Overnight: Israel - Israel Honors Holocaust Victims, Battles Fires and Parrots are stolen from the Zoo 

Welcome to Overnight Israel, your quick hit of essential news from Israel and the region, designed for Americans and delivered fresh by 8AM EST. No filler, just the facts. Here’s what happened while you were sleeping:

Israel Pauses for Holocaust Remembrance Day

At 10 a.m., Israel came to a complete standstill. Sirens blared across the country. Drivers stopped on highways. People froze in place on sidewalks. This annual tradition honors the six million Jews killed in the Holocaust. Studies show that within a generation, 70% of survivors will be gone. Israel remembers not just to mourn, but to stand tall for a future built on strength, pride, and unapologetic Jewish identity.

President Donald Trump released a statement marking Holocaust Remembrance Day, urging the world to honor the six million Jewish lives lost and confront the rising tide of antisemitism. He pointed to daily threats against Jews in the U.S., especially on college campuses, since the October 7, 2023, attack. Trump said his administration is pushing to deport foreign students spreading hate and investigate universities where anti Jewish rhetoric has surged. His closing words: “Never again means now.”

Wildfires Near Beit Shemesh Finally Contained

After 20 relentless hours, firefighters have tamed massive wildfires near Beit Shemesh and the Jerusalem Hills. The blaze scorched over 1,700 acres, making it one of Israel’s worst fires ever. Two firefighters were treated for smoke inhalation, but no lives were lost, and residents are back home. Crews remain on site to prevent flare ups as temperatures rise.

Rare Parrots Stolen from Jerusalem Zoo

Thieves broke into the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo, stealing six rare parrots and 20 other birds in a precise heist. Zoo officials suspect professional animal traffickers who knew exactly what to target. Police are teaming up with wildlife experts to track down the stolen birds.

Ben Gvir Faces Protesters at Yale University

While visiting Yale, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir was met by anti Israel protesters. As he stepped outside briefly, some threw water bottles at him. No one was hurt. Ben Gvir responded with a V for victory sign, and an aide waved an Israeli flag before they returned inside. The incident, happening on Holocaust Remembrance Day, underscores the growing hostility toward Israeli figures abroad.

Lebanon Secures $250M Loan as Hezbollah Weakens

Lebanon landed a $250 million World Bank loan to fix its crumbling power grid, worsened by the Israel Hezbollah conflict. The country’s been unusually quiet lately, with Hezbollah reeling from military and diplomatic losses. Lebanon’s government is seizing the moment to stabilize, even requesting to boost the loan to $400 million for a $1 billion rebuilding plan backed by international aid.

From Israel’s solemn pause to honor Holocaust victims to wildfires, zoo heists, and shifting regional dynamics, Overnight Israel keeps you in the loop. The fight against antisemitism continues, and 59 hostages remain in Gaza. The world is watching. Catch us tomorrow at 8AM EST.

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