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Massive riots erupted on the streets of Paris following the Champions League soccer victory.

The IDF and Shin Bet reveal documentation from the attack on the underground infrastructure beneath the European Hospital in Khan Yunis in which Muhammad Sinwar and Muhammad Shabana were eliminated

Vandals defaced France’s national Holocaust memorial, two shuls, and a kosher restaurant in central Paris with green paint overnight Friday. Among the sites targeted was a shul in the historic Marais district. Israeli President Yitzchok Herzog, whose great-grandfather Rav Yoel Herzog zt”l built the shul, said he was “appalled” by the incident and spoke with French Jewish leaders to offer chizuk and solidarity. “These heinous acts of hatred cannot go unanswered,” President Herzog said. “I call on French authorities to act swiftly and firmly to bring the perpetrators to justice and protect the Jewish community from further attacks.” French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau wrote, “I am deeply disgusted by these heinous acts targeting the Jewish community.” He confirmed that no arrests have been made yet, but added that he had already ordered increased security around Jewish institutions ahead of Shavuos. Retailleau noted that antisemitic acts now account for over 60% of all anti-religious incidents in France, and that the Jewish community—one of the largest in the world outside of Israel—is “particularly vulnerable.” He had already called last week for “visible and dissuasive” security measures around Jewish sites. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo vowed to file a formal complaint over the vandalism and condemned the attacks as “acts of intimidation” that have no place “in our city or in our Republic.” This latest round of antisemitic incidents comes amid a troubling and unprecedented rise in attacks against Jews in France since the outbreak of the Gaza war on October 7, 2023. In the past year alone, France has seen attempted arson at a shul in La Grande-Motte, a devastating fire at a Rouen shul, and the assault of a 12-year-old Jewish girl in Courbevoie by teenagers yelling antisemitic slurs. In May 2024, vandals painted red handprints at the Paris memorial honoring the righteous gentiles who risked their lives to save Jews during the Nazi occupation. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Russian drone and missile attacks on Ukraine on Saturday killed at least two people, including a 9-year-old girl, officials said, as uncertainty remains about whether Kyiv diplomats will attend a new round of peace talks proposed by Moscow for early next week in Istanbul. Russian troops launched some 109 drones and five missiles across Ukraine overnight and into Saturday, the Ukrainian air force said. Three of the missiles and 42 drones were destroyed and another 30 drones failed to reach their targets without causing damage, it said. The girl was killed in a strike on the front-line village of Dolynka in the Zaporizhzhia region, and a 16-year-old was injured, Zaporizhzhia’s Gov. Ivan Fedorov said. “One house was destroyed. The shockwave from the blast also damaged several other houses, cars, and outbuildings,” Fedorov wrote on Telegram. A man was killed by Russian shelling in Ukraine’s Kherson region, Gov. Oleksandr Prokudin wrote on Telegram. Moscow did not comment on either attack. Russia’s Ministry of Defense said Saturday that it had gained control of the Ukrainian village of Novopil in the Donetsk region, and took the village of Vodolahy in the northern Sumy region. Ukrainian authorities in Sumy ordered mandatory evacuations in 11 more settlements as Russian forces make steady gains in the area. The new additions bring the total number of settlements under evacuation orders in Sumy, which borders Russia’s Kursk region, to 213. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said some 50,000 Russian troops have amassed in the area with the intention of launching an offensive to carve out a buffer zone inside Ukrainian territory. Speaking Saturday, Ukraine’s top army chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said that Russian forces were focusing their main offensive efforts on Pokrovsk, Toretsk and Lyman in the Donetsk region, as well as the Sumy border area. Syrskyi also said Ukrainian forces are still holding territory in Russia’s Kursk region, a statement that Moscow has repeatedly denied. Russia said on April 26 that it had pushed all Ukrainian troops from the Kursk region after Ukrainian troops seized land there during a surprise incursion in August 2024. “The enemy is holding its best units here,” Syrskyi said referring to Kursk, “which it planned to use in the east.” Elsewhere, 14 people were injured including four children after Ukrainian drones struck apartment buildings Saturday in the Russian town of Rylsk and the village of Artakovo in the western Kursk region, local acting Gov. Alexander Khinshtein said. Peace talk uncertainty Andrii Yermak, a top adviser to Zelenskyy, said Friday that Kyiv was ready to resume direct peace talks with Russia in Istanbul on Monday but that the Kremlin should first provide a promised memorandum setting out its position on ending the more than three-year war. Zelenskyy said Friday that Russia was “undermining diplomacy” by withholding the document. “For some reason, the Russians are concealing this document. This is an absolutely bizarre position. There is no clarity about the format,” Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram. Moscow previously said it would share its memorandum during the talks. (AP)

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Houthi Ministry of Defense: “Our advanced multi-warhead missiles will neutralize enemy defenses, and foreign companies must immediately withdraw from the Zionist entity until the aggression in Gaza ceases.”

Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Bamidbar – 47th day of the Omer

Dear Parents of Yeshiva ——–   ——–    שליט”א,

A Gutten Erev Shabbos and Yom Tov to you and all of Klal Yisroel. As we prepare for the upcoming Yom Tov, please take a moment to read this message. As your child’s Sgan Menahel I am zoche to know the wonderful talmidim and watch them Shteig every single day of the year. As you can imagine, some days are easier and some are harder. For example, Sundays in general are a drop more challenging, especially in the summer when Havdala is very late and the talmidim go to sleep very late. Sunday is also harder for many talmidim who have sisters who stay home.

This coming Sunday, which is Erev Shavuos – Kabbalas Hatorah and Zman Mattan Toraseinu – our school is open and we hope that every single talmid will gain tremendously. We are planning assemblies and fun projects for the talmidim. Our goal is that every single talmid will be excited and well prepared for this great Yom Tov.

At the same time, we understand that some of the talmidim will be exhausted after a Shabbos of going to sleep very late Leil Shabbos – Friday Night – and again on Motzei Shabbos. If your dear child is in a very deep sleep on Sunday morning, please have rachmanus on him and on the school. If he needs his Shavuos Divrei Torah and Yom Tov project, please call or email the secretary and guide us how to send it to you. I hope that this will be well taken. We want every child to attend school, but we would rather have healthy, quality students who are eager to learn. Our devoted Rebbeim are working tirelessly and we do not want to make it a burden on them.

This same message also applies to Wednesday, Isru Chag, after five consecutive very late nights. Although we are usually very strict about the talmidim coming on time, this Sunday and Wednesday we have decided to let all the children come whenever their parents bring them. We tried to arrange a late start for Wednesday, but were not able to due to bussing issues. We hope that this will be for your benefit and to help bring you nachas.

Now is the time to show our children that we care about them. I discussed this with our esteemed Menahel and Vaad Hachinuch and they strongly encouraged this message.

Let us take advantage of these holy days and accept the Torah whole-heartedly together with our families and all of Klal Yisroel. Wishing you a very beautiful and uplifting Shabbos and Yom Tov.

Sincerely,

Your humbled Sgan Menahel, Rabbi ——-  ————–

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{Matzav.com}

WATCH:

Hamas issued a new set of conditions and revisions today in response to U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff’s latest ceasefire and hostage-release proposal, prompting Witkoff to condemn the group’s reply as “totally unacceptable and only takes us backward.”

A Hamas representative, who spoke with the Associated Press anonymously because of the sensitive nature of the discussions, said the revisions centered around “US guarantees, the timing of hostage release, the delivery of aid and the withdrawal of Israeli forces.”

One individual with direct knowledge of the discussions told The Times of Israel that one of Hamas’s conditions would make it more complicated for Israel to resume military operations if negotiations toward a permanent truce are not finalized after the 60-day pause. Unlike the U.S. outline, which scheduled hostage releases in two phases at the beginning of the truce, Hamas proposed spacing them out across the entire two-month period.

According to the source, this change was aimed at preventing Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu from disengaging from the ceasefire negotiations once the initial hostages are released or from avoiding participation altogether, as had happened during a previous ceasefire attempt in January.

An Israeli official reported to The Times of Israel that Hamas’s demands also included a truce lasting as long as seven years.

Witkoff urged Hamas to embrace the American-led initiative. “Hamas should accept the framework proposal we put forward as the basis for proximity talks, which we can begin immediately this coming week.”

He added: “That is the only way we can close a 60-day ceasefire deal in the coming days, in which half of the living hostages and half of those who are deceased will come home to their families, and in which we can have at the proximity talks substantive negotiations in good faith to try to reach a permanent ceasefire.”

