Swords of Iron

October 7th probe:

IDF misinterpreted Hamas' capabilities and intentions

The IDF's investigation into the October 7th Massacre uncovered how the defense ministry built its failed security approach and how Hamas deluded Israel.

Tsachi Idan to be laid to rest on Friday in central Israel

A public memorial ceremony will be held at Bloomfield Stadium on Friday morning organized by the Hapoel Tel Aviv supporters' club which Tsachi was a member of.

Special Envoy Witkoff:

'No room for Hamas in Gaza or Judea and Samaria'

White House Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff told Fox News that President Trump is losing patience with Hamas: 'He's got a red line with regard to people who do heinous things like this.'

New details of heroism:

Murdered hostage seriously wounded terrorist during abduction

Captivity survivor Eliya Cohen told the parents of murdered hostage Ori Danino how their son managed to hit one of the abductors, severely injuring him.

Ceasefire to be extended?

Israeli source: Additional hostages may be released on Saturday

'We expect additional hostages to be released this Saturday, in exchange for extension of ceasefire,' Israeli source claims.

Targeting Judea and Samaria:

Defense Minister: We confiscated Hamas 'attack portfolios'

Defense Minister Israel Katz reveals that Hamas laid plans to attack Jewish communities in Judea, Samaria, and along the 'seam line' - during ceasefire.

Hamas:

We didn't plan to attack Israeli soldiers, towns during ceasefire

'Declaring Philadelphi Corridor to be buffer zone is clear violation of ceasefire agreement,' Hamas claims.

'He was always smiling and good-natured'

Nir Oz mourns hostage Itzhak Elgarat following positive identification of his body at the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute.

Tsachi Idan to be laid to rest next to daughter murdered on 7/10

Family of murdered hostage Tsachi Idan announces that his body was identified by the Abu Kabir forensic institute, says he will be laid to rest alongside his murdered daughter.

Israeli source: We won't exit Philadelphi Corridor

Israeli source says IDF will not exit the Philadelphi Corridor, promising, 'We won't allow Hamas to rebuild themselves through smuggling.'

Pres. Herzog:

Our hearts ache at identification of Ohad, Itzik, Tsachi & Shlomo

Israeli President Isaac Herzog mourns hostages Ohad Yahalomi, Tsachi Idan, Itzik Elgarat, and Shlomo Mantzur, whose bodies were returned Wednesday night.

'Ohad was a dedicated and loving family man'

Hostages Ohad Yahalomi has been positively identified as one of the bodies returned overnight.

Bodies of Shlomo, Itzik, Tsachi, and Ohad identified

Abu Kabir forensic institute positively identifies the bodies of the four hostages returned to Israel late Wednesday night.

Without Hamas 'ceremonies'

Bodies of four hostages returned to Israel

Coffins containing the bodies of hostgages Ohad Yahalomi, Tsachi Idan, Shlomo Mantzur, and Itzik Elgarat transferred to Red Cross and from there handed over to the IDF, before being taken to the Institute of Forensic Medicine for an identification process. At the same time, more than 600 terrorists are being released.

Eliya Cohen recounts being held in captivity with Ori Danino

Captivity survivor Eliya Cohen told the parents of Ori Danino about their son's strength in Hamas captivity.

Mediators aim to extend ceasefire through Ramadan

Israel is in discussions with the United States to extend the ceasefire and release of hostages for another few weeks.

MK Rothman to Arutz Sheva:

'Trump's plan the only way to bring hostages home'

MK Simcha Rothman rejects alternative plans for the Gaza Strip such as that proposed by MK Yair Lapid, and calls on Israel to adopt Trump's plan, both for the day after and to 'open the gates of hell' on Hamas.

President Trump:

'Hamas is a vicious group of people, Israel must make a decision'

US President Donald Trump said he was 'disappointed' hostages are returning dead and noted that Israel is going to have to decide what it is doing as phase one ends.

Thousands wrap tefillin in memory of the Bibas mother and sons

Thousands of Israelis across the country wrapped tefillin at special orange tefillin stands during the funeral of Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir Bibas.

PM's office confirms:

Murdered hostages' bodies to be returned to Israel tonight

Hamas announced that it will release the bodies of Ohad Yahalomi, Tsahi Idan, Itzik Elgarat, and Shlomo Mantzur. Israel will gradually release terrorists until the bodies are positively identified.

