Matzav

Lebanese authorities have intercepted a staggering $8.2 million in cash at Beirut International Airport over the past week, according to a report in the Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper citing a judicial source. The money was found stashed in the luggage of three passengers: two had arrived from Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, via Ethiopia, while the third had flown in from Istanbul.

During interrogation, the suspects claimed they were simply transporting money on behalf of Lebanese businessmen based in Africa. They reportedly provided investigators with the names of those who had entrusted them with the funds as well as the intended recipients. Lebanon’s attorney general has ordered the money to be held at the country’s central bank pending the outcome of the investigation.

A banking source told the newspaper that Hezbollah has historically cooperated with Lebanese entrepreneurs working in Africa, facilitating cash transfers through private jets and commercial flights. In exchange, the terror group reportedly took a cut of the smuggled funds. For years, Hezbollah allegedly relied on a network of loyal collaborators at Beirut Airport to carry out such operations. However, the source noted that Hezbollah’s influence at the airport has significantly weakened in the wake of the recent war.

Reporter Roi Kais added that, according to Lebanese sources, Hezbollah typically pocketed around 20% of the money it funneled into Lebanon from abroad, especially from countries in Africa and Latin America. These smuggling proceeds served as a key source of income for the organization, supplementing the financial support it receives from Iran.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Lieberman delivered a stark message to the Knesset on Monday, cautioning that Israel has no more than three years before another, more severe confrontation with Iran is likely. He pressed the government to overhaul the national budget and mandate that defense expenditures be set at 8 percent of the country’s GDP.

Addressing lawmakers from the Knesset podium and later at his party’s weekly meeting, the former defense minister asserted that Iran is actively seeking retaliation for the recent direct conflict with Israel and is already making headway in restoring its nuclear capabilities. “These are not theoretical threats,” he said. “The next stage will be more complex and more difficult.”

He slammed the current budget process as reckless and said defense funding should not be entangled in political deal-making. “The defense budget must never become a bargaining chip,” he said. Lieberman suggested passing a law to permanently peg defense spending at 8 percent of GDP, insulating it from future coalition bargaining.

Shifting to Israel’s policy on Gaza, Lieberman accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration of helping Hamas stay afloat by approving daily shipments of aid.

“Hamas is alive, breathing and kicking only because the ‘October 7 government’ is pumping medicine, fuel and food into Gaza,” he told reporters. He added that reservists escorting these convoys feel endangered and are limited to firing warning shots, leaving them vulnerable.

He further claimed that reserve soldiers from engineering units were being forced to demolish structures manually due to the absence of heavy equipment and proper armored vehicles. Meanwhile, he said, hundreds of millions of shekels in humanitarian assistance are being funneled into Gaza, funded by Israeli taxpayers.

Lieberman pushed the government to negotiate a deal to free the 120 hostages still being held by Hamas. “If the military pressure has run its course, what are we still doing there?” he asked.

Once the captives return, Lieberman suggested Israel take a page from its approach to Lebanon, pointing to the targeted killings of approximately 200 Hezbollah members by the IDF since November’s ceasefire in the north. “We will hunt down every terrorist who took part in the October 7 massacre until his last day,” he vowed.

The longtime parliamentarian demanded that the government overhaul its entire list of national priorities in anticipation of an eventual clash with Iran. His comments come as the coalition remains divided over the upcoming 2026 budget and as discussions intensify regarding Gaza aid expenditures.

Lieberman acknowledged that his call to revisit the national budget is politically risky and unlikely to win favor among coalition partners. Still, he warned that postponing action would leave the country vulnerable. “Iran’s nuclear program was hit hard,” he admitted, “but it was not destroyed and can be rebuilt. That is what the regime is working on with all its might.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

President Trump announced on Tuesday that Israel has consented to the terms required to move forward with a proposed 60-day cease-fire agreement with Hamas.

“My Representatives had a long and productive meeting with the Israelis today on Gaza. Israel has agreed to the necessary conditions to finalize the 60 Day CEASEFIRE, during which time we will work with all parties to end the War,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

He emphasized the important role that regional mediators have played in pushing the deal forward, while issuing a clear message to Hamas. “The Qataris and Egyptians, who have worked very hard to help bring Peace, will deliver this final proposal. I hope, for the good of the Middle East, that Hamas takes this Deal, because it will not get better — IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE,” the president concluded.

Israel’s military campaign against Hamas has been ongoing since October 7, 2023, when the terror organization launched a deadly assault against the country.

The most recent truce between the two sides lasted from January 19 until March 18, marking the last time hostilities paused.

{Matzav.com}

Donald Trump stated on Tuesday that he intends to strongly press Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu to put an end to the Gaza conflict during the latter’s upcoming trip to Washington.

In remarks to the press, Trump said Netanyahu shares the desire to conclude the fighting through a hostage deal and ceasefire. “He wants it too,” Trump noted.

Reiterating what he said earlier in the day, Trump expressed confidence that a resolution is near. “I think we’ll have a deal next week,” he predicted.

