Matzav

At a campaign event in Pennsylvania on Shabbos, former US President Donald Trump commended Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu for disregarding advice from President Joe Biden, asserting that Israel “wouldn’t be in this position” if Netanyahu had heeded Biden’s suggestions.

“Everything he said to Israel is exactly the opposite – he’s the single greatest expert on foreign policy in history: if you did the exact opposite of what he suggested every single time, you’d go down as the greatest foreign policy president in history,” Trump remarked, directly referencing Biden.

Trump, the leading Republican candidate, went on to critique Biden’s recommendations to Netanyahu, stating, “Biden is telling Bibi Netanyahu ‘don’t do that, don’t do this, don’t do any of these things.’ Bibi didn’t listen to him, and they’re in a much stronger position now than they were three months ago.”

Trump further claimed that Netanyahu informed him that Israel’s current strength was due to his refusal to follow Biden’s advice.

“Nobody’s ever seen anything like this. Bibi called me today and said ‘it’s incredible,’ but he wouldn’t listen to Biden because if he did, they wouldn’t be in this position,” Trump said.

He also criticized his Democratic opponent, Kamala Harris, adding, “She’s worse than [Biden]. She’s not as smart as him, and I’m not saying he’s the smartest, but she’s not as smart as him.”

{Matzav.com}

Photo: IDF commanding officer Shmulik Drillman receiving a brocha from the Vizhnitzer Rebbe of Bnei Brak, Rav Mendel Hager, at the Vizhnitzer Simchas Bais Hashoeivah before heading back into Lebanon.

CNN has reported that the US is currently investigating the leak of highly classified intelligence documents regarding Israel’s expected retaliation against Iran, which appeared to have ended up in Iranian hands, quoting three sources familiar with the matter.

One of the sources confirmed the documents in question were authentic.

The leaked documents were posted on Telegram by a Iran-affiliated account named, “The Middle East Spectator.” The account claimed to have received the documents “from a source in the US intelligence community,” per Axios.

Dated October 15-16, the documents included details about Israel’s preparations for an attack on Iran. The highly classified documents were only supposed to be seen by the US and its “Five Eyes” allies: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the UK.

It is widely believed that the US uses it’s satellite network to monitor Israeli military activity, and gain insight into Israel’s plans for a retaliatory attack.

The documents in question reportedly included information regarding the happenings at Israeli Air Force bases, including the movement of munitions, air to surface missiles, and activity by Israeli drone units.

According to Axios, the leaked documents also reported on a large scale exercise conducted by the IAF, training for an attack on Iran.

According to a US official, the current investigation is examining who had access to the leaked documents.

Reacting to the leak, a former US intelligence official said: “these two documents are bad, but not horrible. The concern is if there are more.”

Speaking to Axios, a US official called the leak “extremely concerning,” but said he does not believe it would impact Israel’s operational plans.

A senior Israeli official told Axios that the defense echelon is aware of the matter, and takes it very seriously.

{Matzav.com}

Rav Yitzchok Zilberstein, speaking at his beis midrash in Ramat Elchanan, Bnei Brak, mentioned the great miracles that took place over the past year, when tens of thousands of rockets were fired from all directions, yet they did not cause many casualties.

At the same time, the rav referenced the words of the Bartenura in Maseches Megillah, who wrote: “It is a tradition passed down to us that the resurrection of the dead will occur on Pesach, and the War of Gog and Magog on Sukkos.”

“Therefore,” he said, “we must strive not to spoil things. In other words, everything depends on us, on each and every one of us. This is a time of special favor, and we must try not to spoil it, meaning to make every effort to fulfill Hashem’s will, each person according to their ability.”

Simultaneously, the rav also mentioned the mesorah passed down through generations from the Vilna Gaon and Rav Chaim Vital stating that the War of Gog and Magog will take place during three hours of Hoshanah Rabbah, and whoever wants to be saved should sit in the sukkah. Concerning this, it is said, “For He will conceal me in His sukkah on the day of evil” – the day of evil being the War of Gog and Magog – and whoever wishes to be saved should sit in the sukkah, said Rav Zilberstein.

Rav Zilberstein noted that his brother-in-law, Rav Chaim Kanievsky, said that these three hours refer to the hours before sunrise on Hoshanah Rabbah.

In the shiur, several questions were posed to Rav Zilberstein: Is it preferable to sit in the beis midrash or in the sukkah? If there is a siren during those hours, should one enter a shelter?

