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A New Jersey man is facing federal charges after authorities said he attacked immigration officers during a confrontation outside the Delaney Hall detention facility in Newark, allegedly biting two agents and injuring them badly enough to require hospital treatment.

Federal prosecutors identified the suspect as 26-year-old Brendan John Geier of Madison, New Jersey. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Geier was among a group of anti-ICE demonstrators who blocked a roadway near the detention center Thursday evening. Officers with ICE reportedly ordered the crowd to clear the area, but the group refused to comply.

The Justice Department alleges that tensions quickly escalated, with demonstrators physically confronting federal personnel. Prosecutors said Geier “engaged in a struggle with deportation officers, kicking officers and ultimately biting an officer’s forearm, and another’s knuckle. Both victims received treatment at a local hospital.” Authorities charged him with assaulting federal officers resulting in bodily injury. He appeared Friday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cari Fais.

Commenting on the arrest, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said federal authorities would aggressively pursue those accused of attacking immigration officers.

“We will not tolerate the vicious attacks on ICE officers we’ve seen in New Jersey the last few days. These riots are clearly not ‘peaceful protests’ as you can see from the photos of these horrific wounds. Assault a federal officer, you’ll be held accountable,” Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche wrote in a Friday afternoon post on X.

Blanche also shared photographs on social media showing injuries sustained by ICE personnel, including visible bite wounds and bloodied arms.

In a separate statement, Blanche emphasized that federal authorities distinguish between lawful demonstrations and physical violence against law enforcement.

“Peaceful protest doesn’t translate to violently attacking federal law enforcement officers,” Blanche said in a statement. “Federal officers are protecting United States’ property and facilities. With virtually no local law enforcement support from New Jersey, rioters are regrouping and attacking. We will not tolerate the vicious attacks we have seen in Newark the last few days, and we will make arrests and hold people accountable for criminal conduct.”

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin echoed those remarks, pointing to the allegations outlined in the criminal complaint.

“As alleged in the Justice Department’s complaint, this violent rioter savagely bit an ICE law enforcement officer outside of Delaney Hall. The Trump Administration will always stand with our law enforcement officers,” Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin also added in the statement. “Anyone who assaults a law enforcement officer will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer for New Jersey likewise stressed that violence against officers performing official duties would not be tolerated.

“As alleged, this defendant responded to lawful orders from federal officers by kicking one and biting two others who were performing their official duties,” U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer for the District of New Jersey also said in the statement. “Assaulting law enforcement officers is unacceptable. Period. Federal officers must be able to carry out their responsibilities without being subjected to violence, intimidation, or obstruction. This Office will continue to prosecute those who, as alleged here, assault officers and interfere with the lawful execution of their duties.”

Federal investigators also condemned the alleged actions, arguing that the conduct crossed the line from protest into criminal behavior.

“To be clear, peaceful protest does not mean biting, kicking, or punching law enforcement officers,” Acting Special Agent in Charge Spiros Karabinas of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Newark added in the statement.

“The repeated assaults on federal officers at Delaney Hall are criminal acts — not protected speech. Homeland Security Investigations is unwavering in its commitment to hold those who attack law enforcement fully accountable under the law,” Karabinas concluded.

Demonstrations outside Delaney Hall have now stretched into a second consecutive week, with tensions remaining high around the facility.

By Saturday morning, both anti-ICE demonstrators and supporters of immigration enforcement had gathered outside the detention center. Crowds on both sides continued to grow, while officers on bicycles patrolled the area and maintained separation between the opposing groups.

New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill, who visited Delaney Hall on Memorial Day and voiced support for protesters opposing ICE operations, announced Friday that the New Jersey State Police would take over responsibility for security and public safety around the detention center.

Earlier in the week, Mullin criticized Sherrill, accusing her of preventing local law enforcement agencies from working alongside federal immigration authorities. The Department of Homeland Security said federal officers confronting violent demonstrators received little assistance from local police during the unrest.

{Matzav.com}

The United States issued a stark warning today that military action against Iran could quickly resume if diplomatic efforts fail, as President Donald Trump insisted that any agreement with Tehran must meet key American demands, foremost among them preventing Iran from ever obtaining nuclear weapons.

While the White House has indicated that Trump is nearing a decision on a possible agreement with Iran, officials in Tehran continue to deny that a finalized deal exists to bring the conflict to an end.

According to U.S. officials who spoke with AFP, negotiators had completed work on a framework awaiting Trump’s approval. However, no final decision emerged following a meeting Friday in the White House Situation Room.

Speaking at a defense conference in Singapore, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth underscored Washington’s military readiness, declaring today that the United States was “more than capable” of restarting the war.

At the same time, U.S. Central Command emphasized its continued military presence in the region, posting on X that American forces “remain present and vigilant across the region.”

Questions surrounding the prospects for a deal intensified this week after U.S. forces struck Iran’s port city of Bandar Abbas, prompting retaliatory attacks from Iran.

Iran’s IRNA state news agency reported today that its air defense systems had intercepted and destroyed a drone “belonging to the US-Zionist aggressor enemy,” citing a military statement.

Despite the escalation, diplomatic contacts continued. Negotiators have also been discussing the conflict in Lebanon, which Iranian officials insist must be addressed as part of any broader settlement. Those talks continued even as Israeli forces advanced further into Lebanese territory and military representatives from both countries held meetings at the Pentagon.

Trump reiterated that any agreement would require Iran to permanently abandon nuclear weapons ambitions and would also involve reopening the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

“President Trump will only make a deal that is good for America and satisfies his red lines,” a White House official told AFP, adding: “Iran can never possess a nuclear weapon.”

Iran rejected what it viewed as U.S. dictates. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei responded that the Islamic Republic “said goodbye to the language of ‘must’ 47 years ago.”

Baqaei acknowledged that communications between the two sides remain active but stressed that “no final agreement has been reached.”

In a social media post, Trump asserted that Iran would agree to clear mines from the Strait of Hormuz and reopen the waterway with “no tolls,” while the United States would end its blockade.

Trump also said both nations would work together to remove and destroy Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium, adding that “no money will be exchanged, until further notice.”

Iranian media quickly challenged those claims. The Fars news agency quoted sources who said Tehran is demanding “the immediate release of $12 billion” before advancing to the next stage of negotiations.

Those same sources disputed Trump’s characterization of the Hormuz arrangements, saying “no such clause appears in the text of the agreement,” while Trump’s claim regarding the destruction of Iran’s nuclear materials “is fundamentally baseless.”

Adding another layer of uncertainty, Iran’s ISNA news agency quoted parliament member Alireza Salimi as saying legislation “to implement Iran’s management and sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz will soon be approved by parliament.”

Meanwhile, the Tasnim news agency reported that the U.S. naval blockade remains in effect, claiming American vessels “are receiving warnings from CENTCOM to stop and not cross the blockade line.”

Conflicting narratives from both governments have left many observers uncertain about the true state of negotiations.

