Matzav

New York City mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani spent Thursday Chol Hamoed Sukkos visiting Williamsburg, where he met with representatives of both branches of Satmar, those affiliated with Rav Aharon Teitelbaum and those following Rav Zalman Leib Teitelbaum.

His visit came a day after a news report claimed that he’d be meeting with representatives of Agudath Israel of America – a fallacious claim. Matzav.com confirmed that Mamdani had never been scheduled to meet with Agudah representation yesterday.

In Williamsburg, Mamdani stopped by the sukkah of Moshe Indig, where Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, and other community figures were present.

Dressed in a velvet yarmulka, he later visited the sukkah of Rabbi Shalom Landau, a rabbi with a notable social-media presence, and then made his way to the sukkah of Abe Deutsch.

The gatherings were marked by warm words and expressions of appreciation from local Satmar askanim, who praised Mamdani for visiting and told him how much they support him.

The scene, however, stood in sharp contrast to Mamdani’s long record of hostility toward Israel and statements widely viewed as offensive to the Jewish community.

Over the years, Mamdani has amassed a lengthy history of incendiary statements about Israel. In a 2021 rally, he publicly declared himself “anti-Zionist.” He has also long supported the BDS movement, promoting boycotts and divestment campaigns targeting Israel.

During interviews and debates, Mamdani has refused to condemn the chant “Globalize the Intifada.” When pressed several times on national television to repudiate the slogan, he declined, explaining, “My concern is to start to walk down the line of language … making clear what language I believe is permissible or impermissible takes me into a place … of the president.”

In defending that refusal, Mamdani argued that the very word intifada simply means “struggle,” and even compared it to the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, saying, “The very word [Intifada] has been used by the Holocaust Museum when translating the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising into Arabic because it’s a word that means struggle.” The comparison has sparked outrage from Jewish groups and Holocaust historians, who called the analogy appalling.

Mamdani has repeatedly accused Israel of deliberate and criminal acts. Appearing on national television, he said Israel was guilty of “killing civilians indiscriminately,” calling its military actions “cruel, limitless, criminal.”

On the anniversary of October 7, Mamdani issued a public statement accusing Israel of waging a “genocidal war” in Gaza. “A death toll that now far exceeds 67,000; with the Israeli military bombing homes, hospitals, and schools into rubble,” he wrote. “Every day in Gaza has become a place where grief itself has run out of language.” He went on to claim that “the United States is complicit” in Israel’s “occupation and apartheid.”

When questioned during the mayoral debates, Mamdani refused to affirm Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state. He has also stated that he would seek to have Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu arrested if he visited New York, claiming authority under the International Criminal Court.

Throughout his political career, Mamdani has been described as a “longtime anti-Israel activist.” He has promoted boycotts against institutions with Israeli partnerships, including Cornell Tech, which he urged New Yorkers to shun because of its academic ties to Israel.

Even when the topic shifted to antisemitism, Mamdani’s rhetoric often drew criticism for evasion and lack of empathy. In one televised debate, he initially ignored the subject entirely when asked about rising antisemitism, only mentioning it after being pressed again.

{Matzav.com}

Vice President JD Vance resurrected one of President Trump’s memorable jabs Thursday, joking about a “Palestinian” lawmaker while taking aim at Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) over both the ongoing government shutdown and the newly announced Middle East peace deal.

“The reason we’re here is because the president actually charted a different course with a different team,” Vance said, alluding to special Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, who has been deeply involved in the latest round of negotiations.

“Obviously the president of the United States, a New York real estate billionaire, one of the most famous New Yorkers in the world, has a lot of interaction with a lot of people who are very pro-Israel,” the vice president continued.

“He also, of course, knew one of the most famous Palestinians in the world, Chuck Schumer,” Vance ribbed, drawing laughter from the audience.

Schumer didn’t take kindly to the remark, firing back with a pointed statement. “Someone like JD Vance should know to ‘couch’ his language more carefully,” Schumer said. “Anyways, I’ll be here, ready to make a deal to save Americans’ healthcare and reopen the federal government that Republicans shut down.”

Though Schumer frequently highlights his position as the highest-ranking Jewish member of Congress, Trump has repeatedly mocked him as a “Palestinian,” a nickname he began using during the 2024 campaign when accusing the Brooklyn Democrat of failing to adequately back Israel.

The president later extended the same insult to Joe Biden. “As far as Israel and Hamas, Israel’s the one that wants to go — he said the only one who wants to keep going is Hamas. Actually, Israel is the one. And you should let them go and let them finish the job,” Trump said during his June 27, 2024, debate against the Democratic incumbent.

“He doesn’t want to do it. He’s become like a Palestinian. But they don’t like him, because he’s a very bad Palestinian. He’s a weak one.”

Trump again turned his criticism toward Schumer after the Senate leader urged Israelis to oust Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the middle of the country’s war against Hamas. “Look at a guy like Sen. Schumer. … I come from New York, I knew Schumer,” Trump told supporters at a rally in Virginia the day after the debate.

“He’s become a Palestinian. He’s a Palestinian now. Congratulations. He was very loyal to Israel and to Jewish people. He’s Jewish. But he’s become a Palestinian because they have a couple more votes or something.”

Earlier this year, Trump repeated the insult from the Oval Office, telling reporters, “Schumer is a Palestinian, as far as I’m concerned.”

“He’s become a Palestinian. He used to be Jewish. He’s not Jewish anymore. He’s a Palestinian,” the president erupted.

{Matzav.com}

A seventh infant has tragically died in Yerushalayim from measles, marking yet another devastating loss in the ongoing outbreak. The Ministry of Health is calling on parents to ensure their children are immediately vaccinated to prevent additional deaths.

Health officials confirmed that all of the infants who have succumbed to the illness were previously healthy with no underlying medical issues. Four arrived at hospitals in critical condition. In several instances, delays in treatment following the onset of symptoms proved fatal, and in one particularly severe case, a baby’s limbs had to be amputated due to complications.

Just a week ago, the sixth fatality was recorded — a one-and-a-half-year-old child who did not survive the infection. Days before that, a one-year-old baby was brought to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in critical condition after battling measles for three weeks. The child was transferred while undergoing extended resuscitation efforts, but doctors were unable to save his life.

During the same week, another child — a one-year-and-one-month-old girl — died after contracting measles. She had been hospitalized at Hadassah Ein Kerem two months earlier in critical condition, suffering from severe respiratory distress that required connection to an ECMO machine.

