Israel National News

Israel National News

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Stories written by the Israel National News team have been compiled and edited by several news writers

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Families of US hostages thank Biden, Trump for deal

The families of the 7 US citizens still held in Gaza respond to the imminent hostage and ceasefire deal, call on all parties to 'stay committed' to the agreement so that all hostages are returned.

Families of US hostages thank Biden, Trump for deal

Hostage deal:

Hostage deal: 30 terrorists for every hostage, 50 for every female soldier

According to the report, Hamas will first release the living hostages and then the bodies of the murdered hostages.

Hostage deal: 30 terrorists for every hostage, 50 for every female soldier

Trump:

Trump: 'We have a hostage deal thanks to our victory in November'

US President-elect says 'epic' ceasefire deal could only have been reached because of his election, vows to work with Israel to ensure Gaza 'never again becomes a terrorist safe haven.'

Trump: 'We have a hostage deal thanks to our victory in November'

Hostages' families:

Hostages' families: 'Agreement is crucial step, but it must be completed'

The members of the Hostages and Missing Families Forum urgently called for a framework that ensures the return of every person held captive.

Hostages' families: 'Agreement is crucial step, but it must be completed'

Right-wing activists arrested after friend reveals he is ISA agent

A group of right-wing activists from Judea and Samaria were arrested and held for 10 hours without being questioned or told why they were arrested after their friend told them he was an 'undercover agent.'

Right-wing activists arrested after friend reveals he is ISA agent

Bibas family on reports:

Bibas family on reports: 'Nothing final until our loved ones cross the border'

The Bibas family commented on reports that their family members will be released in the first phase of the deal and asked the public not to spread rumors.

Bibas family on reports: 'Nothing final until our loved ones cross the border'

Ritchie Torres:

Ritchie Torres: 'Scandal that Gov. Hochul not even trying to combat antisemitism'

Democratic Congressman from New York criticises Gov. Kathy Hochul for failing to mention antisemitism even once in her State of the State speech and 140-page report.

Ritchie Torres: 'Scandal that Gov. Hochul not even trying to combat antisemitism'

'Privilege of my life'

'Privilege of my life:' Biden's farewell letter to the American people

Outgoing President Joe Biden writes that he ran for president 4 years ago because he 'believed that the soul of America was at stake,' tells American people 'history is in your hands.'

'Privilege of my life:' Biden's farewell letter to the American people

'Approach with humility'

Amb. David Friedman pushes back at critics of hostage deal

Former US Ambassador to Israel says he will not "second guess" decision of the Israeli Premier to sign proposed ceasefire with Hamas, calls on critics to approach issue with "humility."

Amb. David Friedman pushes back at critics of hostage deal

Humanitarian aid from Israel helping Hamas harm IDF soldiers

New, advanced security cameras used to allow Hamas to harm IDF soldiers were brought into Gaza on humanitarian aid trucks entering from Israel.

Humanitarian aid from Israel helping Hamas harm IDF soldiers

Ben Gurion:

'Israel's northern border is the Litani River'

'Ben Gurion believed that Israel's northern border should be the Litani River': Dr. Omri Abadi presents findings of Jewish life in southern Lebanon over the centuries.

'Israel's northern border is the Litani River'

Hostages symbol against a full moonrise in Gaza sky

Photographer documents IDF soldiers in Netzarim Corridor, against a full moonrise and symbol of hostages in skies over Gaza.

Hostages symbol against a full moonrise in Gaza sky

Unacceptable!

Haredi press against impending draft law: 'Unacceptable!'

Haredi newspapers criticize Defense Minister Katz on draft law outline: 'Empires and kingdoms stronger than the current government in Israel have not succeeded in preventing Jews from studying Torah.'

Haredi press against impending draft law: 'Unacceptable!'

Ahead of ceasefire deal: CENTCOM chief meets Israeli Chief of Staff

CENTCOM commander General Michael Kurilla meets IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, discussing regional threats, courses of action to address them, and potential scenarios on various fronts.

