Swords of Iron

A-G greenlights closure of Al Jazeera

Cabinet to vote on closure of Al Jazeera in Israel after Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara hands decision to Communications Ministry.

In conversation with US Defense Sec.:

Defense Min. Gallant notes Hezbollah aggression

Defense Min. Gallant speaks with US Defense Sec. Austin, emphasizes significant increase in amount of humanitarian aid to Gaza, opening of new land crossing.

Will Israel be added to the UN blacklist?

Israel is faced with a growing prospect that the UN will include Israel on the list of countries and organizations that harm children in war zones.

Watch:

IDF strikes building after terrorist entered it

IAF fighter jets struck a large amount of terrorist infrastructure, including operational tunnel shafts and military structures, to assist IDF ground troops. Additionally, an IAF aircraft struck armed terrorists that threatened the troops.

Report

Saudis warned Israel: Rafah op will harm chances of normalization

A source in the Saudi royal family said that Israel must make sacrifices for peace to create a regional alliance with the Arab nations and that there will be no normalization without a Palestinian state.

Austin:

'Operation in Rafah needs credible plan to evacuate civilians'

US Defense Secretary speaks to Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, stresses US position on a possible Israeli operation in Rafah.

Report:

US mediating agreement between Israel and Lebanon

Israeli official says the first phase would include a "freeze of the situation" under which Hezbollah would be removed from the border by several kilometers - but not beyond the Litani River.

Blinken:

'The deal is there, Hamas should take it'

Secretary of State speaks to reporters, reiterates position about Rafah operation: We cannot, will not support a major military operation in Rafah absent an effective plan to make sure that civilians are not harmed.

IDF Chief of Staff:

'Offensive operation in Gaza will continue with strength'

LTG Herzi Halevi conducted a tour and held a situational assessment at the Lebanese border and spoke with reserve commanders of the "Etzioni" Brigade (6).

Gallant to Blinken:

'Determined to bring back the hostages, ready to go into Rafah'

The Defense Minister and US Secretary of State toured Kibbutz Nir Oz and the Kerem Shalom Crossing and discussed the hostage negotiations and humanitarian aid efforts.

For first time since war began:

Aid enters Gaza through Erez Crossing

According to the IDF, entry of humanitarian aid through the Erez Crossing was made possible after engineering work was carried out in the area by the Engineering Units and additional IDF forces.

Netanyahu to Blinken:

'We will not accept a deal that ends war'

Secretary of State Antony Blinken made to the Prime Minister clear that the US objects to an operation without an executable plan to protect the civilian population and evacuate civilians.

Report:

Prisoner swap agreement doesn't include IDF withdrawal from Gaza

Hamas source says terror group 'still examining proposal for a ceasefire; Blinken's words are an attempt to pressure Hamas.'

Bereaved Brother:

I'd love to meet the soldier who fired the shot, I can't be angry

Shaked Aviv, brother of Master Sergeant (res.) Ido Aviv, killed in Gaza, spoke about his brother: ‘He seemed to be a person who was resilient to everything.’

PM Netanyahu meets US Sec. of State Blinken in Jerusalem

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, hold private meeting at Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem, to be followed by expanded meeting.

Proposed hostage deal:

3 hostages every 3 days; Israel permits Gazans to return

New deal that Hamas has not yet confirmed includes a 40 day ceasefire, release of 33 hostages.

Blinken speaks with protesters demanding hostages' release

'We will not rest until everyone – man, woman, soldier, civilian, young, old – is back home,' US Sec. of State Antony Blinken promises.

Missiles on northern Israel: Two men lightly injured from blast

IAF planes attack Hezbollah terror targets in five areas in southern Lebanon; two men injured after antitank missiles fired towards northern Israel.

Sec. of State blames Hamas

Blinken to Herzog: 'No delays, no excuses' for ceasefire deal

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visits Israel, meets Israeli Pres. Isaac Herzog in Tel Aviv to discuss ongoing war with Hamas. 'Only reason deal wouldn't be achieved is because of Hamas.'

