Matzav

In the wake of the deadly assault on a Jewish Chanukah gathering in Sydney, Israeli officials convened urgent security and strategic consultations to assess responsibility for the attack and determine who orchestrated the violence against the local Jewish community.

Israeli intelligence assessments have increasingly centered on Iran as the primary suspect. As more time passed following the massacre, officials said Israel’s evaluation grew firmer that Tehran played a direct role in the deadly incident.

At the same time, investigators are examining whether additional terrorist groups linked to or influenced by Iran may have been involved. These include Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba organization, which has ties to Al-Qaeda.

According to intelligence material shared with senior political figures, Iran has recently intensified efforts to smuggle weapons, construct terror networks, and establish online “incitement cells” via social media platforms, with the stated goal of striking Jewish targets around the world.

Israeli warnings about such threats were issued months ago, after assessments indicated that Iran was laying the groundwork for attacks on Jewish communities and institutions in Australia.

Background events in Australia have also informed Israel’s suspicions. In August, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese publicly accused Iran of being behind two antisemitic attacks in the country and announced that diplomatic relations with Tehran would be severed in response.

At that time, Albanese stated that the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation had concluded that the Iranian government ordered arson attacks on Lewis Continental Kitchen, a kosher food business in Sydney, in October 2024, and on the Adas Yisrael shul in Melbourne two months later.

Australian intelligence officials assessed that those attacks occurred amid a sharp increase in antisemitic incidents in Sydney and Melbourne following the outbreak of the Gaza war on October 7, 2023, and that Iran sought to conceal its direct involvement in the operations.

{Matzav.com}

The aftermath of the deadly attack at Bondi Beach has sparked sharp diplomatic criticism, with U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee publicly rebuking Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese over what he views as an inadequate response to the violence that claimed at least 12 lives during a Hanukkah celebration on the beachfront.

Huckabee reacted forcefully on social media after reviewing the prime minister’s remarks, describing the statement as “disgraceful” for what he said was a failure to clearly acknowledge the ideological and religious nature of the assault. He accused Albanese of engaging in a “politically correct omission,” arguing that sidestepping the antisemitic motive behind the attack weakens public understanding of the threat and minimizes the gravity of the crime.

In his official response, Prime Minister Albanese denounced the shooting as an “act of evil” and emphasized that his government remains committed to safeguarding all Australians, with particular attention to the Jewish community in the wake of the tragedy.

{Matzav.com}

[Video below.] A dramatic act of bravery unfolded during the deadly Chanukah by the Sea attack in Sydney on Sunday, when a local shopkeeper intervened and stopped one of the terrorists who had opened fire on the crowd at Bondi Beach.

Footage from the scene shows the rescuer, dressed in a white shirt, quietly approaching the armed assailant from behind as the terrorist held a shotgun. Seizing a moment of opportunity, he lunged forward and grappled with the gunman, forcing the weapon out of his hands.

The recording captures the attacker collapsing to the ground before scrambling away from the area as chaos continued around him.

Authorities later confirmed that the assault left at least 12 people dead, including children, and injured 29 others, after two terrorists opened fire at the popular beachfront Hanukkah celebration.

Police said one of the attackers was killed, while the second suspect was arrested and taken into custody.

Officials indicated that the violent rampage continued for roughly 10 minutes before security forces and bystanders were able to neutralize the attackers.

Relatives identified the man who disarmed the terrorist as Ahmed al Ahmed, a 43-year-old Sydney resident, father of two, and owner of a fruit stand, according to news.com.au.

A cousin told 7News that Ahmed was shot twice during the confrontation and was rushed into surgery as a result of his injuries.

“We do hope he will be fine. He’s a hero 100 percent,” the relative said.

According to the video, Ahmed waited until the gunman briefly stopped firing before rushing in, wrapping the attacker in a bear hug. After a short struggle, he emerged holding the weapon himself and turned it toward the terrorist, effectively ending the immediate threat.

