During an Eid al-Fitr prayer speech, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan used strong language, calling for the destruction of Israel. He also referred to Allah as "al-Qahhar" and wished for mercy upon martyrs and a speedy recovery for veterans. In his nationwide holiday message, Erdogan criticized the ongoing violence in Gaza and called for action from Western countries. Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar responded to Erdogan's statements, condemning him as antisemitic and dangerous to the region and his own people.
The Israeli government confirmed that they consulted with the Trump administration before launching a wave of airstrikes on Gaza, killing over 400 people. Hamas, the militant group in control of Gaza, has accused the U.S. of bearing full responsibility for the attacks. The strikes came after Trump's ultimatum to release all remaining hostages or face the consequences, raising questions about what more can be done to pressure Hamas. The White House has not explicitly stated that the strikes were in response to Trump's threat, but warned that "all hell" will break loose on Iran and its allied militias, including Hamas.
After failed ceasefire talks, Israel has resumed its attacks on Gaza, resulting in the deaths of at least 200 people. The Israeli army claims to be targeting terror targets belonging to Hamas, while the group accuses Israel of violating the ceasefire agreement. The ongoing conflict has left over 48,500 people dead and has displaced most of the population in Gaza. As mediators struggle to restart talks, the situation continues to worsen for the residents of Gaza.
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking at a Purim celebration at the National Police Academy, drew a comparison between the story of Purim and the current conflict between Israel and Iran. He warned that the Jewish state must be prepared to defend itself against the modern-day Persian threat, just as the Jewish people were saved from annihilation in Persia. This came in the wake of the passing of Maxine Jacobs Bally, a long-time resident of Columbus and a beacon of love and warmth for her family and friends, who passed away on Feb. 7, 2025.
In a show of respect for the observance of Shabbat, Israel National News has temporarily halted its round-the-clock news updates in North America. The updates will resume once Shabbat ends at 18:08 Jerusalem time on Saturday evening. This temporary pause serves as a reminder of the significance of honoring religious traditions in today's fast-paced news cycle. Shabbat Shalom to all.
Israel has accused Palestinian "terrorists" of killing two young boys, Ariel and Kfir Bibas, who were held hostage by the militant group Hamas since October 2023. The boys' remains were among four bodies handed over by Hamas in a prisoner exchange this week. However, Israel has identified one of the bodies as belonging to a different person, not Shiri Bibas as claimed by Hamas. The Israeli military has demanded Hamas return Shiri, along with all other abducted individuals. It is the first time Israeli bodies have been returned since the ceasefire in Gaza.
In a high stakes matchup, former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya faces off against Nassourdine Imavov in a bid to get back on track after two consecutive losses. The event, featuring a co-main event between Shara Magomedov and Michael Page, promises to be an exciting night of fights. Also on the card, Sergei Pavlovich looks to bounce back from two tough losses against dangerous striker Jairzinho Rozenstruik.
The family of Martin Luther King Jr. expresses their disappointment and grief over the Trump administration’s decision to declassify records related to his assassination. This move marks a major change in the Biden administration’s halt on the shipment of bombs to Israel due to concerns about civilian casualties in the Gaza conflict. However, Trump defends his decision by stating that “they bought and paid for it,” referring to Israel’s prior purchase of the bombs.
As the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect, three Israeli hostages, all women, were officially handed over to the Red Cross in Gaza City for their return to Israel. Despite the delay in the truce, the UN was able to send aid trucks into the devastated Palestinian territory, as thousands of war-displaced Palestinians made their way back to their homes, facing scenes of destruction and rubble. One resident described the destruction as "unprecedented" and said there was "nothing left" in the once-bustling northern area of Jabalia.
After months of negotiations mediated by Egypt and Qatar, a deal has been reached between Israel and Hamas to end the war in Gaza. The ceasefire, set to last for six weeks, will see the exchange of hostages for Palestinian detainees, the return of displaced Palestinians to their homes, and the repositioning of Israeli forces. The agreement, facilitated by the United States, has been welcomed by President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump. Israel's security cabinet is expected to approve the deal on Thursday.