Israeli hero charged terrorist, was shot several times and survivedAustralian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he visited Bitton at St. Vincent’s Hospital before the evacuation January 10, 2026
National Security Minister Ben-Gvir says Netanyahu pledged support for death-penalty legislation before Oct 7 He said the promise remains in force and that he expects the legislation to move forward. January 9, 2026
Israel braces for severe rain, possible flooding, up to 70 mph winds in some areasThe latest bout of severe weather arrives just weeks after Storm Byron, which hammered Israel’s coastline last month with strong winds and rough seas. January 9, 2026
Nefesh B’Nefesh hosts largest-ever Aliyah event for gap-year studentsAccording to Nefesh B’Nefesh, participants engaged directly with representatives to learn about academic, professional and communal opportunities available across the country. January 9, 2026
Children of migrant workers in Israel petition to join IDFThey wrote in the petition that Israel is 'our homeland, where we have lived all our lives and from which we have never left.' January 8, 2026
‘Homecoming’ is voted Hebrew word of the year'Artificial intelligence' (bina milahutit) came in second place, while hope (tikva) came in third. January 8, 2026
Netanyahu admits southern Israel is out of control, vows to restore orderNetanyahu visits southern Israel, vowing major changes to rein in rampant criminal activity, violence, and weapon- smuggling that have plagued parts of the area for years. January 8, 2026
Samoa to inaugurate embassy in Jerusalem this yearIsrael and Samoa, which have maintained bilateral ties since 1972, have strong, growing relations marked by cooperation in health, technology, agriculture, and energy. January 7, 2026
Netanyahu, Modi discuss strengthening ties, Gaza peace planNetanyahu briefed Modi on the implementation of U.S. President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan for Gaza, while Modi reaffirmed India’s support for efforts toward a just and durable peace in the region. January 7, 2026
Knesset examines growing use of medical cannabis among PTSD-afflicted soldiersCurrently, approximately 6,000 soldiers receive funding for medical cannabis, with about 3,500 new patients added over the past two years. January 7, 2026
Searches resume for body of Ran Gvili, Gaza’s last hostage'We believe that an agreement has two sides, and both must honor their obligations.' January 7, 2026
Uproar after Hebrew University students hold pro-Palestinian conferenceThe school defended the event as being protected by 'academic freedom of expression.' January 7, 2026
IDF chief: New strategy focuses on possibility of surprise warZamir vowed that no terrorist or proxy groups would be allowed to 'wallow' on the frontier. January 7, 2026
Israel approves upgrade to 4G mobile services for Palestinians in Judea and SamariaIsrael is in the process of shutting down older 2G and 3G technologies and has advised the public to equip themselves with devices that support 4G and 5G. January 7, 2026
Fans banned from Maccabi Tel Aviv, Real Madrid EuroLeague game over security concernsSeason ticket holders will have their refunds credited toward their renewal for the next season. January 7, 2026
After 35 years, Israel finally approves E1 housing plan east of JerusalemAfter decades of delays amid international pressure to scrap the plan, Israel grants final approval for 3,401 housing units in the E1 area between Jerusalem and Ma'ale Adumim - part of a project that could block Palestinian continuity between Judea and Samaria. January 7, 2026
Arab bus driver rams into ultra-Orthodox protesters, kills teenNational Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir says police investigating 'all possible avenues.' January 7, 2026
Knesset honors bereaved hostage families who supported government during Gaza warGovernment ministers paid tribute to members of the Tikva and Gvura forums, groups that consistently opposed negotiated exchanges with Hamas that would have freed Palestinian security prisoners in return for phased hostage releases. January 7, 2026
Israel keeps Rafah Crossing closed until Hamas returns remains of final Israeli held in GazaEven if Rafah eventually reopens, Israeli media indicates it would be primarily for the movement of people and not a free-flow aid pipeline. January 6, 2026
Poll: Most Jewish Israelis view country as safer than abroadMost Jewish Israelis support government assistance to Jews abroad. January 6, 2026
