been accessed by foreign governments or hostile entities.

Details about the intrusion, including how it occurred or who was responsible, were redacted in the unsealed documents.

During the FBI’s search, agents allegedly uncovered additional classified materials, including papers involving weapons of mass destruction, strategic U.S. communications, diplomatic efforts at the United Nations, and confidential travel plans.

Even if Bolton did not deliberately share the information, prosecutors argue he could still face criminal liability if he stored classified materials in unsecured locations — a rule that would extend to the use of his personal email.

Investigators were also ordered to determine whether any malicious software had infiltrated Bolton’s electronic devices and to assess whether he had installed cybersecurity protections capable of detecting potential malware.

Authorities have not disclosed whether any such programs were located on his systems.

When Bolton was dismissed by President Trump in September 2019 after serving 17 months as national security adviser, he reportedly told officials that he “did not have any notes or other records from his government service,” according to court filings.

Those assurances began to unravel months later when the National Security Council received a manuscript of Bolton’s 2020 memoir, The Room Where It Happened, which the Trump administration alleged contained classified information.

“As written, the manuscript is very detailed, suggesting that it was likely produced from notes written by your client during his service at the White House,” Ellen J. Knight, then the NSC’s senior director for records, access, and information, wrote in a letter to Bolton’s lawyers.

A separate probe into Bolton’s email use was also launched that same year, though investigators say the inquiry was abruptly “shelved” under the Biden administration — a decision one FBI insider suggested may have been politically influenced, given Bolton’s outspoken criticism of Trump.

The following statement was released by Agudath Israel of America:

Agudath Israel of America mourns the shocking, tragic passing of Rabbi Moshe Hauer zt’l, executive vice president of the Orthodox Union.

With Rabbi Hauer’s petirah, Klal Yisroel has lost a leader who was universally respected as a talmid chochom of stature, a man of integrity, humility, vision, wisdom and depth. Rabbi Hauer created Kiddush Hashem in all of his encounters with the outside world, and he leaves behind an impressive list of significant accomplishments. The loss to our community is incalculible.

Rabbi Hauer always sought to promote achdus, unity, within the Jewish world. We at Agudath Israel enjoyed a close personal and professional relationship with Rabbi Hauer, and appreciated the opportunity to collaborate with him on issues of mutual concern. We are in shock over his tragic petirah.

May Hashem console the entire Hauer family and the multitudes of people whose lives he touched in so many ways.

{Matzav.com}

Klal Yisroel has been plunged into mourning with the shocking petirah of Rabbi Moshe Hauer zt”l, Executive Vice President of the Orthodox Union since 2020 and longtime mara d’asra of Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion Congregation in Baltimore. Rabbi Hauer was suddenly niftar at his Baltimore home, the victim of a heart attack. He was 60 years old.

The loss is reverberating throughout the Torah world, for Rabbi Hauer was more than a leader. He was a talmid chacham, a ba’al daas, and a man whose every word and action radiated yiras Shamayim, integrity, and love for Klal Yisroel.

OU President Mitchel Aeder and Executive Vice President and COO Rabbi Josh Joseph described him as “a true talmid chacham, a master teacher and communicator, the voice of Torah to the Orthodox community and the voice of Orthodoxy to the world.”

“He personified what it means to be a Torah Jew and took nothing more seriously than his role of sharing the joy of Jewish life with our community and beyond,” the OU stated.

“Rabbi Hauer’s leadership was marked by unwavering dedication, deep compassion, and a vision rooted in faith in Hashem, integrity and love for Klal Yisroel,” the statement continued. “Whether through his inspiring words, thoughtful counsel, powerful advocacy or quiet acts of kindness, Rabbi Hauer uplifted those around him and made an impact on every person he encountered.”

For twenty-six years, Rabbi Hauer guided the Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion kehillah in Baltimore with wisdom and warmth, serving as both rav and mentor. His ability to blend deep Torah insight with genuine understanding of people made him a beloved figure far beyond his community.

A musmach of Yeshivas Ner Yisroel, Rabbi Hauer also earned a graduate degree from Johns Hopkins University. Beyond the bimah, he was deeply active in communal life, supporting education initiatives, mosdos for children at risk, and numerous chesed organizations. He was a founding editor of Klal Perspectives, an online journal dedicated to addressing the challenges of contemporary Orthodox life, and led leadership training programs for rabbonim and askanim across North America.