Trump also mentioned that his discussions with Netanyahu will cover the Gaza situation as well as what he called “the great success we had with Iran,” saying, “We want to get the hostages back.”

These comments came shortly after Netanyahu publicly announced on Monday that he would travel to the United States for a meeting with Trump.

The Israeli leader is scheduled to depart for Washington on Saturday and is expected to meet Trump on Monday, July 7. On the day prior to his departure, Netanyahu’s office reportedly held internal deliberations on the ongoing negotiations for a hostage deal with Hamas, which insiders say are making headway.

“There is a positive dynamic and lively activity on the issue of negotiations,” one senior Israeli official told The Times of Israel.

Following Trump’s public remarks suggesting Netanyahu now supports reaching a ceasefire and hostage deal, Israeli ministers told Channel 12 on Tuesday evening that, for the first time, Netanyahu appears inclined to wrap up the war effort sooner rather than later.

The same report indicated that indirect communication channels with Hamas could resume while Netanyahu is in Washington.

Israeli officials, speaking to Channel 12, noted that Washington is applying considerable diplomatic pressure on Qatar, which in turn is pressing Hamas. “We are more optimistic. There are solutions being put together, and more positive approach to moving forward,” one official said.

According to the network, Israel is now showing increased willingness to compromise on the phrasing regarding how the war concludes—more so than in prior talks.

This came after a cabinet meeting on Tuesday regarding the war effort, where IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir reportedly had a heated exchange with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir about the military campaign’s direction.

Zamir reportedly told them, “Hamas is dead,” citing the group’s minimal rocket fire—only one launched—during the recent 12-day conflict with Iran. The report said Smotrich and Ben Gvir responded by advocating for a more forceful application of Trump’s plan to relocate Gazans.

Zamir is also said to have warned against trying to seize full control of Gaza, arguing it would endanger the remaining hostages and expose Israel to serious legal risks on the international stage.

While the discussion was ongoing, Netanyahu repeated that the war would not end until Hamas is defeated. However, sources told the outlet he might redefine what “defeat” means in order to wrap up the conflict in the near term.

At a cabinet meeting on Monday, Netanyahu said he also plans to meet with Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and various congressional leaders.

Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, already in Washington preparing for the visit, was expected to meet with Witkoff, Rubio, and Vance.

Witkoff is currently brokering the ceasefire-hostage negotiations. A draft of his latest offer, confirmed by two sources to The Times of Israel, proposes a 60-day pause in fighting. During this time, Hamas would free 10 living Israeli hostages and return the remains of 18 others. If a lasting ceasefire is achieved, the rest of the hostages would then be released.

Sources close to Hamas told the London-based Al-Sharq Al-Awsat that the group’s reply to the Witkoff plan was largely positive, though it included several conditions.

A source involved in the mediation told The Times of Israel that Hamas’s response included a provision that would make it more difficult for Israel to resume military action if permanent ceasefire talks fail after the 60-day truce ends.

This source noted that Hamas also sought to alter other elements of the proposal, suggesting that a longer and more detailed negotiation process would now be necessary.

One of the changes submitted by Hamas involves spreading the release of the 10 hostages over the entire duration of the ceasefire rather than splitting them into two groups on days one and seven, as the American plan had proposed.

According to the source, Hamas introduced this modification to ensure Netanyahu would not exit the talks once the hostages were released, as they claim he did during a previous temporary ceasefire in January.

Back in May, Netanyahu told families of the hostages that he was, in principle, supportive of Witkoff’s outline.

{Matzav.com}

A pillar of the Sanz chassidus has been lost with the passing of Rav Yitzchok Eizik Meir Zalmanowitz z”l, devoted meshamesh bakodesh to the Sanz Rebbe who was niftar at the age of 72 after an illness.

His levayah is scheduled for Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. outside the Ohel Nechemia beis medrash in Kiryat Sanz, Netanya, and will continue to the Sanz section of the Shikun Vatikim cemetery, where he will be laid to rest.

Rav Zalmanowitz was born on 29 Av 5712 to his illustrious father, Rav Yisroel Aryeh Zalmanowitz zt”l, author of Chayei Nefesh, who served as the rov of Acco and was the founding rov of Kiryat Sanz in Netanya, as well as head of its institutions. His mother was Rebbetzin Leah a”h.

His bris took place on 6 Elul in the old village of Kefar Yavneh, where none other than the Chazon Ish zt”l served as sandek. He was named Yitzchok Eizik Meir.

Raised in a home steeped in Torah and communal leadership, Rav Zalmanowitz learned as a child in the local cheder in Yavneh, later continuing in Kiryat Sanz after the family moved there when he was eight years old. He quickly distinguished himself as an exceptional student in Torah, yiras Shamayim, and middos tovos. He also spent a year learning in the Tchebin Yeshiva in Yerushalayim, where he learned b’chavrusa with Rav Yosef Moshe Schneerson, who is now the rosh yeshiva.

