Israel National News

Report:

Report: Jared Kushner advising Trump’s team ahead of Middle East trip

CNN reports that, as President Trump prepares for his Middle East trip, Jared Kushner continues to advise his team on regional diplomacy.

Negative outlook

S&P affirms Israel's credit rating at 'A/A-1' with negative outlook

Standard & Poor's affirms Israel's credit rating at 'A/A-1' with a negative outlook, citing ongoing geopolitical and domestic challenges. The agency warns that an escalation of the war could harm Israel's economy.

Witkoff:

Witkoff: Trump’s diplomacy seeks to halt Iran’s nuclear enrichment program

Steve Witkoff explains in interview with Breitbart News that Trump’s "peace through strength" approach values dialogue as the most effective tool for achieving lasting peace, especially in situations like Iran’s nuclear program.

Holocaust survivor Margot Friedländer passes away at 103

Margot Friedländer, a Holocaust survivor and witness to Nazi persecution, dies away at 103. Known for her advocacy and role in Holocaust remembrance, she was honored with Germany's highest recognition.

IDF and Shin Bet strike terrorists in northern Gaza

IDF and Shin Bet say they struck several Hamas terrorists who were operating in the area of Jabalia, exploiting civilian infrastructure and the Gazan population as human shields.

Rafah:

Captured Hamas terrorists provide information on underground infrastructure in Rafah

IDF troops dismantle underground terrorist infrastructure about 25 meters deep in the Shabura area of Rafah.

Shechem:

Security forces eliminate top Islamic Jihad terrorist in Shechem

IDF, Yamam and Shin Bet forces eliminate terrorist Noor Beitawi, the head of the Islamic Jihad's terror network in Jenin, who was planning imminent attacks.

Shabbat Shalom from Israel!

Shabbat Shalom from Israel! Updates continue from North America

Shabbat about to begin in Israel. INN's North America desk will continue to update the site until Shabbat begins in New York.

Mass prayers surround Shechem

Worshippers gathered at five key entrances to Shechem on Friday for coordinated prayer assemblies aimed at restoring the Jewish presence at Joseph’s Tomb.

Missile attack from Yemen intercepted

The attack set off sirens in several regions of Israel. One woman was reported injured on her way to a shelter.

Week of Raids:

Week of Raids: 55 arrested, terrorists eliminated in Judea and Samaria

The IDF has published a summary of the week's counterterrorism operations, including coordinated operations to eliminate terrorists, uncover firebombers, and seize 10 illegal weapons in an ongoing mission to protect Israeli civilians.

Report:

Report: US Defense Secretary Hegseth cancels visit to Israel

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly cancelled his trip to Israel so he could accompany President Trump on his trip to the region.

'Justice or Persecution?':

'Justice or Persecution?': MK Simcha Rothman denounces legal system in Supreme Court

Knesset Constitution Committee Chair Simcha Rothman warned of public distrust and judicial overreach in a case involving a former Netanyahu advisor and vowed to fight misuse of power.

Turkey

Report: Militant Kurdish organization set to announce end of armed struggle

Move follows leader’s February call to end armed resistance; PKK congress signals historic shift in Kurdish militant strategy.

Watch:

Watch: Former Trump administration official faints during live interview

Camryn Kinsey fainted during a live interview on Fox News. She was later confirmed to have been recovering after receiving medical attention.

'Let It Be':

"Let It Be": Family honors fallen father in the house where he died in Be'eri

The children of Elhanan Kalamanson gathered in the house where he was killed in action in the October 7th massacre to honor him among the 33 Israelis killed defending Be'eri.

Hamas insists:

Hamas insists: We will not proceed with a deal without end of war

Hamas negotiation team rejects proposed offers and ideas based only on partial settlements and insist only on a deal that would end the war.

Central Command chief:

Central Command chief: 'Positive trends in Judea and Samaria'

Commanding Officer of the Central Command, MG Avi Bluth, visits the Jordan Valley Regional Brigade and says a "major shift in the eastern arena" is approaching.

Passover Sabotage:

Passover Sabotage: Arab states tried to undermine Israel's sale of leavened food

Hussein Jaber, the man who annually buys Israel's chametz, says Qatar, Dubai, and Kuwait offered to buy it all — not to eat, but to destroy.

UN obstructed US investigation into UNRWA ties to Hamas

USAID report states that the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) redacted the names of UNRWA employees under investigation for ties to Hamas, rendering the documents it provided for the American probe "unusable."

Huckabee:

Huckabee: Trump orders humanitarian aid to be brought into Gaza as soon as possible

Ambassador Huckabee says any crisis in Gaza is entirely the fault of Hamas in announcement Trump has ordered humanitarian aid into the enclave.

