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

Physical altercation

Physical altercation: Independence Day ceremony plagued by high-level disputes

A seating dispute involving Eyal Zamir and David Barnea sparked security tensions, as Itamar Ben-Gvir exited the event due to his own seating issue.

Physical altercation: Independence Day ceremony plagued by high-level disputes

Can the ceasefire last?

IDF locates more weapons in southern Lebanon

IDF troops uncover Hezbollah weapons caches, including RPGs and drones, in multiple locations across southern Lebanon.

IDF locates more weapons in southern Lebanon

IDF eliminates terrorist who infiltrated Nir Oz on Oct. 7

Khamis Muhammad Khamis Qassas, who infiltrated Nir Oz on the morning of the October 7 massacre and led attacks against Israel throughout the war, is eliminated after violating ceasefire.

IDF eliminates terrorist who infiltrated Nir Oz on Oct. 7

'Closure for me'

Captivity survivor and wounded warrior meet: 'I could have only dreamed of playing here'

At a Jerusalem ceremony, a former hostage and wounded Golani soldier recount captivity, loss, and recovery, highlighting resilience and hope.

Captivity survivor and wounded warrior meet: 'I could have only dreamed of playing here'

Watch live:

Watch live: Independence Day reception for ambassadors and diplomats

Ambassadors to Israel and the diplomatic corps arrive at special President's Residence reception honoring Israel’s 78th Independence Day.

Watch live: Independence Day reception for ambassadors and diplomats

In southern Lebanon:

IDF eliminates terrorists who breached ceasefire in southern Lebanon

IDF strikes and eliminates terrorists who crossed ceasefire line in southern Lebanon, as troops continue operations against Hezbollah infrastructure.

IDF eliminates terrorists who breached ceasefire in southern Lebanon

Milei hailed as ‘Guardian of Israel’ during Jerusalem visit

Binyamin Council head Yisrael Ganz presents Argentine President Javier Milei with a symbolic 'Guardian of Israel' image, praising his strong support for Israel amid growing international criticism.

Milei hailed as ‘Guardian of Israel’ during Jerusalem visit

Watch live:

Watch live: Festive Independence Day prayer service in Kiryat Shmona

Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu leads a festive musical prayer service, including Hallel, celebrating Israel's Independence Day near the Lebanese border.

Watch live: Festive Independence Day prayer service in Kiryat Shmona

After ceremony mix-up

TikTok figure mistaken for Chief Rabbi at Independence event

A TikTok personality dressed as the Chief Rabbi sparked confusion at Israel’s Independence Day ceremony, even prompting Rabbinate to consider legal action.

TikTok figure mistaken for Chief Rabbi at Independence event

Watch: Festive Independence Day prayers at the Western Wall

Crowds arrive at Western Wall for festive Independence Day prayers, accompanied by song and dance, led by Rabbi Oury Cherki.

Watch: Festive Independence Day prayers at the Western Wall

'A light to the world'

'A light to the world': Amb. Huckabee's greeting for Israel's Independence Day

US Ambassador Mike Huckabee marks Israel’s 78th Independence Day, praising its resilience, historic roots, and enduring partnership with the US.

'A light to the world': Amb. Huckabee's greeting for Israel's Independence Day

IRGC vessel fires at container ship near Oman

Heavy damage reported after IRGC gun boat fires at container ship, UKMTO reports.

IRGC vessel fires at container ship near Oman

2,000 join Independence Day eve prayer in Jerusalem

Crowds at OU Israel's Independence Day prayer at the Ramada Hotel: 'They will never break our spirit.'

2,000 join Independence Day eve prayer in Jerusalem

Hochul declares solidarity with Israel on Independence Day

New York Governor Kathy Hochul expresses strong solidarity with Israel on its 78th Independence Day, highlighting the state’s large Jewish population and the deep bond between New York and Israel.

Hochul declares solidarity with Israel on Independence Day

US sanctions networks helping Iran rebuild ballistic missile arsenal

US imposes new sanctions targeting 14 people and companies that help Iran obtain weapons as Tehran seeks to rebuild its ballistic missile inventories after US-Israeli strikes.

US sanctions networks helping Iran rebuild ballistic missile arsenal

Hate crime probed

Britain: Hate crime probe launched after arson attack on Jewish shop in Watford

Hertfordshire Police are treating a fire at a Jewish-owned shop in Watford as a religiously aggravated hate crime. A door was set alight and graffiti was left on the building.

Britain: Hate crime probe launched after arson attack on Jewish shop in Watford

Watch:

Watch: Israeli flag lights up Times Square for Independence Day

Israeli flag displayed on digital billboards in New York’s Times Square, marking Israel’s 78th Independence Day with the message “Israel 78, celebrating freedom."

Watch: Israeli flag lights up Times Square for Independence Day

Trump:

Trump: Blockade lift means no deal - unless we blow Iran up

President Trump states that lifting the US naval blockade of Iran could only lead to a deal if America “blows up the rest of their country".

Trump: Blockade lift means no deal - unless we blow Iran up

Argentine President at Kotel:

Argentine President at the Western Wall: Here I feel close to God!

Argentine President Javier Milei concludes his visit to Israel with an emotional prayer at the Western Wall on the eve of Independence Day.

Argentine President at the Western Wall: Here I feel close to God!

