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

Hamas to release hostage Edan Alexander today

Hamas due to release Israeli-American soldier, for the first time as part of direct negotiations with the US. Israel warns: 'If more hostages are not released, we will launch a broad operation.'

Hamas to release hostage Edan Alexander today

Promise to Hamas:

Promise to Hamas: 'Give Trump a gift, he'll give you a bigger gift in return'

AP source says Hamas waiting to see what US President will give in return for their gesture, hoping for end of war.

Promise to Hamas: 'Give Trump a gift, he'll give you a bigger gift in return'

Hebrew U students:

Hebrew University students protest holding Nakba week

Religious-Zionist students at Hebrew University demand cancellation of 'Nakba Week,' warning it promotes incitement and undermines national unity.

Hebrew University students protest holding Nakba week

PM's Office:

PM's Office: Alexander's release without concessions - thanks to the policy we led

Prime Minister's Office: Edan Alexander will be released without concessions, no commitment to ceasefire or terrorist release.

PM's Office: Alexander's release without concessions - thanks to the policy we led

Ben Gvir livid:

Ben Gvir livid: Rajoub should have been arrested

Minister Ben Gvir and other ministers express outrage over a visit by top PA official Jibril Rajoub to a relative in Israel. "He supported the October 7 massacre; why aren’t sanctions being imposed?"

Ben Gvir livid: Rajoub should have been arrested

Assessment in Israel:

Assessment in Israel: Hostage Edan Alexander to be released this afternoon

Family of American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander says US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff has notified them that Hamas will release him from captivity. Senior Hamas official: We were advised to “give a gift to President Trump and in return he will give back a better one.”

Assessment in Israel: Hostage Edan Alexander to be released this afternoon

Zelenskyy to Putin:

Zelenskyy to Putin: Meet me in Turkey—but only if you halt the fighting

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy says he will meet Putin in Turkey on Thursday if Russia agrees to a 30-day ceasefire. Russia has proposed talks without preconditions but ignored the ceasefire demand.

Zelenskyy to Putin: Meet me in Turkey—but only if you halt the fighting

Over Judea and Samaria

Norway’s wealth fund dumps Israeli fuel firm over Judea and Samaria operations

Norway’s sovereign wealth fund divests from Israeli fuel company Paz due to its operations serving Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria.

Norway’s wealth fund dumps Israeli fuel firm over Judea and Samaria operations

'We'd be outraged if it were Biden'

Lizzy Savetsky criticizes Trump’s recent moves: We’d be outraged if it were Biden

Online pro-Israel advocate Lizzy Savetsky voices concern over President Trump’s recent Middle East moves, including skipping Israel, rumored Hamas and Iran talks, and accepting a $400 million jet from Qatar. “Trump’s record is strong, but things feel different now.”

Lizzy Savetsky criticizes Trump’s recent moves: We’d be outraged if it were Biden

Trump confirms:

Trump confirms: Edan Alexander is coming home

US President confirms that Edan Alexander will be released by Hamas: This was a step taken in good faith towards the United States. Hopefully this is the first of those final steps necessary to end this brutal conflict.

Trump confirms: Edan Alexander is coming home

Witkoff:

Witkoff dismisses reports of Trump-Netanyahu rift as 'preposterous'

Trump’s Middle East envoy dismisses reports of a rift with Netanyahu as "preposterous," reaffirms the strong US-Israel alliance.

Witkoff dismisses reports of Trump-Netanyahu rift as 'preposterous'

Minister Amsalem:

Minister Amsalem: We need to oust the Attorney General

"We need to oust the Attorney General. If the Supreme Court wants to reinstate her – let them. After that, we’ll deal with all of the Supreme Court’s decisions," says Minister David Amsalem.

Minister Amsalem: We need to oust the Attorney General

Tikva Forum:

Tikva Forum: A partial deal - a surrender to Hamas and harm to the hostages

Hostage families from the Tikva Forum respond to the Prime Minister's Office announcement regarding the possibility of negotiations with Hamas on the Witkoff outline and call not to surrender to the terror organization.

