Friday, August 29, 2025

What You Need to Know:

Although Israel’s full government is on summer recess, the issues facing her leaders have not diminished. The Security Cabinet met on Tuesday, August 26, where it continued discussions regarding plans for the military advance into Gaza City. Regarding the current hostage/ceasefire deal, Israel has made it clear to Egypt that she will not consider a phased deal, insisting instead on a comprehensive agreement that secures the release of all remaining hostages and brings the war to a close.

Iran is another threat Israel’s leaders are watching closely. Although the IDF dealt a devastating blow to Iran’s military capabilities during the 12-day war in June, last week, Iran launched a large-scale naval drill in the Persian Gulf. In addition, European nations are finalizing the imposition of economic sanctions on Iran and although Israel is not directly involved in this matter, she could be in the line of fire again if Iran chooses to respond to the sanctions with military force, a threat Israel can’t afford to take lightly.

Finally, with the UN General Assembly meetings set to start in two weeks’ time, Israel’s diplomatic team—headed by Prime Minister Netanyahu and including Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and Ambassador to the UN Danny Dannon—will be functioning on a world stage that is increasingly hostile to Israel. The United States continues to be Israel’s staunch ally in these turbulent times.

Dig Deeper:

Foreign Minister Sa’ar Meets with US Secretary of State

Security Cabinet Meeting August 26 (Media Line)

IAEA Chief Assigned Security after Iranian Threats

What You Need to Know:

Lebanon/Syria: The government of Lebanon has yet to be successful in disarming Hezbollah. As such, the IDF remains on high alert and has carried out strikes against terrorists seeking to rebuild the terror group’s abilities along the Israeli border. Along the Syrian border, Israel established a buffer zone with five outposts on Mt. Hermon to protect its northern communities. The new Syrian regime has indicated willingness to sign a security agreement if Israel withdraws from the outposts, but given Israel’s grave security concerns, Defense Minister Katz said Jerusalem is not willing to do so.

Judea and Samaria: The IDF and Border Police continue to be deployed in Judea and Samaria where Jewish residents often encounter violence at the hands of Palestinians living in the area. A report published last weekend shows there have been 71 attacks against Jewish farmers and shepherds so far this year.

Houthi Threat: For the first time, the Houthis launched a missile with a cluster warhead similar to those used by Iran in the 12-Day War. In response, Israel struck several key locations in Yemen, including a military compound housing the presidential palace, power plants and a fuel storage facility. Early on Wednesday morning, sirens again sounded in heavily populated central Israel as another missile was launched from Yemen.

Dig Deeper:

IDF Chief Visits Samaria Farming Outpost

Israeli Security Forces Find & Disable Projectile Aimed at Migdal Oz

Israel to Remain in Syria

IDF Downs Houthi Missile Triggering Air Raid Sirens in Jerusalem

What You Need to Know:

Israel continues to face considerable pressure from the UN over the situation in Gaza. The pressure comes in the form of accusations from the UN human rights body of mass killings and starvation in southern Gaza. Moreover, Irish President Michael Higgins has suggested that the UN General Assembly put together their own armed force to guarantee humanitarian access. Perhaps most concerning, the UN’s 80th session is fast approaching, where international recognition of a Palestinian state is to be announced.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar has been active lately in the fight against these false charges. He recently posted on X that “Europe must choose: Israel or Hamas. Every action against Israel directly serves the jihadist axis in the Middle East.”

Visiting the US, Sa’ar told the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations that Israel cannot allow left-wing Western governments to force the issue of Palestinian statehood. According to Sa’ar, such a move would be tantamount to causing the State of Israel to commit suicide. He likened the pressure coming from governments like France, Britain, Canada and Australia to a “political siege on Israel, with a clear goal: to force a Palestinian state upon us.”

Dig Deeper:

Systematic Destruction of Gaza City Underway, UN Reports

Israel’s FM Says Western ‘Left-Wing’ Governments Can’t Force Palestinian State on Israel

Europe Must Choose: Israel or Hamas

Irish President Calls for UN Military Intervention in Gaza

What You Need to Know:

Aside from the fact that 50 Israelis remain held in Hamas captivity, the most controversial topic in Gaza this week was an IDF strike on Monday near the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. The world media raised an immediate outcry that 19 or 20 noncombatants, including journalists and photographers working for major news outlets, had been killed. IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir immediately called for an internal investigation into the strike.

