Day 315 — Friday, August 16

The Israel Defense Forces said Thursday that more than 50 tunnels discovered along the Philadelphi Corridor, along the Egypt-Gaza border area, have been demolished by combat engineers over the past week.

The military did not detail how many of the tunnels crossed into Egypt. Tunnels along the Philadelphi Corridor are believed to be used by Hamas for smuggling arms into the Strip.

IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said Thursday that the military has killed more than 17,000 terror operatives in the Gaza Strip since the beginning of the war.

He said in a press conference that the IDF’s “significant fighting” and achievements had harmed Hamas’s ability to regroup and recover. “We are determined to continue this,” he said.

In an update on Thursday morning, the military said dozens of gunmen had been killed over the past day and sites belonging to Hamas and other terror groups were destroyed in operations.

More than 30 Hamas sites, including booby-trapped buildings, tunnels, and weapon depots, were targeted in airstrikes across Gaza, according to the military.

The IDF on Thursday issued a new evacuation order for Palestinians in the Khan Younis area in the southern Gaza Strip, following recent rocket attacks on Israel.

Col. Avichay Adraee, the IDF’s Arabic-language spokesman, published a list of the zones that needed to be evacuated.

The announcement called for Palestinians in the Khan Younis suburb of al-Qarara to evacuate to the Israeli-designated humanitarian zone.

Meanwhile, in the Netzarim Corridor of central Gaza, the IDF said that several cells of gunmen were killed, and a weapons depot was destroyed in strikes during operations over the past day.

Times Of Israel

Day 315 — Friday, August 16

Police in Paris are searching for a man who verbally assaulted a Jewish family on the metro and shouted, “Hitler was right”, Ynet reported on Thursday.

The incident was filmed by a young woman who said she was complaining about the culprit to the police. The clip of the incident was posted on social media and the police said they had launched an investigation and are certain they will apprehend the man quickly.

The young woman, who was the only one present on the train who came to the defense of the Jewish family, told the police people were afraid to intervene.

“I boarded the metro and had my earphones on with music when this man came on to the train and started cursing and spitting,” she said. “He shouted at the Jewish family that all Jews should be killed. He said they were a bunch of bastards, are committing crimes against humanity and spat on them.”

France has seen a dramatic increase in incidents of antisemitism since Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel and the war in Gaza which followed.

Last month, MK Sharren Haskel revealed that her 88-year-old grandmother was violently attacked in France after she was seen wearing a Star of David necklace.

In June, a 12-year-old Jewish girl was raped in a park in the Paris suburbs. Two 13-year-old boys have been charged with rape and making antisemitic insults.

Before that, vandals painted dozens of blood-red hands on the Wall of the Righteous, a memorial for the French citizens who risked their lives to save Jews during the Second World War, at the Mémorial de la Shoah Holocaust museum in Paris.

A recently published report by the American Jewish Committee (AJC) found that French Jews live in fear of antisemitism, with a majority having directly experienced antisemitism.

Previously, CRIF, the umbrella organization of the Jewish organizations in France, published a report which found that antisemitism in France has increased by 1,000% since Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel.

Arutz Sheva

Day 314 — Thursday, August 15

A Palestinian migrant, Omar Shedhaha, who has appeared on a terror watchlist, was caught on Monday at the southern border in the United States, according to a Wednesday New York Post report.

According to the report, Shedhaha, aged 35, was on the terror watchlist for alleged previous use of explosives/firearms.

He was caught at the border in Santa Teresa, New Mexico.

In July as well, three Palestinian migrants with possible terrorist connections were detained by border agents after illegally crossing the San Diego-Mexico border, another Post report showed.

Border agents found pictures of a masked man holding an AK-47 in the phone of one of the migrants. The federal authorities also detained a Turkish migrant with suspected terror connections.

While the Post was not told what terrorist groups the migrants were affiliated with, San Diego Customs and Border Protection agents were told in October to look closely for individuals with Palestinian terror ties in the aftermath of the October 7 attack.

Jerusalem Post

Day 314 — Thursday, August 15

With Israel continuing to await the promised Iranian retaliatory attack for the alleged Israeli assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran two weeks ago, most media coverage has focused on Iran’s blustering threats and Israeli preparations.

The Iranian regime appears indecisive and is facing internal criticism, with the new government already showing signs of disarray, even before a massive cyberattack reportedly crippled the nation’s banking system on Wednesday.

According to opposition news outlet Iran International, the cyberattack significantly disrupted the operations of the Central Bank of Iran and other financial institutions, shutting down all computer systems. The attack was described as one of the largest-ever on Iran’s state infrastructure.

According to reports in Israeli media, signs were hung on ATM machines across the nation on Wednesday, which read: “Announcement by the Central Bank – Dear citizens, it is not possible to withdraw money because all the bad money and the resources were diverted to the war affairs of the corrupt regime, we are very sorry.”

Unlike similar previous cases, the government has so far not accused Israel or made any other comments, and there has been only limited corroboration of the report from social media.

Reports indicate that Israel has previously conducted several cyberattacks on Iranian state infrastructure, targeting facilities such as train stations and gas stations.

Earlier this week, the World Bank had warned the regime that a large-scale war with Israel would have catastrophic consequences for its economy, including a higher level of unemployment among youth, a decrease in foreign investment and rapid currency devaluation.

