Master Sergeant (Res.) Shmuel Gad Rahamim succumbs to injuries
Master Sergeant (Res.) Shmuel Gad Rahamim, injured earlier this week in combat in southern Gaza, succumbs to his wounds.
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Stories written by the Israel National News team have been compiled and edited by several news writers
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Steve Witkoff In Tel Aviv:
Steve Witkoff In Tel Aviv: 'I dreamed of this night for a long time'
Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and Ivanka Trump addressed a crowd of thousands this evening at a rally in Tel Aviv.
"I can't bear the pain"
Supernova festival survivor Roi Shalev ends his life
Roei Shalev, boyfriend of Mapal Adam, who was murdered in the attack, was found lifeless yesterday (Friday) at the scene of a vehicle fire near Netanya.
Hostage's mother:
Hostage's mother: Play the notes of Hatikva for Alon and the other hostages
Ahead of expected hostage release, mother of hostage Alon Ohel asks the public to play piano in his honor. 'Show Alon that you waited for him together with us.'
IDF chief Zamir, US officials, tour Gaza ahead of hostage return
IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir tours Gaza with US Envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and CENTCOM chief Brad Cooper to review ceasefire coordination and hostage return plans.
Hamas begins to regroup
Hamas returns 7,000 security personnel to active service, in an attempt to regain control of areas evacuated by the IDF, BBC report says.
These were Yahya Sinwar's instructions for the October 7 massacre
Israeli intelligence locates document instructing Hamas terrorists to harm IDF soldiers and Israeli civilians, set entire towns on fire, and document their actions, The New York Times reports.
Hostages to be released on Monday - perhaps even Sunday
Under the agreement, living hostages will be returned first, possibly as a single group, and deceased hostages will be returned later.
Tennessee:
Deadly blast at Tennessee explosives plant leaves 19 dead or missing
A blast at a Tennessee explosives facility leaves 19 dead or missing. The site, a DoD contractor, has been destroyed. Emergency crews and federal agents are investigating.
Optimism grows:
Optimism grows in Israel: Hostages could be freed before Monday deadline
Israel’s completion Phase A of Trump’s hostage deal sparks hope for early release before Monday. Medical centers are on alert as families are told it could happen as soon as Sunday.
Report:
Report: Trump to host Gaza summit in Egypt with global leaders
President Trump will host a Gaza summit in Egypt next week, joined by global leaders to support his peace plan.
Hostage deal
Supreme Court rejects petition against terrorist release in hostage deal
Supreme Court dismisses a petition against releasing terrorist prisoners in the Hamas deal, citing the issue as a core security matter under government discretion.
Operation Returning Home:
Operation Returning Home: Netanyahu reviews hostage care preparations
PM Netanyahu visits Sheba Hospital before Shabbat to inspect preparations for returning hostages and honor wounded IDF soldiers, praising their courage and the medical teams' readiness.
After finalizing hostage deal:
After finalizing hostage deal: Trump envoys Witkoff and Kushner visit Western Wall
US envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and Ivanka Trump visited the Western Wall, praying with Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovitch for the hostages’ safe return and lasting peace in the region.
Pollard to Arutz Sheva:
Pollard: Israel should have rejected US-imposed ceasefire deal
Jonathan Pollard tells Arutz Sheva that Israel’s acceptance of an American-imposed ceasefire reflects failed leadership and warns it could bring another national disaster.
Wife of terror victim:
Rabbi Raziel's wife: If his murderer's release is price for hostages, 'do so with my love'
As part of Hamas’s demands to update the list of prisoners to be released, the Israeli government is approving an unusual telephone vote to replace 11 Fatah terrorists with Hamas operatives.
Netanyahu
Netanyahu: 'Gaza will be demilitarized - the easy way or the hard way'
In a statement to the nation on the ceasefire, PM Netanyahu says only military and political pressure on Hamas compelled the terror group to release all of the hostages.
Nobel Peace Prize not awarded to Trump
Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machada awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, beating out the US President who brokered this week's ceasefire and hostage deal with Hamas.
Aryeh Deri
Aryeh Deri: 'A great miracle from heaven'
Shas chairman calls the deal to return the hostages miraculous and an achievement no one dreamed of.
Watch
Watch: Holiday Prayer and Songs at Hostages’ Square
Hundreds gathered this morning at Hostages’ Square in Tel Aviv for Shacharit and Hallel prayers, led by Rabbi Tamir Granot and attended by rabbis and family members of hostages.
