Matzav

Ministry of Religious Services Director-General Yehuda Avidan reached out to Police Commissioner Major General Danni Levy on Wednesday to alert him about a potential threat to the life of Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara.

The warning came after the office of the former Sephardic Chief Rabbi, Rav Yitzchok Yosef, received a troubling request from a private citizen seeking approval to harm Baharav-Miara.

“The rov’s office warned of a threat that seems real and could immediately endanger the life of the Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara,” the letter stated.

Rav Yosef further directed that the information be quickly handed over to law enforcement so it could be investigated without delay.

Following receipt of the letter, police reported that they had launched an investigation after a threatening note aimed at Baharav-Miara was discovered near a residential property in the city. Authorities confirmed that an immediate probe was underway to track down the individual responsible for sending the threat.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Blue and White party leader MK Benny Gantz is weighing the option of rejoining the government amid expectations that Ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich will oppose the proposed hostage deal currently under discussion, Kan News reported on Wednesday.

According to the report, Gantz — who entered the government when the war began but later stepped down — has held talks with political figures about the possibility of returning in order to help advance an agreement for the hostages’ release.

These discussions have largely focused on whether such a move would be strategically sound for Gantz, particularly given Smotrich and Ben-Gvir’s strong objections to a partial arrangement that would not secure the freedom of all the captives.

Up until now, opposition lawmakers have mostly spoken about offering a “safety net” to back Netanyahu in approving the deal, but recently, a more direct possibility has surfaced — Gantz potentially rejoining the coalition under specific conditions.

For now, Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu has not yet issued a final decision regarding the proposal presented by mediators earlier this week.

The IDF released a report on Wednesday summarizing the results of Operation Gideon’s Chariots, announcing that its forces have secured control over nearly 75% of the Gaza Strip. This achievement has allowed the military to broaden its campaign, dismantle Hamas’ infrastructure, and disrupt the group’s leadership structure.

As part of the mission, the IDF created two major operational corridors:
The “Morag” Corridor, which separates Hamas’ Rafah and Khan Yunis Brigades, and the “Magen Oz” Corridor, which divides the Khan Yunis Brigade from east to west.

Since March 18, Israeli forces have carried out close to 10,000 strikes against terrorist targets using hundreds of fighter jets, drones, and naval vessels from the Air Force and Navy. One of the most significant attacks took place on May 13, when a joint IDF-ISA operation in Khan Yunis killed several top Hamas leaders: Mohammad Sinwar, head of the organization’s military wing; Mohammad Shabaneh, commander of Hamas’ Rafah Brigade; and Mahdi Quara, commander of the South Khan Yunis Battalion.

The report also confirmed the elimination of additional figures, including operatives within Hamas’ General Security Apparatus, six senior officers in its naval commando division, numerous terrorists who infiltrated Israel during the October 7th attack, and hundreds of other fighters and field commanders across Gaza.

Five IDF divisions — the 162nd, 143rd, 98th, 252nd, and 36th — conducted simultaneous ground operations, while the 99th Division provided backup support. Soldiers discovered and destroyed dozens of terror tunnels, sealed off escape routes used by militants, and neutralized multiple Hamas cells as well as key field leaders.

According to the IDF, these operations have significantly weakened Hamas’ military capabilities and command networks, setting the stage for further intensified actions. The army stressed that these accomplishments form the foundation for the next phase of its campaign in Gaza.

{Matzav.com Israel}

A federal judge in Texas has temporarily stopped the implementation of a new state law that would have compelled public schools to display the Ten Commandments in every classroom.

On Wednesday, U.S. District Court Judge Fred Biery granted a preliminary injunction in the case of Rabbi Nathan v. Alamo Heights Independent School District, finding that Texas Senate Bill 10, which was scheduled to go into effect on September 1, likely conflicts with both the Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment.

The legal challenge was initiated in late June after Governor Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 10 into law. Several families filed suit, arguing that the measure infringed on their rights to direct their children’s religious upbringing and effectively imposed state-sponsored religious practices in public education.

