Syrian residents of border villages where IDF troops are currently stationed have been collecting weapons, including chemical weapons, left over from the Assad regime and handing them over to the IDF for controlled destruction, Channel 12 News reported on Monday evening. According to the report, the rebels are assisting the villagers in collecting the weapons and transferring them to the IDF. “We found several weapons filled with chemical warfare agents,” one of the IDF soldiers told Channel 12.

Israel, through Russian mediation, is reportedly working to locate and repatriate the remains of legendary Israeli spy Eli Cohen and a soldier missing since 1982, according to Palestinian officials speaking with AFP on Monday. For decades, Israel has sought to bring home the remains of Eli Cohen, whose daring espionage in Syria in the 1960s left an indelible mark on the country’s history. Cohen infiltrated the highest ranks of the Syrian government, and the intelligence he provided is credited with aiding Israel’s success in capturing the Golan Heights during the Six-Day War in 1967. He was arrested, tried, and executed in 1965, but his final resting place remains unknown.

According to Reuters, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly 8n Cairo for negotiations on a ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza. Unnamed sources familiar with the matter suggest an agreement could be finalized within days. The development appears to be the reason behind the cancellation of Netanyahu’s scheduled testimony in his corruption trial today. The Prime Minister’s Office denied the report and stated, “Contrary to the Reuters report, Netanyahu is not on his way to Cairo. He may be in half an hour, a day, or a year. But right now, he is not there.” One this is for certain, a private jet that took off in Israel is about to land in Cairo.

White House National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby said the White House’s assessment, in coordination with the FBI and state and local officials, is that the mysterious drones flying over the country are in fact “legal” and “lawful.” Kirby told Fox News anchor Bret Baier Monday on “Special Report” they’ve examined roughly 5,000 sightings and to date, their analysis is “lawful, legal, commercial hobbyist and even law enforcement aircraft activity,” is responsible for the sightings. “Some of it’s manned, some of it’s unmanned. We absolutely acknowledge that a lot of these are probably drones, but they’re flying legally.

CNN’s dramatic report of rescuing a “wrongfully detained” prisoner from a secret facility in Syria has unraveled into a fiasco after it was revealed that the so-called victim was actually a notorious member of Bashar al-Assad’s brutal regime, infamous for torturing civilians and extorting bribes. Last week, journalist Clarissa Ward led the charge in what she breathlessly called “one of the most extraordinary moments I have witnessed” during her 20-year career. Footage of the dramatic rescue showed Ward and her team escorting the supposed prisoner — who introduced himself as Adel Ghurbal — out of a grim, windowless cell. Ghurbal claimed he had been detained for three months, oblivious to the regime’s downfall. But the story quickly fell apart.

Birthdays are a time for celebration, tradition, and sometimes a little humiliation, depending on where you’re from. In Nova Scotia, birthday revelers delight in ambushing the celebrant with a healthy smear of butter or lard on their nose. In Germany, single men turning 30 are conscripted into step-sweeping duty at the town hall. In South Korea, birthdays are celebrated with a steaming bowl of seaweed soup.

Sirens blared in dozens of cities and towns in the Tel Aviv area, the Sharon and the Shomron on Monday afternoon, the first time in weeks that sirens were heard in central Israel. Shortly later, the IDF spokesperson said that the sirens sounded due to the launch of a ballistic missile from Yemen. The missile was intercepted before it crossed into Israel. Earlier on Monday, a drone fired by the Houthis in Yemen was intercepted over the Mediterranean Sea. There has been an increase in Houthi attacks since the ceasefire with Lebanon began. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

Over 10,000 people gathered in on Sunday night to celebrate the completion of Mesechta Shabbos and the start of Mesechta Eiruvin as part of Dirshu’s Daf HaYomi B’Amud program. People traveled from across the UK and Europe. The event was held under heavy security is expected. The massive event was held at the Copper Box Arena. A full article will be published shortly, but here is a taste of the beautiful singing and dancing at the event. A moving performance by Zanvil Weinberger singing the hit by the late Dedi Graucher, Z”L “Ratzah HaKadosh Baruch Hu” – performed at the Dirshu event in London. A stunning performance featuring Motty Steinmetz, Zanvil, Hershy Weinberg, and Baruch Levine, accompanied by the Malchus Choir.

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu revealed on Sunday that he held an extensive conversation with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump regarding efforts to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. The discussion comes as Israeli officials signal that a potential ceasefire-hostage agreement could be finalized by Chanukah, though key issues remain unresolved. Netanyahu, speaking in a video message, described the conversation with Trump as “very friendly, very warm, and very important.” While refraining from sharing specifics, the prime minister reiterated Israel’s commitment to bringing the hostages home. “We are working tirelessly, without rest, to bring our hostages home, the living and the fallen together,” Netanyahu said.

Vice President Kamala Harris is reportedly considering her next steps in politics after her 2024 election loss to Donald Trump, with close advisers debating whether she should pursue another presidential bid or run for governor of California. According to CNN, Harris has signaled to supporters and donors that her political career is far from over, telling them, “You haven’t seen the last of me.” Advisers are divided on what her next move should be, with some pushing for a gubernatorial campaign in 2026, which they view as a strong opportunity. “It seems like a layup,” one adviser said, adding that Harris could likely clear the Democratic primary field in California.