“The inevitable devaluation of the Iranian currency would reignite inflation,” the report stated. “The Iranian government would be forced to divert a significant portion of its budget to defense and military needs, at the expense of critical social and economic goals.”

Ignoring the potential consequences, and despite reports suggesting Iran could consider scrapping its retaliatory strikes if Hamas and Israel reached a ceasefire agreement, the regime’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei doubled down on Wednesday, vowing that any non-tactical retreat – whether military, political, or economic – would invite “divine wrath.”

According to Iran International, Khamenei said: “Governments that yield to the demands of today’s dominant powers, regardless of the size or strength of the nations they represent, could defy these pressures if they draw on the strength of their people and accurately assess their adversaries’ true, unembellished capabilities.”

The surprise assassination on the day of the inauguration of the regime’s new president Masoud Pezeshkian threw the new government into disarray right away. Despite vowing revenge immediately after the death of Haniyeh, over two weeks have passed without a move since then.

All Israel News 

Day 313 — Wednesday, August 14

The UN Security Council convened for an urgent session, at the request of Algeria, regarding the IDF’s strike on the Al-Taba’een school in Gaza. Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan, presented the Council with images of the Hamas terrorists who were eliminated in the school. Strongly criticizing the Council, he remarked: “You convened for these terrorists who used a school as their terror base, but for the children of Majdal Shams, murdered by Hezbollah’s rocket fire, you couldn’t find the time for an urgent session! Shame on you!”

Erdan presented the UN with images of the Hamas terrorists who were the target of the strike in Gaza, as well as images of the Israeli children who were murdered in Majdal Shams, and sharply criticized the Security Council: “The Council convened today to discuss Hamas’ false claims. Shockingly, it seems that you have decided to dedicate your time to listen to the terrorists’ lies while no real concern has been shown when Israeli children were murdered recently be Hezbollah.”

Ambassador Erdan displayed a board with the faces of the terrorists targeted in the strike, saying, “These are terrorists eliminated in Gaza on Saturday. Terrorists, exploiting using Al-Taba’een school as a base for their murderous objectives. These are the people you called an emergency session for!”

He also displayed a board with the faces of the children who were murdered by a Hezbollah missile in Majdal Shams: “While those terrorists used a school as their terror base, these children will never see their school again. But for them, you couldn’t find the time for an urgent session! Shame on you!”

In addition, he further criticized the Council for its disregard of the threat of an Iranian attack against Israel, stressing, “The most unbelievable thing is your inaction to condemn and stop the biggest danger and threat to the entire region: Iran.”

“Right now, millions of Israelis are preparing for a direct Iranian attack, just as they did in April. Iran’s aggression threatens the entire region with war. Yet, you are here wasting time on falsehoods spread by the words of terrorists.

Arutz Sheva

Day 312 — Tuesday, August 13

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Iranian counterpart Ali Bagheri Kani on Sunday that the Chinese Communist Party supports Iran “defending its sovereignty, security and national dignity” prior to an expected Iranian attack on Israel.

The Iranian Islamist regime has been threatening a large-scale attack on Israel for nearly two weeks in response to the killing of Hamas “political” leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31. An explosion in Haniyeh’s lodgings eliminated the terror chief during a visit to Iran for the inauguration of current President Masoud Pezeshkian. The elimination of such a high-ranking terrorist leader under the security of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a U.S.-designated terrorist organization, was a major embarrassment for the Iranian regime.

No country, including Israel, or other entity has taken responsibility for the explosion, but Iranian officials were quick to claim that Israeli forces, with American aid, executed the attack. IRGC leaders have been promising to rain down Iran’s “holy wrath” on the Jewish state since the assassination, but have yet to conduct any known attack at press time.

In the context of highly elevated tensions between Israel and Iran, exacerbated by Iran’s belligerent remarks, the Chinese government moved to lend its support to the world’s premier sponsor of terrorism, which is believed to spend $100 million a year on Palestinian terrorists such as Hamas.

“China supports Iran in defending its sovereignty, security and national dignity in accordance with the law, and supports the Iranian side in its efforts to maintain regional peace and stability,” Wang reportedly told Bagheri, according to the Chinese government newspaper Global Times.

“Wang said that China has always upheld justice in Middle East affairs and supported all parties in safeguarding their legitimate rights and interests,” the newspaper continued, “especially in supporting the restoration of the legitimate national rights of the Palestinians.”

On Haniyeh’s killing, Wang reportedly said that China “firmly opposes and strongly condemns the act of assassination and considers it a serious violation of the basic norms of international relations.”

Wang further described the incident with Haniyeh as “a grave infringement on Iran’s sovereignty, security and dignity, and a direct undermining of the cease-fire negotiation process in Gaza, as well as an impact on regional peace and stability.”

The Chinese outlet reported that Bagheri thanked Wang for China’s support and affirmed that Iran was planning to “resolutely defend its national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.” PressTV, and Iranian state outlet, quoted Kani, stating on social media, that he told Wang Iran has a “legal right to an appropriate and deterrent reaction to guarantee the stability and security of the region.”

The Hong-Kong-based South China Morning Post noted that Wang’s call with Bagheri was the first since Haniyeh’s death. The Chinese government kept close communication with Haniyeh and was in the process of attempting to detoxify Hamas by hosting meetings with other Palestinian groups when the Tehran explosion occurred.

