Swords of Iron

Key Hezbollah rocket and missile operative eliminated

The IDF eliminated the terrorist Muhammad Mustafa Ayoub, a key operative in the Rocket and Missile Department of the Nasser Unit of the Hezbollah terrorist organization in southern Lebanon,

Gallant to US Representatives:

'Iranian proxies are fighting a war against Western civilization'

Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant met with a bipartisan delegation of US members of Congress and provided a situation assessment of operational and strategic developments on Israel’s borders.

'Depressing, relentless, boring'

Study finds: People worldwide are disconnecting from the news

A new study shows that 39% of people worldwide avoid the news, an increase of 10% since 2017. Significant decrease in the number of people stating: 'Very or extremely interested in the news.' And how many believe the news?

Rafah

Terrorists eliminated using drones

IDF troops are continuing intelligence-based, targeted operations in the area of Rafah.

Netanyahu dissolves War Cabinet

The Prime Minister has decided to dissolve the War Cabinet and decisions will instead be made by the Security Cabinet.

Due to a lack of soldiers

IDF working to create new reserve division

The new 96th Division will consist of those who have been exempt from reserve duty in the past.

IDF fears:

Terrorists in Judea and Samaria may get Israeli arms from Gaza

As many of the weapons being used in Gaza are not properly monitored, criminal organizations have been found with shoulder-mounted missiles and mortars. The IDF fears it's only a matter of time until they reach terror organizations as well.

No siren sounded

Suspicious target from Lebanon intercepted near Acre

Suspicious aerial target that crossed from Lebanon into the maritime space near Acre successfully intercepted by the IDF Aerial Defense Array. No sirens sounded in accordance with protocol.

Biden:

'Ceasefire plan is the only way to achieve a lasting peace'

Biden pushes for the ceasefire in Gaza and hostage release deal that he recently outlined: The three-phase ceasefire proposal is the best way to end the violence in Gaza.

IDF Spokesman Hagari:

'Hezbollah is jeopardizing the future of Lebanon'

Spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari issues statement warning Hezbollah against escalating tensions in the north. 'When we say that we will not let October 7th happen again on any one of our borders - we mean it.'

Southern Commander:

'You are defeating the Rafah Brigade'

The Commanding Officer of the Southern Command, MG Yaron Finkelman, visited Rafah and met with commanders on the ground.

Bereavement in Beit El:

Two families on the same street lost sons on the same day

Only 30 meters separate the homes of the parents of Elon Waiss and Shalom Menachem, who were both killed this week in Gaza. Local council head: ‘Our hearts are overflowing with sadness.’

'I won't let you down'

Musician performs song at scene of October 7th massacre

Aaron Holder released the music video for his song 'I Won't Let You Down,' which was filmed on-site in several locations in Israel, including the ruins of a community destroyed during the October 7th attack.

Staff Sergeant Tzur Abraham fell in battle in southern Gaza

During the incident in which Staff Sergeant Tzur Abraham fell, a combat officer who serves as a field investigator in Unit 504 was severely wounded.

Sgt. Yair Roitman laid to rest

'Yair is dead – please do not let it be in vain'

Sergeant Yair Roitman, a combat soldier in training in the Givat patrol, died of his wounds on Saturday, after being seriously injured early last week in a battle in southern Gaza.

Democrats split on how to protest Netanyahu's speech

While some Dems plan on activly disupting the Israeli PMs address to Congress, others have chosen to boycott it to maintain decorum in the chamber.

Senior Staff Sergeant Major (Res.) Elon Waiss is laid to rest

Waiss, 49, from Psagot, a combat soldier in the 129th Battalion of the 8th Brigade, was killed in battle in the northern Gaza Strip.

Holiday calm

Why Hezbollah stopped attacking, and why Israel followed suit

Channel 12 correspondent Guy Varon noted that since the holiday of Eid el-Adha began Hezbollah has halted launches and wondered why Israel is playing along.

New IDF naval landing craft arrives in Israel

The INS Komemiyut LSV arrived in Israel from the US. It was welcomed by Israeli Navy vessels in a 'missing' formation, in memory of the fallen soldiers from the ‘Swords of Iron' war.