Report:

Biden considering bringing Palestinian Arabs from Gaza to the US

President Biden is considering offering Palestinian Arabs a permanent safe haven, with various benefits that could eventually lead to permanent residency and possible US citizenship,

IDF recommends: Cancel Lag Ba'omer events in Meron

Due to security concerns in northern Israel, IDF recommends canceling annual Lag Ba'omer celebration in Meron.

Watch:

Activists block aid trucks to Gaza at Allenby Crossing

Activists from the Tzav 9 organization blocked Allenby Crossing for the movement of aid trucks that are supposed to cross from Jordan to the Gaza Strip.

Israel takes action against UNRWA Commissioner-General

UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini submitted a request to enter Israel and Gaza, but was refused.

Investigation:

2 soldiers were killed by friendly fire from tank

IDF investigation reveals Kalkidan Meharim and Ido Aviv were killed when a tank accidentally fired at a building in which soldiers were stationed during a firefight with Hamas terrorists.

‘Enter Rafah Now’

Military expert encourages Rafah operation

Avigdor Kahalani, former IDF commander and leading military expert, criticized fighting in Gaza, saying, ‘We should have finished with Rafah a long time ago.’

Abbas spokesman:

'Israel must be punished for crimes in Gaza'

Nabil Abu Rudeineh blames US for Netanyahu's continued determination to demolish the last of Hamas's military power in Rafah, demands international action to prevent op.

Netanyahu on ICC investigation:

'Historic outrage and antisemitic hate crime'

PM says Israel will complete its objectives in the war regardless of international pressure, ICC has 'no jurisdiction' over Israel.

Poll:

72% of Americans back Israeli operation in Gaza

New Harvard-Harris poll shows US voters continue to support Israel against Hamas despite widespread college protests, administration opposition to Rafah op.

Finance Minister:

'Accepting deal is accepting Sinwar's plan for Hamas victory'

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich commented on the proposed deal for the release of the hostages and said that it was ‘Yahya Sinwar’s plan for victory.’

IDF divisions prepare for combat in Gaza

The 162nd Division and the 98th Division are operating to strengthen their readiness for continued combat in the Gaza Strip. The divisions have been enhancing readiness and holding situational assessments, and conducted learning sessions to draw lessons from the combat so far.

Hamas sources:

Egyptian proposal is the best presented so far

Arab reports detail compromises Israel agreed to make in deal which would see a ceasefire in exchange for hostages' release.

PM to bereaved families:

We will enter Rafah - with or without a deal

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu speaks to representatives of bereaved families, hostages' families, at the Heroism and Hope Forum, promises: 'We will enter Rafah and we will eliminate the Hamas battalions there – with or without a deal.'

Report:

Hamas response to prisoner swap deal expected Wednesday evening

Hamas leadership in Gaza passes its response to Hamas leadership abroad; Israeli delegation won't take off for Cairo yet.

Amit Segal:

Intelligence chief candidate among those responsible for failure

Analyst Amit Segal notes that Shlomi Binder, candidate for IDF intelligence chief, once claimed 'nationalist crime' is the 'number one problem' in Judea and Samaria.

Bereaved father:

There are people who prefer to exploit our sorrow

Kobi, the father of dead hostage Yonatan Samerano, writes: 'Before you yell to release hundreds or thousands of terrorists, think about which of them you will meet in the next attack.'

Watch: IDF strikes rocket launcher used to fire on Sderot

IAF fighter jets strike operational tunnel shafts, anti-tank missile launch post and terror infrastructure from which a launch toward the city of Sderot was identified.

Report:

Netanyahu decided twice to delay Rafah operation

PM Netanyahu delayed Rafah operation in order to allow time for prisoner swap deal, report says.

Negotiations to free hostages:

Qatar promised to remove Hamas leaders - and didn't do it

Qatar should have announced that if Hamas did not progress towards prisoner swap deal, its leaders would be removed from Doha - but failed to keep its commitment, or to explain the decision to backtrack.

Organs of fallen soldier donated

Reserve officer Ido Aviv was a surfing instructor at the SurfCycle club in Kiryat Yam, a beloved and a well-known personality in the Krayot in the field of open-water surfing.