Israeli schools were unprepared for war emergency despite COVID lessonsThe audit found that 39 percent of schools reported that not all students could reach protected spaces within the warning time when rockets were fired. January 6, 2026
Israeli technology could drive Venezuela’s rebuilding, expats say'Israeli technology could play a major role. People can go weeks without water, electricity, or gas. That’s where Israel can help.' January 6, 2026
IDF ‘deeply values’ its 7,000 ‘lone soldiers’The length of their service depends on both age and the type of program in which they enlist and can range from shortened service to full military service for both men and women. January 6, 2026
Laying out plan to oust Netanyahu, Arab party seeks Jewish candidates and votersArab lawmakers planning to oust Netanyahu and form a new "change" government with Bennett at the helm seek to increase Arab turnout and win over Jewish voters by including Jewish candidates. January 6, 2026
Record number of haredim enlist in IDFThe December-January cohort includes 230 combat recruits and 307 for combat support units. January 6, 2026
Bennett vows sweeping benefits for reservists if electedHis planned law includes NIS 1 million toward a first home, free daycare and steep utility discounts. January 6, 2026
Israeli team uncovers how breast cancer spreads to brainThe findings may help doctors identify high-risk patients earlier and tailor treatment accordingly. January 6, 2026
Israeli fencers win gold in Abu Dhabi and SwitzerlandTeam Israel also congratulated Noa Szőllős on Monday after she earned Israel’s first-ever World Cup points in alpine skiing. January 6, 2026
Abraham Accords partners, Israel and Morocco, begin new phase of defense coordinationThe IDF said the panel addressed how both militaries assess evolving threats and align planning concepts, with the goal of improving interoperability and mutual understanding. January 5, 2026
Imprisoned arch-terrorist must be executed, says Israeli ministerAccording to an October poll by the Ramallah-based Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research, Barghouti would win in a landslide if a vote for the leadership of the Palestinian Authority were held today. January 5, 2026
Court hands down decades-long sentences in Jerusalem stabbing attackThe three Bethlehem attackers had sought “martyrdom” in the July 2023 assault. January 5, 2026
Arkia launches first-ever flight from Tel Aviv to VietnamFares to Vietnam will begin at $699 each way in economy class, while flights to Bangkok—where it is competing head-on against Israeli flag carrier El Al—start at $499 one-way. January 5, 2026
Israeli minister: Hezbollah trying to ‘take control’ of Kiryat Shmona via home purchasesWasserlauf asked Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday to convene a discussion on property tax benefits for business owners in Kiryat Shmona, citing the absence of a serving interior minister. January 5, 2026
Second Iranian-linked spy caught surveilling former Israeli PM’s houseIsraeli man indicted on espionage charges after he spied on the home of former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett on behalf of Iran. January 5, 2026
Deni Avdija surges in NBA All-Star fan votingAvdija is averaging 25.7 points, 7.1 assists and 7.3 rebounds so far this season, hitting significant milestones along the way, including on Dec. 5, when he became Israel’s all-time NBA scoring leader. January 5, 2026
Israeli security forces launch manhunt after ramming attack of 13-year-old near AteretThe victim was reported to be in good condition after receiving treatment at the scene and during transport. The Magen David Adom later confirmed the injury was minor. January 4, 2026
Dagan: Rename COGAT to Coordinator of Government Activities in Judea and SamariaThe Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories is a unit of the Defense Ministry that oversees civilian and humanitarian affairs and liaises with Palestinians. January 4, 2026
Former Shin Bet informant gets life sentence for killing elderly Holocaust survivorThe Tel Aviv District Court also ordered Shalhoub to pay NIS 258,000 ($81,000) to Lipovsky’s family. January 4, 2026
Israel’s Peru envoy named nonresident ambassador to BoliviaSa’ar spoke with Bolivia’s center-right president, Rodrigo Paz, the day after his election in October, in one of the new leader’s first diplomatic calls. January 4, 2026
Israeli professor pushes petition calling for arch-terrorist’s release – and accidentally emails it to studentsUniversity professor compares Palestinian terrorist who masterminded deadly attacks on Israelis to Nelson Mandela, pushes petition calling on President Trump to pressure Israel to free him. January 4, 2026