Doctors worked tirelessly for weeks to stabilize her, but her condition deteriorated, and she ultimately succumbed to multiple organ failure. Around the same time, yet another unvaccinated toddler lost his life to the disease.

At present, 25 patients are hospitalized with measles, most of them children under six who were not vaccinated. Six are in intensive care, and one remains connected to an ECMO machine.

The Ministry of Health reiterated that measles is a highly contagious and potentially deadly viral infection that can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis, and death — especially among babies, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems.

The disease spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, and it infects over 90% of unvaccinated individuals who come into contact with it. Symptoms usually begin around two weeks after exposure and include high fever, dry cough, nasal congestion, red eyes, and a distinctive rash that starts on the face before spreading to the rest of the body.

In Israel, the standard vaccination schedule includes two doses: the first at 12 months and the second in first grade. However, in areas experiencing outbreaks, health authorities now recommend giving the second dose earlier — at 18 months.

Infants between six months and one year can also receive the vaccine if they have been exposed to the virus or are traveling to regions with active outbreaks. The Ministry recently approved immediate walk-in vaccinations for babies aged 6 to 11 months in outbreak zones, allowing parents to access shots without scheduling appointments.

Active measles outbreaks are currently reported in Jerusalem, Beit Shemesh, Kiryat Gat, Bnei Brak, Harish, Modiin Illit, and Nazareth. Vaccination centers have been set up in these cities to provide immunizations on a walk-in basis.

Parents can verify their children’s vaccination status through the government’s digital vaccination booklet. Children under six can be vaccinated at well-baby clinics, while older children and adults can receive their shots through their health funds.

For those exposed to a measles patient, preventive measures depend on age and vaccination status. Options include active vaccination within 72 hours of exposure or passive vaccination within six days. Pregnant women, infants, and immunocompromised individuals who are unvaccinated receive specialized preventive care.

The Ministry of Health continues to emphasize that vaccination is the most effective and safest means of preventing infection and halting the spread of measles across the country.

{Matzav.com Israel}

It is with great sadness that Matzav.comreports the petirah of Rav Nachum Ragoznitzky zt”l, Rosh Yeshiva of Meoros HaTorah in Kiryat Ye’arim–Telz Stone. He was 90 years old.

The levayah was held today Erev Shabbos Chol Hamoed Sukkos, at his home at 12 Rechov Nechemiah in Yerushalayim, proceeding to Har Hamenuchos for kevurah.

Rav Nachum was born in Yerushalayim on the 26th of Teves, 5695 (1935), to his father Rav Moshe zt”l and his mother Mrs. Mirel a”h. His grandfather, Rav Nachum Ragoznitzky zt”l, served as the administrator of Yeshivas Etz Chaim in Yerushalayim.

As a young man, Rav Nachum learned in Yeshivas Slabodka in Bnei Brak, where he formed a close bond with the Chazon Ish zt”l. Despite his youth, the Chazon Ish cherished him deeply and scheduled a regular weekly session to learn with him, each time discussing sugyos in depth. Rav Nachum would often seek the Chazon Ish’s advice on personal and halachic matters, maintaining a close relationship.

During those formative years, he also developed a connection with the Nadvorna chassidus. The Dvar Chaim of Nadvorna zt”l, through whose brachah Rav Nachum later merited to have a son, became a guiding influence. He later forged a strong friendship with the Be’er Yaakov of Nadvorna zt”l, the Dvar Chaim’s son, a connection that endured even after the latter became rebbe of Nadvorna. In his will, the Admor instructed that Rav Nachum Ragoznitzky be among those to circle his bier during the levayah.

Following his marriage to his wife, Rebbetzin Bina a”h, daughter of Rav Ephraim Lerman zt”l, Rav Nachum settled in Yerushalayim. He learned in the kollel adjacent to Yeshivas Shem Olam–Amshinov and also delivered shiurim there. It was during this period that he became very close to Rav Shmuel Auerbach zt”l, who was likewise serving as a maggid shiur in the same yeshiva. Their friendship was deep and enduring.

In 1983, Rav Nachum founded Yeshivas Meoros HaTorah in Kiryat Ye’arim–Telz Stone. The institution was established to guide and elevate graduates of national-religious high schools who sought to grow in Torah learning and yiras Shamayim. The yeshiva was named in memory of his grandfather, the noted mekubal Rav Meir Schwartz zt”l of Podhajce.

Over the decades, Rav Nachum inspired thousands of talmidim, teaching Torah and instilling a deep sense of yirah. His influence extended beyond Meoros HaTorah to other institutions, including the yeshivos of Belz, Amshinov, Or Sameach, and Kahal Adas Yerushalayim. Among his distinguished talmidim are the rebbe of Amshinov and the rebbe of Pinsk-Karlin, both of whom considered themselves his devoted disciples.

Rav Nachum was a towering gaon in Torah and a paradigm of derech eretz, a true remnant of a bygone generation who lived with humility and concealment, avoiding honor and acclaim throughout his life.

He leaves behind a family of children and grandchildren who continue his legacy of Torah and yiras Shamayim.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Speaking before a packed crowd at Washington’s Warner Theatre on Thursday, Kamala Harris said that efforts to restrain President Trump’s actions have largely collapsed, declaring that “any checks and balances to hold back President Trump have not worked.”

The event was part of a national tour promoting her new book, 107 Days, chronicling her presidential campaign. Harris sat down with journalist and podcaster Kara Swisher for an hour-long conversation before a sold-out audience.

“The point is that the guardrails have failed, for the most part,” Harris said. “Except one, which is the people and the power of God.”

“So right now, in this moment, if the Supreme Court isn’t a guardrail … what is, from a legal point of view, the guardrail that you see?” Harris continued. “Just the people.”

Harris accused congressional Republicans of being “complicit,” saying they “know what is wrong and [are] not stepping up.” Instead of “speaking up,” she said, they are “living in fear of retribution and are more invested in their own political survival than speaking up and taking the hits that may come.”

The former vice president praised congressional Democrats for standing firm in defense of Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies that are set to expire at the end of the year — a standoff that has fueled the government shutdown now approaching its tenth day.

“I know there are plenty of Republicans who know this is wrong, but they’re not stepping up,” she said.

Harris then spoke bluntly about the political climate, admitting, “I was very candid with all the friends here — I don’t know that it won’t get worse before it gets better … . Everyday, something happens.”

Turning her attention to recent controversies, Harris denounced New York Attorney General Letitia James’s indictment and took sharp aim at Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for claiming during a cabinet meeting that circumcision increases autism risk.

