Matzav

Israel’s Security Agency and the National Cyber Directorate revealed Wednesday that they have stopped hundreds of attempted cyberattacks over the last year that were orchestrated by Iranian intelligence operatives.

The agencies said the operations were directed at high-ranking government and defense officials, academics, journalists, and personnel within the defense sector. In a joint announcement, they reported a significant increase in hostile online activity that began around the time of Operation Rising Lion.

According to the statement, the objective behind the cyber efforts was to obtain both personal and professional information that could be used for terrorism, espionage, and influence campaigns. Investigators determined that the attackers mainly relied on “targeted phishing” methods, sending customized messages while posing as trusted or recognizable contacts.

Those targeted were prompted to click on links or download attachments, which allowed the attackers to capture login details and authentication codes for services including Google, Telegram, and WhatsApp. Gaining such information would grant access to private correspondence and stored data.

Over recent months, the ISA and the National Cyber Directorate said they worked to counter these efforts by delivering focused warnings, blocking harmful activity, and providing guidance to potential targets on reinforcing their account protections. They also launched public awareness initiatives aimed at communities considered vulnerable.

The agencies called on the public — especially individuals with access to sensitive material — to activate two-factor authentication, exercise caution when approached by unknown contacts, and refrain from sharing personal information or opening suspicious links. They further advised users to enroll in the enhanced security programs recently made available by Google and WhatsApp.

President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu wrapped up a White House meeting that lasted close to three hours, with Iran and broader Middle East developments high on the agenda.

Following the talks, President Trump shared a statement on his Truth Social platform describing the meeting and the tone of discussions.

“I have just finished meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu, of Israel, and various of his Representatives. It was a very good meeting, the tremendous relationship between our two Countries continues.”

Iran was a primary focus of the conversation, and the president addressed the subject directly in his post.

“There was nothing definitive reached other than I insisted that negotiations with Iran continue to see whether or not a Deal can be consummated. If it can, I let the Prime Minister know that will be a preference. If it cannot, we will just have to see what the outcome will be.”

Trump also referenced a previous confrontation with Tehran, warning of potential consequences if diplomacy fails.

“last time Iran decided that they were better off not making a Deal, and they were hit with Midnight Hammer – That did not work well for them. Hopefully this time they will be more reasonable and responsible. Additionally, we discussed the tremendous progress being made in Gaza, and the Region in general. There is truly PEACE in the Middle East. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

Before entering his meeting with President Trump, Prime Minister Netanyahu formally joined the Board of Peace in a signing ceremony held at the White House in the presence of Secretary of State Rubio.

A small Bitcoin transaction tied to the ransom demand in the Nancy Guthrie kidnapping case may have shifted momentum in favor of investigators, according to a cryptocurrency forensics specialist who says digital currency is far more traceable than many criminals realize.

Bezalel Eithan Raviv, CEO and founder of Lionsgate Network, a crypto recovery firm specializing in blockchain forensics, told Page Six that a modest deposit made late Tuesday into the Bitcoin wallet listed in the ransom note could signal a strategic investigative move.

“If the reported $150 transaction to the alleged ransom Bitcoin wallet is accurate, it aligns with a known investigative tactic,” Raviv said. “A small ‘test’ transfer can sometimes be used to confirm that the wallet is active and to trigger blockchain monitoring tools.”

Raviv, an Israeli technology entrepreneur, emphasized that Bitcoin transactions are not invisible, despite popular belief.

“The moment funds move, they leave a permanent digital footprint,” Raviv said. “That activity can provide investigators with valuable intelligence, especially if the wallet interacts with exchanges or custodial services where identity verification is required.”

When tracking illicit cryptocurrency activity, Raviv explained that his company employs what it refers to as a “cow’s bell” method.

“Once a wallet is identified and tagged, every movement can trigger alerts, no matter how many times the funds split, consolidate, or hop across wallets. Every step leaves a signal,” he said.

According to Raviv, once money enters the account, the balance of control may change.

“If this wallet has now received funds, the dynamic shifts,” Raviv explained. “The person demanding ransom may believe they are in control, but once a transaction is made, they become the one being watched.

“The ransom actor is no longer just making demands. They are now the target of forensic tracking.”

Still, Raviv noted that law enforcement agencies follow established procedures in handling ransom situations.

“That said, ransom strategy decisions should always be directed by law enforcement and professional negotiators,” Raviv said. “The critical phase now is real-time monitoring, because movement is where mistakes happen.”

Nancy Guthrie, 84, was last seen alive at her home near Tucson on Jan. 31. She was reported missing the following day after the Pima County Sheriff’s Department concluded that she had been forcibly removed from the residence.

Multiple media organizations later received what authorities believe to be a ransom message demanding $6 million in Bitcoin in exchange for her freedom. The note listed two deadlines — Feb. 5 at 5 p.m. EST and another this past Monday at the same hour.

Savannah Guthrie and her siblings issued a public statement indicating they were prepared to meet the demand but required proof that their mother was alive before transferring any money.

As of Tuesday morning, Page Six confirmed that the Bitcoin wallet’s balance remained at zero. By Tuesday night, however, approximately $152 in Bitcoin had been deposited into the account.

It remains unclear whether the FBI or another entity initiated the transaction. Earlier in the week, Raviv told Page Six that sending a minimal amount of cryptocurrency can sometimes be part of a broader investigative approach.

“This is a very simple tactic among many that we utilize when we want to be able to intercept criminal network crypto assets,” Raviv said. “That’s from our perspective based on previous cases that have been incredibly successful.”

Raviv also suggested that the individual behind the ransom demand may have exposed himself the moment he shared the wallet address.

“He showed his Achilles to everyone who understands blockchain forensics,” Raviv said.

Authorities have yet to announce any arrests directly connected to the abduction, though they did release alarming surveillance footage showing an armed and masked individual outside Nancy’s home on the night she vanished.

In the hours following the footage’s release, a man identified as Carlos was taken into custody in connection with the probe but was later released.

