Israel National News

Israel believes terror groups know where Ran Gvili Is buried

Israel estimates that a new lead has been found that could lead to identifying the burial place of Gvili, the last remaining hostage in Gaza.

Watch:

Jewish singers sing Chanuka songs using AI

Musician and creator Shai Barak presents a new AI music video ahead of Hanukkah starring the greatest singers of Jewish music - in a puppet version.

Calls, warnings, and failure

Calls, warnings, and failure: New details emerge from the October 7 investigation

Three consecutive late-night discussions among the IDF’s top brass examined indications of an imminent attack - but the directives that followed lacked any meaningful change to readiness.

UN delegation urges Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire compliance in Lebanon

A UN Security Council delegation urges Israel and Hezbollah to uphold the 2024 ceasefire, backs Lebanon’s plan to disarm Hezbollah, while warning peacekeepers must not be targeted.

Turkish FM:

Turkish FM: Hamas ready to hand over Gaza if police force established

Turkish FM Hakan Fidan warns stalling Trump’s Gaza plan would be a “huge failure,” urges Palestinian Arab-led administration and police force, and slams Israel’s stance.

At Olympic torch relay

Italian police block pro-Palestinian Arab protesters at Olympic torch relay

Italian police stop pro-Palestinian Arab activists from disrupting the Milan Cortina Olympic torch relay in Rome, as others wave flags at La Sapienza.

Egypt FM claims:

Egypt FM claims: Israel violating ceasefire, monitors needed urgently

Egypt’s FM Badr Abdelatty urges swift deployment of ceasefire monitors under Trump’s Gaza plan, accusing Israel of violations.

India: 23 killed in nightclub fire in Goa

At least 23 people dead in fire at a Goa nightclub. Among the victims are tourists.

Ministry of Health: Sharp rise in influenza cases

The Ministry of Health announces that flu season has begun earlier than usual, with cases rising steeply. As a result, the Epidemic Response Team will convene for a special meeting.

A behind-the-scenes diplomatic move

Report: Prime Minister Netanyahu held a secret meeting last week with Tony Blair, who is advancing a plan to bring the Palestinian Authority into control over areas in Gaza. The idea is designed as a pilot program and is contingent on reforms within the PA.

Families of hostages urge:

Families of hostages urge: 'No next phase until Ran Gvili comes home'

Hostage families, survivors, and relatives gathered in Sha’ar Hanegev, Carmei Gat, and Meitar, urging Israelis to rally behind the return of Ran Gvili and stressing that 'final stretch' must end with no hostage left behind.

Leading Shas rabbi says he 'doesn't sleep at night' due to arrests

Rabbi Moshe Maya, leading rabbi at Shas' Council of Torah Sages, tells yeshiva student arrests are 'decree from Heaven,' as student describes conditions of imprisonment in military prisons.

Terror attack thwarted in Hebron

Paratroopers eliminate two terrorists attempting to ram Israelis at police checkpoint; one Israeli suffers very light injuries.

'We talk about what others hide'

Yummy Schachter previews Amudim’s 36-Hour ‘Unite to Heal’ livestream

Israel “Yummy” Schachter tells Arutz Sheva about the massive global livestream he built with Amudim, one of the Jewish world’s largest online awareness events.

Pres. Herzog welcomes German chancellor, deepening bilateral ties

Israeli President Isaac Herzog welcomes German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to Israel; Merz reaffirmed Germany’s unwavering support for Israel’s security and its right to defend itself. 'It is in our core DNA to stand with Israel.'

Israel thwarts Hamas attempt to infiltrate northern towns

IDF reveals Hamas infrastructure and plans to infiltrate Galilee towns, kidnap Israeli civilians.

Searches, gunfire, and arrests in the Negev

During the third weekend of Operation New Order in southern Israel, 45 suspects were arrested, and stolen weapons and drugs were seized.

IAF base damaged by stormy weather

IAF, IDF teams conducting assessments at Ovda base in southern Israel after rain and flooding damage infrastructure.

Rare recordings of Bashar al-Assad

In rare footage published by the Al-Arabiya network, the former Syrian president is heard expressing disgust with the state of the country and insulting his people.

Mansour Abbas' surprising announcement

Ra'am chief MK Mansour Abbas announces surprising decision which could massively impact Israel's next elections.

