Matzav

Sen. Lindsey Graham that he believes President Donald Trump is prepared to unleash severe economic sanctions against Russia if President Vladimir Putin refuses to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the coming weeks.

Graham, who chairs the Senate Budget Committee and spoke with Trump on Tuesday morning, has been urging the president for months to support his bipartisan sanctions package. The proposed legislation would levy steep tariffs on countries that are helping fund Russia’s war by continuing to purchase its oil, natural gas, uranium, and other key exports.

Although the bill currently has support from 85 senators, Trump has not yet endorsed it. Republican leadership has indicated they will not advance the measure without his backing.

“If we don’t have this thing moving in the right direction by the time we get back, then I think that plan B needs to kick in,” Graham said in a phone interview with The Associated Press on Tuesday. Congress is currently in recess and scheduled to reconvene in September.

Graham’s conversation with Trump came less than a day after high-level meetings at the White House with Zelenskyy and several European leaders. Trump and the other participants sounded positive after the discussions, suggesting that a direct meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy is expected to take place soon.

Still, Trump’s comments to Graham — one of his closest congressional allies — indicate growing pressure, not only on Putin but also on Trump himself to deliver results.

“Trump believes that if Putin doesn’t do his part, that he’s going to have to crush his economy. Because you’ve got to mean what you say,” Graham told reporters Tuesday in South Carolina.

As lawmakers prepare to return in September, the next several weeks could prove critical in determining whether Congress and U.S. allies will move forward independently if Trump does not act.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, the lead Democrat working alongside Graham on the sanctions bill, said there is still “a lot of reason for skepticism and doubt” following the White House meetings, noting that Putin has avoided making any explicit commitments. Blumenthal warned that the Russian president may try to “rope-a-dope” Trump.

“The only way to bring Putin to the table is to show strength,” Blumenthal told the AP this week. “What Putin understands is force and pressure.”

Despite that, Republicans have shown little appetite for pushing forward without Trump’s approval. Before Congress adjourned for August recess, Republican leaders paused work on the sanctions package after Trump suggested it might not yet be necessary.

Asked Tuesday whether the bill should move ahead without Trump’s backing, Graham said, “the best way to do it is with him.”

“There will come a point where if it’s clear that Putin is not going to entertain peace, that President Trump will have to back up what he said he would do,” Graham added. “And the best way to do it is have congressional blessing.”

The proposed legislation would impose tariffs as high as 500% on nations like China and India, which together account for about 70% of Russia’s energy exports. The measure also has the support of several European leaders.

Many of those European officials left the White House on Monday sounding encouraged. Zelenskyy described the discussions with Trump as “an important step toward ending this war,” while German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said his expectations “were not just met, they were exceeded.”

However, little progress has been made on resolving the core issues preventing a ceasefire. The stalemate continues to favor Putin, whose forces are slowly but steadily advancing on the battlefield in Ukraine.

French President Emmanuel Macron said after the White House meetings that Trump believes an agreement with Putin remains possible, though he noted that sanctions are “still very much on the table” should the negotiations collapse.

{Matzav.com}

During an interview on Tuesday with conservative radio host Mark Levin, U.S. President Donald Trump spoke highly of Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, describing him as a “war hero.”

Trump commended Netanyahu’s efforts in working to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, stating, “He’s a good man, he’s in there fighting.”

“He’s in there fighting, they’re trying to put him in jail on top of everything else, how about that?” Trump added, referring to Netanyahu’s ongoing trial. “He’s a war hero, cause we worked together. He’s a war hero. I guess I am too. Nobody cares. I am too. I sent those planes.”

LISTEN IN FULL:

The President’s remark about “sending those planes” referred to his order in June to launch airstrikes against three key Iranian enrichment facilities.

Throughout the discussion, Trump also expressed frustration that he has not received proper acknowledgment for this and other recent actions aimed at easing international tensions.

The President further stated that Hamas “weren’t going to give back any hostages” and emphasized, “I’m the one that got all the hostages back.”

During the 2024 presidential campaign — which ultimately secured Trump’s second term — his relationship with Netanyahu was repaired after previous tensions that followed the 2020 election.

In a July 2024 meeting with Netanyahu, Trump stressed, “My relationship with Netanyahu was never bad.”

Back in April, Trump also stated that he and Netanyahu are “on the same side of every issue.”

Trump’s comments regarding Netanyahu’s trial are consistent with previous criticisms he has voiced about the legal proceedings.

In June, he posted on Truth Social, calling the case a “ridiculous Witch Hunt” and demanding either its dismissal or a pardon for Netanyahu. Just three days later, he followed up with another post reiterating the same message.

