Archive for month: September, 2025

News Update

A terrorist rammed his car into 2 Israeli teens at the Al-Khader Junction, on the Tunnels Road in Gush Etzion, south of Jerusalem today. The terrorist was shot and neutralized by a civilian, after he exited his vehicle with a knife. Both teens were injured, one seriously.

Five IDF soldiers were seriously wounded in a Hamas ambush in northern Gaza yesterday. The casualties included an officer from the Medical Corps, an officer from the Armored Corps and three soldiers from the 82nd Battalion of the 7th Brigade.

In a joint press conference at the White House yesterday, President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu embraced Trump’s 20 point plan that includes releasing all the hostages within the first 72 hours, ending the fighting, and setting up an Arab let civilian authority supervised by a “Board of Peace” headed up by Trump. Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair would also play a leadership role. Trump praised Arab and Muslim leaders including those of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Pakistan and Indonesia for supporting the U.S. framework. Qatar will also play a major role in the process. Now it’s up to Hamas to accept the proposal, which would lead to its disarmament and exit from Gaza. If they don’t, then Trump acknowledged that he would back Israel to do what is necessary to finish the job in Gaza.

[While Trump touted this as the final step towards eternal peace in the Middle East, in my humble opinion, there’s one pink elephant in the room that he’s ignoring or unaware of. In order to accept Israel as a sovereign state, the Muslims need to ignore or compromise on their religion, which clearly demands that all lands once controlled by Islam, which includes Israel, must be reconquered. It’s called Jihad, and it’s one of the foundational pillars of Islam. Of course, Muslim leaders try to hide it from the West, they can’t ignore it without violating or compromising their faith.

Therefore, the idea of Muslims accepting Israel is based on the premise that they will either ignore their religion and become secular or reform Islam to transform the Jihad from actual war into spiritual struggle — which is what a small minority of Muslims, the Sufis, have done. It’s unlikely that the 300 million followers of radical Islam, that include Iran and most of the Arab populace, including the Palestinians (who overwhelmingly support Hamas), will take the gentle path of reform. So can there really be anything more than a temporary and tenuous peace in the Holy Land under Jewish rule? Probably not until the Messianic era…but maybe we’re just about there? Let’s pray…]

News Update

Israeli Air force planes struck Yemen’s capital Sa’ana in the largest Israeli attack there yet, called operation Moving Package. Targets included the Houthis’ general staff headquarters, security and intelligence facilities, and military camps containing weapons and fighters. The attack, which caused widespread damage, came less than 24 hours after a Houthi drone struck Eilat, injuring more than 20 people. In southern Lebanon, Israel struck a Hezbollah facility for manufacturing percision missiles.

Israeli security officials say that the Houthis have made significant advances in recent months, developing longer-range missiles and explosive drones and moving much of its production and storage underground. Israeli intelligence has also been watching what it describes as a Houthi plan to train militias for a large-scale incursion modeled on Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack on Israel. Analysts say the training takes place in Yemen, but any actual operation would likely be launched from Jordan or Syria. The U.S. Treasury this month sanctioned more than two dozen entities accused of channeling funds to the Houthis.

President Trump told reporters yesterday, “I will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank. I will not allow it. It’s not going to happen. Whether I spoke with Bibi or not — and I did — I will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank. That’s enough. It’s time to stop now.” Trump made the statement just minutes after updating that he had spoken with Netanyahu. He also said he had met in New York with his son-in-law Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff. Trump’s statement could have been made to take pressure off of Netanyahu by coalition partners pressing him to annex. Netanyahu will be addressing the UN General Assembly today at 9:00am EST. To watch it live, click here.

Turkish President Erdogan said he reached an understanding with President Trump on how to achieve a ceasefire and lasting peace in Gaza and the Palestinian territories after talks at the White House on Thursday.

Turns out that the Spanish naval ship dispatched to escort the civilian flotilla heading towards Gaza is equipped with Israeli-made military systems produced by Rafael. [and they’re still going to use it?] Meanwhile, Spain announced that it has canceled a deal with Rafael to procure Litening 5 targeting and navigation pods for 46 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets. The deal signed in March 2024 was worth €207 million.

News Update

Hamas has reportedly drafted a letter to President Trump offering a 60-day pause in fighting in exchange for the release of half the hostages held in Gaza. Trump has repeatedly stated that he wants all of the hostages released immediately, at one time.

Yesterday, the UK, Canada and Australia formally recognized a Palestinian state. France is meant to do the same today. French President Macron stated that France will not open an embassy in Ramallah until all of the hostages are released. These countries, who join 142 others who already recognize a Palestinian state, claim that they are against Hamas and believe that their recognition does not reward terror. [Confusing, isn’t it??] The recognitions won’t have any practical effect, other than probably strengthening Israel’s resolve, making Palestinian lives more difficult, and possibly pushing Israel to annex areas of Judea and Samaria. In Italy, trade unions declared a 24-hour general strike in solidarity with the Palestinians, triggering major disruptions in transportation and daily life, and demonstrations were held in 75 cities nationwide.