As a young man, he married Rebbetzin Chaya Tova, the daughter of Rav Chaim Shlomo Rabinowitz zt”l, a beloved figure in Yerushalayim and a descendant of the Rebbe of Peshischa.

The couple lived in Yerushalayim, where Rav Zalmanowitz was counted among the outstanding avreichim in the famed Kollel Rav Acha. In 5738, he was called by the Rebbe, the Shefa Chaim of Sanz zt”l, to serve as mashgiach ruchani in the Kiryat Sanz yeshiva ketanah in Netanya. His warmth, compassion, and refined character left an indelible impression on the talmidim, who recall him as a fatherly figure and role model of avodas Hashem.

From his youth, Rav Zalmanowitz was deeply attached to the Shefa Chaim, serving him with total devotion and meriting rare affection and closeness from the Rebbe.

Over forty years ago, he accepted the role of personal assistant to the Rebbe—then still the young rov of Kiryat Sanz—and for nearly four decades became the closest confidant and most trusted aide in the Rebbe’s court.

He and the current Rebbe were classmates and shared a profound bond. The Rebbe entrusted him with the most sensitive and significant matters of the chassidus, and for many years Rav Zalmanowitz was the primary conduit for all matters entering and leaving the Rebbe’s private domain.

Sanzer chassidim recounted that Rabbi Zalmanowitz never treated the role casually, even after decades of service. Each day, he would prepare himself with awe, purity, and reverence, approaching the Rebbe’s door with trembling respect as though it were his first day on the job. Despite the tremendous closeness he enjoyed with the Rebbe, his sense of awe never diminished.

In his later years, after falling ill, he asked the Rebbe for permission to retire from his position. However, the Rebbe instructed him to continue, and he remained in his role until just before his final hospitalization, from which he did not recover.

Rabbi Zalmanowitz was known for his boundless kindness, offering a listening ear and understanding heart to all who came to him, even during difficult periods in his own life. His signature smile warmed everyone he encountered.

He leaves behind a remarkable legacy of children, sons-in-law, and grandchildren who follow in his path.

He was predeceased a decade ago by his brother, Rav Eliyahu Zalmanowitz zt”l, who served as rosh kollel of Gorlitz in Bnei Brak.

Yehi zichro baruch.

{Matzav.com Israel}

The Islamic Republic of Iran came “very close” to assassinating Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, Hebrew media reported, citing details from the criminal investigation into Israeli citizens accused of assisting the thwarted terrorist plot.

Roi Mizrahi, who was arrested two months ago by Israeli security forces on suspicion of committing security-related offenses on behalf of Iran, is accused of planting a “powerful” explosive device near Katz’s home in Kfar Ahim, according to Channel 12 News. Mizrahi allegedly carried out the act in coordination with a second suspect, Almog Atias.

Initial reports indicated that the suspects had come into contact with Iranian-linked operatives through a Telegram chat group for swingers. They were first believed to have been arrested for installing Iranian-operated security cameras on a road near Katz’s residence.

Sunday’s report, citing interrogation records and videos recovered from the suspects’ phones, revealed that Mizrahi and Atias transported an explosive device they had picked up from a separate location.

The device—allegedly described to Mizrahi as containing drugs or soaps, though he reportedly understood it was a bomb—detonated as the defense minister passed by. The explosion failed to cause any casualties. The report described the attempted assassination as what “could have been the greatest Iranian revenge.”

During interrogations, Mizrahi told officers from the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) and Israel Police that he had suspected he would be transporting a bomb even before carrying out the mission. However, he admitted being driven by “curiosity” and the lure of the money he was promised in return.

The two suspects are reportedly scheduled to appear in court in the coming days, where prosecutors are expected to request their detention be extended until the end of legal proceedings. They are facing serious charges, including aiding the enemy during wartime—a crime that carries severe penalties under Israeli law, including life imprisonment or, in extreme cases, the death penalty.

Since the outbreak of the war triggered by Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023, cross-border massacre from the Gaza Strip, Israeli security forces have uncovered approximately two dozen cases of Tehran attempting to recruit citizens of the Jewish state.

In May, an Israeli citizen from Haifa was arrested on suspicion of spying for the Islamic Republic, the Shin Bet revealed on June 23.

Dimitri Cohen, 28, who immigrated to Israel a few years ago, transferred “sensitive information” to his Iranian handlers for cash, investigators said. The suspect allegedly gathered information on military bases, strategic sites and homes linked to senior Israeli public officials.

Israel Police Chief Superintendent Yoni Hajaj, head of the Central Unit in the Coastal District, warned that this was a widespread phenomenon.

“Unfortunately, it has become a trend,” he said. “There are several dozen individuals operating on behalf of Iran. [Before the war], taking a photo of a military base may have seemed harmless, but now—as missiles are falling [on Israeli cities]—we understand the devastating consequences of Iranian-directed targeting of sensitive sites,” the officer said. JNS

{Matzav.com Israel}

CNN reported on Tuesday that President Donald Trump enjoys an extraordinary level of support among Republican voters — greater than that of any GOP president in recent memory.

