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The IDF has released the names of six soldiers who were killed during combat operations in the southern Gaza Strip. Their families have been notified, and their names have now been cleared for publication. The fallen are: * Lieutenant Matan Shai Yashinovski, 21, from Kfar Yona, a platoon commander in the 605th Combat Engineering Battalion of the 188th Brigade. * Staff Sergeant Ronel Ben-Moshe, 20, from Rehovot, a soldier in the 605th Combat Engineering Battalion of the 188th Brigade. * Staff Sergeant Niv Radia, 20, from Elyakhin, a soldier in the 605th Combat Engineering Battalion of the 188th Brigade. * Sergeant Ronen Shapiro, 19, from Mazkeret Batya, a soldier in the 605th Combat Engineering Battalion of the 188th Brigade. * Sergeant Shahar Manoav, 21, from Ashkelon, a soldier in the 605th Combat Engineering Battalion of the 188th Brigade. * Sergeant Maayan Baruch Pearlstein, 20, from Eshhar, a soldier in the 605th Combat Engineering Battalion of the 188th Brigade. The IDF noted that in the same incident where these six soldiers fell, a seventh soldier was also killed. His name has not yet been cleared for publication and will be released once permitted. In a separate incident on Tuesday, a soldier from the same battalion — the 605th of the 188th Brigade — was severely wounded during combat in southern Gaza. He was evacuated to a hospital for treatment, and his family has been notified. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani has taken a commanding lead in the New York City Democratic mayoral primary, powered by strong backing from young voters and progressives. His rise puts him on track to potentially become the first Muslim to lead America’s largest city.

Although the Associated Press had not yet declared a victor in Tuesday’s primary contest, Andrew Cuomo acknowledged the likely outcome at his campaign event, telling his supporters that Mamdani “won.”

The 33-year-old Queens assemblyman, originally born in Uganda, led the crowded field of eleven Democratic contenders, including Cuomo, a former three-term governor. Ranked-choice voting determined the outcome of the race, and Mamdani emerged at the top, giving him a clear edge going into November’s general election in deep-blue New York City.

“Tonight was Assemblyman Mamdani’s night, and he put together a great campaign,” Cuomo stated Tuesday. “He touched young people and inspired them and moved them and got them to come out and vote. He really ran a highly impactful campaign. I called him. I congratulated him. I applaud him sincerely for his effort.”

Cuomo continued his praise for Mamdani, saying he had run “a really smart and good and impactful campaign. Tonight is his night. He deserved it. He won.”

As early vote tallies showed Mamdani in the lead, Cuomo addressed his supporters and indicated that his campaign would be evaluating its next steps, focused on what might best serve the city and the Democratic Party going forward.

“Now I want to look at all the numbers, as they come in and this ranked choice voting and, what the numbers actually say and do,” Cuomo said.

Following his speech, a spokesperson for Cuomo said the door was open to the possibility of him entering the race as an independent candidate in the November election.

“I want to look at all the numbers as they come in and analyze the rank choice voting. I will then consult with my colleagues on what is the best path for me to help the City of New York, as I have already qualified to run for mayor on an independent line in November,” Cuomo noted in a follow-up statement.

In a strategic alliance ahead of the primary, Mamdani teamed up with City Comptroller Brad Lander to unify the progressive vote and present a strong challenge to Cuomo. Their collaboration helped consolidate support among left-leaning voters under the ranked-choice voting system.

According to preliminary data from the Board of Elections, the combined support for Mamdani and Lander may prove decisive as the ranked-choice rounds are processed. The Associated Press reported that tabulations would not begin until July 1, meaning the final outcome may take time to confirm.

Mamdani’s policy platform included ambitious proposals such as fare-free bus service citywide, making CUNY tuition-free, a rent freeze on public housing, and free childcare for children up to age five. His campaign got a significant boost after receiving the endorsement of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

That endorsement was followed by a second key nod from Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, a prominent national progressive and two-time runner-up for the Democratic presidential nomination.

With a field full of progressive candidates, the endorsements from Ocasio-Cortez and Sanders helped steer a critical mass of left-wing support toward Mamdani, giving him the momentum to surge ahead.

Once trailing in the polls, Mamdani saw a rapid rise in support in recent weeks, closing the gap with Cuomo and eventually overtaking him.