{Matzav.com Israel}

Middle East Forum chief editor Jim Hanson weighs in on the latest report that the Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar hid in the same tunnel where hostages were killed.

WATCH:

Vice President Kamala Harris discusses immigration, the economy, responding to U.S. adversaries and more with Fox News chief political anchor Bret Baier on ‘Special Report.’

WATCH:

At the 79th Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner, former President Donald Trump discussed his relationship with Sen. Chuck Schumer and reacts to the indictments of Eric Adams and how the migrant crisis has impacted NYC.

WATCH:

WATCH THE FULL SPEECH:

IDF drone footage captures the final moments of top Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in Gaza. Fox News’ Matt Finn reports the latest on fallout from his death and ‘America’s Newsroom’ co-anchor Bill Hemmer breaks down the chilling footage.

WATCH:

During Shabbos, widespread rumors circulated about Israeli hostages being freed from Hamas in Gaza.

The IDF has issued three separate statements within a 24-hour span, firmly denying these claims.

IDF spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari addressed the situation, stating, “In recent hours, rumors are spread regarding hostage rescues, which are untrue. Listen to announcements from official sources only, and avoid spreading false rumors which harm the hostages’ families and the public.”

The Hostages Families Forum also urged the public to stop sharing unverified information, saying, “refrain from spreading rumors and passing along reports which are not confirmed and which do not come from official sources.”

The forum further explained, “In recent hours, we have experienced waves of false rumors regarding hostages. Spreading these rumors on the various networks harms the hostages’ families, who are waiting for the return of their loved ones for over a year already. The broader public is asked and begged: Please, do not lend a hand to spreading false rumors, this hurts our souls.”

Cybersecurity officials believe the rumors are originating domestically rather than from outside Israel. They clarified, “We are not currently examining the source of these rumors, which have been making the rounds yesterday and today, but from experience with similar, previous rumors which we examined, especially those running on WhatsApp, the source of most of them is in Israelis who begin spreading misinformation, mostly innocently, due to misanalyses.”

{Matzav.com}

On Motzei Shabbos, Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu responded to the attempt on his and his wife’s lives, after a UAV hit his home in Caesarea.

No one was hurt in the attack, and the Netanyahus were not at home at the time of the strike.

Responding to the attack, Bibi said: “Iran’s proxies, who today tried to assassinate my wife and me, have made a serious mistake.

I say to the Iranians and their partners in the axis of evil: Anyone who harms the citizens of Israel will pay a very heavy price. We will continue to eliminate your terrorists, we will bring our hostages home from Gaza, we will return our residents to the north. We will achieve all of the goals which we set for the war, and we will change the security situation in our region – for generations to come.

Together we wil fight, and with G-d’s help – together, we will win.”

Earlier, the IDF stated: “During the past hour, three UAVs were identified crossing from Lebanon into Israeli territory. Two of the UAVs were intercepted.

One additional UAV hit a structure in the area of Caesarea. No injuries were reported. During the incident, sirens were activated in the Glilot military base.

The presence of additional hostile aircraft in the area has been ruled out. The incident is under review.”

(JNS)

Vice President Kamala Harris acknowledged a protester who interrupted her speech and accused Israel of “genocide,” The New York Post reports.

This happened during a campaign event last Thursday at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. A student, apparently supporting Hamas, interrupted Harris mid-speech, according to a video of the encounter.

“I am so invested in you all, in every way,” Harris was heard saying before being interrupted.

“And in genocide right?” the protester responded, further shouting, “Billions of dollars in genocide. Billions of dollars in genocide.”

Someone off-camera muttered “shut up” at the protester, who continued to shout.

Harris, in response, said, “I’m speaking right now,” followed by, “I know what you’re speaking of. I want the ceasefire. I want the war to end. And I respect your right to speak but I am speaking right now.”

The protester, wearing a keffiyeh, persisted, yelling, “But what about the genocide? What about the genocide though?”

As he was being escorted out of the venue, the protester continued shouting, “19,000 children are dead, and you won’t call it a genocide.”

After the disturbance, Harris seemed to align with his concerns, stating, “Listen, what he’s talking about, it’s real. That’s not the subject that I came to discuss today, but it’s real and I respect his voice,” addressing the audience.

According to The New York Post, Harris had not previously suggested that Israel’s actions in Gaza could be classified as genocide.

Following the event, a representative from Harris’s campaign clarified, “That is not the view of the Biden-Harris Administration or the Vice President.”