The injunction prevents school districts from enforcing the requirement, which would have mandated that all classrooms display a 16-by-20-inch poster or framed copy of a specific English version of the Ten Commandments.

In his ruling, Judge Biery stated that the mandate risks crossing constitutional boundaries by coercing students into religious observance and restricting their ability to express their own personal beliefs.

“[T]he displays are likely to pressure the child-Plaintiffs into religious observance, meditation on, veneration, and adoption of the State’s favored religious scripture, and into suppressing expression of their own religious or nonreligious background and beliefs while at school,” Biery wrote.

The plaintiffs in the case represent a diverse group of families, including Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Unitarian Universalist, and nonreligious households with children enrolled in Texas public schools. Their legal team included the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, the Freedom From Religion Foundation, and attorneys from Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP who provided services pro bono.

Plaintiff Rabbi Mara Nathan praised the decision as a significant victory for parental rights, stating: “Children’s religious beliefs should be instilled by parents and faith communities, not politicians and public schools.”

Heather L. Weaver, senior counsel for the ACLU’s Program on Freedom of Religion and Belief, said the ruling reinforces the principle of inclusivity in public education. “Public schools are not Sunday schools,” Weaver said.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton strongly criticized the ruling and vowed to challenge it in higher courts.

“The Ten Commandments are a cornerstone of our moral and legal heritage, and their presence in classrooms serves as a reminder of the values that guide responsible citizenship. Texas will always defend our right to uphold the foundational principles that have built this nation, and I will absolutely be appealing this flawed decision,” Paxton declared in a statement.

{Matzav.com}

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It began in Room 119 of the Irv dorm in Lakewood. To the casual eye, it was just another bochur’s room. But behind the door was something unusual: a “dating gemach.”

Not the kind that lends money — the kind that lends everything a bochur might need for a smoother date. Board games to break the ice. Watches to keep track of time. A Waze device for stress-free navigation. Even a notebook of budget-friendly venue ideas.

The concept was simple but brilliant. Elimelech Weinreb, then just a bochur himself, realized that the hardest part of dating often wasn’t finding a suggestion — it was figuring out the details. Word spread quickly, and soon Room 119 became the stop before the date — and sometimes the phone call during it.

What began as a dorm-room project became the Dating Resources Network: a hotline guiding thousands of dates each year, gemach branches in 16 cities, and a lifeline of reassurance for bochurim navigating shidduchim.

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Agudath Israel of America, today, shared a Kol Korei from the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of America:

[Free Translation]

The situation of Acheinu Bnei Yisroel everywhere has become increasingly perilous, with rising waves of anti-Jewish hatred around the world. In our Holy Land, the danger is even greater, with the looming threat of war. Moreover, we still have precious souls who remain captive in the hands of our enemies, Rachmana litzlan, and we pray that Hashem will have mercy upon them, deliver them from their suffering and captivity, bring them from darkness to light, and from oppression to redemption.

At this time, terrible decrees have been issued against the world of Torah and the yeshivos in our sacred land. There are ominous plans, chalilah, to draft those who dedicate themselves to Torah learning, those who sit on the benches of the batei medrash. Our gedolei Torah ztvk”l have already declared unequivocally that any form of army conscription poses a profound spiritual danger. In addition, there are numerous other decrees and persecutions threatening the Torah world, both spiritually and physically. Tragically, hundreds of yeshiva bochurim have already been conscripted into the army, and several avreichim and bochurim are currently imprisoned in military jails.

Am Yisroel’s strength lies only in prayer. It is our sacred duty to plead before the Borei Kol Olamim and to arouse Divine mercy upon His people. Therefore, the Gedolei Yisroel in Eretz Yisroel have proclaimed a special day of tefillah this Thursday, 27 Menachem Av, to coincide with Yom Kippur Katan, observed early this month.

We therefore call upon every Jew, wherever they may be, to join together in tefillas rabbim, a united outpouring of heartfelt prayer, beseeching Hashem for the protection of the Torah world in our Holy Land and for the salvation of every single one of our brothers and sisters wherever they are. Avinu Malkeinu, abolish from upon us all harsh and evil decrees.

