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

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.

Israel increases efforts to locate bodies in Gaza

Academic year opens:

More than 336,000 students begin the 2026 academic year across Israel

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.

More than 336,000 students begin the 2026 academic year across Israel

172.7 job seekers:

Israel’s job seeker numbers drop sharply in September, reflected mostly in haredi cities

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.

Israel’s job seeker numbers drop sharply in September, reflected mostly in haredi cities

Trump leads signing of Thailand-Cambodia peace deal

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

Trump leads signing of Thailand-Cambodia peace deal

Radiohead’s Yorke:

Radiohead’s Yorke: I wouldn’t go near the Netanyahu regime

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.

Radiohead’s Yorke: I wouldn’t go near the Netanyahu regime

Iran declares major bank bankrupt amid sanctions

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.

Iran declares major bank bankrupt amid sanctions

Emotional moment:

Emotional moment: Freed hostage Elkana Bohbot honored at Eyal Golan concert

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.

Emotional moment: Freed hostage Elkana Bohbot honored at Eyal Golan concert

Trump:

Trump: Hamas 'will have a big problem' if they fail to uphold the deal

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: Hamas 'will have a big problem' if they fail to uphold the deal

Trump hikes tariffs on Canada over 'fraudulent' Reagan ad

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

Trump hikes tariffs on Canada over 'fraudulent' Reagan ad

Ireland elects President known for anti-Israel rhetoric

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.

Ireland elects President known for anti-Israel rhetoric

After Trump ultimatum

Hamas after Trump ultimatum: We won’t give Israel excuses to resume war

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.

Hamas after Trump ultimatum: We won’t give Israel excuses to resume war

Remember to change the clock?

Did you remember to change the clock? Standard Time begins in Israel

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.

Did you remember to change the clock? Standard Time begins in Israel

Hamas official claims return of hostages' bodies a matter of 'months'

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.'

Hamas official claims return of hostages' bodies a matter of 'months'

Trump gives Hamas 48-hour deadline

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.'

Trump gives Hamas 48-hour deadline

Israeli restaurant in Washington DC closes due to BDS attacks

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

Israeli restaurant in Washington DC closes due to BDS attacks

Bennett:

Bennett: 'We will win 62 seats in the next election'

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.

Bennett: 'We will win 62 seats in the next election'

After Rubio's visit:

Netanyahu, Rubio reaffirm US-Israel alliance in closing call after visit

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.

Netanyahu, Rubio reaffirm US-Israel alliance in closing call after visit

Hostage's mother:

Hostage's mother: Matan bears scars of heroism on his body

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.

Hostage's mother: Matan bears scars of heroism on his body

Defense Minister admits: 60% of tunnels still intact

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

Defense Minister admits: 60% of tunnels still intact

Watch:

Watch: Zohran Mamdani mourns how 9/11 changed life for Muslims in NYC

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.

Watch: Zohran Mamdani mourns how 9/11 changed life for Muslims in NYC

Following US pressure:

Following US pressure: Egyptian team to help locate hostages' bodies

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

Following US pressure: Egyptian team to help locate hostages' bodies

Basketball team warns Mamdani over use of logo

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

Basketball team warns Mamdani over use of logo

At multiple locations:

At multiple locations: Jewish residents attacked with rocks by Arabs and leftists

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

At multiple locations: Jewish residents attacked with rocks by Arabs and leftists

Netanyahu effigy hanged in Turkey

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

Netanyahu effigy hanged in Turkey

Hezbollah antitank commander eliminated

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

Hezbollah antitank commander eliminated

Wife of archterrorist Barghouti urges Trump to free her husband

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

Wife of archterrorist Barghouti urges Trump to free her husband

After two-year hiatus

American Airlines to return to Israel after two-year hiatus

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.

American Airlines to return to Israel after two-year hiatus

Report:

Report: US launches drone missions over Gaza to track ceasefire

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

Report: US launches drone missions over Gaza to track ceasefire

Defense Minister reveals to Vance: Majority of Hamas tunnels still intact

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.

Defense Minister reveals to Vance: Majority of Hamas tunnels still intact

Gaza peace plan:

Ambassador Steven Fagin to oversee Gaza peace plan implementation for State Dept

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

Ambassador Steven Fagin to oversee Gaza peace plan implementation for State Dept

Chabad Rabbi and family miraculously survive direct drone strike in Ukraine

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.

Chabad Rabbi and family miraculously survive direct drone strike in Ukraine

Watch:

Watch: Senior Hezbollah logistics commander eliminated

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

Watch: Senior Hezbollah logistics commander eliminated

'Thank you for not giving up'

Omri Miran sends first message: 'Thank you for not giving up on us'

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.

Omri Miran sends first message: 'Thank you for not giving up on us'

'From here, only good things'

Captivity survivor Alon Ohel discharged from hospital: 'From here, only good things'

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.'

Captivity survivor Alon Ohel discharged from hospital: 'From here, only good things'

IDF:

IDF completes major exercise simulating defense and offense along Lebanon border

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 completes major exercise simulating defense and offense along Lebanon border

Unauthorized lecture by former PA minister prompts IDF inquiry

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.

Unauthorized lecture by former PA minister prompts IDF inquiry

For nearly 3 hours

For nearly 3 hours: Activists block aid trucks from entering Gaza

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.

For nearly 3 hours: Activists block aid trucks from entering Gaza

Marco Rubio:

Marco Rubio: ‘We are committed to Israel’s security, Hamas will be fully demilitarized’

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.

Marco Rubio: ‘We are committed to Israel’s security, Hamas will be fully demilitarized’

Judea and Samaria:

Judea and Samaria: IDF arrests 44 terrorists, two of whom were planning attacks

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.

Judea and Samaria: IDF arrests 44 terrorists, two of whom were planning attacks

Israeli official:

Israeli official: Hamas unsure of locations of five hostages' bodies

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

Israeli official: Hamas unsure of locations of five hostages' bodies