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The Daily Edition

What Matters Most On Friday, May 9, 2025

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US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee holds a press conference at the US Embassy in Jerusalem, May 9, 2025. (Oren Ben Hakoon/Flash90)

Defense Sec. Hegseth said to cancel plans for Israel visit

US envoy says Trump-backed Gaza aid mechanism to take effect soon, denies rift with Israel

By Reuters, Lazar Berman, Jacob Magid and ToI Staff

Mike Huckabee says IDF involvement in aid plan will be limited to securing aid distribution zones; stresses that many challenges remain in carrying out effort

Palestinian boys salvage bread from a makeshift bakery hit in Israeli strikes at the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip on May 8, 2025. (Eyad BABA / AFP)

Israel plans to initially only feed 60% of Gazans, as they endure ‘extreme deprivation’

US Army soldiers stand at the US-built floating pier Trident backdropped by the coast of the Gaza Strip, June 25, 2024. (AP/Leo Correa)

Pentagon reveals 62 US troops – not 3 – were hurt during operation of Gaza aid pier

By Reuters and ToI Staff

Inside Story

Israel claims it’s promoting Palestinian emigration from Gaza. So why are so few leaving?

Despite saying it would act on Trump’s plan to depopulate the Strip, Israel has allowed around 600 people out since March, after months-long efforts by humanitarian groups and foreign governments

Gazan patients and their family members board flights to Italy and Romania on March 19, 2025. (Twitter/ used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Act)

Demonstrators raise placards during an anti-government protest calling for the end of the war and for action to secure the release of hostages held by Palestinian terrorists in the Gaza Strip, in front of the Defense Ministry headquarters in Tel Aviv on May 8, 2025. (Photo by Jack GUEZ / AFP)

Live updates (closed)

May 9: Poll says most Israelis believe gov’t decision to expand the war politically motivated

By Michael Bachner and Jacob Magid

Just 25% of respondents agree with the government’s prioritization of destroying Hamas above freeing the remaining hostages * IDF says it razed major Hamas tunnel in Rafah; location provided by operatives who surrendered

8:56 pm

Academic held in Iran at 'immediate' risk after heart attack, wife warns
8:43 pm

Poll: Most Israelis believe government's decision to expand the war politically motivated
7:49 pm

Trump yanks prosecutor nomination of Ed Martin, who called a Nazi sympathizer ‘extraordinary’

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Promoted ArticleKKL-JNF

From Bees to Agrivoltaics: How KKL-JNF Supports Israel’s Food Security

In the face of foreign embargoes, war damage to farmlands and adverse impacts on crop yields, KKL-JNF bolsters the strength of Israel’s food supply chain in surprising ways.

Sgt. Yishai Elyakim Urbach (left), and Staff Sgt. Yam Frid (right)(Israel Defense Forces)

Palestinian man deported from Israel killed in airstrike

Two IDF soldiers killed, six wounded in southern Gaza fighting

By Emanuel Fabian, Charlie Summers and Agencies

Sgt. Yishai Elyakim Urbach, 20, and Staff Sgt. Yam Frid, 21, named as fallen troops; terrorist who took Yaffa Adar hostage killed in airstrike; IAF hits 150 targets in 72 hours

ToI podcast

Amanda Borschel-Dan and Lazar Berman

Friday Focus with Lazar Berman – ‘Forever war’ in Gaza: Past, present & potential future

As Israel appears to be standing at a crossroads in the conflict, ToI’s diplomatic reporter delves into its rollout, pauses, surprises and successes

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee speaks at the Jewish News Syndicate conference in Jerusalem, on April 28, 2025. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

Deal came two days after Houthi missile hit Israel's airport

Huckabee: US ‘isn’t required to get permission from Israel’ to cut deal with Houthis

By Nava Freiberg

Amid shock in Israel at Trump’s deal with Yemeni terror group, ambassador indicates in TV interview that US will only respond to Houthi attacks on Israel if American citizens hurt

Travelers lining up to check in for flights at Ben Gurion Airport, May 7, 2025. (Nati Shohat/Flash90)

Regev meets with Israeli airline heads as cancellations strand citizens abroad

By Sharon Wrobel, Reuters and ToI Staff

Houthi supporters chant slogans during a weekly anti-US and anti-Israel rally in Sanaa, Yemen, on April 18, 2025. Some of the placards bear the group's slogan "God is the greatest, Death to America, Death to Israel, a Curse on the Jews, Victory to Islam." (AP Photo/Osamah Abdulrahman)

AnalysisAfter relentless US bombing campaign, Yemen’s Houthis are biggest victors of truce

By AFP and ToI Staff

The little boy who sang on Shabbat went to war

The pundits and podcasters who lambast the IDF forget that each soldier has a story, like my nephew, injured when he ran into danger to save another

What can Rob Lowe teach us about Israel?