Harry Enten, CNN’s senior data analyst, explained in comments cited by the Independent Journal Review that polling shows a substantial portion of Republicans are not just supportive, but deeply enthusiastic about Trump. “Republicans love Donald Trump the way that Americans love Disney World. The bottom line is 63%,” he said. “That is a huge, huge base. And of course, it’s just part of the Republican base, in which about 90% of them overall approve of him, including the somewhat approves as well.”

Enten emphasized the intensity of the support, noting that it goes beyond mere favorability. “So this isn’t just Republicans who like Donald Trump. This is Republicans who love Donald Trump, and he’s up like a rocket.”

He pointed out the dramatic rise in those who strongly approve of Trump’s performance compared to earlier years. “Look at this. In July 2017, the strongly approved was 53%. That’s pretty good. But look at where he is now. Sixty-three percent of Republicans strongly approve of the job that Donald Trump is doing about five months into his presidency.”

When stacking Trump’s popularity against that of past Republican presidents, Enten said no one else comes close. “And I was looking even back since (Ronald) Reagan, and get this, Donald Trump beats Ronald Reagan when it comes to the strongly approved,” said Enten.

“The bottom line is, Donald Trump is making history with the Republican base. He is more beloved by this Republican base than any Republican base loved any GOP president at five months, and it is history making. It is a striking number.”

A June report by the Pew Research Center highlighted that Trump’s 2024 campaign succeeded in assembling a remarkably broad coalition, noting that 85% of those who voted for him in 2020 returned to support him again in 2024.

Pew’s analysis further revealed that 5% of those who had voted for Joe Biden in the last election switched sides in 2024, helping Trump capture every key swing state and secure a second term in the Oval Office by defeating Democrat Kamala Harris.

{Matzav.com}

A fresh survey conducted by the Midgam Institute and broadcast Tuesday night on Channel 12 News examined how Gadi Eisenkot’s departure from the National Unity Party could influence the Israeli political landscape.

If elections were to be held now with the current parties in place, Likud would earn 26 seats in the Knesset, and Naftali Bennett’s faction would come in close behind with 24. The Democrats would secure 12, Yisrael Beytenu 10, Yesh Atid and Shas would each garner 9, United Torah Judaism would get 8, Blue and White and Otzma Yehudit would both receive 6, while Hadash-Ta’al and Ra’am would take 5 each. The Religious Zionist Party wouldn’t reach the minimum threshold required for representation.

In a case where Eisenkot launches his own party, it would gain 8 seats—overtaking both Yesh Atid and Blue and White. Under that scenario, Likud’s seat count would stay at 26, while Bennett’s faction would slip to 22. Support for the Democrats would decrease to 10, Yesh Atid would drop to 7, and Gantz’s and Liberman’s parties would each lose one seat.

If Eisenkot were to take the helm of Yesh Atid with Yair Lapid second on the list, their ticket would receive a boost, reaching 18 seats. Likud would still remain at 26 seats. Bennett’s party would slide to 21, Democrats would lose ground with just 9 seats, and Blue and White would be reduced to 4.

Alternatively, should Eisenkot align with Bennett as his deputy, the joint list would become the most powerful force in the Knesset, earning 32 seats. Likud would see a slight increase to 27. Democrats would dip to 11, Yesh Atid would fall to 8, and Blue and White would not manage to get any seats at all.

A different poll by the Maagar Mochot Institute, aired on Channel 13 News, showed that a new party led by Eisenkot would capture 9 seats—again pushing Blue and White out of the Knesset. According to that poll, Likud would win 25 seats, Bennett’s slate would take 21, Shas and Yisrael Beytenu would each get 10, Democrats would finish with 9, Otzma Yehudit would get 8, United Torah Judaism 7, and Yesh Atid 7. Ra’am and Hadash-Ta’al would each secure 5 seats. The Religious Zionist Party would just make it in with 4 seats.

This arrangement would give the current governing coalition 54 seats. Meanwhile, the opposition bloc, along with the Arab parties, would command a majority with 66 seats.

That same poll also analyzed what might happen if Eisenkot were to run on a joint ticket with Bennett. That partnership would again claim the top spot with 31 seats. Likud would secure 24, Democrats would climb to 10, and Gantz’s National Unity Party would barely scrape by with 4 seats.

The final scenario evaluated Eisenkot joining forces with Lapid. That version of Yesh Atid would bring in 14 seats. Likud would garner 26, Bennett’s party would collect 23, and the National Unity Party would fall below the threshold and be eliminated from the Knesset.

{Matzav.com}

Israel has conducted an unprecedented surveillance campaign over Iran, capturing tens of millions of images via its satellites before and throughout the recent conflict, according to a statement from the Defense Ministry.

The ministry reported that its sophisticated satellite network covered tens of millions of square kilometers through continuous day-and-night monitoring, gathering over 12,000 high-resolution images of Iranian territory.

