Southern Lebanon “Safe Zone” pilot program begins

Israeli forces have withdrawn from two small enclaves in southern Lebanon as part of the “Safe Zone” pilot program aimed at giving the Lebanese Armed Forces a chance to regain control of the area.

Lebanese troops will deploy to the villages of Froun, Srifa and Zawtar Al-Gharbiya, where their mission is to dismantle any remaining Hezbollah presence and prevent the Iran-backed terror militia from reestablishing itself.

The Israeli army noted that “as part of the pilot, teams from the IDF, the US military, and the Lebanese Armed Forces are conducting coordination and planning for the continued implementation of the agreement.”

The IDF warned it would “respond forcefully to any violation of the agreement.”

The Israeli military’s deployment to earthquake-stricken Venezuela has become the longest humanitarian assistance mission ever conducted by Israel’s Home Front Command, as teams continue operating into a third week following widespread coastal destruction.

Some 32 Israeli experts remain on the ground in La Guaira, near Caracas, according to an IDF statement, assisting Venezuelan authorities in shifting from emergency response to long-term rehabilitation.

Israel has shelved official recognition of the Armenian Genocide, for now.

This comes after pressure from Azerbaijan, one of Israel’s most important regional allies.

The Bible has much to say both about truth and justice, but also about political responsibility.

Where does this one fall for Israel?

Read the full analysis HERE

The IDF confirmed on Tuesday that it is constructing a physical barrier along the so-called “yellow line” deep inside the Gaza Strip.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog says he has been warned by both the head of Israel’s Central Election Committee and the Shin Bet chief about threats to the integrity of Israel’s upcoming national election, from forces inside the country and beyond its borders.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani defended his efforts to have Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrested.

"I believe that when someone is charged with an International Criminal Court warrant, it’s something that should be taken seriously, whether it’s Benjamin Netanyahu, or it’s Vladimir Putin or whomever else."

Mamdani said NYC lawyers are still trying to determine if he has the authority to order Netanyahu's arrest when the Israeli leader visits the city in September for the UN General Assembly.

Mamdani announces that he does not have the authority to arrest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Israel fires back at Australian Labor

Israel’s Embassy in Canberra is pushing back hard against a draft platform from Australia’s ruling Labor Party, warning that its one-sided demands on Israel ignore the role of Hamas, Palestinian rejectionism, and terrorism in perpetuating the conflict.

The embassy says recognizing a Palestinian state without real reform would reward extremism, not advance peace.

Read the full report HERE

Now UNESCO cares about Beaufort Castle

Hezbollah turned a 900-year-old Lebanese fortress into a military asset near Israel’s border. UNESCO said little.

But once Israel moved against the threat, the UN cultural body suddenly found its voice.

This is the double standard Israel faces again and again: terror groups exploit protected sites, civilians, and international law itself, then Israel is blamed for responding.

Full article HERE

Iran launched four ballistic missiles at the Jordanian resort town of Aqaba a short time ago. Shrapnel from two intercepted missiles landed near the border between Aqaba and Eilat.

🕯️ Tisha B’Av – A Day of Mourning and Hope

Tisha B’Av commemorates the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem and is one of the most significant days of remembrance in the Jewish calendar.

But in the Bible, fasting means far more than abstaining from food. It invites us to pause, examine our hearts and realign ourselves with God. The prophets emphasized again and again: God seeks not only outward fasting, but repentance, justice and faithfulness.

Despite all the sorrow, the message of Tisha B’Av does not end with destruction. It points to comfort, restoration and hope, because even after times of brokenness, God desires to bring forth something new.

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Israeli security forces arrested three Palestinians and seized firearms, ammunition and other military equipment during a raid in the Dheisheh camp in Judea.

Dheisheh, near Bethlehem, is a known stronghold of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) terrorist organization.

A Jewish man was stabbed and seriously wounded in central Samaria a short time ago.

Palestinian assailants then set fire to the area.

Israel security forces are currently surrounding the village from which the terrorists came.

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited the Temple Mount on Thursday morning in honor of Tisha B’Av, saying that the dozens of Jewish visitors present at the scene signify “tremendous progress.”

“Look at what is happening here—Jews praying and feeling that they are the ones in charge here. This has never happened before. And the same is happening in more and more places. We have reduced terrorist attacks by 85%. Everywhere, people understand that the State of Israel is in charge. There is still more to do, and, God willing, we will continue to make progress.”

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President Donald Trump has conditioned a deal on civilian nuclear power with Saudi Arabia on the kingdom joining the Abraham Accords and normalizing relations with Israel.

Saudi Arabia had previously conditioned its joining the Abraham Accords on the establishment of a Palestinian state.

The US Senate has rejected the motion that would have required President Trump to obtain congressional approval for further military action against Iran.

Israeli sources tell Israel Today:

“We are preparing for an escalation because Trump is increasing the pressure. We are now waiting to see what decision he makes. There is little doubt that he will attack Iran on a significant scale and against a major target.

“In our assessment, Iran will only attack Israel directly if Israel itself enters the conflict – not on its own initiative. However, should Trump make good on his threat and attack the Houthis, Iran could also target Israel as part of its deterrence strategy.

“Trump has not yet made his final decision.

“If Iran attacks us, that is a completely different situation. We are on high alert and fully prepared for such a scenario.”

A second stabbing attack took place today in Samaria when a Palestinian Authority police officer stabbed and lightly wounded an IDF soldier.

Overnight roundup:

🔹️ US forces struck Iran for the 13th consecutive night.

🔹️ Iran rejected a US ceasefire proposal delivered by the visiting Iraqi prime minister.

🔹️ Trump said any further damage to international shipping by Iranian forces would be compensated using frozen Iranian funds.