The Religious Council in Ashdod issued an urgent warning this morning to the public who customarily immerse in the sea before Yom Kippur, not to do so after the lifeguards leave.

Trump granted Qatar an unprecedented U.S. security guarantee, including a military response in the event of an attack.

Defense Minister Israel Katz said the IDF’s recapture of the Netzarim Corridor cuts Gaza in two, isolating Hamas in Gaza City as operations press forward until hostages return.

<p><i>Israel National News' </i>Israel desk is stopping its round-the-clock news updates at this time in honor of Yom Kippur. Jerusalem candle lighting time is 17:44 on Wednesday. Our North American desk will keep you informed until the 18:19 EDT candle lighting time in New York.</p><p>The updates from Israel will resume Saturday night, following the conclusion of Yom Kippur at 18:59 Jerusalem time.</p><p>Gmar Chatima Tova!</p>

<p>"...With this background in mind, the Rambam’s comments in Chapt. 7 Halachah 1 [Laws of Repentance] are all the more remarkable. Rambam writes: “Since free choice is granted to all men as explained, a person should always strive to do Teshuvah."</p><p><i>(Israel National News' North American desk is keeping you updated until the start of Yom Kippur in New York. The time posted automatically on all Israel National News articles, however, is Israeli time.)</i></p>

<p>So far, the takeover of the Global Sumid Flotilla is proceeding without unusual incidents. Due to the size of the flotilla, approximately 50 vessels, the operation is expected to continue into the night and deep into Yom Kippur.</p><p><i>(Israel National News' North American desk is keeping you updated until the start of Yom Kippur in New York. The time posted automatically on all Israel National News articles, however, is Israeli time.)</i></p>

<p>Mahmoud Salameh, an Israeli citizen who had been imprisoned in Jordan for about three months, was returned to Israel this afternoon (Wednesday) and handed over to the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories.</p><p>Following contacts held in recent months with the assistance of the Shin Bet, the Foreign Ministry, and the Israel Police, the citizen was transferred from Jordan to Israel via the Jordan River crossing.</p><p>He will undergo medical examinations, be questioned, and meet with his family. The circumstances of the incident are under review by the security forces.</p>

Israeli journalist Barak Ravid reports that Trump advisers Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were horrified by the strike in Qatar, but saw an opportunity that became the 20-point Gaza peace plan.