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A new report aired by Channel 12 on Sunday revealed a deeply disturbing act of psychological cruelty by Hamas against Israeli hostage Matan Zangauker. His family learned that Hamas had falsely assured him that he would be freed alongside US-Israeli captive Edan Alexander and reunited with his loved ones.

The report noted that this information surfaced following Alexander’s release. The two had been held in the same location, and Zangauker was led to believe he would be joining Alexander in freedom.

On the day Edan was released, Hamas deceived Zangauker by claiming that his own release was imminent. He was even instructed to gather his personal items in preparation for the return home. Believing the end of his ordeal was near, Matan chose not to send a message to his mother with Edan, assuming he would be seeing her in person very shortly.

But the truth was far more cruel. Just as he was prepared to leave, the terrorists revealed their lie, telling him he would not be going home. Instead, only Edan was being released. The psychological toll of this betrayal reportedly had a devastating effect on Zangauker’s mental well-being.

On Saturday, Hamas released a photo showing Matan connected to an IV drip. The terror group claimed the image was taken in response to intensified IDF activity near the area where he is believed to be held, asserting that his life was in danger due to the military operations.

{Matzav.com Israel}

In a dramatic statement on Sunday, IDF spokesman Effie Defrin addressed the media from deep beneath the European Hospital in Khan Yunis, Gaza, where Israeli forces uncovered a hidden underground compound.

Delivering his remarks from the subterranean location, Defrin condemned Hamas for misappropriating civilian infrastructure for terror operations. “I am standing in the underground facility beneath the European Hospital in Khan Yunis. This is where European aid funds ended up – not in medical care, but in the construction of terror tunnels and infrastructure,” he declared, gesturing toward a pile of cash discovered in the tunnel system.

He went on to condemn Hamas’s manipulation of humanitarian sites, saying, “Hamas has once again made cynical use of a civilian hospital, using it not to save lives, but to facilitate death and murder. This is one of the places from which the October 7 attacks were orchestrated.”

According to Defrin, the tunnel network had been used by high-ranking Hamas operatives, including Mohamed Sinwar, the brother of Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar, and Shabana, the head of the Rafah Brigade. “This is the room where Sinwar and Shabana were staying when they were targeted by IDF strikes about a month ago. We can now confirm with certainty that Mohamed Sinwar was here and was killed in the strike,” he said. “We will continue to hunt down every last member of Hamas until we achieve the objectives of this war.”

Alongside Defrin were members of the elite Yahalom combat engineering unit and fighters from the Golani Brigade, who played a central role in the mission to capture the tunnel compound. Defrin noted, “We discovered large sums of money here, not for civilian use, but to fund terrorism. Along with the cash, we found a significant stockpile of weapons.”

In closing, Defrin reaffirmed Israel’s determination to destroy Hamas’s war-making capability. “This underground complex exemplifies how Hamas exploits humanitarian resources to wage war. Our mission will not end until that threat is fully neutralized.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

Al-Qaeda’s leader in Yemen has threatened U.S. President Donald Trump and billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk over the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, according to reports on Sunday.

Saad bin Atef al-Awlaki, also known as Abu al-Laith, recorded a 30-minute video message that was shared online by supporters of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. This is reportedly the 47-year-old Yemeni terrorist’s first video message since being named emir of AQAP in March 2024, following the death of Khalid Batarfi.

In addition to Trump and Musk, the video reportedly shows images of U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. Logos of Musk’s businesses, including Tesla, are also featured.

“There are no red lines after what happened and is happening to our people in Gaza,” al-Awlaki reportedly said. “Reciprocity is legitimate.”

The United States is offering up to $6 million for information on al-Awlaki via the State Department’s Rewards for Justice program, noting his public statements calling for attacks against the United States and its allies. JNS

{Matzav.com}

At the annual gathering of the Teshuvos V’Hanhagos kollel network, Rav Moshe Sternbuch delivered a powerful address, including his first-ever public remarks on the growing threat from Iran.

The event brought together approximately 150 avreichim from the kollel’s four branches—Har Nof, Geula, Beit Shemesh, and Modiin Illit—for a day of inspiration and guidance from the venerated posek.