“Both sides are speaking in a way that keeps their supporters satisfied. It’s not clear who is telling the truth,” Ali, from Tonekabon north of Tehran, told AFP.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir visited the northern border community of Shtula today and used the occasion to call for a far more aggressive military response against Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Speaking during the tour, Ben Gvir pointed to what he described as Hezbollah’s ongoing breaches of ceasefire arrangements and argued that Israel should target Beirut’s Dahiyeh district, a major Hezbollah stronghold, with overwhelming force.

“The Dahiyeh needs to be flattened,” he said. “I opposed the previous ceasefire, and I say today – we must flatten it. The IDF is doing amazing work; 600 Hezbollah terrorists have been eliminated in recent weeks, but that is not enough. What hurts them is the Dahieh, and we need to go after the Dahieh – flatten it, flatten it, and flatten it again.”

The minister said he has repeatedly raised the issue in discussions with Israel’s leadership and continues to advocate for the move during high-level security meetings attended by members of the Cabinet.

“I say this both here and to the dear Prime Minister, Bibi Netanyahu: I love you and appreciate you, but this is the time to flatten the Dahieh. There is respect for [US President Donald] Trump, and we need to thank him for the partnership, but the red line is harm to our soldiers and civilians – and the Dahieh must be flattened.”

{Matzav.com}

Northern Israel faced a heavy wave of rocket attacks from Lebanon today, with more than 25 launches recorded throughout the day. Among the strikes was a rocket aimed at the Meron region for the first time, while another hit a commercial complex in Kiryat Shmona.

Warning sirens echoed across several northern communities as the attacks intensified. Residents of Nahariya heard rocket alerts for the first time in three weeks. Later, sirens sounded once again in Kiryat Shmona and were activated in Karmiel for the first time in over a month.

Earlier, the IDF warned of the possibility of incoming fire, stating: “The IDF is preparing for the possibility of fire from Lebanon, specifically toward northern Israel, following the advancement of IDF operations in southern Lebanon, and in accordance with the situational assessment.”

The military added: “The IDF emphasizes that, at this stage, the public should remain vigilant, act responsibly while continuing to adhere to the Home Front Command’s protective guidelines. As of now, there is no change in Home Front Command guidelines. Should there be any change, the IDF will update the public in an orderly manner.”

Following the activation of the sirens, the IDF Spokesperson reported that one rocket fired from Lebanon was intercepted by Israel’s air defense systems, while another landed in an open area. Additional rockets launched toward Nahariya and nearby communities were also intercepted, while others fell in uninhabited areas.

Later in the evening, rockets headed toward Kiryat Shmona and Karmiel were successfully shot down. Earlier in the day, around 3:30 p.m., residents across the Western Galilee endured nearly ten consecutive minutes of sirens amid fears of a hostile drone infiltration.

Military officials said that since midnight, more than 25 rockets had been launched from Lebanon into Israeli territory. Aside from a rocket that struck Kiryat Shmona overnight and a drone that impacted a military zone near Shomera, all of the projectiles were either intercepted or landed in open areas. No injuries were reported.

MSNBC host Al Sharpton sharply criticized plans for a UFC event at the White House, arguing Friday that the spectacle reflects an effort to romanticize periods of American history marked by slavery and racial injustice.

Speaking on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” Sharpton contended that celebrations surrounding America’s 250th anniversary should focus not on the nation’s shortcomings but on those who fought to expand freedom and equality beyond what existed at the country’s founding.

Sharpton noted that many Americans were excluded from basic rights at the time the Declaration of Independence was signed.

“The fact is that 250 years ago, when they signed the Declaration of Independence, we were enslaved. Women couldn’t vote; only white male landowners could. So if we want to celebrate something, celebrate the people that corrected. Right. The, the insidious behavior of some of the Founding Fathers who extolled the right virtues but didn’t practice them for all people at all genders. I think that we have to do that very loudly, very boldly and unapologetically.”

He went on to point to the civil rights movement as an example of how progress was achieved through sacrifice and struggle rather than through political rhetoric alone.

“I mean, we’re going to Washington on the anniversary of the March on Washington, 63 August 28 this year. We need to bring out that yes, we went from slavery to a President of the United States of color, but it was bloodshed, it was nights in jail, it was beatings. It was all kinds of things that got us there. Let’s celebrate how we grew and the people that paid the price for it, and that are continuing to pay the price now, because when we’re dealing with this redistricting, Trump and others are trying to bring us back to an America that we struggled to get out of. So there is a connection of why that they’re having these fights on the White House lawn, the UFO, whatever they call UFC, and all that because they’re trying to go back to that when, you know, they’d watch people have these fights, for the slave masters, and they’d be entertained, but they’re literally going back to that.”

Sharpton also renewed criticism of Trump’s admiration for President Andrew Jackson, arguing that the symbolism reflects a desire to return to a darker chapter of American history.

He recalled that one of the first actions Trump took after entering the Oval Office in 2017 was prominently displaying a portrait of Jackson.

“When Donald Trump first was elected in 2016, in 2017, when he went to the Oval Office, one of the first things he did was hang a picture of President Andrew Jackson. Andrew Jackson was the slave owning president who nominated Judge Roger Taney to the Supreme Court. Taney became the Chief Justice that saw the Dred Scott decision passed. Why didn’t anybody ask Trump why Andrew Jackson? I don’t even remember reading about him in elementary school. Why Jackson? That’s the kind of country he wants us to go back to Andrew Jackson. And we must resist that with all we have.”

{Matzav.com}

A senior Russian official issued a stark warning to European citizens on Friday after a Russian drone crashed into a residential building in Romania, claiming that European governments have effectively entered a conflict with Moscow and cautioning residents to prepare for the consequences.

Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council and a former Russian president, delivered the message in a post on X following reports that a Russian drone involved in overnight attacks on Ukraine struck an apartment building in eastern Romania, wounding two people.

Addressing citizens across the European Union, Medvedev wrote: “Citizens of EU countries, You should realize your authorities have unilaterally entered into a war with Russia.”

He followed that warning with an ominous message about what Europeans should expect going forward.

“So be vigilant and don’t be surprised by anything. The peaceful sleep is over. But you know who to ask why.”

The incident drew a sharp response from NATO, which condemned the drone strike in Romania, a member of the alliance, and reiterated its commitment to protecting member states from external threats.

Following a conversation with Romanian President Nicușor Dan, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte emphasized the alliance’s determination to strengthen its defenses.

“We will continue to enhance our readiness to deter and defend against any threat, including from drones,” NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte wrote on X after speaking with Romanian President Nicușor Dan.

Rutte also accused Moscow of endangering civilians and expanding the reach of the war beyond Ukraine’s borders.

“Russia’s reckless behaviour is a danger to us all. They continue to target civilians and civilian infrastructure across Ukraine. And last night showed yet again that the implications of their illegal war of aggression don’t stop at the border.”

The latest exchange followed earlier threats from Medvedev aimed at European diplomatic personnel stationed in Kyiv. Those remarks came after Russia warned of a major attack on the Ukrainian capital and urged foreign nationals to leave the country.

