Swords of Iron

IDF Chief of Staff:

'We must defeat Hamas, we are preparing to return to battle'

IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir met with local leaders in the Gaza envelope and pledged: 'The hostages are our top priority.'

Released hostages hold meeting with PM Netanyahu and wife Sara

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and wife Sara meet released hostages Tal and Adi Shoham, listening to their experiences, offering support, and promising to do everything to free remaining hostages.

'We're doing everything to free you':

Sasha Troufanov sends moving message to friend in captivity

Released hostages Sasha Troufanov sends moving message to friend left behind in Hamas captivity, explains, 'I can't disconnect from the people who stayed behind.'

Released hostage recalls meeting with Sinwar in Gaza's tunnels

Margalit Moses, kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz during the October 7 massacre and released in November 2023, tells of her dream to return to her kibbutz and rebuild her home.

Expert on Palestinians:

'We are close to resuming fighting'

Dr. Michael Milstein discusses the implications of Trump's recent statements concerning Hamas and the possible resumption of the war.

'He'll do it':

Rubio warns Trump is serious about his threat to Hamas

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to Fox News: President Trump 'doesn’t say these things and not mean it, if he says he’s going to do something, he’ll do it - Hamas had better take that seriously.'

Captivity survivor Sasha Troufanov

From Hamas' tunnels to the Western Wall Tunnels in Jerusalem

Former hostage Sasha Troufanov visits Western Wall, in a journey of hope and resilience.

Hostages' families:

Death and destruction of Gaza - or the hostages released now

Tikva Forum for hostages' families calls on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to seize opportunity offered by US President Donald Trump, set deadline for Hamas' release of all hostages at once, on a single bus. 'The ball is in your court.'

Minister Katz:

US President's support is a strategic asset that we must maintain

Minister of Defense Israel Katz addressed the General Staff Forum on Wednesday in its first meeting after Eyal Zamir assumed the position of Chief of Staff.

Hostages' families meet with UNHRC

Idit Ohel told the UN Human Rights Council how her son Alon is chained in a dark tunnel, starved, beaten, and at risk of losing his sight.

The collaborator who lied to the Shin Bet before the massacre

A series of executions that followed the elimination of a terrorist in 2017, may be the reason for Israel's lack of human intelligence sources in the Gaza Strip.

Military analyst:

IDF's Oct. 7 inquiry shows criminal investigation is needed

Military analyst Yossi Yehoshua slams defense echelon's inquiries into failures which led to the October 7 massacre, calls for criminal investigation.

US rejects Egyptian plan:

'Gaza not suitable for human living'

US rejects Egypt's proposal approved at the Arab League summit, clarifies that President Trump still stands behind his plan to relocate Gazans.

Ohad Yahalomi, killed in Hamas captivity, is laid to rest

Funeral for Ohad Yahalomi, kidnapped to Gaza on October 7 and murdered in Hamas captivity, begins in Rishon Lezion; he will be buried in Kibbutz Nir Oz.

In appeal to Trump:

Abbas requests US assistance in returning PA to Gaza

In a speech at Arab Summit in Cairo, PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas presents his plan to end the war and proposes a long-term truce in Judea, Samaria and Gaza Strip.

After a week and a half:

Captivity survivor Omer Wenkert returns home

Survivor of Hamas captivity Omer Wenkert, who was released from Hamas captivity a week and a half ago, was discharged from Beilinson Hospital.

Israel strikes senior Hezbollah officer

An Israeli source reported the killing of a senior Hezbollah officer with a drone strike on a vehicle in near Tyre.

FM Sa’ar:

Hamas rejected ceasefire, turned aid into terror funding

The Foreign Minister referenced past statements by former US President Joe Biden, who warned that international assistance would be cut off if Hamas diverted or stole aid.

ISA Director indicates date for departure

ISA Director Ronen Bar said he would leave the agency once a state commission to inquire into the October 7th Massacre is created and that he would prevent the appointment of a successor from outside the agency.

Chabad Torah booklet and Psalms

The books that carried Omer Shem Tov through captivity

Omer Shem Tov's parents revealed that his captors gave him books that soldiers left behind including a pamphlet on the Torah portion and Psalms.