{Matzav.com}

Russian President Vladimir Putin is open to holding direct talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, either privately or together with President Trump, a senior Kremlin official announced Tuesday, while avoiding giving any specific timeframe for such a meeting.

“We do not reject any forms of work, neither bilateral nor trilateral. Russian President Putin has repeatedly spoken about this,” Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov told the state-owned broadcaster VGTRK.

Until now, Putin has consistently turned down requests from Zelensky for a personal meeting throughout the 41-month-long conflict. However, the White House stated Tuesday that discussions are expected to take place after President Trump met with Putin in Alaska on Friday and later spoke with Zelensky and several European leaders during meetings at the White House on Monday.

Lavrov emphasized that any discussion, whether held “1+1” or “1+2,” must be approached with a “serious approach” and not simply arranged to generate headlines.

“Any contacts with the participation of top officials must be prepared with the utmost care,” he stressed.

According to the White House, President Trump spoke with Putin following the discussions with Zelensky and European leaders, during which Putin signaled his readiness for talks.

“Following the encouraging conversations yesterday, President Trump spoke with President Putin by phone, and he agreed to begin the next phase of the peace process, a meeting between President Putin and President Zelensky, which would be followed if necessary by a trilateral meeting between President Putin, President Zelensky and President Trump,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Tuesday.

The location and timing for the talks have yet to be finalized.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, speaking to reporters after leaving the White House on Monday, said that “there would be a meeting between the Russian president and the Ukrainian president within the next two weeks.”

Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron suggested that neutral Switzerland could serve as the venue for the negotiations, stating Tuesday that he was “pushing for Geneva.”

In addition, Putin extended an invitation to President Trump to personally visit Moscow for further discussions following Friday’s summit, though such a trip would likely take place only after peace talks between Russia and Ukraine are concluded.

{Matzav.com}

Tel Aviv — Starting Wednesday, Israel Railways will implement one of its largest temporary service disruptions in years, announcing a six-day suspension of train operations across most of Tel Aviv. The shutdown — which includes the complete closure of the Tel Aviv HaShalom station — is expected to cause significant delays for thousands of daily commuters.

The suspension will last from Wednesday, August 20, until Tuesday, August 26, with service expected to gradually resume afterward. Free shuttle buses will operate frequently to assist passengers during the closure.

During the shutdown, travel between the north and south of the country through Tel Aviv will not be possible. Israel Railways released the following route adjustments: trains from the south will operate only up to Lod; trains from Yerushalayim and Modi’in will terminate at Ben Gurion Airport; and trains from the north will operate only up to Tel Aviv Savidor Central. The affected area covers the central stretch of the network between Tel Aviv HaHagana and Tel Aviv Savidor Central, where the infrastructure upgrade works will take place.

According to Israel Railways, the closure is necessary for critical safety and infrastructure upgrades designed to prevent future breakdowns and improve overall service quality. The company explained that the current disruptions, caused by a significant electrification failure, created an opportunity to advance major works originally scheduled for September. “Given the existing disturbances, we decided to accelerate essential safety works now, rather than shut down services twice. These upgrades are vital for the network’s reliability and passenger safety,” the railway authority stated.

The work will include upgrades to key infrastructure components, including the “heart valves” of the system — critical junctions that allow trains to switch tracks and handle heavy travel demand.

To minimize inconvenience, free shuttle services will run every five minutes between the affected Tel Aviv stations: Tel Aviv HaHagana, Tel Aviv HaShalom, and Tel Aviv Savidor Central. Additional service representatives will be stationed at all major stops to assist travelers with information and guidance.

Israel Railways announced that train services are expected to resume gradually starting Tuesday, August 26, first from the southern routes and later reopening connections to the north.

Passengers are advised to stay updated via the Israel Railways website, the official mobile app, or the customer service hotline at *5770. For further assistance regarding alternative public transportation, the Ministry of Transportation hotline is available at *4515.

{Matzav.com Israel}

The Israeli Ministry of Health issued an urgent announcement on Tuesday warning the public about potential measles exposure after it was discovered that a confirmed measles patient traveled on public transportation between Bnei Brak and Beit Shemesh during the infectious period.

Health officials are urging anyone who may have been near the patient to verify their vaccination status and follow ministry guidelines to reduce the risk of infection.

Travel Details Released by the Ministry

The Ministry of Health has provided the following details regarding the patient’s bus rides on Egged line 681:

• August 15, 2025 — From Bnei Brak to Beit Shemesh, between 3:00 PM and 4:30 PM

• August 16–17, 2025 — From Beit Shemesh to Bnei Brak, between 11:30 PM and 12:45 AM

Anyone who was on these buses during the specified times is strongly advised to ensure they are fully vaccinated against measles.

