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A dramatic emergency conference took place on Wednesday evening, attended by over 100 leading Breslover Rabbanim and community leaders from throughout Israel to reach a decision on the issue of 10,000 chassidim who are at risk of arrest by military police if they travel to Uman for Rosh Hashanah. For over an hour, representatives from the organizations that advise bnei yeshivos about conscription issues presented all the relevant considerations and details regarding conscription, the detention centers, and the army. Senior Breslover Rabbanim, including HaGaon HaRav Yaakov Meir Shechter, HaGaon HaRav Moshe Kramer, and HaGaon HaRav Natan Libermansch, then convened at the home of HaRav Shechter for about three hours and issued a final decision on the matter. The Rabbanim stated that since “the conscription decree is a gezeiras sh’mad, no one should consider falling into the IDF’s trap by agreeing to join one of the conscription tracks in any way, shape, or form, or to sign any conscription or recruitment track they offer, including national or civil service. Reality proves beyond any doubt that such a step is the precursor to great sins and apart from the obvious and well-known fact that their promises are worthless, the very act of service is חתיכא דאיסורא, as all the Gedolei Yisrael have already unanimously paskened and instructed, and there is no heter to do so for any reason, no matter how great.” “Although the great obligation and necessity to travel to Rosh Hashanah to Uman is known to us all, about which Rebbe Nachman said that ‘there is nothing greater than this,’ it is clear and pashut that all this is when the matter does not involve isureh Torah, all the more so an issur chamur like this, which is unparalleled.” “In order to distance themselves from the danger of arrest, which involves many and severe spiritual dangers and stumbling blocks, each and every person should guard their soul and do everything possible not to reach a state of arrest, chalilah, והחכם עיניו בראשו.” “And it is pashut that anyone who has an actual arrest warrant should not try to leave the borders of the country because he puts himself in danger of arrest, and whoever violates this is פורץ גדר חייו. Rabbanim and educators have a responsibility to instruct their followers according to these instructions and to ensure that young Breslov chassidim do not not expose themselves to spiritual dangers and stumbling blocks.” (YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

Russia launched a major air attack early Thursday on Kyiv that included a rare strike on the city center, killing at least 18 people, wounding 48 and damaging European Union diplomatic offices, authorities said. The bombardment of drones and missiles was the first major Russian attack on Kyiv in weeks as U.S.-led peace efforts to end the three-year war struggled to gain traction. Britain said the attack sabotaged peace efforts, while top EU diplomat Kaja Kallas summoned Russia’s EU envoy to Brussels over the strikes that damaged EU offices. Ukraine on Thursday requested an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council to discuss the overnight bombardment, while two of Ukraine’s top envoys were set to meet Friday with the Trump administration regarding mediation. The Kremlin said Russia remained interested in continuing peace talks despite Thursday’s air attack, which was one of the war’s biggest since it began in 2022. Among the dead were four children between 2 and 17, said Tymur Tkachenko, the head of Kyiv’s city administration. The numbers were expected to rise. Rare attack on center of Kyiv The attack was one of the few times Russian drones and missiles have penetrated the heart of Kyiv since the start of the full-scale invasion. Ukraine’s Air Force said Russia launched 598 strike drones and decoys and 31 missiles of different types across the country early Thursday, most of them striking targets in Kyiv. At least 33 locations across all 10 of the city’s districts were directly hit or damaged by debris, Tkachenko said. Thousands of windows shattered as nearly 100 buildings were damaged, including a shopping mall in the city center. Oleksandr Khilko arrived at the scene after a missile hit the residential building where his sister lives in the capital’s Darnytsia district. He heard screams from people who were trapped under the rubble and pulled out three survivors, including a boy. “It’s inhuman, striking civilians,” Khilko said, his clothes covered in dust and the tips of his fingers black with soot. “With every cell of my body I want this war to end as soon as possible. I wait, but every time the air raid alarm sounds, I am afraid.” Sophia Akylina said her home in Kyiv’s Holosiivskyi district was damaged. “It’s never happened before that they attacked so close,” the 21-year old said. “Negotiations haven’t yielded anything yet, unfortunately people are suffering.” EU and UK summon Russian envoys after strikes hit their buildings European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen said two strikes landed 20 seconds apart about 50 meters (165 feet) from the EU Mission to Ukraine building in Kyiv. She said no staff were injured in the strike. “No diplomatic mission should ever be a target. In response, we are summoning the Russian envoy in Brussels,” Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s top diplomat, said Thursday in a post on X. The British Council, which promotes cultural relations and educational opportunities, also said its Kyiv office had been “severely damaged” in the attack and was closed to visitors until further notice. The organization posted a photo showing the building with its windows and entrance smashed open and surrounded by glass and debris. A guard was injured and is “shaken but stable,” council chief executive Scott McDonald posted on X. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Russian President […]