“My mother was an adviser at [the National Institutes of Health (NIH)], and she would leave us in the Bay Area to go to NIH, to work with scientists, who have as their goal to alleviate pain and to uplift the human condition,” Harris said.

Referring to current administration actions against the scientific community, she added that when looking at “what these people are doing right now, to end the war on cancer, to deny science and fire scientists,” it became “personal for me.”

On Kennedy’s remark about circumcision, Harris didn’t hold back: “It’s weird. It’s [profanity] up.”

“I don’t have the solution right now to how it stops before the end of his term,” Harris said. “But I know that we have to fight.”

“We have to fight,” she repeated. “We have to stay strong. We cannot get used to this. We cannot be overwhelmed, we cannot be silenced.”

At the end of her talk, Harris referred to a viral moment from earlier in the week when she visited The Getty Center in Los Angeles. “There is so much about this moment that is trying to make people feel like they’ve lost their minds, when in fact, these [profanity] are crazy!” she said, breaking into laughter as the audience erupted in cheers and applause.

{Matzav.com}

The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit announced early Friday morning that Sergeant First Class (Res.) Michael Mordechai Nachmani, 26, from Dimona, was killed in action in the northern Gaza Strip.

Nachmani, who served in the Combat Engineering 614th Battalion, fell to sniper fire on the outskirts of Gaza City’s Shati neighborhood. The incident occurred as Israeli forces were executing an initial withdrawal from the area.

This brings the number of soldiers who have fallen since the beginning of the war to 914.

In a separate development, the government approved early Friday the framework for the release of all hostages — including both the living and the deceased — according to an announcement from the Prime Minister’s Office.

Ministers Bezalel Smotrich, Orit Strock, Itamar Ben Gvir, Yitzchak Wasserlauf, and Amichai Eliyahu opposed the agreement, while Ofir Sofer of the Religious Zionist Party voted in favor.

Following the cabinet’s endorsement of the deal, a ceasefire in Gaza has officially gone into effect.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Zohran Mamdani, the leading candidate in New York’s mayoral race, declined to acknowledge President Donald Trump’s role in brokering the Gaza ceasefire. Instead, he turned his criticism toward Israel, even as other Democrats offered only cautious or reluctant recognition of the president’s involvement.

Democrats across the state said they were “hopeful” about the ceasefire agreement that is expected to secure the release of the remaining hostages. Still, many used the opportunity to attack Trump, with one lawmaker likening him to a “broken clock.”

Asked about the deal, Mamdani accused Israel of committing atrocities. “I’m hopeful at the news of a possible ceasefire. I hope that it is lasting. I hope that it brings peace,” he said during an interview on 1010 WINS, before launching into a sharp denunciation of Israel.

“And amidst that hope, a recognition that it does not erase the tragedy that has taken hold over these past two years,” Mamdani added. “A tragedy with Hamas’ horrific war crime on October 7th and the Israeli government’s horrific war crimes since then leading to the genocide of Palestinians.”

Mamdani’s campaign pointed reporters to his radio interview when asked if he believed Trump should be credited for the peace deal. At no point in the broadcast did the candidate mention the president.

The remarks came during the same week Mamdani faced harsh criticism for his attacks on Israel on the two-year anniversary of the October 7 massacre.

The ceasefire agreement championed by Trump calls for hostages to be released in its opening phase, while Israeli troops withdraw from some areas of Gaza.

The development sparked celebrations among both Israelis and Palestinians, but left-leaning politicians were slow to applaud Trump’s role in the achievement.

“If the agreement succeeds in securing the release of the hostages, disarming Hamas, and ending the war, then of course the President deserves credit,” said Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-Bronx). “Even a broken clock like Donald Trump can be right twice a day.”

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz voiced enthusiasm about the deal, though he made clear his criticism of Trump remained. “I only wished it could have happened sooner,” he said, adding, “There’s very little good for which Trump can claim credit, only bad, but he certainly deserves some of the credit here.”

Other top Democrats sidestepped the matter. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, when pressed on CNN about Trump’s role, avoided a direct answer, saying only, “It’s a very positive step in the right direction.”

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Governor Kathy Hochul, and mayoral contender Andrew Cuomo also praised the ceasefire itself but did not mention Trump in their remarks.

Republicans in New York, on the other hand, had no hesitation in applauding the president. “President Trump is a real dealmaker and leader and he’s not just negotiating an end to the Israel-Hamas war,” said Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-Staten Island/Brooklyn), highlighting his broader record of peace efforts.

Rep. Michael Lawler (R-Rockland/Westchester) also expressed gratitude, saying Trump deserved thanks “for leading this effort and working tirelessly to establish peace and bring the hostages home.”

Interestingly, Assemblyman Kalman Yeger, a Brooklyn Democrat, broke with his party and sided with Republicans. He said Trump deserves “much” credit for the breakthrough.

“The resilience of the Israeli people, the relentless focus of Prime Minister Netanyahu and his strong allies in the Knesset,” Yeger told The NY Post, “and the tremendous backing of a US President who recognized that no nation can survive if it gets on its knees to terror, combined for an unbreakable force that brought about the Hamas surrender and the hopeful quick return of the hostages.”

{Matzav.com}

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. raised eyebrows on Thursday when he suggested that circumcision might be connected to autism because infants are often given Tylenol after the procedure.

“There’s two studies which show children who are circumcised early have double the rate of autism, it’s highly likely, because they were given Tylenol,” Kennedy told President Trump during a cabinet meeting.

Kennedy did not name the studies, but in 2015 researchers in Denmark reviewed health data from nearly 343,000 boys and found that circumcised children were more likely to be diagnosed with autism before age 10 compared to those who were not circumcised.

The authors of that research proposed that undergoing painful surgery early in life might increase risks of later behavioral, developmental, or psychological difficulties.

Still, critics of the study quickly questioned its reliability, arguing the data was “flawed” and should have considered other common sources of early pain, such as urinary tract infections, as possible factors.

Some scientists have also suggested a simpler explanation: boys who undergo circumcision may have more interactions with doctors, raising the likelihood that autism is detected and diagnosed.

Another study, this one smaller and published in Ireland in 2024, came to a different conclusion. Researchers there reported that circumcised boys with autism “exhibited significant improvements” in irritability, sensory sensitivities, and repetitive behaviors compared to those who had not undergone the procedure.

That same study also noted relief in urinary symptoms, including pain, urgency, and nighttime frequency, which were said to be “significantly reduced.”

