Israel and Hamas at War – Days 319 to 392

The Shiite militia group Islamic Resistance in Iraq announced Friday that it had launched six drone strikes on various sites in Israel, marking its latest escalation in the conflict. The militia claimed three drones targeted key locations in southern Israel, two in the Golan Heights, and one in central Israel, although no specific details on the sites or casualties were provided.

The group stated the attacks were conducted “in solidarity with our people in Palestine and Lebanon” and vowed to continue its operations against Israeli “strongholds at an escalating pace.”

A rocket strike from Lebanon near Israel’s northern border town of Metula has left five people dead, and one critically injured, authorities reported on Thursday. According to Israeli Channel 12 news, one of the deceased was an Israeli citizen, while the remaining four victims were foreign nationals working in the area.

The attack struck an agricultural region close to Metula, a town situated just along Israel’s border with Lebanon. Details of the attack are still emerging, with emergency responders on the scene and authorities closely monitoring the northern border for further developments.

Yemen’s Houthi group declared on Tuesday that it conducted a drone attack on an industrial area in Ashkelon, southern Israel. The group’s military spokesperson, Yahya Sarea, announced on the Houthi-operated Al-Masirah TV channel that their drone air force unit carried out the “qualitative military operation.”

“The drones successfully reached their designated targets in the industrial zone of the Israeli enemy in the Ashkelon area, south of occupied Palestine,” Sarea said.

Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces reported that a drone launched from Yemen exploded in an open area near Ashkelon, causing no casualties.

The Yemeni military spokesman emphasized that Houthi forces would continue their military actions in response to what he described as “Israeli crimes” in Gaza and Lebanon. He stated that these operations would persist until “the aggression stops, the siege on the Gaza Strip is lifted, and the aggression on Lebanon stops.”

Since October 2023, the Houthis have intermittently launched missile and drone attacks against Israeli targets, including vessels in the Red Sea, Bab el Mandeb Strait, and the Gulf of Aden that they claim are linked to Israel.

A 24-year-old man was killed on Tuesday when a rocket fired from Lebanon struck his home in Ma’alot-Tarshiha, a city in northern Israel, according to Magen David Adom (MDA) emergency services. The victim, identified as Mohammed Naim, was reportedly helping his younger siblings into a shelter but did not have time to enter himself when the rocket hit. He was critically injured and later succumbed to his wounds.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the rocket was part of a barrage of 50 projectiles launched from Lebanon into the Western Galilee and Upper Galilee regions. Some of the rockets were intercepted by Israel’s air defense system, but others reached Israeli territory. Several other residents suffered mild anxiety as a result of the attack.

Earlier on Tuesday, a drone explosion damaged a pedestrian bridge and a train car in the northwestern city of Nahariya, according to Israel Police. No casualties were reported in that incident. In a separate event, a drone launched from Yemen exploded in an open area near Ashkelon, a southern city close to the Gaza Strip, causing no injuries.

The IDF announced that on Monday the Israeli Air Force had killed dozens of Hezbollah fighters and destroyed over 110 of the organization’s targets in southern Lebanon, including rocket launchers and weapons depots.

A Palestinian official announced Sunday that the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) had allocated $25 million in emergency aid for refugee camps in the northern West Bank. Ahmad Abu Holi, a member of the Palestine Liberation Organization’s Executive Committee and head of its Department of Refugee Affairs, stated that the funds will focus on rebuilding and repairing housing, providing rental subsidies, cash assistance, rehabilitating sanitation infrastructure, and offering emergency food vouchers. These initiatives are being coordinated with his department and the camp services committees.

The aid comes in response to recent escalations and military operations in the region. In late August, Israel conducted a large-scale military operation in the northern West Bank, aiming to arrest wanted individuals and prevent future attacks. Since the outbreak of conflict between Israel and Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, tensions have intensified in the West Bank. According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, more than 760 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire across the West Bank.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported Saturday that Iran’s nuclear facilities were not affected by Israeli airstrikes carried out earlier in the day. “IAEA inspectors are safe and continue their vital work” in Iran, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said in a statement.

Grossi called for “prudence and restraint” to prevent actions that could compromise the safety and security of nuclear and other radioactive materials.

The Israel Defense Forces announced early Saturday that it had launched “precise and targeted” airstrikes on multiple locations in Iran, including missile manufacturing facilities, surface-to-air missile systems, and additional Iranian aerial capabilities.

Iran’s semiofficial Tasnim news agency reported that Iran’s air defenses “successfully confronted” the Israeli attack, resulting in “limited damage.” The Iranian army stated that four soldiers were killed in the strikes.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) intercepted three drones launched from Iraq early Wednesday, with an Iranian-backed militia group taking credit for the attempted attacks. Two of the drones were reportedly headed toward Eilat, while a third, intercepted over Syria, was targeting the Golan Heights. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an Iran-backed militia, claimed responsibility for the attack, stating it was aimed at “vital targets” in those locations.

According to the IDF, all three drones originated from “the east,” a term it uses to describe attacks launched from Iraq. A few hours later, a fourth drone, launched from Lebanon, was shot down by Israeli air defenses near the Ramot Naftali area.

This follows an earlier drone attack from the same Iraqi militia earlier this month, which targeted a military base in the Golan Heights, killing two Israeli soldiers and wounding 24 others—the first time the group caused significant casualties in Israel.

Israeli security forces have arrested seven East Jerusalem residents on suspicion of being part of an Iranian-linked espionage ring planning attacks, including the assassination of an Israeli nuclear scientist and a mayor in central Israel.

The suspects, aged 19 to 23, were allegedly recruited by an Iranian agent and led by 23-year-old Rami Alian. Officials from the police and Shin Bet reported that none of the suspects had any prior criminal or security-related records.

The cell was reportedly active for two years, carrying out various tasks for financial compensation, such as graffiti vandalism in Jerusalem and photographing sensitive sites. One mission involved planning to throw a grenade at an Israeli security serviceman, although this attack was not executed.

Alian, the leader of the group, was instructed to assassinate a high-profile Israeli nuclear scientist, for which he would have been paid NIS 200,000 ($53,000). Preparations for the assassination had begun, but Israeli authorities arrested the suspects before the plot could progress.

Alian reportedly admitted to knowing he was working for Iranian handlers, motivated by a desire to harm Israeli national security in response to the ongoing war in Gaza.

More than 170 rockets have been launched from Lebanon into northern Israel today, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). In the latest wave, five rockets targeted the Upper Galilee, while another five were fired toward the Jezreel Valley in the past half hour.

The IDF reported that some of the rockets were intercepted, while others landed in open areas. No injuries have been reported so far.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with former US President Donald Trump on Sunday, reaffirming that Israel will act according to its national interests, even while considering issues raised by the US administration.

“Prime Minister Netanyahu reiterated what he has also said publicly: Israel takes into account the issues the US administration raises, but in the end, will make its decisions based on its national interests,” said a statement from the prime minister’s office.

Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced they are actively searching for a third suspected attacker who may have infiltrated Israel from Jordan and managed to escape. This comes after IDF troops eliminated two terrorists who crossed into Israel and opened fire in the area south of the Dead Sea.

The two infiltrators were killed after they initiated gunfire with Israeli forces, according to an IDF statement released earlier today. The Israeli Air Force is currently assisting ground troops in combing the area for any remaining threats.

In a separate communication, the IDF urged residents in the surrounding areas to follow security warnings closely as the search for the third attacker continues.

Authorities are treating the situation with heightened caution, given the possibility that the third suspect remains at large after crossing the border. No further information has been provided on the identity of the attackers or the exact circumstances of the incident.

The UN Human Rights Office has reported that more than half of the 22 victims killed in an Israeli airstrike on a residential building in northern Lebanon were women and children. According to UN spokesperson Jeremy Laurence, 12 women and two children were among those killed in the strike on the four-story building in Aitou on Monday.

Laurence, speaking at a press briefing in Geneva, expressed concern over the incident, noting, “With these factors in mind, we have real concerns with respect to International Humanitarian Law, the laws of war, and the principles of distinction, proportionality, and necessity.” He also called for an investigation into the strike to determine if the laws of war were violated.

Israeli police and the Shin Bet security service have completed their investigation into the failed suicide bombing attempt in Tel Aviv last August, revealing that the attack was orchestrated by Hamas officials based in Turkey. According to the authorities, the bomber, who died when his backpack exploded prematurely on August 18 in south Tel Aviv, was part of a broader plot managed by Hamas’s Turkey headquarters.

The explosion injured one passerby and could have resulted in a far more devastating attack. Following the investigation, Israeli authorities have arrested eight suspected terrorists connected to the plot. Charges are expected to be filed today.

The investigation also uncovered an infrastructure for carrying out additional attacks in Nablus, where security forces seized two more bombs that were ready for use. Authorities say the operatives in Nablus were in contact with Abada Bilal, a senior figure in Hamas’ Turkey operations, who directed the Tel Aviv attack.

In a joint statement, Israeli officials said, “The findings of this investigation clearly indicate the establishment of Hamas headquarters in Turkey and their extensive efforts abroad to incite violence and carry out bombings in Israel.”

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Monday that it had struck approximately 230 terror targets in Gaza and Lebanon over the past 24 hours, as its military campaign against Hezbollah and Hamas continues to escalate.

According to the IDF, over 200 Hezbollah targets were hit in Lebanon, including rocket launchers, anti-tank positions, and other military infrastructure. The strikes were part of ongoing clashes between Israeli forces and Hezbollah fighters, which resulted in the deaths of dozens of Hezbollah gunmen.

In northern Gaza, Israeli forces continued operations in the Jabaliya area, where several terror operatives were eliminated, including a cell that had fired an anti-tank missile at IDF troops. Operations are also underway in central and southern Gaza, where additional gunmen and terror infrastructure have been neutralized, according to the military.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Shin Bet revealed in a joint statement that Samer Abu-Daqa, the head of Hamas’ air array, was killed in a September airstrike. According to the announcement, Abu-Daqa was involved in planning the infiltration of Israel on October 7 using paragliders and drones. He had been leading the air array since October 2023, following the elimination of his predecessor by Israeli forces.

The IDF characterized Abu-Daqa as “a key source of knowledge,” highlighting his crucial role in the establishment of Hamas’ drone and paraglider units. Previously, he served as the head of the drone unit and was responsible for Hamas’ weapon production efforts.

Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen criticized the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) on Monday, accusing the peacekeeping force of failing to protect Israelis from Hezbollah attacks and calling for its withdrawal from combat areas.

“The State of Israel will do everything to ensure the safety of its citizens, and if the UN cannot help, at least it should not interfere and move its personnel from the combat zones,” Cohen stated on X (formerly Twitter).

The call for UNIFIL’s withdrawal comes amid increased tensions between Israel and the UN over the role of peacekeepers stationed in southern Lebanon, where Israeli forces are actively targeting Hezbollah’s military infrastructure. On Sunday, the UN accused Israel of violating peacekeeping protocols when two Israeli Merkava tanks reportedly breached a UN base, causing damage and injuring personnel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also called for UNIFIL to vacate its positions, stating that the peacekeepers were inadvertently serving as “human shields” for Hezbollah. The UN force has been monitoring the border between Israel and Lebanon under Security Council Resolution 1701 since 2006.