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Yisrael Porush, chairman of the Magen U’Moshiah organization, conveyed an official appeal to Washington through US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, requesting his intervention in Attorney-General Gali Baharav’s severe violation of the civil rights of thousands of American citizens, who are unable to even travel to the US without being arrested. In his letter, Porush noted that thousands of US citizens are now being denied the right to return to their own country and requested that if Huckabee “deems it appropriate,” he should bring the issue to the attention of the Trump administration. The letter states, “Dear Ambassador Huckabee, I am honored to write to you on behalf of thousands of American citizens who now find themselves in deep distress due to severe infringements on their civil rights by the legal authorities in Israel.” “As you are aware, a temporary cancellation has been imposed on the long-standing arrangement—maintained for nearly seventy-five years—whereby Israeli citizens devoted to full-time Torah study were exempt from military service. This decision now extends to thousands of American citizens who, in addition to their U.S. citizenship, also hold Israeli citizenship.” “Following this cancellation, Israel’s Attorney General has ordered extreme sanctions against these individuals—approximately 80,000 people, including thousands of American citizens. These sanctions include travel bans preventing them from leaving Israel, as well as the threat of arrest.” “Mr. Ambassador, the sole ‘offense’ of these American citizens is their dedication to Torah study. You yourself have publicly stated that Torah learning is the salvation of the Jewish nation. It is therefore inconceivable that American citizens should be treated as criminals for the very act that embodies their faith, heritage, and contribution to the Jewish people.” “Indeed, some of these American citizens may even wish to relinquish their Israeli citizenship—retaining only their U.S. citizenship in order to continue their Torah study without interference. Yet under the current restrictions, they are not even permitted to leave Israel to exercise that right.” “We therefore appeal to you, in the name of these law-abiding U.S. citizens, to intervene and prevent this absurd situation in which Americans are denied the right to return to their own country because of internal political and judicial disputes in Israel. These citizens deserve the same dignity and protection accorded to every American, wherever they may reside.” “Your deep respect for the Jewish people and for the Torah is well known. We now call upon you, as the representative of the United States in Israel, to act urgently with the Israeli authorities to lift these restrictions and ensure that American citizens are not punished for their faith and their commitment to Torah study. We would also respectfully request that—if you deem it appropriate—you bring this petition to the attention of the administration in Washington so that these concerns may be addressed at the highest levels.” (YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

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Syrian media and military sources reported overnight Wednesday that IDF forces raided a key military base in the southern suburbs of Damascus. According to reports, two fighter jets and four helicopters landed on the base. The fighter jets carried out air strikes to “prepare the way” for the helicopters and prevent Syrian forces from reaching the area. Afterward, in a rare ground landing by special forces, dozens of soldiers raided the bases, remaining there for over two hours. No fighting took place between the IDF soldiers and Syrian forces. Two Syrian army officers told Reuters that the IDF special forces landed near Jabal Manaa, the location of a strategic air defense base controlled by Iran and Hezbollah before it was destroyed by Israel before the fall of the Assad regime. The base is now populated by soldiers loyal to Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa.  The report came a day after a previous attack in the same area, also attributed to Israel, in which six members of the Syrian regime’s security forces were killed. Following the initial attack, IDF fighter jets and drones continued to carry out strikes, preventing rescue teams from retrieving the bodies of the Syrian soldiers until the following evening. In response to queries, the IDF stated, “We do not comment on foreign events.” However, Defense Minister Yisrael Katz hinted at the operation on Thursday morning, writing on X: “Our forces are operating day and night in all combat zones for Israel’s security.” (YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Susan Monarez has been dismissed from her position on Wednesday after she declined to resign.

Monarez’s termination followed an ultimatum reportedly given by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who instructed her to either step down voluntarily or face removal.

“As her attorney’s statement makes abundantly clear, Susan Monarez is not aligned with the President’s agenda of Making America Healthy Again,” White House spokesman Kush Desai said in a statement.