Rabbi Nechemia Markovits, a veteran mohel in Brooklyn who has performed circumcisions for nearly four decades, said the claim that Tylenol is always used after the procedure is inaccurate. “The procedure is quick and well-tolerated,” he told The NY Post.

“I place a light gauze with Vaseline to protect the area, and if there’s any mild discomfort, parents can use a gentle topical spray on the first day. Every family has direct access to me afterward through WhatsApp, and I guide them personally through the healing process until everything is completely healed.”

For children who are older at the time of circumcision, Rabbi Markovits acknowledged that Tylenol can help with temporary soreness. “I’ve never had newborns use Tylenol,” he said, later adding: “My focus is simply on providing safe, comfortable, and natural healing for each patient.”

Kennedy’s remarks came only weeks after President Trump himself criticized acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, saying it should not be taken by pregnant women except in cases of high fever. He argued it could increase autism risk in unborn children.

Tylenol is widely used to reduce fever and treat pain, and medical experts point out it has been considered safe since it was introduced 70 years ago.

Despite pushback from doctors and women’s health advocates, Trump reinforced his position after Kennedy’s comments. “There’s a tremendous amount of proof or evidence, I would say as a non-doctor,” he said, adding that he had looked into the matter “a long time ago.”

“Just don’t take it. You have to tough it through sometimes. I’m addressing it as best I can as a non-doctor, but I’m a man of common sense.”

Autism diagnoses have risen dramatically in the United States, with rates up 400% since 2000. Today, one in every 31 children in America is affected.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump brushed off questions about whether he expects to win the Nobel Peace Prize, telling reporters Thursday, “They’ll have to do what they do.”

Speaking from the Oval Office alongside Finland’s president, Trump listed his accomplishments in global diplomacy. “I solved the wars … I made seven deals. This would be number eight,” he said, referring to the first stage of the Gaza peace agreement.

He went on to point out that Russia and Ukraine could be the next breakthrough. “The one I thought I was going to make, and I think we will probably, because it’s a ridiculous war, it’s a horrible war, the worst since World War II if you look at the people dying, is Russia-Ukraine,” Trump said. “I think we’ll do that too – a lot of reasons for them to do it. And I think they’ll be coming to the table pretty soon, but this is the biggest of them all.”

Trump also highlighted his intervention in South Asia as another major milestone. “This is big, and although I think India and Pakistan is very big – two nuclear nations – I did that based on trade and because of the tariffs … I said if you guys are going to fight, I’m putting 100% tariffs on each of you, and they immediately stopped fighting, and that was going to go nuclear.”

Reflecting on the Nobel Peace Prize itself, Trump said he had no idea how the committee would act, but insisted his record is unmatched. “Nobody in history has solved eight wars in a period of nine months. And I’ve stopped eight wars. So that’s never happened before.”

“They’ll have to do what they do,” he added, referring to the Nobel Committee. “Whatever they do is fine. I know this, I didn’t do it for that. I did it because I saved a lot of lives.”

When reminded that Barack Obama received the prize early in his presidency, Trump fired back. “They gave it to Obama for doing absolutely nothing but destroying our country. He was not a good president.”

International figures have already put Trump’s name forward. Malta’s Foreign Minister Ian Borg said on October 9 that he nominated Trump, citing his work in brokering an agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan along with other peace efforts.

In July, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he also recommended Trump for the Nobel, praising his role in advancing peace in the region.

This isn’t Trump’s first time being nominated. In prior years, his name has been submitted as well.

The Nobel Committee, which is composed of five members appointed by Norway’s parliament, reviews all nominations to ensure they come from qualified nominators. The deadline is February 1 each year, so Netanyahu’s recent recommendation would apply to the 2026 prize. Winners are announced each October, and the official ceremony takes place every December 10, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death.

{Matzav.com}

A new Quinnipiac University poll shows that Zohran Mamdani remains the front-runner in the New York City mayoral race, but Andrew Cuomo has closed the gap significantly since Mayor Eric Adams bowed out of the contest.

According to the survey, Mamdani holds 46% of likely voters, Cuomo stands at 33% running as an independent, and Republican Curtis Sliwa holds steady with 15%.

Last month, Quinnipiac tested a four-way race that included Adams. In that poll, Mamdani had 45%, Cuomo just 23%, Sliwa 15%, and Adams 12%. With Adams no longer a factor, Mamdani’s advantage has shrunk from a 22-point margin to just 13.

The numbers suggest that most of Adams’ supporters shifted directly to Cuomo, who previously served three terms as governor. Sliwa’s backing remained unchanged from the earlier survey.

While Mamdani continues to lead, Quinnipiac analysts noted the dramatic change in Cuomo’s support. “The numbers changed but the contours of the race haven’t. Andrew Cuomo picked up the bulk of Adams’ supporters cutting into Zohran Mamdani’s lead, but Mamdani’s frontrunner status by double digits stays intact,” said Mary Snow, assistant director of the Quinnipiac poll.

Cuomo’s campaign pointed to the results as proof of momentum, even though Mamdani’s support also ticked upward. “Today’s Quinnipiac poll confirms what New Yorkers are seeing across the five boroughs — this race is shifting decisively. Andrew Cuomo is up 10 points since September, while Zohran Mamdani remains stagnant and Curtis Sliwa continues to fade away,” said Cuomo spokesman Rich Azzopardi.

The poll also revealed where each candidate draws their strongest backing. Mamdani dominates among Democrats (60%), Asian American voters (67%), younger voters ages 18–34 (62%), those 35–49 (60%), and people who identify as nonreligious (69%). He also leads among both black and Hispanic voters.

Cuomo’s most reliable base is Jewish voters, where he receives 60% support. Among Republicans, 54% favor Sliwa while 37% go for Cuomo.

When asked about ethics, respondents viewed Mamdani more positively than either Cuomo or Sliwa. But when it comes to experience, more voters agreed Cuomo has the “right kind of experience” to be mayor. His biggest hurdle, however, remains his reputation — including sexual harassment claims he denies but which forced his resignation in 2021. A majority of 52% still view him unfavorably.

Voters were also asked who would best defend New York’s interests in Washington under President Trump. The results were nearly even: 35% named Mamdani, 34% said Cuomo, and 22% picked Sliwa, with the rest undecided. “Much has been said about the issue not on the ballot but looming over the race: President Trump. Both Mamdani and Cuomo make the case they’ll be the best guardrail over New York City’s interests under Trump. But voters don’t see much daylight between them,” Snow observed.