Smotrich reveals:

This is the damage the Biden arms embargo on Israel caused

Finance Minister reveals that the US arms embargo on Israel last year forced Israel to use munition kits from the Yom Kippur War in Gaza.

'Five angels'

Three generations of loss

Dana Silberman Sitton, sister of murdered hostage Shiri Bibas and aunt to Ariel and Kfir Bibas, tearfully mourns their loss. 'I hope you're up there embraced by Mom and Dad.'

Yarden Bibas:

'I'm sorry I didn't manage to save you'

Funeral for Ariel, Kfir, and Shiri Bibas leaves Rishon Lezion for Nir Oz cemetery; thousands stand along the roadsides, waving Israeli flags and paying last respects.

Ambassador's gesture at UN:

Mezuzah made of trees from the Gaza border area

'The truth is on our side': First collaboration between Israel's Ministry of Heritage and Israeli mission to the UN.

In memory of the Bibas family

Netanyahu asked for moment of silence, judge refused

Judge Rivka Friedman-Feldman rejects Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's request for a moment of silence in court in memory of Shir, Ariel, and Kfir Bibas, who were murdered in Hamas captivity.

Watch: Daniella Gilboa sings 'Shalom Aleichem' in Arabic

Released hostage Daniella Gilboa shares that due to concerns of being overheard, she and the other IDF lookouts taught themselves to sing the traditional 'Shalom Aleichem' in Arabic. Watch.

Report: Hamas preparing to renew fighting

As 'first stage' of ceasefire deal draws to a close, Hamas prepares to renew fighting with Israel, begins repairing tunnels damaged by IDF strikes.

IDF investigation at Nahal Oz:

Ignoring the warning signs and the soldiers' bravery

Hamas collected accurate data on the Nahal Oz base and attacked in three waves; at the time of the attack, only one guard was stationed at the gate.

Another Gaza violation:

Maritime vessels violated restrictions, IDF attacked

IDF identified several vessels that violated security restrictions in the Gaza maritime space and fired at them.

Watch:

Murdered hostage Oded Lifshitz is laid to rest

Oded Lifshitz, who was murdered in Hamas captivity, is laid to rest.

Omer Shem Tov:

'Creator of the world, thanks for being with me at every moment'

Released hostage Omer Shem Tov published a post on social media thanking the soldiers, the people of Israel, and G-d. 'I felt your prayers, and even in the darkness I had light.'

Minister Regev:

I will work to restore Jewish communities in Gaza

During the Besheva and Arutz Sheva Jerusalem Conference Minister Miri Regev, who served as IDF Spokeswoman during the forced evacuation of Jews from the Gaza Strip, called to reverse the move.

Released Hostage:

'I was sure that I was the last one'

Agam Berger, captured from the Nahal Oz base during the October 7th massacre, shares details of her 482-day captivity.

Military correspondent:

Hamas was not defeated in the war - far from it

Yoav Zitun describes how Hamas is using the ceasefire to rebuild, regroup, and aim rockets at Israel.

To free more hostages:

Israel seeks 42-day extension of deal

Israel wishes to extend the first phase of the hostage deal, during which additional hostages would be released.

Minister Orit Strock:

'Winning the war or releasing all hostages?'

Minister of Settlements and National Missions, Orit Strock, at Jerusalem Conference: 'Defeating Hamas in Gaza is no less a strategic goal than the Iranian nuclear threat.'

Arrested hospital director admits hostages were kept at hospital

Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, the director of the Kamal Adwan Hospital who was arrested and accused of being a Hamas colonel, does not deny that hostages were held at his hospital.

Projectile launched towards Israel lands within Gaza

IDF spokesperson confirms projectile launched towards Israel misfired, fell in Gaza. 'Details are under review.'

Report: Hamas may release two deceased hostages Mon. evening

Saudi newspaper reports progress in negotiations to solve crisis; two bodies of murdered hostages may be released in exchange for the over 600 terrorists whose release was delayed.

Knesset Speaker: 'Gaza will be a better place without the devil'

Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana speaks at the 22nd Besheva and Arutz Sheva Jerusalem Conference, warning Iranian threat 'most significant and existential' to Israel and calling to expand IDF's ranks, including by bringing in haredi 'brothers and partners.'

Due to fear of rescue:

Terrorists chained Eliya Cohen to other hostages

Sigi Cohen, mother of released hostage Eliya Cohen, tells of her son's time in captivity.