As the primary drew to a close, Cuomo’s campaign stepped up its criticisms of Mamdani, describing him as lacking the experience needed to govern, while pointing to Cuomo’s extensive leadership during crises including the pandemic and conflicts with Trump.

“The mayor of the city of New York is the CEO of one of the largest corporations on the globe. This is not a job for a novice,” Cuomo warned ahead of primary day. “This is not a job… for on-the-job training. We need someone who knows what they’re doing on day one because your lives depend on it.”

Cuomo also strongly condemned Mamdani’s statements about Israel, accusing him of crossing a line into rhetoric that was offensive to Jews.

“We are against calls to globalize the intifada, declaring open season on Jewish people. We are against those who would glorify Hamas terrorists, who are destined to kill Jewish people,” Cuomo said during his final remarks before the vote, criticizing Mamdani’s record.

Despite the late-stage attacks, voters across New York City appeared to rally around Mamdani, who is now set to appear on the general election ballot in November.

In the next stage of the race, Mamdani will go up against Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels. This marks Sliwa’s second consecutive run as the GOP’s candidate for mayor.

Also running will be current Mayor Eric Adams, who is seeking reelection as an independent. Earlier this year, Adams exited the Democratic primary amid declining approval ratings.

Adams’ popularity had already been slipping when he was indicted last year on bribery and fraud charges. Prosecutors accused him of taking part in a years-long scheme involving illicit dealings with foreign officials.

Despite the legal trouble, Adams made repeated gestures toward Trump and saw the charges dropped by the Justice Department, potentially paving the way for cooperation with the Trump administration’s tougher approach to illegal immigration.

{Matzav.com}

Initial findings from U.S. intelligence suggest that the recent airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear sites, carried out after earlier Israeli actions, fell short of the Trump administration’s claims of completely demolishing Tehran’s nuclear infrastructure.

According to reporting from CNN and The New York Times, officials with access to the classified intelligence say that Iran’s nuclear program remains largely functional. While the strikes may have delayed Iran’s progress, the interruption is estimated to last only a few months.

A key report by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) contradicts the administration’s public narrative. Despite President Donald Trump declaring that the strikes “completely and totally obliterated” Iran’s enrichment capabilities and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth saying Iran’s nuclear program “have been obliterated,” the DIA’s evaluation suggests the effect was far more limited.

Officials familiar with the matter told CNN that Iran had already moved a significant portion of its enriched uranium before the attacks. Furthermore, the centrifuges—which are vital to the enrichment process—sustained little to no damage. At facilities like Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, most of the destruction was reportedly confined to above-ground installations such as electrical grids.

The New York Times added that while entrances to some sites were blocked, the underground fortifications remained structurally sound. In Isfahan, Tomahawk missiles were employed, as there were doubts that even the most powerful bunker-busting bombs would be effective against the deeply buried structures.

In response to CNN’s coverage, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt issued a scathing rebuke.

“FAKE NEWS CNN STRIKES AGAIN: This alleged ‘assessment’ is flat-out wrong and was classified as ‘top secret’ but was still leaked to CNN by an anonymous, low-level loser in the intelligence community,” she posted on X.

She went on to say, “The leaking of this alleged assessment is a clear attempt to demean President Trump, and discredit the brave fighter pilots who conducted a perfectly executed mission to obliterate Iran’s nuclear program.”

“Everyone knows what happens when you drop fourteen 30,000 pound bombs perfectly on their targets: total obliteration,” Leavitt emphasized.

General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, adopted a more restrained approach. He said it remains “way too early” to determine if Iran’s nuclear arsenal is fully intact, though he acknowledged the targeted locations “sustained severe damage and destruction.”

{Matzav.com}

Mamdani’s early-vote edge is powered by the East River corridor in western Queens and Brooklyn, but he’s also scoring key wins in Hispanic pockets like Washington Heights and Corona and Asian enclaves such as Bay Ridge and Bensonhurst.

On Tuesday, IDF Chief of Staff LTG Eyal Zamir gathered the General Staff Forum for a strategic review in light of the recently initiated ceasefire with Iran.

Zamir emphasized the transitional nature of the moment, stating: “We have concluded a significant phase, but the campaign against Iran is not over. We are entering a new phase based on the achievements of the current one. We’ve set Iran’s nuclear project back by years, and the same applies to its missile program.”

