Category: Articles

Finance Minister and Religious Zionism Party Chairman Bezalel Smotrich addressed recent political and security developments during his party’s faction meeting on Monday, saying that “the war is not yet over.”

According to him, “There are agreements and attempts to stabilize the situation, but the real test lies in implementation. The State of Israel will not allow the reconstruction of Gaza as long as Hamas is not completely dismantled – militarily, politically, and administratively.”

Smotrich stressed, “We will not allow the creation of a renewed terrorist entity under the guise of ‘humanitarian reconstruction.’ Genuine demilitarization is a fundamental condition for rebuilding, and any attempt to bypass this will be categorically rejected. The security of Israel’s citizens comes first.”

Source:
Smotrich: ‘We won’t allow reconstruction of Gaza as long as Hamas rules’, by Israel National News, October 27, 2025

Last week, IDF forces continued intensive counterterrorism operations throughout Judea and Samaria.

As part of operations carried out across various sectors, dozens of weapons and arms were located and confiscated, and suspects involved in terrorism or planning attacks were arrested.

In the Etzion and Binyamin Brigades, focused operations continue: In Beit Ummar and the village of Qatanna, two additional “Carlo” guns were confiscated. Dozens of suspects were arrested in these areas, including two terrorists who were planning to carry out terror attacks in Jalazone and Beit Ummar. Additionally, a terrorist who had thrown rocks at Israeli civilians was arrested in Halhul.

Notwithstanding the alleged ceasefire, preparations for terrorist attacks continued to be formulated. Who, on the opposing side, is ensuring accountability for those violating the ceasefire?

Source:
Judea and Samaria: IDF arrests 44 terrorists, two of whom were planning attacks, by Israel National News, October 24, 2025

With a majority of one vote, the Knesset on Wednesday approved, in a preliminary reading, a bill proposed by Noam Party Chairman MK Avi Maoz to apply Israeli sovereignty over Judea and Samaria.

In addition, a bill proposed by Yisrael Beytenu Chairman MK Avigdor Liberman to apply sovereignty over the city of Maale Adumim passed 32-9.

Today, the Prime Minister’s Office published an unusually harsh statement regarding the vote in the Knesset to apply sovereignty over Judea and Samaria. Netanyahu stated, “The Knesset vote on annexation was a deliberate political provocation by the opposition to sow discord during Vice President JD Vance’s visit to Israel.”

Advancing the application of sovereignty over Judea and Samaria has successfully undergone a preliminary reading, which is a significant achievement and a positive step forward. On the flip side, the necessity for this matter to be discussed and voted on incrementally prolongs the process regarding issues that should not require debate to start with. Until a time arrives when there is no doubt or internal contention regarding Israel’s legal rights to Judea and Samaria, political circumstances compel Israel to endure what so far seems like an endless dress rehearsal.

Until a conclusive “yes” vote regarding the application of sovereignty is achieved, it is regrettably accurate to say that Netanyahu’s statement holds truth, while simultaneously it is exasperating that he refrains from officially declaring sovereignty.

Sources:
Knesset passes Judea and Samaria sovereignty bill in preliminary reading, by Hezki Baruch/Israel National News, October 22, 2025

Netanyahu: Sovereignty vote ‘a deliberate political provocation by the opposition’, by Israel National News, October 23, 2025

Chair of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Subcommittee for Judea and Samaria, MK Tzvi Succot, wrote to Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, calling on him to halt plans to disband regional defense battalions in Judea and Samaria.

Succot warned that the move could lead to serious security gaps. He said this risk is particularly acute at a time when the level of security threats is increasing.

Succot emphasized that comprehensive measures to stop terrorist cells operating in Judea and Samaria have not yet been taken. He wrote that since the outbreak of the war, thousands of civilians were mobilized under emergency orders to reinforce defense in the communities, and those reserve forces played a central role in protecting residents.

At the end of his letter, MK Succot called on the Chief of Staff to immediately reverse the planned demobilization. He requested that any change occur only after a solution is found that will ensure the security of all Judea and Samaria communities.