Rising Measles Cases in Israel

The announcement comes amid a growing measles outbreak in Israel. Since the start of the surge roughly three months ago, 618 cases have been confirmed nationwide, 236 of which remain active.

The majority of hospitalized patients are unvaccinated children. Tragically, two infants who were not vaccinated have died from the illness in the past week.

As of today, 21 patients are currently hospitalized, most of them children under the age of six, along with one adult. Two patients are in intensive care, including one connected to an ECMO machine for life support.

Symptoms and Risks

According to the Ministry of Health, measles typically begins with:

• High fever

• General fatigue and weakness

• Runny nose

• Rash

The disease can lead to severe complications and, in some cases, life-threatening conditions.

Health Ministry Recommendations

The Ministry is urging parents to:

• Vaccinate their children with two doses of the measles vaccine according to the standard immunization schedule.

• In high-risk areas — including Yerushalayim, Beit Shemesh, and Bnei Brak — infants aged six months to one year are advised to receive an additional early dose to enhance protection.

Officials emphasize that vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent infection and stop the spread of the disease.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Manhattan, NY — Thousands of Chassidim gathered on Monday outside the Israeli Consulate in Manhattan to protest the draft of bnei yeshivos in Eretz Yisroel. The rally, held under the banner of “Milchamah LaHashem B’Amalek” (“A War for Hashem Against Amalek”), was organized at the directive of the Satmar Rebbe and coordinated in partnership with the Hisachdus Harbbonim (Satmar) of the United States and Canada.

The protest drew thousands from across the U.S., many of whom traveled long distances to attend. Despite it being the height of the summer vacation season, participants left their camps and summer residences to stand in solidarity with their brethren in Eretz Yisroel.

Gathered outside the consulate, demonstrators expressed their deep anguish over the arrests of yeshiva bochurim and voiced a unified outcry against government efforts to enforce conscription laws that threaten the uninterrupted study of Torah.

Throughout the rally, rabbonim delivered impassioned speeches about the centrality of Torah learning to the survival of the Jewish nation. Speakers emphasized the urgent need to safeguard the purity and sanctity of the Torah world and called upon participants to intensify their tefillos and commitments in support of bnei yeshivos in Eretz Yisroel.

{Matzav.com}

El Al Airlines announced that it will restart flights this winter between Tel Aviv and the southern resort city of Eilat, marking the first time in more than ten years that the route will be back in operation.

Beginning October 21, Israel’s national airline will run two daily flights on the Tel Aviv-Eilat route — one in the morning and another in the evening — “despite complex operational challenges.”

One-way fares will begin at NIS 139 (approximately $41) and will include both a trolley and a backpack. Residents of Eilat will have access to subsidized tickets priced at NIS 99 per trip.

The decision to resume service to Eilat follows a request from the Transportation Ministry and is part of a broader initiative to boost the number of flights on the domestic route, improving connectivity between the Red Sea resort city and central Israel.

{Matzav.com Israel}

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A new poll suggests that support for socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani may be slipping among New Yorkers, even as he continues to maintain a strong lead in the crowded mayoral race.

The Gotham Polling & Analytics survey, conducted for AARP and released this week, polled 1,400 likely voters and revealed a sharp divide in public opinion about Mamdani, a proud member of the Democratic Socialists of America.

According to the results, 47% of voters reported having an unfavorable opinion of Mamdani, while the exact same percentage — 47% — viewed him favorably.

This marks a notable shift from earlier surveys, where Mamdani’s unfavorable ratings ranged from the low 30s to the low 40s, indicating a growing number of voters who are turning against him.

Still, the August 11 poll showed the Queens assemblyman holding a sizable advantage, with nearly 42% support among likely voters. Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo followed with 23%, GOP nominee Curtis Sliwa came in at 16%, and Mayor Eric Adams trailed with just 9%.

The poll results come nearly two months after Mamdani’s stunning upset victory in the Democratic primary, where he defeated Cuomo and upended his early comeback bid.

Since then, Cuomo — now running as an independent in the November general election — has failed to gain momentum and continues to lag behind in multiple polls.

Adams, who skipped the June Democratic primary but is seeking re-election on an independent line, has similarly struggled to secure significant support, remaining stuck in the single digits.

Despite Mamdani’s continued lead, cracks are beginning to show in his dominance.

He has faced challenges uniting the Democratic Party behind him, with many establishment figures distancing themselves from his progressive platform and far-left policies.