Throughout the Jewish world, communities are urged to gather for the recitation of Tehillim and the special tefillos of Yom Kippur Katan. In addition, praiseworthy is he who undertakes to fast (even if only for a few hours) as is the custom on Yom Kippur Katan. Whatever one offers, much or little, what matters most is that the heart be directed to Shomayim. The bnei hayeshivos are encouraged to add extra hours to their Torah learning, and we should elevate our collective tefillos on behalf of the Olam HaTorah and all of Klal Yisroel who are facing suffering and captivity.

May Hakadosh Boruch Hu have compassion upon us, redeem us from all our troubles, and grant us the merit to be written and sealed for a year of geulah and yeshuah.

{Matzav.com}

The Israel Police announced that an internal investigation has been launched after an incident in which a police officer was caught on video stomping on the head of a chareidi demonstrator during a protest. Authorities stated that the officer “likely” acted improperly during the confrontation.

The altercation happened yesterday at a protest against the drafting of chareidi men into the military, where participants blocked sections of Highway 4 in central Israel, causing significant disruptions.

In video footage from the scene, a border policewoman is seen forcefully kicking a protester who was lying on the ground, before stepping over him and walking away.

According to a statement released by the police, cited by Channel 12 news, “The video shows a border cop during a protest in Bnei Brak that was declared illegal and against which a dispersal order had been issued. Her action, as seen in the clip, likely deviates from the values and protocols of the organization. Accordingly, the incident has been handed to the authorized officials for examination.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

The Trump administration has announced a new round of sanctions targeting four additional members of the International Criminal Court (ICC) over their involvement in cases seeking to prosecute Israeli and American officials.

Among those sanctioned is Judge Nicolas Yann Guillou of France, who last year approved arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes in Gaza. Also included are deputy prosecutors Nazhat Shameem Khan of Fiji and Mame Mandiaye Niang of Senegal, both cited for supporting the warrants against the Israeli leaders.

Judge Kimberly Prost of Canada was also designated, following her ruling authorizing the ICC to move forward with its investigation into alleged actions by U.S. personnel in Afghanistan.

These four officials now join another group of four ICC members who were sanctioned by the Trump administration in June, two of whom were likewise tied to the warrants targeting Netanyahu and Gallant.

The sanctions announced today will freeze any U.S.-based assets belonging to the designated officials and bar them from entering the country.

Both the U.S. and Israel have rejected the ICC’s pursuit of Israeli leaders, arguing that the court lacks jurisdiction because Jerusalem is not a party to the Rome Statute that established the ICC. Washington also maintains that the Palestinian Authority does not qualify as a sovereign state with the authority to request such prosecutions.

Israel has further denied all allegations against Netanyahu and Gallant.

“The United States has been clear and steadfast in our opposition to the ICC’s politicization, abuse of power, disregard for our national sovereignty, and illegitimate judicial overreach,” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement announcing the latest designations.

“The court is a national security threat that has been an instrument for lawfare against the United States and our close ally Israel,” Rubio added.

“It remains the policy of the United States government to take whatever actions we deem necessary to protect our troops, our sovereignty, and our allies from the ICC’s illegitimate and baseless actions,” Rubio continued. “I urge countries that still support the ICC, many of whose freedom was purchased at the price of great American sacrifices, to resist the claims of this bankrupt institution.”

{Matzav.com}

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Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, appointed by President Joe Biden as the first African American woman and the first woman of color to serve on the Board, is now reportedly under scrutiny in a potential mortgage fraud probe.

“Cook must resign, now!!!” President Donald Trump declared in a Truth Social post on Wednesday morning.

Trump’s statement could strengthen his administration’s position in reshaping the makeup of the Federal Reserve Board.

According to Bloomberg, Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte, a strong Trump supporter, has formally requested that Attorney General Pam Bondi investigate Cook’s handling of two mortgages.

Republicans have criticized Cook as a DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) pick, and she now joins others like Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., and New York Attorney General Letitia James — both frequent Trump adversaries — who are facing similar investigations over alleged mortgage-related misconduct.