He praised the military’s execution and coordination during the strikes. “The IDF performed at its best — the Intelligence Directorate delivered unprecedented intelligence achievements. IAF pilots operated with courage, while putting their lives at risk, thousands of kilometers from Israeli territory and struck and destroyed military targets. The Aerial Defense Array and communication units operated with their unique operational capabilities to protect the home front. Home Front Command personnel acted with ingenuity to save lives — all coordinated under the Operations Directorate. Every command, directorate, and branch contributed to the success of the operation — whether through direct participation in the Iran operation or through robust defense in their respective arenas,” he said.

Zamir cautioned against complacency, urging continued vigilance. “Despite the phenomenal achievement — we must keep our feet on the ground. Many challenges still lie ahead. We must stay focused, there’s no time to rest on our laurels.”

Looking ahead, he pointed to Israel’s ongoing mission in Gaza as the next priority. “Now the focus shifts back to Gaza — to bring the hostages home and to dismantle the Hamas regime. I am proud to have the privilege to command the organization through this period,” Zamir concluded.

{Matzav.com Israel}

A powerful maamad took place at the home of noted philanthropist Mr. Jimmy Khezrie in Deal on Monday, featuring leading Gedolei Yisroel including Rishon L’Tzion Harav Yitzchak Yosef shlit”a, Harav Moshe Hillel Hirsch shlit”a, Harav Don Segal shlit”a, Harav Dovid Cohen shlit”a, Harav Shlomo Kanievsky shlit”a, and Harav Malkiel Kotler shlit”a. The cause: Keren Olam HaTorah, a lifeline for thousands of yeshivos and kollelim facing financial devastation due to crippling budget cuts in Eretz Yisroel. The emcee, Rabbi David Haber, said it best: “This is a war — not with weapons, but to defend Torah. Gedolei Torah have been on the road for over a week, utterly spent, not to save their own yeshivos, but for the kollelim in Ashdod, the avreichim in Beit Shemesh, and the Torah world across Eretz Yisroel. And we, baruch Hashem, have the chance to stand with them.” Mr. Khezrie – who co-hosted the event along with Mr. Ezra Erani, another world-renowned baal tzedakah – moved the room with his remarks: “I used to wonder why Torah is called keneged kulam, more valuable than all other mitzvos. And now I understand — because without Torah, we don’t hold on to anything else. Torah is what has preserved our people through 3,000 years of war and exile. We’re not just supporting Torah — we’re preserving our survival.” Harav Moshe Hillel Hirsch shlit”a followed with a sobering message. “When Hashem is distant, klal Yisroel suffers,” Rav Moshe Hillel said. “And what determines if He is close to us? Torah. Supporting Torah in Eretz Yisroel isn’t tzedaka — it’s how we bring Hashem closer to our lives, to our kehillos, and to the world.” And then, a remarkable thing began to happen. One by one, tomchei Torah rose before the gedolim, each one pledging their financial support for the monumental, historic mission to save Torah in Eretz Yisroel. Deal’s Kehilla Rises Up with Historic Support for Keren Olam Hatorah

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) hit back at President Trump on Tuesday after he launched a verbal assault on her in response to her claim that his airstrikes in Iran should be grounds for impeachment. Ocasio-Cortez stood firm in her criticism, maintaining that the weekend’s strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities were unlawful.

Posting on the platform X, Ocasio-Cortez addressed Trump’s social media barrage with a pointed reply. “Mr. President, don’t take your anger out on me – I’m just a silly girl,” she wrote, mocking his outrage. She went on: “Take it out on whoever convinced you to betray the American people and our Constitution by illegally bombing Iran and dragging us into war. It only took you 5 months to break almost every promise you made.”

Trump had earlier unleashed a scathing post of his own from aboard Air Force One en route to the NATO summit in the Netherlands. In a lengthy message on Truth Social, he went after Ocasio-Cortez’s intelligence and dared her to act on her impeachment proposal.

“Stupid AOC, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, one of the ‘dumbest’ people in Congress, is now calling for my Impeachment, despite the fact that the Crooked and Corrupt Democrats have already done that twice before,” Trump posted.

He claimed her push for impeachment was driven by jealousy over the administration’s accomplishments. “The reason for her ‘rantings’ is all of the Victories that the U.S.A. has had under the Trump Administration,” he wrote. “The Democrats aren’t used to WINNING, and she can’t stand the concept of our Country being successful again.”