On Wednesday, TMZ reported receiving a third Bitcoin-related demand — this time offering information about the alleged kidnapper in exchange for cryptocurrency.

Meanwhile, FBI Phoenix announced that agents are “conducting an extensive search along multiple roadways in the Catalina Foothills area related to the Nancy Guthrie investigation.”

Shas chairman MK Aryeh Deri has withdrawn from public and political life for a full week, undertaking a continuous taanis (fast) and transferring key parliamentary responsibilities to fellow members of his party as the traditional Shovavim period draws to a close.

Deri was notably absent Monday from the party’s weekly faction meeting in the Knesset. Lawmakers convened around the table and conducted the session without their chairman — an occurrence considered highly unusual within the party.

Only a small number of MKs were aware of the reason for his disappearance. Some were told he had traveled abroad for a family event. Others knew that Deri remained in Israel but had chosen to step away from public activity for several days.

According to party sources, Deri accepted upon himself a consecutive seven-day fast, abstaining from both food and speech from the conclusion of Shabbos until the onset of the following Shabbos. The fast comes in anticipation of the conclusion of the Shovavim period, traditionally observed as days of spiritual strengthening and introspection.

Due to the nature of the fast, Deri has refrained from speaking with anyone. In exceptional circumstances involving security matters, he has received updates and responded only in writing.

With significant political matters pending — including legislation concerning the military draft law and the state budget — Deri delegated authority on these issues to Shas Knesset members. They were the ones who ultimately decided to support the split of the Arrangements Law.

As for Deri’s current location, speculation within Shas circles remains divided. Some claim he is staying in Peki’in, while others believe he is presently in the city of Netivot.

The fast is expected to conclude at the onset of Shabbos later this week. After nightfall on Motzaei Shabbos, Deri is anticipated to resume his regular public and political schedule.

{Matzav.com}

[Video below.] Sen. Bernie Sanders sharply criticized President Donald Trump’s glowing assessment of the U.S. economy during a Tuesday appearance on MSNBC’s “All In,” accusing the president of being “completely crazy and delusional, or just a pathological liar” for portraying current conditions as historic.

The remarks came after Trump, speaking on the Fox Business Network, praised the nation’s economic performance in sweeping terms.

“This is the greatest period of anything that we’ve ever seen. We had the greatest economy in the history of our country in my first term. I think we’re blowing it away. Now I think we have the greatest economy, actually, ever in history,” Trump said.

Responding to that clip, Sanders told host Chris Hayes that broader concerns about the country’s direction extend beyond the economy alone.

“Well, look, Chris, I think the American people understand with what’s going on in Minneapolis, Trump’s attacks on the media, universities. He is going after political opponents and through criminal actions, that we are moving into an authoritarian society,” Sanders said.

The Vermont independent then questioned Trump’s characterization of economic conditions, arguing that many Americans are struggling financially despite the president’s claims.

“In terms of I got to tell you, though, I seen that tape you just scrolled. You wonder whether Trump is completely crazy and delusional, or just a pathological liar. But the idea that anybody would believe that this is a great economy when 60% of our people are living paycheck to paycheck, when the cost of health care is going up, people can’t afford housing, people can’t afford their basic groceries, childcare system is dysfunctional, people can’t afford to go to college. And if this is the greatest economy in the history of the world, God help us.”

Significant unanswered questions still surround the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, according to Sen. Dave McCormick, who says the public has not received a full accounting of what went wrong that day.

In an interview with New York Post columnist Miranda Devine on the Post’s “Pod Force One” podcast, McCormick said he remains troubled by how a 20-year-old gunman was able to position himself and fire on Trump during the July 13, 2024 rally at the Butler Farm Show grounds. He told Devine he is “not satisfied” with the explanations that have been provided so far.

Reflecting on the proximity of the shooter to the stage — “less than 150 yards” — McCormick described the lapse as “hard to imagine,” calling it both “a breach in security” and “a breach in protocol.” He questioned how such a vulnerability could have existed at a presidential campaign event.

McCormick said he had been seated in the front row of the rally after Trump briefly weighed inviting him onto the stage. When gunfire erupted, he immediately recognized the sound from his military background, he told Devine.

He described watching Trump reach for his ear as Secret Service agents rushed to shield him. McCormick also recalled the widely circulated moment when Trump stood up, raised his fist, and shouted, “Fight, fight, fight,” before being escorted from the stage.

The attack left one rally attendee dead and two others injured. Corey Comperatore was killed while protecting his family, and two additional rallygoers were wounded. The suspected gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, was shot and killed at the scene.

Although federal authorities have concluded that Crooks acted alone, the incident has continued to spark skepticism and concern among members of the public. McCormick argued that restoring trust will require complete transparency from Washington.

Drawing on his experience at Bridgewater Associates, McCormick said he believes in a culture of “radical truth, radical transparency,” adding that “the American people, they can take the truth,” even in highly charged political situations. He said information should be disclosed in all but the rare instances where doing so would truly jeopardize national security, according to the transcript.

The New York Post highlighted what it described as a noticeable difference between the gradual release of details in the Butler case and the rapid public discussion of possible ideological motives following the later assassination of conservative leader Charlie Kirk. The comparison, the paper noted, may resonate with Americans who perceive that institutions are quick to frame certain acts of violence through a political lens while moving more cautiously when facts do not align as neatly.

Subsequent reporting has focused on lingering questions about accountability. Families of victims connected to the Butler rally have publicly demanded clarity regarding security breakdowns and whether any officials will face consequences.

Media reports have also detailed disciplinary measures within the Secret Service after internal reviews reportedly uncovered serious failures in coordination and threat response related to the rally.

For McCormick, the core issue is public trust. He told Devine that when the government appears to “stonewall,” even if officials believe they have “legitimate answers,” it ultimately “breeds mistrust.”

{Matzav.com}

The IDF and the Shin Bet announced that they eliminated Basam Hashem al-Fatah Himouni in a joint operation last week, removing a longtime Hamas operative who had been involved in attacks against Israel for more than 20 years.

