Matzav

Tension inside the governing coalition has intensified as the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee has continued advancing the controversial draft law. The committee held its fourth discussion on the bill, with two additional sessions scheduled this week, including a late-night meeting on Tuesday.

The steady progress of the legislation has triggered urgent pressure within the coalition on United Torah Judaism to lift its current boycott on preliminary Knesset votes. Last week, despite visible movement on the bill, UTJ ultimately upheld the boycott, largely due to intense resistance from Agudas Yisroel.

Information obtained by Emes News indicates that while Agudas Yisroel still opposes ending the boycott, Degel HaTorah is now leaning toward voting with the coalition in Wednesday’s session. A final decision is expected at tomorrow’s faction meeting. Media personality Yinon Magal has already reported that “the chareidim are expected this week to resume voting with the coalition on bills in preliminary readings.”

The divide places Degel HaTorah in the decisive role. Degel is aligned with Shas on voting strategy; therefore, if Degel and Shas return to supporting the coalition, the government will have the numbers to pass preliminary legislation even without Agudas Yisroel’s backing.

The shifting dynamics highlight a growing question inside the coalition: As pressure mounts around the draft law, which chareidi faction ultimately holds the stronger influence, and how long can the current boycott remain in place?

A final decision from Degel HaTorah is expected within the next 24 hours, one that may determine whether the coalition regains stability or spirals into deeper internal conflict.

{Matzav.com}

Avrumi Malul, a yeshiva bochur who was arrested for refusing to enlist in the IDF, described the harrowing conditions he faced during his detention in Military Prison 10.

Speaking with Yankele Friedman on Kol Chai Radio, Malul said the experience was nothing short of “gehennom,” beginning from the moment he was taken from his home community and transported to jail.

He was arrested on Sunday morning at 10 a.m. and released the following Friday just before Shabbos. Although he had been sentenced to seven days, he ultimately served six. “Hashem had mercy on me,” he said. “They removed the Shabbos from my sentence, so I was released Friday.”

He recalled that during the drive to the prison, he caught sight of his own neighborhood through the transport windows and felt a stab of deep pain. Upon arrival, he underwent a full security check, was given prison uniforms—“extremely unpleasant,” he noted—and was placed in handcuffs.

Malul explained that his difficult conditions stemmed from what he thought was a harmless answer during his intake interview. Prison staff asked routine questions, including whether he intended to escape. Thinking he might receive more lenient treatment if he appeared weak or pitiable, he tried to portray himself accordingly. The strategy backfired. “It turned against me,” he said. He was placed in the separation wing, which he described as the harshest part of Prison 10. The wing had no phone, no books, no amenities, nothing at all. He was housed with only two other inmates who were not yeshiva students, leaving him with no shared background and no sense of companionship. The isolation and environment were “unbearable,” he said.

Inside the prison, Malul found himself fighting simply to observe basic religious practices. He asked to daven with a minyan at five o’clock in the morning, but was refused. In the separation wing, he said, there is no possibility of gathering a minyan at all. The distress grew more severe when he was prevented from putting on Rabbeinu Tam tefillin, which he has worn faithfully for years as part of his family’s tradition. Desperate, he even asked the wing commander to allow him to do guard duty—solely to gain access to his tefillin. “I begged her,” he said. “I asked, please let me do guard duty so I can put them on.” She refused, explaining that he was not authorized because he had already met with an attorney that day. “I went to sleep that night… and I hadn’t put them on,” he recalled painfully. “After years and years of never missing it.” Only once did he manage to put on Rabbeinu Tam tefillin, borrowing a pair from an inmate in a nearby wing.

Conditions in the prison, he said, were extremely harsh. His daily time outdoors was limited to twenty minutes, and even then he was required to walk with his hands behind his back, unable to move freely without express permission from a commander. The food was meager, consisting mainly of dry bread and a piece of cheese. Although there were meals labeled “mehadrin,” he described their appearance as “in the worst condition imaginable,” adding that even the regular IDF food lacked any visible kosher certification and was hardly edible. Eventually, Malul was transferred to a regular platoon, which he described as “paradise compared to the separation wing,” though he was still required to perform guard duty like other inmates.

Malul expressed deep anguish for the yeshiva boys who remain in the prison, trying to maintain their religious commitments under impossible circumstances. He said the inmates urgently need spiritual support and called for a rabbi to visit daily to provide even a short shiur. Upon his release, he felt a mixture of relief and sorrow. “My eyes cried bitterly, but my heart was happy,” he said of his first steps outside the prison. “I’m glad I was released, but it hurts me for all the yeshiva boys who are still there. Spending Shabbos in that place is gehennom.”

{Matzav.com}

A legislative discussion in the Ministerial Committee for Legislation erupted into shouting and personal attacks on Sunday, as a fierce confrontation broke out between Deputy Attorney General Gil Limon and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir.

The committee was debating a bill intended to formalize who appoints the special prosecutor in cases involving investigations of the Attorney General or the Military Advocate General. The proposal would grant Justice Minister Yariv Levin the authority to make such appointments.