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{Matzav.com}

The Jewish community in Sydney is mourning the killing of Rabbi Eli Schlanger Hy”d, a Chabad shliach in Bondi, Asutralia who was murdered in the terror attack tonight, the first night of Chanukah. He was 40 years old.

Rabbi Schlanger was shot while attending the annual Chanukah by the Sea gathering in Bondi Beach Park, an event he helped organize each year. The program includes the lighting of a large menorah followed by a community celebration. Rabbi Schlanger regularly served as the event’s emcee and was targeted when terrorists opened fire on participants at the Jewish celebration.

A devoted shliach, Rabbi Schlanger was widely admired for his warmth, energy, and deep commitment to the community. He was especially proud of his work with Sydney’s Russian-speaking Jewish population, numbering approximately 5,000 individuals, many of whom had fled the former Soviet Union and found renewed Jewish life through his efforts.

Born in England, Rabbi Schlanger pursued his Torah education in Europe and the United States. He studied at Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim in Brunoy, France, and later received semicha at the Central Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitch in Crown Heights.

Following his marriage to Chayale Ulman, the daughter of Rabbi Yehoram Ulman, senior dayan of the Sydney Beth Din and director of Chabad of Bondi F.R.E.E., Rabbi Schlanger joined his father-in-law in rabbinic leadership. He served as an assistant rabbi and worked closely with him on a range of communal initiatives.

Among his many projects, Rabbi Schlanger partnered with his father-in-law to create and launch a website designed to assist shluchim and individuals worldwide in obtaining certification of Jewish status. The platform was used for matters such as aliya to Israel, band mitzvahs, shul membership, marriage, and other communal needs.

Rabbi Schlanger also served in several chaplaincy roles, including as a chaplain to New South Wales Corrective Services, chaplain to New South Wales Prisoners of War, and chaplain at St. Vincent’s Hospital. In addition, he headed Project Noah, an educational initiative that presents the timeless values of the Seven Noachide Laws to youth through engaging and interactive programming.

Rabbi Schlanger is survived by his wife, Chayale, and their children, including a two-month-old baby. He is also survived by his parents, Rabbi Binyomin and Dobra Schlanger of Israel, and his siblings: Baruch Schlanger of Toronto; Chanie Drizin of Crown Heights; Dena Gansburg of London; Tzippy Kastel of Sydney; Shmuli Schlanger of Bakersfield, California; Perela Goldhirsch of Melbourne; Sorala Hayes of Miami, Florida; and Shaina Joseph of Sydney.

Hashem yikom damo. Umacha Hashem dimah me’al kol ponim.

{Matzav.com}

A media channel identified with Hamas’s military wing issued a warning overnight urging the terror group’s operatives to exercise heightened caution, following reports that Ra’ad Sa’ad, described as the organization’s No. 2 figure, was targeted in an Israeli strike.

In a statement circulated by the channel, activists were told that “the coming hours may include escalation on the part of Israel,” and were instructed to maintain “maximum alertness and caution—particularly regarding movement, communications, and nighttime activity.”

According to a report on Mako, Hamas accused Israel of violating the ceasefire agreement, claiming that an attack on a civilian vehicle in western Gaza City constituted a continuation of breaches of the truce reached under what it described as the Trump framework. Hamas said the incident “once again underscores Israel’s intention to deliberately undermine and sabotage the ceasefire agreement through escalating and ongoing violations.”

The terror group further asserted that the Israeli government bears “full responsibility for the consequences of its crimes against the Palestinian people and for violations of the ceasefire agreement, including harm to civilians, operatives, and leaders.” Hamas called on the mediators and guarantor states of the agreement to take responsibility for what it termed “blatant violations” and to act urgently to “restrain the Israeli government that seeks to undermine the agreement.”

Despite the sharp rhetoric, Hamas has so far refrained from directly addressing the fate of Ra’ad Sa’ad, maintaining a degree of ambiguity similar to its response in previous assassination attempts.

The Mako report also cited Ibrahim al-Madhoun, a commentator close to Hamas, who claimed that the attempted killing carries significant political implications beyond a routine security incident. “In my assessment, this comes in the context of Israel’s attempts to derail the agreement and prevent a transition to its second phase, or to impose new and dangerous rules of engagement that place everyone before extremely difficult choices,” he said.

