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

Diplomatic source:

Diplomatic source: Netzarim Corridor remains closed until release of Arbel Yehud resolved

Diplomatic source states Netanyahu is adamant on the decision not to allow Gazans to move north at Netzarim, until the return of hostage Arbel Yehud is resolved.

Diplomatic source: Netzarim Corridor remains closed until release of Arbel Yehud resolved

Mark Levin:

Mark Levin: 'There are no extremists in the Netanyahu government'

The American commentator pushed back on calls by family members of hostages for Trump to defy so-called 'extremists' in the Israeli government.

Mark Levin: 'There are no extremists in the Netanyahu government'

Searchers racing to find man vanished near Netanya

Denis Kotikov has now been missing for three days in the Netanya region. Searchers are rushing to find him despite rough terrain and winter weather.

Searchers racing to find man vanished near Netanya

President Herzog prays for hostages at Lubavitcher Rebbe's grave

Upon arriving in New York, President and First Lady Herzog visited the grave of the Lubavitcher Rebbe where they prayed for the wellbeing of the IDF soldiers and the return of the hostages.

President Herzog prays for hostages at Lubavitcher Rebbe's grave

1 week later:

1 week later: Romi, Emily, and Doron released from hospital

Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, and Doron Steinbrecher were released from the hospital today, exactly one week after they were released by their Hamas captors following more than 15 months as hostages.

1 week later: Romi, Emily, and Doron released from hospital

Jerusalem:

Jerusalem: Old City resident arrested for praising Sinwar and Haniyeh

Suspect arrested for posts praising October 7 massacre, rocket attacks on Israel, and slain Hamas leaders.

Jerusalem: Old City resident arrested for praising Sinwar and Haniyeh

IAF UAV strike breaks up gathering of armed men near Shechem

According to local reports, the attack targeted a funeral held at a cemetery in the area that was attended by multiple armed men.

IAF UAV strike breaks up gathering of armed men near Shechem

Electronic Intifada head Ali Abunimah arrested in Switzerland

Zurich State Councilor Mario Fehr says 'We do not want an Islamist Jew-hater who calls for violence in Switzerland' as denier of Hamas rapes is detained.

Electronic Intifada head Ali Abunimah arrested in Switzerland

Freed hostage found to have a bullet in her leg

Etty Schwartz, the aunt of Daniella Gilboa, who was released from Hamas captivity yesterday, speaks about her excitement to return home and the injuries she has sustained since the war began.

Freed hostage found to have a bullet in her leg

Watch:

Watch: Father of freed hostage says prayer of thanks

Daniella Gilboa's father said a prayer of gratitude in front of the holy ark for return of his daughter.

Watch: Father of freed hostage says prayer of thanks

Lebanese citizens shot while approaching IDF forces

Recent footage shows Lebanese citizens carrying Hezbollah flags within just a few meters of IDF forces in several locations in southern Lebanon. Israeli troops fired at and hit some of them.

Lebanese citizens shot while approaching IDF forces

Smotrich:

Smotrich: 'Trump's proposal to relocate Gazans is a good idea'

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich responds to President Donald Trump's proposal to relocate part of the Gaza population to other places like Egypt and Jordan while reconstruction takes place.

Smotrich: 'Trump's proposal to relocate Gazans is a good idea'

Political source:

Political source: Israel concerned deal will boost Hamas in Judea and Samaria

Source says 'cynical and cruel' Hamas is 'not the same organization it was on October 7.'

Political source: Israel concerned deal will boost Hamas in Judea and Samaria

Despite IDF commitment:

Despite IDF commitment: Released terrorists greeted with Hamas flags and parades

Despite orders to prevent celebrations of the release of terrorists, parades broke out in eastern Jerusalem and Jenin.

Despite IDF commitment: Released terrorists greeted with Hamas flags and parades

Father of US hostage '100% confident' Trump pressure will continue

Adi Alexander, the father of New Jersey native Idan Alexander, tells the New York Post he strongly believes President Trump will do what is necessary to bring his son home after over 470 days in captivity.

Father of US hostage '100% confident' Trump pressure will continue

Anti-Israel mob ecstatic pro-Israel activist lost home in LA fires

After pro-Israel activist Samantha Ettus, who founded a group to combat antisemitism in response to October 7, lost her home in the Palisades fire, anti-Israel mob say they wish she had been in the home as it burned down

Anti-Israel mob ecstatic pro-Israel activist lost home in LA fires

Another breach of ceasefire:

Another breach of ceasefire: Hamas fails to present report on hostages' status

Despite committing to provide a list by Saturday night, Hamas has not yet reported to Israel on the status of the remaining hostages.

Another breach of ceasefire: Hamas fails to present report on hostages' status

Denmark charges two over desecration of Quran

For the first time, Denmark charges two individuals under law passed in 2023 prohibiting the desecration of the Quran.

Denmark charges two over desecration of Quran

Fearing US sanctions

Fearing US sanctions, ICC implements measures to protect its staff

Two sources say the ICC has implemented measures to protect its staff from potential US sanctions, including paying salaries three months in advance.

Fearing US sanctions, ICC implements measures to protect its staff

Ben & Jerry's claims:

Ben & Jerry's claims: Unilever suppressed our statement because it referenced Trump

Ben & Jerry’s files updated complaint in lawsuit against its parent company Unilever, alleges it suppressed a social policy statement the ice cream maker sought to release because it referenced President Donald Trump.