Ex-hostage recounts:

Ex-hostage recounts: 'We tried to escape through streets of Gaza'

Freed hostage Eliya Cohen recounted his attempt with other hostages to escape until they were recognized as Jews by a Gazan civilian. 'Everyone is Gaza supports this.'

GOP Congressman places 'Hebrew Hammer' Mezuzah at his office entrance

The mezuzah, designed in the shape of a hammer with "Hebrew Hammer" inscription, reflects the nickname of newly elected Congressman Randy Fine as a determined fighter against antisemitism; Chairman of Republicans Overseas Israel: "An important symbolic act highlighting the significance of proud Jewish identity in the face of growing antisemitism."

Never recovered:

Never recovered: Mother of Barkan shooting victim passes away 7 years later

Chava, the mother of Kim Levengrond-Yehezkel, who was murdered in a shooting attack at the Barkan Industrial Zone in 2018, has passed away. Friends say she never recovered from the loss of her daughter.

Sgt. Yishai Urbach was married 2 months before he fell in Gaza

Sergeant Yishai Elyakim Urbach from Zichron Ya'akov went back into Gaza 2 months after getting married, where he was killed in action.

Lindsey Graham:

Lindsey Graham: 'No support for security deal with Saudi without normalization'

Republican Senator stated that he would not support the Trump administration's move if it waives the demand for normalization as a condition for a security agreement with Saudi Arabia.

Over Gaza war

EU to reassess Israel trade deal amid Gaza war concerns

European Union foreign ministers are set to formally discuss reviewing a trade agreement with Israel amid deepening concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Watchdog:

Watchdog: Biden’s Gaza pier mission poorly planned, left dozens of troops injured

Pentagon watchdog report reveals major operational failures in Biden’s $230 million Gaza aid pier mission, including 62 US troop injuries, millions in damages, and equipment shortfalls.

Pending court ruling

German spy agency halts 'extremist' label for AfD pending court ruling

Germany's domestic intelligence agency pauses its classification of the AfD as a right-wing extremist group, awaiting a court decision. AfD leaders welcome the development.

Ecuador’s President:

Ecuador’s President: Israel aiding us in fight against cartel violence

Ecuadoran President Daniel Noboa reveals that Israel and the UAE have agreed to share intelligence with his government to combat violent drug cartels.

Smotrich: Most of the nation opposes surrendering to Hamas

Sources close to Minister Smotrich clarify that he stated in a meeting with families of hostages that he is convinced "most of the nation opposes surrendering to Hamas in a way that would endanger Israel's security."

Threatens sanctions

Trump calls for 30-day Ukraine ceasefire, threatens new sanctions

US President calls for a 30-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, warning of tougher sanctions if it's not observed. While Ukraine agrees to the proposal, Russia offers only a three-day pause.

Minister Goldknopf: The ultimate goal - releasing the hostages

Minister Yitzhak Goldknopf meets families of hostages, stresses: "Jewish law establishes that the value of redeeming captives and preserving life is supreme, even overriding Shabbat."

Qatar-Gate affair:

Qatar-Gate affair: Judge accepts appeal, Yonatan Urich to remain in custody

District Court judge overturns the decision of the Rishon LeZion Magistrate Court President and extends the detention of Prime Minister adviser Yonatan Urich.

'Jewish Resilience'

Montana Tucker launches 'Jewish Resilience' campaign with Emily Damari and Roni Gonen

American entertainer Montana Tucker meets Israeli survivors and IDF soldiers during solidarity visit, highlighting Jewish resilience and the power of global support in the aftermath of October 7.

A mother’s hope

A mother’s hope | Hostages' mothers mark second Mother's Day without their sons

As Mother’s Day nears, Israeli mothers of hostages held in Gaza plead for international pressure and renewed diplomatic efforts to bring their children home after 580 days in captivity.

Huckabee:

Huckabee: US doesn't need "permission" from Israel to make deal with Houthis

US Ambassador to Israel defends Trump Administration's decision to reach a ceasefire agreement with the Houthis without involving Israel or an agreement by the Houthis to stop attacking Israel.

Tamir Nimrodi among hostages whose fate is unknown

Since the October 7th Massacre, no sign of life was received from Tamir Nimrodi.

Pope Leo XIV

Robert Prevost elected first American pope in history, to take the name Pope Leo XIV

Selection of the Chicago-born Prevost welcomed by the European Jewish Congress and President Trump.

Deputy FM to CNN:

Deputy FM to CNN: 'Some journalists prefer to receive info from terror orgs'

Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel responded to accusations against Israel with CNN senior anchor Christiane Amanpour: 'Military pressure is what led to the last two deals.'