Matzav

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu responded to questions about the second phase of US President Donald Trump’s Gaza initiative, saying Israel’s political and security priorities would be fully safeguarded as the plan moved forward.

He said the government was concentrating on what he described as the final objectives of the war, stating, “Now we are focusing on completing the two remaining missions: dismantling Hamas’s weapons and demilitarizing Gaza of arms and tunnels.”

Netanyahu said he had reached a clear understanding with President Trump on how those goals would be achieved, warning that Israel would not compromise on outcomes. “As I agreed with President Trump… there are only two possibilities: either this will be done the easy way or it will be done the hard way, but in any case, it will happen,” he said. He rejected suggestions that Gaza could be rebuilt before disarmament, adding, “I am already hearing the statements that we will allow Gaza’s reconstruction before demilitarization. That will not happen.”

The prime minister also dismissed reports that foreign forces might be deployed in the enclave. “I am hearing that we will bring Turkish soldiers and Qatari soldiers into Gaza. That too will not happen,” he said.

Addressing claims that Israel would permit the creation of a Palestinian state in Gaza, Netanyahu spoke forcefully, saying, “I am hearing that I will allow the establishment of a Palestinian state in Gaza. That did not happen, and it will not happen.” He emphasized his long-standing position on the issue, stating, “I think all of you know that the one who repeatedly stopped the establishment of a Palestinian state is me, together with my colleagues in the governments I have led. Even today and tomorrow, we will not allow this.”

Netanyahu concluded by reiterating Israel’s security doctrine for the region, saying, “Israel will maintain security control over the entire area from the Jordan River to the sea, and that applies to the Gaza Strip as well.”

{Matzav.com}

President Trump said Tuesday that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem will remain in her position, rejecting suggestions that she might resign as criticism mounts over her handling of recent deadly encounters involving federal agents.

Asked directly on the South Lawn of the White House whether Noem would step down, the president was unequivocal.

“No,” he told reporters.

“I think she’s doing a very good job.”

Noem has come under intense scrutiny following two fatal incidents involving federal officers. In public remarks, she described Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old armed nurse, and Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother, as domestic terrorists, language that sparked backlash across the political spectrum.

While the administration has since softened its tone, Noem will remain in office following an extended meeting with Trump late Monday evening at the White House, according to officials familiar with the discussions.

At the same time, Trump announced a series of moves that were widely viewed as shifting operational control away from Noem. On Monday, he revealed that border czar Tom Homan was being dispatched to Minnesota to manage the situation firsthand. Separately, Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino, known for his aggressive leadership style, was instructed to return home from his post in the state.

Although Homeland Security Adviser Stephen Miller echoed Noem’s description of the two individuals, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt sought to draw a clearer line between the president and that characterization.

During Monday’s press briefing, Leavitt was asked whether Trump agreed with labeling Pretti a domestic terrorist.

“I have not heard the president characterize Mr. Pretti in that way,” she said. “However, I have heard the president say he wants to let the facts and the investigation lead itself.”

Even as the administration stepped back from the rhetoric, Trump publicly reaffirmed his confidence in his senior team. He praised Noem’s performance and included Miller on his trip to Iowa, where he is scheduled to deliver remarks focused on the economy.

Before leaving Washington, Trump also offered a positive assessment of Homan’s efforts in Minnesota.

“I hear that’s going very well,” he said, referring to Homan’s discussions with Gov. Tim Walz.

Homan’s assignment was intended to stabilize the situation both on the ground and in the political arena, as concerns spread within Republican circles over Noem’s response to the deaths and the scale of force used by federal authorities.

Trump also addressed the investigation into Pretti’s death, saying he expects a thorough and fair review and plans to monitor it closely.

“We’re doing a big investigation. I want to see the investigation. I’m going to be watching over it. I want a very honorable and honest investigation — I have to see it myself,” he said Tuesday while departing the White House for Iowa.

The fatal shooting of Pretti, which occurred Saturday during a confrontation with federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, is now under review by multiple agencies. The Department of Homeland Security, the FBI, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection are each conducting their own examinations of the incident.

{Matzav.com}

A federal judge in Minnesota has ordered the acting head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement to personally appear in court and explain why he should not be held in contempt, escalating a clash over the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement operations in the Twin Cities.

In a rare and sharply worded directive issued late Monday, Chief U.S. District Judge Patrick Schiltz instructed ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons to come before the court “and show cause why he should not be held in contempt.”

The order underscores growing frustration from the bench over what Schiltz described as ICE’s repeated failure to comply with judicial release orders tied to Operation Metro Surge, a stepped-up enforcement initiative underway in Minneapolis and St. Paul. According to Politico, the judge stated flatly that “the court’s patience is at an end.”

Schiltz, who was appointed to the bench by President George W. Bush, ordered Lyons to appear in person on Friday to address why ICE did not release a detainee who had been ordered freed on Jan. 15 and instead kept him in custody for weeks afterward.

