Swords of Iron

Following barrage on Golan Heights:

Watch: IAF strikes building containing terrorists in Lebanon

IDF strikes rocket launcher used to fire towards Golan Heights, structure in which Hezbollah terrorists were sheltering.

Turkey:

Ban on trade with Israel already affecting Jews in both countries

Israel is seeking alternatives to trade with Turkey, but for Turkish Jews, the trade ban is a 'big, big issue and problem' and may ultimately cause them to leave their home country.

Ilan Cohen immigrated to Israel from Argentina - and fell in Gaza

Sergeant Ilan Cohen immigrated to Israel after completing high school in Argentina, studying in yeshiva prior to enlisting in the Paratroopers Brigade. He was killed in northern Gaza, along with five other soldiers.

In northern Israel:

Sensitive IAF site in northern Israel takes hit from UAV

The IDF struck deep in Lebanon, attacking a Hezbollah site for manufacturing rockets and aircraft, after a sensitive site was hit near the Golani Junction.

Five IDF soldiers fell in battle in Gaza

IDF spokesman announces that five soldiers from Battalion 202 of the Paratroopers Brigade fell in battle in northern Gaza.

US official:

'We share Gallant's concern on Gaza'

Senior US official responds to Defense Minister's call for Palestinian Arab rule in Gaza after the war: Israel has not developed plans for holding and governing territory the IDF clears, thereby allowing Hamas to regenerate.

After UAV explodes in north

Reports of Israeli strikes deep in Lebanese territory

Media in Lebanon report Israeli strikes in the country after a drone exploded near the Golani junction, about 50 km from the border with Lebanon.

Hamas leader:

'Only the Palestinians will determine the future of Gaza'

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh declares that his organization and the Palestinian Arab public are the ones who will decide who will rule the Strip in the future.

Arab states' condition for joining a multinational force in Gaza

Several Arab states say they would join a multinational force to control the Gaza Strip if Israel were to accept a two-state solution.

Chief of Staff:

'We won't let Hamas rebuild'

IDF Chief of Staff Halevi tells soldiers on Independence Day, 'In the last day or two, the number of terrorists eliminated per day has increased, which is important, and we want to return to eliminating many terrorists each day.'

Israeli delegation meets with Egyptian officials in Cairo

The meetings discussed several issues, including IDF operations in Rafah, and closing the Gazan side of the Rafah Crossing, which led to an Egyptian decision to stop transferring aid to Gaza as long as the crossing is closed.

Secretary of State Blinken:

'We do not and will not support Israeli reoccupation of Gaza'

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Israel must work to find an alternative for Hamas since 'it cannot – and says it does not want responsibility for Gaza.'

Human rights expert:

'The UN parrots bogus Hamas casualty figures'

Human Rights Voices President Professor Anne Bayefsky speaks to Arutz Sheva about the UN's revision of women and children casualty figures in Gaza by nearly half.

'Everyone's here, take off'

A look into the medical evacuation work in Gaza

IDF rescue helicopter squadrons, Medical Corps teams in the Technological and Logistics Directorate, and Unit 669 have carried out dozens of evacuations of injured soldiers from areas of operations in the Gaza Strip over the past week.

Rabbi of Sderot:

'Leaving the city would play into the enemy's hands'

Rabbi Dror Tawil called on the residents of his city to show resilience in the face of the repetitive missile attacks from Gaza.

Liron Yitzhak, civilian wounded in Gaza, succumbs to his injuries

Liron, a civilian contractor working for the Defense Ministry, was critically wounded in an IED explosion in southern Gaza. He was to be married in 2 weeks.

Netanyahu responds to Gallant:

'I won't replace Hamastan with Fatahstan'

PM responds to Defense Minister's demand he declare that Israel will not assume civilian or military governance of Gaza after the war.

Gallant:

'I call on PM to declare Israel won't have civil control of Gaza'

Defense Minister warns against Israel ruling Gaza after the war, calling this 'a negative and dangerous option for the State of Israel strategically, militarily, and from a security standpoint.'

