Swords of Iron

UNRWA chief claims:

'Israel blocked me from entering Gaza'

UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini: I intended to go into Rafah today, but my entry was declined. Israel responds: Another attempt by UNRWA to blame Israel for their own mistakes.

Likud MK:

'Include Sa'ar in War Cabinet'

MK Amit Halevi expresses support for the inclusion of Minister Gideon Sa'ar in the War Cabinet: Lapid and Liberman should also have been in the government.

Biden:

'Target Hamas without major operation in Rafah'

US President says he asked Netanyahu to send a team to Washington to discuss ways to target Hamas without a major ground operation in Rafah.

Video showing kidnapping of IDF soldier located

IDF finds video of the kidnapping of soldier Oz Daniel. Hamas edited the video so that it would appear that Daniel was kidnapped while he was still alive.

Trudeau to Gantz:

'Concerned over Israeli operation in Rafah'

Canadian Prime Minister speaks to Minister Benny Gantz, condemns Hamas but also shares his concern around Israel’s planned offensive in the Gaza city of Rafah.

How a terrorist was interrogated in Shifa Hospital

Terrorist hiding in Shifa Hospital is interrogated at the scene; Shin Bet transfers information gleaned in real time.

IDF spokesman reveals:

Footage from Shifa Hospital battles

IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari speaks to the media, revealing footage of clashes at Shifa Hospital.

Shifa Hospital: 'Focused, selective, precise'

The commander of the Shayetet 13 commandos details the operationin the Shifaa Hospital in Gaza.

20 terrorists eliminated at Shifa Hospital

IDF, Shin Bet carry out counter-terrorism operation at Gaza hospital, seize terrorist funds, and arrest dozens of terrorists.

Netanyahu:

'Victory is within reach'

Prime Minister Netanyahu met with AIPAC members today and reassured them that Israel must, can, and will achieve victory, for the good of the whole world.

Sa'ar:

'Military progress in Gaza has stalled'

New Hope chairman reiterates demand to join War Cabinet, says govt. must act to win war quickly as delays serve Hamas.

A sad birthday

Birthdays of two hostages marked in the Knesset

The families of the hostages came to the Knesset to mark the birthdays of Shlomo Mansour (86) and Doron Steinbrecher (31) who are being held captive by Hamas.

Matan from Jerusalem fell in battle in northern Gaza

Staff Sergeant Matan Vinogradov, 20, from Jerusalem, served in the 932nd Battalion of the Nahal Brigade.

EU Foreign Min.: Israel is causing 'famine' in Gaza

EU's Josep Borrell claims Israel is using famine as a 'weapon of war,' Foreign Minister Israel Katz hits back.

Report:

Sinwar now managing hostage deal negotiations

Hamas leaders abroad have no authority to make decisions, 'every comma, every period, will take 24-36 hours,' source says.

Lipa's new song for Purim:

'Tell Hamas na na na na'

Hassidic singer Lipa Schmeltzer, in cooperation with Oorah, released a new song and music video in honor of Purim titled 'Ashrei Ha'am.' In the song the singer connects the ancient conflict with Amalek to the modern one with Hamas.

Watch:

Terrorists fire from buildings in Shifa hospital

Over the past few hours, the troops identified terrorist fire toward them from a number of hospital buildings. The forces engaged the terrorists and identified several hits.

US officials:

'Evacuation of Rafah will take weeks, if not longer'

US officials explain that Israel needs to 'flood' humanitarian aid to the areas where civilains will be evacuated and construct temporary shelters.

Report: US may slow defense support for Israel

US may increase bureaucratic difficulties for weapons shipments, slowing deliveries without issuing a formal statement, report says.

Biden to Irish PM:

'Two-state solution the only path to lasting peace'

US President Joe Biden hosts Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, calls for increase in the scope of humanitarian aid to Gaza and for a hostage release deal.