With Iran’s landmass covering roughly 1.6 million square kilometers, and the focus of the Israeli surveillance centered around the Tehran region and western parts of the country, large portions had to be photographed repeatedly to ensure comprehensive coverage.

This level of observation meant that Israeli satellites were keeping tabs on hundreds of different locations each day, the ministry noted.

Altogether, the satellite fleet was monitoring hundreds of thousands of square kilometers across Iran every single day.

Thanks to major advancements in Israel’s satellite capabilities—both in quality and in volume—the Jewish state has transitioned from relying on occasional snapshots for general intelligence to being able to track numerous sites throughout Iran in real time with tactical and operational precision.

These real-time capabilities enabled satellites to provide data that directly influenced Israel Air Force missions mid-operation, particularly by identifying missile launches and changing flight plans accordingly.

The technology also allowed for rapid evaluation of strike effectiveness, offering immediate insight into whether a target had been successfully neutralized.

Additionally, this intelligence helped determine whether further aerial missions were needed for specific targets, especially when dealing with complex sites, by identifying which parts of a structure had been damaged and which required follow-up strikes.

Throughout the confrontation with Iran, Israel benefited from newer satellite technologies, most notably the Ofek 13, which began operations in March 2023 and delivered clearer, more accurate surveillance than previous models.

The Ofek 13 was jointly developed by the Defense Ministry and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), and was launched via a Shavit 2 rocket from a site in central Israel.

At the time of the launch, Avi Berger, who heads the Defense Ministry’s Space Directorate, stated, “The launch was successful. It went according to plan. The first indications from the satellite are also excellent. In the coming weeks, we will complete the technical tests and receive the first images.”

Beyond the Defense Ministry and IAI, the Ofek 13’s development was a collaborative effort that included various units of the Israel Defense Forces, notably the 9900 intelligence unit and the air force.

At the time, Berger had also remarked, “Ofek 13 is a radar-based observation satellite with the most advanced capabilities of its kind in the world, all of which are the result of Israeli development.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee made a bold statement on Tuesday, suggesting that America’s B-2 stealth bombers should be deployed to Yemen following a missile attack aimed at Yerushalayim by the Iran-backed Houthis.

“We thought we were done with missiles coming to Israel, but Houthis just lit one up over us in Israel,” the ambassador wrote on X/Twitter.

“Fortunately, Israel’s incredible interception system means we go to the shelter & wait until all clear. Maybe those B2 bombers need to visit Yemen!”

His remarks came after the Israeli military successfully intercepted the projectile launched from Yemen. The launch triggered air raid sirens across Yerushalayim and parts of central Israel, prompting residents to seek shelter.

Shortly afterward, Israeli Defense Minister Yisroel Katz warned that Yemen would face consequences for the attack.

“The law of Yemen is the law of Tehran,” he wrote. “After we strike the head of the serpent in Tehran, we will also strike the tail of the serpent in Yemen.”

The B-2 bombers Huckabee referenced were most recently utilized in Operation Midnight Hammer, a precision strike mission against Iranian nuclear targets. According to U.S. officials, the mission involved dropping over 30 tons of munitions using the advanced aircraft.

US President Donald Trump called the strikes a “historic military success,” claiming the facilities were “completely obliterated.”

Due to their limited number—just 20 aircraft—the B-2 bombers are typically reserved for high-priority missions requiring precision and stealth.

Qatar has put forward a new offer to Israel proposing a two-month truce, during which eight living hostages would be freed on the very first day, and an additional two would be released on the 50th day of the ceasefire.

According to two diplomats familiar with the proposal, the deal outlines a 60-day pause in fighting. On day one, eight living captives would be released, followed by two more on day 50 of the truce period.

Kan News provided further details, reporting that the plan also includes the phased return of the remains of 18 hostages who are confirmed dead. The plan would unfold in three stages. As part of the broader outline, the IDF would withdraw from the Morag axis, and the level of humanitarian assistance allowed into Gaza would be expanded significantly.

Those close to the ongoing talks suggest that the chances of reaching a deal have improved, though some disagreements between the involved parties have yet to be resolved.

Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu has been conducting several rounds of high-level security meetings in recent days, with a strong focus on the hostages. Families of those still in captivity have voiced fears that during the conflict with Iran, their loved ones would be pushed off the national agenda and that efforts to secure their return might stall.

Negotiations had been largely frozen for several weeks, with no notable movement. But recently, President Donald Trump has shared a more hopeful tone, indicating that a breakthrough could be imminent. Earlier today, he said, “There may be a ceasefire next week.”

There are currently 50 hostages believed to still be in Gaza. Of those, roughly 20 are thought to be alive.

{Matzav.com}

Saudi Arabia is making it clear that any potential normalization agreement with Israel hinges on the complete removal of Hamas from power in Gaza, according to a report from i24NEWS. A source with direct ties to the Saudi royal court conveyed this position to Middle East correspondent Ariel Oseran.