The Israeli Air Force has eliminated Muhammad Kamel Naim, the head of Hezbollah’s anti-tank missile array for the elite Radwan force, in a targeted strike in Nabatiyeh, southern Lebanon, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

Naim was responsible for directing anti-tank missile fire into Israel, the IDF said in a statement. The military released footage of the strike, showing the moment of the attack.

Earlier in the day, Hezbollah launched rockets at northern and central Israel, some of which were intercepted by Israel’s defense systems while others landed in open areas. In response, the Israeli Air Force attacked the rocket launchers used by Hezbollah to fire into Israeli territory.

A coalition of Israeli human rights groups is urging the international community to intervene and prevent Israel from executing a controversial plan to subdue and besiege northern Gaza. The plan, reportedly devised by former military generals, involves ordering the evacuation of approximately 400,000 civilians from northern Gaza and labeling those who remain as combatants.

The groups—B’Tselem, Gisha, Yesh Din, and Physicians for Human Rights-Israel—issued a joint statement warning that the plan, if implemented, could amount to starvation and forcible transfer, violations of international law. They argue that such a strategy would constitute a “surrender-or-starve” approach and are concerned about “alarming signs” that Israel is beginning to carry out the plan.

Israel has already ordered the population of northern Gaza to evacuate to the south and reportedly blocked humanitarian aid from entering the area since early this month. While the military has denied receiving orders to implement the plan, rights groups say the international community has a responsibility to prevent further escalation.

“States have an obligation to prevent the crimes of starvation and forcible transfer,” the statement read, calling for urgent global action to halt the possible siege and ensure aid reaches those in need.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant accused Hezbollah of using United Nations peacekeeping positions as cover during his recent conversation with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, according to a readout from Gallant’s office. The discussion came after several incidents in which UN peacekeepers were injured amid escalating tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border.

Gallant claimed that Hezbollah intentionally fired from areas near UNIFIL posts and assured Austin that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) were conducting investigations into the incidents. “The IDF will continue to take measures to avoid harm to UNIFIL troops and peacekeeping positions,” Gallant said, while maintaining that Israel faces significant operational challenges.

Austin expressed “deep concern” over the incidents involving UNIFIL troops, according to a statement from the US Defense Department.

Gallant also briefed Austin on ongoing IDF operations in Lebanon and the threats posed by Iranian militias in the region, including in Yemen, Syria, and Iraq. Notably, the readouts from both Israel and the US did not mention Israel’s planned response to Iran’s ballistic missile attack earlier this month.

In an ongoing military operation in southern Lebanon, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) units uncovered numerous weapons depots hidden inside civilian homes, the military said on Wednesday. The operation was led by the 8th Brigade Combat Team and the elite LOTAR counter-terrorism unit, operating under the 91st Division.

Footage released by the IDF shows a significant haul of arms, including mortar shells, anti-tank Kornet missiles, Kalashnikov rifles, mines, magazines, and combat vests. Some of the mortar shells were identified as originating from Israel, further complicating the ongoing conflict.

According to the IDF, the weapons were stockpiled for Hezbollah’s elite Radwan unit, which had been preparing for an invasion of northern Israel.

Troops also uncovered tunnel infrastructure in one of the villages, with living quarters designed for Hezbollah fighters, the IDF said. This discovery adds to the growing evidence of the group embedding itself within civilian areas.

Gaza health officials announced that the second phase of a polio vaccination campaign will begin on Monday, targeting nearly 592,000 children under age 10. The campaign, conducted in partnership with the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, aims to provide a second dose of the novel oral polio vaccine type 2. This follow-up is crucial for halting the transmission of poliovirus. The first phase, held in early September, vaccinated around 560,000 children in Gaza.

Fighting between Israel and Hezbollah continued on Friday, with the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and Hezbollah exchanging fire along the Israel-Lebanon border. Two UN peacekeepers were injured in explosions near the Lebanese town of Nakura when an Israeli vehicle hit a UNIFIL position, causing structural damage. This marked the second attack on UNIFIL personnel in 48 hours, drawing widespread international condemnation. Countries like France, Spain, and Canada criticized Israel’s actions, calling them violations of international law. The IDF responded by claiming Hezbollah was operating near UN sites, endangering peacekeepers.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah claimed responsibility for a drone strike on an Israeli air defense base in Haifa and missile attacks on military targets. In response, Israeli forces launched airstrikes on Hezbollah positions in Lebanon, including rocket launchers. Tensions have been escalating since early October as Israel ramped up ground operations and airstrikes against Hezbollah. French President Emmanuel Macron and other European leaders urged both sides to cease hostilities and respect UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

Two drones launched from Lebanon struck central Israel on Friday night, with one hitting a residential building in Herzliya, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). There were no injuries as residents were in protected areas after warning sirens sounded. The second drone was intercepted by the Israeli Air Force. Power outages affected parts of Herzliya after power lines were damaged. Earlier on Friday, more than 100 rockets and missiles were fired from Lebanon into northern Israel, with around 80 launched in just four minutes. These attacks occurred as Israel prepared for Yom Kippur, with the country on high alert due to ongoing tensions with Lebanon and fighting in Gaza. Hezbollah has not yet commented on the strikes.

The leaders of nine Mediterranean European Union (EU) countries, known as Med9, called on Friday for an immediate cease-fire in the Middle East during their summit in Paphos, Cyprus. They urged all parties to de-escalate tensions and emphasized the need for humanitarian aid to Lebanon. In their final declaration, the Med9 leaders pledged to support United Nations resolutions on the Middle East and influence broader EU policies on regional issues. The summit also addressed challenges such as migration, with leaders calling for a unified EU response to irregular migration and discussing the return of Syrian refugees under a rehabilitation plan. Jordan’s King Abdullah II joined the talks to focus on migration and regional security.

The Med9 countries include Croatia, Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain.

The Palestinian Red Crescent has raised the death toll from an Israeli airstrike on the Rufaida School in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, to 28, with 54 others reported injured. The school was sheltering displaced people when the strike occurred.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the school had been repurposed by terror operatives and was being used as a command post. According to the IDF, measures were taken to minimize civilian casualties, including the use of precise munitions and aerial surveillance. However, it remains unclear how many of the dead were terror operatives.

The strike comes amid escalating violence in the region. The IDF emphasized that Hamas and other groups frequently use civilian facilities such as schools and shelters for military operations, putting civilians at risk. Israel reiterated its intent to continue targeting such operatives while attempting to limit harm to civilians.

Rafael Mordechai Pishoff, 35, a father of eight, has succumbed to injuries sustained in the October 9 terrorist stabbing attack in Hadera. Pishoff had been hospitalized in intensive care at Hillel Yaffe Medical Center following the attack, which left five others injured.

The assailant, an Arab Israeli resident of Umm al-Fahm, used a moped to move between four locations in the city, stabbing people along the way. Police, with the help of armed citizens, apprehended the suspect at the scene.

Another victim remains in serious but stable condition, with three others in good condition.

Two people, a man and a woman in their 40s, were killed on Wednesday in a rocket attack launched from Lebanon at Kiryat Shmona, the Magen David Adom (MDA) ambulance service confirmed.

The rocket struck the northern Israeli town amid rising tensions and ongoing cross-border attacks. MDA teams arrived at the scene and attempted to treat the victims, but both succumbed to their injuries.

This deadly attack follows a series of escalations in the region, with Hezbollah and other groups in Lebanon increasing rocket fire on Israeli communities, intensifying the ongoing conflict.

The situation has placed northern Israel on high alert, with residents being urged to take cover when sirens sound. Security forces and emergency services are on the scene, managing the aftermath of the latest rocket strike.

Three Israeli soldiers have been seriously wounded in the past 24 hours during clashes with Hezbollah operatives in southern Lebanon, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported on Wednesday. The soldiers, two from the Military Intelligence Directorate’s Unit 504 and one from the Alon Brigade’s 8207th Battalion were injured in separate incidents and taken to hospitals for treatment.

Israeli ground operations continue to target Hezbollah, with the IDF announcing the elimination of several gunmen and the discovery of weapons and rocket launchers. On Tuesday, Israeli troops demolished the “Garden of Iran,” a symbolic site in the southern Lebanese village of Maroun al-Ras that once featured a statue of Qassem Soleimani, the assassinated commander of the Quds Force.

Simultaneously, the Israeli Air Force has conducted 185 strikes against Hezbollah sites in Lebanon over the past day, targeting observation posts, weapons depots, and rocket launchers. The strikes are part of Israel’s efforts to neutralize Hezbollah’s capabilities and secure its northern border.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced that senior Hezbollah official Hashem Safieddine, who was poised to replace the group’s assassinated leader Hassan Nasrallah, was likely killed in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut last week. Safieddine’s death, if confirmed, would leave Hezbollah without a clear leader, following the recent elimination of Nasrallah in an earlier strike.

“Hezbollah is an organization without a leader. Nasrallah was eliminated, and his replacement was probably also eliminated. This has a dramatic effect on everything that happens,” Gallant said during a visit to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Northern Command. He emphasized that the loss of leadership has left Hezbollah in a vulnerable position, with no one to make decisions or lead the group’s actions.

In addition to targeting the group’s leadership, Gallant highlighted that Hezbollah’s firepower capabilities have also been severely weakened. “When the smoke in Lebanon clears, they will realize in Iran that they have lost their most valuable asset, which is Hezbollah,” Gallant added, stressing the broader implications for Iran, Hezbollah’s key backer in the region.

Israeli airstrikes have killed three Hamas terrorists involved in the October 7 massacre, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Shin Bet security agency announced on Tuesday. The airstrikes, carried out in recent days, targeted Hamas operatives who played a significant role in the deadly attacks on Israeli civilians and soldiers during the ongoing conflict.

One of the airstrikes, conducted on September 30, struck a Hamas command room embedded within a school in Gaza City. Among the operatives killed was Muhammad Rafai, who was involved in the massacres at Kfar Aza and Nahal Oz on October 7, according to the military. Rafai had also participated in several other attacks on Israeli troops throughout the war.

On October 1, another airstrike targeted and killed two additional Hamas members, Muhammad Zanun and Bassel Akhars, both of whom were also involved in the October 7 onslaught.

Israeli security officials have warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that intelligence on the 101 hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza is steadily declining, raising concerns about their deteriorating conditions. The information was shared during a high-level meeting on the eve of the first anniversary of the October 7 Hamas terror attack, when 1,200 Israelis were killed and 251 were abducted.

According to defense officials, the passing time has resulted in a reduction of actionable intelligence on the hostages, many of whom are believed to be suffering in worsening conditions. Despite ongoing efforts, officials warned that Hamas guards have reportedly been instructed to execute hostages if they sense Israeli forces closing in on them.

