The terrorist organization issued a statement Wednesday confirming their examination of the latest ceasefire proposal, with The Times reporting that Hamas leadership expressed willingness to engage in discussions. The group declared their intention to pursue "an agreement that will ensure the end of aggressions, the withdrawal of forces and granting aid to the people of Gaza," according to their official statement.

The Times learned that the directive to disarm affects the most prominent Hamas officials operating outside Gaza, including chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya and other pivotal figures within the organization's hierarchy. The instruction represents a significant symbolic gesture as Israel has consistently demanded Hamas' complete disarmament and the departure of remaining leadership from Gaza as prerequisites for ending the war.

The weapon surrender order specifically targets Hamas political bureau members Zaher Jabareen, who helped establish the group's armed wing in the West Bank, and Muhammad Ismail Darwish, who conducted diplomatic missions with Iranian and Turkish officials while traveling between Cairo and Doha for indirect negotiations with Israel. These individuals have been central to Hamas' negotiation efforts throughout the conflict.

The symbolic nature of this disarmament cannot be understated, as it aligns with Israeli demands for Hamas' total elimination as a terrorist organization. Israeli officials have maintained that complete destruction of Hamas remains essential for concluding the conflict and securing lasting peace in the region.

Israeli forces continue advancing toward complete control of Gaza while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reinforced his commitment to Hamas' total destruction during a recent visit to an Israeli oil pipeline facility. Netanyahu emphasized that Hamas must be completely eliminated to achieve war objectives, stating unequivocally that "Hamas will be no more."

"We shall completely destroy them," Netanyahu declared during his pipeline visit. "We will release all the hostages, together with the destruction of Hamas. Contrary to what is said, these are not conflicting objectives."

President Trump expressed optimism about securing at least a temporary ceasefire as early as next week, coinciding with his scheduled White House meeting with Netanyahu. Earlier that day, Israeli Minister Ron Dermer had conducted discussions with Steve Witkoff, Trump's Middle East envoy, regarding the negotiation progress.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar responded by affirming Israel's commitment to securing the release of 50 remaining hostages, both living and deceased, currently held by Hamas, while simultaneously pursuing a comprehensive deal to end the conflict. Sa'ar emphasized Israel's genuine intentions regarding the negotiation process.

"We are serious in our will to reach a hostage deal and a ceasefire. We said yes to US special envoy Witkoff's proposals. There are some positive signs. I don't want to say more than that right now. But our goal is to begin proximity talks as soon as possible," Sa'ar stated.

The New York Times reported, citing an Israeli defense official and a Palestinian source close to Hamas, that the proposed agreement would involve releasing ten surviving hostages and returning 18 bodies currently held by Hamas in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. The publication detailed the structured nature of the proposed exchanges.

The hostage releases and body returns would occur in stages across the 60-day period, with five separate groups facilitating the exchanges, according to the New York Times report. This staggered approach aims to maintain momentum throughout the ceasefire period while building confidence between the parties.

Nevertheless, Israeli negotiators have not yet been deployed to Doha or Cairo, which typically signals active negotiation phases. This absence suggests that while progress is being made, formal talks have not yet commenced in earnest.

Qatar has hosted Hamas' political bureau since 2012, despite having informally requested the group's departure on two previous occasions. While Qatari officials are applying pressure to Hamas negotiators in Doha, the ultimate authority to approve any agreement rests with Izz al-Din al-Haddad, Hamas' leader operating within Gaza.

An Egyptian-sponsored plan that received endorsement from Arab nations last year fell short of requiring Hamas to abandon their weapons but proposed alternatives to Islamist governance in Gaza. This plan represents ongoing regional diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict through political means.

The post Hamas commanders in Doha told to surrender weapons appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Located in Sonnino Square in the vibrant Trastevere district, the bus stop sees thousands of locals and visitors daily. Reports from Italy indicate that ATAC, the public transport authority, quickly directed its contractor to take down the offensive poster and stated it would pursue a police complaint over the act. The city also saw a disturbing mural showing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu kissing Hitler several weeks ago.

This was spotted in Rome — a Nazi uniform with a Star of David armband.

This isn't "criticism of Israel." This is pure antisemitism.

Comparing Jews to Nazis is vile, dangerous, and dehumanizing.

NEVER AGAIN IS TODAY. pic.twitter.com/QyDXww6h6R

— Hananya Naftali (@HananyaNaftali) July 2, 2025

Victor Fadlun, head of Rome's Jewish community, expressed gratitude for ATAC's rapid response while sounding the alarm on the city's rising antisemitism. "Even with the authorities' efforts, this act reflects a surge in intolerable antisemitism, thriving in a climate tainted by reckless rhetoric and hateful narratives," he said.

