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

Netanyahu to Christians:

Netanyahu to Christians: 'You've stood by our side as Israel defends our civilization'

The Prime Minister sent his Christmas wishes to Christians around the world and thanked them for their support.

Netanyahu to Christians: 'You've stood by our side as Israel defends our civilization'

Hannah Katzir, who survived Hamas captivity, passes away

Chana (Hannah) Katzir, 77, passes away just over one year after her release in a November 2023 prisoner swap deal with Hamas.

Hannah Katzir, who survived Hamas captivity, passes away

Shouting and violence:

Shouting and violence: Lev Tahor members attack haredim

Members of the Lev Tahor cult violently attacked haredim who came to the aid of the cult's children who were rescued in a Guatemalan police raid.

Shouting and violence: Lev Tahor members attack haredim

Historic milestone:

Important Milestone: $10 million donation secures new emergency center in Binyamin

During meetings at a large fundraising gala in New York, attended by Ambassador-designate Governor Mike Huckabee, a significant sum was raised to complete the construction of the first medical complex in Binyamin, which will serve as its emergency and trauma center.

Important Milestone: $10 million donation secures new emergency center in Binyamin

National Unity MK claims:

National Unity MK claims: Ben Gvir and Smotrich thwarted a hostage release deal

MK Michael Biton criticizes the government's handling of the issue of a hostage deal.

National Unity MK claims: Ben Gvir and Smotrich thwarted a hostage release deal

Suspect in murder of health insurance executive pleads not guilty

Luigi Mangione, accused of fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York, pleads not guilty to state charges, including "terrorist" murder.

Suspect in murder of health insurance executive pleads not guilty

In second and third readings

Knesset approves defense budget increase for 2024 in second and third readings

Knesset also approves the extension of the state of emergency for another year, until December 2025, in line with the government's request.

Knesset approves defense budget increase for 2024 in second and third readings

Yossi Dagan demands: Ground maneuver in Jenin now

Following publication of photos of Palestinian Arab police officers with RPG rockets in Jenin, Samaria Council head demands that the Prime Minister and the Minister of Defense order a ground maneuver in northern Samaria.

Yossi Dagan demands: Ground maneuver in Jenin now

Coalition leaders decide on 'hearing' for Attorney General

Leaders of the parties in the coalition reportedly decided to hold a "hearing" for Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, but leave it to Justice Minister Yariv Levin to decide when and how the process will take place.

Coalition leaders decide on 'hearing' for Attorney General

Until September 2025

Trial for suspect in second Trump assassination attempt delayed to September 2025

US judge postpones the trial for Ryan Routh, the suspect in the second assassination attempt of President-elect Donald Trump, until September 2025.

Trial for suspect in second Trump assassination attempt delayed to September 2025

Grandfather of fallen soldier:

Grandfather of fallen soldier: Hillel was happy he could contribute

Itzik Shadmi, grandfather of Sergeant first class (res.) Hillel Diener who fell in northern Gaza, pays tribute to him: It’s hard to speak about him in the past tense. He loved his family very much.

Grandfather of fallen soldier: Hillel was happy he could contribute

Missile from Yemen intercepted

Sirens in central Israel, Shfela, and southern Negev, missile from Yemen intercepted

Sirens sounded in central Israel, the Shfela and Arad area. IDF says missile from Yemen was intercepted before it crossed into Israeli territory. 20 people treated by Magen David Adom, including 60-year-old injured on the way to shelter in Tel Aviv.

Sirens in central Israel, Shfela, and southern Negev, missile from Yemen intercepted

Former President Bill Clinton hospitalized after developing fever

Former president’s deputy chief of staff says Clinton has been admitted to MedStar Georgetown University Hospital for testing and observation after developing a fever and is "in good spirits".

Former President Bill Clinton hospitalized after developing fever

Former US officials:

Former US officials: Any agreement must include the seven American hostages

Robert O’Brien, who served under Trump, and Tom Nides, who served under Biden, publish op-ed in The Wall Street Journal, stress bipartisan support in the US for the demand that any hostage release deal must include in its first stage the seven American citizens still being held by Hamas.

