Gut Vuch & Shavuah Tov to all!

Iran Reportedly Launches Missiles Toward U.S.-Escorted Vessels

Iran has reportedly fired anti-ship cruise missiles from southern Iran toward vessels traveling under U.S. protection through the U.S.-backed southern corridor of the Strait of Hormuz, according to multiple preliminary reports.

The activity comes as significant U.S. military operations are being reported over the strategic waterway. At least five U.S. Air Force KC-135 and KC-46A aerial refueling tankers, along with two Navy P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, have reportedly been operating in the area.

Israeli Forces Eliminate Hamas Operatives in Jenin and Gaza

An Israeli Air Force strike in the Jenin area killed Hamas operative Qais Bitawi and two associates on Friday in a joint IDF and Shin Bet operation based on intelligence gathered by the security agency.

Israeli officials said Bitawi was a senior Hamas figure in the Jenin refugee camp who had been involved in organizing, financing and directing attacks against Israeli civilians and security personnel. He was also accused of maintaining connections with Hamas leadership in Gaza and abroad.

The operation was launched after Israeli forces located Bitawi. He and two other suspects were struck shortly after leaving a vehicle near a building. Weapons were subsequently discovered inside the vehicle.

Bitawi was reportedly related to Nour Bitawi, a former commander of the Jenin terrorist network who was killed by Israeli forces in May 2025.

In Gaza, the IDF said it struck a Hamas military commander in Deir al-Balah who had been working to rebuild the group’s capabilities and advance attacks against Israeli troops and civilians, despite the ceasefire.

The commander was reportedly operating from the grounds of Shuhada Al-Aqsa Hospital. The IDF accused Hamas of continuing to use medical facilities and other humanitarian infrastructure for military activity.

Israeli officials said medical authorities in Gaza had been warned on August 27 that terrorist activity from medical facilities would prompt military action.

Additional IDF strikes reportedly killed Hamas figures Hani Abd al-Hai Fakhri Mazloum, a Nukba company commander, and Hassan Zidan Hassan Deiri, a sniper. The two were also accused of supplying and trafficking weapons for Hamas and continuing efforts to rebuild its military capabilities.

Another Hamas commander, Ibrahim Nabil Ibrahim Bass, was killed in the Al-Shati area. The IDF said Bass had previously infiltrated Israel and participated in the October 7 massacre.

In a separate operation in the Sabra area, Israeli forces killed Hamdi Ahmad Hamid Kahlil, an observation platoon commander for Palestinian Islamic Jihad. The IDF said both Bass and Kahlil had continued efforts to restore terrorist capabilities and facilitate attacks against Israeli forces and civilians.

U.S. Reportedly Preparing to End Military Aid to Kurdish Peshmerga

The Trump administration is reportedly preparing to end U.S. military assistance to the Kurdistan Regional Government’s Peshmerga forces when the current agreement expires September 30, according to the BBC.

The potential policy shift could mark a significant change in Washington’s military relationship with Kurdish forces that have played an important role in combating ISIS.

Ben-Gvir Challenges Netanyahu Over Reported Political Merger Talks

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has publicly confronted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over reports that Religious Zionist Party leader Bezalel Smotrich and Moshe Feiglin are discussing a possible political merger.

Ben-Gvir questioned whether Netanyahu and Smotrich had deliberately promoted calls for unity with his party as a tactic to pressure Feiglin during the negotiations.

“It’s one thing to boycott events I attend,” Ben-Gvir said, questioning whether the public unity push was simply a political maneuver. He ended his criticism with a pointed reminder: “My name is Itamar Ben-Gvir, not Benny Gantz.”

Political analyst Amit Segal said the dispute represents an escalation within Netanyahu’s political bloc. Segal also reported that Netanyahu was not aware of or involved in the Smotrich-Feiglin negotiations, raising questions about the prime minister’s influence over the parties that make up his coalition.

Israeli Political Alliances Continue to Shift

Meanwhile, tensions surrounding the political debate over the E1 area have become part of a broader dispute between Naftali Bennett and Gadi Eisenkot. One argument being raised is that politicians who oppose the creation of a Palestinian state should support Israeli construction in E1.

Separately, former UN ambassador Gilad Erdan and Benny Gantz have met as discussions over a potential political merger reportedly move forward, with negotiations expected to accelerate in the coming days.

Besuros Tovos!