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After four days of intensive searches, the body of a teenage boy from Bnei Brak was recovered from the Yarkon River on Sunday afternoon.

The search was launched after 19-year-old Eliyahu Abba Shaul, who had been missing since Wednesday, failed to return home. Police said that ZAKA volunteers located his body a short time ago as part of the ongoing efforts to find the missing youth.

Search operations had continued around the clock over the past several days, focusing on the Yarkon River area after the teenager’s bicycle and personal belongings were discovered nearby. That finding led police and rescue forces to concentrate their efforts along the riverbank and surrounding parkland.

Since then, large numbers of police officers, special units, and volunteer rescue organizations have been deployed to the scene. The operation included ground searches, water-based searches, and the use of specialized technological equipment.

Despite difficult conditions, search teams continued their efforts at night as well, assisted by advanced equipment and ZAKA’s diving unit, which operated along the river’s course and adjacent areas in an attempt to locate any clue that could shed light on the circumstances of the disappearance.

ZAKA officials said that after four consecutive days of intensive activity, the body of the missing teenager was found in Yarkon Park by volunteers from the organization’s special units.

The multi-day operation was carried out in full cooperation with Israel Police and the Fire and Rescue Service’s Lahava Unit. It included land searches, aerial scans using ZAKA’s drone unit, underwater searches along the riverbed, and the use of advanced sonar systems. The entire effort was coordinated from a dedicated command post established at the site.

{Matzav.com}

Israel’s Foreign Ministry confirmed on Sunday that one Israeli was killed and another Israeli was wounded in the deadly shooting attack at a Chanukah celebration in Sydney, Australia. Israel’s embassy in Australia and the Foreign Ministry’s department for Israelis in distress are accompanying the wounded man’s family, as he remains hospitalized at a local medical center.

An Israeli consul is expected to arrive at the hospital to assist the injured Israeli and provide support to his relatives.

The wounded man, Arsen Ostrovsky, an international human rights lawyer who recently relocated from Israel to Sydney to work with the local Jewish community, described scenes of terror and chaos as gunfire erupted around him and his family. Ostrovsky was photographed at the scene with his head bandaged and his face covered in blood.

Speaking to Australian television, Ostrovsky, who serves as chairman of the Australia–Israel and Jewish Affairs Council in Sydney, recounted the moments of the attack: “I was here with my family. It was a Hanukkah celebration. There were hundreds of people. There were children, there were elderly people. Families enjoying themselves. Kids at a festival, playing. And then suddenly, absolute chaos. There are guns, fire everywhere, people running. It was absolute chaos. We didn’t know what was happening, where the shots were coming from.”

“I saw blood flowing in front of me,” he continued. “I saw people being hit, I saw people falling to the ground. My only concern was, where are my kids? Where are my kids? Where is my wife? Where is my family?”

Ostrovsky noted that he had lived in Israel for the past 13 years and had arrived in Australia just two weeks ago. “I lived in Israel for the past 13 years,” he said. “We came here just two weeks ago to work with the Jewish community to fight antisemitism, to fight this bloodthirsty, raging hatred.”

Referring to the Hamas massacre in Israel on October 7, 2023, Ostrovsky added: “We’ve experienced worse things. We’ll get through this, and we’ll catch those who did this.”

When asked whether he saw the gunmen, Ostrovsky replied: “I did. I saw at least one gunman shooting, with what looked like a shotgun, firing randomly in all directions. I saw children falling to the floor, elderly people.”

“I never thought I would see something like this in Australia. Not in my lifetime. Especially not at Bondi Beach, especially not at this iconic place,” he said.

Speaking about his family, Ostrovsky added: “My children, my wife are safe, thank God. They’re okay. They managed to escape. But I didn’t know where they were. There is no greater fear, no greater terror, than not knowing where your family is. They’re okay. I’ll be okay.”

Bahraini peace activist Loay Alsharif also responded to the attack, referring to his wounded friend Ostrovsky. “Please pray for my brother Arsen Ostrovsky, who was injured in the terror attack in Australia. I’ve known Arsen for years, and I pray to God to grant him the same strength He granted Judah and the Maccabees against their enemies. To the terrorists behind this evil act: you will fail, just as Antiochus failed.”