Trump went on to mock her further, reportedly calling her “The Mouse” and suggesting she undergo the same cognitive test he took during his physical exam to check for mental decline. He continued his tirade by attacking the state of her home district. “Instead of her constant complaining, Alexandria should go back home to Queens, where I was also brought up, and straighten out her filthy, disgusting, crime ridden streets, in the District she ‘represents,’ and which she never goes to anymore,” Trump wrote.

Ocasio-Cortez initially made her statement over the weekend, accusing Trump of a serious constitutional violation. “Trump’s disastrous decision to bomb Iran without authorization is a grave violation of the Constitution and Congressional War Powers,” she said. “He has impulsively risked launching a war that may ensnare us for generations. It is absolutely and clearly grounds for impeachment,” she added.

Trump has frequently clashed with Ocasio-Cortez in public, targeting her with insults, though he has occasionally acknowledged her political influence and ability to command attention.

The U.S. Constitution grants Congress the power to declare war under Article I, a major check on executive authority. Nevertheless, many presidents from both parties have carried out military actions without congressional approval.

Trump has already faced two impeachment trials during his first term—first, over accusations that he withheld military aid to Ukraine in exchange for an investigation into a political opponent, and again following the events of January 6, 2021. In both cases, he was acquitted by the Senate.

{Matzav.com}

Some 444 firefighters, assisted by 14 helicopters and four planes, have been deployed to contain wildfires at different locations on the Greek island of Chios after the island declared a state of emergency

STEVE WITKOFF: Leaking that type of information, whatever the information, whatever side it comes out on, is outrageous. It’s treasonous. So it ought to be investigated, and whoever did it, whoever is responsible for it should be held accountable.

The head of the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog issued a stark warning Tuesday following a deeper analysis of U.S. airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear program: the destruction is more severe than initially reported — and may include chemical contamination. This comes as other reports from CNN and Times of Israel say that the airstrikes either delayed Iran’s nuclear program by a few months (according to CNN), or a few years (according to Times of Israel). This latest report, first published by the NY Post, creates a new layer of speculation and confusion. Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said new satellite imagery of Iran’s Fordow and Natanz nuclear sites revealed previously unseen damage, including evidence of potential toxic hazards at Natanz and critical infrastructure hits at Fordow. At Fordow — a fortified underground facility carved into the mountains south of Tehran — analysts found that access roads and at least one entrance had been struck. The U.S. is believed to have dropped 14 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs on the site, which houses uranium enrichment equipment buried as deep as 300 feet underground. The findings at Natanz were no better. IAEA analysts identified two direct missile penetrations above the facility’s underground enrichment halls — areas used for both uranium processing and sensitive storage. Grossi warned that based on the known contents of those chambers, “this strike may have caused localized contamination and chemical hazards.” The U.S. reportedly used cruise missiles launched from a nuclear-powered submarine to hit Natanz and two other sites in the coordinated Saturday strike. While Grossi assured that “no radiological impact” has been detected in surrounding populations so far, the full extent of the damage remains unclear. IAEA teams have not been permitted on the ground to inspect the facilities firsthand, limiting the agency’s ability to assess potential contamination or nuclear material leakage. Grossi has formally called on Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to grant immediate access to the damaged sites, warning that continued non-cooperation could permanently derail diplomatic efforts. “Resuming cooperation with the IAEA is key to a successful diplomatic agreement to finally resolve the dispute over Iran’s nuclear activities,” Grossi wrote. Compounding international concern is the revelation that nearly 900 pounds of uranium enriched to 60% has gone missing since the Israeli airstrikes began on June 13. Grossi confirmed that the IAEA has no current knowledge of the uranium’s location — a deeply troubling development given how close that level of enrichment is to weapons-grade material. U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance suggested the missing uranium may have been buried beneath the rubble during the bombings. But other experts point to satellite footage that captured trucks entering and exiting Fordow and other nuclear sites in the days leading up to the strikes — raising the possibility that Iran deliberately moved or concealed the material in anticipation of the assault. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Israeli intelligence now assesses that the joint U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure have significantly delayed — but not eliminated — Tehran’s atomic ambitions. A senior Israeli official told The Times of Israel that the coordinated operation has pushed Iran’s nuclear program back by “several years.” However, the official emphasized that the program was not fully dismantled, contradicting the White House narrative. A separate CNN report on Tuesday said that the U.S. airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure failed to cripple the country’s atomic ambitions, undercutting public claims by President Donald Trump and his defense officials that the mission delivered total destruction. “The damage is real and strategic,” the Israeli official said, “but not absolute.” He noted that Israeli intelligence is continuing to refine its assessment as new data comes in from surveillance and covert sources, with a clearer picture expected in the coming weeks. The official defended the necessity of the strikes, arguing that the results far surpassed anything that could have been achieved at the negotiating table. “No amount of diplomacy would have produced this level of disruption,” he said, adding that the operation sends a clear message to Tehran about the costs of pursuing uranium enrichment. Alongside the nuclear targets, Israeli and American forces also struck dozens of missile and military installations throughout Iran, including suspected IRGC command centers and air defense systems. Echoing the assessment, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said Tuesday night, “We have set Iran’s nuclear project back by years — and the same goes for its missile program.” Zamir did not provide exact estimates but described the campaign as “a strategic success across multiple fronts.” Still, the comments from Israeli leadership mark a subtle but significant departure from the tone in Washington, where Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have repeatedly claimed the strikes “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear capabilities. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