Suspect killed in southern Israel police raid as Ben-Gvir backs officers'The days when police were endangered and harmed without a response are over.' January 4, 2026
‘Israel was always on our side,’ Somaliland envoy in Washington saysSomaliland has created relative security and stability in the territory it governs, and al-Shabaab has virtually no presence there. January 3, 2026
Mammoth cave found near Ofra in SamariaAt present, the cave is only accessible by rappelling down a narrow shaft and then climbing up a rope, making it hard to reach even for experienced professionals. January 3, 2026
Landmark AI breast-cancer screening to be launched in Israel this yearBreast cancer is the most common cancer in women, with most cases occurring in patients with no identifiable family history or specific gene mutation. January 2, 2026
Israeli hostage released from 2 years of captivity in Gaza struggles to rebuild his lifeSince his return, Kalfon is getting used to a new life, one where he is famous after his name and face were broadcast across Israel during the fight to release the hostages. January 2, 2026
Ben-Gvir proposes using crocodiles to prevent imprisoned terrorists from escapingThe concept draws inspiration from a prison facility in Florida that has been cited by President Donald Trump, where surrounding wetlands and alligators act as a natural deterrent against escape. January 1, 2026
Israeli towns along Gaza border register growth since Oct. 7It added that in eight out of the 13 communities that were hit the hardest, high return rates were recorded: Kibbutzim Ein HaShlosha, Kerem Shalom, Nahal Oz, Netiv HaAsara, Nirim, Nir Yitzhak, Re’im and Sufa. January 1, 2026
Hostages Forum closes Tel Aviv offices amid call to return body of Ran GviliCaptivity survivor Eitan Horn arrived at the group’s offices on Wednesday and thanked Check Point founder Gil Shwed for allowing the workers, volunteers, and hostages’ families to occupy the building for more than two years. January 1, 2026
Lone soldier from the US found dead in southern Israel, 2025 IDF fallen toll rises to 152Goldberg made aliyah and enlisted as a lone soldier, building a life in the Negev and becoming part of a tight-knit local community. January 1, 2026
37 agencies now banned from Gaza supplied just 1% of aid, Israel saysThe licenses were revoked after they failed to provide employee documentation. January 1, 2026
Drone-smuggling ring uncovered in southern Israel: four arrestedInvestigators determined that the suspects monitored IDF radio communications during the smuggling operations. January 1, 2026
Israel’s population tops 10.17 million in 2025182,000 babies were born in Israel in 2025, with nearly 70,000 Israeli citizens emigrating, compared to just 44,000 who immigrated to the Jewish state. January 1, 2026
Knesset approves law commemorating Israel’s Moroccan Jewish heritageThe legislation calls for schools across Israel to teach about the heritage of Moroccan Jewry and for a special session to be held in the Knesset each year. January 1, 2026
Nvidia in advanced talks to buy Israel’s AI21 labs for up to $3 billion, report saysNvidia, which has become the most valuable company in history at more than $4 trillion, is planning a large expansion in Israel with a new R&D campus of up to 10,000 employees in Kiryat Tivon. January 1, 2026
Ambulance every 22 seconds: Israel logs more than 1.38 million emergency call-outs as road deaths rise and blood supplies tightenMDA collected 263,945 blood units across 8,859 drives in 2025, including more than 44,000 first-time donors. January 1, 2026
Israeli High Court halts comptroller’s probe of Oct. 7 massacrePetitioners warned that allowing the comptroller to investigate such issues could prejudice future inquiries and infringe on due process rights. December 31, 2025
Arab Muslim makes history as Israel Border Police unit commanderAsadi heads a household steeped in uniformed service: Two of his children are prison guards in the Israel Prison Service and a third previously served in the Border Police. December 31, 2025
One in three Israelis seek mental health support after two years of warIsraelis have also turned increasingly to self-medication, with purchases of over-the-counter sleep and calming medications rising 14 percent. December 31, 2025
1.3 million tourists visited Israel in 2025Fifty percent of the tourists visiting Israel over the past year were Jewish and 9% were Christian pilgrims, according to initial annual figures. December 31, 2025
IDF intercepts smuggling drone carrying M16 riflesThe drone was found to be carrying 20 M-16 rifles, along with additional weapons components. December 31, 2025