In a letter sent on August 15 to Bondi and Justice Department official Ed Martin, Pulte accused Cook of altering financial records and property documents to secure better loan conditions, actions that could amount to mortgage fraud. Bloomberg reviewed a copy of the letter.

The supporting documents cited in the referral show that on June 18, 2021, Cook obtained a $203,000 mortgage for a property in Ann Arbor, Michigan, agreeing to live there as her primary residence for at least a year. Just two weeks later, she took out another loan for $540,000 on a property in Georgia, under the same occupancy requirement. Pulte claims Cook then listed the Georgia property for rent, implying it was purchased as an investment rather than a residence. The letter identified four federal statutes that may have been violated.

At this stage, no charges have been filed, and it is not yet known if Bondi plans to move forward with a formal investigation.

Neither Cook, the Federal Reserve, the Justice Department, nor any other involved party has issued a response to Bloomberg’s requests for comment.

Cook was reappointed by Biden to a full term that runs through 2038. Her position has become increasingly significant as Trump allies put mounting pressure on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell to lower interest rates and potentially leave office before his term concludes next May.

This push comes on the heels of Fed Governor Adriana Kugler’s unexpected resignation, another Biden appointee. Trump has already taken steps to place economic adviser Stephen Miran in an interim role, a move that could give him an earlier opportunity to influence the central bank’s direction.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced that he intends to authorize a temporary reduction of customs duties on imported milk starting next week. The measure, set to last for six months, aims to tackle the ongoing shortage of milk in supermarkets and grocery chains while also helping to bring prices down for consumers.

According to the Finance Ministry, the directive will suspend the current customs tax on imported milk — which can reach as high as 40 percent — and will remain in effect until February 28, 2026. Officials explained that the policy is designed to guarantee a steady supply of milk ahead of the upcoming Yomim Tovim and to encourage more competitive pricing within the market.

“This is another milestone in our ongoing fight against the cost of living,” says Smotrich in a statement. “We are removing barriers and tariffs to increase competition – this way we will ensure that there is enough milk at a fair price.”

The ministry also highlighted that this year’s Yomim Tovim — Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkos — fall or begin during the middle of the week. This schedule significantly cuts down on available working and production days for local dairies. Combined with an anticipated surge in demand, these factors are expected to deepen the shortage, prompting the government to act now.

Israel’s Defense Ministry has announced plans to acquire two additional KC-46 aerial refueling planes from Boeing, expanding its existing order to a total of six. These new aircraft will be added to the four already contracted and are part of an ongoing effort to modernize the Israeli Air Force’s capabilities.

According to the ministry, Defense Ministry director Amir Baram instructed its U.S. mission to finalize an agreement with Washington for the fifth and sixth planes “once approval of the Israel Defense Procurement Ministerial Committee is obtained,” the statement said.

The purchase is estimated to cost around $500 million and will be funded through the annual $3.8 billion in U.S. military aid that Israel receives under the 10-year memorandum of understanding signed between the two countries.

Baram emphasized the strategic importance of the acquisition, stating that the aircraft “will strengthen the IAF, the IDF’s long-range strategic arm, enabling it to reach distant theaters with greater force and scope.”

Ido Nehushtan, president of Boeing Israel, highlighted the company’s strong connection with the country, saying Boeing “takes pride in its longstanding partnership with Israel, a relationship that dates back to the nation’s establishment.”

The initial agreement for the first four KC-46 aircraft was signed in 2022, but delivery has not yet taken place. That deal included an option for Israel to purchase four additional planes at a later stage.

The KC-46 is a versatile aircraft designed primarily for aerial refueling of fighter jets but is also capable of serving as a transport plane for troops and equipment.

These new planes will replace the Israeli Air Force’s current aging fleet of refueling aircraft, which includes KC-130 Hercules models and modified Boeing 707s. The latter played a pivotal role in Israel’s operations during the war against Iran in June.

{Matzav.com Israel}

A recent Reuters/Ipsos survey found that 58% of Americans believe that all countries represented in the United Nations should formally acknowledge Palestine as an independent state.