Former US officials: Any agreement must include the seven American hostages

Families of IDF lookouts livid

Families of murdered IDF lookouts livid: If this isn't a mistake, it's disappointing

Families of IDF lookouts who were murdered at Nahal Oz outpost on October 7, 2023, receive radio recordings of their daughters from the IDF, express outrage over the fact that the recordings were cut off at 4:48 a.m. on October 7.

Families of murdered IDF lookouts livid: If this isn't a mistake, it's disappointing

Herzog:

Herzog: Israeli hostages now held just as long as Iran held US hostages

Israeli President notes that the 100 Israeli hostages have been held in Gaza for 444 days now, the same time Iran held 50 US citizens and diplomats hostage after its 1979 revolution.

Herzog: Israeli hostages now held just as long as Iran held US hostages

More Than A Year Later:

More Than A Year Later: Police sappers neutralize grenades in Gaza region

Two grenades were discovered and neutralized by police sappers in an open field near Tel Gama in the Eshkol Regional Council.

More Than A Year Later: Police sappers neutralize grenades in Gaza region

Deputy FM displays Houthi missile strike to ambassadors

Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel led a tour for ambassadors and diplomats to Israel at the site of the Houthi missile strike at Ramat Efal Elementary School in Ramat Gan.

Deputy FM displays Houthi missile strike to ambassadors

Head of Hamas National Security Directorate eliminated

The terrorist who was eliminated was in a command compound established on the ruins of a school in Duraj Taffah. The IDF stated that he was a senior figure in Hamas' decision-making.

Head of Hamas National Security Directorate eliminated

Two Negev residents arrested for gun smuggling at Sinai border

Zaher Abu Rakeik and Imad Hawashla were arrested on suspicion of smuggling firearms at the Sinai border. Eight pistols and magazines were seized.

Two Negev residents arrested for gun smuggling at Sinai border

Jewish Agency to light world’s largest digital Menorah

From Kiryat Shmona to Melbourne, from Sderot to Washington, from Jerusalem to Paris, anyone can light a virtual candle that will be projected on Israel’s National Institutions building.

Jewish Agency to light world’s largest digital Menorah

Second soldier in leaked documents case identified

The court has permitted the release of Aharon Rosenfeld's name. He is the second defendant accused in the classified documents leak. Rosenfeld insists that revealing his identity is crucial to fight for his innocence.

Second soldier in leaked documents case identified

PM:

PM: 'Progress in talks on hostage deal, we are climbing to victory'

Netanyahu addresses Knesset session initiated by opossition, criticizes Lapid for calling for 'war' against govt. 'What does war mean? Are you declaring war on your brothers?'

PM: 'Progress in talks on hostage deal, we are climbing to victory'

Gantz:

Gantz: 'Israel must strike Iran directly instead of going after proxies'

National Unity party chairman echoes Mossad chief's call for Israel to strike Iran rather than only retaliate against the Houthis for their recent ballistic missile attacks.

Gantz: 'Israel must strike Iran directly instead of going after proxies'

Smotrich:

Smotrich: 'A partial deal would mean abandoning dozens of hostages'

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich addressed the issue of hostages, emphasizing unity and criticizing the opposition for divisive rhetoric.

Smotrich: 'A partial deal would mean abandoning dozens of hostages'

100 explosives, 20 rocket launchers found in Lebanese storage facility

The IDF anounced that the troops of the 769th Brigade are continueing defensive activity in southern Lebanon, in accordance with the ceasefire and understandings between Israel and Lebanon.

100 explosives, 20 rocket launchers found in Lebanese storage facility

Watch:

Watch: Border Police shoot three terrorists

Border Police marksmen shot three terrorists during a violent riot in the Binyamin region.

