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The Israeli Ministry of Aliyah and Integration released its annual report on immigration Wednesday, summarizing the movement of new arrivals to Israel from Pesach 2024 through Pesach 2025.

Even in the face of a year marked by war and serious security threats, aliyah continued uninterrupted. Over the course of this challenging year, 27,281 individuals made the bold decision to move to Israel and begin a new life.

Russia once again topped the list of countries sending the most olim, contributing 15,188 immigrants. The next largest groups came from the United States, which sent 3,209 new residents, followed by 2,265 from France and 878 from Ukraine. Notably, several immigrants came from places rarely associated with aliyah, including one each from South Korea, Kenya, Zambia, and Afghanistan.

The report highlights the diverse age distribution among this year’s immigrants. The youngest group included 5,700 children under 18, while the oldest consisted of 212 individuals aged 85 and above. The most prominent age bracket was 25 to 34, which accounted for 4,519 people—about 16% of the total—and is expected to significantly contribute to Israel’s economy and workforce.

A broad spectrum of expertise came with the immigrants as well. The report notes that 1,345 of them are healthcare professionals, 3,236 are engineers, 297 are either athletes or artists, and 13 are involved in agriculture.

These new citizens chose to make homes in 286 different localities throughout Israel. Tel Aviv–Jaffa took in the highest number, with 4,215 newcomers—roughly 15.5% of the year’s total. Netanya and Haifa also absorbed large numbers, welcoming 4,066 and 3,032 immigrants, respectively.

Beyond the major urban centers, many chose quieter, less central locations. Among them were towns like Mitzpe Ramon, Ma’ale Gilboa, and Rechalim—highlighting not only the wide geographical spread of aliyah but also the immigrants’ commitment to integrating into all parts of Israeli society.

{Matzav.com}

On Wednesday, Israel’s Minister of Defense, Yisroel Katz, traveled to the Morag Corridor in the Gaza Strip, accompanied by Major General Yaniv Asor, the Commander of the Southern Command, Brigadier General Moran Omer, the Commander of the 36th Division, and various other military leaders.

While at the site, the military commanders provided Katz with an update on the ongoing IDF operations in the area and the progress made in securing the region.

Katz remarked: “I came here today to support the commanders and soldiers of the IDF who are fighting with determination to free the hostages and hurt Hamas’s strength. The IDF is eliminating terrorists, locating and eliminating terrorist infrastructure, and dividing the Gaza Strip, even in places like the Morag Corridor where we haven’t operated in the past.”

He continued: “The Gazan population is leaving the combat zones and many territories are being seized and added to the State of Israel’s security zones and Gaza is being left smaller and isolated. If Hamas continues in its refusal and will not release the hostages soon, the IDF will move to intense combat in all of Gaza until the hostages are released and Hamas is defeated.”

Katz also emphasized, “At the same time, we are working to advance a voluntary emigration program for the residents of Gaza in line with the US President’s vision, which we are working to implement. I turn to the residents of Gaza: Get rid of Hamas and return the hostages – that is the only way to stop the war.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

A growing number of Americans now view Israel in a negative light, according to a new Pew Research Center survey released Tuesday, with 53% expressing an unfavorable opinion of the Jewish state — rising from 42% in March 2022. The survey also found that confidence in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains low, with just 32% of Americans trusting him to handle world affairs appropriately, while 52% say they have little or no confidence in his leadership. Partisan divides were evident in the results: 69% of Democrats hold an unfavorable view of Israel, up from 53% in the 2022 survey. Among Republicans, the number of those viewing Israel negatively increased to 37%, compared to 27% three years ago. The shift has been especially pronounced among younger adults. Among Republicans under 50, views on Israel are now nearly evenly split — 50% negative versus 48% positive. In 2022, 63% of this group viewed Israel favorably, with just 35% holding a negative opinion. Negative views among older Democrats jumped by 23 points over the same period, compared to a 9-point increase among younger Democrats. Pew also noted waning American interest in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. In January, 65% of Americans said the war was personally important to them. That number has now dropped to 54%. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

[COMMUNICATED]

To All Friends and Admirers of Shas Yiden,

Pesach – חג הישועות

The Festival of Redemption

As we approach Pesach, we recall so many miracles in Mitzrayim during the departure from slavery – the beginning of Klal Yisroel’s journey to receive the Torah and to fully become and live as עם ה’. 

