Swords of Iron

Former Justice Minister:

'Government sending aid to Gaza? Big mistake'

Following Cabinet disagreements over sending humanitarian aid to Gaza, former Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked believes the aid will be a free gift to Hamas and will harm Israel.

Prime Minister Netanyahu:

We are going from raids to seizing territory in Gaza

Netanyahu said during the Security Cabinet meeting that he continues to advance President Trump's plan for the voluntary emigration of Gazans.

Unanimously:

Cabinet approves expansion of military operations in Gaza

After a discussion lasting about seven hours, plans approved for extensive ground operations in the heart of Gaza and an increased mobilization of reservists.

Chief of Staff:

'We will destroy everything, above ground and below'

The Chief of Staff addressed the expected expansion of the operation in Gaza, saying that the IDF has begun calling up tens of thousands of additional soldiers to expand the operation.

Hamas executes Gazans accused of looting aid

Militant group targets civilians under the guise of law enforcement while Israel continues efforts to neutralize terrorist threats.

'Victory will bring the hostages'

Netanyahu: We won't give up on victory in Gaza

Netanyahu on the Houthis: 'The US, in coordination with us, is acting against them. It's not boom and finished, but there will be booms.'

Rafah:

Weapons found in civilian buildings near hospital and school

Troops located weapon stockpiles approximately 80 meters from a building that previously served as a school and approximately 100 meters from a building that previously served as a hospital in Rafah.

Following 10/7 massacre:

Zaka volunteer recognized as severe PTSD victim

Volunteer ambulance driver who evacuated dozens of bodies from the Nova music festival is recognized as a victim of hostilities with severe PTSD.

IDF dismantles dozens of terror targets throughout the Gaza Strip

Over the past weekend, the IAF struck over 100 terror targets throughout the Gaza Strip, including terrorist cells, tunnels, underground infrastructure sites, and military structures in which terrorists were operating.

IDF force had negligible impact:

IDF investigation exposes severe failures on Zikim beach

IDF investigation reveals sufficient forces at Zikim, who withdrew instead of fighting back; 17 civilians and one soldier were murdered on the beach.

BBC to review coverage of Gaza war after antisemitism controversy

The BBC corporation announced that it will review the way it covers the war in Gaza after it was revealed that some of the corporation's contributors expressed antisemitic views

Captain Noam Ravid, Staff Sgt, Yaly Seror fell in battle in Gaza

2 soldiers from the Yahalom Unit, Combat Engineering Corps, fell during combat in the southern Gaza Strip, the IDF cleared for publication.

IDF begins sending tens of thousands of emergency call-up orders

Tens of thousands of reservists expected to receive call-up orders for fifth time since war began; Diplomatic-Security Cabinet expected to approve expansion of fighting in Gaza.

Due to developments in Syria: Netanyahu postpones Azerbaijan trip

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's planned visit to Azerbaijan to be postponed, due to developments in Gaza and Syria, PMO statement says.

IDF destroys Hamas weapons storehouse in Gaza

IDF targets Hamas weapons storehouse, secondary explosions follow.

Psychological terrorism:

Hamas publishes sign of life from hostage Maxim Herkin

The video is Hamas' second of Maxim Herkin, after the terror group publicized a video him Herkin and Bar Kupershtein last month.

More reservists to be called

Israel plans to expand Gaza operations to pressure Hamas

Prime Minister Netanyahu leads security meeting where IDF officials propose intensifying operations in Gaza. Plans include seizing more territory, targeting Hamas infrastructure, and deploying reservists. The plans will be approved by the Security Cabinet on Sunday.

Second time in a day:

Sirens in northern Israel following missile launch from Yemen

Houthis launch missile towards northern Israel, just eight hours after launching ballistic missile 'towards Ramat David base.' None injured.

Sergeant Niv Dayag, 19, killed in accident in Golan Heights

Sergeant Niv Dayag, 19, killed in a car accident during operational activity in the Golan Heights; two other soldiers injured.

For the first time:

Hagai Lerner, injured in Gaza, speaks about his experience

Hagai Lerner, who lost his sight while fighting in Gaza four months ago, lights torch at Independence Day ceremony in Kiryat Arba, together with Ram Cohen, who was also injured.