Watch: Border Police shoot three terrorists

Minister Sa'ar:

Minister Sa'ar: Trump admin. certainly leaves room for optimism

Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Sa’ar says he expects to turn a new page towards constructive dialogue with the European Union under the new high representative.

Minister Sa'ar: Trump admin. certainly leaves room for optimism

Hundreds of bombs and rockets

Hundreds of bombs and rockets | Watch: IDF uncovers multitude of arms in southern Lebanon

Troops located a weapons storage facility containing over 100 explosives and approximately 20 rocket launchers of various types while searching terrorist sites in southern Lebanon.

Hundreds of bombs and rockets | Watch: IDF uncovers multitude of arms in southern Lebanon

Attempted terror attack:

Terrorist attempts to stab security guard in Jerusalem and is neutralized

A terrorist attempted to stab a member of the security forces in northern Jerusalem and was neutralized. No one was injured.

Terrorist attempts to stab security guard in Jerusalem and is neutralized

Official source denies:

Official source denies: Israel won't agree to withdraw from 'most' of Philadelphi Corridor

Egyptian channel reports Israel agrees to withdraw from most of the Philadelphi Corridor for a hostage deal. A reliable source denied the report, saying 'one must not forget that we are dealing with monsters.'

Official source denies: Israel won't agree to withdraw from 'most' of Philadelphi Corridor

560 million euro deal:

560 million euro deal: Israel sells Barak MX air defense system to Slovakia

The BARAK MX Integrated Air Defense System is designed to counter current and future aerial threats, including ballistic threats.

560 million euro deal: Israel sells Barak MX air defense system to Slovakia

Erin Molan to Pres. Herzog:

Erin Molan to Pres. Herzog: 'I assure you the vast majority of Australians stand with you'

Pro-Israel Australian journalist Erin Molan met with President Isaac Herzog and reassured him: 'The loud minority gets a very big run.'

Erin Molan to Pres. Herzog: 'I assure you the vast majority of Australians stand with you'

Watch:

Watch: Amir Dadon takes Avraham Fried and Ishay Ribo for a ride

During the annual 'Tzama' Hassidic music concert, which unites musicians from across the music world, Israeli singer Amir Dadon lifted famed Hassidic music star Avraham Fried and Israeli singer Ishay Ribo on his back.

Watch: Amir Dadon takes Avraham Fried and Ishay Ribo for a ride

Azerbaijan:

Distinguished Azerbaijani rabbi joins Global Jewish Council

'I am honored to represent a country with a Shiite Muslim majority where everyone supports Israel,' says, Rabbi Isayev of Azerbaijan’s Sephardic community, a representative to the Global Jewish Council.

Distinguished Azerbaijani rabbi joins Global Jewish Council

Knesset committee approves bill to prioritize reservists in academia

Under the proposed law, higher education institutions would be required to extend affirmative action to reservists. Reservists will also be prioritized in admissions to student dormitories.

Knesset committee approves bill to prioritize reservists in academia

'Peace Now' furious:

'Peace Now' furious: First outposts set up in Area B

Far left Peace Now's monitoring team documents seven outposts set up in Area B during 2024.

'Peace Now' furious: First outposts set up in Area B

Former Mossad official:

Former Mossad official: 'The pager attack revolutionized the northern arena'

A., a former department chief in the Mossad, spoke about the choice of pagers despite them being old technology, the targets, and the timing of the attack.

Former Mossad official: 'The pager attack revolutionized the northern arena'

'Lighting up the north'

Missiles that ended lives transformed into a menorah | 'Lighting up the north'

Police explosive disposal experts decided to take parts of the very missiles that brought so much darkness and turn them into a Hanukkah menorah which will be lit at various locations in northern Israel.

Missiles that ended lives transformed into a menorah | 'Lighting up the north'

Report:

Report: Iran looking for new ways to strengthen Hezbollah

Iranian regime considering ways to rearm Hezbollah in Lebanon, after the IDF attack and fall of Assad's leadership

Report: Iran looking for new ways to strengthen Hezbollah