This latest warning comes amid a lack of progress in hostage negotiations between Israel and Hamas. Mediator Qatar has reportedly distanced itself from Israel’s stance, aligning more closely with Hamas’ demands for a cease-fire and full withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza—terms that Israel has rejected. US efforts to de-escalate the situation have also faced criticism, with Israeli officials expressing frustration over perceived attempts to address broader regional issues in a single negotiation.

Three Israeli missiles struck an automobile factory in Syria’s Homs province on Sunday, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The airstrikes targeted the facility in the Hasya Industrial Zone, causing significant damage and sending up columns of smoke. The reason for the attack is unclear, as the factory was reportedly empty at the time. Syrian state TV confirmed an explosion in the area and said an investigation is underway. Israel frequently conducts strikes in Syria, targeting sites associated with Iran and Hezbollah as part of its ongoing regional conflict with these groups.

Lebanon received 25 tons of medical aid from UNICEF on Sunday at Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport. Health Minister Firas Abiad emphasized the aid’s importance given the country’s strained health care sector, stating it would help both hospitals and the 1.2 million displaced people in need of medical care. UNICEF representative Edouard Beigbeder announced that the agency would provide 67 tons of aid, capable of assisting 700,000 people.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Najib Mikati met with UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi to address the Syrian refugee crisis in Lebanon. Mikati stressed that Lebanon can no longer support the burden of 1.2 million Syrian refugees, calling for a cease-fire and implementation of UN Resolution 1701 to alleviate suffering.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has called on civilians in 37 villages and towns in southern Lebanon to evacuate immediately and head north of the Awali River as tensions with Hezbollah escalate. This follows recent calls for evacuations in dozens of other areas, including those north of the Litani River.

“Hezbollah’s activity forces the IDF to act against it. The IDF does not wish to harm you,” said Col. Avichay Adraee, the IDF’s Arabic-language spokesman, in a statement posted on X. “For your safety, you must evacuate your homes immediately. Anyone who is near Hezbollah operatives, their facilities or their weapons, puts themselves at risk.”

The IDF emphasized that it would inform civilians when it is safe for them to return.

The evacuation orders come as the Israeli military continues its “limited, localized and targeted raids” in southern Lebanon, aimed at dismantling Hezbollah’s infrastructure near the border. Israeli officials have stressed that the ground operations are designed to end as swiftly as possible, focusing on Hezbollah’s tunnel networks and other military capabilities.

These developments mark an intensification of the conflict, with the IDF moving deeper into Lebanese territory while attempting to minimize harm to civilians.

United Nations peacekeeping forces in southern Lebanon will remain in place despite Israel’s request for their relocation, UN peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix said on Thursday. Lacroix emphasized that the peacekeepers are continuing their work under challenging conditions and are committed to fulfilling their Security Council mandate.

“Peacekeepers continue to do their best to implement their Security Council mandate in obviously very difficult conditions,” Lacroix told reporters.

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) is tasked with assisting the Lebanese army in maintaining peace in the region and keeping it free of weapons and armed personnel, except those under the Lebanese state. However, the mission has faced ongoing friction with Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militia that exerts control over much of southern Lebanon.

While Lacroix acknowledged the challenges, he confirmed that contingency plans are in place to address both positive and negative developments in the area. UNIFIL’s presence has been a key factor in maintaining relative calm in southern Lebanon, though tensions between Israel and Hezbollah have escalated in recent weeks.

Yemen’s Houthi rebels fired three winged Quds 5 rockets at military posts deep within Israel, the group’s military spokesperson Yahya Saree announced on Wednesday. The missile strikes, according to Saree, are part of ongoing actions in solidarity with Palestinians as the conflict in Gaza continues to escalate.

The Israeli military has not yet responded to the reports of rocket fire from Yemen.

The Houthis, backed by Iran, have launched multiple missile and drone attacks on Israel since Hamas’ deadly assault on October 7, framing their actions as support for Palestinians. Saree warned that continued US and UK backing of Israel could put their interests “under fire.”

“We will not hesitate to broaden our military operations against the Israeli enemy and those behind it until the aggression against Gaza and Lebanon ends,” Saree stated.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has issued a call for civilians in two dozen villages in southern Lebanon to evacuate immediately as military operations against Hezbollah continue to intensify.

In a statement released on X, Col. Avichay Adraee, the IDF’s Arabic-language spokesman, urged residents to leave their homes for their own safety. “Hezbollah’s activity forces the IDF to act against it. The IDF does not wish to harm you,” said Adraee. “For your safety, you must evacuate your homes immediately. Anyone who is near Hezbollah operatives, their facilities, or their weapons puts themselves at risk.”

Adraee also emphasized that any house used by Hezbollah for military purposes is a target, warning civilians not to head south, as any movement in that direction could endanger their lives. Instead, Lebanese residents were advised to move north, with the IDF promising to inform them when it is safe to return.

This comes a day after the IDF issued similar evacuation orders to 28 other villages in southern Lebanon as part of its ongoing efforts to neutralize Hezbollah’s military infrastructure in the border area. The Israeli military has described its ground operations in southern Lebanon as “limited, localized, and targeted raids” aimed at dismantling Hezbollah’s presence, and officials have stated that they intend for the operations to conclude as quickly as possible.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) Home Front Command has imposed new restrictions on civilians in northern and central Israel, including Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and other key areas, following a Hezbollah rocket attack on the country’s center earlier this morning. The measures come ahead of the Jewish New Year holiday.

According to the IDF, educational activities and workplaces in the affected regions will only be allowed to operate if an adequate shelter is accessible within a short period of time. Restrictions on gatherings have also been implemented, limiting outdoor gatherings to 30 people and indoor gatherings to 300 people.

In addition, beaches across the affected regions will be closed due to the increased hostilities. The guidelines are in place until Saturday, after the holiday period.

Despite the new safety measures, Israel’s Ben Gurion International Airport remains open, with no changes to airspace restrictions, according to Channel 12 News.

Israel confirmed on Tuesday that heavy fighting broke out with Hezbollah forces in southern Lebanon as its elite paratroopers and commandos launched ground raids. This comes after a series of devastating airstrikes against the Iran-backed group’s leadership.

According to the Israeli military, operations commenced Monday night, with its 98th Division leading the incursion. The air force and artillery units provided support as ground troops conducted “limited, localized, and targeted” raids against Hezbollah forces in villages deemed an “immediate threat” to Israeli communities near the northern border.

Lebanese security sources told Reuters that Israeli units crossed into Lebanon overnight for reconnaissance missions. Hezbollah responded with rocket and artillery fire against Israeli positions.

Israel is preparing a limited ground operation in southern Lebanon that could begin imminently, according to a US official cited by The Washington Post. The planned offensive is expected to be smaller in scale than Israel’s 2006 war with Hezbollah and will focus primarily on eliminating terrorist infrastructure along the border.

The goal of the operation is to secure Israeli border communities, which have faced increasing threats from Hezbollah forces. The US official, speaking anonymously, revealed the details following private discussions between Israeli and US officials.

On Monday, Israeli forces carried out smaller-scale raids in Lebanon, according to an Israeli source familiar with the operations.

Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers have entered Hezbollah’s tunnel network near the Lebanon border as part of limited cross-border operations, according to reports from a US newspaper on Monday. These operations are part of Israel’s efforts to prepare for a possible ground invasion into southern Lebanon, aimed at weakening Hezbollah’s military capabilities.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Israeli special forces have been conducting targeted raids into Hezbollah tunnels near the Blue Line, the de facto border between Israel and Lebanon. These operations, described as intelligence-gathering missions, have been carried out over the past several months and are expected to ramp up ahead of a broader offensive.

Israel has escalated its military actions against Hezbollah in recent weeks, including airstrikes targeting the group’s leadership. The intensified campaign follows a deadly strike last week that killed Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah and other top commanders.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has strongly suggested that Israel is preparing to launch a ground offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon. Speaking to soldiers from the 188th Armored Brigade and the Golani Infantry Brigade in northern Israel, Gallant emphasized the importance of eliminating Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, but implied that further actions were necessary.

“The elimination of Nasrallah is a very important step, but it is not everything. We will use all the capabilities we have,” Gallant told the troops, hinting at broader military operations.

“If someone on the other side does not understand what these capabilities mean, it is all capabilities, and you are part of this effort. We trust you to be able to accomplish anything,” Gallant added, signaling the potential for an escalation in Israel’s military campaign against Hezbollah.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Shin Bet security agency have confirmed the elimination of Fateh Sherif, the Hamas commander in Lebanon, during an overnight airstrike. The joint statement describes Sherif as the “head of the Lebanon branch of the Hamas terror organization.”

According to the military, Sherif played a critical role in coordinating Hamas activities in Lebanon with Hezbollah, the powerful Iran-backed group, and was involved in bolstering Hamas’s capabilities by recruiting operatives and acquiring weapons.

“He worked to advance the interests of Hamas in Lebanon, both politically and militarily,” the IDF and Shin Bet statement said.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) confirmed that Sherif was employed by the agency for Palestinian refugees but noted that he was under investigation for his political activities.

Lebanese media reported that the airstrike that killed Sherif took place at the al-Bass refugee camp in Tyre, a city in southern Lebanon.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and New Hope party leader Gideon Sa’ar officially announced Sa’ar’s return to the governing coalition in a joint press statement on Sunday, marking a significant political development for Israel’s leadership. The announcement signals a key reconciliation between Netanyahu and Sa’ar, who had previously parted ways due to political differences.

Netanyahu thanked Sa’ar for responding positively to his offer to rejoin the government, commending him for his “broad vision and ability to offer creative solutions to complicated problems.” Reflecting on their past disagreements, Netanyahu acknowledged, “It is no secret that we have had disagreements in the past, but since October 7, we have put all the grudges of the past behind us.”

Sa’ar, who had withdrawn New Hope from the emergency coalition back in March, explained that his decision to re-enter the government comes amid “difficult and challenging days” for Israel. “It is important to strengthen Israel, its government, and its unity and cohesion,” Sa’ar said. He emphasized that his return was driven by a sense of duty, stating, “This is the patriotic and right thing to do now.”

More than 20 senior Hezbollah operatives, including the group’s leader Hassan Nasrallah, were killed in an Israeli airstrike on Friday targeting Hezbollah’s underground headquarters in Beirut, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

The airstrike, which hit the Dahiyeh suburb of Beirut, claimed the lives of several key figures within the Iran-backed terrorist organization. Among the dead were Ali Karaki, the commander of Hezbollah’s Southern Front; Ibrahim Hussein Jazini, head of Nasrallah’s personal security unit; Samir Tawfik Diab, an adviser to Nasrallah; Abd al-Amir Muhammad Siblini, responsible for Hezbollah’s force buildup; and Ali Nawaf Ayoub, in charge of the group’s firepower.

The IDF highlighted the importance of Jazini and Diab, both of whom were regarded as Nasrallah’s closest confidants, possessing intimate knowledge of Hezbollah’s operations and Nasrallah’s role within the organization. The Hezbollah commanders, including Nasrallah, were gathered in their main underground command center, which was located beneath residential buildings near a United Nations-run school when the airstrike occurred.

