Israel increases efforts to locate bodies in Gaza
Israel is searching the territories under its control in Gaza for the bodies of slain hostages. Heavy engineering vehicles will begin entering the enclave to assist in the effort.
Stories written by the Israel National News team have been compiled and edited by several news writers
Israel is searching the territories under its control in Gaza for the bodies of slain hostages. Heavy engineering vehicles will begin entering the enclave to assist in the effort.

Over 336,000 students started the new academic year at 57 higher education institutions. Engineering remains the leading field, while data and AI studies are rapidly growing.

Israel’s job seekers fell to 172,700 in September, down 7.2% from August. The Employment Service attributes the drop to workers returning after summer layoffs, reflecting a resilient labor market.

President Trump oversees agreement ending months of border conflict as ASEAN leaders convene in Malaysia for regional and trade talks.

Radiohead’s Thom Yorke says he’d never perform in Israel again, citing the “Netanyahu regime.” Bandmate Jonny Greenwood defends ties to Israeli artists as BDS pressure mounts ahead of their European tour.

Iran’s Ayandeh Bank collapses and absorbed by Melli Bank. Officials blame bad debts and lavish projects as sanctions and economic turmoil deepen the Islamic Republic’s financial crisis.

Former hostage Elkana Bohbot and his wife Rivka attend Eyal Golan’s first concert in Yarkon Park with their family. The singer welcomes them and dedicates a song to them.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump says Middle East peace is “real” and historic, citing Iran’s nuclear dismantling and broad Arab-Israeli cooperation, and warns Hamas to uphold ceasefire or face consequences.

Trump hikes tariffs on Canada by 10% over ad by the Ontario government that misrepresented Reagan’s stance on tariffs.

Catherine Connolly, a critic of Israel who once called Hamas “part of the fabric” of Palestine and referred to Israel as a “terrorist state”, elected Ireland’s president in a landslide.

Hamas says it won’t provoke Israel as it searches Gaza for hostage bodies, in comments coming after Trump demands all bodies be returned within 48 hours.

At 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, clocks were set back one hour to 1:00 a.m. Standard Time will remain in effect until March 27, 2026.

Moussa Abu Marzouk, a senior Hamas official, insists Hamas has no more hostages to hand over, claims transfer of remaining 13 hostages' bodies could take 'months.' 'This is not a matter of weeks.'

US President Donald Trump urges Hamas to promptly return the bodies of deceased hostages, including two Americans, warning that failure to comply could prompt international action. 'I am watching this very closely.'

An Israeli-owned restaurant chain in Washington, D.C., has permanently shut down after years of protests and boycotts led by pro-Palestinian activists.

In a lecture to an Israeli audience, former prime minister Naftali Bennett said a right-wing ideological alternative that is not left-wing must be presented.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanks US Secretary of State Marco Rubio for his visit and unwavering support, as both leaders pledged continued cooperation on returning hostages and disarming Hamas.

Anat Angrest, mother of Hamas captivity survivor Matan Angrest, says her son came home with scars from Hamas' abuse, but he wants to join IDF, bring hostage Itay Chen home.

Defense Minister Israel Katz admits most of Hamas' terror tunnels are still intact, instructs IDF to prioritize demolition.

New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani delivered a speech outside a Bronx mosque, saying that NYC Muslims had been victimized since the World Trade Center attacks.

Egyptian team to enter Gaza, help locate deceased hostages' bodies, as US prevents Israel from taking steps to punish Hamas for delay.

NY Knicks send cease-and-desist letter to NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, warning against use of their logo in his promotional materials.

Violent riots break out in multiple locations across the Binyamin region, with leftist anarchists providing logistical support to rock-throwing Arab terrorists.

Effigy of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hangs from crane in Turkey, alongside the words 'death penalty for Netanyahu.'

IDF eliminates terrorist Zayn al-Abidin Hussein Fatouni, a commander in the antitank unit of Hezbollah's Radwan Force.

Fadwa Barghouti urges US President Trump to help free her husband, Marwan Barghouti, who is serving life in Israel for murderous attacks against Israelis.

American Airlines will resume daily JFK-Tel Aviv flights in March, marking its return after a two-year pause following the Oct. 7 Hamas attack and Gaza war.

Israeli and American officials tell The New York Times that US drones are flying over Gaza with Israeli consent to monitor the ceasefire.

Channel 12 News reports that Defense Minister Katz told VP Vance that over 60% of Hamas tunnels remain. IDF continues demolitions during ceasefire, stressing tunnel removal as vital to Gaza’s demilitarization under Trump’s plan.

US Ambassador to Yemen, Steven Fagin, will lead the Civil-Military Coordination Center, advancing Trump’s Gaza peace plan.

The city's rabbi, Yosef Yitzchak Wolff, went out to affix a mezuzah on the front door minutes before a missile destroyed the prayer hall and his office.

IDF eliminated logistics commander of Hezbollah’s southern front, Abbas Hassan Karkhi

Hostage survivor Omri Miran sent his first message 10 days after returning home, expressing pride in the army, its fighters, and commanders despite the pain and tragedy he endured.

A week and a half after being released from Hamas captivity, Alon Ohel returns home, 'So I can continue my life and achieve my goals.'

The 91st Division completed the largest exercise since the beginning of the war aimed at enhancing operational readiness for defense and offense along the Lebanon border - at sea, in the air, and on land.

IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir ordered a probe after cadets heard an unauthorized lecture from former PA Minister Ashraf al-Ajrami, tied to the PA’s Pay-for-Slay program.

Hundreds of activists from the Tzav 9 protest group blocked the Kissufim Crossing and called on President Trump not to allow aid to reach Gaza until all the deceased hostages are released.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks at a press conference in southern Israel, calls the current plan 'a massive undertaking' that could reshape Israel’s long-term security.

Israeli forces seize dozens of weapons and arrested terror suspects in sweeping operations across Judea and Samaria, thwart terror attack plots in Jilazon and Beit Ummar.

Hamas 'playing games' to avoid entering second stage of Trump deal, which requires disarming, Israeli official says.