Himouni, a native of Chevron, was considered a key player in Hamas’ terror infrastructure and maintained an active role in directing operations targeting Israel over the course of two decades.

He was responsible for dispatching the suicide bombers who carried out the coordinated double bombing of two buses in Be’er Sheva in August 2004. That attack claimed the lives of 16 people and wounded roughly 100 others. Israeli security forces apprehended him soon afterward, in October 2004, and he was subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment.

In 2011, as part of the “Shalit Deal,” Himouni was freed from prison and expelled to Gaza. After his release, he resumed involvement in terrorist activity, enlisting operatives and overseeing attacks.

Security officials said that amid the ongoing war, Himouni played a role in manufacturing and deploying explosive devices intended to target IDF troops operating in Gaza.

“His elimination represents an important and meaningful closure,” a joint statement read. “The IDF and Shin Bet will continue to operate against any terrorist who attempts to advance and execute terror plans against IDF forces and the State of Israel’s citizens.”

{Matzav.com}

Even after Shas and Degel HaTorah signaled a willingness to accept the full slate of demands presented by the Knesset’s legal advisers regarding the draft law, the legal counsel to the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee is now pushing for additional and more far-reaching sanctions on yeshiva students.

Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee legal adviser Miri Frenkel-Shor is seeking to incorporate new, significant penalties into the current version of the conscription legislation, according to new information.

Senior officials within Degel HaTorah say that after the chareidi factions indicated they were prepared to meet all of the Knesset legal advisory team’s requirements — including raising enlistment targets and agreeing that sanctions would take effect immediately and only be lifted after a full year of compliance — they were taken aback to learn that further penalties were being demanded.

“She asked to add another basket of sanctions, ones that would apply to Torah students even in a situation where enlistment targets are met. She sent us back to the Edelstein document. We’re in trouble,” a senior Degel figure involved in drafting the legislation admitted.

The same official added that additional disputes remain unresolved, including the status of yeshiva students who have been classified as draft evaders. “In the end, the ones who will decide are the Gedolei Yisrael,” he said.

As previously reported, representatives from Shas and Degel HaTorah acknowledged that negotiations have reached an impasse, with no apparent path to bridging the gap between the legal advisory demands and the agreements the chareidi factions are prepared to accept.

Senior chareidi officials related that an understanding with the legal advisers now appears unlikely. In the immediate term, they said, Gedolei Yisrael will need to determine how the factions proceed regarding both the draft law and the state budget.

“We are in the worst position we’ve been in so far,” a senior chareidi figure involved in the draft law discussions said. “We will have to make decisions. In the immediate timeframe, we will present the matter to the Gedolei Yisrael to receive their ruling on how to continue the legislative process.”

According to party insiders, Degel HaTorah is weighing several possible courses of action. One option under consideration is agreeing to the primary demands of the Knesset’s legal advisory team, including immediate implementation of sanctions and higher enlistment targets, in line with the position of committee legal adviser Attorney Miri Frenkel-Shor.

Another scenario being discussed is advancing the draft legislation — known as the Bismuth Law — even without the support of the legal advisory establishment, fully aware that the High Court of Justice is likely to issue an interim injunction and could ultimately strike the law down.

A third possibility, described by senior officials as less realistic, would involve dissolving the Knesset and heading to immediate elections. “That’s the least realistic option, because you don’t dismantle a government in an election year and shoot ourselves in the other foot. We would be the first to be harmed if there is no budget,” one senior official said.

“There isn’t much time,” the officials added. “We will likely need to make decisions before the end of the week. Gedolei Yisrael will make the decision — not us.”

{Matzav.com}

A new twist has emerged in the ongoing and perplexing case involving the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, as TMZ reports it has received another letter demanding payment in cryptocurrency in exchange for information about her alleged abductor.

According to TMZ, the message calls for a transfer of one bitcoin — roughly $66,000 — in return for what it describes as the “name of the individual involved” in the kidnapping of the mother of “Today” show co-host Savannah Guthrie.

The letter is said to be the third communication sent since Nancy was last seen on Jan. 31. During an appearance Wednesday on Fox News’ “America’s Newsroom,” TMZ founder Harvey Levin shared additional details about the contents of the note.

“They said they want one bitcoin sent to a bitcoin address that we have confirmed is active. It’s a real bitcoin address, and as they put it, time is more than relevant,” Levin said. “So we have no idea whether this is real or not. But they are making a demand.”

{Matzav.com}

[Video below.] House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Tuesday that the Department of Homeland Security could face a shutdown by the end of the week if significant changes are not made to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, declaring that ICE must be “reined in” before Democrats will support further funding.

Appearing on MSNBC’s “Katy Tur Reports,” the New York Democrat placed responsibility on Republicans to resolve the standoff, arguing that taxpayer money should not support what he described as abusive enforcement tactics.

“The ball is in the Republican’s court right now. We’ve made clear that taxpayer dollars should be used to make life more affordable for the American people, not brutalize or kill them. That shouldn’t be a controversial proposition. We know that Ice is completely and totally out of control. They’ve gone way too far, and they need to be reined in so that immigration enforcement in this country is fair, it’s just and it’s humane. And the only way to bring that about right now is for there to be dramatic changes in the way in which DHS conducts itself before any funding bill moves forward on Friday,” Jeffries said.

He continued by accusing the administration of failing to follow through on its pledge to focus enforcement efforts on violent offenders.

“They promised that immigration enforcement was going to target violent felons who are here illegally. That’s not what’s taking place. That targeting American citizens, law abiding immigrant families and American communities, which is why the American people are so horrified. And so, again, we need dramatic change on the one hand or listen, Republicans are going to make the decision to shut down FEMA, shut down the Coast Guard and shut down TSA. And that would be very unfortunate,” he said.

Host Katy Tur pressed Jeffries on whether any common ground had been reached.

“So there’s nothing there that you guys can agree on. As of now?” Tur asked.

Jeffries responded that discussions remain limited, pointing to one area where the White House has signaled possible flexibility, though he said it falls short of what Democrats are demanding.