The body of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah has been recovered intact from the site of a powerful Israeli airstrike in Beirut’s southern suburbs, according to medical and security sources. The sources, speaking to Reuters on Sunday, indicated that Nasrallah did not suffer from any visible wounds, and his death was likely caused by blunt trauma resulting from the force of the explosion.

Hezbollah confirmed Nasrallah’s death in a statement on Saturday but did not provide specifics on the exact cause or time of his passing. The group has yet to announce plans for his funeral. The airstrike, part of an intensified Israeli campaign targeting the Iran-backed group’s leadership, marks a significant escalation in the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

Nasrallah’s death is considered a severe blow to Hezbollah and Iran, as he played a pivotal role in shaping Hezbollah into one of the region’s most powerful organizations.

Israel’s military operations along the Lebanon border have escalated as reports suggest that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) may have initiated small cross-border actions aimed at neutralizing nearby Hezbollah positions. These moves come amid an intensified campaign against the Iran-backed group following the detonation of thousands of pagers used by Hezbollah members on September 17.

Although Israel has not confirmed its role in the pager explosions, it has since launched a series of airstrikes against Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon and the terror group’s stronghold in Beirut. One of the most significant strikes occurred on Friday, when Hezbollah’s chief, Hassan Nasrallah, was killed along with other senior commanders and an Iranian general in a powerful attack on the group’s headquarters.

Two US reports indicate that while Israel has not decided on a full-scale ground operation in Lebanon, smaller-scale movements have likely begun. The IDF is focusing on taking out Hezbollah’s command infrastructure and eliminating immediate threats posed by the group’s Radwan Force, which had plans for an invasion.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has warned that the death of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Deputy Commander Abbas Nilforoushan in a recent Israeli airstrike in Beirut “will not go unanswered.” The strike, which also killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, has heightened tensions between Israel and Tehran-backed forces in the region.

Nilforoushan was a key figure in Iran’s military operations and had been sanctioned by the United States in 2022 for his role in suppressing protests in Iran. He had also served in Syria, supporting President Bashar Assad in the country’s civil war, and was a close associate of the late Gen. Qasem Soleimani, who was killed in a US drone strike in 2020.

Reports suggest that the Iranian leadership is divided on how to respond to the assassination, with internal discussions underway about potential retaliation.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has warned that his Otzma Yehudit party will withdraw from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government if Israel agrees to a cease-fire in Lebanon.

After meeting with lawmakers from his far-right party, Ben Gvir stated that any temporary pause in the fighting would lead to a breakdown in his cooperation with the coalition, adding, “If the temporary cease-fire becomes permanent, we will resign from the government.”

“The most basic and understandable thing is that when your enemy is on his knees, you do not allow him to recover but work to defeat him,” Ben Gvir declared. He argued that a cease-fire “conveys weakness, endangers the security of your citizens, and proves that you do not intend to win.”

Ben Gvir further stated that his party “will not abandon the residents of the north,” asserting that Otzma Yehudit’s commitment to the coalition hinges on continued military action.

“Every day that this cease-fire is in effect and Israel does not fight in the north, Otzma Yehudit is not committed to the coalition,” he warned. He concluded by reiterating that if the truce becomes long-term, “all the Otzma Yehudit ministers and MKs will resign from the government and the coalition.”

An Israeli airstrike in Lebanon has killed 23 people, mostly Syrian workers and their families, in one of the deadliest single strikes reported during the ongoing air campaign against the Hezbollah terror group, Lebanese officials said.

The strike late last night targeted a building near the city of Baalbek in Lebanon’s northeastern Beqaa Valley, close to the Syrian border, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency. Ali Kassas, mayor of the village of Younine, confirmed that the bodies of 23 Syrian citizens were recovered from the rubble, while four Syrians and four Lebanese were reported wounded.

The Lebanese Red Cross stated that it had recovered nine bodies, with additional bodies retrieved by Hezbollah’s paramedic service and the Lebanese Civil Defense.

The strike occurred as the United States and its allies called for an immediate 21-day cease-fire to create “space for diplomacy.” Meanwhile, Israel has been ramping up its air campaign against Hezbollah, raising fears of a broader regional conflict.

Hours after reports surfaced suggesting that a cease-fire in Lebanon could be imminent, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office firmly denied the claims, stating that no such agreement has been made.

“This is an American-French proposal that the prime minister hasn’t even responded to,” Netanyahu’s office said in a statement, dismissing reports of a potential truce. The statement also refuted claims that Netanyahu had instructed the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to reduce the intensity of strikes in Lebanon, insisting that the military remains fully authorized to continue its operations with full force.

Channel 12 had earlier reported that the Prime Minister had ordered the IDF to scale back its offensive in Lebanon. Netanyahu’s office called this report “opposite from the truth,” affirming that the ongoing military campaign against Hezbollah would continue unabated. The statement reiterated that fighting in Gaza will persist until all of Israel’s war goals are achieved.

Echoing the prime minister’s stance, Foreign Minister Israel Katz also dismissed the possibility of a cease-fire. “There will be no cease-fire in the north,” said Katz, who is standing in for Netanyahu during his current trip to the United States. “We will continue to fight the Hezbollah terror group with full force until victory and the return of residents of the north to their homes safely.” Katz’s remarks came despite his lack of formal authority over military decisions regarding the war.

Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi announced that the military is actively preparing for a potential ground offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon as cross-border hostilities continue to escalate.

Speaking to troops of the 7th Armored Brigade during a training exercise simulating a ground invasion, Halevi emphasized that the IDF’s ongoing airstrikes in Lebanon are intended to pave the way for a possible ground entry and to deal continuous blows to Hezbollah’s capabilities.

“You can hear the planes above; we are attacking all day. Both to prepare the area for the possibility of your entry [into Lebanon] and also to continue causing blows to Hezbollah,” Halevi told the soldiers.

Halevi’s comments come hours after Hezbollah expanded its range of rocket fire, launching a missile that targeted central Israel. “Later today, [Hezbollah] will receive a very strong response,” he vowed.

“Today we will continue, we do not stop. We continue to attack and continue to strike them everywhere,” he added. “The goal is a very clear goal, to return the [displaced] residents of the north safely.”

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stated on Wednesday that targeting senior Hezbollah commanders will not bring the powerful Lebanese group to its knees, as Israel continues its devastating airstrikes on Hezbollah positions across Lebanon.

“The organizational strength and human resources of Hezbollah are very strong and will not be critically hit by the killing of a senior commander, even if that is clearly a loss,” Khamenei said.

Israel’s offensive against Hezbollah, which began on Monday, has killed at least 569 people, according to Lebanon’s health ministry, marking the deadliest assault on the country in nearly two decades. The strikes follow almost a year of conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza.

Khamenei insisted that both the Palestinian and Lebanese resistance would ultimately prevail, accusing Israel of deliberately targeting civilians because it could not defeat its adversaries militarily. Iran has been a staunch ally of Hezbollah since the group’s formation in 1982, supplying financial and military support.

Thousands of Hezbollah fighters were put out of action last week when their communication devices exploded across Lebanon, causing severe injuries, including blindness and the loss of hands, a Hezbollah official told Reuters. The explosions, widely attributed to Israel, have taken around 1,500 fighters out of commission, dealing a significant but not crippling blow to the group’s strength.

The incidents were followed by a series of intense Israeli airstrikes targeting Hezbollah sites, which Lebanese authorities say have killed over 560 people, including 50 children. Despite the damage, Hezbollah’s flexible command structure, tunnel networks, and a large arsenal of missiles have allowed it to continue operations, according to sources familiar with the group.

The IDF’s Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi noted that the killing of top Hezbollah commander Ibrahim Aqil had shaken the organization, but Hezbollah swiftly replaced fallen leaders and continued to fire rockets into Israel. Israeli officials argue that ongoing strikes are necessary to degrade Hezbollah’s capabilities, but the group’s robust infrastructure suggests the conflict could be prolonged, risking further regional escalation.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum has sharply criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of his planned trip to New York to address the United Nations General Assembly, accusing him of neglecting the plight of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.

“While the country is burning and 101 hostages have been abandoned in the Hamas death tunnels for 355 days, the prime minister chooses another unnecessary show trip to the US,” the forum said in a statement.

Netanyahu is set to depart for New York tomorrow with his wife, Sara, and is scheduled to address the General Assembly on Friday, focusing his speech primarily on the threat posed by Iran. Despite growing domestic criticism, Netanyahu will remain in New York through Saturday evening to observe the Jewish Sabbath before returning to Israel.

The forum’s statement reflects a broader sentiment among the families of hostages, who feel abandoned as negotiations to secure their release remain stalled. Many argue that Netanyahu’s travel prioritizes political appearances over urgent action needed to bring their loved ones home.

The prime minister’s upcoming speech is expected to underscore Iran’s influence in the region and its support for terror groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah, which have been a focal point of Israel’s ongoing conflicts. However, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, along with several opposition voices, argue that the focus should instead be on concrete steps to secure the release of hostages who have been held for nearly a year.

In recent weeks, the Israeli government has taken steps to improve access to mental health care and financial support for survivors of the October 7 attack, particularly those present at the Nova festival. Soldiers who were at the event but off duty are now eligible for the same financial compensation as other survivors. This decision came as part of a broader initiative to address the needs of those affected by the attack.

The Health Ministry and the National Insurance Institute have also extended the number of government-subsidized mental health sessions available to survivors, increasing the initial 36 sessions to 48. This comes after hundreds of survivors completed their treatment quota and were left without further state-provided mental health care. The push for these changes was driven by discussions in the Knesset’s special committee on youth, chaired by MK Naama Lazimi (Labor). Lazimi emphasized the importance of long-term mental health support, particularly for young people who experienced trauma.

Additionally, MK Karin Elharrar (Yesh Atid) played a crucial role in advocating for these extensions in various Knesset committees, working alongside Meirav Gili Hirsh, the founder of the Tribe of Nova initiative, which fights for the rights of festival victims. Efrat Eton, CEO of the Safe Heart organization, also collaborated in these efforts, underscoring the need for comprehensive care for both survivors and their families.

In a move recognizing the far-reaching effects of trauma, the government has also allowed family members of Nova festival survivors to access subsidized psychological counseling through Israel’s National Insurance Institute. This initiative acknowledges the emotional toll that extends beyond direct survivors and affects their families, as well.

The Lebanese health ministry announced on Tuesday that the death toll from Israeli airstrikes against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon has risen to 558, with another 1,835 people wounded. The airstrikes, which began on Monday, have hit multiple locations, including Hezbollah sites in southern Lebanon and the Beqaa Valley.

The reported casualties do not distinguish between members of Hezbollah and civilians, underscoring the severe impact of the ongoing conflict on the region. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have confirmed that their operations targeted homes and other locations where Hezbollah is believed to have been storing weapons.

