Hamas release hostages
Hamas release hostagesReuters / Screenshot

Israel entered its seventh week of war, which has been dubbed "Swords of Iron," on Saturday. The war was sparked on October 7th, when the Hamas terrorist organization launched a surprise attack by land, air, and sea. After a heavy barrage of several thousand rockets, Hamas terrorists invaded Israeli territory, infiltrating military bases and civilian population centers, where they massacred the inhabitants and took others captive. As of Sunday, November 5, over 1,200 Israelis have been killed, about 4,000 were injured, and over 230 Israelis, including civilians, are in Hamas captivity.

IDF troops are continuing to eliminate terrorists in close-quarter combat and direct aircraft to strike Hamas terrorist infrastructure, weapons depots, observation posts, and command and control centers in the Gaza Strip.

Live updates:

Saturday, 11:10 p.m.: A short while ago, an IDF fighter jet successfully intercepted a UAV approaching Israeli territory, in the area of the Red Sea, the IDF confirmed.

The UAV did not infiltrate into Israeli territory.

Saturday, 11:09 p.m.: The IDF has confirmed, "IDF: Based on information that was received from the Red Cross, the hostages are currently on their way to the Rafah Crossing in the Gaza Strip."

Saturday, 11:00 p.m.: Following the resolution of the crisis, the prisoner swap is expected to continue as planned. Thirteen Israelis - eight children and five women, most of them from Kibbutz Be'eri - are expected to be released, along with seven foreigners.

Hamas has declared that all twenty hostages were handed over to the Red Cross.

Earlier on Saturday night, it was reported that ambulances from the Egyptian Red Crescent were asked to cross into Gaza through the Rafah Crossing.

Saturday, 10:50 p.m.: Two additional explosions were heard in Eilat.

Saturday, 7:14 p.m.: A short time ago, intercept missiles were fired towards two suspicious aerial targets in the Red Sea area. The incident has concluded.

Investigations are ongoing regarding whether the interceptors were fired due to a mistake in identification.

No infiltration into Israeli airspace was identified, and no sirens were sounded, as per protocol.

Saturday, 7:09 p.m.: Hamas has said that it will delay the release of the second group of hostages, claiming that Israel has not met the terms of the agreement. Responding to this, Israeli security sources said that if the hostages are not released by midnight, ground operations will resume.

MK Yuli Edelstein, who chairs the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, said, "They will try to pull the cord, but we will decide when it's time to tear the cord."

Saturday, 6:07 p.m.: Two intercepts were reported over Eilat and explosions were heard in the city. No siren was sounded.

Saturday, 6:03 p.m: On Friday night, the first group of hostages was transferred to the Red Cross and brought to Israel. Ohad Munder, who celebrated his ninth birthday in captivity, was among the group of freed hostages.

Hamas has now said that they transferred a second group of hostages to the Red Cross, to make their way home to Israel.

Meanwhile, rocket fire from Gaza was all but nonexistent through Friday night and Saturday, though sirens sounded in Israel's north as a result of rocket fire from Lebanon, as well as to warn of an infiltration by hostile aircraft.

Friday, 10:45 p.m.: Live updates are stopping at this time in honor of the start of Shabbat in North America, and will resume on Saturday night, upon the conclusion of Shabbat in Israel.

Friday, 4:30 p.m.: With the start of Shabbat in Israel, Arutz Sheva-Israel National News' North American desk will continue to update the site.

Friday, 12:05 p.m.: The IDF announced that the sirens in Eilat were a false alarm.

Friday, 11:44 a.m.: Alerts warn of a potential infiltration by a hostile aircraft in the Eilat area.

Friday, 7:16 a.m.: Sirens sounded in communities near the Gaza Strip.

Friday, 6:45 a.m.: Sirens sounded in Kibbutz Nir Oz, located near the Gaza border.

Friday, 4:37 a.m.: Sirens sounded in Mitvach Nir Am, located near the Gaza border.

Friday, 12:13 a.m.: IDF fighter jets attacked Hezbollah terrorist targets in Lebanese territory.

