Swords of Iron

Report:

UN probe dismissed Israeli evidence linking UNRWA staff to Hamas

UN investigation deemed Israeli intelligence on UNRWA-Hamas ties credible but inadequate, prompting criticism and calls for stronger oversight.

Neutra family speaks out:

'Our Omer is on Israeli soil, at last'

Neutra family issues first public statement in Tel Aviv, honoring their son’s legacy, thanking key figures for their efforts, and urging continued action for hostages.

How Red Cross and Hamas are working to recover hostage bodies

Hamas has formed special teams to locate and guard the bodies of slain Israeli hostages in Gaza, reportedly working with the Red Cross and Egyptian crews near the Yellow Line.

Following pressure:

Netanyahu backtracks, won't send 200 terrorists from Rafah

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu won't allow Hamas terrorists safe passage, stands firm in insistence on disarming Hamas, demilitarizing the Gaza Strip, source says.

Despite ceasefire agreement:

Hamas terrorists attempt attack on IDF soldiers

Ignoring US-brokered ceasefire, terrorists advance towards IDF troops in southern Gaza; IDF acts to neutralize threat.

Chief of Staff: We have moved from failure to victory

IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir speaks at the start of a conference for commanders of reserve combat troops, says Israel is starting a new chapter, moving to the next stage of the battle.

Israel to allow hundreds of terrorists to rejoin Hamas

Hundreds of terrorists in Rafah area, responsible for deaths of IDF soldiers, expected to receive permission to return to Hamas-controlled areas of Gaza.

Bill for death penalty for terrorists passes first reading

In confidential meeting, National Security Committee notes change in security bodies' positions, as bill to allow death penalty for terrorists passes first Knesset reading.

Three bodies of hostages returned

Bodies of three hostages identified

Israel receives coffins of three deceased hostages which were taken to the National Center for Forensic Medicine and identified as Omer Neutra, Asaf Hamami and Oz Daniel.

A timed move?

Hamas demands evacuation of trapped terrorists in Rafah

Hamas demands the evacuation of hundreds of terrorists trapped in the Rafah area, shortly after it claimed to have found the bodies of three Israeli hostages, including Colonel Asaf Hamami, raising speculation that the timing was meant to pressure Israel.

PM:

We inform US, don’t seek approval for security moves

Netanyahu rejected claims Israel is a US protectorate, called the Sde Teiman leak Israel’s public relations attack, and vowed to disarm Hamas and deter Hezbollah and the Houthis.

Eitan Mor recites thanksgiving blessing after surviving captivity

In emotional moment, released hostage recites 'Hagomel' blessing at synagogue dedicated to his release.

New bill proposes:

Revoke citizenship from Israelis who move to Gaza

Ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Yitzhak Kroizer push legislation to strip citizenship or residency from Israelis who choose to live in Hamas-run Gaza, citing national security risks and aiming to block their return to Israel.

Lebanon demands: Israel must withdraw

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam calls on Germany to pressure Israel to withdraw from southern Lebanon.

Senior commander reveals that he is deceased hostage's uncle

Tomorrow Sahar Baruch will be laid to rest in Be'eri. He was killed in captivity during a failed Sayeret Matkal rescue operation in December 2023.

Focusing on war in Gaza:

Top US military official visits Israel for strategic talks

US Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine meets IDF Chief LTG Eyal Zamir for a joint assessment of Gaza and broader regional threats, underscoring deepening US-Israel military ties.

US footage shows: Hamas operatives loot humanitarian aid truck

US CENTCOM publishes footage of Hamas suspects assaulting the driver of a humanitarian aid truck before making off with both the contents and the truck itself.

Terrorists fire towards IDF forces, IDF operations continue

IDF troops continue clearing area around the 'yellow line' in Gaza, dismantling tunnel network and responding to terrorists' fire.

Hamas demanding heavy equipment to retrieve hostages' bodies

Hamas announces willingness to search for hostages' remains in IDF-controlled territory, demands heavy equipment.

Iris Haim condemns honorary degree granted to activist mother

Iris Haim, mother of hostage Yotam Haim who was killed in IDF error, condemns honorary degree granted to Einav Zangauker, stridently anti-Netanyahu mother of released hostage Matan Zangauker.

Hezbollah maintenance officer eliminated in Lebanon

Ibrahim Muhammad Raslan, a Hezbollah maintenance officer aiming to rebuild Hezbollah infrastructure, is eliminated in southern Lebanon.

