Category: Israel

U.S. Reportedly Gives Israel Airspace Access to Strike in Iraq

The United States has reportedly given Israel a green light to operate against Iran-backed militias in Iraq, lifting previous restrictions on Israeli Air Force operations in Iraqi airspace as the war with Iran continues to reshape the region. According to a report Monday by the Emirati news outlet Erem News, citing Western sources, Washington removed operational restrictions that had previously limited Israeli activity over Iraq, potentially clearing the way for strikes against Tehran-backed militias operating inside the country.

Pro-Iran militias in Iraq | Photo: Arab Media Networks

The report said the IDF and Mossad have completed preparations for possible operations aimed at preventing the militias from further entrenching themselves in Iraq and threatening Israel. A central Israeli objective would reportedly be disrupting the Iranian supply corridor running through Iraq toward Lebanon. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has long used routes through Iraq to move weapons, including missiles and drones, as well as funding and logistical support to Tehran-backed forces across the region.

Iranian supply corridor running through Iraq toward Lebanon | AI

Washington is also reportedly preparing for the possibility that Iran-backed militias could retaliate against American forces or interests in the Middle East if Israel launches operations inside Iraq. According to the report, the United States has committed to strengthening defensive capabilities in the region in preparation for a potential escalation. The development comes days after the completion of the U.S. military withdrawal from Iraq. Approximately 2,500 American troops had previously been stationed in the country, primarily in advisory and training roles. The withdrawal has intensified concerns over the growing influence of Iran-backed armed factions inside Iraq.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi with president Donald Trump, July 2026 | Photo: Wikipedia

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi said today that five armed factions have agreed to surrender their weapons and three have already handed them over, while negotiations continue with other factions. The announcement comes after the original September deadline for disarmament passed and several of the harder-line Iran-aligned groups rejected disarmament. Hence, Baghdad is simultaneously trying to bring militias under state control while some of the most powerful Tehran-aligned factions remain armed. Just yesterday, Iran-backed militias paraded in Baghdad following the U.S. withdrawal, with vehicles driving over American and Israeli flags; the Iraqi government subsequently ordered an investigation and said those responsible for desecrating the U.S. flag had been arrested.

Hezbollah brigades in Iraq | Photo by: Arab social networks

Nujaba military deputy Abdul Qader al-Karbalai called the arrests a “dangerous precedent that cannot be ignored” and demanded the detainees’ immediate release, while accusing the U.S. of killing thousands of Iraqis and violating the country’s sovereignty. Al-Kaabi then posted footage of himself walking over U.S. and Israeli flags — underscoring the challenge Baghdad faces as it claims Iran-backed factions are beginning to surrender their weapons.

The reported shift in Washington’s position could give Israel significantly greater operational freedom against Tehran’s network in Iraq at a particularly volatile point in the Iran war. Neither the United States nor Israel has officially confirmed the reported authorization.

October 5, 2026
IDF Headstones May Feature Word ‘Hostage’ Post-Vote

The Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, chaired by MK Boaz Bismuth, is scheduled to convene on Tuesday to debate regulatory amendments governing military cemeteries, which propose permitting the word “hostage” and the date of abduction to be engraved on the headstones of fallen soldiers who were taken captive and later brought back to Israel for burial.

Military cemetery, archive | Credit: Gili Yaari, Flash90

The initiative follows appeals from bereaved families of fallen service members who were abducted during the Swords of Iron / “Tkuma” War and returned to Israel. The families requested that the unique and tragic circumstances under which their loved ones fell, were taken hostage, and were ultimately laid to rest receive formal expression on the headstone pillow.

Ruby Chen, father of the late Staff Sergeant Itay Chen, spearheaded the request on behalf of the families, joined by other bereaved relatives.

Israelis gather outside the home of the late St.-Sgt. Itay Chen in Netanya | Photo: Atay Shalev

The Public Council for the Commemoration of Soldiers evaluated the measure. It recommended approving the inscription on the headstone pillow in a way that reflects the exceptional circumstances surrounding their fall and recovery, while preserving the long-standing standard of uniformity across military cemeteries. The process was coordinated closely with the Israel Defense Forces, the Ministry of Defense’s Families, Commemoration and Heritage Department, and the defense establishment’s legal counsel.

Upon formal committee approval, the replacement of headstone pillows is slated to commence for 20 fallen members of Israel’s security forces and three civilian graves, in close coordination with their families.