Thursday, 9:30 p.m.: Missile sirens sounding near the northern border.

Thursday, 4:00 p.m.: In response to the launches toward Israel earlier today, IDF helicopters and fighter jets struck Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure and rocket launch sites in Lebanon. Also, IDF soldiers struck Hezbollah's military infrastructure with the “Iron Sting” weapon system in Lebanon.

In addition, an IDF helicopter, a UAV, and tanks struck a terrorist cell that launched an anti-tank missile toward the area of Biranit and the launch post from which the missile was fired.

Thursday, 11:55 a.m.: Hezbollah claims to have fired 48 Katyusha missiles at Israel.

Thursday, 11:44 a.m.: Sirens sounded in Kibbutz Kissufim, an Israeli community near the Gaza Strip.

Thursday, 10:44 a.m.: The IDF estimates that approximately 50 rockets were fired in the barrage towards the Upper and Western Galilee regions a short while ago; of these, six were intercepted.

Hezbollah has taken responsibility for the barrage.

Thursday, 10:16 a.m.: A barrage of rockets has been fired towards the Upper Galilee and Western Galilee.

Thursday, 9:00 a.m.: Sirens sounded in Kibbutz Sasa, in northern Israel.

Thursday, 8:56 a.m.: Sirens sounded in Moshav Betzet and Shlomi, in northern Israel.

Thursday, 8:32 a.m.: Sirens sounded in Arab al-Aramshe, in northern Israel.

Thursday, 6:14 a.m.: Sirens sounded in Ashkelon.

Thursday, 5:19 a.m.: Sirens sounded in Kerem Shalom, located near the border with Gaza.

Thursday, 3:50 a.m.: Al Jazeera reported that IDF troops are operating in the Palestinian Arab city of Azzun and have raided several buildings in the area.

Wednesday, 7:25 p.m.: For the second time over the last day, IDF fighter jets struck terrorist infrastructure and a military site belonging to the Hezbollah terrorist organization in Lebanon.

In addition, IDF aircraft, together with artillery, struck a Hezbollah terrorist cell that fired from Lebanese territory toward the area near Hanita in northern Israel.

Furthermore, earlier today, shots were fired from a military site in Lebanon toward the area of Mattat, where IDF soldiers were operating. In response, the military site was struck.

Moreover, following the reports regarding sirens sounding in northern Israel, a number of launches from Lebanon toward Israel were identified. The IDF struck the sources of the launches in response.

Wednesday, 4:51 p.m.: Sirens sounding in Kfar Aza and Saad in the Gaza envelope.

Wednesday, 4:30 p.m.: Following the report regarding an infiltration of a hostile aircraft in the area of the city of Eilat, an IAF fighter jet successfully intercepted a cruise missile that was launched toward Israel.

No infiltration into Israeli territory was identified.

Wednesday, 4:05 p.m.: Sirens sounding in Eilat due to a suspected aerial infiltration.

Wednesday, 3:42 p.m.: Sirens sound near the northern border.

Wednesday, 3:03 p.m.: Sirens sound in the Gaza envelope.

Wednesday, 2:56 p.m.: Following the reports regarding sirens sounded in northern Israel over the last hour, a number of launches from Lebanon toward the areas of Netu’a, Zar’it and Yiftah were identified. The launches fell in an open area and no injuries were reported.

In response, the IDF is striking the sources of the launches.

In addition, an IDF tank struck a military post belonging to the Hezbollah terrorist organization.

Wednesday, 1:42 p.m.: Sirens sound in Sderot, Ibim, Nir Am, and Netiv Ha'asara, near the Gaza border.

Wednesday, 1:20 p.m.: Sirens sound in Zar'it in northern Israel, and in Kibbutz Ein Hashlosha, near the Gaza border.

Wednesday, 12:12 p.m.: Sirens sound in Netu'a, in northern Israel.

Wednesday, 11:38 a.m.: Sirens sound in Rosh Hanikra.