Omer Shem Tov's father:

Faith kept him and us strong the entire time

Malachi Shem Tov tells Arutz Sheva about his son's resilience in captivity and how Omer worked to maintain his Jewish identity. 'They would recite the Kiddush for five months on a bottle of grape juice that they received.'

Uncle of Hostage:

'Maximum pressure on Hamas, we need them all back now'

Micha, uncle of hostage Eitan Mor, urges the government to abandon Steve Witkoff's plan, saying that it prolongs the hostages' suffering.

Without direct involvement

Hamas agrees to committee to manage Gaza

Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem says that the organization agrees to the establishment of a local management committee for the Gaza Strip, in which it will not be a member.

Hamas seeks international assistance against Israel’s plans

Hamas calls on Arab and Islamic countries, the United Nations, and the international community to act urgently to force Israel to immediately allow aid into Gaza.

Defense Minister:

If Hamas doesn't release hostages, the gates of hell will open

Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a threatening message to Hamas this evening demanding the release of the hostages: "We will return to fighting and they will meet the IDF with strength and in ways they have never known."

Netanyahu warns Hamas:

'Return hostages or face consequences you can't imagine'

Prime Minister Netanyahu was forced to attend a Knesset discussion on the establishment of a state Commission of Inquiry into the failures of October 7 initiated by the opposition. 'We won't stop until victory is achieved'

Watch live:

Murdered hostage Itzik Elgarat is laid to rest

Itzik (Yitzhak) Elgarat, who was murdered in Hamas captivity and was returned to Israel last week, will be laid to rest in Kibbutz Nir Oz.

Netanyahu:

'Sorry it took so long'

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with released hostage Eli Sharabi and urged him to tell his story to President Trump.

'I'm ashamed'

IDF presents 10.7 inquiry findings to Netiv Ha'asara

The officer who presented the inquiry repeatedly apologized for the IDF's conduct: 'I am ashamed that in Netiv Ha'asara, there is not one IDF casualty, not one IDF soldier. All of those killed were civilians.'

Released hostage Agam Berger visits Joseph's Tomb

Released hostage Agam Berger visited Joseph's Tomb last night along with Samaria governor Yossi Dagan.

Culture Minister:

'We need a haredi corps'

Israeli Culture Minister Miki Zohar suggests establishing a dedicated IDF corps for haredim amidst the political impasse around the conscription law.

Hostage's father:

'Returning to war now makes no sense'

Ilan Dalal, the father of the hostage Guy Gilboa-Dalal, said that the only thing that could bring his son and the other hostages home is a long-term ceasefire and withdrawal from Gaza.

Prime Minister Netanyahu:

'Trump is Israel’s greatest friend in the White House'

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement thanking President Trump for his strong support and noted that Hamas's demands for a ceasefire are 'totally unacceptable.'

New details

Failure after failure: What happened the night before the attack

The intelligence soldier who did not have security clearance, the orders that were not executed, and the absence of human intelligence in Gaza. The failures continue to be revealed.

Released hostage gets reparative surgery on amputated fingers

Released hostage Emily Demari spoke today about the ordeal of losing her fingers in the October 7th massacre. She had a second surgery upon returning to Israel to heal the chronic pain from the surgery in Shifa Hospital in Gaza.

Omer Shem Tov, Aviva, and Keith Siegel invited to meet Trump

Survivors of Hamas captivity Omer Shem Tov, Keith, and Aviv Siegel were invited to join a meeting with US President Donald Trump in the White House, at the initiative of Miriam Adelson.

Egypt and Qatar working to extend ceasefire

Egypt has proposed a mediation offer to extend the first phase of the ceasefire agreement, during which Hamas will transfer three live hostages and three bodies.

MK Rothman:

All Zelenskyy's done is attack Israel, no reason to support him

MK Simcha Rothman told Arutz Sheva that as long as Ukraine continues to criticize Israel, Israel should not pick a side between it and the US and even between it and Russia.

U. of Michigan:

Landmark painted in tribute to Bibas family defaced

'The Rock' which had been painted orange with the names of the murdered mother and sons, was defaced with the words 'free Palestine.'

Israeli flags in hand:

Thousands pay last respects to Shlomo Mansour

Shlomo Mansour, who was murdered on October 7th after being abducted by terrorists, was laid to rest in Kibbutz Kissufim.