In his role at the Orthodox Union, Rabbi Hauer became a respected national voice for Torah Jewry, speaking often in Washington and serving as a trusted presence on Capitol Hill. His eloquence, balance, and moral clarity made him a bridge-builder between the Torah world and the broader Jewish community.

William Daroff, CEO of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, said he was “shattered” by the “sudden passing” of his “dear friend and partner.”

“We just spoke this past Friday and texted on Monday, when he was overflowing with joy at the miracle of the hostages’ freedom and the unmistakable hand of Hashem in it,” Daroff shared. “Rabbi Hauer was a trusted adviser, cherished colleague and wise counsellor to me, a bridge-builder whose faith, humility and moral clarity inspired all who knew him. His loss leaves a void for all who loved and learned from him.”

Rabbi Steven Burg, CEO of Aish, echoed the sentiments of many when he said he was “shocked” to hear of Rabbi Hauer’s passing. “He was a kind man and a great advocate for the Jewish people. May the Almighty comfort his family and the OU during this difficult period.”

Jonathan Weisman, a national editor at The New York Times, called the loss “tragic” and “sudden.” “I turned to Rabbi Hauer for almost any story I was writing on American Judaism, Israel and Zionism,” he said. “He was an exceptionally thoughtful conservative voice, respectful and searching. May his memory be a blessing. I’m shocked.”

Rabbi Micah Greenland, International Director of NCSY, described being “absolutely stunned and devastated.” “He was a humble giant of a person, a leader, a scholar and visionary,” he said.

Amy Spitalnick, CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, said she was “heartbroken” by the loss of “such an incredibly kind and thoughtful leader” whom she “was fortunate to know and learn from over the last few years.”

Rabbi Hauer has left this world, but his legacy — of Torah, leadership, empathy, and achdus — will continue to illuminate the path for Klal Yisroel. His voice, filled with conviction and compassion, guided a generation. His absence leaves a gaping void, but also a challenge: to carry forward his vision of a world rooted in emunah, ahavas Yisroel, and integrity.

Yehi zichro baruch.

President Trump lashed out at Time magazine early Tuesday morning, fuming over what he called an unflattering photo used for the publication’s latest cover story highlighting “his triumph” in negotiating the release of Israeli hostages from Hamas.

“Time Magazine wrote a relatively good story about me, but the picture may be the Worst of All Time,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “They ‘disappeared’ my hair, and then had something floating on top of my head that looked like a floating crown, but an extremely small one. Really weird!”

The magazine’s cover — titled “His Triumph” — features a low-angle portrait of the 47th president taken from beneath and to his right, capturing a close-up of his cheek, ear, and eye, along with part of his nostril.

“I never liked taking pictures from underneath angles, but this is a super bad picture, and deserves to be called out,” Trump added in his post. “What are they doing, and why?”

The issue was released just one day after the dramatic return of 20 living hostages to Israel — marking the first stage of the deal struck under Trump’s Middle East plan, nearly two years after Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, massacre.

In exchange, Israeli officials confirmed that roughly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners were freed, along with the bodies of about 360 Palestinians returned to Gaza.

“The living Israeli hostages held in Gaza have been freed under the first phase of Donald Trump’s peace plan, alongside a Palestinian prisoner release,” Time reported. “The deal may become a signature achievement of Trump’s second term, and it could mark a strategic turning point for the Middle East.”

Trump had announced his sweeping 20-point proposal on Sept. 29, which laid the groundwork for a ceasefire that officially took effect last Friday.

The following Monday, Trump was met with roaring applause during his speech to the Israeli Knesset, before heading to Cairo for a peace summit joined by leaders from more than twenty nations, focused on sustaining the fragile truce.

“We’ve achieved what everybody said was impossible — at long last, we have peace in the Middle East,” Trump declared during his address. “Nobody thought we could ever get there, and now we’re there.”

For years, Trump has taken great pride in symbols of recognition and status, particularly Time magazine’s Person of the Year honor — an accolade he’s received twice, in 2016 and again in 2024.

He has occasionally granted interviews to the magazine, including a memorable 2015 photo shoot where he posed with a bald eagle that unexpectedly tried to attack him mid-session.

Trump has never hesitated to criticize media outlets for depictions he finds unflattering or undermining, particularly when they clash with the commanding image he seeks to project.