Gov. Kathy Hochul has so far refused to endorse Mamdani, publicly criticizing some of his proposals, including his plan to impose higher taxes on businesses and wealthy residents.

Over the weekend, Hochul — who faces her own re-election campaign next year — also slammed Mamdani’s proposal for city-run grocery stores, stating that she supports “free enterprise” and opposes government overreach into private markets.

Mamdani’s lack of institutional backing extends beyond Hochul. Two of the most influential Democratic leaders in Washington, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, both from Brooklyn, have also withheld their support.

The poll also tested a series of hypothetical scenarios in which candidates dropped out, measuring who voters would support if their first choice exited the race.

In every scenario, Mamdani still maintained his advantage, securing over 42% of support regardless of which rivals were removed from contention.

“Mamdani sits on a hard floor around forty percent but likely to have a firm ceiling below a majority – in a split field that’s enough to stay ahead,” said Stephen Graves, president of Gotham Polling & Analytics.

“Cuomo has the best path of the challengers, but even in a hypothetical one-on-one in an election that often favors lower-turnout, older electorates, he still trails by double digits,” Graves added.

“A disciplined persuasion campaign could still make this a race.”

{Matzav.com}

A group of religious soldiers from the IDF’s 77th Battalion in the Armored Corps have sent a sharply worded letter to their commanders, accusing the army of failing to uphold commitments to accommodate their religious lifestyle during a recent battalion vacation.

According to a report published Tuesday on Arutz Sheva, the letter was addressed to the battalion commander, Lt. Col. D., and the battalion’s sergeant major, Y., following a two-day recreation event.

The soldiers said that while the overall arrangements for the trip were impressive, they felt deeply hurt after discovering that the promises to maintain proper separation between men and women were not kept. “We were promised that the battalion event would be held with separation and with full respect for our way of life, and we were deeply hurt to find that these were empty promises,” the soldiers wrote.

They explained that the event was mixed and not conducted with the gender separation they had been assured beforehand. They added that female soldiers were present around the hotel pool dressed in ways that conflicted with their religious standards. “This severely harmed our faith, our values, and our way of life. We expected the battalion — entrusted with the value of comradeship — to look after the needs of soldiers who keep mitzvos. Instead, we left with feelings of hurt and disappointment because of the lack of trust that was created.”

The letter, signed by dozens of soldiers from the battalion, demanded an appropriate response from their commanders.

A source familiar with the details said the event was held at the Dan Hotel in Yerushalayim and was designed as a two-day refresh session for the battalion’s fighters. He noted that soldiers were informed in advance that they were expected to adhere to respectful dress codes during the trip.

The source explained that on the first day, a battalion fair was held on a terrace near the hotel pool but not directly alongside it, so that those uncomfortable could choose to avoid the area. The fair featured food stands, sweets, and an ice bath attraction, which he said was conducted in full clothing and with separation between men and women, though without a full visual barrier.

He added that the soldiers were initially informed that the hotel pool would have designated, separate swimming hours for men and women, but this plan was not implemented due to “operational constraints” and the fact that the facility is civilian-run. “Every effort was made to include all soldiers in a respectful and dignified manner. There was no intent to offend or cause discomfort,” the source stated.

In response, the IDF said: “The IDF regrets the incident and the discomfort caused to the soldiers and emphasizes that the matter is known and lessons will be learned. The purpose of the event was to provide a meaningful break for the fighters and was not intended to cause harm.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

The dispute over the rotation agreement between Degel HaTorah and Agudas Yisroel has intensified, with new signs of division emerging inside Agudah itself.

In a letter sent Tuesday night, MK Yitzchak Goldknopf, chairman of Agudas Yisroel, and MK Yaakov Tesler responded to Degel leader MK Moshe Gafni’s demand to enforce the agreement. In their statement, they declared that they are prepared to take the matter to rabbinic leadership or enter formal arbitration but made it clear that they “will not be dragged into unnecessary delays.”

Goldknopf and Tesler also distanced themselves from fellow Agudah members MK Yisroel Eichler and MK Meir Porush, accusing them of causing deliberate delays in deciding whether to comply with the agreement.

According to the two MKs, Rav Moshe Shifman proposed resolving the matter through either a single arbitrator or a zabla panel, in which each side appoints a rabbinic representative and both choose a third together. They said that the entire Agudah faction initially agreed to this approach, but efforts to create a list of mutually accepted names for arbitration have repeatedly been met with “excuses and repeated postponements,” giving the impression of intentional stalling.

In their letter, Goldknopf and Tesler stressed that they are willing to accept any arbitration plan proposed by Gafni, as long as “the names being considered are approved by all members.”

