Meli and Liel Yaalomi located in South America, IDF attacked in southern Lebanon and the Gaza Strip | Saturday news summary
A week after they disappeared, Meli Yaalomi and her daughter Liel were located in South America, where they had fled in recent days. In response to the ceasefire violation: the IDF attacked Hezbollah infrastructure, at least 7 killed. Trump threatened to declare the Strait of Hormuz as US territory, Iran mocked. Surprising rain in the middle of August: thunderstorms and fear of floods in the east.
A week after they disappeared: Meli and Liel Yaalomi located in South America. The Israel Police officially announced tonight that Meli Yaalomi (50) and her daughter Liel (23), residents of Modiin who disappeared during their stay in Vienna, were located in Argentina after an extensive and complex search operation. The dramatic moment of discovery occurred immediately upon their landing, when a police representative in South America boarded the bus and approached the two directly. In the first conversation with them, held in calm tones, the officer was heard saying to them: "Hi Meli, hi Liel, I am Walter, the police representative in South America from the Intelligence Division. I want to ask you a few questions, we were very worried about you, okay? I will let everyone get off – and we will talk a little, okay?". This meeting concluded a tense week of international search efforts and paved the way for the start of an investigation into the circumstances of their departure. The findings of the Israel Police investigation, conducted overnight since the discovery of Meli and Liel Yaalomi, revealed that the mother and daughter had planned their escape for about a month, apparently as early as last July. As part of the preparations, the two blurred their tracks and equipped themselves with additional phones with unidentified numbers. In addition, they deleted from their devices applications that allow for digital tracking and geolocation. The investigation also revealed that the two have a bank debt, but a source familiar with the details clarified to N12 that it is not a large amount, and that the overall picture has not yet been clarified. The motive that led to the extreme step by the mother and daughter, and to a complete disconnection from the rest of the family members, is still unknown.
In response to the ceasefire violation: IDF attacked in southern Lebanon. The IDF attacked overnight Hezbollah infrastructure in the Nabatieh and Ansar areas in southern Lebanon, the IDF spokesperson said today. The attacks were carried out following an action by the terrorist organization against IDF forces in the Ali-Taher ridge area, which is located within the security zone where IDF forces are operating. Lebanese media reported at least 7 dead in the attack in the Ansar area, and several other wounded with varying degrees of injury. "The IDF will not allow the terrorist organization Hezbollah to harm the citizens of the State of Israel and its forces, and will continue to act to remove threats," the IDF spokesperson's statement said. Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati spoke out against the Israeli attacks in the south of the country, and in an angry post he wrote on social media, he clarified that the Israeli escalation is a very serious matter that undermines efforts to stabilize the situation in southern Lebanon. During the day, the IDF also carried out a targeted killing in Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip. As a result of the attack, a terrorist riding a motorcycle in the city was hit. This is the fourth liquidation that the IDF has tried to carry out in recent days.
Surprising rain in the middle of August: thunderstorms and fear of floods in the east. Rain fell today in the Jerusalem area, in the center and especially in the east of the country, as part of a surprising and unusual weather event for mid-August. According to the rain radar image, rain clouds were also observed over the Golan Heights and Judean Mountains area, with 15.2 mm of precipitation already measured in Ma'ale Adumim — a record for rain in the Jerusalem area. The local precipitation, which began in the afternoon, is accompanied by isolated thunderstorms and creates a real fear of floods in the streams of the Judean Desert and the Dead Sea area. All this is happening against the backdrop of partly cloudy skies and a slight rise in temperatures, which remained normal for the season. During the night it will continue to be partly cloudy.
Iran Army: three of our pilots are being held alive in captivity in Qatar. The Iranian army announced that three Iranian pilots are alive and being held in captivity in Qatar. According to the report, the fighter jets they were flying, model SU24, crashed during attack missions carried out last March. Alongside the announcement about the pilots' condition, Iran is directly criticizing Qatar's conduct. According to sources in Iran, the authorities in Doha are preventing the captive pilots from making any contact with their families or official sources in Tehran.
Trump said he would declare Hormuz as US territory, Iran calls on the USA to accept defeat. US President Donald Trump threatened to soon declare the Strait of Hormuz as US territory — and triggered a wave of Iranian reactions. Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, claimed in a post on X that Hormuz is under their control: "The strait will be opened and closed only under Iran's command." Gharibabadi took a jab at Trump and wrote that Hormuz cannot be seized via a tweet or an aircraft carrier, by an order or an election speech. "As long as you do not accept the reality of defeat and stop indulging in fantasies, Iran will continue to enforce the blockade."