The escalation marks one of the most intense phases of the nearly year-long conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which has seen a significant rise in cross-border violence. The IDF has intensified its strikes in response to Hezbollah’s continued rocket attacks into northern Israel, including heavily populated areas.

More than 65 rockets were launched from Lebanon into northern Israel this morning, escalating tensions along the volatile border. The Israeli military reported that the attacks targeted several areas, including east of Haifa, the Jezreel Valley, and Kiryat Shmona, causing fires and lightly injuring a 58-year-old woman.

The first wave of attacks occurred at 7:43 a.m. when around 10 rockets were fired toward areas east of Haifa. Israeli air defenses intercepted several of the rockets, but shrapnel from one interception injured a woman, who was taken to the hospital for treatment.

A second barrage followed at 9:36 a.m., with five rockets launched at the Jezreel Valley. The rockets either struck open areas or were intercepted by air defenses, resulting in no injuries.

Minutes later, at 9:42 a.m., Kiryat Shmona was hit by a barrage of 50 rockets, the heaviest attack of the morning. While the Israeli military intercepted some of the rockets, others struck the city, causing significant damage. Firefighters are currently battling blazes sparked by the attacks, but no additional injuries have been reported.

These attacks follow an earlier rocket launch at Nahariya this morning and an overnight barrage of 20 rockets fired at the Jezreel Valley, bringing the total number of rockets fired today to nearly 90. Sirens continue to sound across the Lower Galilee as tensions remain high.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that over 100 people were killed and 400 injured in Israeli airstrikes targeting Hezbollah positions. The ministry did not specify whether the casualties were members of Hezbollah or civilians. The Israel Defense Forces had previously issued a warning for civilians to vacate homes that were being used by the Iran-backed terrorist group to store weapons. This escalation comes as the Israeli military intensified its strikes in the region, focusing on Hezbollah targets.

Einav Zangauker, whose son Matan is held hostage by Hamas in Gaza, has accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of lying about the number of hostages still alive. Speaking to Army Radio, Zangauker contradicted Netanyahu’s reported assessment that around 50 of the hostages in Gaza are alive, stating that the actual number is closer to 30-35 at most.

“The prime minister is lying,” Zangauker said. “We, the families, know that the number is far smaller than the number cited by the prime minister.” She explained that all families receive information on their loved ones, including signs of life, and based on that information, she estimates that only 30-35 hostages are still alive.

Zangauker stressed that the priority is not just negotiating a hostage release but genuinely saving lives. She criticized Netanyahu for failing to secure a deal and suggested that a window of opportunity was missed months ago. “He chose escalation,” she charged, accusing Netanyahu of prioritizing his political future over the lives of the hostages, including her son.

The likelihood of a deal seems increasingly remote, with Zangauker noting that there are currently no substantive contacts between Israeli negotiators and mediators, and Hamas is not involved in any stage of the ongoing efforts. She does not foresee any potential deal in the coming three to four months, citing escalating hostilities in the north and the approaching US elections as major barriers.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that approximately 150 rockets, cruise missiles, and drones were launched at Israel from Lebanon and Iraq last night, marking a significant escalation in regional hostilities. The rockets targeted northern Israel from Lebanon, while drones and cruise missiles were launched from Iraq by Iran-backed militias, highlighting the expanding scope of the conflict.

The IDF stated that Israeli air defenses intercepted two cruise missiles and two drones fired from Iraq, preventing them from reaching Israeli territory. A mid-morning incident saw another suspected drone entering Israeli airspace from the east, which was shot down over the southern Golan Heights. Sirens sounded in nearby towns due to fears of falling shrapnel, but no injuries or damage were reported.

Earlier, a drone from Iraq was intercepted near Be’er Ora, close to Eilat, before it could enter Israeli airspace. Before dawn, two cruise missiles launched from Iraq were shot down as they headed toward the southern Golan Heights, the IDF confirmed.

The “Islamic Resistance of Iraq,” a coalition of Iran-backed militias, claimed responsibility for the attacks, stating that they targeted a strategic location in Israel “in support of our people in Gaza.” This group has previously launched several drones at Israel, most of which were intercepted or failed to reach Israeli airspace.

Tens of thousands of Israelis took to the streets of Tel Aviv and cities nationwide on Saturday night, demanding a cease-fire deal to secure the release of hostages held by the Hamas terror group in Gaza since October 7. The protests occurred against the backdrop of escalating tensions with Hezbollah in Lebanon, with the Israel Defense Forces conducting airstrikes on Saturday to prevent imminent rocket attacks following the assassination of two top Hezbollah commanders.

Organizers of the demonstrations claimed that hundreds of thousands gathered in Tel Aviv, with tens of thousands more protesting across the country, though no official turnout figures were available. The protests, which have been ongoing since the early weeks of the war with Hamas, have grown in size as anger mounts over the government’s handling of the hostage situation.

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah publicly blamed Israel for the recent coordinated attacks on Tuesday and Wednesday involving pagers and walkie-talkies, labeling the incidents as a “violation of all red lines” and an “unprecedented massacre.”

In his first comments since the attacks, Nasrallah claimed Israel aimed to kill thousands of Hezbollah operatives in a matter of minutes, although the devices primarily targeted the group’s members. “We have suffered a heavy blow. This is war, this is conflict,” Nasrallah stated, acknowledging Israel’s technological edge, allegedly supported by the US and NATO.

An Israeli official has reportedly confirmed to The Times of Israel the outline of a proposal reported by Kan for a potential deal that could lead to the release of all hostages held by Hamas and an end to the fighting in Gaza. The details of the proposed plan were presented to the Americans by Gal Hirsch, Israel’s point man on the hostage negotiations, and are expected to be passed on to unspecified Arab officials.

The Israeli official stated that the deal would signify the end of the war if its conditions are met. According to the Kan public broadcaster, the framework proposes a comprehensive deal with Hamas that includes the release of all hostages in exchange for an end to hostilities in the Gaza Strip.

The proposal reportedly outlines safe passage for Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and his associates out of Gaza, the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails, the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip, and the establishment of a new governance system for the enclave. No further details were provided in the report.

The death toll from the explosions targeting handheld radios used by Hezbollah members in Lebanon has risen to 25, Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad announced during a press conference. The updated number matches the casualty figures provided by the Hezbollah terror group, which confirmed that 25 of its members were killed in the blasts.

The explosions on Wednesday marked the second consecutive day of coordinated attacks on Hezbollah’s communication devices. The previous day, at least 12 people were killed and 2,800 wounded when thousands of pagers used by Hezbollah members spontaneously exploded in a coordinated assault widely blamed on Israel.

Amid a second consecutive day of explosions targeting Hezbollah communication devices, the group’s Executive Council head, Hashem Safieddine, has issued a public threat of “unique and bloody” vengeance against those responsible. Hezbollah has blamed Israel for the attacks, although Israeli officials have maintained silence on the matter.

Safieddine, a cousin and close associate of Hezbollah’s leader Hassan Nasrallah, warned, “These attacks will certainly be uniquely punished; there will be a bloodily unique revenge.” He added that further details would be revealed in a speech by Nasrallah, promising a “new situation and a new confrontation” with Israel.

The blasts, which have caused widespread casualties and destruction in Lebanon over the past two days, have targeted Hezbollah’s communication devices, including pagers and radios. While Hezbollah insists it will not be broken by the attacks, tensions in the region have escalated, raising concerns of an imminent escalation in hostilities.

Safieddine emphasized that the group remains undeterred, stating, “The enemy should know that we are not beaten, that we will not break, that we will not withdraw, and will not be influenced by what this enemy is doing.”

Authorities have revealed that the intended target of a Hezbollah bombing attack in Tel Aviv’s Yarkon Park last year was former defense minister and IDF chief of staff Moshe Ya’alon. The blast, which occurred on September 15, 2023, caused no injuries, and eight suspects were detained in connection with the bombing, according to police.

The announcement follows a recent revelation by the Shin Bet that it had thwarted another attempted bombing attack by the same Hezbollah network. The planned attack, set to take place in the coming days, was aimed at another former senior defense official. However, the name of the intended target in the latest incident has not yet been released.

The 2023 bombing in Tel Aviv was part of a broader Hezbollah effort to target prominent Israeli defense figures, but the attacks have so far been unsuccessful. Israeli security forces continue to monitor the Hezbollah network, which remains active in planning assaults against key figures in the country.

Lufthansa and Air France announced on Tuesday that they are suspending flights to Tel Aviv, Tehran, and Beirut until Thursday, citing heightened regional tensions following a series of explosions targeting Hezbollah members in Lebanon.

German carrier Lufthansa said it was suspending all flights to Tel Aviv and Tehran, while French airline Air France suspended flights to Tel Aviv and Beirut. The suspensions will remain in place until at least September 19, 2024.

“Due to the recent change in the security situation, the Lufthansa Group airlines have decided to suspend all connections to and from Tel Aviv (TLV) and Tehran (IKA) with immediate effect,” Lufthansa said in a statement. The airline also announced that Israeli and Iranian airspace will be bypassed by all Lufthansa Group Airlines, which include SWISS, Austrian Airlines, and Brussels Airlines.

Lufthansa had already extended its suspension of flights to Beirut until October 15 due to ongoing tensions in the region.

Air France similarly announced it would suspend flights from Paris-Charles de Gaulle to Beirut and Tel Aviv, stating that the safety of passengers and crew remains a top priority. The airline will evaluate the situation in the Middle East on a daily basis.

US Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday called for an end to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, emphasizing that Israel should not reoccupy Gaza once the fighting concludes. Speaking to the National Association of Black Journalists in Philadelphia, Harris reiterated her support for a cease-fire and a two-state solution as a path to long-term peace. She stressed that regional stability must be pursued in a way that prevents Iran from gaining influence. “We’ve made ourselves very clear this deal needs to get done in the best interest of everyone in the region,” Harris said.

The Israel Business Forum, representing a significant portion of the country’s private sector workforce, has urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to proceed with reported plans to fire Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. The forum warned that such a move would further damage Israel’s already struggling economy, battered by ongoing conflict.

The forum, comprising 200 leading businesses—including Big Shopping Centers, the Azrieli Group, and major banking institutions—expressed concern that dismissing Gallant would weaken Israel’s standing in the eyes of its enemies and deepen social divisions within the country.

“It is clear that replacing the defense minister in exchange for a political deal regarding legislation that allows exclusion [of most ultra-Orthodox men] from military service will exacerbate the gap in equally sharing the burden,” the forum stated. The group added that such a decision “will dramatically increase the frustration among the public who bear the burden of the [military] service, and the economic burden.”

The forum emphasized that the Prime Minister should be aware of the country’s deteriorating economic indicators. “The Prime Minister knows better than anyone that all the economic indicators show that Israel is deteriorating into an economic abyss and is sinking into a deep recession,” it cautioned.

Reports indicate that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and New Hope chairman Gideon Sa’ar have agreed to jointly select a new Israel Defense Forces (IDF) chief of staff. Sa’ar is expected to be appointed defense minister if Netanyahu plans to dismiss the current defense chief, Yoav Gallant.