Defense echelon warns: Iran increasing regional terror activity

IDF and Mossad on alert as Iran Increases regional terror activity in Middle East, prepare for potential ground incursion.

US officials:

'IDF may have committed hundreds of rights violations'

A classified US report allegedly finds “many hundreds” of potential IDF rights violations in Gaza. The findings will take years to review, say officials.

New details on rescue operation in which Sahar Baruch was killed

As Sahar Baruch’s body is returned to Israel under the terms of the agreement, new details surface about the failed rescue operation. A military probe has not determined whether he was killed by Hamas or IDF fire.

Zamir to new commanders:

We will not tolerate any breach that endangers Israel’s security

In his address at the Combat Officer Training Course graduation, IDF Chief Eyal Zamir reminds newly minted commanders that the war continues, the mission remains unfinished and they must carry both pride and responsibility into action.

Captivity survivor surprises the Jerusalemites

Rom Braslavski, recently freed from Hamas captivity, moved thousands with a heartfelt message to the “Yerushalmim V'Yerushalmiot” group after two years of silence.

Bodies of murdered hostages Amiram Cooper, Sahar Baruch returned

Two caskets of what are said to be hostages were brought to Israel and were taken to the National Institute for Forensic Medicine for identification.

Soldier probed for distributing flags of the Holy Temple in Gaza

The IDF has launched an investigation after Temple-themed flags were seen on vehicles in Gaza. A reservist who distributed them will be questioned by his commanders.

Chief of Staff

'We carry pain, shame and the duty to make things right'

IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir delivered address at the graduation ceremony of the IDF Combat Officer Training Course, praising the new commanders, recalling the army’s failures on October 7, and vowing the military will press on until all obligations are fulfilled.

Heartbreaking:

Ofir Tzarfati laid to rest - for a third time

Hundreds gathered at Ofir Tzarfati’s grave for a third time after additional remains returned from Hamas captivity. His grieving family mourned anew at the reopened grave.

Leah Goldin:

Netanyahu is deceiving us, not bringing deceased hostages back

Leah Goldin, whose son Hadar was killed in Gaza in 2014 and whose body has been held by Hamas since, slams government policy and expresses disappointment that relevant lessons have not yet been learned.

Hostages Families Forum sends warning to haredi protest group

Hostages Families Forum sends cease and desist warning to Ateret Shlomo Yeshiva in Beit Shemesh, claiming 'cynical, degrading, and unlawful use' of symbols of fight for hostages' return.

After ceasefire violation

Trump blocks Israeli plan to expand control in Gaza

Following a deadly ceasefire breach, Israel sought to seize additional territory in Gaza - but US President Trump vetoed the move.

Edan Alexander returns to the IDF; promoted to Sergeant 1st class

American-Israeli Edan Alexander, who survived Hamas captivity in Gaza, was promoted today to Sergeant 1st class in a moving ceremony attended by the Head of the IDF Personnel Directorate.

Watch:

IDF eliminates imminent threat in Gaza

IDF says it struck a site containing weapons and aerial means intended to be used in an imminent terror attack.

Ahead of ceasefire renewal:

IDF eliminates terrorists who participated in October 7 massacre

Responding to Hamas’ blatant violations of the ceasefire agreement, IDF and ISA level precise strikes at dozens of terror targets in Gaza.

Red Cross banned from visiting Nukhba terrorists

Following recommendation from ISA, Defense Minister Israel Katz signs bill banning Red Cross representatives from visiting Hamas Nukhba terrorists imprisoned in Israel.

IDF announces:

Hezbollah terrorist responsible for logistical support eliminated

Hussein Ali Tohmeh, Hezbollah terrorist responsible for logistical support in the Qana sector of southern Lebanon, was eliminated earlier this month, IDF confirms.

IDF announces: Gaza ceasefire renews, 30 terrorists struck

IDF concludes series of 'significant strikes' in Gaza following Hamas attacks on IDF troops which left one soldier dead.

Zvi Yehezkeli:

Israel undermining itself in responses to ceasefire violations

Analyst Zvi Yehezkeli urges Israel to shift from limited responses to broader action against Hamas, including halting aid and resuming targeted strikes. 'We must respond from a place of strength, not just to each violation.'

