Swords of Iron

Survey of haredim:

70% say that a man who isn't learning Torah should enlist

A recent survey of haredi communities shows widespread and growing support for service in the IDF following the OCt. 7th massacre.

Slain soldier's father:

'I didn't want to risk soldiers' lives to retrieve a body'

Father of Ron Sherman, who was murdered while being held in Hamas captivity, reacts to retrieval of his son's body.

Two reservists fell in battle in Gaza, five seriously injured

IDF clears for publication the names of two soldiers who fell in battle. Five others were seriously injured.

Sec. Austin leaves for Israel:

'I will underscore US commitments to regional security'

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin will also visit Bahrain and Qatar and will make a stop at the USS Ford.

Hamas toughens position on release of hostages

Senior Hamas official says hostage release will only take place as part of a deal which meets Hamas' terms.

Netanyahu:

Gaza will be demilitarized, under Israel’s security control

Netanyahu: 'We're fighting a war for our existence, we're committed to victory.'

Families Forum: Shocked by killing of hostages by IDF fire

Families Forum fear that 'Pressure and protests will raise the price of any future deal and push release of hostages further away.'

Islamic Jihad: 'Prisoner swap only after general ceasefire'

Qatar proposes freeing Marwan Barghouti in prisoner swap; Islamic Jihad declares deal will be discussed only following general ceasefire.

3rd time since war began:

CENTCOM commander arrives in Israel

Top CENTCOM officials visit Israel, are briefed by top IDF officials on progress of war in Gaza.

Live Updates:

Rocket fire on northern and southern Israel, and Jerusalem

IDF continues military operation in Gaza more than 2 months after Hamas massacre on Simchat Torah.

Heroism & bravery:

Rami spoke to the terrorists in Arabic, and saved young Amit

Rami Davidian, a civilian, speaks to Israel National News - Arutz Sheva about how on Oct. 7 he saved many lives in Re’im, while under fire.

Report: Israel knew about Hamas' money machine - and did nothing

NYT report: Secret documents show Hamas held assets worth nearly half a billion at peak, sold some off to rebuild military infrastructure.

13yo released from Gaza:

'Waiting for dad to celebrate my bar mitzvah'

Yagil Yaakov, 13, released after 52 days of Hamas captivity, gives chilling testimony of his experiences as a hostage in Gaza.

Hamas threatened hostage:

'Don’t go back to your kibbutz, we'll be back'

Chen Goldstein Almog was released last month from Hamas captivity with her children. Her husband and another daughter were murdered.

Footage from Gaza hospital: Weapons hidden in infant incubators

Hospital workers admit: Weapons hidden in NICU incubators intended to treat premature babies.

Chief of Staff:

'Split-second decision may cost in life or death'

'The IDF & I as its commander, are responsible for the deaths of three hostages mistaken for terrorists,' Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi says.

Border Police Commander:

'I'm not a heroine, I saved as many as I could'

Border Police Commander Shifra Buchris speaks to Israel National News - Arutz 7 about how she tried to save as many as possible on Oct. 7.

Warrant Officer Yehezkel Azaria fell in northern Israel

Yehezkel Azaria, age 53, served in the Armored Corps and fell during operational activities near Margaliot in northern Israel.

CNN:

Israel is flooding tunnels where there are no hostages

In order to succeed, water must be pumped with pressure high enough to destroy the cement walls and the thick metal doors.

Dramatic footage:

IDF forces clash with terrorist hiding in tunnel shaft

IDF's 188th Brigade in close-quarter combat with a terrorist firing from a tunnel shaft.

Inbar Hayman, held hostage in Gaza, killed in Hamas captivity

Inbar Hayman, 27 years old, was kidnapped to Gaza from the music festival at Re'im.

Jerusalem's Arabs celebrate rocket fire towards capital city

Arab residents of Jerusalem celebrate with whistles, cheers, as air raid sirens sounds Friday afternoon.

Investigation:

The hostages were shirtless, one waved a white flag

Hostages stood outside a building on which the words, 'SOS,' 'hostages,' and, 'help,' were written, investigation shows.

Fire from Lebanon continues throughout Shabbat

IDF responds to hostile aircraft infiltration, missile launches from Lebanon.

IDF targets Hamas terrorists hiding in Gaza City schools

IDF operations continue in the Gaza Strip, including Gaza City and Jabalya.

IDF and Hamas fight on ruins of Sinwar's home in Khan Yunis

IDF releases footage from fighting with Hamas terrorists in Khan Yunis, where Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar resides.

Tragedy in Gaza:

Three hostages mistakenly shot dead by Israeli troops

IDF soldiers mistakenly identify Israeli hostages Yotam Haim, Samer Talalka and Alon Shamriz as a threat, shoot and kill them.

Cabinet approves:

Humanitarian aid to enter Gaza through Kerem Shalom crossing

Cabinet cites "urgent security need" to increase the number of aid trucks entering Gaza in approving the move.

In response to recent launches:

IAF destroys Hezbollah targets in Lebanon

IAF aircraft strike terrorist infrastructure, a command and control center, and military sites in which Hezbollah terrorists were operating.