Netanyahu warns:

'Hamas making big mistake, there will be further consequences'

PM explains decision to halt aid to Gaza was made in response to Hamas' rejection of the Witkoff ceasefire extension and stealing of the humanitarian aid that has gone into Gaza until now.

Bereaved father:

Anyone who is found responsible must go to jail

Itzik Bonzel, father of Amit, who fell in Gaza, demands setting up a special prison unit for those responsible for the 10/7 massacre, including government ministers and IDF senior commanders.

Smotrich:

'Stopping aid important step in destroying Hamas'

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich welcomes the cessation of humanitarian aid to Gaza and says that Israel must open the gates of hell 'quickly and lethally.'

Hostage's uncle:

'The US proposal will kill all hostages'

Shimon Or, the uncle of Avinatan, who was taken hostage to Gaza, vehemently opposes US proposal to extend ceasefire.

Israel halts humanitarian aid to Gaza

Decision not to allow any more humanitarian aid into Gaza comes in response to Hamas's refusal to accept the Witkoff proposal to extend the ceasefire. 'If Hamas continues its refusal, there will be additional consequences.'

Shortly after end of ceasefire:

Terrorist eliminated by drone attack in northern Gaza

Al-Jazeera reports one dead and one injured in Israeli drone attack east of Beit Hanoun, in northern Gaza Strip.

October 7 attack

'If Nasrallah had attacked – he could have reached Haifa'

Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, referring to the events of October 7, says that until 12:30 p.m. that day, there was strategic panic in Israel over a possible war front in the north.

In exchange for hostages' release:

Israel agrees to Witkoff's plan for temporary ceasefire

Prime Minister's Office says Israel accepts plan to extend ceasefire through Ramadan, Passover, in exchange for release of all hostages still held in Gaza.

Hamas: We won't accept outside interference in governing Gaza

Hamas leader reveals terror group prioritizing forcing Israel to capitulate, claims terror group wants to aid Gaza residents.

Watch:

Torah scroll brought to hostage Alon Ohel's room

Kobi and Idit, parents of hostage Alon Ohel, bring Torah scroll into Alon's room, praying for his recovery and release from Gaza.

'I am here thanks to you'

Sasha Trufanov speaks for the first time since his release

'I will never be able to pay you back for what you have done to me, it moves me to know that it was important to so many people that I return home.'

Watch:

Omer Shem Tov returns to his home in Herzliya

Omer Shem Tov, freed from Hamas captivity earlier this month, is released from the hospital and returns home to Herzliya, is greeted by city residents who gathered to greet him.

Hamas rejects Israel's proposal to extend first stage of deal

Hamas spokesman says terror group rejects Israel's proposal to extend first stage of ceasefire deal, says there are no negotiations for second stage.

'I beat captivity'

Watch: Released hostage Omer Wenkert dances with his father

Omer Wenkert, who was released after 505 days in captivity, took to Instagram to declare his victory over captivity.

Amb. Herzog:

Blinken tried to impose sanctions on Israeli intelligence unit

Former Israeli Ambassador to the US Michael Herzog reveals that then-Secretary of State Antony Blinken had decided to impose sanctions on an Israeli intelligence unit that interrogated terrorists and called civilians to warn them to evacuate.

Unseen force:

Israel preparing to conquer Gaza and eradicate Hamas

Incoming IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir reportedly preparing more aggressive plan to deploy 50,000 troops to Gaza to defeat Hamas once and for all.

BBC apologizes again:

'Serious flaws' in the making of a documentary about Gaza war

The network blamed the production company that made the documentary.

Released hostage Eli Sharabi:

I never said the 'Shema' - until I was abducted

Eli Sharabi, who returned from Hamas captivity, shared that while he was never a religious person, during the darkest moments, of all time, he discovered the faith.

International campaign:

Bibas murders = pure evil

Billboards in main cities in the US intend to memorialize and emphasize the tragedy of October 7th, and to emphasize the unbearable cruelty of Hamas and the other terror organizations in the Gaza Strip.

Don't close your eyes

Haunting clip relives Bibas boys' abduction - from Kfir's POV

A new awareness video illustrates the kidnapping event and the horrors of captivity through the eyes of Kfir Bibas, a 9-month-old redhead baby who was kidnapped and murdered along with his 4-year-old brother and their mother, Shiri Bibas.