Exploiting ceasefire:

Hamas searching for weapons instead of deceased hostages

Hamas terrorists enter territory controlled by IDF under pretense of searching for bodies of deceased hostages, but search for weapons instead, security sources reveal.

Master Sergeant (Res.) Yona Efraim Feldbaum fell in Gaza

IDF confirms that Master Sergeant (Res.) Yona Efraim Feldbaum was killed in a clash with Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip.

Drone footage:

How Hamas faked the recovery of a hostage's body

Done footage shows Hamas terrorists staging the recovery of the remains of a hostage.

In response to violations:

Several sanctions against Hamas being considered

Prime Minister Netanyahu will lead a security meeting to weigh sanctions on Hamas, including cutting aid, expanding Gaza control, and resuming targeted airstrikes.

'Clear violation'

Hamas returned the remains of hostage recovered two years ago

National Center of Forensic Medicine determines that the remains returned overnight did not belong to one of the 13 hostages who remain in Gaza.

Revealed:

Terrorists infiltrated IDF zone in Gaza during hostage handover

On the day of the hostage handover, a Hamas squad entered IDF-controlled Gaza near Shuja'iyya. Troops arrested them near Nahal Oz and were led to a Hamas HQ hidden in a mosque.

‘A staged show’:

Hamas caught faking Hostage body discovery during ceasefire

IDF reservists report that Hamas operatives violated the ceasefire by staging the recovery of a murdered hostage’s body just moments before Red Cross representatives arrived.

Hamas official:

'Al-Aqsa Flood' sparked global awakening against Zionism

In Al Jazeera interview, Khalil al-Hayya says October 7 was 'natural result' of 77 years of 'occupation' and calls for global action against Israel's leaders.

Chief of Staff:

'It is the time to look the failures squarely in the face'

The Chief of the General Staff. Eyal Zamir, said to the IDF Commanders’ Forum: “We convene today after two years, arriving at a pivotal turning point in the combat. Out of the great failure of October 7th, we have achieved enormous, multi-front accomplishments.”

Former hostage recounts:

Hamas made us choose who will be killed, who will be wounded

Two weeks after his release, Yosef Chaim Ohana revealed the terror of his Hamas captivity, describing beatings, psychological abuse, and how he talked his captors out of executing him.

Senator Graham:

Trump’s Gaza ceasefire lets Hamas grow stronger

Senator Lindsey Graham criticizes President Trump’s Gaza ceasefire plan, citing King Abdullah’s doubts about a peace enforcement mission and Hamas’s growing power.

German TV network admits to working with Hamas terrorists

The German ZDF network published a clarification stating that the employee of a production company that it works with, who was killed in an IDF strike, was indeed a Hamas terrorist.

The people behind the Shin Bet's dramatic missions

At a ceremony at the President’s Residence, Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Herzog honored 14 Shin Bet employees for exceptional service, citing their vital role in foiling over 1,200 terror attacks.

Israeli study:

Hostage families’ suffering linked to newly defined trauma

A peer-reviewed study by Israeli researchers introduces a new model of trauma called ‘Dynamic-Static Ambiguous Loss,’ revealing the lasting impact on families of October 7 hostages.

Watch:

99th Division sums up four months in Gaza

99th Division, under which seven regular and reserve brigades operated, has completed its mission in the northern Gaza Strip. The 252nd Division has taken up operational responsibility in the sector.

Hamas announces: We can retrieve 7-9 hostages' bodies

Following US pressure, Hamas terror group announces it is able to retrieve most of the remaining hostages' bodies from the rubble, report says.

'You were a human shield for us'

Hostage Yossi Sharabi laid to rest

Hundreds attend funeral of murdered hostage Yossi Sharabi, who was kidnapped during the October 7 massacre and murdered in Hamas captivity.

In first since Oct. 7 massacre:

Defense Minister Katz ends 'special home front situation'

Defense Minister Israel Katz approves IDF's recommendation, removing 'special situation' status for home front for the first time since the October 7 massacre.

MK Kroizer:

Otzma Yehudit pushing for renewed IDF offensive in Gaza

Hamas continues to tear Israeli society apart, IDF must bring the last hostage home, MK Yitzhak Kroizer says.

IDF Chief holds first operational forum amid Gaza developments

IDF Chief Staff Eyal Zamir convenes operational forum to assess changes in Gaza, ongoing ground operations, and strategic updates, holds a panel with released hostages and bereaved families.