Israel National News

New poll shows bleak future for Yesh Atid, Ben-Gvir gets stronger

The first poll after Netanyahu's meeting with Trump grants his party 26 seats. Lapid would only receive eight.

EU:

EU: 'Gaza is an integral part of the future Palestinian state'

The EU has rejected President Trump's plan for Gaza, reaffirming its commitment to a two-state solution.

PA's proposal:

PA's proposal: Gazans to relocate to Judea and Samaria

Senior PA officials will propose to Chairman Abbas to resettle Arabs from Gaza in a new city that would be built west of Jericho.

Benny Gantz:

Benny Gantz: 'Trump's plan is a global responsibility'

Benny Gantz, chair of the National Unity party, praised President Trump's statements on Gaza's future and security of Israel and the region.

Israel to withdraw from UN Human Rights Council

Following the US decision not to participate in the UN Human Rights Council, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar says Israel will follow suit and leave the council as well.

PM Netanyahu meets with Vice President Vance and National Security Advisor Waltz

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with US Vice President J.D. Vance and US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz at the Blair House in Washington, DC.

Elizabeth Tsurkov's sister:

Elizabeth Tsurkov's sister: 'Biden admin kept showering corrupt Iraqi officials with cash'

Emma Tsurkov, whose sister, Elizabeth, has been held hostage by a Shia militia in Iraq since 2023 expressed hope that the Trump administration would bring her sister home: 'Thank God a tough leader with a backbone of steel is in the White House.'

Judea and Samaria:

Judea and Samaria: Jewish population surges, doubling Israel's growth rate

In 2024, the Jewish population in Judea and Samaria grew at more than twice the rate of Israel’s population. This surge highlights the resilience of communities in the biblical heartland, despite international pressure and security challenges.

Hamas responds to Trump:

Hamas responds to Trump: 'Intention to displace Gazans is a crime against humanity'

Hamas rejected the US President's plan to relocate Gazans and take control of the area and demanded 'urgent regional and international action to put an end to these malicious plans.'

Watch:

Watch: Released hostages leave hospital and return home

The five IDF lookouts who returned from Hamas captivity were discharged from Beilinson Hospital and were met with great excitement by crowds that waited outside their homes.

In Depth:

In Depth: Trump's plan to 'clean out' Gaza

Donald Trump has repeatedly proposed relocating the population of Gaza for their own benefit. What challenges would such a move entail?

Drone threat

Watch: Defense Ministry tests advanced drone interception technologies

Israeli defense industries and startups demonstrated various drone interception and neutralization capabilities using both projectile-based systems and counter-drones at a testing field in southern Israel.

Bereaved wife:

Dana Yung begged her husband not to go back to reserve duty

Dana Yung eulogizes her husband, murdered in Tuesday's terrorist attack in the Jordan Valley: 'He was phenomenally clever; he had zero ego.'

Times Square video highlights Bibas family's suffering

Video ad featured in Times Square features Kfir and Ariel Bibas with their mother, demands: 'Hamas, where are the Bibas babies?'

'Am Israel chai'

'Am Israel chai': Romi Gonen pens post-captivity post on Instagram

Romi Gonen, released last month from Hamas captivity, pens social media post, says her healing won't be complete until all hostages are home. 'Am Israel chai.'

Kerem Shalom:

Kerem Shalom hero, who lost both hands fighting to save his family on 10/7, returns home

Amichai Schindler, who lost both hands while fighting to defend his family from terrorists in Kibbutz Kerem Shalom on 10/7, returns to help rebuild his own home.

Security squad member's weapon returned after being confiscated, following false complaint

Security squad member detained an Arab woman behaving suspiciously; his weapon was confiscated after she complained and was returned only after legal intervention.

Report:

Report: Pentagon preparing plan to withdraw US forces from Syria

Responding to claims that US troops are planning to withdraw from Syria, President Donald Trump says, 'Syria is its own mess; with enough messes over there, they don’t need us involved in everyone.'

Trump: Reports of strike on Iran 'greatly exaggerated'

US President Donald Trump says he wants nuclear deal that will allow Iran to 'peacefully grow and prosper,' Iranian FM Abbas Araghchi rejects proposal of deal and says issue of avoiding nuclear weapon is 'not complicated' and can be resolved.

Jerusalem light rail to suspend service for five days

Beginning on Sunday, Jerusalem's light rail will not operate for five days, to allow for upgrades and tests ahead of the line's extension.

Amit Segal:

Amit Segal: 'We couldn't have hoped for anything better'

Journalist Amit Segal praises US President Donald Trump's plan for Gaza, says Israel could not have hoped for anything better. 'I don't remember such a thing in history.'

