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

Due to fear of rescue:

Terrorists chained Eliya Cohen to other hostages due to fear of rescue

Sigi Cohen, mother of released hostage Eliya Cohen, tells of her son's time in captivity.

Terrorists chained Eliya Cohen to other hostages due to fear of rescue

Pres. Herzog:

Pres. Herzog: Our sons fought together, we must also unite

Israeli President Isaac Herzog speaks at the 22nd Jerusalem Conference, urging unity among Israelis. ' The people of Israel are extraordinary — diverse, fascinating — and each family has its own story.'

Pres. Herzog: Our sons fought together, we must also unite

With Israeli flags lining the road:

With Israeli flags lining the road: This is how Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir's funeral will be

As per the family's request, the funeral will be limited to invitees only, but the public may honor the memory of Shiri and her sons Ariel and Kfir, accompanying the funeral procession by holding Israeli flags along the roadside.

With Israeli flags lining the road: This is how Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir's funeral will be

Sakhnin soccer announcer praises Hamas

Israeli journalist and soccer announcer Saeed Hassanein called the IDF an occupying army and Israel an enemy.

Sakhnin soccer announcer praises Hamas

Released Hostage:

Released Hostage: 'President Trump, the hostage deal must continue'

Released hostage Keith Siegel published a video message to US President Trump urging him to continue pushing for the release of the hostages.

Released Hostage: 'President Trump, the hostage deal must continue'

Miriam Peretz:

Miriam Peretz: 'There's no option to remain only in happiness, or only in pain'

Israel Prize laureate and presidential candidate Miriam Peretz stresses need for unity, sharing the Jewish nation's eternal lessons on how to grow from crises.

Miriam Peretz: 'There's no option to remain only in happiness, or only in pain'

Olmert:

Olmert: I offered to give up most of Judea and Samaria

Ehud Olmert reveals map proposed to Mahmoud Abbas in 2008 for Israeli-Palestinian peace, depicting a Palestinian state on 94% of the 'West Bank'. It included land swaps and a governance plan for holy sites.

Olmert: I offered to give up most of Judea and Samaria

Israel forces Hamas to fold

Hamas spokesman in Gaza says terror group willing to agree to proposal to free hostages in order to end crisis and free terrorists.

Israel forces Hamas to fold

Watch: Light snow in Jerusalem

Light snow falls in Jerusalem as storm 'Coral' reaches its peak, snow expected to become light rainfall later on.

Watch: Light snow in Jerusalem

Syria’s President invited to Arab League summit

Syria's newly appointed President, Ahmed al-Sharaa, invited to attend emergency Arab League summit in Cairo on March 4, a significant step in rebuilding Syria's relations with the Arab world following the fall of Assad.

Syria’s President invited to Arab League summit

Most remaining staff on leave

USAID to lay off 2,000 employees, place most remaining staff on leave

Around 2,000 employees at US Agency for International Development will be laid off, while most of the remaining full-time staff will be placed on administrative leave.

USAID to lay off 2,000 employees, place most remaining staff on leave

Prayers and Kiddush during Eliya Cohen’s time in captivity

Sigi Cohen, mother of Eliya who was freed from Hamas captivity, speaks about his observance of mitzvot while in captivity.

Prayers and Kiddush during Eliya Cohen’s time in captivity

Germany’s Election:

Germany’s Election: Merz wins, AfD surges in historic far-right gain

Germany’s conservative opposition leader, Friedrich Merz, secures victory in national election, while Alternative for Germany (AfD) achieves strongest showing for German far-right since World War II.

Germany’s Election: Merz wins, AfD surges in historic far-right gain

'An appropriate response'

White House backs Israel's decision to delay terrorist release: An appropriate response

White House expresses support for Israel’s decision to delay the release of more than 600 terrorist prisoners, says Trump "prepared to support Israel in whatever course of action it chooses regarding Hamas.”

White House backs Israel's decision to delay terrorist release: An appropriate response

500 Days in Hell:

500 Days in Hell: Thousands rally with hostage families in Central Park

Thousands rally with hostage family members and captivity survivors in Central Park, demanding immediate action: “Phase 2 of the deal must move forward — we cannot leave anyone behind.”

500 Days in Hell: Thousands rally with hostage families in Central Park

Ahead of Ramadan:

Ahead of Ramadan: Security forces recommend restricting access to Temple Mount

Security agencies recommend government restrict access to Temple Mount during month of Ramadan for men over 55, women over 50, and children under 12.

Ahead of Ramadan: Security forces recommend restricting access to Temple Mount

The real reason why Omer Shem Tov kissed his captors

Video shows Hamas terrorists forcing Omer to kiss the terrorists' foreheads.

The real reason why Omer Shem Tov kissed his captors

For the first time in years:

For the first time in years: Highest forum for Israel-EU relations to convene tomorrow

The European Union Ministers of Foreign Affairs Conference (Association Council Meeting) will take place tomorrow in Brussels with the participation of Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Sa’a.

For the first time in years: Highest forum for Israel-EU relations to convene tomorrow

Omer's mother to Trump:

Omer's mother to Trump: 'Mr. President, you did it, but the mission is not yet complete'

The families of captivity survivors Omer Shem Tov, Omer Wenkert, Eliya Cohen, and Tal Shoham, addressed the press after their loved ones' release.

Omer's mother to Trump: 'Mr. President, you did it, but the mission is not yet complete'

IDF ups readiness on Gaza Border

According to the IDF, readiness was increased in light of several alerts. 'There are currently no changes to the Home Front Command guidelines,' the IDF stated.

IDF ups readiness on Gaza Border

'We were right there':

'We were right there': Volunteers saved from bus explosion

While scanning buses at the terminal, another explosion was heard nearby, and the team went to investigate as the third explosion occurred.