In his ruling, the judge accused ICE of repeatedly disregarding decisions issued by multiple Minnesota judges, leading to individuals being detained longer than courts authorized or transferred to other states in what he suggested may have been an effort to sidestep judicial oversight.

The administration’s aggressive enforcement posture has triggered a surge of emergency lawsuits from immigrants who allege they are being held unlawfully.

Minnesota federal judges have frequently ruled in favor of those plaintiffs, ordering releases and warning that the practices raise serious due process concerns.

U.S. District Judge Michael Davis, who was appointed by President Bill Clinton, has likewise criticized the administration, accusing it of pushing the legal system “to the breaking point.”

Supporters of the administration counter that judges are overstepping their role, arguing that the courts are being used to block immigration enforcement powers granted by Congress and grounded in the Constitution.

Operation Metro Surge was launched under President Donald Trump as part of a renewed effort to reverse years of weak enforcement and sanctuary-style policies adopted by Democrat-led states and cities.

The legal fight has sharpened amid heightened tensions following the fatal shooting of anti-ICE protester Alex Pretti during a federal operation, an incident critics have cited in calls to shut down enforcement actions altogether.

Several judges are now considering broader lawsuits that could significantly restrict or even suspend ICE activity in Minnesota.

The dispute between Schiltz and the administration has also spilled into related cases.

Earlier this month, the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected an unusual request from the Justice Department seeking approval for additional arrests connected to a disruptive anti-ICE protest at a St. Paul church.

That demonstration, which interrupted a Christian worship service, drew national attention after former CNN anchor Don Lemon was linked to the protest.

Schiltz denied prosecutors’ emergency request to detain two organizers accused of conspiring to violate civil rights, though he placed them under strict release conditions.

Attorney General Pam Bondi and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem have said enforcement efforts will continue, emphasizing that interference with religious services and intimidation of worshippers will not be tolerated.

The intensifying showdown reflects a broader struggle between the Trump administration’s law-and-order agenda and a judiciary that has shown increasing willingness to intervene in immigration enforcement.

{Matzav.com}

Federal authorities were already familiar with Alex Pretti before Border Patrol officers fatally shot him in Minneapolis last weekend, and he had suffered a broken rib during a violent encounter with immigration agents roughly a week earlier, according to a report.

Pretti, who worked as an ICU nurse, told a friend that he witnessed ICE agents chasing what he believed was a family on foot during that earlier episode and stopped his car to intervene, CNN reported.

According to the source, Pretti pulled over, began yelling at the agents, and blew a whistle, prompting five officers to tackle him to the ground.

The friend told CNN that Pretti later said one of the agents leaned on his back during the scuffle, leaving him with a broken rib.

“That day, he thought he was going to die,” the source said, noting that agents ultimately released Pretti at the scene.

CNN reported that federal immigration officials had compiled information on Pretti in recent weeks, along with details on other anti-ICE protesters active in Minneapolis.

A memo circulated this month to agents deployed to the city instructed them to “capture all images, license plates, identifications, and general information on hotels, agitators, protestors, etc., so we can capture it all in one consolidated form,” according to the network.

While Pretti’s identity was known to federal agents, a source said it remains unclear whether his details were entered into or shared through the new intake system.

Authorities also have not determined whether Pretti recognized the agents he confronted on Saturday, or whether they recognized him from the earlier incident.

Video footage appears to show agents forcing Pretti to the ground before one officer removes a firearm from his waistband and another agent fatally shoots him.

The Department of Homeland Security has denied maintaining a database of suspected domestic terrorists.

“We do, of course, monitor and investigate and refer all threats, assaults and obstruction of our officers to the appropriate law enforcement,” DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told CNN, referring to a separate case involving a federal agent in Maine.

FBI Director Kash Patel has separately said his agency is probing encrypted Signal group chats that activists reportedly use to share information about ICE operations.

Such groups “create a scenario that illegally entraps and puts law enforcement in harm’s way,” Director Patel warned during an appearance on a conservative podcast on Monday.

{Matzav.com}

As friction with Iran continues, the US military has announced the start of a major air exercise in the Middle East aimed at showcasing its ability to rapidly project and sustain airpower across the region.

US Central Command, through its air arm, the Ninth Air Force, confirmed that Air Forces Central will carry out what it described as a “multi-day readiness exercise to demonstrate the ability to deploy, disperse, and sustain combat airpower across the US Central Command area of responsibility.”

According to the command, “This exercise is designed to enhance asset and personnel dispersal capability, strengthen regional partnerships and prepare for flexible response execution throughout CENTCOM. It will serve as a way for AFCENT to validate procedures for rapid movement of personnel and aircraft; dispersed operations at contingency locations; logistics sustainment with a minimal footprint; and integrated, multi-national command and control over a large area of operations.”

AFCENT said the training will include US forces spreading out to a number of contingency sites, where they will “deploy teams to multiple contingency locations and validate rapid set-up, launch and recovery procedures with small, efficient support packages,” while also stressing that all actions will be carried out “with host-nation approval and in close coordination with civil and military aviation authorities, emphasizing safety, precision and respect for sovereignty.”