Source:
MK Succot Warns: IDF to cut defense forces in Judea and Samaria, by Israel National News, October 23, 2025

The International Court of Justice has ruled that Israel must facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip through UN agencies, including UNRWA, ignoring the extent to which UNRWA has been compromised by and works with the Hamas terrorist organization.

ICJ President Yuji Iwasawa stated: “The court finds that Israel has not substantiated its allegations that a significant part of UNRWA’s employees are ‘members of Hamas… or other terrorist factions.”

Iwasawa also said that Israel failed to provide sufficient evidence that a significant number of Hamas terrorists were employed by UNRWA.

Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon said in response: “The [ICJ’s] decision is a shameful decision. They are blaming Israel for not cooperating with UN organs…They should be blaming themselves. Those organs became breeding grounds for terrorists. Take, for example, UNRWA…an organization that supported Hamas for years.”

No quantity of substantial evidence, such as that presented by Israel, can alter the ruling of a corrupt entity, and the ICJ has undoubtedly demonstrated its corruption once more!

Source:
ICJ demands Israel cooperate with UNRWA, by Israel National News, October 22, 2025

The Trump administration pressured Israel on Sunday not to withdraw from a fragile truce with the Hamas terror organization, a senior US official said, even after Hamas cells carried out attacks on Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip.

On Sunday morning, three separate violations of the Gaza ceasefire were reported: sniper attacks on an IDF position in eastern Gaza, an infiltration attempt by Hamas terrorists in northern Gaza, and a deadly missile attack on an IDF armored personnel carrier in southern Gaza.

After the attacks, one of which left two soldiers dead and three wounded, the Trump administration rushed to save the Gaza truce from collapsing, pressing Israel to limit its reprisals.

Both sides, a Trump administration official added, remain committed to the ceasefire, with Israel and Hamas hesitant to escalate the conflict back into a “full-scale war.”

Another Trump administration official said the future of the ceasefire was far from certain and that its fate would likely be decided in the next month.

It’s understood that Hamas is far from a trustworthy entity and these latest terrorist attacks come as no surprise. Hamas has shown it is not genuinely committed to the ceasefire and through its executions of “collaborators” has asserted its control of the strip. Even if it was a splinter group responsible for the deaths of the two IDF soldiers, the attacks must be stopped. It remains to be seen whether Hamas will implement measures to ensure that their obligations under the ceasefire agreement are upheld.

Source:
US pressured Israel to ‘show restraint’ after soldiers were killed by Hamas – report, by World Israel News Staff, October 20, 2025

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Almog Cohen and MK Tzvi Sukkot held an extended tour last Friday of the illegal Bedouin village of Bir Hadaj to investigate drone smuggling from the Egyptian border.

The roughly two-hour visit drew violent resistance from local residents. The two refused to leave and completed the tour. Although the visit had been coordinated in advance and official requests were submitted, police did not arrive on site in time, which contributed to clashes with rioters.

MK Zvi Sukkot, chairman of the Subcommittee on Judea and Samaria Affairs of the Foreign Affairs and Security Committee, said: “Today we saw up close how criminal elements are trying to undermine security in the south.”

Deputy Minister Almog Cohen added: “The tour showed how essential it is to act consistently and forcefully against anyone who threatens Israel’s security. We will continue to reach everywhere to restore governance and security to citizens of Israel.

It is critical that the South receive due attention. In the broader context, this represents a different type of war in Israel’s continuous struggle to protect and ensure its security.

Source:
MKs Almog Cohen and Tzvi Succot attacked in Bir Hadaj and refuse to evacuate, by Hezki Baruch/Israel National News, October 17, 2025

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will hold a meeting Thursday to decide whether Israel will continue implementing its agreement with Hamas, after what officials describe as apparent violations by the terrorist group.

Hamas has claimed it cannot return what is believed to be 19 additional bodies of Israeli hostages without special logistical efforts. Israeli authorities reject that explanation, saying it does not reflect the reality — at least regarding some of the remains. The disagreement is now at the center of discussions with international mediators.

Officials in Jerusalem acknowledge the deal faces serious difficulties but say Israel is not abandoning it and has not imposed sanctions. For now, the focus remains on quiet diplomatic efforts led by the United States, with Qatar, Egypt and Turkey also involved.