With the conclusion of Operation “Am K’Lavi” and the lifting of public gathering restrictions by the Home Front Command, the Kosel has resumed full activity. Thousands of people have already begun arriving at the Kosel Plaza to offer tefillos of gratitude.

As Erev Rosh Chodesh Tamuz approaches on Wednesday—a time considered especially auspicious for tefillah and yeshuah—thousands are expected to gather at the Kosel for special Yom Kippur Katan minyanim.

At the central midday minyan, Nishmas Kol Chai and Mizmor L’Sodah will be recited in a moving display of thanksgiving for the miracles experienced during the days of war.

The Western Wall Heritage Foundation is encouraging the public to revisit the Kosel Tunnels, which have reopened to the public, and to take part in immersive guided tours offered for groups and individuals across several fascinating routes.

{Matzav.com Israel}

HaGaon HaRav Naftali Kaplan, the Mashgiach of Yeshivas Netiv HaDaas, held a special va’ad on Thursday, during which he spoke about the war between Israel and Iran and the historical events happening in our time. HaRav Kaplan began by speaking about the time when Moshe Rabbeinu questioned Hashem, ‘Why did You send me?”—after Pharaoh intensified the conditions of slavery for Am Yisrael after Hashem sent Moshe to speak with him. HaRav Kaplan quoted the Ramban, who said that Moshe didn’t realize that geulah doesn’t happen suddenly but is implemented stage by stage, explaining that the final geulah will also not happen like many people think, that Moshiach will suddenly appear on a horse and rebuild Yerushalayim. But just like the geulah happened in Mitzrayim, there will be stages and more difficult times and hidden and open nissim during the final geulah. The Mashgiach also spoke about Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s public statements of emunah, which he said are also a neis. An open neis is “water turning into blood,” and hiddin nissim are  “200 fighter jets who went to bomb Iran and returned safely to Israel” or “Binyamin Netanyahu saying that there was Siyata Dishmaya.” HaRav Naftali concluded the va’ad by saying that “these are the days of Moshiach and we should be mechazeik in using our time wisely.” (YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

