Speaking before global defense leaders at the International DefenseTech Summit in Tel Aviv, Brig. Gen. Benny Aminov, who heads the Defense Ministry’s Military R&D division within DDR&D, revealed that Israel has reached a major milestone in its battle against hostile unmanned aircraft. He reported that “drone challenges at Israel’s borders are moving toward a solution – we have achieved a technological breakthrough in enemy drone detection.”
Aminov described rapid progress on the next phase as well, explaining that “we are now working on interception solutions using drone-based systems that enable response to swarm scenarios while accelerating the development of new directed-energy weapons.” These capabilities are being designed specifically to cope with complex, fast-moving threats that traditional defense systems struggle to manage.
He emphasized that modern aerial dangers require a complete rethinking of how Israel adapts and deploys new tools, noting that “the issue of low-altitude threats is an example of a challenge that requires our defense establishment to change its operational approach fundamentally – responding within compressed timeframes, ensuring spiral development, accelerating testing during the development process, and bridging small defense-tech companies with major defense contractors.”
According to Aminov, Israel’s adversaries are constantly shifting their tactics, pushing the defense establishment to stay ahead. As he put it, “our enemies continue to evolve in this learning competition. This drives us to develop robust solutions, and it is here that directed-energy weapons demonstrate their unique strength. Their distinctive characteristics enable us to address even the unknown unknowns – threats we don’t yet know we face.”
The summit itself highlighted how combat experience and field lessons are shaping Israel’s next generation of military technology, as experts and innovators displayed cutting-edge work in areas expected to influence global defense strategies for years to come.
Among the high-profile attendees were Maj. Gen. (Res.) Amir Baram, Director General of the Defense Ministry; Brig. Gen. (Res.) Dr. Daniel Gold, head of DDR&D; Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Prof. Isaac Ben-Israel, who chaired the conference; Brig. Gen. Benny Aminov; Avi Berger, who leads DDR&D’s Space Program Office; Maj. Gen. (Res.) Nitzan Alon of Elements Venture Capital; Michael Dodd, U.S. Assistant Secretary of War for Critical Technologies and Acting Deputy Director of the Defense Innovation Unit; Dame Fiona Murray of MIT; Shaun Maguire of Sequoia Capital; Dr. Christian Steinborn of Rheinmetall AG; Francois Chopard of Starburst; along with numerous additional senior military, academic, and industry figures from Israel and abroad.
{Matzav.com}Israel’s Transportation Minister Miri Regev unveiled an aggressive new enforcement plan on Monday aimed at curbing the mounting death toll on the nation’s roads, where 422 people have already lost their lives this year.
At the center of the initiative is a dramatic hike in penalties for motorists caught handling a mobile device behind the wheel. Under the proposal, drivers would be slapped with a 10,000-shekel fine, issued on the spot by police officers, with no preliminary legal process required. Regev’s office emphasized that the goal is to send a clear message about the severity of distracted driving.
Officials noted that repeat offenders will face even harsher consequences. If a driver is caught a second time within a short window, authorities would be able to impound the vehicle, pending a judge’s approval.
This represents a substantial jump from the current punishment structure, which imposes a 1,000-shekel fine along with eight points on the driver’s license.
The plan is now headed to the Economic Affairs Committee for deliberations, after which it is expected to be forwarded to the Knesset for a vote. The ministry indicated that the upgraded sanctions will likely extend beyond cellphone violations, targeting additional high-risk behaviors such as crossing a solid white line, ignoring red lights, and operating a vehicle under the influence.
{Matzav.com}
A violent ramming attack near the Judea Junction on Highway 35 left a female soldier lightly injured on Monday night, adding to a string of recent assaults across the region. Security officials say the attacker sped his car toward troops stationed in the area before escaping toward Hebron.
Eyewitness reports indicate that the terrorist abandoned the scene immediately after the impact, racing his vehicle into Hebron as responding forces arrived. Emergency medical teams quickly reached the injured soldier and stabilized her before transferring her for further care.
The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit stated, “Following the report that was received regarding a ramming attack at Judea Junction, a terrorist accelerated in his vehicle toward IDF soldiers, and injured a female IDF soldier. The soldier was evacuated to the hospital to receive medical treatment, and her family has been notified.”
