Swords of Iron

IDF avoided eliminating Hamas 'assets' with intel on Hadar Goldin

IDF refrained from targeting high-ranking terrorists believed to possess critical information about fallen IDF soldier Hadar Goldin's location, report says.

New details:

The unsuccessful attempt to recover Hadar Goldin's body

IDF forces searched the Rafah tunnel where fallen soldier Hadar Goldin's body was located, but failed to search the specific tunnel branch new report says. 'It was only a matter of time.'

Arab source:

Islamic Jihad holding half of remaining hostages' bodies

Palestinian Arab source says Hamas faces difficulties returning all four deceased hostages' bodies, assesses Islamic Jihad may soon capitulate.

Goldin family issues emotional statement after 11‑year wait

Following Lt . Hadar Goldin’s return after more than 11 years in Hamas captivity, his family said they fought for friendship, burial in Israel, and dignity.

Senator Graham:

Disarmament of Hamas key to Gaza rebuilding

In an interview with Sky News Arabia, Senator Lindsey Graham says Gaza's rebuilding, regional normalization, and lasting peace hinge on Hamas disarmament.

'Itay, this song is for you'

Watch: Idan Amedi's moving performance at Itay Chen's funeral

Israeli singer, actor, and wounded war veteran Idan Amedi, gave an emotional performance at the funeral of Itay Chen, whose body was returned to Israel last week from Hamas captivity.

Itay Chen laid to rest:

'For over two years I tried to keep you alive'

Staff Sgt. Itay Chen, 19, killed on October 7 and recently returned from Gaza, was laid to rest in Kiryat Shaul as Israel mourns a beloved son and national hero.

After Hamas video release:

Uncertainty surrounds return of Lt. Hadar Goldin’s body

Hours after Hamas claimed to have located the body of killed and kidnapped IDF officer Lt. Hadar Goldin in Rafah, the terrorist organization announces it plans to return Goldin's body at 2pm.

MDA mourns deceased hostage and longtime volunteer Lior Rudaeff

Magen David Adom mourns volunteer EMT Lior Rudaeff, whose body was returned from Gaza for burial in Israel.

Terrorists approach IDF troops in Gaza despite ceasefire

IDF troops operating in both northern and southern Gaza face threats from terrorists despite ceasefire, act quickly to eliminate threat.

Body of deceased hostage Lior Rudaeff returned to Israel

Warrant Officer (res.) Lior Rudaeff, aged 61 from Nir Yitzhak, served as deputy security coordinator and a member of the rapid response team.

Hamas claims to have found body of IDF soldier Hadar Goldin

Hamas source tells Al Jazeera that the body of IDF soldier Hadar Goldin, killed and abducted in 2014, has been found near Rafah.

Moving video:

Ishay Ribo performs at Omer Neutra's funeral

Israeli singer Ishay Ribo moves family and friends of fallen American-Israeli IDF soldier Omer Neutra as he was laid to rest after being returned from Hamas captivity.

Body of foreign student Joshua Loitu Mollel returned to Israel

Joshua Loitu Mollel, was an agricultural student from Tanzania who came to Kibbutz Nahal Oz just weeks before the October 7 massacre, when he was killed and his body abducted to Gaza.

Egypt official:

Trump plan calls for disarming Hamas or 'freezing' its weapons

Egypt's public diplomacy chief, Diaa Rashwan, warns international force will face 'big problem' disarming Hamas, says it could lead to clashes and gunfights.

Coffin said to be holding deceased hostage crosses into Israel

The IDF and Shin Bet announced that a coffin said to be carrying a deceased hostage, escorted by IDF troops, crossed the border into the State of Israel.

IDF clarifies:

No information indicating Hadar Goldin’s body is in Rafah tunnel

Israeli officials say the body of the soldier, who fell in 2014, is being held in a tunnel in an Israeli-controlled area of Rafah, where 150 terrorists are entrenched.

Cynical exploitation:

Hamas weapons depot located in the heart of a Gaza neighborhood

IDF troops from the 252nd Division found a Hamas weapons depot in Shuja’iyya, east of the yellow line, exposing rockets and explosives hidden among civilians.

IDF confirms:

Terrorist who held six Israeli hostages eliminated

Zaid al-Hadi who held Bar Kuperstein, Ohad Ben Ami, Maxim Herkin, Elkana Bohbot, Segev Kalfon, and Yosef-Haim Ohana in captivity, was eliminated after Hamas violated the ceasefire.

IDF uncovered terror tunnel and Hamas launchers and rockets

IDF uncovered a terror tunnel spanning hundreds of meters long and a Hamas compound containing launchers and rockets.

State Comptroller's report:

Slams government for lack of economic preparedness for war

Report reveals major failures in Israel’s preparedness for economic emergencies; Minister of Finance did not exercise his powers and PM is responsible for not ensuring effective civilian leadership.

US Jews say Israel’s existence is vital, back Trump peace plan

A new survey finds most US Jews view Israel as vital to Jewish continuity, support Trump’s peace plan for Gaza, and credit him with securing the hostage release deal.

NYC honors Cpt. Omer Neutra

A hometown hero finally brought home

Hundreds gathered at Columbus Circle to honor Captain Omer Neutra z”l, a NY native whose body was held by Hamas for 758 days, and to call for the return of the eight hostages still in Gaza.

Due to anti-Israel bias:

Wikipedia founder blocks edits to 'Gaza genocide'

Wikipedia co-founder Jimmy Wales blocks edits to the “Gaza genocide” page, citing anti-Israel bias and lack of attribution.

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.