Nighttime operation in Gaza:

IDF operating in Shifa Hospital

IDF troops launch precise operation in the area of the Shifa Hospital based on intelligence information indicating the use of the hospital by senior Hamas terrorists.

Suspicious aerial target falls near Eilat

IDF says a suspicious aerial target crossed into Israeli territory from the Red Sea and fell into an open area north of the city of Eilat. No damage was caused and no injuries were reported.

Hamas fears:

Israel will use Issa's body as a bargaining chip

Palestinian Arab sources say that Hamas realized that the bodies of Marwan Issa and another military leader are buried under a tunnel in Nuseirat.

Goal in Austrian game dedicated to fallen soldier

Oscar Gloukh, an Israeli professional soccer player for Austrian club RB Salzburg scored the winning goal for his team and dedicated it to his friend, Sergeant Afik Tery, who was killed in Gaza two weeks ago.

Leading Sefardi rabbi:

Tone down Purim celebrations amid war

Rabbi David Yosef said that haredim must show that they are also part of Israel's pain and therefore should refrain from public celebrations.

Cleared for publication:

Cpt. Daniel Perez killed on 10/7, body held by Hamas

Daniel Perez, 22 from Yad Binyamin, served as a platoon commander in the 78th Battalion of the 7th Formation. His body is currently being held hostage by Hamas. A funeral is being planned for tomorrow, to be followed by Shiva.

IDF Chief of Staff:

As soon as it is decided we will act with full force

IDF Chief of Staff Halevi discusses the current situation on all fronts and addresses various cases in which high-ranking commanders were reprimanded.

Smotrich:

'General Staff responsible for great disaster'

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, strongly criticizes the General Staff and the round of appointments in the IDF during the war.

If not UNRWA then what?

Knesset discusses alternatives for Gaza aid

MK Sharren Haskel explains to Arutz Sheva that UNRWA funds are pocketed by Hamas and do not reach civilians.

'Finish the problem'

Trump breaks silence on Gaza war

Former President Trump has mostly kept silent on the war in Gaza, as President Joe Biden faces criticism from within his party over his support for Israel.

Resident of border village threatens IDF soldiers

A resident of Aramsha traveling in Kibbutz Adamit allegedly ignored the soldiers' orders, which pertained to the tense security situation in the area, blocked the entrance to the Kibbutz, and threatened them.

A special Bar Mitzvah for Koren Tasa

He lost his father and older brother on October 7th, they lost fathers and brothers in the war, but Am Yisrael came through for Koren Taasa and 22 twelve-year-old girls.

Significant tunnel route in northern Gaza destroyed

The length of the destroyed tunnel is over two and a half kilometers, crossing battalions and brigades and connecting the northern and southern Gaza Strip.

Netanyahu:

'Schumer's comments were totally inappropriate'

During an interview with CNN, the Israeli Prime Minister discussed comments by the US Senate Majority Leader calling for new elections and referring to him as a threat to peace.

Netanyahu to world:

'Did you lose your moral compass so quickly?'

PM says Rafah operation will happen, asks international community why the pressure is on Israel and not Hamas, which started the war.

Israeli comedian to keep Shabbat for the first time

Comedian Guy Hochman says that his decision is a call for unity in Israel, and asked that at least one hundred thousand people join him.

18 terrorists in Gaza eliminated from air, land

Over the past day approximately 18 terrorists were killed by sniper, shell, and aerial fire. During one of the strikes, IDF troops identified and directed an air strike against four terrorists operating adjacent to the forces.

Report:

Hamas confirms number 3 Marwan Issa eliminated

Hamas officials reportedly confirm in closed conversations that deputy military wing commander was killed in IDF airstrike a week ago, body remains under rubble.

Cleared for publication:

Soldier seriously injured in battle in central Gaza

A soldier from Battalion 601 was seriously injured on Friday in a battle in the central Gaza Strip. The soldier was taken to hospital for medical treatment.

German Chancellor:

'Aid must reach Gaza on a larger scale'

German Chancellor urges Israel to allow humanitarian aid access to Gaza on a larger scale, ahead of a two-day trip to the Middle East.