What began as a tense discussion quickly spiraled into a verbal clash after Limon accused Ben Gvir of repeatedly attempting to interfere in criminal investigations. Both Channel 12 and Kan News reported on the dramatic exchange, publishing direct quotes from inside the meeting.

Limon confronted Ben Gvir sharply:
“You are forbidden to intervene in investigations—not through legislation, not by influencing the appointments of officers, not through discussions in which you order materials to be transferred. You are forbidden! Time after time you try to interfere, acting in violation of the principles document you yourself signed.”

Ben Gvir fired back immediately:
“You’re talking about conflicts? You are one big conflict of interest!”

Limon insisted he has no involvement in the investigation under discussion:
“I have no knowledge of the investigation and no details.”

Justice Minister Levin then joined the fray:
“You’re backing away. If you were a witness in my investigation, I’d see how frightened you are.”

Ben Gvir demanded answers:
“I want you to answer me clearly—did you or did you not improperly interfere in the investigation?”

Limon responded:
“What you are doing right now is political interference. You are demonstrating exactly that.”

Ben Gvir:
“What are you afraid of? We asked you a simple question—answer it.”

Levin accused the Attorney General’s Office of failure:
“You failed miserably. You should have stepped aside and allowed Ben Hamo to rule.”

Coalition MK Shlomo Karhi jumped in with another accusation:
“Is it true that the Attorney General, who briefed the IDF Chief of Staff on the investigation, knew he was meeting Meni Benjamin?”

Ben Gvir taunted Limon repeatedly:
“It’s obvious you’re recording this. You’re red, embarrassed, and avoiding answers.”

Limon maintained his position:
“I repeat again and again: you are violating the principles document and the rulings of the Supreme Court.”

At that point, Ben Gvir escalated sharply:
“You… the days are over when you intimidated ministers. The days are over when you behaved like a mafia. Don’t you understand that, Gil Limon? Who are YOU to threaten me?”

Limon replied calmly:
“I am not threatening you.”

But Ben Gvir insisted:
“You just threatened me. Who are you to threaten me? You are a civil servant—and you will behave like a civil servant!”

{Matzav.com}

A fierce political dispute erupted after Housing and Construction Minister Chaim Katz began considering the appointment of Yehuda Morgenstern—who previously served as director-general of the ministry under Minister Yitzchok Goldknopf—as acting director-general of the Israel Land Authority. The prospective appointment sparked widespread backlash in the political arena, and former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett even declared that if he returns to office, he will cancel the senior appointment.

The loudest criticism came from Minister Amichai Shikli, who openly opposed Morgenstern’s anticipated appointment. Shikli stated, “I have nothing whatsoever against Yehuda Morgenstern, a wise and pleasant man, but the Israel Land Authority must not be placed in the hands of the ‘real estate Chassidus’ of Gur!”

Shikli argued that the head of the Israel Land Authority must be someone motivated by Zionist priorities: “The director of the Israel Land Authority must—especially now—be someone whose driving force is Zionism, strengthening Jewish settlement in the Galilee and Negev, and supporting IDF soldiers and reservists.”

He went on sharply criticizing past policies: “We have had enough of the five bitter and difficult years for settlement under Yanki Quint. The Israel Land Authority needs a director whose only concern is Zionism.”

UTJ chairman MK Yitzchok Goldknopf responded with a blistering attack, accusing Shikli of bigotry and discriminatory rhetoric. Goldknopf said, “The minister’s repulsive statement is tainted with condescension, hatred of the other, and a toxicity usually found only among haters of Israel.”

He continued, saying that Shikli’s comments were especially inappropriate given his public role combating antisemitism abroad: “As someone tasked with fighting antisemitism, Shikli should restrain himself and understand that saying Yehuda Morgenstern’s appointment means the authority will be controlled by the Gur community is a disgrace and a shame. Disqualifying a person because of his affiliation with a Chassidic group is an injustice—exactly the kind of injustice Shikli claims to fight abroad, where people and communities are targeted because of their Jewish identity.”

Goldknopf went on to defend Morgenstern’s reputation and qualifications: “Yehuda Morgenstern is a man who worked his way up through effort and diligence, and no one disputes his professionalism, credentials, or abilities.”

Finally, he issued a direct call to Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu: “It is expected of the prime minister that when a minister from his own party and government makes such statements, he will condemn them.”

{Matzav.com}

Israel’s Ministry of Defense released new data early Monday marking the National Day of Appreciation for Wounded IDF Soldiers and Security Personnel, revealing a staggering picture of the toll taken since the Simchas Torah massacre two years ago.

According to the Rehabilitation Department, 82,400 wounded individuals are currently receiving care, including 31,000 coping with psychological injuries and post-trauma.

Since the Hamas surprise attack on Simchas Torah, approximately 22,000 newly wounded have entered the rehabilitation system. Of these:

• 58% are suffering from psychological trauma

• 63% are reservists

• 49% are under the age of 30

The ministry estimates that by the end of 2026, another 10,000 wounded will be added—most of them battling psychological injuries.

Looking further ahead, projections show that by 2028 the Rehabilitation Department will be treating around 100,000 wounded, half of whom will be individuals dealing with psychological trauma.