Harris has frequently encountered anti-Israel demonstrators at her campaign appearances. In August, she faced pro-Palestinian protesters during a rally in Detroit, where they tried to disrupt her speech.

The demonstrators chanted, “Kamala, Kamala, you can’t hide. We won’t vote for genocide,” while Harris continued her address.

Harris responded sharply, saying, “You know what, if you want Donald Trump to win then say that. Otherwise, I’m speaking,” and resumed her speech.

A few weeks later, Harris dealt with another similar interruption at a campaign event in Savannah, Georgia. There, a pro-Palestinian protester interrupted her, prompting her to reassure the crowd that both she and President Biden were committed to negotiating the release of hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza.

“Let me just say something. Hold up for a second. We are fighting for democracy. Everyone has a right and should have their voices heard,” Harris said to the protester.

She added, “I am speaking now. But on the subject: the president and I are working around the clock, we have got to get a hostage deal done and a ceasefire deal done now.”

{Matzav.com}

IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari has shared newly declassified footage showing Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar with his family on the night of October 6, 2023, just hours before the deadly Hamas attack on Israel.

The footage depicts Sinwar and his family inside a tunnel, gathering food, mattresses, and other supplies, apparently preparing for an extended stay underground.

“According to our intelligence, Sinwar hid mostly underground, in the area between Khan Yunis and Rafah,” Hagari explained.

Hagari further stated that the IDF found tissues containing Sinwar’s DNA in Rafah, and confirmed that Sinwar spent most of his time below ground.

“He came out only in order to escape with his security guards. IDF soldiers and the ISA continued operating throughout the period in order to catch him, until he made a mistake.”

“Last Wednesday, our forces killed him. That was the first time that Sinwar, who hid for a year underground, met the IDF forces in Gaza – and it was also the moment when he was eliminated.”

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu made a strong declaration, stating, “nothing will deter us, we will keep going until victory,” following a drone attack on his vacation residence in northern Israel. The Israeli military continues its operations in Lebanon and Gaza.

Netanyahu, 74, was not at his Caesarea home when the drone, launched from Lebanon, targeted his property, according to his spokesperson.

The leader of Israel has already spoken with Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump regarding the suspected assassination attempt, as reported by The Times of Israel.

US House Speaker Mike Johnson also contacted Netanyahu, assuring that the Israeli Prime Minister is “safe, in good spirits, and undeterred.”

“I told him America stands strong with Israel and reiterated our ongoing commitment to help counter Iran and its terrorist proxies. This is a crucial moment and America must deliver,” Johnson wrote on X.

It remains unclear whether President Biden, who was in Germany at the time, has reached out to Netanyahu. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken might visit Israel on Tuesday.

Israel might expand its military targets in Iran following the attack, an anonymous source informed Channel 12 News.

A pro-Iranian account on Telegram leaked US intelligence documents today, suggesting that Israel is preparing to deploy fighter jets and drones against Iran. According to Axios, the two leaked documents, which US officials did not dispute, revealed that Israel has been conducting drone strike exercises for weeks, seemingly in preparation for a retaliatory strike against Iran. The reports also hint that the US is closely monitoring Israel’s military movements.

Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have spent the last two weeks combing through southern Lebanon and discovered what they described as “hundreds and hundreds and hundreds” of Hezbollah tunnels, many of which were stocked with weapons and rocket launchers, posing a threat to nearby Israeli communities.

Israel also reported that it killed Hezbollah’s deputy commander, Nasser Rashid, in the southern Lebanese town of Bint Jbeil. According to the army, Rashid had been responsible for organizing attacks against Israel.

The drone attack on Netanyahu’s home occurred only days after Israel had eliminated Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.

Officials confirmed that the drone struck an undisclosed structure, though there were no casualties.

Hezbollah, which has been launching rockets and drones into Israel for over a year, including more than 100 shots from Lebanon today, did not immediately claim responsibility for the strike.

“Iran tried to eliminate the Prime Minister of Israel,” a senior Israeli official told Israel’s Channel 12.

Two additional drones that breached Israeli airspace were intercepted, the Israeli military reported.

“The attempt by Iran’s proxy Hezbollah to assassinate me and my wife today was a grave mistake,” Netanyahu said in a statement that evening.

“This will not deter me or the State of Israel from continuing our just war against our enemies in order to secure our future.”

Netanyahu further warned that anyone who threatens Israel or its citizens will “pay a heavy price.”