The exercise follows an announcement made a day earlier by the United States Central Command that the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, along with its escorting vessels, had reached the Middle East.

With the carrier strike group now in theater, the United States has significantly expanded its offensive and defensive capabilities in the region, providing President Donald Trump with additional military options as Iran’s regime faces international scrutiny over the killing of protesters.

Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania on Tuesday publicly pressed President Donald Trump to dismiss Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, accusing her of mishandling immigration enforcement actions tied to recent events in Minnesota.

In a post on X, the Democratic senator demanded Noem’s immediate removal, directly addressing the president and issuing a warning about repeating past leadership decisions. “.@POTUS @realDonaldTrump: I make a direct appeal to immediately fire @Sec_Noem,” Fetterman wrote, cautioning Trump not to repeat what he described as “the mistake President Biden made” by retaining what he called a “grossly incompetent” DHS secretary, Alejandro Mayorkas, during deadly and controversial federal operations.

Fetterman’s remarks come as the national immigration debate intensifies following two fatal shootings involving federal agents in Minneapolis, including the death of Alex Pretti. The incidents coincided with the deployment of thousands of ICE, Border Patrol, and other DHS personnel under what the department has labeled “Operation Metro Surge,” which DHS has described as the largest immigration enforcement action ever undertaken.

The senator’s call to fire Noem reflects broader criticism from progressive lawmakers and advocacy groups. In recent days, several on the left have demanded her resignation or impeachment, along with disciplinary action against senior Border Patrol officials, after the shootings triggered protests across Minnesota and in other states.

Opponents of Noem contend that she has aggressively enforced federal immigration policies long opposed by Democrats but never overturned by legislation. They argue that such operations, particularly in sanctuary jurisdictions, should be reevaluated rather than escalated, warning that the current approach risks further unrest.

Republicans and conservative voices counter that congressional Republicans and GOP leaders at the state level have largely supported the enforcement surge. They argue that sanctuary policies expose federal agents to greater danger and leave the federal government with little choice but to take decisive action.

President Trump has continued to defend Noem and DHS efforts aimed at apprehending violent criminal aliens, but he is facing pressure from multiple sides. While some Republicans support the enforcement push, others have raised concerns about the optics and consequences of the Minneapolis operations and have called for independent reviews to assess tactics and accountability.

At the same time, the White House has indicated that it is reassessing DHS priorities following internal evaluations, with an emphasis on border security and criminal enforcement moving forward.

Despite Fetterman’s public demand that Noem be fired, she is expected to remain in her post for now, though her leadership is under intense scrutiny as criticism grows over her forceful enforcement strategy and public comments that have fueled opposition.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli journalist Amit Segal has disclosed previously unknown information about the intelligence and operational steps that ultimately led to the recovery of the body of fallen Israel Police officer Ran Gvili, Arutz Sheva reports.

According to the report, about three months ago IDF troops approached the head of the Southern Command seeking approval to extend the so-called Yellow Line to cover a Muslim cemetery where Gvili was later determined to have been buried. The soldiers argued that the area posed a serious operational threat to Israeli forces, and the request was approved.

At that stage, forces carried out activity inside the cemetery without any indication that Gvili might be buried there. While operating in the area, troops uncovered a terror tunnel running beneath the cemetery and subsequently destroyed it.

In the weeks that followed, updated intelligence evaluations increasingly pointed to the likelihood that Ran Gvili had indeed been buried at that location. After a series of coordination and planning measures, authorization was granted for an operation to recover his remains.

On Monday night, the Israel Security Agency revealed that roughly a month earlier, during a separate operation in southern Gaza City, Israeli forces detained a Palestinian Islamic Jihad operative. The suspect had taken part in combat activity against Israeli forces during the war and was brought in for questioning.

During his interrogation, the operative confessed to having been involved in moving Ran Gvili’s body between several sites and provided the names of others who knew where the burial had taken place. The intelligence obtained strengthened assessments that Gvili was buried in the al-Batsh cemetery in the northern Gaza Strip.

The ISA said that this intelligence directly enabled the recovery mission. As part of the operation, forces opened more than 700 graves and examined over 250 bodies before locating Ran. He was found inside a Shifa Hospital body bag, still wearing his police uniform, with his shoes and belt intact.

{Matzav.com}

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A librarian in West Virginia has been taken into custody after authorities said she used social media to encourage others to assassinate President Trump, prompting felony charges tied to threats of violence.

Morgan L. Morrow, 39, of Ripley, was arrested following a TikTok post in which she said, “Surely a sn!per with a terminal illness can’t be a big ask out of 343 million,” according to a criminal complaint obtained by WOWK.

Investigators viewed the remark as a call for the president’s assassination, and Morrow was charged Monday with one count of threats of terroristic acts.