The current conflict stems from the resignation of MK Yitzchak Pindrus, who had served under the Norwegian Law. His departure left the United Torah Judaism alliance — composed of Agudah and Degel — uneven, with Agudah holding four seats and Degel only three. Degel then sent a formal demand that one Agudah MK resign to allow Pindrus to return.

Degel’s position is based on a rotation agreement signed prior to the elections, which stipulates that if United Torah Judaism receives an odd number of seats, the final candidate on the list must resign midway through the term to allow the next candidate to enter, maintaining an equal split.

Agudah sources rejected Degel’s request, arguing that “the eighth seat has already served for more than half a term. If the seventh seat resigns now, the eighth seat would end up serving longer than the seventh. What kind of equality is that? It makes no sense.”

Agudah officials also accused Degel of inconsistency, pointing to a recent dispute over the Committee for Appointing Dayanim. “How are they not embarrassed in Degel? Just a few months ago, we demanded that Degel step aside on the committee for a rotation that was signed in the agreement, but nobody from Degel responded. MK Boruchy remained on the committee and appointed dayanim. We never got an answer. Now suddenly, they remember that there are agreements.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

Elad is facing a storm of controversy after the city’s chief rabbi, Rav Shlomo Zalman Grossman, submitted an urgent petition to the Supreme Court against the Elad Municipality, Mayor Yehuda Botbol, and the Ministry of Religious Services following the city’s decision to end his tenure as the chief rabbi.

In his petition, Rav Grossman warns of the dangerous precedent being set, saying: “What will we answer if, in the future, a secular mayor in another city decides to dismiss the city’s rabbi? He will point to Elad as an example, and no one will know how to respond.”

According to sources, the conflict has roots going back several years, beginning during the tenure of former mayor Yisroel Porush. At the time, it became apparent that the city’s rabbonim were nearing the retirement age of 75. To avoid leaving Elad without rabbinic leadership, Porush convened the city council at the end of 2022 and proposed extending the rabbonim’s tenure as long as they were capable of serving.

This proposal was accompanied by a legal opinion from Professor Aviad Hacohen, a leading authority in the field, who stated that the rabbonim could remain in their positions after reaching the age of 75, receiving 60% of their current salary. Subsequently, in mid-2023, the city council revisited the issue and approved full continuation of their salaries at 100%.

Both decisions were passed unanimously, with the support of then-deputy mayor Yehuda Botbol and all members of the Shas faction at the time.

However, recently it was discovered that the words “100 percent” had been mysteriously removed from the official council protocols, and the recording of that meeting has also vanished from the municipal archives. This omission left the question of the rabbis’ salaries and employment status unresolved.

This summer, Rav Grossman turned 75. Expecting the municipality to uphold its prior commitments, he reached out to Mayor Botbol to confirm that his position was secure. Instead, according to those close to the matter, Botbol began avoiding communication and, when pressed, responded that there were “legal issues” preventing him from authorizing the continuation of the rabbi’s full tenure.

Botbol, citing advice from the municipality’s legal department, reportedly claimed that the previous approval only applied to keeping the rabbis in their positions but excluded salaries and associated benefits. Under this interpretation, the rabbonim would continue serving without pay, without an active office, and without assistants — a situation that Rav Grossman’s supporters have called “unthinkable.”

In recent weeks, Rav Grossman contacted members of the 2022 council session, and many signed statements confirming that the city council had indeed approved his continued service. A renewed legal opinion from Professor Hacohen also clarified that, even if the decision had not been finalized previously, the council could resolve the matter immediately by holding a vote to reconfirm his status.

Despite this, Mayor Botbol has repeatedly declined to bring the issue back to a vote, rejecting numerous requests from Rav Grossman’s representatives. Last month, the rov was informed that his municipal salary was being stopped immediately and that he must return the city-issued vehicle he had been using.

After exhausting all attempts to resolve the matter directly and following consultations with leading rabbonim, Rav Grossman filed an urgent petition with the Supreme Court demanding the immediate restoration of his status and full authority as chief rabbi of Elad.

Rav Grossman, a prominent talmid of Rav Elazar Menachem Man Shach zt”l, is one of the founders of Elad and has served as its chief rabbi since the city’s establishment over 25 years ago. Together with Rav Mordechai Malka, he helped build the city’s entire religious infrastructure, including kashrus services, mikvaos, batei din, batei horaah, tzedakah systems, and more. For decades, his home has been open around the clock to assist residents of the city.

Residents who spoke with us expressed shock at the developments. “It’s unthinkable that in a chareidi city, the mayor would act to dismiss the city’s rov,” one local said. “If this stands, what will we say when a secular mayor elsewhere points to Elad and does the same? No one will have an answer.”