“Well, the White House has indicated that there’s some openness, to mandating body cameras. That’s important. But that can’t be the only thing that is done moving forward. That’s not dramatic change. And the White House has not even gone as far as saying we agree mandatory body cameras, no exceptions. Their response, even in that area, has been ambiguous. ”

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

After weeks of relentless cold and lingering snow, New York City is finally poised for a meaningful thaw, with meteorologists predicting that remaining snow and ice could disappear by late next week.

Temperatures began climbing Tuesday, signaling an end to the deep freeze that gripped the five boroughs for much of early February. Forecasters say readings will now stay consistently above freezing for the near future, accelerating the melting process across the city.

“The two most significant factors that lead to the fastest snowmelt include a warm wind over the snowpack and fog, with temperatures above freezing,” AccuWeather meteorologist Chad Merrill told The NY Post.

A stretch of milder, breezy conditions is expected to help erode the accumulated snow, including the towering piles left behind by plows.

“We will see a period of breezy wind with above freezing temperatures into Wednesday, so that will help with the melting,” he said. “The current snow depth in NYC is 5 inches, but of course there are snow-plowed piles that in some spots are quite tall.

“We will likely see all the snow and ice completely melt in the city late next week.”

According to AccuWeather, daytime highs are forecast to hover in the upper 30s and low 40s through the end of next week, offering steady relief from the frigid pattern that dominated the start of the month.

Forecasters indicate that temperatures could climb to 46 degrees on Shabbos and reach 45 next Thursday. Aside from the chance of a light wintry mix on Sunday and again next Wednesday, conditions are expected to remain largely calm.

Even overnight lows are projected to be relatively moderate, settling in the low to mid-30s most nights, with only a few dips into the 20s anticipated during the week.

While highs in the 30s might still feel brisk elsewhere, city residents who endured early February’s punishing stretch — including sub-zero wind chills over the weekend — are welcoming the change.

Meteorologists caution that one additional cooler spell is possible later this month, though it is not expected to rival the severity of the cold already experienced.

“Another period of colder than average temperatures return the final week of the month into early March, but even so, it will not be the same in magnitude to the cold weather we experienced,” Merril said.

The incoming milder air should finally eliminate the snow that has blanketed the city since Winter Storm Fern dropped more than a foot on Jan. 25, leaving streets and sidewalks buried for more than two weeks.

{Matzav.com}

A heavy pall has descended upon Yeshivas Kol Torah L’Tze’irim in Yerushalayim and upon the broader Torah world with the petirah of Rav Aviezer Asher Zelig Shapira zt”l, longtime mashgiach of the yeshiva. Rav Shapira was niftar in the early morning hours at the age of 81.

In recent months, his health had fluctuated. The mashgiach was hospitalized for a period and experienced improvement and was able to return to the yeshiva. In recent days, however, his condition deteriorated once again, and before dawn he was niftar.

Rav Aviezer was born in Kfar Chassidim on 5 Adar 5704 to his father, Rav Shlomo Aharon Shapira zt”l, and his mother, Rachel a”h.

In his youth, he learned in Yeshivas Kol Torah and later continued his studies in Yeshivas Chevron, where he absorbed the teachings of his revered rabbeim and developed into a distinguished talmid chacham.

Upon reaching marriageable age, he wed the daughter of Rav Meir Ephraim Winkler zt”l, who served as rav of the Machzikei HaDas kehillah in Copenhagen and later as a R”M at Yeshivas Torah Ore in Yerushalayim. His father-in-law was a son of Rav Michael Shalom Winkler zt”l, rav of Machzikei HaDas in Copenhagen and a member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah in Europe.

In 5730, Rav Shapira was appointed rav of the Ohr HaChaim beis haknesses in the Geulah neighborhood of Yerushalayim. The shul had been established in 5690 by a cousin of his grandfather, Rav Avraham Yaakov Shapira zt”l. From that time, he also served as the Rebbe of the Drohobycz chassidus, continuing the legacy of its founder, Rav Chaim Meir Yechiel Shapira zt”l.

His grandfather, Rav Aviezri Zelig Shapira zt”l, was a son of the Gavadzitzer Rebbe, Rav Yitzchak Mordechai Shapira zt”l, and the son-in-law of his uncle, the founder of the Drohobycz dynasty, Rav Chaim Meir Yechiel Shapira. Rav Shapira was a descendant of the Kozhnitzer dynasty on his great-grandfather’s side and of the Ruzhiner dynasty through his grandmother.

In 5738, he was appointed mashgiach of Yeshivas Kol Torah L’Tze’irim. For decades thereafter, he became the central spiritual figure of what is widely regarded as the premier mesivta in Yerushalayim, guiding and nurturing thousands of talmidim.

Rav Aviezer was the living spirit of the yeshiva, deeply involved both in the acceptance of new talmidim and in shaping the ruchniyus of the beis medrash. The talmidim loved him dearly, and he returned that ahavah in kind, embodying “k’mayim panim el panim.”

Every night, he would make his way to the Kosel HaMa’aravi. Over the years, he was among those who established the custom of reciting Nishmas at the Kosel at chatzos, a practice that became widely known and regarded as a powerful segulah.

Rav Shapira also served as chairman of the executive committee of Chevra Kadisha Chassidim in Yerushalayim and was a member of the board of Kollel Chibas Yerushalayim.

He merited to see doros yesharim u’mevorachim, sons and daughters and many descendants following in the path of Torah and yiras Shamayim. One of his sons, Reb Menachem Shapira, serves as deputy mayor of Bnei Brak and was especially devoted to his father.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu was provided with intelligence assessments as far back as 2018 outlining Hamas’s detailed plans for a large-scale invasion of southern Israel, according to a report published Tuesday based on classified documents and testimony from senior officials.

The Ynet news outlet reported that between 2018 and 2022, Hamas formulated an extensive operational strategy for a coordinated, multi-front assault targeting Israeli military installations and civilian communities near Gaza. The blueprint, later compiled into a file referred to as “Jericho’s Walls,” envisioned breaching the border fence at numerous locations and sending thousands of armed operatives into Israeli territory.