Alsharif added: “I pray for my Jewish brothers in Australia who were at a horrific shooting carried out by terrorists on Chanukah. We will continue to speak out against terror and antisemitism. And we will always stand united against the forces of darkness that harm innocent lives.”

{Matzav.com}

In the wake of the deadly assault on a Jewish Chanukah gathering in Sydney, Israeli officials convened urgent security and strategic consultations to assess responsibility for the attack and determine who orchestrated the violence against the local Jewish community.

Israeli intelligence assessments have increasingly centered on Iran as the primary suspect. As more time passed following the massacre, officials said Israel’s evaluation grew firmer that Tehran played a direct role in the deadly incident.

At the same time, investigators are examining whether additional terrorist groups linked to or influenced by Iran may have been involved. These include Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba organization, which has ties to Al-Qaeda.

According to intelligence material shared with senior political figures, Iran has recently intensified efforts to smuggle weapons, construct terror networks, and establish online “incitement cells” via social media platforms, with the stated goal of striking Jewish targets around the world.

Israeli warnings about such threats were issued months ago, after assessments indicated that Iran was laying the groundwork for attacks on Jewish communities and institutions in Australia.

Background events in Australia have also informed Israel’s suspicions. In August, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese publicly accused Iran of being behind two antisemitic attacks in the country and announced that diplomatic relations with Tehran would be severed in response.

At that time, Albanese stated that the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation had concluded that the Iranian government ordered arson attacks on Lewis Continental Kitchen, a kosher food business in Sydney, in October 2024, and on the Adas Yisrael shul in Melbourne two months later.

Australian intelligence officials assessed that those attacks occurred amid a sharp increase in antisemitic incidents in Sydney and Melbourne following the outbreak of the Gaza war on October 7, 2023, and that Iran sought to conceal its direct involvement in the operations.

{Matzav.com}

WATCH: Prime Minister Netanyahu: “On August 17, about four months ago, I sent Prime Minister Albanese of Australia a letter in which I gave him warning that the Australian government’s policy was promoting and encouraging antisemitism in Australia. I wrote: “Your call for a Palestinian state pours fuel on the antisemitic fire. It rewards Hamas […]

WATCH: Following the deadly terror attack on the Jewish community in Sydney this morning, President Herzog sent the following message to the Jewish community of Australia from the President’s Residence in Jerusalem.

In a surprise to no one, Israel’s High Court of Justice unanimously (7–0) annulled the government’s decision to fire Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, ruling the move was not legally justified. The court said the government relied on a rushed, newly created dismissal process instead of the long-established procedure. Baharav-Miara will remain in office, despite the […]

A United Airlines flight experienced an engine failure during takeoff from Dulles International Airport on Saturday before safely returning to the airport, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The FAA said United flight 803 was traveling to Tokyo when the engine failed Saturday afternoon. The plane, a Boeing 777-200, safely returned to airport around 1:20 […]

The aftermath of the deadly attack at Bondi Beach has sparked sharp diplomatic criticism, with U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee publicly rebuking Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese over what he views as an inadequate response to the violence that claimed at least 12 lives during a Hanukkah celebration on the beachfront.

Huckabee reacted forcefully on social media after reviewing the prime minister’s remarks, describing the statement as “disgraceful” for what he said was a failure to clearly acknowledge the ideological and religious nature of the assault. He accused Albanese of engaging in a “politically correct omission,” arguing that sidestepping the antisemitic motive behind the attack weakens public understanding of the threat and minimizes the gravity of the crime.

In his official response, Prime Minister Albanese denounced the shooting as an “act of evil” and emphasized that his government remains committed to safeguarding all Australians, with particular attention to the Jewish community in the wake of the tragedy.