Earlier this week, Medvedev criticized the European Union for maintaining its diplomatic presence in Kyiv despite Moscow’s warnings.

“The EU has said it will maintain its diplomatic presence in Kiev unchanged, despite Russia’s warnings. Well, apparently they’ve got diplomats to spare and need to trim the headcount,” Medvedev wrote Tuesday on X.

The rhetoric comes as Russia has intensified its military campaign against Ukraine, carrying out increasingly heavy missile and drone strikes in recent weeks.

According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, a large-scale barrage launched last weekend resulted in dozens of deaths across Ukraine.

Meanwhile, diplomatic contacts between Washington and Moscow have continued despite the escalating violence. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held a telephone conversation with Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday, during which the two discussed the ongoing war and broader regional developments.

The crash in Romania has renewed concerns about the possibility of the conflict spilling into NATO territory, even as both Russia and Western governments continue to exchange increasingly sharp warnings over the course of the war.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump spent roughly two hours Friday meeting with top advisers in the Situation Room to review a proposed agreement with Iran, but emerged without approving a final deal, according to a senior administration official cited by The New York Times.

The official, who spoke anonymously, said the administration believes a breakthrough is within reach but acknowledged that several key issues remain unresolved. Among the sticking points still under discussion is the question of releasing frozen Iranian assets.

Earlier in the day, Trump announced on Truth Social that he was heading into the Situation Room to make what he described as a final determination on a possible agreement with Tehran.

In the same post, the president laid out the conditions he believes must be included in any deal.

“Iran must agree that they will never have a Nuclear Weapon or Bomb. The Hormuz Strait must be immediately open, no tolls, for unrestricted shipping traffic, in both directions. All water mines (bombs), if any, will be terminated (we have removed, through detonation, numerous such mines with our great underwater mine sweepers.”

Trump went on to say that Iran would be responsible for clearing any remaining mines and indicated that the U.S. naval blockade in the region would come to an end.

“Iran will complete the immediate removal and/or detonation of any mines that are left, which will not be many!). Ships caught in the Strait due to our amazing and unprecedented Naval Blockade, which will now be lifted, may start the process of ‘heading home!’”

The president also described a plan under which the United States would participate in removing and destroying Iran’s remaining enriched uranium stockpile, which he referred to as “Nuclear Dust.”

“The enriched material, sometimes referred to as ‘Nuclear Dust,’ which is buried deep underground with virtually collapsed mountains, caused by our powerful B2 Bomber attack 11 months ago, sitting on top of it, will be unearthed by the United States (which, it is agreed, is the only Country, along with China, with the mechanical capability of doing so!), in close coordination and conjunction with the Islamic Republic of Iran, plus the International Atomic Energy Agency, and DESTROYED. No money will be exchanged, until further notice. Other items, of far less importance, have been agreed to.”

Iranian officials quickly disputed portions of Trump’s description of the negotiations. Iran’s Fars news agency, citing what it described as informed sources, characterized the president’s remarks as a “mixture of truth and lies.”

The sources specifically challenged Trump’s assertion that Iran had agreed to guarantee toll-free passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

“Trump claimed that Iran was obligated to open the Strait of Hormuz without tolls, even though no such clause appears in the text of the agreement,” the sources told Fars.

The Iranian outlet also rejected Trump’s claim that Washington and Tehran had agreed to cooperate in eliminating Iran’s enriched uranium reserves.

Responding to Trump’s assertion that the US and Iran would coordinate on destroying Iran’s enriched uranium, the agency said, “Well-informed sources emphasized that not only does this not appear in the memorandum of understanding, but this claim is fundamentally baseless.”

Despite the disagreements, both sides continue to signal that negotiations remain active. While administration officials maintain that a deal is close, Friday’s meeting underscored that significant differences still separate Washington and Tehran as talks continue over the final shape of a potential agreement.

{Matzav.com}

Authorities have arrested and charged a second suspect in connection with two shootings that targeted synagogues in the Toronto area earlier this year, marking another development in an investigation that has heightened concerns about antisemitic violence in Canada.

Toronto police announced Friday that a 17-year-old from Waterloo, Ontario, was arrested Wednesday following the execution of a search warrant at a residence in nearby Cambridge.

The charges stem from two separate shooting incidents that occurred on the night of March 6. The first attack took place shortly before midnight at Congregation Beth Avraham Yoseph of Toronto in Vaughan. Roughly 20 minutes later, police received reports of gunfire at Shaarei Shomayim Synagogue in Toronto, near the intersection of Bathurst Street and Glencairn Avenue.

Investigators determined that both buildings were struck by bullets, causing damage to the exterior of the properties. No one was injured in either incident.

Because the accused is a minor, Canadian law prohibits the publication of his identity. Police said he has been charged with multiple offenses, including two counts of reckless discharge of a firearm.

The teenager’s arrest follows the earlier apprehension of an 18-year-old man whom investigators have identified as a key figure in the alleged plot. That suspect was taken into custody earlier this month.

Following the announcement, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) and the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto issued a joint statement commending law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation.

“We thank the Toronto Police Service, York Regional Police, and all supporting units, including Waterloo Regional Police, involved in this extensive joint investigation for their continued work to identify and apprehend those responsible. These investigations are complex, and the coordination between forces reflects the seriousness with which these attacks are being treated.”

The organizations emphasized that the allegations go far beyond property damage.

“The nature of the charges laid in this case – including conspiracy and weapons trafficking offences – underscores the gravity of what occurred. These were not acts of vandalism or mischief. They were targeted acts of violence directed at Jewish houses of worship,” the two organizations added.

The groups also expressed alarm that one of the suspects is a minor, warning that extremist ideologies are increasingly influencing young people.

“The fact that the accused is a youth is deeply troubling. It underscores growing concerns about the radicalization of young people and the normalization of hate online and in our communities. Hate, extremism, and political violence are increasingly reaching younger audiences, with real-world consequences for public safety and community security.”

They called for a firm legal response to acts of antisemitic violence.

“Strong and consistent enforcement of the law is essential. The Jewish community, like all Canadians, must have confidence that acts of violence and intimidation will be met with serious consequences.”

The organizations further cautioned that repeated attacks on Jewish institutions pose a threat beyond the Jewish community itself.

“Multiple shootings targeting synagogues represent a dangerous escalation, not only for the Jewish community, but for the broader safety and social cohesion of our country. We will continue working with partners at all levels to ensure the safety and security of Jewish institutions and to address the conditions that allow hate to take root.”

The statement concluded with a message urging vigilance and continued cooperation with law enforcement.

“As the Jewish Security Network (JSN) continues to work closely with law enforcement, we encourage community members to stay aware of their surroundings and report any concerns. We remain committed to protecting Jewish life in Canada and confronting the growing normalization of hate and violence wherever it appears,” the statement concluded.

The arrests come amid a sharp rise in antisemitic incidents across Toronto and surrounding communities since the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023.