Netanyahu advisor:

'We can, and must, win in Rafah'

Ophir Falk, an advisor to the Prime Minister, explains why the world's pressure to stop the offensive in Gaza is both unfounded and counterproductive.

Shabbat at a Gaza border crossing

Activists spent Shabbat at the Erez border crossing to call for the renewal of Jewish settlement in Gaza. Six were arrested.

Canadian bank reduces stake in Israeli defense firm

Scotiabank has begun reducing its shares in the military contractor Elbit following extensive protests.

Hostage celebrates 80th birthday

'How is he in Gaza while the world remains silent?'

Loved ones of hostages were joined by the ambassadors of France and Germany to call for the hostages' release.

Live updates:

Over 100 rockets launched from Lebanon in Israel

Hezbollah and Hamas attacks from Lebanon continue as IDF continues to dismantle Hamas organization in Gaza.

Fatah:

'Hamas leaders to blame for 'Nakba' in Gaza'

In response to Hamas's criticism of the appointment of a new PA Prime Minister, the Fatah movement attacks Hamas.'Did Hamas consult with the Palestinian leadership when it decided to go out on its adventure last October 7th?'

Due to war in Gaza:

Muslim leaders boycott White House invitation

A joint letter from more than forty leaders called for action instead of more meetings, including an end to support for Israel.

Chief of Staff on Ramadan:

'We are in a multi-front war'

Chief Staff LTG Herzi Halevi visited the Binyamin region of Judea and Samaria and evaluated the forces' preparedness for Ramadan.

Watch:

IDF eliminates terrorists from the air

IDF troops eliminated approximately 15 terrorists over the past day. During joint IDF and IAF operational activity in Khan Yunis, a fighter jet struck and destroyed a Hamas weapons storage facility.

Blinken:

'We have yet to see Israel's plan for Rafah'

US Secretary of State Antony says Israeli plan needs to ensure civilians in Rafah are appropriately cared for once they are out of harm's way.

115 tons of food and water:

Ship transporting humanitarian aid arrives in Gaza

IDF accompanies ship transporting humanitarian aid from the World Central Kitchen (WCK) organization which arrived in the maritime space of the Gaza Strip.

Watch:

Terrorists open fire on Gazans waiting for aid

IDF releases exclusive footage of Palestinian Arab terrorists opening fire on Gazan civilians in South Zeytun in the Strip, an incident which Hamas blamed on Israel.

Doctors immigrating to Israel:

'War made us realize where we belong'

Physicians looking to move to Israel explain how they came to realize where their true home should be.

Amb. Friedman to Arutz Sheva:

'Biden is saving Hamas by trying to stop Israel'

Former US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman talks to Arutz Sheva about the state of US-Israel relations, says, Biden making it harder to recover hostages, win war, pressure and criticism of Israel 'only because it's an election year.'

Netanyahu approves plan for Rafah

The Prime Minister has approved the plan of action for Rafah. The IDF is preparing for operational action and to evacuate the populace.

Israel:

A strange astonishment in the eyes of the nations

Indeed, the world is watching, with all too many casual observers passing moral judgment over the nature and scope of Israel’s military response to being attacked on October 7th. Op-ed.

Khan Yunis:

200-meter terror tunnel found under pepper field

Tunnel containing weapons, explosives, and rocket launchers found under agricultural field near Gaza residential neighborhood.

Terrorists fire on Gazans waiting for aid convoy

IDF says gunmen shot at civilians waiting for convoy of 31 aid trucks whose entry into Gaza Israel facilitated.

Rabbi Yuval Cherlow:

Purim and PTSD

Rabbi Yuval Cherlow explains how communities should celebrate Purim in light of the tragic effects of the war.

Report:

IDF to launch limited rescue operations in Rafah

Lebanese newspaper reports Israel has informed Egypt and received US approval for 'pinpoint' operations in Rafah to rescue hostages.