A classified intelligence briefing on the situation in Gaza was presented to the members of the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Tuesday. A senior IDF intelligence official said in the briefing that Israel is continuing efforts to reach a hostage release deal while simultaneously carrying out intense military activity in order to exert pressure on Hamas and bring about the release of additional hostages.

Avigdor Lieberman, head of the Yisrael Beytenu party and longtime antagonist of lomdei torah, has openly called on police to prosecute the gedolim for allegedly “encouraging draft evasion.” His accusations, laced with contempt, were directed at none other than the Rosh Yeshiva of Slabodka and leader of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah, Hagaon HaRav Dov Landau shlit”a, as well as the former Rishon LeTzion, Harav Yitzchak Yosef shlit”a. Lieberman, no stranger to anti-chareidi rhetoric, claimed that Rav Landau had “ordered bochurim not to report to recruitment offices,” and that Rav Yosef had made remarks about discarding draft notices.

Israeli defense officials said Wednesday that the IDF is nearing control of roughly 30% of Gaza, as its forces press ahead with operations in both the southern and northern parts of the Strip, the Jerusalem Post reports.
The 36th Division has now taken on a significant role in the fighting, shifting its efforts to the northern section of Rafah in southern Gaza. This development comes on top of ongoing operations by Division 252 in northern and central Gaza, as well as Division 143 working in the southern areas of Rafah since mid-March.
Military strategists believe these maneuvers could soon sever Rafah from Khan Yunis, isolating Hamas strongholds and complicating their movements.

There has been a deterioration in the health condition of HaGaon Rav Yehuda Ades, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Kol Yaakov, and a member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of Degel HaTorah. The Rosh Yeshiva was rushed on Wednesday morning to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Jerusalem due to a worsening of his condition stemming from pneumonia. The Tzibur is requested to say Tehillim for Yehuda ben Chaya Esther. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

WASHINGTON D.C (VINnews)-President Donald Trump’s announcement of sweeping tariffs, including a 10% baseline rate on all countries and higher rates for those with higher tariffs

As the April 5 deadline approaches for TikTok to find a buyer or face a U.S. ban, Amazon has made a last-minute bid for the popular short-form video app, joining other potential buyers vying for control.

The U.S. confirms that the new 34% tariff against China is in addition to the existing 20% — bringing the total to 54%

Hamas is open to freeing all the hostages still in its custody in exchange for a permanent end to the war, according to a senior Palestinian source involved in the ceasefire negotiations who spoke with The Times of Israel.
Despite Israel’s ongoing opposition to a full cessation of hostilities under these conditions, the official says Hamas is willing to release a smaller number of captives in return for a temporary pause in the fighting.
That offer, however, comes with a key demand: Hamas wants written guarantees from mediators that Israel will agree to enter negotiations for a lasting truce after the short-term ceasefire — something Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has so far flatly declined, the Palestinian official explains.