“Since Susan Monarez refused to resign despite informing HHS leadership of her intent to do so, the White House has terminated Monarez from her position with the CDC,” Desai added.

The dispute between Monarez, who had been sworn in less than four weeks ago, and Kennedy centers on differences regarding vaccine policy, according to a Trump administration official who spoke to the New York Times.

The official revealed that Kennedy demanded Monarez’s resignation on Monday. When she refused, he instructed her to dismiss several senior CDC leaders by the end of the week.

Kennedy then called a second meeting with Monarez on Tuesday, during which he accused her of “being a leaker” and warned that she would be fired after discovering she had contacted Senate Health Committee Chairman Bill Cassidy (R-La.) following their initial meeting.

HHS, which manages the CDC, confirmed Monarez’s ouster in a post on X earlier Wednesday.

“Susan Monarez is no longer director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We thank her for her dedicated service to the American people,” the statement read.

The announcement also declared that Kennedy “has full confidence in his team at [CDC] who will continue to be vigilant in protecting Americans against infectious diseases at home and abroad,” though no replacement was named.

Monarez’s attorneys disputed the administration’s claims, asserting that she had not voluntarily left her position and had not received formal notice of her dismissal.

“As a person of integrity and devoted to science, she will not resign,” lawyers Abbe Lowell and Mark Zaid said in a statement. Lowell, who has previously represented Hunter Biden, and Zaid accused the administration of punishing Monarez for standing by scientific principles.

“When CDC Director Susan Monarez refused to rubber-stamp unscientific, reckless directives and fire dedicated health experts, she chose protecting the public over serving a political agenda. For that, she has been targeted,” they said. “This is not about one official. It is about the systematic dismantling of public health institutions, the silencing of experts, and the dangerous politicization of science.

“The attack on Dr. Monarez is a warning to every American: our evidence-based systems are being undermined from within.”

Monarez, a career federal scientist, had been selected by President Trump in March to head the CDC after he withdrew his initial nomination of Dave Weldon.

She was confirmed by the Senate on July 29 and officially sworn in by Kennedy two days later, on July 31.

According to the New York Times, Monarez objected to Kennedy’s June decision to dismiss all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which provides guidance on vaccine recommendations.

Kennedy, known for his longstanding skepticism regarding vaccines, has previously reversed CDC recommendations that encouraged COVID-19 vaccinations for pregnant women and healthy children.

Monarez’s firing coincided with Kennedy’s announcement of new eligibility guidelines for COVID-19 vaccines.

Under the updated policy, individuals 65 and older will still have access to the vaccines, but younger adults and children must now demonstrate that they have underlying health conditions—such as obesity or asthma—that put them at greater risk of serious illness.

In addition to Monarez’s dismissal, four senior CDC officials resigned on Wednesday, including the agency’s chief medical officer, the director of vaccine recommendations, the head of vaccine safety, and the leader of the CDC’s public health data office.

{Matzav.com}

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced on Wednesday that the federal government has officially revoked the emergency use authorizations for COVID-19 vaccines. The FDA also ended its broader authorization of the shots, limiting full approval to individuals considered at higher risk for severe illness.

“I promised 4 things,” Kennedy Jr. said in a statement posted on X. “1. to end covid vaccine mandates. 2. to keep vaccines available to people who want them, especially the vulnerable. 3. to demand placebo-controlled trials from companies. 4. to end the emergency.”

Kennedy Jr. went on to explain: “In a series of FDA actions today we accomplished all four goals. The emergency use authorizations for Covid vaccines, once used to justify broad mandates on the general public during the Biden administration, are now rescinded.”

He added that updated approvals are now in place for those at higher risk: “FDA has now issued marketing authorization for those at higher risk: Moderna (6+ months), Pfizer (5+), and Novavax (12+). These vaccines are available for all patients who choose them after consulting with their doctors. The American people demanded science, safety, and common sense. This framework delivers all three.”

{Matzav.com}

A new diplomatic effort is underway as the Magen U’Moshia Center has sent an urgent letter, via the Israeli ambassador, to the United States government, requesting intervention on behalf of thousands of American citizens who are also Israeli nationals and are now facing severe restrictions due to the ongoing draft crisis in Israel.

The letter, signed by Yisroel Porush, Chairman of the Magen U’Moshia Center, was addressed to U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee. Porush called on the American administration to intervene in what he described as a serious violation of the civil rights of U.S. citizens who dedicate their lives to Torah study but are now being targeted by Israeli authorities due to the cancellation of the longstanding draft exemption.

