Swords of Iron

'My son is dying'

Father of hostage cries out at the Knesset

At a stormy Knesset session, families of hostages held in Gaza accused lawmakers of inaction, warning their children are tortured and 'running out of time' without a comprehensive deal.

Watch: Israeli Navy, Gaza Division, conduct joint exercise

Israeli Navy and Gaza Division conduct joint exercise, aiming to strengthen defense along the maritime border.

Gaza City resident to IDF officer:

'We want to move southwards, Hamas won't allow it'

Gaza City resident tells COGAT officer of Hamas' attempts to block residents from evacuating southwards, exploiting civilians as human shields.

'A drone for every commander'

IDF intensively preparing for conquest of Gaza City

Preparations for 'Gideon’s Chariot’s II' continue, IDF Increasing readiness of reservist troops.

We all want total victory

There is intense debate over how we can defeat Hamas and recover the hostages - but there should be complete consensus as to how not to do it.

IDF intercepts missile from Yemen

Sirens sound throughout central Israel, explosions heard in Jerusalem, following Houthi missile launch from Yemen.

IDF & ISA announce:

Terrorist who held Bibas family hostage eliminated

IDF, ISA, eliminated the head of the Mujahideen terrorist organization, who advanced terror attacks in Judea and Samaria, held Bibas family captive.

Leftist protesters set garbage cans on fire near PM's residence

Anti-government protesters and relatives of some hostages begin three days of protests in Jerusalem, pushing to end the war against Hamas - no matter what the price.

Minister Zohar to Arutz Sheva:

'We will defeat Hamas and apply sovereignty across the land'

Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar tells Arutz Sheva-Israel National News in an interview that a decisive victory over Hamas is near: "Israel will strike with immense force and defeat Hamas."

Qatar: Takeover of Gaza will endanger the lives of hostages

Qatar's Foreign Ministry spokesperson urges the international community to pressure Israel to end the war, particularly in light of intentions to apply sovereignty in Judea and Samaria.

Ahead of Gaza takeover:

Marco Rubio to arrive in Israel in ten days

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to visit Israel in about ten days, prior to the launch of the operation to take over Gaza City.

Eliminated

Terrorist who held Emily Damari, Romi Gonen, Naama Levy hostage

Senior terrorist Hazem Awni Naeem, who held multiple roles in Hamas, eliminated.

Netanyahu to soldiers

'You’ve paid a high price, We’re facing the decisive stage'

PM says in message to the soldiers of the IDF: 'I believe in you, I believe in you, and the whole nation is embracing you.'

Chief of Staff:

'We will not stop the war until we defeat this enemy'

IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir Nachshonim base, says: 'Nowhere does the IDF offer anything less than decisive victory.'

Right wing parties:

'We shut the water pipe to Gaza'

Hostage families, bereaved families, reservists, and representatives from the Gaza border area closed off the water supply to Gaza and called on Netanyahu to increase pressure on Hamas.

IDF Reservist:

'We are going out to put an end to evil'

Hagai, a Hesder Yeshiva student and reservist in the Carmeli Brigade, shares his thoughts moments before returning to Gaza.

How the IDF is preparing for the next phase of the war

Ahead of the large wave of reservists to be mobilized to take Gaza City, the IDF has begun extensive preparations to receive the soldiers being called up and support their families.

Likud MK:

'Hamas must be destroyed, Zamir was a mistake'

MK Nissim Vaturi (Likud) recalls that he opposed the appointment of Zamir as Chief of Staff due to him being too much a part of the defense industry before the October 7th massacre.

Targeted assassinations:

10.7 terrorist and ambush organizer eliminated

The IDF and ISA announced the elimination of dozens of terrorists in Gaza, including Ahmad Abu Deif, a Hamas deputy commander, and Taleb Abu Atiwi, a Nukhba team leader from the October 7 attack.

Full battle timeline

Soldiers prevented Camp Yiftah from being captured

An IDF inquiry into the October 7 battle at Camp Yiftah found that quick action by the 77th Battalion prevented Hamas from seizing the base, though nine soldiers were killed.

Sderot Mayor:

'Annex at least two kilometers inside Gaza Strip'

Sderot Mayor Alon Davidi advocates for a clear victory over Hamas, emphasizing that the city continues to grow and thrive despite ongoing security challenges.