Mass brawl at Yamit 2000: two security guards injured, 12 arrested and the place closed. A mass brawl broke out today at 15:00 at the Yamit 2000 water park pool in Holon. As a result of the violence at the scene, two security guards were lightly injured and were evacuated for medical treatment. Following the incident, the entire complex was closed to visitors. In footage distributed online by Daniel Amram, one can see the crowds in the pool area while the event gets out of control. The commotion began after employees at the place asked those present to lower the music, and from there the confrontation developed into a violent and large-scale event that included throwing chairs and objects from all around.
7.7 magnitude earthquake hit Indonesia, at least 20 dead. A powerful earthquake hit the coast of Indonesia tonight, in the area of Flores Island. The earthquake was measured at a magnitude of 7.7, and at a depth of at least 35 kilometers. The country's geophysics agency issued a tsunami warning in various areas and later canceled it. According to news agencies, at least 20 people were killed. After the strong earthquake, several aftershocks were felt, according to reports. Australia's Tsunami Warning Center said the quake was underwater and would not pose a threat to the Australian continent or nearby islands.
Antisemitic attack at a synagogue in Manhattan. A 63-year-old worshiper and a security guard were attacked on Friday evening during Sabbath prayers at the Central Synagogue in Manhattan. Police arrested Larry Montes, a 46-year-old Bronx resident, and announced that the incident is being investigated as an attack against the backdrop of an antisemitic hate crime. According to law enforcement officials, Montes broke into the place, acted violently and caused heavy damage to religious property. Around 18:00, Montes arrived at the synagogue building on Lexington Street and walked to the front of the hall. According to the police, he began to behave in an unstable and disruptive manner. When security personnel tried to remove him from the place, Montes allegedly hit one of the worshipers in the face. Later, he headbutted a security guard, spat on him and smashed two religious candles worth an estimated $20,000. A New York Police sergeant, who was at the place as part of paid security, arrested the suspect.
Ministry of Heritage's condition for commemorating the massacre in Kfar Aza. Members of Kibbutz Kfar Aza decided how to commemorate the massacre at the place on October 7, but the Ministry of Heritage led by Minister Amichai Eliyahu allocated only two million shekels for this and also set a condition — a veto right that will be given to ministry officials on determining the method of commemoration in the kibbutz. In "Ulpan Shishi" we revealed that the chair of Kibbutz Kfar Aza revolted against the decision, and told Channel 12: "The only rights this government has over what happened — is on October 7. These are their rights. We will make sure to commemorate this terrible failure."
By a significant margin: Tali Gottlieb at the top of the Likud voters' favorability poll. A special poll by "Ulpan Shishi" presents the situation among Likud voters ahead of the primaries that will be held on Monday in the party. In first place in the poll, and by a particularly prominent majority, stands MK Tali Gottlieb, when almost 40% of Likud voters (39.3%) indicated her as one of the three elected officials who must be on the list. In second place, by a significant margin from those who followed, came Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana with 25.1% of voter support. After them at the top of the list is Defense Minister Israel Katz, who received a "reserved spot" but the poll data shows that he enjoys broad support even without dependence on it. Further down the list: Economy Minister Nir Barkat, Transportation Minister Miri Regev, Diaspora Minister Amichai Chikli, MK Moshe Saada and Justice Minister Yariv Levin. This is a poll that checks the preferences of Likud voters and not those who actually have the right to vote (the registered members). Therefore, the poll does not claim to predict the results of the primaries which are traditionally influenced by deals and internal "hit lists", but it well reflects the mood among the party's voting public.
Most expensive Israeli: Anan Khalaili signed with Crystal Palace. Israeli footballer Anan Khalaili signed with the English Crystal Palace. At the age of 21, the Israeli winger reaches a new peak in his career — and will play in the upcoming season in the Premier League. Khalaili leaves the Belgian Union Saint-Gilloise after two years, and moves to Palace for a record sum of 24.5 million euros. With the help of bonuses, the transfer amount may rise even to 28 million euros — the largest transfer of an Israeli player ever. Khalaili said after the signing: "I am happy to be here, I am excited and cannot wait to start. I follow the Premier League — it is a new challenge for me — and I have also been following Crystal Palace for a long time. I am happy to be here."