Both Haaretz and Ynet report that replacing Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi as IDF chief of staff is a key element of the agreement between Netanyahu and Sa’ar. However, it remains unclear whether they intend to wait for Halevi to resign or take steps to force him out of his position.

The potential deal suggests a significant shake-up within Israel’s military leadership amid ongoing political maneuvering as Netanyahu seeks to consolidate support within his government. The emerging agreement could also signal a shift in Israel’s defense strategy amid heightened tensions.

Knesset Finance Committee Chairman Moshe Gafni announced during a hearing on the 2024 state budget that a proposal for a unity government had been on the table but is no longer being considered. Speaking to Members of Knesset, the senior ultra-Orthodox lawmaker stated, “There was a proposal for a unity government, [but] it was dropped.”

Gafni’s remarks came in response to demands from relatives of Israelis held hostage in Gaza. They urged him to use his influence within the coalition to push for a hostage deal as a condition for the government’s continued stability. Gafni expressed support for such an agreement, aligning with a recent statement by MK Yisrael Eichler, Chair of the Labor and Welfare Committee. Eichler emphasized the United Torah Judaism party’s “deep commitment to the mitzvah of redeeming captives.”

The Israeli Defense Ministry announced that it has completed equipping civilian defense squads in 97 communities near the northern border with 9,000 new IWI Arad assault rifles. The purchase, costing NIS 50 million ($13 million), is part of an ongoing project to reinforce these teams amid heightened security concerns. An additional 5,000 weapons were previously distributed at the beginning of the ongoing conflict.

Defense Ministry Director General Eyal Zamir emphasized that the initiative aims to “strengthen civilian defense squads that fought bravely on October 7.” During the initial Hamas attack, many civilian defense teams in the south were forced to defend their communities alone for hours before security forces could arrive. This experience prompted the Defense Ministry to enhance the capabilities of similar squads across the country.

“After reequipping communities near the Gaza border, we are now completing the reequipment of 100 civilian defense squads in the north with weapons, including the Arad — an advanced weapon developed in Israel,” Zamir said.

Three hostages whose bodies were recovered from Gaza in December were killed by Israeli fire, according to reports from Hebrew media, citing families who were informed of the findings.

The families of Sgt. Ron Sherman and Cpl. Nik Beizer, both 19, and civilian Elia Toledano, 28, were reportedly notified by Israel Defense Forces (IDF) officials that IDF fire was responsible for their deaths. These three individuals had been kidnapped on October 7 and were later found in a Hamas tunnel in Jabaliya on December 14.

In January, the IDF denied Hamas claims that the three were killed by an Israeli airstrike, asserting that a pathology report showed no signs of trauma or gunfire on their bodies. This indicated that they were not directly killed by an airstrike or other IDF action. However, recent reports have brought this into question.

There has been no immediate comment from the IDF on these recent findings.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has urged the protection of humanitarian workers after six United Nations staff members were killed in Gaza. Speaking in Poland, Blinken emphasized that a cease-fire and hostage deal, backed by the US, would be the most effective way to ensure their safety.

“We need to see humanitarian sites protected, and that’s something that we continue to raise with Israel,” Blinken said.

The Israeli military claimed it targeted a Hamas control center at the Al-Jawni school in Nuseirat, which had been serving as a shelter for displaced Palestinians. The Israel Defense Forces said Hamas was using the facility to plan attacks and that Israel took appropriate measures to minimize civilian harm.

Israeli Justice Minister Yariv Levin, following a request from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, asked Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara to launch a criminal investigation into Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, according to a report from Israel’s Channel 12. The move was intended to prevent the International Criminal Court (ICC) from issuing arrest warrants against the two. The idea was that an internal investigation would be opened and quickly closed, allowing Israel to report to the ICC that the matter had been addressed. Baharav-Miara, however, rejected the request, calling it an obvious tactic that would not satisfy the court. She suggested that only a State Commission of Inquiry into the October 7 attacks and the Gaza war would be acceptable. Netanyahu has so far resisted launching such an inquiry, fearing it could be used as a means to remove him from power.

Hamas announced on Wednesday that it remains ready for an “immediate” cease-fire with Israel in Gaza, reiterating its willingness to implement a US proposal without additional conditions. The statement followed a meeting between Hamas negotiators, led by senior official Khalil al-Hayya, and mediators including Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Egypt’s intelligence chief Abbas Kamel in Doha. Despite ongoing discussions, a cease-fire agreement has yet to be reached, with unresolved issues such as control of the Philadelphi corridor along Gaza’s border with Egypt. CIA Director William Burns, who is leading US negotiations, indicated that a more detailed cease-fire proposal is expected soon.

An Israeli soldier was killed on Wednesday when a Palestinian man driving a semi-truck rammed into him near the Israeli settlement of Givat Assaf, close to Ramallah in the West Bank, according to the Israeli military. The driver, identified as Al-Eil Isa Abd al-Jabbar Deif Allah from Rafat, accelerated the fuel truck toward a group of soldiers stationed at the site, striking 24-year-old Geri Gideon Hanghal during what the military described as “operational activity.” Video footage shared on social media shows the truck speeding toward the soldiers.

The driver was shot by Israeli forces and an armed civilian at the scene and was later transported to a hospital, according to Israel’s Kan TV news. No group has claimed responsibility for the incident, which occurred during ongoing Israeli military operations across the West Bank and the 11-month Israeli-Palestinian conflict in Gaza.

A new poll aired by Channel 12 on Monday suggests that if elections were held today, opposition parties could form a majority coalition without the support of Arab factions. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party is projected to win 22 seats, down from its current 32, while opposition factions—National Unity, Yesh Atid, Yisrael Beitenu, and the Democrats—collectively secure 61 seats.

The current Netanyahu-led coalition, including Likud, Shas, Otzma Yehudit, and United Torah Judaism, would capture 49 seats, significantly short of a majority in the 120-member Knesset. The survey also explored a hypothetical party led by former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, indicating he would receive 20 seats and gain more public support than Netanyahu, further weakening the coalition’s prospects.

The poll, conducted by Manu Geva, surveyed 503 respondents with a margin of error of 4.4%.

The Israeli military announced on Tuesday that it had targeted and killed senior Hamas commanders operating from a command center located within a designated humanitarian area in Khan Yunis, a city in southern Gaza. According to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), the commanders were directly involved in the October 7th Massacre and had been planning further attacks.

The IDF identified those targeted in the strike as the heads of Hamas’ aerial unit and the observation and targets department. The military also disputed the casualty figures released by Hamas-run authorities in Gaza, stating that they do not align with the IDF’s information and the precision of the munitions used in the strike.

A drone launched by Hezbollah from Lebanon struck a residential building in the northern coastal city of Nahariya, Israel, with no reports of injuries so far. Emergency services, including the Magen David Adom ambulance service, police, and the Fire and Rescue Service, continue to search the building to rule out any possible casualties.

Footage circulating on social media shows what appears to be the Hezbollah drone over Nahariya moments before it struck the building. The incident marks a significant escalation in tensions, with authorities remaining on high alert as they assess the damage and investigate further.

Syrian state media reported that overnight strikes, attributed to Israel, have killed at least 14 people in the central Hama province, raising an earlier toll of five dead and 19 wounded. According to the official news agency SANA, the strikes targeted several sites near Masyaf, leaving 43 people wounded, including six in critical condition. The reported attacks mark a significant escalation in the region, where Israeli strikes have frequently targeted sites linked to Iran-backed forces and Syrian military installations.

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara has urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to establish a state commission of inquiry into the events leading up to the ongoing war in Gaza and how the conflict has been managed, warning that such a step is crucial to prevent international arrest warrants against senior Israeli civilian and military officials. This warning was reported by Channel 12 on Saturday.

In what was described as a stern communication, Baharav-Miara stressed the urgency of forming an independent inquiry, stating, “There is an extraordinary amount of topics of inquiry and severe dangers in the international relations sphere.” The letter, addressed to Netanyahu and a select group of senior officials, cautioned that the opportunity to set up a commission before international entities take legal action is rapidly diminishing.

So far, Netanyahu has resisted calls for a state commission of inquiry into what some view as a series of failures before and during the October 7 attack, when Hamas breached Israel’s southern border, killing 1,200 people, taking 251 hostages, and triggering the ongoing conflict. Despite demands for a thorough investigation, including from coalition members, Netanyahu has preferred a government inquiry, arguing that it would be sufficient. However, Baharav-Miara has maintained that a state commission, with broader independence and authority, would be the most effective mechanism to address these issues.

Three Israeli men were shot and killed by a gunman at the Allenby Bridge crossing between Jordan and the West Bank, medics reported. The Magen David Adom ambulance service stated that it treated the men at the scene, but they were ultimately declared dead due to the severity of their injuries.

The assailant, a truck driver from Jordan, arrived at the terminal and opened fire on Israeli workers at the crossing, a key transit point connecting Jordan and the West Bank. The attack occurred near the bridge, also known as the King Hussein Bridge, which serves as a vital link for people and goods traveling between Jordan and the Palestinian territories.

According to initial reports, the gunman fired multiple shots at the crossing’s employees, leaving the three Israeli men in critical condition. Medics responded quickly but were unable to save the victims, who succumbed to their injuries.

The Israeli military confirmed that the assailant was “neutralized” following the attack. Further details regarding the shooter’s motives and background are still being investigated by authorities.

Overnight, more than 50 rockets were launched from Lebanon towards Israel’s Galilee Panhandle and the Kiryat Shmona area, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported. The attacks, claimed by Hezbollah as retaliation for an earlier IDF strike in Lebanon, caused significant damage but no injuries.

The first wave of around 20 rockets was fired at approximately 1 am and again at 2:30 am. The IDF stated that most of the projectiles were intercepted by air defense systems, though some impacted Kiryat Shmona, including one that scored a direct hit on a building and another that struck a sidewalk, both causing extensive damage.

A second barrage of 30 rockets followed at around 5:30 am, with the military reporting that several were intercepted while the rest landed in open areas, resulting in no injuries.

Hezbollah claimed responsibility for the rocket fire, stating it was in revenge for an Israeli strike on the Lebanese town of Froun, where authorities said three emergency workers were killed.

In response, the IDF confirmed that its fighter jets struck multiple buildings used by Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, specifically targeting sites in Aitaroun, Maroun al-Ras, and Yaroun. The IDF released footage showing the strikes on these Hezbollah facilities.

The second phase of polio vaccinations for children under 10 began in Gaza’s southern region, according to the United Nations. The first phase, completed in central Gaza, vaccinated 187,000 children, surpassing the goal of 156,000. The final phase is set for northern Gaza, aiming to vaccinate a total of 640,000 children. The campaign started after a 10-month-old was diagnosed with polio, with a second round of doses planned in four weeks. UN humanitarian coordinator Sigrid Kaag visited the vaccination sites, while the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) noted ongoing challenges in delivering aid due to hostilities, road damage, and access limitations. OCHA reported a decrease in daily meal provisions, from 700,000 in July to 450,000 in August, as evacuation orders disrupted operations.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum on Wednesday called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to stop wearing the yellow ribbon pin, a symbol used to show solidarity with hostages and their families. The Forum accused the prime minister of faking his support for their cause and challenged his commitment to securing the release of their loved ones.