According to the poll, 33% of those surveyed opposed such recognition, while the remaining 9% did not provide an opinion.

The six-day survey, which concluded on Monday, comes shortly after three close U.S. allies — Canada, Britain, and France — announced their plans to officially recognize the State of Palestine.

The poll was conducted during ongoing hopes for a breakthrough agreement between Israel and Hamas involving a ceasefire and the release of hostages. The conflict began after Hamas launched its October 7 assault on southern Israel, in which approximately 1,200 people were killed and 251 were taken captive.

Last week, Britain, Canada, Australia, and several European partners stated that the humanitarian situation in Gaza has reached “unimaginable levels.” Aid agencies have also warned that famine is imminent in the densely populated enclave.

In addition, 65% of those surveyed said the United States should actively provide assistance to help prevent starvation in Gaza, while 28% disagreed. Among those opposed were 41% of U.S. President Donald Trump’s Republican supporters.

The poll also revealed that 59% of respondents believe Israel’s military response in Gaza has gone too far, compared to 33% who disagreed.

This represents a shift from a similar Reuters/Ipsos survey conducted in February 2024, when 53% believed Israel’s actions were excessive, while 42% disagreed.

The latest poll was conducted online, collecting responses from 4,446 adults across the United States. It carries a margin of error of approximately two percentage points.

{Matzav.com}

An investigation by the Israel Defense Forces revealed that a group of at least 18 Hamas terrorists attempted to storm an IDF base near Khan Younis in southern Gaza on Wednesday morning. According to the military, three Israeli soldiers were injured in the incident, one of them critically. Officials believe the attackers intended to capture soldiers during the raid.

The military’s probe determined that the assault began around 9 a.m., when the Hamas operatives surfaced from a tunnel in the southern sector of Khan Younis and opened fire using machine guns and RPGs as they advanced toward the IDF installation.

Several of the terrorists managed to infiltrate the compound and engaged in heavy exchanges of gunfire with members of the Kfir Brigade.

According to the IDF’s findings, ten of the gunmen were eliminated during the fighting and through airstrikes coordinated with ground forces, while eight others managed to retreat back into the tunnel network. The army also released video footage showing the targeted airstrikes. Another widely shared clip online (graphic) depicted the bodies of two of the terrorists inside the IDF base. In a separate video, a tank from the 74th Armored Battalion is seen ramming into a Hamas operative carrying an RPG during the confrontation.

The injured soldiers were all part of the Kfir Brigade’s Nahshon Battalion. The IDF reported that one soldier was in serious condition while the other two sustained moderate wounds and were stable.

Military officials confirmed that operations are ongoing to locate the remaining attackers who escaped through the tunnels.

Hamas’s armed faction, the Al-Qassam Brigades, claimed responsibility for the assault, stating that its fighters “stormed the site” and carried out a suicide bombing.

In its statement, Al-Qassam asserted that its forces struck several IDF tanks with explosives and RPGs, and attacked multiple structures used by Israeli troops with machine-gun fire and grenades. The group further claimed, “A number of fighters stormed the houses and finished off a number of occupation soldiers inside from point-blank range with light weapons and hand grenades,” though the IDF confirmed that no Israeli soldiers were killed during the incident.

Hamas also alleged that one of its snipers “fatally wounded” a tank commander and that its operatives fired mortar shells “to secure the withdrawal of the fighters.”

Additionally, the group claimed, “Upon the arrival of the rescue force, one of the martyrs detonated himself among the soldiers, leaving them dead and wounded.”

While Hamas’s military wing said the battle “lasted for several hours,” the IDF’s investigation concluded that the confrontation was resolved in less than an hour.

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{Matzav.com}

Arabic graffiti, including references to the “Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades,” was sprayed across the kever of Elazar Hakohein in the village of Awarta in Samaria.

The vandals defaced the site by painting Arabic inscriptions on the grave. Among the markings was the name “Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades,” the armed faction associated with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, which is active in the area.