Boaz Bismuth, Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Chairman | Photo: Yonatan Sindel, Flash90

The defense establishment aims to complete the headstone replacement before October 7, underscoring the urgency of convening the committee and finalizing the necessary regulatory approvals.

October 5, 2026
Trump: Iran Behind Attempted Attack on Dubai Flight

United States President Donald Trump stated on Monday that he personally believes the Iranian regime is responsible for the thwarted terror hijacking attempt aboard the flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv. Addressing the abrupt redeployment of American strategic air assets from Europe, the President also shed light on the recent high-alert withdrawal, confirming: “The bombers were evacuated from Britain after a specific threat was received from Iran.”

October 5, 2026
Rubio, Netanyahu Hold High-Level Call Amid New War Escalations

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has reportedly just held a phone call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the State Department confirmed Monday evening, as major security developments continue to unfold in the war with Iran. The call comes just hours after reports that Washington lifted previous restrictions on Israeli operations in Iraqi airspace, potentially clearing the way for Israel to strike Iran-backed militias operating in Iraq. The reported shift could significantly expand Israel’s operational freedom in the region as Jerusalem continues confronting Iran and Tehran-backed forces across multiple fronts.

Rubio’s call with Netanyahu also follows a high-level Trump administration meeting at Camp David focused on Iran and Yemen. The previously unannounced meeting included Vice President JD Vance, Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.

Rubio confirmed the Camp David meeting before departing Washington, describing it as part of the administration’s broader strategic planning surrounding the conflicts. The State Department has not yet revealed what Rubio and Netanyahu discussed during Monday’s call, and no official connection between the conversation, the Camp David meeting and reports regarding Iraqi airspace has been confirmed.

October 5, 2026
UK Tried to Stop Israel From Closing Jerusalem Consulate

British National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell secretly visited Israel last week in an attempt to avert the closure of the British consulate in East Jerusalem, according to a report by the Reuters news agency.

Relations remain tense, Israel and the UK | Photo: Shutterstock

According to the report, Powell—whose trip the British government did not publicly disclose—held discussions with Israeli officials to reach an understanding that would allow the mission to continue operating. However, the talks ended without an agreement.

On September 8, Israel ordered Britain to shut down its consulate in East Jerusalem within 30 days and withdraw British diplomats from the city. The diplomatic sanction followed London’s announcement of sanctions targeting products originating from Jewish towns in Judea and Samaria.

Communities in Samaria | Photo: Chaim Goldberg, Flash90

The Israeli-imposed deadline for the consulate’s closure is set to expire this Thursday. Two sources cited in the report told Reuters that contacts between the sides are ongoing and that a deal averting the shutdown remains theoretically possible. Still, they said it is highly unlikely an accord will be finalized before the deadline.

October 5, 2026
Calls Mount to Investigate ‘NAZA’ Filmmaker’s Terror Ties

A newly released investigative report compiled by the Yesha Council Intelligence Operations Center has sparked widespread calls for an immediate counter-intelligence probe into Yuval Abraham, co-director of the controversial documentary “NAZA”, as reported on Monday evening by Channel 14 political correspondent Avraham Hasson. According to the Yesha Council’s findings, Abraham maintained connections with active terror elements and families of terrorists, despite branding himself abroad as a legitimate investigative journalist.

NAZA” filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor | Photo: Reuters

Yesha Governor Israel Ganz responded sharply to the publication: “Yuval Abraham has long been well known to us from his ongoing provocations across Judea and Samaria, making it abundantly clear that this was never an innocent investigation. The findings raise very grave suspicions that Yuval maintains operational connections with Hamas terrorists and other hostile operatives. This does not represent mere collateral PR damage to the State of Israel—it represents direct, tangible harm. We therefore urge the Shin Bet and Israeli security agencies to examine these findings down to the root.”

Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar formally petitioned Shin Bet Director David Zini, demanding a full-scale security probe: “I contacted the head of the Shin Bet demanding an immediate review into whether wartime treason or unlawful collaboration with a foreign terror organization has taken place. If the filmmaker maintained ties with overseas Hamas operatives, as the research indicates, this cannot simply be ignored. The State of Israel must establish who transferred operational data, how it fell into his possession, and how it was utilized. I expect the Shin Bet to execute a comprehensive investigation and leave no stone unturned until the full truth is brought to light.”

Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar | Photo: Flash 90

As correspondent Avraham Hasson detailed, the Yesha Council’s intelligence dossiers outline a coordinated web of connections around Abraham, whose documentary has severely damaged Israel’s operational reputation and the IDF’s standing on the international stage. Following the presentation of these findings, public and political pressure is intensifying on Israeli security agencies to thoroughly audit the filmmaker’s contacts, funding networks, and handling of sensitive defense information.

October 5, 2026
Israel Bars UK Green Party Leader For ‘Zionism Is Racism’ Vote

Following the UK Green Party’s decision to confer legitimacy upon armed warfare against the State of Israel, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar announced on Sunday evening that party leader Zack Polanski is officially barred from entering Israel.

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar | Photo: Foreign Ministry

The party’s endorsement of hostile action manifested in its formal resolution declaring Zionism to be racism, a text that included calls for establishing a ‘Palestinian’ state “from the river to the sea”—a formula denoting the physical destruction of the State of Israel.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs further stated that the Brighton resolution constitutes an explicitly antisemitic text under the working definition of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), as it fundamentally denies the Jewish people’s inalienable right to national self-determination.

October 5, 2026
Ireland Demands UEFA Block Future Soccer Matches With Israel

Political tensions surrounding the Nations League meetings between Israel and Ireland have reached a new peak, with the Irish Football Association and coaching staff now calling on UEFA to prevent the national teams from facing each other again. Following a disappointing 1-1 draw in Serbia, Ireland coach Heimir Hallgrímsson said he believes the two countries should not play one another in the future and called on European football’s governing body to intervene.

Photo: Football Association

Speaking to Irish media, Hallgrímsson emphasized the charged atmosphere that accompanied the two recent meetings. The coach pointed to widespread public support in Ireland for the ‘Palestinian’ cause as one of the main factors creating unavoidable friction. According to Hallgrímsson, the emotional and political burden placed on the players and staff over the past two weeks was unprecedented, and there was no reason to put a national team through such circumstances again.

The Irish demand comes following a series of unusual incidents and heated confrontations off the pitch. In both Israel fixtures, Irish players bowed their heads during “Hatikvah,” refused the customary pre-match handshakes and pennant exchange, and wore black armbands for Gaza; goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu refused to participate in the fixtures altogether. There were also mutual accusations surrounding physical and verbal confrontations in the players’ tunnel and during press conferences.

Ireland national team coach, Hallgrimsson | Photo: Shutterstock

In Ireland, officials have claimed that the matches became a stage for provocations. Hallgrímsson praised his players for, in his view, refusing to be drawn into those provocations, but made clear that a line had been crossed. The ball now moves to UEFA, which will have to determine whether meetings between Israel and Ireland should be added to the list of prohibited fixtures for political reasons, as has previously been done with countries involved in direct geopolitical conflicts. While Ireland hopes to receive a permanent exemption from facing the blue-and-white, Israeli critics have strongly condemned the attempt to mix politics with sport and are now awaiting the European football governing body’s decision.

October 5, 2026
Duvdevan Unit Arrests Two Arms Dealers in Shechem Casbah Raid

Duvdevan Unit commandos, under the Samaria Brigade and directed by the Shin Bet, operated yesterday (Sunday) in the casbah of Shechem and arrested two terror operatives. According to an IDF statement, the two were engaged in trafficking weapons intended for carrying out attacks and harming Israeli civilians and security forces operating in the area.

The operation was carried out following precise intelligence received by the Shin Bet, which pinpointed the location of the wanted men in the heart of the dense, built-up area. In a swift special operation, Duvdevan fighters entered deep into the casbah, reached the target, and within just minutes completed the capture and arrest of the two terror operatives.

The arrested operatives were transferred for further interrogation by security forces, as part of the ongoing effort to dismantle terror infrastructure and weapons trafficking in the region. The IDF emphasized following the operation that “IDF forces will continue to operate with freedom of action and proactively to thwart terror in the Judea and Samaria sector.”

October 5, 2026
IDF Thwarts Infiltration Attempt Near Quneitra, Syria

Escalation in the Syrian arena: Shortly ago today (Monday), IDF forces identified two suspects traveling on a motorcycle toward an IDF outpost in the security zone in southern Syria. Following rapid identification, the forces initiated a suspect-arrest procedure—which included firing at the individuals—and apprehended both suspects; there were no casualties among our forces.

This follows another unusual incident that occurred overnight, in which our troops identified an additional suspect attempting to infiltrate an IDF outpost in the security zone in southern Syria. Following rapid identification, the forces fired at the suspect and neutralized him; there were no casualties among our forces.

October 5, 2026