Channel 14 News Israel

Category: Israel

  • After Samaria Attacks, IDF Launches Major Defense Drill

    After Samaria Attacks, IDF Launches Major Defense Drill

    At first light, all troops of the Jordan Valley and Valleys Regional Brigade (Brigade 417) were jolted awake for a large-scale surprise brigade drill. The extensive exercise was held to mark the new deputy brigade commander’s entry into his role. The complex training involved brigade units including the regional battalions ‘Lions of the Jordan’ and ‘Lionesses of the Valley,’ alongside Border Police special patrol units in Judea and Samaria, territorial defense forces, and standby units.

    From Infiltration Scenarios to Evacuation Under Fire

    During the drill, forces faced a wide range of challenging operational scenarios. Among other things, terrorist infiltration into settlements and outposts was practiced, alongside extensive searches for escaped terrorists and evacuation of wounded under threat. In addition, rapid response forces were activated, along with medical and logistics systems, and troops practiced moving between sectors and evacuating civilians.

    Photo: IDF Spokesperson

    The drill also included simulating infiltration into settlements in the area and activating the intelligence collection apparatus to locate and thwart threats in real time. All elements in the field worked together to ensure close cooperation between the different systems, from combat forces on the ground to support and intelligence frameworks.

    The exercise comes amid heightened tensions following the recent wave of terrorist attacks in Samaria, which have renewed concerns over the security of Israeli communities throughout the region.

    In recent incidents, terrorists carried out deadly attacks targeting civilians, while Israeli security forces have remained on high alert over the threat of additional infiltrations, arson, and violence against nearby Jewish communities. The brigade’s surprise drill reflected the military’s continued focus on ensuring forces can respond rapidly to evolving threats and protect residents across the sector.

    Photo: IDF Spokesperson

    Guarding Home: Peak Readiness in the Valley

    The goal of the extensive drill was to test the brigade’s readiness for a rapid transition from routine to emergency. Commanders sought to strengthen cooperation among all forces in the field and ensure everyone operates as one system against the range of threats in the sector—from defending settlements to dealing with complex terror incidents, while maintaining determined protection of the sector’s residents.

    Photo: IDF Spokesperson
     
  • Israeli Firm Advances Major AI Anti-Drone Defense Milestone

    Israeli Firm Advances Major AI Anti-Drone Defense Milestone

    Tondo Smart, which developed AI-based systems for infrastructure management and smart cities, is deepening its activity in the defense sector. The company announced Wednesday to the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange that it successfully completed a significant milestone in a project it’s executing for the Defense Ministry, after finishing the supply, installation and deployment of all systems required in the current phase of the project.

    The systems are designed to provide detection, warning and defense capabilities against drone threats—a field that has become one of the central challenges for security agencies in Israel and worldwide in recent years. Since the outbreak of the Iron Swords war, Israeli investment in advanced solutions against unmanned aerial vehicles has increased, following the extensive use Hamas, Hezbollah and other actors made of drones for intelligence gathering and attacks.

    The project began after Tondo Smart signed an agreement with the Defense Ministry in January 2025, following what was defined as a successful pilot. Under that agreement, the company received an initial order to develop and deploy the system, and now reports it has completed one of the key milestones toward its operational launch.

    רחפן, אילוסטרציה
    Drone | Photo: Shutterstock

    The company said this represents significant progress, and that it intends to continue expanding cooperation with the Defense Ministry. According to the announcement, the company is working with the defense establishment to advance the project’s continuation and arrange its budget through 2027 as well.

    Still, Tondo Smart emphasizes there’s no certainty the project will be expanded or that additional systems will be ordered. The company notes that continued activity depends, among other things, on Defense Ministry decisions, budget approvals and completion of required procedures.

    For Tondo Smart, this is a strategically significant move. The company, which operated for years primarily in civilian infrastructure and smart cities, is gradually expanding its activity into the defense market—a sector characterized by large budgets, long-term contracts and growing demand for advanced technologies based on artificial intelligence, sensors and real-time warning systems. Success in the current project could open additional opportunities for the company within the defense establishment and in international markets.

  • Israel Approves Historic $800M for Jewish Cities in Galilee

    Israel Approves Historic $800M for Jewish Cities in Galilee

    Ronen Plot, mayor of Nof HaGalil, met with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich following a government decision to allocate ₪3 billion (about $800 million) to strengthen Jewish communities across the Galilee. The plan also includes tax incentives for residents of Nof HaGalil and other northern cities and towns. During the meeting, Plot presented Smotrich with the city’s ceremonial key in recognition of his efforts on behalf of the city and its residents.