“Without removing Hamas, there will be no peace,” the source emphasized, underscoring Riyadh’s firm stance that Hamas must be dismantled entirely before any diplomatic breakthrough with the Jewish State can occur.

The report adds that Saudi Arabia envisions the Palestinian Authority, under the leadership of Mahmoud Abbas, taking over governance in Gaza once Hamas is ousted. This transition is seen as a necessary step for the region’s future stability and for progress toward formal ties with Israel.

This marks the first public indication that halting military operations before Hamas is fully defeated could undermine broader regional diplomacy—particularly efforts by the Trump administration to broaden the Abraham Accords and secure new normalization deals with additional Arab and Muslim countries.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump commented on Tuesday that a ceasefire agreement might be achievable as early as next week. He also reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that every remaining Israeli hostage is brought home safely.

Trump added that he plans to be “very firm” with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu about bringing the conflict in Gaza to a close when they meet in Washington next week.

{Matzav.com}

Air raid sirens echoed throughout Yerushalayim and across central regions of Israel on Tuesday evening following the launch of a missile from Yemen aimed at the country.

According to the IDF, the missile was successfully neutralized in mid-air by the Israeli Air Force using the Arrow missile defense system. Authorities reported that no injuries occurred as a result of the attempted strike.

In response to the incident, Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu is set to gather the political-security cabinet in Yerushalayim on Motzoei Shabbos. The meeting will focus on ongoing discussions surrounding the proposed hostage agreement and the continued military campaign in Gaza.

Reacting to the missile threat, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee shared his thoughts on social media: “We thought we were done with missiles coming to Israel, but Houthis just lit one up over us in Israel. Fortunately, Israel’s incredible interception system means we go to the shelter & wait until all clear. Maybe those B2 bombers need to visit Yemen!”

{Matzav.com}

In honor of the upcoming July 4th holiday, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee visited the Kosel on Tuesday morning alongside his wife, Janet Huckabee, for a time of reflection and prayer.

The visit began with a heartfelt prayer of thanks, recited together with Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, rov of the Kosel, and Mordechai (Suli) Eliav, director of the Western Wall Heritage Foundation. They gave thanks to God for the miracles bestowed upon the Jewish people and the State of Israel during Operation Rising Lion.

During their time at the site, a special prayer was offered for the continued success and welfare of President Donald Trump, as well as for peace and security in both Israel and the United States.

After the prayers concluded, the ambassador joined Rav Rabinowitz for a more personal conversation in the rov’s office. The rov used the opportunity to express appreciation for the ambassador’s unwavering backing—and that of President Trump—of Israel and the Jewish people, especially during recent events.

Rav Rabinowitz handed the ambassador a personal letter addressed to the President, expressing heartfelt thanks and admiration. He also extended an invitation for the ambassador to return soon for an official visit to the Kosel.

Concluding his time at the site, Ambassador Huckabee toured the archaeological excavations beneath the Kosel.

President Donald Trump offered strong words of support for New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ bid for re-election on Tuesday, while delivering a sharp warning to Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic socialist leading the mayoral race. Trump threatened potential legal consequences for Mamdani should he interfere with federal immigration enforcement.

Speaking from the “Alligator Alcatraz” migrant holding facility in Florida, Trump had high praise for Adams, calling him “a very good person” and suggesting that he had intervened to help the mayor through his legal troubles.

“I helped him out a little bit,” Trump said, referencing the Justice Department’s decision to drop Adams’ corruption case. “He had a problem, and he was unfairly hurt over this question. That was a Biden indictment. I said, ‘Don’t feel bad. I got indicted five times.’”

Adams had been charged with bribery and corruption in what he and Trump both claimed was retaliation for publicly criticizing President Joe Biden’s handling of the border crisis.

The investigation that resulted in Adams’ indictment was already underway before his public comments, but Trump stood by the notion that the charges were politically motivated.

Turning his attention to Mamdani, Trump intensified his attacks, warning the left-wing candidate that he could face criminal consequences if he attempts to interfere with federal immigration operations.

“We’ll have to arrest” Mamdani if that happens, Trump said.

Trump also addressed the broader mayoral contest, suggesting he was leaning toward supporting Adams, who is running as an independent, despite being a registered Democrat.

“You would think that a Republican would be able to win, or you have a good independent running for mayor,” Trump said.

{Matzav.com}

Agudath Israel of America celebrates the Senate’s inclusion of a permanent and unlimited scholarship tax credit.

Earlier today, the United States Senate voted to include a permanent scholarship tax credit in the budget reconciliation bill. The groundbreaking federal school choice proposal survived two attempts to eliminate it and had to be revised in order to comply with the ruling of the Senate parliamentarian.

“On Friday, news reports proclaimed that the school choice provision in the reconciliation bill was dead,” said Rabbi A.D. Motzen, Agudath Israel of America’s National Director of Government Affairs. “Thanks to Senator Ted Cruz and Senate champions, the report of its demise was greatly exaggerated. The Senate saved school choice for American families.”