Gaza airdrops halted:

Jordan, Egypt pull back, land convoys seen as sufficient

Jordan and Egypt suspend Gaza aid airdrops as Israeli officials explain that enough aid enters by land, dismissing famine concerns and citing limited impact of flights.

Haunting image:

Nine-month-old Lior crawls beside his father's fresh grave

Sergeant First Class (Res.) Ariel Lubliner, age 34, who fell in a friendly-fire incident, was laid to rest, escorted by hundreds, led by his wife and nine-month-old son.

'Man-made famine'

UK Foreign Secretary goes on tirade against Israel

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy condemned Israel over Gaza aid, announced £15m in new assistance, and tied ceasefire demands to hostage release and Hamas disarmament.

Chief of Staff Criticizes Cabinet:

'Two years later, you remember to decide Gaza's fate?'

At the Cabinet meeting, the Chief of Staff claimed that Gaza has largely been defeated, the Mossad chief called for a partial deal, and Netanyahu refused to allow a vote on the matter.

Idan Shtivi's father:

'My prayers were not wasted, they went to the other hostages'

Idan Shtivi, who was murdered on October 7th, 2023, and whose body was recovered last week, was laid to rest.

'Disgraceful'

Israel slams IAGS over Gaza genocide allegation

Israel condemned the International Association of Genocide Scholars' resolution accusing it of genocide in Gaza, calling it a distortion based on Hamas propaganda.

Huckabee:

'Israel must decide how to bring back hostages, defeat Hamas'

US Ambassador Mike Huckabee visits school in Eshkol Region, supports efforts to bring hostages home. 'A lot of people are putting the pressure on Israel. The pressure needs to be directed at Hamas.'

Hamas' report - and Israel's response

Gaza Communications Ministry, controlled by Hamas, accuses IDF of 'crimes' against Gaza civilians.

IDF destroys antitank structure used to fire at Israeli forces

IDF forces continue targeted attacks on terror infrastructure throughout Gaza.

David D'Or:

'We did not break and we will not break'

'I'm proud to be Israeli, proud to be Jewish, proud to connect different religions, different ages and different opinions through this wonderful tool called music,' says David D'Or on the antisemitic attack during his performance in Poland.

Chief of Staff to Cabinet:

'You want blind obedience? Find someone else'

IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir fumes at Diplomatic-Security Cabinet meeting, urging, 'There's a deal on the table, we need to take it.'

After three months:

Kfir Brigade concludes operations in Gaza

Kfir Brigade's operations included elimination of dozens of terrorists, dismantling of approximately eight kilometers of underground tunnel routes, IDF says.

Pro-Israel group proposes:

Allow flotillas - if they evacuate Gazan refugees

Habithonistim movement calls on Israeli government to allow Barcelona flotilla to reach Gaza - so long as it takes some Gazans with it when it leaves.

Netanyahu to Cabinet ministers: Partial deal not on the table

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refuses to hold vote on resolution opposing partial deal with Hamas, claiming such a deal is 'not on the table.'

Cousin of murdered hostage:

Trump could broker 'ultimate deal' to free hostages

In live virtual conversation, Gil Dickmann mourns his cousin Carmel Gat, murdered a year ago in captivity, and urges leaders to end the war and bring hostages home, calling Trump the one who could broker the “ultimate deal.”

Serious incident:

Bomb from IAF aircraft explodes near Israeli forces

Serious safety incident in northern Gaza as Air Force bomb deviates from target.

Clear threat:

Chief of Staff: 'We'll reach the Hamas leaders abroad'

IDF Chief of Staff attends security assessment following elimination of Hamas military spox Abu Obaida, stressing IDF 'surprises' enemies, promising to reach every target in order to protect Israel's security.

Israel confirms: Hamas spokesman Abu Obaida eliminated

Abu Obaida was one of the last remaining senior terrorists of Hamas’ Military Wing from before October 7th, 2023, and for the past decade was responsible for Hamas’ military wing propaganda apparatus.

Report:

Trump's postwar plan - voluntary relocation and “Gaza Riviera"

Proposal envisions US-led trusteeship to rebuild Gaza into a tech and tourism hub, relocating residents during reconstruction with financial incentives and housing plans.