For so many centuries, departure from one place in the golus inevitably led to going to another golus and establishing new yeshivos and kollelim, all of which had positive influences in their new locales. 

However, over the last 16 years, a new approach and acclaimed method of limud Hashas has been developed and fostered in Eretz Yisroel at Reshet Kollelei Shas Yiden. This phenomenon has captured the imagination and electrified lomdei Hatorah throughout the world, and has earned the avid support of Gedolim across the Torah spectrum. 

Shas Yiden in UK & USA

Shas Yiden not only grew from 6 avreichim metzuyonim to 129 avreichim geonim in five kollelim across Eretz Yisroel but, in response to repeated requests from abroad, a Shas Yiden kollel was first established in the UK, in Stamford Hill, London. The Shas Yiden reputation soared in this location.

This development has been followed by a long-awaited opening of the first US Shas Yiden kollel in Flatbush, NY. The Eretz Yisroeldike bren of learning the entire Shas has already had a significant local impact and is a source of inspiration to the local Flatbush kollelim. The incredible devotion to limud gantz Shas and its completion within a year by each avreich at Shas Yiden has encouraged many others to try and emulate this emmesdike derech halimud of Shas as declared by Maran Hagaon Hagadol, Harav Gershon Edelstein, זצ”ל.

This elevated level of Torah study at Shas Yiden and the ability of the avreichim geonim to face public oral farheren by world recognized Gedolei Torah, together with monthly tests on 225 blatt, is nothing short of remarkable. Shas Yiden has truly raised the bar in the study of Shas. Our unique system of learning, the tight demanding regimen and the motivation emanating from Eretz Yisroel has truly placed Shas Yiden in a Torah league of its own. 

In the Words of Maranan Hageonim…

Sar Hatorah, רשכבה”ג Maran Hagadol Harav Chaim Kanievsky, זצ”ל – Nasi, Shas Yiden — I tested them annually and zei kennen Shas – a Yissachar-Zevulun pact with Shas Yiden is the most mehudar partnership 

Rosh Hayeshiva, רשכבה”ג Maran Hagadol Harav Gershon Edelstein, זצ”ל —Shas Yiden has raised the bar of Torah learning in both depth and clarity, and its unique method of ameilus in Torah

Rosh Hayeshiva, רשכבה”ג Maran Hagadol Harav Dov Lando, שליט”א —Blessed are those who enter a Yissachar-Zevulun pact with Shas Yiden

The Sanzer Rebbe, שליט”א — A first in 2000 years of Jewish history – never before a Torah institution where ALL the avreichim know kol Hashas kulo, Rashi and Tosfos b’al peh

Over 1.7 Million Blatt at Shas Yiden

This Year Alone!

With each of the 129 avreichim geonim at Shas Yiden required to complete a minimum of 13,555 blatt per year, you are helping support some 1,748,595 blatt! 

At the most recent farheren, the reaction of the Gedolei Torah conducting the testing of the prowess of the Shas Yiden was simply one of amazement at the breadth and detailed knowledge and all-encompassing mastery of Shas – remarking: “They know it like others know Ashrei Yoshvei!” 

The joy of the avreichim geonim and their clear love of Torah electrifies each farher. (To see the different farheren in action, please click on our website: www.shasyiden.com.) It is no wonder that the overall reaction to the Shas Yiden Network is that in the 16 years of its existence it has certainly revolutionized and raised the bar in the learning and mastery of Shas. 