Tikva Forum: A partial deal - a surrender to Hamas and harm to the hostages

Netanyahu's inner circle voices frustration over Trump’s policies

Senior Israeli officials say US policy driven by Trump’s “whims,” yet PM's Office insists ties with Washington remain strong despite disputes over Gaza and Iran.

Netanyahu's inner circle voices frustration over Trump’s policies

Mind games?

Mind games? IDF orders evacuation of three Yemeni ports

IDF Arabic Language Spokesman Avichay Adraee has called for the evacuation of the Houthi-controlled Ras Isa, Hodeidah, and Al-Salif ports.

Mind games? IDF orders evacuation of three Yemeni ports

Proud in my kippah:

Proud in my kippah: Jewish teen with royals at national VE Day service

Jewish Teen Sam Rose-Isaacs represents Jewish community at historic VE Day ceremony, 'Proud to be British. Proud to be Jewish. And proud to be part of a generation that remembers history and carries it forward.'

Proud in my kippah: Jewish teen with royals at national VE Day service

President Herzog leaves to Germany to mark 60 years of diplomatic ties

State visit underscores six decades of Israel-Germany diplomatic ties, with leaders set to honor historical memory and promote youth dialogue ahead of a reciprocal visit to Israel.

President Herzog leaves to Germany to mark 60 years of diplomatic ties

Netanyahu to German FM:

Netanyahu to German FM: 'We'll make our partnership even stronger'

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem.

Netanyahu to German FM: 'We'll make our partnership even stronger'

Released hostage Emily Damari receives emotional welcome at Spurs match

Damari thanked everyone for their support for her release and expressed her wish that the remaining 59 hostages, including her close friends Gali and Ziv Berman, be home soon.

Released hostage Emily Damari receives emotional welcome at Spurs match

Backchannel talks with Iran bring cautious optimism

Secretive negotiations between U.S. and Iranian officials in Oman have concluded with cautious optimism, as both sides signal willingness to continue dialogue over Tehran’s nuclear program.

Backchannel talks with Iran bring cautious optimism

NYC:

NYC: Hundreds spend Mother's Day calling for hostages' release

Hundreds gathered in New York City's Central Park to call for the release of the hostages being held in Gaza.

NYC: Hundreds spend Mother's Day calling for hostages' release

Nahal Brigade to redeploy from Judea and Samaria to Gaza

During their counterterrorism activities in Judea and Samaria, the soldiers apprehended over 100 wanted individuals, confiscated dozens of weapons, and eliminated several terrorists.

Nahal Brigade to redeploy from Judea and Samaria to Gaza

IDF Reservist barred from Judea and Samaria by administrative Order

Malachei Hashalom resident detained without charges; Honenu accuses Shin Bet of bypassing Defense Minister’s authority and targeting settlers.

IDF Reservist barred from Judea and Samaria by administrative Order

Four Decades Later:

Four Decades Later: Recovery of Tzvi Feldman may lead to legendary spy Eli Cohen

Several bodies were exhumed during the operation. Foreign media reports that Israel is checking whether one of them might be that of 'our man in Damascus.'

Four Decades Later: Recovery of Tzvi Feldman may lead to legendary spy Eli Cohen

'Playing him like a fiddle'

Report: Qatar to gift $400 million 'flying palace' to Trump

Aircraft to serve as temporary Air Force One amid regional tensions and internal policy shifts, before its transfer to Trump Library Foundation in 2029.

Report: Qatar to gift $400 million 'flying palace' to Trump

Released terrorist indicted for firebomb attack near Jerusalem

Just two months after his release in a hostage deal, Rada Abid and ten others, including seven minors, face serious terrorism charges in Jerusalem.

Released terrorist indicted for firebomb attack near Jerusalem

Report:

Report: Trump slams Gaza offensive as ‘wasted effort,’ presses rebuilding plan

According to a report by NBC News, US President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu are at growing odds over military actions, the Iran nuclear approach, and other matters.