While Israeli officials have reportedly stated that the assassination was successful, al-Madhoun cautioned against drawing conclusions at this stage. “It is still too early to speak about the success of the attempt,” he said, adding that the very attempt itself represents “a very dangerous development.”

He warned that if such actions go unanswered, they could open the door to a broad and systematic policy of targeted killings. According to al-Madhoun, this trajectory threatens the already fragile stability in the region and risks pushing the situation toward an escalation that could spiral out of control, claiming that “Israel appears to be deliberately heading in that direction.”

{Matzav.com}

A deadly attack shattered a public Chanukah gathering in Sydney, Australia, leaving a devastating toll of dead and wounded. Authorities later confirmed that 12 people were killed, after initial reports placed the number lower, and dozens more were injured.

The shooting erupted at Bondi Beach, where an estimated 2,000 people had assembled for a community celebration. According to eyewitness accounts cited by the Daily Mail, two individuals dressed in black were seen opening fire near the beachfront area.

New South Wales Police acknowledged what they described as a “developing incident,” urging residents and visitors to stay away from the scene and seek shelter as emergency responders rushed in.

Those present described scenes of chaos and horror. One witness told the Sydney Morning Herald, “I saw at least 10 people on the ground and blood everywhere.” Another person, speaking to 9 News, said the injured were being “carried out on surfboards because there weren’t enough stretchers.”

Footage circulating on social media showed numerous victims lying motionless on the sand, many covered in blood, as bystanders and first responders attempted lifesaving measures, including CPR, on the wounded.

Police later announced that two individuals were taken into custody in connection with the attack, while some reports indicated that one of the assailants was killed.

The event, known as ‘Chanukah by the Sea,’ was organized by Chabad of Bondi and took place near a playground, offering activities intended for participants of all ages. In a statement following the tragedy, the Chabad movement confirmed that one of its emissaries was among those killed.

In the aftermath, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar spoke with David Ossip, President of the New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies. During the conversation, Minister Sa’ar expressed shock over the deadly shooting and conveyed solidarity with the local Jewish community, while Ossip shared preliminary information about the severity of the incident.

Reacting to the attack, World Zionist Organization chairman Yaakov Hagoel warned of a broader pattern of hatred, saying, “The series of antisemitic attacks around the world is shocking and reminds us all of dark periods in history. Since October 7, a war has broken out not only against the State of Israel but against every Jew around the world, who have become the eighth front in this war.”

Hagoel added that global Jewish institutions would stand with those affected, stating, “The World Zionist Organization will continue to stand by the Jewish community in Sydney and other Jewish communities around the world, supporting them in every way. We call on the Australian government to take a firm stance against any manifestation of antisemitism and are confident that it will do so. The Hanukkah holiday we celebrate this evening reminds us that the light of the Jewish people will ultimately triumph over the darkness.”

Despite mounting diplomatic hurdles, the Trump administration is moving ahead with an ambitious proposal to deploy an international stabilization force in postwar Gaza, according to a Wall Street Journal report published Saturday. The concept envisions roughly 10,000 troops operating under the command of a US general, though officials concede the timeline for assembling such a contingent could stretch well into next year.

Senior US officials underscore that President Donald Trump’s broader peace initiative only received approval from the UN Security Council about a month ago, framing the current outreach as an early but intensive phase of implementation. “The Trump administration has made tremendous progress in record time in implementing President Trump’s 20-point peace plan and we have seen unbelievable interest from countries across the world to be a part of this historic effort to deliver a lasting peace in the Middle East,” White House spokesman Dylan Johnson said.

Behind the scenes, progress has been uneven. While Washington has formally approached more than 70 countries to seek either troops or financial backing, not a single nation has yet committed soldiers to the mission, the WSJ reported. The State Department’s outreach includes close allies such as Italy and France, alongside smaller states like Malta and El Salvador. In the Middle East, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are already engaged in discussions about funding, though US officials say those talks “will require consistent engagement for specific asks.”

