Swords of Iron

Minister Amichai Eliyahu

'The hostages matter, but only victory will bring them back'

Heritage Minister responds in interview with Arutz Sheva to the criticism of his call to redefine the remaining hostages as "prisoners of war."

Amichai Eliyahu:

Hostages are POWs, Gaza will be Jewish after Hamas defeat

Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu says Israel shouldn't address Gaza hunger during wartime, sovereignty will bring security.

Gallup: Support for Israel's Gaza war plummets to 32%

Americans’ support for Israel in Gaza plummets to record low, new Gallup poll finds.

Ministers, MKs demand civilian access to northern Gaza

Badra Yosef leaves country after husband's passing amid dwindling Jewish presence; only four Jews remain in Yemen.

Sen. Cotton: Israel has no responsibility to provide aid to Gaza

Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton says Israel faces 'singular standard' in war, praises IDF for going 'the extra mile' to help Gazans despite unprovoked October 7 attack.

Bennett: This is a blood libel

NYT admits Gaza child had pre-existing issues

The New York Times clarifies its report on a malnourished Gazan child, noting he had pre-existing health issues. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett blasts the newspaper, accuses it of spreading a modern-day blood libel against Israel.

The brink of strategic shift?

Dramatic options before the Cabinet

Netanyahu is expected to convene a critical discussion on Gaza strategy. Among the options: a ground maneuver in central Gaza and isolating the population from Hamas.

Released hostage:

Arbel Yehud speaks about the ongoing fears and pain

Six months after her release from Hamas captivity, Arbel Yehud shares the emotional pain of leaving her partner behind, calls on Israeli leaders to take bold action to bring the remaining hostages home.

Watch:

Golani fighters uncovered a terror tunnel one kilometer long

During an operation in Khan Yunis, Golani Brigade fighters and Yamam uncover a Hamas tunnel containing explosives, rifles, and RPG missiles.

Emotional gesture:

Philipino hostage survivor names his newborn daughter Yisraela

Jimmy Pacheco, Philipino worker taken hostage from Kibbutz Nir Oz and released from Hamas captivity, names his fourth daughter Yisraela, as a tribute to Israel.

Huckabee

'French recognizing Palestine like giving Nazis a victory'

US Amb. to Israel says there is no "rift" between Netanyahu and Trump, warns French move to recognize Palestine as a state causing Hamas to harden its positions.

Defense Min on day after

'We need the IDF to be around & Inside Gaza'

Defense Minister Israel Katz outlines his vision for the day after the war in Gaza: "The goal is to defeat Hamas; we need to be responsible for security in Gaza."

Erdan:

Only military rule in Gaza can defeat Hamas

At Gush Katif conference, former UN ambassador calls for martial law, rejects Hamas starvation claims, and announces intention to run for Likud leadership.

Watch:

IDF destroys weapons storage facility in Gaza

IDF troops eliminated several terrorists who posed a threat, while the IAF targeted terrorist infrastructure and multiple weapons storage facilities over the past day.

Foreign Minister Sa'ar:

International pressure undermining ceasefire efforts

Top diplomat warns Hamas emboldened by external calls to halt Israel's military campaign.

Watch:

Hamas caught on camera looting aid, blocking relief to Gazans

Video shows armed Hamas operatives seizing humanitarian supplies meant for civilians; IDF says terror group is blocking aid distribution in Gaza.

Security Cabinet meets, makes no decisions on Gaza operations

Limited forum reviews IDF plans but defers decisions; further meetings expected this week.

GHF Manager:

Hamas exploits food shortages for negotiations

The manager of the GHF spoke with i24 about Hamas's claims of famine and the failure of aid organizations to deliver supplies.

Sderot Mayor:

'Anyone imagining a deal with Hamas doesn’t understand reality'

As part of the "Decisive Victory" encampment led by wounded soldiers near the Knesset, Sderot Mayor Alon Davidi visits to express gratitude and support their call for a complete victory over Hamas.

Lapid:

'The Gaza campaign has spun out of control'

Opposition leader blasts government policy in Gaza and warns of continued escalation. Ministers and right-wing figures strongly condemn his remarks.

Consul General Akunis:

'There is no starvation in Gaza - Hamas lies must be exposed'

Israeli Consul General in New York, Ofir Akunis, rejects claims of starvation in Gaza, says Hamas steals aid and spreads lies.