The municipality responded, denying claims of wrongdoing. “The statements are incorrect,” the city said. “Mayor Botbol and the municipality are acting carefully and in full coordination with leading rabbonim regarding the tenure of the mara d’asra, out of deep respect for his contribution to the city. By law, his tenure ended at age 75, and Rav Grossman petitioned the High Court only after the Ministry of Religious Services determined that an extension was not legally possible. The city is preparing for all scenarios and will ensure that matters of religion in Elad remain under the oversight of the city’s rabbonim. We regret that such a sacred matter is being used as a political tool that disrespects the Torah and the rabbonim.”

However, Rav Grossman’s representatives countered that the municipality is ignoring a binding decision from November 3, 2022, when the city council — including then-mayor Porush, deputies Yehuda Botbol and Avraham Stern, other council members, the city treasurer, legal advisor, and CEO — unanimously passed a resolution stating: “We value and appreciate the work of the city’s rabbonim, who have faithfully served since Elad’s founding, were chosen with the approval of Gedolei Yisroel, and have tirelessly dedicated themselves day and night to strengthening and developing all religious services in Elad. Based on the legal opinion of Professor Aviad Hacohen, attached to the protocol, we hereby resolve that both of the city’s rabbis shall continue to serve, with Hashem’s help, until 120, in accordance with their wishes.”

The resolution passed unanimously, but Rav Grossman’s camp argues that the municipality is refusing to honor its own decision, forcing the matter into a legal battle now unfolding in Israel’s highest court.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Israel’s defense establishment is ramping up its preparations for the upcoming stage of the ground operation aimed at seizing control of Gaza City, in line with instructions issued by the Cabinet.

On Tuesday night, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir presented Defense Minister Israel Katz with an extensive operational plan detailing the next steps. The strategy includes a potential mobilization of as many as 60,000 additional reservists, in addition to the 20,000 who have already been summoned.

The IDF stated that initial mobilization notices are scheduled to begin Wednesday, but clarified that these are not immediate deployments. Reservists will receive roughly two weeks to organize and prepare, ensuring a measured rollout and smooth integration into active units.

“The goal is to integrate the forces in a coordinated manner to ensure long-term operational stability,” a senior military source said.

The security briefing on Tuesday evening was attended by Defense Minister Katz, the Chief of Staff, Deputy Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Tamir Yadai, the head of the Operations Directorate, the head of Military Intelligence, the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, the head of the Operations Branch, representatives from the Shin Bet, and several other high-ranking officials.

Further deliberations regarding the plan to establish full control over Gaza took place Monday night at the Southern Command headquarters. According to the current operational outline, regular IDF forces will encircle Gaza City from multiple strategic directions, a move set to follow the evacuation of roughly one million Palestinian Arabs to the southern sector of the Strip.

Defense sources emphasized that the main objective continues to be the complete evacuation of northern Gaza. However, they acknowledged the challenges involved, noting that during the peak of last year’s ground maneuver, approximately 250,000 Palestinian Arabs remained in Gaza City and nearby areas despite repeated evacuation efforts.

{Matzav.com}

U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee recently met with the family of Bipin Joshi, a young student from Nepal who was kidnapped by Hamas terrorists during the October 7 attacks and has now been held hostage for over 22 months.

After the meeting, Ambassador Huckabee shared his reflections: “I just had the opportunity to visit with a beautiful family from Nepal. It’s the family of Bipin Joshi. He was one of the hostages taken on October the 7th. He’s not American, he’s not Israeli, he’s from Nepal. He just happened to be here a couple of weeks before October the 7th.”

Huckabee explained that Bipin had traveled to Israel for agricultural work and was at one of the kibbutzim that came under attack when Hamas stormed the area. “He was here to do agricultural work and he was at one of the kibbutzim that was overrun by Hamas and he was taken hostage,” the Ambassador said.

He described meeting with Bipin’s loved ones and the heartbreak they continue to endure: “His family were just in my office: His beautiful, precious sister, who’s a high school teenager and his dear and precious mother. Their hearts are broken. They haven’t heard from Bipin since he was taken hostage. They don’t know his condition. They just want their son, their brother, to come home.”

Addressing those listening to his remarks, Huckabee urged the public to join in prayer for all affected families: “that you will pray that this ordeal for the hostage families can be over.”

Speaking about the broader tragedy, he continued: “For so many of these families, they’re not combatants. They weren’t soldiers. They’re just innocent civilian people who happened to be in the way of Hamas and who were taken captive. And their families want them back.”

