Mali and Liel Yehalomi Found in South America; IDF Strikes Hezbollah in Lebanon and Gaza

Mali Yehalomi, 50, and her daughter Liel, 23, residents of Modiin who disappeared while in Vienna, were located in Argentina after an extensive international search. The dramatic moment of their discovery occurred upon their arrival, when a police representative approached them directly on a bus. Israeli police investigations revealed the pair had planned their escape for about a month, using measures to obscure their digital footprints. The motive behind their sudden disappearance and severing contact with family remains unknown.

In response to a ceasefire violation, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) conducted airstrikes on Hezbollah infrastructure in the southern Lebanese villages of Nabatiyeh and Ansar, resulting in at least seven deaths and several injuries. The strikes followed an attack by Hezbollah on IDF forces in the Ali Taher ridge area. The Lebanese Prime Minister, Nawaf Salam, condemned the Israeli escalation, warning it undermines efforts to stabilize southern Lebanon. Additionally, the IDF carried out a targeted killing in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, marking the fourth such operation in recent days.

Unseasonal weather brought thunderstorms and heavy rain to Jerusalem, central, and eastern Israel, raising concerns about flash floods in the Judean Desert and Dead Sea areas. Mitzpe Adumim recorded 15.2 mm of rainfall, a local record for August. The weather event was accompanied by partly cloudy skies and slight temperature increases.

Separately, Iran announced that three of its pilots are alive but held captive in Qatar following a March crash of their SU-24 fighter jets during combat missions. Iranian officials criticized Qatar for preventing contact between the pilots and their families or Tehran authorities.

US President Donald Trump threatened to declare the Strait of Hormuz American territory, provoking sharp Iranian responses asserting control over the strait and rejecting US threats. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Qaribabadi emphasized Iran’s command over the strait and dismissed US military posturing as futile.

Other news included a mass brawl at the Yamit 2000 water park in Holon injuring two security guards and leading to the park’s closure, a 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Indonesia’s Flores region killing at least 20 people, an antisemitic attack at Manhattan’s Central Synagogue injuring a worshiper and security guard, and Israeli footballer Anan Khalaily signing with Crystal Palace for a record €24.5 million transfer.

The Ministry of Culture allocated NIS 2 million for commemorating the October 7 massacre in Kibbutz Kfar Aza but imposed veto rights over the memorial’s design, sparking objections from kibbutz leadership. Meanwhile, a Likud poll showed MK Tali Gottlieb leading voter preferences ahead of party primaries.