Just last month, he blasted the United Nations and called for an inquiry after his teleprompter malfunctioned and the escalator he was riding on suddenly stopped while he was delivering his address to the UN General Assembly.

Fox News contributor Miranda Devine discusses NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani’s move to fundraise for UNRWA, despite the agency having employed staff members who were involved in the Oct. 7 attack on Israel.

WATCH:

Constitutional lawyer Alan Dershowitz discusses President Donald Trump’s trip to the Middle East after Israel and Hamas agreed to the first phase of his peace deal on ‘The Evening Edit.’

WATCH:

President Donald Trump met Argentina’s President Javier Milei at the White House for a bilateral lunch focused on trade, economic reform, and strengthening U.S.-Argentina relations. The leaders discussed regional cooperation and global economic challenges. President Milei shared that he has nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize.

WATCH:

President Donald Trump lashed out at the media and political opponents, claiming he’s been “treated more unfairly than any president in U.S. history.” Speaking passionately, Trump cited multiple indictments, media bias, and years of “hoaxes” while defending his record on the economy, AI, and national strength.

WATCH:

In a recent interview with journalist and Pivot podcast co-host Kara Swisher, Kamala Harris claimed that many people have described her as the “most qualified” person ever to run for president of the United States. The discussion, held at the Warner Theatre in Washington, D.C., focused on her 2024 campaign and her reflections since losing to President Donald Trump.

Harris told Swisher that one of the main reasons she failed to secure the presidency was that voters simply didn’t know her well enough. She suggested that Americans needed “more time to get familiar with her background” before fully understanding her qualifications.

Listing her accomplishments, Harris reminded the audience that she had served as California’s first female attorney general and as the first woman to hold the office of vice president.

“That is a decent resume, but go ahead,” Swisher interjected with a laugh.

“Well, some people have said I was the most qualified candidate ever to run for president,” Harris replied.

The remark drew loud applause from the crowd, as Harris and Swisher exchanged smiles on stage.

“I like the ‘some people say,’ very nice,” Swisher quipped.

“I’m just speaking fact,” Harris said, prompting another round of cheers.

The conversation took place as Harris continues her nationwide tour promoting her new memoir, 107 Days, which chronicles her unsuccessful presidential campaign. The event was briefly disrupted by a protester who shouted accusations of Harris being a “war criminal.”

Reflecting on her loss, Harris cited what she described as the widespread “rampant amount of mis- and disinformation that is so difficult to get in front of” as a key obstacle.

When Swisher asked what she found most challenging during her run for office, Harris pointed to her identity. “Well, I’ve always been a woman, and a woman of color, so that’s kind of [a hurdle],” she said.

Despite the setbacks, Harris’s remarks throughout the evening suggested she remains proud of her record — and confident that history will recognize her as one of the most qualified contenders to ever seek the presidency.

{Matzav.com}

Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) lashed out at a reporter who asked why the former House speaker “refused the National Guard” on Jan. 6, 2021 as she was being assisted out of the Capitol Building Wednesday.

Pelosi, who was clutching the hand of an aide as she gingerly navigated the steps of the Capitol, quickly spun around, pointed her finger at the LindellTV reporter’s face and appeared enraged at the suggestion that a new Republican-led committee investigating the riot might find her “liable.”

“Shut up!” Pelosi, 85, barked. “I did not refuse the National Guard. The president didn’t send it. Why are you coming here with Republican talking points as if you are a serious journalist?” she fumed.

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

President Isaac Herzog visited freed hostage Bar Kuperstein at the hospital where he is recovering following his release from Hamas captivity. The meeting took place just a day after Kuperstein’s return to Israel.

In a video released by Herzog’s office, the president can be seen greeting Kuperstein warmly, expressing relief at his safe return and inquiring about his condition since arriving home.

“Did they begin feeding you?” Herzog asked, referring to whether Hamas had provided any food in the final days before Kuperstein’s release.

“During the last four days,” Kuperstein responded.

Herzog then reassured him, saying, “What matters is that you’re here.”

The president also took a moment to speak with Kuperstein’s father, Tal, offering him words of praise and encouragement. Tal Kuperstein, who suffered a stroke years ago following a serious car accident, had to relearn how to walk and talk while his son was being held captive in Gaza.