In the letter, Porush explained that for nearly 75 years, Israeli citizens who devoted themselves fully to Torah learning were granted exemptions from military service. This long-standing arrangement was recently suspended, leading to sweeping legal and administrative sanctions against approximately 80,000 people — including thousands of U.S. citizens living in Israel.

Among these sanctions are exit bans preventing them from leaving Israel and even the threat of arrest. Porush stressed that the abrupt change has left many American nationals “in severe distress, as their basic rights as U.S. citizens are being infringed upon by Israeli legal authorities.”

Porush urged Ambassador Huckabee to intervene, writing: “Your Excellency, the only ‘offense’ these American citizens have committed is their steadfast dedication to Torah study. You yourself have publicly declared that Torah study is the salvation of the Jewish people. It is therefore inconceivable that Americans should be treated as criminals for an act that embodies their faith, heritage, and contribution to the Jewish nation.”

The letter also highlighted that some of these American citizens are even seeking to renounce their Israeli citizenship altogether in order to retain only their U.S. nationality and continue their Torah learning without government interference. However, under current restrictions, they are barred from leaving Israel to finalize this process.

“We are appealing to you on behalf of these law-abiding U.S. citizens,” Porush continued, “to take immediate action to prevent this absurd situation, in which Americans are being denied the right to return to their own country solely because of internal political and legal disputes within Israel.”

Porush concluded his letter by emphasizing the urgency of the matter: “You are known for your deep respect for the Jewish people and its Torah. We now call upon you, as the representative of the United States in Israel, to act swiftly with the Israeli authorities to remove these restrictions and to ensure that American citizens are not punished for their faith and devotion to Torah study. We also request that you bring this matter to the attention of the administration in Washington so it can be addressed at the highest levels.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

Federal health officials have dramatically scaled back a program that has tracked food poisoning infections in the U.S. for three decades. The Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network, known as FoodNet, has cut required monitoring to just two pathogens that cause infections, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That’s down from eight. Under the change, which began in July, health departments in 10 states that participate in the joint state and federal program will be required to monitor only foodborne infections caused by salmonella and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli bacteria. Those are among the top contributors to foodborne illnesses, hospitalizations and deaths in the U.S., the CDC said. Previously, the FoodNet system required surveillance of infections confirmed to be caused by six other germs as well: campylobacter, cyclospora, listeria, shigella, vibrio and Yersinia. That is now optional. Narrowing the reporting requirements “will allow FoodNet staff to prioritize core activities,” CDC spokesman Paul Prince said in a statement. The move lets the agency “steward resources effectively,” he added. It’s not clear whether the action is connected to recent funding cuts enacted by the Trump Administration. But food safety officials, including those in states that participate in the program, said the change could slow detection of foodborne illness outbreaks and obscure the full picture of food-related infections. “Long term, it will affect our ability to use surveillance data to better understand risks in the food supply,” said Carlota Medus, who supervises the Minnesota Department of Health’s foodborne diseases unit. Foodborne infections caused by specific germs are required to be reported to the CDC or to state health departments. But relying on passive reports of infections rather than actively seeking out laboratory data, hospital details and other information can mean that some cases are missed, Medus said. “FoodNet doesn’t just count cases. The FoodNet sites collect robust data that contribute to the understanding of certain infections,” she said. In addition to Minnesota, FoodNet sites include health departments in Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Maryland, New Mexico, Oregon, Tennessee, certain counties in California and New York. The FoodNet reduction was first reported by NBC News. FoodNet was created in 1995 as a partnership between the CDC, the U.S. Agriculture Department, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and several states. It has tracked infections in a surveillance system that captures about 16% of the U.S. population. It allowed the U.S. to estimate the number of cases of illness per 100,000 population caused by certain foodborne germs, said Frank Yiannas, a food safety expert and former FDA official. “We won’t know as accurately as possible if we’re getting better or worse in respect to certain pathogens,” Yiannas said. (AP)

The Elul zeman opened at Yeshivas Darchei Ish in Moshav Tirosh with a special shiur delivered by the Rishon LeTzion, Rav Dovid Yosef, who traveled especially for the occasion.

At the start of his remarks, Rav Yosef highlighted the central importance of immersing oneself in Gemara study, stressing that it forms the foundation upon which the Torah world has stood for generations.