In an extended shmuess, Rav Sternbuch addressed the responsibilities of talmidei chachomim in these turbulent times. He spoke forcefully about the government’s actions aimed at undermining religious life, referring to them as mafriyei bris—those who violate the covenant—whose goal is to uproot Torah from the Jewish people.

Following a lengthy discussion on the critical obligation to devote every moment to limud haTorah with yiras Shamayim, Rav Sternbuch addressed the looming concern of a nuclear threat from Iran, which has recently returned to headlines.

“Many people are asking and wondering if we should be afraid of an atomic bomb from Iran,” he said. “And I will tell you what the Chazon Ish used to say: ‘I am not afraid of their bombs. I am afraid of chilul Shabbos.’”

He continued: “So too in our times, I am not afraid of a nuclear bomb from Iran. What I fear are the decrees against religion. The government wants to shut down the yeshivos, and the yeshivos are our very foundation.

“They want us to become a ‘free people in our land’—free from Hashem. That is what I fear. But Iran? We do not need to fear them. If Hakadosh Baruch Hu wants to save us, we will be saved. What we need to fear are the efforts to uproot our emunah and tear us away from our religion.”

{Matzav.com}

In a move to safeguard the Gerrer Mosdos in Eretz Yisroel, the Gerer Rebbe departed Eretz Yisroel on Motzeoi Shabbos for the United States, leading a critical emergency fundraising campaign to rescue Gerrer educational institutions facing unprecedented financial peril. The Rebbe’s journey, aboard a private jet graciously provided by Philanthropist Yoeli Landau and his partner David Gefner, comes as government funding for chareidi mosdos has been slashed, with no legislative relief in sight for full-time lomdei Torah. Sources within the Gur community revealed that the campaign aims to secure sufficient funds to sustain all Gur educational institutions for the next two years, ensuring the continuity of Torah and chinuch. A well-placed source in Gur tells YWN that the rebbe will be going home with a staggering $20 million for his Mosdos. A pinnacle of the Rebbe’s visit will be a major fundraising dinner on Sunday evening, at the home of Philanthropist and mega Askan Reb Shlomo Werdiger, chairman of Agudath Israel of America. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

The second day of the visit of Rav Ezriel Auerbach to the United States was marked by receptions and meaningful encounters, with visits to gedolim and various mosdos.

Throughout the day, large kabbalas panim events were held in batei medrash, yeshivos, Talmudei Torah, and even in the streets of Lakewood, as throngs came out to greet the venerated posek.

PHOTOS:

The IDF and Shin Bet confirmed that the body of Hamas terror leader Mohammed Sinwar was recovered by troops from a tunnel beneath the European Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza. The tunnel, used by Hamas as a command center, was accessed by IDF forces several days ago, with Sinwar’s body and those of other Hamas operatives retrieved on Shabbos. Following a meticulous identification process, the IDF verified that one of the bodies belongs to Sinwar, who was eliminated in a precise Israeli strike on the tunnel on May 13. The strike also neutralized Muhammad Shabana, commander of Hamas’ Rafah Brigade, and Mahdi Quara, commander of the South Khan Younis Battalion. Inside the tunnel, troops uncovered personal items belonging to Sinwar and Shabana, including identification cards, as well as weapons. The IDF continues to identify the remaining bodies, underscoring its relentless efforts to dismantle Hamas’ terror infrastructure and bring justice to those threatening Israel’s security. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Crown Heights has officially thrown its support behind Andrew Cuomo in the upcoming mayoral primary, making it the third Orthodox Jewish community to endorse the former governor. The neighborhood joins Far Rockaway and the Bobov community in Borough Park in backing Cuomo’s bid. This endorsement is particularly significant, as YWN reported in may 2021, Crown Heights was the first Chassidic community to endorse Mayor Eric Adams in the 2021 primary. With Mayor Adams not running in the democratic primary, and polls showing a competitive contest between Zohran Mamdani and Cuomo, the Crown Heights Jewish community has now united behind Cuomo. Statement from Crown Jewish United and the Crown Heights PAC: Endorse Andrew Cuomo for Mayor “Crown Jewish United and the Crown Heights PAC are joining forces to offer a unified endorsement of Andrew Cuomo as our #1 choice for Mayor in the upcoming primary. In the past, our groups have endorsed different candidates. But this year, one of the contenders is openly promoting anti-Semitic rhetoric, supports the BDS movement, threatened to arrest Prime Minister Netanyahu if he visits New York, and chose to attack Israel instead of condemning Hamas on October 8, 2023—while the deadliest massacre of Jews by Hamas in modern history was still unfolding. We believe it is vital to stand together and speak with one voice. Andrew Cuomo is the only candidate who can stop Zohran Mamdani in the primary. Later this week, we will announce our #2 and #3 mayoral endorsements, along with our support for candidates in other local races.”