Earlier on Shabbos, Netanyahu appeared in a video, emphasizing Israel’s determination to achieve victory in the ongoing conflict.

“You know, two days ago we eliminated the mass murderer [Hamas leader] Yahya Sinwar, as I’ve said, we’re in an existential war, and we’re continuing to the end,” he said in Hebrew, as reported by The Times of Israel.

The IDF released images of the underground bunker in the Tel al-Sultan area where Sinwar and his family had been staying, along with video footage showing them fleeing underground just hours before the Oct. 7 massacre.

The bunker was equipped with amenities like a TV, fans, beds, and tile flooring, according to the released images.

A photograph of Sinwar’s body, along with a warning to Hamas, was also prominently displayed in leaflets Israel dropped over the Gaza Strip today.

“Hamas will no longer rule Gaza,” the leaflets, written in Arabic, declared. “Whoever lays down his weapons and returns the kidnapped people to us, we will allow him to leave and live in peace.”

These papers echoed Netanyahu’s remarks from a Thursday night press conference in which he discussed Sinwar’s surprising elimination in Rafah.

On Friday, Iran’s speaker of parliament announced Tehran’s willingness to negotiate with France over a potential UN resolution regarding southern Lebanon, where Israeli forces are currently engaged with Hezbollah.

However, Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister dismissed this offer as a “blatant interference” in the country’s internal affairs, according to The Times of Israel.

Today, Iran issued a stern warning, stating that any Israeli military action would be met with “even stronger” retaliation.

“Our reaction to any attack by the Zionist regime is completely clear,” Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, said to reporters in Damascus. “For every action, there will be a proportional and similar reaction from Iran, and even stronger.”

France’s involvement in the Middle East conflict also became more precarious over the weekend, with Netanyahu publicly criticizing French President Emanuel Macron, calling him a “disgrace” for his continued calls for an arms embargo on Israel.

“The axis of terror stands together. But countries who supposedly oppose this [axis] call for an arms embargo on Israel,” Netanyahu said with scorn.

Today, Israeli airstrikes targeted the southern suburbs of Beirut, marking the first such attack on Hezbollah strongholds in three days.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin urged Israel to “scale back” its operations in the Lebanese capital, warning that “the number of civilian casualties have been far too high.”

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Thursday night briefed his American counterpart Lloyd Austin on the successful elimination of Hamas terror chief Yahya Sinwar in the Gaza Strip.

Gallant “stressed his commitment to ensuring that 101 hostages held by Hamas in Gaza return to Israel,” while noting “the urgency and unique opportunity that has been created.” To this end, he called on Hamas terrorists “to cease fire and immediately release the hostages,” according to a statement from his office.

Gallant described Sinwar’s demise as an “extraordinary operational achievement and strategic game-changer,” and expressed his appreciation to Austin for his supportive message to the IDF and the State of Israel.

Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday night phoned Israeli President Isaac Herzog to congratulate him on Sinwar’s death.

The secretary noted “that justice had been served, and the world was now a better place without a man who was responsible for the deaths of many civilians and who obstructed any peace process in the region,” according to a statement from Herzog’s office.

For his part, the president emphasized that “the issue of returning the hostages must be a top priority, and now there was an important opportunity to focus all resources and efforts on bringing the hostages back home.”

The secretary agreed that “a year after the horrific massacre, they must work together to swiftly return the hostages to their homes,” adding that “the U.S. intended to significantly focus its efforts to achieve this goal.” JNS

{Matzav.com}

Watch former President Trump’s reaction following the killing of Hamas terror leader Yahya Sinwar by the IDF in southern Gaza.

The killing of Hamas terror chief Yahya Sinwar will strengthen the “spirit of resistance” in the Islamic world, Iran’s mission to the United Nations said on Thursday.

“When Muslims look up to martyr Sinwar standing on the battlefield—in combat attire and out in the open, not in a hideout, facing the enemy—the spirit of resistance will be strengthened. He will become a model for the youth and children who will carry forward his path toward the liberation of Palestine,” the mission tweeted.

“As long as occupation and aggression exist, resistance will endure, for the martyr remains alive and a source of inspiration,” it added.

Sinwar’s predecessor, Ismail Haniyeh, was assassinated in Tehran in July.

Last week, The New York Times reported that Hamas pleaded with Iran to join its Oct. 7, 2023, attack months in advance, citing documents seized by the Israel Defense Forces in Gaza back in January.