A new poll taken in the aftermath of Israel’s 12-day war with Iran shows Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu gaining ground politically — but not enough to reclaim a governing majority. The survey, conducted by Channel 12 following a ceasefire widely seen as a military and strategic success for Israel, gives Netanyahu’s Likud party 26 seats in the 120-seat Knesset — a modest four-seat gain from pre-war polling. Yet despite the bump, Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition remains short of the 61-seat majority needed to govern. According to the poll, the current coalition would muster only 49 seats, down from the 64 it held prior to the war. Opposition parties collectively would control 61 seats, while Arab parties, traditionally reluctant to join any government, would hold the remaining 10. Sources close to the prime minister reportedly expressed disappointment, saying Netanyahu had anticipated a much stronger surge in support following the war, which saw Iran’s missile and drone capabilities severely degraded and Iran’s nuclear program in shambles, in what many viewed as a defining moment for Israeli deterrence. The standout political shift comes from former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, whose newly re-launched party is projected to win a striking 24 seats — positioning him as the second-largest political force and a viable challenger to Netanyahu. The poll marks the first time this year that Netanyahu leads Bennett in a head-to-head popularity question. When asked who is best suited to serve as prime minister, 38% of respondents chose Netanyahu, compared to 35% for Bennett. Another 21% said neither were fit for the role, and 6% were undecided. Still, Netanyahu maintains a clear edge over other opposition leaders, including Yesh Atid head Yair Lapid. The rest of the political map remains deeply fractured. The left-wing “Democrats” would secure 12 seats, while Yair Lapid’s centrist Yesh Atid, Shas, and Avigdor Lieberman’s nationalist Yisrael Beytenu each pull in nine seats. United Torah Judaism polls at eight seats, and Defense Minister Benny Gantz’s National Unity collapses to seven. Far-right Otzma Yehudit registers just six seats — a sharp fall from its previous electoral performance. Arab parties Hadash-Ta’al and Ra’am each receive five seats, continuing to hold sway as kingmakers unlikely to align with either major bloc. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Israel’s Home Front Command announced Tuesday evening a full return to normalcy across the country, lifting all restrictions that had been in place during the recent Iran war. The decision followed a situational assessment and was approved by Defense Minister Yisroel Katz.

According to the updated guidelines, all regions of Israel—except for the Gaza border communities—are now permitted to operate without limitations in all areas of daily life. Schools, workplaces, and public gatherings may resume normal activity after nearly two weeks of intense fighting and in light of the current ceasefire.

In the Gaza periphery, educational activities may now take place without restriction, subject to instructions from the Ministry of Education and local municipalities. Workplaces in that region are also authorized to operate as usual.

Gatherings and public services are now allowed for up to 2,000 participants, except in towns officially classified as being in a state of emergency, where restrictions will remain in effect.

The Airports Authority also confirmed that Ben Gurion Airport and Haifa Airport are resuming full operations. The limitations on the number of incoming and outgoing flights, as well as on the number of passengers per flight, have been lifted. Entry to airport terminals for both travelers and accompanying individuals is once again permitted.

Starting Wednesday morning, duty-free shops in the airports will reopen, in accordance with all relevant security and regulatory guidelines. Border crossings will continue functioning as normal.

The Home Front Command urged the public to remain vigilant and stay informed by following official updates through the National Emergency Portal and the Home Front Command’s mobile app.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel HaRav Kalman Bar published a halachic letter on Monday, in which he explains why, despite the war, getting married during the three weeks is forbidden. Last week, HaGaon HaRav Yitzchak Yosef called on couples from the Sephardi and even Ashkenazi sectors to get married during the three weeks rather than postpone their weddings. He explained that “there is no greater time of need than this,” and emphasized that even those who are generally machmir should be lenient this year, emphasizing, “המחמיר בזה יוצא שכרו בהפסדו.” Although as of Tuesday morning, the war is officially over, the dilemma for couples who postponed their weddings due to the war still exists due to the difficulty in finding available chasunah halls after Tisha B’Av. In a lengthy response to questions by engaged couples who asked whether they can marry during the three weeks, HaRav Bar paskened that there is no heter to get married during these days, despite the circumstances. The Rav explained the reasons for the minhag not to marry during the three weeks, saying that mourning and joy are contradictory. In addition, the Rav noted that “it is not a good siman” to marry during these days, and חמירא סכנתא מאיסורא (danger is stricter than prohibition), and therefore we have not found any posek who permitted this, and certainly not with a fancy seudah. HaRav Bar emphasized that the poskim did not allow marriage even on the night of the 17th of Tammuz [before the fast begins], even at a sha’as hadchak (time of need). HaRav Bar noted that the Sephardim who are noheig to hold chasunos until Rosh Chodesh Av are of course, permitted to wed during those days and ended with “כל המתאבל על ירושלים זוכה ורואה בשמחתה.” (YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

The House of Representatives decisively rejected a renewed bid by Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) on Tuesday to impeach President Trump in response to the recent U.S. military strikes in Iran. Despite anger among some Democrats over the weekend’s events, the vote revealed little momentum within the party to pursue impeachment at this time.

In a lopsided 344-79 vote, the House opted to table Green’s resolution, effectively shelving the effort. Notably, 128 Democrats joined their Republican colleagues in voting to dismiss the measure, signaling bipartisan resistance to launching another impeachment proceeding.