{Matzav.com}

A Muslim man is the hero civilian who was armed with nothing but his body amd charged a Sydney gunman and wrestled his weapon away. He has since been identified by his family as Ahmed al Ahmed, a 43-year-old father of two. According to relatives, al Ahmed suffered two gunshot wounds to his arm during […]

[Video below.] A dramatic act of bravery unfolded during the deadly Chanukah by the Sea attack in Sydney on Sunday, when a local shopkeeper intervened and stopped one of the terrorists who had opened fire on the crowd at Bondi Beach.

Footage from the scene shows the rescuer, dressed in a white shirt, quietly approaching the armed assailant from behind as the terrorist held a shotgun. Seizing a moment of opportunity, he lunged forward and grappled with the gunman, forcing the weapon out of his hands.

The recording captures the attacker collapsing to the ground before scrambling away from the area as chaos continued around him.

Authorities later confirmed that the assault left at least 12 people dead, including children, and injured 29 others, after two terrorists opened fire at the popular beachfront Hanukkah celebration.

Police said one of the attackers was killed, while the second suspect was arrested and taken into custody.

Officials indicated that the violent rampage continued for roughly 10 minutes before security forces and bystanders were able to neutralize the attackers.

Relatives identified the man who disarmed the terrorist as Ahmed al Ahmed, a 43-year-old Sydney resident, father of two, and owner of a fruit stand, according to news.com.au.

A cousin told 7News that Ahmed was shot twice during the confrontation and was rushed into surgery as a result of his injuries.

“We do hope he will be fine. He’s a hero 100 percent,” the relative said.

According to the video, Ahmed waited until the gunman briefly stopped firing before rushing in, wrapping the attacker in a bear hug. After a short struggle, he emerged holding the weapon himself and turned it toward the terrorist, effectively ending the immediate threat.

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

The Jewish community in Sydney is mourning the killing of Rabbi Eli Schlanger Hy”d, a Chabad shliach in Bondi, Asutralia who was murdered in the terror attack tonight, the first night of Chanukah. He was 40 years old.

Rabbi Schlanger was shot while attending the annual Chanukah by the Sea gathering in Bondi Beach Park, an event he helped organize each year. The program includes the lighting of a large menorah followed by a community celebration. Rabbi Schlanger regularly served as the event’s emcee and was targeted when terrorists opened fire on participants at the Jewish celebration.

A devoted shliach, Rabbi Schlanger was widely admired for his warmth, energy, and deep commitment to the community. He was especially proud of his work with Sydney’s Russian-speaking Jewish population, numbering approximately 5,000 individuals, many of whom had fled the former Soviet Union and found renewed Jewish life through his efforts.

Born in England, Rabbi Schlanger pursued his Torah education in Europe and the United States. He studied at Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim in Brunoy, France, and later received semicha at the Central Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitch in Crown Heights.

Following his marriage to Chayale Ulman, the daughter of Rabbi Yehoram Ulman, senior dayan of the Sydney Beth Din and director of Chabad of Bondi F.R.E.E., Rabbi Schlanger joined his father-in-law in rabbinic leadership. He served as an assistant rabbi and worked closely with him on a range of communal initiatives.

Among his many projects, Rabbi Schlanger partnered with his father-in-law to create and launch a website designed to assist shluchim and individuals worldwide in obtaining certification of Jewish status. The platform was used for matters such as aliya to Israel, band mitzvahs, shul membership, marriage, and other communal needs.

Rabbi Schlanger also served in several chaplaincy roles, including as a chaplain to New South Wales Corrective Services, chaplain to New South Wales Prisoners of War, and chaplain at St. Vincent’s Hospital. In addition, he headed Project Noah, an educational initiative that presents the timeless values of the Seven Noachide Laws to youth through engaging and interactive programming.

Rabbi Schlanger is survived by his wife, Chayale, and their children, including a two-month-old baby. He is also survived by his parents, Rabbi Binyomin and Dobra Schlanger of Israel, and his siblings: Baruch Schlanger of Toronto; Chanie Drizin of Crown Heights; Dena Gansburg of London; Tzippy Kastel of Sydney; Shmuli Schlanger of Bakersfield, California; Perela Goldhirsch of Melbourne; Sorala Hayes of Miami, Florida; and Shaina Joseph of Sydney.

Hashem yikom damo. Umacha Hashem dimah me’al kol ponim.