Israel to mediators: Hamas knows where body of last hostage is

Israel sends message to mediators, stressing that Hamas, Islamic Jihad, know where the body of Yasam officer Ran Gvili is located, and that Hamas can access it.

Danon:

Danon: Shift in UN voting shows growing opposition to automatic anti-Israel majorities

Israel’s Ambassador Danny Danon welcomes noticeable shift in UN voting on 'Palestinian Package,' as more countries opposed or abstained, calling it evidence of a changing international stance and thanking states that backed Israel.

Rain and flooding in southern Israel

Rainfall expected to continue in the coming hours, as floods close roads in Eilat and the Arava region.

Southern Gaza:

IDF eliminates terrorists who crossed yellow line in southern Gaza

In two separate incidents Saturday, IDF troops identify three terrorists who crossed the yellow line, posing immediate threat.

Last hostage’s sister:

Last hostage’s sister: Do not proceed to Phase 2 until Rani is home

Crowds at Hostages Square mark Shabbat with prayers and pleas for Ran Gvili, the last hostage in Gaza. His sister Shira urges unity and faith, demanding his return: “Until the last hostage, until Rani is home.”

Trump wins FIFA’s new peace prize

President Trump receives FIFA’s new peace prize at the 2026 World Cup draw, having been previously praised by FIFA chief for Gaza ceasefire efforts.

Chief of Staff:

Chief of Staff: 'Establish an external and objective commission of inquiry'

Chief of Staff distributed a letter to commanders calling for an external commission of inquiry to examine the failures of October 7 and review the relationship between military and political echelons.

Pilot program in Yahalom combat engineering unit successful

The two-and-a-half-year pilot program examined the integration of women into combat roles in the IDF’s Yahalom special engineering unit.

Report:

Report: Assad loyalists in exile compete to mobilize fighters

Exiled Assad-era power brokers fund rival militias as they vie for influence in Syria’s Alawite heartland.

Avraham Fried moved by officer who lost his legs in Syria

Rabbi Liraz Zeira, a Chabad emissary and IDF officer wounded in Syria, received an emotional welcome from singer Avraham Fried during the Yud Tes Kislev “Tzama” celebration in Jerusalem.

Harvard professor agrees to leave US voluntarily after Boston synagogue shooting

Senior Harvard professor, charged with firing shots near a synagogue on Yom Kippur, agrees to leave US voluntarily before being deported.

Former Military Advocate General released from hospital, expected to be questioned soon

Three weeks after being hospitalized following the ingestion of sleeping pills, former Military Advocate General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi was released today from Ichilov Hospital.

Tragedy:

Tragedy: Major Eitan Orbach killed in traffic accident in Jordan Valley

The Beit She’an Municipality announces that Major Eitan Orbach was killed on Friday morning in an operational traffic accident while carrying out his duties in the defense of the Jordan Valley farms.

Victory for Ben-Gvir

Victory for Ben-Gvir: Police, Prison Service, and Fire Services budgets to increase

After extended negotiations with the Finance Ministry, the welfare tax slated to apply to police officers, prison guards, and firefighters will be canceled, budgets will be significantly expanded, and thousands of new positions will be opened.

Massive show of support

Massive show of support: Over 1,000 US leaders visit Ancient Shiloh

More than a thousand leaders and influencers from the United States are touring the ancient Shiloh site in Binyamin, in the culmination of the largest outreach mission in Israel's history.

The IDF soldier in service to Iran

Rafael Raouveni, who served in the Israeli Air Force, has been charged with espionage for Iran.

6-year-old boy dies of influenza A

A six-year-old boy was rushed to Kaplan Medical Center in critical condition, having collapsed at home. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Defense Minister blocks promotion of 'Brothers in Arms' officer

Minister Israel Katz says 'anyone who promotes refusal to serve won't advance in the IDF.'

Poll

Poll: Religious Zionism Party and Likud gain strength

New polling data shows the Religious Zionism party winning 4 seats and the Likud rising to 26, with the entire coalition bloc registering measurable gains.

Agreements reached:

Agreements reached: Defense budget for 2026 set at 112 billion shekels

After late-night discussions, a defense budget of 112 billion shekels was agreed upon. The Prime Minister decided that the defense budget will increase by 350 billion shekels over the next decade.