Category: Articles

The Israel Defense Forces has held a series of high-level situational assessments over recent days led by Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, following the escalating unrest in Iran.

The move comes as the regime in Tehran faces a renewed and volatile wave of internal protests, clashes answered by murderous repression by the Islamic Republic against its citizens.

According to a military official, the IDF is monitoring developments in Iran, but stressed that “the protests are an internal Iranian matter.” Nevertheless, he said, “the IDF is prepared defensively and is continuously improving its capabilities and operational readiness. We will be equipped to respond with power, if need be. The IDF will continue to operate to protect the citizens of the State of Israel.”

As Israel remains vigilant and prepared to defend itself, the streets of Tehran are engulfed in flames. We believe that this is far beyond protestation. This is revolution! Observing the revolution as it develops throughout Iran, the crisis is an evolving situation that changes by the minute. The possible downfall of the Islamic Republic could lead to significant geopolitical and ideological ramifications, the complete extent of which are only beginning to be understood. The global community is observing with great anticipation, and there is a strong hope that the transformative changes taking place will herald a new era of peace for Israel—one devoid of terrorism.

Source:
Military official: IDF is monitoring Iran developments, by Yaakov Lapin/JNS, January 12, 2026

A new community was inaugurated Sunday in Samaria as part of an announced plan to almost double the region’s Jewish population to one million residents.

The first ten families were welcomed in a ceremony to their new trailer homes in Rechavam, located at a strategic point along the Trans-Samaria Highway, amid a chain of communities viewed by local leaders as strengthening security along the vital route.

“We are privileged to make the dream of returning to Zion come true… amidst all the difficulties of the war,” said Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Council. “We are working according to an organized plan – a million in Samaria,” he added citing efforts to identify land, establish communities and farms, and steadily expand Jewish presence in the area.

The new community is named for the late Rechavam Ze’evi, an IDF general who founded the Moledet party and was the tourism minister in October 2001 when he was assassinated by Palestinian terrorists.

Source:
New settlement inaugurated in Samaria, by Batya Jerenberg/World Israel News, January 12, 2026

Touring the newly established Shir LeDavid Farm in western Samaria, Sovereignty Movement co-chair Nadia Matar praised the farmers’ work.

Matar warned, however, that the farmers’ efforts remain fragile and could be undone without the implementation of full Israeli sovereignty in Judea and Samaria. “If a left-wing government comes to power, everything you see here could be uprooted. Without sovereignty, Israel is basically sending a message to the world that yes, many Jews live here and we have farms and cities, but we haven’t truly decided yet what we’re doing.”

“The moment we will have application of Israeli sovereignty, the status of Judea and Samaria will be irreversible,” she said.

Sovereignty Movement co-chair Yehudit Katsover stated that while there is no perfect solution for Judea and Samaria, she sees sovereignty as the best path forward. “The Arab’s desire to take over Israel didn’t just start with the Oslo Accords [in the 1990s], but this is from way before,” she said. “They say this land is theirs, but history, archaeology, international law from the [1920] San Remo Conference, is on our side,” she explained.

We believe it’s time for the government to do what is right for Israel and advance the declaration of sovereignty over Judea and Samaria. Renewed diplomatic and legal efforts have not fallen off the radar to try and advance a Palestinian state and predetermine Israel’s borders without Israel’s consent. The realities on the ground are that Israeli law, security and responsibility, and a future rooted in historical and strategic truth must be a priority.

Source:
Sovereignty Movement highlights importance of safeguarding Israel’s state land in Samaria, Judea, by Josh Hasten/JNS, January 8, 2026

Israel is moving forward on a long-delayed residential construction project east of Jerusalem that has far-reaching political implications, while separately advancing a large housing expansion in Karnei Shomron (Samaria), (a town that is in easy commuting distance for many Israelis), aimed at meeting population growth needs.

The Housing Ministry has issued a tender for 3,401 housing units in the E1 corridor, the area between Jerusalem and Ma’ale Adumim. Construction firms have until March 16 to submit bids.

The E1 project has long been regarded as “diplomatically sensitive” because development in this area blocks the creation of a “Palestinian state” with Jerusalem as its capital. By establishing continuous Israeli urban territory east of Jerusalem, E1 prevents the geographic division of the capital and eliminates the possibility of a “Palestinian” corridor severing Jerusalem from its eastern suburbs.

The E1 tender represents a strategic turning point around Jerusalem itself. After years of diplomatic hesitation, Israel has now moved the project from political argument into the implementation phase—where facts on the ground, not statements, determine the future. We pray that this process continues to its logical and practical end – an undivided Greater Jerusalem!

Source:
Israel Advances Strategic E1 Housing Project; Major Expansion Approved in Karnei Shomron, by The News Desk/The Jewish Edition, January 7, 2026

Minister of Energy Eli Cohen on Monday instructed the Israel Electric Corporation and Jerusalem’s water corporation, “Hagihon,” to begin the process of disconnecting the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) from the infrastructure, while sending pre-disconnection warning letters to the organization’s public buildings in the neighborhoods of Ma’alot Dafna and Kafr Aqab.

The minister’s directive is an additional stage in the fight to end the activities of UNRWA, which Minister Cohen referred to as a “terror supporter.”

Cohen has also instructed that additional UNRWA facilities be located and that the new law, which the Knesset approved last week, be implemented. The law, which was co-sponsored by MKs Yulia Malinovsky and Limor Son-Har-Melech, allows UNRWA public buildings to be disconnected from infrastructure services.

The long-anticipated dismantling of UNRWA has begun. If UNRWA cannot be adequately substituted and deliver authentic humanitarian services, we find no justification for its reinstatement.