Iran’s intelligence minister revealed on Sunday that a collection of confidential Israeli documents recently obtained by Tehran would soon be made public. Speaking on state television, Esmail Khatib called the materials a “treasure trove” that he claimed would boost Iran’s strategic strength.

Over the weekend, Iranian state media claimed that intelligence agencies in Iran had acquired a vast quantity of classified Israeli documents. The reports did not provide any proof to support the assertion. According to Khatib, the documents include details on Israel’s nuclear infrastructure, its relationships with Western nations including the United States and European countries, and information regarding its military defense systems.

It remains uncertain if this alleged intelligence windfall is connected to a previously reported cyberattack on an Israeli nuclear facility last year. Tehran’s disclosure of the incident now comes amid growing international scrutiny of its own nuclear program.

“The transfer of this treasure trove was time-consuming and required security measures. Naturally, the transfer methods will remain confidential but the documents should be unveiled soon,” said Khatib. He added that the quantity of material was so substantial that “talking of thousands of documents would be an understatement.”

This development echoes a 2018 announcement by Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, who said Israeli operatives had retrieved a massive “archive” of Iranian nuclear files, claiming the documents proved Iran had conducted more extensive nuclear activities than it had previously admitted.

At the same time, Washington continues to engage in negotiations with Tehran to resolve the long-standing standoff over Iran’s nuclear program. President Donald Trump has warned that if diplomatic efforts fail, military options remain on the table to prevent Iran from advancing its nuclear capabilities.

Despite issuing stern warnings, Trump has leaned on diplomacy. In April, he reportedly stepped in to stop a planned Israeli military operation targeting Iranian nuclear infrastructure, in order to avoid undermining the ongoing talks.

Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, dismissed any suggestion that Tehran might abandon uranium enrichment. “100 percent” against Iran’s interests, he said on Wednesday, firmly rejecting one of the main conditions sought by the United States in negotiations.

Western governments maintain that Iran is enriching uranium to levels dangerously close to weapons-grade, arguing there is no civilian justification for such high levels of purity. Tehran has consistently denied that it intends to build nuclear weapons.

{Matzav.com}

WATCH: In a heartfelt address about the IDF Draft at a major gathering organized by the ‘Amalim’ organization for bnei yeshivos from the Ethiopian community, HaGaon HaRav Moshe Hillel Hirsch delivered a powerful message of chizuk: “We are taking care of you! Be’ezras Hashem, everything will be alright! Do not worry!” The event was graced by the presence of HaGaon HaRav Avraham Salim, a member of the Moetzes Chachmei HaTorah of Shas, and Shas chairman Aryeh Deri.