Just days before the March 6 synagogue shootings, gunfire struck Temple Emanu-El in North York while congregants were celebrating Purim. No injuries were reported, though the building sustained damage.

In another incident in late April, a man allegedly attempted to force his way into an Orthodox synagogue in Thornhill and assaulted an individual before fleeing.

The following day, a rock was thrown through the window of Aleph Bet Judaica, a Jewish bookstore and gift shop that had already been targeted twice before.

Three weeks ago, Toronto police arrested and charged an 18-year-old suspect in connection with two drive-by shootings directed at visibly observant Jews in the city, adding to growing concerns over a surge in anti-Jewish attacks throughout the region.

{Matzav.com}

The United Arab Emirates quietly joined military operations against Iran during the recent conflict, carrying out dozens of airstrikes in coordination with the United States and Israel, according to a report published Friday by The Wall Street Journal.

The newspaper reported that Emirati aircraft struck a range of Iranian military and energy-related targets throughout the war, with operations continuing even after a ceasefire had been announced.

According to the report, the UAE adopted a far more confrontational posture toward Iran than neighboring Saudi Arabia, exposing significant disagreements between UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The two leaders reportedly differed sharply over how aggressively to confront Tehran and manage the broader regional crisis.

The Wall Street Journal had previously disclosed that the UAE was directly involved in attacks on Iranian infrastructure during the conflict, marking a major escalation in Abu Dhabi’s role in the war.

One of the most notable operations reportedly carried out by the UAE targeted an oil refinery on Iran’s Lavan Island in the Persian Gulf.

Sources cited by the newspaper said the strike was conducted in early April, around the same time President Donald Trump announced a temporary ceasefire following a month of sustained aerial attacks.

The operation reportedly caused extensive damage.

The aerial assault reportedly ignited a massive fire at the facility and successfully disabled a significant portion of the refinery’s production capacity.

The report comes against the backdrop of repeated Iranian attacks on the UAE during the war. Tehran targeted the Gulf nation on multiple occasions, including one incident in which two waves of cruise missiles were launched at Emirati territory.

That missile attack left three people injured and underscored the growing risks faced by Gulf states that became involved in the conflict.

The revelations provide new insight into the extent of the regional coalition aligned against Iran during the war and suggest that the UAE played a far more active military role than had previously been publicly known.

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu visited the northern front on Friday, where he met with senior military leaders and troops operating against Hezbollah, praising the IDF’s progress and declaring that Israeli forces are inflicting significant damage on the terror organization throughout Lebanon.

Joining Netanyahu during the visit were Defense Minister Israel Katz and Deputy IDF Chief of Staff Maj.-Gen. Tamir Yadai. The delegation toured positions of the IDF’s 36th Division near the northern border and received operational briefings from Northern Command chief Maj.-Gen. Rafi Milo and 36th Division commander Brig.-Gen. Yiftach Norkin.

The Israeli leaders were updated on ongoing military activity in Lebanon and held discussions with brigade commanders currently overseeing combat operations in the field.

Addressing troops and commanders, Netanyahu emphasized the determination he witnessed among those serving on the front lines.

“I came here today with the Minister of Defense, with the Deputy Chief of Staff, with the Commander of the Northern Command, with the Division Commander, with the commanders you see here, and with the soldiers in the field. I spoke with the brigade commanders who are currently in the field,” Netanyahu said. “I hear them, and I also hear the soldiers, some of whom are standing here behind me; there is an immense fighting spirit. From here, the battle against Hezbollah in the north is being managed.”

The prime minister pointed to what he described as substantial military achievements, saying Israeli forces have expanded their operational reach and established control over strategic areas.

“And I must tell you that there are very impressive results here. Our forces have crossed the Litani; they have advanced to controlling positions. We are operating in Beirut, in the Beqaa, across the entire width of the front, and we are dealing Hezbollah a crushing blow,” the Prime Minister said.

Netanyahu rejected any suggestion that the assessment was exaggerated, saying battlefield reports from both commanders and soldiers reflected the same reality.

“When I say this, it is no empty statement. The brigade commanders tell me, as do the soldiers, that in every contact with them, in every encounter, we are both eliminating Hezbollah and causing them to flee,” Netanyahu continued.

He attributed the military’s successes to the determination and morale of the troops engaged in combat operations and praised both the soldiers and their leadership.

“And it is this spirit that brings us these achievements. I salute you. You are lions. You have commanders who are lions, and you are proving the strength of the spirit of the Israel Defense Forces. Keep going, with great success, until the very end,” he concluded.

The visit comes as Israeli forces continue operations against Hezbollah positions throughout Lebanon, with military officials maintaining pressure on the terror group across multiple sectors of the northern front.

{Matzav.com}

[Videos below.] Blue Origin suffered a major setback Thursday when its New Glenn rocket exploded during a ground test at Cape Canaveral, Florida, sending a huge fireball and plume of smoke into the sky and dealing another blow to Jeff Bezos’ efforts to compete in the rapidly evolving commercial space industry.

Videos captured the dramatic blast as spectators watched in disbelief. The towering rocket was engulfed in flames moments after the test began, producing a massive explosion that prompted onlookers to exclaim, “Oh no!” and “Oh my God!”

Blue Origin later acknowledged the incident in a brief statement posted on X, describing the event as an “anomaly” and confirming that “all personnel have been accounted for.”

The accident adds to a growing list of challenges facing Bezos’ aerospace company as it attempts to establish itself as a major player in the race to dominate space transportation and exploration.

At the time of the explosion, the New Glenn vehicle was not conducting a launch. Instead, engineers were carrying out a standard static-fire test, a procedure in which the rocket’s engines are ignited while the vehicle remains anchored to the launch pad.

The failed test is particularly significant because New Glenn is expected to handle a wide range of future missions, including deployments of Amazon’s Project Kuiper broadband satellites, NASA cargo, and commercial payloads. No flight had been scheduled when the explosion occurred.

Bezos addressed the incident on social media, emphasizing that investigators are still working to determine what went wrong.

“It’s too early to know the root cause but we’re already working to find it,” Bezos wrote on X.

“Very rough day, but we’ll rebuild whatever needs rebuilding and get back to flying. It’s worth it.”

Standing 98 meters (321 feet) tall, New Glenn is Blue Origin’s flagship launch vehicle and a central component of the company’s long-term strategy to challenge Elon Musk’s SpaceX, whose Starship rocket program continues to advance.

Musk responded to news of the explosion with a brief message expressing sympathy for the setback, describing the mishap as “most unfortunate.”

The latest failure follows another recent problem for New Glenn. Only weeks ago, the rocket fell short during a mission intended to place a communications satellite into its designated orbit, triggering a formal review.

Although the mission successfully recovered and reused a booster stage, the uncrewed flight was unable to deploy a satellite for AST SpaceMobile into the planned orbit.

Following that mission, the Federal Aviation Administration directed Blue Origin to undertake a “mishap investigation,” a review process that concluded earlier this month.

In comments released last week, the company said regulators had accepted its findings.