Report:

Starmer to tie Palestinian statehood to Gaza ceasefire

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to propose conditional recognition of a Palestinian state, linking it to a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release, amid rising pressure from Labour MPs.

Strock sets deadline

'Decisive victory or resignation from the government'

Minister Orit Strock visits wounded soldiers' encampment near the Prime Minister’s Office and declares: A plan for swift victory is essential, or we will leave the government.

Netanyahu:

'Israel will keep ensuring humanitarian aid reaches Gaza'

Prime Minister Netanyahu says Israel pauses IDF operations daily to enable humanitarian aid into Gaza, accusing Hamas of stealing supplies and staging media manipulation. He calls the war against Hamas a moral battle for Israel’s survival.

MK Illouz:

'Those who learn Torah should be first to serve in the IDF'

In a wide-ranging interview, MK Dan Illouz calls for expanding IDF enlistment to include haredi youth, warns of political consequences if soldiers are ignored, and urges full victory in Gaza.

Sderot Mayor

'Anyone who imagines a deal with Hamas doesn't live in reality'

Mayor Alon Davidi visits 'victory' protest encampment of wounded war veterans, says "We were promised security and a new Middle East with the Disengagement—what we got was rockets and terrorists in the streets."

Jabaliya

Terror tunnel found near Gaza school

Forces from the 401st Brigade raid building that previously served as the "Al-Rafai" school, weapons that had been hidden at the site were located and a 400-meter long tunnel was dismantled.

Netanyahu:

'We have a job to finish, eliminating Hamas & returning hostages'

PM visits IDF Intelligence Directorate, says defeating Hamas and returning the hostages are 'two interlinked goals.'

Starvation?

Photos show Gaza market full of goods, locals shopping freely

Photographer documents al-Sahaba Market filled with Israeli produce, canned goods, and customers paying in shekels, amid claims of starvation and famine.

Trump:

I told Bibi to fight Hamas ‘a different way’

US President tells reporters Hamas was unwilling to negotiate and used hostages as human shields, urging Israel to shift tactics in ongoing fight.

Defense Min.:

If Hamas won't release hostages, gates of hell will open on Gaza

Defense Minister Israel Katz warns 'gates of hell' will open on Gaza if hostages aren't released, stresses IDF's superhuman efforts to protect Gaza civilians.

The truth is out:

'Starved' Gaza child suffers from genetic illness and is in Italy

COGAT has confirmed that photos of a 'starved' Gaza child are fake news; child suffers unrelated genetic illness and was evacuated from Gaza to receive medical treatment in Italy.

Watch:

Driver of humanitarian aid truck drags teen over road

At Dimona protest, teen protester tries to block aid truck to Gaza, driver drags him over the road; police beat young girls attending protest.

Gifts for Hamas?

Smotrich to party members: We will be judged by the outcome

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich says strategic move underway, rejects idea of quitting government. 'Inappropriate political considerations during wartime.'

Hamas leader: Israel is wasting time

Hamas leader in Gaza Khalil al-Hayya accuses Israel of derailing negotiations and targeting civilians, calls on Arab world to act.

MK Moshe Saada:

'We are a crazy nation that is giving food to its enemy

MK Moshe Saada attacks increased aid to Gaza: ‘An immoral and unethical policy—arming the enemy to fight our children.’

Starmer caves to Hamas' starvation campaign

British Prime Minister is expected to convene his cabinet members during the summer recess to discuss the war in Gaza and urge President Trump to 'exert greater pressure on Israel.'

'What a bold-faced lie'

PM Netanyahu slams Gaza starvation claims

PM Netanyahu, speaking at Daystar’s “Together As One” event, emphasizes Israel’s bond with Christians, rejects claims of Gaza starvation, and urges a united front against Islamist extremism and global misinformation.

The US pressure that forced Israel to change its aid policy

Israel increased humanitarian aid, agreed to unilateral ceasefires, due to mounting pressure from the US and UN, despite potential harm to war effort and loss of leverage in hostage release negotiations, report says.

IDF spokesman:

We care more about Gazan civilians than Hamas does

IDF spokesman Effie Defrin speaks from the Kerem Shalom Crossing, emphasizing Israel is doing everything possible to help Gazan civilians. 'Hamas has exploited its own population; Israel supports aid for civilians, not for Hamas.'