Caring for the Avreichim Families

Despite the difficulties of these last few years, including Covid, Shas Yiden has made sure to keep our commitment to each of the Shas Yiden families to ensure their menuchas hanefesh and to be free to focus on Shas.  Each month their salaries have been paid on time. Further, in Tishrei and, now again, for Nissan, they are all paid full extra salary checks to help them meet the extra Yom Tov expenses. 

Thank you, thank you, thank you. That we have been able to do so, is due to you all. You have an eternal stake in the incredible learning of Shas Yiden. Your on-going interest and support of this unique ‘Entire-Shas’ Torah-learning venture is most sincerely appreciated. Collectively and individually, you are singular partners in changing the way the Torah world views the ability to both learn and master the entire Shas. Whatever you can do to help in defraying their extra Yom Tov expenses will be a great chesed to these Bnei Torah who are true bnei aliyah.

With best wishes to you and your families for a חג כשר ושמח, 

Avrohom Eisen, Pozna Rov

Founder, Shas Yiden

U.S. stock markets surged today after President Trump declared a 90-day suspension on most of his “reciprocal” tariffs, with the exception of China, which he hit with a steep 125% levy, citing their “lack of respect.”

The Dow Jones Industrial Average soared by 2,962.86 points, or 7.9%, marking its biggest single-day points gain ever, closing at 40,608.45. This came after Trump shared on Truth Social that he would pause the significant tariffs, responding to requests from over 75 countries who sought to engage in negotiations.

“I have authorized a 90 day PAUSE, and a substantially lowered Reciprocal Tariff during this period, of 10%, also effective immediately,” Trump posted on Truth Social, sending Wall Street into a rally.

The S&P 500 surged close to 10%, and the Nasdaq 100 rose more than 12%, as the major stock indices rebounded from early-morning declines, which had been triggered by fears of China imposing an 84% retaliatory tariff on the U.S.

“I think the hope from the outset — for most of the business community — was that Trump’s tariffs were a negotiating tactic, and that he would be willing to negotiate them down,” Alan Sykes, senior fellow at the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research, shared with The NY Post.

“He’s reversing course to a certain extent, while at the same time still listening to the China hawks,” Sykes remarked.

Trump’s move comes after a dramatic week in which the Dow lost around 5,000 points due to fears that his “reciprocal” tariffs could spark inflation and potentially lead to a recession.

The announcement of China’s massive retaliatory tariff unsettled investors earlier on Wednesday, as the proposed tax threatened to hurt U.S. companies that rely on “Made in the USA” branding and drive up costs across domestic supply chains.

“Based on the lack of respect that China has shown to the World’s Markets, I am hereby raising the Tariff charged to China by the United States of America to 125%, effective immediately,” Trump wrote on his post Wednesday afternoon.

“At some point, hopefully in the near future, China will realize that the days of ripping off the U.S.A., and other Countries, is no longer sustainable or acceptable.”

Carol Schleif, chief market strategist at BMO Private Wealth, commented that investors were eagerly awaiting any positive signs about the tariffs. As a result, the 90-day pause was a welcome relief for the markets.

On Tuesday, the Dow briefly surged by over 1,400 points after reports emerged that negotiations were underway with countries like South Korea, Japan, Indonesia, and Vietnam. However, those gains vanished by the afternoon after the White House announced plans to impose another round of tariffs on China, resulting in a 320-point drop in the Dow by the end of the day.

{Matzav.com}

Agudath Israel of America’s New Jersey office has launched the Initiative for Parnasah Connection, a groundbreaking effort aimed at addressing the growing job crisis within the Lakewood community. The initiative is designed to help job seekers find meaningful employment that aligns with their skills and needs, while also offering hands-on mentorship throughout the job search and application process.

Under the leadership of Program Director Mordechai Pressburger, the initiative boasts a team of over 25 committed businessmen spanning a wide range of industries. These professionals volunteer their time to guide candidates through every stage of the job hunt—including resume building, interview preparation, direct job placement, and follow-ups with potential employers.