A Brazilian activist (aka anti-semite) aboard the Gaza-bound vessel Madleen claimed Sunday that the ship’s navigation and communication systems were being jammed, suggesting that Israel is preparing to intercept the controversial flotilla before it reaches the Gaza Strip. Thiago Ávila, a left-wing activist sailing with the flotilla, posted a video alleging that their onboard tracker was spoofed, showing their location not near Gaza but bizarrely at Jordan’s airport. “We know what this means,” he said. “When they start jamming our communications, when they start messing with our devices, it means they are preparing for an interception or an attack.” Ávila further accused Israel of “preparing to commit a war crime” and called on supporters to apply international pressure to prevent what he framed as a possible military confrontation. The flotilla, which includes antisemites from several countries and is joined by Swedish “climate activist Greta Thunberg”, is expected to attempt to breach the naval blockade on Gaza as early as Monday. Thunberg, the 22-year-old Swedish “environmentalist” who was named “Antisemite of the Week” last year, boarded the Madleen boat in Sicily on Sunday along with EU parliament member Rima Hassan, who was blocked from entering Israel earlier this year due to her anti-Israel activities.   Israel has made clear that such a breach will not be tolerated. Defense Minister Yisrael Katz responded on Sunday, announcing that he had instructed the IDF to take all necessary action to block the flotilla. “Israel will not allow anyone to violate the naval blockade on Gaza, which is aimed at preventing weapons from reaching Hamas — a murderous terrorist organization holding our hostages and committing war crimes,” Katz said. Directly addressing Thunberg and other members of the flotilla, Katz added sharply: “To Greta the antisemite and her Hamas propaganda-spouting friends, I say clearly: turn around — you will not reach Gaza. Israel will act against any attempt to break the blockade or assist terrorist organizations — by sea, air, or land.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

In a move drawing sharp criticism, the cabinet approved a new resolution on Sunday that permits a ministerial committee—rather than a professional, independent body—to initiate proceedings to dismiss the attorney general. This decision came despite a warning earlier that day from the Attorney General’s Office declaring the proposal illegal. The change sidesteps a procedure that had required the input of a statutory committee of legal experts and public representatives before such a step could be taken.

Justice Minister Yariv Levin wasted no time after the vote, immediately sending a letter to the newly formed committee, urging them to evaluate whether Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara should be removed from her post. He also asked the committee to conduct a formal hearing as part of its deliberation.

Under the revised resolution, which alters a policy from the year 2000, the authority to recommend the attorney general’s dismissal shifts to a five-member panel of ministers appointed by the government. This committee replaces the earlier requirement of consultation with a neutral body consisting of professionals with legal credentials.

Once the committee has reached a conclusion, it can submit its recommendation to the cabinet, which would then require a supermajority—75 percent of ministers—to vote in favor in order to remove the attorney general.

The ministers chosen to serve on the committee are Diaspora Affairs Minister Amihai Chikli, who will serve as chairman; Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich; National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir; Science and Technology Minister Gila Gamliel; and Religious Services Minister Michael Malkieli.

It remains uncertain when the committee will convene, but Ben Gvir called on Chikli to hold a session as early as Monday and to bring Baharav-Miara in for a hearing within the week.

Tensions between the attorney general and the current government have been ongoing since the coalition took office at the end of 2022. Government officials have repeatedly accused her of obstructing their agenda, while Baharav-Miara has maintained that many of the government’s initiatives violate the law or breach constitutional norms.

The resolution approved Sunday is seen as a pivotal and unprecedented development. The attorney general plays a central role in safeguarding legal standards and ensuring the integrity of law enforcement, and the position has historically been filled through a nonpartisan, merit-based process.

In a legal opinion released earlier on Sunday, the Attorney General’s Office warned that the proposed change would erode the independence of the office and subject it to political pressures. It stated the move was designed only because the government faced obstacles in navigating the established legal pathway to remove her and accused the coalition of “changing the rules of the game” midstream.

Civil rights organizations quickly responded with petitions to the High Court of Justice. The Israel Democracy Guard, one of the petitioners, said the resolution stemmed from “ulterior motives” and would seriously “harm the independence of the institution of the Attorney General’s Office.”

The High Court may issue an interim order, as it did regarding the dismissal process for Shin Bet director Ronen Bar, blocking the implementation of this new mechanism until the legal challenges are resolved.

The effort to oust Baharav-Miara began formally in March when the cabinet unanimously passed a no-confidence vote against her. However, Levin was unable to activate the statutory process outlined in the original 2000 resolution, as he could not recruit a past justice minister or attorney general to serve on the committee, and the Knesset failed to appoint a member to the panel.

In response to those setbacks, Levin introduced the new framework, pointing out that the original method had reached a dead end. He also claimed that previous justice officials and attorneys general had made public remarks indicating bias against the government, making them unfit to weigh in on the matter.

In the rationale accompanying the resolution, Levin emphasized that the March vote had shown unanimous cabinet distrust in Baharav-Miara, asserting that productive collaboration with her had become impossible.