Meanwhile, relatives of hostages released on Monday have begun recounting the survivors’ experiences, which include reports of near-total isolation, extreme hunger, and physical abuse during their time in Hamas custody.

New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani appeared on Fox News on Wednesday, where he refused to praise the Gaza ceasefire deal or the release of the hostages by Hamas terrorists.

The Muslim socialist, who has faced attacks labeling him an extremist and jihad supporters, stayed focused on his campaign message during his exchange with Fox News host Martha MacCallum. When pressed on whether Hamas should disarm and relinquish control in Gaza, Mamdani redirected the conversation back to local concerns.

“I believe that any future here in New York City is one that we have to make sure that’s affordable for all. And as it pertains to Israel and Palestine, that we need to ensure that there is peace, and that is the future that we fight for,” he said. “I don’t really have opinions about the future of Hamas and Israel beyond the question of justice and safety, and the fact that anything has to abide by international law. And that applies to Hamas, that applies to the Israeli military, applies to anyone you could ask me about.”

Mamdani’s appearance comes amid growing scrutiny from both local and national figures, including President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly blasted him as unfit for office and warned that New York City could lose federal funding if he wins.

During the Fox interview, Mamdani used the opportunity to address Trump directly, positioning himself as an independent-minded candidate who won’t follow the playbook of other New York politicians.

“He may be watching right now, and I just want to speak directly to the president,” Mamdani said. “I will not be a mayor like Mayor [Eric] Adams, who will call you to figure out how to stay out of jail. I won’t be a disgraced governor like Andrew Cuomo, who will call you to ask how to win this election. I can do those things on my own. I will, however, be a mayor who is ready to speak at any time to lower the cost of living.”

With that, Mamdani wrapped the interview much as he began it — keeping his focus on local issues, declining to wade into foreign policy controversies, and casting himself as a new kind of political voice in New York City.

{Matzav.com}

Mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani once again refused to call on Hamas to surrender its weapons on Wednesday, while reaffirming his controversial pledge to have Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu arrested should he visit New York City.

WATCH THIS:

The Democratic candidate appeared on Fox News’ “The Story with Martha MacCallum,” where the host pressed him on his views regarding Hamas, Israel, and the cease-fire in Gaza.

MacCallum repeatedly asked Mamdani if he believed Hamas should disarm and relinquish control of Gaza — a central requirement of the agreement the terror group has rejected. Instead of giving a direct answer, Mamdani danced around the question.

The outspoken socialist attempted to change the subject, bringing up the high cost of living in New York before offering a vague response that touched on both Hamas and Israel.

“I don’t really have opinions about the future of Hamas and Israel beyond the question of justice and safety, and the fact that anything has to abide by international law,” he said.

“That applies to Hamas, that applies to the Israeli military, applies to anyone you could ask me about.”

Although he sidestepped several questions, Mamdani remained adamant that if elected mayor, he would order the NYPD to arrest Netanyahu, citing the International Criminal Court’s warrant against him — despite the fact that the United States does not recognize the ICC’s authority.

When MacCallum reminded him that the U.S. is not a party to the ICC treaty, Mamdani softened his tone, suggesting his position was rooted in moral principle rather than legal authority, and referencing the court’s similar warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“I believe that we should uphold arrests warrants by the International Criminal Court, and that we should do so only in abiding with all of the laws in front of us,” he said.

“I can tell you that I’m going to exhaust every legal option in front me, not to make new laws to do so.”

Mamdani did, however, express agreement that Hamas should “absolutely” return the remains of slain Israeli-American hostages Itay Chen and Omer Neutra.

“I have no issue with critiquing Hamas or the Israeli government because my critiques all come from a place of universal human rights,” he said.

MacCallum then asked whether he would credit President Trump for brokering the cease-fire deal — a question that visibly made him uncomfortable.

“I think it’s too early to do so,” Mamdani said. “But if it proves to be something that is lasting, something that is durable, I think that’s where you go.”

At one point, Mamdani looked straight into the camera and addressed Trump directly, responding to the president’s repeated threats to cut federal funding for New York City if he were elected. In doing so, he also took shots at current Mayor Eric Adams and former Governor Andrew Cuomo.

“I will not be not be a mayor like Mayor Adams, who will call you to figure out how to stay out of jail,” he said, referencing Adams’ dismissed federal corruption probe.

