Former South Carolina Governor and Trump primary challenger Nikki Haley has issued a warning to Republicans: Democrats will replace President Biden with a younger, more vibrant candidate, and the party must prepare for the challenge. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Haley said, “They are going to be smart about it. They’re going to bring somebody younger. They’re going to bring somebody vibrant.

Washington is working to reach an agreement between Israel and Hamas, proposing new language for parts of the proposed hostage and ceasefire deal, according to a report by Axios. The US, along with fellow mediators Qatar and Egypt, is focused on amending Clauses 8 and 14 of the deal, which concern negotiations during the six-week ceasefire and the transition between stages one and two of the agreement. Relatives of those still held captive in Gaza protested on Motzei Shabbos, urging the government to secure a deal. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which has been holding weekly rallies, pledged to continue calling on the government to realize the deal presented by US President Biden in May.

A sense of concern is growing inside the top ranks of the Democratic Party that leaders of Joe Biden’s campaign and the Democratic National Committee are not taking seriously enough the impact of the president’s troubling debate performance earlier in the week. DNC Chairman Jaime Harrison held a Saturday afternoon call with dozens of committee members across the country, a group of some of the most influential members of the party. He did not acknowledge Biden’s weak showing Thursday night or the avalanche of criticism that followed. Multiple committee members on the call, granted anonymity to talk about the private discussion, described feeling like they were being gaslighted — that they were being asked to ignore the dire nature of the party’s predicament.

Zakein HaMekubalim HaGoan Hatzaddik Rav Shalom Aharon Shmueli, z’tl, passed away at the age of 106 on Shabbos morning at Shaare Tzedek Hospital. HaRav Shmueli, z’tl, a talmid of HaMekubal HaRav Mordechai Sharabi, z’tl, was a hidden tzaddik who worked as a cobbler on Rechov Aggripas. He often stopped his work to learn Kabbalah but if anyone entered the store, he would quickly hide the sefer. The Belzer Rebbe had a close connection with him and would visit him to learn Kabbalah. His entire life was dedicated to the daled amos of Torah v’avodah but in his great anavah, he always stayed behind the scenes and refused to accept any honors. His son, HaMekubal Harav Binyahu Shmueli is the Rosh Yeshivah of Yeshivas Hamekubalim Nahar Shalom in the Machane Yehudah neighborhood of Jerusalem.

It is with profound sadness that YWN informs you of the Petirah of the Kosover Rebbe, HaRav Shraga Feivish Hager zt”l, a luminary for tens of thousands across the globe. He was 66 years old. In January 2023, the Kosover Chassidus in Boro Park publicized that the Rebbe had fallen extremely ill and was in need of Rachamei Shamayim. In the subsequent year-plus, the Rebbe traveled to Germany for specialized treatments, which ultimately wiped out the disease, but left his internal organs severely compromised. The Rebbe was hospitalized again several weeks ago due to organ failure, and had been back-and-forth between the hospital and home in recent days and weeks as his condition deteriorated. On Friday afternoon, a Minyan was gathered around his bed. He was Niftar over Shabbos.

A terrorist shot a crossbow at a Serbian police officer guarding the Israeli embassy in Belgrade, Serbia on Shabbos. The officer opened fire, injuring the terrorist who died shortly later. The officer was evacuated to the hospital, where he underwent surgery to remove the arrow from his neck. Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dacic said the incident was “undoubtedly a terrorist attack,” and that several people tied to the incident have been arrested.

The IDF on Motzei Shabbos announced that two soldiers fell in battle in the Shejaiya neighborhood of Gaza City in northern Gaza on Friday. The soldiers were identified as Sgt. First Class (res.) Yakir Shmuel Tatelbaum, H’yd, 21, of Ma’ale Adumim who swerved in the 77th Battalion of the 7th Brigade; and Staff Sgt. Yair Avitan, H”yd, 20 of Ra’anana, who served in the 890th Battalion of the Paratroopers Brigade. Their deaths increase the death toll of soldiers in the war in Gaza to 318. Two other soldiers were severely wounded in battle in Shejaiya. (YWN’s Jerusalem desk is keeping you updated after tzeis ha’Shabbos in Israel)

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland announced on Thursday that federal officials are investigating the appalling antisemitic violence outside the Adas Torah shul in the Pico-Roberston neighborhood of Los Angeles. The rioters tried to block the entrance of the shul and then attacked a crowd of Jews who were standing across the street. Videos of the scene showed pro-Hamas rioters punching and beating up Jews, with one left completely bloodied, and some rioters holding clubs or using sign handles to attack Jews. A Jewish teenager’s nose was broken and he was evacuated to the hospital. Many Jews pointed fingers at politicians, especially LA Mayor Karen Bass, for the lack of police action.

The Rav of Be’er Sheva, HaGaon HaRav Yehuda Deri, was hospitalized overnight Thursday in the ICU in Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Jerusalem. He is in critical condition after developing complications from an infection in his leg. At the advice of Gedolei Yisrael, Rafael has been added to his name. HaRav Deri, 66, is a member of the Moetzet HaRabbanut HaReishit and is one of the candidates for the position of the next Sephardi Chief Rabbi of Israel. He is the brother of Shas chairman Aryeh Deri. Please daven for the refuah sheleimah of HaRav Yehudah Rafael ben Esther b’toch sha’ar cholei Yisrael. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)