Category: Articles

Defense Minister Israel Katz has warned Hamas that it should release the hostages it kidnapped during the October 7 massacre – or suffer the consequences.

Speaking at a ceremony in Holon marking the demolition of buildings damaged by an Iranian missile, Katz stated, “I say as clearly as possible, and I mean every single word. If Hamas does not release the hostages, the gates of hell will open on Gaza.”

He stressed, “Beyond what we are already doing with great force, we will do much more. We will protect the hostages and strike everything connected to Hamas until they are released. We will do whatever it takes.”

President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are reported to be considering intensifying military operations, potentially encircling Gaza City or fully occupying the Strip. The goal of eliminating Hamas and returning the hostages remains as they go back to the drawing board to come up with new ways to secure their release. The second anniversary of October 7 is a little less than two months away. Unless a serious military move is made by Israel the job will not be finished.

Source:
Defense Min.: ‘If Hamas doesn’t release hostages, gates of hell will open on Gaza’, by Israel National News, July 28, 2025

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee criticized those who sought to pressure Israel into allowing the UN to resume its role in the distribution of humanitarian aid in Gaza following the publication of videos showing aid trucks brought in under the UN’s methods being violently looted.

Huckabee wrote on X in response to one such video: “Is the UN, NY Times, and Hamas all happy now? I’m sure Hamas is. Their lies & propaganda destroyed cease-fire deal, tried to discredit safe and functioning GHF effort, emboldened Hamas & will result in this complete balagan! Most sad for hostage families-grief prolonged.”

“Let’s be clear: It is the terrorists of Hamas – hijacking aid and refusing to agree to a hostage release and ceasefire – who are kidnapping the civilian Gaza population and subjecting them to their tragic suffering,” said Israeli President Isaac Herzog after a visit to Gaza. However, the anti-Israel propaganda continues unabated.

The IDF Sunday morning implemented a temporary humanitarian pause in several areas of the Gaza Strip, including the north, to facilitate the delivery of aid.

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Huckabee: ‘Are NYT, UN happy now? Hamas is’, by Israel National News, July 27, 2025

The Israeli government began distributing millions of shekels worth of security equipment to various communities across Judea and Samaria today. The move follows repeated requests from residents for stronger local defense measures.

However, the decision has drawn criticism from members of the Hilltop Youth, who accuse the government of discriminatory practices. They point specifically to the Or Nachman homestead—where a shooting attack occurred just last Saturday, fortunately without casualties—which was reportedly left out of the distribution plan.

Residents of the outpost, which is home to several families and youths, say the area faces ongoing security threats and claim they were unfairly excluded from receiving aid.

There is no excuse for ignoring security for the Hilltop communities. Let us know what the reason is. We can’t find one.

Source:
Hilltop Youth communities demand additional security, by Dvir Amar/Israel National News, July 27, 2025

The Knesset plenum voted on Wednesday afternoon to approve a resolution affirming the State of Israel’s natural, historical, and legal right to all parts of the Land of Israel, with specific emphasis on Judea, Samaria, and the Jordan Valley.

The resolution passed with a majority of 71 Members of Knesset, with only the 13 votes of the Arab parties and the “Democrats” party led by Yair Golan against, while Blue and White and Yesh Atid parties were absent from the vote.

The resolution states that these territories are an inseparable part of the Jewish people’s historic, cultural, and spiritual homeland, and that cities such as Hebron, Shechem (Nablus), Shiloh, and Beit El reflect the historical continuity of Jewish existence in the Land of Israel.

Yisrael Ganz, Governor of the Binyamin Regional Council and Chairman of the Yesha Council, stated: “I now call on the Government of Israel: Turn this decision into reality on the ground. We are at a critical and historic juncture. We must not miss this opportunity. The Yesha Council will continue to work tirelessly until Israeli sovereignty is applied in Judea and Samaria.”

While this resolution is only a declaration of what we know to be the truth and fact, it is another significant step that brings Israel closer to the realized application of sovereignty over Judea and Samaria. The resolution also ends the delusional quest for the two-state solution. Sovereignty NOW – bring it on!

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Knesset approves resolution affirming Israel’s right to sovereignty in Judea and Samaria, by Israel National News, July 23, 2025

In a move described as both historic and unprecedented, 62 Israeli government ministers and Knesset members—including most of the Security Cabinet—have signed a formal appeal demanding the immediate return of a permanent Jewish presence to Joseph’s Tomb in Shechem.

The joint statement comes exactly 25 years after Israel’s withdrawal from the site following the outbreak of the Second Intifada in October 2000 and asserts that Israel has a moral and historical duty to restore access and sovereignty over the compound.

“Joseph’s Tomb is one of the most significant historical and spiritual sites for the Jewish people,” the statement read. “Its abandonment led to an escalation in terrorism and ultimately sparked the Second Intifada. This mistake must be corrected. Leaving the site to terrorist control was a historic stain. It’s time for Israel to take responsibility.”

The IDF Central Command is expected to present a concrete plan to reinstate a Jewish presence at the tomb.

The momentum to reclaim both Jewish land and presence at historical sites gains traction. We applaud Israel’s Knesset members who stood their ground on this issue. Now is the time to seize the opportunities to right many wrongs and return to Israel what is rightfully and legally hers.

Source:
62 Ministers and MKs demand Jewish presence at Joseph’s Tomb, by David Brummer/World Israel News, July 23, 2025

The Binyamin Regional Council has exposed the blood libel that was spread in the international media over the past week, claiming that residents set fire to a church in the village of Taybeh. The falsehood was refuted through a video from the scene proving that the church had not burned at all, along with direct communication between the Governor of the council and Ambassador Mike Huckabee, who issued a clarification on the matter.