“We have a group of dedicated business owners who are giving up their time to help people find jobs,” said Mr. Yossi Schuck, a founding board member of the initiative. “It’s such an incredible zechus to be a part of this.”

“I am thrilled to join this incredible initiative of Agudas Yisroel of America, launching a new program to help people find the right job through a new creative way. With Hashems help, I am grateful for the opportunity to make a meaningful impact and connect individuals with careers that truly fit their needs” says Mordechai Pressburger, the program director.

The Initiative for Parnasah Connection reflects Agudath Israel’s ongoing commitment to community empowerment and economic stability, offering a lifeline to those navigating an increasingly challenging job market.

For more information or to get involved, please call 732-930-8772 or email mpressburger@agudah.org.

{Matzav.com}

OCD or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, is a medical diagnosis that gets thrown around a lot in colloquial speech, especially around Pesach time. We take Hilchos Pesach seriously, and rightfully so! OCD is not the same as being careful in Halacha, and it’s crucial to distinguish between the two. Because the term is so misused and misunderstood, it can be helpful and important to distinguish between what is and isn’t OCD. Many people will say things like “I’m so OCD” when referring to being hyper-organized or particular about the way they do things. (You line up your clothes in your closet in order of color? You’re so OCD!) This is not OCD and can be both invalidating to people who are truly struggling and just generally misinform the public about what to be aware of. Someone experiencing OCD will experience repetitive, intrusive and unwanted thoughts, images or urges that cause significant anxiety or distress. The individual will try to control or suppress the thought, or neutralize it with some kind of thought or action, which is a compulsion. The compulsion will give temporary relief, which is what makes our brains want to repeat this behavior and then the cycle gets continued. Obsessions take the form of fear inducing “what if” questions, and can be about almost any topic in life. Some categories, such as those that have to do with germs, contamination or “checking” are more well known, thus leading to the common stereotypes mentioned above. Other common forms of OCD like Harm OCD or Magical Thinking OCD are lesser known. Obsessions may sound like “What if I push this person onto the train tracks”, or “what if I just caused my sister to get cancer by thinking about it?” And compulsions can look like things such as refusing to stand near train tracks, or trying to think of a “positive” thought for every “negative” thought. Religious OCD, sometimes referred to as Scrupulosity, refers to obsessions and compulsions revolving around violating religious ethics, beliefs and laws. What if I didn’t wash Negel Vasser properly and contaminated everything in my house? What if I didn’t clean myself properly before davening? Because OCD will often show up in the areas of life that we care about most deeply, this is a common place of OCD for frum people. It’s really important to distinguish between what is religious OCD and what is being stringent or careful in halachos. Some helpful points to consider are: is the focus of my thoughts on a narrow area of halacha? (I repeat words of davening over and over for fear I did not pronounce correctly but am not overly stringent in Hilchos Shabbos). Are my thoughts unwanted, and do they cause anxiety or discomfort? Due to my fears, am I doing things that are out of the norm for my religious group or community? And ultimately, is this causing some level of dysfunction or impairment in my life? If someone believes that they may be struggling with OCD, it is so important to know that treatment is available and accessible. Treatment for OCD can include both medication and therapy, most notably, ERP or Exposure and Response Prevention. This involves gradually exposing individuals to situations that trigger their obsessions and compulsions while preventing them from engaging in their usual […]

Bill Gates recently shared with Indian podcaster Raj Shamani that when he passes, his three children — Jennifer Gates, 28, Rory Gates, 25, and Phoebe Gates, 22 — will inherit “less than 1 percent” of his vast fortune.

With a net worth of $101.2 billion, according to Forbes, that still means the children will receive a sum of over $1 billion, even at less than 1 percent.