That strategy ultimately materialized on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a brutal cross-border attack that left approximately 1,200 people dead, resulted in the abduction of 251 hostages, and ignited a prolonged war in Gaza lasting two years.

According to Ynet, Netanyahu — who has held the premiership since 2009, aside from an 18-month interval in 2021-2022 — was shown intelligence connected to the “Jericho’s Walls” framework on multiple occasions over the years. This stands in contrast to his public statements after October 7 in which he denied having prior knowledge of such a plan.

The first documented instance cited in the report dates to April 2018. At that time, the Research Division of the Military Intelligence Directorate circulated a classified assessment to high-level officials. Recipients reportedly included the military secretaries to the prime minister and defense minister, the National Security Council, the chiefs of Shin Bet and Mossad, and the office of the IDF chief of staff.

One of the intelligence documents referenced by Ynet carried a subheading posing the question: “Is Hamas’s military wing building up its force for a broad attack deep into our territory?”

The 2018 assessment warned that Hamas was crafting “a plan for an initiated offensive maneuver with a broad order of [troops in] battle (six reserve battalions; approximately 3,000 fighters)” designed to overrun IDF positions while simultaneously striking civilian communities “in the border communities and deep inside Israel.”

The report underscored the gravity of the threat, stating that “the scope of the plan and its complexity are exceptional.” Although some intelligence analysts questioned whether Hamas possessed the immediate capacity to execute the entire operation, they cautioned that “the plan illustrates a new and broader threat scenario than before.”

The existence of the 2018 “Jericho’s Walls” document cited by Ynet was confirmed last year by the IDF in an internal Military Intelligence Directorate review examining the intelligence breakdown preceding October 7.

That internal review, which anticipated several elements later seen in the October 7 assault, cited the Hamas plan as declaring that “forces from five [elite] Nukhba companies should attack and destroy the posts belonging to the [IDF] Gaza Division… everything will be done above ground… with [rocket] fire… attack the kibbutzim in order to take hostages… focus on critical sites… livestream from the posts and kibbutzim.”

According to the military probe, what began as a conceptual idea within Hamas evolved over time into a formalized strategy and received official internal authorization in 2019.

Netanyahu has consistently rejected claims that he was warned of an impending large-scale Hamas attack in the years prior to October 7. In response to questions from State Comptroller Matanyahu Englman during a review of the failures surrounding the assault, the Prime Minister’s Office stated that “the prime minister never received and was never briefed on the ‘Jericho’s Walls’ document” before the war began, and that he was “never presented with any Hamas plan for a mass raid into Israeli territory.”

However, materials released by Netanyahu himself appear to complicate that position. In a 55-page document submitted to the State Comptroller last week and later made public, Netanyahu acknowledged that he had received the April 2018 intelligence assessment. In that submission, he quoted a restrained portion of the evaluation noting that Hamas had “a basic capability to carry out several simultaneous raids,” but that under existing conditions, “it is not likely at this time.”

The published version did not include the paragraph’s final sentence, which warned that the document reflected Hamas’s long-term intentions and its plans to significantly expand its military capabilities.

A former senior intelligence official cited by Ynet said Netanyahu’s duty “was to ensure there [was] no repetition of the Military Intelligence assessment on the eve of Yom Kippur 1973,” referencing the well-known intelligence misjudgments preceding the Egyptian-Syrian surprise attack that triggered the Yom Kippur War.

“Back then, intelligence said ‘low probability,’ and the political echelon simply accepted it as a binding assessment without asking questions or checking on its own,” the official added. “Any serious leader would say in this situation: You received the plan in 2018, and even if Hamas is currently far from operational capability, this must be taken into account.”

Ynet further reported that in 2018, Unit 8200 obtained an Arabic Hamas document laying out a sweeping assault plan. It called for “launching a comprehensive offensive operation against the Zionist entity with the aim of subduing the enemy,” including attacks on the Re’im base, numerous communities along the Gaza border, and more distant targets such as Ashdod, Ashkelon, and strategic infrastructure. The document specified that “the attack will be carried out by six battalions,” with the “main effort” occurring above ground.

The Shin Bet also reviewed the Hamas plan and drafted its own analysis, describing the document’s “unusual and troubling characteristics.” That assessment was distributed to several entities, including the National Security Council, which operates under the prime minister’s authority.

One source quoted by Ynet said the Shin Bet’s findings were transmitted directly to Netanyahu.

In May 2022, Military Intelligence obtained an additional version of the Hamas invasion blueprint, dated August 2021, which was incorporated into the “Jericho’s Walls” file. That iteration likewise described large numbers of Nukhba Force operatives breaching the Gaza Division’s defenses and advancing into cities in southern Israel.

The document was presented to senior IDF intelligence officials, who at the time judged the scenario to be implausible. During a November 2022 Southern Command meeting reviewing potential conflict scenarios in Gaza, the “Jericho’s Walls” plan appeared at the bottom of a list of assessments.

Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid were serving as prime ministers for most of 2022, including in May and November, while Netanyahu was then leader of the opposition.

In 2023, after Netanyahu returned to office, the Intelligence Directorate collected new intelligence regarding Hamas training exercises simulating a cross-border invasion in the months leading up to October 7. Some personnel within Unit 8200 concluded that Hamas’s invasion concept had evolved into an actionable and concrete plan.

According to the IDF’s internal investigations, these conclusions were conveyed through emails and meetings to intelligence officers at Southern Command and to regional 8200 officers stationed in southern Israel. However, the updated assessments did not reach senior decision-makers, including top intelligence leadership.

Although Netanyahu was not personally briefed on the 2022 and 2023 updates to the “Jericho’s Walls” file, a senior intelligence source told Ynet, “Even if the army commanders failed to [connect the dots] themselves, the obligation of the prime minister is to demand answers regarding Hamas’s intentions.” “Netanyahu did nothing,” the source said.

