The State Department has informed Congress of a planned $8 billion weapons sale to Israel, U.S. officials say, as the American ally presses forward with its war against Hamas in Gaza. Some of the arms in the package could be sent through current U.S. stocks but the majority would take a year or several years to deliver, according to two U.S. officials Saturday who spoke on condition of anonymity because the notification to Congress hasn’t been formally sent. The sale includes medium-range air-to-air missiles to help Israel defend against airborne threats, 155 mm projectile artillery shells for long-range targeting, Hellfire AGM-114 missiles, 500-pound bombs and more. The weapons package would add to a record of at least $17.9 billion in military aid that the U.S.

The Shin Bet on Motzei Shabbos ordered increased security measures for Israel’s Sephardi Chief Rabbi, HaRav Dovid Yosef, due to threats to his life from terror groups. The Shin Bet and police on Motzei Shabbos instructed the Religious Services Ministry to bolster security measures around HaRav Yosef due to intelligence information about the intentions of terrorist organizations to harm him. Security officials met with HaRav Yosef at his home and briefed him on the threats. They also instructed him to make certain changes to his schedule. Kikar H’Shabbat reported that another meeting is expected to take place between Shin Bet officials and representatives of of HaRav Yosef’s office on Monday. (YWN’s Jerusalem desk is keeping you updated after tzeis ha’Shabbos in Israel)

Jonathan Emanuel Cardona Castillo, a 23-year-old Lev Tahor leader, was arrested last week in El Salvador following the issue of an international arrest warrant against him. Law enforcement authorities in Guatemala have begun extradition proceedings. “We received official confirmation from the authorities in El Salvador regarding the start of the extradition process,” said Juan Francisco Reyes, an assistant prosecutor in the Guatemalan combatting human trafficking department. Castillo, 23, is suspected of having brutally abused women and children as part of the cult’s activities, engaged in human trafficking, and forced minors to marry.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir published a video on Motzei Shabbos saying that after a cheshbon nefesh, he apologizes to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Likud MK Boaza Bismuth for his behavior last week in the Knesset. Ben-Gvir instructed his party members to vote against a key bill, forcing Netanyahu to leave his hospital bed less than two days after surgery and Bismuth to leave his home while sitting shiva for his mother. His move infuriated his fellow coalition members who called on the prime minister to fire him. In the video, Ben-Gvir said that his party will continue to vote “according to its principles” until a solution is found for budgetary cuts to the police and prison services.

The cruel Hamas terror organization on Shabbos published a propaganda video of Israeli hostage Liri Albag, who was kidnapped from the Nachal Oz IDF base on October 7. Albag, who had just completed her basic training and was on her first day of duty at Nachal Oz, was abducted with four of her fellow female observation soldiers. Sixteen others, H’yd, were murdered at the base. Liri’s parents requested that the video and Liri’s scripted statements not be published for now, approving only the release of a screenshot from the video. They issued a statement: “The video published today shattered our hearts into pieces. This is not the same daughter and sister we know. She’s not in good shape; her severe mental state is evident.

Hamas terrorists in Gaza fired missiles at Israel on Friday and Shabbos for the eighth and ninth day in a row. A missile fired from northern Gaza on Shabbos afternoon fell near the Erez crossing. Baruch Hashem, no injuries were reported. On Friday, sirens sounded in Kibbutz Be’eri for the first time in 10 months. The IDF later said that the sirens were sounded after Hamas terrorists in central Gaza launched a surface-to-air shoulder-fired missile at an IAF helicopter. Baruch Hashem, the missile was intercepted, and the helicopter evaded the attack unharmed. Since the missile was fired eastward, toward Be’eri, sirens were sounded in accordance with protocol. Earlier on Friday afternoon, sirens sounded in Sderot and Gaza border communities.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) is preparing to shut down its operations in Gaza and the West Bank following new limitations imposed by Israel, The New York Times reports. In October, Israel’s Knesset overwhelmingly approved two measures aimed at restricting UNRWA’s activities. One law, passed by a 92-10 vote, prohibits the agency from operating within Israeli territory. A second measure, which bars Israeli state authorities from coordinating with UNRWA in Palestinian territories, passed with an 87-9 majority. The new restrictions are scheduled to take effect at the end of January, 90 days after their approval.

Sweden’s ambassador to Israel, Simon Geissbühler, visited Bnei Brak over Chanukah, engaging with the gedolei hador in Eretz Yisroel and immersing himself in the Charedi community’s minhagim and way of life, with his visit highlighting a keen interest in better understanding the values of Charedi Jewry in Eretz Yisroel. The ambassador met with HaRav Moshe Hillel Hirsch and HaRav Meir Tzvi Bergman at their homes – conversing with both in English (see video below). During his meeting with Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, Rosh Yeshiva of Slabodka, Geissbühler gained insight into the values and principles that guide bnei Torah including their refusal to join the IDF. Later, he spent time with HaRav Meir Tzvi Bergman, witnessing the revered rosh yeshiva light the Chanukah menorah.

Bachour Simantov, one of the few remaining Jews in Syria, met with one of the members of the new Syrian rebel government. The video was published by Kan‘s Arab Affairs correspondent Roi Kais. In the video, the government representative, Muhammad Badriah, is heard saying: “Good evening to everyone from Damascus from the home of the head of the Jewish community in Damascus – Bachour Simantov. ” “Reassure us that you’re okay,” Badriah says to Simantov. “Thank G-d, everything is good,” Simantov responds. “What’s the situation in Syria?” Badriah asks. “It couldn’t be better,” Simantov responds. “It’s stable.” Badriah says: “The Assad regime no longer exists and there’s no more fear. There are no checkpoints, no secret police. The one whose name shouldn’t be mentioned [Assad] won’t return.

Red alert sirens sounded in several areas in central and southern Israel due to a missile launched from Yemen. Explosions heard all over Yerushalyim. The IDF in a short statement said: “Following the sirens that sounded in central and southern Israel, one missile was identified crossing from Yemen into Israeli territory. Interceptors were launched toward the target, the results are under review.” MDA Spokesperson: Update following the Red Alerts in central Israel: At this stage, no reports of rocket strikes or physical injuries have been received. MDA teams have been dispatched to treat 12 people who were injured on their way to shelter and 9 individuals suffering from anxiety.