In response to the growing national challenge, the Ministry of Defense announced: “Given the scope of the wounded and the national challenge, the Ministry of Defense, in partnership with the Ministry of Finance, established a public committee headed by Prof. Mori Yosef to examine expanding national support, treatment, and services for wounded IDF soldiers.”

The ministry noted a significant expansion in resources: “The department is broadening its medical and psychological treatment framework and the realization of rights. Its budget has risen by 53% and now stands at 8.3 billion shekels, half of which—4.1 billion shekels—is dedicated to services for those with psychological injuries, who make up roughly one-third of our patients.”

The past year has seen major increases in demand:

• The number of psychological treatments provided has doubled

• Use of alternative therapies has risen by about 50%

• Calls to the “One Soul” mental-health hotline have surged by nearly 80%

{Matzav.com}

A joyous milestone was marked in Modi’in Illit, where the wedding of the first granddaughter of the Mirrer mashgiach, Rav Binyomin Finkel, was celebrated.

The kallah is a daughter of Rav Moshe Finkel, son of the mashgiach and son-in-law of Rav Eliezer Lieberman.

The event drew a large crowd of rabbonim and community figures who came to honor the mashgiach and rejoice with him at this significant moment.

PHOTOS:

Police have revealed a sweeping security scandal that has rocked the quiet community of Givat Ze’ev, where several private security guards were arrested on suspicion of facilitating the entry and employment of illegal Palestinian residents in return for money.

According to details cleared for publication, investigators from the Yerushalayim Central Unit detained seven guards employed by a private firm contracted to secure the town. Their arrests followed a lengthy undercover investigation launched after the Givat Ze’ev Local Council formally approached the police with concerns.

Officers moved in during daylight hours last week, bringing the covert probe into the open. Investigators believe the guards exploited their authority at local checkpoints, allegedly accepting payments to allow unauthorized individuals to slip past security screening points.

Police said that on November 30, detectives executed the first wave of arrests against four suspects, some of whom were working as guards at Givat Ze’ev. With those arrests, the months-long undercover investigation became public, and a court-imposed gag order—meant to protect the early stages of the probe—expired this morning.

Authorities outlined what they described as a systematic arrangement: the guards allegedly coordinated with Palestinian residents to grant “free passage” to illegal entrants by bypassing the main inspection route at the Ofer security checkpoint.

Once inside, police say, the illegal entrants would merge onto Route 443 and board waiting vehicles bearing Israeli license plates. Those cars would then drive together into the Agan Ayelet neighborhood through a residents-only gate staffed by guards, thereby sidestepping the primary security screening mechanism entirely. From there, the way into any part of Israel was effectively open.

Investigators estimate that the guards—tasked specifically with safeguarding the town—received tens of thousands of shekels in exchange for their cooperation. The probe also uncovered that some of the illegal entrants later found employment at various locations, where they were ultimately discovered and detained by police. In several cases, businesses employing them were shut down under police orders for hiring individuals without legal status.

Givat Ze’ev Local Council head Yossi Asraf issued a sharply worded statement condemning the alleged betrayal: “We view with utmost severity the suspicions against guards who, if true, violated their duties and endangered the security of Givat Ze’ev’s residents. Our trust in the security apparatus is fundamental, and any breach of that trust is unforgivable. I welcome the swift and determined action of YMAR Jerusalem, launched at the council’s request, and we rely on the police to uncover the full truth and prosecute all involved.”

Asraf urged residents to remain vigilant and report anything unusual: “I call on every resident of Givat Ze’ev to continue exercising alertness and to contact us regarding any wrongdoing or suspected illegal activity. You are our eyes on the ground, and together with the community we will safeguard the security of the council.”

Council officials said they will continue reviewing the town’s security infrastructure, tightening oversight procedures, and taking all necessary steps to prevent similar incidents in the future.

“We will not allow anyone to erode the personal safety of our residents,” Asraf emphasized, “and we will take every measure required to protect them.”

{Matzav.com}

A top voice on border enforcement raised an alarm this weekend about escalating hostility toward federal immigration agents. Appearing on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Trump border czar Tom Homan said the dangers faced by Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel have skyrocketed, noting that “Threats on ICE officers are up 1200%.”

Homan described a climate in which officers are increasingly targeted, explaining that “They’re being doxxed on social media. They’re getting death threats every day. They’ve been attacked. They’ve been shot at.” He stressed that these agents regularly pursue some of the most dangerous offenders in the country, prompting them to take necessary precautions while working within legal boundaries. Homan insisted that “I think they’re following the law. And if any ICE officer acts out of policy or does something inappropriate, they’ll be held accountable.”

Expanding on that theme, Homan pushed back against what he characterized as a distorted national narrative. He argued that the public conversation has somehow inverted reality, saying, “we’re at a place in this country where all of a sudden the ones who enforce law, the bad guys and the ones who broke the laws are victims.” He said he maintains confidence in frontline personnel: “I’m going to trust the men and women of ICE and Border Patrol who have been trained very well to do the right thing.”