I was ready to fan-girl the Brat Pack poster boy’s new game show – until the Israeli version surpassed it in warmth, importance, and authenticity

Saying thank you is not just polite, but holy

When you believe your time can be sacred, the little things you do are incredibly important (Kedoshim)

Who is loved? One who loves others

If you can’t be loved unless you love others, how do you even find that authentic emotion within yourself? (Kedoshim)

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, left, meets with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Monday Feb. 17, 2025. (Evelyn Hockstein/Pool Photo via AP)

Trump no longer demanding Saudis recognize Israel for nuclear deal with US — sources

By Reuters and ToI Staff

But deal between Riyadh and DC said still far from reach; Senator Graham says he opposes any pact with Saudis that excludes normalization with Jewish state

Israel's Ambassador to the United States Michael Herzog speaks during a roundtable discussion about gender-based violence against Israeli women during Hamas's October 7 massacre, on Capitol Hill on February 14, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP)

Former envoy to US: Netanyahu ‘unwilling to pay the price’ for Saudi normalization

By Reuters and ToI Staff

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, left, meets with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Monday Feb. 17, 2025. (Evelyn Hockstein/Pool Photo via AP)

ExplainerWhy are the US and Saudi Arabia discussing a civil nuclear deal?

Noam party leader Avi Maoz speaks in the Knesset, March 31, 2025. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

Coalition revives contentious bid to limit Law of Return; this time, it may pass

An amendment that would deny people with only one Jewish grandparent the automatic right to immigrate to Israel is expected to be approved when it is discussed again in two months

A man blows a shofar at the Western Wall in Jerusalem on October 9, 2024, two days before Yom Kippur. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90).

58% of Israeli Jews believe in afterlife, 42% in reincarnation

Have Israeli Jews grown more religious in recent years? Data suggests not

By Rossella Tercatin

Pew survey shows proportions believing in God and considering religion important are similar to a previous study from 2016

Likud MK Yuli Edelstein chairs a meeting of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, May 8, 2025. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

Edelstein urges ‘real solution’ as work set to begin on revising Haredi draft bill

Failure to pass the controversial legislation could put the continued existence of Netanyahu’s government in jeopardy, warn ultra-Orthodox parties

Judge Asher Kula at the Nazareth District Court, June 7, 2022. (David Cohen/Flash90)

Newly formed coalition-controlled panel picks Asher Kula as ombudsman for judges

By Jeremy Sharon

Interview

Chair of UK Oct. 7 report: ‘Denial started while the massacres were still ongoing’

Historian Andrew Roberts led a parliamentary commission aimed at gathering irrefutable proof of Hamas atrocities to ensure that in future decades ‘deniers’ can still be challenged

Historian and British MP Andrew Roberts. (Courtesy)

(L-R) Hostages Tamir Nimrodi, Bipin Joshi and Pinta Nattapong. (Hostage Families Forum)

Trio seem to be Tamir Nimrodi, Bipin Joshi, Pinta Nattapong

Source says fate of 2 foreign hostages, 1 Israeli unknown as families demand clarity

By Lazar Berman, Nava Freiberg and Jessica Steinberg

As intensified Gaza campaign aims to secure deal, Israeli official says no sign of life from the three since early in the war, after PM announced doubt on number of living captives

This handout photo shows Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meeting with reserve soldiers at Tzeelim training base in southern Israel, May 8, 2025. (Ma’ayan Toaf/GPO)

PM said to claim half of Israelis oppose state probe into Oct. 7, contrary to polls

Files of documents photographed at a hearing in the Rishon Lezion Magistrates Court for extending the detention of suspects Jonatan Urich and Eli Feldstein who were arrested in connection with the so-called Qatargate scandal, April 1, 2025. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)

Two former Mossad officials suspected of working with Qatari intelligence — reports

By Jeremy Sharon

Key Qatargate suspect and Netanyahu aide Jonatan Urich to be kept in custody until Monday after court overrules judge’s refusal to extend his detention

Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli seen after a court hearing in Lod of the Shin Bet official arrested in suspicion of leaking classified information, April 15, 2025. (Jonathan Shaul/Flash90)

Police said looking to question Minister Chikli over Shin Bet classified intel leak

By Jeremy Sharon and ToI Staff

Illustrative: A High Court of Justice hearing on petitions against the firing of Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, April 8, 2025. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

Bill would remove Supreme Court chief’s power to decide which judges hear certain cases

By Jeremy Sharon

Newly elected Pope Leo XIV appears at the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, May 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Expressing openness to improving Vatican ties, Israeli leaders welcome new pope

Herzog sends ‘warmest wishes from Jerusalem,’ looks forward to ‘enhancing’ relations with Holy See; Foreign Ministry says it hopes to soon welcome Pope Leo XIV on a visit

