National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said on Wednesday that he had contacted Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to request an urgent meeting aimed at coordinating their opposition to a developing agreement involving the release of hostages.
But individuals close to Smotrich pushed back, asserting, “We did not receive a request from Ben-Gvir, and no meeting was arranged with him today. Victory in Gaza is too significant and the lives of the hostages too dear for media spin.”
In response to the denial, Ben-Gvir’s office released a screenshot showing a message sent earlier in the day to Smotrich’s staff, attempting to arrange the meeting. The timestamp indicated that the message was sent after reports of Ben-Gvir’s initiative had already been made public.

Could Israel soon receive advanced U.S. military hardware—including B2 stealth bombers and GBU-57 bunker-buster bombs—to enable a potential independent strike on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure?
A new bipartisan bill introduced in Congress outlines that the United States would supply these powerful weapons to Israel if it is determined that Iran continues pursuing a nuclear arsenal, even after American military efforts to dismantle its nuclear sites.
The legislation is being spearheaded by Representatives Josh Gottheimer, a Democrat from New Jersey, and Mike Lawler, a Republican from New York.
The bill’s language states it “would allow President Trump to take actions to ensure that Israel is prepared for all scenarios should Iran seek to develop nuclear weapons.”

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu is reportedly planning to press President Donald Trump for assurances that the United States will support potential Israeli military operations against Iran should Tehran resume its pursuit of nuclear weapons or develop its ballistic missile arsenal, according to a report from Kan Reshet Bet on Wednesday.
The report indicates that Netanyahu may go as far as seeking a formal written agreement from the U.S. in the form of a separate side deal, guaranteeing American backing under such circumstances.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Wednesday evening that Sergeant Yaniv Michalovitch, 19, of Rechovot, was killed in action while fighting in the northern region of the Gaza Strip. He served in the 82nd Battalion of the 7th Armored Brigade.
The same clash that claimed Sergeant Michalovitch’s life also left two members of his battalion—one a tank commander and the other a fellow soldier—critically wounded.
In a separate encounter in the same area, a soldier from the elite Egoz Unit of the Commando Brigade also sustained life-threatening injuries during fighting.
All of the injured soldiers were swiftly transported to the hospital for urgent medical care, and their families have been informed.

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu paid a visit to the Eilat Ashkelon Pipeline Company (EAPC) site in Ashkelon on Wednesday, accompanied by Energy Minister Eli Cohen, Minister David Amsalem, and Ashkelon Mayor Tomer Glam.
During his time there, Netanyahu inspected the EAPC energy complex, received an in-depth update from EAPC CEO Amit Shaked, and engaged in discussions with both senior company officials and employees, as well as top figures in Israel’s energy industry.
Netanyahu took the opportunity to publicly commend workers in the energy field for their dedication and contributions, particularly highlighting their efforts during Operation Rising Lion.

The IDF reported that two Hamas operatives, Musab Yaser Abdallah Jilban and Abd al-Latif Musa Hajjaj Barbah, were killed in a targeted strike carried out by the Israeli Air Force under the guidance of the ISA and the 188th Brigade in Khan Yunis.
These two terrorists were responsible for the deaths of seven Israeli soldiers: Lieutenant Matan Shai Yashinovski, Staff Sergeant Alon Davidov, Staff Sergeant Ronel Ben-Moshe, Staff Sergeant Niv Radia, Sergeant Ronen Shapiro, Sergeant Shahar Manoav, and Sergeant Maayan Baruch Pearlstein. The soldiers were killed during an operation in Khan Yunis on June 24, 2025.

Jeff Bezos, the executive chair and founder of Amazon, recently cashed out nearly $737 million worth of company stock in a transaction disclosed through a regulatory filing.
The filing, submitted after Tuesday’s market close, reveals that Bezos sold approximately 3.3 million shares totaling $736.7 million. The sales were executed under a 10b5-1 trading plan that Bezos put in place in March.
Following the transaction, Bezos still holds around 905 million shares in the tech behemoth. Last year, he parted with close to $5 billion worth of Amazon stock.
Bezos, 61, tied the knot with journalist Lauren Sanchez during a lavish celebration in Venice on Friday evening, drawing attention from celebrities and media alike.

Rev. Al Sharpton is publicly urging Andrew Cuomo to withdraw from the New York City mayoral race, saying that stepping aside would serve the city’s needs more effectively.
“I think, in the best interest of the legacy of Andrew Cuomo, that he ought to let them have the one-on-one race,” Sharpton said Wednesday on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.”
“He can endorse one or the other, and let them have a battle over what is best for New York.”
Sharpton noted that he had already contacted Cuomo’s team in an attempt to convince him to step down from the race.
A spokesperson for Cuomo responded that they’re weighing their next steps carefully, keeping New Yorkers’ best interests in mind.

That’s one pricey set of toes.
A Bronx jury has ordered the MTA to pay $22.75 million to a bike delivery worker who lost all five toes on his left foot after falling from a deteriorated subway platform, deciding the agency should be held accountable for the life-altering injury, the NY Post reports.
The incident occurred in June 2017, when 24-year-old Maruf Hossain tripped over a damaged section of the Parkchester station platform and tumbled onto the tracks just as a train approached.
The Bangladesh-born courier suffered a catastrophic injury in the fall, losing every toe on his left foot. The impact from the train also caused his hip to become dislocated, broke his pelvis, and left him with injuries to his spine and head, according to the lawsuit he filed.

Zohran Mamdani’s unexpected win in New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary has sent shockwaves through the city’s elite real estate circles, with many affluent buyers already taking concrete steps toward relocating—particularly to Florida, Newsweek reports.
“Within a day of the primary results, we had serious inquiries from buyers in Manhattan and Connecticut,” Isaac Toledano, CEO & Co-founder of BH Group, told Newsweek. “One asked about the Ritz-Carlton Residences in West Palm Beach, the other about the West Pompano Beach Hotel & Residences,” he said.