Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett wrote about Hamas’s use of human shields on social media on Thursday. “Hamas’ use of human shields is not just a tactic,” he wrote. “It’s the very basis of Hamas’ existence.” “Almost every home, school and hospital in Gaza is part of Hamas’ terror apparatus. Hamas turned Gaza into one huge terror machine.” “While the IDF bends over backwards to minimize deaths of non-participants, there is no magic formula to defeat this terror machine without casualties. The responsibility is of Hamas, which engineered this. “Here’s the harsh truth: If Israel is forced to stop, every terror organization on earth will use human shields because it brings them victory.

I write with disbelief regarding a policy recently introduced in a local frum school: a “Free Pass” initiative that exempts students from a final exam if they raise or donate $550 to a designated organization. Encouraging chesed and tzedakah among our children is admirable. But linking a mitzvah to an academic incentive is, at best, misguided and, at worst, a distortion of the very values we claim to uphold. Tzedakah is not a bargaining chip. It is not a ticket to privilege or a means to bypass accountability. It is one of the foundational mitzvos of a Torah life, meant to be done lishmah, out of a pure desire to help Klal Yisrael—not in exchange for skipping an exam. This policy does more than blur the lines between ruchniyus and reward—it erases them.

A Democratic lawmaker is launching a renegade effort to impeach President Donald Trump, pushing past party leaders on Wednesday with an attempt to force a procedural vote in the U.S. House that is expected to fail. Rep. Shri Thanedar of Michigan announced his intention to charge ahead, saying that as an immigrant he wants to do all he can to protect America’s Constitution and its institutions. His resolution, criticized by fellow Democrats, contains seven articles of impeachment against the Republican president. “Donald J. Trump has been committing crimes since day one — bribery, corruption, taking power from Congress, creating an unlawful office in DOGE, violating First Amendment rights, ignoring due process,” the congressman said earlier from the House floor.

Amid renewed diplomatic momentum to end the Gaza war and secure the release of Israeli hostages, U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff has introduced a new framework aimed at achieving a ceasefire and removing Hamas from power, according to reports from Israel’s Channel 12. The proposed plan, reportedly presented during President Trump’s high-profile visit to Saudi Arabia this week, has garnered support from international mediators involved in the ongoing negotiations. Israeli officials say Witkoff, a close ally of President Trump, is “personally invested” in the effort to bring the hostages home.

A massive crowd of thousands packed Rockland Community College on Monday night for the groundbreaking Motzoh Tov event, as Yidden from across Monsey and nearly every major Chassidus—including Viznitz, Satmar, Belz, Skvere, and more—came together to support a powerful initiative aimed at restoring simplicity and affordability to chasunahs. The crowd heard stirring words from Rabbonim, askonim, and parents who have already embraced the Motzoh Tov model—saving tens of thousands of dollars while maintaining full kavod and simcha. The atmosphere was electric, as speaker after speaker reinforced the message: it’s time to return to dignified, realistic wedding standards.

A billboard seen tonight in the Syrian capital of Damascus, featuring U.S. President Donald J. Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman with the words, “Thank you from the heart” in Arabic and “Thank you, Saudi Arabia, United States of American” in English.

German authorities have thwarted a suspected Russian intelligence operation involving the mailing of incendiary devices, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal. The plot, uncovered in collaboration with Swiss law enforcement, targeted Ukraine and potentially other Western nations, raising concerns about escalating Russian sabotage efforts amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. On Tuesday, German prosecutors announced the arrests of three Ukrainian nationals—two in Germany and one in Switzerland—suspected of working for Russian intelligence. The men, identified as Anatolii H., 35, Oleksandr M., 38, and Hennadii P., 34, allegedly sent parcels equipped with GPS trackers to test delivery routes for incendiary devices.

A hotline between military and civilian air traffic controllers in Washington, D.C., that hasn’t worked for more than three years may have contributed to another near miss shortly after the U.S. Army resumed flying helicopters in the area for the first time since January’s deadly midair collision between a passenger jet and a Black Hawk helicopter, Sen. Ted Cruz said at a hearing Wednesday. The Federal Aviation Administration official in charge of air traffic controllers, Frank McIntosh, confirmed the agency didn’t even know the hotline hadn’t been working since March 2022 until after the latest near miss. He said civilian controllers still have other means of communicating with their military counterparts through landlines.

On Wednesday afternoon, a heartfelt Chalakah ceremony was held at the residence of HaGaon HaRav Moshe Sternbuch. The event, marking a young boy’s first haircut, brought together family and community members to celebrate this milestone under the esteemed guidance of the revered Posek and venerated Gadol. The children will have their hair cut on Lag BaOmer.