The subject arose when Shamani discussed the common belief among many Indian parents that they should “save everything for their kids” rather than donate their wealth to charity or the less fortunate.

Gates, 69, is well-known for founding the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the largest private charitable foundation in the world, with his former wife, Melinda Gates, in 2000.

(After their divorce in 2021, the foundation was renamed the Gates Foundation, and Bill took over as its sole chair.)

During their conversation, Shamani asked Gates what he believes is the “right mindset” for parents regarding inheritance.

“I think everybody gets to decide on that,” the tech mogul replied.

“In my case, my kids got a great upbringing and education but [will get] less than 1 percent of the total wealth because I decided it wouldn’t be a favor to them. It’s not a dynasty. I’m not asking them to run Microsoft.”

“I wanna give them a chance to have their own earnings and success, be significant and not overshadowed by the incredible luck and good fortune I had.”

While Gates believes that people who have earned their wealth in the tech industry tend to be the most aggressive in giving it away, he emphasized that “different families see [the situation] differently.”

Shamani then asked if Bill’s children had ever expressed disappointment over not receiving the bulk of his wealth.

“You don’t want your kids to ever be confused about your support for them and your love for them,” Bill explained. “And so I do think explaining early on your philosophy that you’re gonna treat them all equally and that you’re gonna give them incredible opportunities but that the highest calling for these resources is to go back to the neediest through the foundation.”

He added that his children have “seen the success of the foundation,” and he hopes “they’re very proud” of it.

{Matzav.com}

The White House issued a strong rebuke on Tuesday to a New York Times article covering Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s review of current fluoride policies and his new initiative urging states to eliminate fluoride from drinking water.

The Times had published a story on Monday detailing Kennedy’s kickoff of a cross-country campaign advocating for the elimination of fluoridation in public water systems. The publication described the move as “a move that would reverse what some medical experts consider one of the most important public health practices in the country’s history.”

In its piece, the Times drew connections to Cold War-era fears, referencing past “conspiracy theories” that framed water fluoridation as a Communist plot intended to damage cognitive function. It also noted that “some studies suggest that excess exposure to fluoride — at levels twice the amount recommended by the federal government — could harm infants.” Furthermore, the article criticized Kennedy for seemingly contradicting the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s stance on fluoridation, as the CDC considers it “one of the 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century.”

Calling the article misleading and politically motivated, the White House responded in a sharply worded statement: “The New York Times’s story on Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s review of fluoride recommendations is another thinly veiled attempt to falsely portray the Trump Administration as anti-science and anti-health — a characterization that couldn’t be farther from the truth.”

The White House also pointed out an inconsistency in the newspaper’s approach to the subject. “In January, The New York Times itself reported that ‘fluoride may be linked to lower IQ scores in children.’ Why did the Times not note its own prior reporting in its article on Secretary Kennedy?”

The administration’s statement went on to highlight several points it said the Times failed to mention:

• Fluoride is not added to drinking water to purify it; rather, it is introduced strictly for medical purposes. “Most industrialized nations, including much of Europe, do not add fluoride to their water — and it has had no discernible detriment on their dental health.”

• Even the CDC now acknowledges that fluoride’s primary benefit to dental health is through surface contact with teeth — not by consuming it — which undermines the need for its presence in drinking water.

• In August 2024, the Department of Health and Human Services’ National Toxicology Program stated it had “moderate confidence” in findings that fluoride in water at a level of 1.5 mg/L is “consistently associated with lower IQ in children.”

• Additional data from the CDC’s National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys has uncovered notable correlations between even small fluoride exposures and various health concerns, including diminished testosterone in adolescent boys, heightened inflammation, compromised kidney and liver function, and more sleep disturbances.

Kennedy began his “Make America Healthy Again” tour on Monday in Utah — the first state to officially ban fluoride in its public water system, a decision made just last month. He plans to travel next to Arizona and New Mexico, where he will speak about other health-related policies, including the prohibition of certain artificial ingredients in school meals and limits on the use of food stamps to purchase junk food.