Iran has provided no evidence for Israel being behind the explosion that killed Haniyeh and has controversially claimed that some sort of airstrike was responsible for the attack, which would have required the violation of Iranian airspace. It has rejected an alternative explanation posed by the New York Times, citing Mideast officials: that the actors responsible infiltrated the IRGC and planted a bomb in room Haniyeh was staying in during the inauguration as early as two months before his visit, then detonated it remotely. The IRGC has flatly rejected this explanation and the assumption that the IRGC failed to protect itself from infiltration.

While the Israeli government has not commented on the incident, the administration of leftist President Joe Biden has openly denied any role in the Hamas chief’s killing.

“This is something we were not aware of or involved in,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on July 31.

Biden himself appeared to condemn the attack, claiming “it has not helped” attempts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza.

Iranian officials have been promising a large-scale attack on Israel since Haniyeh’s death. Reports on Sunday evening indicated that the Israeli government is now expected Iran to fulfill that threat “within days,” the Times of Israel alleged, rather than allowing its proxy terrorist organization Hezbollah to conduct the attacks.

China has invested heavily in elevating its geopolitical profile in the Middle East through support for the region’s Islamists and criticism of Israeli self-defense operations. Beijing has sought out deeper relations with Iran in particular, facilitating its entry into the anti-American BRICS geopolitical bloc and increasing investment into the country. In February, the head of Iran’s foreign investment management agency said that was investing ten times more capital into Iran in 2024 than it was a year prior.

Breitbart

Day 312 — Tuesday, August 13

Nothing brings clearer definition to the stage being set for Bible prophecy than the issues and events swirling around God’s chosen nation.

At the moment, Israel is exacting a heavy price for atrocities perpetrated by Iran’s proxy terrorist organizations. The most recent is the assassination of murderous terrorist leaders in Beirut and Teheran. Especially troubling is Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh being blown up with a detonation in his room.

The attack was at first thought to be a drone strike by Israel; now it’s been found to be an explosive device inside Haniyeh’s bedroom. The occurrence was said to be an “inside job.” Regardless, Israel is seen as being responsible for the assassination, and no doubt that is a correct assumption.

Haniyeh is said to be responsible for planning and implementing the attack and murder of twelve children as they played soccer, when a rocket‘s warhead exploded on the field. The act so enraged Israel’s government that they broke away from their normal ways of retaliation, going not to a proxy nation, but straight to Teheran to take out the head terrorist.

At first, it seemed that the explosive was planted in Haniyeh’s room two months in advance of its detonation and was ignited only when he was known to be occupying that space. This would indicate almost prescient thinking on behalf of Israel’s assassination units, and the thought of that foreknowledge apparently had the terrorists and their associate evil regime in Iran going a bit “nutso.”

The ayatollahs and others say it is an act of war, with Israel striking directly into Iran. It opens up a new level of hostility, and Iran’s regime threatens all-out war.

In view of all this, the Biden administration has sent naval ships in that direction in anticipation of a greatly expanded conflict in the region.

It is interesting to see that things are ramping up between Israel and its blood-vowed enemy, Iran, with this unprecedented attack by Israel against Tehran itself. At the same time, another nation-state actor that’s part of the coalition that will comprise the Gog-Magog assault has interjected an equally fascinating element that brings that prophecy into ever-sharpening focus.

Day 312 — Tuesday, August 13

Monday evening marked the beginning of the observance of Tisha B’Av, or, the Ninth of Av. Tisha B’Av is recognized as one of the saddest days on the Hebrew calendar, as it commemorates the destruction of the first two temples in Jewish history, not to mention several other tragic events.

Also commemorated on this date is the Bar Kochba Revolt in 133 A.D., when the Jews fell to the Romans, followed by the plowing of the Temple Mount exactly one year later. Additionally, the expulsion of England’s Jews in 1290 and the banishment of all Jews from Spain in 1492 fell on this very day in history. Interestingly enough, the temples were both destroyed on the same calendar date in history, the ninth of Av, 657 years apart.

Coincidence? Not likely.

The first temple, the Solomonic temple (built by King Solomon, David’s son), was destroyed by the Babylonians in 587 B.C. after the Jews had been exiled to Babylon under King Nebuchadnezzar II. The second temple, the Herodian temple, was destroyed in 70 A.D. at the hands of the Romans when they sieged Jerusalem – an event that Jesus Himself foretold (Matthew 24:1-2). The reasoning for the destruction of the first temple, sadly, was due to the nation’s sin, which resulted in exile from the land for 70 years (Jeremiah 29:10, Daniel 9:2). As previously mentioned, the second temple was destroyed when the Romans sieged Jerusalem, ultimately leading to the diaspora of the Jewish people which was foretold by the prophets.

While the past temples are of great significance both biblically and historically, the series of temples has not run its course. If you ever go on a trip to Israel, and more specifically, the Old City, you can find your way to the Temple Institute. Within this institute, it will become abundantly clear that the Jewish people are beyond ready to construct their third temple.

Day 311 — Monday, August 12

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed his cabinet not to publicly discuss security matters in the coming days amid the tense wait for Iran and Hezbollah’s retribution for the elimination of Ismail Haniyeh and Fuad Shukr, Kan Reshet Bet reported on Monday.