According to the report, the deputy head of Hamas’s political bureau, Khalil al-Hayya, informed Mohammed Said Izadi, head of the Palestinian Office of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force, of the plot in July 2023, in Lebanon.

Although the Iranians denied any involvement in the Oct. 7 invasion, Hamas leadership meetings, obtained in transcribed form and verified by the Times, reveal that al-Hayya asked Izadi to strike sensitive sites in Israel in “the first hour” of the attack.

The documents further reveal that Hamas also intended to convene with Hezbollah’s then-leader Hassan Nasrallah, but that the meeting was postponed. It was not clear whether a later meeting was held in person.

According to the recordings, Izadi said that Iran and Hezbollah sanctioned the attack in principle, but that more time was needed “to prepare the environment.” JNS

{Matzav.com}

“Early this morning, Israeli authorities informed my national security team that a mission they conducted in Gaza likely killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. DNA tests have now confirmed that Sinwar is dead. This is a good day for Israel, for the United States, and for the world.

“As the leader of the terrorist group Hamas, Sinwar was responsible for the deaths of thousands of Israelis, Palestinians, Americans and citizens from over 30 countries. He was the mastermind of the October 7 massacres, rapes and kidnappings. It was on his orders that Hamas terrorists invaded Israel to intentionally—and with unspeakable savagery—kill and massacre civilians, a Holocaust survivor, children in front of their parents, and parents in front of their children.

“Over 1,200 people were killed on that day, the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust, including 46 Americans. More than 250 were taken hostage, with 101 still missing. That number includes seven Americans, four of whom are believed to still be alive and held by Hamas terrorists. Sinwar is the man most responsible for this, and for so much of what followed.

“Shortly after the October 7 massacres, I directed Special Operations personnel and our intelligence professionals to work side-by-side with their Israeli counterparts to help locate and track Sinwar and other Hamas leaders hiding in Gaza.

“With our intelligence help, the IDF relentlessly pursued Hamas’s leaders, flushing them out of their hiding places and forcing them onto the run. There has rarely been a military campaign like this, with Hamas leaders living and moving through hundreds of miles of tunnels, organized in multiple stories underground, determined to protect themselves with no care for the civilians suffering above ground. Today, however, proves once again that no terrorists anywhere in the world can escape justice, no matter how long it takes.

“To my Israeli friends, this is no doubt a day of relief and reminiscence, similar to the scenes witnessed throughout the United States after President Obama ordered the raid to kill Osama bin Laden in 2011.

“Israel has had every right to eliminate the leadership and military structure of Hamas. Hamas is no longer capable of carrying out another October 7.

“I will be speaking soon with Prime Minister Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders to congratulate them, to discuss the pathway for bringing the hostages home to their families, and for ending this war once and for all, which has caused so much devastation to innocent people.

“There is now the opportunity for a ‘day after’ in Gaza without Hamas in power, and for a political settlement that provides a better future for Israelis and Palestinians alike. Yahya Sinwar was an insurmountable obstacle to achieving all of those goals. That obstacle no longer exists. But much work remains before us.” JNS

{Matzav.com}

Five Israel Defense Forces soldiers were killed fighting Hezbollah terrorists in Southern Lebanon, the military announced on Thursday.

The slain men were named as Maj. Ofek Bachar, 24, from Ness Ziona; Capt. Elad Siman Tov, 23, from Tzofim; Staff Sgt. Elyashiv Eitan Wieder, 22, from Yerushalayim; Staff Sgt. Yakov Hillel, 21, from Yerushalayim; and Staff Sgt. Yehudah Dror Yahalom, 21, from Chebron.

All five served in the Golani Brigade’s elite Reconnaissance Battalion.

Eight soldiers were wounded in Southern Lebanon on Wednesday and Thursday, while another sustained wounds in Gaza, the military added.

On Monday night, the IDF announced that Sgt. Koren Bitan, 19, was killed while fighting Hamas terrorists in the southern Gaza Strip.

One day earlier, Hezbollah terrorists killed four soldiers in a drone strike on the Golani Brigade training base near Binyamina. The IDF identified them as Sgt. Omri Tamari, 19, from Mazkeret Batya; Sgt. Yosef Hieb, 19, from Tuba-Zangariyye; Sgt. Yoav Agmon, 19, from Binyamina-Giv’at Ada; and Sgt. Alon Amitay, 19, from Ramot Naftali.