Despite documentary evidence indicating that Netanyahu was exposed to Hamas invasion planning as early as 2018, he has maintained that the “Jericho’s Walls” file refers only to the 2022 version presented during the year he was not in office. Critics argue that this interpretation is intended to distance him from responsibility for the failure to prevent the October 7 attack.

{Matzav.com}

Federal authorities have made public the first images of the individual suspected in the abduction of Nancy Guthrie, ten days after the 84-year-old grandmother disappeared from her Arizona residence. The delay in releasing the footage stemmed from two critical issues: the home’s security camera had been removed, and Guthrie did not have a subscription to the cloud back-up service that would have automatically preserved the video.

The newly released footage, recovered from a missing Nest camera, shows a masked figure tampering with the device outside Guthrie’s Tucson home. According to one legal expert, the video’s recovery highlights the technological reach of Google, Nest’s parent company.

Guthrie had not enrolled in a Google Home subscription plan, which for $10 per month — or $100 annually — stores motion-activated or “event” recordings for up to 30 days, even if the physical camera is taken. Without that service, retrieving the footage required significant additional effort.

“It gives us some insight to what Google is capable of,” former prosecutor and current criminal defense lawyer John W. Day told The NY Post.

“Even without paid subscription, there is a way to go to some data center and spend a lot of time and effort to try to find that particular camera, at that particular time without a subscription,” Day said. “You can only imagine how difficult that was if it took 10 days to get there.”

Day outlined three primary paths investigators may have used to obtain the footage. Federal authorities could have secured a search warrant compelling Google to provide the data. Alternatively, Guthrie’s family may have authorized the company to search for it. A third possibility is that Google voluntarily assisted in locating the recording.

“Everyone has the same incentive, which is to find this sweet woman before too long,” Day said. “Google had every reason to cooperate. The family has got to be grateful, law enforcement has to be grateful.”

“It’s a miraculous turn of events because this could be the thing that leads to a break in the case,” the attorney added.

Guthrie was last seen on the night of Jan. 31, when her son-in-law dropped her off at her home around 9:45 p.m. On Feb. 2, the case was officially classified as a criminal investigation after media outlets received what authorities described as a $6 ransom demand. The deadline referenced in the note passed without any publicly known developments regarding her condition.

The video of the masked individual interfering with the camera appeared to strengthen suspicions that the mother of “Today” show anchor Savannah Guthrie was abducted.

“We believe she is still alive. Bring her home,” Savannah wrote in a social media post Tuesday.

New satellite imagery indicates that Iran has covered all tunnel entrances at its Isfahan nuclear facility with soil, a move that analysts say reflects deep concern in Tehran over the possibility of an American or Israeli military attack.

In a new report released this week, the Washington-based Institute for Science and International Security stated that images captured on Sunday show two of the tunnel openings fully buried. The third entrance, located on the northern side of the complex, appears to have been reinforced with what the group described as “additional passive defense measures.”

According to the institute, vehicles are no longer visible near the entrances, a change that suggests Iran may be bracing for potential airstrikes or even a ground operation by US or Israeli forces targeting the site.

“Backfilling the tunnel entrances would help dampen any potential airstrike and also make ground access in a special forces raid to seize or destroy any highly enriched uranium that may be housed inside difficult,” the institute said, suggesting that Tehran may have relocated sensitive nuclear material into the tunnels for protection.

“Preparations like these were last observed in the days before Operation Midnight Hammer struck facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan,” the institute added, using a different spelling for the Isfahan site and referencing US strikes carried out against those facilities last June.

“It appears clear that the Iranians are seriously concerned about a US/Israeli aerial attack and/or raid against this particularly hardened nuclear facility,” the US-based institute said.

Before Israel launched a 12-day war against Iran in June, the Islamic Republic operated three primary nuclear facilities tied to its atomic program. The Isfahan site, located outside the city of the same name, was primarily known for producing uranium gas used in centrifuges for enrichment.

During the conflict last year, Israel struck Isfahan at the outset, and US forces later carried out additional attacks using bunker-buster munitions and Tomahawk cruise missiles. The White House’s National Security Strategy, published in November, said the US operation “significantly degraded Iran’s nuclear program,” though detailed assessments of the damage have not been made public.

Since those strikes, Iran has barred inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency from revisiting the targeted facilities.

Satellite photographs obtained last month showed new roofing structures at the Isfahan site. The Institute for Science and International Security assessed that the construction appeared aimed at enabling Iran to “recover any sort of remaining assets or rubble without letting us know what they are getting out of there.”

President Donald Trump has repeatedly pressed Iran to enter negotiations over its nuclear activities, warning that failure to do so could trigger American military action. His initial threats were also linked to Iran’s violent suppression of domestic protests, during which thousands were reportedly killed.

The United States has called on Iran to surrender its stockpile of uranium enriched to as much as 60 percent purity — a level that, according to last year’s estimate by the UN nuclear watchdog, totals more than 440 kilograms (970 pounds) and is only a short technical step from the 90 percent enrichment considered weapons-grade.

Iran continues to deny that it is pursuing nuclear weapons. At the same time, it has enriched uranium beyond levels needed for civilian purposes, limited access for international inspectors, and expanded its ballistic missile program. Prior to the 12-day war in June, Israeli officials asserted that Iran had recently advanced toward weaponization.

During negotiations held in Oman last week, US and Iranian representatives agreed to focus discussions on Tehran’s nuclear program. However, Washington and Israel have also sought to broaden the agenda to include Iran’s ballistic missile development and its backing of regional proxy terror groups, a proposal Tehran has rejected.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu arrived in Washington on Tuesday evening local time for a high-stakes visit that will include a White House meeting with President Donald Trump, as tensions surrounding Iran’s nuclear program once again take center stage.

Shortly after landing, Netanyahu went to Blair House, where he met with Trump’s special envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The discussion focused on developments in the region, including the latest diplomatic efforts involving Tehran. Witkoff and Kushner briefed the prime minister on the initial round of negotiations they conducted with Iranian officials last Friday.

Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with Trump at the White House on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. Washington time (6:00 p.m. Israel time). The upcoming session will mark their seventh meeting since Trump began his second term in office, and the sixth time they have convened at the White House. Their most recent encounter took place at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida.

As Netanyahu prepared for his talks, Trump spoke publicly about Iran in an interview with Fox Business Network, expressing confidence that Tehran is inclined to negotiate over its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. He cautioned that failing to do so would be a serious miscalculation.

“We have a massive flotilla right now going over to Iran. I think they want to make a deal. I think they would be foolish if they didn’t. We took out their nuclear power last time and we’ll have to see if we take out more this time,” said the President.

“They want to make a deal. They wouldn’t talk to anybody else, but they’re talking to me,” he continued. “Obama and Biden, what they did in terms of creating a monster with Iran was terrible.”

.@POTUS: We have a massive flotilla right now going over to Iran. I think they want to make a deal. I think they would be foolish if they didn't. We took out their nuclear power last time and we'll have to see if we take out more this time… pic.twitter.com/q1G8qMvmHm

— Department of State (@StateDept) February 10, 2026

In separate remarks to Channel 12 News earlier in the day, Trump made clear that military options remain on the table should negotiations collapse. Referring to actions taken roughly six months ago, he indicated he would not hesitate to respond again if diplomacy fails.

Trump reiterated that his preference is for a negotiated settlement but underscored that the United States is prepared to act if necessary. “The Iranians very much want to reach a deal. Either we make a deal, or we will have to do something very tough – like last time,” he said.

At the same time, Trump revealed that he is weighing the possibility of reinforcing American naval forces in the region. “We have an armada there, and maybe another one on the way,” the President added.

According to Trump, his meeting with Netanyahu will center largely on the Iranian issue. He also stated that the Israeli prime minister is not feeling pressured by the renewed talks but shares an interest in securing a strong agreement. “I don’t think Netanyahu is pressured by the talks with Iran. He also wants a deal. He wants a good deal.”

{Matzav.com}

A federal civil rights lawsuit is challenging a large-scale October raid at a popular horse racing venue in Canyon County, Idaho, alleging that children — including U.S. citizens — were zip-tied and traumatized during a sweeping law enforcement operation, CBS News reports.

The action, carried out at La Catedral Arena, resulted in the detention of 105 undocumented immigrants and has ignited a broader debate over immigration enforcement tactics used under President Donald Trump’s administration.

Canyon County Sheriff Kieran Donahue initially praised the operation, describing it as a successful effort that led to the apprehension of more than 100 undocumented immigrants. He also rejected claims that officers restrained children with zip ties during the raid.

However, after being shown photographs obtained by CBS News, Donahue responded differently. The images appear to show zip ties and bruising on the wrists of 14-year-old SueHey Romero, a U.S. citizen who had been caring for her younger siblings, ages 6 and 8, when officers in tactical gear swept through the event and confined attendees to the racetrack.

“God bless her. I’m sorry she went through that,” Donahue said. The sheriff, who participated in the raid on horseback, defended the broader operation. “But law enforcement is not evil because we contained everybody and detained them until we sorted it out. That’s not evil.”

The use of armored vehicles and flashbang grenades at a family recreation event has raised concerns about aggressive enforcement strategies. On Tuesday, the American Civil Liberties Union filed suit in federal court, accusing authorities of mistreating families — many of them American citizens of Hispanic heritage — who had gathered for a weekend outing.

The events in this farming community about an hour from Boise have received less national attention than similar immigration operations elsewhere, including in Minnesota. There, federal agents’ conduct involving children has drawn intense scrutiny. In one reported case, a family alleged that tear gas canisters were deployed beneath a vehicle carrying six children. Another widely circulated image showed 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos wearing a hat with bunny ears and holding a Spiderman backpack as he was taken into custody.

The ACLU argues that what happened in Idaho reflects a troubling trend in which children are exposed to forceful federal operations. According to the complaint, the physical injuries and emotional trauma inflicted during the raid could have long-term consequences.

“They have done long lasting damage to children,” said Jenn Rolnick Borchetta, the ACLU’s deputy project director on policing. “At this moment, when the United States Congress is confronted with a question of how to reign in ICE…the answer is they need to reign in ICE to protect our children.”

Federal officials have denied that minors were zip-tied during the Idaho operation.

“ICE didn’t zip tie, restrain, or arrest any children,” Homeland Security spokesperson Trisha McLaughlin told CBS News in a statement.”

She added, “ICE does not zip tie or handcuff children. This is the kind of garbage rhetoric contributing to our officers facing a 1,300% increase in assaults against them and an 8,000% increase in death threats.”

Yet several detainees have provided accounts that contradict those denials. In an interview with CBS News, SueHey described officers who, she said, refused to identify their agencies and moved her along with hundreds of others onto the racetrack before binding her hands with plastic restraints.

“I’m just like there crying, like I’m struggling to breathe,” she said. “I can’t even get the words out.”

Her mother, Anabel Romero, said she too was restrained and unable to comfort her daughter.

“I can’t hold her because you guys won’t let me go,” Romero recalled telling the agents. “I’m like, she’s only 14.”

Those attending the races said the scene shifted abruptly when a helicopter flew low overhead, followed by five armored vehicles. Video obtained by CBS News captures the arrival of roughly 200 officers who then fanned out across the property. Some children reported that firearms were pointed in their direction, while others described rubber bullets flying past.

According to the lawsuit, officers shattered vehicle windows where children had sought shelter from the rain. One 8-year-old boy later told a local news outlet that he had to remove small shards of glass from his mouth.

The complaint also details the experience of Juana Rodriguez, who says she was restrained for hours while her 3-year-old son cried beside her. Authorities refused her requests to hold him, instructing the child instead to grasp his mother’s pocket, which had been turned inside out, according to the filing.

“As a parent, nothing is more heartbreaking than hearing your child cry out in fear and being told you cannot hold or comfort them,” Rodriguez said in a statement provided to CBS News by the ACLU. “I am a proud U.S. citizen, and I didn’t do anything wrong.”

