Israel National News

Israel National News

The Israel National News - Arutz Sheva website

Stories written by the Israel National News team have been compiled and edited by several news writers

News by Israel National News

Hamas begins secret vote to replace Sinwar

Hamas begins its secret leadership vote to replace Yahya Sinwar, with Khalil Al‑Hayya and Khaled Meshaal leading the race, according to Reuters.

Hamas begins secret vote to replace Sinwar

Report:

Report: Israel, Arab states urge Trump to delay major strikes on Iran

Israeli and Arab officials urge Trump to delay major strikes on Iran despite intense protests and rising casualties, according to NBC News.

Report: Israel, Arab states urge Trump to delay major strikes on Iran

Report:

Report: Trump and Mamdani quietly texting despite past clashes

Axios reveals that Trump and NYC Mayor Mamdani have been privately texting for weeks, forming an unlikely rapport.

Report: Trump and Mamdani quietly texting despite past clashes

As death toll soars

EU to propose new sanctions against Iran as protest death toll soars

European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen condemns Iran’s rising protest death toll as “horrifying" and says new sanctions will be proposed swiftly.

EU to propose new sanctions against Iran as protest death toll soars

Amid fears of new offensive

Syria orders Kurdish withdrawal from Aleppo amid fears of new offensive

Syria orders Kurdish forces to withdraw east of Aleppo as tensions spike, protests erupt, and Kurdish officials warn Damascus is preparing a full‑scale attack.

Syria orders Kurdish withdrawal from Aleppo amid fears of new offensive

Second day in a row

Second day in a row | US again urges citizens: Leave Iran immediately

US once again urges citizens to leave Iran immediately as protests escalate, travel disruptions grow, and the regime restricts communications and flights.

Second day in a row | US again urges citizens: Leave Iran immediately

Panel to be expanded

Supreme Court delays hearing on petitions against Ben Gvir, orders expanded panel

Supreme Court instructs that Thursday’s scheduled hearing on the petitions against Minister Ben Gvir be postponed and transferred to an expanded panel, as requested by the minister.

Supreme Court delays hearing on petitions against Ben Gvir, orders expanded panel

In memory of my son:

Israeli ambassador visits Lockheed Martin, dedicates F-35 to fallen son

Israeli ambassador to US, Dr. Yechiel Leiter, signed a stealth jet that will soon arrive in Israel, dedicating it to his son, Lt. Col. Moshe Yedidya Leiter, an elite combat soldier who fell in the Swords of Iron war.

Israeli ambassador visits Lockheed Martin, dedicates F-35 to fallen son

Draft Law:

Draft Law: Degel HaTorah, Agudat Yisrael hold meeting 'behind closed doors'

Critical meeting due to be held in Bnei Brak between leaders of the Lithuanian and Hasidic communities in an effort to formulate a unified position of the haredi parties on the draft law.

Draft Law: Degel HaTorah, Agudat Yisrael hold meeting 'behind closed doors'

Rising tensions with Iran

Rising tensions with Iran: Cabinet convened; IDF increases alert level

Israel has raised its alert level across several defense systems as the IDF prepares for potential escalation.

Rising tensions with Iran: Cabinet convened; IDF increases alert level

UK summons Iranian amb. over 'brutal' killing of protesters

British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper tells Parliament the government will impose 'full and further sanctions' on Iran over its crackdown on protesters.

UK summons Iranian amb. over 'brutal' killing of protesters

US leaders sign declaration of 'Loyalty to the Bible'

US leaders sign policy declaration at Mar-a-Lago: 'Judea and Samaria are an inseparable part of Israel'

US leaders sign declaration of 'Loyalty to the Bible'

National camp conference at Knesset examines Gaza policy after the war

MKs from Israel’s national camp gathered at a special Knesset conference to discuss political, security, and legal approaches to Gaza in the day after the war, emphasizing public resolve, national clarity, and long-term strategic leadership.

National camp conference at Knesset examines Gaza policy after the war

Ceasefire violation

2 soldiers wounded after terrorists violate ceasefire in Rafah

IDF observations identified six armed terrorists who emerged from a tunnel shaft near forces in western Rafah. Two were eliminated, the incident is still ongoing.

2 soldiers wounded after terrorists violate ceasefire in Rafah

German Chancellor:

German Chancellor: 'Iranian regime in its final days and weeks’

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz says Iran’s regime nearing collapse as widespread protests and deadly crackdown grip the country, with mounting international pressure and warnings from President Trump over Tehran’s actions.

German Chancellor: 'Iranian regime in its final days and weeks’

US designates Muslim Brotherhood chapters as terrorist organizations

Secretary Rubio announces that the Lebanese, Jordanian, and Egyptian chapters of the Muslim Brotherhood are being designated under Trump's executive order.

US designates Muslim Brotherhood chapters as terrorist organizations

Foreign Minister announces

Foreign Minister announces: Immediate suspension of contacts with UN agencies

Minister Gideon Saar announced the immediate suspension of contacts with several UN agencies and international organizations, following the US' withdrawal from similar bodies.

Foreign Minister announces: Immediate suspension of contacts with UN agencies

PM’s Office:

Netanyahu speaks with Yaakov Harari after his release from Venezuelan prison

PM Netanyahu spoke with Yaakov Harari, released from prison in Venezuela, praising diplomatic and security efforts to his release, thanking Israeli agencies, international partners, and the Harari family for their perseverance.

