The IDF said on Thursday that military forces rescued two Israeli civilians after their boat drifted into Lebanese waters. “Earlier today, a report was received about two Israeli civilians on a disabled civilian vessel that drifted into Lebanese waters,” the IDF spokesperson said. “Upon receiving the report, naval and air forces were deployed to the area.” “After identifying and establishing contact with the vessel, the naval forces began a rescue operation and brought the civilian ship back to the sovereign waters of the State of Israel.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Jacob Lew made a private visit to the home of Harav Dov Landau shlit”a on Monday. During the meeting, Ambassador Lew conveyed a personal message from President Joe Biden, expressing the president’s opposition to Jewish visits to the Har Habayis. The ambassador thanked the gadol hador for his ongoing efforts to maintain calm and prevent security escalations, particularly following recent tensions sparked by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s visit to the Har Habayis. Visits such as Ben-Gvir’s are in violation of halacha according to all major contemporary poskim – a position Rav Dovid reaffirmed to Ambassador Lew.

Although it happens every time, it’s always jarring to see videos and images of Palestinians celebrating the deaths of Israelis killed in terror attacks. The celebration and distribution of candies on the streets occur even when those killed are civilians, such as the celebration in Jordan over the murder of three Israeli fathers and grandfathers in the shooting attack at the Allenby Crossing on Sunday. The celebrations take place even when the victims include women and children. Twenty-three years ago, Palestinains celebrated on the street on September 11, rejoicing at the deaths of almost 3,000 Americans. The Democratic party seems to have forgotten the jarring images.

Former First Lady Melania Trump publicly questioned law enforcement’s actions Tuesday, demanding answers regarding the attempted assassination of her husband, former President Donald Trump. In a brief video posted to her social media accounts, Melania expressed frustration over the lack of clarity surrounding the attack, which occurred at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13. “The attempt to end my husband’s life was a horrible, distressing experience,” she said in the 30-second clip. “Now, the silence around it feels heavy.” She went on to question why law enforcement failed to apprehend the shooter before the incident. “Why didn’t law enforcement officials arrest the shooter before the speech?

NewsNation host Chris Cuomo came to the defense of supporters of former President Donald Trump during an episode of The Chris Cuomo Project, accusing the media of misrepresenting them. Cuomo, known for his more liberal leanings, pushed back against the common narrative that paints all Trump supporters as aligned with the former president’s behavior. During Tuesday’s discussion, Cuomo referred to Trump as the “spirit animal of grievance” and argued that many Trump voters back him not because they emulate him, but because they see him as a force for change. “Man, if you want to punish, Trump is your boy. He is the spirit animal of grievance,” Cuomo said.

Former President George W. Bush outlines for the first time in a new documentary how events unfolded for him following the 9-11 attacks. In the National Geographic Channel special, “George W. Bush: The 9-11 Interview,” the former President talks about the chaotic moments after the attacks and the reasoning behind decisions he made that day. Bush reflects on being told about the attacks while visiting schoolchildren in Florida and the difficulty in getting accurate information in what he calls “the fog of war.”  He also talks about returning to the White House to address Americans in the hours after the terrorist attacks.

Former President Donald Trump lashed out at ABC News, accusing the network of rigging Tuesday’s presidential debate and labeling it a “dishonest news organization.” In an early morning call to Fox & Friends on Wednesday, Trump expressed frustration with the moderators, David Muir and Linsey Davis, accusing them of unfairly fact-checking his arguments while giving Vice President Kamala Harris a pass. “It was 3-to-1, it was a rigged deal as I assumed it would be,” Trump told Fox & Friends host Brian Kilmeade when asked about his debate performance, which has been widely panned, including by conservative pundits. Trump argued that the moderators focused on correcting him while ignoring inaccuracies from Harris.

It is twenty three years since that moment in history changed the world for ever. Of course, when it happened, many of us knew we’d never forget that day. Yet time dulls even the most painful memories. Among the heroes of 9/11, which included the FDNY, NYPD, PAPD, EMS and other agencies, were the volunteers of Hatzolah. Chevra Hatzalah played a pivotal role in the World Trade Center rescue operations. The very first ambulance to arrive at the World Trade Center following the first plane crash on September 11, 2001 was a Hatzalah ambulance. By the time the second airplane crashed into the second tower, there were two-dozen Hatzalah ambulances, including Hatzalah’s Communications and Command Center trailer, and more than 100 Hatzalah EMTs, paramedics, and doctors on scene.

Former President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to claim his ABC News event with Kamala Harris was his best debate “ever.” Meanwhile, media pundits from across the political spectrum heralded Tuesday night’s debate as a positive for the Harris campaign. Prominent conservatives including dozens on Fox News noted that Trump started the debate off strong but became unhinged as the event continued on. However, Trump had a very different interpretation, writing on Truth Social that moderators David Muir and Linsey Davis were against him in a “three on one.” The Harris campaign has already challenged Trump to another debate before the November election.

Multiple IDF soldiers have reportedly lost their lives in Gaza tonight, after a military helicopter they were aboard crashed. Initial report state that three soldiers – none of whom have yet been identified – were killed in the wreckage, and another eight were injured, including four in serious condition. It was not immediately clear what caused the helicopter to crash. Early suspicions center around a mechanical malfunction or pilot error, although terrorists attacking the helicopter has not been officially ruled out as a cause by the IDF. Thus far, the IDF has not publicly acknowledged the crash, nor any fatalities. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)