The lawsuit contends that several minors were placed in hard plastic restraints and later displayed welts and bruises. Initially, the FBI’s Boise field office characterized reports of children being zip-tied as “completely false.” That statement was later modified to clarify that no “young” children were restrained. The Caldwell Police Department subsequently acknowledged that minors had been zip-tied.

Romero attended the event with her three children, all U.S. citizens. While her two younger children were not restrained, she said she witnessed aggressive tactics firsthand.

She described the gathering as a family-oriented event with raffles, toy vendors, and traditional Mexican food. The mood shifted when a black helicopter descended over the field, and chaos followed.

“All of a sudden I just see people running and screaming,” Romero said, recalling agents in full tactical gear pointing weapons. She hid briefly in a horse stall while her children remained in the family truck. When officers began searching the stalls, she asked them to identify themselves.

“All I’m asking is for clarification, who are you and why am I being detained,” she said. According to Romero, one of the armed men responded: “I’m gonna [expletive] blow your head off”

“They kicked me, they punched me, they stepped on me,”she said.

SueHey said she saw agents in military-style uniforms “running around, opening car doors, and yelling at people to get onto the track.” When officers opened her family’s truck, she feared for her siblings’ safety. She said the officers pulled her from the vehicle by force.

“I was brave and I opened the door because I wanted to protect my sister,” 6-year-old Alfredo told CBS News.

SueHey said she broke free momentarily to avoid being separated from her siblings. Eventually, the children were directed to the racetrack, where large numbers of attendees had been gathered.

Romero, with her hands bound behind her back, was brought to the same location and reunited with her children. She said officers then restrained SueHey despite her protests.

Romero said she pleaded with them to bind her daughter’s hands in front rather than behind her back, believing it would reduce the pain. She said the officers agreed.

Hours later, ICE agents concluded that the family members were U.S. citizens. Romero said she was questioned about her children’s differing last names.

“I didn’t know I needed to carry their birth certificates around,” she said.

Eventually, the restraints were removed and the family was released. Photographs appear to show deep bruising on SueHey’s wrists. Romero said the physical marks would fade, but the emotional impact would linger.

“My parents, they came over here [from Mexico] to give us a better life,” she told CBS News. “That day, I felt like our freedom was taken away from us.”

Authorities have said the objective of the operation was to dismantle what they suspected to be an illegal gambling ring at the racetrack. The FBI secured a federal warrant to arrest five individuals believed to be running the unlicensed enterprise.

However, numerous federal and local agencies — including Immigration and Customs Enforcement — arrived in force. Witnesses said officers began detaining hundreds of predominantly Latino attendees to verify their immigration status.

The ACLU alleges that law enforcement “conspired to abuse a criminal search warrant as cover to go fishing for immigration arrests at an event where they knew they would encounter a large number of Latino individuals.”

According to the complaint, attendees were questioned about their legal status and instructed to provide documentation. By the conclusion of the operation, 105 individuals were identified as undocumented and transported to detention facilities. Roughly 375 others, determined to be U.S. citizens or lawful residents, were released.

Local immigration attorney Nikki Ramirez-Smith, who responded to the scene, said she believes authorities miscalculated the nature of the event and noted that many of those detained had lived in the country for decades without criminal records.

“My opinion is they didn’t know that most of the people there were American citizens,” Ramirez said. “I think law enforcement misjudged it because the event is in Spanish.”

Sheriff Donahue denied that the gambling warrant was used as a pretext for an immigration sweep. He described the raid as a four-year FBI investigation into suspected cartel involvement and said ICE’s role was not the primary focus.

“We knew there was cartel involvement in this operation,” the sheriff said. “We knew that to be true. [It’s] why we went in.”

He maintained that immigration enforcement was “secondary or tertiary.”

Four months after the raid, the only criminal charges filed were against the five individuals accused of operating the unlicensed gambling enterprise.

The lawsuit states that the children affected continue to struggle emotionally. One 3-year-old plaintiff, identified as Y.R., is now fearful of police, according to his mother. A 15-year-old identified as Y.L. reportedly experiences recurring nightmares about being detained at gunpoint.

“The lasting fear and emotional distress is widespread,” the complaint says.

Donahue acknowledged that trust between law enforcement and the local Latino community has been damaged. Romero agreed, saying the operation fractured relationships that had taken years to build.

SueHey said the experience has changed how she views authorities and would make her hesitant to call for help.

“How are they gonna treat me even though I’m a U.S. citizen, even if I’m not doing anything wrong, even if I’m just reporting a crime?” she said. “How are they gonna treat me?”

{Matzav.com}

A message posted Tuesday on Vice President JD Vance’s X account recognizing the Armenian genocide was later removed, prompting clarification from the White House that there has been no shift in U.S. policy following his participation in a wreath-laying ceremony in Armenia.

The now-deleted post said that Vance and his wife, Usha Vance, took part in the ceremony to commemorate the victims of the 1915 Armenian genocide. The wording stood in contrast to current Trump administration policy regarding the terminology used to describe the events.

For decades, Armenians have pressed governments around the world to formally recognize the mass killings carried out between 1915 and 1917 under the Ottoman Empire as genocide, maintaining that approximately 1.5 million Armenians were killed.

Turkey, which succeeded the Ottoman Empire, has consistently denied that the killings, arrests and forced deportations of Armenians during that period constitute genocide.

Successive U.S. administrations have generally refrained from officially labeling the events as “genocide,” citing the potential diplomatic fallout with Turkey, a strategic ally in the region. In 2021, President Joe Biden formally referred to the Ottoman Empire’s actions against Armenians as “genocide,” drawing sharp condemnation from Ankara.

A spokesperson for Vance said the post published Tuesday was the work of staff members who were not traveling as part of the official delegation.

The White House later issued a statement underscoring that there has been no change in longstanding policy, pointing to an earlier Armenian Remembrance Day message. Vance’s X account subsequently shared a revised, more measured post that included an image of the handwritten note he left in the guest book at the ceremony: “In solemn remembrance of the lives lost, we honor the resilience and enduring spirit of the Armenian people.”

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