Archive for category: news

News Update

Special undercover security forces eliminated a terrorist during a raid in the town of Qabatiya, in the territories. The terrorist attempted to flee and opened fire at troops, who returned fire and killed him. In a separate operation in the town, forces arrested a second suspect and seized an M-16 rifle. Forces continue to operate throughout Judea and Samaria to arrest and eliminate terrorists.

Israel, and the U.S., have given up on the idea that Hamas will accept a negotiated deal to release hostages, and will expand military operations into areas previously avoided because of the potential that hostages are being held there. Israel’s conditions for an agreement include the release of all 50 hostages—living and deceased, the disarmament of Hamas and the complete demilitarization of the Gaza Strip, the continued presence of the IDF along the Philadelphi Corridor on Gaza’s southern border with Egypt and the maintenance of a security perimeter around Israeli communities near the Gaza border. Israel has also refused Hamas’ demand for the release of 200 convicted Palestinian murderers, including members of Hamas’ elite Nukhba force who are awaiting trial, in exchange for 10 hostages, reportedly fearing there would not be enough high-profile prisoners left for future hostage exchanges.

The family of Rom Braslavski, a 22-year-old Israeli hostage held in Gaza, on Sunday authorized the partial release of a disturbing video showing him in dire condition and pleading for help. The footage was originally released last Thursday by Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), who are believed to be holding him. While his words are clearly scripted by his captors, his condition, also caused by his captors, is very real. The video follows the release of other hostage footage, including images of Evyatar David, 24, who also appeared in severe condition.

French President Macron condemned the videos, calling them evidence of “heinous cruelty” and “unlimited inhumanity.” Yet, he reiterated his plans to reward the terrorists by recognizing a Palestinian state, that will allegedly live peacefully alongside Israel, despite the fact that the Palestinians overwhelmingly support Hamas and have clearly stated that they lay claim to all of the land “from the river to the sea” and demand Jerusalem as their capital. [In what reality is Macron living??]

After commemorating Tisha B’av yesterday (the day of mourning for the destruction of both Holy Temples in Jerusalem), most of Israel kicks of their main summer holiday today, until the start of school on Sept. 1. That means the news flow will, hopefully, take a break too, although Israel never seems to get much of break from her enemies. Let’s hope for the best. 🙏🏻

May we merit to see the rebuilding of the Holy Temple on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem very soon! 🙏🏻

News Update

The IDF implemented a 10hr pause in combat operations in certain areas to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza yesterday, and will continue to do so daily, for the time being. Aid was brought in by truck and via air drops. Aid that entered from Jordan was reportedly being resold at exorbitant prices in local markets. Israel also activated a power-line to activate the southern desalination plant expected to provide around 20,000 cubic meters of water per day, up from the 2,000 cubic meters supplied previously, aiming to serve some 900,000 Gaza residents.

Ceasefire negotiations seem to have come to an end, after Hamas refused to soften their demands and reach an agreement for a partial hostage release and ceasefire in Gaza. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff said, “We’ll now consider alternative options to bring the hostages home and try to create a more stable environment for the people of Gaza. It is a shame that Hamas has acted in this selfish way. We are resolute in seeking an end to this conflict and a permanent peace in Gaza.”

Prime Minister Netanyahu echoed Witkoff’s words saying, “Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff got it right. Hamas is the obstacle to a hostage release deal. Together with our U.S. allies, we are now considering alternative options to bring our hostages home, end Hamas’s terror rule and secure lasting peace for Israel and our region.” President Trump expressed his frustration, saying that Hamas wanted to die and that Israel would need to fight and finish the job. Regarding the hostages he said, “They don’t want to give them back, and so Israel is going to have to make a decision. I know what I’d do, but I don’t think it’s appropriate that I say it. But Israel is going to have to make a decision.”

On Saturday, a Hamas ambush killed Captain Amir Saad, a 22-year-old technology and maintenance officer from Yanuh-Jat, and Sergeant Inon Nuriel Vana, a 20-year-old soldier from Kiryat Tiv’on, both from the Golani Reconnaissance Unit.

Also on Saturday, police captured the terrorist who rammed his car into 11 people at a bus stop last week.

News Update

Police are hunting for a suspected terrorist who rammed his vehicle into a bus stop near Netanya this morning, injuring 7 soldiers. Police found the vehicle, with Israeli plates, abandoned.

Hamas submitted its response to the latest ceasefire proposal. An Israeli official involved in the talks said it “shows improvement compared to the response that was rejected by the mediators,” and that it “could serve as a basis for negotiations.” Qatar and Egypt reportedly pressured Hamas to improve its response.

The U.S. defended Israel in a stormy UN Security Council session in which France, the U.K., Russia and just about everyone else attacked Israel, accusing it of genocide and starving Gaza, among other things.

The Knesset voted 71-13 in favor of a non-binding declaration calling on the government to apply Israeli sovereignty to Judea, Samaria and the Jordan Valley. The National Unity party and Yesh Atid boycotted the vote, and the Arab parties voted against.

Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer will meet US envoy Tom Barrack and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani in Paris on Thursday to discuss security matters relating to southern Syria.

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar’s visited Kyiv, where he met with Ukrainian President Zelensky and Foreign Minister Sybiha, who said that the 2 countries will deepen defense cooperation. Israel has thus far only provided Ukraine with humanitarian assistance, including a filed hospital and water purification systems. For more, click here.

News Update

Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke by phone with Pope Leo XIV to apologize again for the accidental hitting of a Catholic church in Gaza that killed 3 and wounded several others. But the Vatican issued a statement on Monday, declaring the conversation insufficient to erase the harm caused. During Sunday prayers, the Pope accused Netanyahu of using “unreasonable force” in Gaza, condemning ongoing attacks on civilians and places of worship as “collective punishment.” The Pope called for an immediate ceasefire, stressing that Israel’s right to exist must coexist with a Palestinian state. Italian media reported Vatican concerns that escalating violence in Gaza could spark a broader Middle East conflict, potentially fueling antisemitism among global Catholics and threatening the region’s predominantly Arab and Palestinian Christian communities. A preliminary IDF investigation suggests that shrapnel from a shell fired during operations accidentally hit the church.

A police investigation found that Palestinian media claims that Jewish individuals had set fire to the Church of Saint George in Taybeh, a majority-Christian village near Ramallah, were totally false and that no damage was caused to the church. Police said, “Contrary to inaccurate reports and foreign media coverage of alleged arson at the historic Church of Saint George, these claims are factually incorrect, lack any evidentiary basis and risk misleading the public.”

25 Western nations, including Australia, Canada, France, Italy, the UK, Japan, Switzerland, New Zealand, and several EU members, issued a joint statement rebuking Israel’s actions related to humanitarian aid in Gaza and called for an immediate ceasefire and for Israel to lift all humanitarian aid restriction and allow the UN to distribute the aid. The statement also called for an immediate release of all of the hostages. Israel’s Foreign Ministry responded: “Israel rejects the joint statement published by a group of countries, as it is disconnected from reality and sends the wrong message to Hamas. All statements and all claims should be directed at the only party responsible for the lack of a deal for the release of hostages and a ceasefire: Hamas, which started this war and is prolonging it.” It added: “Instead of agreeing to a ceasefire, Hamas is busy running a campaign to spread lies about Israel. At the same time, Hamas is deliberately acting to increase friction and harm to civilians who come to receive humanitarian aid.”

Staff Sergeant Amit Cohen, 19, from Holon, serving in the Golani Brigade, was killed in an operational accident in Khan Younis today. Sgt. Major (res.) Vladimir Loza, 36, from Ashkelon, a soldier in the 7020th Battalion, was killed in combat in Rafah. Two other soldiers were wounded in the same incident.

Israel and Syria have reportedly resumed indirect negotiations. The talks are reportedly being mediated by Turkey, with additional involvement by the United States. According to the sources, an Israeli delegation is expected to travel soon to Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, to finalize understandings regarding Syria, including the situation in Sweida.

The Houthis fired 2 ballistic missiles at Israel today. The first was intercepted and the second fell short, before reaching Israeli territory.

News Update

A senior Israeli official said in a statement today that Israel would allow Syrian forces to enter the Sweida area for a period of 48 hours, to deal with the ongoing instability there, after over 600 people have been killed in violence between between Bedouin tribes and Syrian Druze. Yesterday, Israel bombed Syrian government military targets in Damascus. PM Netanyahu said, “As a result of the IDF’s actions, a ceasefire came into effect and Syrian forces withdrew back to Damascus. This is important and it was achieved through strength, not through requests or through begging. Through strength. We will not allow military forces south of Damascus and will not allow harm to come to the Druze living in Druze Mountain.” Massive Bedouin militia forces drafted from throughout Syria have reportedly overwhelmed Druze militias, capturing at least 3 Druze villages and driving Druze forces back to Sweida city. Israel is hoping that Syrian regime forces can control the situation.

The IDF said that all Israelis who went into Syria on Wednesday were now back in Israel and all Syrian Druze who had crossed into Israel had also returned home.

Prime Minister Netanyahu called Pope Leo XIV to express regrets after a church in Gaza was accidentally hit by fragments from IDF tank fire, killing at least three people and wounding others, including the priest. The Vatican said in a statement adding that the Pope called for a ceasefire and an end to the war and expressed his concern over the “dramatic humanitarian situation,” in the Strip and also stressed the need to protect holy sites in the West Bank and in Israel.

Several prominent rabbis in the religious Zionist sector wrote an open letter published late on Thursday opposing a partial hostage release deal in Gaza and advocating for a continuation of the war. The rabbis include Tsfat Chief Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu, Ramat Gan Chief Rabbi Yaakov Ariel, Kiryat Arba Chief Rabbi Dov Lior and Samaria Chief Rabbi Elyakim Levanon. They wrote, “The purpose of the war in victory. The partial deal that is being formulated is dangerous and harmful first of all to the goal of victory in the war as well as to the the people of Israel and its unity.”