Source:
Israel begins process to disconnect UNRWA facilities in Jerusalem, by Hezki Baruch/Israel, January 5, 2026

Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan publicly called on Sunday for Israel’s Defense Ministry to rename its Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) unit to the Coordinator of Government Activities in Judea and Samaria.

“The fact that the Defense Ministry and the Israel Defense Forces cling to the term ‘territories’ is a moral and historical injustice,” Dagan wrote in a missive to Defense Minister Israel Katz, the Arutz 7 outlet reported.

Dagan contacted Katz with the same demand six months ago, but “half a year has passed and there is no response,” he added.

The regional leader accused the ministry of “adopting the anti-Israel narrative, instead of leading with a firm nationalist and Zionist line.”

Dagan pointed out that “United States official legislation is advancing in Congress and in 20 state legislatures requiring the use of the name ‘Judea and Samaria’ instead of ‘the West Bank.”, However in Israel “the security establishment is dragging its feet,” he stated.

While applying sovereignty over Judea and Samaria remains a significant step that must be realized, it is crucial that the renaming of COGAT takes place. Israel needs to rectify every historical injustice and eliminate all anti-Israel narratives, even if it requires a gradual approach.

Source:
Dagan: Rename COGAT to Coordinator of Government Activities in Judea and Samaria, by JNS/January 4, 2026

The Israeli government on Monday released a report accusing an international humanitarian organization of colluding with Gaza terror groups including Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

The report was prepared by the Diaspora Affairs Ministry and alleged systemic ties between Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF / Doctors Without Borders) and terrorist organizations in Gaza.

According to Israel, MSF’s actions went beyond a failure to maintain neutrality during the war between Israel and Hamas, and included frequent cooperation with Hamas-linked operatives, amplification of their narratives, and dissemination of false accusations against Israel.

As part of the group’s alleged cooperation with Hamas, MSF promoted false accusations of genocide in the Gaza war, along with fabricated claims war crimes.

“The investigation exposes a troubling pattern of an international NGO that abandoned neutrality and became part of a coordinated propaganda and influence operation serving Hamas and allied extremist actors,” said Amichai Chikli, Minister of Diaspora Affairs.

The diagnosis here is enabler of terrorism. Shame on Médecins Sans Frontières. Revoke their medical licenses immediately. Enough said.

Source:
Israel releases damning report linking international NGO to Hamas, Islamic Jihad, by World Israel News Staff, January 5, 2026

Israel’s security establishment is closely monitoring the military buildup trends of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, in anticipation of a potential shift to Phase B of the conflict.

According to intelligence estimates published on Galei Zahal, about three months after the ceasefire agreement, the terror group is continuing to rebuild its capabilities, defying the strict restrictions.

Despite the closure of the Rafah Crossing and the Philadelphi Corridor, and the extended maritime blockade, the IDF has identified three main channels through which Hamas is attempting to restore its strength.

The world cannot deceive itself regarding this situation. Hamas is in the process of reconstructing its military strength, contravening the ceasefire and opposing the plan for Gaza put forth by US President Donald Trump. Although this issue appears to be diminishing in global attention due to numerous other significant events dominating the news, it continues to be a primary concern for Israel. The complete disarmament of Hamas is essential; without it, Gaza cannot be rebuilt, and a sustainable, long-term peace will remain unattainable.

Source:
Despite ceasefire: Hamas rebuilding military capacity in Gaza, by Israel National News, January 5, 2026

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Monday called for far-reaching counter-terrorism measures, including expanding military operations in Judea and Samaria, as well as dismantling the Palestinian Authority and tougher enforcement against Israelis who employ Palestinians illegally.

“In my view, which has been well known for many years, terrorism is a product of hope. When we cut off that hope, there will be no future for terrorism,” Smotrich told JNS, speaking at the faction meeting of his Religious Zionism Party at the Knesset in Jerusalem on Monday.

The more Jerusalem consolidates control of “all parts of the homeland,” including Judea and Samaria, “the more we cut off this hope, somewhat in the spirit of Jabotinsky’s Iron Wall, resulting in less terrorism,” he said

Additional factors that Israel must confront in order to undermine hope are: tackle the refugee camps, dismantle the PA educational system, which only promotes incitement, and, of course, ceasing the illegal funding of terrorism including the Pay to Slay program.

Source:
Smotrich urges sweeping counter-terror measures amid surge in attacks, by Akiva Van Koningsveld, Amelie Botbol/JNS, December 30, 2025

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented a new security assessment during a meeting with US President Donald Trump, according to which Hamas is holding approximately 60,000 Kalashnikov rifles in Gaza.

The figure was gathered specifically ahead of the trip by IDF intelligence and the Shin Bet. “Without collecting these weapons, it is impossible to move on to the next stages,” was the central and clear message conveyed to the Americans.

The end result of the Mar-a-Lago meeting between Prime Netanyahu and President Trump was that Israel and the United States will give Hamas a two-month window to disarm.

It was also agreed that Hamas’ disarmament and the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip would include the destruction of its underground tunnel network.

Although the plan agreed upon during the meeting appears promising, it ultimately amounts to providing Hamas with yet another opportunity to voluntarily relinquish its weapons. In Israel, it is broadly anticipated that Hamas will not disarm and that the responsibility for subsequent actions should and will be in the hands of Israel and the Israel Defense Forces. Talks of Israel launching another military campaign are already circulating and we pray for a better and more decisive outcome in the new military action.

Sources:
The dramatic intel presented to Trump: Hamas still has 60,000 Kalashnikovs, by Israel National News, December 30, 2025

Israel, US set two-month deadline for Hamas disarmament, b Ariel Kahana/Israel Hayom, December 30, 2025