On specific policy issues, Mamdani scores higher on lowering housing costs, with 48% to Cuomo’s 25% and Sliwa’s 13%. Cuomo is rated better on the economy, 41% to 35% for Mamdani, with Sliwa at 15%.

The poll also explored foreign policy views. Asked which candidate aligns most closely with their own stance on the Israel–Hamas conflict, 45% chose Mamdani, 26% Cuomo, and 13% Sliwa. More broadly, 43% of respondents said their sympathies lean more toward the Palestinians, compared to 22% who sided with Israelis. Roughly a third had no opinion.

Importantly, the survey concluded before President Trump announced the first stage of his ceasefire and hostage release plan for Israel and Hamas.

Quinnipiac surveyed 1,015 likely voters across the city between October 3 and October 7. The poll carries a margin of error of plus or minus 3.9 percentage points.

{Matzav.com}

The first stage of the new International Stabilization Force (ISF) for Gaza will be managed by US Central Command, though Washington has made clear that no American combat troops will be entering the territory itself. Several regional allies are expected to contribute personnel to the mission.

According to officials, CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper will “initially have 200 people on the ground,” with the group responsible for coordination rather than direct operations inside Gaza. The US role will focus on supervising troops provided by Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, while maintaining clear communication channels with Israel to prevent clashes.

“[Cooper’s] role will be to oversee, observe, make sure there are no violations or incursions — everybody is worried about the other side. So much of this is going to be oversight,” one American official explained during a briefing.

Another official noted that Cooper’s 200-person team will be multinational. “Embedded in his team of 200 people will be probably a bunch of people from the Egyptian armed forces who will help, the Qatari armed forces who will help, as well as the Turks and probably the Emiratis,” the official said. “The notion is to make it collegial.”

A second US representative reinforced that “no US troops are intended to go into Gaza.”

CENTCOM’s most pressing task will be to establish a “command room” to monitor the fragile truce between Israel and Hamas. That ceasefire, announced midweek, is expected to pave the way for the release of around 20 Israeli hostages on Monday.

“The responsibility will be to keep the Israelis informed of what they’re seeing, to keep the Egyptians, the Qataris and the Turks informed about what they’re seeing, to come up with better security plans,” the first official said.

Cooper himself participated in the diplomatic discussions that produced the breakthrough. “We’re already talking to multiple governments about standing up that ISF force. I think with Admiral Cooper, it’s going to become a lot easier,” the official added.

Describing Cooper’s confidence, the official recalled, “He walked into the room at the first meeting and literally said, ‘I can have a command room up and running in two weeks,’” adding that work was already underway to decide on the location for the CENTCOM-led headquarters.

The eventual scale of the multinational deployment remains uncertain. President Trump’s 20-point peace plan, which both sides have accepted in principle, envisions the ISF as a temporary but critical presence in Gaza as Hamas relinquishes authority.

As laid out in the plan, “the United States will work with Arab and international partners to develop a temporary International Stabilization Force (ISF) to immediately deploy in Gaza. The ISF will train and provide support to vetted Palestinian police forces in Gaza, and will consult with Jordan and Egypt who have extensive experience in this field.”

The same framework emphasizes that “this force will be the long-term internal security solution. The ISF will work with Israel and Egypt to help secure border areas, along with newly trained Palestinian police forces.”

Pressed for details on the eventual makeup of the peacekeeping mission, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Thursday that the question was still unresolved, saying it was “to be determined.”

{Matzav.com}

The war that dragged on for over two years has now reached what may be its closing chapter, and not in the way either side originally envisioned. If the ceasefire agreement holds, the key to its success lies in both Israel and Hamas accepting concessions they had firmly rejected in earlier negotiations, coupled with carefully arranged sequencing of sensitive military and political issues.

In summer 2024 and again in early 2025, similar talks seemed close to success but collapsed over irreconcilable demands. This time, the involvement of Qatar, Turkey, and US President Donald Trump dramatically shifted the calculus, pressing both parties into compromises they had resisted until now.

One of Israel’s most surprising moves came quietly: the guns fell silent on Shabbos. Without having received a single hostage back or a concrete timetable, Israel simply stopped its strikes. For five days, Hamas enjoyed quiet skies while Jerusalem waited on promises of a deal. If hostages are returned on Monday, that will mean nine days in which Israel held its fire before gaining anything tangible—something Prime Minister Netanyahu had repeatedly vowed he would never do. Yet, under Trump’s directive, that red line was crossed.

Hamas’s most significant sacrifice came in the realm it least wanted to yield: the hostages. For months, Hamas had insisted on retaining some captives as bargaining chips to protect its leaders or force a total Israeli withdrawal. But this round, under the combined pressure of Doha, Ankara, Cairo, and the looming threat of unending Israeli assaults backed by Trump, Hamas agreed to return every living hostage—and even the bodies—at once. In doing so, the group relinquished its most powerful leverage, the card that set it apart from other Iranian-backed groups.

The fate of Hamas’s leadership, once one of the most hotly debated issues, looks less dramatic now. Israel initially spoke of expulsion. In the end, most of the men behind October 7 were killed: Deif in July 2024, Yahya Sinwar that October, and Mohammed Sinwar in May. Alongside them fell brigade chiefs, battalion commanders, and senior operatives like Marwan Issa and Ismail Haniyeh. What’s left are only a handful—such as Izz al-Din Haddad and Raed Saad—still breathing in Gaza. They may stay, at least for now, making this chapter less a concession and more a reality shaped by the battlefield.

Israel’s largest strategic retreat lies in its acceptance that Hamas will not be fully disarmed. Netanyahu once pledged “annihilation,” later moderating to “disarmament.” Neither has been realized. Today, Hamas has no functioning army—its 24 battalions were dismantled long ago—but it does maintain scattered cells, a few thousand hardened fighters, and a large sympathetic base. These remnants have pulled off small raids and token rocket fire. They cannot mount another mass invasion, but the danger of regrouping is real. For Israel, ending the war before eliminating every last weapon is a gamble.

On Hamas’s side, the long-term concession is allowing Israel to keep a presence in Gaza even after the ceasefire. In earlier talks, the group insisted on a total withdrawal before releasing hostages. Now, with the hostages given up first, Israel retains leverage and will likely remain inside some form of security buffer. The size of that buffer is still undefined—anything from one kilometer to over three in depth. Even the Philadelphi Corridor remains unresolved. Yet the principle is clear: Hamas has conceded that Israel won’t be gone entirely.