“The argumentative actions of the attorney general, which are not in line with legal positions previously presented by the Attorney General’s Office, have paralyzed the government’s work on a number of essential matters,” Levin wrote. He further stressed that the situation was exacerbated by the ongoing war, saying it demanded close and efficient coordination between the attorney general and government officials.

Deputy Attorney General Gil Limon authored a detailed opinion criticizing Levin’s initiative, describing it as “an extreme expression of a series of moves recently promoted whose purpose is to remove limits and oversight over governmental power… while politicizing the public service, and harming the neutrality of [law enforcement] gatekeepers.”

Limon argued that the new procedure would fundamentally alter the nature of the attorney general’s role, which had been “an independent and apolitical position” since the establishment of the state.

“It involves the removal of a central and necessary institutional guarantee to ensure the attorney general’s independent functioning, which is essential to protecting the rule of law,” he wrote.

Limon concluded that the resolution was “unlawful” and could not be implemented legally.

He also questioned the reasoning behind creating a new panel based on supposed bias among previous officials, while stacking the new committee with ministers who had all publicly called for Baharav-Miara’s removal.

Finally, Limon raised concerns about the timing of the move, as the Attorney General’s Office is preparing two significant responses to the High Court. One relates to petitions demanding enforcement of draft laws for chareidi yeshiva students, and the other concerns legal challenges to legislation that dramatically increased political influence over judicial appointments.

{Matzav.com}

Tzvi-Hirsh (Grisha) Zurgazda, a 32-year-old father of two and a beloved member of the kehilla in Odessa, was killed in combat last Thursday while serving on the front lines near Kherson. He is the third Jewish soldier to fall in Ukraine’s ongoing war within the past two weeks. Zurgazda served in the Ukrainian army’s 34th Brigade, which is responsible for defending key areas in the country’s southern region, including coastal defenses near the Black Sea. A proud Jew and graduate of Odessa’s Or Avner-Chabad school, Zurgazda remained deeply connected to Torah even while in uniform. Before the war, he worked as a professional chef and often spoke of his dream to open Odessa’s first Michelin-starred kosher restaurant—an ambition put on hold by the ongoing conflict. “Tzvi-Hirsh was a true ben Torah and a cherished child of our community,” said Rabbi Avraham Wolf, Chief Rabbi of Odessa and Southern Ukraine. “He gave his life al kiddush Hashem—not only in defense of his country, but as a Jew who never let go of his roots. Our hearts are broken.” Zurgazda is survived by his wife and two young children: Elissa, age four, and Lev, age five. His levaya is expected to take place later this week in Odessa, with Rabbi Wolf and members of the local kehillah in attendance. Efforts to waive an autopsy and arrange a proper halachic burial were coordinated by Yakov Sinyakov of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Ukraine (FJCU). His petirah comes amid a string of recent Jewish casualties on the battlefield. Just last week, Andrey Korovetsky, a teacher at the Chabad school in Zhytomyr, died after suffering a cardiac arrest on the front lines, having previously returned to duty after an injury. And two weeks ago, Maxim Nelipa, a well-known Jewish journalist and actor, was killed in combat in eastern Ukraine. His son Artyom, currently serving in the IDF’s Golani Brigade, received word of his father’s death while stationed in Gaza. According to Rabbi Meir Stambler, chairman of the FJCU, over 200 Jewish soldiers have lost their lives since the start of the war. “We continue to work closely with Chabad shluchim to ensure kavod hameis, offer financial assistance to families, and arrange for Kaddish and support in their memory,” he said. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

A newly released report from The Washington Post describes a fiery confrontation that reportedly took place between Elon Musk and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent inside the White House this past April. The clash is said to have marked a pivotal turning point in Musk’s deteriorating relationship with President Donald Trump.

The alleged incident unfolded after Musk and Bessent each presented competing reform proposals for the Internal Revenue Service directly to President Trump in the Oval Office. As detailed in the report, Trump ultimately threw his support behind Bessent’s plan.

According to former White House advisor Steven Bannon, the tensions spilled over once the two men left the meeting. “Scott said [to Musk], ‘You’re a fraud. You’re a total fraud,'” Bannon stated, describing Bessent’s accusation during the verbal altercation.