Report: Trump slams Gaza offensive as ‘wasted effort,’ presses rebuilding plan

After raids in Syria, Paratroopers redeploy to southern front

After months of operations along the Syrian border, IDF paratroopers conclude their mission in the north and join preparations for expanded ground activity in Gaza.

After raids in Syria, Paratroopers redeploy to southern front

'Hamas must be defeated':

'Hamas must be defeated': Israel backs US-led Gaza aid overhaul

Foreign Minister highlights Hamas' responsibility for the war, calls Iran 'most dangerous state,' and reaffirms strategic alliance with Germany.

'Hamas must be defeated': Israel backs US-led Gaza aid overhaul

Netanyahu:

Netanyahu: 'We kept our promise to Tzvi Feldman's parents'

PM says at weekly Cabinet meeting that Israel has worked for many years to bring back all of the missing soldiers who were killed in the Battle of Sultan Yacoub 43 years ago.

Netanyahu: 'We kept our promise to Tzvi Feldman's parents'

Outrage at military cemetery:

Bereaved families outraged by disrespect at military cemetery

Grieving parents discover decorated stones from soldiers’ graves discarded in pile ahead of Memorial Day; Defense Ministry blames cleaning error.

Bereaved families outraged by disrespect at military cemetery

Hero’s Return:

Hero’s Return: How body of Tzvi Feldman was recovered from Syria

Mossad and military Intelligence carried out a daring mission deep in Syrian territory to recover the remains of the IDF officer missing since the 1982 battle of Sultan Yacoub.

Hero’s Return: How body of Tzvi Feldman was recovered from Syria

Tzvi Feldman's brother:

Tzvi Feldman's brother: 'Thank G-d this circle is closed'

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu personally informed the family of Tzvi Feldman today (Sunday) of the successful operation to retrieve his body from Syria after 43 years.

Tzvi Feldman's brother: 'Thank G-d this circle is closed'

96-year-old Holocaust survivor passes away 2 weeks after her great-grandson fell in Gaza

96-year-old Holocaust survivor, Magda Baratz, passes away two weeks after her great-grandson Asaf Cafri fell in Gaza.

96-year-old Holocaust survivor passes away 2 weeks after her great-grandson fell in Gaza

Trump antisemitism envoy to attend NYC Jerusalem conference

Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun, Trump's nominee for US Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, will attend the Jerusalem Conference in New York on May 18 at the Fifth Avenue Synagogue in Manhattan.

Trump antisemitism envoy to attend NYC Jerusalem conference

Defense Minister blocks right-wing group for pressuring IDF

Defense Minister Israel Katz blocked the organization Torat Lehima on Twitter after it launched a barrage of accusatory posts and a public campaign demanding sweeping purges within the IDF.

Defense Minister blocks right-wing group for pressuring IDF

Report: Trump to meet Mahmoud Abbas in Saudi Arabia

Arabic media reports that at the request of MBS, Trump will meet the PA chairman and Syrian president this week. MBS reportedly seeks US approval for a Palestinian state.

Report: Trump to meet Mahmoud Abbas in Saudi Arabia

Concealed Connection:

Concealed Connection: MKs accuse Attorney General of conflict of interest

Deputy Minister Almog Cohen and MK Tali Gottlieb have called for an investigation into Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, accusing her of concealing a marital connection to Jackie Ashkenazi, a key witness in Prime Minister Netanyahu's trial.

Concealed Connection: MKs accuse Attorney General of conflict of interest

Body of missing soldier Tzvi Feldman recovered from Syria after 4 decades

PM announces recovery from Syria of the body of soldier who was killed in Lebanon in 1982 for burial in Israel in a joint operation of the Mossad and the IDF.

Body of missing soldier Tzvi Feldman recovered from Syria after 4 decades

'Excessive Enforcement':

'Excessive Enforcement': Court lifts ban on protester near Sara Netnayahu

A district court has struck down a restraining order that barred protest activist Nava Rozilio from approaching Sara Netanyahu.

'Excessive Enforcement': Court lifts ban on protester near Sara Netnayahu