“These are fateful days,” Netanyahu told the ministers and asked them to remain silent on matters of defense.

Jerusalem is preparing for an Iranian attack that is more extensive than the previous one in April.

Israeli officials now estimate that the Iranians are bent on attacking, despite recent reports that they have backed down from their threats due to diplomatic pressure.

It is understood that Iran has returned to its promises as it has threatened since the elimination of Ismail Haniyeh.

On Sunday night, the Pentagon announced US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin had ordered the deployment of a guided missile submarine and the Abraham Lincoln strike group to the Middle East.

The announcement was made in a statement summarizing a phone call between Austin and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

Arutz Sheva

Day 311 — Monday, August 12

A young Jewish man was stabbed early Saturday morning near the Chabad movement’s headquarters in New York City by a man yelling “Free Palestine,” according to a local rabbi who said he knows the victim, as well as CCTV footage of the incident published online.

Yaacov Behrman tweeted that during Shabbat, the young male attacker asked the man: “Do you want to die?” He then stabbed him.

The victim was taken to the hospital and is expected to make a full recovery, Behrman said.

A video of the incident posted online showed the assailant approaching a group of young Jewish men in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn and then stabbing one of them. The victim was seen looking down, apparently at his injuries, but remained standing.

Behrman said other community members chased the attacker and pinned him down until police arrived and arrested him.

“This is an extremely serious incident,” Behrman said. “The victim could have been killed. This act of hateful violence highlights the dangerous impact of anti-Semitic incitement and hate propagated by some local politicians and leaders in New York and across the United States.”

Times Of Israel

Day 310 — Sunday, August 11

An Israeli airstrike conducted on Saturday drew public outcry as news outlets and world leaders once again reported grossly inflated numbers provided by Hamas pertaining to the death toll of the operation.

The strike was carried out on a school in Gaza City, with the terrorist organization claiming over 90 individuals were killed in the incident. Experts and Israeli intelligence, however, are disputing that claim, highlighting the precise nature in which the airstrike was carried out.

“Maybe 20 people were killed, not 100 and not 90,” Former Israeli prime minister adviser Ruthie Blum told Newsmax. “Second of all, it was so targeted that only one floor in that complex was hit, and it was only the floor on which terrorists men were located. And there are films of it. So the fact that Israel is blamed every time there’s rubble in Gaza, we know that, but these were incredibly precise strikes.”

The IDF confirmed the accuracy of Blum’s assessment Saturday evening, providing a list of 19 Hamas and PIJ terrorists who were killed in a command center set up within the school. The IDF further noted that the strike was carried out through the use of three “precision munitions” which “could not have caused the damage that corresponds to the casualty reports of the government media office in Gaza.”

“Increasingly in recent months, Hamas has focused on exploiting school buildings, often where civilians are sheltering inside, to use them as military facilities, command and control centers, for storing weapons, and to execute terrorist attacks,” the IDF underscored in a statement. “After we received clear intelligence of the threat posed by these terrorists, and in accordance with international humanitarian law, we took numerous steps to mitigate the risk to civilians. The IDF conducted a precision strike against the terrorists in one specific building of the compound—an area where according to our intelligence, no women and children were present.”

Harbinger’s Staff

Day 309 — Saturday, August 10

Three deans at Columbia University have resigned from their positions after they engaged in a texting exchange that “disturbingly touched on ancient antisemitic tropes.”

Susan Chang-Kim, vice dean and chief administrative officer, Matthew Patashnick, associate dean for student and family support, and Cristen Kromm, dean of undergraduate student life, all have stepped down.

The resignations came after President Dr. Minouche Shafik and provost Angela Olinto wrote a letter on July 8 to the campus community that addressed actions taken against three administrators who were involved in the text message exchanges on May 31.

“I am writing today to update our campus community on the actions the University is taking following an incident in which senior administrators in Columbia College engaged in very troubling text message exchanges during a Reunion Weekend event entitled ‘Jewish Life on Campus: Past, Present, and Future,’“ the letter reads.

The president explained further that the incident “revealed behavior and sentiments” that were “unprofessional” and “disturbingly touched on ancient antisemitic tropes.”

Furthermore, Columbia University officials planned to launch a “vigorous program” of antisemitism and antidiscrimination training for faculty and staff in the fall.

Chang-Kim, Patashnick and Kromm were “permanently removed” and had been placed on leave since June.

All three administrators criticized an antisemitism panel on May 31 in a text message exchange, The Washington Free Beacon first reported. Patashnick said one of the panelists was trying “to take full advantage of this moment. Huge fundraising potential.” Kromm texted vomiting emojis about a rabbi’s op-ed and wrote, “Amazing what $$$$ can do,” according to the Free Beacon.

At another point, Chang-Kim said Jewish students voicing concerns about antisemitism were doing so from “such a place of privilege.”

The texts eventually gained the attention of Congress, which has been investigating antisemitism on college campuses.

Columbia University was among several universities across the U.S. rocked by protests amid the Gaza conflict. The protests there escalated so strongly that police had to step on campus to eject students after they occupied Hamilton Hall, in a humiliating episode for the elite school.