Netanyahu speaks with Yaakov Harari after his release from Venezuelan prison

Syrian Druze appeal

Syrian Druze appeal: 'We want Israel to control southern Syria'

A Druze resident of Mount Bashan in southern Syria published a video expressing gratitude and a demand for a change in the security situation in the region.

Syrian Druze appeal: 'We want Israel to control southern Syria'

Trump

Trump: 'Iranians, keep protesting, help is on the way'

US President posts message of support to Iranian people as reports emerge of massive death toll in regime crackdown.

Trump: 'Iranians, keep protesting, help is on the way'

Video gone viral:

Video gone viral: Iranian woman exposes global hypocrisy

Young Iranian woman accuses the global far left of selective outrage, remaining silent over Iran’s brutal repression and digital blackout while loudly mobilizing around Gaza, exposing what she calls a deep moral hypocrisy.

Video gone viral: Iranian woman exposes global hypocrisy

Fear for life of teen swept away in stream near Modi'in Illit

Rescue teams are searching for a teenager who was swept away in the Modi'in stream. It appears that the teen and his friend went to the stream to watch the flooding and got carried away by the current.

Fear for life of teen swept away in stream near Modi'in Illit

Rabbi Dov Lando: Don't participate in demonstrations

Rabbi Dov Lando criticized those participating in demonstrations and hinted at the actions of the extremist 'Jerusalem Faction.'

Rabbi Dov Lando: Don't participate in demonstrations

For first time:

Iranian official admits scope of protest fatalities for first time

Iranian official tells Reuters about 2,000 killed in two weeks of protests, as authorities blame unrest on terrorism and foreign interference.

Iranian official admits scope of protest fatalities for first time

South of Hebron:

Israeli Bedouins disguised as IDF soldiers rob Arab stores south of Hebron

Israeli forces dispatched to the Ad-Dhahiriya area after reports of armed suspects impersonating IDF soldiers and robbing shops; several suspects detained.

Israeli Bedouins disguised as IDF soldiers rob Arab stores south of Hebron

Antisemitic conspiracy theories rock Argentina

The Jewish community in Patagonia lives in fear as neighbors turn on them after a wildfire was unfoundedly blamed on Israelis.

Antisemitic conspiracy theories rock Argentina

Police look to end use of Skunk solution for crowd control

The Israel Police has decided to explore finding alternatives to using the malodorous chemical compound 'Skunk' for dispersing riots.

Police look to end use of Skunk solution for crowd control

Blue and White's new campaign: A government without Arabs

New Blue and White Party campaign promises a government without the Islamist Ra'am party or the right-wing Otzma Yehudit party.

Blue and White's new campaign: A government without Arabs

Winter storm continues: Jerusalem woman killed in flooded home

Winter storm reaches peak, bringing heavy rain and strong winds across Israel. Woman killed by heavy object in flooded home in Jerusalem.

Winter storm continues: Jerusalem woman killed in flooded home

Bnei Brak residents demand decisive action against burglaries

Following a recent wave of break-ins in Bnei Brak, residents say law enforcement authorities are not doing enough to curb the phenomenon.

Bnei Brak residents demand decisive action against burglaries

New report:

Report: Iran protests death toll estimated at at least 12,000

Iran International says its verified review of security, medical, and eyewitness sources points to a massive, coordinated killing during protests.

Report: Iran protests death toll estimated at at least 12,000

Trump:

Trump: 'Antisemites have no place in MAGA'

President Trump pushed back on the recent increase in antisemitic rhetoric from far-right figures in the USA, saying that he did not want them either in the MAGA movement or Republican party.

Trump: 'Antisemites have no place in MAGA'

Family of Binyamin Achimeir demands death penalty

Binyamin Achimeir's family is demanding that the terrorist who murdered him be put to death. 'This is not only the desire for retribution, but the need to deter and to restore order to our society.'

Family of Binyamin Achimeir demands death penalty

David Cunio:

David Cunio: The thought of my family kept me alive

Former hostage David Cunio recounts the terrorists’ abuse, the painful separation from his wife and daughters, and the emotions that surfaced upon returning home.

David Cunio: The thought of my family kept me alive

EU Parliament bans Iranian diplomats over crackdown on protesters

EU Parliament bans Iranian diplomats over Tehran’s crackdown on anti-regime protesters, with President Metsola urging stronger action.

EU Parliament bans Iranian diplomats over crackdown on protesters

Report:

Report: Trump briefed on cyber, psychological tools against Iran

CBS News reports that Trump has been briefed on expanded military, cyber, and psychological options as Iran’s protests escalate.

Report: Trump briefed on cyber, psychological tools against Iran

Zelenskyy:

Zelenskyy: World must help Iranians seize moment for change

Zelenskyy calls Iran’s protests an “uprising," urging global action to help Iranians seek change and criticizing Tehran’s role in aiding Russia.

Zelenskyy: World must help Iranians seize moment for change

Approved in first reading:

Approved in first reading: Regulating the prosecution of October 7 terrorists

The Knesset approves, in the first reading, a bill to prosecute the October 7 terrorists in a military court, including broadcasting and documenting the proceedings.

Approved in first reading: Regulating the prosecution of October 7 terrorists

What embarrassed Idan Amedi?

Singer Idan Amedi responds to reports that he has returned to reserve duty more than two years after being seriously injured in battle in the Gaza Strip.

What embarrassed Idan Amedi?

As protests escalate

US urges citizens to leave Iran immediately as protests escalate

US warns citizens to leave Iran immediately as protests intensify, internet is restricted, flights are canceled, and land borders become the safest exit routes amid rising risks of detention.

US urges citizens to leave Iran immediately as protests escalate