    The ceremonial key, which the mayor presented alongside city council member Menachem Gandel, was mounted in a special frame inscribed: “To Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, in recognition of your actions and work to strengthen the city of Nof HaGalil and its residents.” The minister thanked the mayor for the special gesture.

    Northern Israel | Photo: Michael Giladi, Flash 90

    Plot opened by saying: “I am very pleased to present the honorable Minister Bezalel Smotrich with the city key.” He then added with a smile: “Over time he’ll be able to come, open, close, and enter without asking anyone. The minister deserves it for doing so much for Nof HaGalil—all respect to you.” Smotrich responded: “Thank you very much, Mr. Mayor. Keep leading this city. We believe in it and know the sky’s not even the limit for it.”

    Photo: Jonathan Zindel, Flash 90

    After the minister’s remarks, the mayor chose to add congratulations on the birth of Smotrich’s grandson, son to his son Benaya who was seriously wounded fighting on the Lebanese border: “I must say congratulations on the birth of your grandson. Wishing him to 120, together with Menachem Gandel who is here, and from all the residents of Nof HaGalil. Congratulations.”

    The ceremony followed a series of government initiatives led by Smotrich to strengthen northern Israel, including the historic ₪3 billion investment package and expanded tax benefits designed to encourage growth and reinforce Jewish communities throughout the Galilee.

  • NY Mayor Mamdani’s New Judicial Panel Has No Jewish Members

    NY Mayor Mamdani’s New Judicial Panel Has No Jewish Members

    A new controversy is brewing in New York after Mayor Zohran Mamdani unveiled the members of his new advisory committee on judicial appointments, describing it as a body that reflects the city’s diversity. Critics quickly pointed to one notable omission: none of the committee’s 18 members are Jewish, despite Jews making up roughly 10% of New York City’s population and a significant share of its legal community, according to The New York Times.

    Following the announcement, four Jewish bar associations sent a sharply worded letter to the mayor protesting the committee’s composition. They argued that not a single Jewish attorney, former judge, or other Jewish legal professional was appointed, despite City Hall’s pledge to create a body that reflects the city’s diverse communities.

    The organizations also criticized the rejection of retired Judge John Leventhal, whom they had recommended for the committee. City Hall said Leventhal was not selected because he represented Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein’s associate, during her appeal.

    Claims of Exclusion

    Leventhal said he was never given an official explanation for why his nomination was rejected, stressing that representing criminal defendants is a fundamental part of the legal profession.

    “There should be at least one Jewish representative on the committee,” he said, adding that he hopes the exclusion was not intentional.

    Mamdani’s spokesperson did not dispute that the committee has no Jewish members but rejected allegations of discrimination. The spokesperson said the mayor has appointed judges from a wide range of backgrounds, including Jewish judges, and insisted that “any claim that the decision was made based on religious considerations is false.”

    Ongoing Tensions and Attacks Against Israel

    The controversy comes amid a series of clashes between Mamdani and New York’s Jewish community.

    During his mayoral campaign, Mamdani vowed that he would seek to enforce the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if legally able. Just last week, he released another video criticizing Israel, saying the only thing preventing him from pursuing Netanyahu’s arrest was U.S. law.

    Zoharn Mamdani | Photo: Shutterstock

    Mamdani has also repeatedly refused to condemn the slogan “globalize the intifada,” arguing that it should not automatically be interpreted as a call for violence—a stance that drew widespread condemnation from Jewish organizations. He has further faced criticism over his support for the BDS movement and his opposition to legislation aimed at combating antisemitism.

    For many of Mamdani’s critics, the absence of a single Jewish member on a committee created to represent New York’s diversity is not an isolated oversight, but the latest chapter in a pattern that has steadily eroded confidence within one of the city’s largest and most influential communities.

  • IDF Destroys Hezbollah Tunnel Near UNIFIL Base in Lebanon

    IDF Destroys Hezbollah Tunnel Near UNIFIL Base in Lebanon

    The IDF announced that forces from the 401st Brigade, working with the elite Yahalom combat engineering unit under the command of the 91st Division, destroyed an underground Hezbollah command center in the village of Hadatha on Tuesday night.

    Troops from the 601st Battalion and Yahalom located an underground tunnel complex stretching roughly 55 meters, which included three rooms and served as a Hezbollah command post. The tunnel was built beneath a construction materials factory and just 300 meters from a UNIFIL building—illustrating the terror group’s tactic of hiding within civilian infrastructure.