Prime Minister Netanyahu:

'There is no alternative for military victory'

The Prime Minister explained that as long as Hamas is still intact there is no reason to discuss post-war plans for the Gaza Strip.

Netanyahu:

'Rafah operation will last weeks, not months or years'

PM says in interview with CNBC that despite disagreement with US government on Rafah operation, Israel has no choice but to proceed with the operation.

'Target down'

Watch: Fighter jets down two hostile UAVs en route to Israel

The two UAVs join many more hostile targets that were intercepted this week by fighter jets and the Patriot and Iron Dome aerial defense systems.

US wants Arab states to join peacekeeping force in Gaza

US Pres. Biden won't send American troops into Gaza - but wants Arab states to do so for him, Financial Times report says. Arab states condition agreement on US recognition of 'Palestine.'

Dozens of terrorists eliminated:

IDF forces exit Zeitoun neighborhood in Gaza City

IDF's 99th Division continues activity in central Gaza, Nahal Brigade completed an operation in Zeitoun area.

80 missiles launched:

Hezbollah responds to elimination: Heavy barrage on Meron

Terrorists in Lebanon fire rockets towards Meron in northern Israel, Lebanese reports claim IDF is striking back.

Bereaved father:

Bereaved father: ‘Our pain is part of the Redemption’

Yaakov Nitzan, father of Gilad Nehemya hy”d, who was killed in battle in Gaza, talks about the strength he draws from the Jewish People, specifically during the days of remembrance and independence.

Sderot:

This is what it looks like when a siren sounds during prayers

The IAF successfully intercepted three missiles which were launched from Gaza towards Sderot. No injuries were reported.

IDF pulls forces out of Zeitoun, continues operating in Jabaliya

IDF troops intensify operations against terrorist operatives and infrastructure in Jabaliya; targeted operations in specific areas of eastern Rafah continue.

ICJ to discuss South Africa's request for measures against Israel

South Africa last week submitted an urgent request to the ICJ, asking it to impose additional provisional measures against Israel over its actions in Rafah.

Cleared for publication:

Sergeant Ira Yair Gispan fell in Gaza

The IDF Spokesperson's Unit cleared for publication that Sergeant Ira Yair Gispan fell in battle in the southern Gaza Strip. His family has been notified.

Toronto Mayor:

'Raising Israeli flag at city hall ceremony is divisive'

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow decides to skip city hall ceremony marking Israel’s Independence Day, says event where the Israeli flag is raised is currently "divisive" due to the war in Gaza.

IDF intercepts two UAVs fired towards Israel

IAF fighter jets intercept two UAVs that approached Israel from the east.

Watch:

Terrorists operate next to UN vehicles in UNRWA Rafah compound

During IDF operational activity in eastern Rafah on Saturday, terrorists were identified in UNRWA’s central logistics compound alongside UN vehicles.

Israeli civilian killed in Hezbollah anti-tank missile strike

Civilian killed, 5 soldiers wounded in anti-tank missile attack in area of Kibbutz Adamit in the Western Galilee.

4 soldiers seriously wounded in Gaza

3 soldiers seriously wounded in northern Gaza, 1 soldier seriously wounded in southern Gaza in combat today.

'Revenge on Hamas'

Bereaved mother's demand for victory on Independence Day

Galit Valdman, whose son, Major Ariel Ben-Moshe, was killed on October 7: ‘Wants revenge. Maybe a minister in the government can't say things like that, but I'm not in uniform.’

10 Hamas terrorists eliminated

IAF strikes Hamas war room in UNRWA school

IDF, Shin Bet intelligence leads to strike on Hamas war room embedded inside a UNRWA school in the area of Nuseirat, eliminating 15 terrorists, including over 10 from Hamas.

PM visits wounded soldiers at Sheba Hospital

On Israel's 76th Independence Day, PM Netanyahu visits soldiers wounded during war, hears their desire for Israel to achieve complete victory.

IDF observation balloon shot down over Lebanon

IDF says there is no concern of Hezbollah obtaining intelligence from balloon the terrorist organization shot down.

IDF attacking after antitank missile hits in western Galilee

Sirens sound in western Galilee as antitank missiles fly from Lebanon into northern Israel, causing direct strike.