This incident is not unprecedented. Back in 2011, visitors discovered that the gravestone had been partly destroyed and covered in graffiti, including sketches of rocket launchers.

The location of the grave, situated at the entrance of the village, leaves it particularly vulnerable to acts of desecration.

Rabbi Yitzchok Dovid Grossman, chairman of the Holy Sites Committee of the Chief Rabbinical Council, expressed his outrage: “I was shocked to see the pogrom carried out at the grave of Elazar Hakohein, son of AharonHakohein, in the village of Awarta in Samaria.”

He went on to explain, “Elazar Hakohein was the ‘chief of the Leviim,’ the most important figure in the Jewish hierarchy of his time, the kohein gadol who continued the priestly path of his father, Aharon Hakohein. Our sages said of him, ‘He loves peace and pursues peace; he loves all creatures.’”

Rabbi Grossman added, “The site of Elazar Hakohein’s grave has been sanctified and recognized by all nations, not just Jews, as a place of prayer and spiritual merit. This is not the first time the grave has been desecrated. I appeal to every religious authority, at every site, to protect this sacred grave and prevent its desecration in the future. Let us follow in the ways of Elazar Hakohein and his father and increase peace in the world.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Tuesday that the Trump administration was continuing to discuss a ceasefire proposal for Gaza, and confirmed that Hamas had accepted it.

“I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Hamas accepted this proposal after the president of the United States posted a very strong statement about this conflict on Truth Social,” Leavitt said at a press briefing at the White House.

The talks coincide with IDF preparations for the seizure of Gaza City, seemingly with the support of U.S. President Donald Trump, who on Monday said that the remaining hostages would return only when Hamas is “confronted and destroyed.”

“The sooner this takes place, the better the chances of success will be,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

U.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff in an interview with Sean Hannity on Fox News on Tuesday stressed how Trump’s Truth Social post changed the terrorist group’s calculations.

“Three weeks ago that proposal was on the table and they slow-played us, Hamas. And the president put out his Truth statement saying that he wasn’t going to tolerate it anymore and guess what happened? There’s been a major break. They’ve issued the announcement and they’ve said they want a peace deal,” Witkoff said.

He continued: “The president has been very decisive and straightforward in his Truth. He wants all the hostages back and that is the position that we have. We want all the hostages back. That conflict should end immediately. Twenty hostages should be returned to their families, a commensurate amount of Palestinian prisoners to be released as well, and just let’s end that thing and bring peace and solitude to the Gazan people and rebuild Gaza as it should be rebuilt as the president has set forth.”

According to Arab media, the proposal features a partial pullout of Israeli forces from some areas of the Gaza Strip, the release of 10 out of the 20 living hostages held by Hamas and the release of more than 200 Palestinian prisoners held in Israel during a 60-day ceasefire.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, addressing the nation on Monday, stated that Hamas was “under immense pressure” as the terrorist group signaled a willingness to negotiate after previously refusing several offers.

Netanyahu also visited the IDF’s Gaza Division, where he expressed his “tremendous appreciation” for the “great achievements” of Israel’s military in the Gaza war, which he termed both a “War of Redemption” and a “War on Seven Fronts.”

The prime minister’s political allies, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, have vocally opposed any partial deal that does not secure the release of all hostages and a total defeat of Hamas.

On Tuesday, the fathers of three soldiers who fell fighting Palestinian terrorists since Oct. 7, 2023, wrote Netanyahu an open letter in which they demanded he decline any deal that doesn’t retrieve all 50 remaining hostages.

“Any pause now, for partial deals would endanger the hostages, the troops and Israel’s security. Do not surrender to Hamas. It is time for a decisive victory,” wrote the fathers of Cpt. Uri Mordechai Shani and Fst. Sgts. Yishai Fitousi and Amit Buntzel. The fathers, Yehoshua, Itzik and Itzik, are members of the Gevurah Forum of bereaved parents.

As of Aug. 19, 148 hostages have been returned alive to Israel—eight of them rescued through military operations. Most have been redeemed in two exchanges, held during ceasefires in 2024 and 2025, for Palestinian terrorists held in Israeli prisons.