Homan emphasized that oversight remains essential, even as he continues to defend the professionalism of federal officers. “If someone does something inappropriate, out of policy, illegal, they need to be held accountable,” he said, while also cautioning that he cannot personally witness every situation in the field: “I haven’t seen that. And again, I’m not in every arrest. I’m not in every operation. I trust the men and women of ICE and Border Patrol do the right thing.”

{Matzav.com}

WATCH:

LISTEN:

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

LISTEN:

Hamas’s external chief Khaled Mashal delivered a fiery address that openly celebrated the organization’s armed campaign and portrayed the group’s arsenal as a source of national dignity, vowing that its struggle against Israel would continue. Speaking via video to supporters gathered in Istanbul, he praised the October 7 attacks as a defining event meant to push Israel from what he called “our homeland,” while dismissing the foundations of President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan for Gaza.

His remarks were broadcast on Al Jazeera during the “Pledge to Jerusalem” conference, where Mashal charted an uncompromising vision for the next stage of Hamas’s strategy. Even though the group has publicly entered the first phase of the U.S.-mediated ceasefire that began two months ago, he rejected the core requirements of the American proposal — including international oversight, demilitarization, and Hamas’s removal from governing authority.

Mashal told his audience that although the stage he described as the most brutal period of a “genocidal war” had passed, the conflict with Israel would continue. The message he delivered cast Gaza as the spearhead of a broader regional mission and the October 7 “Al-Aqsa Flood” massacre as an uprising that set into motion what he sees as a turning tide for Palestinians.

He appealed to the global Muslim community to unify around what he described as a religious and national campaign centered on Jerusalem, asserting that the “liberation of Jerusalem” must become the symbol of Palestinian aspirations. Among the ambitions he laid out were claims that the Al-Aqsa Mosque must be “cleansed,” holy sites reclaimed, and that Gaza’s actions had “turned into the pride of the nation and the conscience of nations.”

Israeli media outlets highlighted passages in which he dismissed any possibility of external authority assuming control of Gaza or the West Bank, declaring that Palestinians themselves alone possess the right to govern. Mashal insisted that Hamas will not accept any “guardianship, mandate and re-occupation” of Gaza or “all of Palestine,” and that “the Palestinian is the one who governs himself and decides for himself.”

This rejection extended directly to the International Stabilization Force and the Board of Peace that the Trump peace plan envisions as central elements of Gaza’s transition. Mashal argued that attempts to redefine Palestinian claims “into misleading frameworks are rejected,” reinforcing his refusal to allow outside actors to shape Gaza’s future.

One of the strongest themes of his speech was Hamas’s pledge never to relinquish its arms. He declared that “the resistance project and its weapons must be protected,” describing them as fundamental to Palestinian identity, and stated that “the resistance and its weapons are the honor and strength of the nation.” He mocked diplomatic appeals, saying “a thousand statements are not worth a single projectile of iron.”

Mashal predicted that Gaza would eventually oust foreign forces and described this period as an “opportunity” for Palestinians to “remove this entity [Israel] from our homeland and exclude it from the international stage.” He portrayed Hamas’s war effort as a vehicle for reshaping both regional politics and international legitimacy.

Even the pro-Palestinian outlet Palestine Chronicle underscored that Mashal’s message rested on a few central pillars: Yerushalayim, resistance through arms, and the insistence that no external bodies may direct Gaza’s future. It framed the speech as a blueprint for Hamas’s next phase of activity.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry swiftly circulated clips of Mashal’s remarks, warning that the Hamas leader’s rhetoric “made a mockery of President Trump’s peace plan” and signaled that Hamas has “no intention of disarming, giving up its weapons, its rule, or its path.” The ministry stressed that Mashal had also rejected any international presence in Gaza, calling his speech a repudiation of the plan’s fundamental conditions.

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar reinforced that interpretation, noting that Mashal had publicly thrown out every requirement that made the ceasefire and hostage-release process possible. He argued that Mashal’s statements illustrate why negotiations with Hamas remain deeply unstable.

HonestReporting, which monitors media portrayals of Israel, pointed out that Mashal’s sweeping rejection of disarmament was ignored by Western outlets. Idit Bar, a researcher on Arab and Islamic affairs quoted by the group, said Mashal “put all the cards on the table: no to disarmament, no to relinquishing Hamas’ rule, yes to the annihilation of Israel, yes to the liberation of Jerusalem.” She emphasized that calls for “cleansing” Al-Aqsa of “impure Jews” and freeing prisoners effectively incentivize more kidnappings, given Hamas’s lessons from October 7.

Mashal also laid out additional goals, including halting what he described as the “Judaization” of Judea and Samaria and intensifying regional coordination against Israel. He urged supporters to challenge Israeli officials in international bodies and to expand activism on college campuses and in the media.

Within Hamas-friendly networks, the speech circulated widely as a statement of direction for the organization, placing Jerusalem and armed struggle above all other considerations. The celebration of resistance and the rejection of outside authority became the speech’s defining features.

Mashal’s hardline posture stood in stark contrast to comments released one day later by another senior Hamas official, Bassem Naim. Speaking to the Associated Press in Doha, Naim said Hamas was “very open minded” about pursuing a “comprehensive approach” that could involve “freezing or storing” its weapons for a period of five to ten years as part of an extended truce intended to pave the way for a Palestinian state.