Ambassador Huckabee closed with a pledge of commitment, saying: “We want them back, and we will do everything possible for them to return.”

{Matzav.com}

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The IRS has confirmed that there are no new stimulus payments coming, despite a wave of viral social media posts suggesting otherwise.

On Friday, widely circulated claims alleged that the IRS and Treasury Department had approved $1,390 payments for low- and middle-income taxpayers, supposedly scheduled for distribution before the summer ends. An IRS spokesperson made it clear that these reports are false.

Economic impact payments, commonly referred to as stimulus checks, cannot be issued without authorization from Congress. So far in 2024, no such legislation has been passed to approve any new payments.

The confusion may have started because of an earlier IRS announcement about distributing roughly $2.4 billion to individuals who had not yet claimed their 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit. That refundable credit, worth up to $1,400 per person, was connected to the COVID-era relief packages — but the deadline to apply for it was April 15.

It remains unclear who initiated the rumor about the supposed $1,390 checks or why it spread so rapidly this week. The IRS has not introduced any new relief programs, and no current proposals in Congress authorize similar payments. The only notable plan under consideration is a bill from Sen. Josh Hawley, which is still pending in committee.

During the height of the pandemic, three major federal relief efforts — the CARES Act, the COVID-related Tax Relief Act, and the American Rescue Plan Act — provided direct payments to millions of Americans. Prior to that, similar economic stimulus checks were distributed during the 2008 financial crisis.

In July, Hawley, a Republican from Missouri, proposed the American Worker Rebate Act, which would deliver at least $600 per taxpayer, funded through tariff revenues, along with additional payments for qualifying children. However, the proposal has not advanced in either the House or the Senate.

Hawley argues that Americans “deserve a tax rebate” and compares his plan to one championed by President Donald Trump during his time in office. Supporters believe that redirecting tariff revenue could help ease financial burdens and “put money back in Americans’ pockets.”

Critics, however, warn that tying rebates to tariff revenue makes the payments unstable and unpredictable, and stress that such a plan would still require congressional approval before any checks could actually reach taxpayers.

{Matzav.com}

For the first time in three decades, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has split from federal vaccine guidelines, choosing to maintain its recommendation for COVID-19 shots in young children despite scaled-back guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

On Tuesday, the AAP reaffirmed its stance that children between six months and two years old should continue receiving the vaccine, along with older children considered vulnerable to severe illness. The decision represents a significant break from new federal recommendations shaped by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., which no longer advise the shots for healthy children.

“This is going to be somewhat confusing,” said Dr. James Campbell, vice chair of the AAP’s infectious diseases committee. “But our opinion is we need to make the right choices for children to protect them.”

The AAP cited data showing that young children face elevated risks of hospitalization and serious complications from COVID-19, stressing the importance of immunization for those under two. The organization also continues to recommend vaccination for older children with chronic conditions such as asthma and other respiratory illnesses. For otherwise healthy older children, however, the group says the decision should remain with parents.

Campbell, an infectious diseases specialist at the University of Maryland, emphasized that the recommendation is based on research and decades of pediatric practice rather than political influence.

This move has created one of the largest rifts in vaccine guidance in decades. The AAP’s key positions include:
• A strong recommendation for COVID-19 vaccines for children under two.
• Support for vaccinating older children with underlying medical issues.
• Leaving the decision for healthy older children up to parental discretion, while noting that federal guidelines under Kennedy no longer state healthy children “should” be vaccinated.

Despite the AAP’s firm position, questions remain about what federal policy will ultimately look like and how other medical organizations may respond. Among the uncertainties:
• Kennedy’s newly formed vaccine advisory panel has not yet issued formal COVID-19 shot recommendations.
• It is unclear whether other major health associations will align with the AAP or continue following CDC guidance.

Historically, the AAP has closely matched its vaccine advice with that of the CDC. While there have been occasional minor discrepancies in the past — such as the AAP recommending HPV vaccinations at age nine while the CDC suggests starting at ages 11 or 12 — experts say this is the first significant split in nearly thirty years.

This divide follows Kennedy’s decision to dissolve the CDC’s long-standing 17-member vaccine advisory committee and replace it with a smaller panel that includes several vaccine skeptics. The AAP and other major medical organizations were excluded from shaping the new recommendations.

Federal officials pushed back strongly against the AAP’s announcement. In a statement, Health and Human Services spokesperson Andrew Nixon accused the group of “undermining national immunization policymaking with baseless political attacks.”

Nixon also suggested that financial ties may have influenced the AAP’s stance, pointing to contributions made by vaccine manufacturers to the group’s Friends of Children Fund, which supports various health-related initiatives, including equity programs and injury prevention.