Qatar: Significant differences between Israel and Hamas

Israel has not been clear about how to end the war, causing negotiations to freeze, Qatari Pres. Al Thani claims.

Biden to Herzog:

'US is proud of our enduring relationship with Israel'

President Biden sends President Herzog greetings on Israel’s 76th Independence Day, praising Israelis' significant resilience and strength following Hamas' October 7th attack.

Footage from the fighting:

Battles in Rafah, fighting expands in Jabalya

IDF continues operations in Gaza, troops expand activity in the area of Jabalya.

Will Rafah operation harm ties with Egypt? Reports are conflicted

Egyptian source claims 'no plans to suspend ties' with Israel, as other reports say Cairo is weighing recalling ambassador from Tel Aviv.

US national security adviser:

'We don't view killings of Gazans by Israel as genocide'

US national security adviser Jake Sullivan to reporters: We still believe it would be a mistake to launch a major military operation into the heart of Rafah.

Cameron to the BBC:

'Refer to Hamas as a terrorist organization'

British Foreign Secretary suggests BBC reconsider its guidelines on Hamas in light of video released by the organization showing British-Israeli hostage Nadav Popplewell.

IDF investigating

UN worker shot dead in Rafah

Deputy UN Spokesman confirms a staff member from the UN Department of Safety and Security was killed near the European Hospital in Rafah.

US calls for action

Truck carrying aid to Gaza set on fire

Protesters who blocked the trucks unload the supplies and throw them on the road. Two protesters detained and removed from the scene by the police.

Deputy Secretary of State:

'We don't believe Israel's strategy will lead to total victory'

Deputy US Secretary of State Kurt Campbell says the US is “struggling over what the theory of victory is” in Gaza.

Watch:

Soldiers in Gaza dancing in honor of Independence Day

IDF soldiers from the 22nd Battalion of the Carmeli Brigade celebrate Independence Day in the Netzarim Corridor, waving Israeli flags and breaking into dance.

IDF intercepts UAV that made its way towards Israel

The UAV was monitored by IDF soldiers, did not cross into Israeli territory and no sirens were sounded according to protocol.

Biden Admin. denies withholding Hamas leaders' locations

National Security Council official says US is assisting Israel in targeting Hamas leaders and 'not holding anything back' following reports administration is using the intelligence as leverage against Rafah oepration.

Netanyahu:

'We'll fight until the end, until victory'

PM says at Independence Day ceremony that 'at the moment of truth, an entire nation mobilized,' calls this 'the generation of the victorious heroes.'

UN figures on women, children killed in Gaza revised down 50%

Number of women killed in Gaza falls from 9,500 to 4,959, number of children falls from 14,500 to 7,797 in OCHA daily reports.

Blinken:

'Shared values have forged a strong friendship'

Secretary of State Antony Blinken has published a special congratulatory message for Israel's 76th Yom Ha'atzmaut in the shadow of the war.

South Africa Chief Rabbi calls out Biden’s betrayal

Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein denounces President Biden's decisions to reduce support for Israel.

5 soldiers, Defense Ministry employee seriously wounded in Gaza

2 soldiers seriously wounded in mortar barrage in Rafah Crossing area, 3 Defense Ministry employees wounded in Gaza, 1 seriously.

Defense Min. to Blinken: Israel committed to the goals of the war

As Israel marks Memorial Day, Defense Min. Yoav Gallant stresses importance of Rafah operation in call with US Sec. of State Antony Blinken.

Palestinian Authority turns down offer to control Rafah Crossing

US pressured Israel to turn control of Rafah Crossing over to Palestinian Authority - but the PA rejected the proposal, report says.

Miriam Peretz to Arutz Sheva:

'October 7th brought back the pain and fear'

Twice bereaved mother, Miriam Peretz, tells Arutz Sheva about her feelings and work since the war began and about her hope for the future.

Northern Israel:

Four IDF soldiers injured by antitank missiles

UAVs and antitank missiles explode in Israel, sparking a fire and injuring four IDF soldiers.