Under the proposal presented by Witkoff, both sides would use the two-month pause to finalize arrangements for Israel’s limited withdrawal from Gaza. The document also outlines a structure for negotiations during the truce to explore the possibility of ending the conflict altogether.

Another Israeli source, speaking on background, told reporters that Israel views Hamas’s reaction as tantamount to a rejection of the proposal.

Senior Hamas figure Basem Naim told Reuters that the group had not dismissed the offer and accused Israel of misrepresenting the situation. He said Witkoff’s comments reflected “unfair” treatment and “complete bias” in favor of Israel.

The most recent U.S. initiative was shared with Hamas earlier in the week after Israel’s chief negotiator, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, gave it the green light.

Arab intermediaries remain engaged in behind-the-scenes efforts to persuade Hamas to soften some of the proposed edits, according to a source involved in the dialogue.

In a public statement today, Hamas reiterated its core goals: a lasting ceasefire, full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and unfettered humanitarian aid access — all of which Israel has largely opposed up to this point.

In response, Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office issued a statement reaffirming its position. “While Israel has agreed to the updated Witkoff framework for the release of our hostages, Hamas continues to cling to its refusal.”

Echoing Witkoff’s language, the statement continued, “It is unacceptable and sets the process back.”

“Israel will continue its efforts to bring our hostages home and to defeat Hamas,” the statement declared.

According to Channel 12, Israeli officials involved in the negotiations told hostage families today that if enacted in full, the Witkoff plan would eventually result in the return of all Israeli hostages held by Hamas—not just a partial release.

At present, there are 58 hostages still in Gaza. The IDF has confirmed that at least 35 are deceased, while 20 are believed to still be alive. Israeli officials have voiced serious concern about the fate of three others whose status remains uncertain.

On Friday, President Donald Trump told reporters that a resolution between Israel and Hamas might be near. “We’ll let you know about it during the day or maybe tomorrow, and we have a chance of that,” Trump said during remarks in the Oval Office.

When asked whether he thought Hamas would agree to the deal, Trump responded, “I think they want to — they want to get out of that mess.”

Sources with knowledge of the discussions said Hamas was dissatisfied with the proposal because it still grants Israel the ability to resume fighting once the ceasefire ends.

Although Netanyahu told hostage families last Thursday that he was open to the deal, he has not yet submitted it to the cabinet for approval. Several far-right members of his coalition have voiced strong opposition to the plan.

Defense Minister Yisroel Katz did not mince words. “The Hamas murderers will now be forced to choose: accept the terms of the ‘Witkoff Deal’ for the release of the hostages — or be annihilated,” he said Friday.

Israel has maintained that dismantling Hamas remains one of the primary goals of its military campaign.

Efforts to reach an end to the nearly 20-month war have so far fallen short. Israel resumed combat operations in March after an earlier temporary truce collapsed. Humanitarian conditions in Gaza have reached critical levels, with the United Nations warning that the population faces an imminent risk of famine.

According to a verified copy of Witkoff’s latest proposal, Hamas would release 10 living Israeli hostages and return the remains of 18 others over the course of a 60-day truce.

In exchange, Israel would release 125 Palestinians convicted of terrorism and serving life sentences, 1,111 Gazans detained since the outbreak of war on October 7, 2023, and the bodies of 180 Palestinians currently in Israeli custody.

The IDF would also be required to withdraw from specific areas, though the exact locations and scope of that redeployment would be determined during future proximity talks.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar squarely placed the blame for the ongoing war on Hamas.

“Hamas initiated this war with the 7/10 massacre [and] is responsible for its continuation by refusing to release our hostages and disarm,” Sa’ar posted on X in English.

He added, “If France and the UK want to reach a ceasefire, pressure should be put on Hamas that continues to say No, instead of attacking Israel, which says Yes,” in reference to increasing criticism from European governments.

{Matzav.com}

Iran has expanded its reserves of enriched uranium and continues to block access to its nuclear facilities for inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), according to the agency’s latest quarterly assessment.

The report notes that Iran’s supply of uranium enriched to 60% has climbed to 133.8 kilograms, bringing the total amount of material at that level of enrichment to 408.6 kilograms. Meanwhile, the stockpile of uranium enriched to 20% has declined, dropping from 332.3 kilograms to 274.5 kilograms.