“The yellow ribbon pin is worn by anyone who wants to express unreserved support for the return of the hostages and sympathy for the families whose loved ones have been abandoned to Hamas in Gaza for 334 days,” the Forum said in a statement. It emphasized that the pin represents an “uncompromising moral commitment” to bringing back the hostages and not leaving them behind.

The Forum demanded that Netanyahu remove the pin from his suit lapel, accusing him of using it as an “illusion of support” while not doing enough to secure the hostages’ release. “Leaders, public figures, and citizens from all over the world wear the pin with the hope that it will be removed as soon as possible, upon the return of the 101 hostages abandoned on his watch,” the statement read.

The Families Forum has ramped up its criticism of Netanyahu following the recent execution of six captives by Hamas in Rafah. The group accused him of proving “he did not intend to return the hostages” after he insisted he would not agree to any deal for their release if it included the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Philadelphi Corridor along the Gaza-Egypt border.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have reported the discovery of a tunnel in a children’s play area, where the bodies of six hostages were found. The tunnel was located beneath an area filled with stuffed animals and wall art depicting cartoon characters.

According to the IDF, the shaft leading to the tunnel, where the bodies of hostages Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Alex Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, and MSG Ori Danino were recovered, was heavily concealed in a civilian setting. Troops from the 162nd Division, alongside the Israeli Security Agency (ISA), located the shaft, which was surrounded by hostile forces and extensively booby-trapped.

The IDF statement condemned Hamas for allegedly using civilian areas to hide hostages and conduct terrorist activities. This incident is cited as another example of Hamas exploiting vulnerable spaces to advance its objectives.

Israeli troops have killed more than 200 terror operatives in recent operations led by the 162nd Division in the Tel Sultan neighborhood of Rafah, located in the southern Gaza Strip, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported.

According to the military, Israeli forces have also uncovered dozens of weapons hidden inside homes throughout the neighborhood. In one notable incident, troops searching a building engaged in a gun battle with a person and subsequently discovered a cache of weapons and supplies in the basement, which were reportedly used by the terror operatives.

The IDF further noted the discovery of more than 10 long-range rocket launchers in the Tel Sultan area, underscoring the continued efforts to neutralize threats posed by terror groups operating in Gaza.

The Gaza Health Ministry has stated that the Palestinian death toll since the terror group launched an attack on Israel on October 7 now stands at 40,861. This figure is said to include more than 17,000 Hamas gunmen that Israel claims to have killed in combat. Additionally, Israel states that it killed approximately 1,000 terrorists during the initial October 7 incursion.

During a speech at the Israel Bar Association, Acting Supreme Court President Uzi Vogelman sharply criticized Justice Minister Yariv Levin for delaying important judicial appointments, arguing that Levin’s actions are hindering the courts’ ability to serve Israeli citizens effectively.

Vogelman, who is set to retire soon, also implicitly criticized Levin’s preferred candidates for the Supreme Court, stressing that only the most experienced and professional jurists should fill the two—soon to be three—vacant seats on Israel’s highest court. Levin’s choices are highly conservative legal academics with no prior judicial experience.

“Without [the justice minister’s] approval or agreement, it is not possible to advance many processes for the public,” Vogelman stated. He noted that Levin has obstructed the appointment of a new president for the Supreme Court and acted similarly regarding appointments for the Jerusalem District Court, National Labor Court, and other judicial roles such as vice presidents and registrars.

Vogelman emphasized, “It is fitting that the most experienced, professional, and outstanding jurists be appointed to the Supreme Court. Jurists who represent all the diversity of Israeli society. This is for one clear goal: to benefit the Israeli public as a whole.”

A Hamas Nukhba force company commander, Ahmed Fawzi Nasser Muhammad Wadiyya, who led the invasion of the Israeli community of Netiv Ha’asara on October 7, was killed in a recent airstrike in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli military and Shin Bet security service have confirmed.

Wadiyya was among eight Hamas members killed in an airstrike targeting a compound near Gaza City’s al-Ahli hospital, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The compound was reportedly used by the Daraj-Tuffah Battalion, a Hamas unit to which Wadiyya belonged.

Wadiyya, who commanded a Nukhba force company within the Daraj-Tuffah Battalion, led a raid on Netiv Ha’asara on October 7, using a paraglider to enter the area. He is accused of overseeing the massacre there and was notably identified as the person who drank cola in the Taasa family home in front of the children of Gil Taasa, who was killed in the attack.

Histadrut Labor Federation chair Arnon Bar-David has expressed respect for the Labor Court’s decision to end the nationwide solidarity strike at 2:30 pm on Monday. In a statement, Bar-David emphasized the importance of the strike as a significant measure to show unity and raise awareness about the fate of hostages held in Gaza.

“It is important to emphasize that the solidarity strike was a significant measure, and I stand behind it,” Bar-David stated. “Despite attempts to paint solidarity as political, hundreds of thousands of citizens voted with their feet.”

Bar-David thanked the participants, declaring, “You proved that the fate of the hostages is not right-wing or left-wing; there is only life or death, and we won’t allow life to be abandoned.”

Meanwhile, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum urged the public to continue demonstrating despite the court ruling. “This is not about a strike; this is about rescuing the 101 hostages that were abandoned by [Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu with the cabinet decision last Thursday,” the forum said, referring to a vote by ministers backing the IDF’s continued presence on the Philadelphi Corridor.

Arnon Bar-David, chief of the Histadrut Labor Federation, announced a general strike set for tomorrow to pressure the government over the failure to secure the release of hostages held in Gaza. Speaking at a press conference following a meeting with the Hostages and Missing Families Forum in Tel Aviv, Bar-David emphasized that “a deal is more important than anything else.”

The strike is scheduled to begin at 6 am and is currently planned as a one-day action. Bar-David indicated that any decisions regarding extending the strike beyond Monday will be made later.

“Jews are being murdered in the tunnels of Gaza. It is impossible to grasp and has to stop,” he declared, expressing frustration over the ongoing situation.

Bar-David, after discussions with various security officials, suggested that the negotiations for a deal are stalled due to “political considerations.” He voiced concern over the increasing political polarization in Israel, stating, “We are no longer one people; we are camp against camp,” and urged a return to unity: “We need to bring back the State of Israel.”

The labor leader criticized the government’s handling of the crisis, lamenting, “We are getting body bags instead of a deal. I have come to the conclusion that only our intervention might move those who need to be moved.” He called on all Israelis to participate in the strike, saying, “I call on the people of Israel to go out to the streets tonight and tomorrow and for everyone to take part in the strike.”

Israeli opposition leader and former Prime Minister Yair Lapid called for a nationwide strike on Sunday to pressure the government into securing the release of the remaining hostages held in the Gaza Strip. Lapid urged every Israeli “whose heart was broken this morning” to join a major protest planned for later in the day in Tel Aviv. He also called on Israel’s main labor unions, businesses, and municipalities to participate in the strike.

Lapid’s remarks came in response to the discovery of the bodies of six additional hostages who were found in Gaza, intensifying public outcry over the government’s handling of the hostage crisis.

The Histadrut labor federation, which represents hundreds of thousands of public sector workers, indicated it was considering a strike and would make a decision later in the day after consulting with the families of the hostages. Given its considerable influence over Israel’s labor landscape, Histadrut’s potential involvement could significantly amplify the protest’s impact.

Israel’s Manufacturers’ Association also voiced support for a strike and criticized the government for failing to bring hostages back alive, calling it a “moral duty.” The association’s head, Ron Tomer, emphasized the importance of national unity and the need for a comprehensive approach to resolve the crisis.

In the wake of the Israel Defense Forces’ discovery of six dead hostages in the Gaza Strip, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has pushed back against criticism of the government’s handling of the situation. He accused his critics of “echoing Hamas propaganda” while simultaneously blaming Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for a shooting earlier today near the West Bank city of Tarqumiyah.

“Unfortunately, I see the disturbing statements from the left, which accuse the Israeli government of murdering the hostages,” Ben Gvir stated. “To be clear: The terrorist organization Hamas, and only Hamas, killed the hostages. Those who place the blame on the Israeli government are echoing Hamas propaganda.”

Ben Gvir went further to condemn those advocating for the release of Palestinian prisoners, claiming that such actions would jeopardize Israeli security. “Those who demand the release of thousands of terrorists and giving Hamas control of the Philadelphi Corridor are intentionally abandoning the security of Israel’s citizens. The blood of those murdered next shall be on his hands.”

He referenced the shooting near Tarqumiyah as evidence of the dangers posed by what he described as “terrorists roaming freely.” Ben Gvir argued that previous prisoner exchanges, such as the 2011 Shalit deal, had resulted in released detainees returning to acts of terrorism, adding, “We have not yet finished counting the number of murdered people and the rivers of blood from the Shalit deal.”

Ben Gvir also criticized what he termed naive rhetoric from the left, linking it to past policies such as the Oslo Accords and Gaza disengagement, which he claimed led to “rivers of blood.”

“Terrorism must be fought without illusions,” he stated, branding the Palestinian Authority as “a terrorist authority” that actively instigates and finances terror. He warned that those who trust the Palestinian Authority “endanger the State of Israel.”

Families of Israeli hostages held in Gaza gathered at the border, using loudspeakers to call out to their loved ones. They pleaded, prayed, and urged them to stay strong. Among them, Varda Ben Baruch, the grandmother of 20-year-old lone soldier Edan Alexander from New Jersey, called out, “Idanaleh! Mom and Dad are waiting for you. We’re worried about you and waiting for your return home. Be strong, you’re strong, survive. We’re doing everything we can for you and for all the other hostages.”

Parents, siblings, and grandparents directed emotional messages to their loved ones held captive for 328 days. Yehuda Cohen, father of soldier Nimrod Cohen, pledged to “run everywhere in the world until we have a deal that will free you and the other hostages.” Some broke down in tears, including Shira Albag, whose daughter Liri Albag is also among the captives.

Eli Shtivi, draped in a prayer shawl, promised his son Idan Shtivi that Israel would negotiate over Gaza’s Philadelphi Corridor to secure his release. Rachel Goldberg-Polin, the mother of Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, offered her son a traditional blessing: “May God bless you and keep you. May God’s light shine upon you, and may God be gracious to you. May you feel God’s Presence within you always, and may you find peace.”

Israeli forces killed five Palestinian gunmen, including a local terror leader, in a mosque in the West Bank city of Tulkarem during a large-scale operation launched early Wednesday, according to the IDF, police, and Shin Bet security agency.

The IDF deployed Border Police’s elite Yamam counterterrorism unit to the mosque following intelligence from the Shin Bet about gunmen holed up inside. Utilizing a “pressure cooker” tactic involving shoulder-launched missiles, Israeli forces attempted to force the gunmen out, resulting in two deaths inside the mosque and three more in a nearby building after an exchange of fire.

