by Hana Levi Julian
(IsraelNN.com) Archaeologists have discovered an ancient olive press dating back to the Byzantine period at a dig at Moshav Achihud in the Western Galilee. The 6-7th century CE olive oil manufacturing complex, one of the largest uncovered in the Jewish State thus far, was found during routine test excavations being carried out as part of a development plan to enlarge the moshav.
According to Michael Cohen, director of the Israel Antiquities Authority excavation, “a mighty conflagration occurred in the olive press in the seventh century CE. Remains of the blaze, which are quite evident on the walls of the building, destroyed the structure and negated the installation’s use."
Cohen said the event “preserved” many of the details of the olive press.
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by Gil Ronen
(IsraelNN.com) An estimated 3,000 Gush Katif expellees and their supporters gathered at Kisufim to mourn what was lost and prepare for the day when Jews will return to the communities of Gaza. Despite the fact that three years have passed since the destruction the vast majority of residents remain in temporary housing, instead of the new homes they were promised.
While there have been many setbacks from the initial fall of Gush Katif to the continued refugee status of the expellees; the former residents of Gaza have not lost hope that they will return to the land they love, and that they will merit to see the complete redemption.
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by Hillel Fendel
(IsraelNN.com) The fast of Tisha B'Av, the "saddest" day in the Jewish calendar, begins on Saturday night as the Sabbath ends, and ends Sunday evening at sundown.  Its name literally means "the ninth day of the Jewish month of Av," the date of some of the gravest tragedies to have befallen the Jewish People.  Most notably, both Holy Temples in Jerusalem were destroyed on Tisha B'Av, but the list of calamities includes also the following:
G-d decreed, following the Sin of the Spies as recounted in Numbers 13-14, that the Children of Israel would not be allowed to enter the Land of Israel until the entire generation had died out.
The fall of Beitar, the last fortress to hold out during the Bar Kochba revolt in the year 135 C.E., fell to the Romans, marking the last milestone in the beginning of our current Exile.
A year later, the Temple area was plowed under.
The Jews of Spain were expelled by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella in 1492.  
World War I erupted in 1914.
The Jews of Gush Katif spent their last legal day in their homes in 2005, and were expelled three days later.
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