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

After Rubio's visit:

Netanyahu, Rubio reaffirm US-Israel alliance in closing call after visit

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanks US Secretary of State Marco Rubio for his visit and unwavering support, as both leaders pledged continued cooperation on returning hostages and disarming Hamas.

Netanyahu, Rubio reaffirm US-Israel alliance in closing call after visit

Hostage's mother:

Hostage's mother: Matan bears scars of heroism on his body

Anat Angrest, mother of Hamas captivity survivor Matan Angrest, says her son came home with scars from Hamas' abuse, but he wants to join IDF, bring hostage Itay Chen home.

Hostage's mother: Matan bears scars of heroism on his body

Defense Minister admits: 60% of tunnels still intact

Defense Minister Israel Katz admits most of Hamas' terror tunnels are still intact, instructs IDF to prioritize demolition.

Defense Minister admits: 60% of tunnels still intact

Watch:

Watch: Zohran Mamdani mourns how 9/11 changed life for Muslims in NYC

New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani delivered a speech outside a Bronx mosque, saying that NYC Muslims had been victimized since the World Trade Center attacks.

Watch: Zohran Mamdani mourns how 9/11 changed life for Muslims in NYC

Following US pressure:

Following US pressure: Egyptian team to help locate hostages' bodies

Egyptian team to enter Gaza, help locate deceased hostages' bodies, as US prevents Israel from taking steps to punish Hamas for delay.

Following US pressure: Egyptian team to help locate hostages' bodies

Basketball team warns Mamdani over use of logo

NY Knicks send cease-and-desist letter to NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, warning against use of their logo in his promotional materials.

Basketball team warns Mamdani over use of logo

At multiple locations:

At multiple locations: Jewish residents attacked with rocks by Arabs and leftists

Violent riots break out in multiple locations across the Binyamin region, with leftist anarchists providing logistical support to rock-throwing Arab terrorists.

At multiple locations: Jewish residents attacked with rocks by Arabs and leftists

Netanyahu effigy hanged in Turkey

Effigy of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hangs from crane in Turkey, alongside the words 'death penalty for Netanyahu.'

Netanyahu effigy hanged in Turkey

Hezbollah antitank commander eliminated

IDF eliminates terrorist Zayn al-Abidin Hussein Fatouni, a commander in the antitank unit of Hezbollah's Radwan Force.

Hezbollah antitank commander eliminated

Wife of archterrorist Barghouti urges Trump to free her husband

Fadwa Barghouti urges US President Trump to help free her husband, Marwan Barghouti, who is serving life in Israel for murderous attacks against Israelis.

Wife of archterrorist Barghouti urges Trump to free her husband

After two-year hiatus

American Airlines to return to Israel after two-year hiatus

American Airlines will resume daily JFK-Tel Aviv flights in March, marking its return after a two-year pause following the Oct. 7 Hamas attack and Gaza war.

American Airlines to return to Israel after two-year hiatus

Report:

Report: US launches drone missions over Gaza to track ceasefire

Israeli and American officials tell The New York Times that US drones are flying over Gaza with Israeli consent to monitor the ceasefire.

Report: US launches drone missions over Gaza to track ceasefire

Defense Minister reveals to Vance: Majority of Hamas tunnels still intact

Channel 12 News reports that Defense Minister Katz told VP Vance that over 60% of Hamas tunnels remain. IDF continues demolitions during ceasefire, stressing tunnel removal as vital to Gaza’s demilitarization under Trump’s plan.

Defense Minister reveals to Vance: Majority of Hamas tunnels still intact

Gaza peace plan:

Ambassador Steven Fagin to oversee Gaza peace plan implementation for State Dept

US Ambassador to Yemen, Steven Fagin, will lead the Civil-Military Coordination Center, advancing Trump’s Gaza peace plan.