Rep. Green has long been one of Trump’s most outspoken critics, frequently calling for impeachment over a range of issues involving both foreign and domestic policy. His latest resolution centered on Trump’s decision to authorize airstrikes against three Iranian targets without first obtaining congressional approval.

Filing the resolution once again on Tuesday, Green asserted that Trump violated his constitutional responsibilities by bypassing Congress before initiating military action. The resolution states: “In his conduct of the office of President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, in violation of his constitutional oath faithfully to execute the office of President of the United States and, to the best of his ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States, and in violation of his constitutional duty to take care that the laws be faithfully executed, abused the powers of the presidency when he disregarded the doctrine of separation of powers by usurping Congress’s power to declare war and ordered the United States military to bomb another country without the constitutionally mandated congressional authorization or notice to Congress — cognizant of the fact that should another country’s military bomb a facility within the United States of America, it would be a de facto declaration of war against the United States of America.”

{Matzav.com}

Following the conclusion of Operation “Am K’Lavi” and the significant blows dealt to Iran’s military and nuclear infrastructure, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is considering a diplomatic visit to the United States, which would include a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House.

According to senior diplomatic officials, formal discussions between Yerushalayim and Washington have yet to begin, but the intention is to schedule the visit as soon as possible—potentially within the next few weeks. One official noted, “The goal is to create a symbolic and international moment of victory over Iran—both on the diplomatic stage and in the court of global public opinion.”

The planned trip is being described behind the scenes as a “victory celebration,” although the exact timing remains uncertain, and it is still unclear whether the visit will proceed without delays.

Within Israel’s political sphere, the move is seen as an effort to reinforce the legitimacy of the recent military campaign, especially amid increasing debate over the impending ceasefire. For Netanyahu, the meeting—should it materialize—would serve to project strength and mark a personal achievement in reaffirming ties with one of Israel’s most important allies.

{Matzav.com}

Israel’s main international gateway, Ben Gurion Airport, is returning to full operations after the Home Front Command lifted all wartime travel restrictions, the Israel Airports Authority announced Tuesday. Effective immediately, limitations on the number of incoming and outgoing flights, as well as passenger capacity per flight, have been removed. In addition, entry restrictions for travelers and accompanying individuals at airport terminals have been fully lifted. “The restrictions on the number of incoming and outgoing flights, as well as the number of passengers on each flight, have been lifted,” the Airports Authority said in a statement. “In addition, restrictions on the arrival of passengers and accompanying persons at the airports have been lifted.” Duty-free shops at Ben Gurion and other airports are set to reopen beginning Wednesday morning, operating under updated security and regulatory protocols. The Airports Authority urged travelers to stay informed by checking with their airlines for the latest flight schedule updates. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

MK Avigdor Lieberman, head of the Yisrael Beytenu party, issued a stark warning on Tuesday in response to President Donald Trump’s announcement of a diplomatic initiative aimed at ending hostilities with Iran. Lieberman expressed deep concern that this approach could backfire, posing significant dangers not only to Israel but to the wider region as well.

In a post shared across his social media platforms, Lieberman praised the accomplishments of Israel’s military and intelligence agencies during the conflict, calling them “extraordinary military achievements.” However, he criticized how the war is winding down. “The final chord is particularly bitter and jarring,” he wrote, voicing his disappointment with what he described as a retreat into diplomacy instead of forcing Iran into a full surrender.

Lieberman argued that shifting to talks with Tehran is a strategic miscalculation. “Instead of unconditional surrender, the world is entering into a difficult and exhausting negotiation process,” he said, asserting that Iran has made no serious moves to abandon its nuclear program, its production of long-range missiles, or its financial and operational backing of terror organizations.

Reflecting on his earlier warnings, Lieberman reiterated that he had cautioned against allowing the Iranian regime to survive the war in a weakened state. “There is nothing more dangerous than leaving a wounded lion,” he wrote, emphasizing the threat of a still-defiant but injured Iran.

He concluded his remarks by warning that halting the war without securing a clear and definitive outcome could lead to devastating consequences. “It will certainly lead us to another war within two or three years, and under much worse conditions,” he cautioned, underlining his belief that a temporary truce without resolution would only delay the inevitable.

{Matzav.com}