Campbell defended the AAP’s approach, saying this outcome was inevitable.
“In 30 years, this is the first time the recommendations have differed in a significant or substantial way,” he said.

As of now, Kennedy’s restructured vaccine panel has not finalized its guidance on COVID-19 shots. However, the panel has voted to continue recommending flu vaccinations, but only single-dose options that exclude thimerosal, a commonly used preservative.

{Matzav.com}

A heated confrontation erupted between Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and United Torah Judaism Chairman Moshe Gafni over expected cuts to the chareidi education budget as part of the government’s plan to increase defense spending amid the ongoing war.

The tension came ahead of today’s cabinet meeting, where the government is expected to approve an additional 31 billion shekels for the 2025 budget, with the majority allocated for defense expenses. Approximately 1.5 billion shekels are also set aside for humanitarian aid to Gaza.

According to a report by Ynet’s Amir Ettinger, Gafni lashed out at Smotrich during internal discussions, accusing him of siding with hostile legal authorities while the chareidi community faces financial hardship. “You are helping the wicked legal establishment when we are in distress,” Gafni reportedly said.

Smotrich responded sharply, firing back over Gafni’s criticism related to the draft law. “I don’t work under threats,” the finance minister said. “Don’t speak to me about being in distress when we are dealing with your foolish statements about the draft, while my community is filling the cemeteries.”

At the center of the dispute is the removal of approximately 800 million shekels originally allocated for the Ofek Chadash (“New Horizon”) education program for chareidi teachers. These funds were never actually transferred due to ongoing legal restrictions, but Prime Minister Netanyahu had previously promised to safeguard them until those restrictions were lifted.

Gafni expressed his outrage publicly on X earlier today: “The government will meet today to approve changes to the 2025 state budget. Among these changes is the reallocation of funds designated for the ‘Ofek Chadash’ program. Contrary to all agreements and commitments, the prime minister and the finance minister are taking budget money meant for thousands of chareidi teachers. While they now claim part of the funding will remain, their conduct clearly signals the government’s true intentions.”

Gafni vowed to continue fighting: “We will continue to struggle with all our strength to protect the rights of chareidi educators. Furthermore, next month, when the defense budget reaches the Knesset and Finance Committee for approval, we will consult with the gedolei haTorah on how to vote in light of recent developments.”

United Torah Judaism Chairman Yitzchak Goldknopf also condemned the move, announcing that UTJ would oppose an increase in the budget for Minister Orit Strock’s department.

“It is unacceptable that they repeatedly cut the education budgets for chareidi children in favor of funding that has unclear objectives,” Goldknopf stated.

{Matzav.com Israel}

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In response to the recent arrests of yeshiva students and the escalating draft decree, large-scale tefillah rallies are set to take place this Thursday, Erev Rosh Chodesh Elul, in cities throughout Israel.

The gatherings will be held simultaneously nationwide rather than as one central “million-person” assembly.

The initiative comes following a letter issued by Rav Dov Landau and Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, roshei yeshiva of Slabodka.

In their letter, the gedolim called on the chareidi public to “take to the streets and cry out in heartfelt tefillah and pleading” over the draft decree threatening the foundations of Torah study in Eretz Yisroel.

According to the plan, dozens of rallies will be held in cities and towns across the country, uniting communities in tefillah while avoiding a single centralized mass gathering.

The decision follows the historic asifa of gedolim held recently in Ma’ale HaChamisha, where it was resolved that Thursday, Erev Rosh Chodesh Elul, would be designated as a nationwide day of tefillah.

The official announcement issued after the meeting stated: “From here we issue the heartfelt call: Am Hashem, pour out your hearts before Him, for the power of Klal Yisroel lies in its tefillah. Therefore, we beseech all who trust in Hashem to dedicate special time to increase their tefillos. On the auspicious day of Erev Rosh Chodesh Elul, there will be a general day of tefillah to annul the harsh decree — through teshuvah, rectifying our deeds, and increasing our heartfelt pleas before the Ribbono Shel Olam. We also declare a full cancellation of work on that day, except for those compelled by employers to remain at their jobs. All who are able, from age fifteen and up, should fast for half the day. Those unable to fast should instead redeem it with tzedakah, until Hashem sees the suffering of His people and hastens His salvation with the nullification of this gezeirah.”

In addition, the Badatz of the Eidah Hachareidis issued its own call urging the public to dedicate Erev Rosh Chodesh Elul as a day of tefillah and fasting to “remove the harsh decree” and requesting that those able to do so fast for half the day.

{Matzav.com Israel}