According to police, the Jackson County Public Library employee was taken into custody at her residence, where she allegedly acknowledged that the video was “intended as a threat directed toward President Donald J. Trump.”

Court documents say Morrow explained that she had “personal reasons for wishing harm upon the president,” though the complaint did not detail what motivated those feelings.

The complaint also states that Morrow told investigators she never planned to personally act on the threat.

Deputies countered that such language is “designed to encourage, inspire or entice others to carry out the threatened act, regardless of whether the speaker publicly intends to personally do so.”

“When you saddle up on the horse of stupidity, you have to be prepared for the ride that follows,” Jackson County Sheriff Ross Mellinger told WOWK.

“We’re just trying to do our part in making sure that it’s not acted upon, and there’s no one that’s following her footsteps to try to carry out the plan.”

Mellinger emphasized that calls for violence are unacceptable no matter one’s political views.

“It’s okay to be critical of the government. It’s okay to be critical of things you don’t agree with,” Mellinger said, “but when you start promoting the violence and you’re promoting a plan to carry out the violence and recruiting other people to carry out the plan for you, that’s clearly crossing the line.”

The Jackson County Public Library said it is handling the matter internally and distancing itself from the remarks.

“The comments recently made by an employee do not reflect the mission, values, or standards of conduct of our organization,” officials wrote.

{Matzav.com}

Passengers traveling with Southwest Airlines are getting ready for a major shift in how they board and sit, as the carrier officially moves away from its longtime open-seating system and introduces assigned seats starting Jan. 27.

“Southwest Airlines has no assigned seats for one more day,” one traveler heading to Kansas City wrote in a post on X on Monday. “On my way back, everything majorly changes as I already have my assigned seat.”

The airline revealed back in July 2024 that it intended to scrap open seating, a signature feature of Southwest for decades. The company said the change was driven in part by revenue considerations, but also by customer feedback showing growing interest in assigned seats and paid upgrades.

“Our Customers want more choice and greater control over their travel experience,” Southwest executive Tony Roach said in 2025. “Assigned seating unlocks new opportunities for our Customers — including the ability to select Extra Legroom seats — and removes the uncertainty of not knowing where they will sit in the cabin.”

By the summer of 2025, Southwest had already begun assigning seats to passengers whose itineraries included flights scheduled to depart on or after Jan. 27, easing the transition ahead of the full rollout.

Reaction from travelers has been mixed. Some welcomed the move, saying assigned seating would reduce what they described as poor behavior during boarding and long-standing abuses of the open-seating system. Others said knowing their seat in advance would make the process less stressful.

“I for one am SOOOOOOOOO happy to be rid of that open seating nonsense,” one X user wrote. “At 6’5″, I will GLADLY pay a premium for my favorite exit row seat with the leg room and not need to stand in line like cattle.”

Not everyone was pleased. Detractors argued that open seating worked better for families, groups, or passengers forced to rebook at the last minute, who otherwise might end up stuck with undesirable seats. Some also accused the airline of prioritizing profits over what once made it stand out from competitors.

“They had a good run but it’s obvious corporate greed won over what we all felt made them the best airline,” one social-media user claimed.

A Southwest spokesperson did not immediately respond to requests for comment, but the airline did address complaints directly on social media, replying to a frustrated traveler.

“We’re evolving to meet changing Customer preferences, & our research clearly indicates a desire for assigned seating,” the representative wrote in an X response. “Still, we know assigned seating is not preferable for every Customer. We hope you’ll give us an opportunity to welcome you onboard.”

Under the new system, passengers booking flights are asked to choose among three categories of seats: “Standard” seats toward the rear of the plane, “Preferred” seats closer to the front, and “Extra Legroom” seats near exit rows that provide an additional 3 to 5 inches of space.

Southwest explains on its website that the seat category a customer selects affects boarding order and eligibility for certain benefits. The airline has also adjusted its pre-boarding rules slightly, including those that apply to active-duty military members and families traveling with children.

Alongside the seating overhaul, Southwest is also revising its policy for “customers of size” who need an extra seat, with the updated rules taking effect on Tuesday.

Previously, travelers who required additional space were encouraged—but not required—to reserve a second seat in advance. Extra seats were provided at no cost “if space is available on the flight,” according to Southwest, and customers could request refunds after completing their trip.

Beginning Jan. 27, however, those passengers must purchase the additional seat ahead of time and “pay any applicable seat fee” before boarding. Refunds remain available after travel, but only if several criteria are met, including that both seats were purchased in the same fare class, the refund request is submitted within 90 days, and the aircraft departed with “at least one” unused seat, Southwest said.

Refunds may also be issued if the flight was fully booked but included travelers flying on “space available passes,” such as airline employees or other non-paying passengers traveling for leisure.

When the revised policy was announced earlier this year, advocates for plus-size travelers voiced disappointment. One organization, the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance, told The New York Times that Southwest had been a “beacon of hope for many fat people who otherwise wouldn’t have been flying.”

