Swords of Iron

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.

MDA prepares for emergency response during massive power outages

With generators, satellites and innovative protocols, Magen David Adom prepares for possible power outages caused by military-style attacks

Chances for a hostage deal close to none

Hamas staunchly refuses the Israeli demand to exile the terrorists, not even to the Gaza Strip, and demands that they be returned to their place of origin, including Judea and Samaria.

Dennis Ross:

'Blinken should say Hamas said no, not that it's stalling'

Former US diplomat and Middle East envoy says US should be increasing pressure on Hamas after terror group plays mind games rather than accept Biden ceasefire.

'Describes an alternate reality'

UN report accuses Israel of war crimes

The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel claimed that Israeli authorities are responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Operations in Rafah

IDF forces eliminate terrorists in close quarters battle

The Givati Brigade is continuing to conduct intelligence-based, targeted operations in the area.

Blinken:

'Hamas's actions ensure war will go on'

US Secretary of State criticizes Hamas for taking nearly 2 weeks to respond to ceasefire proposal, upping demands after previous demands met, but reiterates call for a deal.

Hamas submits response

Israeli official: They rejected the Biden proposal

Senior Hamas official says the group is committed to demand for a ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. Israeli official: Hamas rejected the outline proposed by Biden.

'They make a point':

Biden responds to anti-Israel protesters in Washington

US President responds after anti-Israel protesters interrupt his speech and accuse him of being "complicit in genocide" in the Gaza Strip: Innocent children have been lost. They make a point.

Senior Hezbollah commander eliminated in Lebanon

Hezbollah says one of its senior commanders was eliminated in a strike attributed to Israel on the village of Jouya in southern Lebanon.

Suspect eliminated after approaching border fence near Gaza

Palestinian Arab suspect eliminated from the air after approaching the security fence near one of the communities in the Gaza envelope.

US National Security Adviser:

'Ceasefire deal could lead to Saudi normalization'

US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan says Biden is of the opinion that Hamas cannot remain in power in Gaza following the war.

During Shavuot celebrations:

At least 15 rockets fired towards Kiryat Shmona

Sirens sounded in Kiryat Shmona and in nearby localities. IDF says at least 15 rockets were fired towards the area. IDF strikes targets in Lebanon.

'What he would have wanted'

Family of fallen soldier donates his organs

Family of Sergeant Almog Shalom, who fell with three other soldiers in operational activity in Rafah, donated his organs to save lives.

100 terrorists killed in Gaza battles

The 7th Brigade, the Kfir Brigade and soldiers of the Yahalom Unit located several tunnel shafts. Yahalom soldiers scanned and destroyed the two tunnels, which were each one kilometer in length and contained rooms and weapons.

Blinken:

'Everyone has agreed, now it's on Hamas to accept this proposal'

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken asks, 'Will Hamas do what’s necessary to move this to a better place, to help end the suffering of people, to bring real security to Israelis and Palestinians alike?'

Touching:

Noa Argamani meets mother of boyfriend still in captivity

Ditza Or, whose son Avinatan is held captive by Hamas in Gaza, met her son's girlfriend Noa Argamani, who was rescued in Operation Arnon after eight months of captivity.

CENTCOM chief visits Israel, meets Israeli Chief of Staff

CENTCOM commander General Michael Kurilla arrives in Israel on official visit, speaks with IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi about Iran and its proxies.

Blinken meets opposition MKs, Pres. Herzog

US Sec. of State Antony Blinken meets with Pres. Herzog and MKs Benny Gantz, Yair Lapid. Gantz: 'I emphasized US role in preventing escalation on northern border.'

Moshe Feiglin eulogizes fallen grandson

'He trained to fight at the very front of the war, and that is exactly where he ended up.'

Heavy barrage:

Around 50 rockets launched towards central Golan Heights

IAF intercepts some of the missiles, others fall in open areas. No one was injured, multiple fires broke out due to the rocket fire.

Fighting in Rafah:

Hamas sniper eliminated after threatening IDF forces

IDF troops are continue fighting in Rafah, operating against terrorist infrastructure and operatives in the Gaza Strip.

Correspondence reveals:

Yahya Sinwar on Gaza civilian casualties: 'Necessary sacrifices'

Wall Street Journal reveals correspondence between Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and other Hamas terrorists, showing that Sinwar does not mind civilian casualties, believe they 'work to his advantage.'

IDF publishes preliminary regulations extending reserve duty

The Ministry of Defense has published a first draft of a law that will extend the time reservists will need to remain enlisted.