“Without toiling in Torah, without diligence in the sugyos of Shas and the poskim, there can be no preservation of the spiritual essence of Am Yisroel. Especially now, at the start of the Elul zeman — a time when we all elevate ourselves and prepare for the Yamim Nora’im — we must strengthen ourselves with even greater commitment to learning and hard work,” he said.

The Rishon LeTzion went on to emphasize that the yeshiva years are the most precious period in the life of a ben Torah. “You must understand — these years will never come back. These are the years you will never forget. Everything you absorb and build in yeshiva will accompany you throughout your entire life. Therefore, you must make the most of every moment and every hour, and be fully immersed in toiling over the Torah with sincerity and dedication,” he urged.

{Matzav.com Israel}

In a previous article we discussed what ADHD is and how to determine if a child has it. Once a child is diagnosed with ADHD, the next step is figuring out how to help them thrive. The best approach usually combines strategies at home, support at school, routines, therapy, and sometimes medication, along with ongoing monitoring and adjustment. Children with ADHD do best when instructions are clear and specific. Instead of saying, “Clean your room,” break it into smaller steps like, “Please put your toys in the bin, then put your clothes in the hamper.” Giving directions one step at a time makes it easier for them to follow through. Positive reinforcement is powerful. Notice your child doing something right and say so, for example, “I love how you started your homework without being asked!” Small rewards, such as stickers, extra playtime, or choosing a family activity, can motivate better than criticism. Predictable and consistent consequences work best too. Saying, “If you throw your toy, it will go on the shelf for the rest of the day,” is more effective than yelling or long lectures, which often leave children feeling discouraged. Children with ADHD also thrive on structure and routines. A daily schedule for wake-up, school, homework, and bedtime, visual charts, checklists, timers for transitions, and breaking tasks into smaller steps can all make life smoother and reduce power struggles. Parenting a child with ADHD can be emotionally taxing, so taking care of yourself is important. Seeing a therapist or joining a parent support group can give you space to process stress and connect with others who understand. Support for yourself helps you stay patient and consistent at home. Since children spend so much time at school, working closely with teachers is essential. Reach out early and advocate for supports such as movement breaks, step-by-step instructions, or seating near the teacher. Other helpful strategies include extra time on tests, visual reminders, and breaking long assignments into smaller chunks. If needed, a 504 Plan or IEP can provide formal accommodations or specialized instruction. Medication may also be helpful if ADHD symptoms significantly affect school, friendships, or home life. It can improve focus and reduce impulsivity, but it works best alongside behavioral strategies, routines, and school supports. Many families try medication for a few weeks and track progress before deciding whether to continue. Simple daily routines, sufficient sleep, regular exercise, and visual schedules or timers also help children stay on track. Behavioral therapy can support social skills, emotion regulation, and problem-solving, and therapy for anxiety or self-esteem challenges can be beneficial too. Children with ADHD need ongoing support. Regularly reviewing progress with teachers and doctors, adjusting strategies as your child grows, and continuing to advocate for help can make a meaningful difference. While supporting a child with ADHD can feel overwhelming, combining home strategies, school supports, therapy, and sometimes medication can help your child build confidence, independence, and the skills they need, while allowing you to take care of yourself along the way. Chayi Hanfling is a licensed clinical social worker who is experienced and passionate in helping individuals, families, and couples. She specializes in couples counseling, EFT, women’s health, anxiety management, OCD, trauma, and other mental health challenges. She can be reached at https://chaicounseling.org or chayi@chaicounseling.org (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

As the new zeman began and yeshiva bochurim returned from bein hazmanim to their bais medrash, a powerful message was delivered at the opening shiur of the renowned posek, Rav Moshe Sternbuch, at his yeshiva in Ramat Beit Shemesh.

Rav Sternbuch, despite his advanced age, personally arrives each week at the yeshiva campus to deliver a shiur on the sugyos being learned. This week, at the start of the new zman, the posek gave a comprehensive shiur on Shnayim Ochzin to the hundreds of bochurim in the packed beis midrash.

At the conclusion of his shiur, Rav Sternbuch made a heartfelt and personal request to the talmidim, urging them to focus their energy on Torah learning during the days of Elul and to refrain from getting caught up in current events.