According to the military, troops opened fire at the vehicle as it sped away. A direct hit was confirmed, prompting an intensive pursuit. Soldiers have since launched broad sweeps across the area, establishing roadblocks and combing nearby terrain in an effort to locate the suspect.
This incident comes on the heels of another attack earlier in the week near the Samaria Crossing on Highway 5. In that case, a terrorist hurled a heavy iron rod at a passing vehicle belonging to a central-Israel resident, with the rod smashing into and becoming lodged in the windshield.
The shaken driver, overwhelmed by anxiety, received treatment from Magen David Adom and was able to return home shortly afterward. Merav, who had been in the passenger seat during the assault, described the harrowing moment: “We left Kedumim toward Petah Tikva. Three minutes before the Shomron Crossing, we heard a boom. At that moment I didn’t understand what was happening. We reached the checkpoint and forces arrived there.”
In response, the IDF initiated a search of the surrounding area. Troops from the Ephraim Brigade entered the village of Mas-ha, seized surveillance cameras, and gathered additional evidence. The iron rod was transferred to police experts for detailed forensic analysis.
The Shin Bet has joined the investigation as well. A security official emphasized the determination of the agencies involved, saying: “The police, through intelligence and investigative efforts in cooperation with the Shin Bet, will use every tool available – including the forensic laboratories – to bring about the arrest of those responsible for the terror attack.”
{Matzav.com}
A Saudi Al-Hadath broadcast reported that American envoy to Turkey Tom Barrack recently delivered a blunt message to Iraqi officials, cautioning them about an “imminent Israeli operation in Lebanon” and making clear that the campaign would continue “until the organization is stripped of its weapons.”
In the communication, Barrack urged Baghdad to steer clear of any confrontation, insisting that Iraq must stay “outside any possible escalation in the region” and advising its leaders to take whatever actions are necessary to avoid being drawn into the tensions.
This warning surfaced amid dramatic developments in Beirut, where Hezbollah’s chief of staff, Ali Tabatabai, was eliminated in an airstrike. The attack — the first in five months to hit the Dahiyeh district, the group’s main stronghold — removed a figure widely viewed as Hezbollah’s second-in-command and the man overseeing the organization’s efforts to rebuild its capabilities.
{Matzav.com}Dear Matzav Inbox,
Recently, a respected rabbi returned from a trip to Eretz Yisroel and shared his impressions with his followers. Some of his remarks—specifically those expressing concern about yeshiva bochurim seen walking the streets of Yerushalayim during hours typically devoted to learning in the Beis Midrash—were subsequently quoted on the Matzav website. The Rabbi cautioned parents of boys studying in Israel, stating, “I want to tell the people here who have boys in Eretz Yisroel that their children are roaming the streets of Eretz Yisroel.”
While I do not share the Rabbi’s perspective, he is certainly entitled to express his views to his own audience. However, I believe that Matzav should have exercised greater discretion and refrained from amplifying these remarks to a wider public. The journalistic ethos of the early 1900s—“Not everything said should be printed”—ought to have guided the editorial decision in this case. One can reasonably argue that such negative statements may border on lashon hara.
The large majority of our sons who learn in Eretz Yisroel are sincerely striving for both deeper Torah knowledge and growth in yiras Shomayim. When they return to our batei kenisios, their elevated level of hasmodah and their care in tefillah are clearly visible. These exemplary bnei Torah, the pride of Klal Yisroel, are sought after for the most promising shidduchim. Chazal taught that not every student achieves the same outcome—“elef nichnas v’echad yotzei l’ho’ro’oh.” The pre-marriage learning system in Eretz Yisroel allows bochurim to make meaningful spiritual strides. And while no system is perfect and not every student succeeds equally, this does not justify broad public criticism. Constructive suggestions for improvement should be directed privately to those responsible for the system, not broadcast in respected forums such as Matzav.
It is equally important to remember that many bochurim who travel to Eretz Yisroel are still developing in their Yiddishkeit and searching for inspiration. In time, many indeed become inspired. Their growth is gradual, and perhaps some seemingly aimless walks through the streets of Yerushalayim Ir HaKodesh, together with the hashkafah and mussar shiurim they hear in specially designed yeshivos, will ultimately guide them toward genuine transformation.
I offer these remarks in a constructive and respectful spirit. May our most precious accomplishment as Klal Yisroel—the nurturing of our bnei Torah—be protected from comments that risk diminishing their true achievements.
F. B.
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