Ambassador Steven Fagin to oversee Gaza peace plan implementation for State Dept

Chabad Rabbi and family miraculously survive direct drone strike in Ukraine

The city's rabbi, Yosef Yitzchak Wolff, went out to affix a mezuzah on the front door minutes before a missile destroyed the prayer hall and his office.

Chabad Rabbi and family miraculously survive direct drone strike in Ukraine

Watch:

Watch: Senior Hezbollah logistics commander eliminated

IDF eliminated logistics commander of Hezbollah’s southern front, Abbas Hassan Karkhi

Watch: Senior Hezbollah logistics commander eliminated

'Thank you for not giving up'

Omri Miran sends first message: 'Thank you for not giving up on us'

Hostage survivor Omri Miran sent his first message 10 days after returning home, expressing pride in the army, its fighters, and commanders despite the pain and tragedy he endured.

Omri Miran sends first message: 'Thank you for not giving up on us'

'From here, only good things'

Captivity survivor Alon Ohel discharged from hospital: 'From here, only good things'

A week and a half after being released from Hamas captivity, Alon Ohel returns home, 'So I can continue my life and achieve my goals.'

Captivity survivor Alon Ohel discharged from hospital: 'From here, only good things'

IDF:

IDF completes major exercise simulating defense and offense along Lebanon border

The 91st Division completed the largest exercise since the beginning of the war aimed at enhancing operational readiness for defense and offense along the Lebanon border - at sea, in the air, and on land.

IDF completes major exercise simulating defense and offense along Lebanon border

Unauthorized lecture by former PA minister prompts IDF inquiry

IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir ordered a probe after cadets heard an unauthorized lecture from former PA Minister Ashraf al-Ajrami, tied to the PA’s Pay-for-Slay program.

Unauthorized lecture by former PA minister prompts IDF inquiry

For nearly 3 hours

For nearly 3 hours: Activists block aid trucks from entering Gaza

Hundreds of activists from the Tzav 9 protest group blocked the Kissufim Crossing and called on President Trump not to allow aid to reach Gaza until all the deceased hostages are released.

For nearly 3 hours: Activists block aid trucks from entering Gaza

Marco Rubio:

Marco Rubio: ‘We are committed to Israel’s security, Hamas will be fully demilitarized’

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks at a press conference in southern Israel, calls the current plan 'a massive undertaking' that could reshape Israel’s long-term security.

Marco Rubio: ‘We are committed to Israel’s security, Hamas will be fully demilitarized’

Judea and Samaria:

Judea and Samaria: IDF arrests 44 terrorists, two of whom were planning attacks

Israeli forces seize dozens of weapons and arrested terror suspects in sweeping operations across Judea and Samaria, thwart terror attack plots in Jilazon and Beit Ummar.

Judea and Samaria: IDF arrests 44 terrorists, two of whom were planning attacks

Israeli official:

Israeli official: Hamas unsure of locations of five hostages' bodies

Hamas 'playing games' to avoid entering second stage of Trump deal, which requires disarming, Israeli official says.

Israeli official: Hamas unsure of locations of five hostages' bodies

Israel preparing to receive bodies of two hostages

Sources in Israel's defense echelon estimate Hamas may transfer Israel bodies of deceased hostages over the weekend, following pressure from the US and Israel.

Israel preparing to receive bodies of two hostages

Poll: Right-wing bloc holds steady, opposition weakens

New Maariv poll shows Likud leading with 26 seats, coalition bloc remaining steady, as center-left struggles to form a majority.

Poll: Right-wing bloc holds steady, opposition weakens

Within 24 hours:

Terrorists suspected of throwing explosive device arrested

Security forces arrest three suspects on suspicion of throwing the explosive device at an IDF force in Tubas, injuring two soldiers.

Terrorists suspected of throwing explosive device arrested

PA spokesman:

PA spokesman: Hamas acting like ISIS in Gaza executions

PA spokesman Anwar Rajab condemns Hamas’s public executions in Gaza, calling its tactics “ISIS-like” and accusing the group of fostering a culture of violence, theft, and terror against its own people.