“I ask you,” he said emotionally, “to strive during this month of Elul to learn more and to grab every possible moment for limud haTorah. Speak less about the news, which usually changes from day to day and is often based only on speculation.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

An Italian Old Master portrait stolen from a Jewish art dealer 85 years ago briefly surfaced in a luxury Argentine real estate ad — only to vanish almost as soon as reporters spotted it. Now Interpol and Argentine police are scrambling to stop it from slipping back into the shadows of Nazi loot. The painting, an 18th-century Portrait of a Lady by Giuseppe Ghislandi, once belonged to renowned Dutch Jewish dealer Jacques Goudstikker, whose entire collection was seized by Nazis in a forced sale in 1940. Goudstikker himself died while fleeing the German invasion, leaving behind a “black book” inventory of nearly 1,000 plundered works. Some 200 were restituted to his heir Marei von Saher in 2006. But this particular portrait — depicting Contessa Colleoni in a green silk gown — was never recovered. Dutch reporters Cyril Rosman and Peter Schouten had been chasing leads for years, following the trail of Nazi official Friedrich Kadgien, a close adviser to Hermann Göring who escaped to Argentina after the war. When Kadgien’s daughter listed the family’s seaside home in Mar del Plata, an eagle-eyed journalist spotted something extraordinary in the background of a glossy property photo: a painting above a green sofa that looked exactly like the missing Ghislandi. Then the listing vanished from the realtor’s website. Kadgien had fled Germany with diamonds and at least two paintings, according to wartime diaries. He died in Buenos Aires in 1978, and his two daughters have lived there since. One has been linked to other suspicious artworks, including a still-life by Abraham Mignon that appeared in her social media posts. When journalists reached out, the daughter brushed them off. “I don’t know what painting you’re talking about,” she replied — before going silent, pulling the ad, and even changing her name on Instagram. With the lead threatening to evaporate, Interpol and Argentine federal police have joined forces with Dutch officials to track the portrait down before it disappears into another private vault. The case has electrified the sluggish world of Nazi art restitution, normally bogged down in court battles and paperwork. For Goudstikker’s heir, 81-year-old Marei von Saher, the sudden glimpse of the portrait is bittersweet. “It is my family’s goal to recover every artwork stolen from the Goudstikker collection,” she told reporters. Experts estimate 600,000 Nazi-looted artworks remain missing. Some hang in museums, others circulate quietly in private hands, surfacing only by accident — as with the Cornelius Gurlitt hoard uncovered in Munich in 2013. Deidre Berger of the Jewish Digital Cultural Recovery Project says many more could emerge “if governments worldwide would digitize and transcribe their archives.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Israeli tanks and troops are now pushing on the northern edges of Gaza City, pounding neighborhoods with heavy shelling and drone fire, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signals he is ready to greenlight a long-planned offensive to seize Gaza’s largest population center. On Wednesday, Israeli forces rolled into the Ebad-Alrahman neighborhood on Gaza City’s northern flank, blasting homes and sending panicked residents fleeing deeper into the city. “All of a sudden, we heard that the tanks pushed in,” said Saad Abed, 60. “The explosions grew louder and louder… If no truce is reached, we will see the tanks outside our homes.” Another resident, Tala al-Khatib, 29, described an overnight of relentless airstrikes: “Warplanes struck several times, and drones fired throughout the night. Wherever you flee, death follows you.” As the battle grinds on, the IDF is urging civilians to flee before the assault begins in earnest. In a fiery video message, Col. Avichay Adraee, the IDF’s Arabic-language spokesman, dismissed claims that Gaza’s south cannot absorb more people. “The evacuation of residents from Gaza City is inevitable,” he said, pointing to open areas in Al-Mawasi and central refugee camps that, he claimed, are “empty of tents and ready to receive evacuees.” The IDF says it is racing to add two new humanitarian aid centers in southern Gaza, boosting the total to five, as hundreds of thousands continue to flee. UN figures estimate more than 800,000 Gazans have been displaced since the collapse of the March ceasefire. The military push comes as Netanyahu’s government rejects international pleas for a phased hostage release deal with Hamas. Israel insists only a total surrender of hostages and Hamas’s disarmament will bring the war to an end. Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter doubled down in an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper: “We’re looking at what the possibilities are for a ceasefire and a temporary deal, but it has to be very clear — it ends when Hamas ends.” Leiter warned against partial hostage deals, arguing they could doom captives left behind: “We’ll get a few out now, and we’re never going to see the rest again.” He lashed out at Hamas’s foreign backers, blasting Turkey and Qatar for sheltering the group’s leaders. “Where the hell is Erdogan? Why are Hamas leaders sitting in Qatar right now?” Inside Gaza, Israeli forces are intensifying attacks on Hamas strongholds. The IDF said its 99th Division destroyed multiple Hamas observation posts in the past 24 hours, while the 162nd Division fought gunmen in Jabalia. Meanwhile, the 36th Division, backed by air power, struck Khan Younis in the south, killing several operatives and smashing Hamas naval weapons facilities. In a targeted strike, Israel said it eliminated Mahmoud al-Asoud, commander of Hamas’s General Security Apparatus in western Gaza, accusing him of orchestrating militant operations during the war. And in a sign of lessons learned from the grinding urban campaign, the IDF announced it had created a brand-new engineering battalion under the Givati Brigade to dismantle tunnels and terror infrastructure on the front lines. But Israel’s offensive has come at a heavy diplomatic cost. This week, a strike on the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis killed at least 20 people — including five journalists — drawing fierce condemnation. The IDF admitted it had targeted a Hamas surveillance camera on hospital grounds […]