“The FAA has approved our NG-3 report, and corrective measures have been implemented,” Blue Origin said last week, explaining that thermal conditions caused one of the rocket’s engines to not achieve its full thrust, causing it to miss its target orbit.

Florida Congressman Mike Haridopolos, whose district includes Cape Canaveral, said he had been in communication with NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman after the explosion.

“I am grateful there were no reported injuries and thankful for the first responders, engineers, and launch crews who acted quickly,” Haridopolos said.

The explosion comes as Blue Origin continues working with NASA on technology intended to support future Artemis lunar missions, including the development of a lunar landing system.

Isaacman confirmed that NASA was monitoring the situation and stressed the difficulty of building powerful new launch vehicles.

“Spaceflight is unforgiving, and developing new heavy-lift launch capability is extraordinarily difficult,” he wrote on X.

“We will work with our partners to support a thorough investigation of this anomaly, assess near-term mission impacts, and get back to launching rockets.”

NASA’s current plans call for testing orbital rendezvous operations involving lunar landers in 2027, with a crewed mission to the Moon targeted before the end of 2028.

Whether those goals can be achieved on schedule remains uncertain. Both Blue Origin and SpaceX still face major technical hurdles, and many analysts in the aerospace industry have repeatedly questioned whether either company can meet the ambitious timelines required for upcoming lunar missions.

{Matzav.com}

A forthcoming memoir by Jill Biden offers a behind-the-scenes account of the dramatic hours following President Joe Biden’s decision to abandon his 2024 re-election campaign, portraying Vice President Kamala Harris as aggressively pressing for an immediate presidential endorsement.

In her new book, View from the East Wing, scheduled for release on June 2, the former first lady describes a July 21, 2024, phone conversation in which Biden informed Harris that he would not seek another term, becoming the first sitting president since Lyndon Johnson in 1968 to step aside rather than pursue re-election.

According to excerpts published by USA Today, Jill Biden recalls Harris reacting with surprise when she heard the news.

“Oh my God, Joe. Are you sure?” Jill Biden recalls Harris saying before pushing for her boss’s backing, according to an excerpt reported by USA Today.

The memoir describes Harris as quickly turning the discussion toward securing Biden’s endorsement for her own candidacy.

When Joe Biden suggested postponing any endorsement announcement until the following morning, Harris reportedly objected and insisted: “I want it sooner.”

As Biden attempted to buy time and told Harris he would reconnect with her after reaching a decision, she continued to press the issue.

After the president said he would call her back “when I figure this out,” the veep pressed: “Could you do it soon? Say, in 20 minutes?”

Jill Biden writes that she ultimately removed herself from the conversation, suggesting she had heard enough of the exchange.

At that point, Jill Biden writes, she walked out of the room, apparently unable to bear any more.

Within roughly 30 minutes of announcing his withdrawal from the race, Biden publicly endorsed Harris in a separate statement, effectively ending any possibility of a contested fight for the Democratic nomination ahead of the party’s convention in Chicago the following month.

The book also revisits the long-standing tensions between Harris and Jill Biden, whose strained relationship dates back years before they served together in the White House.

One of the most notable flashpoints came during a Democratic primary debate in 2019, when Harris sharply criticized Biden over his earlier opposition to federally mandated busing programs intended to promote school integration.

Jill Biden later defended her husband in a call with supporters, expressing outrage over Harris’ attack.

“With what he cares about, what he fights for, what he’s committed to, you get up there and call him a racist without basis?”

According to reports cited in the memoir, Jill Biden’s reservations about Harris did not end there. After Joe Biden secured the Democratic nomination, she reportedly opposed selecting Harris as his running mate.

As recounted in the book, Jill questioned the decision at the time, saying: “There are millions of people in the United States. Why do we have to choose the one who attacked Joe?”

{Matzav.com}

President Trump announced Friday that he is preparing to make a final decision on a proposed agreement with Iran that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, end the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports, and potentially involve American participation in removing and destroying Iran’s remaining enriched uranium reserves.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump emphasized that any agreement must ensure Iran can never obtain a nuclear weapon, indicating that the United States would oversee the elimination of uranium buried at Iranian nuclear sites damaged during last year’s military campaign.

“The enriched material, sometimes referred to as ‘Nuclear Dust,’ which is buried deep underground with virtually collapsed mountains, caused by our powerful B2 Bomber attack 11 months ago, sitting on top of it, will be unearthed by the United States … in close coordination and conjunction with the Islamic Republic of Iran, plus the International Atomic Energy Agency, and DESTROYED,” he wrote.

Trump further asserted that the United States possesses unique capabilities necessary for such an operation.

“He also noted that ‘it is agreed’ that the US ‘is the only Country, along with China, with the mechanical capability’ of extracting the uranium.”

Questions remain about whether the destruction of Iran’s enriched uranium is actually part of the proposed agreement. White House descriptions of the draft accord released Thursday did not include any commitment by Tehran to eliminate its existing stockpile.

It was not immediately clear whether Trump was referring to an additional understanding still being negotiated or a provision already included in the draft framework.

Iranian officials quickly pushed back on Trump’s characterization of the proposal. The semi-official Fars news agency dismissed the president’s comments as a “mixture of truth and falsehood” used in an “attempt to portray a fabricated victory.”

Despite the disagreement over details, the proposed accord would represent the most significant diplomatic development since the United States and Israel launched military operations against Iran on Feb. 28. Those operations were aimed at preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, degrading its military and missile infrastructure, and increasing pressure on the ruling regime.

According to the memorandum of understanding put forward by the Trump administration, the cease-fire would be extended for an additional 60 days, maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz would resume, and both sides would continue negotiations over unresolved nuclear issues, including future limits on uranium enrichment.

Trump reiterated what he described as a non-negotiable requirement for any deal.

“Iran must agree that they will never have a Nuclear Weapon or Bomb.”

He also said Iran would lose the ability to collect fees from vessels traveling through the strategic waterway, guaranteeing “unrestricted shipping traffic, in both directions.”

Addressing security concerns in the region, Trump stated that mines in the waterway would be removed.

“All water mines (bombs), if any, will be terminated (we have removed, through detonation, numerous such mines with our great underwater mine sweepers,” he added.

Iran has consistently maintained that its nuclear activities are intended solely for civilian purposes and has repeatedly denied pursuing nuclear weapons.

Supporters of Trump’s approach argue that previous agreements failed to adequately address Iran’s ability to retain enriched uranium and maintain enrichment capabilities. They point to the 2015 nuclear agreement negotiated by President Barack Obama, which stated that Tehran “will ensure the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program,” but did not require the complete dismantling of Iran’s enrichment infrastructure.

For that reason, Trump has focused on the complete removal of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile and preventing the country from restoring enrichment operations in the future.

Although Trump said he was heading to the Situation Room to decide whether to move forward with the agreement, some of his comments suggested that at least one element of the proposal may already have been settled.