Bannon went on to claim that Musk initiated physical contact in response to the insult, driving his shoulder into Bessent’s torso “like a rugby player.” The encounter reportedly triggered a physical reaction from the Treasury Secretary.

The situation escalated to the point where several people had to intervene to separate them, Bannon alleged. Following the scuffle, Musk was reportedly escorted out of the West Wing.

“President Trump heard about it and said, ‘This is too much,'” said Bannon.

The confrontation comes amid growing public animosity between Musk and President Trump, especially after Musk slammed a major budget bill the president backed, branding it a “disgusting abomination.”

In response to Musk’s harsh criticism, President Trump is said to have threatened to pull government contracts from Musk’s ventures, such as SpaceX and Starlink. He also allegedly warned that Musk would face consequences if he aligned with Democrats in the 2026 midterm elections, stating “he will pay the price.”

Musk quickly fired back in a post on X, rejecting Trump’s narrative. He denied having deep prior knowledge of the proposed budget details and said his objections were unrelated to the removal of the electric vehicle tax credit.

Taking things further, Musk claimed that without his support, President Trump and Republican lawmakers wouldn’t have won in 2024. He even polled his followers on whether he should launch a new political party.

Musk also made a bold and explosive claim, suggesting that the President is “in the Epstein files” and alleging that this is the “real reason” the documents have not been made public. Musk deleted the posts shortly afterward and did not provide any evidence to support the accusation.

In another provocative move, Musk liked and reposted a message on X that called for President Trump to be impeached and proposed that Vice President JD Vance replace him.

As of now, neither the White House nor the Treasury Department has issued a response regarding the alleged altercation between Musk and Bessent. Representatives for Musk have also remained silent on the matter.

{Matzav.com}

Is there a pain greater than the pain of watching your little daughter bravely fighting for her life, but losing despite all efforts? There is! Knowing that if only they had the means, they could fly her to a children’s hospital in the USA, where ground-breaking treatments are available and could cure Riki. But they do not have the funds. Imagine this young family: mom and dad, hardworking and loving parents to Riki and Moishi, just celebrating the birth of baby Moti. Their world collapsing one cruel day when they discover to their horror that Riki, a happy, sweet tempered and creative seven-year-old, has Leukemia. They spend days in the hospital, then weeks. Leaving all behind and focusing on supporting their little girl, seeking treatment and hoping for good news. But weeks turn to months, and Riki is only getting worse. Moishi and baby Motti miss them terribly, their jobs are gone, their strength is weakening, and Riki is bravely trying to fight but she knows that her chances are slim. Then they hear of a possible cure, far away in the USA. With rekindled hope they contact the hospital and find that Riki is a perfect candidate for this treatment. They want to celebrate, to start planning a complicated voyage and stay, but the sums needed are way beyond their waning budget. Can you imagine the agony? Little Riki is praying for a miracle With her childish optimism she knows that her devoted parents will find a way. The way is us Together, we can be that miracle! We can give Riki and her parents the most precious gift of all: a cure, a life. Donate now

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Is there a pain greater than the pain of watching your little daughter bravely fighting for her life, but losing despite all efforts?

There is!

Knowing that if only they had the means, they could fly her to a children’s hospital in the USA, where ground-breaking treatments are available and could cure Riki.

But they do not have the funds.

Imagine this young family: mom and dad, hardworking and loving parents to Riki and Moishi, just celebrating the birth of baby Moti. Their world collapsing one cruel day when they discover to their horror that Riki, a happy, sweet tempered and creative seven-year-old, has Leukemia.

They spend days in the hospital, then weeks. Leaving all behind and focusing on supporting their little girl, seeking treatment and hoping for good news. But weeks turn to months, and Riki is only getting worse. Moishi and baby Motti miss them terribly, their jobs are gone, their strength is weakening, and Riki is bravely trying to fight but she knows that her chances are slim.

Then they hear of a possible cure, far away in the USA. With rekindled hope they contact the hospital and find that Riki is a perfect candidate for this treatment. They want to celebrate, to start planning a complicated voyage and stay, but the sums needed are way beyond their waning budget. Can you imagine the agony?