Five Columbia students and graduates filed a class-action lawsuit last month against organizers and supporters of the anti-Israel encampments.

fox news

Day 315 — Friday, August 16

The Israel Defense Forces said Thursday that more than 50 tunnels discovered along the Philadelphi Corridor, along the Egypt-Gaza border area, have been demolished by combat engineers over the past week.

The military did not detail how many of the tunnels crossed into Egypt. Tunnels along the Philadelphi Corridor are believed to be used by Hamas for smuggling arms into the Strip.

IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said Thursday that the military has killed more than 17,000 terror operatives in the Gaza Strip since the beginning of the war.

He said in a press conference that the IDF’s “significant fighting” and achievements had harmed Hamas’s ability to regroup and recover. “We are determined to continue this,” he said.

In an update on Thursday morning, the military said dozens of gunmen had been killed over the past day and sites belonging to Hamas and other terror groups were destroyed in operations.

More than 30 Hamas sites, including booby-trapped buildings, tunnels, and weapon depots, were targeted in airstrikes across Gaza, according to the military.

The IDF on Thursday issued a new evacuation order for Palestinians in the Khan Younis area in the southern Gaza Strip, following recent rocket attacks on Israel.

Col. Avichay Adraee, the IDF’s Arabic-language spokesman, published a list of the zones that needed to be evacuated.

The announcement called for Palestinians in the Khan Younis suburb of al-Qarara to evacuate to the Israeli-designated humanitarian zone.

Meanwhile, in the Netzarim Corridor of central Gaza, the IDF said that several cells of gunmen were killed, and a weapons depot was destroyed in strikes during operations over the past day.

Times Of Israel

Day 315 — Friday, August 16

Police in Paris are searching for a man who verbally assaulted a Jewish family on the metro and shouted, “Hitler was right”, Ynet reported on Thursday.

The incident was filmed by a young woman who said she was complaining about the culprit to the police. The clip of the incident was posted on social media and the police said they had launched an investigation and are certain they will apprehend the man quickly.

The young woman, who was the only one present on the train who came to the defense of the Jewish family, told the police people were afraid to intervene.

“I boarded the metro and had my earphones on with music when this man came on to the train and started cursing and spitting,” she said. “He shouted at the Jewish family that all Jews should be killed. He said they were a bunch of bastards, are committing crimes against humanity and spat on them.”

France has seen a dramatic increase in incidents of antisemitism since Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel and the war in Gaza which followed.

Last month, MK Sharren Haskel revealed that her 88-year-old grandmother was violently attacked in France after she was seen wearing a Star of David necklace.

In June, a 12-year-old Jewish girl was raped in a park in the Paris suburbs. Two 13-year-old boys have been charged with rape and making antisemitic insults.

Before that, vandals painted dozens of blood-red hands on the Wall of the Righteous, a memorial for the French citizens who risked their lives to save Jews during the Second World War, at the Mémorial de la Shoah Holocaust museum in Paris.

A recently published report by the American Jewish Committee (AJC) found that French Jews live in fear of antisemitism, with a majority having directly experienced antisemitism.

Previously, CRIF, the umbrella organization of the Jewish organizations in France, published a report which found that antisemitism in France has increased by 1,000% since Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel.

Arutz Sheva

Day 314 — Thursday, August 15

A Palestinian migrant, Omar Shedhaha, who has appeared on a terror watchlist, was caught on Monday at the southern border in the United States, according to a Wednesday New York Post report.

According to the report, Shedhaha, aged 35, was on the terror watchlist for alleged previous use of explosives/firearms.

He was caught at the border in Santa Teresa, New Mexico.

In July as well, three Palestinian migrants with possible terrorist connections were detained by border agents after illegally crossing the San Diego-Mexico border, another Post report showed.

Border agents found pictures of a masked man holding an AK-47 in the phone of one of the migrants. The federal authorities also detained a Turkish migrant with suspected terror connections.

While the Post was not told what terrorist groups the migrants were affiliated with, San Diego Customs and Border Protection agents were told in October to look closely for individuals with Palestinian terror ties in the aftermath of the October 7 attack.

Jerusalem Post

Day 314 — Thursday, August 15

With Israel continuing to await the promised Iranian retaliatory attack for the alleged Israeli assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran two weeks ago, most media coverage has focused on Iran’s blustering threats and Israeli preparations.

The Iranian regime appears indecisive and is facing internal criticism, with the new government already showing signs of disarray, even before a massive cyberattack reportedly crippled the nation’s banking system on Wednesday.

According to opposition news outlet Iran International, the cyberattack significantly disrupted the operations of the Central Bank of Iran and other financial institutions, shutting down all computer systems. The attack was described as one of the largest-ever on Iran’s state infrastructure.

According to reports in Israeli media, signs were hung on ATM machines across the nation on Wednesday, which read: “Announcement by the Central Bank – Dear citizens, it is not possible to withdraw money because all the bad money and the resources were diverted to the war affairs of the corrupt regime, we are very sorry.”

Unlike similar previous cases, the government has so far not accused Israel or made any other comments, and there has been only limited corroboration of the report from social media.

Reports indicate that Israel has previously conducted several cyberattacks on Iranian state infrastructure, targeting facilities such as train stations and gas stations.

Earlier this week, the World Bank had warned the regime that a large-scale war with Israel would have catastrophic consequences for its economy, including a higher level of unemployment among youth, a decrease in foreign investment and rapid currency devaluation.

