A terrorist was neutralized after accelerating his vehicle toward IDF forces during an operation in Samaria, the military said Wednesday.
The incident occurred during operational activity in the villages of Beitot in the Samaria Brigade area. When the driver ignored calls to stop, troops carried out suspect arrest procedures that included opening fire.
The terrorist was neutralized with no Israeli casualties, an IDF spokesperson said.
President Donald Trump announced overnight Thursday that “the Gaza Peace Council has achieved a historic agreement for the complete disarmament of Hamas and all other armed groups in the Strip.” According to Trump, “This is a monumental step forward toward sustainable peace and security. Israel will have the security it deserves. Gaza will no longer serve as a base for terror attacks. The threat that emerged from the Gaza Strip on October 7 will not be rebuilt.”
After Hezbollah violated the ceasefire by launching an explosive drone wedneseday night at Israeli engineering equipment in the Ali Tahar ridge area, residents of northern Israel were notified that explosions may be heard in the near future as a result of IDF operations in southern Lebanon.
The announcement was issued to residents of Nahariya and the Western Galilee region, with officials emphasizing that the sounds would not indicate a security incident.
Israel approved a strategic infrastructure plan Wednesday to expand Route 60 in Judea and Samaria to four lanes—two in each direction—between British Police Junction and Tapuah Junction. The move is part of what officials describe as a push toward accommodating one million residents in Judea and Samaria.
The expansion represents a major development for Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria. Widening the main artery is expected to dramatically improve road safety, enhance security in the area, reduce traffic congestion, and ensure continuous, free, and safe travel for tens of thousands of residents and travelers. Route 60 serves as the central transportation lifeline connecting the Binyamin region to Samaria, and completing the plan marks a critical milestone toward creating a continuous, convenient connection from Jerusalem to the heart of Samaria.
Finance Minister and Minister in the Defense Ministry Bezalel Smotrich praised the approval: “We are developing and fortifying the communities, building infrastructure, advancing new roads, and establishing communities—all to prevent the establishment of a terror state in the heart of the country. I want to thank the Civil Administration and the Jewish community Administration for Judea and Samaria for their professional, efficient, and dedicated work. This road will enable continuous travel between Jerusalem and Samaria, improve the quality of life for thousands of residents, and continue the development momentum.”
Binyamin governor head and Yesha Council chairman Israel Gantz added: “Approval of the Route 60 expansion is great news for Binyamin and for the entire State of Israel, and represents another significant step in preparing infrastructure for the expected growth and bringing one million residents to Judea and Samaria. After many years, today every major road in Binyamin is undergoing upgrade work. We are working to equalize transportation conditions in Binyamin with those throughout Israel. Thanks to Minister Smotrich, Minister Regev, and all partners in leading this historic revolution.”
In parallel, the government approved hundreds of housing units in the Jewish community of Eli, including in neighborhoods established in memory of fallen soldiers.
The IDF announced Thursday that forces from the 188th Brigade Combat Team destroyed more than ten underground tunnels—including one that was used to hold hostages.
Over the past eight months, brigade forces have operated in southern Gaza on a mission to defend and clear the Yellow Line area of terror infrastructure.
During their operations, the forces—working with the Yahalom combat engineering unit—destroyed more than ten underground tunnels that Hamas used to advance terror operations. One of the tunnels was used to hold hostages. The forces located large quantities of weapons, including rocket launchers, rockets, grenades, explosive charges, and Kalashnikov rifles.
In addition, the forces established new routes and outposts as part of efforts to improve the defensive posture in the area. IDF forces in the Southern Command are deployed across the area in accordance with the ceasefire framework and will continue to operate to remove any immediate threat.
Arab media reported a short time ago (Thursday) that explosions were heard in Yemen’s capital, Sana’a, which is controlled by the Houthi terrorist organization. According to reports, Saudi Arabia is responsible for the strike in the Yemeni city, though it has not officially claimed responsibility.
The leader of the Houthi terrorist organization, Abdul-Malik Badruldeen al-Houthi, reacted to the military action on his territory: “The Saudi aggression intensified the blockade on Yemen following our actions of support for Gaza, thereby serving the Israeli enemy.”
Earlier, Saudi media reported that a senior commander in the Houthi terrorist organization’s intelligence apparatus was assassinated this week along with one of his escorts in a mysterious operation in Sana’a. Media and local sources reported that the Houthi commander was shot alongside one of his escorts by gunmen as his vehicle passed near the local airport. The gunmen managed to retreat from the scene without revealing their identity or the party behind the operation.
This is not the first time such an assassination has taken place recently. According to Saudi media, there have been quite a few targeted assassinations—both successful and unsuccessful—directed against Houthi commanders and terrorists. The Kingdom further added that the success of the recent assassination, despite the senior official being under heavy security, coupled with the unusual conduct of the terrorist organization, raises questions regarding the Houthis’ control over their areas.
Sources speaking with media in Yemen noted that the escalation in assassination incidents in Houthi-controlled areas reflects the fragility of the terrorist organization’s security system. Beyond that, the assassination exposes a covert conflict between various factions within the Iranian proxy—fighting for influence, resources, and leadership positions.
IDF forces, Border Police, and the Shin Bet completed a major operation over the past 24 hours to thwart terror and arrest suspects in Beit Ummar in the Etzion Brigade sector. During the operation, forces searched more than 170 locations, arrested suspects, and seized various types of weapons.
On Wednesday, as part of preparations for the operation, forces from the Gideon Unit arrested 33 suspects in the village who, according to a joint statement from police, the IDF, and the Shin Bet, were involved in using weapons as part of a clan conflict.