Findings from the initial inquiry showed that Golani Brigade troops had identified a Hamas surveillance camera located at the hospital. The camera was being used to monitor IDF movements and direct terrorist fire. It has been well-documented that Hamas carries out its terrorist activities from hospitals, schools and other civilian structures and the IDF confirmed that six of those killed in the strike were terrorists, including one who had taken part in the October 7 infiltration. Lt. Gen. Zamir asked investigators to look at two areas more closely: “the authorization process before the strike and field-level decision-making.”

Zamir reaffirmed that “the IDF directs its activities solely toward military targets.” The IDF is waging the most complex war ever fought, in an urban battlefield where militant terrorists blend in with the civilian population.

Dig Deeper:

Initial Statement by IDF Spokesperson on Strike

IDF Chief Orders Immediate Probe into Strike on Gaza Hospital

Gaza Ceasefire Talks Mirror Witkoff Plan, but Deadlock Persists

What You Need to Know:

While tempers are short and patience is wearing thin for most Israelis, an encouraging sign is the seriousness with which many are seeking God during Elul, the month of repentance before Rosh HaShanah and the fall festivals. Elul began on Monday evening with a prayer service at the Western Wall. For the first time in recent memory, the plaza facing the Wall was filled to capacity with Israelis gathering for slichot, special prayers of repentance, to the point where some were turned away. The opening prayer on this first night was dedicated to 50 hostages still held in Gaza. Former hostages Keith Siegel and Yelena Trufanov, both of whom have stated publicly that they became closer to God while in captivity, were in attendance.

The country remains focused on the 50 hostages, more than half deceased, who have been held nearly 700 days by Hamas. Following their event on August 17, this week the Hostages and Missing Families Forum organized a second day of country-wide protests to demand the return of their loved ones. This painful issue continues to consume the hearts and minds of all Israelis, even though most recognize that Israel must continue the military pressure it is putting on Hamas.

Dig Deeper:

Selichot 2025 at the Western Wall

Israelis Gather at Western Wall for Selichot Dedicated to 50 Hostages

Keith Siegel Says Hamas Captivity Strengthened His Faith

What You Need to Know:

When it came to antisemitism in the world last week, Australia was on the front page, so to speak. More than 250 community organizations in 40 cities were involved in planning demonstrations calling for the government to impose sanctions on Israel and halt the arms trade between the countries. When Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that Australia would recognize a Palestinian state during the UN General Assembly meetings in early September, Prime Minister Netanyahu called him a “weak leader” who “betrayed Israel.” However, there was also a positive step, as the Australian government expelled Iran’s ambassador over his country’s alleged involvement in two arson-terror attacks, the first at Melbourne’s Adass Israel Synagogue and the second at a kosher restaurant in Sydney.

France was also in the headlines as its US Ambassador wrote an open letter to President Macron, expressing his “deep concern over the dramatic rise of antisemitism in France and the lack of sufficient action by your government to confront it.” The letter was published in the Wall Street Journal, causing a ripple of back-and-forth comments between the US and French governments.

Dig Deeper:

Massive Pro-Palestinian Rallies Hit 40 Australian Cities in a Day of Rage

Australian Ousting of Iran Envoy First Step in Fighting Antisemitism

US Envoy Accuses France of Failing to Act against Antisemitism

What You Need to Know:

Israel’s Schneider Children’s Medical Center recently dedicated the Bibas Playroom, its first therapeutic play area for children. Israel National News reported: “Lovingly designed in the spirit of the Bibas children, the playroom is filled with natural light, orange flowers, and butterflies—offering moments of play, independence, healing, and hope to thousands of hospitalized children.”

Schneider Children’s treated most of the children who were taken hostage and then released.

A surgery will soon take place in Israel that is both a medical breakthrough and a historic milestone in regenerative medicine. The Jerusalem Post called it, “the world’s first-ever human spinal cord implant using a patient’s own cells…[that] could allow paralyzed patients to stand and walk again.” 

A young combat soldier has been given a second chance when his juvenile criminal record was expunged. The pardon came at the request of his commanding officer who described him “as a fearless soldier who has been an inspiration and a role model for the rest of the force.” President Isaac Herzog said, “Your commander believed in you and I regard this pardon as an extension of his belief.” What a beautiful display of Israel’s belief in second chances.

Dig Deeper:

President Herzog Pardons Soldier at Fallen Commander’s Request

World’s First Spinal Cord Transplant to Take Place in Israel

Schneider Children’s Hospital Opens Therapeutic Playroom in Memory of the Bibas Children