Shortly after an airliner made an aggressive maneuver to avoid colliding with a B-52 last month over North Dakota, the bomber nearly collided with a small private plane as it flew past the Minot airport, according to the National Transportation Safety Board. Investigators released their preliminary report Wednesday on the July 19 incident that happened after the bomber completed a flyover at the North Dakota State Fair in Minot. The close call with Delta Flight 3788 is well known because of a video a passenger shot of the pilot’s announcement after making an abrupt turn to avoid the bomber. But the fact that the B-52 subsequently came within one-third of a mile of a small Piper airplane hadn’t been previously reported. The SkyWest pilot told his passengers that day that he was surprised to see the bomber looming to the right, and the U.S. Air Force also said that air traffic controllers never warned the B-52 crew about the nearby airliner. Officials said at the time that the flyover had been cleared with the FAA and the private controllers who oversee the Minot airport ahead of time. These close calls were just the latest incidents to raise questions about aviation safety in the wake of January’s midair collision over Washington, D.C., that killed 67 people. The NTSB report doesn’t identify the cause of the incidents, but the transcript of the conversation between the three planes, the air traffic controller on duty in Minot and a regional FAA controller at a radar center in Rapid City, South Dakota, show several confusing commands were issued by the tower that day. Investigators won’t release their final report on the cause until sometime next year. With the B-52 and Delta planes converging on the airport from different directions, the controller told the Delta plane that was carrying 80 people to fly in a circle to the right until the pilot told the controller he didn’t want to do that because the bomber was off to his right, so he broke off his approach. “Sorry about the aggressive maneuver. It caught me by surprise,” the pilot can be heard saying on the video a passenger posted on social media. “This is not normal at all. I don’t know why they didn’t give us a heads up.” At one point, the controller intended to give the Delta plane directions but mistakenly called out the bomber’s call sign and had to cancel that order. Less than a minute after the B-52 crossed the path of the airliner, it nearly struck the small plane that was also circling while the bomber flew past the airport on its way back to Minot Air Force Base where 26 of the bombers are based. Aviation safety consultant Jeff Guzzetti, who used to investigate plane crashes for both the NTSB and FAA, said the controller didn’t give the commands for the Delta and Piper planes to circle soon enough for them to stay a safe distance away from the bomber. The transcript shows the local controller calling the regional FAA controller to get permission every time before he issued a command to the planes. Guzzetti said it is not clear whether taking that extra step to consult with the other controller delayed the commands or whether the Minot controller simply didn’t anticipate […]

