Israel National News

Ukraine:

Ukraine: President Zelenskyy lights Hanukkah candles in presidential bunker

At Zelenskyy's request, the ceremony featured an ornate menorah he received from Argentine President Javier Milei during his inauguration.

Watch:

Watch: Gwyneth Paltrow joins Noa Tishby to light the menorah

Academy Award-winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow joined Tishby to light a menorah and share personal stories about their Jewish heritage, reflecting on the meaning of the Festival of Lights.

Fallen soldier's family protests memorial for researcher with whom he was killed

The family of IDF Sgt. Gur Kehati, who was killed in the same incident in which civilian Ze’ev (Jabo) Erlich was killed in Lebanon, stormed into an event held in memory of Erlich in Samaria this evening to protest the event.

Prime Minister Netanyahu:

Prime Minister Netanyahu: 'The Houthis will learn what Hamas and Hezbollah learned'

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lit the first Hanukkah candle with Orna and Ronen Neutra, the parents of Capt. Omer Neutra who fell on October 7 and whose body was taken hostage by Hamas.

Moving:

Haredi Border Police officers light the menorah

A festive candle-lighting ceremony was held for the first haredi Border Police officers who were drafted a few months ago.

President Herzog:

President Herzog: 'We must act with all our might to secure a hostage deal'

President Isaac Herzog lit Hanukkah candles with injured veterans and IDF soldiers and called on the government to finalize a hostage deal: 'This is your duty. This is your responsibility. You have my full support!'

Badly wounded soldier lights Hanukkah candle with Dr. who saved his life

At Assuta Hospital in Ashdod, Noam Levy lit a Hanukkah candle in the nursery alongside the doctor who treated him in the field.

Gush Etzion:

Gush Etzion: One moderately wounded in ramming incident

One person was moderately wounded in a ramming incident at the Gush Etzion Junction. The driver turned himself in to the security forces.

Tamid Ohev Oti

DJ Raphi presents dance for Jewish hit song - Tamid Ohev Oti

DJ Raphi releases new song and dance to coincide with the beginning of the Hanukkah holiday and to provide light in dark times.

Since October:

85,000 Hezbollah weapons seized in southern Lebanon since October

Since the beginning of the ground operation in southern Lebanon, the IDF has confiscated over 85,000 weapons, missiles, and military items, including rocket launchers, anti-tank missiles, RPGs, rifles, explosives, munitions, anti-aircraft missiles, observation devices, and military vehicles.

UAV from Yemen lands near Ashkelon

A UAV launched by the Houthi terrorist rebels in Yemen set off sirens on Wednesday evening in the Ashkelon area. The aircraft crashed in an open area and no one was injured.

Chief of Staff:

Chief of Staff: 'Forces were searching for hostages in Rafah before Sinwar's elimination'

IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi spoke at the 189th IAF Pilots Course Graduation Ceremony and praised the IAF's accomplishments during the war.

Chief Rabbi:

Chief Rabbi: 'It is permitted and even required to release terrorists for hostages'

Israel's Sephardic Chief Rabbi David Yosef noted that while he does not know all the details of the negotiations, he is sure that Israel must release terrorists, even those who murdered Jews, in exchange for the hostages.

For fear of terror attack:

For fear of terror attack: Hostage families event in Tel Aviv evacuated

The police have decided to evacuate a Hanukkah candle-lighting event held by family members of hostages across from the IDF headquarters in Tel Aviv due to a fear of a security incident.

Hostage's father:

Hostage's father: 'Ireland helped free Emily but now rewards Hamas'

Thomas Hand, the father of Emily Hand, who was nine years old when she was kidnapped during the October 7 massacre and spent 50 days as a hostage in Gaza, said that he would "hesiate" to return to Ireland given the country's moves against Israel in the war against the Hamas terrorist organization.

Tzohar rabbis:

Tzohar rabbis: Add a special prayer when lighting Hanukkah candles

Tzohar, in collaboration with the Atid Le'Otef Movement, composed a special prayer dedicated to the People of Israel, the hostages and their families, IDF soldiers, and all those who have been affected by the war.

Hamas claims:

Hamas claims: Israel presented new conditions which delayed ceasefire deal

'Serious negotiations for ceasefire deal are ongoing, Hamas has shown responsibility and flexibility,' terror group claims in statement.

MK Liberman:

MK Liberman: 'We need to deal the Houthis a crushing blow'

After second consecutive day of early-morning Houthi missile launch, MK Avigdor Liberman urges: 'We need to deal the Houthis and Iran a crushing blow - now!'

Ehud Yaari:

Ehud Yaari: 'Aim at what will truly agitate the Houthis'

'Israel must change its aggressive approach in Yemen and focus on steps that will undermine the Houthis' status in the region,' Arab affairs commentator recommends.