Even with the changes, Southwest remains the only major U.S. airline—among American, Delta and United—that offers any form of post-flight refund to eligible plus-size passengers.

Earlier this year, the airline said it had begun proactively notifying customers who previously relied on the extra-seat policy before their next scheduled trip.

“To ensure space, we are communicating to Customers who have previously used the extra seat policy they should purchase it at booking,” a spokesperson said.

{Matzav.com}

Encouraging news has emerged regarding the health of the Rosh Yeshiva of Grodno, as doctors report a noticeable improvement in the condition of Rav Yitzchak Hacker. Even as the positive update is shared, tefillos continue across the Torah world for his complete recovery.

After a deterioration in his condition last week, sources at Tel HaShomer Hospital now say that Rav Hacker’s medical indicators are stable, and that he is steadily regaining strength in multiple respects.

Associates of the Rosh Yeshiva emphasized that the situation remains serious and still requires abundant rachamei Shamayim. “There is still inflammation in his body and his condition is difficult,” they said. “But just as we have personally witnessed miracles and wonders until now, we are confident that we will continue to see open signs of Divine kindness until our rebbi returns to teaching Torah.”

As previously reported, Rav Hacker was hospitalized at Tel HaShomer approximately two weeks ago after developing a severe infection in his leg. During his hospitalization, he underwent two catheterization procedures and was at one point in life-threatening danger.

All are asked to continue davening for Rav Yitzchak ben Nechama.

{Matzav.com}

Former captive Eli Sharabi spoke candidly in an emotional interview aired Monday night on Kol Chai Radio’s flagship program, reflecting on the return of the final hostage, Ran Gvili Hy”d, his own recovery after captivity, and his call for unity within Israeli society.

In a conversation with host Avi Mimran, Sharabi described the moment as a painful yet meaningful turning point for the Gvili family. “Everything you said about Ran, that he’s a hero of Israel — it’s simply incredible,” Sharabi said. “This really is a nation of heroes. Like Ran, many others went out that day, took initiative, and came to rescue the residents of the Gaza border communities.” He added that for the family, it is “a very complex moment. It’s not a happy moment, but perhaps a moment of closure, of farewell, and the beginning of a healing process.”

Mimran asked Sharabi about his personal path toward recovery following prolonged captivity and devastating personal loss. Sharabi responded with striking honesty. “For me, this is who I am. I always knew how to look for solutions and not focus on problems,” he said. “After 500 days of people fighting for me — my family, my friends, the people of Israel who prayed — I don’t have the privilege to stay in bed and cry all day. I will get up and rebuild. But that’s what suits me, and it’s forbidden to judge others by my standards.”

Sharabi also spoke about the faith that sustained him during captivity deep underground. “Faith is a support for everything,” he said. “From the very first moment in captivity, I rediscovered faith. Fifty meters underground, it only grew stronger. There were crossroads of life and death over 491 days, and each time I came out alive. The light and love I receive from my family and from the people — I have no words to thank them.”

Turning to the broader national conversation, Sharabi addressed what he described as a painful gap between the inner strength shown by former captives and their families and the tone of Israel’s public and political discourse. “I agree that there is a gap,” he said, “but I don’t agree that it can’t be narrowed. We have a duty — each person in their own sphere — to talk about what unites us and not what divides us. Even when we argue, it can be done in a calm and respectful way. That responsibility rests first and foremost with elected officials.”

Mimran noted that since his release, Sharabi has chosen to speak publicly in Israel and abroad, becoming one of the most prominent voices among former hostages. Asked about his central message, Sharabi replied: “We have no other country. That’s the message I convey to the world. We have a wonderful nation, warm and deeply committed to its state, and we must do everything to continue living here. Only if we are united can we continue to exist in the State of Israel. There is no alternative.”

Addressing whether social division played a role in the events of October 7, Sharabi said, “I don’t know how to judge whether there is a direct connection, but it’s clear it didn’t do us any good. We need to be careful of people with interests who fuel the rift. Disagreements are healthy in a democracy — but not hatred. Hatred is a terrible word.”

The interview concluded with a personal reflection on faith. “My faith is very strong,” Sharabi said. “I’m not a religious person, and everyone finds faith and strength in their own way. That needs to be respected.” He closed with a message to the nation: “I wish the people of Israel to set out on a new path and to heal from this terrible trauma.”

{Matzav.com}

Eylon Levy addressed the end of the October 7 hostage crisis on Monday, explaining in a social media video why he has stopped wearing the yellow ribbon symbolizing the captives, while still keeping it with him as a reminder of the unresolved dangers ahead.

“The October 7 hostage crisis is over, but it won’t be the last hostage crisis,” Levy said in the video.

He went on to describe the circumstances surrounding the return of the final hostage, emphasizing that it was achieved through Israeli action rather than cooperation from Hamas. “The final hostage, Ran Gvili, is finally home for burial, but fittingly, it’s not because the kidnappers honored their side of the ransom. It’s because Israel went in itself to get him out.”