“The inevitable devaluation of the Iranian currency would reignite inflation,” the report stated. “The Iranian government would be forced to divert a significant portion of its budget to defense and military needs, at the expense of critical social and economic goals.”

Ignoring the potential consequences, and despite reports suggesting Iran could consider scrapping its retaliatory strikes if Hamas and Israel reached a ceasefire agreement, the regime’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei doubled down on Wednesday, vowing that any non-tactical retreat – whether military, political, or economic – would invite “divine wrath.”

According to Iran International, Khamenei said: “Governments that yield to the demands of today’s dominant powers, regardless of the size or strength of the nations they represent, could defy these pressures if they draw on the strength of their people and accurately assess their adversaries’ true, unembellished capabilities.”

The surprise assassination on the day of the inauguration of the regime’s new president Masoud Pezeshkian threw the new government into disarray right away. Despite vowing revenge immediately after the death of Haniyeh, over two weeks have passed without a move since then.

All Israel News 

Day 313 — Wednesday, August 14

The UN Security Council convened for an urgent session, at the request of Algeria, regarding the IDF’s strike on the Al-Taba’een school in Gaza. Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan, presented the Council with images of the Hamas terrorists who were eliminated in the school. Strongly criticizing the Council, he remarked: “You convened for these terrorists who used a school as their terror base, but for the children of Majdal Shams, murdered by Hezbollah’s rocket fire, you couldn’t find the time for an urgent session! Shame on you!”

Erdan presented the UN with images of the Hamas terrorists who were the target of the strike in Gaza, as well as images of the Israeli children who were murdered in Majdal Shams, and sharply criticized the Security Council: “The Council convened today to discuss Hamas’ false claims. Shockingly, it seems that you have decided to dedicate your time to listen to the terrorists’ lies while no real concern has been shown when Israeli children were murdered recently be Hezbollah.”

Ambassador Erdan displayed a board with the faces of the terrorists targeted in the strike, saying, “These are terrorists eliminated in Gaza on Saturday. Terrorists, exploiting using Al-Taba’een school as a base for their murderous objectives. These are the people you called an emergency session for!”

He also displayed a board with the faces of the children who were murdered by a Hezbollah missile in Majdal Shams: “While those terrorists used a school as their terror base, these children will never see their school again. But for them, you couldn’t find the time for an urgent session! Shame on you!”

In addition, he further criticized the Council for its disregard of the threat of an Iranian attack against Israel, stressing, “The most unbelievable thing is your inaction to condemn and stop the biggest danger and threat to the entire region: Iran.”

“Right now, millions of Israelis are preparing for a direct Iranian attack, just as they did in April. Iran’s aggression threatens the entire region with war. Yet, you are here wasting time on falsehoods spread by the words of terrorists.

Arutz Sheva

Day 312 — Tuesday, August 13

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Iranian counterpart Ali Bagheri Kani on Sunday that the Chinese Communist Party supports Iran “defending its sovereignty, security and national dignity” prior to an expected Iranian attack on Israel.

The Iranian Islamist regime has been threatening a large-scale attack on Israel for nearly two weeks in response to the killing of Hamas “political” leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31. An explosion in Haniyeh’s lodgings eliminated the terror chief during a visit to Iran for the inauguration of current President Masoud Pezeshkian. The elimination of such a high-ranking terrorist leader under the security of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a U.S.-designated terrorist organization, was a major embarrassment for the Iranian regime.

No country, including Israel, or other entity has taken responsibility for the explosion, but Iranian officials were quick to claim that Israeli forces, with American aid, executed the attack. IRGC leaders have been promising to rain down Iran’s “holy wrath” on the Jewish state since the assassination, but have yet to conduct any known attack at press time.

In the context of highly elevated tensions between Israel and Iran, exacerbated by Iran’s belligerent remarks, the Chinese government moved to lend its support to the world’s premier sponsor of terrorism, which is believed to spend $100 million a year on Palestinian terrorists such as Hamas.

“China supports Iran in defending its sovereignty, security and national dignity in accordance with the law, and supports the Iranian side in its efforts to maintain regional peace and stability,” Wang reportedly told Bagheri, according to the Chinese government newspaper Global Times.

“Wang said that China has always upheld justice in Middle East affairs and supported all parties in safeguarding their legitimate rights and interests,” the newspaper continued, “especially in supporting the restoration of the legitimate national rights of the Palestinians.”

On Haniyeh’s killing, Wang reportedly said that China “firmly opposes and strongly condemns the act of assassination and considers it a serious violation of the basic norms of international relations.”

Wang further described the incident with Haniyeh as “a grave infringement on Iran’s sovereignty, security and dignity, and a direct undermining of the cease-fire negotiation process in Gaza, as well as an impact on regional peace and stability.”

The Chinese outlet reported that Bagheri thanked Wang for China’s support and affirmed that Iran was planning to “resolutely defend its national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.” PressTV, and Iranian state outlet, quoted Kani, stating on social media, that he told Wang Iran has a “legal right to an appropriate and deterrent reaction to guarantee the stability and security of the region.”

The Hong-Kong-based South China Morning Post noted that Wang’s call with Bagheri was the first since Haniyeh’s death. The Chinese government kept close communication with Haniyeh and was in the process of attempting to detoxify Hamas by hosting meetings with other Palestinian groups when the Tehran explosion occurred.

