In contrast to the kibbutzim in the area, the Ofakim Municipality and officials in the Sderot Municipality say they are willing to participate in the ceremony, with Ofakim going so far as to offer to host it.
As many of the kibbutzim that suffered the most during the October 7th massacre announce that they will not attend the state ceremony, the government is reconsidering.
According to an Egyptian official, the Hamas leader demands that Israel promise not to harm him as part of a hostage deal.
Defense Minister meets troops from the IDF’s Division 162, which is deployed to the Rafah area and the Philadelphi route, notes 150 tunnels have been destroyed in the area.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the Ramat David Air Force Base in northern Israel and received a comprehensive briefing on the readiness of the Air Force in all sectors, but especially the north.
US President Joe Biden is expected to speak to Prime Minister Netanyahu and pressure him to show more flexibility on the issue of the Philadelphi Corridor.
According to Asharq Al-Awsat, the US Secretary of State's offer for a hostage deal includes the right for Israel to exile 150 released terrorists and veto the release of 65 terrorists.
Sderot Deputy Mayor Elad Kalimi criticized the military echelon and claimed that they did not wish to win the war.
IDF struck Hamas terrorists who were operating inside a command and control center located inside a compound that previously served as the “Salah al-Din” School in Gaza City.
Senior Hamas official said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is preventing a ceasefire-prisoner swap deal, says deal must include Israeli withdrawal, ability for Hamas to regroup.
Khalil al-Maqdah and brother Mounir collaborated on behalf of the IRGC, are involved in the direction of terror attacks as well as the smuggling of weapons and funds designated for terrorist activities into Judea and Samaria, IDF report says.
Soldiers using donated gear have been ordered to turn in anything that did not come from the IDF - but some would rather not risk themselves on the battlefield wearing 'official' equipment.
Deputy Chief of the General Staff Amir Baram joins soldiers who participated in operation to retrieve bodies of hostages, promises, 'We'll continue to operate in all areas of Gaza to defeat Hamas and bring back our hostages.'
IDF forces eliminate dozens of armed terrorists, as IAF strikes 30 terror targets throughout Gaza.
Ditza Or, the mother of hostage Avinatan Or, offered Sinwar the children of the five senior officials in exchange for the 109 hostages.
Eliyahu Libman, whose son was murdered on October 7, warns that a 'deal will be the State of Israel's official encouragement of more kidnappings.'
Man, 30, injured by shrapnel after Hezbollah launches dozens of missiles towards northern Israel.
US officials concerned that if talks for what they call a 'prisoner swap' deal with Hamas fail, Iran may attempt direct strike on Israel, escalating tensions throughout the Middle East.
IAF fighter jets strike Hezbollah weapons storage facilities and a compound that was used by Hezbollah's Aerial Defense system. The local Ministry of Health reports one dead and 16 injured.
Sen. Bernie Sanders, one of Israel's fiercest critics in Congress, gets an ovation from the DNC crowd as he calls for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Ruby Chen, father of murdered hostage Itay Chen, whose body is being held in Gaza, meets Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, at a meeting of the NY delegation.
Shai Sitbon, from Kfar Szold, films two UAVs that infiltrated Israel from Lebanon. IDF claims, 'there were several launches, some were intercepted and others fell in the Golan Heights area.'
Lieutenant Shahar Ben Nun, of the Paratroopers Patrol, who was killed in southern Gaza, is laid to rest. 'It is hard to imagine the pain we are feeling today,' says his father.
Overnight, the bodies of hostages Nadav Popplewell, Yagev Buchshtab, Avraham Munder, Yoram Metzger, Haim Perry and Alexander Dancyg, were rescued and returned to the State of Israel.
Former Communication Minister Ayoub Kara lays out his plan to make controversial subjects such as Jerusalem and Gaza no longer synonymous with negativity for the Middle East.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets families of fallen soldiers, hostages held in Gaza, says he will stand up to pressure to relinquish control of Philadelphi, Netzarim, corridors.
IDF forces eliminate approximately 40 terrorists in Rafah area, eliminate terrorists attempting to plant explosive device in central Gaza.
Parents of fallen soldiers urge Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to say 'no' to a deal which will harm Israel's security. 'Look into the eyes of our children, make a deal - but not one that harms Israel's security.'
Hezbollah publishes new footage, claims to have hit an IDF facility on the Israel-Lebanon border.
