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

Watch

Watch | Iranian official: I wish I had built a nuclear bomb as Iran’s Defense Minister

Iran’s Ali Shamkhani says he regrets not pursuing nuclear weapons in the 1990s and would “absolutely” do so if given the chance, citing the 12-Day war with Israel as proof of urgent need for nuclear capability.

Watch | Iranian official: I wish I had built a nuclear bomb as Iran’s Defense Minister

Sister of freed hostage Evyatar David: I can’t believe he’s home

Yeela David, sister of freed hostage Evyatar David, shares an emotional message from Beilinson Hospital, thanking supporters and urging continued efforts to bring home the remaining hostages.

Sister of freed hostage Evyatar David: I can’t believe he’s home

'Urgent diplomatic meetings'

Court approves: Netanyahu’s testimony canceled due to 'urgent diplomatic meetings'

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s testimony sessions for this week canceled, following court approval of his request citing urgent diplomatic meetings.

Court approves: Netanyahu’s testimony canceled due to 'urgent diplomatic meetings'

Heartwarming reunion

Heartwarming reunion | Watch: Tal Shoham surprises fellow former hostage

Former hostage Tal Shoham meets for the first time with Guy Gilboa-Dalal and Evyatar David, with whom he was held together, in an especially emotional reunion.

Heartwarming reunion | Watch: Tal Shoham surprises fellow former hostage

Kushner and Witkoff:

Kushner and Witkoff: The war is over, deal will not be violated

“60 Minutes” airs full version of its interview with Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, in which they recount the diplomacy that ended the Gaza war: “The war is over.”

Kushner and Witkoff: The war is over, deal will not be violated

Watch:

Watch: Ravid Plotnik sings with freed hostages

Israeli singer and rapper Ravid Plotnik visits Beilinson Hospital, speaks with survivors of captivity and joins them in an emotional rendition of the lyrics: “Yesterday was yesterday, today is a new day.”

Watch: Ravid Plotnik sings with freed hostages

4-minute operation

Thieves use lift to steal crown jewels from Louvre in 4-minute operation

Thieves steal eight Napoleonic jewels from the Louvre in a four-minute daylight heist. The museum closes for investigation.

Thieves use lift to steal crown jewels from Louvre in 4-minute operation

Fiery White House meeting

Report: Trump pressed Zelenskyy to accept Putin’s terms in fiery White House meeting

The Financial Times reports that Trump urged Zelenskyy to accept Putin’s terms in a heated White House meeting last week, warning of Ukraine’s destruction.

Report: Trump pressed Zelenskyy to accept Putin’s terms in fiery White House meeting

FBI probes hunting stand near Trump’s airplane exit in Palm Beach

Suspicious hunting stand with a direct view of President Trump’s Air Force One exit found at Palm Beach Airport. The FBI is investigating.

FBI probes hunting stand near Trump’s airplane exit in Palm Beach

Israel’s response to Hamas

Amit Segal on Israel’s response to Hamas: The ball is in the government’s court

Political commentator Amit Segal addresses criticism of Israel’s response to Hamas, stating that the true test lies in disarming the terror group - not in targeted airstrikes.

Amit Segal on Israel’s response to Hamas: The ball is in the government’s court

Derby disaster:

Derby disaster: Hapoel vs. Maccabi match called off amid stadium violence

Derby match between Hapoel and Maccabi Tel Aviv at Bloomfield Stadium canceled due to pyrotechnics and fan violence.

Derby disaster: Hapoel vs. Maccabi match called off amid stadium violence

Shin Bet chief's rebuke: Say 'Judea and Samaria'

During an introductory meeting with Shin Bet coordinators, incoming Shin Bet chief David Zini reprimanded one participant after he used the term “the West Bank.”

Shin Bet chief's rebuke: Say 'Judea and Samaria'

ZOA

ZOA: Hamas’s latest ceasefire violations present test of Trump’s credibility

Zionist Organization of America National President Morton Klein reacts to murder of 2 IDF soldiers in attack that violated the ceasefire agreement.