Talik Gvili lights a torch: Pride is stronger than sorrow

Talik Gvili lights a torch on Independence Day in memory of her son Ran, who fell in battle at Kibbutz Alumim and kidnapped to Gaza, delivering a powerful message of heroism, unity, and victory.

Talik Gvili lights a torch: Pride is stronger than sorrow

Trump announces:

Trump announces: Ceasefire extended until Iran submits a proposal

Trump announces the extension of the ceasefire with Iran until its fractured leadership submits a unified deal proposal. The US naval blockade remains firmly in place.

Trump announces: Ceasefire extended until Iran submits a proposal

Walls of Jerusalem's Old City light up in honor of 78th Yom Ha'atzmaut

The walls of Jerusalem’s Old City, the Chords Bridge, and additional structures across the city were illuminated in blue and white marking the Israel's 78th Independence Day.

Walls of Jerusalem's Old City light up in honor of 78th Yom Ha'atzmaut

Watch

Watch: Israel's 78th Yom Ha'atzmaut ceremony

Israel marks its 78th Independence Day with a torchlighting ceremony on Mount Herzl.

Watch: Israel's 78th Yom Ha'atzmaut ceremony

Farm Association 2026

The Farm Initiative: Today’s Zionism safeguarding tomorrow’s land

Farm Association 2026

UK

UK: 8 arrested in investigation into arson attacks targeting Jewish sites

UK police counterterrorism unit arrests eight suspects as part of an investigation into a series of arson attacks in London.

UK: 8 arrested in investigation into arson attacks targeting Jewish sites

Holocaust survivor passes away at 105

Berish Aurbach, a 105-year-old Holocaust survivor and one of the last people smuggled out of the Warsaw Ghetto, has passed away in Melbourne, Australia.

Holocaust survivor passes away at 105

Live

Live: Independence Day prayers at the Western Wall

To mark the 78th Independence Day of the State of Israel, a festive prayer service is being held this evening at the Western Wall Plaza, with the participation of hundreds of worshippers.

Live: Independence Day prayers at the Western Wall

Live

Live: OU Yom Haatzmaut celebration

The OU marks Independence Day at the Ramada Hotel in Jerusalem, followed by a mass festive prayer with song and music.

Live: OU Yom Haatzmaut celebration

Hezbollah's serious ceasefire violation

While the IDF initially stated that the sirens heard this evening in frontline communities were a “false identification," it is now becoming clear that at least two real incidents occurred in the sector.

Hezbollah's serious ceasefire violation

Footage: Helicopter raid in the open sea

The U.S. Department of Defense announced today (Tuesday) a complex raid operation in the Indian Ocean, during which special forces took control of the tanker M/T Tifani.

Footage: Helicopter raid in the open sea

Minister Waserlauf broke down in tears at his rabbi's grave

Minister Itshak Waserlauf broke down in tears at the grave of his rabbi, Rabbi Achiad Ettinger, of blessed memory, who was murdered while charging at a terrorist during an attack at the Ariel Junction.

Minister Waserlauf broke down in tears at his rabbi's grave

The punishment for the soldier who damaged a Jesus statue

The IDF announced the disciplinary actions it is taking against the soldier who was photographed damaging a statue of Jesus in Lebanon.

The punishment for the soldier who damaged a Jesus statue

Trump calls on Iran to free 8 women sentenced to death

US President says he would 'greatly appreciate the release' of 8 women who reportedly face hanging in Iran.

Trump calls on Iran to free 8 women sentenced to death

During the siren:

During the siren, Miriam Dickshtein salutes besides her fallen husband's grave

Miriam, an officer in the Air Force and widow of Lieutenant Ivri Dickshtein, who fell in battle in Lebanon, saluted beside her husband’s grave during the minute of silence.

During the siren, Miriam Dickshtein salutes besides her fallen husband's grave

Trump

Trump: 'Expect to be bombing again in Iran'

US President says Iran has 'no choice' but to make an acceptable deal as end of ceasefire and resumption of military operations looms.

Trump: 'Expect to be bombing again in Iran'

Nadav Milo:

Nadav Milo: A quiet hero remembered

Friends and family remember Nadav Milo in a special Memorial Day video.

Nadav Milo: A quiet hero remembered

From memorial to celebration

From memorial to celebration: Prayer bridging national days of remembrance and hope

Tzohar Rabbinical Organization has released a special prayer to be recited in the period of transition between Israel’s Memorial Day and Independence Day.

From memorial to celebration: Prayer bridging national days of remembrance and hope

'Victory will be complete':

'Victory will be complete': Herzog’s powerful message at memorial

At Mount Herzl, President Herzog honors terror victims, links generations of loss, and says Israel’s true victory lies in rebuilding life.

'Victory will be complete': Herzog’s powerful message at memorial

Maoz Morell:

Maoz Morell: A fallen soldier's boundless energy and love

Friends and family remember Maoz Morell in a special Memorial Day video.

Maoz Morell: A fallen soldier's boundless energy and love

"From Darkness to Light':

"From Darkness to Light': A festive musical tefila for Yom Ha'atzmaut in Jerusalem

A special 'Tekes Maavar' (Transition Ceremony) will be held at the Ramada Hotel in Jerusalem, followed by a mass festive prayer with song and music by the OU Israel organization.

"From Darkness to Light': A festive musical tefila for Yom Ha'atzmaut in Jerusalem