Naim maintained that Hamas still holds its “right to resist,” yet acknowledged that the group might permit its arsenal to be placed under Palestinian controls with guarantees “not to use it at all during this ceasefire time or truce.” At the same time, he insisted that international forces would not be permitted “inside the Palestinian territories,” limiting any foreign role to border-monitoring duties.

Under Trump’s 20-point plan, such a temporary weapons freeze falls short of what the proposal requires. The framework, endorsed by the UN Security Council, calls for Hamas’s complete disarmament, the transfer of internal security responsibilities to vetted Palestinian police units supported by an International Stabilization Force, and the handover of governance to a technocratic Palestinian committee.

One of the plan’s provisions makes clear that Hamas and similar organizations must “not have any role in the governance of Gaza, directly, indirectly, or in any form,” and that all terrorist infrastructure, including tunnels and weapons factories, must be dismantled and prevented from reemerging.

The plan mandates the creation of a temporary International Stabilization Force in Gaza to cooperate with Israel and Egypt on border security, to prevent weapons from entering the Strip, and to oversee the reconstruction process through a controlled flow of goods. The ISF would effectively manage the transition from IDF control to Palestinian civilian administration under a deconfliction mechanism.

Point 17 allows Israel and stabilization forces to move ahead district by district if Hamas refuses to uphold the agreement, enabling reconstruction to occur in “terror-free areas handed over from the IDF to the ISF” while remaining pockets of resistance are addressed separately.

Retired U.S. Army Major John Spencer referenced this clause in his analysis online, arguing that Hamas’s leadership no longer holds the leverage it once did. He suggested that the IDF could continue “high intensity operations against Hamas to kill, capture, disarm Hamas one area at a time while other forces create bubbles of stability for ever increasing size of the population,” implying that Mashal’s stance fits within contingencies anticipated by the plan.

{Matzav.com}

The widening federal fraud scandal tied to a taxpayer-funded meal program is casting a long shadow over Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s future prospects, with allies beginning to question whether he can survive another gubernatorial run—let alone pursue higher office. According to a report from The Hill, the fallout from the scheme, which siphoned away staggering sums intended to feed children during the COVID-19 shutdowns, is reshaping political calculations across the state.

The controversy centers around elaborate theft operations involving members of Minnesota’s sizable Somali community, where federal investigators say participants stole huge amounts of money from pandemic-era nutrition initiatives. More than 50 people have already been convicted, and prosecutors have suggested that the overall haul—across several schemes—may total as much as $1 billion. The scope of the scandal gained national visibility after The New York Times highlighted it on November 29.

The political ramifications are mounting quickly. Longtime associates of Walz are reportedly wondering whether he should abandon the idea of seeking a third term, with several of them telling The Hill that the governor’s vulnerability is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.

One of the most striking assessments came from Ember Reichgott Junge, a former Democratic state senator and a well-known political commentator in Minnesota, who told the outlet, “The governor, I think, has done a very respectable job, a good job, in Minnesota for the years that he’s been here. But he clearly is vulnerable and in my view, he is riskier than any Democratic candidate that might run.” She emphasized that the fraud “happened on his watch” and added that Walz “can’t erase that.” Though she acknowledged that he has ordered audits and corrective measures, she warned that those probes will “probably uncover more.”

Reichgott Junge noted that the scandal dominates local news cycles, appearing “nearly every other day,” and predicted it will “continue to surface through the next year.”

Compounding the pressure, Small Business Administration Secretary Kelly Loeffler wrote on X that her agency has found evidence of fraud as well, accusing Walz of using his “best efforts to obstruct” inquiries.

Another veteran Walz ally, speaking anonymously, told The Hill that the damage may stretch far beyond the governor’s local prospects, potentially crushing any national ambitions. The source explained, “The challenges are that Minnesota has a very low tolerance for fraud, waste and abuse. It’s a very low threshold, and that’s one of the reasons the state has worked so well for so long. It’s clearly a real vulnerability.”

Additional reporting from Breitbart News revealed that nearly 500 state employees claim Walz repeatedly dismissed their warnings about widespread fraud carried out by Somalis in state-funded aid programs. Some even allege that whistleblowers were punished by Walz’s political allies for sounding the alarm.

Walz, now 61, first burst into national relevance roughly a year and a half ago when then–Vice President Kamala Harris selected him as her running mate, sparking high hopes among Democrats. But one senior party strategist offered a blunt retrospective, telling The Hill, “I think we all had high hopes for him, but I don’t think he was a very effective running mate at the end of the day. It never seemed like he was comfortable in the role beyond his rollout.”

{Matzav.com}

Hamas hinted Sunday that it may be willing to place its weapons under long-term storage or suspension as part of its ceasefire arrangement with Israel—an unprecedented suggestion from a senior figure in the organization and one that touches the core dispute in the US-brokered truce process.

The remarks came from Bassem Naim, a senior member of Hamas’s political bureau, as both sides prepare to move from the initial stage of President Donald Trump’s 20-point Gaza framework into the far more complicated second phase. Speaking in Doha, where much of the group’s leadership is based, Naim said, “We are open to have a comprehensive approach in order to avoid further escalations or in order to avoid any further clashes or explosions.”