Among the dead was Muhammad Jaber, known as Abu Shuja’a, a commander of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad’s local wing in Tulkarem, reportedly involved in multiple terror attacks, including the June killing of Amnon Muchtar in Qalqilya.

In total, at least 17 Palestinians have been killed since the operation began, according to Palestinian media. The operation, involving various IDF units, is expected to last several days.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) recovered the body of an Israeli soldier, killed and abducted by Hamas on October 7, from the southern Gaza Strip overnight, according to a statement released Wednesday. The operation involved the IDF’s 162nd Division and the Shin Bet security agency, which had been working for months to locate the body.

The name of the recovered soldier has not been released at the family’s request.

The IDF also announced that two soldiers were killed in Gaza in the past day.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed condolences and reiterated the country’s commitment to bringing home both hostages and the bodies of the fallen. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant commended the operation, stating it reflects Israel’s dedication to retrieving all hostages.

The Hostage Families Forum emphasized the urgency of securing the release of the remaining 107 hostages, stressing the need for a deal.

A convoy of hostage families departed Tel Aviv on their way to the Gaza border, where they plan to call out to their loved ones using loudspeakers mounted on a crane early tomorrow morning. The convoy, which includes trailers carrying cars burned and destroyed during the October 7 attacks, is set to arrive at Kibbutz Be’eri late this afternoon.

Before their departure, hostage family members spoke at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, expressing frustration and urging action from the government and the international community. Shira Albag, mother of Liri Albag, a surveillance soldier taken hostage on October 7, criticized the government’s lack of response.

“Where are you, government members? Where are you, elected officials?” said Albag. “What will be recorded in the history books of this cursed war is not whether we conquered the Philadelphi Corridor or how many terrorists we killed, but whether we cared for and brought our hostages home.”

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz called on Wednesday for Israel to consider the temporary relocation of Palestinians as part of a major anti-terror raid in the northern West Bank. The operation was launched by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) following last week’s attempted suicide bombing in Tel Aviv.

“We need to deal with the [terror] threat exactly as we deal with terror infrastructure in Gaza, including the temporary evacuation of Palestinian civilians and any other step needed,” Katz tweeted, describing the operation as “a war in every sense.”

According to Katz, Israeli forces are targeting an Iranian-backed terror network in Jenin, Tulkarem, and other areas in the West Bank. “Iran is working to establish a terror front against Israel in [the West Bank], according to the model it used in Lebanon and Gaza, by funding and arming terrorists and smuggling advanced weapons from Jordan,” he stated.

So far, at least 10 Palestinians have been reported killed in clashes and IDF drone strikes, with several wanted individuals detained. The international community has raised concerns over the ongoing conflict and the humanitarian impact of military operations in densely populated areas.

Israeli forces intensified their offensive in the southern Gaza Strip on Wednesday, pushing tanks deeper into Khan Yunis and launching airstrikes across the enclave. At least 34 Palestinians were killed, according to medical sources. In Khan Yunis, Israeli tanks unexpectedly advanced into the city center, prompting the military to order evacuations in the east. Palestinian health officials reported that 11 people were killed in these strikes. In Deir Al-Balah, an airstrike near a school housing displaced families killed eight more people. Additionally, in Nuseirat, journalist Mohammed Abed-Rabbo and his sister were killed in an Israeli strike on their home, raising the reported death toll of Palestinian journalists to 172 since the conflict began on October 7. The Israeli military has issued multiple evacuation orders across Gaza, sparking concern from Palestinians, the UN, and aid agencies over the shrinking humanitarian zones.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday urged Muslim countries to unite and pressure Israel to halt its actions in Gaza, which he described as “crimes and genocide.”

Pezeshkian made this appeal during a meeting in Tehran with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. He commended Qatar’s efforts toward achieving a cease-fire in Gaza and criticized countries that claim to support human rights but remain silent in the face of violence. This call comes as regional tensions escalate following the recent killings of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr.

Jordan has launched an initiative to support amputees in Gaza, responding to the surge in limb injuries from the ongoing conflict. Directed by King Abdullah II, the program uses advanced technology to fit functional prosthetic limbs within an hour. The National Center for Amputee Rehabilitation in Jordan has already fitted a young boy from Gaza, who had a triple amputation, with prosthetic limbs, enabling him to walk with a walker in just one day. Two Mobile Amputee Support Units will be deployed to Jordanian military field hospitals in Gaza to assist more amputees.

Israel’s High Court of Justice has ordered the state to justify its policy preventing Red Cross visits to Palestinian prisoners from Gaza and the West Bank. The court also demanded an explanation for why information about these prisoners should not be shared with the International Committee of the Red Cross. The ruling follows a petition from human rights organizations, including the Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI), after Red Cross access was halted following the October 7 massacre and the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war. The state is required to provide its explanation in September before the next court hearing.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sparked controversy during a tense meeting with released hostages and the families of those still held by Hamas, declaring that Israel did not “lose” on October 7, despite the failure to prevent the Hamas massacre on that day. Netanyahu compared the attack to the Holocaust, stating, “During the Holocaust, they committed ‘October 7’ 4,500 times every single day.”

The remarks were made in response to criticism from the families, who were pressing the prime minister on efforts to secure the release of their loved ones, and were leaked by Channel 12 on Sunday. Netanyahu, however, appeared more focused on the broader security challenges Israel faces, particularly from Hezbollah and Iran.

“I want to tell you what I’m busy with,” Netanyahu told the families. “I am dealing with [preventing] the destruction of this country.”

One of the former hostages challenged Netanyahu, asking if he was suggesting that “the war is more important than the hostages,” to which Netanyahu retorted that maybe she “wasn’t listening” carefully.

The prime minister went on to emphasize that the very future of the State of Israel is at stake, asserting that the entire existence of cities like Tel Aviv and Haifa is “in question.” Netanyahu defended Israel’s military response, saying, “After they did one day of it, we went in there and we’re beating those killers.”

The meeting grew more heated as the discussion continued, with one former hostage expressing frustration, stating that she was “currently in a holocaust” because her son remains in captivity. Netanyahu attempted to reassure the families that he was committed to bringing the hostages home but also stressed the broader existential threats facing Israel.

Israel’s hard-line Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has once again ignited controversy by repeating his call for Jews to be allowed to pray at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem, a site revered by Muslims and Jews. His comments have drawn sharp criticism at a time when cease-fire negotiations are underway to halt the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

In an interview with Army Radio on Monday, Ben-Gvir stated, “The policy allows prayers on the Temple Mount, there is equal law between Jews and Muslims – I would build a synagogue there.” His remarks were quickly shared on social media platform X, further inflaming tensions.

The Prime Minister’s Office was swift to respond, reaffirming Israel’s commitment to the decades-old status quo that restricts non-Muslim prayer at the mosque compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount. “There is no change to the status quo on the Temple Mount,” read the statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office.

The compound, situated in Jerusalem’s Old City, is one of the most sensitive sites in the Middle East and has been a flashpoint for conflict in the region. Ben-Gvir’s comments came less than two weeks after he visited the compound with hundreds of supporters, many of whom appeared to be praying openly in defiance of the established rules.

Ben Gurion Airport is slowly returning to normal operations following a temporary shutdown earlier this morning due to IDF preemptive strikes and a rocket attack by Hezbollah. Director General Udi Bar Oz briefed reporters on the situation, noting that the flight schedule is gradually stabilizing.

Bar Oz reported that 310 international flights are scheduled for the day, accommodating over 50,000 passengers. These flights are operated by Israeli airlines and approximately 20 foreign airlines that are continuing their services despite the disruptions. He acknowledged that some foreign airlines canceled flights today but said they are in contact with these carriers to determine when they will resume operations.

The airport experienced a two-hour closure from 5:20 to 7 am, but Bar Oz emphasized that the situation is now under control. “It will be a complicated day, but it’s under control. Most of the flights will depart. … As the day progresses, the delays will be reduced,” he assured.

Passengers are advised to stay updated with their airlines and to arrive at the airport three hours before their scheduled flights.

An Israeli drone strike during a military operation in the West Bank city of Tulkarm resulted in the deaths of three Palestinians, according to the Palestinian health ministry. The strike occurred in the Tulkarm refugee camp, a densely populated area home to families who were displaced during the 1948 Middle East war.

The Israeli military stated that the drone strike targeted armed individuals in the camp. During the operation, Israeli troops reportedly encountered resistance and worked to uncover improvised explosive devices (IEDs) buried under the roads. Residents described hearing gunfire and explosions throughout the morning.

Despite the military’s assertion that the operation targeted armed individuals, no Palestinian groups immediately claimed affiliation with the men who were killed in the strike.

At his resignation ceremony on Wednesday, Major General Aharon Haliva, Israel’s outgoing head of military intelligence, accepted responsibility for the failures that led to the deadly October 7 attack on Israel’s border.

Haliva, who has served in the military for 38 years, announced his resignation in April, prior to the attack, and is among several senior Israeli commanders who have admitted to failing to foresee and prevent what became the deadliest assault in Israel’s history.

“The failure of the intelligence corps was my fault,” Haliva stated during the ceremony, calling for a comprehensive national investigation to “study” and “understand deeply” the factors that led to the outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas.

In the aftermath of a Hezbollah rocket barrage on Katzrin in the Golan Heights, Israel’s national security minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, has called for a severe response and demanded a more significant role in managing the ongoing conflict. The far-right minister stood amid the wreckage in the northern Israeli city, emphasizing the need for decisive action.

“One of the reasons I am so demanding to enter the limited cabinet is what is happening here now,” Ben Gvir declared. “You also have to attack; you also have to make a campaign. This is the opportunity we must not miss.”

He urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to respond with the utmost clarity and firmness to the attack. The Hezbollah assault saw more than 50 rockets launched at Katzrin, with most intercepted by the Iron Dome air defense system. However, several rockets struck the city, causing significant damage to homes and injuring one person.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty spoke with Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly on Tuesday, focusing on the conflict in Gaza. According to a statement from Egypt’s Foreign Ministry, the two officials shared their perspectives on the ongoing situation in the Middle East. Abdelatty detailed Egypt’s ongoing efforts to de-escalate tensions and secure a cease-fire in Gaza. Both ministers emphasized the importance of ensuring humanitarian aid reaches Gaza and called for global efforts to secure a lasting cease-fire while preventing the conflict from spreading. Recent talks aimed at mediating a cease-fire have included representatives from Qatar, Egypt, and the US.

Egypt has reiterated its call for Israel to fully withdraw from the Rafah crossing and the Philadelphi Corridor along the Egypt-Gaza border. According to a report from Egypt’s Al-Qahera News TV, a high-ranking security source confirmed that Egypt denied recent media claims suggesting it had agreed to allow Israel to maintain a military presence in the corridor. Egypt, together with Qatar and the US, continues to lead mediation efforts aimed at securing a truce and a hostage-prisoner swap between Israel and Hamas, with the ultimate goal of achieving a lasting cease-fire in Gaza.