“I won’t be a disgraced governor like Andrew Cuomo, who will call you to ask how to win this election,” he continued.

“I can do those things on my own. I will, however, be a mayor who is ready to speak at any time to lower the cost of living. That’s the way that I’m going to lead this city.”

{Matzav.com}

The long search for answers about the fate of 18-year-old IDF soldier Tamir Nimrodi came to a heartbreaking end on Wednesday morning when his family confirmed that his body was among those handed over by Hamas overnight. Nimrodi, who was taken hostage from his base near the Erez Crossing on October 7, 2023, was identified following the transfer of several bodies to Israel, bringing closure to a two-year ordeal marked by uncertainty and anguish.

For nearly two years, Israel had described his condition as a matter of “grave concern.” The return of his remains on Tuesday night provided the first confirmation that he was killed while in captivity. Alongside Nimrodi, Hamas also returned the bodies of Eitan Levy and Uriel Baruch, as well as a fourth body that was later determined not to belong to any of the hostages.

In a deeply emotional interview with Channel 12, Tamir’s father, Alon Nimrodi, said he felt “fortunate” to finally have certainty about his son’s fate but emphasized that their family’s mission was not complete until all 21 of the remaining deceased hostages are brought back. “This is the moment that we so feared, the moment I refused to believe would come,” he said. “The whole time, I said if there was a 0.01% chance, I would burn the world for Tamir to come home alive and well, but unfortunately, we got the news this morning.”

When asked whether there was any relief in finally knowing, Alon said the family was struggling with a complex mix of sorrow and closure. “We, like every one of the hostage families, never had the ability to give up or relax for even a single moment,” he said. “For us, the journey ended in a terrible way — not like I had hoped — but there is a long struggle ahead for the release of 21 other hostages who are in the Gaza Strip, and we must continue to struggle until they all return home.”

He continued with painful honesty: “We feel fortunate – which is a terrible thing to say about your own son who was killed in Gaza, your eldest son who was kidnapped – but I mean to say that we are lucky to have received his body back.”

“In a certain sense, there is some relief, because there is now the certainty… there is a certain easing in knowing that our son has returned to us, even if it’s in this coffin,” he said before breaking down in tears.

Describing Tamir as his “hero,” Alon expressed immense pride in his son’s strength and spirit. He also thanked the IDF personnel who made it possible for the family to finally bring him home, saying they “allowed us to breathe right now.”

The Hostage Families Forum released a tribute highlighting Tamir’s devotion to his service. “During his service, he felt like he had found his purpose and had interviewed for officer training only a week before he was taken hostage. His friends and family say he was a social and caring man. Tamir was not supposed to be on base on October 7 but volunteered to stay for that weekend [which coincided with Simhat Torah] so his friends could celebrate the holiday at home with their families.”

After his abduction, a note written by Tamir was found in his room. It read: “Help as many people as possible, create a close social circle and don’t hurt anyone.”

He leaves behind his parents, Herut and Alon, and his sisters, Amit and Mika.

Tamir’s funeral will be held Thursday at 1 p.m. at the military cemetery in Kfar Saba. His father extended an open invitation: “Every person who Tamir touched a little come and pay final respects to my hero.”

The family released a statement Wednesday saying Tamir was “kidnapped cruelly from his base and murdered in Hamas captivity.” However, the Hostage Families Forum issued a separate statement asserting that he had been “killed by IDF bombings in captivity.”

The IDF said in its own statement that preliminary findings indicate Nimrodi was killed while being held by Hamas early in the war. “Final conclusions will be formulated after the completion of the examination of the circumstances of death” at the Abu Kabir forensic institute in Tel Aviv, the military said.

Nimrodi had served in COGAT’s Coordination and Liaison Administration to the Gaza Strip. Video footage from the attack showed him alongside Cpl. Nik Baizer and Sgt. Ron Sherman being forced by terrorists toward the base gate, dressed in shorts and T-shirts. The remains of Baizer and Sherman were later recovered by Israeli troops, who determined that both were killed in a nearby Israeli airstrike in November 2023.

The stories emerging from the freed hostages are gut-wrenching — scenes of cages, chains, and pits that echo sheer brutality. After two years in Hamas captivity, the survivors, now safely back in Israel, are beginning to share the horrors they endured through their families, detailing relentless beatings, starvation, and psychological torment.