Some American officials are cautiously optimistic that initial pledges—perhaps totaling 5,000 troops—could be secured early next year, with hopes of eventually reaching the 10,000 mark by the end of 2026. Others are more skeptical, warning the force could stall at closer to 8,000 personnel. Even countries viewed as likely participants, including Azerbaijan and Indonesia, are pressing for a limited mandate that steers clear of direct combat or efforts to disarm Hamas operatives still active in parts of Gaza. Their embassies in Washington declined to comment.

According to a US official, 19 countries have indicated some level of interest, whether by contributing troops or offering support such as equipment, transportation, or logistics. Momentum may build next week, when representatives from more than 25 nations are expected to gather in Qatar for a US-led meeting to hash out the proposed force’s structure and operational boundaries.

The administration plans for Trump to name the US general who would lead the mission early next year. Officials emphasize that American troops will not be deployed inside Gaza itself, although some US personnel are already assigned to a coordination hub in Kiryat Gat, Israel.

Diplomatic negotiations remain stuck on fundamental issues, including Hamas’s refusal to disarm and unresolved questions about who will govern Gaza once hostilities subside. Against that backdrop, Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu is slated to meet with Trump in Miami in late December, where both leaders are expected to weigh options for moving the plan forward.

{Matzav.com}

Over 200 people directly affected by the October 7, 2023, Hamas onslaught have issued a forceful appeal to Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, urging him to approve the creation of an official state commission of inquiry to investigate the catastrophic failures surrounding the attack. The signatories include former captives, relatives of those who were held hostage, and families of hostages who were killed.

The appeal was released publicly by the October Council, a group formed by bereaved families pressing for a formal state investigation. The publication of the letter coincides with the 800th day since the Hamas-led invasion and massacre that devastated southern Israel.

“We call on the Israeli government to stop evading, stop postponing, stop whitewashing, and establish a state commission of inquiry immediately,” the letter declares.

The message goes on to warn the country’s leadership in stark terms: “We demand truth, justice, and accountability.” It adds, “If you have no intention of taking responsibility and establishing such a commission, as demanded by the majority of the nation, vacate your seats and let the nation decide.”

According to the signatories, any inquiry must be fully open and comprehensive, addressing every aspect of October 7. They insist it scrutinize “the collapse of the defense and intelligence systems, the unanswered calls for help, the hours-long abandonment of the Gaza border communities, and the abandonment of the civilians and soldiers to the inferno.”

The families also stress that the investigation cannot stop at the day of the attack itself. They argue that it must delve into developments afterward as well, including “what has happened since October 7: The manner in which decisions were made during negotiations for the return of the hostages, the reasons for repeated delays, the coordination between the political and military echelons, and the statements and actions of all public officials and their impact on the lives of the hostages, on their mental and physical health, the fate of those who were taken alive and were murdered in captivity, and the long wait for the return of the deceased hostages to their families.”

The letter emphasizes that the proposed body must be independent and free of conflicts of interest. “A commission of inquiry is not a political tool. It cannot be composed of those who are the subjects of the investigation,” the authors write. They further insist that such a panel “must be transparent, professional, and have full authority to order investigations, question witnesses, examine documents, and reach clear conclusions, including the mandate to implement them.”

The authors underscore why they see no alternative to such a framework, stating: “Only such a body will be able to reach the full truth, not just that which is convenient to reveal.”

Among those who signed the letter are former hostage Yarden Bibas, whose wife Shiri and young sons Ariel and Kfir were murdered while held captive; Herut Nimrodi, the mother of slain hostage Tamir Nimrodi; and Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg-Polin, whose son Hersh Goldberg-Polin was killed after being taken hostage.

{Matzav.com}

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This Sunday, Erev Chanukah, we mark the Yahrtzeit of Maran HaGaon Rav Aharon Yehuda Leib Shteinman ZT”L.

