<p>National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan spoke today with his Israeli counterpart Tzachi Hanegbi. He expressed his condolences on behalf of President Biden and the American people on Israel’s Memorial Day. He emphasized that this is the first Memorial Day to commemorate the victims of Hamas’s October 7 terrorist attacks that killed over 1,000 Israelis. </p><p>A statement released after the conversation noted that Sullivan affirmed the "ironclad US commitment to Israel’s security and the defeat of Hamas in Gaza."</p><p>They also discussed the situation in Gaza and ongoing efforts to secure the release of hostages. Sullivan reiterated President Biden’s concerns over the potential for a major military ground operation into Rafah, where over one million people have taken shelter. He discussed alternative courses of action to ensure the defeat of Hamas everywhere in Gaza. </p><p>Hanegbi confirmed that Israel is taking US concerns into account. Sullivan and Hanegbi then reviewed the substantive discussions to date of the Strategic Consultative Group. They agreed to establish another in-person meeting soon.</p>

NYPD Assistant Chief James McCarthy accidentally pepper sprays himself in the face while attempting to arrest protesters blocking the Manhattan Bridge.

According to report in The New York Times, Yahya Sinwar is not in Rafah, but remains in the tunnels in Khan Yunis - surrounded by hostages to use as human shields.

Oren Zamir, 26, went missing last month while hiking in the Peruvian Andes. Local police say they have now found his body.

Forecasters warn of chilly temperatures, chance of rain, on Israel's Independence Day; on Memorial Day, heavy rainfall in Tel Aviv and potentially other areas as well.

The Ziv Medical center in Tzfat has received four people who were injured by two antitank missiles fired towards Kibbutz Yiftach in the Upper Galilee. Three of the victims suffered light injuries and a fourth suffered moderate injuries.

<figure class="image"><img src="/files/picturebase/630712.jpg"><figcaption>Pres. Herzog lays wreath at memorial ceremony<span>Ma'ayan Toaf (GPO)</span></figcaption></figure>

<p>‘There is no fallen soldier who does not leave you with some memory’ | IDF identification and burial team talk for the first time about their Day of Remembrance.</p>