Update News: July 16th 2025

Wednesday, July 16, 2025

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 Border chaos as 1,000 Druze breach frontier into Syria; heavy IDF strikes hit DamascusBy Emanuel Fabian, Nurit Yohanan, Agencies and ToI StaffIDF attempts to stop Syrian Druze from entering Israel; death toll in Syrian regime attacks on Sweida nears 250; IDF airstrikes hit Syrian general staff HQ, near presidential palace, army convoys Syria asserts right to defend itself from Israeli attacks amid carnage in Druze areaBy AFP and ToI Staff Live updatesLIVE - US said to press for halt to Syria strikes: ‘We told the Israelis to stop and take a breath’By ToI StaffIsrael ‘more likely than not’ to reach Gaza hostage-ceasefire deal, official says; Hamas denies progress in talks * AG tells ministerial panel she won’t attend 2nd hearing on potential sacking Gaza aid group says 20 killed in crowd crush, blames armed Hamas agitatorsBy Emanuel Fabian and AgenciesGaza Humanitarian Foundation reports that, for first time, it identified ‘multiple firearms’ among masses waiting for supplies; IDF opens new corridor dividing Khan Younis 93 Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes in Gaza, Hamas-run health ministry saysBy Emanuel Fabian, Nurit Yohanan and AP from our sponsorKnow a Jewish Leader Who’s Bridging Divides in Jewish Communities?Nominate them for the $10,000 Z3 Bridge Builder Award! In times of division, we need to lift up leaders working to bring us together. Help us find those who deserve recognition! In show of support, US ambassador Huckabee attends Netanyahu’s criminal trialBy Jeremy Sharon and Nava FreibergEnvoy says he’s representing what US president has said ‘repeatedly’ about the trial; almost as soon as he arrives, proceedings become closed due to subject matter US envoy urges Israel to probe ‘terrorist murder’ of Palestinian-American in West BankBy Jacob MagidHuckabee’s statement appears to be his first on settler violence; police representative stuns judge by admitting to being unaware anyone was killed in attack 

Op-ed: Day 649 of the war

David Horovitz

Netanyahu’s endgame – on Gaza, Haredi service in the IDF, and winning the next electionThe prime minister will have to face the electorate again sometime soon. He intends to do so on his own terms, with as much authority as possible centered in his own hands Edelstein stands ground on draft-dodger sanctions as Shas set to depart coalitionBy Sam Sokol‘Public will not forgive those who fail to rise to the occasion,’ powerful Likud MK warns Haredi parties, whose exit will not topple Netanyahu government for the time being Analysis / Are Shas and UTJ poised to collapse Netanyahu’s government?By Ariela Karmel Top Ops Shlomo FischerDoes Haredi leadership prefer being in the opposition?If the draft exemption law that drew Haredi parties into government isn’t happening, then politics does nothing but sully the ’authentic Jews’ Marc ZellAmerica must help protect Syria’s DruzeThe US lifted sanctions against Syria to help ensure a stable nation that protects its minorities. The Druze plight is a litmus test for those commitments   

Those We Have Lost

Civilians and soldiers who have fallen since Oct. 7

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Inside story

Charlie Summers

Luring in Israelis of all types, Iran casts about in hopes of snagging ‘quality’ spiesPromising easy money and exploiting societal rifts, Tehran has allegedly recruited dozens of ordinary Israelis to gather intelligence, vandalize property, and plot killings Trump to meet Qatar’s PM, with Gaza ceasefire said to be key talking pointBy Reuters, ToI Staff and Jacob MagidSheikh Mohammed al-Thani to visit US president at White House, reportedly to discuss stalled efforts to halt war, reach fresh nuclear deal with Iran Hostage’s father: ‘Senior official’ said he can handle ‘200 more bereaved families’By ToI Staff Sa’ar hails ‘diplomatic victory’ as EU holds off on sanctioning Israel over Gaza warBy Jacob Magid and Nava FreibergBut EU officials say they’ll reconsider sanctions at next meeting in two weeks if Israel doesn’t implement pledged steps on Gaza aid and release tax funds withheld from the PA Amid heated debate, no real plan for ‘humanitarian city’ in Gaza, officials sayBy Reuters and ToI Staff   

The hostages and victims whose fate is still unknown

Read Here  US, European allies to give Iran until end of August to reach nuclear deal – reportBy ToI Staff and AgenciesNations said to believe snapback process must be completed before Russia takes Security Council presidency; PM raised matter with Trump amid concern US president could oppose it Khamenei says Israel launched war to ‘overthrow system’ in IranBy Agencies and ToI Staff Iran seizes foreign tanker for smuggling 2 million liters of fuel, crew arrestedBy Agencies US university heads grilled in Congress about anti-Israel terror support on campusBy Luke TressLeaders of City University of New York, Georgetown and Berkeley hauled before lawmakers; protesters repeatedly interrupt proceedings with shouts of ‘genocide’ ToI podcast / Daily Briefing July 16: Day 649 – College heads, NYC comptroller on the mat over anti-ZionismBy Jessica Steinberg and Luke Tress Antisemitism in Ontario schools ‘dire’ and underreported, Canadian study findsBy Zev Stub