Questions loom over what happens once international mechanisms take over. Will the IDF be free to conduct pinpoint raids or drone strikes, as it does in Lebanon or the West Bank, or will it be bound by international oversight under a new security force? What happens if Hamas rebuilds cells faster than the new Gaza International Transitional Authority—or the ISF—can contain them? Will Israel be allowed to step in, unlike in 2007 when Hamas routed Fatah and the US urged Israel to stand aside?

And then there is the political puzzle. The deal on paper names GITA, but in practice, the struggle over governance will be fierce. Can 700,000 Gazans with tribal or ideological ties to Hamas be persuaded to back away from it? Will reconstruction fatigue push them back into Hamas’s arms? Can outside powers, including moderate Arab states, the US, and Israel, deliver a different reality in a land devastated by war?

Diplomatic rewards remain uncertain. Normalization with Saudi Arabia was once floated as part of a grand bargain. That opportunity might have passed—or it could resurface if the region sees this as a genuine turning point.

Historians will debate whether this ending could have come sooner. Perhaps in mid-2024 or early 2025, similar terms were already within reach. Critics will argue Netanyahu prolonged the fighting to protect his coalition; his defenders will counter that earlier deals might have left hostages in Hamas’s hands or cost Israel its security buffer. With the Hamas leaders of those earlier periods now dead, the answer may never be fully known.

What is clear is that the endgame looks nothing like the scenarios once imagined. Hamas gave up its hostages without total Israeli withdrawal. Israel laid down arms temporarily before the deal was signed. Most Hamas leaders were killed rather than expelled. And both sides now face an uncertain tomorrow, shaped as much by what they surrendered as by what they managed to hold onto.

{Matzav.com}

Following the return of the hostages to Israel, the National Insurance Institute announced that it will roll out an emergency support plan right away. A spokesperson for the institute said that the aid will be provided once the released captives complete their initial medical evaluations.

Under the first tier of assistance, each returning hostage will be issued a prepaid card valued at 10,000 NIS, along with an additional cash payment of about 50,000 NIS. Together, this amounts to 60,000 NIS in immediate financial relief.

Beyond the initial monetary help, the institute confirmed that the hostages will also receive automatic medical compensation for an entire year. The payments will be calculated according to the wages they earned before October 7, with the aim of ensuring that their most urgent recovery and rehabilitation needs are covered.

In addition, their status as victims of terror and released captives will be officially recognized without the need for lengthy procedures. Each individual will automatically receive a 50% medical disability rating, eliminating the requirement to appear before a medical committee. This designation also opens the door to a wide range of additional forms of assistance.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Knesset Speaker Amir Ochana issued a formal invitation on Thursday to US President Donald Trump, asking him to deliver a speech in Israel’s parliament. The letter came in the wake of the breakthrough agreement to free the hostages, achieved through Trump’s initiative to bring the Gaza war to an end.

“Today is a historic day. Your leadership, courage, persistence, and vision have led not only to a deal securing the release of all Israeli hostages abducted by Hamas on October 7, but also to an unprecedented regional agreement accepted by nearly every nation in the Middle East,” Ochana wrote in his message to Trump.

He emphasized that the achievement was a joint effort between Israel’s military, its leadership, and Trump’s involvement. “This victory would not have been possible without the sacrifice of our brave soldiers, the resolve of Prime Minister Netanyahu, and the close partnership you have forged with him – and with the one and only Jewish State – throughout your life,” the Speaker noted.

Recalling Trump’s record of support for Israel, Ochana detailed a list of major policy moves. “From recognizing Jerusalem as our eternal capital and moving the American Embassy there, to affirming our sovereignty over the Golan Heights, from creating the historic Abraham Accords to eliminating Iran’s nuclear sites, and now to this momentous day: you have demonstrated that under your leadership, America is not only a military superpower but a moral superpower as well – and that peace comes through strength.”

He continued with words of personal praise for Trump’s role in Israel’s history. “The people of Israel regard you as the greatest friend and ally of the Jewish nation in modern history. It is therefore my profound honor and privilege to officially invite you to deliver a formal address to the nation before the Knesset,” Ochana wrote.

The Speaker closed by stressing the significance of such a visit. “Your speech would be the first by a sitting U.S. President since President George W. Bush’s visit in 2008 – a deeply meaningful gesture of our eternal gratitude for your once-in-a-century leadership and for the unbreakable alliance between the State of Israel and the United States of America. Israel awaits The Peace President,” he concluded.

{Matzav.com Israel}

New York Attorney General Letitia James was indicted Thursday by a federal grand jury in Virginia on allegations of bank fraud and providing false information to a financial institution, prosecutors said. The Department of Justice claims she improperly secured a more favorable loan for a second home, saving nearly $19,000.

The indictment was filed in the Eastern District of Virginia, the same court that last month indicted former FBI Director James Comey on counts of obstruction and lying to Congress.

US Attorney Lindsey Halligan stressed the seriousness of the case. “No one is above the law. The charges as alleged in this case represent intentional, criminal acts and tremendous breaches of the public’s trust,” she said. “The facts and the law in this case are clear, and we will continue following them to ensure that justice is served.”

James fired back, saying she was the target of a political vendetta. “This is nothing more than a continuation of the president’s desperate weaponization of our justice system. He is forcing federal law enforcement agencies to do his bidding, all because I did my job as the New York State Attorney General.”

“These charges are baseless, and the president’s own public statements make clear that his only goal is political retribution at any cost,” she continued. “The president’s actions are a grave violation of our Constitutional order and have drawn sharp criticism from members of both parties.”

If she is found guilty on both counts, James could face a maximum sentence of 60 years behind bars and fines of up to $2 million.

According to prosecutors, James purchased a three-bedroom home in Norfolk, Virginia, in August 2020 for about $137,000. Most of the purchase was financed with a $109,600 loan that prohibited it from being used as a rental, enabling her to secure cheaper terms. The Justice Department says this arrangement allowed her to save “approximately $18,933 over the life of the loan.”

When reporters visited the property in April, neighbors said they had never seen James at the house. Tax filings, however, identified it as a rental, with James collecting thousands in extra income.

Public records show that James later gave her niece, Shamice Thompson-Hairston, power of attorney over the property in August 2023, securing a new mortgage of $219,780. Prosecutors allege the scheme lasted from August 2020 until January 2024, with James misrepresenting the property’s status in order to influence OVM Financial, a Fannie Mae-backed lender.

The indictment charges that James “represented and affirmed in uniform residential loan applications and related documents that the Peronne Property would be used as a secondary residence, when in truth and fact, as [James] then knew, the property was intended and used as an investment property with no intended or actual personal occupancy or use by her.”