Fadlun stressed the Jewish community's resolve, stating, "We will not endure any intimidation or assault on the memory, identity, or honor of the Jewish people. Our vigilance remains unwavering, and we will relentlessly challenge both antisemitic acts and the hatred that fuels them."

He urged, "Faced with such acts, all must unite in defense of democratic principles without wavering. Combating antisemitism is not solely a Jewish struggle – it is a shared duty."

Just days prior, Milan saw similar antisemitic signs declaring, "Israelis not welcome here." Nahum reported that Angela Persici, a local council member, swiftly removed them.

The post 'Nazi-Jewish' uniform sparks outrage in Rome appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

The European Journal of Preventive Cardiology published findings from a comprehensive 12-year study tracking 4,000 participants between ages 46 and 75. Researchers investigated how a straightforward floor sit-and-stand test correlates with mortality risk.

The remarkable findings revealed that individuals scoring lowest on this simple assessment faced dramatically elevated risks of premature death when compared to those achieving optimal scores.

Test execution

The protocol is straightforward. Begin standing upright, descend to a seated position on the floor (cross-legged or in whatever manner feels natural), then return to standing. The critical constraint is avoiding any assistance from hands, knees, elbows, or other body parts for support.

Scoring methodology

Participants begin with 10 points – 5 allocated for the descent and 5 for the ascent. Each instance of using a body part for support costs one point. Any balance issues (such as swaying or stumbling) result in a half-point deduction.

As an illustration, someone using one hand during descent, one leg during ascent, and displaying some unsteadiness would earn a score of 7.5.

The striking statistics

Participants scoring 3 points or lower experienced mortality rates approaching 50% within the subsequent decade. Each point reduction corresponds to a 31% increase in mortality risk. The implication is unmistakable – greater ease in rising correlates directly with enhanced long-term survival prospects.

The underlying mechanism

This assessment transcends simple flexibility or strength measurement. It evaluates functional fitness comprehensively – encompassing balance, muscular strength, core stability, joint range of motion, coordination, and neuromuscular integration.

These capabilities extend far beyond athletic performance – they represent fundamental life competencies. These same abilities enable stair climbing, fall prevention, and preservation of independence throughout aging.

This comprehensive evaluation explains the test's predictive accuracy – it assesses current physical function quality to forecast future deterioration patterns.

If you find this assessment challenging currently, it indicates opportunities for enhancement. That recognition becomes your starting point for improvement.

Implementation strategies

Initiate practice with basic movements. Perform chair rises without hand assistance – 10 repetitions daily. Practice single-leg standing (30 seconds per leg). Include squats and lunges for 2-3 minutes daily. Practice floor sitting and rising (initially with assistance if needed). Incorporate flexibility work through yoga or targeted stretching routines.

These interventions require minimal time investment. Even 5-7 minutes of daily practice produces substantial improvements. Women face particular importance in this regard. Scientific evidence demonstrates that women experience 3%–5% annual muscle mass decline beginning at age 30. Menopause accelerates this process, often accompanied by bone density reduction and coordination deterioration.

These changes translate to diminished strength, compromised balance, and reduced independence. This reality underscores the critical importance of maintaining these physical capacities through targeted practice.

The post Easy 30-second test: How long will you live? appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Josh Gottheimer emphasized the urgency of preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear capabilities, stating, "Iran, the leading state sponsor of terror, and one of America's top enemies, can never have a nuclear weapon. That's why I strongly supported our military actions earlier this month." He highlighted Iran's history of aggression against US service members and Israel, a key democratic ally, underscoring Israel's need to defend itself, as reported by New York Post.

Mike Lawler added, "This bill gives the President the authority to equip Israel with the tools and training they need to deter Tehran and make the world a safer place," according to New York Post. The legislation would empower President Donald Trump to prepare Israel for potential contingencies involving Iran's nuclear program.

Last month, US B-2 bomber pilots conducted a significant operation, deploying 14 GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators on three Iranian nuclear sites. President Trump claimed the strikes "totally obliterated" Iran's nuclear program, with the bombs penetrating up to 200 feet underground. Israel also participated in the attacks on Iranian nuclear and military facilities.

The International Atomic Energy Agency's chair, Rafael Grossi, confirmed to Radio France Internationale on Wednesday that centrifuges at Iran's Fordow nuclear site are no longer operational following the strikes. However, Grossi warned on CBS last week that Iran could resume uranium enrichment within months, stating, "The capacities they have are there. They can have, you know, in a matter of months, I would say, a few cascades of centrifuges spinning and producing enriched uranium, or less than that."