The bodies of an additional 56 captives have been repatriated to Israel.

As talks on a deal continue, the Israel Defense Forces is finalizing preparations for the seizure of Gaza City, which would significantly tighten Israel’s grip on the area and limit Hamas’s ability to operate there.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz on Tuesday approved plans for the next stage of the war presented to him by IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir and senior IDF leadership, according to Israel’s Channel 12 News.

The campaign has been dubbed “Operation Gideon’s Chariots II,” according to the report.

To fund the war, the Israeli Cabinet agreed to cut 30.8 billion shekels ($9 billion) from the budgets of various ministries in favor of the Defense Ministry. Of that sum, 1.6 billion shekels ($471 million) is earmarked for humanitarian aid for Gazans. JNS

{Matzav.com}

The wave of arrests within the chareidi community continues to stir emotions, as Noriel Mirzokandov, a yeshiva bochur who was released Tuesday after being detained by the army, visited the home of Rav Dov Landau to receive a brocha.

The meeting took place at Rav Landau’s residence on Rechov Rav Sher in Bnei Brak, where the rosh yeshiva warmly greeted the young man and expressed words of support and encouragement.

During the emotional encounter, Rav Landau offered his brocha and reassurance to Mirzokandov and to all bnei yeshivos facing similar ordeals: “Be’ezras Hashem we hope to be rid of this. We are all standing behind you and behind everyone they take to prison. We are davening to Shamayim and doing whatever we can here on earth, constantly, without pause.”

Just days ago, at the conclusion of a major “Rischa D’Oraysa” gathering in Bnei Brak, Rav Landau delivered a powerful address, warning of the spiritual dangers facing Klal Yisroel and calling for unity and resilience. In his remarks at that gathering, Rav Landau lamented the suffering of the Torah world under current pressures: “We all know that due to our many aveiros, we have been in galus for so many years — and now we feel it even more strongly. The weight of this galus presses heavily upon us. There is a decree upon us, a harsh and bitter decree. Jews are persecuting Jews because of their Torah learning. This is a terrible gezeirah, and in our sins, we find ourselves inside this decree, rachmana litzlan.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

Elon Musk is reportedly holding off on launching his new political party in an effort to maintain strong relationships with top Republicans — particularly Vice President JD Vance, whom the billionaire is considering supporting in 2028.

Although Musk had previously promised that his “America Party” would disrupt the traditional two-party system, sources told the Wall Street Journal that he has since confided to those close to him that he wants to prioritize his business ventures rather than risk weakening his alliances with Republican leaders in Washington.

The Tesla founder is especially focused on keeping a close partnership with Vance, who is widely viewed as a potential successor to carry forward the MAGA movement after President Trump finishes his second term.

According to the Journal, Musk has privately shared with associates that launching the “America Party” could harm his relationship with Vance — something he wants to avoid.

Musk, the world’s wealthiest man, has reportedly told those around him that he would be prepared to provide financial backing for Vance if he decides to pursue a White House run in 2028.

In the 2024 election cycle, Musk poured nearly $300 million into President Trump’s campaign and other Republican efforts, significantly contributing to Trump’s victory in securing a second term.

Despite putting his plans on pause, Musk has not entirely dismissed the idea of creating the “America Party.” Allies told the Journal that he is watching the political landscape closely and will revisit the possibility depending on the results of the 2026 midterm elections.

The idea of forming a third party was first floated last month during a heated public clash between Musk and Trump over the Big Beautiful Bill Act — legislation Musk labeled a “disgusting abomination” and slammed for what he called reckless government spending.

At the time, Musk suggested he would focus his resources on “2 or 3 Senate Seats and 8 to 10 House districts” in pivotal congressional races and vowed to support primary challengers against Republicans who backed the bill.

In response, Trump fired back, warning that he was considering revoking Musk’s federal contracts, escalating tensions between the two.

Musk has long made reducing the federal deficit one of his key political goals. He was even brought into the Trump administration to lead the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), but he stepped away from the position in May to refocus on his companies.