Wednesday, 11:47 a.m.: A short while ago, IDF fighter jets struck a number of Hezbollah terror targets in Lebanon, the IDF confirmed.

Among the targets struck were terrorist infrastructure and a military site in which Hezbollah terrorists operated.

Wednesday, 11:26 a.m.: The siren in Rosh Hanikra is declared to be a false alarm.

"Following the report regarding sirens sounded in the area of Rosh HaNikra in northern Israel, this was determined to be a false identification and there is no risk of a security incident," the IDF said.

Wednesday, 11:12 a.m.: Sirens sound in the Nir Am firing range on the Gaza border.

Wednesday, 11:01 a.m.: Sirens sound in the Nir Am firing range on the Gaza border.

Wednesday, 11:00 a.m.: Sirens sound in Rosh Hanikra, in northern Israel.

Wednesday, 10:52 a.m.: Sirens sound in Nir Am, the Nir Am firing range, Mefalsim, Kfar Aza, Sderot, and Ibim.

Wednesday, 7:18 a.m.: Sirens sound in Alumim, Sa'ad, Nahal Oz, and Kfar Aza.

Wednesday, 7:01 a.m.: Sirens sound in Nir Am, the Nir Am firing range, Sderot, and Ibim.

Wednesday, 2:50 a.m.: Al Jazeera reported that six Palestinian Arabs were killed in an Israel Air Force attack on the Nuseirat camp in Gaza.

Wednesday, 1:46 a.m.: Sources in Gaza are reporting extensive Israeli strikes.

Tuesday, 11:59 p.m.: The Home Front command has updated that the incident involving a suspected infiltration of a hostile aircraft in northern Israel has ended.

Tuesday, 11:37 p.m.: Sirens due to suspected hostile aircraft infiltration in northern Israel.

Tuesday, 9:30 p.m.: Sirens sound in Lower Galilee.

Tuesday, 6:46 p.m.: Sirens sound in Upper Galilee.

Tuesday, 6:17 p.m.: Sirens sound in central Israel.

Tuesday, 6:09 p.m.: Sirens sound in Rosh Hanikra.

Tuesday, 4:56 p.m.: Sirens sound in Ashkelon.

Tuesday, 4:13 p.m. A rocket barrage was launched at Kiryat Shmona and the Upper Galilee area. Multiple rocket strikes have been reported.

Tuesday, 3:08 p.m.: Sirens sound in Kissufim, on the Gaza border.

Tuesday, 3:00 p.m.: Sirens sound in Sa'ad and Kfar Aza, on the Gaza border.

Tuesday, 2:47 p.m.: Sirens sounded in Kibbutz Ein Hashlosha, an Israeli community near Gaza.

Tuesday, 1:04 p.m.: Sirens sound in Mivtahim, Ami'oz, and Yesha, on the Gaza border.

Tuesday, 1:00 p.m.: Sirens sound in Nirim and Nir Oz, on the Gaza border.

Tuesday, 11:23 a.m.: Sirens sounded in Bar'am, northern Israel.

Tuesday, 10:39 a.m.: A short while ago, IDF aircraft identified and struck three armed terrorist cells in the area of the border with Lebanon.

In addition, IDF fighter jets struck a number of Hezbollah terror targets, including military infrastructure and structures used for directing terrorist activity.

A short while ago, terrorists fired mortar shells at an IDF post in northern Israel. No injuries were reported. IDF artillery is currently striking the source of the fire.

Tuesday, 8:45 a.m.: Following the recent alert in northern Israel, there is no suspicion of an aerial infiltration.

Furthermore, a short while ago, three anti-tank missile launches from Lebanese territory toward the area of Metula in northern Israel were identified. No injuries were reported. In response, IDF soldiers are striking toward the source of the fire in Lebanon.

Tuesday, 7:23 a.m.: Sirens warn of hostile aircraft infiltration in multiple towns in northern Israel.

Tuesday, 4:57 a.m.: The head of Hamas' political bureau, Ismail Haniyeh, told Reuters that "We are approaching reaching truce agreement."