Rav Shteinman’s life and legacy were deeply interwoven with Ponevez Yeshiva. He dedicated decades to leading the Ponevez Yeshiva Ketana and later serving as Rosh Kollel, through which he shaped generations of talmidei chachamim with clarity, humility, and unwavering devotion to Torah. The Ponevezer Rav zt”l captured the breadth of his unparalleled wisdom when he described Rav Shteinman as a Gadol whose counsel extended “in the entire Torah, in every area of life, in difficult decisions, and in the chinuch of your children.”

Yet the Torah of Rav Shteinman transcended the walls of the Beis Medrash. It was expressed daily through his genuine care, practical wisdom, and boundless love for every Yid.

As we approach his Yahrtzeit, this commemoration is more than remembrance — it is a clear call to strengthen the Ohr HaTorah of Ponevez.

By supporting the Yeshiva, we carry forward the sacred Mesorah of Rav Shteinman, continuing to build upon the enduring foundation he established for Klal Yisroel.

 Support the Mesorah. Support Ponevez Yeshiva HERE.

Click HERE to send a Kvittel.

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​​For more info, email bitachon4life@gmail.com.

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[Video below.] An Orthodox Jewish leader was subjected to antisemitic harassment inside the U.S. Capitol this week after a pro-Palestinian activist confronted him in a hallway and shouted accusations related to Israel’s war against Hamas.

Rabbi Yaakov Menken, executive vice president of the Coalition for Jewish Values, said the incident occurred Thursday, December 12, and was captured on video that has since circulated online.

Menken said the activist approached him without provocation and began chanting slogans accusing Israel of “occupation,” making it clear, he said, that he was singled out because he is Jewish.

Video footage shows the activist, identified as being affiliated with the far-left group CodePink, confronting Rabbi Menken in a Capitol corridor and raising her voice as she repeated anti-Israel chants. Rabbi Menken responded forcefully.

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{Matzav.com}

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rav Yaakov Yehoshua HaKohen Frankel zt”l, the longtime gabbai of the Harishonim Shul on Rechov Rabi Akiva, who passed away at the age of 91.

Rav Frankel collapsed earlier this week during a Daf Yomi shiur and was niftar several days later.

Rav Frankel was born in Poland on 23 Kislev 5695 to his father, Rav Yechezkel HaKohen Frenkel, and his mother, Mrs. Faiga Frankel. He was among the veteran residents of Bnei Brak and for more than five decades served as gabbai and rosh hakahal of the Harishonim Shul, the first shul established in the city, located on Rechov Rabi Akiva.

Known as an early riser with a deep love for Torah, Rav Frankel was devoted to the beis medrash and held talmidei chachamim in the highest esteem. Those who knew him recall his tireless dedication to the shul and the kehillah it served, a responsibility he carried faithfully for many years.

Following the passing of his wife, Gittel, more than a decade ago, his health declined. During that period, he regularly davened at the central Shoneh Halachos Shul on nearby Rechov HaRav Herzog, close to his home.

Last Sunday, Rav Frankel attended the Daf Yomi shiur at Shoneh Halachos as he did consistently. In the middle of the shiur, he suddenly collapsed. He was niftar on Friday.

Friends and acquaintances noted the poignant timing of his passing, which occurred just one day before his 91st birthday, 23 Kislev.

Rav Frankel is survived by his family, including his son, R’ Pinchas Avraham Frankel. The levayah took place after chatzos on Friday and he was laid to rest at the Ponevezh Cemetery in Bnei Brak.

Yehi zichro baruch.

{Matzav.com}

Federal prosecutors say a sweeping financial scheme turned a racial justice organization into a personal piggy bank, leading to serious criminal charges against a onetime Black Lives Matter leader in Oklahoma City.

According to an indictment returned by a federal grand jury, Tashella Sheri Amore Dickerson, 52, faces 25 criminal counts tied to an alleged misuse of millions of dollars in donated funds. The charges include 20 counts of wire fraud and five counts of money laundering, as detailed by U.S. Attorney Robert Troester.

The case centers on Dickerson’s tenure as executive director of Black Lives Matter OKC. Prosecutors allege that during that period she gained control over the group’s financial infrastructure, including bank accounts, PayPal, and Cash App, and then siphoned off large sums of money for her own benefit.