The ongoing ceasefire began on October 10, halting two years of combat that followed the Hamas rampage in southern Israel on October 7, 2023—a massacre in which roughly 1,200 people were murdered and 251 were kidnapped. When asked whether that invasion had been a strategic error, Naim rejected the premise, calling it an “act of defense.” Hamas leaders have openly pledged to carry out additional attacks modeled on October 7 as part of their stated aim of destroying Israel.

Under the terms of the ceasefire, Hamas was obligated to return every hostage — living or deceased — in exchange for Palestinian security prisoners held by Israel. With only the remains of Israeli policeman Ran Gvili still in Gaza after his murder on October 7, the parties are now shifting toward the next stage of the agreement.

The upcoming phase outlines the political and security blueprint meant to reshape Gaza after years of conflict. It envisions a multinational force to stabilize the region, the establishment of a technocratic Palestinian administrative committee, an incremental withdrawal of Israeli troops, and ultimately the disarmament of Hamas. Oversight of the plan — including Gaza’s reconstruction — is to be handled by an international board led by President Donald Trump.

Israel has insisted that Hamas surrender its arsenal entirely, a demand Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he is prepared to enforce “the hard way” if the group resists. In response, Naim asserted that Hamas still claims a “right to resist,” yet he maintained that the movement would consider relinquishing its weapons as part of a wider process that leads to the creation of a Palestinian state.

He offered only a sketch of how such a mechanism might function but suggested that the talks could take place over an extended calm lasting five or 10 years. Naim emphasized, “This time has to be used seriously and in a comprehensive way,” describing Hamas as “very open-minded” regarding the future of its arsenal.

He even outlined specific options under discussion, saying, “We can talk about freezing or storing or laying down, with the Palestinian guarantees, not to use it at all during this ceasefire time or truce.” Whether this formulation satisfies Israel’s demand for total disarmament remains unclear.

The components of this stage were included in Trump’s 20-point proposal unveiled in October alongside several “guarantor” nations. Though it was later approved by the UN Security Council, major questions remain unanswered, and the plan will require intricate diplomacy involving the US and partners such as Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey. As Naim acknowledged, “The plan is in need of a lot of clarifications.”

One urgent issue is the composition and mandate of the planned International Stabilization Force. Countries including Indonesia have expressed willingness to contribute troops, yet its leadership structure, mission parameters, and geographic authority are still undefined. US officials have indicated they expect “boots on the ground” early next year.

A central question is whether this force would play any role in disarmament. Naim made Hamas’s position clear, stating that such an approach would be rejected. Instead, he said the force should limit itself to monitoring the truce, explaining, “We are welcoming a UN force to be near the borders, supervising the ceasefire agreement, reporting about violations, preventing any kind of escalations.” But he added emphatically, “We don’t accept that these forces have any kind of mandates authorizing them to do or to be implemented inside the Palestinian territories.”

Despite the many unresolved issues, Naim said that Hamas and the Palestinian Authority have made progress on forming the technocratic panel that will oversee Gaza’s day-to-day governance. According to him, the sides have agreed on a West Bank–based Palestinian cabinet minister originally from Gaza to lead the body. He withheld the individual’s name, though Hamas officials — speaking anonymously — identified the figure as Health Minister Majed Abu Ramadan.

{Matzav.com}

The mobile phone belonging to captivity survivor Bar Kupershtein made its way back to him on Sunday evening, more than half a day after it vanished when his vehicle was burglarized during the night. The break-in, which happened while he slept, left a shattered window and a missing device—but not a broken spirit.

A friend managed to track down the phone’s location after Kupershtein shared its live coordinates through an app. Kupershtein later posed with the recovered device and wrote joyfully, “He actually found my phone, what a champ! Thank you so much.”

Earlier that morning, he had told his followers about discovering the scene of the break-in, recalling his reaction upon stepping outside. “I woke up this morning, went to the car, and saw it had been broken into. They smashed the window and stole the phone. And you know what? It’s all fine,” he said.

Instead of dwelling on the theft, Kupershtein chose to frame the experience with perspective born from his time in captivity. He explained why he refused to feel bitter, remarking, “We need to look at the glass half full. I’m grateful that what I have to deal with is going to the police station to file a complaint, and not being stuck in tunnels wondering what I’ll eat now, or if they’ll even give me food. Thank you that this is what I need to deal with. It’s not fun, but it’s more interesting. Thank you to the Lord.”

As the day went on, Kupershtein shared that the phone’s signal had been traced to Petach Tikva. Hopeful and slightly amused, he declared his intention to follow the trail, signing off with a wry message to the culprit: “I’m coming for you, thief.”

{Matzav.com}

Iran and Hezbollah, once the anchors of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, abruptly withdrew from Syria just before Assad’s downfall, according to a newly published AFP account. Their hasty departure unfolded as Islamist-led rebels surged into Damascus last December, leaving Syria’s longtime ruler without the foreign backing he had relied on for more than a decade.

