Former Chief Rabbi of Israel and member of the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah, HaGaon HaRav Yitzchak Yosef, spoke out again on Sunday against Chareidim serving in the IDF. During a sichah to yeshivah bochurim, HaRav Yosef said: “Even a batlan (someone who wastes time) is forbidden to serve in the army. Do you hear me? Absorb this message. My uncles, the brothers of Maran [HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef, z’tl] learned in Yeshivat Porat Yosef and were talmidei yeshivos. They went to the army and were corrupted, they all became secular. Later, they did teshuvah.” HaRav Yosef’s words caused an immediate media storm in Israel.

Rebel groups in Syria discovered a network of huge underground tunnels under the Qalamun Mountains that cross the border from Syria to Lebanon. The massive tunnel network was funded by Iran to the tune of millions of dollars and used for years to transfer munitions and weapons to its proxy Hezbollah. In a video uploaded on social media, Syrians ride motorcycles inside the tunnels, commenting on the batteries for surface-to-surface missiles stored inside the tunnel. A similar tunnel system on a smaller scale was discovered under the palace of ex-Syrian President Bashar Assad and the home of his brother, Maher Assad, the ex-head of the Syrian Army. It is not yet clear whether the IDF was aware of the existence of the massive tunnel network.

In recent days, hundreds of Israeli Air Force fighter jets and aircraft delivered extensive damage to Syria’s most critical military capabilities, including fighter jets, helicopters, Scud missiles, UAVs, cruise missiles, surface-to-air systems, and precision-guided rockets. According to IDF reports, over 90% of Syria’s identified surface-to-air missile systems were destroyed. This marks a significant blow to one of the Middle East’s strongest aerial defense networks, highlighting Israel’s regional air superiority. Key Syrian Air Force bases were also neutralized, including the T4 Airport near northern Damascus, where SU-22 and SU-24 squadrons were obliterated. Another major target was the Ble Airport, home to three fighter squadrons.

A Jewish resident of Monsey was tragically killed and another man was seriously injured in a small plane crash on Thursday night. The plane, a two-seater propeller aircraft was approaching Westchester Airport when it crashed onto Interstate 684 near Exit 2 in Harrison, New York. Troopers responded to reports of the crash at approximately 7 p.m. There were two individuals aboard the plane at the time of the incident. The victim was identified as Yankel (Yaakov) Friedman Z”L, from Monsey. He was 32 years old. The second individual on the plane, a resident of Linden NJ, was taken to Westchester County Hospital. Despite multiple messages on WhatsApp claiming he is in critical condition, he is stable and talking to authorities as well as his family members.

A massive fire erupted at a home on 1838 E 4th Street between Quentin Road and Kings Highway on Thursday afternoon, quickly spreading to two neighboring houses and turning the block into a scene of chaos. The blaze began around 2:15 PM in a home that was reportedly vacant and under construction. Within minutes, strong winds fueled the flames, transforming the fire into a raging inferno. The intensity of the blaze caused the roof of the original house to collapse. The FDNY initially feared that firefighters were trapped inside, but it was later confirmed that all personnel were safe. In response to the dangerous conditions, all firefighters were immediately pulled from the building. Emergency services were on high alert, with Flatbush Hatzolah standing by to assist if needed.

In a heated session before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Congressman Mike Lawler launched a scathing attack on Secretary of State Antony Blinken, accusing him of presiding over a legacy of “dysfunction, weakness, and death.” Lawler did not hold back as he condemned the administration for abandoning American citizens in Israel following the horrific October 7th terrorist attack, calling the response a catastrophic failure of leadership. Lawler began by addressing what he described as the administration’s pivotal misstep—the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, which left 13 U.S. service members dead and devastated their families.

In a striking address to the Iranian people delivered on Thursday evening, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke directly to the citizens of Iran, highlighting the failures of their government and expressing hope for a future of peace and freedom in the region. Netanyahu began by reflecting on the recent collapse of regimes and organizations financially and militarily supported by the Iranian government. “Your oppressors spent over $30 billion supporting Assad in Syria,” he said. “Today, after only 11 days of fighting, his regime collapsed into dust.” He pointed to similar defeats in Gaza and Lebanon, where Hamas and Hezbollah suffered devastating losses. The Prime Minister criticized Iran’s rulers for mismanaging national resources.

A shooting targeting a bus south of Jerusalem has left several people injured, including a 12-year-old boy who is in critical condition, according to Magen David Adom emergency services. It occurred in Gush Etzion near the Al-Khader Junction. The bus, which was making its way from the Gush Etzion area to Jerusalem, continued its journey to the Tunnels Checkpoint, where the injured were treated by rescue forces. Medics report that a woman in her 40s sustained light injuries, while two others with minor wounds were also transported for medical care. All injured individuals have been taken to Hadassah Ein Kerem Medical Center for treatment. The terrorist fled the scene and the IDF is searching for him. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

In a stunning revelation, Congressman Jeff Van Drew has alleged that Iran has stationed a “mothership” off the U.S. East Coast, reportedly deploying drones now flying over New Jersey. The claim comes amid thousands of reports in recent weeks about drones spotted over New Jersey and other areas. “These drones should be shot down,” Van Drew stated, adding, “the military is on full alert with this.” Van Drew, whose district includes the Jersey Shore, elaborated, “I’m going to tell you the real deal. Iran launched a mothership that contains these drones. It’s off the east coast of the United States of America.

Rep. Chris Smith joined Martha MacCallum on Fox News to discuss his ongoing efforts to get answers about the unidentified drone activity storming New Jersey skies and his call for U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to provide all available capabilities to law enforcement officials to respond to the possible threats. In a letter, Rep. Smith urged U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to immediately provide all capabilities at his disposal to identify and address the widespread drone activity across New Jersey as serious concerns continue to mount over potential threats to the homeland. Smith’s letter came after he was briefed by a U.S.