Ahead of ceasefire deal: CENTCOM chief meets Israeli Chief of Staff

Diplomatic source:

Diplomatic source: Hamas falsely claiming Israel added conditions for ceasefire deal

Israel demanding IDF presence within Rafah, right to veto release of certain terrorists, report says.

Diplomatic source: Hamas falsely claiming Israel added conditions for ceasefire deal

President Biden extends order permitting sanctions on Judea and Samaria residents

'Israel has systematically harmed only alternative to Hamas, which is the PA. Attacks by extremist residents on Palestinians have reached an all-time high,' Secretary of State Antony Blinken claims.

President Biden extends order permitting sanctions on Judea and Samaria residents

Two soldiers severely injured by explosive

Two soldiers severely injured, one lightly injured after military vehicle drives over an explosive in Qabatiya.

Two soldiers severely injured by explosive

Bezalel Smotrich:

Bezalel Smotrich: 'Our most important goals are victory and bringing hostages home'

'I consider these matters quietly, behind closed doors, in a very substantive, serious, insightful, and in-depth discussion,' says Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on emerging hostage deal.

Bezalel Smotrich: 'Our most important goals are victory and bringing hostages home'

Knesset House C'tee approves:

Knesset House Committee approves: MK Idan Roll leaves Yesh Atid

Knesset House Committee approves request of MK Idan Roll to leave the Yesh Atid party. 11 Knesset members vote in favor, one abstains.

Knesset House Committee approves: MK Idan Roll leaves Yesh Atid

Response to Ben Gvir

Cabinet Secretary responds to Ben Gvir: Hamas is the only one that thwarted a deal

Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs responds to Ben Gvir's claim that he prevented the advancement of a hostage release deal, says that the only side that has thus far prevented a deal is Hamas.

Cabinet Secretary responds to Ben Gvir: Hamas is the only one that thwarted a deal

South Korea’s impeached President arrested

South Korea’s impeached President, Yoon Suk Yeol, arrested by local authorities. Arrest warrant was issued for him following his controversial martial law decree.

South Korea’s impeached President arrested

Argentina’s President Javier Milei wins 2025 Genesis Prize

Genesis Prize announces President of Argentina Javier Milei as the winner of the 2025 prize, which is known as “The Jewish Nobel Prize”.

Argentina’s President Javier Milei wins 2025 Genesis Prize

Iranian VP claims:

Iranian VP claims: Israel planted explosives in our centrifuge technology

Iranian Vice President Mohammad Javad Zarif accuses Israel of planting explosives in centrifuge technology purchased by Iran for its nuclear program. The timing of the alleged incident remains unclear.

Iranian VP claims: Israel planted explosives in our centrifuge technology

Religious Zionism against deal:

Watch: MK Ohad Tal objects to deal in speech at Mar-a-Lago

MK Ohad Tal (Religious Zionist Party) objects to hostage deal with Hamas in speech at Mar-a-Lago.

Watch: MK Ohad Tal objects to deal in speech at Mar-a-Lago

Smotrich's brother:

Smotrich's brother: The deal of surrender necessitates elections

Tuvia Smotrich, brother of Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, calls for elections, says the government "contradicts the most important core promise of the post-October 7 era."

Smotrich's brother: The deal of surrender necessitates elections

Deal to stay in Gov't:

Netanyahu makes offer to Ben Gvir and Smotrich to stay in government

Following threats by Chairman of Otzma Yehudit to resign in the event of a deal approval, PM makes offer to Ministers Smotrich and Ben Gvir, on condition that they remain in the government.

Netanyahu makes offer to Ben Gvir and Smotrich to stay in government

Sen. Tom Cotton:

Sen. Tom Cotton calls Code Pink a 'Chinese communist front group'

Arkansas Senator reacts to disruption of Pete Hegseth's Senate confirmation hearing by the anti-Israel Code Pink group.