“Ships caught in the Strait due to our amazing and unprecedented Naval Blockade, which will now be lifted, may start the process of ‘heading home!’” he said. “Say HELLO to your wives, husbands, parents, and families from me, your favorite President!”

Iran has reportedly insisted that the blockade be lifted before it reopens the Strait of Hormuz, according to Fars, leading some observers to interpret Trump’s remarks as an effort to satisfy that demand.

At the same time, Iranian officials continued to project confidence and signaled that pressure, rather than negotiations, had brought Washington to the table. Fars reported claims that Tehran would extract concessions from the United States “not through dialogue, but with missiles.”

Earlier Friday, Iran’s chief negotiator and parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, cautioned that Tehran would judge any agreement solely by actions rather than promises.

“We do not trust guarantees and words, only actions are the criterion. No action will be taken before the other side acts,” Qalibaf said in a post to X.

He also issued a cryptic warning about the balance between diplomacy and military readiness.

“In negotiations, we merely make them understand,” he said without adding context. “The winner of any agreement is the one who is better prepared for war from the day after.”

The White House confirmed Thursday that the proposal remains under active consideration. If approved, it would launch a new round of negotiations focused on broader questions surrounding Iran’s nuclear program and regional activities.

Iran is reportedly seeking extensive sanctions relief, a reduction of the American military presence in the region, and an end to Israel’s military operations in Lebanon as part of any long-term agreement.

Trump indicated that financial concessions are not currently part of the package.

“No money will be exchanged, until further notice.”

His statement suggested that economic relief and other financial arrangements could be deferred to future negotiations.

The latest developments come as Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar arrived in Washington on Friday for meetings with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Pakistan has been playing a key intermediary role in efforts to broker an agreement between Washington and Tehran.

{Matzav.com}

Former Rishon LeZion Rav Yitzchak Yosef issued a strongly worded letter Friday morning condemning the small group of young attendees who booed and jeered when the name of Shas chairman Aryeh Deri was mentioned during a major gathering held Thursday night at Binyanei HaUma in Yerushalayim.

The letter, written personally in the Rav’s own handwriting, came after reports that several youths disrupted the event, known as Ve’atah Kisvu Lachem, by whistling and expressing disapproval when Deri’s name was referenced. According to those close to the Rav, he chose to handwrite the letter specifically to avoid any claims that it had been drafted by aides or political associates.

In the opening of the letter, Rav Yosef emphasized that the incident involved only a small minority and praised Deri’s longstanding service to the Sephardic community.

“Last night, at the distinguished event held at Binyanei HaUma in conjunction with the Rishon LeZion Prize and attended by the members of the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah, including Rav Avraham Salim, Rav Yehudah Cohen and Rav Shlomo Machpud, there was a small group of youths who failed to show proper respect and harmed the honor of shlucha d’Rabbanan, who devotes himself on behalf of the Sephardic public, our very dear Rav, the emissary of the sages, HaRav HaGaon Rabbi Aryeh Deri, shlita, chairman of our movement.”

The former Sephardic Chief Rabbi sharply criticized the conduct of those involved and described the behavior as a serious breach of proper respect.

“And I am pained and protest this lack of derech eretz toward our friend, HaRav Rabbi Aryeh, shlita. This behavior is a serious matter!”

Rav Yosef concluded the letter with a call for unity within the Sephardic Torah community and the Shas movement.

“We need unity in our movement. We are all united!”

The letter was released just hours after Deri met with Rav Yosef at his home for what was described as an urgent consultation regarding the growing wave of arrests targeting yeshiva students and Torah learners.

During the gathering at Binyanei HaUma, Rav Yosef addressed the assembled bnei Torah and spoke about the arrests, saying: “Unfortunately, they are arresting only our Sephardic boys, but do not be afraid—you are the strength of the Jewish people.”

{Matzav.com}

In an unprecedented move, the Satmar Rebbe, Rav Aharon Teitelbaum, delivered an emergency address on Thursday that was broadcast live without advance notice to Satmar communities and institutions around the world. The dramatic speech focused entirely on what the Rebbe described as the growing spiritual threat posed by artificial intelligence, which he warned is causing widespread damage among yeshiva students, young women, and even married kollel members.

Speaking emotionally and at times through tears, the Rebbe compared the current challenge to earlier battles against computers, video technology, and smartphones. However, he stressed that AI presents a far greater danger, describing it as a spiritual breach unlike anything previously encountered.

Opening his remarks with verses from Tehillim, the Rebbe focused on the words, “Hashem, You have raised my soul from the grave,” explaining that without Divine assistance, a person cannot overcome the yetzer hara.

Quoting the Gemara in Sukkah, the Rebbe noted that the evil inclination grows stronger each day and that a person would be unable to defeat it without Heavenly help. He then connected that concept to modern technology.

“In our generation, the power of technology renews itself every day,” the Rebbe said. “Every day there are new tools, more advanced than the day before. In earlier generations, the yetzer hara grew stronger gradually. We fought those battles with all our strength in order to save Klal Yisroel, especially its young people, from falling into spiritual destruction.”

The Rebbe then reviewed the struggles against earlier technologies.

He recalled the fierce opposition to home computers and said that communities eventually found workable solutions, such as keeping computers out of the home and installing filters where computers were needed for business purposes.

According to the Rebbe, those safeguards protected countless Jewish families and prevented many people from being drawn into harmful influences.

He similarly pointed to the battles against video technology and smartphones.

“When video and smartphones arrived, there was still a solution,” he said. “A person could choose not to bring those devices into the home. Through those efforts, thousands of G-d-fearing Jews were protected, and holy Jewish homes remained pure and safeguarded.”

The central focus of the speech came when the Rebbe turned to artificial intelligence, which he repeatedly described as a new and uniquely dangerous spiritual threat.

“Now, however, a new yetzer hara has arrived, far worse than what came before. This yetzer hara is called AI.”

The Rebbe warned that AI can be accessed through virtually any device, including what are commonly considered kosher phones.

“Even through a kosher phone, one can become connected to this yetzer hara,” he said. “And it possesses an enormous power of attraction.”

The Rebbe distinguished between business-related uses of AI and other forms of engagement with the technology, saying that while business applications also require extreme caution, his primary concern was a second category that he believed presents grave spiritual risks.

“Oy li im omar, oy li im lo omar — woe is me if I speak and woe is me if I remain silent,” he said. “The children already know about this. The young boys and girls already know about it. Everything is open before them.”

The Rebbe went on to warn that AI provides easy access to material and influences that violate the most fundamental prohibitions of Judaism.

“Every forbidden thing — idolatry, immorality, bloodshed — this tool opens a path to it,” he declared. “It draws young people into those terrible places and pulls them down into the depths.”

At one point, the Rebbe became visibly emotional as he described what he said is already taking place within Jewish homes.

“Many, many young people are already immersed in this,” he said. “With every phone in the house, a person can connect to this kelipah in an instant. Parents are unaware. They have no way to supervise it.”

He repeatedly described the situation as “geferlich” — frightening and dangerous — and cried out, “Gevald! Gevald on the world!”