Rabbi in German Air Force:

Rabbi Zsolt Balla German military's first chief rabbi in 90 years

Rabbi Balla joins the German army, 90 years after Hitler expelled Jewish soldiers. 'I want Jewish soldiers in German armed forces to know they have someone to approach,' he says.

Israel Ganz:

Israel Ganz: 'The Palestinian vision is over, Israel must apply sovereignty'

Binyamin Region leader Israel Ganz praises US President Donald Trump's plan for Gaza: 'For the first time, an American president is essentially declaring the end of the Palestinian dream to destroy Israel.'

Itamar Ben Gvir:

Itamar Ben Gvir: 'Likelihood that I will return to the government has increased'

Former Minister Itamar Ben Gvir responds to President Trump's announcement that the US will take control of Gaza and promote permanent immigration of Gazans.

2,500 years old

Ancient arrowheads from Yemen uncovered in Israel's Negev

Antiquities Authority excavation in southern Israel uncovers ancient grave containing remains of a merchant caravan; researchers believe the caravans traded frankincense and myrrh and possibly women as well.

Yossi Dagan:

Yossi Dagan: 'Now is a rare opportunity to apply sovereignty in Judea and Samaria'

'New US administration will respect what Israel defines as critical to its security,' Samaria Governor Yossi Dagan says in response to US president's comments on application of sovereignty.

Gallant accuses:

Gallant accuses: Government didn't do everything possible to bring back hostages

Former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant says agreement with Hamas was signed too late, Israel 'could have had the same deal with more hostages, at a lower price.'

Man who fired shotgun outside Albany synagogue pleads guilty

New York man pleads guilty to a hate crime after firing a shotgun outside an Albany synagogue in December of 2023.

Minister Miki Zohar:

Minister Miki Zohar: We will not allow Hamas to remain in Gaza

Culture and Sports Minister reiterates that Israel would not agree that Hamas will continue to rule over the Gaza Strip, even at the cost of giving up on the hostage deal.

Freed IDF lookouts ask to resume their army service

Despite the long captivity, the five female soldiers who were released in the deal decide to return to serve, but not in the role of lookouts.

Protest in Washington: 'How long until the next October 7?'

Billboard trucks calling for Hamas’ defeat during Trump-Netanyahu meeting in Washington: 'How long until the next October 7?!'

Council heads to Netanyahu:

Council heads to Netanyahu: Sovereignty is part of the absolute victory!

Leaders of local authorities in Judea and Samaria send letter to Netanyahu ahead of his meeting with Trump, express concern over reports of possible relinquishment of sovereignty over Judea and Samaria as part of the normalization deal with Saudi Arabia.

New details:

New details: Senior Hamas figure used five women soldiers as a human shield

Liri, Naama, Karina, Daniella, and Agam were held in an apartment in Gaza City by a senior Hamas figure, who used them as a human shield and attempted to encourage them to provide IDF intelligence information.

Trump isn't stopping:

Trump isn't stopping: US imposes new sanctions on Iran

Move includes additional economic sanctions and increased diplomatic pressure on Tehran; US President also stopped UNRWA funding.

Haredi MK: This is why UTJ won't join the Left

MK Yitzhak Pindrus explains why the haredi United Torah Judaism party will not join aleft-wing government. 'Our rabbis gave a clear instruction.'

Chief of Staff:

Chief of Staff: 'We've learned lessons, we'll increase counterterrorism activity'

IDF Chief of the General Staff visits scene of Jordan Valley shooting attack, says, 'We'll increase the counterterrorism activity and expand it to additional areas.'

Terror victim's widow:

Terror victim's widow: 'We are in pain, we will be happy; you are always in our hearts'

'Thank you for our beautiful years together,' Gal Friedman eulogizes her husband Tzvi, murdered in a terror attack in the Jordan Valley.

Minister Orit Strock:

Minister Orit Strock: 'I oppose the deal - deal with it without demonization'

'A large portion of the nation opposes hostage deal, deal with our position without delegitimizing it or demonizing us, allow discourse on all components of this difficult decision,' Settlement Minister Orit Strock urges Israelis.

Terror victim's sister:

Terror victim's sister: 'Tzvi symbolized everything that was good in this nation'

Shlomit, sister of Sergeant major (res.) Tzvi Friedman, killed in Jordan Valley terrorist attack today, says her brother was a sensitive, caring and loving guy.

Defense Minister's updated plan for haredi draft

According to new plan, 50% of 18-year-old haredim will draft within seven years.