Levy stressed that despite this outcome, Israel paid a heavy price to secure the release of hostages. “But make no doubt, we paid a ransom to get the hostages out. We left Hamas in power, and we freed thousands of terrorists from jails. We put the hostage takers of tomorrow back on the streets to get out the hostages of yesterday,” he said.

He warned that such concessions carry long-term consequences, noting the broader implications of negotiating with terrorist groups. “And everyone knows that when you pay a ransom to terrorist hostage takers, you encourage more kidnappings. It’s why most countries say they don’t negotiate with terrorist hostage takers, but we did, because we had no choice, because we were blackmailed, because we had to bring everyone home, because there can be no one left behind. But have no doubt, Israel has taught Hamas that taking hostages works, that it will pay a ransom in future,” Levy cautioned.

Looking ahead, Levy argued that Israel must now confront the reality that more abductions are likely and develop strategies to prevent them. “And so Hamas and other Palestinian terrorist groups will now try to take more Israeli hostages. And Israel is going to have to think of creative and maybe aggressive ways to deter more hostage taking in future. That needs to be a national priority now that the October 7th hostage crisis is over. How do we stop Israelis from ever getting taken hostage again? Now that we taught the kidnappers that taking hostages pays. So I’m keeping this safe,” he concluded.

{Matzav.com}

A New York City police officer has been reassigned to modified duty after shooting and killing a raccoon that authorities say charged aggressively toward people in Rockaway Beach.

The incident took place at about 7:45 a.m. Thursday, after a 911 call reported an aggressive animal in the area, according to a police department spokesperson in a statement emailed Monday.

Police said officers responded to the boardwalk and attempted to guide the raccoon away from the area and toward a safer location. During that effort, the animal suddenly charged, prompting one officer to fire his weapon and strike the raccoon. No bystanders were hurt in the incident.

The officer involved has not been publicly identified. The department’s Force Investigation Division, which examines cases in which officers discharge their firearms, is handling the internal review.

As of Monday, it remained unclear whether officials intended to test the raccoon for rabies.

{Matzav.com}

[Video below.] NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte delivered a blunt message to European leaders on Monday, cautioning that the continent cannot ensure its own security without continued support from the United States.

Speaking to the European Parliament in Brussels, Rutte dismissed the notion that Europe could stand alone militarily, underscoring the depth of transatlantic dependence in defense matters. “If anyone thinks here again that the European Union, or Europe as a whole, can defend itself without the US, keep on dreaming. You can’t. We can’t. We need each other,” he said.

Rutte went on to warn that any serious attempt by Europe to act independently would require a massive and politically fraught increase in military investment. He said defense spending would need to rise to 10% of GDP if European nations “really want to do it alone,” along with the development of an independent nuclear deterrent—an undertaking that would cost billions.

Without U.S. backing, he cautioned, Europe would forfeit its most critical security protection. “In that scenario, you will lose the ultimate guarantor of our freedom, which is the US nuclear umbrella. So hey, good luck,” Rutte said.

His remarks followed a turbulent week for Europe and its Western partners, driven largely by President Donald Trump’s renewed push for U.S. ownership of Greenland. Trump raised the issue repeatedly before publicly ruling out the use of force to annex the Arctic island during his address at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Rutte nevertheless offered praise for Trump’s focus on Arctic security, even as he acknowledged that such comments might be unpopular with his audience. “I think he’s right. There is an issue with the Arctic region. There is an issue of collective security, because these sea lanes are opening up, and because the Chinese and the Russians are more and more active,” he said.

The NATO secretary general laid out two parallel tracks for addressing the Greenland issue. One would center on NATO assuming a greater collective role in safeguarding the Arctic, aimed at limiting both military and economic access by Russia and China.

The second track would continue through direct talks among the United States, Denmark, and Greenland. Rutte stressed that he would not take part in those discussions, saying he lacks any mandate to negotiate on Denmark’s behalf and has no intention of doing so.

Earlier this month, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen and Greenland’s foreign minister, Vivian Motzfeld, met in Washington with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Rasmussen later described the talks as “constructive,” while acknowledging that a “fundamental disagreement” remains unresolved.

A week later, Trump met with Rutte in Davos and said he had reached a framework for a Greenland deal with the NATO chief. Trump also announced that, as a result, he would refrain from imposing tariffs on European countries that had opposed his efforts to acquire the semi-autonomous Danish territory. While the details of the framework—and Rutte’s precise role—remain unclear, Trump’s abrupt reversal once again placed the NATO secretary general at the center of the debate.

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump has remained publicly silent on whether the United States is preparing for a direct strike on Iran, even as Washington concentrates a significant naval force near the region, including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln. Reports suggest that the buildup may be intended less as a prelude to immediate military action and more as leverage for intensified economic pressure.

Despite dramatic reports in recent days describing severe internal violence against Iranian civilians, the U.S. has not launched any overt attack on Tehran. Instead, Trump told Israeli journalist Barak Ravid on Sunday evening that “Iran wants to talk,” a remark that has added uncertainty about the administration’s intentions.