On Oct. 11, a soldier was killed in southern Gaza. Staff Sgt. Ittai Fogel, 22, served as a tank commander in the 46th Armored Battalion of the 401st “Iron Tracks” Brigade. He was from Yakir in Shomron.

On Oct. 10, three reservists were killed and two others seriously wounded when their vehicle hit an explosive in the Jabalia area of northern Gaza.

The slain men were named as Master Sgt. (res.) Ori Moshe Borenstein, 32, from Moreshet; Master Sgt. (res.) Tzvi Matityahu Marantz, 32, from Bnei Adam; and Maj. (res.) Netanel Hershkovitz, 37, from Yerushalayim. All three were part of the 5460th support unit of the 460th Brigade.

The total death toll among Israeli soldiers since Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023, massacre now stands at 745, according to official figures.

Additionally, Ch. Insp. Arnon Zamora, a member of the Border Police’s Yamam National Counter-Terrorism Unit, was fatally wounded during a hostage-rescue mission in Gaza in June, and civilian defense contractor Liron Yitzhak was mortally wounded in the Strip in May.

(JNS)

“Today, Israel confirmed that Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas, is dead and justice has been served, and the United States, Israel, and the entire world are better off as a result.

“Sinwar was responsible for the killing of thousands of innocent people, including the victims of October 7 and hostages killed in Gaza. He had American blood on his hands.

“Today, I can only hope that the families of the victims of Hamas feel a sense and measure of relief.

“Sinwar was the mastermind of October 7, the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust—a terrorist attack that killed 1,200 innocent people and included horrific sexual violence and more than 250 hostages taken into Gaza, including seven Americans, living and deceased, who remain in captivity; a terrorist attack that triggered a devastating war in Gaza—a war that has led to unconscionable suffering of many innocent Palestinians and greater instability throughout the Middle East.

“In the past year, American special operations and intelligence personnel have worked closely with their Israeli counterparts to locate and track Sinwar and other Hamas leaders, and I commend their work.

“And I will say to any terrorist who kills Americans, threatens the American people, or threatens our troops or our interests, know this: We will always bring you to justice.

“Israel has a right to defend itself, and the threat Hamas poses to Israel must be eliminated. Today, there is clear progress toward that goal.  Hamas is decimated, and its leadership is eliminated.

“This moment gives us an opportunity to finally end the war in Gaza, and it must end such that Israel is secure, the hostages are released, the suffering in Gaza ends and the Palestinian people can realize their right to dignity, security, freedom and self-determination.  And it is time for the day after to begin without Hamas in power.

“We will not give up on these goals, and I will always work to create a future of peace, dignity and security for all.”

(JNS)

“One year ago, Yahya Sinwar, the terrorist chief of Hamas, launched the October 7th massacre against Israel.

“It was the bloodiest attack on the Jewish people since the Holocaust. It was the worst attack on the Jewish state since the founding of Israel.

“Sinwar’s terrorists murdered in cold blood 1,200 people. That’s elderly people, Holocaust survivors, children. They brutally raped women. They beheaded men. They burned babies alive. And they took 251 women, men and children hostage to the dungeons of Gaza.

“Today, the mastermind of this day of sheer evil is no more. Yahya Sinwar is dead. He was killed in Rafah by the brave soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces.

“While this is not the end of the war in Gaza, it’s the beginning of the end.

“To the people of Gaza, I have a simple message: This war can end tomorrow. It can end if Hamas lays down its arms and returns our hostages.

“Hamas is holding 101 hostages in Gaza, who are citizens of 23 countries; citizens of Israel, but citizens of many other countries. Israel is committed to doing everything in our power to bring all of them home. And Israel will guarantee the safety of all those who return our hostages.

“But to those who would harm our hostages, I have another message: Israel will hunt you down and bring you to justice.

“I also have a message of hope to the peoples of the region: The axis of terror that was built by Iran is collapsing before our eyes. [Hezbollah chief Hassan] Nasrallah is gone. His deputy [Fuad Shukr, aka Al-Hajj] Mohsen is gone. [Sinwar’s predecessor as Hamas chief Ismail] Haniyeh is gone. [Hamas ‘military’ commander Muhammed] Deif is gone. Sinwar is gone.

“The reign of terror that the Iranian regime has imposed on its own people and on the peoples of Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen—this too will come to an end.

“All those who seek a future of prosperity and peace in the Middle East should unite to build a better future. Together, we can push back the forces of darkness and create a future of light and hope for all of us.”

(JNS)