{Matzav.com}

A media channel identified with Hamas’s military wing issued a warning overnight urging the terror group’s operatives to exercise heightened caution, following reports that Ra’ad Sa’ad, described as the organization’s No. 2 figure, was targeted in an Israeli strike.

In a statement circulated by the channel, activists were told that “the coming hours may include escalation on the part of Israel,” and were instructed to maintain “maximum alertness and caution—particularly regarding movement, communications, and nighttime activity.”

According to a report on Mako, Hamas accused Israel of violating the ceasefire agreement, claiming that an attack on a civilian vehicle in western Gaza City constituted a continuation of breaches of the truce reached under what it described as the Trump framework. Hamas said the incident “once again underscores Israel’s intention to deliberately undermine and sabotage the ceasefire agreement through escalating and ongoing violations.”

The terror group further asserted that the Israeli government bears “full responsibility for the consequences of its crimes against the Palestinian people and for violations of the ceasefire agreement, including harm to civilians, operatives, and leaders.” Hamas called on the mediators and guarantor states of the agreement to take responsibility for what it termed “blatant violations” and to act urgently to “restrain the Israeli government that seeks to undermine the agreement.”

Despite the sharp rhetoric, Hamas has so far refrained from directly addressing the fate of Ra’ad Sa’ad, maintaining a degree of ambiguity similar to its response in previous assassination attempts.

The Mako report also cited Ibrahim al-Madhoun, a commentator close to Hamas, who claimed that the attempted killing carries significant political implications beyond a routine security incident. “In my assessment, this comes in the context of Israel’s attempts to derail the agreement and prevent a transition to its second phase, or to impose new and dangerous rules of engagement that place everyone before extremely difficult choices,” he said.

While Israeli officials have reportedly stated that the assassination was successful, al-Madhoun cautioned against drawing conclusions at this stage. “It is still too early to speak about the success of the attempt,” he said, adding that the very attempt itself represents “a very dangerous development.”

He warned that if such actions go unanswered, they could open the door to a broad and systematic policy of targeted killings. According to al-Madhoun, this trajectory threatens the already fragile stability in the region and risks pushing the situation toward an escalation that could spiral out of control, claiming that “Israel appears to be deliberately heading in that direction.”

{Matzav.com}

WATCH: An eyewitness to the terror attack in Sydney says the assault unfolded over an extended period, lasting approximately 20 minutes, during which the attackers acted deliberately and without interruption. According to the account, four police officers were present at the scene but did not return fire as the attack continued. The eyewitness described a […]

Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, full statement on the Bondi Beach terror attack.

Hong Kong’s biggest pro-democracy party voted Sunday to dissolve after more than 30 years of activism, marking the end of an era of the Chinese semiautonomous city’s once-diverse political landscape. Democratic Party chairperson Lo Kin-hei said the political environment was “one important point” among the factors they considered, and about 97% of members’ ballots were in support of […]

Among the wounded survivors is Arsen Ostrovsky, who also survived the October 7 terrorist attack in Israel; he says his family moved to Australia just two weeks ago to help combat rising antisemitism.

FINAL PREPARATIONS: Yeshiva Bochrim in Yerushalyim making sure their Menorahs are all set, as Chanukah begins in an hour.

UPDATE: The Sydney Hatzolah member who was wounded in today’s terrorist attack, with a bullet narrowly missing his spine, has undergone surgery and is now in stable condition. He remains in need of tefillos. Please continue to daven for Yaakov Dov ben Penina.  

A deadly attack shattered a public Chanukah gathering in Sydney, Australia, leaving a devastating toll of dead and wounded. Authorities later confirmed that 12 people were killed, after initial reports placed the number lower, and dozens more were injured.

The shooting erupted at Bondi Beach, where an estimated 2,000 people had assembled for a community celebration. According to eyewitness accounts cited by the Daily Mail, two individuals dressed in black were seen opening fire near the beachfront area.

New South Wales Police acknowledged what they described as a “developing incident,” urging residents and visitors to stay away from the scene and seek shelter as emergency responders rushed in.