For years, Iran had poured personnel and resources into propping up Assad—deploying Revolutionary Guards, stationing Hezbollah fighters, and bringing in allied militias from Iraq and Afghanistan. Yet the moment rebel forces tightened their encirclement of the capital, that relationship collapsed with stunning speed, the report says, leaving Syrian forces stunned at how quickly Tehran disengaged.

Syrian military personnel described the shock that rippled through Damascus’s Mazzeh district on December 5, when Iranian commander Hajj Abu Ibrahim suddenly informed about twenty Syrian officers, “From today, there will be no more Iranian Revolutionary Guards in Syria. We’re leaving.” He added a second blunt declaration: “It’s all over. From today, we are no longer responsible for you.”

Within hours, units were ordered to burn classified papers and wipe computer systems. Iranian-aligned soldiers received a month of pay and were dismissed outright. Two days later, Assad himself fled to Russia, and Damascus fell with virtually no resistance, the report recounts.

Diplomatic staff vanished as quickly as the fighters. AFP reports that Iran’s consulate had emptied out by the evening of December 5, with diplomats slipping across the Lebanese border. Syrian workers described long lines—up to eight hours—at the Jdeidet Yabus crossing as Iran’s personnel scrambled to get out. Employees were told not to report to work and were handed three months’ salary before operations at the embassy, consulate, and related security facilities ceased entirely on December 6.

Iran had previously built a widespread military footprint across Syria, including entrenched positions in the Damascus suburbs, near the Sayyida Zeinab shrine, at the airport, along border zones with Lebanon and Iraq, and throughout Aleppo. But once Aleppo fell, Colonel Mohammad Dibo—now in Syria’s reconstituted army—summed up the turning point tersely: “Iran stopped fighting.”

What followed was a chaotic evacuation. A former Syrian officer recounted that senior Iranian commander Hajj Jawad and others were rushed to Russia’s Hmeimim airbase and flown directly to Tehran. Dibo said that roughly 4,000 Iranian personnel were moved out through the same base, while additional groups escaped through Iraq and Lebanon. In the confusion, Iranian officers even left behind passports, identification documents, and other personal materials as they fled.

{Matzav.com}

In a new video released Sunday, Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani positioned himself as a defender of New York’s millions of immigrants, offering guidance on how those in the country illegally can respond during encounters with federal immigration officers. His message came on the heels of an ICE operation in Chinatown last weekend that was halted by demonstrators.

Mamdani opened his remarks by invoking the tense scenes from Canal Street, declaring, “Last weekend, ICE attempted to raid Canal Street and detain our immigrant neighbors,” before adding, “As mayor, I’ll protect the rights of every single New Yorker. And that includes the more than 3 million immigrants who call this city their home.”

Standing beside a flip chart reading “Know your rights,” Mamdani urged viewers to push back when confronted by immigration agents. “But we can all stand up to ICE if you know your rights,” he said, stressing that ICE’s authority does not grant them automatic entry into homes, schools, or private work areas. “ICE cannot enter into private spaces like your home, school, or private area of your workplace without a judicial warrant signed by a judge,” he stated, displaying an example of such a warrant.

He continued outlining what immigrants should and should not do, noting, “You have the right to say, ‘I do not consent to entry,’ and the right to keep your door closed.” Mamdani then showed an example of other paperwork ICE officers sometimes present, emphasizing that it is not the same as a judicial warrant.

WATCH:

He also warned that ICE officers may mislead individuals, saying, “ICE is legally allowed to lie to you. But you have the right to remain silent. If you are being detained, you may always ask, ‘Am I free to go?’ repeatedly until they answer you.” He reminded viewers that recording officers is permissible so long as it does not obstruct an arrest: “You are legally allowed to film ICE, as long as you do not interfere with an arrest.”

Mamdani closed with a broader pledge regarding civic activism: “New Yorkers have a constitutional right to protest, and when I’m mayor, we will protect that right.”

The video immediately set off sharp criticism from conservatives, many of whom predict escalating friction between the incoming city administration and President Trump’s White House over immigration enforcement. Commentator Carmine Sabia challenged Mamdani’s message, asking, “Then you ignore laws that you do not like? We should not bother to have borders or immigration laws?” Others accused the mayor-elect of overstepping, with one user writing, “Aiding abetting and advising criminals,” while another insisted, “This man is the best gift Democrats have ever handed to GOP.”

The uproar comes just weeks after Mamdani’s unusually warm meeting with President Trump in Washington—an encounter that now appears unlikely to set the tone for their future dealings.

The controversy also follows a chaotic scene in Lower Manhattan, where nearly 200 demonstrators blocked ICE agents from leaving a parking garage during last weekend’s operation. It marked the second major raid in the area in a month and a half, following the arrest of nine illegal immigrants during similar enforcement actions in October.

{Matzav.com}

A remarkable feel-good story unfolded in New York this past week after a black Brooklyn resident who calls himself Zeus discovered a lost shtreimel and went on a mission to return it to its rightful owner. His search, documented in several videos, ended in an emotional meeting.

In his first video, Zeus addressed “my Jewish people,” explaining that although he is not himself Jewish, he has always admired the large fur hats he sees worn in Brooklyn.