In these accounts of cruelty, there are also flashes of courage — small acts of rebellion and faith that sustained them through endless days of darkness.

At Rabin Medical Center, where several of the released hostages are being treated, families have begun to share updates about the survivors’ conditions. “We always knew he had the emotional ability to survive, but honestly, his abilities were beyond anything we could imagine,” said Idit Ohel, whose son, Alon, returned home after more than 700 days in captivity.

She explained that Alon had been living for two years with shrapnel embedded in his head and right eye, leaving his vision impaired. Surgeons expect that, with treatment, his sight can be greatly improved.

Prof. Itai Pessach, associate director-general of Sheba Medical Center, said that “every one of them has endured untold adversity and horrors, and therefore the road for recovery is going to be a very long one.”

The testimonies gathered so far reveal a pattern of severe abuse. Tami Braslavski, mother of released hostage Rom Braslavski, said her son was whipped and beaten “with things that I will not even mention” over several months. He survived, she said, because he “knew it would end.”

Avinatan Or’s father, Yaron, recounted his son’s experience of being handcuffed, confined, and punished after attempting to flee. “Avinatan tried to escape from captivity, and then they beat him,” he told Kan radio. “He was handcuffed to the bars. It was a barred place 1.8 meters [six feet] high, and the length of it was the length of the mattress, plus a little. You can call it a cage.”

The suffering was not only physical. Kobi Kalfon, father of freed hostage Segev Kalfon, broke down while describing the “horrific two years of captivity” his son had to endure, saying he still struggles to process the depth of the trauma.

Some of the worst abuse took place just before the captives’ release. Rabbi Avi Ohana, father of Yosef-Haim Ohana, said his son had been buried alive in a cramped underground pit with six other men. “They could not sit, only lean against the wall while standing. He lacked oxygen. I thank God, who made him strong. What kept him going was his family,” the rabbi said.

Yaron Or said his son spent his entire imprisonment inside a tunnel. “They didn’t starve him, but the food was scarce. He is very thin,” he said.

The captors also waged psychological warfare. Braslavski’s mother said her son was pressured to convert to Islam, with promises of better food and conditions if he complied. When he refused, they taunted him with lies that Israel had abandoned him and that the country had fallen apart. “They told him that we were broken, that we didn’t have the strength to get up and protest,” she said. “That he apparently wasn’t so important and that he had nowhere to go back to. They told him Israel had fallen, that almost 3,000 soldiers had fallen.”

Rabbi Ohana recalled that his son and another hostage were forced to listen to religious broadcasts in Arabic, but the two managed to manipulate the radio wires and pick up Israeli army broadcasts instead. There, Yosef-Haim heard his father’s voice. “He said to himself, ‘My father is alive! He is waiting for me!’ and it gave him new life,” the rabbi said.

Acts of quiet defiance became a lifeline. Tami Braslavski said her son once used fire from a terrorist’s uniform to cook pasta, surviving on half a pita a day while chained by his hands and feet. The small blaze caught attention, and though it led to his relocation, it also improved his conditions slightly.

At Sheba Medical Center, doctors are cautiously optimistic. Pessach said all ten released hostages under their care are stable. “As a physician and as a human being, I can’t emphasize enough the impact of being surrounded by their loved ones on the general well-being and their ability to heal,” he said. “They’ll probably need weeks, months and maybe years to heal, but they’ll finally be taking the first steps to return to life.”

Dr. Michal Steinman, nursing director at Rabin Medical Center, said the five hostages there are struggling with “severe but treatable nutrition problems.” She added, “The body remembers those 700-plus days of captivity and starvation. Medically, right now, we don’t have any surprises. The hostages interact, they smile. They came with a big drive to heal, recover and rehabilitate.”

Steinman said she feels “very optimistic” about their recovery. “It’s going to be a very long road, and there are going to be ups and downs, but I think each one of them developed really special techniques of survival and how to keep their mind and soul guarded,” she explained.

Family members have described the joy and disbelief that followed the captives’ homecoming. Gali and Ziv Berman, twin brothers who were held separately, were stunned to discover that they would be reunited. “We didn’t know where [the other twin] was. Suddenly, they brought him out,” Gali told President Isaac Herzog.