'We were right there': Volunteers saved from bus explosion

Historic:

Historic: Christian leaders to recognize Jewish rights to Judea and Samaria

The American Christian Leaders for Israel (ACLI) network will announce the signing of a resolution reaffirming the Jewish people’s right to Judea and Samaria.

Historic: Christian leaders to recognize Jewish rights to Judea and Samaria

Battle over the Sabbath:

Battle over the Sabbath in Raanana: Court recommends withdrawing petition

Following court's recommendation, attorney on behalf of the petitioners offered the municipality a compromise, but the latter refused and insisted businesses open on the Sabbath.

Battle over the Sabbath in Raanana: Court recommends withdrawing petition

Erez Crossing:

Erez Crossing: Humanitarian aid truck found to be smuggling contraband in Gaza

An inspection of the truck's contents turned up 650 smartphones, dozens of SIM cards, three projectors, and various spare parts for vehicles. The driver was arrested and taken for questioning.

Erez Crossing: Humanitarian aid truck found to be smuggling contraband in Gaza

Avera's brother:

Avera's brother: 'Hearts filled with gratitude to the Creator for the miracle'

The families of captivity survivors Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed addressed the media, Sha'aban al-Sayed attacked Hamas: 'We saw Hamas making spins and cheap politics on the back of a mentally ill person.'

Avera's brother: 'Hearts filled with gratitude to the Creator for the miracle'

Watch:

Winter Storm Coral: Light snow begins falling in Jerusalem

Snow begins to fall in the higher neighborhoods of Jerusalem. On Monday, the weather will be partly cloudy to cloudy, with temperatures lower than usual.

Winter Storm Coral: Light snow begins falling in Jerusalem

Ofri Bibas:

Ofri Bibas: 'Our family journey has ended in the most devastating way'

'We are suffering indescribable pain,' says Ofri Bibas, sister of Yarden, who learned of his wife and sons' murder after his release from Hamas captivity.

Ofri Bibas: 'Our family journey has ended in the most devastating way'

Special mezuzah presented to Israeli Consulate in New York

The unique mezuzah, crafted from trees damaged in the terrorist attack at the Nova music festival in Re'im, was presented this week to the Israeli Consulate in New York.

Special mezuzah presented to Israeli Consulate in New York

Netanyahu to new officers:

Netanyahu at officers' graduation: 'We will defeat the monster, Hamas will not rule Gaza'

Netanyahu held up a photo of the Bibas family, who were murdered in captivity in Gaza, and stated: 'Against this we fight, and we must and can defeat those monsters - we will defeat them.'

Netanyahu at officers' graduation: 'We will defeat the monster, Hamas will not rule Gaza'

Bibas family:

Bibas family: 'Thank you for the love, embrace, and tears'

'Warm embrace, love and strength that you have sent us from all over Israel and the world strengthen us and accompany us during these moments of crisis,' say family members of Shiri, Ariel and Kfir.

Bibas family: 'Thank you for the love, embrace, and tears'

Hostage's grandfather:

Hostage's grandfather: 'When I recited Havdalah - something inside me broke'

Aharon Rabi, the grandfather of Eliya Cohen, who returned from Hamas captivity after over 500 days, recited the Havdalah prayer and shared the emotional reunion with his grandson, the hardships he went through in captivity, and his strengthened faith.

Hostage's grandfather: 'When I recited Havdalah - something inside me broke'

Witkoff working extend first phase of hostage deal

White House Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff said he will arrive in the region on Wednesday to discuss an extension to phase one of the hostage and ceasefire deal.

Witkoff working extend first phase of hostage deal

'I met Yotam in the tunnels'

Karina Ariev writes emotional letter to Iris Haim, 'I met Yotam in the tunnels'

Iris Haim speaks about the letter released hostage Karina Ariev sent her, 'Yotam's words kept me going during captivity.'

Karina Ariev writes emotional letter to Iris Haim, 'I met Yotam in the tunnels'

During the funeral:

During the funeral: IDF reveals footage of Hassan Nasrallah's elimination

As IAF jets flew over a funeral ceremony for the Hezbollah leader, the IDF published footage of his demise.

During the funeral: IDF reveals footage of Hassan Nasrallah's elimination

Omer Wenkert's gift from the Gaza 'duty-free'

Niva Wenkert shared a moving and funny story about the moment she reunited with her son after his release from Hamas captivity. 'Mom, I brought you something from the duty-free.'

Omer Wenkert's gift from the Gaza 'duty-free'

In complex mission:

In complex mission: Arms smuggling ring from Jordan exposed

The ISA and Police uncovered a substantial smuggling ring from the Negev and Judea and Samaria that would smuggle large sums of weapons from Jordan to Judea and Samaria.

In complex mission: Arms smuggling ring from Jordan exposed

Released terrorists banned from Temple Mount during Ramadan

The Israel Police have banned released Hamas prisoners from Temple Mount, aiming to prevent conflicts during Ramadan.

Released terrorists banned from Temple Mount during Ramadan

Lebanese Pres:

Lebanese Pres: 'We're tired of others' wars, paid too heavy a price'

In meeting with Iranian officials, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun says his country has paid too high a price for the Palestinian cause.

Lebanese Pres: 'We're tired of others' wars, paid too heavy a price'

With IAF jets overhead

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah's funeral held in Beirut

Tens of thousands of people gathered for the funerals of Hezbollah's longtime secretary general and his successor Hashem Safieddine in Beirut.

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah's funeral held in Beirut

Defense Minister Katz:

Defense Minister Katz: 'Hezbollah specializes in funerals, we in victories'

Israeli Defense Minister says the IDF aircraft that flew over Beirut during the funeral of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah send a clear message to the terrorist organization.

Defense Minister Katz: 'Hezbollah specializes in funerals, we in victories'