Israel has presented Washington with intelligence it says shows Hamas is not telling the truth. Behind the scenes, the United States is pressing Hamas to comply, alongside efforts by the regional mediators. Israeli officials expect Egyptian and Turkish teams, using coordinates Israel plans to provide, will be able to locate remains in areas where Israel believes hostages were buried.

“What’s going on with Hamas — that’ll be straightened out quickly,” Trump said in a brief phone interview, adding that Israel had the capacity to “knock the crap [out] of them” if necessary. “I had to hold them back,” he said of the Israeli government. “I had it out with Bibi,” he added, using the Israeli leader’s nickname.

It is not unexpected that this segment of phase one is being prolonged by Hamas They have executed summarily those they believe to be collaborators and show no signs of preparing to disarm Rather, it looks like they are trying to exert their authority in the Strip. They ask for Qatari equipment to help locate bodies. Observers are wary of letting Hamas’ primary funders bring heavy equipment into Gaza.

Genuine partners of peace will reveal their true nature, just as will the adversaries of any degree of peace. Our thoughts are with the families who are awaiting the return of their loved ones’ remains.

Source:
Israel weighs next steps in Gaza ceasefire as Hamas refuses to return hostages’ remains, by Itamar Eichner/Ynetnews, October 16, 2025

Rep. Elise Stefanik (R., N.Y.) and Sen. Tom Cotton (R., Ark.) are urging the Trump administration to investigate the Council on American-Islamic Relations’ links to Hamas, according to a letter obtained by the Washington Free Beacon.

In a letter sent Tuesday to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the Republicans argue that CAIR’s “pattern of historic ties” to Hamas, combined with the rhetorical encouragement CAIR leaders have offered for Hamas, may constitute “material support for terrorism.” They cite CAIR’s designation as an un-indicted co-conspirator in a 2009 federal court case against the Holy Land Foundation, a Hamas front group, and pro-Hamas rhetoric from CAIR leaders in the wake of the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks.

Thank you, Rep. Stefanik and Sen. Cotton for exposing this terrorist connection. Revoke their tax-exempt status now!

Source:
EXCLUSIVE: Stefanik, Cotton Urge Treasury Department To Probe CAIR for ‘Financial Links to Hamas’, by Chuck Ross/The Washington Free Beacon, October 14, 2025

Americans for a Safe Israel/AFSI expresses its relief, appreciation and joy that all of the living hostages are now home. Their horrific captivity and the painful wait for them – and for their families – has finally ended. We extend our wishes for a refuah shlema – a swift recovery and complete healing, along with as quick a return as possible to their normal daily lives. We recognize that our words cannot fully capture the recovery journey they will all experience, but our prayers and good wishes are sincere. May they find comfort and strength in our words during this difficult time.

Following the release of all of the remaining living hostages earlier, Hamas announced the names of the deceased hostages whose bodies will be returned today: Guy Illouz, Yossi Sharabi, Bipin Joshi, and Daniel Perez. The bodies of 24 more hostages remain in captivity in the Gaza Strip. This cannot be considered a truly historic day until the remains of these Israeli hostages are returned home to their final rest.

We would be remiss if we did not express our sincerest gratitude to United States President Donald J. Trump for his tireless efforts that have brought this distressing two-year ordeal to what we hope will be a lasting and positive resolution and the start of a new era of peace.

However, we maintain numerous significant concerns and downright skepticism regarding the implementation of this peace agreement and the potential disarmament of Hamas and its affiliated factions. Addressing the fundamental causes of terrorism involves multiple pathways, and substantial efforts are required to attain a genuine and enduring peace. Nevertheless, we are completely confident that President Trump will have Israel’s back if Hamas and the Palestinian Arabs do not meet their responsibilities as specified in Trump’s 20-point Gaza plan.

Read about all of the living hostages that were released:
These are the hostages to be released by Monday, by ILH Staff, October 10, 2025

Source:
Hamas names the slain hostages who will be returned today, by Israel National News, October 13, 2025