In New Mexico, Kennedy is also scheduled to meet with leaders from the Navajo Nation. Their discussions will center on initiatives like promoting local control over food sources, supporting wellness programs, implementing the first junk food tax by a Native American tribe, and spotlighting a charter school that weaves healthy nutrition and exercise into everyday student routines.

{Matzav.com}

Hatzolah of Central Jersey, the Lakewood Fire Dept., Chaveirim of Central Jersey, and Lakewood Shomrim have issued an urgent reminder to take proper precautions and avoid serious – and entirely preventable – dangers associated with carbon monoxide poisoning. Each year in the United States, thousands of people are treated for accidental carbon monoxide exposure, and tragically, some do not survive. Carbon monoxide is a silent killer – invisible, tasteless, and odorless – and it can accumulate quickly when proper care is not taken. This time of year brings intense cleaning and kashering activities – but they must be done with awareness of physical safety. When cleaning for Pesach, Hatzolah urges you to be mindful in the following areas: COMMON DANGERS DURING PESACH CLEANING: • Leaving ovens on for extended periods (for kashering or to burn off chometz) without proper ventilation. • Running self-clean cycles while the home is closed up tight, causing heat and gas buildup. • Cleaning cars in closed garages while the engine is running. • Using gas-powered equipment indoors or in poorly ventilated areas. • Blocking appliance vents or chimneys during deep cleaning or covering surfaces. SAFETY TIPS TO PROTECT YOUR FAMILY: • Never leave your car running in a closed garage, even for a few minutes. • Always ensure proper ventilation when using ovens or other gas-powered appliances. • Install working carbon monoxide detectors on every floor of your home, especially near sleeping areas. • Do not use grills, generators, or other outdoor equipment indoors under any circumstances. • If anyone in the home suddenly feels dizzy, weak, nauseous, or confused – get out immediately and call Hatzolah. We implore every family to take these warnings seriously. All it takes is one oversight for tragedy to strike R”L. May we all be zoche to a safe, healthy, and uplifting Zman Cheiruseinu. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

POTUS: “No other President would have done what I did… Somebody had to do it. It had to stop because it’s not sustainable. Last year, China made $1 trillion off trade with the United States… Now I’ve reversed it.”

A malfunctioning Houthi ballistic missile fired at Israel landed in Yemen’s Amran Governorate, in the north of the country.

Karoline Leavitt: “When you punch at the United States of America, President Trump is going to punch back harder”

In a largely partisan decision, the U.S. Senate has confirmed former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee as the Trump administration’s new ambassador to Israel.

Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, known for his strong backing of Israel and his rare status as one of the few Democrats aligned with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, broke ranks with his party to support Huckabee, joining Republicans in the vote.

The Senate approved Huckabee’s nomination with a 53 to 46 vote. Huckabee, a devout evangelical, has long been a vocal advocate for Israel and its settlement expansion.

Though he holds firm right-wing positions on Israel — including favoring the annexation of the West Bank — Huckabee emphasized during his confirmation hearing that his role would be to represent and implement the Trump administration’s policies, not to promote his own views.

Huckabee mentioned last month that he plans to be in Israel by Pesach.

{Matzav.com}

Scott Bessent: “I’m not calling it a trade war — but I’m saying that China has escalated and President Trump responded very courageously to that.”

Scott Bessent: “The successful negotiating strategy that President Trump implemented a week ago today, it has brought more than 75 countries forward to negotiate…. Do not retaliate and you will be rewarded. Every country in the world who wants to come and negotiate, we are willing to hear you.”

SEC. HEGSETH: “We’ll be signing…a joint declaration with the minister of canal affairs on the security & operation of the Panama Canal, which is a framework for U.S. warships & auxiliary ships to sail first & free through the Panama Canal.”

President Trump On The Market Surge: “Up 2500 points. Nobody has ever heard of it. Gotta be a record.”