CNN:

"Netanyahu needs no urging to invade Rafah'

Journalist Amit Segal explains how the most politically sound move for Netanyahu is to ensure victory over Hamas.

Sergeants Ido Aviv, Kalkidan Meharim fall in battle in Gaza

2 soldiers fell in battle in central Gaza today.

Israeli source to CNN:

'For every freed hostage - one day of ceasefire'

Hamas still examining Egyptian proposal for ceasefire, hostage swap deal, which would see 33 hostages released in exchange for a cessation of fighting in Gaza.

IDF destroys two terror tunnels in Beit Hanoun

IDF continues to destroy underground infrastructure in the Gaza Strip; two terror tunnels in the Beit Hanoun area destroyed.

Hamas official:

'No major issues with Israel's latest proposal'

Hamas official says a delegation from the organization will arrive in Egypt on Monday to deliver the group's response to Israel's counterproposal: The atmosphere is positive unless there are new Israeli obstacles.

During visit to Lebanon

French Foreign Minister urges de-escalation with Israel

French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne: We refuse a worst-case scenario... No one has any interest in Israel and Hezbollah continuing this escalation.

White House:

'Biden reiterated his clear position on Rafah incursion'

Following Biden-Netanyahu phone call, White House says Biden "reaffirmed his ironclad commitment to Israel’s security" and stressed the need for progress in delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

IDF Spokesperson to int'l media:

'More aid is going into Gaza than ever before'

IDF Spokesperson Daniel Hagari announces the amount of humanitarian aid going into Gaza will continue to scale-up even more in the coming days.

After monitoring terrorist:

IDF destroys Hezbollah military compound in Lebanon

IDF soldiers identify and monitor a Hezbollah terrorist operating in the area of Ayta ash Shab, later destroy the structure in which the terrorist was operating.

Israeli official clarifies:

'The preparations for entering Rafah are continuing'

Israeli diplomatic official responds to criticism over latest Egyptian ceasefire proposal: In any deal, if there is one, Israel will not give up the goals of the war.

Minister Gantz's red line

Deal for returning the hostages without ending the war

Minister Gantz warns: ‘If the ministers who led the government on Oct. 7 prevent a responsible deal that does not involve ending the war, the government will have no right to exist’

Minister Smotrich to PM:

'Egyptian deal humiliating surrender and existential danger'

Minister Bezalel Smotrich attacks the Egyptian outline for a deal to release the hostages in exchange for a ceasefire that would prevent Israeli military entry into Rafah.

Reservist combat teams return to Gaza

The 'Yiftah' and 'Carmeli' reservist combat teams in cooperation with additional forces, are conducting targeted raids to eliminate terrorists and to locate and destroy terrorist infrastructure in the area.

Chairman Abbas:

Israel should not have attacked Gaza after October 7th

The PA leader told the World Economic Forum that while he and the PA oppose the attack on civilians, they also said that 'the aggression must be stopped immediately.'

Report:

British troops could be tasked with delivering aid to Gaza

With US troops refusing to come ashore in Gaza, troops from a third nation would be needed to move the supplies from the floating pier to the coast.

Hundreds of terror targets were attacked during Passover

The IDF attacked 270 terror targets across the Gaza Strip over the holiday, including more than 20 rocket batteries aimed at Israel.

IDF soldier wounded in Hezbollah rocket barrage

Soldier lightly wounded in barrage of 26 rockets from Lebanon on northern Israel.

Report:

Egypt tells Hamas Rafah operation will be legitimate without deal

US, Egypt reportedly upping pressure on Hamas to accept hostage deal in order to prevent an Israeli operation in Rafah.

26 rockets fired at northern Israel from Lebanon

Dozens of rockets fired by Hezbollah. 12-year-old girl treated for anxiety after sirens activated in multiple communities.

Min. Chikli: I'll oppose a deal, we can't stop the war

Diaspora Min. Amichai Chikli promises to oppose the proposed prisoner swap deal, which includes a complete cessation of the war against Hamas.

Comedian protests Cabinet decision:

'Commit rape and receive a state'

Comedian Guy Hochman protests against the decision of the War Cabinet to allow British observers to meet with Nukhba terrorists: 'A knife in all of our backs.'