The Israeli government on Sunday unanimously approved the appointment of Likud MK Danny Danon to replace Gilad Erdan as the next Israeli ambassador at the UN. Danon previously served as the UN ambassador from 2015 to 2020. He will enter the new position in August, when Erdan returns to Israel. “I am proud to return to serve the State of Israel as Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations during this critical period,” Danon stated. “With Israel confronting challenges on multiple fronts, it is imperative for each of us to contribute to the best of our abilities and experiences. This principle has guided my actions in the past and will continue to guide me in the future.

A mother of nine perished in a fire that broke out in her home overnight Motzei Shabbos on the yishuv of Kochav Yaakov in Binyamin. Adina Zahavi, a’h, and her husband rescued their children from their beds after waking up to the fire. Adina then collapsed due to smoke inhalation. She was evacuated to the hospital where her death was pronounced shortly later. Eighteen others were injured in the fire, two moderately and 16 lightly, including 12 children. A preliminary investigation revealed that the fire was caused by an electric bike that was being charged in a plug next to a couch in the home. Adina, a’h, made aliyah from the US 20 years ago and met her husband Aryeh in Israel, where they married and established a family. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

An elderly Chareidi man who entered Qalandiya in the Palestinian Authority overnight Motzei Shabbos was attacked by a mob of Arabs and narrowly escaped serious injury. A mob surrounded his car and threw stones and blocks at it as he tried to escape. However, he smashed into a concrete barrier and was lightly injured. Palestinian security forces intervened and brought him outside the town, where he was transferred to IDF forces and received emergency medical treatment. He was then evacuated to Shaare Tzedek Hospital. The victim’s car was left behind and the Arabs set it on fire. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

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.

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.

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)

The IDF has confirmed carrying out a drone strike in southern Lebanon’s Sohmor, resulting in the death of a Hezbollah operative. The terrorist, identified by Hezbollah as Ali al-Din, was allegedly behind recent drone attacks on northern Israel. In a statement, the IDF revealed that fighter jets also targeted buildings used by Hezbollah in Houla and Aitaroun, while troops shelled areas in southern Lebanon with artillery. The military also confirmed that two explosive-laden drones launched by Hezbollah at the Western Galilee struck areas near Rosh Hanikra, but reported no injuries. Hezbollah claimed responsibility for the attack, saying they had targeted a Navy base. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)