Deal's price
Deal's price: Marwan Barghouti won't be released, but Ramallah lynchers will be
The four 'aces' Hamas sought to have freed in the ceasefire agreement will not be freed, but many murderers and mass murderers, including Islamic Jihad and PFLP leaders, will be.
Families to receive notices of the release of their loved ones' murderers
Starting today, families who lost loved ones to terrorist attack will receive personal notices that the terrorists who murdered their family members will be released under the ceasefire deal.
Bulgaria probes antisemitic attacks on Jewish sites
Bulgarian police investigating antisemitic vandalism at Varna synagogue and Burgas Holocaust memorial. The Foreign Ministry condemns the acts as “unacceptable”.
Security forces searching
Suspected infiltration in Kochav Hashachar in Binyamin region, security forces searching
Report received of a suspect who attempted to break into a house in Kochav Hashachar. IDF troops are searching the area alongside additional units.
Poll:
Poll: Likud gains strength, Yesh Atid falls below electoral threshold
Two new polls show growing support for Likud and the right-wing bloc. Channel 13 poll finds that 82% of the public back Trump’s proposal to end the war and secure the release of hostages.
New York AG Letitia James faces fraud charges in Virginia
James has been under federal investigation since May over a 2023 mortgage she obtained to assist her niece in purchasing a home in Norfolk, Virginia.
Watch:
Watch: Jerusalem’s tribute to President Trump
The walls of Jerusalem’s Old City and the Chords Bridge illuminated with the flags of the United States and Israel, in appreciation of President Trump’s efforts to secure the release of hostages.
US sends 200 troops to Israel to monitor Gaza ceasefire
The US is deploying 200 troops to Israel to monitor Gaza ceasefire and aid flow, as part of Trump’s peace plan. Troops will coordinate with allies and IDF, but won’t enter Gaza.
'Comprehensive End of the War’
'Comprehensive End of Gaza War’: Document outlining Israel-Hamas agreement revealed
Document agreed upon between Israel and Hamas outlining Trump’s Gaza peace plan: IDF withdrawal, full aid entry, and hostage release within 72 hours, coordinated by a multinational task force.
Deal moves forward:
Deal moves forward: Government approves framework for release of all hostages
Government approves framework for the release of all hostages. Ministers from Otzma Yehudit and Religious Zionist Party vote against the deal, with the exception of Minister Ofir Sofer.
Ben Gvir to US envoys:
Ben Gvir to US envoys: Would you make a deal with Hitler?
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir clashes with American envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner during government meeting to approve the agreement with Hamas.
Ohana invites Trump to address Knesset after hostage release deal
Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana invites President Trump to speak in Israel’s parliament, praising his role in securing hostage release and brokering a historic regional peace agreement.
Two Years Later:
Two Years Later: Released terrorist killed trying to carry out attack
An attacker who about two years ago assaulted a Jewish shepherd was killed last night planting an IED near an Israeli farm.
The last elimination before the ceasefire?
At least four Hamas terrorists were killed in a strike in Gaza City, and dozens more were trapped under the rubble of the collapsed building.
Pres. Herzog meets Trump envoys Jared Kushner, Steve Witkoff
President Isaac Herzog this evening welcomed US President Donald Trump’s special envoys, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem.
Leah Goldin:
Leah Goldin: 'World leaders - don't let Hamas play you'
Leah Goldin, mother of captured soldier Hadar, made a personal appeal to world leaders not to allow Hamas to control the recovery of the hostages.
Ben Gvir
Ben Gvir: 'If Hamas is not dismantled, we'll dismantle the government'
Otzma Yehudit head welcomes the return of the hostages but declares that he will not support a deal that frees murderers and also demands the dismantling of the Hamas government as a red line.
Khalil al-Hayya
Khalil al-Hayya: 'Hamas received guarantees from US on end of war'
Hamas leader says the terror group received guarantees from America and the mediators that the hostage deal will end the war.
Government to approve release of 250 life-term prisoners
The government will be required to approve the release of Palestinian prisoners - 250 terrorists serving life sentences and 1,700 Gaza residents who were arrested after the October 7 massacre.
Trump
Trump: 'All hostages should be released on Monday or Tuesday'
President Trump meets with his Cabinet at the White House a day after his negotiators secured an agreement to release all of the hostages by early next week.