According to security sources, the IDF has only managed to destroy about 25% of Hamas’s tunnels in Gaza, N12 reports today.

The sources also revealed that a large portion of the smuggling tunnels from Egypt to Gaza remains undestroyed. The Egypt-Gaza border continues to be a contentious issue, with ongoing concerns about weapons smuggling, which is one reason Israel has refused to withdraw from the Philadelphia Corridor.

“I saw with my own eyes quite a few tunnels crossing into Egypt; some were closed, and several were open,” Defense Minister Israel Katz stated at a February conference, as reported by N12. “We had information that Hamas was planning to attack soldiers and settlements during the ceasefire.”

Despite efforts to control the corridor as a buffer zone, many experts believe that maintaining control over the border may not be sufficient to prevent weapons from flowing into Gaza.

This information comes after the resumption of military operations in Gaza and a military order issued in late March instructing residents of Rafah, located in southern Gaza, to evacuate. The IDF had previously pulled troops from Rafah following a ceasefire agreement in January, though that ceasefire has since ended.

Just under two weeks ago, the IDF announced that its Yahalom Unit had dismantled a Hamas tunnel that stretched over one kilometer. The 143rd, 252nd, and 36th IDF divisions are currently active in the area.

The IDF also informed N12 that it has identified a significant number of Hamas terrorists fleeing combat zones. These terrorists are reportedly hiding among civilians and in tunnels, likely trying to evade direct confrontation with soldiers.

The military has indicated that its operations in Gaza have become increasingly decentralized, with limited face-to-face combat. However, the IDF anticipates that this will be a temporary phase, believing that Hamas will eventually be forced to engage in direct confrontation again.

“IDF troops, under the leadership of the Southern Command, are deepening the operation, and this will continue at a deliberate and determined pace,” stated Chief of the General Staff, Lt.-Gen Eyal Zamir.

“The only thing that can halt our advance is the release of our hostages. Their return would allow our forces to reposition and enable the continuation of negotiation.”

{Matzav.com}

In an explosive revelation that could rewrite the timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic, a military report recently uncovered by the Washington Free Beacon indicates that seven American troops may have contracted COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, in October 2019—months before China acknowledged the virus’s existence. The report, mandated by the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act and secretly withheld by the Biden administration for nearly two years, was uncovered and quietly made public in late March. It outlines that seven U.S. military service members fell ill with COVID-like symptoms after attending the World Military Games held in Wuhan in October 2019. This disclosure contradicts earlier public denials by both the Trump and Biden administrations, which consistently asserted there was no evidence of Americans contracting the virus at the games. Former Defense Department spokesman John Kirby had previously dismissed suggestions that military personnel became infected in Wuhan, asserting that the Pentagon had “no knowledge” of such cases. The location of the games? Wuhan, home to the Wuhan Institute of Virology, infamous for its controversial gain-of-function research on bat coronaviruses funded, in part, by U.S. taxpayers. Rutgers University professor Richard Ebright, a prominent voice supporting the theory that COVID-19 originated in this lab, said that the findings in the report bolster evidence pointing toward a lab leak. “It is an outrage that the Biden White House and congressional committees withheld this crucial information from the American public,” Ebright said. “This confirms what intelligence and scientific data have indicated—that COVID-19 was already circulating in Wuhan long before December 2019.” Military athletes from several U.S. allies, including Germany, France, Italy, and Luxembourg, also reported COVID-like symptoms during their stay in Wuhan, describing the city as eerily empty—a “ghost town,” according to the Daily Mail. Senator Joni Ernst echoed Ebright’s condemnation, criticizing the Biden administration for failing to release the report immediately upon its completion. “Taxpayers deserve the truth about the origins of COVID-19,” Ernst said. “If Americans visiting Wuhan in October 2019 were infected, theories placing the pandemic’s start in a wet market two months later are fundamentally flawed.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)