Pres. Herzog:

Our sons fought together, we must also unite

Israeli President Isaac Herzog speaks at the 22nd Jerusalem Conference, urging unity among Israelis. ' The people of Israel are extraordinary — diverse, fascinating — and each family has its own story.'

With Israeli flags lining the road:

This is what Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir's funeral will look like

As per the family's request, the funeral will be limited to invitees only, but the public may honor the memory of Shiri and her sons Ariel and Kfir, accompanying the funeral procession by holding Israeli flags along the roadside.

Miriam Peretz:

'There's no option to remain only in happiness, or only in pain'

Israel Prize laureate and presidential candidate Miriam Peretz stresses need for unity, sharing the Jewish nation's eternal lessons on how to grow from crises.

Israel forces Hamas to fold

Hamas spokesman in Gaza says terror group willing to agree to proposal to free hostages in order to end crisis and free terrorists.

Senior Hamas official:

'Hamas is dictating terms to Israel'

Sami Abu Zuhri, a senior official in Hamas, claims the terror group has enough leverage to force Israel to abide by the ceasefire agreement.

Omer's mother to Trump:

'Mr. President, you did it, but the mission is not yet complete'

The families of captivity survivors Omer Shem Tov, Omer Wenkert, Eliya Cohen, and Tal Shoham, addressed the press after their loved ones' release.

IDF ups readiness on Gaza Border

According to the IDF, readiness was increased in light of several alerts. 'There are currently no changes to the Home Front Command guidelines,' the IDF stated.

Erez Crossing:

Humanitarian aid truck found to be smuggling contraband in Gaza

An inspection of the truck's contents turned up 650 smartphones, dozens of SIM cards, three projectors, and various spare parts for vehicles. The driver was arrested and taken for questioning.

Avera's brother:

'Hearts filled with gratitude to the Creator for the miracle'

The families of captivity survivors Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed addressed the media, Sha'aban al-Sayed attacked Hamas: 'We saw Hamas making spins and cheap politics on the back of a mentally ill person.'

Netanyahu to new officers:

'We will defeat the monster, Hamas will not rule Gaza'

Netanyahu held up a photo of the Bibas family, who were murdered in captivity in Gaza, and stated: 'Against this we fight, and we must and can defeat those monsters - we will defeat them.'

Bibas family:

'Thank you for the love, embrace, and tears'

'Warm embrace, love and strength that you have sent us from all over Israel and the world strengthen us and accompany us during these moments of crisis,' say family members of Shiri, Ariel and Kfir.

Hostage's grandfather:

'When I recited Havdalah - something inside me broke'

Aharon Rabi, the grandfather of Eliya Cohen, who returned from Hamas captivity after over 500 days, recited the Havdalah prayer and shared the emotional reunion with his grandson, the hardships he went through in captivity, and his strengthened faith.

Witkoff working extend first phase of hostage deal

White House Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff said he will arrive in the region on Wednesday to discuss an extension to phase one of the hostage and ceasefire deal.

Omer Wenkert's gift from the Gaza 'duty-free'

Niva Wenkert shared a moving and funny story about the moment she reunited with her son after his release from Hamas captivity. 'Mom, I brought you something from the duty-free.'

Cruelty and evil:

Hamas brought two additional hostages to release point

Hamas publishes video clip showing hostages Guy Gilboa-Dalal, Evyatar David, sitting in a car while forced to watch their friends' 'release ceremony.'

Released terrorist dead after falling from roof in Isawiya

Nael Abed, a dangerous terrorist released last week as part of the deal with Hamas, falls from a rooftop to his death.

Education Min.: Give Hamas an ultimatum - hostages now, or war

Education Minister Yoav Kisch tells Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to give Hamas an ultimatum: All hostages back in Israel by Saturday - or hellfire on Gaza.

Returning from captivity:

Eliya discovers that his girlfriend is alive

Eliya Cohen, released from Hamas captivity after 505 days, thought his girlfriend Ziv had been killed in the 'bomb shelter of death.' Prior to the massacre, he had bought a ring - but did not manage to propose before he was kidnapped.

Starved and abused:

Testimonies from Omer, Tal, Omer, and Eliya

Tal Shoham and Omer Wenkert were held together for most of their time in Hamas captivity; Eliya Cohen was kept in complete darkness formost of the time; Omer Shem Tov lost 17 kilograms.