The massacre of October 7th, 2023, will be remembered as the day Iran’s grand strategy began to crumble before the world’s eyes. When Hamas launched its barbaric assault on innocent Israeli civilians, it was acting at the behest—or at least with the tacit encouragement—of the Iranian regime. Tehran believed that a decisive terror attack would pressure Israel, rally sympathizers across the Middle East, and reaffirm Iran’s stature as the region’s puppet master. Instead, the opposite occurred: what was meant to show Iranian strength and influence exposed its vulnerabilities and set off a chain reaction that left Iran’s proxies shattered and Iran’s regime imperiled. Hamas, long considered Iran’s frontline force against Israel, was the first domino to fall.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared a “historic day for the Middle East” during a visit to Mt. Bental on the Golan Heights, near the Syrian border, following the collapse of the Assad regime. He was joined by Defense Minister Israel Katz and Golan Heights Regional Council Chairman Uri Kellner. During the visit, Netanyahu received a briefing from Maj.-Gen. Ori Gordin, Head of IDF Northern Command, and Brig.-Gen. Yair Peli, Commander of the 210th Division. The discussion centered on developments in Syria, the IDF’s increased presence along the border, and preparations for future security operations.

Syrian dictator Bashar Assad, infamous for deploying chemical weapons against his own population, has fled Damascus as rebels seized control of the capital. According to reports from Reuters and Syrian state television, Assad, his wife Asma al-Assad, and their three children have left the country. Their destination remains unknown. FOLLOW REAL-TIME UPDATES ON YWN’S LIVE BLOG Assad’s departure marks the apparent end of over five decades of rule by the Assad family, beginning with his father, Hafez Assad, in 1970. The civil war that has gripped Syria since 2011, claiming over 500,000 lives, reached a turning point with the fall of Damascus and key cities like Aleppo, Hama, and Homs to rebel forces.

Rabbi Paysach J. Krohn, the renowned maggid, bestselling author, and decades-mohel, is in need of tehillim and rachamei shamayim after suffering a stroke on Friday evening, just as Shabbos began. Rabbi Krohn was attending the Agudath Israel of America convention at the Armon Hotel and Conference Center in Stamford, Connecticut, when the medical emergency occurred. Waterbury Hatzolah paramedics were on the scene immediately and transported him to a local hospital in Stamford, where he is currently undergoing treatment. Earlier on Friday, Rabbi Krohn delivered an inspiring session at the convention and was scheduled to address attendees again later that evening. PLEASE SAY TEHILLIM FOR PAYSACH YOSEF BEN HINDA (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

The IDF announced on Motzei Shabbos that its forces aided UN forces to repel a Syrian rebel attack on a UN outpost near the Druze village of Hader in southern Syria, just a few feet away from Israel’s Ramat HaGolan. “A short while ago, an attack was carried out by armed individuals at a UN post in the Hader area in Syria,” the IDF spokesperson stated. “The IDF is currently assisting the UN forces in repelling the attack.” “The IDF is deployed with reinforced forces in the Ramat HaGolan area and will continue to operate to protect the State of Israel and its citizens.” The IDF decided to further bolster its forces near the Syrian border following a situational assessment.

In an act of psychological terrorism, the Hamas terror group released a propaganda video on Shabbos of hostage Matan Zangauker, 24. Zangauker was abducted from his home on Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7. In the video, which is his first sign of life,  Zangauker is seen making statements scripted to him by his captors. “I am Matan Zangoker, and I have been in the hands of Hamas for 420 days,” he begins. “I appeal to the Prime Minister; I heard about your new plan to bring us back home.  I heard that you promised $5 million to whoever returns us home safely and a safe exit from the Gaza Strip. I am very disappointed. Now I’m sure you don’t know your enemies and you don’t understand their intentions. “This is your failure and that of your government since October 7,” Zangauker continues.

A terrible tragedy occurred on Friday morning in Morocco: five Israelis were killed in a serious car accident. The niftarim were part of a group on a visit to the country to daven at the kevarim of tzaddikim. Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is involved and ZAKA is also working to bring the niftarim back to Israel as soon as possible. ZAKA reported that this morning, around 10:00 a.m., a report was received at its national headquarters regarding a fatal car accident near the city of Ouarzazate, Morocco, involving a vehicle with five Israelis who apparently lost control and overturned. All the passengers in the vehicle were killed as a result of the force of the accident.

The Adass Shul suffered extensive damage in an arson attack early Friday morning, an act Prime Minister Anthony Albanese denounced as antisemitic. As YWN reported, at approximately 4:10 a.m. local time, two individuals learning inside the shul heard banging at the door. Opening it to find out what the commotion was, two masked men stormed in, poured gasoline over the front of the shul and set it on fire. The fire prompted a massive response, with 60 firefighters and 17 trucks deployed to contain the blaze. Despite their efforts, the Shul sustained significant damage. So our readers understand, there are two Batei Midrashim in the Adass Shul. One is called the Ashkenaz Shul and the second is the Sefard Shul. The fire was in the Sefard Shul.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – A suspected arson attack at the renowned Adass Shul has left the Jewish community in shock. At approximately 4:10 a.m. local time, two individuals smashed windows, entered the Shul, and poured gasoline before setting it on fire. The shul, one of the most famous in Australia, is a central hub for the Orthodox Jewish community. Two people learning inside the shul at the time witnessed the incident but were bichasdei Hashem unharmed. Emergency services responded quickly, but the building and surrounding streets remain closed due to ongoing investigations. Baruch Hashem, no injuries have been reported. However, the status of the sifrei Torah remains unclear.

An Israeli official has stated that the country views the resurgence of conflict in Syria as an opportunity for mutual weakening between the opposing factions. Speaking to The Times of Israel, the official commented on recent rebel advances against the regime of Bashar al-Assad. “Our interest in the renewed fighting is that they continue fighting one another,” the official said. “It’s entirely clear to us that one side consists of Salafi jihadists, and the other includes Iran and Hezbollah. We want them to weaken one another.” The official emphasized that Israel is not intervening in the conflict but remains vigilant. “We are prepared for any scenario, and we will act accordingly,” they added. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)