Little Riki is praying for a miracle

With her childish optimism she knows that her devoted parents will find a way.

The way is us

Together, we can be that miracle!

We can give Riki and her parents the most precious gift of all: a cure, a life.

Donate now

Tzvi-Hirsh (Grisha) Zurgazda, age 32, a father of two and a well-known member of Odessa’s Jewish community, was killed in combat last Thursday while serving near Kherson. He is the third Jewish serviceman to lose his life in Ukraine’s ongoing war effort over the past two weeks.

Zurgazda was a soldier in the 34th Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, a unit responsible for safeguarding the southern part of the country, including strategic river inlets and coastal zones along the Black Sea.

Having studied at Or Avner – Chabad Jewish School in Odessa, Zurgazda was deeply rooted in Jewish life. He had trained professionally as a chef and dreamed of one day launching Odessa’s first kosher restaurant to earn a Michelin star. The conflict put those ambitions on hold.

“Tzvi-Hirsh was a child of our community,” said Rabbi Abraham Wolf, Chief Rabbi of Odessa and southern Ukraine. “He lived a life of tradition and community. He sacrificed his life to defend his homeland and his people — both as a Ukrainian soldier and as a proud Jew. My heart aches for him.”

Rabbi Wolf continued, “I pray that his bravery and legacy will be a guiding light for his children, his family, and for all of us. The entire community mourns his loss and supports his loved ones during this painful time.”

Yakov Sinyakov, who oversees Jewish military personnel on behalf of the Federation of Jewish Communities in Ukraine (FJCU), received official notification of Zurgazda’s passing from the Ukrainian armed forces. He promptly began working to bypass an autopsy and facilitate a Jewish burial in Odessa later this week, which Rabbi Wolf is expected to attend.

Zurgazda is survived by his wife and their two children, Elissa, age four, and Lev, age five.

His passing follows two other recent Jewish military deaths in Ukraine.

One week ago, Andrey Korovetsky, who taught at a Chabad school in Zhytomyr and also served as a soldier, died after suffering a heart attack on active duty. He had previously sustained injuries in battle, returned to serve, and ultimately passed away due to cardiac failure in the line of duty.

Two weeks ago, Maxim Nelipa—a well-known actor and television journalist—was killed while fighting in eastern Ukraine. Nelipa had built a successful media career prior to the invasion but chose to enlist when war erupted. He distinguished himself in combat and had just been promoted to company commander before being fatally struck. His son Artyom, currently serving in Israel’s Golani Brigade, was notified of his father’s death while stationed in Gaza.

Rabbi Meir Stambler, head of the Federation of Jewish Communities, noted that the war has claimed the lives of over 200 Jewish servicemen. “We work closely with Chabad emissaries to arrange Jewish funerals, offer financial support to grieving families, and recite Kaddish in memory of these heroes,” he said.

{Matzav.com}

The violence in Gaza will only come to a halt when Hamas realizes it has no future there, according to U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee. In a detailed interview with Newsmax Middle East correspondent Zach Anders, which aired on Sunday during “Wake Up America Weekend,” Huckabee laid the blame squarely on Hamas for initiating and continuing the bloodshed.

“This was started by Hamas on October 7,” Huckabee said. “They created this nightmare. They perpetuated the nightmare. They’ve kept it going for over 600 days.”

Huckabee emphasized the brutality of Hamas’ actions during the October 7 attack, which included atrocities committed against hostages, among them American citizens.

“They murdered over 1200 people on the day itself, Oct. 7, taking over 250 hostages, including a lot of Americans, and a lot of Americans tend to forget that Americans were taken hostage,” said Huckabee. “Americans were murdered. Their remains are still being held by Hamas. This all comes down to one thing: the absolute uncivilized savagery of Hamas.”

He explained that both the Israeli and American governments have made it clear they are open to a resolution—if Hamas is willing to step aside.

“The one thing that has been consistent, and President [Donald] Trump has never wavered from this, is that Hamas has no future there,” said Huckabee. “They can’t govern. … Put the blame where it is. It isn’t on Israel. It’s with Hamas solely, and they can fix it as soon as they decide that they are willing to take an exile, which Israel is willing to let them do, but they’re not going to let them stay in Gaza.”