Trump

'I know what I'd do in Gaza, Israel has to make a decision'

US President says America gave $60 million to provide food to Gaza, but no other nation contributed to the effort, Hamas has less reason to negotiate with fewer hostages in its grasp.

Lindsey Graham:

'Israel will take Gaza down like we did to Tokyo & Berlin'

Republican Senator says he believes President Trump has concluded that the war cannot be ended by negotiating with Hamas and Israel will remove Hamas from power the same way the Allies removed the Nazis from power in Germany.

Tens of tons of food:

IDF declares daily humanitarian pause as aid airdrops into Gaza

IDF announces daily ten-hour humanitarian pause in Gaza to facilitate aid delivery; Jordan and the UAE airdrop 25 tons of humanitarian supplies into Hamas-controlled enclave.

Netanyahu

'UN lies, fabricates excuses about why it doesn't deliver aid'

Prime Minister after visiting the Ramon Air Force Base: "The UN is fabricating excuses and lies about the State of Israel - there are secure routes for humanitarian aid."

Huckabee

'Are NYT, UN happy now? Hamas is'

US Amb. to Israel reacts to filmed looting of UN aid truck after Israel was pressured to facilitate the UN's aid mechanism's in Gaza despite the mass looting of such aid by Hamas.

Battalion commander and tracker severely injured in Gaza

officer in the IDF's Desert Reconnaissance Battalion (585) and a reservist tracker in the Southern Brigade severely injured in combat in southern Gaza.

A blow to Hamas:

500-meter terror tunnel destroyed in Beit Hanoun

IDF dismantles hundreds of terrorist sites, eliminates approximately 400 terrorists during operations in northern Gaza.

Bereaved mother:

'For days I’ve known deep inside that they were coming'

Mother of fallen soldier Yinon Nuriel Vana shares emotional tribute: 'Nothing prepares a mother for the knock at the door.'

Four Nahal soldiers refuse Gaza redeployment due to trauma

Four Nahal Brigade soldiers refused to return to Gaza, citing severe emotional distress. The IDF rejected their claims, stating they are fit for duty.

UAE to lay water pipe from Egypt to Gaza

UAE receives authorization from Israel’s political echelon to construct an independent water pipeline from Egypt to Gaza, which will supply water to approximately 600,000 residents without relying on Israel’s water infrastructure.

Watch:

Wounded soldiers demand decisive victory

Soldiers injured in Gaza set up a protest tent opposite the Knesset, demanding the government bring the war to an end.

Parents take the place of sons fighting in Gaza at Yeshiva

While some students are still fighting in Gaza, their parents took their place at the Har Bracha Yeshiva's end-of-year ceremony.

Ben-Gvir:

'Humanitarian aid is a disgrace and danger'

Minister Itamar Ben Gvir criticized the aid delivery to the Gaza Strip, calling it "nonsense and hallucination that endangers soldiers."

Netanyahu allows humanitarian pause, increased aid to Gaza

Starting at 10 a.m. Sunday, the IDF implemented a temporary humanitarian pause in several areas of the Gaza Strip, including the north, to facilitate the delivery of aid.

Watch:

IDF airdrops humanitarian aid into Gaza

IDF Spokesperson’s Unit publishes footage of an airdrop of humanitarian aid to Gaza, including seven packages of aid containing flour, sugar, and canned food.

Betzalel Yehoshua Mosbacher, injured in Gaza, dies

Sergeant Major (res.) Betzalel Yehoshua Mosbacher, 32 from Avnei Eitan, dies after suffering severe injuries in combat in Gaza, IDF announces.

Responding to 'hunger' campaign:

IAF to airdrop thousands of tons of food to Hamas-controlled Gaza

IDF upgrades humanitarian aid to Gaza, renewing airdrops parallel to improving water and electrical infrastructure in Hamas-controlled Gaza.

Chief of Staff promised: No more reservists will be called up

IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir rejects request to mobilize additional reserve forces for expanding ground operations in Gaza, emphasizing commitment to limit days of reserve duty per year.

Report: Hamas preparing for hostage rescue operations

Saudi report says Hamas on high alert due to concerns of cooperation on potential hostage rescue operations.

Trump in dramatic statment:

'Hamas wants to die instead of making a deal'

US President Donald Trump declared that Hamas sabotaged the hostage deal and that Israel must now 'fight and clear the area.' Finance Minister Smotrich added: 'The humiliating negotiations are over—now is the time for victory.'