According to the Rebbe, the consequences are already being felt among young men, young women, and even married Torah scholars.

“There are victims,” he said. “Young bochurim, older bochurim, girls in Bais Yaakov, even young avreichim. They become connected to this kelipah and fall into spiritual ruin.”

He warned that such involvement destroys yiras Shamayim, weakens a person’s desire to learn Torah, and introduces influences that can fundamentally alter a person’s spiritual life.

“This removes all desire for the holy Torah,” he said. “It strips away the taste of Torah and brings the impurity of America directly into holy Jewish hearts.”

The Rebbe then issued one of the most striking directives of the address, calling on community members to intervene if they become aware of individuals who are involved with what he described as the dangerous side of AI.

Citing the Torah’s command regarding testimony and responsibility, he said that anyone aware of another person’s involvement has an obligation to notify the administration of the institution where that individual studies.

“If someone knows of another person who is connected to this kelipah, he must immediately inform the administration of the institution so they can save that soul from destruction,” the Rebbe said.

He stressed that the primary defense against the danger is personal vigilance and self-supervision, arguing that no external system of monitoring can effectively address the challenge.

Despite the grim tone of much of the speech, the Rebbe concluded with a message of hope for those who have already become involved with AI and wish to change course.

Returning to the verse “Hashem, You have raised my soul from the grave,” he cited the teachings of the Shelah HaKadosh and emphasized that no one is beyond recovery.

“Even someone who has already fallen into these traps can still be rescued,” he said. “A person can sever his connection to this kelipah and leave it behind.”

He urged listeners to turn to Hashem in sincere prayer and ask for the strength to break free from harmful influences and reclaim their spiritual lives.

“May Hakadosh Boruch Hu help us subdue the sitra achra,” the Rebbe concluded, “and merit to serve the Creator with a pure heart throughout our lives, ‘and I shall dwell in the House of Hashem for length of days.’ Amein.”

Senior Hamas officials have no intention of giving up their weapons and believe the terrorist organization has emerged stronger since the ceasefire agreement, according to a regional diplomat who recently met with members of the group’s leadership.

The diplomat told Israel’s Channel 13 News on Thursday that Hamas leaders are convinced the United States will prevent Israel from launching any major new military campaign in Gaza and believe their position in the territory continues to improve.

According to the diplomat, Hamas officials told him, “Our strength has increased since the ceasefire agreement. There is no reason whatsoever for us to disarm. Trump will not allow Netanyahu to advance large-scale and far-reaching military operations in Gaza. Israel must fulfill its side of the agreement.”

The diplomat said Hamas has gained confidence since the withdrawal of significant Israeli military forces from parts of Gaza and believes its grip on the territory will continue to grow.

He added that during one of the meetings, Hamas officials referenced the phrase “total victory” in Arabic and openly questioned whether Israel would ever be able to achieve such an outcome.

The report comes as Israel continues its campaign against Hamas leadership. On Wednesday, the IDF and Shin Bet confirmed the elimination of Mohammed Odeh, who had recently assumed command of Hamas’s military wing following the death of Izz al-Din Haddad.

According to the joint statement, Odeh was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City after months of intelligence-gathering aimed at tracking his movements and those of his associates. Several buildings used as hideouts in the Rimal neighborhood were targeted during the operation. A nearby apartment used by a Hamas terrorist who participated in the October 7 massacre and was part of Odeh’s support network was also struck.

“Odeh served as the head of Hamas’ military wing over the past two weeks, following the elimination of Izz al-Din Haddad,” the IDF Spokesperson said. “In recent years, Odeh served as the head of Hamas’ intelligence headquarters. In his role, he was responsible for planning and coordinating attack and raid targets carried out by Hamas terrorists during the October 7 massacre.

“In addition, throughout the war, Odeh was involved in directing numerous terrorist attacks and led intelligence collection and analysis efforts for the purpose of carrying out terrorist operations against IDF forces and Israeli civilians. The Hamas intelligence apparatus under his command supported the organization’s terrorist activities and provided the operational framework for actions that posed a threat to IDF troops and citizens of the State of Israel.”

{Matzav.com}

Sen. Cory Booker sharply criticized President Donald Trump’s immigration policies during a CNN appearance Thursday, describing the administration’s enforcement efforts as “chaotic, cruel and corrupt” after visiting a detention facility in Newark, New Jersey.

During an interview on The Lead, host Jake Tapper asked the New Jersey Democrat about his visit to the center and what he learned from speaking with detainees housed there.

“Senator, you went inside the facility yesterday. You said it is a moral stain in our nation. What did you see? What did the detainees tell you?” Tapper asked.

Booker responded by focusing on the facility’s private ownership and the conditions he said detainees are facing inside.

“Well, remember this is being run by a private corporation that showered Republicans with cash. Have $1 billion operation. So it is a private, for profit prison now profiting off of people’s pain. Inside, the conditions were insufficient and unacceptable. From lots of complaints about medical conditions, not getting the proper treatment from women, not getting the proper gynecological care when they were in severe crisis. And obviously, we’re hearing complaints about the food and more. Remember, these people are New Jersey’s neighbors. There are people in there that I talked to that have been in our country not years but decades, who have American children and grandchildren who have committed no crimes. A majority of the people there have committed no crimes. And so this is a problem and a moral abomination on multiple levels.”

Booker said his visit reinforced concerns he already had about the administration’s approach to immigration enforcement, arguing that Newark has become a focal point in the broader national debate over the issue.

“I now see again, this is a president with a chaotic, cruel and corrupt, immigration enforcement. And we’re seeing the epicenter now moving to Newark, New Jersey.”

Syria’s transitional government announced that it has uncovered additional remnants of Bashar Assad’s long-concealed chemical weapons program and detained 18 individuals allegedly connected to its development and operation, marking one of the most significant investigations into the former regime’s weapons activities since Assad’s downfall.

Assad was driven from power in December 2024 and later fled to Russia, one of the key allies that supported his government throughout Syria’s devastating civil war. Following his removal, control of the country passed to a transitional administration led by a coalition of insurgent and jihadist factions under Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former member of al-Qaeda.

Since taking power, Syria’s new leadership has distanced itself from both Russia and Iran, Assad’s longtime backers, while seeking closer ties with Western governments. Among its initiatives was joining the Global Coalition to Defeat the Islamic State in November 2025.

The government has also expanded cooperation with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), headquartered in The Hague. On Tuesday, the OPCW reported that inspectors had gained access to multiple chemical weapons facilities that had never previously been disclosed by the Assad government. During those inspections, teams discovered “dozens of undeclared chemical munitions such as aerial bombs and rockets, as well as separately found chemicals and related equipment.”

Authorities working alongside OPCW personnel have so far identified more than 70 rockets and aerial bombs apparently built to deliver chemical agents, similar to munitions linked to attacks carried out by Assad’s forces against opposition-held areas in 2013 and 2017.