Federal housing regulator Bill Pulte referred the case to the Justice Department earlier this year, suggesting that James could have committed wire fraud, mail fraud, and other related crimes. James dismissed those accusations at the time as “baseless.”

Governor Kathy Hochul came to her defense, saying in a statement, “What we’re seeing today is nothing less than the weaponization of the Justice Department to punish those who hold the powerful accountable.”

The indictment comes against the backdrop of James’s legal battles with Donald Trump. Last year, she won a civil case accusing the Trump Organization of inflating property values, which resulted in a $355 million penalty. That ruling was later overturned on appeal, but James has pushed for its reinstatement, now swollen to over $500 million with interest.

In her statement Thursday, James said her office remains steadfast. “I stand strongly behind my office’s litigation against the Trump Organization,” she said. “Judges have upheld the trial court’s finding that Donald Trump, his company, and his two sons are liable for fraud.”

She also vowed to fight the charges with resolve. “I am a proud woman of faith, and I know that faith and fear cannot share the same space. And so today I am not fearful, I am fearless, and as my faith teaches me, no weapon formed against me shall prosper. We will fight these baseless charges aggressively, and my office will continue to fiercely protect New Yorkers and their rights. And I will continue to do my job.”

The FBI’s investigation began in May after Pulte’s referral, which also accused James of misclassifying her Brooklyn brownstone in a way that secured her better loan terms.

Pulte has made similar claims against Sen. Adam Schiff, accusing him of improperly designating his Maryland home as a primary residence to qualify for more favorable financing.

The Virginia indictment follows a shakeup at the Justice Department. Erik Siebert, who had previously served as US attorney, resigned after declining to bring charges against both Comey and James, despite pressure from Trump.

James condemned that move, saying, “[Trump’s] decision to fire a United States Attorney who refused to bring charges against me — and replace them with someone who is blindly loyal not to the law, but to the president — is antithetical to the bedrock principles of our country. This is the time for leaders on both sides of the aisle to speak out against this blatant perversion of our system of justice.”

{Matzav.com}

A document signed by Hamas representatives and international mediators, and later published by Israeli outlets on Thursday evening, spells out the framework to conclude the Gaza War and bring home the remaining hostages still in captivity more than two years later.

The text, which bore the signature of Steve Witkoff, specified that once US President Donald Trump publicly presents the deal, Israel would immediately cease “all military operations in Gaza, including aerial and artillery bombardment.”

One of the clauses requires Israel to stop aerial monitoring in zones vacated by the IDF.

The agreement further provides that humanitarian assistance will continue entering Gaza, mirroring the process that was implemented under the arrangement made back in January.

Another section lists the areas from which Israeli forces are expected to pull back, with the commitment that troops will not reenter those regions.

The final provision explains that once the army has fully withdrawn, Hamas must release every hostage—both those still alive and the remains of the deceased—within 72 hours, after coordinating details of each individual with various Palestinian groups. That information will be given to the Red Cross and the mediators, while Israel will provide data concerning Palestinians who died while in Israeli custody.

According to a Palestinian source familiar with the discussions, speaking to KAN News on Thursday, the process of recovering all the deceased hostages could extend for several months.

In contrast with earlier hostage handovers, Hamas pledged that this time both the living and the dead would be transferred quietly, without orchestrated propaganda or media exposure.

Simultaneously, Israel would free an agreed-upon number of Palestinian security prisoners, also without cameras or public ceremonies.

Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister emphasized in a statement to the global press that “the full implementation of the agreement must be ensured in order to reach a peace that will end the suffering of the Palestinians and the prisoners,” Al Jazeera reported.

{Matzav.com Israel}

On Thursday night, Israel’s cabinet gathered to formally approve the agreement with Hamas. In a rare sight, American representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were present in the room, sitting in for about half an hour during the deliberations.

Inside the meeting, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir lashed out against the plan. “I’m sitting here looking at the list of terrorists being released – murderers of babies, rapists of women,” he said. “With all due respect, the United States would never release people like this. I appreciate your efforts and your support for Israel, but let’s be honest – you would not back a deal of this nature. You speak of economic agreements and peace, but you cannot make peace with Hamas. They want to kill us.”

Witkoff attempted to bring perspective by recounting a personal experience. “I understand your perspective, but let me share a story. My son died of an overdose. I wanted to kill the person responsible, but when I got to court, I saw his parents – ashamed and pleading for forgiveness. And I forgave them.”

Ben Gvir shot back immediately. “Mr. Witkoff, that’s precisely the difference: the people who murdered us on October 7 are not asking for forgiveness. Their families are proud. They glorify murder. They want to kill Jews.”

Kushner interjected, offering a different view. “But Hamas is globally isolated and deterred.”

Ben Gvir was unmoved. “Would you make peace with Hitler? Hamas is Hitler. They want to kill us.”

Earlier in the evening, before the vote, Ben Gvir had already voiced his reservations about the terms of the deal that would bring the hostages home. He expressed both elation and deep concern. “Our hearts are filled with joy, happiness and excitement that all the hostages are expected to return home — the living to their families and to rehabilitation, and the dead for burial,” he said.

Yet he quickly qualified that statement. “Alongside this joy it is absolutely forbidden to ignore the question of price: the release of thousands of terrorists, including 250 murderers who are expected to be freed from our prisons. This is an unbearable price. These are terrorists whom past experience shows will return to terrorism and to their craft of murdering Jews.”

He concluded with a firm declaration that his faction would not lend support to the agreement. “The ministers from Otzma Yehudit will not be able to raise our hands in favor of a deal that releases those murderous terrorists, and we will oppose it in the government.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

After an extended Thursday session, Israel’s cabinet approved the hostage-ceasefire arrangement proposed by President Donald Trump.

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu first brought the matter before the security cabinet for deliberation, followed by a full ministerial assembly. US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner joined the Israeli discussions after separately meeting with Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog.

Most members of the Religious Zionist Party and Otzma Yehudit rejected the proposal — with the lone exception of RZP’s Ofir Sofer.

Senior right-wing figures in the government — Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich (Religious Zionist Party), National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir (Otzma Yehudit), and Amichai Eliyahu (Otzma Yehudit) — opposed the agreement.

Their objections center primarily on the planned swap of Palestinian detainees in return for the hostages who would come back to Israel.

National Missions Minister Orit Strock, another Religious Zionist Party member, declared she would vote against the arrangement “no matter what,” her spokesman told The Jerusalem Post.