Idit Ohel, speaking for her family, said, “It’s up to us to ensure that the new home we build here will be a complete home, that it will be a safe home, in the deepest sense of the word.”

The overwhelming emotion of relief was evident as Sylvia Cunio, mother of released hostages David and Ariel Cunio, faced the press. Raising her fist, she declared with tears and triumph, “My children are home!”

Yotam Cohen, brother of freed soldier Nimrod Cohen, expressed both heartbreak and gratitude. He told Haaretz that his brother had endured “unthinkable atrocities,” including being held in a cage for over a year and a half, blindfolded, interrogated, and beaten. “They treated him worse because he was a soldier,” he said. Yet, seeing Nimrod’s smile after his release convinced him that “the same Nimrod returned.”

He added that the captors tried to convince the soldiers that “Israel gave up on them, that the government didn’t want to bring them back, that the country wasn’t fighting for them,” but that lie didn’t hold. Against all odds, they survived — physically battered, emotionally scarred, but unbroken.

{Matzav.com}

An Israeli government representative told The Jerusalem Post on Wednesday that Hamas is fully aware of the locations where at least some of the bodies of the 21 hostages still unreturned are buried.

Despite this, the terror organization has repeatedly insisted that it does not know the whereabouts of all those who were killed in captivity. As recently as Wednesday night, Hamas reiterated that it has already transferred every hostage it was able to locate.

According to Hamas, finding the rest of the bodies would require “major logistical work” and advanced search tools that it claims are not currently available to them.

The Israel Defense Forces confirmed on Wednesday that the Red Cross had received the remains of two murdered hostages from Hamas.

Just one day earlier, the terror group delivered the body of a Gazan man who had aided Israel’s military in identifying Hamas tunnels, substituting him for one of the expected hostage bodies when it handed over four corpses to Israel.

“Hamas released a body that is not that of a fallen soldier. We are clear when we say this: Hamas must return all the fallen hostages; we will not compromise and will spare no effort until all the fallen are returned,” the statement read.

“Hamas committed to this before President Trump, and all the fallen must come home. Humanitarian aid has never been interrupted. For questions, please contact the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) and the IDF.”

On Tuesday, Hamas handed over the body of a Gazan civilian who had aided Israeli forces in uncovering terror tunnels, mistakenly presenting it as one of the fallen hostages during the transfer of four bodies to Israel.

Initially, Israeli officials believed the confusion stemmed from an identification error. The body had been dressed in an IDF uniform, leading investigators to assume it was that of a soldier who had been killed in combat.

“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel will utilize every possible means to ensure the return of all hostages’ remains,” an Israeli official said following the discovery.

A day later, Netanyahu’s office confirmed to the international media that Hamas’s delivery of a Gazan body instead of a hostage’s remains was considered a breach of U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace accord governing the ceasefire and hostage exchange.

The spokesperson emphasized that even with these violations, Israel has continued to allow humanitarian assistance to flow into Gaza without disruption.

“Hamas released a body that is not that of a fallen soldier. We are clear when we say this: Hamas must return all the fallen hostages; we will not compromise and will spare no effort until all the fallen are returned,” the statement read.

“Hamas committed to this before President Trump, and all the fallen must come home. Humanitarian aid has never been interrupted. For questions, please contact the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) and the IDF.”

According to Israeli officials, the families of those still missing have expressed how vital it is to recover the remains of their loved ones. “The families of the fallen said that their return would save the lives of all the family members,” they explained. “This would allow the bodies to be brought to an Israeli grave, and thus they could return to their lives.”

Meanwhile, Israeli authorities confirmed early Wednesday morning that the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute had successfully identified the remains of three hostages: Uriel Baruch, Staff Sergeant Tamir Nimrodi, and Eitan Levi.

{Matzav.com}

Just two days after being freed from nearly two years of inhumane torment at the hands of Hamas, 22-year-old IDF soldier Matan Angrest spoke about the unimaginable suffering he endured—and the emunah that kept him alive throughout.

Matan, a tank crewman who was captured in the fierce battle at Nachal Oz on October 7, 2023, shared how his belief in Hashem never wavered, even in the depths of the tunnels beneath Gaza. “It was clear to me that I’d get out of captivity,” he said. “The place I was in was bombed, but I wasn’t hurt; it was a series of miracles.”