Ben & Jerry's claims: Unilever suppressed our statement because it referenced Trump

Trump:

Trump: I'd like Jordan and Egypt to take in more people from Gaza

US President suggests potential mass relocation of Gazans to other countries, such as Jordan and Egypt, to essentially "clean out" the conflict-ridden area and start anew.

Trump: I'd like Jordan and Egypt to take in more people from Gaza

Macron:

Macron: All sides in Lebanon ceasefire must honor their commitments

French President calls on all parties to the Lebanon ceasefire to honor their commitments as soon as possible, after Israel announces a delay in withdrawal from Lebanon.

Macron: All sides in Lebanon ceasefire must honor their commitments

MK David Bitan hospitalized in intensive care

Chairman of the Knesset Economic Affairs Committee, MK David Bitan, hospitalized in the neurological intensive care unit at Sheba Hospital after feeling unwell for several days.

MK David Bitan hospitalized in intensive care

State Department:

State Department: It is critical that the ceasefire implementation continues

State Department welcomes release of IDF soldiers Liri Albag, Daniella Gilboa, Karina Ariev and Naama Levy, stresses importance of the implementation of the hostage deal between Israel and Hamas.

State Department: It is critical that the ceasefire implementation continues

Trump:

Trump: A lot of things that were not sent by Biden to Israel are now on their way

US President confirms reports that he has instructed to release hold on 2,000-pound bombs intended for shipment to Israel and which were frozen by Biden.

Trump: A lot of things that were not sent by Biden to Israel are now on their way

Two terrorists refuse release, preferring to remain in prison

After two terrorists refuse offer of release, one is persuaded to board bus to Gaza while the other steadfastly insists on remaining in prison.

Two terrorists refuse release, preferring to remain in prison

Who is on the list to be released next week?

Next Saturday, Arbel Yehud, Agam Berger, and Keith Siegel are expected to be released from Hamas captivity. Israeli source clarifies: 'No official list yet.'

Who is on the list to be released next week?

PA chairman congratulates terrorist who murdered children

Mahmoud Abbas congratulated released terrorist Yasser Abu Bakr, convicted of three murders including that of a 9-month-old baby.

PA chairman congratulates terrorist who murdered children

IDF: We fired towards terrorists violating ceasefire in Gaza

IDF soldiers fire warning shots after terrorists in Gaza present a threat to troops. 'IDF prepared for any scenario, urges Gazan residents to follow instructions.'

IDF: We fired towards terrorists violating ceasefire in Gaza

Orit Mark Ettinger:

Orit Mark Ettinger: Those responsible for murder go free - my heart hurts and is dizzy

Orit Mark Ettinger, daughter of Rabbi Miki Mark and sister of fallen soldier Pedaya, expresses deep pain at the release of two of the terrorists responsible for her father's murder.

Orit Mark Ettinger: Those responsible for murder go free - my heart hurts and is dizzy

'I love you'

'I love you' | Watch: Liri Albag thanks the nation and the soldiers

Released hostage Liri Albag thanks her country and the soldiers immediately following her release.

'I love you' | Watch: Liri Albag thanks the nation and the soldiers

Hostages' testimonies revealed

The four newly-released IDF soldiers recounted that there was an elderly hostage who looked after them, ensured they could eat and shower - and was killed in captivity.

Hostages' testimonies revealed

Trump orders Pentagon: Release hold on weapons to Israel

White House instructs Pentagon to send 2,000-pound bombs to Israel, after the shipment was paused by the Biden administration last May.

Trump orders Pentagon: Release hold on weapons to Israel

With A Smile:

With A Smile: Returning hostages proudly face hundreds of terrorists

The returning hostages stood beaming proudly and waving as they were surrounded by hundreds of terrorists during their release ceremony.

With A Smile: Returning hostages proudly face hundreds of terrorists

Hamas' cynical video:

Hamas' cynical video: Returning hostages smile, 'thank' captors in Arabic

Hamas publishes footage of Daniella Gilboa, Liri Albag, Naama Levy, and Karina Ariev smiling and 'thanking' the terrorists in Arabic for 'taking good care of them' in captivity, 'for the food, the drinks, and the clothing,' and for 'protection from the attacks.'

Hamas' cynical video: Returning hostages smile, 'thank' captors in Arabic

Face of Evil:

Face of Evil: 200 terrorists released from prison

200 security prisoners were released today, including 121 serving life sentences. 70 were deported to Egypt, with others returned to Judea, Samaria, and Gaza.

Face of Evil: 200 terrorists released from prison

Netanyahu to Liri Albag's parents:

Netanyahu to Liri's parents: 'We embrace Liri and her friends, this is truly a great day'

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks with Shira and Eli Albag, parents of released hostage Liri Albag. Watch.

Netanyahu to Liri's parents: 'We embrace Liri and her friends, this is truly a great day'

'Arbel Yehud is alive and will be released next Saturday'

Senior Israeli officials say they expect Arbel Yehud to be released in the coming days - even before Saturday.

'Arbel Yehud is alive and will be released next Saturday'

Director of Beilinson Hospital:

Director of Beilinson Hospital: 'Hostages are in stable condition, with full support'

Dr. Lena Koren Feldman, Director of Beilinson Hospital, gave a statement this evening regarding the return of four hostages from Gaza.

Director of Beilinson Hospital: 'Hostages are in stable condition, with full support'

White House: Trump secured hostages' release

White House acknowledges hostages were 'held against their will by Hamas in horrific conditions,' adds: 'Today the world celebrates as President Trump secured the release of four more Israeli hostages.'

White House: Trump secured hostages' release