Although Ben-Gvir said he would oppose the deal at the vote, his office indicated on Thursday that his party is not yet intending to abandon the coalition.

Both Smotrich and Ben-Gvir had previously issued “red lines” to Netanyahu, warning they could pull their parties from the government if the proposal moved forward.

Leaked portions of the meeting published in The Jerusalem Post showed sharp disagreements between Ben-Gvir, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner over how the war should be brought to an end.

Ben-Gvir voiced fierce condemnation of freeing convicted attackers, branding them “baby killers” and “women’s rapists.” He argued such people would never be freed in the United States, acknowledged the efforts of his counterparts, but insisted they would not accept such concessions.

He also attacked efforts he viewed as attempting to reconcile with Hamas, saying the group aims to slaughter Israelis and that reconciliation is impossible.

Witkoff, answering Ben-Gvir’s point, recounted how he forgave the drug dealer responsible for his son’s death after meeting the offender’s parents in court.

Ben-Gvir shot back, “Mr. Witkoff, that’s the difference: those who murdered us on October 7th aren’t asking for forgiveness. Their families are proud of it. They want to kill Jews.”

Kushner emphasized his view that Hamas is largely isolated on the world stage and deterred from further action.

Ben-Gvir fired a rhetorical challenge at that claim, asking, “Would you have made peace with Hitler? Hamas is Hitler. They want to murder us.”

During the talks, Kushner told Israeli ministers, “We’ve made a deal here that isolates Hamas and encourages actors in the Arab world to pursue peace. This agreement ensures Israel’s security,” adding that “If we need to act with force, we will. It will either happen the easy way or the hard way.”

Ahead of the vote, Culture and Sport Minister Miki Zohar (Likud) spoke to The Jerusalem Post to voice his strong support for the pact.

“There’s a clear majority in the government to approve and support the deal,” he said.

Zohar argued the agreement should be embraced because, in his view, Israel has achieved the core aims it set following the October 7 attacks.

“We need to remember that Israel’s war objectives are the return of all hostages and the elimination of Hamas’s ability to control the Gaza Strip and attack Israel. These goals are being met as part of the deal,” Zohar said.

On the anticipated prisoner releases tied to the deal, Zohar urged realism: “We need to understand there’s what we’d like, and there’s what’s possible.”

He added, “We need to move forward with the deal, even if it comes with unpleasant prices that must be paid,” arguing that the country’s objectives have been satisfied.

Smotrich warned on Thursday that freeing Palestinian inmates — whom he called “the next generation of terror leadership” — would carry dire consequences.

He declared that the released detainees would seek to “do everything to continue spilling rivers of Jewish blood.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

Hamas leader in Gaza, Khalil al-Hayya, announced Thursday evening that the ceasefire agreement reached with Israel includes a permanent end to the war, the reopening of the Rafah border crossing, and the release of captives. “The world was astonished by the resilience of the people of Gaza,” al-Hayya declared in his televised address to residents of the enclave.

The statement came shortly after Israel’s security cabinet in Yerushalayim approved in principle the deal for a hostage release and ceasefire, following hours of deliberation.

Al-Hayya, one of Hamas’s senior figures still alive after the assassinations of Ismail Haniyeh, Saleh al-Arouri, and Mohammed Deif, said the deal was mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States. He asserted that it guarantees “a complete cessation of hostilities,” a major influx of humanitarian aid, and the reopening of the Rafah crossing.

“We have reached an agreement to end the war and the aggression against the Palestinian people,” al-Hayya said. “We received guarantees from the mediators and from the U.S. administration, and all parties confirmed that the war has ended completely. We will continue to work with all national and Islamic forces to complete the remaining steps.”

In his speech, al-Hayya also commemorated Hamas leaders killed over the past year. “On the anniversary of the battle of October 7, we salute the martyred leaders — Haniyeh, al-Arouri, Sinwar, and Deif,” he said. “The enemy committed massacre after massacre, but the resistance overcame it. As you were men on the battlefield, you were men at the negotiating table.”

The statement was broadcast on Hamas-affiliated media outlets just hours after Israel confirmed cabinet approval of the hostage deal, under which dozens of Israeli captives are expected to be released in the coming days in exchange for a temporary ceasefire and the release of Palestinian prisoners.

In Jerusalem, the full cabinet meeting to ratify the deal was delayed several hours and was expected to begin at 10 p.m. Most ministers are anticipated to support the agreement, though Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir have voiced opposition, citing the large number of terrorists slated for release. Despite their objections, neither is expected to withdraw from the coalition.

Israeli political and security officials are closely monitoring al-Hayya’s declaration, particularly his claim that “the war has ended completely,” fearing Hamas may seek to portray the agreement as a political and psychological victory before the Arab world.

Israeli military and government spokesmen stressed Thursday night that Jerusalem views the deal as a strictly humanitarian arrangement and not a commitment to a permanent ceasefire. “The sole purpose of this agreement,” officials said, “is the return of human lives.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir announced that his Otzma Yehudit party will oppose the initial phase of the ceasefire plan revealed today, which calls for the release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for all 48 Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.

Although Ben Gvir’s faction will not immediately withdraw from Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu’s governing coalition, he cautioned that if Hamas’s leadership remains intact, Otzma Yehudit will “bring down the government.”

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who heads the Religious Zionism party, also declared his intention to vote against the agreement.

The cabinet convened Thursday to decide on the proposal and is expected to approve it, following more than three hours of delay prompted by Ben Gvir’s objections to the inclusion of 250 Palestinian security prisoners serving life terms among those scheduled for release.

“Our hearts are filled with joy, happiness and excitement that all the hostages are expected to return home,” Ben Gvir said in a statement. “But alongside this joy, we must not — under any circumstances — ignore the question of the price: the release of thousands of terrorists, including 250 murderers who are expected to be freed from prisons.”

Because of that, Ben Gvir said, Otzma Yehudit could not support “a deal that releases those murderous terrorists, and we will oppose it in the government.”

He also stated that he told Netanyahu he would not stay in “a government that allows Hamas’s rule in Gaza to continue.”

According to Ben Gvir, the prime minister assured him that would not occur, but he added: “If Hamas’s rule is not dismantled, or if we are merely told that it has been dismantled while in reality it continues to exist under another guise — Otzma Yehudit will bring down the government.”

Should Ben Gvir and Smotrich both depart from the fragile 60-seat coalition, the government — already without a clear Knesset majority — would shrink to just 47 seats out of 120, a collapse that could pave the way for early elections.

{Matzav.com Israel}