Those present described scenes of chaos and horror. One witness told the Sydney Morning Herald, “I saw at least 10 people on the ground and blood everywhere.” Another person, speaking to 9 News, said the injured were being “carried out on surfboards because there weren’t enough stretchers.”

Footage circulating on social media showed numerous victims lying motionless on the sand, many covered in blood, as bystanders and first responders attempted lifesaving measures, including CPR, on the wounded.

Police later announced that two individuals were taken into custody in connection with the attack, while some reports indicated that one of the assailants was killed.

The event, known as ‘Chanukah by the Sea,’ was organized by Chabad of Bondi and took place near a playground, offering activities intended for participants of all ages. In a statement following the tragedy, the Chabad movement confirmed that one of its emissaries was among those killed.

In the aftermath, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar spoke with David Ossip, President of the New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies. During the conversation, Minister Sa’ar expressed shock over the deadly shooting and conveyed solidarity with the local Jewish community, while Ossip shared preliminary information about the severity of the incident.

Reacting to the attack, World Zionist Organization chairman Yaakov Hagoel warned of a broader pattern of hatred, saying, “The series of antisemitic attacks around the world is shocking and reminds us all of dark periods in history. Since October 7, a war has broken out not only against the State of Israel but against every Jew around the world, who have become the eighth front in this war.”

Hagoel added that global Jewish institutions would stand with those affected, stating, “The World Zionist Organization will continue to stand by the Jewish community in Sydney and other Jewish communities around the world, supporting them in every way. We call on the Australian government to take a firm stance against any manifestation of antisemitism and are confident that it will do so. The Hanukkah holiday we celebrate this evening reminds us that the light of the Jewish people will ultimately triumph over the darkness.”

Despite mounting diplomatic hurdles, the Trump administration is moving ahead with an ambitious proposal to deploy an international stabilization force in postwar Gaza, according to a Wall Street Journal report published Saturday. The concept envisions roughly 10,000 troops operating under the command of a US general, though officials concede the timeline for assembling such a contingent could stretch well into next year.

Senior US officials underscore that President Donald Trump’s broader peace initiative only received approval from the UN Security Council about a month ago, framing the current outreach as an early but intensive phase of implementation. “The Trump administration has made tremendous progress in record time in implementing President Trump’s 20-point peace plan and we have seen unbelievable interest from countries across the world to be a part of this historic effort to deliver a lasting peace in the Middle East,” White House spokesman Dylan Johnson said.

Behind the scenes, progress has been uneven. While Washington has formally approached more than 70 countries to seek either troops or financial backing, not a single nation has yet committed soldiers to the mission, the WSJ reported. The State Department’s outreach includes close allies such as Italy and France, alongside smaller states like Malta and El Salvador. In the Middle East, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are already engaged in discussions about funding, though US officials say those talks “will require consistent engagement for specific asks.”

Some American officials are cautiously optimistic that initial pledges—perhaps totaling 5,000 troops—could be secured early next year, with hopes of eventually reaching the 10,000 mark by the end of 2026. Others are more skeptical, warning the force could stall at closer to 8,000 personnel. Even countries viewed as likely participants, including Azerbaijan and Indonesia, are pressing for a limited mandate that steers clear of direct combat or efforts to disarm Hamas operatives still active in parts of Gaza. Their embassies in Washington declined to comment.

According to a US official, 19 countries have indicated some level of interest, whether by contributing troops or offering support such as equipment, transportation, or logistics. Momentum may build next week, when representatives from more than 25 nations are expected to gather in Qatar for a US-led meeting to hash out the proposed force’s structure and operational boundaries.

The administration plans for Trump to name the US general who would lead the mission early next year. Officials emphasize that American troops will not be deployed inside Gaza itself, although some US personnel are already assigned to a coordination hub in Kiryat Gat, Israel.

Diplomatic negotiations remain stuck on fundamental issues, including Hamas’s refusal to disarm and unresolved questions about who will govern Gaza once hostilities subside. Against that backdrop, Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu is slated to meet with Trump in Miami in late December, where both leaders are expected to weigh options for moving the plan forward.

{Matzav.com}