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Trump Says He’s Awarding Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani The Presidential Medal Of Freedom
Hamas Responds to Trump: ‘Gaza is Not for Sale’
Senior officials within Hamas dismissed U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to place the Gaza Strip under American trusteeship for a period of at least ten years.
According to a report from The Washington Post, the plan was designed to advance Trump’s vision of “taking control” of Gaza and transforming it into the “Riviera of the Middle East.”
The document outlined that more than two million Gaza residents would either be temporarily relocated to other countries or moved into secure, closed zones within the Strip until reconstruction and rehabilitation were completed.
Basem Naim, a member of Hamas’s political bureau, told French media: “Gaza is not for sale. Gaza is not a city on the map or a forgotten geographic strip, but part of the greater Palestinian homeland.”
Another Hamas leader condemned the proposal as “worthless” and “unjust,” adding that the organization had not received any official communication regarding the plan and only learned about it through media reports.
{Matzav.com}
Drama In Belz: Huge Beis Medrash Can No Longer Accommodate Crowd For Rosh Hashanah Tefillos
Iran Tried to Hack Israeli Veterans Through Fake PTSD Help Site
‘Man-Made Famine’: UK Foreign Secretary Goes On Tirade Against Israel
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy addressed Parliament on Monday, delivering a statement in the House of Commons regarding the ongoing crisis in Gaza and Judea and Samaria while unveiling new humanitarian and diplomatic measures.
Lammy began his remarks by referring to what he called a “man-made famine” in Gaza, citing findings from a UN-backed IPC assessment. According to the report, famine had already been declared in Gaza City and surrounding areas. He claimed that since July, more than 300 people have died from malnutrition, including 119 children, and warned that over 132,000 children under the age of five were at risk of starvation-related deaths by the coming year.
He went on to criticize Israel, accusing it of preventing sufficient humanitarian aid from reaching civilians. Lammy stated that in recent months, “Over two thousand Gazans have been killed trying to feed their families.” At the same time, he condemned Hamas for intentionally depriving Israeli hostages of food, asserting that the group was exploiting them for political leverage.
Discussing the UK government’s response, Lammy said that Britain had reinstated funding to UNRWA, placed restrictions on certain arms exports, sanctioned “violent settlers and far-right Israeli ministers,” and suspended trade negotiations with Israel. He also announced an additional £15 million in humanitarian assistance and medical aid for Gaza and surrounding regions, including support for UK-Med field hospitals and World Health Organization programs in Egypt. Furthermore, he confirmed that plans were underway to transfer critically ill children from Gaza to the UK for treatment, contingent upon Israeli approval.
On the diplomatic front, Lammy reiterated his call for an immediate ceasefire, emphasizing that it must be linked to the unconditional release of hostages, expanded aid access, and the dismantling of Hamas’s military capabilities. He reaffirmed the UK’s intention to move toward recognizing a Palestinian state if Israel does not take what he called “substantive steps” toward a peace process. He tied this position to the legacy of the Balfour Declaration, stating that Palestinian rights are now “more under threat than at any point in the past century.”
Lammy also turned his attention to Iran, confirming that the UK, along with France and Germany, had triggered the United Nations Security Council’s snapback mechanism. This move could reinstate full sanctions on Tehran, including an arms embargo, due to violations of the nuclear agreement. He urged Iran to return to compliance but made clear that Britain would ensure the issue remains on the global agenda.
Concluding his address, Lammy pledged that Britain would remain committed to pursuing a ceasefire in Gaza, securing the release of hostages, and working toward a framework for lasting stability in the region.
However, Israeli officials have strongly rejected the IPC findings referenced in Lammy’s remarks. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused the organization of manipulating statistics and “adding fictitious deaths” to meet the technical definition of famine, while disregarding independent surveys showing otherwise. COGAT, Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, released its own report alleging that the IPC relied on politically biased sources and deliberately ignored Israel’s facilitation of aid deliveries. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the claims constitute “an outright lie” and “a modern blood libel,” emphasizing that since October 7, more than 101,000 aid trucks carrying over two million tons of supplies have entered Gaza — the equivalent of more than one ton per resident.
{Matzav.com}
Trump’s Immigration Crackdown Leaves U.S. Farms and Construction Sites Short of Workers
Chief of Staff Criticizes Cabinet: ‘Two Years Later, You Remember to Decide Gaza’s Fate?’
Tensions ran high during a stormy Cabinet session on Sunday night, as Government Secretary Yossi Fuchs laid out the official stance of the political leadership: Hamas must be completely defeated, and the partial hostage deal currently on the table — as suggested by Hamas — is not an option.
Channel 13 reported that IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir launched a sharp rebuke at the ministers over their timing in addressing the issue. “Good morning, everyone. You are the Cabinet of the October 7th massacre — now you remember to talk about defeating Hamas?” he charged, highlighting what he viewed as the government’s delayed response following the attack.
Zamir pressed further, saying, “Where were you between October 7 and October 10? You’re only remembering this now, two years later. When I took office, Gaza hadn’t been defeated — today, 70 percent of it has been.”