Security officials said that in recent weeks, gunfire has been coming from the village, and they are investigating concerns that the shooting could be directed toward Israeli communities in the area. The operation focused on arresting suspects involved in the conflict that has developed in the region.
An Israeli official is clarifying that the Gaza issue never came up in the meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump. Israel is emphasizing that the complete disarmament of Hamas and demilitarization of the Strip are fundamental conditions for any agreement. The official also said there will be no withdrawal from the Yellow Line before the process is completed, and that Israel’s reservations have been conveyed to envoy Tony Blair.
Against the backdrop of reports about progress in contacts for a Gaza Strip arrangement, an Israeli official is clarifying that Israel is not changing its principled position: full disarmament of Hamas and complete demilitarization of the Gaza Strip are preconditions for any political or security process, and there will be no Israeli withdrawal from the Yellow Line before their completion.
According to the official, the Gaza issue never came up in the meeting between Netanyahu and Trump. The official further emphasized that Israel is demanding the removal of all combat equipment from the Strip and the complete dismantling of Hamas’s military capabilities as a basic condition for any future framework.
The clarification comes after we first reported on significant progress in contacts for the next phase in the Strip. According to sources in Israel and Gaza, a framework is being examined that includes handing over combat equipment and storing it under an agreed mechanism, alongside revealing tunnel locations and international oversight of the agreement’s implementation. Israeli sources even assessed that “the direction looks positive,” though they emphasized that no final understandings have been reached.
However, the Israeli official notes that the “15 Points” document, which is at the center of the discussions, does not adequately address Israel’s fundamental demands regarding Hamas’s disarmament. According to the official, Jerusalem has already conveyed its reservations on the matter to international envoy Tony Blair, and made clear it will not agree to a framework that does not guarantee full demilitarization of the Strip.
As C14 first reported, significant progress has been made in talks on the next phase in Gaza. Sources involved in the details on both the Israeli and Gaza sides report movement toward agreement, and according to Arab reports, an official announcement on the matter could be published as soon as today. Gaza is setting as conditions a full Israeli withdrawal from the Strip and an end to targeted killings.
According to a Gaza source involved in the talks, understandings have been reached around the weapons issue, including a framework for handover and storage of military assets under an agreed mechanism. According to him, the formula is acceptable to Hamas and to the international mediators, and in parallel, understandings have also been reached regarding civil mechanism employees and management of civilian systems in the Strip.
The source estimated that the Israeli government will examine the framework according to its demand for complete disarmament of Hamas. According to him, if the United States supports the proposal, it could remain on the table going forward, including with a different government in Israel.
According to sources of our political commentator Yaakov Bardugo, one of the options being examined is that Hamas would begin handing over weapons and revealing tunnel locations within about two weeks. Under the roadmap, the terror organization is first supposed to cease military activity, and subsequently the technical mechanisms that would enable the start of the full demilitarization process would be determined.
Meanwhile, Israeli sources involved in the details said that “the direction looks positive,” and claimed that Hamas is agreeing to a framework that includes complete disarmament of heavy and light weapons, handover of tunnel locations, and operation of strict oversight mechanisms. According to them, if an agreement is signed, it will be “strict and detailed, with no tricks and no compromises.”
However, the talks are still at a sensitive stage, and at this point there is no signed agreement or certainty that the timelines being discussed will actually materialize. Significant question marks also remain around the method of implementation and the ability to ensure that Hamas will meet its commitments.
Turkey has positioned itself in recent years as a hostile state to Israel—an extremist, dangerous terror supporter that has become home to senior Hamas leaders. Yet incredibly, Turkish NGOs and government bodies continue to operate throughout the Gaza Strip at all times. The Turks, it appears, are seeking to establish a foothold in the Strip, expressed primarily through their aid operations and distribution of food and supplies to residents.
The IHH organization burst into Israeli consciousness when it led the Mavi Marmara flotilla in 2010. During the current war, the IHH attempted to launch several flotillas to Gaza but was stopped by the IDF. Despite being considered close to President Erdoğan and his government, and despite being designated a terror organization by Israel, the IHH is now operating in Gaza without any interference—and with increasing intensity.
Last April, footage emerged showing IHH tractors clearing rubble in northern Gaza, flying large Turkish flags. The message is clear: the Turks are on the ground. It’s not just rubble removal. The IHH controls all aid mechanisms across every area of life in the Strip—distributing food, building mosques and schools. Last April, the organization organized a wedding for fifty Gazan couples.
رغم الحرب.. تكريم الطلبة الأوائل في الثانوية العامة بقطاع غزة، في حفل نظمته مديرية التربية والتعليم بدعم من هيئة الإغاثة الإنسانية التركية (IHH)#تفاعل ليصل إليك كل جديد pic.twitter.com/LpGGqOZ5jf
— TRT عربي (@TRTArabi) July 27, 2026
Erdoğan has proxies in Sudan, Somalia, and Libya. In recent years, Turkey even intervened militarily in Libya and sided with Azerbaijan in its war against Armenia. So now, as he tries to establish a grip in the Gaza Strip—close to us—it’s important to remember what Erdoğan himself said in 2004: “We need to be very strong so that Israel won’t do ridiculous things to Palestine. Just as we entered Karabakh [a disputed region between Armenia and Azerbaijan] and Libya, we can do something similar to them.”
Turkey has additional bodies operating in the Strip. According to a military source, there are currently no Turks in Gaza, and those actually carrying out operations on their behalf are hired local Gazans. Still, when you connect all the dots, a disturbing picture emerges: Erdoğan isn’t satisfied with declarations about Gaza—he’s operating on the ground to establish a foothold there.