He added that his organization "has delivered its response to Qatari officials."

Tuesday, 4:14 a.m.: Sirens were sounded in Netiv HaAsara, located near the border with Gaza.

Tuesday, 3:41 a.m.: Gaza's Hamas-run “health ministry” said on Monday night that 200 patients were evacuated from the Indonesian hospital in Jabaliya, with the help of the Red Cross.

A spokesman for the bureau, Ashraf al-Qudra, claimed in a conversation with AFP that "the Israeli army is laying siege to the Indonesian hospital."

Tuesday, 2:42 a.m.: Reports in Lebanon of IDF artillery fire in the south of the country.

Tuesday, 1:47 a.m.: Palestinian Arab sources are reporting widespread attacks in the northern Gaza Strip.

Another attack was also reported in Khan Yunis, located in the southern Gaza Strip.

Monday, 6:04 p.m.: Sirens sounded in the Tel Aviv area.

Monday, 5:20 p.m.: Sirens sounded in the Upper Galilee.

Monday, 4:02 p.m.: Sirens sounded in Kerem Shalom in southern Israel.

Monday, 2:47 p.m.: Sirens sound in Avivim, Bar'am, and Yir'on, alerting residents of infiltration by hostile aircraft.

Monday, 2:03 p.m.: Heavy missile volley on Ashdod, Ashkelon, and the surrounding areas.

Monday, 12:33 p.m.: Sirens sounded in Kibbutz Kissufim, an Israeli community near Gaza.

Shortly before the sirens sounded, the IDF reported that Staff Sergeant Eytan Dishon, 21, fell during battle in northern Gaza.

Monday, 11:25 a.m.: Sirens sound in Kibbutz Ein Hashlosha, near the Gaza border.

Monday, 10:55 a.m.: "This morning, IDF artillery struck in several locations in Lebanon. A number of launches were then identified from Lebanon into Israeli territory in the areas of Arab al-Aramshe, Biranit and Bar'am," the IDF reported. "No injuries were reported."

"As a result of the launches toward the area of Biranit, a fire broke out. IDF and Israel Fire and Rescue Services are at the scene.

"The IDF also struck the sources of the launches."

Monday, 10:11 a.m.: Sirens sounded in Kibbutz Bar’am, northern Israel.

Monday, 8:55 a.m.: Sirens sound in Yad Mordechai, Erez, and Netiv Ha'asara, near the Gaza border.

Monday, 8:25 a.m.: Sirens in Sderot, Ibim, Nir Am, and the Nir Am firing range.

Monday, 4:26 a.m.: Sirens in Mefalsim, located near the border with Gaza.

Monday, 3:58 a.m.: Additional sirens in communities near the Gaza border.

Monday, 3:53 a.m.: Sirens sounded near Gaza border.

Monday, 2:08 a.m.: Sirens sounded in communities located near the Gaza border.

Sunday, 8:40 p.m.: In response to launches over the past day, earlier today, IDF fighter jets struck Hezbollah terror targets in Lebanese territory.

The terror targets included a Hezbollah military compound where terrorists from the organization were operating, a military post and infrastructure used for directing terror.

In addition, several anti-tank missile and mortar shell launches toward different areas in northern Israel were identified. According to protocol, the launches were not intercepted. A short while ago, an interceptor was launched toward a suspicious target in northern Israel.

The IDF is striking the origins of the fire.

Sunday, 7:57 p.m.: Missile sirens activated in northern Israel.

Sunday, 3:10 p.m.: Hundreds are participating in the funeral of Captain Eden Provisor, age 21, from Alfei Menasheh, a platoon commander in Battalion 52, Brigade 401, who fell in battle in Gaza.

Sunday, 2:08 p.m. Red alert sirens activated in Kfar Giladi and Tel Hai in Upper Galilee,

Sunday 1:19 p.m. Red alert sirens activated in Margaliot in the Upper Galilee.

Sunday, 1:12 p.m.: Red alert sirens activated in Kibbutz Nir Am in southern Israel.