Investigators also located materials associated with the production of sarin nerve gas. Among the substances recovered was hexamine, a compound with legitimate industrial uses that was previously identified as a component used by Assad’s chemical weapons specialists in the manufacturing process for weaponized sarin.

Previous investigations by OPCW and United Nations teams uncovered stores of chlorine and mustard gas used by Syrian military units. Officials say nearly 100 additional sites across Syria remain on the list for future inspection.

Mahamad Katoub, the transitional government’s representative to the OPCW, described the discoveries and arrests as a major victory for both Syria and the international community.

“Today we delivered for the Syrian people and for the world, despite the secrecy, the danger, and the enormous security challenges,” he said.

“It is the first time such munitions could be recovered before they were used in crimes against the Syrian people,” he added.

Katoub declined to publicly identify the 18 people taken into custody but said those arrested include “high-level military, political, and technical officials.” He noted that at least four of the suspects are already under sanctions imposed by the United States, the United Kingdom, or the European Union.

Earlier this month, on May 8, Syria’s Interior Ministry announced the arrest of former Brig. Gen. Khardal Ahmed Dayoub, a senior Assad-era military commander accused of involvement in a 2013 chemical attack near Damascus. Authorities also linked him to chemical assaults in Eastern Ghouta.

Officials charged Dayoub with “direct involvement in systematic violations against civilians,” including responsibility for attacks that killed approximately 1,400 people.

OPCW Director-General Amb. Fernando Arias said Wednesday that the latest findings reinforce longstanding conclusions that Assad’s government concealed critical information about the scope of its chemical weapons activities.

“confirms the Secretariat’s repeated assessment since 2014 that the former Syrian regime withheld information and unsuccessfully attempted to mislead the Secretariat and the international community on the extent of its chemical weapons program.”

Arias praised the cooperation shown by Syria’s current authorities during the investigation.

“I welcome Syria’s cooperation and support for this deployment,” Arias said.

He stressed that substantial work remains ahead and called on Syrian officials to fully account for and eliminate the materials that have been uncovered.

“The Syrian authorities now need to declare and destroy what has been found, under the Secretariat’s verification and to continue supporting the Secretariat in unveiling the full scope of the chemical weapons program they have inherited,” he added.

{Matzav.com}

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani renewed his criticism of federal immigration enforcement on Thursday, accusing Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents of carrying out actions he described as “cruel and inhumane” and defending the city’s status as a sanctuary jurisdiction.

Speaking on MSNBC’s The Briefing, Mamdani argued that New York’s sanctuary-city policies are both a public-safety measure and a reflection of the city’s identity as a destination for immigrants from around the world.

“We are proud of the fact that we are a sanctuary city. We’re proud of that for a number of reasons. One, it is a policy designed to keep New Yorkers safe. Two, we know that here in our city, we are proud of the more than 3 million New Yorkers who are immigrants. I’m one of them. And we know that in a city like this, it is incumbent upon us to live up to the ideals of the Statue of Liberty, not just tell people to come and look at it when they visit from across the world.”

Host Jen Psaki then asked the mayor about his communications with President Donald Trump, noting that Mamdani has previously discussed immigration issues with the president and had been involved in efforts that helped secure the release of a detainee in New York.

“You speak to the president from from time to time. You’ve spoken to him about his immigration policies in the past. You’ve even helped get a detainee in New York released. I’m curious, have you spoken to him since Mark when Mullen made that announcement?” Psaki asked.

Mamdani declined to discuss the details or frequency of his conversations with Trump but said he has consistently voiced his objections to ICE’s operations whenever the subject arises.

“No. I keep the cadence of our conversations private. But what I will say, Jen, is that when I’ve had those conversations with the president, I have made clear, as you’ve said, that I view ICE actions to be cruel and inhumane.”

The mayor went on to argue that federal immigration enforcement efforts do not improve public safety and alleged that the agency has operated without sufficient accountability.

“These are not actions that serve any interest of public safety. And I say that time and again, because what I’ve seen as the mayor of New York City is an agency that is operating with impunity, whether across the five boroughs of New York or whether elsewhere across the country. And so often, New Yorkers have no idea as to what could put them at risk beyond just the simple fact of their existence in this city.”

Mamdani’s remarks are the latest in an ongoing dispute between New York City officials and the Trump administration over immigration enforcement, sanctuary-city policies, and the role of federal authorities in local communities.

{Matzav.com}

A Belzer yungerman was arrested in Kiryat Gat on Friday afternoon, just hours before Shabbos, on allegations of draft evasion, setting off protests, sharp criticism from Belz erleaders, and an immediate investigation ordered by Israel Police Commissioner Daniel Levy.

The yungerman was detained by police and is currently being held at the police station on Sderot Lachish in Kiryat Gat.

According to eyewitnesses, the arrest occurred after the yungerman approached police officers in an effort to assist them during a gathering that had developed in the area. Witnesses claim that despite his attempt to help, officers subsequently sought to transfer him to the Military Police due to his alleged status as a draft evader.

Following the arrest, the “Tzeva Shachor” protest alert network, which mobilizes demonstrations in response to the detention of bnei yeshiva and yungeleit, called on members of the public to gather at the scene and protest in an effort to prevent his transfer to military authorities.

The arrest drew an angry response from within the Belzer community. A source in the chassidus harshly criticized the move, saying, “Police Commissioner Daniel Levy has lost his bearings. There are hundreds in Belz who enlist. If this young man is not released, they will all be returning home on Sunday.”

The unusually strong statement comes amid heightened sensitivity surrounding relations between the chareidi community and both the police and military, particularly regarding the detention of bnei yeshiva and yungerleit classified as draft evaders.

The current incident has generated particular outrage because, according to eyewitness accounts, the yungerman was not participating in any confrontation with law enforcement. Rather, they say, he approached officers in an effort to assist them during an event taking place in the city.

The controversy also comes one day after a report on Channel 12 News revealed that police are formulating a new policy for handling chareidi draft evaders in an effort to reduce tensions with the chareidi public.

Under the proposed framework, a chareidi draft evader who voluntarily enters a police station to file a complaint, report a missing person, or receive police services would not be detained or transferred to the Military Police.

However, if a police officer encounters a draft evader during a routine traffic stop, at a checkpoint, or in another incidental encounter, the individual would still be detained and transferred to military authorities under existing procedures.

Supporters of the detained yungerman argue that his case falls outside the category of routine enforcement, maintaining that he approached officers of his own accord to assist them and should not have been treated as someone attempting to evade authorities.

Representatives of the chassidus warned that failure to release the yungerman could lead to a significant deterioration in relations between the chareidi community and law enforcement as early as next week.

As the controversy intensified, Commissioner Daniel Levy instructed police officials to immediately investigate the circumstances surrounding the young chareidi man’s detention. The review was ordered following claims that the yungerman was arrested despite having approached officers to assist them during an incident in the city, rather than as part of any confrontation with police or attempt to avoid law enforcement authorities.

According to reports, the commissioner also directed that the full chain of events leading to the arrest be examined in light of the conflicting accounts surrounding the incident.