ZOA: Hamas’s latest ceasefire violations present test of Trump’s credibility

Released hostage's mother:

Released hostage's mother: Avinatan is stronger in spirit and more determined than ever

Ditza Or, mother of Hamas captivity survivor Avinatan Or, speaks to the media about her son's condition following his release from Hamas captivity.

Released hostage's mother: Avinatan is stronger in spirit and more determined than ever

Caving to US pressure: Israel to reinstate aid to Gaza

Israel quickly backtracks after declaring end to humanitarian aid to Gaza, promising Rafah Crossing won't reopen.

Caving to US pressure: Israel to reinstate aid to Gaza

Afula man arrested for defrauding dozens of Chabad hasidim

Police arrest 41-year-old accused of selling forged or non-existent tickets to over 69 victims identified; losses exceed NIS 400,000.

Afula man arrested for defrauding dozens of Chabad hasidim

Only Samaritan terrorist in Israel released in hostage deal

Nader Sadka, 48, from Mount Gerizim, is the only Samaritan ever convicted in Israel for security-related offenses. He was sentenced to six life terms for planning and carrying out attacks against Israelis - and has now been released as part of the hostage deal.

Only Samaritan terrorist in Israel released in hostage deal

Watch: IDF eliminates armed terrorists threatening ground troops

IDF eliminates armed terrorists nearing IDF forces in Beit Lahia in northern Gaza. Watch.

Watch: IDF eliminates armed terrorists threatening ground troops

Report:

Report: US warns Israel not to resume war after Hamas attack

Trump Administration tells Israel to focus on 'isolating' Hamas and replacing Hamas rule in Gaza after the attack on IDF troops in Rafah,

Report: US warns Israel not to resume war after Hamas attack

Scare at 36,000 feet

United Airlines plane makes emergency landing after crack found in cockpit windshield

United Flight UA1093, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, diverted to Salt Lake City, Utah, after a crack was found in the cockpit window.

United Airlines plane makes emergency landing after crack found in cockpit windshield

Watch: Chief rabbi dances with freed hostages

Ashkenazic Chief Rabbi Kalman Ber visits released hostages in Tel Hashomer Hospital, stressing mutual responsibility to bring the deceased hostages home for burial.

Watch: Chief rabbi dances with freed hostages

Watch: Ariel Cunio returns to Nir Oz community

Hamas captivity survivors Ariel Cunio and partner Arbel Yehud arrive at their home in Kiryat Gat, to live in temporary residences intended for the Nir Oz community; their community is on hand to greet them.

Watch: Ariel Cunio returns to Nir Oz community

Hamas: We located the body of a hostage, will return him tonight

The murderous terrorist organization announced that it has located the body of another kidnapped civilian and will hand it over this evening (Sunday) "if conditions permit."

Hamas: We located the body of a hostage, will return him tonight

Report: Senior Nukhba commander eliminated

Yahya al-Mabhouh, senior commander in Hamas' elite 'Nukhba' unit, eliminated following Rafah attack.

Report: Senior Nukhba commander eliminated

New Jersey:

New Jersey: Drunk driver hits car, killing four yeshiva students

Locals are currently at the scene and are in close contact with authorities to ensure the dignity of the deceased and assist with the necessary steps for the funerals.

New Jersey: Drunk driver hits car, killing four yeshiva students

Hamas violates ceasefire:

Hamas violates ceasefire: PM orders strong response to attack on troops in Rafah

Hamas terrorists opened anti-tank fire at IDF forces in Rafah, IDF responds by striking in the area to eliminate the threat and dismantle tunnel shafts and military structures used for terrorist activity.

Hamas violates ceasefire: PM orders strong response to attack on troops in Rafah

Shin Bet Chief supports move:

Will criminal organizations be classified as terrorists? Shin Bet Chief supports move

The Ministerial Committee for Legislation is set to advance MK Tzvika Foghel’s bill allowing the state to declare major criminal organizations as terrorist groups, with Shin Bet backing the move.

Will criminal organizations be classified as terrorists? Shin Bet Chief supports move

Hezbollah fighter 'laid groundwork' for police's decision to ban Israelis from Aston Villa

Hezbollah fighter 'laid the groundwork' for police's decision to ban Israeli fans from Aston Villa football match by compiling 'safety risk' dossier.