The bill provides a dollar-for-dollar tax credit to donors who contribute to a nonprofit scholarship granting organization (SGO). The SGOs then take the pooled funds and distribute scholarships to eligible students for qualified educational expenses. The beneficiaries can include most families as the income threshold is above $300,000 in many areas (see chart).

The revised version allows every taxpayer to receive a credit of up to $1700 and removed the annual cap on donations among other changes. Agudah expects that this will help generate hundreds of millions of dollars in K-12 scholarships for those wishing to attend Jewish schools.

The revised bill must now pass the House before being sent to the President for his signature.

A letter from Agudath Israel’s Rabbi AD Motzen:

Dear Friends,

Earlier today, the United States Senate voted to include a permanent and unlimited scholarship tax credit in the budget reconciliation bill.

The groundbreaking school choice proposal survived two attempts to eliminate it and was forced to be revised, but the bottom line for you, it’s still in!

If passed, we expect this credit to generate hundreds of millions of dollars in K-12 scholarships for our communities alone!

What happened?

On Friday morning, we woke up to the news that the Senate removed the school choice provisions from the Big, Beautiful Bill. Not because the Republican Senate majority wanted to, but because the parliamentarian, a Senate staffer, ruled that it would be deemed “out of order” and not eligible to be included.

Reconciliation budget bills have unique rules about what is and what isn’t allowed to be included. The minority party traditionally challenges many of the provisions of a reconciliation bill and the parliamentarian is tasked with ruling on those challenges. The majority party then either listens to her, tries to convince her to change her mind, or rewrites the affected section. Overruling the parliamentarian is extremely rare. In this case, thanks to a joint effort of Agudah, its coalition partners, and most importantly, Senator Ted Cruz and other Senate champions, a solution was found. Senator Cruz refused to back down and ultimately rewrote sections of the bill to satisfy her concerns.

What’s in the bill?

The bill provides a dollar-for-dollar tax credit to donors who contribute to a nonprofit scholarship granting organization (SGO). The SGOs then take the pooled funds and distribute scholarships to eligible students for qualified educational expenses. The beneficiaries can include most families as the income threshold is above $300,000 in many areas (see chart).

The revised version allows every taxpayer to receive a credit of up to $1700 and removed the annual cap on donations among other changes. This means that if every person and every community comes together to contribute towards the chinuch of the next generation, we can raise hundreds of millions of dollars in tuition scholarship funds each year at no cost to the donors.

Agudah will host a webinar on tonight at 8:30 pm EDT to explain the current bill in more detail, what changed, and next steps. Register here.

What’s next?

The bill now moves back to the House for a vote before it can be sent to the President for his signature. The tax credit would take effect January 2027.

Thank you for your advocacy and support

Sincerely,

AD Motzen

National Director of Government Affairs

Agudath Israel of America

{Matzav.com}

Senate Republicans narrowly pushed through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act on Tuesday after a marathon session that lasted 27 hours, clearing the way for the legislation to head to the House for a final vote.

With the vote split down the middle at 50-50, Vice President JD Vance cast the decisive vote, allowing the bill to move forward. This puts the Republican-led Congress on pace to get the legislation to President Trump before the July 4th deadline, assuming the House remains united behind it.

Republican Senators Susan Collins, Rand Paul, and Thom Tillis broke ranks and sided with all 47 Democrats to oppose the measure.

The comprehensive package, which spans nearly 900 pages, maintains the bulk of Trump’s tax reforms from 2017, introduces tax breaks for tips and overtime income, ramps up funding for defense, border control, and energy initiatives, and trims entitlement programs.

The legislation faced hurdles throughout its journey in Congress, with critics from within the Republican ranks expressing dissatisfaction over various elements of the bill.

After prolonged debate, the Senate altered the bill that had passed the House, adding deeper cuts to Medicaid, expanding corporate tax breaks, increasing the debt limit by $5 trillion, and removing federal restrictions on states that want to legislate artificial intelligence.

Some GOP senators, including Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, initially voiced serious concerns over the bill’s projected effect on federal deficits, threatening to hold up its approval.

To win over Johnson, Republican leadership added steeper Medicaid reductions than those included in the House-passed version.

“I’m convinced they’re committed to returning to reasonable pre-pandemic spending, and I’ll be highly involved in a process to achieve and maintain it,” Johnson told “Fox & Friends” Monday morning.

At the same time, Republican leaders needed to address resistance from centrist lawmakers who were alarmed by the potential impact of the Medicaid and SNAP (food stamps) changes.

“We can’t be cutting health care for working people and for poor people in order to constantly give special tax treatment to corporations and other entities,” Sen. Josh Hawley told NBC News last week.

Despite his concerns, Hawley ultimately supported the legislation, giving GOP leaders the numbers they needed to push it through.

One major sticking point had been the proposed 10-year freeze on state-level AI regulation, which was included in the House version of the bill.