PA spokesman: Hamas acting like ISIS in Gaza executions

US mulling:

Controversial Gaza aid foundation may be replaced under US proposal

The US is considering a new Gaza aid plan to replace the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation with regional Red Cross groups and an evangelical NGO.

Controversial Gaza aid foundation may be replaced under US proposal

Netanyahu:

Netanyahu: Israel is independent, US does not dictate our policy

PM Netanyahu rejects claims of US control over Israeli policy, stressing independence while praising Trump’s support in Gaza and hostage rescue efforts.

Netanyahu: Israel is independent, US does not dictate our policy

Grave desecration in Ukraine:

Grave desecration in Ukraine: Tombstones destroyed at Vizhnitz Rebbes’ cemetery

Unknown vandals break into the historic Jewish cemetery in Vyzhnytsia, Ukraine, damaging tombstones and breaching the fence. The Rebbes’ memorial structure spared, likely dut to security cameras.

Grave desecration in Ukraine: Tombstones destroyed at Vizhnitz Rebbes’ cemetery

Watch:

Watch: Greta Thunberg skewered in Gaza flotilla sketch on 'Eretz Nehederet'

Israeli satire TV show “Eretz Nehederet” mocks Greta Thunberg’s Gaza flotilla efforts, highlighting her outrage at a ceasefire and selective concern based on who’s involved in the conflict.

Watch: Greta Thunberg skewered in Gaza flotilla sketch on 'Eretz Nehederet'

Israel to VP Vance:

Israel to VP Vance: Hamas can return hostage bodies without foreign help

Israeli officials brief Vice President Vance, saying Hamas can recover hostages’ bodies without international aid and is exploiting the ceasefire to regroup, undermining progress under the Trump framework.

Israel to VP Vance: Hamas can return hostage bodies without foreign help

Will Trump build the Third Temple?

A Jewish reporter asked Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt if President Trump had considered the Third Temple as his next historic building project.

Will Trump build the Third Temple?

Last Warsaw Ghetto fighter passes away at 99

Michael Smuss, 99, survived the uprising and the Nazi retribution that followed, multiple concentration camps, and the Death March.

Last Warsaw Ghetto fighter passes away at 99

ATV stolen from Israel spotted being used by Hamas in Gaza

A southern Israel resident was stunned to discover that an ATV stolen from his home on Yom Kippur now appears in TikTok videos being used by Hamas terrorists in the heart of Gaza.

ATV stolen from Israel spotted being used by Hamas in Gaza

YouTube Star Brandon Herrera:

YouTube Star Brandon Herrera: 'Israel can buy from us, but we shouldn't pay for them'

Brandon Herrera, a social media personality with hundreds of thousands of followers on multiple platforms who is running for Congress, told voters that America needs to change its policy towards aiding Israel.

YouTube Star Brandon Herrera: 'Israel can buy from us, but we shouldn't pay for them'

IDF strikes Hezbollah weapons storage facility in southern Lebanon

The facility was used by the Hezbollah terrorist organization to advance and carry out attacks against the State of Israel.

IDF strikes Hezbollah weapons storage facility in southern Lebanon

Where 1 hostage was held

Report: 12 Soldiers killed in Gaza due to “attack-free zone” where one hostage was held

In southern Gaza, there were areas the IDF avoided entering or striking due to assessments that hostages were being held there. Hamas exploited this immunity, repeatedly launching attacks from those locations. According to estimates, around 12 soldiers were killed in terror operations originating from an area where only a single hostage was held.

Report: 12 Soldiers killed in Gaza due to “attack-free zone” where one hostage was held

Netanyahu to Rubio:

Netanyahu to Rubio: 'This is a circle of trust and partnership'

Secretary of State Marco Rubio meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem.

Netanyahu to Rubio: 'This is a circle of trust and partnership'