A new book called How To Defeat Israel, supposedly authored by slain Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, is being sold in bookstores and online in Russia and Belarus, with the official approval of the Russian government, Kan News reported. According to the report, Russian law requires state approval of every new book that is published and distributed in the country. The book was published by Rodina Press, which, according to Kan, has a history of publishing antisemitic material. The book’s description in online bookstores dubs Sinwar “the Palestinian Che Guevara” and states, “Sinwar is one of the most amazing Arab commanders of the new generation. He initiated the ‘Al-Aqsa Flood’ operation (the October 7th massacre) and led the defense of Gaza in the years 2023-2024.” “Despite the Israeli advantage in weapons, Israel failed to conquer all of Gaza. Over 80,000 tons of bombs were dropped on tiny Gaza, but the city survived. In many ways, this is thanks to Sinwar. In this book, the great commander, the ‘General of Free People,’ tells about his life dedicated to the intense struggle for the liberation of Palestine and all Arab peoples.” The propaganda about the murderous Sinwar is expensive—the book costs $46. (YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency is receiving special police protection from Austria following a threat, the Vienna-based organization acknowledged Wednesday, as its inspectors reportedly returned to Iran to monitor a fuel transfer at the country’s sole nuclear power plant. The protection for Director-General Rafael Grossi comes as tensions over Iran’s nuclear program are rising again. France, Germany and the United Kingdom appear poised to declare “snapback” — the reimplementation of United Nations sanctions on the Islamic Republic over its not allowing IAEA inspections, and other concerns. Iran has until Aug. 31 to satisfy those concerns. Questions remain following the 12-day Iran-Israel war in June over the status of Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium, which could be enough for several atomic bombs if Tehran chooses to build them. Iran has maintained that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only. Elite police unit guards Grossi Grossi, who plans to run for United Nations secretary-general, is being protected by an Austrian police Cobra unit. The elite unit under the Austrian Federal Ministry of Interior mainly handles counterterrorism operations, hostage rescues and responses to mass shootings. It also engages in personal protection and the protection of Austrian foreign representations abroad. In Austria, Cobra operatives are known for protecting the president and chancellor as well as the U.S. and Israeli ambassadors. “We can confirm that Austria provided a Cobra unit but we cannot confirm where the specific threat came from,” IAEA spokesman Fredrik Dahl said. The Wall Street Journal first reported on the additional security for Grossi, an Argentine diplomat who has raised the profile of the IAEA with his trips into Ukraine after Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion and the agency’s work on Iran. Israel attacked Iran in June after the IAEA’s Board of Governors voted to censure Iran over its noncooperation with the agency, the first such censure in 20 years. Iran accused the IAEA, without providing evidence, of aiding Israel and, later, the United States in its airstrikes targeting its nuclear sites. Top Iranian officials and Iranian media called for Grossi to be arrested and put on trial if he returned to the country. IAEA reportedly monitors Bushehr refueling On Wednesday, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said IAEA inspectors were at the Bushehr nuclear power plant to watch a fuel replacement at the facility, according to a report by the state-run IRNA news agency. The IAEA has not acknowledged the inspectors’ presence. Bushehr is run with the support of Russian technicians. Araghchi reportedly cautioned that it didn’t represent any breakthrough on the IAEA visit to other sites. A parliamentary law blocked Iran’s government from cooperating with the IAEA until the agency offered security guarantees following the war with Israel. U.S. and European leaders hold call as sanctions deadline looms U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had a phone call on Wednesday with the foreign ministers of Germany, France and the U.K. after a series of high and low-level meetings with the Iranians over the last week. “All reiterated their commitment to ensuring that Iran never develops or obtains a nuclear weapon,” Tommy Pigott, deputy State Department spokesperson, said in a statement. The call between the Western leaders comes after talks in Switzerland on Tuesday between representatives of the E3 and Iran “ended without a final outcome,” a diplomat with knowledge of the meeting told The […]

A U.S. district court judge has sentenced Abouzar Rahmati, 43, of Great Falls, Virginia, to one year in prison followed by three years of supervised release for spying on behalf of Iran, the Justice Department announced Tuesday. Rahmati, a U.S. citizen who worked as a contractor for the Federal Aviation Administration, pleaded guilty in April to providing Iranian government officials with at least 172 gigabytes of classified information related to U.S. solar energy in 2022. Prosecutors said Rahmati used his position to gain access to sensitive material that was then secretly transferred to Tehran. He had faced a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison under federal law. In a statement, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said Rahmati’s conduct represented a profound breach of trust. “By secretly doing the bidding of the Iranian government, Mr. Rahmati violated the trust placed in him as a U.S. citizen and as a federal contractor with access to sensitive information,” Pirro said. She added that preventing classified material from reaching hostile intelligence services is “one of our highest priorities.” Court records show that Rahmati admitted to maintaining contact with Iranian officials and sending them files tied to solar energy research and infrastructure, a sector the U.S. government has identified as critical for both national security and energy independence. Investigators said the scale of the leak was significant, though they did not disclose details on whether Iran had put the information to use. The case adds to a series of prosecutions in recent years involving U.S. citizens accused of providing assistance to the Iranian regime, which remains under heavy U.S. sanctions and is often accused by Washington of directing espionage and influence operations inside the United States. Rahmati will begin serving his sentence immediately, after which he will remain under federal supervision for three years. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)