According to a senior American official cited by Ynet, Washington has conveyed a message to Tehran indicating it is open to negotiations.

Trump later elaborated on that stance, saying, “We are ‘open for business,’ as they say. If they want to reach out to us and they know the conditions, we’ll have talks. The Iranians know the conditions. They are very well aware of our terms.”

A new report aired by i24 News, and echoed by the Iranian opposition outlet Iran International, suggests that the White House may be weighing a strategy short of full-scale war: a naval blockade and economic chokehold on Iran, modeled on measures previously taken against Venezuela.

According to the report, the concept is actively being discussed within the White House, though no final decision has been made.

Despite extensive international sanctions and the recent reactivation of the “snapback” mechanism, Iran remains a major oil supplier to countries such as Russia and China. U.S. officials are said to be examining ways to disrupt those exports through maritime pressure rather than airstrikes.

The approach would mirror actions taken against Venezuela in recent years, aimed at weakening the regime of Nicolás Maduro by targeting its economic lifelines. Some analysts have dubbed the possible Iran strategy “Maduro 2.0.”

Still, observers caution against taking the administration’s conciliatory rhetoric at face value. Trump’s statements have fueled speculation that Washington may again be employing misdirection — similar to tactics used ahead of past operations.

Analysts point to a previous episode in which the White House announced that Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, would begin talks with Iran “the following week,” even as U.S. B-2 Spirit bombers were already preparing for a historic strike on Iranian nuclear facilities.

For now, the presence of the USS Abraham Lincoln and its strike group signals that, regardless of public diplomacy, the military option — or at least the threat of it — remains firmly on the table.

{Matzav.com}

[Links below.] Today, Tuesday of Parshas Beshalach, is a special day. Seforim tell us that it is extremely prudent to utilize this day to pray for parnassah, livelihood, for the next 12 months.

It is a widespread and accepted custom to recite “Parshas Hamonn,” the portion in the Torah that describes the way Hashem provided monn (i.e., parnassah from heaven) for the Yidden in the Midbar. This can be found in Sefer Shemos, Perek 16: 4-36. It is customary to read the pesukim twice and the Targum once, and also to recite a short tefillah for sustenance beforehand. (Click here for the tefillah as well as for the ArtScroll English translation of these pesukim. Click here for the parsha, including the Targum Onkelos.)

Reciting this parsha reminds us that just as Hashem sustained the Jews then, so too, He – and He alone – provides for each and every one of us now.

With Hashgacha Pratis, Divine Providence, Hashem looks after our every need down to the most minute and seemingly mundane detail.

The following is a short yet powerful essay by Rav Yissocher Frand, which teaches us an important lesson:

One Who Cheats In His Business Doesn’t Believe in G-d

By Rav Yissocher Frand

Parshas Mishpatim begins “And these are the statutes that you shall place before them.” There is a very famous Rashi on the words “And these”. Normally “these” would mean “to the exclusion of others”. But Rashi says that the conjunction “and” adds to what came before (vov mosif), in Parshas Yisro.

In Parshas Yisro, G-d gave us the Ten Commandments. Rashi here says that just as the Ten Commandments were given at Sinai, so too the laws that are recorded in Parshas Mishpatim were also given at Sinai.

The truth of the matter is that this Rashi requires understanding. There is another famous Rashi [Vayikra 25:1] on the words “On Mount Sinai” (mentioned in connection with Shmita) which asks, “What is the connection between Shmitah and Mount Sinai?” Rashi there answers that just like the laws of Shmita were given with all their rules and intricate details at Sinai, so too all other commands were given with their rules and intricate details at Sinai.

If that is the case, what is Rashi adding here, by telling us that the laws of Parshas Mishpatim were given at Sinai? We know that — the whole Torah was given at Sinai!

The Ramba”n says a very interesting thing. According to the Ramba”n, Parshas Mishpatim and the Parsha of the Ten Commandments were said together at the initial meeting of G-d with Moshe on Sinai (prior to the 40 day period when Moshe learned the rest of the Torah). Subsequent to that, Moshe Rabbeinu came down, taught the Jewish people what he had learned from G-d and then went back up to Mount Sinai to learn more.

What emerges from this Ramba”n is that the laws of one ox goring another ox, of digging a hole in the public domain, or paying workers on time, all the mundane intricacies of life have the same status and were given at the same time as the Ten Commandments. Therefore, Rashi is stating something significant.

But, is it not peculiar that almost in the same breath as G-d spoke “I am the L-rd your G-d who took you out from Egypt…”, the foundation of Judaism, He also told us about our responsibilities when we borrow our neighbor’s car?

Why does Parshas Mishpatim rate the same session as “I am the L-rd your G-d”?

Rav Moshe Feinstein, zt”l, said that this comes to teach us that if a person does not keep Parshas Mishpatim (monetary laws), he doesn’t believe in “I am the L-rd your G-d” either.