Grossi further noted, "It is clear that there has been severe damage, but it's not total damage. Iran has the capacities there; industrial and technological capacities. So if they so wish, they will be able to start doing this again." Despite rumors that Iran may have relocated enriched uranium before the strikes, US officials have denied these claims.

Currently, the US operates 19 B-2 stealth bombers, the only aircraft capable of delivering the massive bunker-buster bombs, and has not previously shared them with allies.

The post Israel closer to getting its own B-2 appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

The Palestinian terror organization confirmed Wednesday it was evaluating the latest ceasefire proposal, The New York Times reported, as diplomatic efforts intensified ahead of a scheduled Washington summit between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump next week.

President Trump revealed Tuesday that Israel had accepted "conditions to finalize" a two-month truce with the terror group that would secure freedom for some captives remaining in Gaza.

The diplomatic push gained traction following America's recent decision to participate alongside Israel in strikes against Iranian nuclear installations. Trump, who has expressed growing impatience with what he called "this very brutal war" in the Palestinian enclave, indicated his desire to achieve a truce agreement by next week.

Details of the emerging proposal remained murky Wednesday, with both parties requiring additional discussions to hammer out specifics of any temporary halt to fighting.

An Israeli defense source and a Palestinian familiar with Hamas deliberations revealed to The New York Times that the agreement would involve freeing 10 surviving captives and recovering 18 remains currently in Hamas custody, in return for releasing Palestinian prisoners. The sources, who received briefings on the developing agreement, requested anonymity given the delicate nature of the talks.

The captive releases and body recoveries would occur in phases, divided into five groups throughout the two-month period, according to the sources. This represents a shift from America's May framework, which envisioned all captives being freed within a week of the truce beginning.

The terror group would also forgo public handover events similar to those conducted when freeing captives during the January-March truce, the sources indicated. Those ceremonies – where Israeli captives were forced to make remarks expressing gratitude to their captors – sparked widespread international condemnation.

Three Israeli government sources, speaking anonymously about the delicate negotiations, indicated to The New York Times that current diplomatic efforts sought to provide the terror organization with more robust guarantees that a temporary halt could lead to lasting peace.

Despite indications that Israel had moderated its stance, Netanyahu declared in remarks Wednesday his commitment to "fundamentally eliminate" the terror organization.

"I am telling you – there will be no more Hamas," the prime minister stated. "We are not going back to that."

Although Israeli authorities expressed guarded hope about the negotiations' trajectory, questions remained whether the newest approach could resolve persistent obstacles that have repeatedly stymied efforts to conclude the conflict.

The post NYT: Emerging deal to see 10 living captives released over 60 days appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

The artificial intelligence company issued a sharp rebuke on social media platform X, stating that the tokens do not represent genuine equity in OpenAI. "These 'OpenAI tokens' are not OpenAI equity," the company declared, CNBC reported. "We did not partner with Robinhood, were not involved in this, and do not endorse it."

OpenAI emphasized that any legitimate transfer of company equity requires explicit approval from the organization, which was never granted for this tokenized offering, according to CNBC. The company cautioned users to "please be careful" regarding the unauthorized tokens.

Robinhood had announced the tokenized equity launch from Cannes, France, as part of a comprehensive product demonstration that included tokenized equities, staking services, and new blockchain infrastructure capabilities, CNBC reported. The announcement triggered a significant surge in Robinhood's stock price, pushing shares above $100 to reach a new all-time high.

A Robinhood spokesperson defended the offering to CNBC, explaining that the tokens provide retail investors with indirect exposure to private markets through the company's ownership stake in a special purpose vehicle. "These tokens give retail investors indirect exposure to private markets, opening up access, and are enabled by Robinhood's ownership stake in a special purpose vehicle," the spokesperson stated.

The trading platform had offered 5 euros worth of OpenAI and SpaceX tokens to qualifying EU users who registered to trade stock tokens by July 7, CNBC reported. The assets are distributed under the European Union's more permissive investor regulations through Robinhood's cryptocurrency platform.

Johann Kerbrat, Robinhood's senior vice president and general manager of crypto, emphasized the democratization aspect of the initiative to CNBC. "This is about expanding access," Kerbrat explained. "The goal with tokenization is to let anyone participate in this economy."

The dispute illustrates the complex relationship between cryptocurrency platforms attempting to democratize financial product access and the companies whose names and equity are being represented through blockchain technology, according to CNBC. The situation also highlights regulatory challenges facing tokenized equity offerings.

US users remain unable to access these tokenized offerings due to domestic regulatory restrictions, CNBC reported. The limitation reflects the ongoing regulatory uncertainty surrounding cryptocurrency-based financial products in the United States.

The post OpenAI throws cold water on Robinhood's crypto party appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.