Sunday, 12:45 p.m.: Red alert sirens activated in northern Israel.

Sunday, 11:30 a.m. alert: Red alert sirens activated in Kibbutz Misgav Am in the Upper Galilee.

Sunday: 11:08 a.m.: The Houthi rebels in Yemen vowed to attack any ship seen flying the Israeli flag or which is owned by an Israeli company.

Sunday, 10:53 a.m.: The IDF confirmed that two suspicious objects were intercepted after attempting to infiltrate Israeli airspace from Lebanon.

Sunday, 10:32 a.m.: Sirens warning of an infiltration by a hostile aircraft persist after the IDF stated that a hostile aircraft from Lebanon was shot down.

Sunday, 10:30 a.m.: Red alert sirens activated in many communities in northern Israel as reports indicated an infiltration of Israeli airspace by a hostile aircraft from Lebanon.

Sunday, 8:56 a.m.: The IDF stuck Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon after five launches towards Shlomi were detected.

Sunday, 8:31 a.m.: Sirens sounded in the town of Shlomim in the north.

Saturday, 11:02 p.m.: Sirens sound in Sderot, Ibim, Nir Am, and Mefalsim.

Saturday, 10:13 p.m.: A short while ago, IDF fighter jets and tanks struck a number of Hezbollah terror targets in Lebanese territory, including terror posts and military compounds. Simultaneously, an IDF UAV struck an additional terrorist cell.

Saturday, 9:50 p.m.: Sirens sounded in Kibbutz Gvar'am, near the Gaza border.

Saturday, 7:42 p.m.: A total of eight IDF soldiers suffered serious injuries in recent days while fighting in northern Gaza. Among them are four reserve soldiers, who were injured on Thursday.

Separately, over the course of Saturday, a total of 129,000 liters of fuel entered Gaza, an Arab report said. Arab sources told Al Arabiya that three trucks full of fuel entered Gaza over the course of Saturday.

Saturday, 6:21 p.m.: Sirens sounded just before 2am Saturday morning in Amuka, Tzfat, and Birya. At around 10am, sirens sounded in Sasa and Shtula, on the northern border. At 1pm, sirens sounded in Kiryat Shmona and Margaliot, in northern Israel.

Just after 2pm, sirens sounded in southern Israel: in Nirim, Ashkelon, Carmia, Mavki'im, and Be'er Ganim. Just prior to 3p.m, sirens sounded in Sderot, Ibim, and Nir Am.

A barrage just after 5pm set off sirens in central Israel, in Nes Ziona, Rehovot, Netzer Sereni, Gibton, Ramle, Matzliah, Lod, Ahisamakh, Nesher, Givat Brenner, Ma'on Tsofia, Bnaya, Beit Gamliel, Kfar Hanagid, Yavne, Ge'alya, Gan Shlomo, Ramot Meir, Sitria, Na'an, Ganei Hadar, and Yashresh.

On Friday at 5pm, sirens sounded in Holit in southern Israel. An hour later, just after 6pm, sirens sounded throughout central Israel, in Ramat Gan, Bnei Brak, Ganot, Tzafaria, Mishmar Hashiva, Kfar Chabad, Hemed, Beit Dagan, Holon, Azor, Or Yehuda, Hod Hasharon, Ramat Hasharon, Herzliya, Givat Hen, Shoham, Tirat Yehuda, Bareket, Beit Arif, the Modi'in area industrial zone, Givat Ko'ah, Ganei Tikva, Petah Tikva, Kiryat Ono, Savyon, Ma'as, Gat Rimon, Givat Shmuel, Tel Aviv, Nes Ziona, Be'er Ya'akov, Rehovot, the Tzrifin industrial area, Rishon Lezion, and Netzer Sereni.

Over the course of Saturday, the IDF attacked in Lebanon multiple times, and helped evacuate Shifa Hospital in Gaza.

On Friday night, the IDF eliminated a terrorist responsible for a rocket barrage on Israel, and provided food and water to Shifa Hospital.

The IDF also eliminated a prominent terrorist in Nablus.