A U.S. State Department spokesman responded to the recognitions saying, “Our focus remains on serious diplomacy, not performative gestures. Our priorities are clear: the release of the hostages, the security of Israel, and peace and prosperity for the entire region that is only possible free from Hamas.” Prime Minister Netanyahu said that Israel’s response would wait until after he returns from a visit to the U.S. this week, where he will meet with President Trump and speak at the UN General Assembly. He said, “It’s not going to happen. There will be no Palestinian state to the west of the Jordan River.” He added that the recognitions were rewarding terror.

Syrian President Al-Shaarah met with members of the Syrian Jewish community in New York City, where he is attending the U.N. General Assembly. Syria and Israel are reportedly very close to reaching a security agreement.

The IDF said it killed the deputy commander of Hamas’ naval police, Iyad Abu Yusuf, in a precision strike in central Gaza, as heavy fighting continues across the Strip. Yusuf took part in the October 7 Hamas assault, planned ambushes against IDF forces and oversaw the protection of Hamas assets in Gaza.

Tonight begins Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year and day of judgement. The holiday will last until Wednesday night. May we all be inscribed in the book of life, health, happiness, success and peace.

Shana Tova!

News Update

A terrorist driving a humanitarian aid truck from Jordan shot and then stabbed and killed 2 men at the Allenby Crossing, near the border with Jordan today. Security forces at the crossing killed the terrorist. This is a developing story.

According to IDF intelligence estimates, there are currently around 7,500 Hamas and affiliated terrorists in Gaza City and that Hamas is recruiting terrorists, rebuilding tunnels, studying past battles and preparing explosives for a prolonged fight.

Israel’s Defense Ministry and Rafael said their high-power laser interceptor—now named “Or Eitan” (Laser Dome) in memory of Capt. Eitan Oster—completed a series of successful tests. The 100-kW-class system downed rockets, mortars, drones and missiles in day/night, multi-salvo scenarios and will serve as a low-altitude, low-cost layer alongside Iron Dome, David’s Sling and Arrow. Officials say intercepts could begin as early as next year, with per-shot costs just “a few shekels,” and a dual-laser variant already in development.

Great Britain is reportedly expected to recognize a Palestinian state this weekend, after President Trump ends his British visit. Meanwhile, Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa said Wednesday evening that “security talks with Israel may bring results in the coming days” and that, if the security agreement succeeds, it could lead in the future to “additional understandings” — but he also said that “peace and normalization are not on the table right now.”

Saudi Arabia and nuclear-armed Pakistan have signed a mutual defense pact that defines any attack on either nation as an attack on both. The timing of the pact appeared to be a signal to Israel, in the wake of the Qatar attack.

News Update

IDF infantry, armor and combat engineering units entered Gaza City overnight, after extensive airstrikes in the city on Monday, kicking off the ground phase of Operation Gideon’s Chariots II. The IDF views Gaza City’s Hamas command as a well-organized force, protected by extensive underground bases and tunnel networks either undetected or reconstructed after last year’s initial operations. Chief of Staff Zamir emphasized to commanders: “This is not a rush job. Operate methodically, thoroughly, and smartly. Force protection takes precedence over speed.” The offensive is expected to continue through January. Around 700,000 civilians still remain in Gaza City, after 300,000 heeded IDF warnings to evacuate.

President Trump posted a warning to Hamas: “I have just read a News Report that Hamas has moved the hostages above ground to use them as human shields against Israel’s ground offensive. I hope the Leaders of Hamas know what they’re getting into if they do such a thing. This is a human atrocity, the likes of which few people have ever seen before. Don’t let this happen or, ALL ‘BETS’ ARE OFF. RELEASE ALL HOSTAGES NOW!”

The IDF today issued an urgent evacuation order for Yemen’s Red Sea port of Hodeida, warning it would carry out strikes there in the coming hours.

Tahir al-Nunu, a senior Hamas figure who was reportedly one of the targets in last week’s strike on a building in Doha, appeared Sunday in an interview on Al Jazeera.

European Union commissioners will reportedly endorse new sanctions against Israel on Wednesday, over the Gaza war. Meanwhile, Spain has decided to cancel a deal with Israeli arms manufactured Elbit Systems Ltd.for the PULS artillery system, as part of a Spanish effort to “reduce to zero” technological dependence on Israel due to the war in Gaza.

Israeli freelancer platform Fiverr (NYSE: FVRR) is laying off 250 employees, or 30% of its workforce, because of AI.