Operations to be expanded:

IDF expected to call up more reservists next week

The IDF is preparing for the next stage in its renewed maneuvers in the Gaza Strip and is expected to mobilize reservists to assist.

Trump:

Fewer than 24 hostages are still alive

President Donald Trump said that released hostages told him that 24 hostages were still alive and now it is the number is probably lower.

Incitement on social media:

'Go out and burn the forests - for Gaza'

Calls for set fire to Israel's forests and settlements circulating on Palestinian Arab social media groups.

Operational error:

IDF force 'forgets' a soldier in Gaza Strip

Engineering force accidentally leaves a soldier for about an hour in the Morag Corridor and sets out towards Israeli territory. The soldier joined a Golani force in the area.

2nd Lt. N.'s story

The wounded officer who marched in the Independence Day ceremony

2nd Lt. N., who participated in the Independence Day opening ceremony, tells Arutz Sheva about his friends whom he lost in battle, his injury, and what IDF service means to him as an immigrant.

Captivity survivor:

'I always believed I would return, those still there will return'

Released hostage Omer Shem-Tov speaks at President's Residence ceremony honoring outstanding soldiers. 'I always knew there was someone taking care of me.'

Chief of Staff warns:

'IDF ready and prepared to deal Hamas a decisive blow'

IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir speaks at ceremony for outstanding soldiers, warns IDF 'ready and prepared' to deal Hamas decisive blow. 'If necessary, we will do so soon.'

Emotional letter written by fallen soldier to his grandmother

Adi, mother of fallen soldier Sergeant first class (res.) Idan Kenan, reads an emotional letter he wrote to his grandmother shortly before he was killed in Gaza.

Romi Gonen at her friend's grave:

'In captivity I tried to convince myself you were still alive'

Captivity survivor Romi Gonen parted from her friend Gaya Halifa, who was murdered at the Nova Music festival.

IAF intercepts drone fired from Yemen

IDF says that a UAV that was launched from the east was intercepted by the IAF prior to crossing into Israeli territory.

Thousands of reservists alerted:

IDF preparing to step up war in Gaza

Thousands of IDF reservists receive pre-draft alert; mostly infantry and tank soldiers.

Hostages' families warn:

Bodies of deceased hostages could become unrecoverable

A Hostages and Missing Families Forum medical report outlines several risks to the bodies of the deceased hostages still being held in Gaza.

IDF and ISA confirm:

Released terrorist who returned to terror eliminated in Gaza City

The IDF eliminated Ali Sarfiti, who served a sentence in Israel between 2002 and 2015 for conducting terrorist activity and then returned to direct terror attacks in Israeli territory.

'We buried them amid the sirens'

Dina lost her husband, son-in-law, and grandson on October 7th

Dina Fahimi shares the heartbreaking story of how she lost husband, son-in-law, and grandson when a missile hit her home during the opening volley of missiles on October 7th, 2023.

IDF preparing for significant mobilization of reservists

Amid the deadlock in the talks on a hostage deal and demands from cabinet ministers, the IDF is preparing to expand ground operations in Gaza and mobilize additional brigades of reservists.

Col. Richard Kemp:

'Hamas is on the back foot, the IDF is making mincemeat of it'

Col. Richard Kemp says Hamas is crumbling but full victory demands neutralizing the group, rescuing hostages, and ensuring Gaza never again becomes a terror stronghold. He warns that diplomatic efforts with Iran are futile.

Hamas claims:

'We uncovered Israeli espionage equipment'

Hamas's internal security apparatus assesses that the IDF is using drones to plant espionage devices in displaced persons' camps.

Minister Dermer:

'In 12 months, the war will end, and Israel will win'

Minister for Strategic Affairs responds to questions at a conference in Jerusalem: "Many more countries will want peace with Israel, but the key to that is victory."

Report:

Significant breakthrough in Gaza ceasefire negotiations

Cairo-brokered ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas are reportedly making headway, though disagreements persist.