Huckabee also addressed the ongoing issue of civilian deaths in Gaza, attributing much of the destruction to Hamas’s deliberate strategy of putting civilians in danger.

“Who announces in advance they’re going to hit a particular area?” he said. “The Israelis do, because they’re trying to keep from civilian casualties in a war. You don’t always have that luxury. So what did Hamas do? They pushed their people right into the very target that Israel had announced. That’s why so many have been a part of the carnage.”

Despite his strong stance on Hamas, Huckabee made it clear that he harbors no animosity toward the Palestinian people and expressed a desire to see them thrive. He also mentioned his intentions to hold meetings with leaders from the Palestinian Authority.

“I don’t hate anybody,” he said. “I want them to succeed. I want their people to have great opportunities. But I have not only already met with some Palestinian leaders, mostly business leaders, but I plan to meet with Palestinian government leaders to talk about whether there are ways forward.”

Huckabee reminded viewers that his role as ambassador was meant to encompass all regions of Israel.

“That includes Judea, Samara, and all parts of it,” he said. “I want to be faithful to that task.”

When asked about French President Emmanuel Macron’s reported plan to propose the establishment of a Palestinian state at the United Nations, Huckabee offered a pointed critique.

“If you want a Palestinian state so badly, why don’t you host it?” Huckabees said. “You’ve got plenty of land. People don’t understand. Israel has less than a tiny fraction. Muslim-controlled countries have 644 times the amount of real estate that Israel has. So when people say, well, carve out some of Israel, what are they asking them to do? Carve out a bit of a tiny piece of property that’s the size of New Jersey?”

{Matzav.com}

SICK: Dana Bash of CNN suggests that what’s been happening in LA—arson, rocks thrown at moving vehicles, law enforcement being attacked—isn’t a “real riot.” The Fake News continues to side with violent rioters over the professionals dedicated to restoring safety to our communities.

Thiago Ávila, a Brazilian activist aboard the ship Madleen, which is currently en route to the Gaza Strip as part of a controversial flotilla, claimed on Sunday that their systems have been compromised. According to Ávila, the disruptions are likely the result of Israeli interference as a prelude to an attempt to intercept their mission.

In a video update, Ávila described what he called suspicious developments. “I’ve received some very weird news that according to our tracker, we are no longer 162 nautical miles from Gaza, which is where we are, but according to it, we are in the Jordan airport. We know what that means when they start jamming our communications, when they start messing with our devices, it means that they are preparing for an interception or an attack.”

He continued, warning of possible military action by Israeli forces. “We all heard the Israeli media saying that they confirmed that Unit S (Shayetet) 13 (Israel’s naval commando unit) of IOF (Israel Occupation Forces) special forces are preparing to commit a warcrime, and we need to stop that, we can still stop that. I’m convinced that if we mobilize enough, if we pressure the nation states enough, we can make such pressure in the Zionist entity that they can not afford to attack us, to intercept us.”

Ávila urged viewers to spread his message in hopes of deterring action against the flotilla. “We still have a chance to save this humanitarian aid, to preserve this boat, this mission, and ourselves, and we count on you right now.”

The Madleen is expected to reach the vicinity of Gaza’s shoreline by Monday. The voyage is being spearheaded by far-left demonstrators, including well-known environmental advocate Greta Thunberg.

In anticipation of the flotilla’s approach, Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a directive earlier in the day to the IDF, authorizing all necessary measures to block the vessel from arriving in Gaza. The stated rationale is to uphold the blockade that Israel argues is vital for stopping arms from reaching Hamas.

“Israel will not allow anyone to violate the naval blockade on Gaza, which is primarily aimed at preventing the transfer of weapons to Hamas — a murderous terrorist organization that is holding our hostages and committing war crimes,” Katz stated.

He added pointedly, “I have instructed the IDF to ensure that the ‘Madleen’ flotilla does not reach Gaza. To Greta the antisemite and her Hamas propaganda-spouting friends, I say clearly: turn around — you will not reach Gaza. Israel will act against any attempt to break the blockade or assist terrorist organizations — by sea, air, or land.”

{Matzav.com}