Iran has provided no evidence for Israel being behind the explosion that killed Haniyeh and has controversially claimed that some sort of airstrike was responsible for the attack, which would have required the violation of Iranian airspace. It has rejected an alternative explanation posed by the New York Times, citing Mideast officials: that the actors responsible infiltrated the IRGC and planted a bomb in room Haniyeh was staying in during the inauguration as early as two months before his visit, then detonated it remotely. The IRGC has flatly rejected this explanation and the assumption that the IRGC failed to protect itself from infiltration.

While the Israeli government has not commented on the incident, the administration of leftist President Joe Biden has openly denied any role in the Hamas chief’s killing.

“This is something we were not aware of or involved in,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on July 31.

Biden himself appeared to condemn the attack, claiming “it has not helped” attempts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza.

Iranian officials have been promising a large-scale attack on Israel since Haniyeh’s death. Reports on Sunday evening indicated that the Israeli government is now expected Iran to fulfill that threat “within days,” the Times of Israel alleged, rather than allowing its proxy terrorist organization Hezbollah to conduct the attacks.

China has invested heavily in elevating its geopolitical profile in the Middle East through support for the region’s Islamists and criticism of Israeli self-defense operations. Beijing has sought out deeper relations with Iran in particular, facilitating its entry into the anti-American BRICS geopolitical bloc and increasing investment into the country. In February, the head of Iran’s foreign investment management agency said that was investing ten times more capital into Iran in 2024 than it was a year prior.

Breitbart

Day 312 — Tuesday, August 13

Nothing brings clearer definition to the stage being set for Bible prophecy than the issues and events swirling around God’s chosen nation.

At the moment, Israel is exacting a heavy price for atrocities perpetrated by Iran’s proxy terrorist organizations. The most recent is the assassination of murderous terrorist leaders in Beirut and Teheran. Especially troubling is Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh being blown up with a detonation in his room.

The attack was at first thought to be a drone strike by Israel; now it’s been found to be an explosive device inside Haniyeh’s bedroom. The occurrence was said to be an “inside job.” Regardless, Israel is seen as being responsible for the assassination, and no doubt that is a correct assumption.

Haniyeh is said to be responsible for planning and implementing the attack and murder of twelve children as they played soccer, when a rocket‘s warhead exploded on the field. The act so enraged Israel’s government that they broke away from their normal ways of retaliation, going not to a proxy nation, but straight to Teheran to take out the head terrorist.

At first, it seemed that the explosive was planted in Haniyeh’s room two months in advance of its detonation and was ignited only when he was known to be occupying that space. This would indicate almost prescient thinking on behalf of Israel’s assassination units, and the thought of that foreknowledge apparently had the terrorists and their associate evil regime in Iran going a bit “nutso.”

The ayatollahs and others say it is an act of war, with Israel striking directly into Iran. It opens up a new level of hostility, and Iran’s regime threatens all-out war.

In view of all this, the Biden administration has sent naval ships in that direction in anticipation of a greatly expanded conflict in the region.

It is interesting to see that things are ramping up between Israel and its blood-vowed enemy, Iran, with this unprecedented attack by Israel against Tehran itself. At the same time, another nation-state actor that’s part of the coalition that will comprise the Gog-Magog assault has interjected an equally fascinating element that brings that prophecy into ever-sharpening focus.

Day 312 — Tuesday, August 13

Monday evening marked the beginning of the observance of Tisha B’Av, or, the Ninth of Av. Tisha B’Av is recognized as one of the saddest days on the Hebrew calendar, as it commemorates the destruction of the first two temples in Jewish history, not to mention several other tragic events.

Also commemorated on this date is the Bar Kochba Revolt in 133 A.D., when the Jews fell to the Romans, followed by the plowing of the Temple Mount exactly one year later. Additionally, the expulsion of England’s Jews in 1290 and the banishment of all Jews from Spain in 1492 fell on this very day in history. Interestingly enough, the temples were both destroyed on the same calendar date in history, the ninth of Av, 657 years apart.

Coincidence? Not likely.

The first temple, the Solomonic temple (built by King Solomon, David’s son), was destroyed by the Babylonians in 587 B.C. after the Jews had been exiled to Babylon under King Nebuchadnezzar II. The second temple, the Herodian temple, was destroyed in 70 A.D. at the hands of the Romans when they sieged Jerusalem – an event that Jesus Himself foretold (Matthew 24:1-2). The reasoning for the destruction of the first temple, sadly, was due to the nation’s sin, which resulted in exile from the land for 70 years (Jeremiah 29:10, Daniel 9:2). As previously mentioned, the second temple was destroyed when the Romans sieged Jerusalem, ultimately leading to the diaspora of the Jewish people which was foretold by the prophets.

While the past temples are of great significance both biblically and historically, the series of temples has not run its course. If you ever go on a trip to Israel, and more specifically, the Old City, you can find your way to the Temple Institute. Within this institute, it will become abundantly clear that the Jewish people are beyond ready to construct their third temple.

Day 311 — Monday, August 12

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed his cabinet not to publicly discuss security matters in the coming days amid the tense wait for Iran and Hezbollah’s retribution for the elimination of Ismail Haniyeh and Fuad Shukr, Kan Reshet Bet reported on Monday.