Fallen soldier's family:

'We'll continue with our head held high'

Yedidya Waiss, before his father Eilon’s funeral: ‘With God's help we will win this war and the entire nation of Israel will know no more sorrow. We will learn to see the good.’

Govt. extends aid for displaced from north and south

Under the new regulations, the period of lodging for residents who have been evacuated from their homes, in the hotels and temporary housing solutions, which are being financed by the state, until August 15.

PM, Defense Minister were not informed of IDF announcement

Political source says PM Netanyahu was surprised by IDF announcement of 11-hour 'tactical pauses' every day near Kerem Shalom Crossing.

Protecting the Homeland:

Stories of the victims of the APC explosion in Gaza

Family and friends eulogize the eight soldiers killed in the explosion of an APC in Gaza.

Haniyeh:

'Hamas is serious about reaching a ceasefire deal'

Qatar-based Hamas leader says terror group's demands are consistent with principles of latest Biden ceasefire proposal.

Sgt. Yakir Ya'akov Levi killed in battle in Gaza

Yesterday, 8 soldiers were killed in an APC explosion in Rafah.

Near crossing

IDF announces daily 'tactical pauses' of military activity

Spokesperson's Unit says pause will take place every day from 8 am-7 pm along the road leading from the Kerem Shalom Crossing to the Salah al-Din Road.

Triple Loss:

Three fallen soldiers from the same Yeshiva

Yakir Levy, Shalom Menachem, and Elyahu Zimbalist were among the soldiers killed in the APC explosion in Rafah - and all classmates at the Shalavim Yeshiva.

'One Of Our Best'

Oz Gruber from Tal Menashe was killed in Rafah

Staff Sergeant Oz Gruber, 20 years old, from Tal Menashe in Samaria, was killed in the explosion of an APC in Rafah.

APC tragedy in Rafah:

Names of five soldiers who fell cleared for publication

The IDF Spokesperson's Unit clears for publication of the names of five soldiers who were killed in the explosion of an APC in Rafah. In addition, two reservists were killed in northern Gaza.

Sergeant Shalom Menachem among those killed in APC disaster

Combat engineer Shalom Menachem of Beit El, age 21, was killed Saturday in an APC disaster that left a total of eight soldiers dead.

Sergeant Itai Amar fell in battle in Gaza

Sergeant Itai Amar, 19 years old from Kokhav Ya'ir-Tzur Yigal, fell in battle in southern Gaza.

Givati Brigade soldier injured in Rafah dies of his wounds

Yair Roitman was critically injured in Rafah earlier this week. After an extended battle for his life, the hospital was forced to declare Yair's death.

Hamas brags:

'We shattered the internal unity among the enemy'

Hamas presents the achievements of the October 7 attack, particularly noting the 'breaking the internal unity among the enemy and creating a deep rift between the parties.'

PM Netanyahu:

'There is no alternative to victory - we must keep at our goals'

'We are fighting to ensure our existence and our future; we are fighting to bring back our hostages,' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says.

Captain Wassem Mahmoud was killed a day before his release

Captain Wassem Mahmoud commanded the vehicle which was destroyed in an explosion in Rafah, and fell together with his soldiers.

Tragedy in Rafah

Eight soldiers killed in APC explosion

Eight IDF soldiers killed after explosion, believed caused by improvised device, sets their APC on fire.

To prevent escalation

US envoy to visit Israel next week

US President Joe Biden's envoy, Amos Hochstein, expected to arrive in Israel on Monday in an effort to prevent the recent escalation between Israel and Hezbollah from turning into an all out war.

G7 leaders:

'We fully endorse Biden's ceasefire and hostage release deal'

Leaders of the G7 countries declare support for the ceasefire and hostage release deal outlined by US President Joe Biden, express concern over recent escalation between Israel and Hezbollah.

Rockets fired on N. Israel

IDF strikes Hezbollah targets in Lebanon

IDF Spokesperson's Unit says several launches from Lebanon fell in open areas, causing no injuries or damages.