In contrast, Mossad Director David Barnea urged the Cabinet to seize the opportunity to secure the release of Israeli captives. “Now is the time to pursue a partial deal. We must not lose momentum,” he stressed, echoing the position of certain factions within the security establishment.
Zamir countered by asserting that the success of the recent Operation Gideon’s Chariots had already created leverage that could be used to bring hostages home without needing to compromise.
MK Orit Strock of the Religious Zionism party criticized the military’s posture, accusing its leadership of sowing unnecessary fear. Quoting from Deuteronomy, she said, “Any man who is fearful and fainthearted shall return to his home, and shall not make the heart of his brother melt as his own heart.”
Zamir shot back forcefully: “I came here for the two missions of my life — to prevent a nuclear Iran and to destroy Hamas. I’m the one who recommended action in Iran. Every morning, I review the Middle East map and authorize strikes across the region. No one here is fearful and fainthearted — not me, and not the generals beside me.”
He added, “I make decisive calls that no one else has made. I present all the implications and consequences to you. If you’re looking for blind obedience — bring someone else.”
Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu addressed Zamir’s remarks before closing the session. “I don’t want blind obedience,” Netanyahu clarified, “but I also don’t want a breach of the traditional framework.”
When some ministers requested that the government hold a vote on advancing a partial hostage deal, Netanyahu firmly dismissed the proposal, declaring, “A partial deal is not relevant.”
{Matzav.com Israel}
Afghanistan Earthquake Kills 800+, Survivors Spend Night Outdoors Amid Rescue Efforts
Gaza-Bound Flotilla Carrying Greta Thunberg Departs Barcelona After Weather Delay
PHOTOS & VIDEO: The Levaya of the Viznitzer Rebbetzin of Kiamesha in Boro Park
Trump Announces Rudy Giuliani to Receive Presidential Medal of Freedom
Idan Shtivi’s Father: ‘My Prayers Were Not Wasted, They Went To The Other Hostages’
Hundreds of mourners gathered on Monday afternoon at the Kfar Ma’as cemetery to accompany Idan Shtivi to his final resting place. Idan was murdered during the October 7th Massacre, and his body was abducted by Hamas terrorists into Gaza. After months of waiting, the IDF and Shin Bet recovered his remains last week and brought him home. Later that day, at 5:00 p.m. (Israel time), the funeral of Ilan Weiss—whose body was recovered together with Idan’s—was scheduled to take place.
The procession began in Rishon Lezion and made its way toward the cemetery, passing through several locations where crowds of people stood silently to honor Idan and pay their last respects along the route.
Idan’s mother, Dalit Oron, spoke through tears as she bid farewell to her son: On September 27th, 2023, just a month after my birthday and ten days before he was abducted, Idan sent me a message with his birthday wishes. On my birthday this year, August 28th, 2025, his body was recovered and brought back to Israel; he came back to me. That is the Godly bond between us. A mother and son.
“This space, this large hole in my heart, it is the pain of a missing limb. Longing and tears accompany me at every moment. The phone call from him in the morning, the food that he liked that I made for him, a song that he liked, our deep conversations on the porch, and the phone call at the end of the day. A pure heart. He always saw others and cared for the weak. Full of giving. So sensitive and loving.”
“It wasn’t easy for Idan. He went through a long process and got to a good place,” she continued. “He loved his studies at Reichman, a good relationship, and personal achievements that finally gave him some peace of mind. But not really. Idan was taken from the world at his peak.
“Idani, you are G-d’s child. At a higher level of connection. Thank you for giving me 28 years of love and development. Thank you for the privilege. And sorry, my love, sorry that I couldn’t protect and defend you this time,” she concluded.
His father, Eli, also delivered a heartfelt eulogy: “My Idan, you were the strongest man in Israel, a powerful and brave man. You fought terrorists and gave your life to save others, even when they shot you in the back, because what’s more holy than saving the lives of Jews, in fire and water? Even when you stood before total evil, you taught us that there was nothing else. I believed that you were alive. I didn’t want to recite the Kaddish because to me, you were alive, not only in memory, but in the highest place, next to G-d’s throne.”
Eli went on to share his personal struggle with prayer since October 7th: “I asked G-d yesterday what happened to my daily prayers. I began to put on tefillin on October 8th. In my prayers, I begged that Idan would come home healthy and smiling. Did my prayers go to waste? They did not disappear; all my prayers went to the other hostages in Gaza, for them all to come home soon.”
{Matzav.com}
Venezuela Puts Troops on Alert as Trump Expands Military Presence in Caribbean
TWISTED MINDS: Israel Is Committing Genocide In Gaza, Global Scholars Association Says
A global network of genocide experts has officially adopted a resolution asserting that Israel’s military campaign in Gaza fits the legal definition of genocide, the organization’s president confirmed on Monday.
Among the 500 members of the International Association of Genocide Scholars, 86% supported the resolution, which declares that “Israel’s policies and actions in Gaza meet the legal definition of genocide in Article II of the United Nations Convention for the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (1948).”