Authorities say the organization was never registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit. Instead, it operated under a fiscal sponsorship arrangement with the Arizona-based Alliance for Global Justice, which required that all donated funds be used strictly for approved charitable purposes and fully documented.

Beginning in late spring 2020, Black Lives Matter OKC reportedly brought in more than $5.6 million through online fundraising and national bail organizations, including the Community Justice Exchange, the Massachusetts Bail Fund, and the Minnesota Freedom Fund, prosecutors said.

Those donations, according to the indictment, were earmarked to post bail for people arrested during racial justice protests following the death of George Floyd. In some cases, the funds were also intended to establish a revolving bail fund or support other social justice initiatives permitted under federal tax law.

Instead, investigators allege that from June 2020 through at least October 2025, Dickerson diverted at least $3.15 million by depositing returned bail checks into her personal accounts rather than into accounts belonging to the organization.

Prosecutors claim the money was then spent on an array of personal expenses, including leisure trips to Jamaica and the Dominican Republic for Dickerson and others, extensive retail shopping, and at least $50,000 on food and grocery deliveries for herself and her children. The indictment also alleges she used the funds to buy a personal vehicle registered in her own name and to acquire six properties in Oklahoma City.

Those properties, authorities say, were titled either directly to Dickerson or to Equity International LLC, a company prosecutors allege she solely controlled.

The indictment further accuses Dickerson of submitting false annual reports to the Alliance for Global Justice using interstate communications. Prosecutors say the filings claimed the funds were used exclusively for tax-exempt purposes while omitting disclosures about personal expenditures.

If convicted on all counts, Dickerson could face up to 20 years in prison for each wire fraud charge and up to 10 years for each money laundering charge, in addition to substantial fines.

{Matzav.com}

‘The Big Money Show’ reacts to New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani releasing a video instructing individuals on how to resist I.C.E. and and discusses his agenda.

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Emergency measures are being rolled out across Waterbury and nearby towns after a major water main failure disrupted service for a vast portion of the region. Officials say tens of thousands of residents have been affected by the incident.

City leaders confirmed that public schools in Waterbury will be closed on Monday, while restaurants were instructed to shut their doors tonight as a precaution. The closures come amid concerns about water safety and system stability.

“At this point, any facility that serves food and prepares food … even if they currently have water pressure, should not be serving food until such time as we can lift the boil water notice,” Waterbury Mayor Paul K. Pernerewski Jr. said.

A boil water advisory remains in effect for Waterbury as well as the neighboring communities of Wolcott and Watertown, as officials warn that the water system cannot yet be deemed safe for consumption.

The crisis began when a large water main ruptured along Thomaston Avenue on Wednesday. Conditions worsened Friday night, when officials said the entire water system lost pressure.

Governor Ned Lamont and municipal officials said during a Saturday press conference that repair crews have been working nonstop since the break occurred, operating around the clock in an effort to restore full service.

To address immediate needs, Pernerewski said the Connecticut National Guard will assist with distributing bottled water to residents once deliveries reach the city.

{Matzav.com}

Chaos unfolded this afternoon near Brown University when gunfire erupted just as final exams were underway, leaving two people dead and eight others wounded, authorities confirmed. The victims who survived were transported to Rhode Island Hospital, roughly two miles from campus, where they remain in critical but stable condition.

Providence Fire Department Chief Derek Silva said the two fatalities were pronounced dead at the scene. “Those are the only injuries or casualties that we know at this time,” he said, cautioning that the situation remains fluid and the total number could still change.

The shooting occurred shortly after 4 p.m. ET outside the Barus and Holley building, which houses Brown’s School of Engineering and its Physics Department. According to Brown University Provost Francis Doyle, students were actively taking final exams inside the building at the time.

Police are now engaged in an extensive manhunt for the shooter, who remains at large. Deputy Police Chief Timothy O’Hara described the suspect as “a male dressed in black” during an evening press briefing. Investigators believe the suspect fled on foot, exiting through doors on the Hope Street side of the building. O’Hara said it is still unclear how the individual initially gained entry and noted that authorities have received no confirmed sightings since the escape.