In a rare move, the Prime Minister’s Office of Israel issued an English-language statement on Shabbos, urging swift action from the global community to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

“The IAEA has reported a grave and unequivocal report on Iran’s nuclear program,” the statement warned. “The agency presents a stark picture that serves as a clear warning sign: despite countless warnings by the international community, Iran is totally determined to complete its nuclear weapons program.”

“The report strongly reinforces what Israel has been saying for years — the purpose of Iran’s nuclear program is not peaceful. This is evident from the alarming scope of Iran’s uranium enrichment activity. Such a level of enrichment exists only in countries actively pursuing nuclear weapons and has no civilian justification whatsoever.”

“The report clearly indicates that Iran remains in non-compliance of its fundamental commitments and obligations under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), and continues to withhold cooperation from IAEA inspectors.”

The statement concluded with a direct appeal to world leaders: “The international community must act now to stop Iran.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

United Airlines revealed that it will restart its route from Newark Airport to Tel Aviv ahead of its previously scheduled date.

The airline confirmed that service will officially resume on June 5, with the initial flight from Newark to Tel Aviv set to depart this coming Thursday.

United noted that the decision came after a detailed review of safety and logistical factors, carried out in consultation with the airline’s pilots and flight attendant unions.

Meanwhile, AirBaltic announced on Saturday that it plans to restart its flights to Israel on June 6. Earlier in the week, Air France resumed its service to Ben Gurion Airport on Tuesday. Delta Air Lines has also confirmed its intention to reinstate flights to Israel.

Some airlines have not yet resumed operations. Lufthansa, for instance, is expected to delay its return until June 15. British Airways and Ryanair have both prolonged their suspensions, now aiming to resume flights only at the end of July.

Ryanair, a budget airline, said last Wednesday that it will be halting all flights to Israel until July 31.

British Airways made a similar announcement approximately a week ago, stating that all of its flights to Israel will remain suspended through the end of July.

{Matzav.com}

The United States delivered its initial official nuclear proposal to Iran today, just hours after UN nuclear watchdogs disclosed a significant uptick in Iran’s accumulation of highly enriched uranium, according to a report by The New York Times.

Rather than submitting a complete agreement, U.S. officials presented a set of key points. These included a call for Iran to halt its uranium enrichment efforts and participate in a regional nuclear energy initiative alongside the U.S., Saudi Arabia, and several other Arab nations.

The proposal was transmitted through Oman and acknowledged by both Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and the White House as having been received.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated, as quoted in the New York Times, that President Trump “has made it clear that Iran can never obtain a nuclear bomb.” She added, “Special Envoy Witkoff has sent a detailed and acceptable proposal to the Iranian regime, and it’s in their best interest to accept it.”

In response, Araghchi said Iran’s reply would be shaped by “the principles, national interests and rights of the people of Iran.”

Despite the diplomatic outreach, Iran has continued to expand its stock of uranium enriched to 60 percent purity, which now totals around 900 pounds, according to two separate IAEA assessments reviewed by The New York Times. IAEA Director Rafael Grossi expressed deep concern over this escalation, particularly since Iran has not been recognized as a nuclear weapons state.

Reports also indicated that in May, President Trump blocked an Israeli plan to attack Iranian nuclear facilities. “I want it very strong where we can go in with inspectors, we can take whatever we want, we can blow up whatever we want, but nobody’s getting killed,” Trump said earlier this week.

In a highly unusual move, Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office released a statement on the Jewish Sabbath, reacting to the IAEA findings. “The IAEA has reported a grave and unequivocal report on Iran’s nuclear program,” the statement warned. “The agency presents a stark picture that serves as a clear warning sign: despite countless warnings by the international community, Iran is totally determined to complete its nuclear weapons program.”

“The report strongly reinforces what Israel has been saying for years — the purpose of Iran’s nuclear program is not peaceful. This is evident from the alarming scope of Iran’s uranium enrichment activity. Such a level of enrichment exists only in countries actively pursuing nuclear weapons and has no civilian justification whatsoever.”

“The report clearly indicates that Iran remains in non-compliance of its fundamental commitments and obligations under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), and continues to withhold cooperation from IAEA inspectors.”

The Israeli statement concluded with a direct and urgent message: “The international community must act now to stop Iran.”

{Matzav.com}

U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff issued a sharp rebuke on Saturday in response to Hamas’ latest position on a proposed ceasefire agreement. Witkoff denounced the group’s reply as “totally unacceptable,” warning that it “only takes us backward.”

