Monday 4 Adar – Hamas captive Eli Sharabi: I never said Shema before, now I say it daily.- Netanyahu Orders Block to Gaza Aid After Hamas Rejects US-Backed Ceasefire Plan

At a historic European summit, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer unveiled a four-point plan aimed at ending the war in Ukraine and securing the country’s future. Joined by French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Starmer emphasised the need for military aid to continue flowing while increasing economic pressure on Russia.

He stressed that any peace deal must guarantee Ukraine’s sovereignty and that Kyiv must have a seat at the negotiating table.

The announcement followed a tense exchange between Zelensky and US President Donald Trump at the White House, raising concerns about American commitment to Ukraine. Starmer positioned himself as a “bridge” between the two leaders, calling for European unity and collaboration with the US to forge a lasting peace.

Macron and Starmer also proposed a one-month truce to halt attacks in the air, at sea, and on energy infrastructure. “We are all working together in Europe to find a basis for cooperation with America for true peace and guaranteed security,” Zelensky said following the summit.

In addition to diplomatic efforts, Starmer announced £1.6bn in UK export finance to purchase over 5,000 air defence missiles, further strengthening Ukraine’s defences. This comes on top of a £2.2bn loan backed by profits from frozen Russian assets, demonstrating Britain’s long-term commitment.

“We have to learn from the mistakes of the past,” Starmer declared. “We cannot accept a weak deal that Russia can breach with ease. Any deal must be backed by strength.” With Europe rallying behind Ukraine, Starmer’s coalition of the willing hopes to bring peace while ensuring Ukraine remains resilient against future threats.

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President Donald Trump signed an executive order Saturday enshrining English as the official language of the United States, a first in American history

The order will reverse a mandate issued by former president Bill Clinton which requires government agencies to offer services to clients in different languages. Under Trump’s new law, agencies can choose to keep that policy, or only use English.

“A nationally designated language is at the core of a unified and cohesive society, and the United States is strengthened by a citizenry that can freely exchange ideas in one shared language,” Trump wrote in the order.

Donald Trump has clashed with Volodymyr Zelensky in a furious exchange at the White House, with the US president telling his Ukrainian counterpart to make a deal with Russia “or we are out”.

The pair interrupted each other repeatedly in front of the media during what was supposed to be a prelude to the two leaders signing a minerals deal.

After relations first became strained over Trump’s handling of Ukraine peace talks with Russia, the minerals agreement was supposed to be a stepping stone towards further security ties between the countries.

But Zelensky was told by the Americans to leave before the deal could be signed.

At one point, Trump told Zelensky he was not thankful enough for US military and political support, and that he was “gambling with World War Three”.

Zelensky had earlier argued there should be “no compromises” with Russian President Vladimir Putin – but Trump said Kyiv would have to make concessions to reach a peace deal with Russia.

Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and currently controls around 20% of Ukrainian territory.

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Rabbi Aryeh Chala zt”l, father of 15

During his captivity, Eli Sharabi not only endured unimaginable suffering—beatings, torture, humiliation, and near-starvation—but also experienced a profound personal transformation.

Though never religious before, he found faith for the first time. “I had never said Shema in my life,” he admits, “but from the first day I was kidnapped, I recited it every morning. The power of faith is crazy.”

Despite his frail appearance, Sharabi wasted no time in stepping before the cameras—not for himself, but for his closest friend, Alon Ohel, who remains trapped in Hamas tunnels. Sharabi is determined to fulfill his promise: to do everything possible to bring home the remaining hostages.

He embraces life’s small joys, like simply opening a fridge to take a fruit, and chooses to focus on cherished memories rather than the grief of losing his wife and children on October 7th. He hopes they did not suffer in their final moments and looks forward to brighter days ahead.

One of his greatest inspirations came from fellow hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin HY”D, who told him, “Whoever has a WHY will tolerate any HOW.” Now, Sharabi is set to meet President Trump in Washington, ensuring the world hears his urgent plea: bring them all home.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has ordered a halt on all aid and supplies entering the Gaza Strip.

This decision comes after the first phase of the ceasefire has ended, and due to Hamas’s rejection of US Envoy Steve Witkoff’s framework, which Israel had agreed to.

Meanwhile, Israeli media is reporting that Israel approved the calling up of up to 400,000 IDF reservists ahead of a possible renewed Gaza operation.

A terrorist attack took place today in the morning at the Lev Hamifratz Mall in Haifa, near the city’s central bus station. Magen David Adom medics are treating four people at the scene.

According to initial reports, two are in critical condition and two are seriously wounded. The terrorist has been neutralized.

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