Heartbreaking:

A friend of fallen soldier Ariel Lubliner bids farewell

Dana Stavi, friend of Sergeant first-class (Res.) Ariel Lubliner, recounts his journey from immigrating to Israel up to his death in Gaza, and tells of the moment she learned of his death.

Leading Israeli musician:

Who are you to call my son a war criminal?

Musician Nancy Brandes commented on the artists who attacked IDF soldiers in Gaza, saying: 'My son is fighting there; there is no army that is more moral than the IDF.'

Netanyahu:

Seems Hamas has no one to annouce Abu Obaida's death

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed during the Cabinet meeting that the IDF struck Hamas Armed Wing Spokesman Abu Obaida.

New details:

Abu Obaida rented Gaza hideout days before strike

A Palestinian source told Sky News Arabia that Hamas spokesman Abu Obaida was killed in a newly rented Gaza City apartment, claimed his wife and children were inside during the Israeli strike.

Following recent eliminations:

Government and Cabinet meetings to be held in secured location

Due to the recent assassinations in Gaza and Yemen, ministers were informed that government and cabinet meetings scheduled for today will take place in a secured location.

'Israeli hero'

Eli Shtivi reveals: Idan was in a special IDF unit

Eli Shtivi revealed his son Idan, recently recovered from Gaza, was a special unit fighter who resisted terrorists before being shot and taken.

Palestinian Arab source confirms: Abu Obaida was eliminated

Al-Arabiya cited a Palestinian Arab source who confirmed the death of Hamas Armed Wing Spokesman Hudayfa Samir Abdallah al-Kahlout, aka Abu Obaida.

Diplomatic source:

Only the military option remains on the table

A diplomatic source said that previous frameworks for a hostage deal or ceasefire are no longer relevant, and if a deal is reached, it would include all hostages, both the living and the deceased.

After three and a half months:

Hamas confirms elimination of Mohammed Sinwar

Approximately three and a half months after IDF strike, Hamas confirms the elimination of Mohammed Sinwar, the brother of Hamas leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar.

Body of hostage Idan Shtivi returned to Israel

The body of Idan Shtivi was retrieved by the IDF together with that of Ilan Weiss.

Hamas alleges:

Rumors of spokesman's death 'psychological warfare'

Hamas calls on Gazans to avoid spreading rumors about military spokesman Abu Obaida's death, accuses Israel of 'psychological warfare.'

900th fallen soldier:

Sergeant First Class (Res.) Ariel Lubliner fell in battle in Gaza

Sergeant First Class (Res.) Ariel Lubliner, 34 from Kiryat Bialik, fell in battle in Gaza, IDF announces.

Seven soldiers injured in Zeitoun neighborhood

IDF Namer vehicle drives over explosive device in Zeitoun; all soldiers evacuated for medical care.

Target of Gaza strike: Hamas spokesman Abu Obaida

Hamas spokesman Abu Obaida named as target of Gaza assassination attempt; terror group issues official condemnation, claiming dozens of casualties.

Senior defense official:

'Living hostages could have been home last week'

Senior defense officials urge Israel’s Cabinet to accept a hostage deal over Gaza invasion, warning that rejecting it risks lives and delays the return of hostages. A decisive meeting is set for Sunday.

Abducted body of 10.7 victim Ilan Weiss returned to Israel

The IDF and Shin Bet recovered the body of Ilan Weiss, who was murdered on October 7th, from Gaza.

'Dangerous combat zone'

IDF halts daily humanitarian tactical pauses in Gaza City

As part of its preparations to expand combat operations in the Gaza Strip's central camps and Gaza City, the IDF has decided to cancel the daily humanitarian tactical pauses.

Watch:

IDF takes out Hamas terrorist cell in northern Gaza

IDF forces struck and eliminated a terror cell hiding in a building 100 meters away from troops in northern Gaza, as well as a Hamas observation post.

Dermer to White House:

'Israel wants out of Gaza - if conditions are met'

Axios report: Minister Ron Dermer told Trump’s team during a meeting on Wednesday that Israel won’t be in Gaza long-term, but needs a viable alternative to Hamas.

Ambassador Leiter:

'My own son was killed because we do not kill innocent civilians'

In an interview with CNN, Ambassador Yechiel Leiter says his son was killed in Gaza because Israel avoids harming civilians: “If we were doing what we're accused of, maybe he'd be alive today.”