He recounted his experiences on Wednesday from Ichilov Medical Center in Tel Aviv, where he is recovering from the severe injuries inflicted during his captivity. During the visit, he met with Mrs. Tzili Schneider, founder and CEO of Kesher Yehudi, who gifted him a brand-new pair of tefillin.

Matan’s story is one of extraordinary resilience. He was the sole survivor of his tank after it was struck, taken hostage, and dragged into Gaza. His mother, Anat, revealed this week that “Matan underwent very severe torture,” describing “severe burns on his right arm and fingers, harm to his vision, and unlivable conditions.” His father, Chagai, added that “they treated him like a captured soldier. His condition was very bad; they tortured him. He has a lot of injuries that occurred during the seven months after his abduction. He was taken from place to place, sometimes with seven other men in one pit, and he contended with isolation, starvation, and constant fear.”

Despite enduring such cruelty, Matan refused to let his spirit be broken. Even in the earliest days of his captivity, while still reeling from the trauma, he clung tightly to his connection with Hashem. “I insisted on putting on tefillin and getting a siddur and Tanach,” he said. “I demanded from the captors to receive those things.” Incredibly, his captors agreed—and even a senior Hamas member provided him with a siddur.

From that moment on, tefillah became his lifeline. “As part of my routine, I prayed three times a day, morning, afternoon, and night,” Matan recalled. “It protected me, it gave me hope.” In the suffocating tunnels of Gaza, surrounded by cruelty and death, his emunah became his oxygen. “It was clear that I’d get out of captivity. The place I was in was bombed, but I wasn’t hurt; it was a series of miracles.”

Mrs. Schneider, who listened to Matan’s account firsthand, said she was deeply moved by the strength of his neshomah. “He’s a true hero who held on to his Judaism even in hell. It was incredible to see Matan’s pure faith—how, amid the horrors of Hamas’s tunnels, he found immense inner strength and reconnected to faith and trust in the Creator.”

Senior American officials confirmed on Wednesday that work is progressing to form an international force to help restore order in Gaza, as outlined in President Donald Trump’s peace framework, Reuters reported.

Central to the initiative is a U.S.-supported multinational stabilization force. Washington has pledged to contribute as many as 200 troops in a support capacity, though none are expected to enter Gaza itself.

During a press briefing, advisers to the president highlighted the fragile situation between the IDF and Hamas fighters. “Right now what we’re looking to accomplish is just a basic stabilization of the situation. The international stabilization force is starting to be constructed,” one of the advisers explained.

Negotiations are ongoing with multiple countries that could take part in the operation, including Indonesia, Egypt, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Azerbaijan. A small contingent of roughly two dozen American troops is already stationed nearby to assist with “coordination, oversight” as the groundwork for the mission is laid.

“The goal is to use all the different local partners who want to help and be involved,” the adviser said, emphasizing the cooperative nature of the plan.

Following Hamas’ execution of seven men in Gaza City accused of aiding Israel, officials began exploring the establishment of designated safe zones for civilians to prevent similar acts of violence, one adviser told reporters.

A second adviser stressed that there are no intentions to remove Gazans from their homes, noting that rebuilding plans are being drawn up for areas cleared of Hamas elements.

On the sensitive matter of recovering the bodies of Israeli hostages who were killed in Gaza, the advisers asked the public to remain patient, explaining that many of the remains are likely trapped beneath collapsed buildings and unexploded munitions. They revealed that discussions are underway about possibly offering incentives for information that could assist in locating the bodies.

Their comments came shortly after Hamas’ military wing claimed it no longer possesses any remains of deceased hostages. “We met our end of the agreement, we released all the living hostages, and what we have as far as deceased hostages. Regarding the rest, we will need great efforts and special tools to find them,” the terror group said in a statement.

Israeli officials have reportedly told the Trump administration that implementation of the Gaza ceasefire cannot move forward unless Hamas intensifies efforts to recover and return the bodies of slain hostages, according to Axios.

Under the agreement’s terms, Hamas must make a “maximum effort” to locate and return the remains of 28 dead hostages, including two Americans. Israeli sources told Axios that Hamas has failed to meet this requirement.

The report said the deal nearly collapsed earlier this week but was salvaged after Hamas delivered five additional bodies in recent days, bringing the total recovered to nine. In response, Israel decided not to scale back humanitarian aid to Gaza and chose to keep the Rafah crossing with Egypt open for now.