Helmet cam footage:

Freed hostages evacuated under fire

Footage from the soldiers' helmet cameras from the moments when the hostages and the special forces were transferred to vehicles under fire in Nuseirat, during Operation Arnon.

New observatory dedicated in memory of fallen soldier

In the Jordan Valley, students from the Kedma Mechora youth village dedicate 'Mitzpe Yoni' in honor of fallen IDF soldier Yehonatan Yosef Brand.

Bodycam footage reveals:

Hamas built secret passages inside residential homes

IDF releases footage and photos of passages used by Hamas terrorists inside residences.

Defense Minister:

'France has adopted hostile policies towards Israel'

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant slams French plan for trilateral agreement with Lebanon, accuses France of 'ignoring the atrocities committed by Hamas against Israeli children, women and men.'

Southern Command chief in Rafah:

'We'll continue moving forward, until we achieve our goals'

Yaron Finkelman, commander of the Southern Command, holds situational assessment in Rafah: 'The plan is clear going forward, we are continuing to move forward until we achieve our goals.'

Report: US planned independent hostage rescue operation

Washington Post reveals details on how the US has helped Israel since October 7. Official: 'Extraordinary' amount of intelligence sharing.

Northern Command chief:

I would have avoided evacuating some of the towns

'Hezbollah's greatest achievement is that there are tens of thousands of evacuees from northern Israel,' Ori Gordin, commander of IDF's Northern Command, tells residents of northern Israel.

Three missiles fired towards Avivim and Kiryat Shmona

Sirens sounded in northern Israel on Friday morning, as Hezbollah continues firing towards Israeli communities along the border.

IDF destroys launch sites used to fire missiles into Israel

IDF eliminates terrorists, destroys launch sites used to fire missiles into Israeli territory.

Hamas official claims:

'No one has an idea how many hostages are still alive'

Senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan tells CNN the latest ceasefire proposal did not meet the group’s demands for an end to the war.

Reports in Lebanon:

Two killed in strike attributed to Israel in the Tyre area

Reports in Lebanon claim two people killed in strike attributed to Israel in the village of Janta. Israel has not commented on the reports thus far.

Report:

Soldiers dressed as Arabs collected information about hostages

Operation Arnon began with a special intelligence actvity of a team of ‘Mista’arvim’ special forces sent to the area of the local market of Nuseirat dressed as local Arabs

Parents of rescued hostage:

'There are things that he’ll never talk about'

The parents of Andrey Kozlov look back on the excitement of learning their son was rescued from Hamas captivity and the moving reunion and share the horrifying effects of Hamas' psychological torture: 'He thought the Israeli soldiers came to kill them.'

Palestinian Arabs furious with Blinken for blaming Hamas

According to the PFLP, Gaza will continue to be a 'cemetery for invaders' and any Arab or international force will be considered an 'invading force.'

Religious Zionist Party Director:

Deri shouldn't come to War Cabinet meetings until haredim enlist

Religious Zionist Party Director Yehuda Wald wrote that Ariye Deri can not morally and ethically send soldiers to the battlefield as long as he does not work to send haredi boys as well.

Heavy barrages on north

Two soldiers wounded by antitank missile

Hezbollah claims it launched over 150 missiles and 30 drones at Israel in the largest attack on the north since October 8th.

Watch:

IDF uses medieval-style catapult against Hezbollah

Soldiers build trebuchet to burn dry brush and get rid of hiding places for Hezbollah terrorists near the northern border.

Footage from Gaza:

IDF destroys terror tunnel spanning 800 meters

IDF destroys terror tunnel 30 meters underground, spanning 800 meters, and reaching just a single kilometer from Israel.

U of Minnesota pauses search for Holocaust Center director

University of Minnesota backtracks on Holocaust Center hire who accused Israel of genocide.

Drone identifies, eliminates, armed terrorist

IDF troops strike launch site in Rafah, eliminate terrorist who participated in October 7th massacre.

Honoring fallen soldier:

Torah dedication in Be'eri: 'Shilo dances with us today'

Members of the Bnei Akiva branch in Sderot raised 200,000 shekels and dedicated a Torah scroll in memory of the branch's graduate who fell in battle in Be'eri on October 7.