Master sergeant (res.) Tomer Shlomo Myara fell in battle in Gaza

IDF clears for publication that Master sergeant (res.) Tomer Shlomo Myara, 28, from Netanya, fell in battle in the northern Gaza Strip.

IDF attacks Hamas facilities on Egyptian border

The targets belong to Hamas' internal security service and were being used to smuggle weapons into the Gaza Strip.

Dolls and recorded crying:

IDF soldiers discover advanced IED trap

Soldiers discovered an elaborate trap including children's backpacks, electronic surveillance, and IEDs.

'Opening Kerem Shalom Crossing an ethical & diplomatic failure'

MK Liberman slams government for agreeing to open Kerem Shalom. 'Hamas terrorists came through this crossing to massacre Israelis.'

IDF forces strike armed terrorists on Lebanon border

IAF strikes Hezbollah terror infrastructure, armed terrorists operating in Lebanon.

IDF intel chief hints end of war may be 'many months ahead'

Intelligence chief Aharon Haliva: War is a 'multi-arena campaign, there are many months ahead.'

Father of 3-week-old infant:

IDF: Shay Uriel Pizem fell in battle in southern Gaza

IDF announces fall of tank commander Shay Uriel Pizem, in southern Gaza.

IDF recovers bodies of two soldiers abducted to Gaza

IDF recovers bodies of abducted soldiers CPL Nik Beizer and SGT Ron Scherman.

Jake Sullivan: Israel has a right to defend itself against Hamas

Watch live: Jake Sullivan, US security adviser, holds press conference in Tel Aviv.

Mossad chief lights Hanukkah candles with Jake Sullivan

In meeting at Mossad headquarters, chief David Barnea tells US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan of challenges in returning hostages.

Parents of kidnapped soldier Ron Scherman informed of his death

The parents of Ron Scherman, 19 years old from Lehavim who was kidnapped from his base, have received notification that he was murdered.

IDF destroys Hamas battalion's command and control center

IDF locates tunnel shaft containing motorbikes used in brutal October 7 massacre, strike terror cells using 'Maoz' drone for the first time.

Journalist mourns friend:

'We will always remember Elia's sweet smile'

Elia Toledano was 'a young man who only wanted to rejoice and dance,' childhood friend Michael Shemesh mourns.

IDF recovers body of hostage Elia Toledano

IDF announces it recovered the body of Elia Toledano, 28, who was kidnapped from the party in Re'im on October 7.

Report:

Harris wants Biden administration to be tougher on Israel

Politico report: Vice President Harris saying she wants the White House to show more concern publicly for the humanitarian damage in Gaza.

Sergeant Oz Shmuel Aradi, 19, fell in battle in Gaza

Sergeant Oz Shmuel Aradi, 19, from Kibbutz Hatzor, fell in battle in southern Gaza. Four soldiers seriously injured.

Herzog to AP:

'Now isn't the time to talk about a two-state solution'

President Herzog joins high-ranking Israeli officials to speak out against a two-state solution after the war in Gaza.

Gantz:

'We will have full security control in the Gaza Strip'

Minister Benny Gantz holds press conference and comments on how, in his eyes, the future in the Gaza Strip should look.

Senior US official:

'Sinwar's days are numbered'

Senior US official tells reporters that Hamas leader has American blood on his hands: No matter how long it takes, justice will be served.

Reports:

Contacts underway on renewing talks on hostage deal

Arab newspaper reports that intensive talks have been held in recent days to renew indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas.

Netanyahu to Red Cross:

'You have every right and expectation to pressure Hamas'

President Herzog and Prime Minister Netanyahu meeet with Red Cross president Mirjana Spoljaric, demand she work to free the hostages.

Biden:

'I want Israel to be focused on how to save civilian lives'

US President asked if he wants Israel to scale back or tone down its attacks on Gaza by the end of the year.

IDF Spokesman:

'Hamas terrorists won't be safe underground'

Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari addresses new techniques of planting explosives in underground tunnels to catch terrorists hiding underground.

Biden Admin asks Israel to end war before 2024

US officials say President Biden has asked that Netanyahu conclude the large-scale campaign in Gaza before the new year.

Watch:

Terrorists killed in underground tunnel

IDF forces detect and engage terrorists in one of Hamas's main tunnel networks.

Chief of Staff to soldiers:

'You are fighting so we can return to Nahal Oz and Kfar Aza'

IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi visits Golani soldiers in Shejaiya, remarks interrupted by explosion from nearby battle.

Despite combat wounds:

Son of State Comptroller lights menorah

Hagai, the son of the State Comptroller, was wounded in Gaza a month ago. Tonight, he has recovered enough to light a menorah in Jerusalem.

Defending antisemitism:

Major UN official seeks to target NGOs that criticize Albanese

Human Rights Council 'experts' rally behind Special Rapporteur who said Israel has no right to self-defense, condemned call to free hostages

20% of Hezbollah rockets have fallen in Lebanon since Oct. 7

In 1 barrage on Israel this week, 8 Hezbollah rockets landed in Lebanese territory.

Eight soldiers seriously wounded in Gaza

Eight soldiers suffered serious injuries today during engagements with Hamas. All were evacuated to hospital care.