    During searches of the complex, forces also discovered an underground shaft containing dozens of weapons. After completing operations, troops destroyed the tunnel and all infrastructure found at the site.

    The IDF emphasized that forces continue operating in the security zone in southern Lebanon to prevent Hezbollah from reestablishing offensive capabilities near the border. “The IDF will continue acting to remove any threat to its forces and will not allow the Hezbollah terror organization to harm Israeli citizens,” an IDF spokesperson said.

  • Fallen Soldier’s Heroic Last Stand in the Face of Terror

    Fallen Soldier’s Heroic Last Stand in the Face of Terror

    The investigation into Friday’s deadly terror attack at Reches Sela, between Har Bracha and Gilad Farm, is still ongoing. Because gunfire came from multiple weapons across a complex scene, investigators haven’t yet drawn clear conclusions about the full sequence of events. But analysis of footage from the scene already reveals the extraordinary heroism of Benayahu Mellet, a staff sergeant with the Gilad Farm rapid response team, along with several hikers—including an off-duty Golani Brigade soldier. Witness testimony and videos show that company commander Major Yuval Ezra also charged heroically into the scene when he spotted the weapon being seized.

    Benayahu was called to the scene by the Samaria Brigade along with the Gilad Farm rapid response team after dozens of Arab rioters began stoning hikers and IDF lookouts spotted the incident. Analysis of video filmed by Arabs and edited by Kol Hayehudi journalist Elchanan Gruner shows the scene after the sheikh who grabbed the rapid response team member’s weapon shot and wounded both the team member and Benayahu Mellet, and after Major Yuval Ezra fell.

    At this point, Benayahu—critically wounded in his upper body with his left hand shattered by a bullet—managed to rise from the ground, draw his pistol, and fire at the terrorists attacking him. The footage shows him shooting the terrorist next to him in the head, then firing about three more shots at other terrorists before collapsing. Analysis of all the videos suggests Benayahu had earlier managed to shoot one of the rioters who tried to grab his weapon. In total, he appears to have killed at least one terrorist and wounded at least two others, in addition to several he fired at where it’s unclear if he hit them.

    Benayahu Mellet | Photo: Courtesy of the family

    The footage also shows S., an off-duty Golani soldier who was on the hike, firing at two terrorists who were attacking the wounded rapid response team member on the ground and trying to grab his pistol. The team member was fighting them off while wounded with a bullet in his hand and ear. S. managed to hit both attackers, killing one and wounding the other—without hitting the team member who was grappling with them on the ground. This allowed the team member to break free. The wounded team member managed to evacuate himself from the scene by driving until he reached rescue forces.

    According to testimony collected, earlier in the attack, after the sheikh who grabbed the weapon fired at the team member and wounded him, one of the hikers—a reservist on leave from a tour in Lebanon—arrived and fired aimed shots at the sheikh, hitting him. The team member himself also managed to draw his pistol and fire one shot at the sheikh, but then two other attackers jumped on him and tried to grab the pistol. Analysis of the videos leaves some gaps where no footage has been found, so until the full investigation and ballistic tests are complete, it’s very difficult to determine which weapon fired the shots that hit each victim—contrary to spin and rumors that were spread and hurt the families.

    Terror attack in Gilad Farm, in which Israeli hero Benayahu Mellet was murdered | Photo: ZAKA

    Esther, Benayahu Mellet’s widow, said after the video was released: “Benayahu was a hero in life and a hero in death. This footage strengthens us because we see that Benayahu managed to hit the attackers around him. We demand full backing for our soldiers to shoot at the enemy without fear of investigations and arrests, so there won’t be more widows and orphans, God forbid. The murderers’ village of Tul must be erased, the Oslo Accords must be canceled, and Jewish communities must be established at the murder site on Reches Sela where Benayahu gave his life, and throughout our beloved land.”

    Samaria governor Yossi Dagan said: “Benayahu Mellet is an Israeli hero who saved lives until his last breath. His entire life, from childhood, he was devoted to the Land of Israel and the people of Israel. I saw him so many times in intensive activity for the state’s security and protecting national lands. I saw him helping during a fire at Gilad Farm just days before the attack. Even in Friday’s terrible attack, as soon as the Samaria Brigade rapid response team called him up to rescue the hikers and he was critically wounded—he fought with his remaining strength, shot at the terrorists, and saved lives until his last breath. Our response is resolute: building the land—even more. Not even a thousand terrorists will stop us—the people of Israel will prevail, at Gilad Farm and throughout the land.”

