The IDF on Wednesday announced the confiscation of over 85,000 weapons, missiles, and military items belonging to Hezbollah during targeted ground operations in southern Lebanon. The raids, launched in early October 2024, were part of localized efforts to dismantle Hezbollah’s terrorist infrastructure. Conducted by the IDF Northern Command, these operations targeted more than 30 Hezbollah strongholds across southern Lebanon. During the missions, IDF forces destroyed terrorist positions, eliminated operatives, and seized a vast arsenal. Among the confiscated items were rocket launchers, anti-tank missiles, RPGs, rifles, explosives, anti-aircraft missiles, and military vehicles.

“Ma, this Santa is a Yid!” Watch below as HaRav Moshe Weinberger, the Mora D’asra of Aish Kodesh in Woodmere, recounts the time he met Santa Claus. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this evening, at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in Jerusalem, lit the first Chanukah candle together with PMO employees and senior officials, and their children. Also attending the lighting were Orna and Ronen Neutra, who met with the Prime Minister earlier today, the parents of Capt. Omer Neutra HY”D, an IDF Armored Corps officer who fell in the fighting in the Western Negev on October 7 and whose body was taken hostage by Hamas. Prime Minister Netanyahu after the candle lighting [translated from Hebrew]: “Today we are lighting the first candle of Chanukah to mark the victory of the Maccabees then, and also the victory of ‘the Maccabees of today’.

Newly appointed Sephardic Chief Rov, Hagaon HaRav David Yosef has declared that Israel has a halachic obligation to release convicted terrorists, including those responsible for mass murders, if it leads to the return of hostages held in Gaza. In an interview with Kikar Shabbos, Rav Yosef referenced a psak from his late father, Maran Hagaon HaRav Ovadiah Yosef zt”l, emphasizing the necessity of such actions. “My father handed down a very clear psak that it is allowed and necessary to release terrorists, even many terrorists, even killers with blood on their hands, to release them in exchange for hostages,” he said.

Shlomo Stauber, an up and coming singer out of Brazil, has just released a new single that captures the spirit and message. Shlomo was born in Israel before relocating with his family to beautiful Rio De Janeiro in Brazil. Known for his uplifting energy, Shlomo’s singing carries with it flavor and culture from a wide range of backgrounds including Brazil, Israel and the USA.  After years of performing in countries all around the globe, Shlomo is releasing a debut single titled “Yidelech.” This stunning song, composed by talented Israeli composer Elchanan Elchadad, talks about the Jewish people’s unbreakable hope in the coming of Moshiach.

A suspected vehicular ramming attack occurred near Gush Etzion, south of Jerusalem, leaving at least one Israeli injured. Preliminary reports indicate the suspect fled in the direction of Hebron, prompting a large-scale response from security forces, including the IDF, police, and emergency services. Magen David Adom (MDA) paramedic Eli Gartner provided an update on the victim, describing him as a 25-year-old male in moderate condition. “He sustained head and abdominal injuries following the suspected terrorist attack,” Gartner said. The injured individual was evacuated to Shaare Zedek Medical Center for treatment. Authorities are actively pursuing the suspect and have increased security measures in the area. Further updates are expected as the investigation continues.

Media mogul Rupert Murdoch praised Israel’s resilience and predicted stronger American support under President-elect Donald Trump at a pre-Chanukah event last Friday at Sydney’s Central Synagogue. Speaking before a packed congregation, Murdoch declared, “Israel, over the last four years, has stood alone on the front line of Western democratic civilization, defending shared values with incredible resilience.” He then expressed optimism that with Trump’s return to the White House, “Israel won’t be alone anymore.” Murdoch attended the event with his wife, Elena; his son, Lachlan; and daughter-in-law, Sarah.

Former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci is warning that Elon Musk’s close alliance with President-elect Donald Trump may be putting the billionaire in a vulnerable spot. In an appearance on CNN’s The Situation Room Monday, Scaramucci suggested that while Trump values Musk’s support now, he could quickly turn against him if it becomes politically convenient. Musk has been a near-constant presence alongside Trump since last month’s election. After spending an estimated $277 million to help secure Trump’s victory, Musk was named co-chair of the newly formed “Department of Government Efficiency,” an advisory panel whose acronym echoes a meme coin the tech magnate once promoted. Trump has hosted Musk multiple times at Mar-a-Lago over the past few weeks.

Dozens of protesters from Peleg Yerushalmi blocked Jabotinsky Street in Bnei Brak on Monday evening, stretching from the Ramat Gan boundary to the Geha Junction, in response to new military draft notices sent to Charedim. Although the group had initially announced plans to block Highway 4, they ultimately chose to occupy Jabotinsky Street instead—one of the area’s main thoroughfares. According to police statements, “An illegal demonstration is currently taking place on Jabotinsky Street in Bnei Brak. Israeli police officers are on-site and directing traffic to alternative routes.

On Sunday afternoon, the Satmar Rebbe held his annual “Chuf Alef Kislev” event, attended by thousands upon thousands of Satmar Chassidim. The event was held at the Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn. Chof Alef Kislev is the day Hagon HaRav Yoel Teitelbaum ZATZAL, the founder of Satmar Chassidus in America, escaped from the Nazis during the Holocaust in 1944. The Satmar Rebbe, known as the Divrei Yoel, was among 1600-plus people who were transported out of Hungary by train thanks to the efforts of Rudolf Kastner, one of the leaders of Budapest’s Vaadat Ezra V’Hatzalah, who brokered a deal with Adolph Eichmann to let the passengers leave in exchange for a large sum of money, diamonds and gold.