Importantly, the circulated footage used as supposed “evidence” against the residents in fact shows Jewish shepherds actively trying to extinguish the fire with firefighting tools they had with them.

Yisrael Ganz, Governor of the Binyamin Regional Council and Chairman of the Yesha Council, stated: “The attempt to frame the brave residents of Binyamin with a modern blood libel has failed. Anti-Israel actors are working relentlessly to divide us from our Christian allies by spreading lies and fabricated accusations. But here in Binyamin, we will continue to stand firm. We will not allow the name of the communities in Judea and Samaria, or the name of the State of Israel, to be tarnished.”

It’s amazing how the foes of Israel will try anything to constantly tarnish and demonize the residents in Judea and Samaria. Thankfully, the truth speaks volumes and always wins.

Source:
Binyamin Council: How the torched church Blood Libel was debunked, by Israel National News, July 22, 2025

Hundreds of Israelis, including ministers and lawmakers, gathered at the Knesset on Monday for a summit focused on advancing sovereignty over Judea, Samaria and the Jordan Valley.

The Sovereignty Conference—an initiative of Likud Knesset members Dan Illouz, Keti Shitrit, Moshe Passal, Ariel Kallner and Avichai Boaron—seeks to pressure the government to immediately extend Israeli law over territories Jerusalem liberated during the 1967 Six-Day War.

Kallner told JNS on Monday, “We cannot have better partners in the White House, and we should use this—we should not lose this opportunity,” he said. “We must implement sovereignty over Judea and Samaria to correct the current situation, in which the heart of the Land of Israel—its biblical heart—is still not under our sovereignty.” The Knesset members also pointed out the necessity of sovereignty to protect central Israel from an October 7 type massacre.

“It’s time to correct the historical injustice, fulfill our right to the heart of our promised land and ensure the state’s security,” Yehudit Katsover and Nadia Matar, chairwomen of the Sovereignty Movement, which helped organize the event, said in a statement ahead of the summit.

Israel must ensure that never again should any organization, leader or country dictate to the Jewish Nation State what its legal rights are and are not. The call has grown louder and bolder. The time for applying sovereignty has never been closer and the time to declare it is now.

Source:
Knesset conference pushes Judea and Samaria sovereignty, by JNS Staff, Amelie Botbol, July 21, 2025

A significant diplomatic achievement for Israel and Judea and Samaria: Legislators from Utah, Tennessee, Alabama, Louisiana, Idaho, Iowa, and Oklahoma announced over the weekend that they intend to promote bills in their states requiring the use of “Judea and Samaria” instead of “West Bank” in official documents.

This move is part of a broader effort led by Yossi Dagan, the head of the Samaria Regional Council, to advance Israeli sovereignty in Judea and Samaria and to strengthen U.S. recognition of the Jewish connection to the region, which is known as the cradle of the Bible.

Dagan explained: “This is nothing less than a revolution. We are advancing the law together because it represents historical justice — the shared mission is to bring sovereignty to Judea and Samaria, the land of the Bible.”

Source:
8 states promote law to say ‘Judea and Samaria’ instead of ‘West Bank, by Israel National News, July 20, 2025

Israeli authorities last Thursday signed a planning contract for Bar Kochva, a new community in Judea that will connect Gush Etzion to Jerusalem, situated between Sde Boaz and Har Gilo.

The signing follows a Cabinet decision a year ago to establish the community and comes months after the first mobile home neighborhood was set up on the site.

Yaron Rosenthal, head of the Gush Etzion Regional Council said this new community will restore Israeli sovereignty to a historic ridge that stood abandoned for generations.” He added, “Bar Kochva will redefine the area and stand as a symbol of Zionism, resilience and rooted presence in the land. We are privileged to witness this moment. ”

The new community, also known as “Neve Ori,” in memory of 19-year-old Ori Ansbacher, a Gush resident who was murdered in 2019 by an Arab terrorist. We hope that this development together with the movement for Sovereignty will lead to a “Greater Jerusalem” that includes Gush Etzion.

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Bar Kochva: Community in Judea to connect Gush Etzion to Jerusalem, by JNS Staff, July 18, 2025

In an unprecedented move, Israel has significantly altered the long-standing status quo at the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron. Authority was transferred from the Palestinian-run Hebron Municipality to the Kiryat Arba-Hebron Religious Council. The decision, executed by the Civil Administration, aims to enable major structural upgrades at the holy site.

This marks the first major change to the site’s governance since the 1994 Shamgar Committee recommendations and reflects a long-standing Israeli desire to improve infrastructure and accessibility for Jewish worshippers. Chief among the proposed renovations is the construction of a permanent roof over the “Jacob’s Courtyard,” where Jewish prayers are held nearly year-round, and the installation of an advanced fire safety system. These plans have long been delayed due to Palestinian opposition, despite the safety concerns involved. For example, in emergencies, access to security camera footage required coordination with the Islamic Waqf, which until now had controlled the site.

The Cave of Machpelah is the world’s most ancient Jewish site and the second holiest place for the Jewish people. The cave and the adjoining field were purchased—at full market price—by Abraham some 3,700 years ago. The AFSI Chizuk Mission has visited Ma’arat HaMachpelah in Hebron on virtually every bi-annual trip we’ve made to Israel. We are very relieved to learn that it is now back in the hands of Israeli governance. Now the cave will receive proper ongoing maintenance along with badly needed renovations and upgrades so that it can adequately accommodate ALL people who wish to pray there.

Source:
Israel assumes control over Cave of the Patriarchs, by Hanan Greenwood/Israel Hayom, July 16, 2025