Holocaust survivor who lost family on 10/7 passes away

97-year-old Holocaust survivor, Yosef Winner, who lost his grandson Yahav Winner, his granddaughter Hadar Berdichesky and her husband Itay, on October 7, passes away.

Delay in hostage deal negotiations due to Hamas foot-dragging

Hamas ignoring pressure from mediators, leader Mohammed Sinwar refusing to compromise, sources say.

Tragedy in Elazar:

Tragedy in Elazar: The small village that lost 8 residents in the war

Elazar in Gush Etzion has suffered heavy losses since the outbreak of the war: 8 residents were murdered or fell since October 7.

Saudi Arabia:

Saudi Arabia's execution toll hits record high despite promises of reform

Saudi Arabia executed 330 individuals this year, marking the highest annual total in decades, according to tally published by Reuters.

Canada:

Canada: First Sephardi woman appointed to join federal cabinet

Rachel Bendayan, a Canadian Member of Parliament representing the district of Outremont in Montreal, makes history after being named Canada’s new Minister of Official Languages and Associate Minister of Public Safety in cabinet reshuffle by Prime Minister Trudeau.

Second night in a row:

Second night in a row: Sirens in central Israel due to a rocket launched from Yemen

Sirens activated in central Israel, the Shfela and Judea, following a launch from Yemen. IDF confirms one rocket was intercepted before it crossed into Israeli territory. Debris from interception falls in Be'er Ya'akov, no injuries reported.

Syrian rebels demand compensation from Iran

In light of Iran's support for the Assad regime over the years, the rebels in Syria are demanding compensation of hundreds of billions of dollars from Iran.

'After significant week'

Israeli negotiating team to return from Qatar 'after significant week'

Prime Minister's Office announces that the Israeli negotiation team, which had been in Qatar over the past week, will return to Israel for consultations.

In Humanitarian Area:

IAF strikes Hamas terrorist in Humanitarian Area in Khan Yunis

IDF says the strike was conducted with the direction of IDF and Shin Bet intelligence. Prior to the strike, numerous steps were taken to minimize the risk of harming civilians.

In Tulkarm

Menashe Regional Brigade Commander lightly injured by explosive in Tulkarm

"David" APC hit by an explosive device during a counterterrorism operation in the area of Tulkarm, lightly injuring the Commander of the Menashe Regional Brigade, Col. Ayub Kayouf.

Otzma Yehudit votes against the position of the coalition

Otzma Yehudit accuses Smotrich of blocking the transfer of hundreds of millions of shekels to the police, votes against budget laws in the Knesset.

Bereaved Grandfather:

Bereaved Grandfather: 'Journalists - stop tearing the nation apart'

A grandfather urges the media to promote unity and understanding in the wake of his grandson's death.

MDA receives 3 bulletproof ambulances for deployment in Samaria

Yossi Dagan, Head of the Samaria Regional Council, says "The new ambulances are a critical addition to strengthening preparedness and enhancing security in the region."

IDF investigation:

IDF investigation: IDF didn't know 6 hostages were in area before they were murdered

Investigation finds that Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, and MSG Ori Danino were murdered on August 29, their bodies were discovered on August 31.

IDF on Houthi missile attack:

IDF: Area of sirens to be broadened after late sirens during Houthi attack

Investigation determines cause of siren activating 10 minutes late when 16 people were injured in a Houthi ballistic missile attack on Jaffa on Saturday morning.

Haredim block Bnei Brak streets to protest draft

Dozens of haredi protesters are blocking Jabotinsky Street in Bnei Brak in protest against draft notices sent to young haredi men.

Former President Bill Clinton released from hospital

Clinton was treated for the flu after being admitted to MedStar Georgetown University Hospital with a fever.

Defense Minister:

Defense Minister: 'IDF must release full recordings of fallen soldiers'

Defense Minister Israel Katz directed the IDF to release nearly complete recordings from the night of October 7th to the families of soldiers killed in the massacre.

IDF raids Indonesian Hospital in Gaza

IDF and ISA forces conducted and completed a limited operation against terrorist operatives and infrastructure in the area of the Indonesian Hospital in northern Gaza.

Multiple Syrian rebel groups agree to dissolve to join government

Ahmed Al-Sharaa, the de facto leader of the post-Assad Syria, announces that he reached an agreement with the leaders of the various rebel groups to consolidate their forces under the new Defense Ministry.

IDF Spokesman apologizes for criticizing proposed law

IDF Spokesman Daniel Hagari apologized for his criticism of the 'Feldstein Law', admitting he overstepped his boundaries.