“I am the L-rd your G-d” is the theory — I believe. But the other side of the coin, the practice, is do you cheat in your business? If you cheat in your business, you do not believe in “I am the L-rd your G-d”.

Rav Moshe continues, if a person believes in G-d with more than lip service, then the person believes that G-d provides him with a livelihood. If a person believes that G-d provides the livelihood, then what reason is there to cheat? “A person’s livelihood is fixed for him from Rosh HaShannah” [Beitzah 16a]. If one believes that, there is no need to cheat. Anyone who cheats, does not believe it.

That is why “I am the L-rd your G-d” is in the same session as the law of how to pay one’s workers.

There was recently a meeting in New York of the Association of Jewish Certified Public Accountants; an organization appropriately called Cheshbon. Rav Schwab told this group that a person who is dishonest in business is a Kofer b’Ikkar (He denies G-d). For the same reason that we just mentioned — that if a person really believed, he would not need to cheat. One cheats because he thinks — “this will get me the parnossah”. Cheating indicates that he does not believe that G-d will take care of him.

Then Rav Schwab continued by saying the following. “You will ask that we see people who cheat a tremendous amount and are nonetheless, successful. Now if parnossah comes from G-d, how can that be?”

Rav Schwab explained that such people’s money comes from the ‘Sitra Achra’, from the forces of impurity in the world, not from G-d. No good will ever come out of the money that comes from the powers of impurity (Kochos HaTumah) in the world. He or his children or someone down the line will never see satisfaction (nachas) from that money.

The ‘test’ of earning a livelihood is not only a test of telling the truth, of not stealing, etc. It is a test of ‘I am the L-rd your G-d’. Daily, we are put to the ‘test’ of whether or not we really believe. If we really, really believe, then there is never a reason to be less than 100% honest in our dealings with other people and with ourselves.

{halachafortoday@yahoo.com/Noam Amdurski-Matzav.com Newscenter}

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By Rabbi Berach Steinfeld

Kriyas Yam Suf was the completion of Yetzias Mitzrayim. We learn a very interesting halacha from Kriyas Yam Suf.

A person once came to the Netziv with the following question. He had a massive fight with another person and swore that he would never see the other person again. That person later died, and now he wanted to stand in front of the niftar and ask mechilah. Does the shvua of never seeing him again apply after the person has died?

The Torah Temimah brings a raya from the posuk in Shmos 14:13, which says that the Yidden will not see Mitzrayim/Mitzriyim ever again. Later, the posuk states that the Yidden saw Mitzriyim dead by the seashore. The Medrash says that every Yid recognized the Mitzri who had made him work. From here we see that seeing someone after death is not considered a violation of a shvua never to see that person again.

However, the Targum Yonasan says that the Yidden did not see the Mitzriyim dead, but rather in the final throes of life (gossessin), which would seem to contradict what we said earlier. How were the Yidden able to see them if Hashem had told Moshe that they would never see them again?

We can answer that this is similar to the halacha of returning a stolen object. The Torah states that one must return the stolen item and then adds the words “asher gozal.” The Gemara learns from this that one must return the stolen object in the same condition it was in at the time it was stolen; that is what the word “asher” teaches us. Here too, the Torah says “asher” regarding the way Mitzrayim was seen today—in that manner they would not be seen again. The Yidden were not going to see them in the same way as they had seen them that day, but rather while they were taking their final breaths.

We see the importance of Kriyas Yam Suf being the completion of Yetzias Mitzrayim from the first of the Aseres Hadibros, where Hashem said the word “anochi.” During Kriyas Yam Suf, Hashem appeared as a warrior ready to do battle, whereas during Mattan Torah, Hashem appeared as an elderly person full of rachamim. Hashem was conveying that even though He appears differently in different situations, He is the same Hashem.

In Tosafos in Brachos 13b, it is paskened that if one is in a place during Kriyas Shema where he would be permitted to respond Shalom Aleichem to a person to whom he must show respect, then it stands to reason that he may also answer amein and Kedusha. However, if one is in the middle of Shemone Esrei, it would be forbidden. It is a kal vachomer that since between Go’al Yisrael and Shemone Esrei one is forbidden to be mafsik, then certainly in the middle of Shemone Esrei one would be forbidden to be mafsik.

Rabbeinu Tam would stop between Mi Kamocha and Shira Chadasha and answer all the ameins. Only afterward would he begin Shemone Esrei. He did this because Shira Chadasha discusses Kriyas Yam Suf, and that is what Rabbeinu Tam was somech his Shemone Esrei to—not something directly related to Yetzias Mitzrayim. From here we see that Kriyas Yam Suf was the culmination of Yetzias Mitzrayim. It is therefore considered the geulah that must immediately precede Shemone Esrei without any hefsek.

May we be zocheh to be like the people in Mitzrayim who were redeemed with great miracles, including Kriyas Yam Suf.

{Matzav.com}