An official closely involved in the talks disclosed that an in-depth review of Hamas’ counteroffer reveals it falls far short of the terms presented by Israel. The source noted that Hamas’ list of demands strays significantly from the existing framework.

Hamas has called for an extended truce that could last up to seven years, the complete withdrawal of IDF forces from territory seized since March, and the dismantling of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation’s recently implemented aid distribution system. They also want to revert to the older aid distribution method. “This isn’t a response — it’s a slammed door,” the official said.

Israel’s government issued a statement affirming that it had accepted the latest iteration of the Witkoff proposal to secure the release of hostages. However, the statement emphasized that Hamas remains unwilling to comply.

“As US Presidential Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff has said, Hamas’s response is totally unacceptable and is a step backward. Israel will continue its efforts to return our hostages and defeat Hamas.”

In reaction, Hamas criticized Witkoff’s remarks, arguing that they never outright rejected the plan. The group said his characterization was “unfair” and showed partiality toward Israel.

Previously, Hamas confirmed it had delivered its answer to the mediators concerning the revised Witkoff framework. They described the proposal as one designed to “achieve a permanent ceasefire, a comprehensive withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, and ensure the flow of aid to our people and our families in the Strip.”

Reports from Egypt’s Al-Ghad channel revealed specific details of Hamas’ offer regarding hostage releases. They proposed releasing ten living hostages in three separate phases: four on the first day, two on day 30, and another four by day 60. The remains of eighteen deceased hostages would also be handed over in three phases: on days 10, 30, and 50.

Hamas further stipulated that these hostage transfers—both living and deceased—would be contingent on Israel agreeing to release a pre-determined number of Palestinian prisoners.

{Matzav.com}

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For Some, It’s Joy.
For Others, It’s Just Pressure.

In thousands of homes across our community, Shavuos is being planned with excitement; menus, learning, flowers, guests… But in over 1,500 homes, what should be a Yom Tov of joy is instead a source of quiet stress.

They’re not thinking about which cheesecake to try or which appetizer to make.
It’s not about extras. It’s about basics.
Milk? Eggs? Chicken? Challah? Can they make Yom Tov at all?

And this year more than ever, those questions are real.
In this economy, even basics feel out of reach for so many.

Rising prices, stretched budgets, and financial setbacks are leaving families, families just like ours, without the means to prepare for Yom Tov. And it’s not just those in obvious crisis. It’s families doing their best, quietly struggling behind closed doors.

Families that once got by are falling behind. And as Shavuos approaches, more and more are turning to the one place they know will be there: Tomchei Shabbos.

Essentials shouldn’t be extras and Simchas Yom Tov shouldn’t be a luxury.

For more than 40 years, Tomchei Shabbos has been the quiet answer to a growing need. With discretion, dignity, and a massive volunteer effort, they distribute weekly food packages, bringing Shabbos and Yom Tov to the tables of more than 1800 families, many of whom are facing real hardship.

Week after week, Yom Tov after Yom Tov, over 1800 families receive what they need,delivered with care, packed by volunteers, and made possible by people like you.

• 7 million+ pounds of food distributed annually

• 88,200 individuals fed every year—69,000 of them children

• 925,000 pounds of chicken and meat given out in 2020 alone

• All powered by 350+ volunteers who pack, sort, and deliver

It’s not just about the food.

It’s about making sure that Yom Tov feels like a gift—not a burden.

Because we’re not just individuals here. We’re a community that shows up.
When things get hard, we step in. When someone falls behind, we make sure they’re not left behind.

And as Shavuos approaches, the opportunity to give is even greater,both for them and for us.

Send Them Simchas Yom Tov.
And Bring Brachah Into Your Own.

Giving to Tomchei Shabbos is always a zechus. But before Shavuos, it becomes something more.

As brought down by Rav Chaim Palagi-

ערב שבועות יפריש צ”א פרוטות וישלים על שיעור ב’ פעמים ב”ן…
והוא סגולה לחשוכי בנים ומקרב הגאולה.

Gift a family with Simchas Yom Tov and bring brachah into your own home.

Tomchei Shabbos makes it possible.
You make Tomchei Shabbos possible.

Donate $104 Today

732.978.9901 |  tomchei.org

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