As law enforcement continues the search, a shelter-in-place order remains in effect for the university and surrounding neighborhoods. Brown officials urged students and faculty to strictly comply. “This means keeping all doors locked and ensuring no movement across campus,” the university said in an alert.

President Trump said Friday night that he had been briefed on the situation. “What a terrible thing it is,” the president told reporters in brief remarks. “All we can do right now is pray for the victims.”

Addressing questions about campus security, Provost Doyle explained that access to the building is normally controlled by swipe cards, but noted there was “probably a lot of traffic” because exams were scheduled between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.

“We’re utilizing every resource possible to find the suspect,” O’Hara said, emphasizing the scale of the ongoing operation.

Providence Mayor Brett Smiley confirmed that city police, Brown University authorities, and the FBI are working together on the investigation. “Sadly, today is a day that the city of Providence and the state of Rhode Island prayed would never come,” Smiley told reporters.

Officials are also asking anyone who may have witnessed the shooting or has relevant information to contact law enforcement immediately.

Earlier in the day, confusion spread over reports that a suspect had been taken into custody. Brown officials, followed by media reports and President Trump, initially stated that someone had been detained, but later corrected that information.

“While [Brown University’s department of public safety] was at one point informed that there was an individual in custody, that person was determined not to be the shooting suspect after questioning,” the university clarified in a Friday night emergency update.

Authorities have not yet released the identities of the victims or provided further details about the suspect. Brown officials said the two people killed were members of the community and that the university is working closely with local hospitals to identify the injured.

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the passing of 10-year-old Batsheva Lieberman a”h of Lakewood, NJ.

She was a daughter of R’ Elimelech Shmuel and Devorah Leeba Lieberman of the Dewey Avenue neighborhood.

The levayah will take place tonight at 9 PM at the Congregation Sons of Israel Holocaust Memorial Chapel, located at 613 Ramsey Avenue in Lakewood, NJ, followed by kevurah at the adjacent Mt. Sinai Cemetery.

Yehi zichrah boruch.

{Matzav.com}

A political storm erupted tonight after Yesh Atid chairman Gadi Eisenkot hinted that the opposition could form a government even with only 57–58 seats, widely interpreted as a signal that he would consider relying on external support or abstentions from Arab parties.

Eisenkot made the remarks on Channel 12’s “Meet the Press,” saying that the opposition “will know how to form a government even with 57 or 58 votes.” The comment triggered fierce criticism from both coalition leaders and factions within the opposition itself, beginning with an immediate rebuke from National Unity chairman Benny Gantz.

Gantz quickly moved to push back on Eisenkot’s suggestion, warning that a minority government was not a viable option. “Gadi, my friend, we have already been in that movie of trying to swear in a minority government. It wasn’t realistic then, and it’s even less realistic after October 7. What Israel needs is a broad Zionist government of 70 members of Knesset, not a transitional government dependent on the Arab parties that will bring us Ben Gvir with 20 seats,” he said.

Likud leaders seized on the disagreement to accuse the opposition of preparing to collaborate with Arab factions. In a sharply worded statement, the party charged: “The alliance of the dangerous: the opposition is once again joining with the Muslim Brotherhood. Eisenkot exposed the real plan—relying on anti-Zionist Arab parties to form the next government.”

Likud added that “whether through outside support or direct partnership, such a government would be dependent on the Muslim Brotherhood—a dangerous pattern from which no lessons have been learned since October 7.”

Coalition chairman Ofir Katz also attacked Eisenkot’s remarks, tying them to other recent statements from across the opposition. “Yair Golan already said that potential partners include Mansour Abbas and even Ayman Odeh. Yair Lapid opposes a law preventing terror supporters from running for office. And now Eisenkot says it openly. Is there anyone left who still doesn’t understand that the ‘Anyone but Bibi’ bloc plans to form a government with Abbas and Tibi?” he said.

{Matzav.com}