“These are fateful days,” Netanyahu told the ministers and asked them to remain silent on matters of defense.

Jerusalem is preparing for an Iranian attack that is more extensive than the previous one in April.

Israeli officials now estimate that the Iranians are bent on attacking, despite recent reports that they have backed down from their threats due to diplomatic pressure.

It is understood that Iran has returned to its promises as it has threatened since the elimination of Ismail Haniyeh.

On Sunday night, the Pentagon announced US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin had ordered the deployment of a guided missile submarine and the Abraham Lincoln strike group to the Middle East.

The announcement was made in a statement summarizing a phone call between Austin and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

Arutz Sheva

Day 311 — Monday, August 12

A young Jewish man was stabbed early Saturday morning near the Chabad movement’s headquarters in New York City by a man yelling “Free Palestine,” according to a local rabbi who said he knows the victim, as well as CCTV footage of the incident published online.

Yaacov Behrman tweeted that during Shabbat, the young male attacker asked the man: “Do you want to die?” He then stabbed him.

The victim was taken to the hospital and is expected to make a full recovery, Behrman said.

A video of the incident posted online showed the assailant approaching a group of young Jewish men in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn and then stabbing one of them. The victim was seen looking down, apparently at his injuries, but remained standing.

Behrman said other community members chased the attacker and pinned him down until police arrived and arrested him.

“This is an extremely serious incident,” Behrman said. “The victim could have been killed. This act of hateful violence highlights the dangerous impact of anti-Semitic incitement and hate propagated by some local politicians and leaders in New York and across the United States.”

Times Of Israel

Day 310 — Sunday, August 11

An Israeli airstrike conducted on Saturday drew public outcry as news outlets and world leaders once again reported grossly inflated numbers provided by Hamas pertaining to the death toll of the operation.

The strike was carried out on a school in Gaza City, with the terrorist organization claiming over 90 individuals were killed in the incident. Experts and Israeli intelligence, however, are disputing that claim, highlighting the precise nature in which the airstrike was carried out.

“Maybe 20 people were killed, not 100 and not 90,” Former Israeli prime minister adviser Ruthie Blum told Newsmax. “Second of all, it was so targeted that only one floor in that complex was hit, and it was only the floor on which terrorists men were located. And there are films of it. So the fact that Israel is blamed every time there’s rubble in Gaza, we know that, but these were incredibly precise strikes.”

The IDF confirmed the accuracy of Blum’s assessment Saturday evening, providing a list of 19 Hamas and PIJ terrorists who were killed in a command center set up within the school. The IDF further noted that the strike was carried out through the use of three “precision munitions” which “could not have caused the damage that corresponds to the casualty reports of the government media office in Gaza.”

“Increasingly in recent months, Hamas has focused on exploiting school buildings, often where civilians are sheltering inside, to use them as military facilities, command and control centers, for storing weapons, and to execute terrorist attacks,” the IDF underscored in a statement. “After we received clear intelligence of the threat posed by these terrorists, and in accordance with international humanitarian law, we took numerous steps to mitigate the risk to civilians. The IDF conducted a precision strike against the terrorists in one specific building of the compound—an area where according to our intelligence, no women and children were present.”

Harbinger’s Staff

Day 309 — Saturday, August 10

Three deans at Columbia University have resigned from their positions after they engaged in a texting exchange that “disturbingly touched on ancient antisemitic tropes.”

Susan Chang-Kim, vice dean and chief administrative officer, Matthew Patashnick, associate dean for student and family support, and Cristen Kromm, dean of undergraduate student life, all have stepped down.

The resignations came after President Dr. Minouche Shafik and provost Angela Olinto wrote a letter on July 8 to the campus community that addressed actions taken against three administrators who were involved in the text message exchanges on May 31.

“I am writing today to update our campus community on the actions the University is taking following an incident in which senior administrators in Columbia College engaged in very troubling text message exchanges during a Reunion Weekend event entitled ‘Jewish Life on Campus: Past, Present, and Future,’“ the letter reads.

The president explained further that the incident “revealed behavior and sentiments” that were “unprofessional” and “disturbingly touched on ancient antisemitic tropes.”

Furthermore, Columbia University officials planned to launch a “vigorous program” of antisemitism and antidiscrimination training for faculty and staff in the fall.

Chang-Kim, Patashnick and Kromm were “permanently removed” and had been placed on leave since June.

All three administrators criticized an antisemitism panel on May 31 in a text message exchange, The Washington Free Beacon first reported. Patashnick said one of the panelists was trying “to take full advantage of this moment. Huge fundraising potential.” Kromm texted vomiting emojis about a rabbi’s op-ed and wrote, “Amazing what $$$$ can do,” according to the Free Beacon.

At another point, Chang-Kim said Jewish students voicing concerns about antisemitism were doing so from “such a place of privilege.”

The texts eventually gained the attention of Congress, which has been investigating antisemitism on college campuses.

Columbia University was among several universities across the U.S. rocked by protests amid the Gaza conflict. The protests there escalated so strongly that police had to step on campus to eject students after they occupied Hamilton Hall, in a humiliating episode for the elite school.

Five Columbia students and graduates filed a class-action lawsuit last month against organizers and supporters of the anti-Israel encampments.

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