Recently, though, relations between Musk and Trump seem to have stabilized, as Musk has avoided criticizing the president or other Republican figures in recent weeks.

For Vance, Musk’s financial resources and influence could prove to be a tremendous advantage if he positions himself to take on a greater leadership role after Trump’s presidency.

When the Journal reached out for comment, Vance’s team pointed to an interview he gave earlier this month to the Gateway Pundit, where the Vice President said it would be harmful for conservatives to break away from MAGA and expressed hope that Musk would “come back into the fold” by the midterms.

Without directly addressing the Journal’s report, Musk later posted on X: “Nothing @WSJ says should ever be thought of as true.”

{Matzav.com}

The Pentagon is preparing to allocate more than $3.5 billion to rebuild its weapons stockpiles following recent U.S. military operations in the Middle East, much of which were carried out in defense of Israel, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday.

According to the report, the emergency funding requests submitted to Congress underscore the enormous expenses tied to sustaining an elevated American military presence in the region.

The proposal seeks funding for a range of priorities, including replenishing missile interceptors, repairing naval vessels, and transporting munitions. Of the total, at least $1 billion is earmarked for replacing RTX Corp. missile interceptors that were used to defend against Iranian strikes, Bloomberg noted.

The request references U.S. efforts to counter Iran’s April 2024 assault on Israel, during which Iran launched over 110 medium-range ballistic missiles, 30 cruise missiles, and 150 drones.

Among the Pentagon’s specific requests, the single largest allocation — around $1 billion — would go toward restocking various models of the RTX Standard Missile interceptor, particularly the SM-3 IB Threat Upgrade, which costs between $9 million and $12 million per unit. These interceptors were deployed by Navy vessels to neutralize incoming Iranian missiles. The documents also reveal an “unplanned THAAD deployment” at a new location. The second-largest request seeks $204 million for additional Lockheed Martin Corp. THAAD missile interceptors.

The spending proposal draws on the 2024 Israeli Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, which authorized $14 billion to rebuild U.S. military stockpiles and purchase more missile defense systems for Israel.

These replenishment requests are separate from the $4.2 billion worth of U.S. weapons and equipment already supplied directly to Israel between October 2023 and May.

{Matzav.com}

On Tuesday, the French Presidency sharply criticized Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu after he accused President Emmanuel Macron of fueling antisemitism in France by deciding to recognize a Palestinian state, according to AFP.

In a statement, Macron’s office described Netanyahu’s accusation as both “abject” and “erroneous,” insisting that France “protects and will always protect its Jewish citizens.” The statement added that a letter from Netanyahu containing the allegations “will not go unanswered.”

The French Presidency further emphasized that “this is a time for seriousness and responsibility, not for conflation and manipulation.”

AFP reported that Netanyahu’s letter claimed antisemitism had “surged” in France following Macron’s announcement last month that France intends to formally recognize a Palestinian state in September, which would make France the first G7 nation to take such a step.

In his message to Macron, Netanyahu wrote, “Your call for a Palestinian state pours fuel on this antisemitic fire. It is not diplomacy, it is appeasement. It rewards Hamas terror, hardens Hamas’s refusal to free the hostages, emboldens those who menace French Jews and encourages the Jew-hatred now stalking your streets.”

France is home to the largest Jewish population in Europe. Data from the interior ministry shows that reported antisemitic incidents in France rose from 436 in 2022 to 1,676 in 2023, before slightly decreasing to 1,570 last year.

This dispute comes amid already strained relations between Israel and France, largely due to Macron’s persistent criticism of Israel’s military campaign against Hamas in Gaza.

Macron has twice urged the imposition of an arms embargo on Israel, arguing that “stopping the export of weapons” used by Israel in Gaza and Lebanon is the only way to bring an end to the fighting.

Additionally, Macron warned that Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza could potentially violate international humanitarian law.

In another instance, the French President strongly condemned Netanyahu’s stance on humanitarian aid to Gaza, calling his policy “shameful” and suggesting that European countries should consider imposing stronger sanctions.

{Matzav.com}