Dr. Ron Schleifer, author of multiple books on psychological warfare, explains how the public can avoid falling into Iranian propaganda traps.
MK Benny Gantz is asked whether he would agree to withdrawing the IDF from the Philadelphi Corridor - but avoids the question. 'Rafah was conquered in 45 minutes, we can do it again.'
Scottish External Affairs Secretary Angus Robertson tells Israeli Dep. Ambassador that his government will not accept invitations from Israeli officials until 'real progress' is made on a ceasefire deal with the Hamas terror group.
IAF strikes Hamas command and control center hidden within the Mustafa Khaft school in Gaza City.
Israeli officials responded to the news that several hostages' remains had been recovered from Gaza by security forces.
Egypt will treat status quo on Philadelphi Route as 'legal violation,' but turn a blind eye to it, report says.
On Monday night, the IDF retrieved the bodies of Nadav Popplewell, Yagev Buchstab, Yoram Metzger, Haim Perry, Alex Dancyg, and Avraham Munder from Gaza.
Israeli delegation to the negotiations on a ceasefire and hostage release deal left the discussions without progress regarding the Philadelphi Corridor and Rafah.
At the graduation ceremony of the reserve officers' course at Be'er Hanegev, one of the cadets, Sagi Yehonatan, delivered a speech that moved the audience: "We are the eternal people and this is the generation of victory."
Tikva Forum of families of hostages held in Gaza write to US Secretary of State asking him not to play into the hands of Hamas in the ceasefire talks.
The IDF says that those found suitable for return to service will be assigned to different units according to operational needs.
Navigational system malfunction causes Israeli F-15 to miss its intended target by nearly 300 meters, killing Lieutenant Ben Nun and wounding 6 other soldiers.
The 603rd Battalion and the Yahalom Unit located and destroyed an underground tunnel route approximately a kilometer and a half long.
Former National Security Council chief Yaakov Amidror warns that if Israel abandons the Philadelphi Corridor, 'Hamas will reconnect to Sinai.'
Amaria, 45 from Ibtin, was a soldier in the Bedouin Trackers Unit in the 300th Brigade, in the Border Defense Corps.
Marking UN World Humanitarian Day, the families of the Israeli hostages being held in Gaza attacked the ICRC for not aiding their loved ones.
After recommending a criminal investigation into Eyal Golan, State Attorney Amit Aisman is considering opening an investigation into popular Israeli singer Kobi Peretz for remarks he made after the Hamas massacre.
New prisoner swap deal would see just 20 living hostages released in exchange for long-term ceasefire, former Justice Minister Haim Ramon warns. 'Offer Hamas to end the war on condition that all the hostages return at once.'
Hamas fired rockets from launchers embedded near two schools and a field hospital in southern Gaza; IDF strikes over 45 terror targets in Gaza, eliminating dozens of terror operatives.
Israeli withdrawal no longer a precondition for a ceasefire-prisoner swap deal with Hamas, report says.
Hezbollah claims responsibility for direct hit on town in northern Israel; several injured, including one critically, in mixed UAV-rocket barrage.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog meets with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, stresses: 'No one should attack Israel or meddle with our clear and inherent right of self defense.'
Hamas officially announces its rejection of the proposal for an agreement for the release of hostages and a ceasefire as presented at the summit in Doha.
Senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan angrily ends interview with CNN’s Jim Sciutto after being pressed on whether Hamas accepts any responsibility for the loss of civilian life in Gaza.
Prime Minister's Office published an unusual message accusing 'serial information leakers' of harming hostage talks.
Forces from the 98th Division expanded their operations over the past day as the Paratroopers Brigade combat team moved into western Khan Yunis and the Hamid neighborhood.
The soldier was evacuated to the hospital to receive medical treatment and his family has been notified.
Minister Miri Regev has been appointed as head of the national memorial event, commemorating the first anniversary of the 10/7 Hamas terrorist attack.
Since the discovery of the virus in July, and as part of the vaccination campaign, 9,000 vials were brought through the Kerem Shalom crossing, providing 90,000 additional doses of the vaccine.
Netanyahu on the hostage deal: 'There are things we can be flexible on and there are things which we will insist on. We know how to distinguish between the two very well.
According to a Hamas source, the US's new offer for a hostage deal would allow Israel to exile a large number of released terrorists.