Newly elected Pope Leo XIV waves to faithful and pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square shortly after his election, May 8, 2025. (Vatican Media via AP)

Leo XIV, first American pope, studied under pioneer in Jewish-Catholic relations

Cardinal Robert Prevost appears on the central loggia of St. Peter's Basilica after being chosen the 267th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, choosing the name of Pope Leo XIV, at the Vatican, May 8, 2025. (AP/Alessandra Tarantino)

First-ever US pope: Cardinal Robert Prevost elected as pontiff, becoming Leo XIV

‘Peace by with you,’ new Catholic Church head tells crowds outside St. Peter’s Basilica, shortly after white smoke signaled successor to Pope Francis was picked on day 2 of vote

Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, Robert Prevost addresses the crowd on the main central loggia balcony of the St Peter's Basilica for the first time, after the cardinals ended the conclave, in The Vatican, on May 8, 2025. (Tiziana Fabi/AFP)

The first American pope is a Trump critic

Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, Robert Prevost, addresses the crowd from the main central loggia balcony of the St Peter's Basilica for the first time, in The Vatican, May 8, 2025. (Filippo MONTEFORTE / AFP)

Papal profileNew Pope Leo, a Chicago native, is a former missionary in Peru who never sought the limelight

By Joshua McElwee

More Headlines

A sign for the Eurovision Song Contest is seen on the St. Jakobshalle arena that will host the 2025 edition of the competition, April 30, 2025. (Fabrice Coffrini/AFP)

Israel warns travelers to Eurovision to avoid protests, not show Jewish, Israeli symbols

By Lazar Berman and Amy Spiro

Islamic Revolutionary Guard chief Hossein Salami speaks during a memorial service for slain Hezbollah leader Hasssan Nasrallah and his successor Hashem Safieddine in Iran's capital Tehran on February 23, 2025. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP)

Iran’s IRGC chief vows to ‘open the gates of hell’ if US, Israel make ‘wrong move’

IDF troops treat a wounded Syrian Druze man at a new medical facility in southern Syria, in footage published by the military on May 8, 2025. (Israel Defense Forces)

IDF sets up medical facility in southern Syria for Druze wounded in clashes

By Emanuel Fabian

Shireen Abu Akleh stands next to a TV camera above the Old City of Jerusalem, in an undated photo. (Al Jazeera Media Network via AP)

Documentary claims to ID soldier behind 2022 killing of Al Jazeera journalist Abu Akleh

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas , centre left, and Poland's Foreign Affairs Minister Radek Sikorski, center right, pose for a family photo with EU Foreign Ministers during their informal meeting in Gymnich format, in Warsaw, Poland, Thursday, May 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

EU to review trade ties with Israel following criticism of conduct in Gaza war

By AP and ToI Staff

Alexander Mashinsky, founder and former chief executive of the failed cryptocurrency lending platform Celsius Network, leaves Manhattan federal court with his legal team, July 25, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)

Founder of crypto platform Celsius Network sentenced to 12 years in prison

By Larry Neumeister

People hold signs as they protest the arrest of former Columbia University anti-Israel student activist Mahmoud Khalil during a 'Fight for Our Rights' demonstration at the University of Washington campus in Seattle, Washington, March 15, 2025. (Jason Redmond/AFP)

Trump administration condemns destructive pro-Palestinian protest at Seattle’s UW campus

By Grace Gilson

A burnt-out fire engine that went up in flames during massive wildfires in central Israel on April 30, 2025, seen on May 4, 2025. (Charlie Summers/Times of Israel)

Ahead of Lag B’Omer, comptroller warns PM that recent fires ‘must be a wake-up call’

View of the Israeli Leviathan natural gas field gas processing rig as seen from Dor Habonim Beach Nature Reserve, on January 1, 2020. (Flash90/File)

Risk of natural gas shortage will push up electricity prices, budget chief warns

By Sharon Wrobel

Abdallah Aljamal, who was holding three Israeli hostages captive in his home in central Gaza's Nuseirat. Aljamal was killed and the hostages were rescued on June 8, 2024. (Social media)

US judge says there’s reason to believe US-based media nonprofit aided Hamas

'The Reservoir,' written by Jake Brasch and directed by Shelley Butler, which had its world premiere at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, won the Jewish Plays Project's annual contest. (Jerry Mooney via JTA)

Trump administration rescinds grants to at least two NY Jewish arts organizations

By Jackie Hajdenberg

A still from "Heil Hitler," a new music video from Ye, in the rapper's latest embrace of antisemitism, May 8, 2025. (Screenshot via YouTube)

Self-described Nazi rapper Kanye West releases new song titled ‘Heil Hitler’

By JTA and ToI Staff

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