The resolution comes as the International Court of Justice (ICJ) continues hearing a case brought by South Africa, which accuses Israel of attempting to destroy the Palestinian population in Gaza. Filed in December 2023, the lawsuit alleges systematic violations under the Genocide Convention.
Momentum increased in May when South Africa submitted an extensive legal brief, prompting several nations to publicly back the proceedings and call for closer scrutiny of Israel’s military conduct.
In July 2024, the ICJ granted Israel additional time to file its counter-arguments. While analysts said the delay provided a short-term reprieve, they emphasized that it did not diminish the growing international and legal pressure on Israel.
By August, a group of countries, including Ireland, urged the court to adopt a broader interpretation of what constitutes genocide, seeking to expand the standards under which nations could face accountability.
Throughout 2024 and into 2025, Israeli officials have continued to criticize international legal bodies, insisting that both the ICJ and the International Criminal Court are being used for political purposes intended to delegitimize Israel’s right to defend itself.
Inside Israel, opinions remain divided on labeling the Gaza campaign as genocide.
Author David Grossman, whose son died while serving in Lebanon, stated in August that Israel’s conduct in Gaza amounts to genocide, making him one of the most prominent Israelis to embrace the term.
Others have strongly pushed back. In July, international law expert Nitsana Darshan-Leitner acknowledged the significant civilian casualties but maintained that the legal threshold for genocide had not been met. She cautioned that misusing the term could erode its seriousness and impact.
Military scholar John Spencer reviewed Israel’s targeting policies and concluded there was no evidence of genocidal intent. He characterized the accusations as politically driven rather than grounded in law.
Commentator Sherwin Pomerantz argued that while Israel’s operations have caused severe destruction, they lack the deliberate intent required to constitute genocide under international statutes.
The debate over the terminology surfaced earlier in 2024 as well. In June, political analyst Alon Ben-Meir warned that framing Israel’s actions as genocide risks fueling antisemitism by conflating criticism of Israeli policies with hostility toward Jewish communities worldwide.
Since its establishment in 1994, the International Association of Genocide Scholars has passed nine resolutions acknowledging past or ongoing instances of genocide.
Reaction to the group’s latest resolution has been sharply polarized. Supporters say it highlights the catastrophic human toll of the conflict and validates longstanding concerns about Israel’s conduct. Critics counter that it represents a misinterpretation of the world’s most serious legal accusation, undermining its credibility.
{Matzav.com Israel}
“Cannibal” Solar Storm May Bring Northern Lights to 18 US States This Labor Day
US Offers $15M Reward for Venezuela Defense Minister Padrino López
US Treasury Secretary Bessent Condemns Putin’s Escalation, Says All Options on Table with Trump
Giuliani’s Team on Instagram: ‘Toughest Fighter We Know’
After Rudy Giuliani was seriously injured in a car accident on Sunday, his family and team shared an emotional message expressing their gratitude for the outpouring of support and assuring the public that he is determined to recover. They promised that he will “come back stronger than ever.”
“Thank you to everyone who has reached out since hearing the news about the mayor,” read a statement posted to Rudy Giuliani’s Instagram Stories on Monday morning.
“Your prayers, love, and support mean more than we can ever express.
As his family and team, we can tell you he’s the toughest fighter we know — resilient, determined, and already focused on recovery. We are proud beyond words, and we know he will come back stronger than ever. With gratitude, His Family & Team ”
According to his spokesperson, Giuliani is currently recuperating from a fractured vertebra and several other injuries sustained in the crash in New Hampshire, where he had been a passenger.
Michael Ragusa, Giuliani’s head of security, posted on X that the 81-year-old was taken to a local trauma center for treatment of a fractured thoracic vertebra, multiple cuts, bruises, and injuries to his left arm and lower leg.
Ragusa confirmed that Giuliani “sustained injuries but is in good spirits and recovering tremendously,” emphasizing: “This was not a targeted attack.”
Before the accident, Giuliani had stopped to assist a woman involved in a domestic violence situation, Ragusa said. After helping her and contacting the police, he left the scene. Moments later, his vehicle was struck shortly after merging back onto the highway in an incident “entirely unrelated” to the earlier domestic disturbance, Ragusa explained in a statement to The Associated Press.
At the time of the crash, Giuliani was a passenger in a rented Ford Bronco driven by his spokesperson, Ted Goodman. According to New Hampshire State Police, their vehicle was hit from behind late on Shabbos by a Honda HR-V driven by a 19-year-old woman.
State troopers witnessed the collision, which sent both vehicles into the highway median and left them “heavily damaged,” authorities said. Goodman and the teenage driver were treated for “non-life-threatening injuries” and transported to local hospitals.
Officials reported that the crash remains under investigation, and no charges have been filed.
New Hampshire State Police declined to confirm whether Giuliani had notified them about his earlier involvement in the domestic violence incident.
Goodman has not responded to requests for comment, and Giuliani’s team has not provided additional information regarding the circumstances surrounding the accident.
“Thank you to all the people that have reached out since learning the news about my father,” Andrew Giuliani, the mayor’s son, wrote in a post on X. “Your prayers mean the world.”
{Matzav.com}14-Year-Old Saves Siblings as Fire Destroys Family’s Home
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