That clause met fierce pushback from Sen. Marsha Blackburn and representatives like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who discovered the provision only after the bill cleared the House.

Following failed attempts at a compromise, senators decided to remove the AI-related language entirely from the final version.

Meanwhile, House Republicans from high-tax states continued to raise alarms over the existing $10,000 cap on state and local tax (SALT) deductions.

To address those concerns, the Senate raised the SALT cap to $40,000 for most individuals earning under $500,000 annually. However, this higher limit will gradually expire over five years.

Still, House conservatives remained dissatisfied, with the House Freedom Caucus denouncing the changes as “not what we agreed to.” Rep. Keith Self criticized the updated version as “fiscally criminal.”

Senators also amended the original bill to make key tax breaks for businesses permanent, rather than allowing them to expire after five years.

According to projections from the Congressional Budget Office, the Senate’s version of the bill would add roughly $3.3 trillion to the deficit over 10 years. When interest payments on that debt are included, the number is expected to rise to around $3.9 trillion.

The White House has attempted to calm deficit hawks by pledging that additional spending cuts will be addressed during the fall budget process and insisting that revenue from tariffs and economic growth will help bring the deficit down.

Republican leadership is eager to avoid the mistakes of the past, with House Speaker Mike Johnson noting that delays in passing Trump’s 2017 tax legislation cost Republicans during the 2018 midterms.

Moreover, the bill serves as the primary vehicle for increasing the national borrowing limit, which would otherwise be breached in late summer or early fall.

The Senate-approved plan raises the debt ceiling by $5 trillion, an increase from the $4 trillion cap included in the House version.

GOP lawmakers utilized the reconciliation process in the Senate to pass the measure with a simple majority, limiting what they could include but allowing them to sidestep a filibuster.

If the House makes any changes to the Senate bill, both chambers will need to convene a conference committee to hammer out a unified version of the legislation, which would then have to be approved once more by both the House and Senate.

Zohran Mamdani, the democratic socialist known for his anti-Israel rhetoric, has emerged as the winner of the New York City Democratic mayoral primary, the Associated Press reported. His campaign’s momentum and widespread appeal pushed him to a decisive victory.

The announcement came Tuesday afternoon, following the release of the ranked-choice voting results by the city’s Board of Elections. The updated count confirmed Mamdani’s clear lead in the race.

With the final tally showing Mamdani securing 56 percent of the vote, he outpaced former Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, who ended up with 44 percent. The election board is scheduled to formally certify the results in the middle of July.

Currently serving as an assemblyman representing Queens, Mamdani, 33, will now prepare for the November general election. His opponents will include Eric Adams, the current mayor who bypassed the Democratic primary and is running as an independent; Curtis Sliwa, the Republican candidate and founder of the Guardian Angels; and Jim Walden, an independent candidate and attorney.

Although Cuomo is also listed on the ballot as an independent, he has yet to announce whether he will remain in the race through the fall. All three independent candidates are registered Democrats, but Mamdani is expected to have the upper hand given the city’s overwhelming Democratic majority.

Mamdani’s success stemmed from his ability to galvanize a fresh wave of voters, boosted by a vibrant campaign fueled by his dynamic personality, skillful use of social media, and a remarkably large and dedicated volunteer force—something rarely seen in recent city elections.

{25}

Zohran Mamdani is the Muslim socialist who doesn’t believe billionaires should exist, who just won a stunning victory in the Democratic primary for mayor of New York City – and already some of his policies are raising eyebrows.

Joining to debate all this is former NYC mayor Rudy Giuliani – who has some choice words to say about Mamdani – plus The Young Turks’ Cenk Uygur, NewsNation’s Geraldo Rivera and former DNC fundraiser Lindy Li.

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

In a shocking incident on Sunday night, singer Pini Einhorn said that he had his iPhone stolen while performing at a chareidi wedding at Keter HaRimon Hall in Bnei Brak.

The wedding was that of the son of Rav Yosef Niddam, rosh mosdos of Mishkenos Yosef, and brother of Baruch Niddam, head of ZAKA Tel Aviv’s International Division, as well as singer and baal tefillah Rav Shmuel Niddam.

Einhorn took to social media to share his frustration and disbelief: “It’s been 24 hours that I’ve been cut off from the world,” he said in a video message. “Yesterday at the event, my iPhone just vanished—disappeared like the earth swallowed it up.”

Footage from the wedding shows Einhorn energetically singing while riding a ZAKA motorcycle into the hall, an unusual and lively entrance to what turned into an unfortunate evening for the singer.

Currently using a temporary phone, Einhorn explained the difficulty of working without his device. “Right now I’m using a replacement phone,” he said. “It’s basically like singing with a toy microphone. I really hope the old one finds its way back. It holds materials that are worth gold. My whole life is in there.”

Einhorn reflected on the experience with perspective: “Over the past day, I’ve realized just how addicted I am to my phone. But everything is from Hashem.”

{Matzav.com Israel}