“I always wanted one of these hats, the shnitzels,” he  said, mispronouncing shtreimel as he held it up to the camera, marveling at its craftsmanship and joking that it carried “power.”

He explained that he stumbled upon the hat that morning while walking in the rain: the shtreimel, still in its case, appeared to have been discarded near a heater, soaked and covered in leaves.

Viewers immediately told him that such hats can cost thousands of dollars — information that stunned him.

“Guys, this is worth $6,000,” he exclaimed. Unsure what to do and in need of money, he briefly joked about selling it before deciding to try to find the owner.

A phone number found in the box led to Zeus calling the chassidishe man who had lost the shtreimel. “My name is Zeus… I found a shmeidel? Shtreimel, yeah, a shtreimel,” he told the surprised owner, who confirmed the loss and explained the baffling backstory: the hat disappeared weeks earlier after he briefly stepped out of an Uber to call for his wife. When he returned, the car had driven off, and Uber was unable to give him the driver’s information. The driver later denied having seen the hat, leaving the owner to assume it had been discarded.

Listening to the man tell the story, Zeus described how he couldn’t bring himself to leave the item to be destroyed by rain and garbage.

“I need good karma,” he told the owner. “I’m going to try and find the owner and give it back, ’cause I know this has a lot of religious value.”

The owner, astonished to hear the shtreimel had been found in its box on a Brooklyn street, quickly arranged to pick it up. Zeus dried and cleaned it as best as he could before sharing his location.

In his final video, waiting outside with the recovered shtreimel, Zeus grew unexpectedly moved. “I don’t know why I’m emotional — I’m happy emotional,” he said as he scanned the street for the owner. The moment the chassidishe man spotted him, he rushed over joyfully. Zeus described him warmly: “He was just so sweet… almost like a sweet elf.”

The owner arrived with a small gift — a bottle of tequila — to thank him for his good deed. As Zeus handed back the shtreimel, the man repeatedly expressed his gratitude.

The exchange, bridging cultures, communities, and backgrounds, is a touching Big Apple story.

WATCH THE VIDEOS BELOW:

{Matzav.com}

As the Israeli government pushes forward with the proposed draft law for the chareidi community, members of the Peleg Yerushalmi faction associated with Rav Tzvi Friedman are preparing to launch a protest on Monday in central Israel.

The legislation, promoted in the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee headed by MK Boaz Bismuth, is expected to come to a second and third reading soon. In response, activists from Peleg are organizing a demonstration to oppose the continued advancement of the draft bill.

The protest is tentatively scheduled for tomorrow afternoon in the central region. However, organizers note that the plan is not yet final and may still be canceled.

A separate report by Channel 13’s chareidi affairs correspondent Yoely Barim indicated that the demonstration is expected to take place at 4:30 p.m. on the Geha Highway.

Meanwhile, MK Bismuth, who chairs the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, addressed the draft bill during a Likud event in Yerucham Sunday evening, praising the legislation and calling it historic. “This draft law is the most just and intelligent thing in the country and is making history,” he declared.

He continued, emphasizing the law’s guiding principle: “Whoever learns Torah, we respect him because this is a Jewish state. And whoever does not goes to the army. What’s the problem? Likud is doing this. In Likud, the public is sovereign. The Likud public is a smart public, wants what’s best for the nation, and always thinks about the future.”

[COMMUNICATED]

Step Inside Kollel Cheshek Shlomo

More than 2,000 years ago, the Chashmonaim merited miracles because they didn’t stop at  “good enough.” Their dedication to serving Hashem unlocked success above and beyond the laws of nature, as symbolized by the number eight.

Today, in Lakewood, the fire of that dedication continues to burn. Kollel Cheshek Shlomo, founded 8 years ago by Harav Avrohom Yeshaya Appel, has distinguished itself through single-minded focus on its mission: allowing a top-tier group of driven yungeleit to focus exclusively on their learning, without the many distractions that plague busy young families.

Generous stipends, a customized schedule, an onsite subsidized daycare center,  and bechinos that provide accountability and motivation are just a few of the KCS trademarks. A campus providing affordable student housing is underway.

Roshei Kollel Rav Yisroel Rothstein, Rav Yehuda Friedman, Rav Refoel Bisritz, and Rav Yeshaya Perl are constantly available to support the yungeleit in their limudim or anything else they need.

The “average” KCS yungerman learns 10-12 hours a day, without going home for lunch. On taaneisim, the kol Torah continues unabated without a break for bein hasedorim, with the majority of yungeleit voluntarily learning two straight sedorim–7 hours b’retzifus–while fasting.

In KCS, “good enough” and “what everyone does” are just the starting point.

The dedicated yungeleit complete entire masechtos b’iyun, with their bechinos, including the prestigious V’shinantem program, testament to their mastery of both depth and breadth of Shas.

The mutual dedication of the hanhalah to the yungeleit, and the yungeleit to their learning, creates an atmosphere that is electric, fueling extraordinary growth.

The 90+ yungeleit in the kollel, as well as over 200 in affiliated chaburos, are supported by a budget totaling over $450,000 monthly. Celebrate their dedication, above and beyond, by partnering with Kollel Cheshek Shlomo and Mosdos Kinyan Torah today.