Hezbollah fighter 'laid groundwork' for police's decision to ban Israelis from Aston Villa

'War of Redemption'

Government changes war's official name to the 'War of Redemption'

The government approved the name of the war to be changed from 'Swords of Iron' to 'The War of Redemption.' Minister Strock voted against, Minister Chikli abstained.

Government changes war's official name to the 'War of Redemption'

IDF confirms:

IDF confirms: Body returned to Israel that of murdered Thai farmhand Sontaya Ukkharsri.

The second body returned on Saturday night was identified as that of Thai citizen Sontaya Ukkharsri, who was murdered in the fields of Be'eri on October 7th, 2023.

IDF confirms: Body returned to Israel that of murdered Thai farmhand Sontaya Ukkharsri.

Hostage survivors speak out:

Hostage survivors David and Ariel Cunio, speak out: 'Our new life starts now!'

Hostage survivors David and Ariel Cunio in their first public message: 'In the most difficult moments in captivity, we felt that you were fighting for us. That you were not giving up.'

Hostage survivors David and Ariel Cunio, speak out: 'Our new life starts now!'

Found dead in Istanbul:

Organizer of anti-Israel protests in Dagestan, Russia found dead in Istanbul

Abakar Abakarov, a prominent Kremlin critic who was on Russia's most wanted list, was found dead in a rented villa in Istanbul, Turkey.

Organizer of anti-Israel protests in Dagestan, Russia found dead in Istanbul

Keith Siegel:

Keith Siegel: Matan Angrest and I were held in a small, dark room

Keith Siegel looks back at his time in captivity with newly released hostage Matan Angrest. 'We kept each other strong, we laughed together.'

Keith Siegel: Matan Angrest and I were held in a small, dark room

A suitcase under the bed uncovers a fortune lost to the Nazis

What began as a simple act of sorting through his late father’s belongings turned into a journey through a buried family past - one that revealed immense wealth, tragic loss, and long-delayed justice.

A suitcase under the bed uncovers a fortune lost to the Nazis

Experts warn:

Experts warn: Hezbollah ‘waiting in the dark’ as it rebuilds in Lebanon

Le Figaro reports that Hezbollah is rebuilding its command structure with Iranian backing, despite its defeat by Israel. Experts warn its covert activity could spark future escalation.

Experts warn: Hezbollah ‘waiting in the dark’ as it rebuilds in Lebanon

Wave of attacks in Ashdod:

Wave of attacks in Ashdod: Teens on scooters target haredi residents

A Haredi man walking home from synagogue in Ashdod was attacked by two teens on a scooter, part of a series of assaults that locals say continue as few victims file complaints.

Wave of attacks in Ashdod: Teens on scooters target haredi residents

Distrurbing

Hamas-inspired cosplay sparks outrage in Japan amid Gaza protests

Images of Japanese cosplayers dressed as Hamas’ al-Qassam Brigades members have circulated online amid growing pro-Gaza demonstrations in Japan, drawing police intervention and public backlash.

Hamas-inspired cosplay sparks outrage in Japan amid Gaza protests

Herzog refraining from issuing full pardons for Jewish prisoners

Minister Yariv Levin asked the President to pardon six Jewish prisoners to counteract the release of Arab terrorists. Herzog is considering the request.

Herzog refraining from issuing full pardons for Jewish prisoners

Former hostage:

Former hostage: 'I fasted on Yom Kippur for the first time, was released from captivity'

Hostage survivor Eitan Horn tearfully recounts how he decided to fast on Yom Kippur, for the first time in his life, and was released from Hamas captivity less than two weeks later. Watch

Former hostage: 'I fasted on Yom Kippur for the first time, was released from captivity'

Orthodox Jewish Chamber defends RFK Jr. over circumcision claims

The Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce issues an open letter clarifying that Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. never criticized or sought limits on Jewish circumcision practices.

Orthodox Jewish Chamber defends RFK Jr. over circumcision claims