The political future of Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu’s government hangs in the balance this week, as Gedolei Yisroel issue a firm ultimatum: substantial progress must be made by Shavuos on the legislation of a new draft law and the formal recognition of yeshiva students’ status — or the coalition risks unraveling.
In a high-stakes gathering held in Bnei Brak ahead of the state budget vote, the Gerrer Rebbe raised the possibility of voting against the budget and toppling the coalition in protest over the stalled draft legislation. The emergency meeting took place at the home of Rav Dov Landau and was attended by Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch and other leading roshei yeshiva.

Democrat party chairman Yair Golan sought to further clarify and retract controversial comments he made earlier in the week that sparked fierce criticism across the political spectrum, insisting that he never accused the IDF of killing babies in Gaza for sport.
In a Channel 12 interview, Golan unequivocally rejected the idea that he believed Israel had intentionally targeted infants in Gaza. “Certainly not,” he said when asked directly. “I wasn’t speaking about the military at all. I didn’t say that.” The former IDF deputy chief of staff emphasized that his remarks were directed at extremist elements in Israel’s political leadership, not the army.

Fresh controversy has erupted over reported remarks made by incoming Shin Bet nominee Maj. Gen. David Zini, who, according to leaked accounts, has voiced strong opposition to prioritizing the rescue of Israeli hostages held by Hamas above all else in the ongoing war.
Channel 12 revealed that Zini had sharply disagreed with then-IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi months ago, allegedly reprimanding him for placing too much emphasis on recovering the captives rather than focusing on eradicating Hamas. “You prioritize the return of the hostages over destroying Hamas,” Zini reportedly told Halevi during a heated exchange.

A top Hamas figure spoke with the Al-Araby Al-Jadeed newspaper about circulating reports of a Saudi-French proposal that would see Hamas give up its arms and place them under the control of a civilian authority in Gaza.
The representative firmly rejected the notion that any such talks had occurred, stating that neither Saudi nor French officials had initiated any contact, and emphasized that the idea of Hamas surrendering its weapons is not being considered in any form.
“The resistance’s weapons are a red line, and the matter is completely closed with the agreement of all armed factions in the Strip—not just Hamas,” the official asserted.

Large crowds turned out across Israel last night to participate in protests against the government and to press for the return of hostages still being held in Gaza. Among the demonstrators were relatives of those abducted on October 7, who appealed emotionally to the government to finalize a deal that would bring the captives home as part of a ceasefire agreement.
The primary anti-government demonstration unfolded in Tel Aviv’s Habima Square, where protestors gathered to denounce the ongoing conflict and call for immediate elections. They expressed frustration over the continued burden on reservists, while noting that yeshiva students from the chareidi community continue to be largely exempt from military service.

The Trump administration last week asked Israel to postpone the full-scale ground operation in Gaza in order to exhaust negotiations for a hostage deal, two sources familiar with the details told i24NEWS [Hebrew] on Sunday. According to the report, the request was twofold: to postpone the full operation in the Strip and to allow the continuation of negotiations that began in Qatar in parallel with the operation currently underway. Israel has made it clear that the IDF will not withdraw from areas in Gaza it has conquered – even as part of a deal. In addition, the question of a pause within the framework of negotiations will also be more complicated.

In an unusual and serious incident, an IDF soldier was seriously injured on Motzei Shabbos in a fight with another soldier in the northern Gaza Strip. The soldier was evacuated from Gaza by helicopter to the hospital. A preliminary investigation of the incident revealed that it occurred as soldiers from the Nahal Brigade’s 931st Battalion were resting in their compound in the Beit Lahiya area. A fight developed between two soldiers, and one soldier hit the other with a weapon and then beat him with a hot water kettle. The brigade commander interrogated the soldier and suspended him from combat service. A military investigation was launched into the serious incident. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

Terrorists from a Hamas terror cell who fired last week at IDF soldiers in the northern Gaza Strip, seriously injuring a tank commander, were eliminated within minutes by the 401st Brigade combat team, the IDF spokesperson said on Sunday. “The forces of the 401st Brigade combat team, under the command of the 162nd Division, are operating in the Gaza Strip as part of Operation Gideon’s Chariots,” the IDF spokesperson said. “Last week, a tank commander from Battalion 52 was seriously injured during a clash with Hamas terrorists in the northern Gaza Strip.

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