The Palestinian newspaper Al-Quds has published three documents, reportedly handwritten by the late Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, detailing his instructions for the treatment and management of hostages held by Hamas. The documents emphasize the strategic importance of hostages as leverage in negotiations and outline specifics of their captivity. In the first document, Sinwar allegedly instructs captors to “safeguard the lives of the enemy’s prisoners,” underscoring their value as bargaining chips for the release of Palestinian prisoners. The instructions reportedly reference Quranic verses to reinforce these directives. The second document presents data on 112 hostages, categorized by location—Gaza City (14 hostages), central Gaza Strip (25), and Rafah (51).

YWN regrets to inform you of the petirah of Rebbetzin Mesoda Halioua a”h, the mother of Harav Shlomo Halioua zt”l, the rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Chaim Berlin who was niftar earlier today.  Rebbetzin Halioua a”h was the wife of Rav Avraham zt”l, who had immigrated from Morocco to the U.S. at the age of 20 in November of 1948, and was a Rav in Flatbush. Rav Avraham zt”l was niftar in December of 1988. She had been critically ill and hospitalized just a few rooms away from her son, who was niftar following a sudden drastic medical deterioration towards the conclusion of Simchas Torah. Levaya details will be published when they become available. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

At a rally in Pittsburgh on Saturday, President Joe Biden took sharp aim at former President Donald Trump, portraying him as a threat to the hard-won benefits of union workers. Biden emphasized his commitment to protecting union rights and accused Trump of being an “anti-labor” figure who, if re-elected, would jeopardize healthcare, pension plans, and other union-supported benefits. “Donald Trump is a loser,” Biden declared to a supportive crowd, adding, “He’s a loser of a candidate, and he’s a loser of a man.” Biden’s remarks marked an unusually direct critique, reflecting a strategic appeal to Philadelphia union workers, a key demographic that has traditionally leaned Democratic but in recent years has shown greater support for Trump.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu encountered a tense moment during a memorial ceremony for civilian victims of the October 7 Hamas attack and ensuing conflict, as grieving family members interrupted his speech with vocal expressions of anger and sorrow. The interruption came as Netanyahu addressed the crowd, only to be met with cries of “Shame on you!” The prime minister briefly paused as event organizers moved to calm the gathering and escorted some of the upset family members from the venue. He resumed his speech shortly afterward, though the event remained charged with emotion.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams defended former President Donald Trump against claims from prominent Democrats, including Kamala Harris, likening him to a fascist, with comparisons to Adolf Hitler. “I have had those comments hurled at me by some political leaders in the city; my answer is ‘No,’” Adams said when asked about the accusations directed at Trump. Following up his defense of Trump, Adams called for a more tempered approach to political discourse. “I know what Hitler has done, and I know what a fascist regime looks like,” he asserted. “I think we can all dial down the temperature,” he added.

Fox News’ Carley Shimkus visited Madison Square Garden as supporters lined up in anticipation of former President Donald Trump’s rally on Sunday. Hundreds of would-be rally goers could be seen waiting outside the stadium even in the earliest hours of Sunday morning. Trump’s rally is not set to begin until the evening. Trump’s campaign is hoping to sway voters in New York, a state that hasn’t voted for a Republican presidential nominee in decades. Nevertheless, polls show Vice President Harris performing well below the typical Democrat in the state. Trump’s rally will feature big names from politics as well as celebrities like Elon Musk and UFC CEO Dana White. Tickets for the rally sold out in just hours. The stadium seats a maximum of 19,500 people. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

After more than three weeks of waiting, on Friday night after midnight, the Israeli Air Force launched Operation Days of Repentance, targeting strategic sites deep in Iran. Kan News reported that Israel is maintaining silence about the damage caused in Iran to the 20 targeted sites but sources familiar with the matter have stated that significant damage was inflicted on Iran’s air defense systems and ballistic missile production capabilities. Ynet reported that IRGC command facilities incurred significant damage as well. The Saudi Elaph site reported that Israel hit an important factory used for the production of Iranian ballistic missiles.

The IDF has announced that four reservist soldiers from the 8207th Battalion, 228th Brigade (Alon), were killed during combat operations in southern Lebanon. Just last night, YWN published that 13 soldiers were killed over the second days of Sukkos. The fallen soldiers were engaged in clashes with Hezbollah forces when they sustained fatal injuries. At least 14 others were wounded. The soldiers killed in action are: – Captain (res.) Rabbi Avraham Yosef Goldberg, 43, from Jerusalem, who served as the Battalion Rabbi. – Master Sergeant (res.) Gilad Elmaliach, 30, from Jerusalem, a soldier in the 8207th Battalion. – Captain (res.) Amit Chayut, 29, from Haifa, who was a Platoon Commander. – Major (res.) Eliav Amram Abitbol, 36, from Eitan, the Company Deputy Commander.

The IDF reported that a total of 13 soldiers were killed during combat operations in Gaza and southern Lebanon over the second days of Sukkos. The soldiers, serving in various brigades, lost their lives during confrontations with terror operatives, while numerous others were wounded. Below is the list of the fallen soldiers: Southern Lebanon: – Sgt. First Class Gai Ben-Haroosh, 23, from Pardes Hanna-Karkur, commander in the Oketz canine unit. – Warrant Officer (res.) Mordechai Haim Amoyal, 42, from Lod, Carmeli Brigade’s 222nd Battalion. – Sgt. Maj. (res.) Shmuel Harari, 35, from Safed, Carmeli Brigade’s 222nd Battalion. – Master Sgt. (res.) Shlomo Aviad Nayman, 31, from Mitzpe Yeriho, Carmeli Brigade’s 222nd Battalion. – Sgt.

A worldwide initiative has been launched for this Simchas Torah to garner zechusim for the neshamos killed in last year’s Simchas Torah attack by Hamas, as well as for those still being held hostage, and for soldiers battling against both Hamas and Hezbollah. Endorsed by Rav Yitzchok Berkowitz, the initiative encourages men in America to gather in shuls and learn Torah for 45 minutes, from 11 PM to 11:45 PM on Leil Shemini Atzeres. In Israel, the learning starts 45 minutes before Shacharis. Participants in this initiative can enter a raffle for $1,000 by emailing their details (see flyer below).