Sen. Tom Cotton calls Code Pink a 'Chinese communist front group'

Demonstration in Jerusalem:

Demonstration in Jerusalem: 'Do not agree to deal that endangers Israel's security'

Major demonstration, with hostage and bereaved families, held on Tuesday in Jerusalem calls on Prime Minister not to agree to deal that does not include all hostages, '

Demonstration in Jerusalem: 'Do not agree to deal that endangers Israel's security'

Yossi Dagan at Mar-a-Lago:

Yossi Dagan at Mar-a-Lago: 'Increasing Jewish communities, correct response to terrorism'

Head of Samaria Council Yossi Dagan and MK Ohad Tal participate in official conference at Mar-a-Lago in Florida. Dagan met with Mike Huckabee, designated ambassador to Israel and will launch a lobby for Judea and Samaria at the American Congress.

Yossi Dagan at Mar-a-Lago: 'Increasing Jewish communities, correct response to terrorism'

Iranian plot to assassinate Jewish official in Azerbaijan foiled

Georgian citizen accused of being offered $200,000 to gather intelligence and carry out assassination of leader of local Jewish community on behalf of Iran

Iranian plot to assassinate Jewish official in Azerbaijan foiled

Canada:

Canada: Islamist group's conference canceled after outcry

Hizb ut-Tahrir, which has been banned in many countries including the UK and Germany, cancels conference on how 'Muslims can regain their rightful position in the world' after outcry.

Canada: Islamist group's conference canceled after outcry

Hostages and Missing Families Forum

Hostages and Missing Families meet Netanyahu, demand agreement for return of all hostages

Representatives of the Hostages and Missing Families Forum met with Prime Minister Netanyahu in Jerusalem. 'We are united in our primary goal - bringing home all the hostages.'

Hostages and Missing Families meet Netanyahu, demand agreement for return of all hostages

Hostages' families against deal:

Hostages' families against deal: 'I feel neglected, no one is representing me'

Several of the hostages' families reported they were not allowed to join the hostage families meeting with PM Netanyahu.

Hostages' families against deal: 'I feel neglected, no one is representing me'

Blinken:

Blinken: 'On brink of deal, awaiting final word from Hamas'

Secretary Blinken delivers remarks on the Middle East at the Atlantic Council in Washington, D.C., says "much of the heavy lifting" on Israel-Saudi normalization is done.

Blinken: 'On brink of deal, awaiting final word from Hamas'

Survey:

Survey: 3/4 of New Yorkers support mask ban amid anti-Israel protests

#UnMaskHateNY publishes results of survey finding 75% of New Yorkers support revival of bans on masking in public as anti-Israel activists frequently wear masks during hate-filled demonstrations and while committing hate crimes.

Survey: 3/4 of New Yorkers support mask ban amid anti-Israel protests

Chabad tunnel incident:

Chabad tunnel incident: Judge calls Hasidic students a "shame to worldwide Chabad"

Brooklyn judge chastises 4 students who refused plea deal for digging illegal tunnel underneath the Chabad headquarters in Crown Heights.

Chabad tunnel incident: Judge calls Hasidic students a "shame to worldwide Chabad"

Palestinian arrested impersonating Border Police officer

The suspect arrived at a checkpoint wearing an Israeli uniform and driving a car equipped with emergency lights.

Palestinian arrested impersonating Border Police officer

‏Dep. Foreign Minister:

‏Dep. Foreign Minister: We'll see whether other side is really interested in an agreement

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Sharren Haskel discussed the emerging hostage deal and said that 'we will soon see whether the other side is genuinely interested in reaching an agreement.'

‏Dep. Foreign Minister: We'll see whether other side is really interested in an agreement

'What Katz did was selektion'

Hostages' families attack Defense Minister: 'What Katz did was selektion'

Family members of hostages in Gaza disrupted the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee session protesting the emerging deal that will only bring some of the hostages home in its first stage.

Hostages' families attack Defense Minister: 'What Katz did was selektion'

Sources in negotiations:

Sources in negotiations: 'Hamas changed its position - not Israel'

A source familiar with the negotiations responded to Minister Ben-Gvir's concerns regarding the emerging deal, saying that new pressures had forced Hamas to compromise.

Sources in negotiations: 'Hamas changed its position - not Israel'