  • American Archaeologists Married at Ancient Shiloh Dig Site

    American Archaeologists Married at Ancient Shiloh Dig Site

    The excavation season at ancient Shiloh wrapped up with archaeological discoveries including ancient jars and a rare purple snail shell found in a ritual bath at the site. But for Clayton and Abigail Van Hess, the American archaeologists who led the work, Shiloh is also where they met, fell in love, and got married.

    Photo: Binyamin Regional Council Spokesperson

    The two met at the dig site when Abigail was Clayton’s supervisor. According to him, during his first excavation season he tried to impress her—he even thought he’d found an ancient jar and tried to reassemble it. It later turned out to be pieces of ancient toilet paper. Abigail said she was impressed by his persistence and his desire to investigate for himself what he’d found.

    Two years ago, Clayton proposed. When he asked where she wanted to get married, Abigail answered: “In Shiloh, the place where Hannah prayed.” Last year the two married at the site itself, alongside the excavation team, while their families in the United States watched the ceremony via livestream.

    Ancient Shiloh | Photo: Mendy Hechtman, Flash90

    Even the war didn’t keep them away from Shiloh. “I’m not afraid, you just learn to live with it,” Abigail said. Clayton said that over the past year they’ve seen missile interceptions above the dig site. After the wedding they were even forced to leave Israel through Egypt following the closure of Ben Gurion Airport—a journey they called a “reverse Exodus from Egypt.”

    Despite the archaeological finds, Clayton calls Abigail his greatest discovery. “When people asked me what’s the most amazing find I discovered in Shiloh, I had no doubt—Abigail is my most amazing find,” he said. Abigail responded: “I’ve been digging for many years, but I’ve never found anything better than Clayton.”

    Ancient Shiloh | Photo: Mendy Hechtman, Flash90

    Now the two are considering settling in Israel permanently. Clayton plans to continue his studies at Ariel University. Binyamin governor and Yesha Council chairman Israel Gantz said that “ancient Shiloh is the place where the Hebrew holiday of love was born.” According to him, the couple’s story illustrates how the site connects people from around the world to the roots of the Jewish people, alongside historic discoveries.

  • New Jewish Community Rises to Block Arab Expansion

    New Jewish Community Rises to Block Arab Expansion

    A significant town and security move in Samaria: A new Jewish Community has been established south of the veteran community of Kedumim—”Sha’ar Ha’oz Farm.” The farm, launched at the initiative and urging of the Kedumim Local Council, represents a strategic expansion of the first Jewish community in Samaria. The families who moved onto the land are taking up a critical position in the space between Kedumim and the village of Funduk and near the village of Hajja.

    Route 55 | Photo Credit: TPS

    The new outpost overlooks the area’s main traffic artery—Route 55—and is designed to provide an immediate security and response. The farm will create a necessary physical buffer between northern Samaria and the traffic corridor, aimed at preventing terrorists from infiltrating Route 55. In addition, the Jewish presence at the site is intended to block the trend of illegal takeover and connection forming between the Arab villages of Kadum, Hajja, Funduk, and Immatin at the expense of open areas.

    The establishment of the Jewish Community was advanced and pushed by the Kedumim Local Council and its head, Uzael Vatik. The council identified the group of farmers and is providing them with all the necessary support to establish themselves on the ground. This move is part of a broader plan that joins the establishment of the “Nofei Gideon” neighborhood on Mount Kidan and the opening of many kilometers of new security roads around the community.


    Photo: Kedumim Council Spokesperson

    ## Living Memorial, Unfading Memory

    The site’s name, “Sha’ar Ha’oz,” was carefully chosen and serves as a living and moving memorial. The name is composed of the initials of four Kedumim residents murdered in terror attacks in Funduk, right at the foot of the new outpost: Shalom Sofer, Eliza Reiz, Rachel Cohen, and Ido Zoldan. The Jewish presence at the site connects strategic expansion with preserving the memory of the fallen.


    Photo: Kedumim Council Spokesperson

    ## “Part of a Broad Trend to Strengthen Security”

    Council head Uzael Vatik blessed the move onto the land and said: “The establishment of ‘Sha’ar Ha’oz,’ which expands Kedumim southward, is a necessary strategic step designed to ensure the security of Kedumim residents and all travelers on Route 55. We are acting proactively to stop the dangerous expansion of Arab villages in the area, to expand Kedumim, and to strengthen our Jewish hold. This move is part of a broad trend we are leading to strengthen security in the Kedumim area, which joins the establishment of the ‘Nofei Gideon’ neighborhood on Mount Kidan and the opening of many kilometers of new security roads around the community.”