Defense Minister on Iran:

'Iran won't have nukes, we'll make decisions and act on them'

Defense Minister Israel Katz meets high-ranking IDF officials, warns that Israel will act to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

Yarden Bibas:

'No independence while they are still there'

Released hostage Yarden Bibas posted a sobering message for the approaching Independence Day.

Watch:

For the first time: IDF uses 'Bar' rocket in military operations

IDF troops conduct first operational use of 'Bar' rocket against terror targets in the Gaza Strip.

Israel refuses proposal for five-year ceasefire

Senior Israeli source responds to proposal for five-year truce with Hamas, says Israel is trying to make the most of negotiations but its patience 'is not infinite.'

Hostage's parents:

Alon lost one eye, the other can be saved

The parents of the hostage, Alon Ohel, attacked the international organizations providing aid to Gaza but not caring for their son: 'What country provides medical care to one side, knowing that there are wounded hostages in danger who are not receiving medical care?'

Bereaved father:

Bereaved father talks about his son faith

'My son's mission, apparently, was to save souls from the Jewish Nation,' Rabbi Elchanan Danino, father of Ori, who was murdered in Hamas captivity admits.

Qatar:

Some progress achieved in mediation efforts with Hamas

Qatar’s Prime Minister says after meeting with Mossad chief David Barnea that some progress has been made in efforts to end the war.

Watch:

Troops find Hamas weapons in UNRWA bags in Gaza

Troops find a weapon cache approximately 80 meters from a building that previously served as a school and about 100 meters from a building that was used as a hospital in Rafah.

Freedom and Love:

The haunting art of Yarden Bibas

Yarden Bibas, a released hostage who lost his wife and two sons, displayed an emotional art piece at the exhibition at Ben Gurion Airport calling for the return of the hostages.

Qatari Prime Minister:

Qatar-gate - 'Baseless propaganda'

Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed Al Thani said that allegations that his government employed aides of the Israeli Prime Minister have 'no basis in truth.'

Captain Ido Voloch:

Fallen soldier's last message

Bereaved brother of Captain Ido Voloch reads a message his brother wrote during his officers' training course, where he also mentions his friends who fell during the Swords of Iron war.

Zikim base:

Soldiers' heroism prevented capture of IDF base

Investigation of October 7th attack on Zikim base finds early identification of threat, immediate response, and vital decisions block terrorists' invasion.

Sirens in Dead Sea and Arava

Missile from Yemen intercepted

Sirens sounded in the Dead Sea and Arava regions following the firing of a missile from Yemen. IDF says the missile was intercepted before it crossed into Israeli territory.

Released hostage:

Matan Angrest suffered repeated electric shocks

Released hostage Ron Krivoi tells parents of kidnapped IDF soldier Matan Angrest that he was held with their son in a small cage in a tunnel, where they suffered extreme starvation.

New proposal:

All hostages released, six-month ceasefire

Qatar and Egypt propose six-month ceasefire, release of terrorists, in exchange for release of all hostages.

On Shabbat:

Sirens in Be'er Sheva area, early alert sounds in central Israel

The Home Front Command's new feature alerted residents of Jerusalem and central Israel, but only residents of Be'er Sheva and the surrounding areas heard an actual siren.

Hamas offers:

All hostages released in exchange for five-year ceasefire

Senior Hamas delegation arrives in Cairo to discuss prisoner swap, full IDF withdrawal from Gaza.

Cleared for publication:

Ido and Neta fell in battle in Gaza

Captain Ido Voloch, 21, of the Armored Corps, and Sergeant Neta Yitzhak Kahana, a Border Police officer, fell in battle in Gaza.

Fierce battles in Gaza, three divisions fight Hamas

Three IDF divisions maneuvering in Gaza, eliminating hundreds of terrorists and striking over 1,800 terror targets.

Father learns of son's death while on his way to Bergen-Belsen

Hagai, father of Master Sergeant Asaf Cafri who fell in battle in Gaza, received the news of his son’s death while in Germany with his 96-year-old Holocaust survivor grandmother.

Reservist severely injured in southern Gaza Strip

IDF reservist soldier in the 5250th battalion severely injured during combat in the southern Gaza Strip and evacuated to a hospital to receive medical treatment.