    The town of Kedumim | Photo: Flash90

    Vatik added words of appreciation: “I thank the council’s security and land department and the army personnel, the Civil Administration for professional and orderly work, and wish great success to the dear family that moved to the site and established their home in the expansion of Kedumim.”

  • Ben-Gvir: I Demolished 5,750 Illegal Homes in the Negev

    Ben-Gvir: I Demolished 5,750 Illegal Homes in the Negev

    A sharp policy shift is underway in law enforcement and sovereignty in the Negev and along the seam line. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir is presenting dramatic figures on the scale of illegal building demolitions in the Negev, alongside a hardline stance against ‘Palestinian’ infiltrators and dealings with the ‘Palestinian’ Authority.

    Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90

    On Negev enforcement, the numbers show a massive gap compared to previous years. While the entire term of the previous change government saw just four homes demolished in the Negev—a figure even Knesset member Mansour Abbas confirmed—in just one year under Ben-Gvir’s tenure, 5,750 illegal homes were demolished.

    The national security minister clarified the division of responsibilities on the ground, saying: “He’s right, I work there, I demolish. There are those responsible for building—my job is to demolish.” According to him, the activity in the area is aimed at cracking down on Arab crime and the clans operating in the Negev.

    Photo: Shutterstock

    Another central issue on the agenda is responsibility for the seam line and the determined fight against ‘Palestinian’ infiltrators entering Israeli territory to carry out attacks. Ben-Gvir rejects attempts to shift responsibility between agencies and clarifies that the seam line is under the joint responsibility of the IDF and the police.

    The minister praised police fighters for their activity in the field, saying: Let’s not shift responsibility from one to another. I say this all the time—the seam line belongs to both the IDF and us. The police are operating, and actually operating well lately. I thought about giving compliments—they’re shooting infiltrators and that’s good. There’s a very, very clear policy. Just keep it up.”

    Photo by Ali Hassan/Flash90

     “Erase the Thing Called the ‘Palestinian’ Authority”

    Addressing the ‘Palestinian’ Authority’s ongoing contempt for the Oslo Accords and its open support for terrorism, the minister is taking a hardline and uncompromising position with the prime minister and other cabinet members. Ben-Gvir made clear that this is an entity actively promoting terrorism, and therefore there’s no reason to continue maintaining it.

    Terrorist and PLO Head Mahmoud Abbas | Photo: Flash 90

    The minister said: Listen, if Bibi asked me—erase them, erase them, erase the thing called the ‘Palestinian’ Authority. They encourage terrorism, they support terrorism, they work for terrorism.” He revealed that he’s the only voice in the cabinet voting against transferring funds to the Authority: “And yes, I’m the only one unfortunately in the cabinet who votes every time against transferring compensation and reimbursement, all kinds of things like that to keep them going. I don’t want to keep them going. I want to erase the thing called the ‘Palestinian’ Authority.” The minister added that the National Security Ministry must remain in the hands of Jewish Power [Otzma Yehudit] in the future as well.

  • IDF Kills Hamas Commander Who Led Oct. 7 Kidnapping Squad

    IDF Kills Hamas Commander Who Led Oct. 7 Kidnapping Squad

    Israeli forces continue settling scores with the planners and perpetrators of the October 7 massacre. Air Force jets struck in the Khan Younis area on Monday and killed Muhammad Khalil Muhammad Aslam, who served as a Nukhba battalion commander in the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine terror organization. The successful elimination was carried out in a precision airstrike after the terrorist posed an immediate threat.

    Gaza, archive | Photo: Flash90

    Commanded Kidnapping of Civilians and Kept Planning Attacks

    During the October 7 massacre, Aslam directly commanded a terrorist cell that took part in kidnapping Israeli civilians into the Gaza Strip. He’s been considered a key target for security forces since the war broke out, because of his direct role in harming Israeli civilians.

    The terrorist didn’t stop in recent months either. Aslam continued advancing terror operations against IDF forces and Israeli civilians until he was killed from the air before he could carry out additional attacks.

    IDF forces in the Gaza Strip | Photo: Report

    The military made clear that determined operations in the area will continue as needed to remove any threat. An IDF spokesman said: “IDF forces under Southern Command are deployed in the area in accordance with the agreement and will continue operating to remove any immediate threat.”